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Plenipotentiary Minister Arrindell Opens Job Fair

Plenipotentiary Minister Gracita Arrindell delivering the opening address on November 28.

 THE HAGUE--Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell on Thursday last opened the Working in the Caribbean 2024 job fair aimed at showcasing St Read more

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Charville: Collectivit Facing Dire Consequences Of Air Antilles Deal

Territorial Councillor for the Generation Hope faction Opposition, Jules Charville.

MARIGOT--Opposition Councillor in the Territorial Council Jules Charville claims the Collectivit is risking bankruptcy if it continues paying the cost of keeping Air Antilles afloat with no significant revenue Read more

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High Court Backs Same-Sex Marriage

Celebrating the outcome.

THE HAGUE--Same-sex couples are now permitted to marry immediately in Aruba and Curaao, as decided by the High Court in the Netherlands on Friday. It affirmed an earlier ruling by the Joint Court of Justice for the Dutch Caribbean.

The latter determined on December 6, 2022, that marriages between people of the same sex must be permitted in Aruba and Curaao. Both governments turned to the High Court, which has now rejected their appeals.

The case was brought by Fundacion Orguyo Aruba and Human Rights Caribbean (HRC) in Curaao Read more

Marie Genevieve De Weever School To Host Celebration Of 39Th Flag Day Anniversary

Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School pupils and teachers during the celebration of Flag Day 2023 in Cay Hill.

PHILIPSBURG--The people and government of St. Maarten are gearing up to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Flag Day on Thursday, June 13, at the grounds of Marie Genevieve de Weever School in Hope Estate.

The annual cel Read more

PHILIPSBURGIn a letter to Prime minister Luc Mercelina, the Central Voting Bureau has announced a proposed postponement of Election Day to August 19, 2024, citing significant legal and practical concerns. The Bureau has suggested a revised timeline to ensure a fair, free, and transparent electoral process.

The revised election timeline, as proposed by the Central Voting Bureau:

Voter Registry Closure: Monday, June 3, 2024

Deadline for Registration of Political Parties: Monday, June 17, 2024

Postulation Day: Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Election Day: Monday, August 19, 2024

Assembly of New Parliament: Friday, September 20, 2024

On May 21, 2024, a National Decree was signed calling for new elections under Article 59 of the Constitution, which mandates a three-month timeframe Read more

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Jansen-Webster: Permanent Damage Caused In Vromi Over Last Four Years

Deputy VROMI Minister Veronica Jansen-Webster.

~ VROMI completely without leadership ~

PHILIPSBURG--At a press conference on Tuesday acting Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Veronica Jansen-Webster painted a grim picture of the situation encountered when the new government took office.

She said the conditions under which the ministry was managed over the last four years have left permanent damage in the organisation and on civil servants Read more

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Project Announced To Extend Potable Water Production Plant

From left: EEASM Director General Sebastien Gallego, SAUR Antilles Director Nicolas Touzet, President Louis Mussington, EEASM President Raphal Sanchez, and SAUR St. Martin Director Mlissa Nicolas at the press conference. (Robert Luckock photo)

MARIGOT--Water Authority tablissement des Eaux et de lAssainissement de Saint-Martin (EEASM) held a press conference at its headquarters in Hope Estate on Friday to announce an extension to the present drinking water production plant in Galisbay that will be built and commissioned in 2027 to significantly improve capacity.

With a provisional budget of 21 million euros, the aim is to increase daily production from 8,000m3 to around 14,000m3, explained Collectivit president Louis Mussington in his preamble Read more

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Grisha Concerned About Non-Payment Of Some Local Sub-Contractors At Pjia

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has expressed concerns about information she received concerning the reconstruction process at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).

Heyliger-Marten said she has been informed that certain contractors conducting work at PJIA are awaiting payments totalling US $300,000.

Information reaching my office alleges that the reconstruction process of one of our national gateways is marred by gross non-performance, mismanagement, and negligence, Heyliger-Marten stated in a press release issued on Monday.

Heyliger-Marten said she has been informed that Ballast Nedam, being the main contractor, has assigned Sustainable Development Consulting BV (SDC BV) as the main contractor to remove the debris from the demolition process Read more

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Chokehold Movie Delivers The Message That Domestic Violence Is Unacceptable

The Chokehold cast at the Friday press conference: from left; Simeon Henderson, Enyinne Nwigwe, Director Joel Ayuk (standing), Kenneth Okolie, Oremeyi Kareem, and Sherando Ferril. (Robert Luckock photo).

 MARIGOT--Timed to coincide with International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women, the premiere of locally-produced and -directed film Chokehold, written and directed by Joel Ayuk, took place at Caribbean Cinemas on Saturday night with the main actors in attendance.

Replicating a Hollywood premiere with red carpet, photo calls and a VIP reception, the international cast were dressed to the nines for the occasion.

Among prominent personalities from the community, Vice Presidents of the Collectivit Alain Richardson, Bernadette Davis and Dominique Louisy were present to support the film, as well as Territorial Councillor Martine Beldor.

Anticipating a large turnout, the 1-hour film produced by CANI TV Studios was shown in two theatres Read more

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Two School Boards Receive Feminine Hygiene Products

From left: D. Marks, R. Richardson-Romey, E Baptiste-Boasman, Minister Ottley, Minister Samuel, E. Hanson-Flanders and E. Jacobs.

HOPE ESTATE--Two school boards were provided with feminine hygiene products for distribution within their respective schools on Friday, April 14.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley was accompanied by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel, Coordinator of Teen Times Rochelayne Richardson-Romey, staff of the Community Development Family and Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) Elba Hanson-Flanders and Elencia Baptiste-Boasman for the handover of these products Read more

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Land Awarded For Social Housing Is Already In Lease, Mp Peterson Says

Minister of VROMI Egbert Doran and Helen Salomons-Brown, director of St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation, award land allegedly already leased to the company High Tech Development NV since 2012.

PHILIPSBURG--Government recently awarded land in Hope Estate for social housing development while the specific lot allegedly was already issued in long lease since 2012 to another party. This was brought forward by Read more

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Government Financially Supports Trapping, Destroying Of Monkeys

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Nature Foundation, with the help of a local veterinarian, is getting rid of the more than 450 vervet monkeys on St. Maarten. The entrapment and euthanising of monkeys have the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), which provided essential funding.

  The elimination of the monkey population is part of St. Maarten Nature Foundations Invasive Species Project. Acting TEATT Minister Omar Ottley signed off on funding that was used to purchase materials and equipment and to facilitate training by an experienced monkey trapper from the island of St Read more

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Bus Drivers Request Increase In Bus Fares Starting January

United Bus Drivers Association president Claude Omeus.

PHILIPSBURG--From January 2023, bus passengers will pay more for a bus ride if it is up to United Bus Drivers Association. President Claude Omeus said the increase is necessary due to the high cost of living on the island.

  I dont think it is unreasonable for us to finally get the increase in fares, as maintaining our buses is not cheap also, said Omeus, stressing that the cost of living continues to skyrocket while gas prices are increased almost bi-weekly.

  Bus drivers have taken note of the announcement by Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Omar Ottley about the increase in minimum wage Read more

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Charlotte Brookson Academy Receives Culture Time Proceeds

From left: Culture Time founder and host Fabian Badejo, Charlotte Brookson Academys school manager Tatiana Arrindell and Culture Time co-host Rhoda Arrindell. (Stephen Kleinhuis photo)

 PHILIPSBURG--The organisers of last week Fridays Culture Time 35th Anniversary Show at Philipsburg Cultural Centre donated the proceeds of the event to Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performing Arts (CBA).

  The cash presentation was made to school manager Tatiana Arrindell on Tuesday, said Fabian Badejo, host of the long-running PJD-2 radio programme Read more

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Senior citizens from both sides of the island gathered in the Senior Citizens Recreational Center in Hope Estate to celebrate International Day of Older Persons on October 1.

HOPE ESTATE--Senior citizens from both sides of the island gathered in the Senior Citizens Recreational Center in Hope Estate to celebrate International Day of Older Persons on October 1. This large, combined gathering was the biggest since the pandemic waged and seniors were happy to be able to mingle and enjoy a meal together just like old times.

  The lunch was organized by St Read more

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Shadani Fleming Wins Plate Design Contest, Plate To Be Used From 2023

The winning number plate design

PHILIPSBURG--Local graphic designer Shadani Flemings simple design of a number plate depicting an aircraft, sunrise, and palm trees has won hearts of the public and landed her the winning spot of the number plate design competition. 

  The winning plate design will be used as of 2023 and the following years. Flemings design received more than 1,000 of the popular votes and she was notified and awarded the prize of NAf. 1,000.

  Flemings winning artwork featured a clean design with a red, white, and blue gradient background Read more

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Pfp Expels Co-Founder, Who Calls Move Drastic

Charlon Pompier

PHILIPSBURG--Party for Progress (PFP) has severed ties with its co-founder Charlon Pompier, who called the move an extreme and sudden form of drastic action.

  Pompier was informed of his expulsion from the party via a letter dated May 17 Read more

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Decision Imminent On Trust Fund Extension

The Trust Fund Steering Committee during a visit to St. Maarten in December 2021. On the left, St. Maarten Steering Group member Marcel Gumbs, with next to him, Steering Committee member for the Netherlands Frans Weekers. Third from left is World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean and Chair of the Steering Committee Lilia Burunciuc. (Photo by National Recovery Program Bureau NRPB)

~ Opening local World Bank office projected for June ~

THE HAGUE--A decision is expected shortly on the request of the St Read more

Generation Hope Party Presents Programme For 2022 Elections

Generation Hope 2022 candidate Jules Charville speaking at the presentation of the partys programme.

MARIGOT--President of Generation Hope and candidate for the upcoming Territorial Council elections on March 20 and 27 Read more

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Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs delivering her remarks during Sundays service.

PHILIPSBURG--The government of St. Maarten in collaboration with St. Maarten Christian Council, St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosted the seventeenth annual National Day of Prayer at the Government Administration Building on Sunday.

  This years theme was Almighty God, Let Your Culture of Divine Unity Rule.

  The service opened with praise and worship led by the Victory Temple praise team, followed by the opening prayer delivered by Joan Berkel and a rendition of the St Read more

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Pm Jacobs Sees 2022 As Year Of Hope, Continued Progress

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs

PHILIPSBURG--A year of hope and continued progress was the description used by Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs to describe 2022.

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Pm: There Is Willingness To Discuss Way Forward

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday that there is willingness by caretaker Dutch State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops to discuss the way forward on the current impasse. 

  St. Maarten had requested a postponement of the Kingdom Council of Ministers RMR decision that was scheduled to be taken on Friday last week to approve the deviation from the budgetary norms of Article 15 of the Kingdom Act Financial Supervision RFT.

  The Netherlands made the granting of the deviation conditional on St.  Maartens political approval of the Note of Amendment to the Consensus Kingdom Law on the Caribbean Body for Reform and Development COHO, in an effort to force consensus, Jacobs had said last week.

  Knops also included excerpts of said amendment as decision points for the RMR, thereby circumventing the Parliaments of the Kingdom from debating this aspect of the law, Jacobs had said in a statement last week.

  Furthermore, decision points were included that would give the government of the Netherlands carte blanche to impose further unrelated conditions for future liquidity support.

  While speaking to the media during the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday this week, Jacobs reported on recent communication from Knops.

  I must say that in recent, lets call it, communication received from the state secretary, there is a willingness to discuss the way forward and we hope that through these discussions, negotiations, that we receive as a country what we deserve, Jacobs told reporters.

  She said there has been quite some uproar about what has been going on in the relations with the Kingdom government.

  Yes, we have been having better relations Read more

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From left: Sergeant Major J.G. De Bruin of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and Asha Stevens-Mohabier outside the Hillside gym.

Cu7bCAY HILL--Ahead of the upcoming hurricane season, the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Royal Dutch Army will set up headquarters at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School campus in Cay Hill for the annual hurricane exercise HUREX.

  Between May 25 and June 6, the marines and military, as per new operational orders, will simulate different scenarios before, during and after a category three storm or higher Read more

ASA founder and director Merlyn Schaminee-Miguel.

~ Founder Merlyn speaks about experience through the years ~

SUCKER GARDEN--With music, dance, and an abundance of cake and popcorn, After School Activities (ASA)/No Kidding with Our Kids Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in a festive atmosphere at its home at the Lions Den in Sucker Garden on Thursday.

  One of the pioneers in after-school care in St. Maarten, ASA got its start in the turbulent days post-Hurricane Luis Read more

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