SXMElections.com

Caribbean Stakes Future On Climate-Smart Agriculture

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – As Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries continue to build on the momentum of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Marrakech in 2016, special emphasis is being placed on agriculture as outlined in their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).

The historic climate agreement was approved on Dec. 12, 2015 at COP21. INDCs is the term used under the UNFCCC for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that all countries which are party to the convention were asked to publish in the lead up to the conference.

In their INDCs, the countries of CARICOM, a 15-member regional grouping, have prioritized adaptation in the agricultural sector, given the need to support food security.

They are now shifting their focus from climate planning to action and implementation Read more

Committees Are The Backbone Of Parliament

The system of parliamentary committees in the Netherlands is considered the backbone of the Dutch parliament. The review further indicates that two thirds of the work of parliament takes place in the committees.

Looking at how the committee system functions, in the parliament of Sint Maarten, we can only sadly conclude that our parliament is not functioning optimally due to the fact that the committees are not functioning.

The Annual Report of the Parliamentary Year 2015-2016 of Sint Maarten gives some insight as to how these committees are functioning Read more

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Multi-Ministerial Inspections Target Increased Compliance

PHILIPSBURG – Last Friday, March 10, a multi-disciplinary control was conducted by inspectors from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) with the assistance of the Ministry of Finance’s Tax inspectors, Ministry of Justice’s Immigration officers, representatives from SZV as well as close cooperation with the representatives from the Ministry of VROMI.

At Wednesday’s, March 15, press briefing Minister of VSA Emil Lee commended the team who carried out the inspections last Friday for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the day Read more

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Dutch Election: Pm Rutte Sees Off Anti-Eu Wilders Challenge

BBC —  Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s party has won the most seats in parliamentary elections, exit polls say.

Early results confirmed the exit polls, with his centre-right VVD Party on course for 31 out of 150 seats.

Three parties are projected to win 19 seats each: Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV), the Christian Democrats and the D66 party.

Mr Wilders’ party had been leading in opinion polls but support for the party appeared to slip in recent days.

With 10.9% of votes counted early on Thursday, the VVD had polled 17.8%.

Voter participation in the general election was high; the 81% turnout was the highest for 30 years.

Analysts say a high turnout may have benefited pro-EU and liberal parties.

“Today was a celebration of democracy,” Mr Rutte said, adding that the Netherlands had said no to the “wrong kind of populism”.

Although the VVD had lost several seats since the last election, many had expected the party to lose much more ground to the Freedom Party.

Many had been watching the vote in the Netherlands closely, as an indication for how populist parties may fare in other elections in EU countries.

France goes to the polls next month to elect a new president, while Germany is due to hold a general election in September.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called Mr Rutte to congratulate him, while Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has also tweeted his congratulations.

Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament until earlier this year, said he was “relieved” Mr Wilders’ party had lost.

“We must continue to fight for an open and free Europe!” he added on Twitter (in German).

However, Mr Wilders warned that Mr Rutte “has not seen the last of me”.

He previously said that the “patriotic revolution” would continue to take place, and “the genie will not go back into the bottle”.

Pharrell Williams’ song Happy pumped out across a conference hall converted to host the victorious VVD.

“Of course he’ll still be prime minister,” a loyal party member with black rimmed glasses told us Read more

Mp Brownbill Detained By Anti-Corruption Team

PHILIPSBURG--United St. Maarten party (USP) Member of Parliament Chanel Brownbill has been detained by authorities on Wednesday morning along with two other suspects in connection with the Emerald investigation.

Brownbill and the other suspects in the case are suspected of forgery and tax evasion Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The system of parliamentary committees in the Netherlands is considered the backbone of the Dutch parliament. The review further indicates that two-thirds of the work of parliament take place in the committees. Looking at how the committee system functions, in the parliament of Sint Maarten, we can only sadly conclude that our parliament is not functioning optimally due to the fact that the committees are not functioning. The Annual Report of the Parliamentary Year 2015-2016 of Sint Maarten gives some insight, as to how these committees are functioning Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday 13th March 2017 the Minister of Finance from Sint Maarten, the Honorable Richard Gibson Sr. met with the Minister of Finance from Curacao, the Honorable Kenneth Gijsbertha to discuss vital financial matters that affect both Sint Maarten and Curacao.

Some topics addressed during this meeting were: the management of the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), the de-risking trends within our financial institutions, the division of assets of the former Netherlands Antilles, Sint Maarten and Curacao’s possible participation in the pilot project organized by the United States and the upcoming IMF Meeting in Washington, to take place in April of this year Read more

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Report on hacking to be discussed on Thursday.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin announced on Wednesday that the Secretary General of General Affairs has filed a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office on the hacking of Government ICT system which took place late last year and again two weeks ago. Marlin said if someone is maliciously attacking government ICT system and planting viruses then that is a criminal offense and the prosecutor’s office ought to investigate.
Marlin did not go into details of the report that he said will be discussed with the head of ICT department and other civil servants, however, he did state that based on the report at least four computers were identified as the hacking point Read more

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Sarah Declines Meeting With New Quartermaster

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams has declined to meet with the Dutch Government-appointed quartermaster for the yet-to-be-established Integrity Chamber.

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Letter From Plasterk To Marlin On Leijtens’ Appointment Released

THE HAGUE--Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk informed St. Maarten Prime Minister William Marlin regarding the appointment of Hans Leijtens as quartermaster for the St. Maarten Integrity Chamber by letter on January 30.

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*Breaking News *: Nino Thewet Succumbed To His Injuries And Steve Still Fighting For His Life.

 

SUCKER Garden– On Tuesday, March 14, right after 10:30pm two men were ambushed and shot at a carwash on Arch Road.

One of the men was identified as “Nino Thewet aka (Nino Brown),” the owner of the carwash.

After verifying the details, 721news learned from a close family member, who confirmed to us that the owner of the car wash Nino Thewet, had been shot multiples times and was fighting for his life at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC).

However, shortly after 12:00am Wednesday March 15 Midnight, it was confirmed by a family member that he had succumbed to his injuries and died Read more

Update # 2, Police Report: Two Person Shot On Arch Road

UPDATE POLICE REPORT

Two men shot on Arch road

Detectives are presently investigating a shooting of two men at a “truck wash” located on the Arch road in Sucker Garden. The Emergency Dispatch received the first call at approximately 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday March 14th informing them that two unknown masked gunmen entered the building on the premises where the truck wash is located Read more

Minister Emmanuel Donates To Sint Maarten Pro Softball Association.

Philipsburg –  Honorable Minister VROMI, Christopher Emmanuel gave a donation to the Sint Maarten Pro Softball Association.

The Controllers Male Softball team and the Survivors Girls Team have been invited to participate in the upcoming Aruba Day Softball Tournament which is scheduled from March 5th to March 22nd, 2017 Read more

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Pastor To Appeal Jail Term On Sex Charge

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A 55-year-old pastor, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail last week after he was found guilty of having sex with a minor two years ago, has announced plans to appeal the conviction.

Attorney Lyndel Wellesley said his client, Reverend Paul Hanniford of the Pentecostal City Mission Church, has since filed a notice of the appeal.

Wellesley has confirmed that Hanniford, who was found guilty by a seven-member jury on January 24 and sentenced by Justice Lorna Shelly Williams last Friday, will be challenging his sentence on the basis that it is excessive.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) said the complainant, who is now 15 years old, testified in court that on March 12, 2015, she and her five-year-old brother went to the church for choir practice and after the rehearsal they asked the pastor for a ride.

But the Home Court was told that the child, who was a member of the Pentecostal City Mission Church and was baptised by Hanniford was taken to the pastor’s home in Kingston.

“The pastor gave the five-year-old some cornflakes to eat Read more

Sparks Plugs Gap In Caribbean Climate Research

KINGSTON, Jamaica  – On Nov. 30 last year, a new high-performance ‘Super Computer’ was installed at the University of the West Indies (UWI) during climate change week. Dubbed SPARKS – short for the Scientific Platform for Applied Research and Knowledge Sharing – the computer is already churning out the ‘big data’ Caribbean small island states (SIDS) need to accurately forecast and mitigate the effects of climate change on the region.

Experts are preparing the Caribbean to mitigate the devastating impacts – rising seas, longer dry spells, more extreme rainfall and potentially higher impact tropical cyclones – associated with climate change Read more

Cuban Foreign Minister Calls For United Caribbean Response To Changing World

HAVANA, Cuba  – The new geopolitical scenario, the challenges imposed by today’s often discriminatory migration policies, climate change and the search for sustainable economic development, demand a united response by Caribbean nations, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said.

At the inauguration of the 22nd Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in Havana, Rodriguez defended unity and consensus as the only viable way to deal with the vast changes taking place in the worldwide panorama,” and which have “significant repercussions” in the region.

In his capacity as host and president of the Council of Ministers, the Cuban official called attention to the “discriminatory and repressive migration policies that could lead to more deportations and discrimination against Latin American and Caribbean migrants.”

He also noted the “application of extreme protectionist measures in trade matters,” which could mean “a serious impact on the development” of Caribbean economies, because of their negative effect on job creation, revenues, industry and commerce.

“Against the wall they now intend to build, we must continue to be united, solidary and complementary, Rodriguez said at the opening of the meeting, presided over by Cuban President Raul Castro.

Rodriguez noted how member states are strengthening the organization and the growing number of observer nations actively participating in promoting ties of cooperation to meet Caribbean needs, with emphasis on developing the areas of transport and tourism while dealing with climate change.

The Association of Caribbean States was founded July 24, 1994, in Cartagena, Colombia, to promote the consultation, cooperation and communal action of Caribbean countries.

Member states of the ACS are Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, El Salvador, Granada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, St Read more

Pastor Gets 20 Years For Sex With Minor

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Pastor Reverend Paul Hanniford was today sentenced to 20 years in prison for having sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Lorna Shelly Williams when he appeared in the Home Circuit Court.

The Pentecostal City Mission Church pastor was convicted by a seven-member jury, on January 24 of having sexual intercourse with a minor.

According to Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (OFPP) the complainant, who is now 15 years old, testified in court that on March 12, 2015, she and her five-year-old brother went to the church for choir practice and after the rehearsal they asked Pastor Hanniford for a drive out in his van.

The pastor took the children to his house in Kingston and all three went inside the house.

“The pastor gave the five-year-old some cornflakes to eat Read more

Intensified Inspections Start, Businesses Closed

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Emil Lee kept to his word and started intensified inspections at several businesses on Friday with a team from the VSA Inspectorate.

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Prime Minister: Prevention Is Better Than Cure

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister (PM) William Marlin gave an update on discussions he took part in during his attendance to the OCT Forum in Aruba, in Wednesday’s, March 8, Council of Ministers Press Briefing.

First, he publicly congratulated Carol Voges, who is part of the work cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague, and who attends the OCTA meetings “on our behalf often times in Brussels,” on being elected as Chair of the Executive Committee of OCTA for 2017 Read more

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Minister Lee: We’Re Searching For The ‘Goldilocks Solution’

PHILIPSBURG – In Wednesday’s, March 8, Council of Ministers Weekly Press Briefing, Minister of Health, Social Affairs and Labour Emil Lee clarified a number of issues including the statement of the Minister of Finance regarding progress on a National Health Insurance (NHI).

“While certainly the process of having legislation approved by parliament is the culmination of the efforts, I think it’s important to recognize that a reform of our health care system or national health insurance is a complicated process, and we need time to work together with stakeholders to make sure that everybody’s concerns and feedback is incorporated Read more

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Minister Jacobs: Give A Helping Hand

PHILIPSBURG – In Wednesday’s, March 8, Council of Minister’s Press Briefing Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs updated on the following:

This weekend the SXM DOET will be happening all over the Dutch Kingdom. She commended the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School management and staff for initiating the painting of their school, as well as their benches.

As a result of the initiative of the Ministry, three public schools will have murals done Read more

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Minister Of Finance: It System Held Together With Hanger Wires And Tape

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Finance Richard Gibson addressed the Press in Wednesday’s, March 8, Council of Minister’s press briefing.

First, he mentioned the closing of the Receiver’s and Census Offices “because of a smell that was detected this morning in the building. It has not been discovered yet where that smell is coming from, what’s the source of the smell or the nature of the smell, whether it is sewage, electrical, or another.”

“The Fire Department came and aired out the building, and hopefully by lunchtime there is a plan that the Receiver of taxes, the Census office will again open,” he said.

“We’ve been experiencing breach in terms of a virus attack again Read more

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Minister Of Finance Meets With Deloitte Partners

 

PHILIPSBURG – On March 1, Minister of Finance Richard Gibson met with Managing Partner and Tax Partner of Deloitte in the Dutch Caribbean Julian Lopez-Ramirez, to discuss the most recent developments in national and international fiscal affairs.

Lopez-Ramirez took this opportunity to also present the published inau Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---The National Ordinance to amend Book 7A of the civil code to eliminate the abuse of the short term contract.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament George Pantophlet says it is important to give the public a refresher as for why the process to amend book 7A of the civil code.
The intention amends Book 7A of civil code is to protect the employees or workers Read more

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