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SABA:--- Saba marked the start of the Commemoration Year of the Slavery Past on Saturday, July 1, with a well-attended Emancipation Day event with a number of speakers and a number of powerful performances.

The events theme, liberation through healing, was most fitting, said Commissioner of Culture Eviton Heyliger. Although healing hundreds of years of trauma will not happen overnight, we need to start the dialogue. By engaging in healing practices, as a community we can reclaim our agency, reconnect with our inner strength, and restore our sense of wholeness, he said in his speech.

Collectively, we can contribute to social transformation and liberation by dismantling oppressive systems, challenging inequities, and promoting justice Read more

~Ministry of Finance launches new electronic payment app~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Finance recently announced its newest innovation at the Islandpreneur Live 2023 event. The innovation comes in the form of a new app called Sen, something the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion called, a hybrid between Cash App and Venmo. It is with this description that the Minister set the stage to introduce the app and some details about what the people of Sint Maarten can expect from Sen.
The name Sen is a play on the colloquial Sint Maarten use of the word send, as in the app will be used to send money, from one use to another among other features Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  The 160th Annual Emancipation Day celebration will take place on July 1st, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport drs Rodolphe Samuel invites all interested citizens and persons residing on Sint Maarten to join in the celebration that is scheduled to take place in Philipsburg. The celebration will begin with an Ecumenical Church Service at 5:30 am at the Anglican Church on Backstreet, followed by a Freedom March to the Boardwalk (Sports Park) for the Born Free cultural manifestation.

Emancipation Day was the first public holiday established by the Parliament of Sint Maarten since becoming a Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands Read more

Brug Says Reparations Can Be Very Instrumental In Eliminating Poverty On Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG –In a press statement this weekend Richinel Brug made his position known on the debates surrounding Emancipation Day activities in the Kingdom, apologies by Dutch Government in 2022, reparations and poverty on Sint Maarten.

On July 1st, 2023, the Kingdom will be commemorating 150 years of abolishment of slavery in Suriname and the islands in the Caribbean side of the Kingdom Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley, led a high-level delegation to the 111th International Conference held in Geneva. The delegation included Secretary-General Joy Arnell, Department Head of Labor Linda Froston, Cabinet Members Alissa Rios and Johnnie Richardson, as well as representatives from the employers Ms Read more

The Importance Of Coming Out To Vote For Members Of Parliament.

Dear Mr. Editor,

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: YOUR VOTE CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN ELECTING YOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

In a critical moment for our democracy, I Joseph G. Peterson, am issuing an impassioned plea to all eligible citizens: your vote holds the key to shaping the future of our Country Sint Maarten. As the upcoming elections for the 15 esteemed seats of the Members of Parliament approach, we urge you to recognize the immense impact your vote can have and join us in a resounding call for active participation in the democratic process.

By casting our votes, we directly contribute to building a more inclusive, progressive, and representative society Read more

Serious Accident On The Sucker Garden Road

Sint Maarten – The Traffic Department was alerted to a serious traffic accident that took place on the Sucker Garden road on the evening of December 28th 2019 around 09.45 pm.

 Personnel of the dispatch received a call that  the driver of a black Suzuki jeep, travelling from Freedom Fighters Roundabout towards sucker-garden lost control, veered to the left side of the road and collided with another white truck travelling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the Suzuki jeep and a passage who was on the back of the truck suffered some minor injuries.

 The victims were both treated on the scene by paramedics and then taken to St Read more

Serious Accident On The Sucker Garden Road

SUCKER GARDEN, Sint Maarten – The Traffic Department was alerted to a serious traffic accident that took place on the Sucker Garden road on the evening of December 28th 2019 around 09.45 pm.
Personnel of the dispatch received a call that the driver of a black Suzuki jeep, travelling from Freedom Fighters
Roundabout towards sucker-garden lost control, veered to the left side of the road and collided with another white truck travelling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the Suzuki jeep and a passage who was on the back of the truck suffered some minor injuries.
The victims were both treated on the scene by paramedics and then taken to St Read more

Victorious Living To Launch H.A.P.P.E. Life Pilot Program At St. Maarten Academy Psve In Partnership With: Dutch Representative & Dr. John Beiter

EBENEZER, St. Maarten – “Violence and other forms of inappropriate behaviours have become a growing concern and challenge in our society and particularly in our schools. This situation is seriously affecting the performance and output of our students. As such there is a need for urgent intervention to curb this situation which has been growing into a crisis of untold consequences,” stated Dr. Erna Mae Francis Cotton, visionary of Victorious Living.

To curb this growing trend, Dr Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation and its volunteers on Sunday began the process to repair the home of a local resident which was severely damaged by hurricane Irma, which battered the island in September last year.

The damaged home is located on Bush Road and it represents the first housing project to be executed by Tzu Chi Foundation following the devastating hurricane.

The project is being executed in collaboration with Key to Freedom Foundation and its Director Elvision Adamus Read more

While Health Shortcomings Persist, Harris Family Mri Business Rakes In Nearly Ec$1 Million

Basseterre, St. Kitts, – While the Office of the Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has issued a statement highlighting his family’s MRI business that raked in nearly EC$1 million last year, the nation has been told not to be distracted from his government’s persistent shortcomings and failures in the health sector. During last Wednesday’s edition of Issues on Freedom 106.5 FM, Dr Read more

Chairperson of Parliament, Members of Parliament
Prime-Minister, Ministers,
Préfète déléguée of Saint Martin and St. Barths
President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin
Distinguished Guests, Good Morning,

On November 2, 2017, a shift in the majority in Parliament took place creating the basis for the transfer of governing responsibility to a new team of Ministers. Today, almost two and half months later we have before us a council of ministers supported by the new majority in Parliament.
During the formation period for this interim cabinet, I consulted with various persons and named Mr Read more

Speech Governor Holiday Swearing-In Interim Ministers

Chairperson of Parliament, Members of Parliament

Prime-Minister, Ministers,

Préfète déléguée of Saint Martin and St. Barths

President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin

Distinguished Guests, Good Morning,

On November 2, 2017, a shift in the majority in Parliament took place creating the basis for the transfer of governing responsibility to a new team of Ministers. Today, almost two and half months later we have before us a council of ministers supported by the new majority in Parliament.

During the formation period for this interim cabinet, I consulted with various persons and named Mr Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- It is like the day of yesterday, that I recall the establishment of the Beyond Writing Foundation in 2003, now named Beyond Kultura Events Foundation’s with the most important aim to enhance reading and Storytelling amongst the youth, Loekie Morales stated. We have accomplished that with tangible results over the course of the years, not only for Sint Maarten but for the other Dutch Windward Islands and Leeward Island as well.
She is the founding mother of this foundation and of the Caribbean Living Statues Festivals, as a unique festival with many aims Read more

First Rci Cruise Grandeur Of The Seas In Port On Sunday.

~ Kick-off to weekly port calls from RCI vessels  ~

PORT ST. MAARTEN – Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas will be RCI’s first ship to return to the destination on a commercial cruise visit on Sunday.  A hosts of welcome activities have been planned by stakeholders to welcome the near 2000 guests.

The first RCI vessel on Sunday will kick-off weekly port calls from RCI cruise ships.  Port St. Maarten Management would like to remind all stakeholders and the populace to continue to welcome our cruise passengers with a warm St Read more

PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas will be RCI’s first ship to return to the destination on a commercial cruise visit on Sunday. A host of welcome activities has been planned by stakeholders to welcome the near 2000 guests.
The first RCI vessel on Sunday will kick-off weekly port calls from RCI cruise ships. Port St. Maarten Management would like to remind all stakeholders and the populace to continue to welcome our cruise passengers with a warm St Read more

Marella Discovery Visit A Success.  Marella Celebration In Port On Friday

PORT ST. MAARTEN – Marella Discovery of Marella Cruises, formerly Thomson Cruises, and part of the TUI Group, the world’s leading travel company, was the second commercial cruise ship to visit Port St. Maarten.  The vessel docked along the cruise pier on Tuesday, December 5.

Cruise passengers were welcomed with Caribbean music from Dow Steel Pan Band along with a welcome banner, stilt walkers, dancers and the Carnival Queens.  Port St. Maarten also distributed complimentary #SXMStrong wrist bands to passengers who came ashore.

Throughout the day activities were held on the Boardwalk near the Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg that included a steel band; a mini-parade with the Youmay Drum Band, and DJ entertainment.  These were organized by the St Read more

Connecting sustainable businesses, investments, innovation, between the Netherlands, Dutch Caribbean, and Latin America.

GREAT BAY:--- St. Maarten joined countries of the kingdom for a two-part trade mission in the Netherlands, this week. The event looked at ways to achieve sustainable business between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Latin America and the Caribbean region and to explore what opportunities entrepreneurs have on all sides.

The theme for the event was ‘Connecting sustainable businesses, investments, innovation, between the Netherlands, Dutch Caribbean, and Latin America’ Read more

Cruise Ship Call Schedule For December. Two Ships In Port On Christmas Day.

PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- Port St. Maarten would like to present the December month cruise ship call schedule as information for the community and for business establishment planning purposes. There will be two ships in port on Christmas day December 25.
Cruise ships will be in port on the following days: December 4, 5, 8, 17, 19, 25, 26, 27, 29, and 31. This is the latest cruise ship call information that the port has at this point in time as cruise lines continue to update their itineraries.
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas will be the first RCI cruise ship to rediscover the marquee destination on December 17.
The RCI ships and dates are as follows: Independence of the Seas, December 25 and 29; Jewel of the Seas, December 26; Freedom of the Seas, December 27; and Adventure of the Seas, December 31.
Port St Read more

Royal Caribbean Confirms Holiday Cruise Schedule And Is On Track For December 17 Return. 

~ Sister cruise line Celebrity Cruises returns February 2018 ~

PORT ST. MAARTEN – A Port St. Maarten delegation from the Cruise Business Unit met recently with Royal Caribbean International (RCI) representatives in Miami, Florida, to provide an update on the progress of current recovery efforts in destination Sint Maarten.

During the discussions, Royal Caribbean reiterated its commitment to the destination and provided a schedule of the vessels that will call on Sint Maarten starting in mid-December, just in time for the peak family travel season.

Grandeur of the Seas will be the first cruise ship bringing guests to rediscover the marquee destination on December 17, followed by daily visits across six vessels, including two of the world’s largest cruise ships.

The ships and dates are as follows: Independence of the Seas, December 25 and 29; Jewel of the Seas, December 26; Freedom of the Seas, December 27; Adventure of the Seas, December 31; and Harmony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas on January 2 and 3, 2018 respectively.

Celebrity Cruises has also announced that Celebrity Eclipse will be returning to the island on February 4, 2018 Read more

PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- A Port St. Maarten delegation from the Cruise Business Unit met recently with Royal Caribbean International (RCI) representatives in Miami, Florida, to provide an update on the progress of current recovery efforts in destination Sint Maarten.
During the discussions, Royal Caribbean reiterated its commitment to the destination and provided a schedule of the vessels that will call on Sint Maarten starting in mid-December, just in time for the peak family travel season.
Grandeur of the Seas will be the first cruise ship bringing guests to rediscover the marquee destination on December 17, followed by daily visits across six vessels, including two of the world’s largest cruise ships.
The ships and dates are as follows: Independence of the Seas, December 25 and 29; Jewel of the Seas, December 26; Freedom of the Seas, December 27; Adventure of the Seas, December 31; and Harmony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas on January 2 and 3, 2018 respectively.
Celebrity Cruises has also announced that Celebrity Eclipse will be returning to the island on February 4, 2018 Read more

Youngest Parliamentary Representative Calls On Pm Harris To “Do What Is Right And Honourable”

Basseterre, St. Kitts,  –West Basseterre Member of Parliament and the youngest parliamentary representative in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Hon. Konris Maynard has called on Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris “to do what is right and honourable.”

He called on Dr. Harris to provide former prime minister and current Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas a diplomatic passport and the release of the necessary financing approved by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly for the operation of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

“Why in God’s name after two and a half years of a government, which claims to be a new government, with a new paradigm claiming to be an all-inclusive fair share government, why on earth would they withhold resources from the Leader of the Opposition? Why is it that the most distinguished prime minister in the Caribbean, cannot be given a Diplomatic Passport, by his own country?” asked Maynard during Wednesday’s “Issues” programme on Freedom 106.5 FM Read more

Prime Minister William Marlin Constitution Day 2017 Address

  

PHILIPSBURG – People of St. Maarten, a little over a month ago, we were struck by the most powerful hurricane ever recorded. We are all privileged by the grace of God to have survived that catastrophic storm which was quickly followed by another terrifying one, Maria.

We all know what transpired in the aftermath of those monstrous hurricanes and the heroic efforts of our people to pick up the pieces, dust themselves off and move on as best as they can under incredible conditions.

In the midst of this unprecedented disaster we are called to reflect today on our Constitution, which is the compilation of the fundamental organic laws that governs our country Read more

Jamaican Woman Wins $.2 Million After Detention In Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – A Jamaican woman has been awarded more than $200,000 in damages by the courts for unlawful detention by Immigration authorities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Her lawyers said it was unlawful for police and Immigration authorities to round up foreigners and detain them at the Immigration Detention Centre, Aripo, where they are denied fundamental human rights.Read more