iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands meeting with Cuba scheduled for Sept 18
Cayman Islands Deputy Governor Hon. Hon. Franz Manderson said the meeting between Cayman government officials and Cuba’s counterparts over the Cuban migrants problem, will take place on 18th September in Havana.
The on and off previous meetings has been continuing for over 6 months.
Items being discussed include updating the current Memorandum of understanding that dates back fifteen years and the cost to the Cayman Islands of housing the migrants who arrive in the Cayman Islands.
Under the current terms, migrants seeking assistance here cannot be helped. Instead, if they land on Cayman soil, they must stay in the Cayman Islands while seeking asylum.
The meeting will include officials from the Division of Consular Affairs and Cuban Residents Abroad, and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba.
Hurricane Cristobal pounds Bermuda with high winds
From Caribbean360
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Thursday August 28, CMC – Hurricane Cristobal raked Bermuda with strong winds and storm-force gusts on Thursday as it sped away to the northeast but there were no immediate reports of any serious damage.
Officials said Cristobal’s closest point to the island was around 250 miles to the northwest at sunrise, officials said.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said the centre of Cristobal” will rapidly move towards the north Atlantic well away from Bermuda during the next several hours and pass well south of Nova Scotia later today”.
Cristobal, a Category One storm packing 75 miles per hour winds, brought rough seas to the island but none of the four inches of rain that had earlier been predicted. It was moving to the northeast at 29 mph, officials said.
Some Bermuda residents took to Twitter to describe the impact of the high winds.
NASA’s massive Space Launch System rocket is slated for a 2018 launch
By Chris Velazco From engadget
Upstarts like SpaceX might get most of the attention, but let’s not forget that NASA — you know, the folks who actually put 12 guys on the moon — isn’t done pushing to explore the heavens just yet. Case in point: the agency is working on a whopper of a rocket called (unimaginatively enough) the Space Launch System that’ll eventually propel a manned Orion capsule in Mars’ direction, and officials just green-lit that massive booster for development.
The formulation phase is over folks, time to build this crazy thing. There is, however, a downside. You see, the SLS was originally slated to make its first official test flight with an uncrewed Orion capsule in December 2017, but it’s looking at this point like that inaugural launch will actually take place nearly a year later.
Yeah, we can hardly wait either, but it was going to be a long while before all the development and infrastructure fell into place anyway — NASA associate administrator Robert Lightfoot reaffirmed in a statement that we won’t be flinging humans at the red planet until the 2030s.
Think you can beat that, Mr. Musk?
For more: http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/27/nasa-space-launch-system-2018/?ncid=rss_truncated
Cruise ship anchor drops on Cayman reef
CNS website are reporting today “The poor positioning of a cruise ship which arrived in George Town on Wednesday led to an anchor being dropped on the reef, which local divers say is happening all too frequently. Concerns were raised yesterday by a local operator and it is understood that following intervention from dive operators and the Department of the Environment the ship was eventually relocated by the Port Authority but not until after its massive anchor had been dropped on the coral for several hours.” See http://www.caymannewsservice.com/science-and-nature/2014/08/28/cruise-anchor-hits-reef
Cayman Bank donates wheelchairs to Cayman Islands hospital
Caledonian Global Financial Services has donated 10 new wheelchairs to the George Town Cayman Islands Hospital.
This will enable patients to get around the hospital in in Maternity, Critical Care, Dialysis and many other units.
The wheelchairs also feature built-in theft protection that comprises a higher bar making it nearly impossible to fit the wheelchair into the back of a car.
The wheelchairs also have oxygen tank holders and IV drip stands.
Barbados investigating allegations of non compliance of CARICOM rules of origin
From Caribbean360
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Thursday August 28, 2014, CMC – Barbados says it will launch an immediate investigation into allegations that some Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries were flouting regional trading regulations by placing misleading labels on products and passing them off as being produced within the 15-member grouping.
Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, who toured a manufacturing plant here on Wednesday, said that Bridgetown had been made aware of the concerns regarding the false labelling and hinted that he would raise the issue during his visit to Trinidad and Tobago next month.
“We have heard he complaints that labels for example may be misleading or erroneous and I think we are duty bound as a government, as the competent authority to do investigations to ensure that the items entering our port are made where they said they are being made and I give the assurance this is a matter we will take up immediately with the competent authorities,” Inniss said.
He said the bigger issue is one of principle to ensure that Barbados does the necessary surveillance to ensure that it receives the necessary taxes paid with regards to the important of those products which he did not identify.
He said the investigation was also necessary to ensure that “local manufacturers are not disadvantaged because of any shenanigan on the part of others”.
All goods which meet the CARICOM rules of origin are traded duty-free throughout the region. Non-CARICOM goods have a rate structure of 0-20 per cent applied to them.
Cayman boat owner seeks help to find his stolen vessel
A local man is calling on the community for any information to help him find his boat which was believed to be stolen last night and is urging other owners to make sure their own vessels are secure. The boat went missing between 6pm Monday night and 10am Tuesday morning from his dock at Omega Bay in the Prospect Area of George Town. Anyone with information can contact Sgt. Hanna of the Marine Unit at 516-6194.
Colleagues pay tribute to late Justice Suzie D’Auvergne
by St Lucia GIS
A special sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court was convened on Monday, to commemorate the late retired Justice Suzie D’Auvergne.
Hon. Dame Janice Pereira, Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, paid tribute to her late colleague. Justice D’Auvergne, she said, had a truly positive spirit and was a caring and nurturing individual. Justice Pereira went on to laud Suzie D’Auvergne as person of unquestionable integrity.
“Her passing is felt by all of Saint Lucia and indeed the wider Caribbean. She has left many and large footprints. The tributes paid her today bear testament to this fact.” Justice Pereira added that D’Auvergne’s innate characteristics allowed her to achieve many firsts within the legal fraternity in Saint Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean, by exhibiting an unbridled passion for the law.
“She was a woman of valour,” Pereira continued. “Her sense of fair play in all that she did and all her aspirations shined and will continue to shine like an eternal beacon of hope for those in the legal profession and those who aspire to the vocation of law.”
The body of the late, Suzie D’Auvergne, retired Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, will lie in repose at the House of Parliament on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Friday Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The official funeral will be held on Friday (29) at 2 p.m. at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries.
Cayman MLA admits he used government card for personal use
East End Member of the Legislative Assembly, Arden Mclean, has admitted he used his government credit card when he was a minister for personal reasons.
Speaking to CNS he said “on the few occasions it happened it was done so inadvertently and each time he paid back the full sum to the card company within the monthly bill cycle so tax-payers were never subjected to interest or late fees as a result of his shopping. He said the watch from Kirk’s was a Christmas gift for his wife and McLean said it was not until after the fact that he realized he had used his government card rather than his own. He then wrote a cheque to cover the US$3,500 purchase on the very same day that the bill arrived.”
To read the full story go to: http://caymannewsservice.com/politics/2014/08/27/mclean-comes-clean-cc
Jamaica’s Gabrielle Pratt wins Florida-Caribbean Association Foundation Children’s Essay Contest
Jamaica’s Gabrielle Pratt of St. Andrew Preparatory School has topped the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Foundation Children’s Essay Contest. She emerged the winner among contestants from nineteen participating nations, effectively elaborating on the competition’s topic ‘Why is it important that the cruise ships come to my destination.’
Entering in the junior division of the competition, Gabrielle posited solid arguments in support of the importance of cruise ships to destination Jamaica. Among the key points, she argued that cruise ships, also called floating cities, are a significant source of foreign exchange from passenger spending. She also elaborated that the ships are a source of employment, hiring many of her countrymen in various capacities such as engineers, captains and chefs. The development of resort towns as in the case of Falmouth in Trelawny, as well as the cultural exchanges between the visitors and Jamaicans that the ships facilitate, were equally important areas of discussion that she highlighted in her essay.
Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill said “I am very pleased that Garbrielle has emerged the winner of this very important essay competition. She has truly done Jamaica proud and has built on the successes of the many Jamaican students who have excelled in this competition in the past.” He added that, “her success is proof that she is an outstanding scholar who is poised for great things in the years to come. I congratulate her on this victory and wish her continued success in the future.”
McGee Cayman Classic is cancelled
Cory McGee, the man behind the McGee Cayman Classic, an anti-bullying initiative scheduled for Sept. 13 to 20, has announced the event has had to be cancelled.
He said the U.K. promoter who was leading the organization of the event fell behind on the logistics and the funding.
The event was slated to incorporate a three-day basketball camp, legends basketball game, a youth rally, golf events and a concert with several notable artists. Among the celebrities who were expected to be in Cayman were basketball legends Clyde “The Glide” Drexler, Glen Rice and Nick Anderson, recording artists Michael Bolton, Ira Dean and Hootie and The Blow Fish and Hollywood stars Dennis Quaid, Alfonso Ribeiro and Dennis Haysbert.
Kelly Holding Ltd. was assisting McGee with the marketing and communications for the event.
Trinidad & Tobago defeats Jamaica for the Women’s Caribbean Cup Trophy
From Kaieteur News
Port of Spain, Trinidad – History was made in the twin island state of Trinidad & Tobago as the Soca Princesses defeated rivals Jamaica to claim the inaugural CFU’s Women’s Caribbean Cup with a 1 – 0 victory on Tuesday night last.
It was a carnival like atmosphere in the Hasely Crawford stadium as hundreds of supporters came out to witness history. Both teams started off the match with a high tempo as Jamaica threatened their opponents goal almost immediately.
But it was tournament MVP Mariah Shade who scored in the 8th minute, who would be the difference between the two teams. The host nation throughout the first half would keep a high tempo as this seem to be too much for the Jamaican team.
But the Reggaegirls were no pushovers during the match as they also provided a stern test, as they kept Trinidad’s defense occupied as they attacked relentlessly looking for an equalizer. In the second half Jamaica continued to ask questions of the Trinidad’s defense but defender Arin King and her team, who were yet to concede a goal during the tournament were simply too organized.
Jamaica came close to finding an equalizer in the 90th minute, when a dangerous cross was sent into Donna-Kay Henry but her shot was put wide of the mark. Soon after the final whistle blew and Trinidad & Tobago were crowned Champions of the Inaugural Women’s Caribbean Cup 2014.
Earlier in the 3rd place match Haiti overcame Martinique with a 5 – 1 victory. Haiti opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Wilsin Dolce added the second goal of the half in the 45th. Martinique replied with goal from Kelly Brena in the 64th minute. Haiti’s Manoucheka Pierre-Louis added a third goal in the 70th and Kensie BOBO finished the scoring in the 72th minute.
Diane Sawyer signs off from ‘World News’
By Sandra Gonzalez From Mashable
Diane Sawyer has officially handed over the reins of ABC’s World News to David Muir.
The anchor, who has sat at the desk for five years, signed off Wednesday with a speech in which she expressed gratitude.
“It has been wonderful to be the home port for the brave and brilliant forces of ABC News around the world, and to feel every single night that you and I were in a conversation about the day together,” she said in her final broadcast as anchor of the show.
Sawyer announced her departure from the news program and Muir’s new role back in June.
Muir will continue co-hosting 20/20 on top of his new duties, while Sawyer is transitioning into a new unspecified role, described by the news division as focused on creating “original reporting, innovative specials and [covering] events in new ways.”
Muir was set to take over the job on Sept. 2, but Sawyer’s last day was not formally announced until earlier Wednesday with a Tweet.
Have you experienced an infestation of car spiders?
By Laura Northrup From Consumerist
After posting about today’s recall of Suzuki Kizashi sedans that are susceptible to cracked fuel lines due to spider webs, we learned that the problem isn’t limited to Mazda and Suzuki vehicles. There have been reports of other spider-infested ventilation systems from at least two other companies, Honda and Hyundai.
You haven’t heard about it simply because companies haven’t recalled the affected cars, so the companies wouldn’t have to deal with bad publicity that mostly consists of people writing, “AAAHHH! SPIDERS!” (We’re guilty of that.) A member of the extended Consumerist family had a negative pressure problem with her fuel system due to spider webs, and the dealership blamed her for…parking near spiders, apparently.
It raises many interesting questions: why are these spiders attracted to gasoline? Are these Japanese and Korean car companies using a common part from a common supplier in all of these models that is particularly welcoming to spiders?
That’s why [Consumerist is] turning to you, our readers. Consumerist Hive Mind, have you experienced a spider infestation in your own car’s fuel venting system, or in any other gas-using vehicles or appliances that you own? Suzuki and Honda make off-roading vehicles: do spiders get in there, too?
If you have firsthand experience with this, or can put us in touch with someone who does, please let us know at [email protected]. Put SPIDERCAR in the subject line. Use the link below NOT iNews Cayman:
For more: http://consumerist.com/2014/08/27/have-you-experienced-an-infestation-of-car-spiders/
