SXMElections.com

It Is A Discussion We Must Have, Sooner Rather Than Later

Not totally unexpected, my recent comments on the relationships in the Dutch Kingdom have evoked quite some reactions. I welcome these reactions, because I believe it is a discussion we must have, sooner rather than later.

My comments, however, had to do with the following: Theoretically, the competencies and authorities between the Dutch countries and the Kingdom level of Government are quite clear in the Charter of the Dutch Kingdom. The main areas of Kingdom responsibilities are Defense, Nationality and Defense.

No one would argue though, that the so-called equality of all 4 Dutch countries in reality is far from such Read more

World’s Best Hotels Named in 15th Year of Awards

CUPECOY:--- The Summit Resort Hotel today announced it has been recognized as a winner in the Top Bargain Hotels - Caribbean category of the 2017 TripAdvisor Travelers’ ChoiceR awards for Hotels, ranking twenty-fourth out of twenty-five total winners. In the 15th year of the awards, TripAdvisor has highlighted the world’s top properties based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from travelers around the globe Read more

Guyana Oil Discovery: Blessing Or Curse?

NASSAU, The Bahamas  –  With the survival of CARICOM member states on the line in the face of a changing climate fuelled by greenhouse gas emissions, Guyana could have some tough decisions ahead, following the recent discovery of oil off its coast.

This is according to Dr Al Binger, interim executive director of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), who suggested that the 1.4 billion-barrel discovery could perhaps not have come at a worse time.

This, as CARICOM and other Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) members press for keeping global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as provided for in the historic Paris Agreement.

“Limiting warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100 requires a reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by 70 to 95 per cent relative to 2010 levels by 2050 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, January 28, 2017, National Institute of Arts will present a free circus act performance at the Gym Hall at the Asha Stevens Christian Hillside School in Cay Hill. The Free performance is to show case the talents of Olga Subbota and partner Alexse, two international circus performers who will offer circus genre classes at the National Institute of Arts.

This collaboration between NIA and Olga Entertainment Agency is new partnership to create and expand the creative expressive opportunities for St.Maarten’s children.
The circus platform is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore more fun activities and develop physical coordination, endurance, and agility Read more

Harbour View:--- On January 25th, 2017, His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday administered the oath of office of Hasani B. Ellis as the deputy minister plenipotentiary.
Governor Holiday congratulated the new deputy minister plenipotentiary on his appointment and wished him strength and wisdom in the performanc Read more

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St. Maarten Parliament Passes A Law That Infringes On The Rights Of The People --- Mp Frans Richardson.

Kingdom must respect, PM, Parliament and its people.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Frans Richardson in his opening remarks on the floor of parliament on Thursday afternoon during the discussion on the appointment of a Quartermaster by the Minister of Interior and Foreign Affairs Ronald Plasterk said it’s a shame that the Kingdom has stopped so low when they chose not to inform the Prime Minister of St Read more

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Guardrail Down

Acting Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Silveria Jacobs announced on Wednesday that the Ministry urges drivers to be careful when passing over Prins Bernhard Bridge, as the railing was severely damaged by a motorist this past weekend. Government is looking at quotations to repair the rai Read more

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The Bahamas To Improve Airport Infrastructure With Idb Support

NASSAU, The Bahamas  – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $35 million loan designed to improve infrastructure at four airports on the Family Islands, as The Bahamas’ less developed outer islands are known.

The loan will contribute to the archipelago’s regional and international integration through upgrades at the airports of Exuma, North Eleuthera, Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay.

The project will finance modernization and maintenance of the airports, including a wide range of aviation and infrastructure improvements such as visual aids, lighting, runway beacons, mobile airport equipment, parking platforms and passenger terminals Read more

Pastor Convicted Of Sex Charges Involving A Minor

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A 55-year-old pastor is to return to court on February 24 after he was found guilty of having sexual intercourse with a minor in March 2015.

A statement issued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) said that Paul Hanniford was found guilty of the crime during an in-camera trial held at the Home Circuit Court.

The seven-member jury, which was unanimous in its guilty verdict, deliberated for an hour and 20 minutes after instructions were given by Justice Lorna Shelly-Williams.

The statement by the DPP said the court was told that the minor, who was 13 years old at the time the offence was committed, was a member of the Pentecostal City Mission Church and was baptised by Hanniford.

The DPP 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 Pastor Hanniford for a drive out in his van.

The statement noted that the pastor took the children to his house in Kingston where the complainant requested the use of the bathroom and while there in the bathroom the pastor entered.

“The complainant was pushed by the pastor outside the bathroom onto a bed that was inside a nearby bedroom and sexually assaulted her,” the DPP said.

Prosecutors led evidence that the complainant managed to push the pastor off and went outside of the bedroom where her brother was.

The court was told that her cries of “help, help” were overheard by her brother, who had climbed onto a chair and peeped through a hole in the door and observed Pastor Hanniford sexually assaulting his sister which made him feel “sad”.

According to the evidence presented to the court, after the complainant managed to leave the room, on re-joining her brother, the pastor gave them some cornflakes to eat and later warned the complainant not to tell anyone as it was their “secret”.

But the complainant’s brother made a report to his mother in the presence of the pastor about what he had seen and the following day a meeting was convened at the church with the bishop, the pastor, the complainant, her brother and the children’s parents.

On April 14, 2015, a report was made to the police and the pastor was arrested Read more

Gibson: Airport, Harbour Should Pay Departure Tax

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Richard Gibson says Princess Juliana International Airport and Port St. Maarten (Harbour) should pay a “departure tax” to government as is the case in other countries.

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Government Registers Naf. 1.1 Million Surplus

PHILIPSBURG--Government has registered a surplus of NAf. 1.1 million in revenues in 2016, Finance Minister Richard Gibson announced on Wednesday.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The appointment of Quartermaster Hans Leijtens, last week, came as a shock to our politicians. The Honorable Prime Minister said he was flabbergasted. The Honorable President of Parliament called the appointment provocative and Member of Parliament, Theo Heyliger, described it as vindictive. And of course, the Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk, gets the blame Read more

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Noticia De Ultima Hora: Asesinan A Tiros A Franky Brunache Frente A Su Residencia

Traducido por Máximo Castro

HOPE ESTATE, Sint Maarten.- Franklin “Franky” Brunache, fue asesinado a sangre fría el martes en la noche frente a su residencia en Hope Estate por un asaltante  aún desconocido.

La policía arribó a la escena después de las 11:00 pm y encontraron al joven en la entrada cerca del lado del conductor de su vehículo un todoterreno negro.

El jefe de la policía, Carl John, y un fiscal estuvieron en la escena del crimen el martes en la noche, mientras los investigadores procuraban hablar con cualquier posible testigo que les ayudara a reconstruir lo ocurrido Read more

Breaking News: Franky Brunache Shot In Cold Blood On Tuesday Night

721news Video

HOPE ESTATE, Sint Maarten — Franklin “Franky” Brunache was shot in cold blood late Tuesday evening by unknown assailant (s) in front of his home located in Hope Estate.

Police arrived on the scene after 11:00pm when they found the young man on the driveway near the driver’s side in a black SUV.

Police Chief Carl John and a Prosecutor were on scene late on Tuesday as investigators were speaking to any possible witnesses trying to piece together what took place Read more

Cdb Official Urges Region To Reduce Dependence On Fossil Fuels

NASSAU, The Bahamas – An official of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has reiterated a statement made by its president in 2014, which points to the need to move away from imported fossil fuels.

“Unless we can reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, and unless we can substantially reduce energy costs, we will not succeed in improving our competitiveness and reducing our vulnerability to external shocks,” Head of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the CDB, Tessa Williams-Robertson said.

Speaking here at the opening of the fifth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF), Mrs Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Omololu International School, a private primary school located in Anguilla, is prepped for big changes over the coming months.
The changes really began back in July of 2016 when the school received official authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization, certifying it as a Primary Years Programme World School. The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a worldwide educational group headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The three programmes that run under the IBO are the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) Read more

Minister Jacobs Attends Oranje School’S Slumber Reading Party.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, January 20th, 2017, Minister of the Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs, Ms. Silveria Jacobs attended the Slumber Party Reading event at the Oranje School. The activity was part of events leading up to the 30th Annual Book week celebrations, which is celebrated from February 20th to February 25th, 2017 Read more

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Sarah: St. Maarten Should Revisit Its Relationship In Dutch Kingdom

~ Parliament meets on quartermaster Thursday ~

PHILIPSBURG--Chairperson of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Monday that St. Maarten should seriously re-examine its relationship within the Dutch Kingdom.

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Arnell Clarifies Law Amendments For Tax Reimbursement By Airlines

MARIGOT--Senator Guillaume Arnell on Monday clarified a press release regarding a legal obligation for airlines to refund taxes back to consumers.

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Jamaican Teacher Deported From Turks And Caicos Islands

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A Jamaican teacher who was accused of child abuse in Turks and Caicos Islands has returned to Jamaica after she was deported.

But Gillian Mullings, the attorney for the accused, Suzette Codling, is criticising how immigrants are treated on the small Caribbean island.

The practice, Mullings revealed, is that if immigrants are poorly treated by employers and report it, they are deported to their homeland without the matter being heard by a tribunal.

She reasoned that this practice begets the building of a society which frowns upon ‘whistle-blowing’ Read more

Grand Case Runway Extension Talks To Continue, No Deal Yet

MARIGOT--First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell said Monday discussions and negotiations are continuing with the Laurence family and their Notary over the Collectivité’s acquisition of land to construct the runway extension at Grand Case airport, adding he is due to meet next with the family on January 27.

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Minister Of Justice Meets With Heads Of Justice Depts.

PHILIPSBURG – On Thursday, January 19, Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman met with the heads of the various departments that fall under the Justice ministry.

Present at the meeting representing their departments were: Rueben Thompson, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice; Lucy Gachette of the National Detectives (Landsrecherche);  Robert Barbij of the Immigration Department; Carl John from the St Read more

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Reporting Human Rights And Civil Rights In St. Martin And The Caribbean

by Fabian A. Badejo

(Panel discussion organized by the Conscious Lyrics Foundation, on occasion of the 30th anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture, Jubilee Library, St. Maarten, Friday, January 13, 2017.)

At the time, the evil regime of apartheid was still in full force and Mandela was still behind bars and considered a terrorist by the US and other western powers Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, January 19th, 2017 Minister of Justice, the honorable Rafael Boasman met with the heads of the various departments that fall under the justice ministry. 
Present at the meeting representing their departments were:
Rueben Thompson, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, Lucy Gachette of the National Detectives (Landsrecherche),
Robert Barbij of the Immigration Department, Carl John from the St Read more

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