PHILIPSBURG:--- NAGICO Insurances proudly hosted Shadow Week, an initiative established by the St. Dominic High School, to give students firsthand exposure to the professional world.

As part of their Career Guidance Program aimed at helping students make informed decisions about their future paths, three (3) students from their institutions, temporarily joined the NAGICO team in our IT and Claims Department.

Throughout the week, the students, Khayr Vrutaal, who worked with the Claims Team, Emilio Manca, and Jonathon Rosario, who both worked with the IT team, were paired with a mentor who guided them through daily tasks, shared insights about their role, and answered questions about the respective fields.

“The goal of Shadow Week is simple yet impactful: to allow students to orient themselves in fields they are genuinely interested in and to experience the rhythm and responsibilities of the working world,” Mrs. Esmeralda Richardson, NAGICO HR Business Partner, St. Maarten, Saba & Statia explained. “By stepping into real-life work environments, students can gain valuable perspective and insight on what it takes to succeed in their chosen careers, and at NAGICO, we are a big proponent of this because we are an organization that is people-centric and focused.”

She mentioned that “It was inspiring to see the students engage with the teams even outside of the departments in which they were placed, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine curiosity about the work we do. We believe that investing in their development today will help shape a stronger workforce for our community tomorrow.”

The feedback from the students was very positive, and the employees, in turn, found the experience rewarding and energizing, as mentioned, it had them reflecting on their own career journeys during the mentoring period.

Shadow Week, according to the St. Dominic High School, is more than just a glimpse into the workplace—it’s a bridge between education and employment, helping students build connections, gain clarity, and envision their future with greater confidence.

NAGICO Insurances was humbled to be part of this experience, and we look forward to continuing this initiative and expanding opportunities for our young minds to explore, learn, and grow.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Solemn Public meeting on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The Public meeting is scheduled for 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:

10-10-2025: Commemorating the Fifteenth Anniversary of the attainment of Country Status of Sint Maarten within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; A reflection of 15 years of Country Status.

It has become customary that the Parliament of Sint Maarten organizes a solemn meeting of Parliament every 5 years on the

occasion of attainment of separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

While the official date is October 10^th, this year’s festivities, celebrating Country Sint Maarten 15^th anniversary will take place on October 13, 2025. This also means the Parliament of Sint Maarten has existed for 15 Years.

For this special occasion, Parliament have invited several key stakeholders, dignitaries and special invited guests amongst others former Presidents of Parliament, and former Secretary Generals of Parliament to be part of the solemn meeting.

Besides the customary speeches by the President of Parliament and Faction Leaders, the program of this ceremonial gathering also includes a speech by the First President of Parliament, drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, and speeches by former recipients of the President of Parliament Award Mr. Ralph Cantave and Ms. Rochana Richardson.

A ceremony to unveil the Presidents and Secretaries General Wall and the burial of Parliament’s Time Capsule will take place in the lobby area at the House of Parliament, immediately following the solemn meeting. 

Access to the house of Parliament for this special occasion is upon invitation only.  

The General Public is invited to follow the ceremony, via live broadcast on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

CUPE COY:--- His Excellency, Governor of Sint Maarten, Ajamu G. Baly, hereby informs the public that the 2025 Governor’s Symposium, originally scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, has been postponed to Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

This decision follows the official communique issued by the Government of Sint Maarten on October 9, 2025, stating that the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the country, with tropical-storm conditions expected within the next 24 hours.

After consultation with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), the Government has announced the closure of all non-essential offices on Friday, October 10, 2025, as a precautionary measure.

In light of these developments and to ensure the safety of all guests, contributors, and participants, His Excellency the Governor, together with the 2025 Symposium Organizing Committee, has decided to postpone the event to Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Governor Baly and the Organizing Committee thank all stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation, and encourage the public to monitor official updates from the Government of Sint Maarten and the Meteorological Department.

Attendance at the Symposium is by invitation only. However, the public is invited to join the conversation virtually via livestream on the Governor’s Facebook page and YouTube channel beginning at 8:30 a.m. Registration for in-person guests will start at 8:00 a.m., and the program will commence promptly at 8:45 a.m.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The government of St. Maarten has issued multiple warnings and advisories as Tropical Storm Jerry approaches the region, prompting preparations for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hazardous sea conditions. The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT) has also announced specific guidelines for business operations.

According to the 5:30 PM special weather bulletin from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten on Thursday, the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located approximately 175 miles east-southeast of the island. The storm is moving west-northwest at 18 mph with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. On its current forecast track, Jerry's closest point to St. Maarten is expected to be about 85 miles to the northeast early on Friday, October 10th.

In response to the approaching storm, several warnings are now in effect for St. Maarten:

• A Tropical Storm Warning

• A Flood Watch

• A Small Craft Warning

• Officials anticipate significant weather impacts beginning Thursday evening and continuing through Friday. The storm is forecast to produce rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with the heaviest downpours expected from Friday into Saturday. These conditions could lead to flash flooding and rock falls in vulnerable areas. Tropical storm-force winds are likely to affect the island from Thursday night through Friday, and sea swells are predicted to peak near 13 feet.
• Following the meteorological updates, the Ministry of TEATT issued an announcement regarding business operations. All businesses are permitted to remain open until 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10th. However, the ministry encourages business owners to use their own discretion and prioritize safety when deciding whether to operate within the permitted hours.
• An additional update will be provided by 9:00 a.m. on Friday concerning the operating hours for essential businesses and guidance on the reopening of all establishments over the weekend.
• Residents are strongly urged to finalize all storm preparedness measures and to stay informed through official government channels. The public, especially those in low-lying and coastal areas, should take necessary precautions to protect life and property. The Meteorological Department will continue to monitor the storm's progress and issue further updates.