iNews Briefs
Only 6 persons attend Cayman police community meeting
George Town Police Commander meets with community residents in Prospect
The George Town Police Commander facilitated a community meeting on Monday night July 21st at 6pm at the Prospect Primary School Hall where only about 6 persons attended.
“The level of attendance was very disappointing” said Chief Inspector Angelique Howell, who is responsible for the District of George Town.
“While I understand that attending a meeting such this impacts on social & family, I was hoping for a greater turn out from the community in order that I could learn about the issues affecting them; and provide them with information about what we are doing in their area and the plans we may have for their area in the coming months”
CI Howell further observed that the police can only be effective when we work together in partnership with the community to reduce crime.
Despite the low turnout, CI Howell stated that a healthy discussion was had with those who did attend and she was pleased with the suggestions they received.
Complaints of the heavy speeding that consistently occurs along Shamrock Road, Spotts was voiced, and suggestions made that speed cameras would be beneficial in that area, as this would assist the police who cannot be everywhere all the time. The suggestion was accepted and the commander will be raising this with the National CCTV committee.
The group also discussed various ways in which to build partnership between the police and the communities, one suggestion being that the police should get the community involved when planning community meetings so that they can assist in getting the messages out to the public. The commander accepted the suggestion and promised that future meetings will see both police officers and community members driving it forward.
The meeting concluded at 8pm.
See also iNews Cayman story published today “Cayman Islands George Town Police Commander meets Scranton community”
Caribbean OTs choose economy as top topic for UK talks
From THE BVI BEACON
Economic diversification will be the top priority discussion topic in December when Caribbean overseas territory leaders meet with United Kingdom members of parliament during the Joint Ministerial Conference, according to a government press release.
Heads of Caribbean OTs met last week in the Cayman Islands and came to a consensus about this and other priority areas, including global standards of financial regulation, accountability and transparency; good governance; environmental stability; security and immigration, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said in the release.
He added that these areas “are relevant to all OTs” and are topics “on which we should engage further dialogue with the UK.”
The upcoming JMC will give OT and UK leaders a chance to “work together on a wide range of issues,” according to government.
“In recognising the right of all people of the OTs to self-determination, leaders will discuss strategies to uphold the principles of good governance,” the release states.
Financial services regulation and financial crime will also be addressed, as will “access to all passports” and “emergency travel,” according to government.
IMAGE: Overseas territory leaders pose last week at the recent Joint Ministerial Conference in the Cayman Islands. Photo: GIS
For more on this story go to: http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/news-articles-2/1547-featured-articles/5349-caribbean-ots-choose-economy-as-top-topic-for-uk-talks
See also related iNews Cayman story published July 21 2014 “UK territories reaffirm commitment to economic development at Cayman meeting” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/uk-territories-reaffirm-commitment-to-economic-development-at-cayman-meeting/
Crocs’ comeback plan flopped, and the brand is collapsing
By Hayley Peterson From Business Insider
Crocs’ comeback plan is a bust.
The company is cutting jobs and closing stores amid plummeting net income.
The company said Tuesday [22] that it plans to close 75 to 100 of its 624 stores globally and lay off 183 employees out of more than 5,000.
Net income fell a whopping 44% for the second quarter to $19.7 million, though revenues rose 3.6 percent to $376 million.
Crocs President Andrew Rees said in a statement that the performance shows “the need for dynamic change in our strategy, organization and approach to the market.”
Crocs was hoping that a new, sleeker line of shoes that was released this year — including ballet flats, pumps, and open-toe wedges — would revitalize the brand.
But the company’s new shoe styles failed to offset falling demand for its signature plastic clogs.
The new styles were “too big a reach for the brand,” Rees told the Wall Street Journal.
The company is now planning to cut back on its range of styles by 30% to 40%, as a result.
Crocs’ colorful plastic clogs soared in popularity a decade ago.
IMAGE: Reuters
For more http://www.businessinsider.com/the-crocs-brand-is-collapsing-2014-7#ixzz38J4OdNAp
Cayman opposition leader says NO to OMOV
In a surprising development on the One Man One Vote (OMOV) that the present government (PPM) promised they would immediately bring in but now have done a 180 degree turnaround, Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush has said he will also not support OMOV either.
Banging his same big old drum blasting the PPM government when they were in power five years ago for their “wanton disregard and understanding of the situation after its … mismanagement of our local economy, with huge projects and no money, yet leaving the largest loan bill the country ever faced – the country could not continue with a protracted ‘campaign’ and that’s what was going on then” for his reason for not backing the OMOV.
He said after listening to his constituents in West Bay he was still not for it and neither were they.
Most observers thought Bush would make political capital out of the PPM not honouring their campaign pledge and would now back the OMOV so his announcement has come as a surprise to a lot of people.
10 cases of chikungunya virus reported in NC
From WRAL
CONCORD, N.C. — North Carolina has recorded a 10th case of chikungunya virus, an infection spread by mosquito bites that can cause sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain in the hands and feet.
The most recent case, in Cabarrus County, was found in someone who had traveled to the Caribbean.
So far all the cases of the virus in the state have been in those with recent travel outside the United States, but the Asian tiger mosquito, which is common in North Carolina, could transmit the virus, health authorities have said.
Florida health officials said Friday that there have been two domestically-acquired chikungunya infections in that state. In both, they said, a person infected with the virus after visiting the Caribbean was then bitten again by an uninfected mosquito in Florida, which then transmitted the illness further.
“The arrival of chikungunya virus, first in the tropical Americas and now in the United States, underscores the risks posed by this and other exotic pathogens,” said Roger Nasci of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a prepared statement.
Cayman Islands, Belize see big increase in European tourists
From Caribbean Journal
Belize and the Cayman Islands are seeing significant improvements in tourism from Europe, according to new data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization [CTO].
The Cayman Islands received 15,466 European tourists in the first five months of 2014, a 29.8 percent over the same period in 2013.
Belize received 18,836 arrivals from Europe in the same period, a 25.9 percent improvement over the first five months of 2013.
Those were the largest increases in European tourism of any destinations with complete reporting to the CTO.
Dominica saw a 17.2 percent increase in European tourism, with a total of 7,379 arrivals through May, according to the CTO’s data.
In the same period, Antigua and Barbuda received 44,242 European tourists, an 11 percent jump over the previous year.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/07/22/cayman-islands-belize-see-big-increase-in-european-tourists/
US $500m AIDS-free campaign to help Caribbean
From Jamaica Observer
MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says over US$500 million will be allocated for new efforts to reach an AIDS-free generation in the Caribbean and other places.
The new programmes will support implementation of the blueprint for the US President Barak Obama’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID said.
Announced at the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) here, USAID said the investments illustrate how it is supporting the next phase of PEPFAR, and the global HIV and AIDS response.
“With this substantial investment, USAID and PEPFAR are better able to sustain a lasting impact in the global fight against HIV and AIDS,” said USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health Ariel Pablos-Méndez.
“By strengthening high impact interventions, engaging key populations, and supporting the capacity of local partners and host country governments, we know that it is possible to accelerate the end of this epidemic and realize the promise of an AIDS-free generation,” he added.
USAID said the awards include a US$250 million that will be implemented over five years for strengthening the impact interventions for an AIDS-Free Generation (AIDSFree).
It said the award also comprises USAID’s linkages across the continuum of HIV services for key populations affected by HIV (LINKAGES), a US$73 million award that will also be implemented over five years.
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/US–500m-AIDS-free-campaign-to-help-Caribbean
Cayman legislator pushing for livable wage with a tiered system
George Town member of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly, Winston Connolly pushing forward the idea of a livable wage with a tiered system for both Caymanians and work permit holders.
The Cayman government is executing a review to see how a minimum pay rate will work in the Cayman Islands.
Speaking on CITN/Cayman27 last Tuesday (22) he said, “What is the lowest amount should someone be paid in your country. When we look at 2/3 of the workforce they are made up of expats. If we set that bar too low for them that brings the bar down for all the Caymanians. If we set the bar and mandate it at immigration at ‘x’, then that bar for Caymanians should at least be ‘x’ for higher.”
Red Steel franchise name issue resolved
From ESPNcricinfo
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The issue regarding the name of the Caribbean Premier League franchise Red Steel has been resolved and the team will once again be called “Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel”, the CPL has said.
The CPL had earlier agreed to omit the words “Trinidad & Tobago” from the name, based on a request from the Minister of Sport Anil Roberts. According to Roberts, the use of the country name infringed “on the protocols surrounding the use of the name and the sovereignty of the nation”.
For more: http://www.espncricinfo.com/caribbean-premier-league-2014/content/story/763211.html
Cayman’s new tourism director wants children to consider tourism at an early age
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (DOT) Director Rosa Harris has said she believes children as young as 4 should be made aware that tourism is very diverse and there are many jobs available.
Harris has just been appointed head of tourism and she explained that although the tourism road is long it is rewarding. Tourism is a very dynamic industry she said and it teaches you discipline.
“If you have the passion to interact with people for travel, you just have to be open for those opportunities,” she added.
Cayman Islands can watch the Commonwealth Games on local television
Cayman Islands local broadcaster WestStar TV has announced they will be broadcasting the Commonwealth Games from Glasgow, Scotland on Island 24 live on WestStar cable and Fuse.
In the WestStar release they said, “Coverage starts at 3 p.m. 23 July with the Opening Ceremonies, followed by a highlights show at 6 p.m.
“For the remainder of the Games, two highlights shows will be broadcast at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. with live coverage between.
“The Island 24 broadcast will include at least 15 hours of live, Caribbean-focused coverage centering mostly around track and field, swimming and netball.
Cayman Farmers Market may be returning to George Town
After Hurricane Ivan put a stop to the Farmers Market reopening in George Town they relocated to the Agricultural Grounds in Lower Valley, Grand Cayman.
Now we understand the Market has summited an application the Planning Department to build toilet facilities and erect market stalls at the Huldah Avenue location, exactly where it used to be – next to the cricket pitch.
School of Hospitality Studies to take in its first students in Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands School of Hospitality Studies Industry Partner Reception will take place 4-6 PM on Tuesday, 29 July 2014 at Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman– Rembro Room.
The School of Hospitality Studies is about to take in its first students in September of this year. The new director of the school will be available and allow local industry partners to participate in the program, by having students gain valuable hands on experience within their respective businesses.
NOTICE: Scheduled Downtime for Cayman National Online Banking
From Cayman National
Please note that Cayman National Online Banking services will be unavailable on 2nd August 2014 from 7:00 AM for approximately 48 hours for upgrades and maintenance. We encourage customers to make appropriate banking arrangements prior to this interruption. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for banking with Cayman National.
How to Improve the Audio Quality of Vinyl Records with Wood Glue
By hipstomp / Rain Noe From Core77
One of the first things you learn in the ID shop at design school: Wood glue is for joining wood, welding is great for joining metal, acetone is the thing for fusing plastics together. But when you need to attach one of these materials to another, you’ve got to switch over to hard fasteners or something more clever, since wood glue won’t stick to plastics, et cetera.
While that’s occasionally a hassle for building multimaterial objects, record lovers have figured out that wood glue not sticking to plastic provides a huge benefit: You can use wood glue to clean LPs. Because Titebond won’t stick to vinyl, but will stick to all the microscopic specks of dust hanging out in the grooves, a layer of wood glue will become like a Biore strip for records. Observe, and be sure to listen to the before and after—the amount of snaps, crackles and pops the glue removes from the audio is astonishing
IMAGE: 0cleanlpwoodglue.jpg
For more and video go to: http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/how_to_improve_the_audio_quality_of_vinyl_records_with_wood_glue_27347.asp?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+core77%2Fblog+%28Core77.com%29
