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Minister Lewis: No Ban On Public Meetings In Place For The Moment

PHILIPSBURG--The decision of the Council of Ministers taken on Tuesday to cancel all public political meetings leading up to the August 19 elections cannot be upheld, Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis said in Parliament on Thursday. As Minister of Justice, I am responsible for the guidelines, and there is no official guideline signed by my p Read more

All Public Meetings Cancelled, No Polling Station Gatherings Allowed

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina  PHILIPSBURG--In a drastic move aimed at promoting safety and security of the population, the Council of Ministers has decided to cancel all public political meetings for which a permit is required as of Wednesday, July 24; and has banned all gatherings near or around polling stations on election day Read more

Meeting Between Ecys And Nsi

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Cabinet of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) met with the National Sports Institute (NSI) and its new Director Jisk Goslinga this week. The cabinet on behalf of the Minister of ECYS Lyndon Lewis.

The meeting focussed on the structure of the NSI, but particularly on the upgrading and maintenance of the sporting facilities Read more

Minister Veronica Jansen Webster Visits St. Maarten Laboratory Services (Sls)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Honorable Minister Veronica Jansen Webster, accompanied by her support staff on July 5th, 2024 visited the St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS), one of the departments under the ministry’s scope.

The minister had long intended to visit SLS amidst her meetings with various departments, but her schedule had been exceedingly busy while she was also overseeing the Ministry of VROMI Read more

Gumbs Begins Assessment Of Roads

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs began review of existing road infrastructure, following the recent signing of the road resurfacing agreement. Gumbs, Mr. Luciano Nicholls (Cabinet Policy Advisor), and Windward Roads (contractor), began inspections in the Philipsburg basin from Arch Road (Madame Estate) to Juancho Yrasquin Boulevard (Point Blanche).

The scope of the works to be done in this area vary and includes improved quality of asphalt, improved subsurface layer, as well increased asphalt layer thickness Read more

Unified Against Violence: Ensuring The Security Of St. Maarten

My dear people of St. Maarten, Today, I stand before you with a heavy heart to address a grave and tragic event that has shaken our community to its core. Last evening, starting in the Cupecoy area, an act of violence was committed against the leader of the Oualichi Movement for Change (OMC), Mr. Olivier Arrindell, and his family. At noon today, I met with the Public Prosecutor, management of KPSM (Police Department), the VSDM (National Security Service), Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis, and President of Parliament MP Sarah Wescot-Williams to receive a full debrief and discuss the most recent developments. Mr Read more

Mp Gumbs Submits Questions To Pm About Government Building Maintenance

PHILISPBURG Party for Progress member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs sent a letter with questions to Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, asking for an update on the maintenance of the Government administration building Read more

Learie Hall Advocates For Cultural Preservation And Orange Economy

As the modern world continues to evolve, preserving our culture and investing in the arts and entertainment sector has become increasingly crucial, especially for the youth. Learie Hall, Candidate #8 on the NOW Slate, emphasizes that the vitality of our cultural heritage not only enriches the community but also positions it as a vibrant tourism destination.

Hall is dedicated to creating new opportunities for young artists, dancers, and entertainers and urges the youth to act by voting and choosing him as their next member of Parliament to be their voice and advocate.

Hall believes that St Read more

Szv And Minister Of Public Health Sound Alarm For Urgent Health Financing Reform

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Over the years, Social & Health Insurances SZV has been flexible in its policies to include measures that allow director majority shareholders (DMS) who fall outside the scope of the law to still get access to medical insurance. However, in recent cases where SZV attempted to collect unpaid premiums for the registered insured, the Court of First Instance reminded SZV that premiums for sickness, accident, and severance insurance could only be collected for the registered insured, as defined by the respective ordinances Read more

Caribbean Airlines Inaugural ServiceTo Puerto Rico Takes Flight

Piarco, Trinidad & Tobago, —Caribbean Airlines inaugural flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico left the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad at 10.50 a.m. on Sunday July 14. This new route is part of the airline’s strategic plan to enhance connectivity within the Caribbean region. Flights to San Juan will operate three (3) times per week (Sunday, Tuesday & Friday) from the airline’s base in Trinidad, with convenient connections to other destinations.

The first flight to San Juan was marked with celebrations for the passengers, who received goody bags with Caribbean Airlines branded items and were entertained by the talented Leandra Head Read more

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

Soab: Szv 2023 Financial Statements Are Accurate And Transparent

~ SZV receives a clean audit report for the third consecutive year ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten For the third consecutive year, Social & Health Insurances SZV received a clean audit report for its financial statements. The clean audit report was issued by the government audit bureau, Stichting Overheids Accountants Bureau (SOAB). A clean audit report also termed an ‘Approved Control,’ means that the auditors found that the financial reporting by SZV was accurate and transparent Read more

Lewis Announces 1% Cola, 1% Vacation Allowance In 2024 Budget Amendment

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Lyndon Lewis on Thursday announced that the outstanding amount for the 1% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the 1% vacation allowance will be included in the 2024 budget amendment.

A meeting was held with the board of the WITU on Wednesday to express the governments commitment to include the 1% Read more

4 Graduate With Geds, 2 After Vocational Training

Master of Ceremonies Alex Lindo addressing the graduates.

 ST. EUSTATIUS--New Challenges Foundation (NCF) held a graduation ceremony at William and Christine Flanders Community Centre on July 3 for four students who received their General Educational Development (GED) diplomas and two who completed vocational training.

This celebration is a testament to the power of second chances, said NCF Director Francine Foe at the ceremony. Our graduates have shown that with grit, determination and the right support, anyone can overcome adversity and achieve their dreams.

The ceremonys theme Dont Watch the Clock, Do What It Does, Keep Going was a fitting tribute to the graduates, emphasising the importance of perseverance, resilience and staying focused.

The ceremony started with a rousing rendition of the St Read more

Taxi Associations Present Proposal For Tariff Change To Teatt Minister

From left: Andrew Royer of the Dutch Taxi Association, TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Maya Friday of the Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association and Glen Emers of Down Town Taxi Association.

~ Want ride sharing initiative permanently abolished ~

PHILIPSBURG--Five taxi associations operating on Dutch St. Maarten have proposed a change to the existing tariffs, according to them, due to the increased cost of living and inflation.

In a letter to Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten, the associations said the proposed amendments to the current tariffs are also to synchronise tariffs with the French-side Taxi Association which is presently in negotiations to increase their tariffs.

We met last week to discuss, among other things, their proposal to change the current tariffs for different districts, Heyliger-Marten said in a press release Read more

From left: Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Chairperson of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and Member of Parliament Viren Kotai.

 PHILIPSBURG--The decision on whether St Read more

Draft Legislation For Crime Fund, Presented To Minister Of Justice, Lyndon Lewis

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Ministry of Justice reached a significant milestone, as the Minister of Justice, Lyndon C. J. Lewis, was presented with the draft legislation for the Crime Fund. This development marks a crucial step towards modernizing and improving the management, supervision, and accountability of the Crime Fund, an area identified as lacking in the current, outdated legislation. This initiative is also a part of the broader country package measure aimed at enhancing the efficiency and oversight of the Crime Fund.

The draft legislation was prepared by a dedicated group of civil servants, who undertook this project as their final assignment to achieve certification as legislative lawyers, a program offered to them by the Caribbean Center for Legislation.

The Minister of Justice expressed profound gratitude to the civil servants for their hard work and dedication Read more

Lewis Condemns Gun Violence, Says Culprits Will Face Full Extent Of Law

The wave of fear in the community intensified on Monday when news started circulating that a fourth shooting had occurred, this time on Bush Road. The shooting occurred around 3:20am. A male was injured. He was transported to St Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and had been undergoing treatment. His condition was listed as serious, but stable. Mondays shooting followed three shootings in two districts on Saturday: two in Dutch Quarter and one in Simpson Bay in which three males were injured and nursing gunshot wounds in SMMC Read more

Open Letter To Our Honorable Minister Of Justice Mr. Lyndon C.J. Lewis

It is with great admiration that the people of Sint Maarten are experiencing the vigor which you put in your work for this country and it is therefore that we believe that you have the courage to take eventual unpopular decisions if needed.

For the last few years Sint Maarten has experienced some brutal murder cases, most of which remain unsolved and as an officer of the law yourself, this is a disturbing factor. One reason for this might be the shortage of staff to conduct a proper investigation and the tools available for such Read more

Reunification Of Ana Carolina Lazaro Cuevas And Her Children.

Good day to the people of Sint Maarten.

Today, I extend my heartfelt strength and love to the people of the Cayman Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Grenada, and the Carriacou Island. Additionally, I wish a happy Fourth of July to all American citizens residing in Sint Maarten.

Turning to today’s topic, I want to address the recent return of Miss Anna Carolina Lazaro Cuevas, who was reunited with her children yesterday, July 3rd, 2024. There has been considerable discussion surrounding this event, and I would like to provide some clarity.

Ms Read more

A Message From Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina On Hurricane BerylS Impact

Philipsburg — “Hurricane Beryl has tested our resilience in the Caribbean region, but in the face of this adversity, our unity and strength shine through,” declared Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.

He added, “You are not just enduring this storm; you are standing together, stronger than ever.”

“I urge everyone to extend a helping hand to those in distress and I wholeheartedly applaud our local community initiatives to support those affected,” emphasized Prime Minister Mercelina Read more

Szv Hosted Workshop On Managing Pension Benefits And Holistic Health & Wellness

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten SZV Social and Health Insurance hosted a workshop for a mixed group of persons on retirement and preparing for retirement on Friday, May 31, in collaboration with the St. Maarten Library. The workshop, held at the St. Maartens Library satellite location in Belvedere, aimed to empower participants with information and practical tips about managing their pension benefits, maintaining health and wellness while on retirement, eating and sleeping well, and taking care of their brain health.

SZV’s Manager of Pension & Cessantia, Renatto Rodriguez, alongside Corporate Communications Manager Charonne Holder, provided tips and reminders to improve financial planning before and during retirement and important administrative obligations when receiving AOV pension benefits from SZV Read more

Emilio Wilson Park Awash In Red To Mark 161 Years Since Emancipation

Parliament Chairperson Sarah Wescot-Williams and MP Silveria Jacobs were the first two officials to join the dancers at the end of Monday mornings Emancipation Day commemoration Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 1st July 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 2nd July 2024 A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT! WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot, hazy, and breezy. Brief showers are possible.This evening through Tuesday midday: Warm and breezy with isolated showers and possible thunderstorms.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:41 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: Today through Tuesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 20 mph, with higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: The plume of Saharan dust exits the region today Read more