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NA call for MP Matser’s ‘immediate’ resignation

PHILIPSBURG--The "immediate resignation" of United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Silvio Matser has been called for by the National Alliance (NA) Board.

The call, issued Tuesday, comes a week after the Court of First Instance sentenced the first-term MP to 24 months, 18 of which were suspended, on three years' probation and 240 hours of community service, for tax evasion Read more

style="text-align: center;"> Gendarmes block off Rue Victor Maurasse as they investigate

MARIGOT:--- An early morning shooting took place in the vicinity of Ambulance des Iles du Nord and E-Center early Tuesday morning. According to eyewitnesses and persons working in the immediate area they heard two gunshots. One person who spoke to SMN News on the condition of anonymity said when they heard the shots they looked outside and they did not see anything, but a few minutes after they saw people gathering in the area Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- President Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson on Monday morning met with Curacao's Prime Minister Hon. Ivar Asjes at the House of Parliament.
The President and the Prime Minister's (PM) discussions focused on cooperation and areas of mutual interests.
The discussions started off about the outcome of the Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) that was held in Oranjestad, Aruba from January 6 to 9, PM Asjes was very interested in learning more from a Sint Maarten perspective about how the cooperation is viewed.
Some of the issues discussed were the resolution that was signed between Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten at the IPKO to set up an independent entity for the settlement of disputes between the countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The costs of healthcare is a concern for both countries, and Dr Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance has requested clarity from the Chairman of Parliament on the purpose of an informal meeting between the new Cabinet of Ministers and the Members of Parliament, termed a "meet and greet" upon the request of the Honorable Prime Minister Gumbs which was to be held on Monday January 12 at 9.30 am at Parliament and subsequently postponed.

Seeing the fact that the new cabinet is incomplete and that all current members are known to us, The National Alliance faction in Parliament would like to know the reason for this 'informal meeting' Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Board of the National Alliance calls for the immediate resignation of United People's Party Member of Parliament Mr. Silvio Matser. The National Alliance Board is of the opinion, that in light of the verdict that has been handed down to MP Matser by the Court on Wednesday January 7th, 2015, to 2 years for 'tax evasion', that the honorable thing to do would be to step down and relinquish his seat to the people of Sint Maarten.

Sint Maarten has faced extensive challenges in maintaining integrity in its Governance and considering that being elected to Parliament, the highest body in our governmental structure; it would be yet another gross injustice and ill representation of the people of Sint Maarten to have a convicted Member of Parliament continue to retain his seat in light of such a sentence.
This cannot be the state of 'readiness' that the United People's Party chanted to the people of Sint Maarten throughout the election period.

The board of the National Alliance believes that it is critical for the people of Sint Maarten to be reminded, that within 3 weeks after the Elections of 2014, the National Alliance, Democratic Party & the United St Read more

President Richardson Discusses Cooperation And Areas Of Mutual Interests With Prime Minister Asjes

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson on Monday morning met with Curacao's Prime Minister Hon. Ivar Asjes at the House of Parliament.

The President and the Prime Minister's (PM) discussions focused on cooperation and areas of mutual interests.

The discussions started off about the outcome of the Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) that was held in Oranjestad, Aruba from January 6 to 9, PM Asjes was very interested in learning more from a Sint Maarten perspective about how the cooperation is viewed.

Some of the issues discussed were the resolution that was signed between Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten at the IPKO to set up an independent entity for the settlement of disputes between the countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The costs of healthcare is a concern for both countries, and Dr Read more

Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed

WASHINGTON/HAVANA- - Cuba has completed the release of all 53 prisoners it had promised to free, the Obama administration said on Monday, a major step toward détente with Washington.

The release of the remaining detainees overcomes a big hurdle for historic talks next week aimed at normalizing ties after decades of hostility. The list of 53 is part of last month's breakthrough U.S.-Cuba agreement and includes many known to international human rights groups as "prisoners of conscience."

The United States welcomed Cuba's action as a milestone, but senior U.S Read more

Bahamas bribery claim puts spotlight on current board members & cabinet

NASSAU, The Bahamas--Last month's revelation that Alstom SA, a French power and transportation company, had paid a bribe to secure a lucrative power contract with Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) has prompted new questions over a greatly delayed process still underway to grant a management contract for BEC to one of several bidders.

The bidders, who at one time included PowerSecure International, a publicly traded US company; InterEnergy Holdings, a power company in the Caribbean and Latin America; China Construction, a Chinese state-owned company; Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group; and Caribbean Power Partners, have now been reduced to three: PowerSecure, InterEnergy and China Construction.

PowerSecure is reported to be the front runner in the award process after heavy lobbying by the US State Department on its behalf Read more

Gumbs and Asjes want to continue good relations

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Curaçao Prime Minister Ivar Asjes are committed to continuing good relations between the two Dutch Caribbean countries. Asjes is on a three-day working visit to St. Maarten that concludes today, Tuesday.

It is important to have and maintain good relations between kingdom partners, said Gumbs in a Press Secretariat release Read more

Connor: Timeshare industry has government’s attention

PHILIPSBURG--Grievances and complaints about a lack of protection from timeshare owners “have not fallen on deaf ears,” Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor said in a press statement issued on Sunday. The continued contribution of timeshare owners to the economy is “very important” to St. Maarten.

Some timeshare owners have the “impression” government does not care about them Read more

Editorial - Siamese twins

The first meeting between Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and his Curaçao counterpart Ivar Asjes is said to have gone well (see related story). Their respective cabinets consider it important to maintain good relations.

While that is also the case for Aruba, one must keep in mind that St. Maarten and Curaçao are more than kingdom partners Read more

Former Sundial Student Evers Currently attending Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College Achieves a 3.52 GPA and makes the Dean’s List.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- 22-year old former Sundial School student Shahyra Evers, who is currently enrolled in Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, has applied for Study Financing in order to continue with her studies at the aforementioned educational institution where she has a grade point average (GPA) of 3.52.

Shahyra applied last year for study financing and is awaiting an answer, but in the meantime left the country on January 2nd to continue with her studies.

Arthur Lugisse, Director of the Tallahassee-St Read more

The grass might be greener on the other side of the fence, but the mangoes in your own backyard are the sweetest: a report on the USM in 2014.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Too often we half-forget the wisdoms of our grandparents and great-grandparents. This of course is lamentable and tragic. It is time that we remember and endorse the other part of our grandmother and grandfather's wisdom notes to achieve wholeness as individuals and as a society.
Most of us are familiar with the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." We use this colourful expression routinely to state that from our dwelling place, from our little Caribbean island, from where we are standing, what takes place educationally in the overdeveloped countries in Western Europe and the USA and Canada or even the emerging economic powers in Asia, and what people in those countries have materially and we don't because we lack their educational system, is simply extraordinary Read more

SAFE New Year’s Message 2015.

style="text-align: center;">Stronger together

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Board of St. Maarten/St. Martin Alliance For Equality (SAFE SXM) would like to extend best wishes to everyone as the community continues into the start of 2015.
The organization said that it only looked forward to more events and better things in this upcoming year. While the organization is still a very young one (launched in December 2013), a lot has been achieved in the past 12+ months. Local, regional and international partnerships have been fostered and contact has been made with a number of relevant entities on the island Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister of St. Maarten Marcel Gumbs and Prime Minister of Curacao Ivar Asjes both dubbed the latter's visit as important in establishing a basis for continued good relations between the two countries.

PM Asjes continued his working trip to St. Maarten on Monday by meeting with Governor Eugene Holiday, President of Parliament Dr Read more

Na Requesting Clarity From The Chariman Of Parliament On The Purpose Of An Informal Meeting Between The New Cabinet Of Ministers And The Members Of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The National Alliance has requested clarity from the Chairman of Parliament on the purpose of an informal meeting between the new Cabinet of Ministers and the Members of Parliament, termed a "meet and greet" upon the request of the Honorable Prime Minister Gumbs which was to be held on Monday January 12 at 9.30 am at Parliament and subsequently postponed.

Seeing the fact that the new cabinet is incomplete and that all current members are known to us, The National Alliance faction in Parliament would like to know the reason for this 'informal meeting' Read more

Board Of The National Alliance Requesting The Immediate Resignation Of Mp Silvio Matser

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Board of the National Alliance calls for the immediate resignation of United People's Party Member of Parliament Mr. Silvio Matser.

The National Alliance Board is of the opinion, that in light of the verdict that has been handed down to MP Matser by the Court on Wednesday January 7th, 2015, to 2 years for 'tax evasion', that the honorable thing to do would be to step down and relinquish his seat to the people of Sint Maarten.

Sint Maarten has faced extensive challenges in maintaining integrity in its Governance and considering that being elected to Parliament, the highest body in our governmental structure; it would be yet another gross injustice and ill representation of the people of Sint Maarten to have a convicted Member of Parliament continue to retain his seat in light of such a sentence Read more

President Of Parliament Condemns Charlie Hebdo Attack

St. Maarten – President of parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson has expressed deepest sympathy to the Republic of France, its people and Government during these trying times on behalf of the people and the members of the Parliament of St. Maarten.

“The event in the French Republic hits very close to our hearts as part of our island, the Northern half is part of France.  We express our sympathies to the President of the Collectivite, the Territorial and Executive Councils and to the people of St Read more

Dp:  “A Dark Day For All Of Us” (Charlie Hebdo)

St. Maarten – The Democratic Party is the first political party to react to the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack in Paris. In a brief statement, party-leader Sarah Wescot-Williams offers its condolences as well as sympathy to our country’s French neighbors.

“The Democratic Party of St Read more

Curacao’S Prime Minister Asjes Pays A Working Visit To St. Maarten

WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Ivar Asjes is on Sint Maarten for an official working visit until January 13. This will be the first time the two Prime Ministers of the former Netherlands Antilles islands will meet. Marcel Gumbs was recently sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, four months after the parliamentary elections were held Read more

Indictments Against The Buncampers Show: Forgery, Tax Fraud And Destruction Of Evidence

St. Maarten – The prosecution accuses former Public Health Minister Maria Buncamper-Molanus and her husband Claudius of membership of a criminal organization which objectives were forgery, incorrect and incomplete filing of tax returns and intentionally destroying evidence. This appears from the indictments that became public during a pro forma hearing in the Court in First Instance yesterday.

The Buncampers appeared in court together with three co-defendants, who are also accused of membership of a criminal organization – notary Francis Gijsbertha, Eco Green managing director Theodore Oniel Walters and Ivan H, of St Read more

The Grass Might Be Greener On The Other Side Of The Fence, But The Mangoes In Your Own Backyard Are The Sweetest: A Report On The Usm In 2014

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Too often we half-forget the wisdoms of our grandparents and great-grandparents. This of course is lamentable and tragic.

It is time that we remember and endorse the other part of our grandmother and grandfather's wisdom notes to achieve wholeness as individuals and as a society.

Most of us are familiar with the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." We use this colourful expression routinely to state that from our dwelling place, from our little Caribbean island, from where we are standing, what takes place educationally in the overdeveloped countries in Western Europe and the USA and Canada or even the emerging economic powers in Asia, and what people in those countries have materially and we don't because we lack their educational system, is simply extraordinary.

We consider ourselves deprived and long to be there; we dream of having those mountains of things and those degrees that they have Read more

Gumbs, Asjes Focus On Continued Good Relations

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister of St. Maarten Marcel Gumbs and Prime Minister of Curacao Ivar Asjes both dubbed the latter's visit as important in establishing a basis for continued good relations between the two countries.

PM Asjes continued his working trip to St. Maarten on Monday by meeting with Governor Eugene Holiday, President of Parliament Dr Read more

Former Sundial Student Evers Currently Attending Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College Achieves A 3.52 Gpa And Makes The Dean's List

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – 22-year old former Sundial School student Shahyra Evers, who is currently enrolled in Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, has applied for Study Financing in order to continue with her studies at the aforementioned educational institution where she has a grade point average (GPA) of 3.52.

Shahyra applied last year for study financing and is awaiting an answer, but in the meantime left the country on January 2nd to continue with her studies.

Arthur Lugisse, Director of the Tallahassee-St Read more