No action from Central Voting Bureau against MP Frans...
PHILIPSBURG - For the time being the Central Voting Bureau (CVB) does not see a role for itself in assessing the right of United St. Maarten party (USp) leader Frans Richardson to his seat in Parliament. CVB-chairman Jason Rogers met with the...
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Dear Reader
It comes as no surprise that no action will be taken against Member of Parliament Frans Richardson regarding his membership while living on the French side of Saint Martin. After all, 60% of our polltakers also expected this.
This is St. Maarten, ofcourse. Who wants to rock the boat, especially when as a country, we are already facing bad weather in other areas of our country's development.
Rules are meant to be broken when the circumstances dictate that that is necessary. We are a country in development and there will always be growing pains and growth spurt issues. When these issues pops up - due to no particular fault of anyone especially - we adapt and we change the rules to reflect the reality of the situation. And the reality of the St. Maarten situation is that we are an island with a dual nation with a border that is mainly symbolical in nature.
It is time we start to adapt one rule that many wants to see broken and that is to turn Sint Maarten/Saint Martin into the one-island-nation that it is meant to be. That is one movement we all should stand behind:
make St. Maarten whole again.
Have a great day today.
The Publisher
StMaartenNews.com
PS: Email
info@stmaartennews.com to request us to sign you up for a
Yearly subscription for only $75. We will email you an electronic invoice for payment at your convenience. You can choose to pay with your creditcard online; do a banktransfer to our WIB or RBC account;
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StMaartenNews.com Feature Articles
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Political analyst Romney: "Informateurs disrupt process...."
PHILIPSBURG - The concept of the informateur disrupts the political process, political analyst Julio Romney said in a broadcast of the discussion program Viewpoint on PJD2 shortly after the elections. That's a remarkable point of view that we...
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stmaartennews.com
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ARE INFORMATEURS DISRUPTIVE?
By Hilbert Haar
The Governor appoints an informateur after a parliamentary election; the task of this person (or persons – after the February elections the governor appointed Ombudsman Dr. Nilda Arduin and retired banker Jan Beaujon as informateurs) is to research the options for the formation of a coalition that is prepared to support the next government.
Informateurs are obviously not elected; they are outside of the political arena. Romney’s objection to these characters is twofold: they have not been elected and they have no right to determine who should be governing with whom.
The first argument is a matter of fact that actually, in my mind, weighs in favor of letting informateurs do the groundwork for the formation process. Romney’s second argument is wrong, because informateurs do not decide anything. They talk to party-leaders and others in and around the political arena to get an idea of the possibilities for the next step in the formation process.
It is a clear and transparent process that results in a report that is submitted to the governor and subsequently made public. Everyone is able to read what those informateurs have been up to and what their conclusions are.
The report Arduin and Beaujon delivered was a solid piece of work and I do not see how this interrupted the political process in any way. On the contrary, the conclusions of the informateurs were crystal clear.
Yes, the largest possible coalition would have been a combination of the United Democrats with the National Alliance: 5+7 = 12 seats. I’d call that a suffocating majority. But the informateurs found that the “human factor” stands in the way of a cooperation between the two largest parties.
Remarkably, Romney arrived at the same conclusion.
But the fact that the informateurs put this conclusion in writing does not stand in the way of these two parties finding common ground. They didn’t, but that is not the point. They could have.
The informateurs also toyed with the idea of a 5-2-1 coalition of the National Alliance with the United St. Maarten party and the St. Maarten Christian Party, acknowledging at the same time that this won’t happen because the Christians refuse to work together with the USp.
Romney failed to mention the next step in the formation process: the appointment of the formateur – somebody who, based on the finding of the informateurs, is tasked with putting together the new coalition. That formateur was MP Theo Heyliger, leader of the UD, the largest party after February’s elections.
In that part of the formation process the real decisions are being taken; not by outsiders, but by politicians – exactly the way Romney says it ought to be.
Formateur Heyliger explored all options and he told me that it was not exactly a walk in the park. But when everything was said and done, he arrived at the solution that I always thought to be the logical outcome of these elections: a coalition of the UD with Wycliffe Smith’s Christian party. It’s not “broad-based” because the combination has only a one-seat majority, but it looks solid and it keeps most ruffians out of government.
The role of the informateurs is critical to the formation of a new government. What we have seen before – parties signing ill-advised agreements in the middle of the night with upsetting the winner of the elections as the main motive – is a poor alternative for the serious work the two informateurs have delivered this time around.
Informateurs disruptive? No way. I rest my case.
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Cover up: here come the new Victorians
by Chris Morvan For decades the tourism world has been pandering to the lowest common denominator, accepting the money of anyone who can afford to visit them and putting up with the behavior of the mindless, boorish element. After all, which bar...
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stmaartennews.com
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A legacy for Dexter Kalla
Last Saturday morning, looking in my book case for a legal hand book in connection with a complicated case I was working on, I saw this book by the cardiologist Pim van Bommel "Eindeloos Bewustzijn" (Dutch for "Infinite Consciousness") wickedly...
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stmaartennews.com
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StMaartenNews.com Government News
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Government continues all efforts to restore public services
PHILIPSBURG - The Ministry of General Affairs hereby provides an update regarding the resumption of the following services. The Civil Registry Department in Philipsburg at the Government Administration Building will be open for all services...
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stmaartennews.com
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Minister of Economic Affairs De Weever says Job Fairs...
SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever, says job fairs are stepping stones to employment opportunities, but also at the same time, an...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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Minister of Labour Lee Encourages Persons to register...
SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Emil Lee encourages all persons seeking employment to register on www.jobopportunity.sx and attend the ongoing job fairs.
Read more
www.soualiganewsday.com
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StMaartenNews.com Headline News
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Possible Candidates for the UD/SMCP coalition government
PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the United Democrats Theodore Heyliger is busy perusing names of several persons to take up positions as Ministers in the UD/ SMCP cabinet.
Read more
www.smn-news.com
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Members of Parliament participate in Orientation week
SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - During the week of April 3-9, Members of Parliament participated in an Orientation week organized by the secretariat of Parliament. After the oath taking ceremony on Monday, April 2, Members of Parliament delved...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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Venezuelans find their way to Saint Martin
MARIGOT - The deteriorating situation in Venezuela started having its effect already in 2016 on the French side of the island. According to data released by the prefecture, there were 345 requests for asylum in 2016, 300 more than in 2015. More...
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stmaartennews.com
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Dutch World War II story to be published in St. Martin
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - It shouldn't be too long now before Gerard van Veen's Schoolboy in Wartime - Memories of My Early Years is published here. House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP) started working on the manuscript of the senior St. Martin...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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MHF finally gets permit to operate as private institution
PHILIPSBURG - Minister Emil Lee (Public Health) has designated the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) as the place for taking psychiatric patients in custody in urgent situations. The ministerial decree, dated August 11, 2017, was published in the...
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stmaartennews.com
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StMaartenNews.com Business News
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FOR SALE: Genuine Leather Bifold Wallet with Coin Pocket
Handmade RFID Blocking Genuine Leather Bifold Wallets with Coin Pocket Designer Engraved Fashion with Card Pockets for Billfolds Cash (Dark Brown) By Rustic Town ~ Great Gift for Men ~ Available for US$70. Email info@anykeyservices.com to order.
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COMMUNITY INVITED TO THE SXM SITES IN THE ALL-NEW 2018...
SINT MAARTEN (COLE BAY) - Through a fun-filled series of promotional activities, the All-New 2018 Ford EcoSports are being launched in St. Maarten to introduce the wide range of enhanced features to the community, a press release from Caribbean...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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FREE AIRBAG REPAIR-A-THON FOR HONDA & ACURA OWNERS FROM...
SINT MAARTEN (COLE BAY) - Honda is going to great lengths to ensure the safety of Honda (and Acura) vehicle owners. In particular, there are select Honda and Acura vehicles (2001-2016), that are equipped with recalled Takata airbag inflators,...
Read more
www.soualiganewsday.com
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Companies with Professional Websites More Credible...
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Thursday April 5, 2018 - Barbadian consumers tend to view companies with professional websites as being more credible than those without. This is one of the revelations uncovered in a recent Antilles Economics/ Blueprint...
Read more
www.caribbean360.com
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Anykey.sx - Responsive Websites for Smartphones & Desktops
Anykey Services offers print, art and web design, domain name registration, webhosting, copywriting, SEO, CMS, e-commerce and payment processing.
Read more
www.anykey.sx
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StMaartenNews.com Police News
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Police take additional temporary traffic measures...
PHILIPSBURG - As additional temporary traffic measures in connection with the ongoing trench work on the W.G.
Read more
www.soualiganewsday.com
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SAFETY TIPS CARNIVAL 2018 AND ROBBERY AWARENESS
PHILIPSBURG - The Police Force of Sint Maarten is without any doubt doing its utmost, to protect you, your family and your property, in combating crime and criminals. The Public Relations Office of the Sint Maarten Police Force is therefore...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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Preventive searches during Carnival
The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) in cooperation with the Public Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten, will carry out preventive searches during the 2018 Carnival season.
In accordance with the Firearm Ordinance, at predetermined locations, vehicles, bags and clothing of individuals will be searched for firearms.
This measure is being taken in consideration of the high number of illegal firearms in circulation on the island and past statistics which point out an increase in robberies before and during the Carnival season.
The Public Prosecutors Office Sint Maarten and KPSM are mindful that such a measure will impose on the privacy of residents and visitors. However it is in the interest of the general public and tourist visiting the island to heighten safety and security during the upcoming festive season.
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StMaartenNews.com Entertainment News
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"Porkchop" to Play Priest in Carnival Thanks to TelEm
SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Popular reveler, Lewis Lambert Richardson, aka "Porkchop" will be fully clad in a priest's habit this Carnival with a little help from the TelEm Group of Companies. "Porkchop", who will be 70 years old this year, has...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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Kenyo Baly Tops ACT Awards 2017
HNP bags Lifetime Achievement Award, Teen Queen Tasyanna Clifton is Person of the Year. SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten - Kenyo Baly won in the Music Category and also took the Song of the Year title to top the Annual Culture Time (ACT) Awards for 2017. ...
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721news.com
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StMaartenNews.com Tourism News
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Video: Cruise Ship MSC Armonia Strikes Pier in Roatan
Facebook Video: BY MAREX 2018-04-10 17:20:00 [Brief] On Tuesday morning, the cruise ship MSC Armonia struck a dock at the port of Roatan, Honduras, and appears to have briefly gone aground on a beach just past the pier. Video from the scene shows ...
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721news.com
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RFA-STMAARTEN-GRAND-OPENING-v8.mp4
Grand Opening Rainforest Adventures in St. Maarten on Wednesday, April 11th, 2018.
Read more
yadi.sk
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Orient Beach is slowly coming back to life
ORIENT BAY - The scars Hurricane Irma inflicted back in September of last year on Orient Beach, once the island's prime tourist destination, are still visible but the place is slowly coming back to life. Tourists are returning and small...
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www.stmaarten-info.com
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5 reasons why social networks revolutionized tourism
Companies like Facebook, Twitter, Google and Snapchat have changed daily life and of course the interaction between consumers and companies. One of the industries that has mutated has been tourism, what are the reasons? Each time the impact of...
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curacaochronicle.com
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StMaartenNews.com Legal Reviews
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Our Electoral System
Democracy is a system of government in which the citizens exercise their power directly by electing representatives via political parties, to form a governing body, such as Parliament. An electoral system is the set of rules outlining how...
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stmaartennews.com
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StMaartenNews.com Dutch Caribbean News
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Divers Guide shares every dive on Bonaire with the world
4 Kralendijk (April 9th, 2018) - The Diver's Guide wants to share every dive on Bonaire with the world. Especially with young people! All dive logs can be followed on tv-screens in a growing number of hotels and dive centers on the island, while...
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bes-reporter.com
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CHTA meets Bonaire Culinary Team on island
4 "Bonaire's culinary side is very strong and shows local talent, very impressive", says Mr Frank Comito, CEO / Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), who brought a visit to Bonaire the weekend of 24 March. Mr...
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bes-reporter.com
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Knops responds to Van Putten warning
THE HAGUE - Dutch State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops seems unimpressed by the warning of dismissed Member of the St. Eustatius Island Council Clyde van Putten of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) that actions...
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curacaochronicle.com
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Statia projects to take off soon
THE HAGUE - Preparations are in full swing for several larger infrastructural projects in St. Eustatius, State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops informed the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Thursday. The...
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curacaochronicle.com
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No - 60%
Yes - 20%
I don't know - 20%
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Rules are meant to be adjusted when necessary.
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Rules are meant to be broken
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Carnival License Application Process Extended to April 13
GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) - The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunications) Department of Economic Licenses hereby informs that the deadline to apply for roadside vending licenses for the upcoming Carnival Season has been...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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GEBE temporarily closes Reverse Osmosis Water Tank at...
PHILIPSBURG - NV GEBE in a press release indicated that the (RO) Reverse Osmosis Water Tank located on Soualiga Boulevard in front of the Festival Village will be out of use as of April 16 for approximately 3 weeks. The closure of this tank is...
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stmaartennews.com
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CPS: Less Salt, More Health
GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) - Consuming excess salt contributes to high blood pressure, which is the leading risk factor for death from heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Read more
www.soualiganewsday.com
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SZV ASKING EMPLOYERS TO DECLARE AND PAY PREMIUMS ONLINE
PHILIPSBURG - Social & Health Insurances SZV has introduced several online services in 2017, including the Employer Portal where companies can submit their ZV/OV declarations digitally. Employers are obligated by law to submit and pay their ZV/OV ...
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www.soualiganewsday.com
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StMaartenNews.com Advertisement
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KWIKFIX HANDYMAN SERVICES
Kwikfix Handyman Services is offering quick repairs and handyman services. Contact
Kwikfix.com for a quotation for any repairs, renovations or small construction work needed.. Installation and store repair services are also offered for businesses, stores and commercial units.
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StMaartenNews.com Online News Stories
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Blok's first foreign deal is with Venezuelan crooks
Five questions about the relationship between the Netherlands and Venezuela THE HAGUE - During a surprise visit to Caracas, Minister Blok concluded an agreement with Venezuela on the reopening of the border with the ABC islands last Saturday....
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curacaochronicle.com
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Let's Cruise - Eastern, Western, Southern Caribbean...
Lets-Cruise.co is offering cruise vacations on the best and biggest cruise ships in the world with brand name cruises and destinations in the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and the Mediterranean, ...
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www.lets-cruise.co
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Government discusses return Venezuelan fruit boats
WILLEMSTAD - Tomorrow, the Council of Ministers will meet on the return of Venezuelan sellers. This is according to the Minister of Economic Development Steven Martina. He reacts to the opening of the borders between the ABC islands and...
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curacaochronicle.com
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Bosman requests clarity on support for Curaçao
THE HAGUE - Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party is asking for clarity on the deal between the Dutch and Curaçao Governments in the process of detaining and expulsion of...
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curacaochronicle.com
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Dutch Parliament has been waiting for answers from Curacao
THE HAGUE, WILLEMSTAD - September 2016, the Dutch Member of Parliament Ronald van Raak asked a number of questions about the gambling industry in Curaçao. The then Minister of Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk sent the questions to Curaçao. To...
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curacaochronicle.com
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Antigua-Barbuda and Cuba celebrate twenty-four years of...
ST JOHN'S - The government of Antigua and Barbuda has commemorated the 24th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Cuba. Marked by a common desire to promote cooperative and friendly ties, 24 years ago, the governments of Antigua and Barbuda,...
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curacaochronicle.com
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Digital media take the lead in reporting in Venezuela
CARACAS - Online media have taken the lead, ahead of the conventional media, in reporting in the tense political and economic climate in Venezuela, where freedom of speech and of information are under siege. In Venezuela, "the closure of...
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curacaochronicle.com
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Weather Forecast: Wednesday to Friday
DATE ISSUED: Tuesday April 10, 2018 @ 18:00 LST (22:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday evening (18:00 LST) April 11, 2018 ...A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE... WEATHER: Tonight through Wednesday evening:...
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StMaartenNews.com Advertisements
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StMaartenNews.com Dutch News
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Drug users are supporting violent crime, says Police Chief
Dutch police chief Erik Akerboom has told an international conference in Rotterdam that more should be done to counteract the 'normalisation' of drug use. Drug users are often unaware that they are propping up a system known for its extreme...
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www.dutchnews.nl
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Dutch pensioners at little risk of poverty as income grow
Today's pensioners have more disposable income than in the past and their assets have increased due to soaring house prices, according to research carried out by the finance ministry for Christian Democrat senators. But even excluding home...
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www.dutchnews.nl
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Education standards at Dutch schools have been slipping
The quality of Dutch primary and secondary schools has been declining steadily for 20 years, school inspectors warn in a new report on the state of the educational system. Reading standards among primary school children are lower than 20 years...
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www.dutchnews.nl
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New construction crisis looms due to labor shortage
Building projects all over the Netherlands are at risk of stalling because of rising costs and a shortage of qualified workers, the AD reported on Monday. The downturn in the construction sector during the crisis years and the knock-on effect on...
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www.dutchnews.nl
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TV Carib News - 10 Apr 2018
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With the high season upon us and more and more airlines are resuming flights to and from St. Maarten, we are also open to take your flight bookings to and from St. Maarten as well.
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