MARIGOT-The Collectivity of Saint-Martin, through its Cultural Affairs Department, will host the 2026 edition of “Jardin des Poètes”, under the theme “Rhythms & Jazz”, on Saturday, March 21, at 6:00 PM, in honor of Lady Bute. Coinciding with World Poetry Day, established by UNESCO, the event transforms a green oasis into a stage where words come alive. The Jardin des Poètes is a free, must-visit gathering for lovers of language, creativity, and oral expression, offering an opportunity to celebrate the art of speaking and listening. This cultural event aims to promote poetry by providing a platform for both emerging and established voices, showcasing the power and beauty of oral performance. …
Author: The Publisher
MARIGOT-The Executive Council of Saint-Martin has issued favorable opinions for ten radio stations selected under a 2024 call for applications, marking a significant step in regulating and expanding the island’s local media sector. The review followed a formal request from the French audiovisual regulator, ARCOM (Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique), which oversees broadcasting and digital media across French overseas territories. Under Saint-Martin’s legal framework, the Executive Council is consulted on all regulatory or individual decisions that affect the operation of radio and television services on the island. The consultation process ensures that licensing decisions align with local public interest objectives while maintaining compliance with national and…
MARIGOT–The Collectivité of Saint-Martin is preparing to host its annual “Successful Departure” (SD) event, an information and orientation day designed to support young residents planning to study, work, or pursue opportunities abroad. Now in its 13th edition, the event will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Chambre Consulaire Interprofessionnelle de Saint-Martin (CCISM). Traditionally aimed at school-aged students, the program has expanded in recent years to include youth outside the formal school system, job seekers, adults undergoing career changes, and parents, reflecting the Collectivité’s commitment to inclusive educational and professional mobility. Organized under the framework of the Parcours d’Orientation et de Mobilité Étudiante (POME), the event provides…
THE HAGUE – The expenditures associated with compliance with international aviation safety regulation will only have a marginal effect on the price of airline tickets in the Caribbean. Minister Vincent Karremans (Infrastructure and Water Management) writes this in answer to questions from members of the Dutch parliament. The aviation legislation for the BES-islands will be amended to meet the safety requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao). Member of the PVV-faction noted in their questions that the government acknowledges that regulations have not been adjusted since the constitutional reform in 2010 and that the current regulations strongly lag behind…
PHILIPSBURG — The ongoing dispute surrounding governance at the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) has unexpectedly reopened a fundamental question: What would happen if the monetary union between Curaçao and Sint Maarten were to end? While no such decision has been made and both countries continue to operate within the existing framework, the debate has prompted policymakers and observers to consider the possible scenarios should the current arrangement eventually change. Understanding the implications requires first examining what the monetary union is, why it was created, and how it functions today. What Is the Monetary Union? When the…
THE HAGUE – Beth Holloway, mother of Alabama teenager Natalee who disappeared in 2005 on the island of Aruba, has filed a complaint in the Netherlands against Joran van der Sloot in an attempt to get justice for her daughter. She demands that Dutch authorities prosecute Van der Sloot for the death of Natalee, who was just 18 at the time of her disappearance. The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports that Beth Holloway wants to prevent Van der Sloot from escaping judicial responsibility for the death of her daughter. Annemiek van Spanje, Holloway’s attorney in the Netherlands, is quoted in…
Dear Editor, Over the past few days I have read the reflections circulating online from St. Martiners, especially young St. Martiners, with a mixture of recognition and concern. Their words carry all of our frustration, but also something much more important: attachment. Their voices are not those of people who have given up on our island but those who still care enough to speak out. That is precisely why they deserve to be heard with seriousness rather than dismissed as merely negative, emotional, or impatient; there is nothing unreasonable about looking at the state of St. Martin with a feeling…
PHILIPSBURG — President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams says the recent call by Members of Parliament for a parliamentary meeting on the future of the monetary union between Curaçao and Sint Maarten is rooted primarily in concerns about the governance of the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS). In an exclusive response to questions from StMaartenNews.com, Wescot-Williams explained that the issue has gained urgency following ongoing disagreements over the appointment of leadership within the Central Bank’s Supervisory Board. The controversy has been closely linked to the recent nomination of St. Maarten attorney Jairo Bloem by the Minister of Finance…
Sponsored Article Example In an increasingly digital world where families and friends are often separated by oceans, small gestures of love can make a powerful difference. One St. Maarten based online business has been quietly helping people bridge that distance for years. StMaartenFlowers.com is an online flower and gift delivery service that allows customers anywhere in the world to send flowers, gift baskets and other special surprises like edible chocolate covered fruits to loved ones on the island. Founded in 2009, the web based business was created with a simple but powerful idea: You order online, and the flowers are…
PHILIPSBURG — Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes (UP Party) is calling on the Government of St. Maarten to urgently assess the impact of rising international shipping costs, warning that new freight surcharges could soon translate into higher food prices and further pressure on the island’s cost of living. Lacroes issued the call following a recent notice from shipping company King Ocean Services, which announced substantial increases in bunker surcharges on cargo shipments between United States ports and the Caribbean beginning April 12, 2026. According to the notice, the surcharge on a standard 20-foot cargo container will increase from approximately US$200…
