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GENERAL SOLIDAIRE [GS] In The News

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Source: 721 News
25 Sep 2025 03:00 PM

Venezuela Hit By 6.3-Magnitude Earthquake

Venezuela hit by 6.3-magnitude earthquakehttps://t.co/1ejWM0ACKx pic.twitter.com/lj68IUq9WS

721News.com (@721News) September 25, 2025

Source: DW.com

The US Geological Survey reported the magnitude of the quake, which was located at a depth of 14 kilometers. No casualties have been reported.

A 6.3-magnitudeearthquakeshook west and northVenezuelaon Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said.

What do we know so far?

There were noimmediate reports of any casualties or serious damage.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located at a depth of 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) some 27 kilometersfrom Mene Grande, the USGS said.

A few hours later, the USGS reported on another 5.8-magnitude earthquake, 28 kilometers from Mene Grande.

Some 600 kilometerswest of Caracas,Mene Grande is an oil town in asparsely populated area of the state of Zulia.

Venezuela is the country withthe world’s largest proven crude oil reserves,estimated at approximately 303 billion barrels as of 2023-2024, significantly more than other countries such asSaudi Arabia, Iran, and Canada.

Are strong earthquakes common in Venezuela?

The Colombian Geological Survey measured the tremor at 6.1 and categorized it as a “shallow depth” event in Mene Grande, but the quake was also felt in neighboring Colombia, as well asthe Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire.

Strong temblors are not common in Venezuela, but Wednesday’s quakeshookbuildings and caused alarm in cities including Caracas and Maracaibo.

About 80%of Venezuelans live in seismic zones, but the South American country has not had a major quakesince 1997, when 73 people died inCariaco in the eastern state of Sucre.

In 1976, nearly 300 were killed and 2,000 injured when a quakehit Caracas.

As qued uno de los apartamentos en Maracaibo, estado Zulia, luego del sismo ocurrido hace pocos minutos Read more


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
UPP
ND
UD
Source: 721 News
19 Sep 2025 02:47 PM

Smmc Celebrates World Patient Safety Day

CAY HILL —On Wednesday, September 17th, St. Maarten Medical Center joined the global observance of World Patient Safety Day with a series of lectures and interactive workshops held on its main patio for staff. World Patient Safety Day, an initiative of the World Health Organization, is geared towards raising global awareness about patient safety and promoting actions that minimize harm in healthcare.

This years theme, Safe Care for every Newborn and Child, focuses on safety during neonatal and pediatric care – particularly vital for patients who cannot always advocate for themselves.

The program was organized by the Quality and Safety Department and reflects SMMCs ongoing journey to achieve Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation at the new St Read more


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
Source: The Daily Herald
18 Sep 2025 12:20 PM

Public Weather Forecast For St. Maarten

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 18th September 2025 @12:00 LST (10:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 19th September 2025WEATHER:This afternoon: Variably cloudy with occasional showers. Isolated thunderstorms are likely.Tonight, through Friday midday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 32C / 90F           Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:12 P.M.               Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.MSURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: East southeasterly to easterly, with a light to gentle, at 5 to 12 mph.SYNOPSIS: Moist and unstable conditions will persist alongside gentle winds Read more

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
ECE
Source: The Daily Herald
12 Sep 2025 12:11 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
Source: The Daily Herald
07 Sep 2025 05:30 PM

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

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
USP
ND
UD
ECE
Source: 721 News
04 Sep 2025 09:53 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
Source: The Daily Herald
03 Sep 2025 12:03 AM

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.

Read more

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
UPP
ND
Source: The Daily Herald
26 Aug 2025 11:29 PM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
Source: The Daily Herald
12 Aug 2025 12:02 AM

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.

Read more

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
UPP
ND
UD
Source: The Daily Herald
14 Jul 2025 12:14 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
ECE
Source: The Daily Herald
10 Jul 2025 10:51 PM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
Source: The Daily Herald
10 Jul 2025 12:41 PM

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

.

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
ECE
Source: The Daily Herald
27 Jun 2025 12:06 PM
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

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
Source: The Daily Herald
13 Jun 2025 12:13 PM
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

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
UPP
HOPE
HOPE
ND
UD
Source: The Daily Herald
10 Jun 2025 09:12 PM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
Source: The Daily Herald
09 Jun 2025 09:21 AM

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.

Read more

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
UPP
ND
UD
Source: 721 News
08 Jun 2025 01:02 PM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
Source: The Daily Herald
05 Jun 2025 11:32 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
ECE
Source: The Daily Herald
03 Jun 2025 12:07 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
UPP
ND
UD
ECE
Source: The Daily Herald
02 Jun 2025 12:03 PM
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

Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
UPP
ND
UD
ECE
Source: The Daily Herald
02 Jun 2025 12:48 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
DP
NA
NDP
SPA
ND
UD
ECE
Source: 721 News
26 Apr 2025 09:19 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
Source: 721 News
24 Apr 2025 08:21 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
GS
NA
SPA
ND
UD
PFP
ECE
Source: The Daily Herald
11 Mar 2025 03:08 PM

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


Candidates in this article:
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