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Parliaments agree on dispute arrangement

~ Consensus reigns at IPKO ~

THE HAGUE/ORANJESTAD--The Parliaments of Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the Netherlands closed off a very successful Inter-Parliamentary Consultation of the Kingdom IPKO in Aruba on Friday.

Consensus was reached on several topics, including establishing of a dispute arrangement "geschillenregeling" for the Kingdom, the broadening of the request for advice of the Council of State on applying of Regulation of the Governor by the Kingdom Council of Ministers, use of Dutch study financing in the Caribbean region and repayment of study debts in local currencies of Dutch Caribbean countries.

All delegation leaders were highly positive about the level of talks in Aruba this week and the willingness to cooperate and to find solutions for pressing matters in the Kingdom Read more

Sarah: January 7 ‘dark day for all’

PHILIPSBURG--January seven was “a dark day for all of us,” said Democratic Party (DP) Leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams in a condolence message to the family of the victims of the tragic shooting at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, the French Republic and all of Europe impacted by the events on Wednesday.

“In a very special way, we empathize with our French St Read more

Lloyd condemns attacks on democracy, free expression

PHILIPSBURG/ARUBA--"The event in the French Republic hits very close to our hearts as part of our island, the northern half is part of France," said Parliament Chairman Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Lloyd Richardson in a condolence message to the government and people of France, after the tragic attack in Paris on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on January 7.

"The fundamental right of the freedom of expression is at stake Read more

PM Gumbs pushes to have Ms. Lalie’s statue repaired.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs has made sure that one of St. Maarten's national figures and a local heroine is remembered with respect. The statue of Lalie Duzanson on the Dutch Quarter/Belvedere round about was damaged during the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo and has ever since been leaning backwards.

Prime Minister Gumbs recently got in contact with sculptor Michael Maghiro with a simple yet deliberately strong message: Ms Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- President Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson on behalf of the people and the Members of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, expresses deepest sympathy to the Republic of France, its people and Government during these trying times.

"The event in the French Republic hits very close to our hearts as part of our island, the Northern half is part of France Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Democratic Party of St. Maarten expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Charlie Hebdo tragedy in France, to the French Republic and all its citizens in Europe and abroad, and in a very special way, we empathize with our French St. Martin brothers and sisters.
It's a dark day for all of us. As the tragedy continues to unfold in France in view of the whole world, we on our island are sadly reminded of the volatile times we live in Read more

style="text-align: center;">Coverage of the Caribbean's Marquee 50-over Competition Starts January 15

ESPN Caribbean has acquired exclusive media rights to bring live coverage of the region's elite One Day International (ODI) tournament, the NAGICO Super50, to the Caribbean audience until 2018. The agreement commences with this year's edition, held once again in Trinidad and Tobago, from January 15 to 25 Read more

Pm Gumbs Pushes To Have Ms. Lalie's Statue Repaired

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs has made sure that one of St. Maarten's national figures and a local heroine is remembered with respect.

The statue of Lalie Duzanson on the Dutch Quarter/Belvedere round about was damaged during the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo and has ever since been leaning backwards.

Prime Minister Gumbs recently got in contact with sculptor Michael Maghiro with a simple yet deliberately strong message: Ms Read more

President Of Parliament Condemns Attacks On Democracy And Freedom Of Expression. Offers Condolences On Behalf Of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson on behalf of the people and the Members of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, expresses deepest sympathy to the Republic of France, its people and Government during these trying times.

"The event in the French Republic hits very close to our hearts as part of our island, the Northern half is part of France Read more

Democratic Party Of St. Maarten Speaks On Terrorist Attack In France

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Democratic Party of St. Maarten expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Charlie Hebdo tragedy in France, to the French Republic and all its citizens in Europe and abroad, and in a very special way, we empathize with our French St. Martin brothers and sisters.

It's a dark day for all of us. As the tragedy continues to Read more

Cuba frees eight more politica prisoners, dissidents say

HAVANA- - Cuba has freed eight more detainees, dissidents said on Thursday, as Havana begins to release 53 people the United States considers political prisoners as part of an agreement aimed at ending decades of hostility between the two nations.

Including three detainees released on Wednesday, 11 prisoners have been liberated over the past 24 hours, political opposition groups on the communist-led island said Read more

Medical Center still to get NAf. 5 million from gov’t for urgent repairs

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is still to receive the NAf. 5 million government had promised to provide the institution to conduct urgent repairs and upgrades.

The funds are not related to SMMC's current NAf. 5 million deficit. SMMC General Director Kees Klarenbeek, who just clocked one year and five months in SMMC's employ, said that once received, the funds would be used in a positive manner for urgent repairs and on things that could be used in the new or expanded medical centre.

In addition to the NAf Read more

Hundreds gather at vigil for Charlie Hebdo victims

MARIGOT--The brutal massacre of journalists and cartoonists at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris on Wednesday has generated an outpouring of sympathy and solidarity amongst the public in French St. Martin.

Such is the power of social media that organisers of a vigil held at Marina Fort Louis at 6:00pm Thursday managed to gather around 400 persons in record time to pay homage to the victims.

Echomag Editor Laurent Fuentes was one of three organisers behind the spontaneous event Read more

MP: SMMC should complete study to justify tariff increase

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Cornelius de Weever said on Thursday that St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) should finalise the tariff study, which he said would justify any increase of tariffs at the medical institution.

De Weever, the former Health Minister, said SMMC only recently participated in a tariff study. A tariff study is currently being carried out by ACSION with SMMC. De Weever claimed that the study is being delayed, because SMMC "is not providing the financial information in a timely manner."

He made the statements in reaction to comments made by St Read more

Independent Member of Parliament De Weever reacts to SMMC article.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever is disappointed with the manner in which the Director of St. Maarten Medical Center Kees Klarenbeek addressed the issue of the current tariffs at the SMMC, which had been addressed by MP De Weever when he was Minister of Public Health since November 2011.
MP De Weever stated that the SMMC has been declared a central hospital just like SEHOS, whereby the tariffs were increased and included additional services which were not previously offered by SMMC such as cardiology Read more

Minister Fleming-Artsen attends New Year’s reception at the Governor of the Residence in The Hague.

style="text-align: left;">PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Josianne Fleming-Artsen attended the New Year's reception at the Governor of the Residence, Lieutenant General dr. J.A.J. Leytens and Mrs. Dr. M.G.W. den Boer in The Hague, the Netherlands on Monday, January 5th, 2015.

The Governor of the Residence is mainly responsible for the military ceremonials in The Hague.

Minister Fleming-Artsen stated that it was a great moment to network and to meet and share information about Sint Maarten at the event where a variety of key business and political personalities were in attendance.

"It is my intention to improve the image of Sint Maarten in The Hague and throughout the Netherlands," Minister Hon Read more

Minister Fleming-Artsen Attends New Year's Reception At The Governor Of The Residence In The Hague

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Josianne Fleming-Artsen attended the New Year's reception at the Governor of the Residence, Lieutenant General dr. J.A.J. Leytens and Mrs. Dr. M.G.W. den Boer in The Hague, the Netherlands on Monday, January 5th, 2015.

The Governor of the Residence is mainly responsible for the military ceremonials in The Hague.

Minister Fleming-Artsen stated that it was a great moment to network and to meet and share information about Sint Maarten at the event where a variety of key business and political personalities were in attendance.

"It is my intention to improve the image of Sint Maarten in The Hague and throughout the Netherlands," Minister Hon Read more

Independent Member Of Parliament De Weever Reacts To Smmc Article

GREAT BAY, St. Martin - Independent Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever is disappointed with the manner in which the Director of St. Maarten Medical Center Kees Klarenbeek addressed the issue of the current tariffs at the SMMC, which had been addressed by MP De Weever when he was Minister of Public Health since November 2011.

MP De Weever stated that the SMMC has been declared a central hospital just like SEHOS, whereby the tariffs were increased and included additional services which were not previously offered by SMMC such as cardiology Read more

St. Maarten Mourns With France In Aftermath Of Terrorist Attack

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Country of France is still coping with the aftermath of a terrorism attach this week on the French media.

The French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was attacked on January 7th by Islamic extremist leaving at least 12 people dead.

Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Marcel Gumbs as a result of this incident has sent letters to the President of the Collectivite of French St Read more

SHTA warns govt against use of counterpart policy

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has again warned the incumbent United People's (UP) party-led government against the implementation of the Counterpart Policy.

In a press release on Wednesday, SHTA said a significant number of prestigious international organisations have advised against this. It also asked why government wanted to continue trying to implement something all local business representatives have voiced against.

SHTA said answers to a number of questions are needed prior to the Counterpart Policy being "brought to the forefront again." The association asked what other worldwide jurisdiction has proven that a counterpart programme is successful Read more

Five go on trial in Buncamper case

PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister Maria Buncamper-Molanus (47), her husband Claudius Buncamper (51), notary F.E.G. (70) and two other suspects I.A.H. (46) and T.O.W. (68) all were charged with involvement with fraud, forgery of documents and participation in a criminal organisation on Wednesday. This marked the start of the long-awaited trial concerning a criminal investigation into a transaction with a piece of land that had been given on long lease.

All five suspects appeared in Court for a pro forma/pre-trial hearing in this case, during which the hearing of witnesses was discussed.

Buncamper-Molanus ran on the United People's (UP) party slate for the August 29, 2014, parliamentary election, but is a former Democratic Party (DP) minister of public health, social development and labour.

The case against the Buncampers came to light in December 2010, when it was revealed that they had sold the economic rights to a plot of land on long lease to a company named Eco Green NV, against payment of US $3 million.

Buncamper-Molanus had obtained the rights of long lease on the government property against annual payment of approximately US $10,000 in April 2008, while she was a member of the then-Executive Council.

Three days after Eco Green was established, with figurehead T.O.W Read more

Cruise terminal bomb hoax causes traffic disruption

PHILIPSBURG--A bomb scare on board a cruise ship docked at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility on Wednesday afternoon turned out to be a hoax.

The threat sparked a large scale security alert after a security officer reported that a crew member of one of the four cruise ships had told him around 4:00pm that she was carrying a bomb.

Security immediately informed the police, who rushed over to the cruise terminal, which was shut off from all traffic. Police, Port Security and the captain of the vessel discussed the situation Read more

SMMC in dire financial straits, books in the red

~ Low tariffs, unpaid bills smothering hospital ~

CAY HILL--St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is experiencing dire financial straits, which potentially threatens the future health of the institution if not remedied soon.

SMMC General Director Kees Klarenbeek told The Daily Herald in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the institution is currently operating in the red, with its accounts some NAf Read more

MP Matser gets two years for tax evasion

PHILIPSBURG--United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Silvio Matser was sentenced by the Court on Wednesday to 24 months, 18 of which were suspended, on three years' probation and 240 hours of community service, for tax evasion Read more