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Editorial - What then?

An estimated 200 people showed up for Sunday's demonstration against the intervention by the Kingdom Council of Ministers in the process to form a local government. The crowd may not have seemed that large in absolute numbers, but for St. Maarten, where people rarely take to streets to protest anything, it was significant.

Some who disagree with the participants might argue that they were mostly UP sympathisers, as the instruction from the Netherlands to Governor Eugene Holiday obviously is aimed at that party and its leader Theo Heyliger, to prevent him from becoming prime minister Read more

What democracy?

Dear Editor,

What democracy was the march on Sunday held for? Was it for the democracy that this island never experienced? Those of us who have lived on this island for the last 5½ decades know that this island was never governed in a democratic manner. This island was ruled during the last 5½ decades, with the exception of a few years after 1979, by a clan. The members of this clan are of the firm belief that only the clan should run this island.

To achieve their goal, this clan has used and is still using unconventional methods Read more

It’s just us!

Dear Editor,

After hearing the many varying opinions on our stance against continuous meddling and intervention by the Dutch in our affairs without any legal basis, I wondered and asked why the silence in Philipsburg is so deafening. And the thought came to me then of the prayers of our forefathers, especially their cry for divine intervention in times like these.

It was rather ironic that our country was hit by a hurricane and we heard no enquiries or queries from the Dutch on the damages or state of affairs on the island Read more

UK ends Afghan combat role, last US Marines hand over base

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan--British troops ended their combat operations in Afghanistan on Sunday as they and U.S. Marines handed over two huge adjacent bases to the Afghan military, 13 years after a U.S.-led invasion launched the long and costly war against the Taliban.

Their coming departure leaves Afghanistan and its newly installed president, Ashraf Ghani, to deal almost unaided with an emboldened Taliban insurgency after the last foreign combat troops withdraw by year-end.

At the U.S Read more

Minister praises ‘quick’ recovery efforts on visit

MARIGOT--French Minister of Overseas Territories George Pau-Langevin has praised the "very quick" efforts of the territory to get back on its feet following the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo, on her visit to St. Martin and St. Barths on Sunday.

She especially thanked law enforcement, SNSM sea rescue, EDF and all service providers for working flat out to assist the population in getting back to normal daily routines.

"As the tourist season is starting shortly, it was important for us to see areas like Orient Beach that depend on tourism," she said before departing for St Read more

Marchers call for ‘respect’ and end to Dutch ‘insult’

PHILIPSBURG--"We didn't vote for Bosman or Van Raak" and "Enough is enough. This is our country" were some of the messages on the placards carried by an estimated 200 marchers who took to the street Sunday afternoon to express their discontent with the Kingdom Council of Ministers' instruction to Governor Eugene Holiday to carry out what has been deemed an invasive, boundless screening into the lives of minister candidates.

The march started off from the ring road with the sizable group heading down W.J.A Read more

PSS N.V. says personalized stamps can be a fun and unique way to capture unique moments and communicate them not only within the St. Maarten community, but also around the world via traditional postal systems.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) N.V. is encouraged by early interest in the launch of personalized stamps for visiting and residential customers.

The personalized stamps service was officially launched at the A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities on October 17, 2014 along with the official opening of a new post office location at the Harbour.

To mark the occasion, PSS staff produced a series of personalized stamps for their invited guests during the opening ceremonies to demonstrate how quickly and easily a sheet of official stamps can be produced and instantly make use of an historic moment.

According to PSS N.V Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The OSPP has been paying keen attention to the recent developments regarding the instructions given to Governor Holiday by the Dutch Kingdom Council of Minister. This instruction in our opinion is baseless to say the least. After the 2014 election the NA/DP/US government was being formed and they had reached a point of signing an agreement to work together Read more

>POINT BLANCHE:--- On Thursday, a delegation from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour (Ministry VSA) headed by Minister Hon. Cornelius de Weever, Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo and port representatives, met in Miami, Florida with Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) President Michele Paige and representatives from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), regarding Ebola screening protocols for cruise ship passengers and crew.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Hon. Maurice Lake of the United People's (UP) Party says the country already has screening laws for candidates proposed to become a member of the Council of Ministers.

"This whole thing is not about that anybody is afraid of being screened Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Fire in Babylon, Love is better than wine and The Power of the Tongue were titles of presentations delivered by Clayton Felix, Ted Richards & Rolande Tobias during Men Empowerment Night. The event was organized by St Maarten Toastmasters to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Toastmasters International. Having started back in 1924 as a Men's only organization, the organizers decided to place emphasis on the men and the importance of men stepping up in the organization. Held at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School in Cay Hill this past Saturday evening, the event saw an impressive attendance and participants thoroughly enjoy the evening's presentation.
The presentation by Clayton Holiday dealt with the challenges encountered by the West Indies cricket team and the determination of the players to make a statement on the international cricket stage Read more

CPS reminds persons to get their seasonal flu vaccine.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is recommending to persons to get their annual flu vaccine. High risk groups are reminded and/or recommended to get their seasonal flu shot.

As part of the Minister of Public Health's "Get Checked," campaign, influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads very easily from person to person, and can affect anybody in any age group.

"Check with your physician to see whether or not you are part of the high risk group and be proactive Read more

style="text-align: center;">St. Maarten and its people will continue to fight for their rights

PHILIPSBURG:--- Organizers of the Peoples United for True Democracy (PUTD) began gathering on the Pondfill just after 1pm on Sunday as they prepared for the march they organized to protest against the instruction the Kingdom Council of Ministers gave to Governor Holiday on September 17th, 2014. The Kingdom Council instructed the Governor of St. Maarten not to sign any Landsbesluit to appoint Ministers that are appointed by the current coalition government.

The march which was scheduled to take off from the vicinity of the WIFOL building on the Pondfill on Sunday afternoon left the location close to 3pm as buses were circling in the various districts to pick up people who wanted to participate in the march deemed as protecting the country and its people's democratic rights.
Despite the delay and several publications in the newspapers, radios, and the social media just about 100 persons attended the march, included were several members from the UP party including its leader Theodore Heyliger, MP Lloyd Richardson and MP Franklyn Meyers, children and even some workers from the brothels on the island were among those that marched down the Pondfill road to the Government Administration Building.
As the marchers marched they chanted they wanted freedom, justice and respect Read more

I Have Mixed Feelings About This Recent Development Regarding The Instruction Issued To Our Governor, Says Lenny F. Priest

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The OSPP has been paying keen attention to the recent developments regarding the instructions given to Governor Holiday by the Dutch Kingdom Council of Minister.

This instruction in our opinion is baseless to say the least. After the 2014 election the NA/DP/US government was being formed and they had reached a point of signing an agreement to work together.

This information was conveyed to the entire world including the Dutch Read more

Mp Lake Said Country Already Has Screening And Integrity Laws. Dutch Instruction Is Part Of The Hidden Agenda To Take Over Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Member of Parliament Hon. Maurice Lake of the United People's (UP) Party says the country already has screening laws for candidates proposed to become a member of the Council of Ministers.

"This whole thing is not about that anybody is afraid of being screened Read more

Minister Of Public Health De Weever And Port St. Maarten Management Meets With Fcca And Clia On Ebola Cruise Passenger/Crew Boarding Protocols

POINT BLANCHE, St. Maarten – On Thursday, a delegation from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour (Ministry VSA) headed by Minister Hon. Cornelius de Weever, Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo and port representatives, met in Miami, Florida with Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) President Michele Paige and representatives from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), regarding Ebola screening protocols for cruise ship passengers and crew.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.

The incubation period from time of infection to symptoms is two to 21 days Read more

St. Maarten Toastmasters Celebrate Toastmasters 90Th Anniversary With "Men Empowerment Night"

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Fire in Babylon, Love is better than wine and The Power of the Tongue were titles of presentations delivered by Clayton Felix, Ted Richards & Rolande Tobias during Men Empowerment Night.

The event was organized by St Maarten Toastmasters to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Toastmasters International.

Having started back in 1924 as a Men's only organization, the organizers decided to place emphasis on the men and the importance of men stepping up in the organization.

Held at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School in Cay Hill this past Saturday evening, the event saw an impressive attendance and participants thoroughly enjoy the evening's presentation.

The presentation by Clayton Holiday dealt with the challenges encountered by the West Indies cricket team and the determination of the players to make a statement on the international cricket stage.

Ted Richards expounded on the important role men can play in the lives of their spouses when it comes to early detection of breast cancer.

Rolande Tobias explored the use of the Power of the tongue to create peace, pleasure and pain Read more

Protesters March Against Dutch Instruction To Governor Sunday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Over 200 persons turned out for the march which was organized by Citizens for true Democracy on Sunday afternoon.

The march was in protest against, among other things, the instruction given to the Governor regarding the screening of Ministers and Prime Minister.

One of the persons organizing the protest was Elton Jones.

Whilst addressing the gathering he expressed his dissatisfaction with the measure as is being proposed to the Governor of St Read more

Cps Reminds Persons To Get Their Seasonal Flu Vaccine

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is recommending to persons to get their annual flu vaccine.

High risk groups are reminded and/or recommended to get their seasonal flu shot.

As part of the Minister of Public Health's "Get Checked," campaign, influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads very easily from person to person, and can affect anybody in any age group.

"Check with your physician to see whether or not you are part of the high risk group and be proactive Read more

Cuban economists press for deeper reforms

HAVANA--Some of Cuba's best-known economists are openly questioning the very core of the Soviet-style command economy and saying market reforms under way are too modest to boost weak growth.
  Emboldened by freer debate in the country, they are increasingly vocal in criticizing rigid instructions coming down from the top and the uneven management of policies across the economy, from banking to agriculture Read more

Storytelling takes centre stage at Friday’s ‘Kids Night Out’

PHILIPSBURG--Beyond Writing Foundation (BWF) hosted this year's edition of Kids Night Out at Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre on Friday evening.

Similar as during previous issues of this event, which started as an open-air theatrical picnic under the stars at Emilio Wilson Park, children and their parents enjoyed an evening of storytelling and reading, plays, music and dance but this time from the public gallery at the Cultural Centre.

Under the theme "Multicultural Island/Story Night," BWF presented a varied show to stimulate storytelling, reading and writing, which was hosted by moderators Anenda Zaandam and St Read more

Mosquito fogging moved up to Oct 28

PHILIPSBURG--Mosquito fogging, which had been set to commence Saturday, November 1, will now begin sooner, October 28, Collective Preventive Services (CPS) has announced. Taking place throughout the country as part of a regular vector control programme, the fogging will start in the Simpson Bay and Cole Bay areas.

On October 28, Cupecoy, Maho, Blue Mall, Sapphire, Low Lands, Beacon Hill and Airport Boulevard will be fogged from 5:00am to 7:00am, and the Simpson Bay area including the bridge and yacht club area, as well as Pelican Keys and Welfare Road from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

On October 29, Cole Bay areas near the border, roundabout, Cole Bay Villas, Union Road, Harold Jack will be fogged 5:00am to 7:00am; and Cole Bay Welfare Road, Windsor Road, Cape Bay west of the Cemetery, Cole Bay Lagoon and Orange Grove at 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

A complete schedule will soon be published on the Government Information page of both daily newspapers, outlining dates, times and neighbourhoods Read more

Seniors discuss concerns, National Development

BELAIR--The St. Maarten Seniors and Pensioners Association (SMSPA) held a well-attended seminar on the "Rights of the Seniors" on Thursday, where special attention was paid to their involvement in the National Development Plan (NDP), progress in the rights of seniors since a number of international acts and plans had been passed, progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and their feedback.

In her official opening address, caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams started off with discussing overall rights as per the constitution adopted after 10-10-10 Read more

Mosquito fogging is moved up to Oct. 28

PHILIPSBURG--Mosquito fogging, which had been set to commence Saturday, November 1, now will begin sooner, on October 28, Collective Preventive Services (CPS) has announced.

Taking place throughout the country as part of a regular vector control programme, the fogging will start in the Simpson Bay and Cole Bay areas.

On October 28, Cupecoy, Maho, Blue Mall, Sapphire, Lowlands, Beacon Hill and Airport Boulevard will be fogged from 5:00am to 7:00am; and the Simpson Bay area, including the bridge and yacht club area, as well as Pelican Keys and Welfare Road from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

On October 29, Cole Bay areas near the border, roundabout, Cole Bay Villas, Union Road and Harold Jack's Place will be fogged 5:00am to 7:00am; and Cole Bay Welfare Road, Windsor Road, Cay Bay west of the cemetery, Cole Bay Lagoon and Orange Grove from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

A complete schedule will be published soon on the Government Information page of both daily newspapers, outlining dates, times and neighbourhoods Read more