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Thyme Online’S Rezbs Tour Platform Integrates To First Atlantic Commerce (Fac) Gateway For Online Payments

NASSAU, BAHAMAS and Hamilton, Bermuda â€“ First Atlantic Commerce (FAC), a global online payment solutions provider, and RezBS, a Bahamian tour management booking platform, today announced their collaboration and technical integration to enable real time online credit card processing for tour operators. FAC is a Bermuda-based, feature-rich payment gateway that was established in 1998 to deliver customized and flexible online credit and debit card processing to international corporations across the globe Read more

Tamara Leonard Lash Back At The Dutch Prosecutors

~To the Dutch, who look down on us~

Member of Parliament for Sint Maarten Ms. Tamara Leonard

After drinking my Bushtea to deal with the stomach ache I have been suffering from reading on how Dutch politicians and Dutch media depict St. Maarten in the light of the IPKO meetings;  It’s time I speak my mind. I am addressing this to those Dutch people who look down on us Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---- Prime Minister William Marlin and Minister Richard Gibson met with Chief Minister Victor Banks and his delegation from Anguilla on Monday January 11th. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of implementing of a late night ferry between Sint Maarten and Anguilla during the peak season.

Currently, the last ferry out of Sint Maarten leaves at 10pm from the port of entry located near the Princess Juliana International Airport Read more

PHILIPSBURG - Prime Minister William Marlin and Minister Richard Gibson Sr. met with Anguilla Government officials on Monday in the Dr. A.C. Legislative Hall at the Government Administration Building.

An agreement has been reached with the Anguilla Government to operate late night ferry services between Sint Maarten and Anguilla, during the high season, after 10pm up until 1am Read more

National Day Of Prayer: Pm Addresses Separation Of State And Church

St. Maarten – “The idea of separation of church and state does not mean that those who run the state shouldn’t go to church or that those who run the church should not get involved in the affairs of the state,” Prime Minister William Marlin says yesterday at the National Day of Prayer.

Marlin referred to US president Barack Obama and his breakfast prayer meeting at the beginning of the year, Pope Francis (credited for a role in opening up relations between the US and Cuba), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (for his role in breaking down apartheid in South Africa) and of course Martin Luther King Read more

Heyliger Predicts Gloom And Doom

UP-leader hints at election delay and casino licenses

St. Maarten News – Governor Eugène Holiday may have said September 26 is the final date for elections in the December 14 national decree, but United People’s (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger says there is “a huge possibility” the Coalition of Eight, at least by mid-year, will request “yet another postponement” of the ballot.

The postponement of the elections, issuance of at least new two casino licenses, the formation of new marketing firms, rather than the implementation of the tourism authority, the non-institution of the Integrity Chamber and the resulting silence of the Dutch Government are among the top ten things that will happen in 2016, Heyliger said in a press release..

“The National Alliance leader said in a past Council of Ministers press conference he will seek the support of the kingdom government on electoral reform Read more

Theo Heyliger Distributes Pencil Cases Again

St. Maarten News – UP-leader Theo Heyliger once again visited several elementary schools, giving away pencil cases to students who annually look forward to this gesture. As customary a motto is printed on the pencil cases which serves as a motivation for the students Read more

24 Year Old Dutch Resident Arrested For Abandoning Her New Born Baby On Galleon Beach.

MARIGOT:--- The 24 year old mother of the new born baby that was found in a plastic bag on Galleon Beach close to Orient Club on December 26th, 2015 was arrested on Wednesday morning and has been charged with attempted murder of a minor under the age of 15 years. Prosecutor Michaeal Ohayon told SMN News on Monday that he asked the Dutch side Prosecutor’s Office through an international request to locate the suspect whom they managed to identify through a surveillance camera at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital Read more

Mp Sees Efforts To Allow Holland Students To Vote Discriminatory

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo sees the initiative by Prime Minister William Marlin to explore the possibilities of allowing St. Maarten students studying in Holland to vote in the upcoming elections, as discriminatory. Read more

Ipko Parliamentarians Receive Seven Seas Water Presentation

POINT BLANCHE, St. Maarten – Members of delegations attending last week’s IPKO meetings in St. Maarten, were also treated to a presentation hosted during a visit visited to the Seven Seas Water PB plant in Point Blanche.

During the event, held on Thursday, a power presentation was provided by Frederick Hung (VP-Business Analysis of SSW) and Lester Brian (local Operations Manager).

During that occasion, Franklyn Richards, managing director of Seven Seas Water (St. Maarten) highlighted the role of the company as a good corporate citizen, characterized among others by its regular donation program Read more

Theo Gives Away 60.000 Pencil Cases

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Leader of the United People’s Party (UP) and Member of Parliament (MP) Theodore “Theo” Heyliger once again visited several elementary schools this week.

MP Heyliger is giving away pencil cases to students who annually look forward to this kind gesture. As customary a motto is printed on the pencil cases which serves as a motivation for the students Read more

Ipko: No Time For Debate About Dispute Regulation

St. Maarten News – The Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (Ipko) did not get around to a discussion about the dispute regulation yesterday. Due to time constraints, chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams closed the meeting shortly after 4.30 p.m. to allow members of the Dutch delegation to meet unspecified commitments outside of the meeting.

St Read more

St. Maarten Prime Minister Wants Voting Rights For Students In Holland

Prime Minister William Marlin with Education Minister Silveria Jacobs at yesterday’s press briefing. Photo Today / Hilbert Haar

St. Maarten News – Prime Minister William Marlin will travel to the Netherlands on Sunday for a week-long visit where he will meet with Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk and the vice-chair of the Council of State, Piet Hein Donner Read more

New Parking System At Clem Labega Is Ready

St. Maarten – The new parking system at Clem Labega square should be operational soon but the seemingly simple project has a long history, Prime Minister William Marlin explained yesterday. Motorists will have to pull a ticket from a machine at the entrance opposite the Windward Islands Bank before the beam goes up to allow them to enter.

Access is only allowed on a right hand turn, coming from the direction of the police station and the Government Administration building Read more

Central Bank Helps With Employment Fund

St. Maarten News – The cabinet has called in the help of the Central Bank to set up the Employment Fund for young job seekers. Today Prime Minister William Marlin meets with a two-strong support team from the Central Bank to discuss the issue. Previously, the PM discussed his options with the President of the bank, Emsley Tromp.

“The government is a shareholder in the central bank,” Marlin said yesterday Read more

Marlin Foresees Lively Debate About Reform Proposals

St. Maarten News – Prime Minister William Marlin disagrees with the opinion of political analyst Julio Romney that his proposal for electoral reform will result in a dictatorship. “That’s unfortunate. I don’t agree with his take on it but his contribution adds to a lively debate,” Marlin said yesterday.

The three-strong committee tasked with the fine-tuning of electoral reform proposals had its first meeting on Tuesday and it will present its plan of approach and a timeline to Marlin today.

:In the past Romney has proposed that MPs who leave their party should give up their seat and walk away Read more

Szv And Aps Buy Government Building “Civil Servants Move In By July”

St. Maarten News – Social insurance agency SZV and pension fund APS think it is feasible for civil servants to move into the government administration Building on Pond Island by the end of July, Prime Minister William Marlin said at yesterday’s council of Ministers press briefing.

SZV and Aps will buy the building for around 45 million guilders and complete it Read more

PHILIPSBURG—St. Maarten/St. Martin Alliance For Equality (SAFE) Foundation extends best wishes to the island’s population for the new year and hopes to continue dialogues on and for equality for all people in 2016.

SAFE is a L(esbian), G(ay), B(i-sexual) & T(ransgender) organization, which was established in 2013 and focuses on human rights and empowerment. 

According to the SAFE board, 2015 had been a year full of activities geared towards stimulating conversations between the foundation and all segments of society concerning human rights and overcoming stigma & discrimination Read more

Dp Dance Salsa Festival At Sonesta Maho January 14-17

MAHO – Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino is the venue for the DP Dance Salsa Festival, the biggest Salsa event in the North-Eastern Caribbean. The Salsa Festive featuring the world champion of salsa dancing will take place at the Resort fromThursday, January 14, untilSunday, January 17.

A large number of internationally renowned Salsa experts will attend the Salsa Festival. Expert Salsa dancers from Cuba, Colombia, Italy, the United States, and St Read more

PORT ST. MAARTEN – Members of Parliament (MPs) attending this week’s Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) had the opportunity on Thursday afternoon to visit the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility.

After visiting the Seven Seas Water Desalination Plant, the delegation of MPs from the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten gathered at the Cruise Terminal Building which overlooks the cruise piers and Great Bay where Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo gave a brief overview of port operations.

In port was the Celebrity Silhouette and Allure of the Seas as well as two giga-yachts.  This provided an opportunity to see cruise operations underway where thousands of passengers and crew were moving around either heading back to the ship or patronizing one of the gift stores at the port or making use of the internet Wi-Fi services.

Mingo explained about the distribution network that is in place in order to get passengers from one point to the next which includes walking to Philipsburg, taxi service, tour busses, and water-taxi.

The delegation which also included MPs Hon Read more

St. Maarten Lions Club Donated $10,000 To 5 Schools For Their 45Th Anniversary

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The St. Maarten Lions Club on the occasion of celebrating forty five (45) years during the month of December donated $10,000 total or $2000 each to five government subsidized schools on  St. Maarten.

The schools receiving the donations were based on urgent needs that they had for the purchase of items specifically for the school.

Sister Regina School received monies to purchase one(1) mobi pad and thirty (30) clickers response program for the Smart Board Read more

Up Leader And Board Wishes Populace A Healthy, Safe And Prosperous New Year. Formidable Opposition Role Forthcoming In 2016

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The United People's Party (UP) Leader Theodore Heyliger and board, extend best wishes to all Sint Maarteners/Saint Martiners for a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.

“The Year 2016 should be a year where the community and business sector work together for a better Sint Maarten.  Significant progress must be made on a number of fronts in order to balance the 2016 budget, reduce crime, create jobs, improve health care, re-align education, youth welfare and much more.  Government has its responsibility and we will hold them accountable.

“Preparations were well underway for the people to go to the polls in February Read more

Timeshare, The Sick Cousin Of The Tourism Industry

After many years, legislation remains in limbo

St. Maarten – Trouble in the timeshare industry probably dates back further than December 2010, when the controversial sale of the Pelican Resort caused uproar among employees and timeshare owners alike, but it is a good starting point for getting an impression of the state of this industry and the lack of action on the part of successive governments.

When the Pelican Resort changed ownership in December 2010, the jobs of 182 employees were suddenly on the line Read more

Jakisha Brooks On Student Athlete Visit In Miami

MIAMI/ ST. MAARTEN – Jakisha Brooks is ending the year on a high note. The 18-year old 5’ 11” starting forward for the Learning Unlimited team in the Ladies Basketball Championship is on an official NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) student athlete visit at the St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida.

Brooks is the reigning ‘LBC Defensive Player Of The Year’ for 2014-2015 and was selected to the LBC All Star Game 2014, LBC All First Team and as a top-20 player for the 2014-2015 season Read more