iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands Immigration Boards Director suspended
Kimberley Davis (42) who has served as the Director of the Immigration Boards since 2012 has been suspended.
Davis was responsible for managing the administration of various immigration boards, including the Work Permit Board, the Caymanian Status and Residency Board and the Business Staffing Plan Board.
A statement from ministry Deputy Chief Officer Wesley Howell reads:
“A decision was made in the best interest of the civil service to place the relevant staff member on leave during the course of the investigation, to ensure the smooth running of the services that the Immigration Department provides to the public.”
Cayman media houses are reporting that Davis is alleged to not be complying with labour and immigration laws in connection with her own private business.
De Niro an envoy to Caribbean isles
From The Spokesman-Review
The prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda has appointed actor Robert De Niro as special economic envoy of the twin-island nation in the eastern Caribbean.
The administration of Gaston Browne said in a statement Saturday that the appointment comes after De Niro signed a memorandum of agreement on Friday for a $250 million hotel investment in Barbuda.
Officials said De Niro and Australian businessman James Packer will help renovate and expand a former five-star luxury resort that closed several years ago.
Browne said he expects the deal to be signed late next month and for construction to begin in the next 12 months.
He said De Niro will help attract more investment and American celebrities to Antigua & Barbuda as special economic envoy.
For more: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/nov/30/people-de-niro-an-envoy-to-caribbean-isles/
Holiday Gift programme initiated in the Cayman Islands for children with special educational needs
On Wednesday (3) the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has partnered with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and Disney Cruise to host the holiday gift programme for children in the Cayman Islands to take place at The Lighthouse School.
The Lighthouse School is a leaning centre for students with Special Educational Needs.
Student withdraws from university after dressing in racist Halloween costume
From Caribbean360
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Monday December 1, 2014, CMC – A university student who attended a Halloween party dressed as a member of the racist Ku Klux Klan, has withdrawn from the institution.
“Ross University…has really worked hard to build relationships within the St. Kitts and Nevis community, and we wish to stress to the community in the strongest possible terms, that the actions of one student are certainly not representative of Ross University and our student body as a whole,” said Assistant Dean of External Communications Jodi Peeler.
Speaking on WINN FM radio station here, Peeler said the Ross University has already begun beefing up its orientation presentation on cultural sensitivity in the wake of the incident.
“The one student’s off-campus behaviour was clearly offensive,” Peeler said, noting that the school’s administration received complaints about the incident from other students, about the student who had attended a private party on Halloween dressed as a member of the white supremacist group.
“We talked to him about the incident and he issued an apology to students who had expressed concern. He made a very poor decision; our hope is that he learns from his mistake and gains a deeper understanding about cultural sensitivity and living in a diverse community.”
Peeler told radio listeners that plans were already being made to place even more emphasis on the legacy of a history that encompassed hundreds of years of racial hatred and oppression.
“Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) does not support any type of behaviour that discriminates against a person’s age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or social standing. “RUSVM has also implemented cultural sensitivity program as part of our student orientation, which is intended to encourage all of us to embrace the many cultures that exist within our school and community.”
The US-owned Ross University’s medical school campus is in Dominica and has clinical education sites in Miami, and Saginaw in the United states. The veterinary school campus here is affiliated with more than 20 veterinary schools in the US, according to RUSVM website.
Lloyd Barker named Man of the Year by Barbados Consulate in Cayman Islands
Lloyd Barker (21) of West Bay, Grand Cayman has been named as Man of the Year by the Barbados Consulate in Cayman Islands.
Amongst other perks Barker has won a trip to Barbados.
This is the first time the award has been extended outside the Barbadian community.
Suriname gay group condemns song calling for homosexuals to be shot
PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Monday December 1, 2014, CMC – The gay rights group, Suriname Men United (SMU), is taking issue with a song by a local entertainer that calls for “bullets for homos”.
“It is horrific that Surinamese artistes, in this particular case King Koyeba, use these types of lyrics. This brings us back to when our community fought against the Jamaican artistes who were singing homophobic texts,” said SMU’s Kenneth van Emden.
Koyeba, the self-proclaimed Surinamese King of Dancehall launched his latest CD with the song “Bullet” a few weeks ago.
In the video, available on social media, blatantly calls for violence against gay people.
“It is not a good thing. Maybe it is good for them, but for me it is unacceptable,” Koyeba told a local newspaper, stressing he stands behind his song which is meant as his verbal rejection of homosexuality.
The Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender (LBGT) community has written to the law enforcement authorities and the media about the song. Severeal radio stations have since banned the tune.
“This song preaches hate and discrimination and that is irresponsible,” said Raheelle Bhaggan radio coordinator at SCCN broadcasting.
He said that the station really had had no problems with the artist beyond the song and would not stop playing his other tunes.
Police spokesman Humphrey Naarden told a local newspaper that he too considered the song “unfriendly and violent” and advised the LGBT community to seek professional advice on what legal steps were possible.
“If they can they should file a complaint and police will investigate the case,” Naarden said.
Cayman Islands serving police officer convicted of murder in Jamaica
From RJR News – Two police officers found guilty of 2010 murder
Two police officers who were charged with the New Year’s Day 2010 killing of a man in Alligator Pond, South Manchester, have been found guilty of murder.
The guilty verdict came on Wednesday in the Manchester Circuit Court.
The two men – Detective Constables Tyrone Findlay and Leonard Lindsay – will be sentenced on Friday.
On January 1, 2010, the cops shot dead 27 year old Anthony Richards and wounded another man, claiming they had attacked members of a police patrol which had responded to reports of a robbery.
The shooting led to two days of protest, during which residents attacked personnel at the Alligator Pond police station; and set fire to a service vehicle.
For more: http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/two-police-officers-found-guilty-of-2010-murder
EDITOR: Tyrone Findlay, one of the men convicted, was serving at the time with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. His employment was terminated following his conviction on Nov. 19th.
Caribbean Military Encounters
Editors Shalini Puri and Lara Putnam invite papers for a multidisciplinary humanities anthology that explores the Caribbean as a militarized region.
CFP deadline: Proposals due 15 December 2014; full papers due 31 May 2015
We hope to include essays from disciplines such as Art History, Cultural Studies, Literature, Media, Musicology, and Performance Studies. Some essays might explore cartoons, art, music and literature that touch upon the militarization of everyday life. Additionally, the collection will include testimonies and personal narratives gathered from Caribbean citizens and foreign and Caribbean military personnel. We especially welcome contributions that draw on illuminating anecdote, narrative nuance, texture, and voice.
Our focus on lived experience, everyday life, and artistic and political cultures from across the numerous language areas of the Caribbean and circum-Caribbean distinguishes our approach from that which is dominant in Policy Studies and Security Studies. Our approach also differs from those strands of leftist or nationalist scholarship in which resistance to militarization has taken the form of a reluctance to explore the topic except via “agonistic narratives” (Neptune, Caliban and the Yankees 11) that highlight opposition and sidestep complicity, co-implication, and reluctant or strategic participation. We are as interested in the creative ways disenfranchised populations claim the precarious possibilities militarization offers as we are in opposition to militarization expressed in the arts, everyday life, and organized politics; practices of complicity as well as of critique.
Please send indication of interest, 500-word proposals (or longer work), contact information, and bios of 75 words by 15 December 2014. Consideration by editors for inclusion in the volume will be based on the complete paper, which will be due 31 May 2015. Final acceptance will depend on peer review.
Above adapted from emailed CFP
Proposals and papers should be sent by email to [email protected]
Friends of Film say door-to-door donation seeker in the Cayman Islands is not one of them
“It’s a scam” says Friends of Film (FoF) member Badir Aw.
Aw has issued a public warning on behalf of FoF saying if someone approaches you asking for a donation on behalf of the group, don’t give them a penny. He is not working for them.
Twice in the last three weeks they have been informed a man was going door-to-door seeking donations on behalf of FoF.
FoF have said it does not and never has solicited for donations or equipment and has asked the public to inform the police if anyone approaches them for money saying they represent FoF.
Cayman University ex-president cannot find lawyer representation
Ex-president of the University College of the Cayman Islands, Hassan Iftikar Syed, still cannot find a lawyer to represent him.
Syed told the judge, Charles Quin, last Friday (28) that he had contacted 11 lawyers and all had turned him down without giving a reason.
One lawyer, he told the judge, he had met with three times and the lawyer was still deciding whether to accept the case.
Syed faces charges of theft, obtaining a pecuniary advantage and obtaining a money order by deception.
The case is scheduled for three weeks commencing March 2nd, 2015
Accused cat killer gets 30 days house arrest
By Lisa Spector, Care2
In Mesa, AZ., convicted cat snatcher Scott Andrew Graham is serving 30 days house arrest and counseling. While Graham has admitted to stealing 40 to 50 cats and playing with them, several of the stolen cats have shown up mutilated and dead within 24 hours, according to RawStory.com. Graham was caught on video stealing one of those family cats that later turned up dead.
ABC15 reported, “Police said they did find cat hair, duct tape, gloves and plastic bags in Graham’s garage and car. Ultimately, no tests were done to match Graham with the dead animals and without enough direct evidence, animal cruelty charges were dropped.”
Scott Graham’s sentence? Three years’ probation for theft and 30 days house arrest.
Residents are understandably angry that Graham is serving such a light sentence, and they started a silent protest outside his home. It is both in memory of the tortured, killed cats, and also a message to keep cats indoors and children safe. It is known that serial killers often start with animals before proceeding to people, often children.
An online issue of PETA states, “Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals don’t stop there—many of them move on to their fellow humans.”
According to a New South Wales newspaper, a police study in Australia revealed that “100 percent of sexual homicide offenders examined had a history of animal cruelty.”
And yet, Scott Andrew Graham, is serving 30 days house arrest for theft and told that he can’t go back to the neighborhood in which he stole the cats. A dog gets a death sentence for injuring a cat, but a human gets only 30 days house arrest?
For more on this story go to:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/accused-cat-killer-gets-30-days-house-arrest.html
Educators attend hearing loss and cochlear implantation workshop
From Bahamaislandsinfo
NASSAU, Bahamas — The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Med-El Corporation collaborated to present a two-day workshop to staff of the Special Services Unit and Special Education Teachers of the Centre for the Deaf, Stapledon School and Willard Patton Preschool. The sessions focused on latest trends and best practices for assisting students who have significant hearing loss and/or require cochlear implantation as a means of hearing and eventually speaking. The presenters at the workshop were Dr. Kim Johnson-Scriven, Ms. Joanna Brachmaier and Mrs. Janet Lane.
Dr. Kim Johnson-Scriven, a Certified Clinical Audiologist spoke on the topic “Basic Audiology”. She expressed that hearing loss is an invisible disability that is the most common of development disabilities. Dr. Johnson-Scriven shared that three out of every 1,000 babies born will have some degree of loss affecting their communication. She pointed out that in the year 2000, Doctor’s Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas implemented the Caribbean’s first Newborn Screening Program; the government’s South Beach Clinic has a Newborn Screening Program in place and audiology services have expanded in both government and private schools. She also explained the various types of hearing loss, the audiometric testing process, the audiogram procedure and how a cochlear implant works.
Mrs. Janet Lane, Senior Rehabilitation and Education Manager for Med-El Corporation based in Innsbruck, Austria, stated that the earlier a child receives a cochlear implant the better the chances of meeting the best potential of the implant. The phases of implantation include preparation, surgery, fitting and rehabilitation. Mrs. Lane said that a Key Worker, a person who will accompany the family throughout the implantation and rehabilitation process plays a very important role. Collaboration is necessary for good results. This includes the elements of awareness, information, education and repetition.
Ms. Joanna Brachmaier is the Head of Rehabilitation in Business Unit Clinics for Med-El. She spoke about the members of a Cochlear Implantation Team. She stated that the team would vary in some situations but would include parents, a teacher, specialists and health professionals. Ms. Brachmaier stated that the family and the team must make the best decision for the child. She pointed out that it is important to ensure that the child and or family displays warmth, love, trust and acceptance before you begin the implantation process.
Speech Therapist at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ms. Vivienne Bullard commented on the workshop experience and said, “We found the workshop on auditory rehabilitation to be very informative and beneficial. It enhanced our knowledge of how a cochlear implant device affects the communication skills of the client and the advantages and disadvantages of the implant. In addition, it highlighted the need for early identification, early implantation, consistent intervention, and diverse team support. The presenters introduced a variety of tests and materials that were designed to improve the skills (listening, discriminating, processing etc.) of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. Moreover, the presenters made us aware of the fact that it is imperative that those who receive an implant must also receive continued and consistent therapy. Speech and language therapy is an essential factor in the rehabilitation of persons with cochlear implants.”
Digicel selects NAAP Global Solutions to provide Telecom asset management software in the Caribbean
From South Florida Caribbean news
Martinique – Digicel has selected the NAAP Software(c) platform for their operation in Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana,. This Program is multi-modular asset lifecycle software that helps telecom operators to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
The NAAP Software(c) is one component of a complete array of services branded as NAAP Solution [TM], which provides as well 3D laser scanning of Telecommunication Sites and barcoding and network asset Inventory.
With the techniques of NAAP Global Solutions, Digicel will maximize the tracking and management of 350 telecom sites, drastically reducing operating expenses. Under the agreement, this solution will also include conducting a detailed inventory of over 50,000 installed telecommunications assets, barcoding and high definition 3D laser scanning.
Donato Van Splunteren, Vice President of Sales of NAAP Global Solutions, commented: “In Digicel we identified a real need and we positioned NAAP as the unified solution that will give them visibility and control over their assets. Upon project completion, Digicel will have an operational tool that will enable the company to have a consolidated view of assets that are deployed in distant geographical territories, simplifying and empowering the decision making process.
Furthermore, NAAP offers flexibility: customers have the choice between two business models of NAAP (Purchase Licenses or Software as a Service). The implementation is modular and it offers professional services in order to assist the organization in its own implementation, and the ability to customize and develop customer-specific solutions. Once we are done with the implementation, Digicel will have all asset related information readily available to be useful to them from day one.”
For more on this story go to:http://sflcn.com/story.php?id=13044
Man Confesses to Killing Ella, the Loving Deer
by Megan Drake From Care2
Thanks to an anonymous tip, the man who shot Ella the deer in Kansas City, Missouri’s Elmwood Cemetery last month has admitted to the shooting. Phoenix M. Vankirk, a 19-year-old, was cited for shooting a deer out of season, a misdemeanor that carries a $375 fine. Vankirk claims he shot Ella “…to save a little money and feed his family.” He has a fiance and an 8-month-old son.
Yes, a mere fine of $375 seems too slight a punishment for taking a life. However, the law is the law. “It’s certainly in the public interest that the person will be held accountable,” said John Weilert, president of Elmwood Cemetery board of trustees. “We can only deal with what’s on the books, in terms of laws, but I think the community has pretty well expressed outrage over this kind of behavior, and that’s something that the person is going to have to live with.”
In Defense of Animals was offering a $1,500 reward to anyone who reported a lead that found the perpetrator and ends in a conviction. PETA added $5,000 to the reward money.
The anonymous tip was reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office who then put the person in touch with Missouri Department of Conservation. It appears that the tipster may collect the $6,500 reward.
Vankirk said he was grilling food on his porch the night of August 3rd when he saw Ella. It should be noted, Vankirk lives directly adjacent to Elmwood Cemetery. “Vankirk stated he then went into his house and retrieved a .45 caliber handgun and jumped the fence of the cemetery.” He then hid behind a tree and shot Ella when she moved closer to him. Vankirk claims he left Ella’s body because he realized the cemetery was locked and he couldn’t get his vehicle in to load the deer carcass. He also claims he had no idea Ella was so special.
For more : http://www.care2.com/causes/update-man-confesses-to-killing-ella-the-loving-deer.html
Watchdog questions accuracy of EPA’s scientific integrity
By Phillip Swarts-The Washington Times
Scientific research and calculations done by the Environmental Protection Agency may not be accurate because its employees have trouble doing science, according to a report from the agency’s internal watchdog that says the situation requires quick action to fix.
“The EPA has not developed or implemented a program to instruct the EPA’s employees on the requirements and standards of scientific inquiry,” says the report by the agency’s inspector general. That means EPA officials can’t ensure employees are following the agency’s latest “Scientific Integrity Policy” implemented in February 2012. And while investigators didn’t cite any specific calculations or research from the EPA as inaccurate, they said that scientific principles need to be followed to maintain the reliability of reports and conclusions reached by the agency.
The IG recommends that the EPA start agencywide training on its scientific integrity guidelines, as well as issuing annual reports on the status of scientific integrity at the agency. Investigators had first expressed concern in 2011 that employees might not be familiar with the agency’s scientific integrity guidelines. But following the most recent report — given to the agency in June and made public in August — investigators said the EPA has taken action to correct the problems. The acting EPA scientific integrity officer, Glenn Paulson, agrees that there needs to be better guidance on the 2012 policy, but said he was surprised by the urgent tone of the IG’s report since he had been working with investigators for several months to fix the problems.
The newest scientific integrity policy is the latest addition to “our long history of scientific safeguards to further ensure that sound science drives agency decision-making,” he said.
“The EPA’s ability to fulfill its mission to safeguard human health and protect the environment depends on sound scientific analyses, and the agency remains committed to scientific integrity,” Mr. Paulson said.
The EPA’s latest issuance of scientific guidelines followed a 2009 memo from President Obama. “The President instructed each agency to implement rules and procedures for ensuring the integrity of the scientific process within their agency,” including strengthening “the actual and perceived credibility of government research” and “conveying scientific and technological information to the public,” the IG said.
At the time, EPA officials said the president’s memo “provides the agency with a unique opportunity to further demonstrate a deep commitment to scientific integrity in the pursuit of the agency’s vital mission of protecting human health and the environment.”
Feds arrest dozens of Puerto Ricans in biggest ever US Social Security scam
From Caribbean360
The government would have lost over US$35 million if not for the four-year investigation into the audacious conspiracy.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – In a case that has been referred to as unparalleled in the history of the Social Security Administration, federal authorities have arrested about 70 people and are seeking several more in a multimillion dollar Social Security fraud case in Puerto Rico.
The US island territory, which authorities say has one of the highest rates of fraud involving federal disability benefits, has so far seen charges laid against three doctors and around six dozen Social Security claimants accused of receiving more than US$2 million in disability benefit payments.
The biggest haul allegedly went to a former Social Security worker accused of taking US$2.5 million while directing claimants to doctors participating in the scam who would file false claims.
According to Ed Ryan, New York-based special agent in charge of the Inspector General’s office of the Social Security Administration’s investigations office, the former Social Security worker claimed to help clients seeking benefits and directed them to the doctors who would earn up to US$500 for each fake claim.
Federal agents launched the investigation in 2009, and it gradually “became apparent that the conspiracy was much larger and far-reaching than we thought,” Ryan said.
According to US Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez: “There has never been a case like this in the history of the Social Security Administration. If this fraudulent activity hadn’t been stopped, the government would have lost more than $35 million.”
