PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on November 6, 2025.

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Ombudsman will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Presentation Annual Report 2024 - Ombudsman (IS/1267/2024-2025 dated July 29, 2025)

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 Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament

PHILIPSBURG:---  Public meeting no. 11 of the Parliamentary Year 2024-2025, which was scheduled to be held today, November 5, 2025, at 16.00hrs. With agenda point:

2. Ontwerplandsverordening houdende regels met betrekking tot een basisbetaalrekening voor consumenten (Landsverordening basisbetaalrekening) (Zittingsjaar 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 d.d. 20 december 2023)

Draft National Ordinance containing rules regarding a basic payment account for consumers (National Ordinance basic payment account) (Parliamentary year 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 dated 20 December 2023)

has been rescheduled to tomorrow, Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 15.00hrs.

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.