SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – Health departments and organizations around the globe are preparing for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), which will take place from November 18 – 24.

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) says Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antibiotics used to treat a wide range of bacteria making infections difficult to treat and at times impossible, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Antibiotics and other antimicrobials play a key role in the success of modern medicine and have greatly improved the health of humans and animals. But overuse and misuse have reduced their efficacy, with more pathogens developing the ability to survive the antimicrobials designed to eliminate them, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The objective of WAAW is to spread information to different groups within the community and for persons to be able to learn more about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and why it’s a global concern and what impact it could have on Sint Maarten.

Antibiotic medicines were discovered a century ago and have significantly extended average life expectancy. Every day, these essential medicines save millions of lives.

“Together, we should ensure the international community sets ambitious goals during high-level meetings on AMR and that countries allocate sufficient resources to meet AMR national action plans.

“By sharing real-life experiences of AMR, we aim to illustrate its tangible impact and promote global action. WHO urges governments, NGOs, civil society groups, youth and student organizations, universities, healthcare professionals, private stakeholders and media to act and engage local communities in raising awareness around this global health crisis,” the WHO adds.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - The Committee of General Affairs of Parliament is scheduled to meet on November 7, 2025.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Status update on the respective themes of the Country Package (IS/916/2024-2025 dated April 22, 2025)

This meeting was requested by MP S.A. Wescot-Williams. 

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Clive Richardson, reminds the population that the month of November is still hurricane season and to remain prepared and vigilant.

The remaining 2025 storm names are: Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.

To date there have been 13^th named storms for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane where five became hurricanes, and of those four became major hurricanes of wind speeds of 111+ miles per hour.

The 2025 season has been described as exceptional or extraordinary and is only the second time in recorded history where you have had three Category 5 hurricanes form in a season. The previous year was 2005, 20 years ago.

According to meteorologists, within the past 25-years, there have been 17 named storms that formed during the month of November, including six major hurricanes with wind speeds of more than 111 miles per hour. The one that Sint Maarten is familiar with is Lenny in 1999.

Visit the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/ for the latest weather reports.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and to find a list of official resources, please visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart” or you can use the following link: https://shorturl.at/VbaxC

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

The hurricane season runs through November 30.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) – On Friday, November 7, fuel pump prices will be adjusted for gasoline and diesel. 

The current price of unleaded gasoline is Naf.2.315 per liter, will be adjusted to the new price of Naf.2.195 per liter.

The current price of diesel is Naf.1.866 per liter, will be adjusted to the new price of Naf.1.887 per liter.

The Government of Sint Maarten regulates the prices of petroleum products by imposing a maximum price at which wholesalers and retailers can sell these products in the country to motorists.

At the international level, the prices of crude oil have experienced adjustments and local prices follow the international trend, and therefore prices are adjusted to reflect this.