Daily Archives: May 14, 2017

Caribbean Netherlands – Wikipedia

Posted: May 14, 2017 at 6:07 pm

For all of the Caribbean entities with constitutional links with the Netherlands, see Dutch Caribbean. Caribbean Netherlands Caribisch Nederland(Dutch) Overseas region of the Netherlands Location of the Caribbean Netherlands (green and circled). From left to right: Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius. Coordinates: 1211N 6814W / 12.183N 68.233W / 12.183; -68.233 Country Netherlands Special municipalities Incorporated into theNetherlands 10 October 2010 (dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles) Government(see Politics of the Netherlands) National Rep. Gilbert Isabella Lt.Governors Area Total 328km2 (127sqmi) (69998000000000000000.8% of the Netherlands) Highestelevation (Mount Scenery) 887m (2,910ft) Population (2010) Total 21,133 Density 64/km2 (170/sqmi) (69991000000000000000.1% of the Netherlands) Languages Official Dutch Recognised regional Time zone AST (UTC4) Calling code +599 ISO 3166 code BQ, NL-BQ1, NL-BQ2, NL-BQ3 Currency United States dollar (USD)[2] Internet TLD .nl, .an,a.bqb ^ .an is to be discontinued[3] ^ .bq is assigned but not used[4][5]

The Caribbean Netherlands[6][7] (Dutch: Caribisch Nederland) are the three special municipalities of the Netherlands that are located in the Caribbean Sea. They consist of the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba,[a 1] although the term "Caribbean Netherlands" is sometimes used to refer to all of the islands in the Dutch Caribbean. In legislation, the three islands are also known as the BES islands (a more traditional acronym of their names). The islands are currently classified as public bodies in the Netherlands and as overseas countries and territories of the European Union; thus, EU law does not automatically apply.

Bonaire (including the islet of Klein Bonaire) is one of the Leeward Antilles and is located close to the coast of Venezuela. Sint Eustatius and Saba are in the main Lesser Antilles group and are located south of Sint Maarten and northwest of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The three islands gained their current status following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010.[8] At the same time, the islands of Curaao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries (Dutch: landen) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.[9] The island of Aruba is also a constituent country of the Kingdom located in the Caribbean. The term "Dutch Caribbean" may refer to the three special municipalities (e.g. for stamps), but may also refer to all of the Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The population of the BES islands is 21,000. Their total area is 328 square kilometres (127sqmi).

The islands of the Caribbean Netherlands first voted in Dutch general elections in 2012.[10]

The special municipalities (Dutch: bijzondere gemeenten) carry many of the functions normally performed by Dutch municipalities. The executive power rests with the Governing Council headed by a Lieutenant governor. The main democratic body is the island council. Dutch citizens of these three islands are entitled to vote in Dutch national and (as all Dutch nationals) in European elections.

Officially the islands are classed in Dutch law as being openbare lichamen (literally translated as "public bodies") and not gemeenten (municipalities). Unlike normal municipalities, they do not form part of a Dutch province[11] and the powers normally exercised by provincial councils within municipalities are divided between the island governments themselves and the central government by means of the National Office for the Caribbean Netherlands. For this reason, they are called "special" municipalities.

For many Dutch laws there is a special BES version.[12] For example, social security is not on the same level as it is in the European Netherlands.[citation needed]

The National Office for the Caribbean Netherlands (Dutch: Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland) is responsible for taxation, policing, immigration, transport infrastructure, health, education, and social security in the islands and provides these services on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands.[15] This agency was established as the Regional Service Center in 2008 and became the National Office for the Caribbean Netherlands on 1 September 2010.[16][17] The current director is Jan Helmond.[18] The Representative for the public bodies of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba represents the Government of the Netherlands on the islands and also performs tasks similar to a King's Commissioner.[citation needed] The current representative is Gilbert Isabella.[19]

The islands do not form part of the European Union and instead constitute "overseas countries and territories" (OCT status) of the Union, to which special provisions apply.[a 2] The Lisbon Treaty introduced a procedure where the European Council may change the status of an overseas territory of Denmark, France, or the Netherlands regarding the application of the EU treaties to that territory.[a 3] In June 2008, the Dutch government published a survey of the legal and economic impacts by a switched status from OCT to OMR.[20][21] The position of the islands will be reviewed after a five-year transitional period, which began with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in October 2010.[22] The review will be conducted as part of the planned review of the Dutch "Act for the Public bodies Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba" (Dutch: "Wet openbare lichamen Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (WolBES)"), where the islands have been granted the option to become an Outermost region and thus a direct part of the European Union.[23] In October 2015, the review concluded the present legal structures for governance and integration with European Netherlands was not working well within the framework of WolBES, but no recommendations were made in regards of whether a switch from OCT to OMR status would help improve this situation.[24][25][26][27]

The Caribbean Netherlands form part of the Lesser Antilles. Within this island group,

Map showing Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba within the former Netherlands Antilles.

The Caribbean BES islands are subdivisions of the country of the Netherlands and are therefore referred to as the Caribbean Netherlands.

The islands of the Caribbean Netherlands enjoy a tropical climate with warm weather all year round. The Leeward Islands are warmer and drier than the Windward islands. In summer, the Windward Islands can be subject to hurricanes.

Until 1 January 2011, the three islands used the Netherlands Antillean guilder; after that all three switched to the US dollar, rather than the euro (which is used in the European Netherlands) or the Caribbean guilder (which is being adopted by the other two former Antillean islands of Curaao and Sint Maarten).[28]

The telephone country code remains 599, that of the former Netherlands Antilles, and is shared with Curaao. The International Organization for Standardization has assigned the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code ISO 3166-2:BQ for these islands.[29] The IANA has not established a root zone for the .bq Internet ccTLD and whether it will be used is unknown.

More here:

Caribbean Netherlands - Wikipedia

Posted in Caribbean | Comments Off on Caribbean Netherlands – Wikipedia

Paul McCartney sails the seas in new ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ – CNET

Posted: at 6:07 pm

The Beatles once sang about how they all lived in a yellow submarine. Now Paul McCartney is ending up on the topside of the waves instead -- aboard a pirate ship in the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales."

On Saturday, the musician shared a photo on Twitter of himself in pirate costume and makeup from the new film.

Disney did not immediately return a request to confirm the role. But Deadline covered McCartney's casting more than a year ago, saying at the time that the musician will appear in an extra scene that was filmed after the rest of the movie was finished.

McCartney's not the first high-profile musician to step aboard the franchise. Rolling Stones founder Keith Richards plays Captain Edward Teague, father of Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow, the star of the franchise. McCartney's role could not be confirmed at press time, though the Internet Movie Database lists him as playing "Jail Guard 2."

The "Pirates" set sail again May 26 in the US and UK, and May 25 in Australia.

More here:

Paul McCartney sails the seas in new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' - CNET

Posted in Caribbean | Comments Off on Paul McCartney sails the seas in new ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ – CNET

The View from Europe: Why the concerns of Caribbean youth matter – Barbados Advocate

Posted: at 6:07 pm

The View from Europe: Why the concerns of Caribbean youth matter
Barbados Advocate
In much of the world, young people feel economically marginalised, politically alienated and in a struggle against insecurity and inequity. In the Caribbean, it is little different. Lack of opportunity, the absence of generational change, high levels ...

and more »

Go here to see the original:

The View from Europe: Why the concerns of Caribbean youth matter - Barbados Advocate

Posted in Caribbean | Comments Off on The View from Europe: Why the concerns of Caribbean youth matter – Barbados Advocate

Roy Cape All Stars wows fans at Bahamas carnival* – Trinidad & Tobago Express

Posted: at 6:06 pm

STARRING AT JUNKANOO: Carlisle Juiceman Roberts of Roy Cape All Stars on stage.

Roy Cape All Stars did not disappoint with its Season of Brass tour stop during the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival celebrations last weekend in the vibrant city of Nassau. Fans who travelled far and wide for the festivities were treated to stellar performances from the bands resident artistes - Blaxx, Ricardo Drue, Teddyson John and reigning International Soca Monarch, Voice (Aaron St Louis) - over three nights of entertainment. Other live band performances included Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons with the Asylum Band and Machel Montano (also known as Monk Mont) and his full band. With thousands of patrons in attendance each night, Roy Cape All Stars continued their dominant display of versatility on the music scene, much to the delight of those in attendance. The band also performed sets with other guest soca acts such as Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy (Darryl Henry), Denise Belfon, Peter Ram and Lyrikal (Jesse James Enoch), who were very well-received.

View post:

Roy Cape All Stars wows fans at Bahamas carnival* - Trinidad & Tobago Express

Posted in Bahamas | Comments Off on Roy Cape All Stars wows fans at Bahamas carnival* – Trinidad & Tobago Express

Maryland regulators OK nation’s largest offshore wind plan – Rapid City Journal

Posted: at 6:06 pm

ANNAPOLIS, Md. | Maryland regulators on Thursday approved plans for the nation's first large-scale offshore wind projects, saying the decision will position the state to be a leader in the developing industry.

The Maryland Public Service Commission awarded renewable energy credits on Thursday for two projects off Maryland's Eastern Shore near Ocean City. The PSC says the decision allows US Wind of Baltimore and Skipjack Offshore Energy, a subsidiary of Deepwater Wind, to build a total of 368 megawatts of capacity.

Those projects significantly outrank by size the nation's sole offshore wind farm known as Block Island off Rhode Island. That farm, which is owned by Deepwater Wind, has only five turbines and a 30-megawatt capacity.

US Wind's proposal is to build 62 turbines between 12 and 15 nautical miles offshore to generate 248 megawatts. It will cost an estimated $1.4 billion to build. Skipjack's plan is for 15 turbines between 17 and 21 miles offshore to produce 120 megawatts. It will cost about $720 million to build.

"The approval today of the nation's first large-scale offshore wind projects brings to fruition the General Assembly's efforts to establish Maryland as a regional hub for this burgeoning industry," said W. Kevin Hughes, the commission chairman.

The Maryland General Assembly approved a regulatory framework for offshore wind in 2013, after repeated efforts by then-Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat.

The plan comes at some cost for electricity ratepayers, once electricity is produced by the wind farms. The commission says the impact on utility bills is expected to be less than $1.40 a month for residential customers and less than 1.4 percent on the annual bills of commercial and industrial customers, according to the commission's independent consultant, Levitan & Associates.

US Wind's project is expected to be operational in early 2020.

"This decision cements Maryland as a first-mover we will now be the epicenter of this exciting new industry for decades to come," said Paul Rich, director of project development for US Wind.

Skipjack estimates opening its operation near the end of 2022.

The PSC said the two projects are expected to yield more than $1.8 billion of in-state spending. The agency says the projects are estimated to create nearly 9,700 new direct and indirect jobs and contribute $74 million in state tax revenues over 20 years.

The PSC's decision is contingent on approval by the federal government of the developers' site assessment plans, as well as construction and operations plans.

The plan includes a focus on developing port facilities in the Baltimore area and Ocean City. It calls for developers to invest at least $76 million in a steel fabrication plant in Maryland and at least $39.6 million for upgrades at Baltimore County's Tradepoint Atlantic shipyard, formerly Sparrows Point.

Commissioner Michael Richard said the wind farms will "enables us to meet our clean, renewable energy goals using energy generated within the state while conditioning our approval on holding project developers to their promises of creating jobs and spurring economic growth."

Read more:

Maryland regulators OK nation's largest offshore wind plan - Rapid City Journal

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on Maryland regulators OK nation’s largest offshore wind plan – Rapid City Journal

‘The system here is broken’: Secret recording reveals failures of offshore detention regime – The Sydney Morning Herald

Posted: at 6:06 pm

Two refugees under Australia's care in Nauru are desperately seeking medical evacuations to Australia to escape a health regime thata government-contracted doctor on the island has admitted is "broken".

The men, respectively suffering debilitating headaches and a severeanal fistula, have been unable to secure medical transfers and are being told their fate is in the hands of the government of Nauru.

Play Video Don't Play

Play Video Don't Play

Previous slide Next slide

A secret audio recording captures a doctor in Nauru stating the system there is broken.

Play Video Don't Play

The budget lifts the government in the latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll, but Labor still leads, Mark Kenny explains.

Play Video Don't Play

Passengers on a Jetstar flight were left sweltering as they waited on the tarmac at Phuket, after which their flight was eventually cancelled. Vision courtesy Network Ten

Play Video Don't Play

After announcing his travel intentions on his podcast, there are calls to ban white nationalist leader Mike Enoch from visiting Australia. Vision: Ten News

Play Video Don't Play

For the first time, the captain of the imperilled Qantas Flight 72 reveals his horrific experience of automation's dark side.

Play Video Don't Play

In the context of child custody, neither parent has rights. They only have responsibilities. Artist: Matt Davidson.

Play Video Don't Play

Sydney has won a global bid to host the 'Davos of women' after it was backed by leading business and political leaders. Video provided.

A secret audio recording captures a doctor in Nauru stating the system there is broken.

Nawaf*, a refugee,has had the advanced fistula for more than two years and has refused surgery in Nauru because of concerns about infection during recovery, which requires the wound be left open to drain.

"It has become so bad that I have constant bleeding from the affected area, especially when I showerand use the toilet, and I am in severe pain," he wrote in a complaint lodged last year.

Another man, Afghani refugee Khan*, has been advised he requires an MRI not available in Nauru to treat severe occipital headaches, which leave him liable to lose consciousness and collapse.

In a secret recording given to Fairfax Media, a senior medical officer with contractor International Health and Medical Services concedesthe system is failing to provide adequate care for refugees on the island.

"This system here is broken," the doctor tells Khan. The doctor admits he has been unable to attain approval for a medical transfer.

"I've got to be careful, I've got to promise youwhat Ican deliver," he says in the recording. "Iasked all the questions last time: why is this man still here, why hasn't it been done? He's been waiting for sevenmonths at least.

"It's not working, thesystemis not working."

Khan agrees: "The system is broken, but we are suffering."

Asylum seeker advocates gave the patients' medical records to Melbourne GP Susan Ditchfield, who said the two men should be brought toAustralia urgently.

"[Khan]needs more than an MRI ... he needs a neurologist and he needs a cardiologist," she said.

Of Nawaf's fistula, Dr Ditchfield said: "The management of that is really specialised.Unless you get it exactly right, the patient can end up with permanent fecal incontinence.

"There are surgeons who specialise in this sort of surgery, and even in the best of hands it can go badly.It's very unlikely that such a surgeon is working on Nauru.

"These people need assessment in Australia.They are suffering needlessly."

Sandra Bartlett, a former case manager on Nauru, said "Fly Camp" whereNawafis living has "the least facilities and worst conditions" of any settlement on the island, with about 120 men sharing bathrooms.

A spokesperson for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection told Fairfax Media the process for medical referrals in Nauru was under the management of the Republic of Nauru.

In an emailto the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre sent on Friday, the department says Australian Border Force chief medical officer John Brayley acknowledges concerns about Khan's case, butconsideration of medical transfers isa matter for the government of Nauru.

Refugeesseeking offshore transfers for medical purposes must first approach staff at IHMS, which in turn negotiates with Nauru or Papua New Guinea, before a final decision is made by the DIBP.

Peter Rudolph, area medical director at IHMS, told a Senate inquiry in Marchthat while the department acted "rapidly" on very urgent matters, "with regard to semi-urgent cases, yes, there are delays".

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is only informed of the matter after a decision has been made by thedepartment, the inquiry heard.

* Names have been changed

See more here:

'The system here is broken': Secret recording reveals failures of offshore detention regime - The Sydney Morning Herald

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on ‘The system here is broken’: Secret recording reveals failures of offshore detention regime – The Sydney Morning Herald

Pembrokeshire offshore wave energy site considered – BBC News

Posted: at 6:06 pm


BBC News
Pembrokeshire offshore wave energy site considered
BBC News
A feasibility study is to consider plans for an offshore wave energy site off Pembrokeshire. The Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone study, by Black & Veatch, will take nine months and look at the site's commercial viability. Wave Hub secured nearly 325 ...

and more »

Read more from the original source:

Pembrokeshire offshore wave energy site considered - BBC News

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on Pembrokeshire offshore wave energy site considered – BBC News

OEG Offshore Announces Merger with Cargo Specialist Paragon Industries – #OILMANNEWS (blog)

Posted: at 6:06 pm

OEG Offshore announced on May 1, 2017, that it would be merging with Cargo Specialist Paragon Industries. OEG Offshore specializes in producing and delivering customized mini containers, dry van containers, offshore baskets, pumps and filters, and a variety of other containment and utility products. The firm was founded in 2010 in Aberdeen, Scotland when Vertec Engineering and Continental Offshore merged in January of the same year.

The merger with Paragon Industries, a manufacturer of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), line pipe products, and structural pipe piling, will further heighten OEGs position as one of the worlds leading offshore container suppliers. The deal will increase OEGs already extensive fleet by 1400 units and will include new container designs from Paragon. OEGs presence in the Gulf Coast will be further solidified with the addition of some new full-service locations.

We are delighted to align with Leonard and the Paragon team to develop our product range in the US Gulf of Mexico market and believe that with the similar culture and service ethos of OEG and Paragon that we shall achieve a rapid integration of the two companies and provide rapid benefits to our expanded customer base, stated OEG Offshore Chief Executive John Heiton.

Paragon was founded in 1987 by Leonard J Guarisco, Snr., the father of the current President and CEO Leonard J Guarisco, Jr. It has been servicing its clients by moving cargo between land and sea on the Gulf Coast, operating out of its main facility in Morgan City.

Paragon Industries is confident that its merger with OEG Offshore will result in a new, united ability to offer an increased breadth and depth of complementary product offerings and service capabilities to meet our customers requirements. This merger will not only support ongoing working relationships with our existing customer bases but will provide a more efficient and effective enterprise to continue to provide and improve its quality level of service across a broader scope of needs, stated Paragon President & CEO, Leonard J. Guarisco, Jr.

Read more from the original source:

OEG Offshore Announces Merger with Cargo Specialist Paragon Industries - #OILMANNEWS (blog)

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on OEG Offshore Announces Merger with Cargo Specialist Paragon Industries – #OILMANNEWS (blog)

David Beckham to buy private island for wife… – Hamilton Spectator

Posted: at 6:05 pm

David Beckham is reportedly planning on buying his wife Victoria an island for their 20th anniversary.

The retired soccer star is marking two decade since he first started dating the 43-year-old former Spice Girls singer, and is believed to be eyeing up a number of private islands as a gift for his long term partner.

According to sources, 42-year-old David - who has three sons Brooklyn, 18, Romeo, 14, and Cruz, 12, as well as five-year-old daughter Harper with his spouse - has all but settled on the 250-acre island of Bird Cay, in the South Berry Islands of Nassau, which will reportedly set him back a cool 7 million should he decide to splurge on the tropical paradise.

The decision to look into a private island reportedly comes as Victoria - who was known as Posh Spice during her time with the 'Wannabe' hitmakers - "craves normality" for her family and wants to be able to enjoy a vacation without being hounded by paparazzi.

A source told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: "The Beckhams, particularly Posh, crave normality for their family times. Photos of Victoria in her bikini are incredibly rare because she is now very conscious about her body.

"So David wanted to give her that gift of privacy to mark two decades since they first started dating, a place where she can be totally relaxed.

"They love being on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island, so for David this was the logical next step. The Caribbean Islands are incredible, so they really are spoilt for choice, but Bird Cay is looking like the one."

The island in question is said to include 4.75 miles of water frontage, with a stunning historic two-storey main residence which overlooks the ocean, as well as an extra five waterfront cottages.

The current owner of Bird Cay said of the property: "[It is] quite simply a tropical paradise tailor-made for a business retreat, a family compound or a stunning island resort."

David has not yet finalised his decision, however, and it is believed that the eight-acre island of Sandy Cay in The Abacos in the Bahamas, as well as the Toad Hall Estate in the British Virgin Islands, are also possibilities for the famous family.

Read more:

David Beckham to buy private island for wife... - Hamilton Spectator

Posted in Private Islands | Comments Off on David Beckham to buy private island for wife… – Hamilton Spectator

Marsa Al Arab project near Burj Al Arab to feature two new luxury islands – The National

Posted: at 6:05 pm


TimeOutDubai.com
Marsa Al Arab project near Burj Al Arab to feature two new luxury islands
The National
Marsa Al Arab will be spread across 4 million square feet of land, including two islands. One of the islands aims to be a family-friendly tourist destination, while the other is to include luxury villas and a private marina. The designs include 2.2 ...
Dubai launches mega Dhs6.3bn tourism project featuring two ...Gulf Business News
HUGE new island project announced for DubaiTimeOutDubai.com
Sheikh Mohammed launches Dubai's new Marsa Al Arab hotel projectHotelier Middle East
Trade Arabia -What's On -ArabianBusiness.com
all 14 news articles »

Link:

Marsa Al Arab project near Burj Al Arab to feature two new luxury islands - The National

Posted in Private Islands | Comments Off on Marsa Al Arab project near Burj Al Arab to feature two new luxury islands – The National