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Defence: Robbie Dos Santos Dragged By The Hair Into Lissabon Investigation

Robbie Dos Santos (Photo courtesy Antilliaans Dagblad).

By Jacqueline Hooftman

PHILIPSBURG--Businessman Robbie Dos Santos was effectively dragged by the hair into the Lissabon investigation, his attorneys Niels van der Laan and Olga Kostrzewski argued in court this week, questioning both the origins of the case against him and the strength of the evidence presented by prosecutors.

On Tuesday, defence lawyer Van der Laan delivered an extensive plea requesting the full acquittal of Dos Santos Read more

Hey Bro: Friendship Between Brison And Dijkhoffz Under Scrutiny In Lissabon Case

Alex Dijkhoffz

By Jacqueline Hooftman

PHILIPSBURG--According to the prosecutor, former Member of Parliament and leader of the United Peoples (UP) party, Rolando Brison, does not recognise the seriousness of the allegations against him, which the prosecution says strike at the core of St. Maartens democratic system.

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DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, 10th March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 11th March 2026THE SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS CANCELLEDWEATHER:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Occasionally cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 28C / 82F               Forecast Low: 23C / 73FSunset Today: 6:21 P.M.                    Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:24 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze at 10 to 18 mph and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A high pressure system will generate gentle to moderate winds across the region Read more

Brug: Health Mission To Colombia Opens Door To Directly Recruit Qualified Doctors

Health Minister Richinel Brug (third left), representatives of SMMC and SZV with Colombian health officials.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richinel Brug says a recent health mission to Colombia has opened opportunities to recruit more permanent doctors for St Maarten, addressing concerns from patients about the frequent rotation of physicians on the island.

Brug reported on the official mission, which took place from March 48, 2026, and included a delegation from Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), Social and Health Insurances SZV, and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Read more

Arrindell Bids Farewell To Officials, Presents Salt Reapers Booklet

From left: Shandra John, Arubas representative, former Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eddie van Marum, and Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell.

THE HAGUE--Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell attended a farewell ceremony for former Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Frank Rijkaart and former Dutch State Secretary for Digitalisation and Kingdom Relations Eddie van Marum, presenting them with copies of the booklet Salt Reapers: The Story of the Salt Industry on Sint Maarten.

The presentation was made as a gesture of appreciation for their cooperation and engagement with Sint Maarten and the wider Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

By sharing the publication, Arrindell highlighted the importance of sharing Sint Maartens heritage and history with partners across the Kingdom.

I appreciated the Minister and State Secretary's heartfelt engagement during their very constructive tenure and used this opportunity to join others to bid them farewell, Arrindell stated Thursday.

A new Dutch government was sworn in on February 23, 2026, during a ceremony at the Huis ten Bosch Palace Read more

Local, Surinamese Prison Guards Sworn In To Strengthen Operations

Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling and Prison Director Steven Carty pose with the sworn in correctional officers.

PHILIPSBURG--A group of local correctional officers and fourteen officers from Suriname were officially sworn in on Friday, in a move the Ministry of Justice says will help strengthen operational capacity at Point Blanche Prison.

During the ceremony, Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling acknowledged that the swearing-in of several local officers had been delayed and offered an apology on behalf of the Ministry for the time it took to complete the process Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, 9 March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 10 March 2026A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12PM TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2026WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy with brief isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F              Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today: 6:21 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:24 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Easterly with a gentle to fresh breeze at 10 to 20 mph, and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Shallow pockets of moisture will cause brief showers as they move across the region Read more

Ursm Board Members Attend Corporate Governance Training

URSM board members participated in corporate governance training.

PHILIPSBURG--Several board members of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) recently participat Read more

15 Royal Netherlands Marechaussee Cadets Complete Initial Training Phase

Cadets are ready to start the advanced training programme.

KRALENDIJK--Fifteen cadets of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee successfully completed the first phase of their training on Friday, March 6, marking the start of their advanced programme. The initial five-day field exercise focused on developing teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

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DATE ISSUED: Friday, 6th March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 7th March 2026A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy with isolated showers possible.This evening through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today: 6:20 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:27 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: East-northeasterly with a moderate to fresh breeze at 13 to 20 mph and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A tight surface pressure gradient will maintain breezy conditions Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 5th March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC).VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 6th March 2026 A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT WEATHER:This afternoon & evening: Partly cloudy and breezy. Isolated showers are likely.Tonight, through Friday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F              Forecast Low:  24C / 75FSunset Today: 6:20 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:27 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Easterly, with a gentle to moderate breeze at 10 to 18 mph, and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Generally stable weather and breezy conditions will persist despite trade wind showers this evening and overnight.Slight to moderate sea conditions will prevail, with wave heights peaking near 7 feet along the east coast Read more

Up Mp Lacroes Urges Govt To Review Model Law For Marine-Coastal Tourism

MP Francisco Lacroes.

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes on Wednesday urged the government to examine the Model Law on Sustainable Marine-Coastal Community Tourism when preparing zoning and conservation policies.

He said coastal territories remain undervalued and insufficiently protected in many cases Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 4th March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 5th March 2026 WEATHER:This afternoon & evening: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy.Tonight, through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with scattered showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F              Forecast Low:  24C / 75FSunset Today: 6:19 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:28 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Easterly, with a gentle to moderate breeze, at 10 to 18 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Stable weather and breezy conditions will persist until tonight Read more

New Mural Added To Clem Labega Square

Philipsburg – A new mural has been added to the pay station at Clem Labega Square as part of the @ColorMeSXM project by the Be The Change Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of General Affairs. Since 2020, the initiative has introduced more than 24 murals throughout Philipsburg. The new mural was funded by the Mondriaan Fund, which promotes visual arts and cultural heritage in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

We are excited about the central and highly visible location of this mural and grateful to everyone who supported its completion, said Laura Bijnsdorp, Coordinator of @ColorMeSXM Read more

Sr. Marie Laurence Reconstruction To Begin This Month, Complete In 2027

Artist impression of the new Sr. Marie Laurence School (Photo courtesy www.lyongo.com).

~Trini contractor only bid submitted~

MIDDLE REGION--The reconstruction of the Sr. Marie Laurence School in Middle Region is set to begin in the first week of March 2026, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs s Read more

New Historic-Themed Mural Unveiled At Philipsburg Centre

From left to right, Coordinator of @ColorMeSXM Laura Bijnsdorp, President of the BTC Foundation Melanie Choisy, artist Adam Garliki Adam G, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, and Chief of Staff Stuart Johnson.

PHILIPSBURG--A new mural now adorns the pay station at Clem Labega Square, adding a fresh splash of colour and history to the heart of the capital Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 3rd March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Wednesday morning (12:00 LST) 4th March 2026THE SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS CANCELLED WEATHER:Today: Partly cloudy, hazy and breezy with isolated showers likely.Tonight through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and breezy with scattered showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77FSunset Today: 6:19 P.M.                    Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:29 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze at 10 to 18 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A relatively stable atmosphere and mostly moderate winds will persist Read more

Court Ruling Pushes Vromi Min. Gumbs To Approve Civil Works For Morgan Residences

The Morgan Residences will feature 120 luxury condominiums and a 150-metre-long infinity pool.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Patrice Gumbs, representing the Party for Progress (PFP), has approved Civil Works permits for The Morgan Residences, a luxury condominium development next to The Morgan Resort Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 2nd March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 3rd March 2026WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Cloudy at first, then becoming partly cloudy, hazy and breezy with isolated showers possible.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77FSunset Today: 6:19 P.M.                    Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:30 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Easterly to east southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze at 10 to 18 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Pockets of low-level clouds drifting in the wind flow may cause isolated showers Read more

Usm President: University Needs Stronger, More Consistent, Structural Govt. Funding

USM President Dr. Antonio Carmona Bez.

POND ISLAND--University of St. Martin (USM) President Antonio Carmona Bez said there is a need for stronger structural government funding and coordinated investment to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the countrys sole high Read more

Dcomm Visits French Side Counterparts

Philipsburg/Marigot On February 26, the Department of Communication of the Government of Sint Maarten paid a working visit to their French counterparts of the Collectivit of Saint-Martin, Communication Department, which includes the protocol section.

The working visit was to get a deeper understanding of how the French side Department of Communication functions within the Collectivit, to exchange mutual operational information and ideas, and to continue fostering the working relationship.

In their Marigot offices, the head/director of the French side Department of Communication Nathalie Longato gave a short presentation and shared an overview of the work and responsibilities Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday 27th February 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 28th February 2026WEATHER:This afternoon & evening: Cloudy, occasionally breezy and slightly hazy. Light rain is likely.Tonight, through Saturday midday: Cloudy, occasionally breezy and slightly hazy with scattered showers.Forecast High: 28C / 82F              Forecast Low: 23C / 73FSunset Today: 6:18 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:32 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: East-northeasterly to southeasterly, with a gentle to moderate breeze, at 8 to 18 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A high-pressure system will support occasionally breezy conditions across the area Read more

Only 11% In Group 5 Master Problem-Solving And 2% At Public Schools, Assessment Shows

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs.

~0% mastery at 4 schools~

PHILIPSBURG--Findings from the National Assessment Report: Early Literacy and Numeracy for the Group 5 cohort 2024/2025 revealed that a majority of pupils are struggling to achieve proficiency in mathematics problem-solving.

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Minister Presents Medical Education Accreditation Framework To Parliament

American University of Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine Facilities.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs on Thursday presented the framework for regulating medical education on St Maarten to Parliaments ECYS Committee.

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