Video Now In SXM. Overturned Cement Truck

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

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Video Now In SXM. Overturned Cement Truck

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American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine Offers Medical School Scholarships to Canadians

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With an ongoing doctor shortage in Canada, American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine is providing scholarships of approximately $73,000 (CAD) per student for Canadians accepted to the university.

“Many wish to return to Canada to practice and help address crucial healthcare workforce and access issues, such as the doctor shortage.”

Currently, more than 150 Canadian students attend AUC School of Medicine, the overwhelming majority of whom received scholarships totaling more than four million Canadian dollars. Over the past two decades, the school has helped hundreds of Canadians become practicing physicians, many with the help of scholarships.

“Our medical students from Canada, whether they choose to study at our campus in Sint Maarten or at our new campus in the U.K., are important assets to our community at AUC School of Medicine. They take advantage of the opportunities for community engagement, and many take on leadership roles within the student body,” said Dr. Heidi Chumley, executive dean of AUC School of Medicine. “Many wish to return to Canada to practice and help address crucial healthcare workforce and access issues, such as the doctor shortage.”

While 15% of Canadians aged 12 and older don’t have a regular healthcare provider1, the problem is much worse in in rural regions, which attract just 10% of the nation’s doctors.2

The AUC School of Medicine Canadian scholarship is available to incoming Canadian students who qualify, and is renewable each semester when the student maintains good academic standing. To learn more visit: aucmed.edu.

About American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC School of Medicine) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. AUC School of Medicine’s mission is to train tomorrow’s physicians, whose service to their communities and their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement. Founded in 1978, AUC School of Medicine has more than 7,000 graduates, many of whom work in primary care or underserved areas. Dedicated to developing physicians with a lifelong commitment to patient-centered care, AUC School of Medicine embraces collaboration, inclusion and community service. With a campus in Sint Maarten, affiliated teaching hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom, and internationally recognized faculty, AUC School of Medicine has a diverse medical education program for today’s globally minded physician. For more information visit aucmed.edu, follow AUC School of Medicine on Twitter (@aucmed), Instagram (@aucmed_edu) and Facebook (@aucmed).

About Adtalem Global Education

The purpose of Adtalem Global Education is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a leading workforce solutions provider and the parent organization of Adtalem Educacional do Brasil (IBMEC, Damásio and Wyden institutions), American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please visit adtalem.com and follow us on Twitter (@adtalemglobal) and LinkedIn.

1 Statistics Canada, 2018 Data
2 Review of family medicine within rural and remote Canada: education, practice, and policy, 2016.

http://www.businesswire.com

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“Politicians standing in the way of success in Sint Maarten” antilliaansdagblad.com

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

The Hague – Young professionals on Sint Maarten have a positive attitude and want to help their country move forward. But they worry about “seemingly small things” that keep blocking success. Politicians are more concerned with themselves than with the future of their country.

State Secretary Raymond Knops of Kingdom Relations heard this from them during his visit last week.
Two days after his return, Knops already sent a report to the House of Representatives, in which he described a meeting with young professionals. He spoke with them about administrative development, economic recovery, strengthening social cohesion and care for the natural environment. “I am impressed by the positive forces and the potential that became visible,” Knops writes.
The State Secretary says that he was affected by the care that came through during the meeting. Politics stands in the way of progress, as a result of which talent “struggles to find their way elsewhere”, he describes the mood among young professionals. “The benevolent forces on Sint Maarten are facing a huge challenge at the moment.” The challenge, according to Knops, is also “complex” to do the right thing in these circumstances, but he assures the House that the interests of the population are important. of Sint Maarten is paramount.
Earlier in his letter Knops describes how he arrived in Sint Maarten in the middle of a political crisis. He then immediately emphasized to Governor Eugene Holiday and Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin that the interests of the population are leading for the Dutch cabinet and that the instability is not conducive to reconstruction.
The state secretary describes how the governor tackled the crisis and launched new elections before 25 November. The consequences for the reconstruction projects are still unclear. For example, the financing plan for the recovery of the airport and a plan for dealing with the waste mountain are ready, but the government of Sint Maarten “must fulfill its part of the agreements”. “The Netherlands will follow developments closely and determine its position on the basis thereof.”
In a speech that Knops ultimately could not hold for the States, he had wanted to say that political games do not fit because they block important developments. The unspoken speech has, for the most part, been published in The Daily Herald and subsequently in this newspaper.
In his report, Knops also refers to the latest progress report on detention facilities and the police. This shows that, although the buildings are being refurbished and adapted, investments in human capital and improvement of the organization are not keeping pace.
More optimistic is the minister about recovery projects from the National Recovery Program Bureau. Nearly a thousand houses have been repaired from hurricane damage, 500 are being tackled in the short term and more than 1,300 people have received training to support themselves. Results are also achieved in the recovery of schools and shelters and young people who are at a distance from the labor market are working at Waste2Work with expertise in converting waste into furniture and other utensils.

http://antilliaansdagblad.com

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The Hague alderman RAIDED on suspicion of bribery and corruption🤔

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

In the City Hall of The Hague, the National Criminal Investigation Department searches the offices of two aldermen and the workplaces of a number of civil servants. The investigation focuses on official corruption, bribery and violation of official secrecy.

These are Richard de Mos and Rachid Guernaoui. The former is alderman for Economy, Sport and Outdoor Space and in addition 1st deputy mayor, Guernaoui is alderman for Finance, Integration and Districts. They are suspected of arranging permits against payment, among other things. Both aldermen are members of the political party Groep de Mos / Hart for The Hague.

Dozens of investigators

The homes of the aldermen and the addresses of three entrepreneurs in The Hague who are suspected of bribery are also searched. An examining magistrate from the Rotterdam District Court is in charge of the searches. Dozens of government investigators and two prosecutors are also taking part in the campaign.

This concerns a suspicion about, among other things, the Zalencentrum Opera and the night permit granted to this company. The owner is entrepreneur Atilla Akyol; he was list pusher (place 35) of De Mos / Hart Group for The Hague in the municipal elections in 2018.

The discussion about the relationship between Akyol and De Mos has been going on for a long time. Two years ago, for example, there were already allegations of favoritism between De Mos and entrepreneurs, the ADreported .

Night permits

Akyol is said to have supported the party financially in exchange for, among other things, confidential information from the city council. He was not available for comment this afternoon. In addition, a party council member is suspected of being involved in official corruption.

Press officer Jirko Patist: “Among other things, this concerns permits in the hospitality industry, in particular night permits. There were indications that permits could be purchased against payment. That was the reason to start this investigation. It is now still suspected that people are involved bribery or granting permits that would have been paid for. At the moment there is no reason to arrest people, but I don’t exclude anything. “

Consultation city council

Mayor Pauline Krikke has convened all the group chairmen of the Hague city council for consultation, this afternoon at 2 p.m. Krikke responded on Twitter that she was very shocked:

https://nos.nl/artikel/2304154-invallen-bij-wethouders-den-haag-wegens-verdenking-omkoping-en-corruptie.html

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Reconstruction in St Maarten threatened by unstable government. Latest From Holland

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

In the House of Representatives, the unrest about St. Maarten, the Caribbean island, is sinking further and further into political chaos. The CDA wants the government to intervene as quickly as possible.

More than a week ago, the government of St Maarten fell for the ninth time in ten years. Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo lost the majority in parliament after the resignation of two representatives of the United Democrats ruling party. The prime minister has launched new elections scheduled for November 25. In the meantime a majority of the parliament has submitted a motion of no confidence and sent the Marlin-Romeo home.

State Secretary Raymond Knops (Kingdom Relations) was on the island last week due to a previously planned working visit and landed ‘in the middle of the crisis’. He shares the concerns in the Lower House. St Maarten is still recovering from hurricane Irma , two years ago. The Netherlands has pledged 550 million euros in emergency aid. It is therefore of great importance to Knops that the island has a stable and reliable government, so that the money is spent in a responsible manner.

The new generation is tired of corruption, but is offside

But the CDA has no confidence whatsoever that that stable government will actually come after 25 November. The problem is, says MP Chris van Dam, “that these mid-term elections are coming too quickly.” “New parties cannot participate because they cannot register with the Electoral Council in time.”

Van Dam fears that power will automatically return to the old guard, such as former Prime Minister William Marlin. Knops collided hard with him at the end of 2017 because of a fight over the Dutch emergency aid on the island. Eventually Marlin stepped up as prime minister, under pressure from ‘The Hague’.

Van Dam: “There is a new generation on the island who is sick of corruption and abuse. But this generation will be sidelined in the upcoming elections. This goes wrong, while the interests are great. Not only is reconstruction now in danger, the island urgently needs to tackle money laundering. Otherwise, St. Maarten could, for example, end up on the black list of the United States and tourists would no longer be able to pin. “

550 million euros in aid money can be distributed

The possibilities of the Dutch cabinet are limited. St Maarten is an autonomous country within the kingdom; intervention from The Hague is only possible with a very high exception. The Council of Ministers of the Kingdom (the cabinet supplemented with representatives from Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten) can take action if law enforcement or ‘good governance’ are at stake somewhere in the kingdom.

According to the CDA MP, the latter is now the case. “It cannot be the case that the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom are sitting together. The situation on St Maarten has been completely derailed in ten years. Now 550 million in aid money can be distributed, which is dangerous. People are busy collecting their share. Pure corruption. “

In the Chamber, VVD and SP have been arguing for some time to put the Caribbean islands further at a distance, a kind of Commonwealth construction, so that the obligations back and forth expire. The CDA does not feel like it, says Van Dam. “I consider the kingdom a family, we have the same king. You sometimes argue with each other, but when it comes down to it, you help the other. We want to do that now. But then there must be a decent government. “

https://www.trouw.nl/politiek/de-politieke-crisis-op-sint-maarten-bedreigt-de-wederopbouw~ba846803/

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Administrative Crisis in St Maarten: Stef Blok gets homework from the Chamber again. Latest from Holland

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

ADMINISTRATION CRISIS: St Maarten is not doing well, and that is mildly stated. Last week, on the Caribbean island, part of the Kingdom, the ninth governmentfell in ten years . After hurricane Irma, the Netherlands pledged half a billion in emergency aid, but only a tiny part has been spent. State Secretary Knops (Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, CDA) wants to wait until there is a stable government before he makes more money available. But will take a while.

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NRPB ENGAGES BAKER TILLY FOR FINANCIAL AUDIT OF RECOVERY PROJECTS

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

PHILIPSBURG- In line with the principles of transparency and good governance, the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) recently signed off on the contracting of local auditing firm Baker Tilly to conduct a full financial audit of the first Trust Fund projects. The audit will give an independent assessment of the financial reports of the NRPB. It will review the eligibility of expenditures made and compliance with the applicable laws and regulations

“My mantra throughout the implementation of the Trust Fund continues to be that we can only spend the money once. It is our responsibility as the NRPB to spend it in the most efficient, sustainable and transparent manner possible. We are not only accountable to the people of Sint Maarten but also to the Dutch taxpayers who have provided us with this grant. Receiving such a generous gift comes with the responsibility of ensuring that we are fully compliant with the required checks and balances.” Claret Connor, NRPB Director expresses.

The audit will cover the first 18 months of project implementation since the signing of the first grant agreement in July 2018. “Once projects have been approved by the Steering Committee, and the grant agreement has been signed, the NRPB has the task to control the flow of money from the Trust Fund to vendors and other third parties.” Joan May, NRPB Financial Management Officer explained. “We are pleased with signing Baker Tilly as our external auditor. Their audits will be the final check that all procedures have been followed and that the allocated funds have been spent properly on the designated projects.”

Present at the contract signing on September 24thalong with Connor and May were Maarten Tervoort, Managing Director of Baker Tilly and Erik van Engelen, Senior Audit Manager. van Engelen expressed “I came back to St. Maarten after Irma to help and contribute to the rebuilding process. Unfortunately, auditor’s often come in when the money is already spent, but we are looking forward to confirming whether the funds have been spent correctly and will hit the ground running doing so”.

The first round of audits is scheduled to be completed by mid-December and will be released in accordance with the applicable regulations of the NRPB and the Trust Fund.

Photo caption (left to right): Erik van Engelen, Baker Tilly Senior Audit Manager Baker Tilly, Joan May, NRPB Financial Management Officer, Claret Connor, NRPB Director and Maarten Tervoort, Managing Director of Baker Tilly.

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Governor Appoints Silveria Jacobs Formateur, as Holland makes their move behind the scenes

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

The Governor of Sint Maarten,E.B. Holiday, has requested that formateur Silveria Jacobs, National Alliance faction leader form an interim government. Consultations were held between September 24th and 30th 2019 with the leaders of the parties with seats in Parliament, (the National Alliance, the United St. Maarten Party, the St. Maarten Christian Party and the Democratic Party), with the independent Members of Parliament C. Brownbill en L. Mercelina as well as with the vice chairperson of the Council of Advice.

On September 22, 2019, Brownbill and Mercelina defected to the National Alliance, and form a new government. The Council of Ministers handed in their resignation and dissolved Parliament.
The government will continue and complete ongoing business, including existing agreements, the Governor requested Ms. Jacobs to form an interim government.
In addition, the Governor requested the formateur to form an interim government that gives priority to conclude the legislation regarding the combating of money laundering and financing of terrorism, to execute the agreements made with The Netherlands regarding the financing of the national recovery of Sint Maarten, including the financing of the rehabilitation of the airport, to further prepare the execution of the elections, to take steps to realize electoral reform by bringing the Ordinance Registration and Finances of Political Parties and the Election Ordinance in accordance with the Constitution, and to concluding the budget for 2020.
The Governor further emphasized the importance of the strict observance of the regulatory requirements including the screening criteria, applicable to the appointment of candidate ministers.

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Hurricane Lorenzo path latest: NOAA map shows direct track to UK and Europe

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

Hurricane Lorenzo: Portugal sky turns grey as storm moves in

Lorenzo is a large and powerful hurricane tracking towards the UK across the central Atlantic. A series of hurricane and tropical-storm watches are in effect across the Azores as the storm tracks closer to the region. Lorenzo is currently packing winds of 105mph, making it a Category 2 storm according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. But what is the latest of this barreling storm which is heading straight for the UK?

Hurricane watches are in effect for western and central Azores, including Flores, Corvo, Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira.

While a tropical storm watch is in effect in the eastern Azores for São Miguel and Santa Maria.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory, issued at 5am AST (10am BST), the storm was located near latitude 28.7 north, longitude 43.1 west, roughly 690 miles west southwest of Flores in the western Azores.

The storm had maximum sustained winds at 105mph and was moving north northeast at 22mph.

Hurricane Lorenzo’s track is expected to continue its track in the same general direction but at a faster forward speed over the coming days..

On its forecast track, the centre of the storm is predicted to pass near the western Azores early on Wednesday.

Only slight weakening of the storm is expected before Lorenzo hits the Azores, with faster weakening expected on Thursday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165km) and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 345 miles (555km).

These winds are not the only hazard posed by this dangerous storm.
The rainfall also poses a risk, with an expected two to four inches of rain expected to batter the western Azores and could potentially cause life-threatening flash flooding.

Lorenzo is also generating swells which are spreading across much of the North Atlantic basin and which are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Met Office forecaster Steven Keates said: “Lorenzo is a real beast of a storm.
“It will be one of Europe’s strongest-ever tropical storms, as the Azores are part of Europe.

Hurricane Lorenzo path latest: A map showing the most likely arrival time for tropical-storm-force winds (Image: NOAA)
Hurricane Lorenzo path latest: A peak wind gust map of the UK on Wednesday, October 2 (Image: WXCHARTS)

“Lorenzo is expected to move to the UK by Thursday – bringing a couple of days with potentially worse conditions than this weekend.

“There are scenarios from gales to storm-force 70mph-plus gusts, but there’s uncertainty. Big waves and heavy rain are likely, with the west most likely to be affected.

“Before then, five or six inches’ rain will fall between Saturday and Tuesday in the wettest places. It’s clearly enough for flooding concerns.

“People should keep up-to-date with warnings and consider their travel options.”

Over the weekend, it was reported that Hurricane Lorenzo hit a wind speed of around 160mph, making it a Category 5 hurricane.

The storm has weakened since that time but it will still pose a risk.

It is likely that tropical storm winds will hit the UK through Wednesday night, as the storm continues to pass over the north of Great Britain.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill added “Our attention then turns to Hurricane Lorenzo, this is tracking northeastwards across the Atlantic, it could head towards the UK.

“It won’t be a hurricane by the time it does so, but there is the potential that it will bring something more unsettled by the end of the week.”

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1184433/hurricane-lorenzo-path-latest-noaa-map-hurricane-lorenzo-tracker-uk-europe-news

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LATEST FROM HOLLAND Political Crisis St Maarten CDA wants the Dutch to Intervene NOW.

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Sint Maarten News

In the House of Representatives, the unrest about St. Maarten, the Caribbean island, is sinking further and further into political chaos. The CDA wants the government to intervene as quickly as possible.

More than a week ago, the government of St Maarten fell for the ninth time in ten years. Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo lost the majority in parliament after the resignation of two representatives of the United Democrats ruling party. The prime minister has launched new elections scheduled for November 25. In the meantime a majority of the parliament has submitted a motion of no confidence and sent the Marlin-Romeo home.

State Secretary Raymond Knops (Kingdom Relations) was on the island last week due to a previously planned working visit and landed ‘in the middle of the crisis’. He shares the concerns in the Lower House. St Maarten is still recovering from hurricane Irma , two years ago. The Netherlands has pledged 550 million euros in emergency aid. It is therefore of great importance to Knops that the island has a stable and reliable government, so that the money is spent in a responsible manner.

The new generation is tired of corruption, but is offside

But the CDA has no confidence whatsoever that that stable government will actually come after 25 November. The problem is, says MP Chris van Dam, “that these mid-term elections are coming too quickly.” “New parties cannot participate because they cannot register with the Electoral Council in time.”

Van Dam fears that power will automatically return to the old guard, such as former Prime Minister William Marlin. Knops collided hard with him at the end of 2017 because of a fight over the Dutch emergency aid on the island. Eventually Marlin stepped up as prime minister, under pressure from ‘The Hague’.

Van Dam: “There is a new generation on the island who is sick of corruption and abuse. But this generation will be sidelined in the upcoming elections. This goes wrong, while the interests are great. Not only is reconstruction now in danger, the island urgently needs to tackle money laundering. Otherwise, St. Maarten could, for example, end up on the black list of the United States and tourists would no longer be able to pin. “

550 million euros in aid money can be distributed

The possibilities of the Dutch cabinet are limited. St Maarten is an autonomous country within the kingdom; intervention from The Hague is only possible with a very high exception. The Council of Ministers of the Kingdom (the cabinet supplemented with representatives from Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten) can take action if law enforcement or ‘good governance’ are at stake somewhere in the kingdom.

According to the CDA MP, the latter is now the case. “It cannot be the case that the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom are sitting together. The situation on St Maarten has been completely derailed in ten years. Now 550 million in aid money can be distributed, which is dangerous. People are busy collecting their share. Pure corruption. “

In the Chamber, VVD and SP have been arguing for some time to put the Caribbean islands further at a distance, a kind of Commonwealth construction, so that the obligations back and forth expire. The CDA does not feel like it, says Van Dam. “I consider the kingdom a family, we have the same king. You sometimes argue with each other, but when it comes down to it, you help the other. We want to do that now. But then there must be a decent government. “

https://www.trouw.nl/politiek/de-politieke-crisis-op-sint-maarten-bedreigt-de-wederopbouw~ba846803/?referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

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