August 16, 2026 No comments
FAVE Opens 2026–2027 Academic Year Under the Theme “The Power of Us”
SINT MAARTEN (CUL DE SAC) - The Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE) officially opened the 2026–2027 academic year on Thursday, August 13, bringing staff together under the theme “The Power of Us!” and reinforcing the importance of unity, collaboration, well-being and shared responsibility in advancing education. The opening session, held at the Belair Community Center in Cay Hill, brought together staff from across the FAVE organization as they prepared for another year of serving the students and families of St. Maarten. The programme began with registration and a light breakfast, followed by an opening prayer led by Gillian Thomas and the St. Maarten Song led by Dieanna Webster. Thomas also served as Master of Ceremonies for the day's programme. FAVE Board...
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August 14, 2026 No comments
Minister of VSA Connor Provides Update on Sint Maarten Patients Receiving Medical Care in Colombia
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), the Honorable Claret Connor, hereby informs the public of the current status of Sint Maarten patients receiving medical care in Colombia following the earthquake that affected parts of the country earlier this week. The Ministry, in close coordination with the Social & Health Insurances (SZV), has continued to closely follow developments and remains actively engaged in safeguarding the wellbeing of all Sint Maarten patients and ensuring the continuity of their medical care. Following the initial situation report issued on August 10, the Ministry has remained in close contact with SZV and its International Offices. Based on the latest information received, the situation has continued to stabilize, and...
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August 14, 2026 No comments
Governor Baly welcomes 74 new Dutch citizens during fourth Naturalization Ceremony of 2026
SINT MAARTEN (HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG) — On Tuesday, August 11 2026, the fourth naturalization ceremony of 2026 was held at the Cabinet of the Governor of Sint Maarten. During two separate ceremonies, a total of 74 individuals took the declaration of allegiance before the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency Ajamu G. Baly, and in so doing formally obtained their Dutch citizenship. The newly declared Dutch citizens represent 18 different nationalities across the Sint Maarten community. 16 of them were born and raised here in Sint Maarten. The youngest of those 74 was 3 years old and the oldest was 81. In his address to the attendees, the Governor emphasized the significance of Dutch nationality and highlighted the core values of the...
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August 14, 2026 No comments
Two Suspects of fatal Ebenezer stabbing remain in custody. Female suspect sent to Curacao
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Two suspects arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing in Ebenezer on August 5, 2026, have been remanded in custody for eight days by the examining judge. The investigation into the fatal stabbing remains ongoing. Keeping both suspects in pre-trial detention was achieved through the coordinated use of the instruments available to the justice chain, notwithstanding the continuing shortage of detention capacity in Sint Maarten. The female suspect has been transferred to a detention facility in Curaçao under the mutual arrangement between Sint Maarten, Curaçao, Aruba and the Netherlands concerning the shared use of detention capacity (ORD). The arrangement operated as the four countries designed it to and the authorities in Curacao responded without delay to the...
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August 14, 2026 No comments
Tzu Chi donates 300 school bags with supplies to equip students for new school year
SINT MAARTEN (CUL DE SAC) - With the new school year approaching, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation St. Maarten distributed 300 school bags to help children from families in need begin the year with essential school supplies. Each bag contained a number of exercise books, a ruler, a pack of markers, a pack of crayons, a pack of coloured pencils, folders, and a sturdy pencil case containing pens, pencils, erasers, glues, sharpener, highlighters, whiteout and a pair of scissors. The bags with school supplies were distributed on Saturday, August 8, at Tzu Chi St. Maarten’s new location in the Cake House Building on L.B. Scott Road. The event brought together children, parents, guardians, teachers and volunteers...
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