iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands Grace Gealey to star on FOX’s “Empire”
Grace Gealey, originally from the Cayman Islands, will be starring on FOX’s Empire, which premieres in January 2015.
Grace Gealey stars as Anika Gibbons in the anticipated FOX series EMPIRE
co-created and executive produced by Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious).
Her character is the head of A&R for Empire and the new love interest of Lucious Lyon (Terrance Howard). The show also stars Taraji P Henson, Gabourey Sidibe, Trai Byers, and Jussie Smollett.
You can see the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBzu_jKLJek
Diving staff from Appleby’s help restore Cayman Islands damaged reef
Last Friday (17) eight members of Appleby’s, a leading Cayman Islands law and corporate company, put on their diving suits and masks and spent the day helping restore one of the Grand Cayman’s damaged reefs.
Carnival Magic caused the damage to the reef by its anchor, the same cruise ship making headlines now after it was revealed one of their passengers isolated herself over fears she could have Ebola.
The damage to the reef was described by one of the Appleby staff members as “quite shocking” and how slow the process is – “moving 4 buckets each time you did a dive. It just shows the amount of work that is still needed.”
So far volunteer divers have logged more than 350 man-hours working on the site that is supervised by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment.
Jamaica to host IMF Conference on growth in the Caribbean
From Bess FM
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Tuesday said it will hold a high-level conference in Jamaica later this month on “Unlocking Growth in the Caribbean”.
The Washington-based financial institution said the October 23-24 conference in Montego Bay is being held in collaboration with Jamaica’s Ministry of Finance and Planning. The IMF said the event will focus on how to unlock growth in the region and will examine key issues such as improving the reliability and efficiency of energy provision, a tax regime to encourage investment, and steps to strengthen the financial sector.
“The outlook for the Caribbean economies continues to be challenging. This forum will be an opportunity to further our ongoing dialogue with the region’s policy makers on how to work toward stronger and inclusive growth in the Caribbean by addressing important issues such as energy provision, tax incentives and financial sector resilience,” said Alejandro Werner, the Director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department.
The Jamaica meeting is a follow-up to last year’s high-level conference in The Bahamas on “Building Growth into the Caribbean Sustainability Agenda,” and will bring together Prime Ministers, finance ministers, central bank governors, and other high-ranking officials from Caribbean countries–as well as senior officials from the IMF, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter American Development Bank and the World Bank and private sector representatives. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will open the conference on October 23.
The IMF delegation will be headed by Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director of the Fund, and Werner, who oversees IMF activities and operations in the Caribbean, and in North.
For more: http://www.bessfm.com/jamaica-to-host-imf-conference-on-growth-in-the-caribbean/
Cayman Islands government health insurance exploring contractual agreement with Health City
Health City Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands National Insurance Company (CINICO) are in talks regarding forming a contractual agreement for the referral of government hospital patients, the Cayman Compass is reporting.
See http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2014/10/17/Health-City,-CINICO-seek-deal/
CARICOM Commemorates 6th Caribbean Statistics Day
From Latin American Herald Tribune
SAN JUAN – The Caribbean Community on Wednesday marked Caribbean Statistics Day, a celebration instituted six years ago to promote transparency and educate people about the importance of statistics.
This year’s theme is “Data Revolution for Sustainable Development in CARICOM – Designing and Operationalizing a Framework for Statistics in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.”
In a press release, CARICOM stressed the need to take advantage of new technologies, connectivity and data as tools for individuals to achieve their own goals.
“The CARICOM Secretariat continues to work with Member States to improve the coverage, reliability and quality of the traditional areas of statistics and to develop frameworks to measure new and emerging issues,” the group said.
In the Second High Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics, held in May in Grenada, the 15 member states agreed that information technology is key to “sustaining the development and availability of timely, high-quality and relevant statistics for decision-making, and for the empowerment of citizens of the entire region.”
Member states also concluded that each of them must ensure they have a national strategy for statistics development aligned with their respective economic and social plans.
CARICOM comprises: Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Haiti; Jamaica; Montserrat; Saint Lucia; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; and Trinidad and Tobago.
For more: http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2356712&CategoryId=14092
Cayman Islands government to consider daylight saving
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin announced his Progressives government was seriously looking at the benefits Daylight Saving could bring if it was adopted.
Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce legislative luncheon last week McLaughlin said, “Daylight savings time is one of those issues that has been around some time. The Progressives-led government is proposing a public consultation process on this matter because it is our considered judgment that both our financial and tourism sectors could benefit from the move to daylight savings time,” he said. “There are many benefits, including elimination of confusion over travel times, putting our financial industry in sync with New York, and putting an end to early arrivals and departures of cruise ships.”
Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos all practice daylight saving time as did Jamaica in 1974, but they discontinued it in 1983.
Man of St. Lucian-Jamaican parentage wins Mr. Caribbean International title
Standing at six feet four inches tall, Mark Sparks captured the hotly pursued title of Mr. Caribbean International at the thirteenth annual staging of the competition this past Saturday.
Before a sold-out audience at the Hedonism II resort in Negril, Jamaica, Sparks ignited the crowd and won over the adjudicators with his charm, chiseled features, statuesque physique and sharp intellect.
When asked what role he believes a man should play in his home and community, he empathetically stated that a man “should lead from behind and be a pillar of strength”.
Thirty-three year old Sparks, who is of St. Lucian and Jamaican heritage, was also presented with the award for Best in Interview and placed third in the competition’s rigorous fitness challenge.
Sparks was accompanied by 1st runner-up, Dwayne Walker (Jamaica) and 2nd runner-up, Godwin Charles (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) as the Top Three Finalists in the last round of competition.
Walker, who has represented Jamaica very well at several international bodybuilding competitions, also walked away as the winner of the fitness challenge and was presented with the sectional award for Best Physique. Meanwhile,
Charles, a trained dancer, was presented with the award for Best in Talent. Sparks wins a cash prize of $2,500 USD and a seven night stay at the Hedonism II resort.
See attachment.
American philanthropist Doc Hendley to speak at YVLA awards
At this year’s Young Caymanian Leadership Awards (YCLA) on Nov. 1st at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the keynote speaker is American philanthropist Doc Hendley.
Hendley, who was named one of CNN’s “Top 10 Heroes of the Year” in 2009, is founder of the Wine to Water charity, which aims to provide clean water to those in need worldwide.
“Doc Hendley is living proof that one person really can change the world,” says Jackie Hansen, director of the Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation. “He shows us that it’s not about how much money you have or how many diplomas are on your wall – it’s about dreaming big and being passionate and committed about what you believe in. Doc’s story is one of reaching incredible heights by ‘fanning into flame’ a small but powerful spark that grew from a compassionate idea.”
Working as a bartender in his native North Carolina, Mr. Hendley, 35, learned that more than one billion people go without clean drinking water every day and began raising money where he worked. His charitable movement has raised funds to dig wells in Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, India, Cambodia and Peru.
“People of all ages will find his message uplifting and motivating. Moreover, Doc will be in good company with our own local heroes – the five young finalists who are the focus of our event, and whose stories will also be told that evening,” said Ms. Hansen.
This year’s YCLA finalists are: Chevala Burke, nee Tatum, Katrina Jurn, Michael Lockwood, Kadi Merren-Pentney and Lydia Warren.
UN Predicts decline in unemployment in Caribbean
From Jamaica Observer
SANTIAGO, Chile — Two United Nations agencies say the unfavorable evolution of the economy in Latin America and the Caribbean during the second half of 2014 will not prevent regional urban unemployment from decreasing slightly this year.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the International Labor Organisation (ILO) in a joint report are predicting declines to six or 6.1 per cent from the 6.2 per cent recorded in 2013.
The report indicates that while a regional rebound in job creation is not foreseen in 2014, a lower rate of labour market participation — which is to say, the proportion of the working-age population inside the labour force, whether employed or unemployed — should enable unemployment to fall.
According to the report, even though country data shows a high degree of heterogeneity, the employment rate at a regional level — meaning the number of employed people versus the total working-age population—continued the decline it had initiated in 2013 during the first half of this year.
“Considering these circumstances, and as paradoxical as it may seem, the decline in the unemployment rate is not entirely positive news… The fall in labour force participation that is behind the decreasing unemployment has an impact on the economic autonomy of a growing proportion of the population, especially women,” said Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s executive secretary, and Elizabeth Tinoco, ILO’s regional director.
Despite the current stagnation, the overall assessment of the region’s labour markets during recent years is positive, according to the report.
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/UN-Predicts-decline-in-unemployment-in-Caribbean
Nepal Annapurna: Climbing disaster toll reaches 39
From BBC
At least 39 climbers died on a key Nepali hiking route after it was hit by major snowstorms and avalanches earlier this week, officials say.
Helicopters are helping rescuers high in the Himalayas as they search on for missing trekkers, with fears that more bodies lie beneath the snow.
A total of 289 people have been rescued from the mountain ranges in what is Nepal’s worst-ever trekking disaster.
A government spokesman said the priority was to rescue stranded people.
Tourism ministry official Suresh Acharya told BBC Nepali that helicopters were scouring snowy areas as high as 5,790m (19,000ft).
One of the main trekking routes – the Thorung La pass, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit – is now “relatively safe” after the army cleared snow, he said.
“We are told that there are around still 20-25 persons in the area and they are safe,” the official added.
For more on this story go to: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29672358
See also related iNews Cayman story published October 18 2014 “Nepal: Annapurna Circuit snow and avalanche deaths reach 28” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/nepal-annapurna-circuit-snow-and-avalanche-deaths-reach-28/
India and Caribbean to double bilateral trade
From Caribbean National Weekly
India has Latin America and the Caribbean to double bilateral trade within the next five years and increase investments as part of the South-South cooperation.
“Doubling the trade figures in the next five years should be our collective goal and bilateral investments could help us in achieving this milestone”, said Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the India-Latin American Investment Conclave.
Current trade between India and Latin America reaches around $46 billion , but does not reflect the total potential which exists in both regions, said Sitharaman, adding that the target could be reached by “broad-basing trade and economic ties and diversifying the basket of trade in goods and services”.
During the first day of the event on Friday, trade ministers and government officials from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru addressed the audience.
For more: http://www.cnweeklynews.com/india-caribbean-double-bilateral-trade/
Guyana remains on the “precipice” of being blacklisted by FATF – AG
From Caribbean360
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Thursday October 16, 2014, CMC – Guyana is still at risk of being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for failing to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation.
According to Attorney General Anil Nandlall, the nation remains on the “precipice” of being blacklisted as the “vital legislation is languishing in the select committee chaired by A Partnership for National Unity member, Carl Greenidge”
Nandlall says despite the identification of deficiencies in Guyana’s financial and legal architecture, the political opposition continues to reject recommendations to address its shortcomings.
Guyana is executing a work plan given to government by the FATF, and a unit within the organisation has been given the responsibility of supervising the correction of deficiencies identified, he added, saying that as far as possible “Guyana has attempted to comply with the work plan”.
Guyana’s efforts were recently reviewed during a face-to-face interaction with the Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG) in Miami on September 29.
FATF appointed a special body comprising representatives from the Americas to work with Guyana for the purpose of making a presentation of Guyana’s case in Paris.
The report, which was worked out by both stakeholders, the minister said, has already been sent to Paris for scrutiny.
Guyana’s case to FATF will be put forth during the body’s plenary meeting on October 18-24 in France.
“In Paris, France, it will be decided whether we will be given any further time to correct the deficiencies,” the Attorney General stated.
Guyana is the only country that is technically deficient in terms of its financial crimes’ legislative framework in the western hemisphere, as all of the other FATF member-countries are now concluding their fourth round of examinations.
Guyana is still to come out of the third round.
Cayman Islands NACRA Championships Big Game next year
The Cayman Rugby Football Union (CRFU) announced this week Big Game 5 is set for 11 April, where Cayman will face Mexico in the third round of the NACRA Championship.
Big Game 4 was held earlier this year, when Cayman fell to USA South with a shot to advance to the NACRA Championship finals on the line.
The match will be played at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
Association of Caribbean States supports Santiago’s 1st World Eco-tourism and Production Fair
From Dominican Today
Santiago.- H.E. Alfonso Múnera, Secretary General of the Association of States in the Caribbean (AEC), will represent the Association’s first World Eco-tourism and Production Fair in the city of Santiago, Dominican Republic.
This initiative coordinated by H.E. José Serulle Ramia, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Trinidad & Tobago, will showcase the country’s eco-tourism attractions from October 18 to 26.
This exhibition aims to support local development and includes the fundamental objective of the ACS; promote the sustainable development of the Greater Caribbean.
To that end, H.E. Múnera will participate in official activities of the fair, attending meetings and visits, as well as facilitating exchanges with business and industrial leaders of the host country.
Costa Rica seizes 1.5 tons of pot in chase at sea
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica’s coast guard has recovered 1.5 tons of marijuana that officials say was thrown into the sea by smugglers being chased in the Caribbean after a tip from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The country’s Public Security Ministry says the incident happened early Friday and the suspect boat escaped its Costa Rican pursuers.
Security Minister Celso Gamboa said Saturday that the pot appeared to have come from Jamaica and that the smugglers were headed for Panama. He says the DEA alerted Costa Rica to the suspicious vessel.
Costa Rica’s government says joint anti-drug efforts with the U.S. have led to the seizure of nearly 20 tons of cocaine and 3 tons of compressed marijuana so far this year. It says 17,216 people have been arrested.
For more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/costa-rica-seizes-15-tons-pot-chase-sea
Cayman Islands Chiropractic & Physiotherapy practice welcomes new health physiotherapist
Synergy Chiropractic and Physiotherapy, located at 36 Lawrence Thompson Blvd. , Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands has announced women’s health physiotherapist Riette Vosloo has joined them.
Ms. Vosloo qualified with a degree in BSc Physiotherapy at the University of the Free State, South Africa in 1998. She further pursued her interest in women’s health and completed a postgraduate Certificate in Continence for Physiotherapists at Bradford University, England in 2006.
After moving to London in 2003, she took up employment at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where she worked with Professor Linda Cardozo, a leading consultant urogynecologist, and her urodynamics team of consultants and nurse specialists as clinical lead women’s health physiotherapist of the department for eight years. In the past four years, she has focused on building a successful private practice at London Bridge HCA Hospital, before moving to Cayman.
Women’s health is a specialized field of physiotherapy dealing with those suffer with bladder or bowel problems, pelvic floor injury and dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, problems with sexual intercourse, and pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and diastasis rectus.
Problems associated with pelvic floor dysfunction can affect women of all ages and all walks of life.
Guyana’s top student tops entire Caribbean at CSEC
From News Source Guyana
Guyana’s top performer at the Caribbean Examination Council’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination, Elisa Hamilton has been adjudged the top performing student in the entire Caribbean.
The Queens College student gained 19 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Two at this year’s sitting of the examination. Other Guyanese students will also be receiving special awards for their performance, topping the region in several subject areas. QC student Aliyyah Abdul Kadir has been chosen as the Most Outstanding student in the Caribbean in Humanities, while another Queens College student Ryhan Chand has gotten the nod for the Most Outstanding student in Business. Kishan Crichlow of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School has been adjudged as the Most Outstanding student in the Caribbean in Technical Vocational
CXC will present the students and other top performers in the region with awards at a ceremony to be held at the UWI Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, Jamaica on Thursday 4 December, 2014.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to congratulate the students on their exemplary performance and wish them all the best in their future endeavors”, a statement from the Ministry of Education stated.
Last year Guyana won five of the eight awards offered. The winners from Guyana were: Yogeeta Persaud – Anna Regina Secondary School, Overall Outstanding Achievement; Rafena Mustapha – Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Most Outstanding in Humanities; Cecil Cox – Queen’s College, Most Outstanding in Sciences; Sasha S Woodroffe – Queen’s College, Most Outstanding in Business Studies; and Zimeena A Rasheed – Anna Regina Secondary School, Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational.
For more: http://newssourcegy.com/news/guyanas-top-student-tops-entire-caribbean-csec/
