November 19, 2025 No comments
Minister Brug Submits SZV Cost Containment Plan to CFT
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Mr. Richinel S.J. Brug, has formally submitted the SZV Cost Containment and Financial Sustainability Plan to the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT). The submission follows a set of constructive meetings held early this year and recently during which both the Cabinet of the Minister of VSA and the Cabinet of the Honorable Minister of Finance were present. In October, Minister Brug issued a formal instruction to Management of SZV to develop a comprehensive cost containment proposal. The purpose of this instruction was to urgently identify and implement concrete measures to reduce healthcare expenditures while safeguarding the quality and accessibility of care for the people of Sint Maarten. The completed plan was reviewed by the Ministry and formally...
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November 19, 2025 No comments
Rotary Club of Sint Maarten-Mid Isle and WIB Host Semi-Final Round of the Spelling Bee Competition 2025
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten-Mid Isle, in proud collaboration with Windward Islands Bank (WIB), successfully hosted the Semi-Final Round of the 2025 Spelling Bee Competition on Sunday, November 16th at the Paradise Event Hall. The top 10 scorers from the preliminary round competed for a prestigious spot in the Grand Finale. Semi-finalists represented Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School, St. Dominic Primary School, Seventh Day Adventist School, Caribbean International Academy, Alwyn Allison Richardson School, Orealia Kelly Primary, and Omololu International School. Participants were inspired by words of encouragement from Mrs. Esmeralde Richardson-Rommy, President of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten-Mid Isle, and Mrs. Daisy Carolus-Tyrol, Country Manager of the main sponsor, Windward Islands Bank. Chairwoman Grace Linger outlined...
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November 19, 2025 No comments
MP Lacroes Seeks Govt Updates on Tax Incentives & LNG/Fuel Diversification as Directed by June ‘25 Motion
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco A. Lacroes has taken decisive steps to hold government leaders publicly accountable, submitting requests for two consecutive Question Hours first with the Minister of Finance on Sint Maarten’s tax holiday policy, and second with the Prime Minister on the island’s transition to LNG, energy diversification, and public benefits. Tax Holiday Oversight: Policy Clarity and Parliamentary Mandate Lacroes’ opening Question Hour emphasizes the need for transparent and effective policy on tax holidays special fiscal incentives that remain central to economic debates on the island. The MP is seeking clear answers on how tax holidays are granted, monitored, and evaluated, and whether their benefits reach beyond the recipients to serve the broader public good. “Every...
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November 19, 2025 No comments
Sadhu Vaswani Centre St. Maarten calls on community to join global “Meatless Day” movement
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sadhu Vaswani Centre St. Maarten is inviting the entire community of St. Maarten and Saint Martin to join millions around the world in observing International Meatless Day on Tuesday, November 25, a global movement rooted in compassion, nonviolence, and mindful living. Each year, individuals pledge to go meatless for at least one day in honour of Sadhu T.L. Vaswani, whose birth anniversary is celebrated on the same day. His teachings continue to inspire people around the world to practice kindness toward all living beings. Coordinator Divina Mirpuri is calling on residents to help the island rekindle its tradition of strong participation. “Last year, around 200 people pledged,” she said, “but in earlier years, our small island...
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November 18, 2025 No comments
Registration Opens for Soca Rumble 2026 in St. Maarten Carnival Lineup
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Registration is now open for Soca Rumble 2026, as the popular local soca competition returns to the St. Maarten Carnival schedule after an absence of a few years. Artists can now sign up to compete in two categories, Groovy Soca and Power Soca, as part of the 55th anniversary edition of Carnival. Soca Rumble focuses solely on local soca music and has long been seen as an important platform for homegrown artists and producers in both the groovy and power styles. The event is again listed on the official 2026 Carnival schedule released by the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF), which highlights the return of Soca Rumble among key culture centered shows for the season. Registration...
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