iNews Briefs & Community Events
Community Events
APRIL 27
Boundaries Commission George Town Meeting
The Boundaries Commission is hosting a public meeting at Mary Miller Hall on Monday (27 Apr) at 7pm.
Love Shouldn’t Hurt
The Family Resource Centre presents Love Shouldn’t Hurt on Monday (27 Apr) at 12pm.
Cayman Islands Opposition Leader ‘s Conspiracy Motion approved
Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly Speaker Juliana O’Connor Conolly has approved the Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush’s Conspiracy Motion.
Bush said he has “irrefutable evidence” to back up his claims there was a conspiracy to topple his UDP government in 2012 and filed the Conspiracy Motion.
He wants a public, independent enquiry into the matter.
Lawmakers received the notice last Thursday (23). It is scheduled to be debated in May when the budget is presented.
Since this, however, Cayman Islands Premier, Alden McLaughlin’s lawyers have sent an emailed letter to Cayman’s media houses advising any publication of statements made by Mr Bush including those contained in his Conspiracy Motion are in their opinion defamatory.
Ice cream recall extended to Caribbean
From Caribbean News Now
IMAGE:bluebell_recall2.jpg
BRENHAM, USA — On Monday, Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham, Texas, voluntarily expanded its recall to include all of its products currently on the market because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
This recall includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks made at all Blue Bell facilities. The recalled products have been distributed internationally to several countries in the Caribbean region, including Anguilla, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Consumers should not eat any of the recalled products. If these products are in your freezer, they should be thrown away or returned, even if some of them have been eaten without anyone becoming ill.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that, as of Monday, a total of ten patients infected with several strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from four states: Arizona (1), Kansas (5), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (3). Illness onset dates ranged from January 2010 through January 2015. All ten patients were hospitalized. Three deaths were reported from Kansas within the last year. Three strains associated with these case patients have been identified in products manufactured at either the Blue Bell production facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, or Brenham, Texas.
Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating the ice cream should seek medical care and tell their health care provider about any history of eating the ice cream. Symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after consumption of the contaminated food.
Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies.
For more: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Ice-cream-recall-extended-to-Caribbean-25831.html
Caymanian CDFL players kick off to New York thanks to Cayman Airways
From Cayman Airways
Aboard Cayman Airways’ nonstop flight from Grand Cayman to New York on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, were five Caymanian athletes on their way to play an American football exhibition game organized by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL).
The athletes – Perry Levy, Avery Ebanks, Gino Brown, Adrian Rowe, and Alex Bodden – were all selected by the CDFL in January following the “Cayman Kickoff” event that featured US players as well as about 20 players from the Cayman Islands.
This exhibition game is called the “International Scout Bowl” and features players from the USA, Canada and Europe, as well as now the Cayman Islands. The CDFL works with young men who desire to get to the next level in their football career, by conducting showcase games in the US and abroad to offer these players an opportunity to be seen by scouts.
“I think it confirms exactly what we always believed — that we can play this sport if given the opportunity,” said team leader Perry Levy said. “So going to New York I guess opens up more opportunities for us and I guess exposes us to more individuals and more people or more football people that can, hopefully, give us an opportunity somewhere else.”
Cayman Airways sponsored the round trip tickets to New York for all five of the Caymanian players.
“As a major supporter of local sports, it was a pleasure for Cayman Airways to make this incredible opportunity possible for these talented Caymanian players,” said the airline’s Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Olivia Scott Ramirez, noting that New York is also one of the most popular routes Cayman Airways has for nonstop flights to and from the Cayman Islands.
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism also played a major role in ensuring that the players were able to take advantage of this opportunity.
Ruling party swept out of office in Anguilla general elections
From Caribbean News Now
THE VALLEY, Anguilla — The opposition Anguilla United Front (AUF) led by veteran politician Victor Banks won an overwhelming majority at the polls on Wednesday after voters in Anguilla stood in lines for hours to cast their ballots in the seven electoral districts.
Anguilla United Front Leader Victor Banks
All members of the incumbent Anguilla United Movement (AUM) government lost their seats and, for the first time in the history of the island, three women were voted into the House of Assembly.
Banks was expected to be sworn in as the new chief minister of Anguilla.
Following the election, Banks said on social media: “Thanks to everyone for the love and support. Your dedication and belief in our team of candidates and in me as a man and your leader means everything to me. I love Anguilla and will work for you the people of Anguilla for as long as you grant me that privilege! Thank you all! God bless!”
Outgoing chief minister, Hubert Hughes, 82, who had held office since February 2010, did not contest this election, having now retired from active politics.
Guide to seeking residency in Cayman Islands
From RCIPS
The RCIPS Financial Crime Unit (FCU) is reminding the public about the process to be followed in making an application to reside permanently in the Cayman Islands.
An application for permanent residency can only be made by persons who have resided in the Cayman Islands for a minimum of 8 years. The process involves submitting a completed and signed application form as well as a number of supporting documents. These include a cover letter, a police clearance certificate, a medical questionnaire, character and bank references and evidence of property ownership.
The applicant must also pay certain prescribed fees at the time of making the application to the Immigration Department. There is no other way to apply for permanent residency.
It is not within protocol of the Immigration Department to have their officers or other persons representing them, approach members of the public to offer permanent residency or to solicit funds to pay for permanent residency.
The Financial Crime Unit advises – if you are approached by any person(s) who purports to be an Immigration Officer or any person offering to assist them in obtaining permanent residency, report the matter to the police.
For further information, please contact the Financial Crime Unit at 949-8797.
Central America and Caribbean to spend $3.3 Billion on smart grid infrastructure by 2025
From T&D World Magazine
Region looks to smart grid to incorporate renewables, reduce electricity theft and lower tariffs
Central America and the Caribbean will invest $3.3bn in smart grid infrastructure over the period 2015-2025. This investment will help lower the region’s high cost of electricity by incorporating renewable resources and reducing rampant electricity theft. At 19.8 cents per kWh, the average residential tariff in Central America and the Caribbean is more than double the average across emerging market countries, according to a new study published today by Northeast Group, LLC.
“The Central America and Caribbean region is endowed with a wealth of untapped renewable energy resources. Smart grid infrastructure investment is critical to incorporating solar, wind and other renewables into the existing grid,” said Ben Gardner, president of Northeast Group. “Additionally, the region’s transmission and distribution losses average nearly 20%, largely due to rampant electricity theft. This is among the worst rates in the world, behind only Africa and South Asia. Incorporating more renewable generation capacity and reducing losses can help bring down the region’s high electricity prices.”
The largest investments in the near-term will be in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica. In addition, the region’s larger markets of Guatemala and Honduras will also see significant investment over the forecast period. The region benefits from shared standards with the US and proximity to several experienced North American smart grid vendors.
At the same time, the region must overcome several barriers to smart grid investment. Chief among these is a crime and violence problem that is among the worst in the world. Security challenges will likely put pressure on power infrastructure progress in the region.
Northeast Group’s 64-page study Central America & Caribbean Smart Grid: Market Forecast 2015 – 2025 includes 75 tables and graphics and 10-year forecasts for five smart grid market segments. It includes in-depth profiles of five countries and summaries for six more, as well as profiles of key vendors active in the region.
AWM Investment Company, Inc. – Cayman funds sold
NEW YORK, April 24, 2015 /CNW/ – AWM Investment Company, Inc. (“AWM”) announced today that three funds advised by it have disposed of shares (“Shares”) of Xebec Adsorption Inc. (“Xebec”) in open market transactions.
AWM advises the Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P. (“SSFQP”), the Special Situations Cayman Fund, L.P. (the “Cayman Fund”) and the Special Situations Private Equity Fund, L.P. (the “Private Equity Fund”). SSFQP, the Cayman Fund and the Private Equity Fund together will be referred to as the “Funds”.
On April 22, 2015, 50,000 Shares of Xebec at a price of U.S. $0.0518 per share were sold by the Funds. SSFQP sold 35,058 Shares, the Cayman Fund sold 10,260 Shares and the Private Equity Fund sold 4,682 Shares. The above dispositions represent approximately 0.1% of the outstanding shares.
Following this disposition, the Funds own 9,283,761 Shares of Xebec, and warrants to purchase 2,500,000 Shares, representing approximately 28.2% of the outstanding Shares assuming the exercise of all warrants held by the Funds. SSFQP holds 6,509,489 Shares and warrants to purchase 1,750,000 Shares, the Cayman Fund holds 1,904,927 Shares and warrants to purchase 550,000 Shares, and the Private Equity Fund holds 869,345 Shares and warrants to purchase 200,000 Shares. The Funds own the securities, and AWM controls such securities.
AWM holds the Shares on behalf of the Funds for investment purposes. AWM and/or the Funds may purchase additional Shares and/or warrants and/or other securities, or dispose of Shares and/or warrants and/or other securities, of Xebec from time to time as circumstances warrant. AWM and the Funds may be considered to act jointly or in concert.
AWM’s address is 527 Madison Avenue, Suite 2600, New York, New York 10022.
SOURCE AWM Investment Company, Inc.
Caribbean hotel occupancy rises for 11th straight month
From Caribbean Journal
Caribbean hotel occupancy continues to climb, according to the latest monthly report from STR Inc.
The region’s hotel occupancy stood at 79.4 percent in March, up 1.3 percent from the same month in 2014.
The Caribbean’s average daily hotel rate rose to $248.37, with RevPar, or revenue per available room, rising 2.2 percent to $197.20.
For the year, Caribbean hotel occupancy was at 77.8 percent at the end of March, up 2.2 percent from the first quarter of 2014.
STR’s data surveyed 1,921 hotels in the wider region comprising 229,046 rooms.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2015/04/23/caribbean-hotel-occupancy-rises-for-11th-straight-month/#
Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd. receives notice of delisting from NASDAQ
Source: Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd.
GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, April 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd. (“HLSS” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:HLSS) today announced that on April 20, 2015 it received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff (“Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), notifying the Company that Nasdaq has determined to delist the ordinary shares of the Company from Nasdaq pursuant to the Staff’s discretionary authority under Listing Rule 5101, effective at the opening of business on April 29, 2015.
As disclosed on April 10, 2015, HLSS intends to pay a liquidating distribution in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.2 billion, or $16.613 per share (the “Distribution Amount”), on April 27, 2015. Following the payment of the Distribution Amount, HLSS intends to file a proxy statement in connection with a proposed merger of HLSS with a subsidiary of New Residential Investment Corp. (“New Residential”). Upon the consummation of the proposed merger, holders of ordinary shares of the Company at the effective time of the merger will receive an aggregate of approximately $50 million, or $0.704059 per share, and all shares of HLSS will automatically be cancelled.
The Company does not intend to appeal the Staff’s decision.
The distribution will be made pursuant to the Plan of Complete Liquidation and Dissolution previously adopted by the Company and is intended to be treated as a payment in exchange for a holder’s ordinary shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of the distribution (including the application of the passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” rules) in light of their particular circumstances.
Record number of Chinese tourists arrive in Jamaica after visa restrictions lifted
Roughly 1,000 Chinese tourists have disembarked from a cruise ship in a Jamaican resort town in what the Caribbean island touts as a “groundbreaking” visit.
The Chinese tourists arrived Wednesday in the northern town of Ocho Rios aboard the 12-deck cruise ship Costa Atlantica. Jamaica’s tourism ministry says the group is on an 86-day cruise that began in Shanghai on March 1.
Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill says the ship has brought a “record-number of Chinese visitors to our shores.”
Last year, Jamaica allowed visa-free travel for vacationers from China as the island tries to develop new markets for its tourism industry.
In recent years, Jamaica has also relaxed visa requirements for nationals of countries such as Russia, Venezuela and Colombia.
“China is the largest tourism source market in the world in terms of spending,” McNeill said.
“For many years we have recognised China’s potential for growth as a tourism source market for Jamaica and we have been taking key steps to attract even more visitors from China, such as the recent approval by cabinet of the conditional waiving of visa requirements for Chinese nationals travelling to Jamaica for tourism purposes for 30 days or less.
“I hope that after experiencing what our destination has to offer many of these visitors will actually return and also encourage others to do the same.”
Latin American and Caribbean Annual Conference
CENTRUM Graduate Business SchoolBy bringing together leading business schools across Latin America and the Caribbean, this conference serves as a springboard for innovation in a region becoming much more connected to the global economy. Designed for teams of school representatives, the event addresses the strategic and financial management of the school, program and curriculum development, faculty development, and management. Business schools that want to participate in
AACSB’s leading global accreditation process can also learn from staff and experienced volunteers.
The conference is built specifically for the Latin American context, which is positively characterized by increasing demand for management education, historically strong ties to practice, and great diversity. But higher education can also suffer from insufficient public support, as well as instability and uncertainty. What can your business school do to be more competitive and successful in the challenging Latin American environment? Learn from distinguished speakers and management education leaders in the region and beyond.
Please Note: Conference sessions will be delivered in Spanish. English translation services will be provided on site.
Who Should Attend
Deans, associate deans, department chairs, and faculty at business schools in Latin America and the Caribbean, those with interest in learning more about the management education landscape in the region, as well as professionals from business schools worldwide working or seeking to work with schools in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Conference Chair
Fernando D’Alessio – Director General, CENTRUM Católica Graduate Business School
For more: http://www.aacsb.edu/Events/Conference/2015/latin-america-caribbean-annual
Congress of Caribbean Writers concludes in Guadeloupe with grand prize award
From Caribflame
Guadeloupe hosted the 4th Congress of Caribbean Writers, where authors and poets from 21 territories took part
The fourth Congress of Caribbean Writers ended on Saturday, April 18, with the awarding of the Grand Prix Littéraire, by the Association of Caribbean Writers, in collaboration with the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, to Simone and André Schwarz-Bart for their book “l’Ancêtre en Solitude”, published by Seuil.
There were three contenders for the grand prize:
Simone and André Schwarz-Bart, “l’Ancêtre en Solitude”, Editions Seuil, 2015 (Guadeloupe)
Rita Indiana Hernandez, “Nombres y animals”, Periférica, 2013 (Dominican Republic)
Marlon James, “A brief History of Seven Killings”, Riverhead, 2014 (Jamaica)
A very moved Simone Schwarz-Bart was presented with the Grand Prix of the Association of Caribbean Writers by Fély Kacy Bambuck, chair of the Cultural Commission of the Regional Council.
In the words of Daniel Maximin, “This book shows the power of fiction in revealing history, where the heroine is none other than the daughter of Solitude. A family line that would go on to comprise the population of Guadeloupe. This is the resistance of life to the hell that is death. Literature surpassed the demise of André and the silence of Simone, with writings that remained unknown to all for 30 years.”
The members of the jury were Pierre Alix (Guadeloupe), André Bansart (Venezuela), Alwin Bully (Dominica), Patricia Donatien (Martinique), Earl Lovelace (Trinidad and Tobago), Daniel Maximin (Guadeloupe), Yolanda Wood (Cuba), Marie-Rose Lafleur (Guadeloupe), Lawrence Scott (Trinidad and Tobago) and Ariel Camejo (Cuba).
This prize is meant to honour and reward a literary work written in French, English or Spanish and published over the course of the last three years. It is awarded by the members of an international jury composed of Caribbean literary figures and writers.
Source/Caribbean News Now
IDB and IIC partner with The Abraaj Group on private equity across Latin America and Caribbean
From CPI Financial Ltd
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC)—a member of the IDB Group—have established a private-sector focused partnership with The Abraaj Group, a leading private equity investing firm operating in growth markets. As agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed last week in Washington D.C. the partners aim specifically to promote private sector development and investment in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“In today’s dynamic business environment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to think and act globally” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “In partnering with our region’s SMEs, global private equity players such as Abraaj help them to overcome the challenges and harness the opportunities of global competition.”
The IDB, IIC and Abraaj will develop both financing and knowledge products as partnership opportunities, aiming to expand the regional private equity industry. In terms of financing, they will seek to mobilize resources for equity investments in high-growth, medium-sized companies, co-finance initiatives in areas of shared priority, and bring advisory and training services to Abraaj’s portfolio companies across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Carl Muñana, General Manager of the IIC, noted, “The role of equity is critical for meeting the financing demands of the private sector. Equity investments catalyze growth, create jobs and spur innovation across investee companies while attracting further investors to our region. Private equity as an asset class is still in its beginnings in Latin America and the Caribbean but it has enormous potential to impact development.”
The collaboration will feature knowledge-sharing by promoting investment know-how and entrepreneurship through training, conferences, workshops and joint publications, among other activities.
Arif Naqvi, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of The Abraaj Group, said: “We are pleased to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding with the IDB and the IIC. Our collaboration is testimony to the importance of combining private and public-sector efforts to spur entrepreneurship and growth in Latin America. With Abraaj’s unique investment approach and the IDB Group’s platform, resources and commitment to further developing the private sector in Latin America, our collaboration will support the investment and growth of Latin American business champions, driving value not only for shareholders but also to wider constituents and stakeholders, ensuring a positive impact on job creation and sustainable socio economic development.”
Aframax rates in Caribbean plunge to 2015 low as activity slows
By John DeLapp –Edited by Richard Rubin From Houston (Platts)
The cost of moving crude from the Caribbean to the US on Aframaxes dropped to a 2015 low as anxious owners surged to fix the few cargoes on the market.
Freight rates for the Caribbean-US Gulf Coast route basis 70,000 mt were assessed at Worldscale 110, down by w25 Wednesday. That equates to $10.48/mt, the lowest since December 29, 2014, when the assessment was $9.13/mt.
Interest in Aframaxes has been down for more than a week, allowing tonnage to rapidly build in the Americas and testing shipowners’ patience.
“Cargoes are trickling out, so there are too many ships around,” a shipbroker said.
When a Houston Refining cargo came on the market, the charterer received 10 offers. In the end, the Phoenix Strength was put on subjects at w110 for a Caribbean-USGC journey with a May 3 lifting.
“That deal is what happens when you don’t see many cargoes and a charterer gets 10 offers,” the shipbroker said.
Freight rates could have gone even lower, a source with a shipowner said.
“The position list is long,” he said. “They had 10 offers, but 15 ships could have technically made it. It honestly didn’t surprise me.”
Another decline could be in the offing, the shipowner source said.
“There are many ships out there, some that are prompt by now, and they are all looking for a home,” he said.
Chemical Safety Management Training Course convened for Asia, Latin America and Caribbean regions
FromOPCW
IMAGE: Participants at the Chemical Safety Management Training Course held in Wuppertal, Germany.
Eleven participants from Asia, Latin America and Caribbean regions* recently completed a chemical safety management course at the Department of Safety Engineering at the Bergische Universität Wuppertal (“BUW”) in Germany. Jointly organised by the OPCW, BUW and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, participants in the course gained the necessary skills to implement modern technical-safety practices and to fulfil their responsibilities to develop sustainable safety management practices related to the chemical industry.
Convened from 13 to 17 April 2015, the training was tailored to accommodate the specific needs of the targeted regions in terms of chemical safety management and included relevant legislation, risks (both operational and environmental), fire, explosive and toxic hazards, hazard assessment, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) protection. Discussions took place on process-control engineering, manipulation of protection devices, and safety management. The programme also covered disaster management and emergency response, and risks associated with human factors. Additional activities included practical exercises carried out in a laboratory and at the mini-plant especially built at BUW to train participants. As part of the course, study visits were also undertaken to a chemical plant in the region (Axalta), as well as at the Fire Fighting Department of Wuppertal.
At the end of the course, concrete plans were discussed with participants to ensure their contributions to the promotion of chemical safety at national and regional levels. These plans included organising subsequent training and information sessions, sensitizing and advising national industries, academia, legislators, as well as integrating safety aspects in national and regional projects in respective regions.
The course was supported through a generous voluntary contribution from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. This is the seventh course on chemical safety management held at the BUW for OPCW States Parties and the second course for Asia and Latin American and Caribbean regions.
*Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, China, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka
World Bank wants Caribbean to adapt to ‘new normal’ amid economic slowdown
From PRIDE
WASHINGTON, DC, CMC – With China growing at a more moderate pace and commodity prices stabilizing at lower levels, the World Bank has urged Latin America and the Caribbean to adapt to a “new normal”.
In its latest report, the Washington based financial institution says, average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the region is expected to reach only 0.8 percent this year, and may remain at low rates in the future, “unless ambitious pro-growth structural reforms are adopted.”
The bank’s semi-annual report states that a boost in savings, which would need to be a key ingredient in a pro-growth agenda, would also help rebuild monetary and fiscal policy maneuvering space.
The report states that the strong growth of the 2000s is not likely to revisit the region, unless vigorous pro-growth reforms are adopted.
“The evidence suggests that the external shocks emanating from China’s deceleration and terms of trade changes are permanent,” said Augusto de la Torre, World Bank Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“In the absence of growth-friendly structural reform, this situation firmly points in the direction of an also permanent growth slowdown for the region, with rates that would be insufficient to support significant social progress”, he added.
The report says beyond averages, the region continues to tell a widely diverse story, stating that commodity exporting countries in South America are growing at a much slower pace than commodity importers in Central America and the Caribbean.
Especially hurting among the exporters, is Venezuela with its economy expected to shrink again by five percent in 2015.
The report, issued amid the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, finds that Latin America and the Caribbean decelerated more than all other emerging regions.
“This reflects the amplification effects of an unusually strong decline in investment among commodity exporting countries in the region,” the report stated.
Expedia names Dominican Republic 2014 leader in Caribbean travel demand
From Dominica Today
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, April 23, 2015.– The Expedia group, one of the world’s largest online travel companies, reported today a banner year for the Dominican Republic in 2014 with a 45 percent increase in travel demand year over year. Furthermore, Punta Cana was the top producing market in 2014 in the Caribbean region with a travel demand growth of more than 50 percent, while the country’s capital city of Santo Domingo was among the top ten producing markets in the Caribbean for 2014.
“With robust flight inventory, a strong hospitality foundation and sunny year-round weather, the Dominican Republic has consistently led travel demand and been recognized as a popular Caribbean destination for travelers from major markets including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada,” said Demetrius Canton, Director of Lodging Partner Services for the Caribbean, Expedia group.
The Expedia group’s market management team is attending the Dominican Annual Tourist Exchange (DATE), from April 28-30, 2015 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The Expedia group will be hosting a press conference on April 29th at 10:30 a.m. at the “Santo Domingo” room of the Barcelo Bavaro Convention Center where Demetrius Canton will be sharing market data, company announcements and product launches. Throughout the conference the team will liaise with valued travel partners to discuss the successes in the region and provide counsel on increasing visibility and incremental demand using Expedia group’s powerful technology and marketing tools.
Regina Ip accused of racism over tales of Filipino maids bedding expat bosses
By Jeffie Lam From South China Morning Post
Exco member accused of racism over tales of Filipinos bedding expats
Executive councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee refused to apologise to Hong Kong’s Filipino community yesterday after sparking outrage by quoting anecdotes of domestic helpers seducing expatriate bosses and ruining marriages.
In an article that was later removed from her Facebook page and blog, Ip chastised the international media for only focusing on the misbehaviour of employers of domestic helpers – such as the abused Indonesian Erwiana Sulistyaningsih – and said they should not ignore “the issue of a large number of Filipino maids being turned into sexual resources for male foreigners”.
In the controversial commentary, also published in the Chinese-language Ming Pao newspaper, the pro-Beijing lawmaker and former security secretary said during her time in office she had received complaints from “foreign women” living in Discovery Bay that the government was “allowing Filipino domestic helpers to seduce their husbands”.
Ip said she told them she could not help because it would be difficult to regulate such matters under existing law. She went on to claim that friends in the expatriate community had told her many tales of families breaking up because the husbands were having affairs with their maids.
While the Filipino community reacted with anger, Civic Party lawmaker Claudia Mo Man-ching accused Ip of “blatant racism” and filed a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission yesterday.
The Asian Migrants’ Co-ordinating Body, which champions domestic helpers’ rights, demanded the Philippine government list Ip as an “undesirable alien” and ban her from entering their country.
IMAGE: Executive councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said she should not apologise for the anecdotes as she was ‘only stating the facts’. Photo: Edward Wong
Petraeus avoids prison, but judge boosts fine to $100K
By Zoe Tillman, From The National Law Journal
David Petraeus, the former CIA director who resigned amid a sex scandal, won’t serve jail time for sharing classified information with his former mistress and biographer. But he will have to pay a $100,000 fine, more than the $40,000 his lawyers and federal prosecutors sought.
Petraeus pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents and materials. A federal judge in Charlotte, N.C., sentenced him to two years of probation and a $100,000 fine, the maximum fine for the offense.
Federal prosecutors agreed not to seek jail time in the plea deal they reached with Petraeus earlier this year. They also agreed to recommend a sentence of two years of probation and a $40,000 fine.
A sentencing memorandum filed in March by Petraeus’ lawyers—his legal defense team included Washington-based Williams & Connolly lawyers David Kendall and Simon Latcovich—was sealed. Answering written questions from the court about his guilty plea, Petraeus said of his legal representation: “It has been superb.”
Petraeus resigned as CIA director in 2012 after news broke of his affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell. According to charging documents, Petraeus initially lied to FBI special agents about whether he gave Broadwell access to classified information. Prosecutors said he shared notebooks known as “Black Books” with Broadwell that contained both classified and unclassified notes.
No classified information appeared in Broadwell’s book, All In: The Education of General David Petraeus, according to the Justice Department.
Petraeus has worked at investment firm KKR & Co. since 2013.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose of the Western District of North Carolina released a statement confirming the sentence and thanking the Justice Department’s National Security Division and the Charlotte FBI office for leading the investigation.
Gender bias claims rejected in sexual misconduct case
By Mark Hamblett, From New York Law Journal
A federal judge in New York has rejected claims of gender discrimination by a male student disciplined by Columbia University for coercive sex under the school’s sexual misconduct policy.
Southern District Judge Jesse Furman granted Columbia’s motion to dismiss a Title IX claim brought by a student who alleged biased proceedings and prejudice against men led to his suspension for a nonconsensual sexual encounter he insisted was consensual.
Furman said the student, known only as John Doe, offered nothing more than conclusory statements about the school’s handling of the charges against him and failed to provide any evidence he was charged and suspended because of anti-male bias.
The case of Doe v. Columbia University, 14-cv-03573, was filed amid widely-reported turmoil at Columbia and criticism of the school’s alleged unwillingness to effectively discipline sexual predators on campus. In what has become a nationally famous action, student Emma Sulkowicz carried her mattress on campus for months to protest Columbia’s failure to expel the man she has accused of raping her.
Doe claimed that his suspension was part of a backlash by Columbia in response to the criticism and that he was treated more harshly because of his gender. But Furman said Doe didn’t even come close to making a case and the student’s “subjective belief” that he was the victim of sex discrimination is not enough.
[SKN] Delisle Walwyn & Company Limited and Caribbean Alliance Insurance donate to Cotton-Thomas Comprehensive School
By Delisle Walwyn
The Management of Delisle Walwyn Group of Companies reached out to the Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School in their time of need and assisted the learning institution by providing school supplies and tools to assist the teachers in their efforts to inspire, teach and develop the differently abled students that attend the school.
The donation which was valued at in excess of XCD$2,800.00 included art supplies, development games and puzzles; development tutorials and teaching tools for teachers; stationary and office supplies; as well as mattresses and sheet sets for their sick-bay.
Executive Chairman of Delisle Walwyn Group of Companies, Mr Clayton Perkins and
Mrs Youlouca Armony-Browne, Business Development Manager were present at the brief hand-over ceremony where they were invited to participate in the school’s morning devotions and to share in the positive spirit of the school.
Mr Perkins, in his remarks to the students and teachers noted how pleased he was that Delisle Walwyn & Co. Ltd. and its Insurance Department was in a position to lend a helping hand to ensure that the school could in turn fulfill its objectives by educating and inspiring the students to become productive citizens of the Federation.
Ms Charmaine Blanchette, principal of Cotton-Thomas Comprehensive School expressed her gratitude on behalf of the teachers and students of the school and the students offered up their smiles and talent in song and drumming in show of their appreciation.
Delisle Walwyn & Co. Ltd is the oldest indigenous, privately owned limited liability company in St. Kitts and Nevis, with its roots going back to the first half of the nineteenth century. Delisle Walwyn has grown with its staff and suppliers to become a premier provider of Insurance, Shipping, Destination Management and Automobile-care services, along with a wide range of Tourism related services.
100,000 reasons to ebrace stretchmarks #LoveYourLines
A campaign which sees women embracing their bodies is taking the internet by storm.
#Loveyourlines was created by “Two moms celebrating real women, real bodies and real self love” as described on Instagram and Tumblr pages used to post photos of stretch marks sent in by women from around the world.
Though the campaign has been going for months and has amassed over 100,000 followers, it was thrust in to the limelight when supermodel Chrissy Teigen shared her own photo of the stretchmarks on her thighs and the campaign reposted it.
“Bruises from bumping kitchen drawer handles for a week. Stretchies say hi!” the model jokingly captioned her photo.
100,000 reasons to love the skin you’re in.
TNT Health
SOURCE: http://thenubiantimes.com/100000-reasons-to-ebrace-stretchmarks-loveyourlines/
ASP in Inter American Dialogue: Geopolitics and economics are bringing U.S. foreign policy back to the Caribbean
By Andrew Holland From ASP
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ASP’s Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate, Andrew Holland was featured in the Inter American Dialogue‘s April 20 edition of Latin America Advisor. He was asked: “Will U.S. Efforts Help Address the Caribbean’s Energy Woes?”
Geopolitics and economics are bringing U.S. foreign policy back to the Caribbean, and energy is a new tool for expanding American influence. As Venezuela threatens to fall into economic collapse, those countries dependent on its Petrocaribe subsidy program could get dragged down with it. In order to prevent this, the United States will build its own energy ties throughout the Caribbean.
On its own, the president’s $20 million figure is not nearly enough, but the signal it sends about American commitment is important. The United States can help countries diversify off imported fuel oil by securing financing for renewable energy (the Caribbean has plenty of sun and wind), it can promote exports of liquefied natural gas to larger islands like the Dominican Republic, and it can promote fuel switching to more efficient propane for electricity for smaller markets, like the upgrade the U.S. Virgin Islands has just completed. Put together, this suite of options for energy engagement will promote strong ties between the United States and Caribbean countries for a long time to come.”
Holland is confident that the U.S. will be mostly a “coordinator, not a funder” of building Caribbean energy security. Recent geopolitical events, including the opening to Cuba and the rivalry with Venezuela, show that American interest is returning to the Caribbean. American energy can help the U.S. will to become a new hub of energy in the region, enhancing its own ability to guide the politics of the region for mutually beneficial gains in climate security, energy security, and economic prosperity.
Launch of Barbados small business development centre network
The U.S. Embassy to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS is pleased to announce the launch of the Barbados Small Business Development Centre Network (SBDC). The launch of the SBDC follows President Barack Obama’s engagement with CARICOM leaders yesterday in Kingston, Jamaica, where he discussed, among other topics, regional economic competitiveness in the Caribbean.
The U.S. Government, through its mission to the Organization of American States (OAS), is supporting the expansion of the SBDC model throughout the Americas as a means to grow and formalize the small business sector, create jobs, increase exports, and promote hemispheric competitiveness. Barbados is the fourth Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member country to launch the SBDC model following Belize in 2012, St. Lucia in 2014, and Jamaica and Dominica in 2015. Total funding for all the countries is USD$998, 219.
In Barbados, the U.S. Mission to the OAS partnered with the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development led by Minister Donville Inniss; Ministry of Youth, Family and Sports (on behalf of the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme) led by Minister Stephen Lashley; and the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) led by Executive Director Sonja Trotman.
For more: http://barbados.usembassy.gov/pr041015.html
QU Women’s Golf’s Nicole Scola leads MAAC Championship After 2nd Round; Bobcats In Third Place
From QuinnipiacBobcats
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – Quinnipiac sophomore Nicole Scola (Westerly, Rhode Island) was tied for the lead after the second round of the 2015 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship. As a team, the Bobcats moved up a spot after the second round of the MAAC Championship and sit in third place after 36 holes. The Bobcats improved by a stroke from Friday’s round, as their 316 on Saturday breaks the program record for the best 18-hole score in Quinnipiac postseason history.
Albany led the field for the second straight day at +47, followed by Siena, who trimmed nine strokes from Friday and sits four strokes behind the Great Danes at +53. Quinnipiac, at +57, is right behind the Saints, with Fairfield at +31 and Dayton at +39 filling in the top five spots. Monmouth (+79), Niagara (+87) and Hartford (+91) filled out the field.
Scola had another outstanding performance, leading three of five Bobcats who improved on their score from the first day. Scola shot a 74 (+2) for the second round of the tournament, improving by two strokes from the first day. Scola completed the second round with the best 36-hole total in Quinnipiac’s postseason history as her 150 pushes ahead of Krissy Unger’s 156 at the 2013 Northeast Conference Championship.
Scola’s front nine saw the sophomore Bobcat hit the turn Even, after she counted a bogey on No. 4 with a birdie on No. 6. She completed a day two-strokes over on the back nine to head to the clubhouse at +2 for the afternoon, and +6 for the tournament and second place in the standings.
Taylor Lambrou (Baldwin, New York) moved up a spot into a tie for ninth place despite a two-stroke increase from Friday, carding an 80 (+8) for the second round to produce a 158 for her best 36-hole score of her career. Lambrou was +4 after the first nine holes, but opened the back nine with par on six of her first seven holes. She shot four-over par on No. 17 but produced her second birdie of the day on No. 18 to save a stroke.
Jenn Whaley (Farmington, Connecticut) bounced back in a big way in the second round of the tournament, improving by four strokes from Friday to produce her best postseason round of her three-year career. Whaley shot an 80 and moved up seven spots in the standings into a tie for 20th place. She was Even through the first seven holes of the day, matching a bogey on No. 4 with a birdie on No. 7 before an errant shot found a wooded area and gave her a triple bogey on No.8. She rebounded to par the next five holes, but double-bogeyed two of her last five holes. Her 164 through the first 36 holes of the tournament are her best postseason score of her career.
Despite a difficult day that saw her drop out of the top 15, Emily Ribbins (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) has produced her best 36 hole MAAC Championship score of her two-year career. Ribbins shot 79 on Friday and 87 on Saturday to total 166 through the first two rounds. Estefania Morales (Caracas, Venezuela) improved by five strokes from her first day tally, producing an 82 to go along with her 87 on Friday for a two-day total of 169. Morales moved up six spots from Friday and is currently tied for 29th out of 40 golfers.
For more: http://www.quinnipiacbobcats.com/sports/wgolf/2014-15/releases/20150425rpq62w
