World reacts to IS video showing apparent killing of Alan Henning

World leaders and organisations have been reacting to video released by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, purporting to show the beheading of British hostage Alan Henning.

The apparent killing of the Salford taxi driver, who had been delivering aid to Syria when he was kidnapped, has drawn widespread condemnation.

The brutal murder of Alan Henning by Isil (IS) shows just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are.

My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan’s wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him.

Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need. The fact that he was taken hostage when trying to help others and now murdered demonstrates that there are no limits to the depravity of these Isil terrorists.

We will do all we can to hunt down these murderers and bring them to justice.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron

The brutal murder of Alan Henning by Isil (IS) shows just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are.

My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan’s wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him.

Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need. The fact that he was taken hostage when trying to help others and now murdered demonstrates that there are no limits to the depravity of these Isil terrorists.

We will do all we can to hunt down these murderers and bring them to justice.

White House spokesperson Lisa Monico

Once again we see the brutality of Isil. Our hearts go out to the family of Alan Henning.

Muslim Council of Britain Secretary General, Dr Shuja Shafi (via Twitter)

Saddened by reported murder of Alan Henning. A despicable and offensive act. He helped Muslims. My thoughts and prayers with his family.

Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation

I am appalled at the brutal murder of Alan Henning by the evil Isis (IS), this barbaric killing is an attack against all decent people around the world.

For weeks now the world has tried to appeal to these murderers to do the decent thing but they have no compassion or respect for human life.

Alan Henning was a British hero, he put others first and we salute him and his life of service for others. My thoughts and condolences to Alan’s family and friends.

British Muslims stand with Alan’s family and vow to defeat this evil ideology and barbaric organisation. Islam not only condemns these crimes but forbids them, those that carry them out are committing crimes against Islam.

Alan Henning was the best of British and we pledge to never forget him as a person and all that he has done.

For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29486118

Grand Court Jurors Report Date Changed

 This bulletin is being disseminated on behalf of Cayman Islands Judicial Admin. 

The Grand Court jury report date has been changed. 

Grand Court Jurors who are in the 1 October – 13 January 2015 session are now to report on Monday, 13 October 2014 at 9:45 a.m.

Please call the Jury Information line at 945-5072 for the most up-to-date information.

 

Digicel, Sportsmax keen on providing more regional content

From T&T NewsDay

The month of September marked the partnership of telecommunications company Digicel and television channel Sportsmax. This match, made in heaven, was announced on September 18 when Digicel acquired majority ownership and control of St Lucia-based International Media Content Limited, parent company of regional sports broadcaster SportsMax and North American broadcaster CEEN-TV.

Hosting the media at popular Sports Bar Trotters last week, both John Delves and Olliver McIntosh were excited about the future as Digicel and Sportsmax join forces. The main focus highlighted by both parties was being able provide more Caribbean sporting content to the international market and in return more content to the Caribbean viewers.

Currently available in 23 countries across the Caribbean, SportsMax is the Caribbean’s first and only indigenous 24-hour dedicated sports cable channel featuring a strong mix of international, regional and local sports content.

Bringing in bigger better sports throughout the Caribbean, McIntosh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sportsmax highlighted how excited he was to be partnering with Digicel for the birth of a new generation of sport.

McIntosh added, “when we first started with the idea of looking for a partner we were quite impressed to see how heavily invested Digicel has been and continues to be in the sporting realm.”

Delves, the CEO of Digicel, also commented on how eager he is to get the relationship started, stating that although business will continue as usual, there will indeed be much more valuable content that would be specially targeted for the Caribbean viewing population.

For more: http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,201081.html

 

Words that can be made with CAYMAN

From Solver Scrabble

An unofficial list of all the Scrabble words you can make from the letters in the word cayman. Anagrams and words you can make with an additional letter, just using the letters in cayman!

29 WORDS CAN BE MADE FROM THE LETTERS IN THE WORD “CAYMAN”.

Anagrams of cayman

Cayman

Words with 5 Letters

Mayan

Words with 4 Letters cyan cyma mana many maya myna

Words with 3 Letters

Ama Ana Any Cam Can Cay Mac Man may Myc Nam Nay Yam

Words with 2 Letters

Aa am an ay ma my na ya

This page is a list of all the words that can be made from the letters in cayman, or by rearranging the word cayman. These words should be suitable for use as Scrabble words, or in games like Words with friends.

In some cases words do not have anagrams, but we let you find the longest words possible by switching the letters around. Using this tool is a great way to explore what words can be made – you might be surprised to find the number of words that have a lot of anagrams!

For more: http://www.solverscrabble.com/words-with-the-letters-cayman/

Editor: How about #30? Words with one letter – A

 

Caribbean nations demand end to Cuba embargo

By Staff Writers, Telesur From Axis of Logic

Caribbean nations reiterated calls for the United States to lift its embargo on Cuba on Tuesday, describing it as a relic of the Cold War.

“The long standing economic embargo on Cuba continues to be of serious concern to Barbados,” Barbados’ minister for foreign affairs Maxine McClean told the United Nations.

McClean said Cuba “has always demonstrated a willingness to assist the Caribbean, and indeed the developed world, in our quest for development.”

“We join the overwhelming majority of U.N. member states in opposing this unilateral action and look forward to a time soon when it will be relegated to the pages of history,” she stated.

Barbados’ call of an end to the decades old embargo was accompanied by similar demands from Belize and Saint Lucia.

The latter nation’s external affairs minister Alva Baptiste slammed the embargo as a “residual effect” of the Cold War.

The statements were made during the U.N.’s annual General Assembly debate in New York. Island nations also issued calls for international cooperation to fight climate change, which they argue will devastate coastal regions all over the world.

Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister Rimbink Pato warned some Pacific island countries have already reached a “tipping point,” and are struggling more than ever to hold their ground against the impact of climate change, according to the U.N. News Center.

“The international community must conclude a legally binding agreement in order to collectively address the adverse impacts of climate change,” Pato stated.

For more: http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_67707.shtml

 

Plans to refurbish Cayman Hurricane Ivan damaged hotel

The former Cayman Islands Hyatt Hotel that was badly damaged and neglected after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 may finally be raised to life.

Embassy Investments, who own Beach Suites and the old Hyatt have submitted plans that include refurbishing skeletons of existing buildings, adding a large conference and banquet centre and a pedestrian bridge across Esterley Tibbetts Highway, which will link the new hotel with Seven Mile Beach and Grand Cayman Beach Suites.

Embassy said if approval is given quickly the resort could open early 2017.

 

Karate Federation cancels Caribbean Cup 3

From Guyana Times

With major budget problems and the focus on training new officials, the Trinidad and Tobago Karate Federation (TTKF) is cancelling the 3rd Caribbean Cup Karate Championships ( CC3) .

St Vincent will host the CC3 in 2015.The TTKF will use the rest of the year to further develop and expand it’s coaching and official’s program. Next year will be busy as they intend to field athletes to three major international competition.

TTKF has the most graduates from the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) in the region. TTKF Referee Chairman – Lex Springer is also on the World United Karate Organization (WUKO) Referee Commission.

For more: http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2014/10/01/karate-federation-cancels-caribbean-cup-3/

 

Cayman Islands fire damaged traffic building to be repaired

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Traffic Department’s office in Agnes Way that was badly damaged by a fire in the early morning hours of 7 July is to be repaired.

Bids to repair 900 sq ft of the interior of the building are due in now.

 

Support campaign for Caribbean category on U.S. census

By Dr. Garth A. Rose From Caribbean National Weekly

Data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau related to the 2013 American Community Survey (ACS) of American communities show that Florida has some 3.8 million residents categorized as foreign born. However, while the data show some 70 percent of this foreign born population are of Latin American origin, Caribbean-Americans are lumped in the Black or African American category.

For the past decade, represents of the Caribbean-American community have been aggressively lobbying for the U.S. Census Bureau to have a designated category on the census form for Caribbean-Americans. In the 2010 ACS, an estimated 3.7 million Caribbean born residents are in the U.S. This was a gross misrepresentation of the Caribbean population, both first and second generation, as various surveys conducted by independent surveys among the Caribbean population has the estimate closer to 7 million.

People originating from the Caribbean represent various ethnic groups, mainly Black, Chinese and Indians. Without a designated Caribbean category in the census, people from the Caribbean are registering either as Black or African America, or Asian, and since there are Caribbean migrants who are white, some also register as white. This is another significant reason why the Caribbean-American population is consistently undercounted in the census.

If the Caribbean-American population is to have any impact as a political or economic force in the U.S., it is imperative that the community be properly counted in the U.S. census.

Over the past two years during the debate on immigration reform, frequent reference is made to the interest of undocumented Hispanics or Latinos, but rarely to Caribbean-Americans. Similarly, Florida and national politicians are often reported as targeting Hispanic bloc of voters, but rarely is consideration is given to a Caribbean-American voting bloc. This must change for the Caribbean-American population to have any significant impact in the U.S.

It is ironic that annually June is celebrated as Caribbean-American Heritage month in the U.S., but the U.S. Census considered as the authentic source of data on the U.S. population doesn’t include a category to provide an accurate count of the Caribbean population in the nation.

For more: http://www.cnweeklynews.com/support-campaign-caribbean-category-u-s-census/

 

Winners of 2014 Cayman Brac Bash Cook-off announced

The Brac Bash is a Sister Islands Tourism Association (SITA) event that began in 1996 to celebrate the sinking of the Russian Frigate, the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts.

It has since developed into three days of activities as a draw for visitors which includes a beauty pageant, snorkelling tours, scavenger hunt, dart tournament, 800 meter sea swim and a cook off competition.

The event also serves as a venue for Brac artisans and businesses to showcase their products.

The winners of 2014 Brac Bash Cook-off are listed below.

Amateur

Appetizer

First Place, Clam Surprise with Shrimp – Gina Ebanks

Second Place, Conch Stackers with plantain – Gina Ebanks

Entrée

First Place, Spicy Sausage Coconut Chili – Lolita Bodden-Arch

Second Place, Brac Stew Conch – Starrie Scott

Dessert

First Place, Bailey’s Cupcake – Sophia Johnston

Second Place, Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake – Gina Ebanks

Professional

Appetizer

First Place, Conch Chowder – Garfield Brooks (Brac Reef Beach Resort)

Entrée

First Place, Shrimp Risotto – Garfield Brooks (Brac Reef Beach Resort)

Dessert

First Place, Creamy Coconut Flan – Mario Atog (Brac Reef Beach Resort)

Second Place, Triple Chocolate Caramel Pecan Supreme – Mario Atog (Brac Reef Beach Resort)

 

Could Jamaica be the New Hollywood of the Caribbean? These filmmakers think so

By Nina Parker From Yahoo Travel

We’ve all heard the stories of Bloody Mary and the Boogie Man, but have you heard of Annie Palmer, a witch who haunts the old Rose Hall plantation in Jamaica?

Global Renaissance Entertainment Group, a marketing and film production company, hopes to make Annie Palmer a household name to scare people for years to come. The forthcoming movie, “Annie Palmer – The White Witch of Rose Hall,” is part of a major push for Jamaica to become a new film industry hot spot.

Just in time for Halloween, I traveled to Montego Bay to experience the haunted Rose Hall firsthand and talk with the team about what they hope to bring to the island in terms of money, filming — and tourism.

For more: https://www.yahoo.com/travel/could-jamaica-be-the-new-hollywood-of-the-caribbean-98957043872.html

 

Cayman woman pleads guilty to firearm charge at 11^th hour

Julia Lewis, from Grand Cayman’s Prospect area, pleaded guilty to the possession of an unlicensed firearm at the very last minute – two days after her trial was set to begin.

Lewis was arrested in August 2013 with two other men, after a single vehicle collision close to Countryside shopping village. Police found a .38 calibre handgun and Lewis was later charged with its possession.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 30^th.

 

Central pillars of BNTF

(Caribbean Development Bank) In parallel with the strategic sectors, the Programme will invest in community-led development in a manner that nurtures community change processes and a more holistic approach to building multi-faceted aspects of community as an integrated whole. This approach also takes into consideration responsiveness to local demand, needs and priorities.

BNTF will adapt its approach to link both ‘sectoral’ and ‘direct community support’ prioritisation, and build capital in a more holistic manner.

THE PILLARS

The Programme is placing greater focus on:

Community empowerment and participation: enabling the most vulnerable to be directly involved and take ownership of the project and future community development.

Results and communication: generating more rigorous evidence on where and how the BNTF has had most impact on people’s lives in low-income communities.

Community Assets: helping communities build more assets and to be more resilient.

Transformative effects: helping communities to emerge out of poverty and to be less vulnerable over time, stemming intergenerational poverty.

Co-operation: attracting a range of needed services and addressing wider challenges being faced among community residents (e.g. disability, inequality, and youth at risk)

The Pillars are underpinned by BNTF’s cross-cutting themes of gender and environmental sustainability and specific commitments to maintenance and sustainability.

 

Cayman Islands Government health provider changes claim processing company

Cayman Islands National Insurance Company (CINICO) has changed from the processing system operated by Advanced Information Systems Cayman Ltd. to Detroit-based ABS Automated Systems.

Lonny Tibbetts, CINICO chief executive, said its members, mainly civil servants, would experience no difference in healthcare service. CarePay cards would still be required for Health Services Authority customers to verify eligibility.

The CarePay cards was introduced by the Health Services Authority in 2011-2012 but its effectiveness in providing the Cayman Islands hospital system with more accurate records of patient payments and reducing costs has been questioned by government leaders.

Chief executive of Advanced Information Systems, Jamaica, Douglas Halsall, said the Cayman Islands government was currently in breach of its five-year contract with AIS’s sister company, Health Adjudication Systems, which does not end until December 2015.

A criminal investigation into the award of the CarePay cards contract in December 2010 to Advanced Information Systems Cayman Ltd. was instigated some months ago.

 

Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange heads to Dominican Republic for 2015

Questex Hospitality + Travel today announced its sixth-annual Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE) event will be held August 10-13, 2015, at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, the event’s first time in that country.

The Hard Rock, situated on 121 acres along Caribbean beachfront, has 15 pools, nine restaurants, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, spa and a casino. Hosts for next year’s CMITE event include the Hard Rock, Dominican Republic Tourism Board and Amstar DMC.

Hard Rock Punta Cana

This change in venue follows two years in the Bahamas, where the 2013 and 2014 programs were held at The Cove Atlantis. This year’s event, held September 15-18, hosted 130 buyers and suppliers serving the Caribbean meeting and incentive market.

CMITE 2014

Danielle Cirami-Gillis, Questex global director of events and media, said that this year’s event was particularly fruitful, attributing the success to “dynamic networking and the value of one-to-one meetings in private suites.”

Barbara Warren, sales manager for of The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten, praised the venue and destination and the event’s “excellent networking opportunities.” Kimberly Allen, executive assistant at Benefitfocus Inc., said, that as a buyer, “the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with related buyers and helpful suppliers made this a very worthwhile use of my time. Having this experience and additional information will be extremely helpful in my three year plan for the group.”

For more information, visit caribbean.incentivetravelexchange.com.

 

Gabriel is Miss Teen Caribbean UK

From Jamaica Times

Fourteen year old Gabriel Joseph was crowned the first Miss Teen Caribbean UK at the inaugural contest held recently in London.

Gabriel beat an impressive field of young ladies whose backgrounds are from various Caribbean countries.

Second place went to 17-year-old Jamaican representative Jahmila Heath who also won most the talented and best evening wear titles. Third place went to sixteen year old Samara Teleford who represented the Islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The People’s Choice award went to Renee Cocker who represented St. Kitts and Nevis. She managed to secure the most votes on social media site Facebook.

Gabrielle said one of her greatest achievements so far is her first solo professional make up job for a photo shoot and giving a dance performance in front of her school for Black History Month. She added: “By entering and winning Miss Teen Caribbean Uk I have the opportunity to be an ambassador and positive role model, championing the cause of young people with dyslexia. I am dyslexic so it means a lot to me. I am looking forward to promoting my parents’ country, Trinidad and Tobago.”

Gabrielle is no stranger to Trinidad and Tobago. She has visited on several occasions, her last being in 2011 when she had the opportunity to attend a local school for a week, as an ambassador for her own school in London. On her return to England she gave a power point presentation to her school on her adventures in Trinidad. She hopes to revisit soon.

The event is presented by Sherika Miller, a former runner-up in the Miss Jamaica UK contest. Miller, who is also a registered nurse said the objective of the contest is to build confidence in young ladies of Caribbean descent in the UK.

For more: http://www.jamaicatimesuk.com/index.php/news/society/item/201-gabriel-is-miss-teen-caribbean

 

US Secret Service director Julia Pierson resigns

From BBC

Julia Pierson had faced angry questions in Congress after several security breaches

The head of the US Secret Service, tasked with guarding US President Barack Obama, has resigned following several high-profile security lapses.

Julia Pierson offered her resignation to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.

A day earlier, she faced angry questions in Congress about a major breach of White House security.

News of another incident involving an armed man allowed in a lift with Mr Obama compounded calls for her to go.

“Today Julia Pierson, the Director of the United States Secret Service, offered her resignation, and I accepted it,” Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson wrote in a statement.

“I salute her 30 years of distinguished service to the Secret Service and the Nation.”

For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29452829