iNews Briefs
Burglary Cayman Brac Liquor Store – Cayman police appeal for information
From RCIPS Tue July 29 2014
Cayman Islands police are carrying out investigations in relation to a burglary early Tuesday morning at Coral Isle Bar, Southside Road West, Cayman Brac.
The rear glass door of the premises was damaged and a number of rum and whiskey bottles were taken.
CI Owens is asking, “IF YOU SEE ANYONE WITH BOTTLES OF WHISKEY OR RUM THAT APPEAR SUSPICIOUS OR ANYONE ATTEMPTS TO SELL YOU ANY OF THESE ITEMS PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE, ALL INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED WITH UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY”.
The police are asking the public if they have any information of any persons or suspicious vehicles seen in the area in the early morning to please contact the Cayman Brac Police Station on 948-0331 or 649-0331 or Chief Inspector Owens on 516-6100
Cayman Islands Chikungunya Update as of 28 July 2014 – 1 confirmed new case – 5 total
Total cases investigated for chikungunya since 25 June 2014 is 10.
- Since the last update on 21 July 2014, there have been three new cases for testing during the week of 22-28 July, 2014, (one resident from West Bay, one resident from George Town and one resident from Cayman Brac).
- One result was received this week from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which tested positive for chikungunya. The patient has travel history to the Dominican Republic.
The total results received thus far are: out of eight cases tested, five have come back positive and three negative. Two results for blood samples sent on 28 July are pending.
Of the five confirmed cases, four have reported a travel history to countries having an outbreak, (two to Dominican Republic and two to Guyana). One had no travel history, an indication that the infection was acquired locally. There have been no additional confirmed reports of chikungunya being acquired locally for the period July 22- 28.
Distribution of all confirmed cases: George Town – one; Bodden Town (Savannah) – one; West Bay – one and Cayman Brac – two.
The number of Caribbean countries/territories reporting cases of chikungunya continues to increase. To date, cases of chikungunya have been confirmed in 36 countries/territories in the Caribbean region. The total number of confirmed/probable cases has reached 5,824.
Regional updates can be accessed by visiting the CARPHA website on http://carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health-Activities/Chikungunya. In addition United States updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html.
Bodies of two dead Guyanese fishermen wash ashore, reports of a third unconfirmed
From Caribbean360
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Tuesday Juyl 29, 2014, CMC – The bodies of two fishermen reportedly killed by pirates washed ashore on Monday promoting their colleagues to urge the authorities to provide more protection for those engaged in the trade.
Police said the decomposing bodies of Omesh Derhup, 36, and 22-year-old Naresh Persaud, 22, were discovered late Monday a week after armed pirates allegedly attacked and killed five fishermen while at sea. Media reports said that a third body had also been found but the police have not confirmed the reports.
The men were due to have remained out at sea for 12 days on the vessel “Miss Seema” which was later found abandoned on July 25.
A post mortem examination indicated that Persaud’s death was due to multiple injuries. The results of the examination on Derhup have not yet been released.
The owner of the vessel, Beeram Persaud, believes that the crew members were victims of piracy.
He said the government needs to do more for fisherfolk and that the authorities should follow the lead set by Suriname where pirates are jailed for as much as 35 years.
“The Suriname government looking [out for] their people and have gun boats to look after their people. That’s what this government needs to do, look after we own people first,” he added.
Conyers advises Jinmao (China) Investments Holdings on $500m IPO
Conyers Dill & Pearman provided Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands (BVI) legal advice to Jinmao (China) Investments Holdings on its $500m (£295m) initial public offering (IPO).
The global offering consisted of share-stapled units jointly issued by Jinmao Investments, a Hong Kong trust, and Jinmao (China) Investments Holdings, a Cayman incorporated entity, and their listing on the the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Richard Hall of Conyers’ Hong Kong office advised on the matter, working alongside Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Mayer Brown JSM.
Appeals panel strikes down Virginia gay marriage ban
By Richard Wolf, USA
A federal appeals court panel in Virginia became the second one this summer to strike down a state ban against same-sex marriage Monday, making it more likely that the Supreme Court will settle the issue as early as next year.
The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond ruled 2-1 that gay men and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry that is paramount to state marriage laws. The ruling affirmed a district judge’s decision rendered in February.
“We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable,” said Judge Henry Floyd, originally appointed a district judge by George W. Bush and elevated to the circuit court by President Obama. “However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws.”
The circuit court has jurisdiction over Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The panel’s decision will not take effect until at least Aug. 18 while circuit clerks defending the state’s ban decide whether to appeal to the full appellate court or the Supreme Court.
Canada meets Cayman’s Cadets
As part of the Army Cadet Exchange Programme, nine cadets aged 16 years and over traded places recently with cadets from the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps for a week of educational and character building activities.
The Lobster Pot Dive Centre allowed the cadets to complete their Open Water Dive Certification.
Earlier Cayman Cadets were in Alberta, Canada, at the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site where they went white water rafting and learned about Canada’s native history.
Cayman Islands Cadet Corps Lieutenant Colonel Bobeth O’Garro said the programme could only host a small amount of cadets each year due to limited funding. Over the years, she said, private sector organisations had assisted them to host their visitors and the Cayman Islands government had also been supportive.
“We welcome any organisation that would like to partner with us in the future,” she added.
Overseas Trademark Troubles for ‘Glee’ and Pinterest
By Marlisse Silver Sweeney, Corporate Counsel
Mr. Shue wouldn’t be too pleased about this: Lawrence Robins of Sullivan & Worcester explains that 20th Century Fox Corp. was ordered by a U.K. judge to change the name of its television show “Glee” as it infringes on the name of a chain of British comedy clubs, “The Glee Club.” The rationale relied on by the judge was the doctrine of “reverse confusion,” which means the less-popular brand’s business would become associated with the better-known one, explained Robins.
Similarly, Pinterest lost a case in Europe when it opposed the trademark Pinterest in the EU, as the social network was “unable to prove … that its PINTEREST mark had sufficient ‘local significance’ in the U.K.,” explained Robins.
Though problematic for the companies involved, Robins says these two cases should be seen as warnings for U.S. trademark owners to reconsider their international IP strategies. Searches should be done in international markets for similar trademarks before securing something in the U.S., he says, and global trademark plans should be put in place early in the company’s conception.
“While international searching and registration are costly, the cost to either defend an infringement suit or change branding in an entire geographic region can be exponentially more,” he rationalizes. So go out on a high note, and get searching.
Dominican officials destroy 2,000 seized guns
From Caribbean Business
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — (AP) Authorities destroyed roughly 2,000 firearms Monday and plan to use the mangled metal to build a monument promoting peace.
The Dominican Republic’s attorney general, Francisco Dominguez, and other officials gathered in the capital of Santo Domingo to watch a steamroller destroy the haul of guns seized by police over the years.
The metal from the destroyed weapons will be given to sculptor Jose Ignacio Morales, who has been commissioned to build a peace memorial. It’s not yet clear where the sculpture will be located or when it will be completed.
In recent years, some 70 percent of the Caribbean country’s nearly 2,000 annual killings have been carried out with guns, most of them illegal. Police and interior ministry officials estimate there are roughly 200,000 guns in the nation of more than 10 million people.
For more: http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news/dominican-officials-destroy-2000-seized-guns-99102.html
Greenlight Capital Re to release second quarter 2014 results
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, July 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (Nasdaq:GLRE), a specialist property and casualty reinsurer based in the Cayman Islands and Ireland, today announced that it expects to release financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014 after the market closes on Monday, August 4, 2014. A live conference call to discuss the financial results will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.
Conference Call Details
To participate in the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Second Quarter 2014 Earnings Call, please dial in to the conference call at:
U.S. toll free 1-888-336-7152 International 1-412-902-4178
Telephone participants may avoid any delays by pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN.
Conference Call registration link: http://dpregister.com/10049602
The conference call can also be accessed via webcast at:
http://services.choruscall.com/links/glre140805.html
A telephone replay of the call will be available from 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on August 5, 2014 until 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on August 13, 2014. The replay of the call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (U.S. toll free) or 1-412-317-0088 (international), access code 10049602. An audio file of the call will also be available on the Company’s website, www.greenlightre.ky
Caribbean Shrimp Watchman Shot in Belize
From News5
A security guard is recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot on Saturday night. Alejandro Calderon told Police that he was inside his home at Caribbean Shrimp in Ladyville when somebody stoned his house. He came outside and was immediately hit with a single blast from a shotgun. The area is known to attract thieves, and it is from that angle that Police are starting their investigation at this point. Rural Executive Officer Chris Noble told News Five that they got the call after midnight on Saturday from Caribbean Shrimp owner Charlie Mackintosh.
Calderon received pellet wounds all over his body and is considered lucky to be alive.
For more: http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/102010
Cayman’s ‘One Man, One Vote’ motion approved by Speaker
A private members motion has been filed by East End MLA Arden McLean and seconded by North Side MLA Ezzard Miller, urging government to bring legislation within three months of the motion’s passage that would change Cayman’s voting system to single-member districts, giving each elector one vote apiece no matter where they live in the Cayman Islands.
The Speaker of the House, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, has approved the motion and is available to be heard in the next sitting of the Legislative Assembly – expected sometime in September.
Grenada receives $10M loan from Caribbean Development Bank
From Caribbean Journal
The Caribbean Development Bank’s board of directors has approved a $10 million policy-based loan for Grenada.
The loan will support the Grenadian government’s “reform priorities,” according to the CDB.
The loan is the first in a series of three $10 million policy-based loans that have been proposed for Grenada.
“This PBL is a blend of ‘hard’ and soft resources designed to support Grenada’s policy reforms and to improve the country’s debt dynamics,” said Warren Smith, president of the Caribbean Development Bank, in a statement.
The bank said the loan would provide support in the “implementation of a programme of institutional and policy reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and resume sustainable private sector-led growth and development.”
The CDB has approved loans totaling $236.8 million in loans to Grenada since the country joined the CDB in 1970.
Camana Bay’s newest building to be very energy efficient
18 Forum Lane is the current name of one of Cayman Islands newest buildings being constructed on Grand Cayman at Camana Bay.
The building will be one of the Caribbean’s most energy efficient, on track to receive LEED gold status upon completion.
LEED is a green building certification programme that recognises best-in-class building strategies and practices.
According to Sloane Rhulen, VP of Leasing at DART Realty the building will provide tenants with a saving of “roughly a minimum of 20% when the building opens due to the fact we have a large solar array, 100 kilowatt solar array, on the roof of the building.”
The Government Administration building is the highest-rated LEED-certified building in Cayman. It has LEED silver status.
CDB providing USD10 MN loan to Belize’s development finance
From CDB
The capability of the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in Belize to provide financing for priority sectors in that country has been given a boost by a loan of USD10.5 mn from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Among the DFC’s lending objectives are the improvement of home ownership, human development and the development of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
MSMEs are fundamental to the economic landscape of Belize and are estimated to account for a significant share of economic activity and employment generation. However, they are usually faced with a number of challenges including limited access to, and the cost of financing.
The CDB loan will allow the DFC to provide finance for these MSMEs as well as student loans, credit for low-income housing and also for energy efficiency/renewable energy projects.
The DFC was originally established in 1963 to expand and strengthen the economy of Belize by providing funding on affordable terms to individuals or groups seeking to develop key economic sectors, who would otherwise be unable to access resources from other sources on reasonable terms. DFC is wholly owned by Government of Belize.
Thieves strike in Cayman’s Lower Valley
Three houses were broken into last weekend (26/27) on Watershed Circle, Lower Valley, Grand Cayman.
Thieves made off with electrical goods and jewelry leaving doors on the homes smashed up and needing replacement.
Police from the RCIPS are appealing for anyone who witnessed any of the crimes to come forward.
Not in my backyard: US sending dirty coal abroad
From Caribbean Business
BOARDMAN, Ore. — (AP) Oregon’s largest coal-burning power plant is expected to shut down in a few years, but that doesn’t mean coal is dead.
Under a plan by an Australian energy conglomerate, coal being shipped to the Boardman Coal Plant will instead be exported to Asia, where pollution will still spew into the earth’s atmosphere.
This town on the Columbia River is a real-life example of the gulf between President Barack Obama’s strategy to reduce coal emissions and reality. As the U.S. reduces its own carbon pollution, it is sending more abroad.
An analysis by The Associated Press found that over the last five years, as the U.S. has cut coal use by 195 million tons, about 20 percent of that has been shipped overseas.
For more: http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news/not-in-my-backyard-us-sending-dirty-coal-abroad-99098.html
Webb urges JFF officials to focus on development
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb urged officials and coaches to maintain a focus on player development, when he addressed the opening session of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Congress on Sunday in Montego Bay.
Webb told the gathering of JFF officials, local coaches and staff members that youth player development in particular should spearhead its strategic plans for the future.
“The game is about the players, so we have to do all we can to create the best opportunities for them,” he expressed. “We must embrace the ever-changing world of technology, create the infrastructure that makes the game accessible and improve coaching standards because without qualified coaches our players will never progress.”
JFF President Captain Horace Burrell thanked President Webb for his continued support and assured his federation’s commitment to implementing best practices in all areas.
“Jamaica has been a leader in regional football and we want to build on that legacy,” Burrell said. “With CONCACAF’s continued support Jamaican football and, by extension, Caribbean football will prosper.”
During his brief trip to Jamaica, President Webb also attended the Jamaica Observer Newspaper Editors Forum, engaging members of the local media on issues affecting football. Additionally, he also attended the opening on the FIFA Women’s football coaching course held at the JFF Technical Centre on the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus.
Travelers from Caribbean bring new mosquito-borne virus to N.J.; West Nile remains threat
From njcom
Mosquitoes near and far present a threat to New Jersey residents, as a new Caribbean virus joins West Nile as a source of illness, the N.J. Department of Health warns.
There have been 25 cases of chikungunya fever in New Jersey this year, all of them contracted in the Caribbean. Cases of the fever, which typically is not life-threatening, have appeared in ten counties:
— Bergen: 6 cases
— Burlington: 1 case
— Essex: 2 cases
— Gloucester: 2 cases
— Hudson: 3 cases
— Middlesex: 2 cases
— Monmouth: 2 cases
— Morris: 2 cases
— Passaic: 3 cases
— Union: 2 cases
Pinto bids farewell to Costa Rica
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica– Just weeks after guiding Costa Rica to its first-ever quarterfinal appearance at a FIFA World Cup, Jorge Luis Pinto announced Thursday that he will no longer continue as head coach.
Although Pinto did not reveal any future plans, media reports indicated that multiple suitors have expressed interest in acquiring his services.
In a second stint as Costa Rica’s manager, the 61-year-old Colombian was instrumental in bringing unprecedented footballing success to the country. Over the past 19 months, the Ticos won the 2013 UNCAF Copa Centroamericana, advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and finished as runner-up to the United States in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014.
Costa Rica went undefeated at the World Cup, topping Uruguay (3-1) and Italy (1-0) in group play, before drawing with England (0-0) to finish first in Group D. After outlasting Greece on penalty kicks in the Round of 16, the Central Americans were eliminated by the Netherlands in the same fashion.
Though no timeline has been established to hire a new coach, Costa Rica will look to defend its Copa Centroamericana title in September
