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Youth Trauma And Mental Health Study Launched For Caribbean Netherlands

A screen-capture of the promotional video for the Be You youth mental health study for the Caribbean Netherlands, which recently launched in Bonaire.

KRALENDIJK--A large-scale scientific study which looks into trauma experiences and mental health among young people in the Caribbean Netherlands was launched on Thursday, September 11, starting with Bonaire. The study is called Be You, emphasising that it focuses on young people themselves: their experiences, feelings, and voice Read more

WeRe Stopping On The Runway, Westjet Pilot Tells Atc After Landing Gear Collapse

Airport firefighters near the right engine that scraped along the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).  AIRPORT--Panic and smoke filled the air on Sunday afternoon when a WestJet Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Toronto, Canada, suffered a landing gear collapse at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), sending the airport skidding down the runway and forcing the airport to shut down.   The incident occurred around 1:29pm, right as WestJet flight WS2276 touched down.  The flights landing at PJIA was captured by a livestream hosted by St Read more

Minister BrugS Statements On Pjiae Notice

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — As Minister of Labor, I have taken note of the communication recently issued by the management of PJIAE to its staff concerning measures to be taken against French nationals employed at PJIAE. Such communication has caused significant unrest in the community, which requires clarification on my part.

I, Richinel Brug, hereby unequivocally distance myself from the content and implications of such correspondence Read more

Gebe Meeting To Continue In Parliament Today, Mps To Honour Late Mp Pantophlet

PHILIPSBURG--The House of Parliament will hold two public meetings today, Wednesday, September 3 - the continuation of a meeting on utility company GEBE and paying tribute to the late former Member of Parliament, Romeo Pantophlet.

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Ottley Petition Seeks Relief By Dec. 1, Higher Supervision For Gebe, 193 Signatures So Far

MP Omar Ottley (right) addresses attendees during the town hall in Sucker Garden on Tuesday evening.

~ Goal set at 1,000 signatures ~

SUCKER GARDEN--United Peoples party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Read more

Justice, Smmta Partner To Improve Marine Industry Standards, Security

From left: SMMTA President Jesse Peterson, SMMTA representative Andy Caballero, Section Head Border and Mobile Unit Ryan Peterson, SMMTA representative Monica Monroy, Policy Advisor Erling Hoeve, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, Board Member Lela Simmonds, IBPS Department Head Livingstone White, and Chief of Staff Cecil Nicholas.

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Empowering Parents: New Training Series Equips Families Navigating Special Needs

The training was designed to help families better understand their children's unique needs while also addressing their own mental and emotional well-being.

PHILIPSBURG--To enhance support for families raising children with special needs, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA, Richinel Brug has partnered with The Spectrum Support Box to launch a four-week parent training series titled Inclusive Solutions for Diverse Needs.

Led by facilitators Alisha Brookes and Lucien York, the training series provided parents with practical strategies, emotional support and a safe, welcoming space to learn and share Read more

Prime Minister Mercelina Receives Delegation Highlighting High-Tech Community Fund In Drc

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina (third from right) received a courtesy visit from (from left to right) Christopher Kiangala, Secretary to the FSRDC National Coordinator; SMITCO CEO and Director Perry Geerlings; FSRDC National Coordinator Philippe Ngwala Malemba; Three Eagles Sunergy Founder and Chair Karine Shufford; and Phoenix Capital President Alain Lemieux.

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Dr Read more

Dutch, French Unite For Symbolic Launch Of The Clean-Up Campaign

Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs (left) and Collectivit Vice President Bernadette Davis (right) shake hands at the border following the campaign launch. (Robert Luckock phot

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BELLE PLAINE--In a follow-up to a series of meetings on the subject, the symbolic launch of the joint annual clean-up campaign took place Wednesday morning, at the border monument in Belle Plaine in the presence of the Collectivit Second Vice President Bernadette Davis from the delegation Cadre de Vie (Living Environment) and St Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday 27th June 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 28th June 2025WEATHER:This afternoon & evening: Variably cloudy. Isolated showers are likely.Tonight, until Saturday midday: Variably cloudy and slightly hazy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 31C / 88F              Forecast Low:  27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:39 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: Today through Saturday midday: Northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze at 8 to 18 mphSYNOPSIS: Relatively stable weather conditions will persist, alongside a gentle to moderate breeze Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday 13th June 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 14th June 2025WEATHER:This afternoon through Saturday midday: Fair to partly cloudy and slightly hazy. Brief isolated showers are possible.Forecast High: 31C / 88F              Forecast Low:  26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:49 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:37 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Northeast to Easterly, with a light to moderate breeze, at 6 to 15 mph.SYNOPSIS: Generally stable, and relatively dry conditions will persist alongside a gentle to moderate breeze, during this forecast period Read more

Pm Appeals To Gebe To Cut Fuel Tariff To 6-7 Cents, Slashing Bills By 19% From July 2025 Billing Cycle

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina addresses Parliament.

~ Outlines 13 recommendations from RAC/BTP ~

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has appealed to the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBOD) of NV GEBE to instruct its Managing Board to correct identified irregularities in the electricity fuel clause.

This correction, he said, should bring the electricity fuel tariff down to 6-7 cents per kilowatt hour, which would result in an estimated 19% reduction in customers electricity bills Read more

Minister Gumbs Announces 2025 Tax Tables Publication

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Finance has officially published the 2025 tax tables, providing taxpayers, employers and employees with essential guidance for accurate tax calculations, withholdings and filings.

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Commemoration Of Sint MaartenS Flag Day

PHILIPSBURG On Friday, June 13th, 2025, the people, and Government of Sint Maarten will commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Flag Day at the grounds of the Leonald Conner School in Cay Bay. The annual commemoration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Patriotic School Parade that starts in front of the Market Garden Supermarket at the entrance of the Billy Folly Road. The parade then proceeds on to the Welfare Road in the direction towards Caribbean Cinemas, it continues to the entrance at Cay Bay Road, and ends at the grounds of the Leonald Conner School parking lot.

Considering that Flag Day is not a public holiday, the annual celebration is geared towards the primary schools on the island Read more

New Class Of Firefighter Recruits For Bes Islands Begins Training

Ten recruits are set to begin their one-year firefighter training programme in September.

KRALENDIJK--Ten new firefighter recruits have officially joined the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department BKCN following a rigorous selection process that included physical fitness tests, background screenings, and multiple interview rounds. BKCN serves Bonaire. St. Eustatius and Saba (the BES Read more

PHILIPSBURG--The final results of two comprehensive studies into the lifestyles and motor skills of children in St. Maarten was presented by Stichting Expertisecentrum Ervaringsgericht Onderwijs (EGO) Foundation representatives to a broad cross-section of persons working in public education and the school sector, at the Government Building, Philipsburg, on Monday.

Among the around 30 attendees present, prominent names included Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richinel S.J Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 2nd June 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 3rd June 2025 A DUST ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6AM TUESDAY 3RD JUNE WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Generally hazy and breezy. There is a low chance of showers.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low:  27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:45 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:36 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeast to east-southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze at 8 to 15 mph; higher gusts are possible.SYNOPSIS: High concentrations of Saharan dust will dominate conditions for the next 18 24 hours, reducing both visibility and air quality across the region Read more

Aviation Veteran Michael Cleaver Tackles His Biggest Challenge Yet

Airport technology plays a crucial role in passenger safety and experience, Cleaver says.

~ A CEOs ground-up approach to transforming PJIA ~

By Jacqueline Hooftman

SIMPSON BAY--From starting at American Airlines as a baggage handler at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico with a Bachelors degree in business administration in hand to now running St. Maartens national airport, Michael Cleavers forty-year career in aviation has come full circle Read more

Guyana Passport Issues Being Resolved

~ Sint Maarten Among 10 Consulates to Receive Biometric Kit ~

SAUNDERS, St. Maarten After months of delay, citizens of Guyana living outside their homeland will soon be able to receive their new passports, and the Sint Maarten Consulate is among 10 of 29 in the diaspora to receive the first set of biometric kits.

This announcement was made on Wednesday during a virtual meeting of Heads of Missions and Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford.

The delay stemmed from a change of systems at the Central Passport and Immigration Office in Georgetown, which now requires all applicants to submit their biometrics before the travel document can be processed Read more

Stop Issuing Supermarket Licenses!

Opinion

STOP ISSUING SUPERMARKET LICENSES!

Well, the good citizens who use Cost Pro Supermarket as their main supermarket noticed that during the Easter weekend the supermarket was closed. To their surprise, the supermarket remained closed on Tuesday, April 22. Someone close to the daily operations confirmed that Cost Pro has closed their doors for good.

Although, the details that led to the closure have not been made public, there are several things we must consider because of this.

Government keeps issuing supermarket licenses to smaller businesses, thereby destroying business sales for the larger companies, who at a certain point were in key locations, which benefited their bottom line Read more

Vromi Minister Gumbs Faces Ombudsman Inquiry Over Controversial Cupecoy High-Rise

Taliesin NV, on behalf of NLGY Development, continued rock drilling over the weekend and went beyond the legally permitted boundaries, while throwing debris over a retaining wall onto the neighbour's property.

 PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Patrice Gumbs, representing Party for Progress (PFP), must answer to the Ombudsman of St Read more

Students Clean Beach

A group from Broadreach, a United States-based student travel programme, recently helped clean up Zeelandia Beach in St. Eustatius, alongside a team from St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation STENAPA. The combined group removed a total of 1,861 items from a beach that is the islands hotspot for nesting sea turtles.

Read more

The Culprit Gives Up Himself

LETTER TO THE EDITOR the culprit gives up himself

Dear Editor,

I have been following your live My2Cents on Facebook and I applaud your outcry on the topic of sexual harassment on the workplace and the bravery of the lady Ms. Nicole James that reacted to go public with her ordeal and her open petition to the Parliament of Sint Maarten and the Government of Sint Maarten with the request to put policies in place that addresses this matter. She also addressed the Integrity Chamber. Rightly so.

It is very disturbing to hear about this issue playing within the Police Force and within a department of VSA Read more

The Act Of Bravery

Dear editor and all readers,

In reaction to Miss Nicole James story published a few days ago via your media house, I would like to congratulate her for the act of bravery to come open and share her ordeal, whereas she also proves that she has overcome. That itself is a very good sign as life continues. But it is worrisome to learn from her story that there are about 8 to 10 more women who were all victims of the same man, the acting section head that in the meantime is known to be Mr Read more