Local News

May 30, 2026

GREAT BAY–The Parliament of St. Maarten on Friday unanimously accepted, approved and ratified its admission as an associate member of ParlAmericas, further strengthening the country’s participation in regional parliamentary cooperation, democratic governance and inter-parliamentary dialogue across the Caribbean and the wider Americas. St. Maarten’s unanimous acceptance as an associate member of ParlAmericas is more than […]

May 30, 2026

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) – The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently investigating a serious ill-treatment incident that occurred during the early morning hours of Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the Simpson Bay area. At approximately 4:00 a.m….

May 30, 2026

BARBADOS/GUYANA– Barbados and Guyana are set to introduce passport-free travel between the two CARICOM member states from July 1, 2026, allowing eligible citizens to travel using approved national identification cards instead of passports. The landmark bilateral arrangement was announced by the governments of Barbados and Guyana as both countries mark major national milestones. Guyana celebrated […]

May 30, 2026

GREAT BAY–The International Ombudsman Institute, IOI, Board of Directors has approved a project proposal submitted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR, for a training program on the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, to be held in November 2026. The approval was one of the notable outcomes of the IOI’s annual Board of Directors […]

May 30, 2026

CARIBBEAN/NEW YORK — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley, and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Chairman and Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill will lead a high-l...

May 30, 2026

CARIBBEAN - Students from the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia and Turks and Caicos Islands have advanced to the finals of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase, set to take place during Caribbean Week in New York. The “Live Finals” wil...

May 30, 2026

GREAT BAY–The Board of financial supervision, Cft, has raised serious concerns about major risks to St. Maarten’s public finances, pointing to financial and governance challenges at several government-owned companies and growing pressure on the country’s social security and healthcare funds. According to the Cft, several state-owned enterprises, including telecommunications company TelEm, utilities company NV GEBE and […]

May 30, 2026

SXM AIRPORT–As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins on June 1, Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V., PJIAE, has reaffirmed that preparedness remains a top priority as the airport continues to strengthen its coordination, planning and operational readiness across the airport community. As part of its seasonal preparations, PJIAE recently held its annual Hurricane […]

May 30, 2026

GREAT BAY–Victory Temple Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) will host two special empowerment events in June under the theme “Matters of the Heart,” featuring internationally recognised health coach, author and speaker Vanessa I. Farrell, MPH, MCHES. The two evenings will focus on issues impacting many women and families across the Caribbean and diaspora community. […]

May 30, 2026

GREAT BAY–Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg, representing the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement, URSM, stood apart from the governing coalition on Friday when she voted against the motion of no confidence tabled against Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Richinel Brug. Roseburg was the only coalition Member of Parliament to vote against the […]

May 30, 2026

GREAT BAY–The public meeting of Parliament on the motion of no confidence against Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Richinel Brug developed into a wider debate on coalition responsibility, party influence, due process, governance standards and the role of Parliament in resolving political disputes. The motion of no confidence was tabled against Minister […]

May 30, 2026

PHILIPSBURG–Parliament on Friday passed a motion of no confidence against Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Richinel Brug in a narrow 8-7 vote during an urgent public meeting marked by emotional speeches, accusations of political infighting and concerns over coalition stability. The motion, submitted by URSM MP Christopher Wever, stated that Brug […]

May 30, 2026

PHILIPSBURG–Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams said the motion of no confidence against VSA Minister Richinel Brug was political rather than performance-based. She said the coalition could no longer maintain the status quo. Addressing fellow MPs, Wescot-Williams dismissed attempts to provoke her during the meeting. She reflected on her own political experience, […]