PHILIPSBURG—A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on collaboration was signed between the American University Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), the University of St. Maarten (USM) and the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) at the University of St. Maarten on Friday. This MOU seeks to better serve St. Maarten in the institution of higher learning. The aim of the MOU is seen as a partnership between secondary and tertiary education and higher education. The institutions have agreed to enter into many partnerships. The development of public policy and the voluntary sharing of resources for the benefit and the well-being of St.…
Author: The Publisher
By Hilbert Haar There is a tendency in the Caribbean kingdom countries to dismiss anything VVD-parliamentarian André Bosman comes up with. This is also true when it comes to his initiative kingdom law that aims to change the rules for countries that want to leave the kingdom. I have read somewhere for instance that it opens the door for “underbelly sentiments.” Everybody knows that the VVD is one of those Dutch political parties that would love to see the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles leave the kingdom. And that’s okay: there is a reason why we have freedom of…
PHILIPSBURG — The Dutch parliamentary committee Kingdom Relations postponed handling a draft initiative kingdom law submitted by VVD parliamentarian André Bosman this week until there is an advice from the Council of State. The draft law aims to give Curacao and St. Maarten more leeway in case they opt for independence; it also makes it possible for Statia, Saba and Bonaire to leave the kingdom if they wish to do so. This Bosman-law stipulates that “Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten are able to declare by national ordinance that they wish to leave the legal order as described in the Kingdom…
PHILIPSBURG—The comments “gay cruise” made in Monday’s sitting of Parliament by Member of Parliament for the National Alliance Christopher Emanuel are according to the Tourism Minister, the Honourable Stuart Johnson irresponsible and have offended one of St. Maarten’s biggest International partners in the hospitality industry, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association FCCA and members of the LGBTQ community. Johnson said Emanuel’s comments puts St. Maarten at risk as this kind of negative and discriminatory comments are heard around the world and harm an already fragile tourism economy. There are lessons to be learnt from the challenges of other Caribbean tourism destinations…
PHILIPSBURG — It took the four men 40 days, almost 1,000 hours rowing, nearly 1 million calories, 700 litres of water, 52,000 watts of solar power, unimaginable inner strength and a large dose of humor to row the 3,000 miles, unsupported, from the Canaries to the Caribbean island of Antigua. The distinctive green NAGICO branded ocean rowing boat, Ellida, rowed into English Harbour at (insert date and time), to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in sixth place, taking 40 days, 23 hours and 33 minutes. The sinewy, tanned and bearded men were given an emotional, rousing welcome from their…
Willemstad/Philipsburg – The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) recently presented the ‘CBCS Best Economic Research Award’ to the winner on Bachelor Level, Ms. Talisha de Vries. Talisha earned the award for her thesis “Assessing Money Laundering Risk (MLR) of Local Financial Institutions with the AHP-Model”. The prize consisted of a unique award and a NAf 5,000 cheque. Talisha graduated from the University of Curaçao Dr. Moises Da Costa Gomez (UoC), where she studied Accounting & Control. Talisha is currently studying for her Master’s degree in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing. CBCS wishes her much success with…
Photo Caption: Marie De Weever was sworn in as a Mortgage Custodian for the Kadaster on St. Maarten by his Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday on Tuesday morning. She has a wealth of experience about the inner workings of the Kadaster office where she worked for several years. Her addition to the Kadaster office according to Chef Du Cabinet for the Minister of Finance Wilgo Lieveld is to assist in clearing up some of the backlogs that remains at the Kadaster. The ceremony was held at the Governor’s Cabinet in the presence of Interim Director of the Kadaster Robert Boekhold, Lieveld,…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten received the ‘PAMAC Award Caribbean for Everyone’ on Tuesday this week during the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council Cruise Summit (PAMAC). On receiving the award, the Cruise Executives reminded the Port St. Maarten Management Team that St. Maarten “is the destination of choice.” A release issued by Port St. Maarten on Wednesday stated, “Once again, we have been recognized for all our hard work. This hard work is not only of the port, but also of all stakeholders throughout the country who have been working very diligently during the…
PHILIPSBURG — The long awaited repairs and mold remediation of the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg and the Simpson Bay Police station has finally started on Monday January 21st. Both police stations were severely damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Since the passing of these hurricanes the process to get the funds to have these two buildings repaired has been a challenge. Nevertheless the funds have now been allocated and the contracts with contractors have been signed. The first phase of these projects started at the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg where the roof is being cleaned for repairs, windows…
PHILIPSBURG—Another Emergency Income Skills training program which was initiated by the Ministry of Health Social Affairs and Labor to assist vulnerable groups that were unemployed and under-employed following the passage of the hurricanes of 2017, will again commence on February 8. The training focuses on persons who were unemployed after their places of work were damaged by the hurricane and experienced loss of working hours can also participate in these courses. The idea behind the course is to increase the student skills, making them employable and provide financial support to those who are employed and underemployed. The persons who attend…
