SXMElections.com

DATE ISSUED: Friday, December 29, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) December 30, 2023 

WEATHER:    
This afternoon through Saturday midday: Generally fair to partly cloudy.  

Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 23C / 73F 

Sunset Today: 5:46 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:43 A.M. 

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Northeast to east with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 09 mph. 

SYNOPSIS:  

A weak Atlantic high-pressure ridge is the dominant feature across the region.    

Additionally, seas peaking up to 4 feet can be expected Read more

~The hardest working Minister and MP: Minister of VSA Omar Ottley and MP Rolando Brison.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- It is that time of the year when the media around the world will make scorecards for people who stand out to the community they live in and the world at large Read more

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Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 28th December 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) December 29th, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Friday midday: Fair to partly cloudy.  

Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 23C / 73F 

Sunset Today: 5:46 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:43 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Friday midday: North to northeasterly with a light breeze up to 7 mph Read more

~Legislative Package co-signed.~

PHILIPSBURG:---  In a momentous event, guests and online audiences gathered to witness the Minister of Justice co-sign the Justice legislative package. The official signing of the National Decrees was hosted at the Government Administration Building on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. The signing of the National Decree containing General Measures for the Legal Position of officers with police tasks and the new police salary scales, along with the National Decree to enact the legal position and also enact the approved Function Book.

The journey to this significant milestone began in September 2020, when the Minister embarked on the journey of completing the legislative package Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Minister Of Justice Co-Signs Justice Legislative Package On Wednesday

Minister of Justice Anna Richardson signing the justice legislative package during Wednesday's ceremony.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Anna Richardson co-signed the justice legislative package at the Government Administration Building on Wednesday, December 27.

The official signing of the national decrees solidified the legal position of officers and established essential structures for human resources management in the Ministry of Justice.

The signing encompassed the national decree containing general measures for the legal position of officers with police tasks, the new police salary scales and the national decree to enact the legal position and approved function book.

In her address, Richardson acknowledged the challenges faced on the journey to this point and expressed her pleasure in bringing it to a successful conclusion Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Usp: National Alliance Lacks The Vision, Empathy And Common Courtesy To Lead

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The board of the USP in an invited comment did not mince words as it relates to the placement of an ostentatious group billboard of the National Alliance party erected blocking the view of a USPs group billboard in Cole bay.

President of the board, Mr Read more

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Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 27th December 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) December 28th, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Fair to partly cloudy.  

Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75F 

Sunset Today: 5:45 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:42 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Thursday midday: North to northeasterly with a light breeze up to 7 mph Read more

United St. Maarten Party Unveils Ambitious 2024-2028 Agenda For National Improvement

PUBLISHED: on DECEMBER 22, 2023 The Daily Herald Newspapers

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — United St. Maarten Party (USP) has laid out its comprehensive plan of action for the year 2024 and beyond. The party already initiated the execution of the outlined restructuring plan in 2022, emphasizing its commitment to ongoing refinement and formulation in the subsequent years. The strategic execution and implementation of these plans are set to span the entirety of the party’s presence, whether as a coalition partner or in the opposition.

USPs primary objective is a collective pursuit of comprehensive improvement in social, financial, economic and infrastructural restructuring for all residents Read more

Dp: We Mourn With You And Wish You Strength To Restore Trust And Tranquility In Anguilla.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a press release over the weekend, the Democratic Party of St. Maarten reacted to the horrific killings that shocked the community of Anguilla mid-week. The DP leader, herself of Anguillan descent was clearly distressed at the news.

It is with profound sadness we learned of the senseless killings that occurred in Anguilla last week. The shock of this heartless act at an emotion-filled time of burial of a loved one reverberated throughout our communities Read more

Ser Opinion On Minimum Wage Increase Despite Time Constraints.

Willemstad:---  The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaao, today, Friday, December 22, 2023, issued its opinion on the revision of the minimum hourly wage to take effect January 1, 2024.
The SER received the request for its opinion on December 15, 2023, which followed a decision by the Council of Ministers on December 13, 2023. The proposal includes an increase in the minimum hourly wage from NAf Read more

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) December 23rd, 2023 

WEATHER:     

Today, through Saturday midday: Fair to partly cloudy.  

Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75F 

Sunset Today: 5:42 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:40 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

Today, through Saturday midday: Northeasterly with a light breeze of 4 to 10 mph Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 21st December 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) December 22nd, 2023 

...A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Friday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with brief isolated showers.  

Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75F 

Sunset Today: 5:42 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:39 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Friday midday: Northerly with a light breeze of 4 to 7 mph Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, December 20, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) December 21, 2023

...A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL THURSDAY DECEMBER 21 2023

WEATHER:    

This Afternoon, through Thursday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with brief shower possible.

Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 23C / 73F

Sunset Today: 5:41 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:39 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This Afternoon, through Thursday midday: Northerly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 12 mph Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, presented his Ministerial Regulation to the Council of Ministers where they unanimously passed his groundbreaking proposal to increase the minimum wage from Naf 9.95 to Naf 10.40 totaling a 4.5% increase, effective April 1, 2024. This is part of a broader initiative aimed at ensuring decent living standards for citizens, particularly those on the lower income scale that accounts for a large number, and addressing the challenges posed by the rising cost of living.

The proposed increase, from Naf 9.95 to Naf 10.40, represents an amount of Naf 1,801 ($1000.00) per month for workers Read more

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Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 19TH December 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) December 20, 2023

WEATHER:    

This Afternoon, through Wednesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy. Brief isolated showers are possible.

Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75F

Sunset Today: 5:41 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:38 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This Afternoon, through Wednesday midday: Easterly to northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 5 to 12 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

The Atlantic high-pressure system will maintain stable conditions across the region Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, December 18, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) December 19, 2023 

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy with brief isolated showers possible. 

Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79F 

Sunset Today: 5:41 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:38 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: East Northeast to east with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph, and possible higher gusts. 

SYNOPSIS:   

Shallow pockets of moisture drifting with the wind flow could produce brief isolated showers. 

Small craft operators and swimmers are advised to maintain caution Read more

Government Of Sint Maarten Signs Covenant With Ccsu.

~Secures increase in income/benefits for all Civil Servants~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Government of Sint Maarten is pleased to share a breakthrough in the ongoing talks between the Union Negotiation Team (UNT) and the Government Negotiation Team (GNT). A crucial agreement was reached between the Ministry of General Affairs and the Committee of Civil Servants Unions (CCSU), marking considerable progress in achieving a mutual understanding where it pertains to employee benefits.

Key Agreements:

I Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Violenus: Try Not To Jump To Conclusions

St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus addressed students and other attendees during his speech at The Hague University of Applied Sciences on Friday, December 15.

THE HAGUE--Beware of quick conclusions and opinions, urged St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus last week during his speech at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, on Kingdom Day Read more

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Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Friday 15th December 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) December 16th, 2023 

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and breezy with scattered showers. 

Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77F 

Sunset Today: 5:39 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:36 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph, and higher gusts. 

SYNOPSIS:   

Moisture convergence, north of the island, will produce cloudy periods with showers during this forecast period Read more

Parliament Approves 2023 Budget Amendment, 2 Motions

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament on Thursday unanimously approved the 2023 budget amendment as well as passed two motions tabled by United Peoples (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Rolando Brison.

  Only eight of the 15 MPs were present for Thursdays public meeting of Parliament in which the budget amendment was voted upon. Present were United Peoples (UP) party MPs Brison and Sidharth Cookie Bijlani, Party for Progress (PFP) MP Melissa Gumbs, National Alliance (NA) MPs George Pantophlet, Angelique Romou, Hyacinth Richardson and William Marlin and independent MP Ludmila de Weever Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Pm Advances Inclusive Foreign Policy In Meeting With Brandt

Yoka Brandt and Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, Yoka Brandt, discussed their commitment to a further collaboration for an inclusive foreign policy of the Kingdom and of St Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Last week, Prime Minister Jacobs and the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, Her Excellency Yoka Brandt, discussed their commitment to further collaboration for an inclusive foreign policy of the Kingdom and of Sint Maarten. Coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DBB), the meeting highlighted the strong partnership between the Government of Sint Maarten and the United Nations through the support of the Permanent Mission and DBB Read more

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Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, 14 December 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 15 December 2023 

A SMALL CRAFT WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN 

UNTIL 6AM, SATURDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon: Partly cloudy and windy with brief local showers possible. 

Tonight through Friday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers. 

Forecast High: 30C / 86F             

Forecast Low: 25C / 77F 

Sunset Today: 5:39 P.M.                  

Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:36 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon: Northeasterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 14 to 20 mph, and occasional higher gusts. 

Tonight through Friday midday: East-northeasterly with a moderate breeze of 13 to 18 mph, and possible higher gusts. 

SYNOPSIS:   

The atmosphere will remain stable today with limited shower activity and strong winds Read more

Extreme Weather Events A Permanent Risk.

 ~Countries should develop national climate adaptation strategies ~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG The Caribbean basin is the most exposed region to climate-related natural disasters. Hence, the occurrence of extreme weather events, which are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, can be considered a permanent risk to the economic outlook for Curaao and Sint Maarten, declared the president of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in the CBCSs 2023 December Economic Bulletin Read more