May 12, 2026 No comments
Karibuni Grand Prix 2026 Offers Great Racing and a Superb After Party
SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - Seven Diam 24 teams took to the waters of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin on May 9 for the always exciting Karibuni Grand Prix. Hosted in partnership between the Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC), Saint Martin Voile Pour Tous (SMVT), and Karibuni Restaurant on Pinel Island, the Grand Prix was the last scored event on the Diam 24 Caribbean fleet yearly calendar. With an easterly breeze in the 15 to 20 knot range, the racing got underway with a short windward-leeward course from Simpson Bay to Philipsburg and back, which got all the racers warmed up for the main event—the race to Orient Bay and Pinel Island. From Simpson Bay, a clockwise route to the finish in Orient Bay...
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May 11, 2026 No comments
PM Mercelina Addresses NV GEBE Fuel Clause Increase and Calls for Urgent Clarification
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has formally addressed the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBOD) and Management of NV GEBE following the utility company’s announcement of an increase in the fuel clause from Xcg. 0.36 per kWh in April 2026 to Xcg. 0.45 per kWh for May 2026. In his correspondence of today, the Prime Minister acknowledged the global geopolitical tensions and fuel market instability impacting electricity generation costs worldwide, while expressing serious concern about the growing burden being placed on the people of Sint Maarten. “The people of Sint Maarten are already facing considerable economic pressure and rising living expenses. Government has consistently advocated for measures that would protect consumers and provide meaningful relief, especially for our...
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May 11, 2026 No comments
Stabbing Incident at Prison. One Prisoner Transferred to Hospital for Medical Care
SINT MAARTEN (POINT BLANCHE) - As part of the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to keeping the public informed, the Ministry can confirm that an incident occurred earlier today involving two inmates at the Point Blanche Prison. At this stage, the incident is understood to have been an isolated altercation between two inmates. Prison staff responded immediately and successfully intervened. No staff members were injured during the incident. Preliminary information indicates the altercation was linked to tensions between the individuals involved relating to an ongoing criminal matter. During the incident, one inmate sustained stab injuries and was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The inmate will remain in hospital for continued treatment and monitoring. The relevant authorities are continuing their investigation into the...
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May 11, 2026 No comments
BTP and Office of Disaster Management host advanced drone training for EOC
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP), in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), is proud to host an Advanced Drone Training from May 18 to May 20 at the Fire Department Sint Maarten for members of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Support Function (ESF) groups directly involved in disaster response and recovery operations. This exclusive training serves as a follow-up to the highly successful and well-attended drone training organized in 2025. The previous session was very positively received by participants, particularly by members of the emergency services, several of whom have since acquired their own drones and are now actively utilizing them for specialized operational missions. The upcoming training will combine both theoretical and...
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May 11, 2026 No comments
MP York Seeks Information on Operational & Administrative Concerns at Tax Dept.
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – Member of Parliament (MP) Darryl York has written to the Minister of Finance outlining a series of operational and administrative concerns at the Tax Department that have been building since mid-2025 and now risk serious consequences for both staff and the taxpaying public, according to a press release from the MP. “From a prolonged leadership vacuum to data errors affecting individual tax assessments, the picture that emerges is one of a department under significant strain. “It is worth noting that challenges within the Tax Department did not emerge overnight. However the situation appears to have deepened considerably since mid-2025, suggesting that what may have once been manageable has since crossed into territory that can no longer be...
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