By Tom Clifford The taxi driver almost passed it. She’d been there before but the modest entrance continues to catch her out, she exclaimed after a quick application of the brakes. It had been raining. The muddy path leading to our destination, set back from the busy road, was slippery. It seemed strangely fitting. As if keeping with tradition. I was stepping back in time to be a guest of heritage. The Old House in the French Quarter gives the visitor a precious insight into the story and culture of the island. It is basic. No fancy entrance, as the…
Author: The Publisher
By Tom Clifford Airlines have been warned of potential risks when flying in Venezuelan airspace due to “heightened military activity.” The warning by the United States Federal Aviation Administration comes amid a massive buildup of the US military in the region. Issued on Friday the FAA’s NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) alert cites the “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela’’. It added that the situation could pose risks for aircraft. Crucially, it stopped short of prohibiting flights over the country. Aircraft operating in the area were instructed to “exercise caution,” “at all altitudes, including during overflight,…
By Tom Clifford They are situated in Bel Air, beside a funeral parlor, and across the road from a general hospital under construction. Donovan Smith, one of Antek’s two managing directors, laughs off any suggestion that this was planned as a location bordering on the philosophical. “The hospital and funeral home were there before Antek was built. We work well with our neighbors, and appreciate the work that that they both do. I can take some solace that from the cradle to the grave I am in good company,’’ Smith, 40, says. It used to be that one way to…
PHILIPSBURG — The Netherlands will extend a loan of 30.3 million guilders (XCG) to St. Maarten, based on a positive advice from financial supervisor Cft. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has indicated that the country’s debt quote remains “manageable” on the condition that loans that mature during the next couple of years will be refinanced by the Netherlands. This appears from the framework risk-regulations of the central Dutch government, published by outgoing state secretary for Kingdom Relations Eddy van Marum. In its 2025 budget, St Maarten included investments for the purchase of emergency power generators, the building of a new…
By Tom Clifford It is with no disrespect to the people of Curacao that there will be people today reading of their footballers inspirational exploits who will be asking, where is it? The tiny Caribbean nation became the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup. Haiti, who last appeared in the World Cup in 1974, also achieved their qualification goal with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua. Ironically, Haiti secured their decisive qualification victory in Curaçao, where the team have been forced to play their home qualifiers due to unrest in their homeland. Panama meanwhile, grabbed the other automatic…
By Tom Clifford Prime time. Gathering clouds bending the light as the sun calls it a day. Night approaches unapologetically. Rain is coming. The first drops will arrive in a few minutes, almost tentatively. A splatter here, a splatter there, and then with greater assuredness until a downpour will deliver moisture to the thirsty earth. The clues to the changing weather are easily apparent and provide an early warning system. The breeze is picking up, and the waves caressing the beach are lapping with increasing intensity, almost machine-like in their regularity. I can honestly say, without fear of contradiction, that…
By Tom Clifford The most significant geo-political relationship is between the US and China. The second is usually considered that between China and Japan. Tokyo and Beijing are currently embroiled in a bruising row over Taiwan after Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested that her country could potentially become militarily involved in the event of an attempted Chinese invasion of the self-governing island. China’s ruling Communist party claims Taiwan is a province and has vowed to annex it – by military force if it can’t convince or coerce Taiwan to accept what it calls “reunification”. But Taiwan is overwhelmingly opposed,…
PHILIPSBURG—Former Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport of Sint Maarten, Wycliffe Smith, was the sole representative from Sint Maarten at the international conference “Christianity and Slavery in the Dutch Caribbean Islands, Suriname, and the Netherlands,” held November 10–14 at the University of Curaçao. The conference was organized by the University of Curaçao, the Protestant Theological University of Utrecht, and the Free University of Amsterdam. It brought together scholars and clergy and researchers from the Netherlands, the USA, Africa, Suriname, Indonesia, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Aruba, and Curaçao. Over four days, participants examined how Christian denominations shaped, supported,…
By Tom Clifford Injustice sometimes takes a long time to be addressed, even acknowledged, but finally one of history’s greatest crimes will be at least discussed this week. A delegation from the body leading the Caribbean’s slavery reparations movement will be in Britain for a “historic” first official visit to advocate for former British colonies. UK parliamentarians, Caribbean diplomats, academics and civil society groups will meet in London with delegates from the Caricom Reparations Commission from Monday to Thursday. The visit, organized in collaboration with the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, hopes to strengthen strategic partnerships and increase public knowledge about…
By Tom Clifford Cole Bay, November 14, 2025 — The music was thumping and the food on offer was tempting and mouth-watering as MotorWorld geared up for the launch of the Chery Tiggo series at Cole Bay on Friday. “The Chery is China’s leading vehicle in terms of exports,’’ said Dylan Smith Motoworld’s regional brand and logistics manager. The sport utility vehicle has been produced by Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile since 2005. It boasts an amazing statistic as China’s top auto exporter for two decades. It has established a presence in 100 countries and regions. “Tiggo is a play on…
