Basseterre, St. Kitts:---  December is approaching, and excitement is building as the Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant returns to St. Kitts and Nevis. This year’s edition promises to be bigger, better, and more spectacular than ever before, reaffirming its place as a staple of the region’s cultural calendar.
Monique Lescott, Public Relations Officer of the Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant Committee, described the return as “monumental,” highlighting the significance of hosting the event once again on local shores after its brief absence. “Everything is special about this competition,” Lescott stated. “We almost lost the show, so having it back here makes it all the more meaningful.”
Scheduled for Monday, December 29, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Ballroom, the pageant will showcase the talents of young women from across the Caribbean, including confirmed interests from Barbados, St. Lucia, Haiti, Guyana, Trinidad, and Antigua and Anguilla.
Lescott emphasized the family-friendly and wholesome nature of the show. “This is a classy event with no vulgarity. The girls are always well-dressed, well-maintained, and we make special efforts to maintain their integrity,” she said. “It’s a wholesome, family-oriented event that adds a special touch to Sugar Mas.”
The Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant, which has a legacy spanning over 40 years, continues to be a highlight for both local residents and international visitors. Lescott noted the broader impact of the show not only on the cultural landscape of St. Kitts and Nevis but the economy. “Having the pageant here is irreplaceable. It draws tourists, dignitaries, and stakeholders, and it adds economic and cultural value to St. Kitts and Nevis during Sugar Mas,” she said.
With talent, culture, class, and family values all on display, the 2025 Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant promises to be a memorable celebration of youth excellence and Caribbean pride.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten has announced a temporary exemption allowing shops in Philipsburg to open on St. Martin’s Day, November 11, 2025, in response to an expected surge in cruise visitors.
The Minister revealed that five cruise ships are scheduled to call at Port St. Maarten on the island’s national holiday, representing a major economic opportunity for local businesses.
“This year, our port will welcome an exceptional number of cruise visitors on St. Martin’s Day — five ships to be exact,” Heyliger-Marten said. “To both honor our traditions and seize this opportunity, shops in Philipsburg will be allowed to open between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.”
She emphasized that the decision is not intended to diminish the meaning of St. Martin’s Day, but rather to balance national pride with economic benefit.
“This is about ensuring visitors experience the best of St. Martin while our businesses and workers also benefit,” she explained.
The Minister reminded business owners that all labor laws must be respected, noting that employees working on a public holiday must receive time and a half pay, while those who would normally have the day off are entitled to double pay.
“Working on St. Martin’s Day is voluntary — employees cannot be compelled to work against their will,” she added. “I encourage all employers to act in good faith and fairness as we balance economic opportunity with respect for workers’ rights.”
Heyliger-Marten closed by extending warm wishes to the community ahead of the celebration.
“May we come together in unity, pride, and love for this beautiful island we are blessed to call home,” she said.
This year’s official St. Martin’s Day celebration will be hosted on the Dutch side, with festivities planned throughout the weekend and on November 11.

Concernant les récentes activités militaires dans le sud de la Caraïbe

Les États membres du Protocole de l’Organisation des États de la Caraïbe orientale (OECO) expriment leur profonde préoccupation face aux récents rapports faisant état d’une intensification des opérations militaires menées par des puissances extérieures dans la mer des Caraïbes méridionale, notamment la destruction de navires présumés impliqués dans le trafic de stupéfiants, sans interception ni vérification préalable, en violation du droit international.

Nos gouvernements demeurent fermement engagés dans la coopération régionale et internationale pour lutter contre la criminalité transnationale, y compris le trafic de drogues. Cependant, nous restons tout aussi attachés à la préservation de la Caraïbe en tant que Zone de Paix, un principe solennellement affirmé par les Chefs de gouvernement de notre région et soutenu par l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies.

Nous sommes donc préoccupés par le fait que l’intensification des activités militaires dans et autour de la Caraïbe du Sud risque d’accroître les tensions et les malentendus dans une région dont la stabilité et la sécurité sont essentielles au bien-être de nos peuples.
​Des actions entreprises sans concertation ni communication suffisante avec les partenaires régionaux risquent de provoquer des incompréhensions et des tensions, et pourraient entraîner involontairement l’ensemble de la Caraïbe dans une confrontation plus large, sapant ainsi des décennies de diplomatie prudente et de coexistence pacifique.
​Nous sommes profondément conscients des impacts indéniables que toute action militaire pourrait avoir sur nos sociétés et économies petites et vulnérables, compromettant les acquis durement obtenus au fil des décennies.

Les États membres du Protocole de l’OECO réaffirment que :
La paix et le dialogue doivent demeurer les fondements des relations régionales et hémisphériques.
Le respect de la souveraineté et la non-ingérence sont essentiels au maintien de la confiance et de la stabilité.
La sécurité collective et la coopération constituent les moyens les plus efficaces pour combattre le crime organisé et garantir la sécurité de notre espace maritime.
Nous exhortons donc tous les partenaires à engager un dialogue ouvert avec la Communauté des Caraïbes (CARICOM) et l’OECO avant toute initiative susceptible de modifier l’équilibre sécuritaire régional.
​La plus grande force de la Caraïbe a toujours résidé dans son unité, sa diplomatie et son engagement constant à résoudre les différends par des moyens pacifiques.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in an urgent Public meeting on November 5, 2025.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Finance will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Deliberations on the issues surrounding the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten
a. The recent nomination of the Chairman of the CBCS by the Council of Ministers
b. An update on the ENNIA situation
c. Developments concerning Mullet Bay (IS/092/2025-2026 dated September 22, 2025)

This meeting was requested by MP E.J. Doran, MP A.M.R. Irion, MP D.T.J. York, MP O.E.C. Ottley and MP F.A. Lacroes.

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.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx