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page7a262 PHILIPSBURG--Partnering with St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF), United Telecommunication Services (UTS) has donated US $30,000 towards the upcoming Carnival season.

In addition to this partnership with SCDF, UTS will occupy booth #81 in the Festival Village throughout the Carnival season. Customers and Carnival-goers can expect a variety of promotions and exciting giveaways.

According to SCDF President Stuart Johnson, this financial contribution by UTS will be used in SCDF's promotion efforts, among other things, which include decorating the island in the spirit of Carnival in the lead-up to the island's premier cultural event.

In thanking UTS on behalf of SCDF, Johnson noted that this year's Carnival would be unique, being the first Carnival season under St. Maarten's new status. Johnson said this was SCDF's motivation for embracing this year's theme: "Country St. Maarten Fettin' for Carnival 2011."

UTS Service Market Manager Michanou Arrundell said, "I am elated to announce that we have decided to offer our support and financial contributions to SCDF. We had already pledged and succeeded in assisting with the revival of French-side Carnival last month. Now it is time to bring that spirit and energy to the Dutch side of the island. We are making it an island-wide affair, much like our island-wide service."

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15251-uts-gives-30000-to-carnival-foundation.html

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The Chinese capital Beijing hosted the signing ceremony of the agreement to launch the joint Kuwait - China oil refinery, which is worth US$9 billion. Its capacity will be 300,000 barrels per day. The agreement signed between the representative of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and the Chinese "Sinopec".

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/kuwait-china-sign-us9-billion-refinery-deal

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page1b256 In celebration of its twentieth anniversary, St. Maarten Medical Center on Thursday honoured 29 workers who have been in its employ since it opened two decades ago. Honoured with baskets and a financial appreciation were, from left: Beatrice Richardson, Orris Jack, Marina Milton, Johan Eights, Carmelita Lichtenberg-Boyd, Theresina Rogers, Phylis Stanley, Roy Baly, Gloria Bell and M. Gumbs. Not in photo are: Internist Dr. Theo Jolles, Radiologist Dr. Marvin chin-A-Moei,

Marguerite Priest-Simmon, Janet Haddocks-Marcellin, Raphael Antoine, Ivy Bernadette Evers-Gumbs, Brunilda Illidge, Alberta Philbert-Glascow, Antonio Frias-Claxton, Rob Heil, Margaret Richardson-James, Theresa Salomon, Christina Jacobs-Berkel, Jules Carty, Lorna Boirard-Dopwell, Josephine Clarke, Gwen Arndell, Marie Williams-Romney and G. Eerland-de Kieviet.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14968-st-maarten-medical-center-.html

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The image of the Argentine president has a 65% support Argentine President Cristina Fern�ndez de Kirchner said at a political rally that she?s not the leader of a government but the head of a political project with an agenda and a vision of Argentina, and anticipated she?s ?going for more?.

Source: http://en.mercopress.com/2011/03/31/president-cristina-kirchner-promises-to-go-for-more-as-her-popularity-is-on-the-rise?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=main&utm_campaign=rss

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PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance issued a NAf.-1,000 fine to a 37-year-old businessman Wednesday for the unlicensed and environmentally hazardous storage of oil at two locations.

Following Prosecutor Bart den Hartigh's demand, the owner of the waste management company was also ordered to transport the oil off the island and to clean up the polluted soil in plots on Hyssop Road in Cay Hill and in Sucker Garden, where the oil was stored. Judge Monique Keppels gave businessman Bevan Payne one month to do so.

Payne told the Court he had been collecting waste oil from ships and restaurants on the islands since 2009. In the meantime, he had gathered some 50,000 gallons of oil. He said he had made arrangements with a US-based company to have the oil shipped out of St. Maarten, but until now this company had not lived up to its promises.

According to Inspection Head Henry Ellis and Inspector Joe Olivacce, who were both present at the hearing, Payne had been operating without a licence and had never built better storage facilities, despite their urging him to do so.

"He moved part of the oil, which is stored in the open in oil drums, to a location in Sucker Garden. He had promised to lock the drums away in three containers, but up to now there is only one container. This container is not locked and the terrain is easily accessible, causing a hazard to the surroundings," Ellis said.

"Some of the oil drums are damaged and the soil underneath is soaked with oil," Olivacce added.

The Inspection Department, estimating that clearing the oil and cleaning the terrain would cost an estimated US $18,000, requested the court to impose a conditional fine of US $5,000.

The prosecutor pointed at the fact that the waste ordinance only allowed a maximum fine of NAf. 3,000. He suggested that the court impose a conditional fine of NAf. 1,000 and a suspended prison sentence of two weeks, on the condition that Payne removed the oil and cleaned up the storage locations in one month's time.

"I am not trying to dump oil," Payne said in his defence. He said he had wanted to build a waste recycling plant, but that he could not provide the $300,000 involved with the construction. He further said he had turned to government for help, but had never received any.

He admitted that the oil was not stored properly and that some broken barrels had leaked. "Oil is a hazard to the environment. I accept the reasons for the fine," Payne said.

The inspectors said they had warned him several times since last year to remedy the situation, or face the consequences. In answer, they had always heard the same story. "He promises that something will be done very soon, but when we come back, everything has remained the same."

Oil Mop is currently the only licensed waste management company in St. Maarten involved with oil collection programmes.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15203-businessman-told-to-clean-oil-pollution-in-one-month.html

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The statistical data issued Monday by the Jordanian Department of Statistics indicate that the value of the kingdom's exports reached JD 384.2 million (US$538 million) during January 2011. This means an increase of 18.3% compared with January 2010.

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/jordan-trade-deficit-rise

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Ajman Bank, an award-winning financial services institution committed to transforming the experience of Islamic banking, held its annual general meeting today and approved their 2010 financial results for the 12 months ending December 31, 2010.

ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/ajman-bank-approves-2010-financial-results-agm

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The Bahraini Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced the the revocation of all licenses granted to 2Connect W.L.L. The resolution stated that all licenses of 2Connect shall be revoked within one week, which coincides with the 27th of March 2011.

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/bahrain-licenses-telecom-company-links-opposition-figure-revoked

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PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams told leaders and representatives of governments at the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT)/European Union (EU) Forum on the South Pacific island of New Caledonia that country St. Maarten was proud to be part of the new vision of EU relations.

"We are looking forward to working together with all partners to realise the new relations. This is a partnership where we all have mutual interests and we shall walk the journey together," she said in a speech at the forum's opening session in New Caledonia.

The prime minister also spoke about the constitutional change that the Dutch Kingdom had realised on October 10, 2010, and the current challenges in public finances and the maintenance of law and order.

The change, she pointed out, has allowed the islands to rise to the occasion to have direct responsibility for taking care of the people.

St. Maarten is home to more than 100 nationalities and is a destination of choice for close to two million visitors, Wescot-Williams said.

There was a working session on public health on Wednesday, where a presentation was given by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Another working session later in the day dealt with environmental issues.

The delegations will participate in an evaluation of the EU-OCT cooperation today, Thursday. A presentation will be given on the results of the evaluation of the past 10 years of EU-OCT cooperation. This will be followed by implementation and programming of the ninth and 10th European Development Fund territorial and regional allocations.

The Forum comes today with statements by the European Commission and Chairman and incoming Chairman of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) Ministerial Conference.

The Ministerial Conference is the highest political body of the OCTA, which meets on an annual basis to discuss and agree on policy matters concerning the Association.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14346-wescot-williams-tells-octeu-forum-st-maarten-ready-to-walk-together.html

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The statistical data issued Monday by the Jordanian Department of Statistics indicate that the value of the kingdom's exports reached JD 384.2 million (US$538 million) during January 2011. This means an increase of 18.3% compared with January 2010.

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/jordan-trade-deficit-rise

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page1a250 SABA--The first Island Council of the Public Entity of Saba was officially sworn in Thursday morning.

This is the first Island Council to be elected since the transition and it is the first Island Council that will function under the dualistic system. The day was also historic as there were a record three Island Council meetings held in one day.

However, before the Island Council could take office, the outgoing Island Council had to convene to officially approve the credentials of the incoming Island Council members. This was just a formality and all four members present unanimously approved the credentials. Absent from this meeting was former Island Council member Akilah Levenstone. The Island Governor then adjourned the meeting.

The Island Governor then swore in Bruce Zagers, Chris Johnson, Rolando Wilson, Carl Buncamper and Ishmael Levenstone as the new Island Council of the Public Entity of Saba. After an inspiring invocation by pastor Vernon Liburd, the new members of the Island Council then took the opportunity to give their welcome speeches.

The first to take the floor was Councilman Levenstone, who promised that he would be the "watchdog" of the Island Council and that he would be taking care of the people's business.

Then the floor was given to Council member Rolando Wilson, who thanked former Island Council member Akilah Levenstone for taking time to serve her island and remarked that it had been a privilege to serve with her in the Island Council. He also indicated that he was looking forward to serving with the incoming members of the Island Council.

Island Council member Buncamper was next; he first took the opportunity to congratulate the women on the passing of International Women's Day and said, despite the progress that had been made by women, they were still underrepresented in the political sphere.

He also indicated that that there would be disagreements in the Council and that "honest differences will not divide us, but rather these will only assist us in bring about diversity, causing us to broaden our horizons and thus allowing us to deliver in a more fair and justified manner for our people at large."

Councilman Chris Johnson then spoke in his address about the differences in the dualistic system and the different roles of the Island Council and the Executive Council. He indicated that it was an historic day, with the last Island Council of Saba as the Island Territory of Saba transitioning to the first elected Island Council of the Public Entity of Saba.

The last to speak was Councilman Bruce Zagers, who said that the Saban people had spoken loudly and clearly during the elections of March 2 and had expressed their wish to see himself and Chris Johnson continue to serve as members of the Executive Council.

Despite this he said that, after the swearing-in after the votes were cast for the commissioners, "Vote totals will be put aside. Collectively, we will also have to also put aside petty differences and turn our focus away from election results. Our focus should be at all times on Saba and her people. That is why we have been elected to serve."

After the speeches, two motions were tabled by Island Council members Chris Johnson and Bruce Zagers to elect the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee Rolando Wilson and Carl Buncamper, respectively.

Under the new WolBes regulations, voting for persons can only be done by casting written votes. Councilman Levenstone was given the opportunity to motivate his vote and said that he would be abstaining, because he felt that the opportunity should be given to the younger incoming Council members.

The motions were passed with four votes for and one abstention. The meeting was then adjourned and the Island Governor invited everyone to return for the third Island Council meeting of the day, in which the new commissioners would be elected.

The final Island Council meeting of the day was convened at 2:00pm with four Island Council members signing in. Absent without notice was Councilman Ishmael Levenstone. The first order of business was the election of the new commissioners Chris Johnson and Bruce Zagers. Both were elected 3-0, because in the new regulations, an Island Council member may not vote for himself.

The Island Council members then approved the credentials of members of the Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM) next in line for the Council Eviton Heyliger and Shamara Nicholson. These members were then sworn in, after Councilman Bruce Zagers had resigned and given up his seat to Heyliger and Councilman Chris Johnson had given up his seat to Nicholson.

Both the new Island Council members then took the opportunity to address the Council, with Councilwoman Nicholson giving words of encouragement, despite the tough times that the island was facing, and saying that in many ways Sabans were blessed by God.

Councilman Heyliger in his speech said that, even though he had come from humble beginnings, it was great honour to serve in such an esteemed body. He then called on the young people of the island to be inspired to work hard to achieve their goals.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14694-saba-island-council-members-sworn-in.html

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~ Meeting among parties likely today~

PELICAN--Up to late Friday there was no word on whether an agreement had been reached for the reopening of the Simpson Bay Resort and the Villas at Simpson Bay.

However, The Daily Herald understands that a meeting is being arranged among all parties for today, Saturday.

Up to early Friday evening attorney for the Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL), Maarten le Poole of HBN Law said he hadn't been contacted about a time and a venue for the meeting.

Le Poole said talks for the reopening of the resort have been "dragging on" for too long now, but he is hopeful that an agreement would be reached today, should the meeting among the parties proceed.

"It's dragging on long unnecessarily and if there is no [end] to it now nothing will come of it. Tomorrow [today] is the last possibility," Le Poole said.

The Simpson Bay Resort and the Villas at Simpson Bay were closed on Sunday, February 20 leaving the close to 200 workers and thousands of timeshare owners in limbo. The closure was announced days after the court had ruled that the resort has to live up to the terms of the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) in place with WIFOL. A pronouncement was not made on the reintegration of the workers.

Special mediator Rafael Boasman has been mediating between parties with a view of having the resort re-opened.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14467-no-agreement-yet-on-reopening-of-resort-.html

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PHILIPSBURG--There seems to be a split in the governing coalition regarding Justice Minister Roland Duncan's proposed gun licence policy.

Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Sunday that she had reservations about Duncan's draft policy, which she said was just a "vision" at this stage.

Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Roy Marlin and Independent MP Patrick Illidge have also expressed concerns about enacting the draft policy at this stage.

DP MP Leroy de Weever has, however, commended Duncan on standing his ground on the draft policy and urged the minister to apply his knowledge when issuing gun licences, once the policy is enacted.

"I have my reservations... especially at this time taking everything else into consideration," the Prime Minister told Lloyd Richardson on his radio programme on PJD2 1300 AM on Sunday.

"I think with respect to opening of the gun policy as a country we have to be very, very careful... In order to do that you have to make sure that some of the other areas are closed off; especially where robberies and those things are concerned, the more people who have guns, the more you make it available, if those people get robbed, for their guns to get in the wrong hands," she said.

The Prime Minister said the discussions on the draft policy are not yet completed. "The minister [Duncan] has an idea and a vision. It's not a law of anything yet. He has taken that idea to parliament to get feedback and the same thing he is doing with the Council of Ministers," she said.

Duncan had told MPs during last Wednesday's meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament that his draft policy is ready for enactment. National Alliance (NA) leader MP William Marlin, George Pantophlet and Frans Richardson have also expressed concerns about the introduction of the policy with William Marlin contending that it is for the elite to be armed and that it will result in more firearms on the street.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14794-sarah-has-reservations-about-duncans-gun-licence-proposal-.html

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SIMPSON BAY--Additional openings for Simpson Bay Bridge will go into effect from Thursday to Sunday to facilitate the increase maritime traffic for the annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

On Thursday, the outbound opening times are 9:00am, 11:00am, and 4:30pm. Inbound opening times are 9:30am, 11:30am, 3:00pm and 5:30pm.

A fourth outbound opening at 8:00am has been added to Thursday's schedule for Friday to Sunday, according to the schedule posted on the official regatta website: www.heinekenregatta.com.

A fifth opening for inbound vessels has been added for Sunday at 1:30pm.

The regular three openings at 9:30am, 11:30am and 5:30pm for outbound and inbound maritime traffic will resume on Monday. Preference is given to outbound vessels.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14302-more-bridge-openings-for-regatta-from-thursday-.html

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page1b248 Dismissal request still on table, Govt. may grant 1.2 mil transfer tax delay�

PHILIPSBURG--Two and a half weeks after Simpson Bay Resort (former Pelican Resort) closed its doors, parties signed an agreement for its reopening in a maximum of 10 days with all 182 workers in board.

The dismissal request for a minimum of 37 and maximum of 50 workers is, however, still on the table and the Labour Department will have to make a decision on this request.

Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams told reporters at the signing ceremony that government will "favourably consider" granting the resort its request for a delay in the payment of its US $1.2 million transfer tax. The Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL) has distanced itself from this clause in the agreement.

A group of workers gathered outside the Government Administration Building and a group sat in the public gallery at Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall to witness the signing. Affixing their signatures to the agreement were Wescot-Williams, WIFOL President Theophilus Thompson and a shop steward and Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (SBMC) attorney Jairo Bloem, who said it was more than likely that the resort would open in fewer than 10 days.

Reporters were told that Gerrit van Giffen, the attorney representing the Resort's timeshare owners, will also ask the court to withdraw its litigation against the Resort in lieu of the pending reopening.

Wescot-Williams, who commended all the parties involved in reaching the agreement, said the leading up to the signing had been a long process. She said each day an agreement was not reached was another day that the resort's doors remained closed.

She outlined her involvement in the process to date, mentioning meetings such as the one held with the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and the St. Maarten Timeshare Association on February 14, and her briefing with the Council of Ministers on February 15.

Elaborating on the issue of the transfer tax delay, she said government realised that the reopening of the resort "is of vital importance" for many stakeholders and "in our opinion the entire country St. Maarten.

"Government acknowledges that by reopening the resort, management is acting in the best interest of many stakeholders and thereby seriously attributing to the social economic wellbeing of St. Maarten. Government understands the request for the tax exemption... and management's interest in obtaining a decision in this matter expeditiously. Government looks favourably on this request and indicates that any decision taken to this respect must fit within the constraints of the existing legislation."

She said the reopening of the resort with the workers on board was very important. Reading from one of the clauses, she said government "will indemnify the laid off workers against any claims resulting from any possible judgement of the court of appeal or supreme court by which it would become evident that the workers have received monies not due to them by the Simpson Bay Resort Management Company. The Simpson Bay Resort Management Company must substantiate that indeed it made the payments."

The Prime Minister said government had looked at all of the issues at stake in the matter, such as at the resort's business licenses and the transfer tax request, and had researched whether it had been feasible for government to "join" a petition to the court or to have its own petition. She said too that she had been "flooded' with e-mails from timeshare owners and made clear that she did not own property at the resort, as was being circulated.

Should have not been closed

Describing the day as remarkable and commending the workers for showing "good faith," Thompson said it was the union's opinion that the resort "should have not been closed at all. For us there was no reason to shut out the workers and then in turn shut out the homeowners."

He said the union's position from day one was confirmed in a judgement, which, he said, had been the basis of the agreement signed on Tuesday. The union had looked beyond its membership in this issue. "Whenever WIFOL makes a decision, it is not just WIFOL making a decision about the workers on the job, but we look at the further interest of the dependents of the workers, as we did for this case. That was our priority."

He said the union's responsibility went beyond the work place. "WIFOL is the only organisation in St. Maarten with a full fledged institute that trains workers to upgrade their skills and to acquire new skills," he added. "The union also partners with government to ensure that school dropouts find a place in the industry."

Based on the union's belief that business, government and labour must at all times work in harmony, Thompson said the union looked forward for the resort to continue to be "a dynamic and important factor" in the development of St. Maarten's economy, especially in the areas of service and tourism.

"Disappointed, yes we were on the closure and the lockout, but I think we are mature enough to look beyond that and we are ready and willing as a partner to move forward, so that the resort can develop and express its true potential as a contributor to the economy of St. Maarten, whereby job security and the sustainable growth and development of our economy [can] be a priority that we can join together and accomplish."

Temporary solution

Bloem, who described the agreement as a "temporary solution," said an accord would not have been reached without the "leading role" of Wescot-Williams and the team she set up to handle the negotiations.

He said all parties compromised to reach the agreement. "It is a temporary solution in light of the results of further litigation," Bloem said, adding that his client is "extremely joyful" to reopen the resort as soon as possible.

The financial figures of the old company - Pelican Resort Club ? will be published on its Website. He invites the public to look at it and to "be appraised on the factual and the real figures."

He said the resort required a continued and structural investment from the new owner and to do this "we must see on the overall that we will be able to make ends meet in a responsible matter.

"When one wants everything, it becomes difficult to attain something. But as has happened here, where parties showed, in the spirit of compromise, a willingness to get together to come to a solution that was good for the greater, then we can move forward and we believe that we have that right now."

His statements that the approximately 100 employees of the tenants had been more affected than the WIFOL members drew displeased grumbles from the workers in the public gallery.

He said there were numerous challenges facing the resort and that these would be resolved going forward to sustain the operations in an economical viable way.

WIFOL attorney Wim van Sambeek told this newspaper after the signing that statements by Bloem regarding the resort's dire financial straits were "not very credible, given the fact that Royal Resorts had been managing the resort for the last 13 years and was very willing to take ownership over through an affiliate company.

"If Royal Resorts would show that the previous owner had debts, than this must have been caused by Royal Resorts. Royal Resorts was the resort manager who was fully in control of all payments made, including their own management fees and management expenses. Do you think a lot of money is left if you let someone else hold your wallet and authorize that person to his expenses out of your wallet? Well, Royal Resorts held the wallet of the tenants for 13 years and now say that it is empty."

He said the union hoped that parties would work in harmony again in the near future and that it would be decided to withdraw the appeals procedure. "But it is up to Royal Resorts to make that step. By doing so this temporary solution will become a definite one and so help the labour peace to return."

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14597-agreement-signed-simpson-bay-resort-to-reopen-in-10-days-with-all-workers-.html

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PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance ordered the re-trial Wednesday of two men suspected of involvement in the trafficking of a group of undocumented Cubans into St. Maarten in November 2010.

Judge Monique Keppels' decision was based on the fact that, after the March 2 hearing in the cases of M.D.T. (29) of Cuba and M.L.M. (36) of St. Lucia, she had received a message from the Prosecutor's Office, indicating that a document in the case file concerning the arrival of Cubans in Tortola on September 19, 2010 had been incorrect.

Seeing that this new piece of information had been received after the court hearing had been closed and the suspects had not had the opportunity to respond to it, the judge decided to re-open the trial on June 9. The judge also lifted the suspects' pre-trial detention.

The Prosecutor's Office had demanded 30 months against M.L.M. and had asked the Court to convict M.D.T. to 42 months for the roles they had allegedly played in the shipment of six Cuban nationals on board the Braveheart from St. Lucia via Dominica to St. Maarten.

According to M.L.M., he had been merely a passenger on board the boat of a close friend, who had offered him a ride to St. Maarten to do some shopping. He had claimed he knew nothing of any arrangement to have the Cubans brought to St. Maarten en route to US territories.

M.D.T. had stated he only had been doing a favour for a friend when he had boarded a flight to St. Maarten from Florida with US $2,000 to deliver to E.M.B., who would ensure that two of the Cuban women in the group travelled to Florida.

However, Prosecutor Manon Ridderbeks had been convinced otherwise. She had said M.L.M. must have known of his friend's movements after having made a trip with him in September, when six of the Cubans discovered in St. Maarten were noted by Immigration to have been deported from Tortola.

With M.L.M. on board the Braveheart in November 2010, these Cubans had been taken from St. Lucia to Dominica, where more Cubans had been picked up. All the while, M.L.M. had said he knew nothing of a case of human smuggling and denied having arrived in Tortola in September 2010, although three of the Cubans had told police in their reports in St. Maarten, when arrested in November 2010, that they had recognised M.L.M. as one of the boat's captains.

M.L.M. had also claimed he had never been promised a reward for making the November trip to St. Maarten. He had said it was his custom to tag along with his friend on boat trips, which often took them to surrounding islands like Tortola.

However, Prosecutor Ridderbeks had held M.L.M.'s role to be that of the second captain. M.L.M.'s lawyer Johan de Vrieze had stressed that his client had not had a particular role on the trip to St. Maarten and had asked for his client's acquittal.

The Prosecutor's Office had also accused M.D.T. of involvement in the human trafficking operation between the islands to get Cubans into the US territories.

Asking for a reduced sentence, his lawyer Brenda Brooks had said it was far-fetched to assume her client would have had the capacity to orchestrate such an operation.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15202-two-re-trials-ordered-in-smuggled-cubans-case.html

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page4a254 PHILIPSBURG--NAGICO Insurances, in keeping with its commitment of the past few years, on Tuesday contributed US $15,000 to the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) to go towards the Senior Calypso Finals for Carnival 2011. The calypso finals will be held on Thursday, April 28, and are by far the largest local event on the Carnival calendar annually.

CEO of NAGICO Imran McSood said despite the challenging economic atmosphere, NAGICO has always found a way to contribute towards cultural activities and Carnival in particular as a good corporate citizen. The event will be branded the NAGICO Insurances Senior Calypso Finals.

President of the SCDF Stuart Johnson commended McSood and NAGICO for once again "stepping up to the plate with a substantial contribution" to Carnival. He also commended the company for assisting other stakeholders in Carnival and pledged to continue building on the good relationship and partnership that the carnival foundation and NAGICO have.

Johnson explained that the Senior Calypso Finals carry the distinction of the biggest local show, but this also means it's the most costly to execute. "Prize money alone," he said, "accounts for a large part of the budget for this show, so NAGICO's contribution will go a long way in helping us to meet the costs of the calypso final. We are very grateful," he concluded.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14871-nagico-gives-us-15000-for-senior-calypso-finals.html

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The approval of the Sustainable Energy Authority before the construction of any government building is made compulsory.

“All municipal and urban driven state constructions should get the approval on the “Energy From” because of the large scale energy wastage and pollution”,Mr. Chamila Jayasekara, head of Energy Efficiency of the Sustainable Energy Authority Sri Lanka said.
He further explained that this regulation will be carried out in private constructions as time prevails.

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Source: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php/latest/5980-energy-form-approval-for-construction-compulsory-

The Ashes Redrow Consumer affairs Public sector cuts Wigan Athletic Lloyds Banking Group

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MARIGOT--Gendarmes transferred a 20-year-old suspect to Guadeloupe Friday in connection with the shooting of a 30-year-old man outside his home in French Cul-de-Sac on Tuesday, March 15.

The arrest was made on Wednesday. The victim, a Dominican Republic national, is in serious condition in a Guadeloupe hospital where he was placed in a coma. He was shot in the stomach at close range with a shotgun and sustained injuries to his liver, intestines, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Circumstances surrounding the shooting were not completely clear, but are thought to stem from an argument between the two men.

The Gendarmerie said the suspect had been convicted for violent crimes in the past. The case has now been handed over to the criminal unit in Pointe-�-Pitre.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15015-man-held-for-cul-de-sac-shooting-victim-in-coma.html

Tesco Craig Bellamy Foreign currency Global terrorism Dance music UK security and terrorism

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Page1b246 MARIGOT--Just three troupes participated in Sunday's parade through Marigot as carnival resumed on the French side, but they were not short on colour. An eager crowd including many tourists waited patiently, lining the streets for the late start from Agr�ment about 4:30pm, a start delayed due to the earlier rain showers, organisers said.

But at that time the sun was out and the procession was led by the troupe "La Flamme," followed by the troupe "Cameleon" of Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital and the last troupe Amicale's "Hot and Spicy Bacchanal," which had an Indian theme.

The parade followed the usual circuit through Marigot.

Sunday's and the following two parades on Tuesday and Wednesday this week all have US $500 cash prizes up for grabs in the categories of music, costumes, and choreography.

Carnival Committee President Jules Joe said it had been decided to leave it up to the public to decide which troupes should win the prizes, and this would be organised through voting on one of the radio stations, still to be determined.

Despite few troupes participating, Jules said he was very satisfied with Sunday's outcome.

"The troupes were colourful, they enjoyed themselves and above all I must congratulate the public for their restraint," he said. "There were no incidents at all."

He also extended his thanks to the Territorial Police and the Gendarmerie, who provided a four-man, street patrol to make sure all was peaceful. The Gendarmerie is not usually involved with the parades, Jules said.

Jules also thanked main sponsor Caribbean Liquors (Coors Light) and R and R Insurance for making Sunday's parade a success.

He added that he hoped Tuesday's Grand Parade would start at 3:00pm. Wednesday is the final lap and the burning of King Momo on the waterfront is at 6:30pm.

"We do encourage the public to come out and see the final parades on Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be worth it," he said.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14510-colourful-carnival-troupes-make-up-for-small-numbers.html

Ireland bailout Dennis Bergkamg Enjoy England TwiTrips Rugby union Simon Barker Insects

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alt West Bank, (Pal Telegraph)- A Palestinian youth was hospitalized yesterday after Israel soldiers severely attacked him in the northern West Bank city of Qalqilya.

Source: http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/8791-palestinian-attacked-by-israeli-army-near-qalqilya.html

International criminal justice Equality Discrimination at work The far right European football Energy

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Qatar Holding LLC and Spain's Iberdrola, S.A. have announced today that they had signed a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding setting forth the framework for collaboration in developing their respective business activities through the establishment of a long-term, mutually beneficial, strategic partnership.

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/qatar-holding-buys-617-iberdrola

Manchester City Annuities Darren Bent Employment law Middle East Extradition

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MARIGOT--Cadisco Gas Station in Baie Nettle was once again victim of an armed robbery Wednesday while a Change Point in Marina Royale was the target of a failed robbery attempt.

The Change Point was the first establishment to be targeted by four individuals on two scooters around 1:00pm. They all wore gloves, as well as helmets to hide their faces.

According to reports, two of the perpetrators entered the Change Point with a shotgun, while another had an automatic weapon. But they were thwarted by the security glass protecting the cashier and decided to leave as quickly as they had entered.

About fifteen minutes later, bandits visited Cadisco Gas Station where they held the sole cashier at gunpoint before emptying the till and escaping. A pump attendant had a narrow escape when he was fired upon by one of the suspects, but the gun jammed.

Video surveillance tapes have been handed over to the Gendarmerie to aid in their investigation.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15014-cadisco-gas-station-robbed-at-gunpoint.html

Clint Eastwood Local government Financial Services Authority (FSA) David Beckham Sweden Simon Cowell

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PHILIPSBURG--The Committee for Financial Supervision CFT is somewhat disappointed with the Council of Ministers' response to its proposed additional measures to better streamline St. Maarten's budget process.

Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams wrote to the CFT on March 11, telling the committee there was no need for additional supervision or measures, because the island already had laws and supporting structures in place.

CFT communications advisor Jacob de Glee told The Daily Herald the letter had raised "some disappointment," because the committee thought it had an agreement with Finance Minister Hiro Shigemoto based on talks earlier this month.

These talks and agreements were followed up by a letter from Wescot-Williams on behalf of the Council of Ministers that basically said, 'Thanks for the suggestions, but St. Maarten can manage.' She stated in the letter that government would be appointing a 'budget-keeper' and proposed a monitoring committee to oversee the budget process.

The budget-keeper, a CFT staffer and an independent advisor would serve on the monitoring committee. Based on this committee's reports, government would provide periodic updates to CFT.

De Glee pointed out that it was the "right" of the Council of Ministers to take a position on CFT's proposals and that some of the approaches raised by the ministers were "slightly" the same.

Asked why push for additional monitoring structures when, as the prime minister stated, several institutions such as the General Audit Chamber and the Office of the Ombudsman are in place, De Glee said these institutions were "good to have in place," but they "still have to find their place" within the government structure, as they are essentially new.

The CFT, he added, is part of the existing monitoring structure for government and will be there for the coming few years. "CFT has a role in the budget process," he added.

As for the ministers' claim that a CFT office in St. Maarten would help vastly with the budget process and increase understanding of the local situations and challenges, De Glee said this was not a valid argument and it was definitely not the case that CFT staffers or board did not understand the local situation.

De Glee doesn't see the opening of a CFT office here because the secretariat already operates with a "small staff." There is constant contact between CFT and government, in particular the Finance Minister and ministry, he added. "We have people in St. Maarten almost every week."

Wescot-Williams met with the CFT board for St. Maarten and Cura�ao in the Netherlands on Friday, but information on that meeting is not yet available. De Glee also is awaiting the results of that meeting to chart the way forward for the CFT Secretariat, headquartered in Cura�ao.

St. Maarten is still awaiting the appointment of its proposed member, businessman Michel Soons, to the CFT board by the Kingdom Council of Ministers. The continued delay has become a point of contention for government, with Wescot-Williams stating in her recent letter to CFT that it is the ministers' belief that most of the issues related to the 2011 budget hinged on the lack of representation for St. Maarten on the CFT board.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15016-cft-disappointed-in-govts-response.html

Craig Bellamy Foreign currency Global terrorism Dance music UK security and terrorism Executive pay and bonuses

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PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Hiro Shigemoto has responded to a series of questions on creditors, debt relief, payment of taxes by the former Pelican Report Club and other topics posed in a letter to him by National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet. The letter, dated February 28, was forwarded via the office of President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell and received by the minister on March 10.

The minister informed the MP, in response to his questions, that the contact person in charge of disbursing some NAf. 60 million to creditors of the former Netherlands Antilles was former Antillean director of finance Jose Jardin and that NAf. 1,716,003 had been paid out directly to the creditors of the former Netherlands Antilles on behalf of St. Maarten up to and including February 21.

Pantophlet asked about the account from which the funds were being taken and whether St. Maarten has access to information on it to ensure that the funds are allocated properly. To this, Shigemoto said the account did not belong to St. Maarten; therefore, no one from St. Maarten has such access. However, the Government Accountants Bureau SOAB is controlling the account along with the Central Bank of Cura�ao and St. Maarten.

Pantophlet's enquired how much tax was owed by the former Pelican Resort owners and over what period. The minister said the information was confidential and could not be disclosed without the owners' consent. He also said the present owners of the resort have deposited several cheques with the St. Maarten Receiver's Office to cover the US $1.2 million in transfer tax.

On the questions about government's ability to borrow, the minister said SOAB was compiling data for the collective sector. When this is completed and approved by the Central Bureau of Statistics, the income of the collective sector can be established and will be used to determine the interest norm.

"After this process is completed and the information is available, then this question can be answered. However, St. Maarten can only borrow within its interest norm as stipulated in the Rijkswet Financieel Toezicht Cura�ao en Sint Maarten," the minister said.

St. Maarten initially owed the Dutch Government NAf. 295,108,460.61 and a bond was issued via the Central Bank on October 21, 2010, to pay off that amount. Interest on the bond issue is due annually and the first principal payment is due in October 2020.These were answers to other questions posed by the MP.

The exact amount owed to government in back taxes prior to 2006 is not known, as some debts in government's database are assessments, Shigemoto answered to another query of the MP.

Pantophlet: "An amount of NAf. 5 million in dividends was mentioned to balance the 2011 budget. Which company are these funds coming from?" According to the minister, the funds will come from Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company.

As for a response from the Dutch Government on the approval of some NAf. 40 million in payment to creditors as part of the NAf. 183 million debt relief, the minister said no response had been received as yet from the office of Dutch Minister for Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations Piet Hein Donner.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14831-hiro-responds-to-georges-questions-about-finance-.html

Simon Cowell Lake District Global climate talks Local politics Financial sector Waste

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