Local News

June 26, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs told Parliament today that government is pursuing a three-pronged structural approach to address the mounting deficits in the social and healthcare funds managed by SZV, warning that the country can no longer afford temporary f...

June 26, 2026

PHILIPSBURG--Debate on the draft 2026 national budget began in a Central Committee meeting of Parliament on Friday with a lengthy disagreement among Members of Parliament (MPs) over a proposal to change how the budget would be scrutinized, with several opposition MPs arguing t...

June 26, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs presented the draft 2026 National Budget to Parliament today, describing it as a major shift in the way government plans, allocates and accounts for public funds. In her opening remarks, Minister Gumbs acknowledged that the bud...

June 26, 2026

VIENNA--Cannabis remains the most widely used drug in the world, with the number of users rising by 40 per cent over the past decade, even as global drug markets are rapidly transforming through new technologies, synthetic substances, shifting trafficking routes and rising ins...

June 26, 2026

GREAT BAY--The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime World Drug Report 2026 places the Kingdom of the Netherlands within a wider global and regional discussion on evolving drug markets, trafficking patterns, public health concerns and security risks. The report referen...

June 26, 2026

SXM AIRPORT --J etBlue is increasing its service to St. Maarten this summer, with its Fort Lauderdale-Princess Juliana International Airport route set to return to daily service beginning July 9, 2026. The airline is adding three weekly frequencies to Princess Juliana Int...

June 26, 2026

GREAT BAY--Members of Parliament used their notification time during Friday's public meeting to recognize Curaçao’s football journey and the pride it has generated across the Dutch Caribbean and wider Kingdom. The comments came as MPs reflected on Curaçao’s performance, its pr...

June 26, 2026

ANGUILLA--The Parliaments of Anguilla and St. Maarten have expressed their intention to develop a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two legislatures, following a bilateral meeting held on the margins of the Caribbean AI Workshop in Angu...

June 26, 2026

GREAT BAY--Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina has expressed the heartfelt condolences of the Government and people of Sint Maarten to all those affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela, resulting in tragic loss of life, injuries, and widespread destructi...

June 26, 2026

GREAT BAY--Preliminary reports indicate that a passenger from the cruise ship Star of the Seas died today after suffering a medical emergency during a snorkeling excursion in St. Maarten. According to early information, the passenger had joined a snorkeling activity earlier in...

June 26, 2026

​On Friday, June 5, the Department of Youth conducted a training session for representatives of several youth-serving organizations across St. Maarten. The training focused on equipping youth leaders with the skills and tools needed to facilitate meaningful youth dialogues wit...

June 26, 2026

Former VSA Minister Richinel Bug and vitiligo advocates. PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richinel Brug marked World Vitiligo Day by commending organisers, advocates and individuals living with vitiligo for their efforts to raise...

June 26, 2026

PHILADELPHIA--Curaçao’s historic World Cup run came to an end on Thursday after a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in their final Group E match at Philadelphia Stadium. The result left Curaçao at the bottom of Group E with one point from three matches, officially eliminating the team...