PHILIPSBURG:--- The Committee of Country’s Expenditure (CLU) of Parliament will meet on March 10, 2026.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:
1. Incoming documents

2. Discussion on letter received from the General Audit Chamber with a proposed list of audit reports for parliamentary discussions (IS/583/2025-2026 dated January 21, 2026)
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 courthouse 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.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Automotive Federation is proud to announce the tremendous success of our Drag Racing Test & Tune event held yesterday on Souliga Road. The event began at 8:00 AM and concluded at 12:00 PM, attracting a great turnout of racers, supporters, and spectators.
One of the highlights of the event was the strong participation from both cars and motorcycles, with racers coming from both sides of the island, demonstrating the shared passion for motorsports throughout St. Maarten and St. Martin.
Safety remained the Federation’s top priority, and the strict safety precautions implemented throughout the event were clearly evident. The St. Maarten Automotive Federation commends all racers for their discipline, professionalism, and full compliance with the safety measures, which contributed greatly to the smooth execution of the event.
Many racers had the opportunity to test their reaction time off the starting line using the Christmas Tree starting lights. For several participants, this was their first experience using this system, but by the end of the session many had significantly improved and performed exceptionally well.
The Federation also noted the presence of tourists visiting the island, some of whom were car enthusiasts who stopped by to observe the event. Their interest highlights the potential for motorsports to contribute positively to sports tourism and entertainment on the island.
The St. Maarten Automotive Federation remains committed to its mission of keeping the sport of drag racing alive on the island while continuing to advocate for the development of a proper race track where racers can compete safely and professionally.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the Drag Race Association and its members for coming out and actively participating in the event. Your presence and collaboration continue to strengthen the motorsports community on the island.
The Federation would also like to express sincere gratitude to the Minister of VROMI, the Minister of Justice, and the entire Police Force for their continued support and cooperation, which plays a vital role in making these events possible.
Finally, we thank all racers, officials, volunteers, supporters, and spectators who came out and made this event a success. Your continued support is essential as we work together to build and grow the sport of motorsports in St. Maarten.
St. Maarten Automotive Federation

PHILIPSBURG:--- On March 5th, Senior Carnival Queen Contestant #3 and Financial Literacy Advocate Breyenne Brown paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance, Ms. Marinka J. Gumbs, as part of her community engagement and her pageant platform focused on financial literacy. The meeting with the Hon.Minister Ms. Gumbs provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to make sound financial decisions, build financial stability, and create a more financially aware society. Breyenne shared that her passion for financial literacy was further strengthened after attending the Ministry of Finance's Financial Literacy Month workshops in November 2025. Having participated in all of the sessions, she found the discussions on budgeting, understanding pay slips, taxation, and financial planning both informative and inspiring. “Attending the Financial Literacy Month workshops last November was truly inspiring,” Breyenne Brown said. “Each session helped me better understand the importance of financial knowledge, and it confirmed for me that financial literacy is something I want to advocate during and after my pageant journey.” Breyenne noted that the workshops not only increased her understanding of financial management but also motivated her to use her platform to encourage young people and members of the community to become more financially informed and responsible. Ms. Brown, who also serves as a Personal Loan Officer at Republic Bank St. Maarten, used the opportunity to thank the Minister for her continued efforts in raising awareness about financial literacy and for her commitment to educating the public on responsible financial practices. During the visit, Ms. Brown presented Minister Ms. Gumbs with a bouquet of flowers as a gesture of appreciation and conducted a brief interview discussing the importance of financial education for young people and the need for open conversations about money management. Minister Ms. Gumbs commended Ms. Brown for taking a bold and meaningful approach with her pageant platform. “This was truly a full-circle moment for me,” Minister of Finance Ms. Gumbs shared. “Having known Breyenne’s family over the years, it is inspiring to see her step forward and use her pageantry platform to highlight financial literacy. It is a bold and important step, and she is the first contestant I have seen focus on this topic.”
The Minister also expressed her support for Brown’s initiative and extended an invitation for her to join future visits to schools as she continues promoting financial literacy and responsible money management among students across Sint Maarten. Also present during the meeting was Chief of Staff Ms. Nicole Marlin, who commended Ms. Brown for her initiative, curiosity, and willingness to engage in meaningful conversations that positively impact young people in the community. Ms. Marlin encouraged Ms. Brown to continue using her platform to inspire and educate her peers. Ms. Brown believes that financial literacy should begin with simple conversations and practical knowledge that empower young people. Reflecting on the importance of her platform, she shared, “When young people understand how money works, they gain the power to shape their own future.” In recognition of International Women’s Day, Senior Queen Contestant # 3 Breyenne Brown and her team presented goodie bags as a token of appreciation to the Cabinet ladies of the Ministry of Finance, acknowledging their work and contributions to the Ministry. Continuing her commitment to community engagement, Breyenne Brown will host a financial literacy workshop titled “Budget 101” on Saturday March 14 in collaboration with Republic Bank St. Maarten and Mrs. Shineca Ravenberg- Carty of the BudgetBae. Mrs. Shineca Ravenberg-Carty will provide practical guidance on budgeting, saving, and responsible money management. The session will be held for Breyenne Brown’s fellow teen’s, senior’s contestants and 2025 Queen Ms. Keisy Quant and 1st runners & 2nd runners up Ms. Judith Lalanne and Jessy Gumbs along with members of the SCDF pageant team creating an opportunity for the participants to learn practical financial skills that can support their future goals. Through her platform, Breyenne Brown hopes to encourage open and supportive conversations about money management while empowering young people with the knowledge needed to make confident financial decisions for their future. Ms. Brown also expressed sincere gratitude to her aunt Ms. Nzinga Lake, who was instrumental in organizing the meet and greet and supporting the opportunity for dialogue with the Hon. Minister of Finance Ms. Marinka J. Gumbs.

Aruba:--- Recently, an inspiring and successful resilience training workshop took place in Aruba, led by self-defense instructor Ms. Aarti R. Baran, who is also a legal advisor and legislative lawyer. The training was part of a seminar titled “Psychiatric and Psychological Reporting as Access to Forensic Care in the Caribbean.” The seminar brought together professionals from various sectors who work daily to promote the well-being and safety of people in society.

Participants in the seminar—and therefore the workshop—included prison staff, psychologists, psychiatrists, outpatient care workers, and legal professionals. The diversity of this group created a valuable exchange of knowledge and insights between professionals from both the healthcare and justice sectors.

The training focused on strengthening personal and professional resilience. Participants learned how to better handle stressful situations that may escalate. Aarti Baran combined theoretical insights with practical exercises, allowing participants to actively experience how different techniques work in practice.

Aarti Baran combines her knowledge from various martial arts disciplines with her experience as a former international elite athlete (former world champion in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu) and has specialized in professional self-defense. With more than twenty years of experience as an instructor, she has trained, among others, the police, VKS, Probation Services, teachers, government cohorts working with vulnerable groups and flight attendants. She currently also provides training for the Red Cross and Victim Support. Her approach demonstrates that effective self-defense is not about strength, but about insight, control, and proportional action under pressure.

The workshop was experienced as highly valuable by the participants. Many attendees indicated that the skills provided can be applied directly in practice. In addition, the gathering offered an opportunity for reflection and connection between professionals from different disciplines. By investing in resilience and professional development, care providers and other involved professionals can carry out their work with greater confidence, balance, and effectiveness.

The workshop underscored the importance of continued attention to mental resilience among professionals who work daily in challenging—and sometimes demanding—circumstances. With her knowledgeable and engaging approach, Aarti Baran managed to inspire participants and provide practical tools, with special attention to empowerment and to understanding how to act in certain escalating situations.

Ms. Aarti Baran will soon also share her expertise in Sint Maarten. On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, she will conduct a workshop at the Simpson Bay Resort, where professionals and interested participants can once again become acquainted with her approach to resilience and professional self-defense.