iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands Attorney is UWI Alumnus of the Month
Cayman Islands attorney, David Ritch, is the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus Alumnus of the Month.
The Alumnus of the Month award is to recognise the achievement of excellence of graduates of the Cave Hill Campus. It was launched in 2008.
Ritch got the award because of his contribution to the legal fraternity in the Cayman Islands and his appointment as chairman of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank.
Ritch earned an honours law degree from the UWI, qualified as a barrister in London, joined the Bar of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 1976 and the Cayman Islands clerk of courts. He later became Crown counsel and senior Crown counsel in the chambers of the attorney general. He is currently senior partner with Ritch & Conolly, where he has practiced law for the past 30 years.
Caribbean agencies to avoid damage to banana industry
Bridgetown, May 6 (Prensa Latina) Caribbean agencies decided to join forces and take action to prevent damage to the banana industry, which is a key source of income for many countries in the region.
Against the backdrop of rising concern about one of the world’s most destructive banana diseases, regional entities held an event supported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to mitigate the damage caused by Fusarium Wilt-Tropical Race 4 (TR4), also known as Panama Disease.
In partnership with Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI), experts met on Apr. 30 in Trinidad and Tobago to discuss and raise awareness of the disease and prevention methods with national and regional organizations.
The second activity is a training workshop on May 5-9 for approximately 25 participants, including representatives from seven banana-producing countries — Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname and two technicians from CIRAD, Guadeloupe.
Dr Vyjayanthi Lopez, FAO’s plant production and protection officer at its sub-regional office here, indicated that Fusarium wilt is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense, which lives in the soil. It remains viable for decades and is easily spread from field to field through movement of diseased planting material and / or infected soil particles.
This particular strain, TR4, has caused significant losses in banana plantations in Southeast Asia over the last two decades, and has recently been reported in Mozambique and Jordan.
That epidemic mainly affects Cavendish banana varieties, which dominates world trade and is the main variety grown in the Caribbean, both for export and for local consumption.
That is why consultants attending the workshop will focus on the prevention of the entry of the disease through surveillance and early detection through diagnosis.
For more: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2650951&Itemid=1
Cayman Islands Tourism Association surveying members re minimum wage for servers
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) is surveying its members in an effort to reach an industry consensus on the issue of special provisions need in any national minimum wage proposals for staff, like servers, who make the bulk of their pay from tips.
The survey says, “We want to learn more about your thoughts on minimum wage, how gratuities are handled and what you feel defines a ‘wage’ in hospitality.”
The CITA is requesting a response by May 9th.
Eastern Caribbean Rotarians to focus on Autism
From Breaking News T&T
“Autism is one of the objectives I share with fellow Rotarians of District 7030 for the coming years,” said District Governor (DG) Elect Elwin Atmodimedjo at the President’s Elect Training (PET), Assembly and Conference held in Martinique during April 22-26, 2014.
DG Elect Atmodimedjo from the Rotary Club of Paramaribo Residence, Suriname will take over the mantle as District Governor from July 1 from DG Herve Honore of Martinique.
DG Elect Atmodimedjo shared his objectives, “Rotary has been the champion of Polio Eradication globally. To date there are only 3 epidemic countries left. This will continue to be a key focus of Rotary. DG Honore focused on Sickle Cell of which during the past year significant projects were completed by clubs across District 7030. Let’s also Light Up Rotary as well by focusing on Autism.”
Rotary are neighbours, community leaders and global citizens uniting for the common good. The heart of Rotary is the clubs – dedicated people who share a passion for both community service and friendship. Rotary is committed to taking on some of the world’s pressing challenges.
President Elect (PE) Krishna Mohan of Rotary Club of Maracas / St. Joseph pointed out, “Autism within the recent years had been a key focus in Trinidad and Tobago. It has gained the attention of key companies for instance Republic Bank Ltd as well as individuals. Rotary Club of Maracas / St. Joseph pledge our support with the DG Elect Atmodimedjo in our support for Autism.”
“Imagine the positive impact Rotarians across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean will bring in the area of Autism as we have done with Polio? With a population of 1.3 million people, it is estimated in Trinidad and Tobago there are 8,000 to 10,000 individuals with autism. Imagine the hope, joy, happiness we as Rotarians will impart as we champion our Interact Clubs, Rotaract Clubs and Rotary Clubs in campaigns in support of Autism? Rotary Club of Maracas / St. Joseph looks forward to working with stakeholders in this area,” pointed out President Nominee (PN) Nirmala Maharaj as she joined with PE Mohan in sharing Rotary Club of Maracas / St. Joseph’s vision in support of Autism with DG Elect Atmodimedjo.
For more: http://news.co.tt/public_html/article.php?story=20140505113034943
Cayman Islands Drug Rehabilitation Court has 6 graduates
The Cayman Islands Drug Rehabilitation Court recently had six graduates, four men and two women who successfully completed the programme. It was its 11th graduation.
Each graduate received a present from Digicel – a DL600 smartphone.
Team partners include Jean Solomon and Diane Conolly of the National Workforce Development Agency, who assist recovering addicts in their efforts to find employment, and Bud Volinsky of the Bridge Foundation, which has established halfway houses that lead to integration with the community.
Private sector partners include the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman and Rotary Sunrise, both of which fund awards and incentives as court participants progress through increasingly demanding phases of the programme.
CARICOM Bloc to strengthen ties with Turkey
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, May 6 (BERNAMA-NNN-Prensa Latina) — The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Turkish government will hold talks next week in Istanbul to strengthen cooperation and commercial ties.
According to a statement issued here, representatives of CARICOM-Turkey will hold a high level meeting to revise relations between CARICOM members states and Turkey, as well as a memorandum of understanding signed in a previous meeting in 2008.
They will also discuss issues related to the promotion of trade, investment and tourism, along with the areas of natural disasters, commerce and scientific and technical exchange.
Turkey started negotiations with CARICOM in 2007 to sign a consultation and cooperation agreement.
Recently, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu visited the Caribbean to lobby CARICOM support for Turkey’s candidacy for a UN Security Council rotating seat.
Man killed in Jamaica believed to be Cayman Islands wanted man
An RCIPS police spokesperson said although they have not yet received an official identification of a man who was murdered in Jamaica earlier this year they believe from the information they have received from Mandeville police that a body held by the Jamaican authorities is that of 33-year-old Anthony Smith.
Smith, who was wanted by the RCIPS for failing to appear in court and drug related offences, jumped into the sea on a stormy night to evade capture by officers during a foot pursuit last October 1st near to Alfresco Restaurant, West Bay.
It is believed Smith was murdered by a gunshot to the head.
Cocaine laced tonic kills four in Guyana
From Caribbean360
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Guyana police are questioning two persons following the death of four people who allegedly drank a tonic laced with cocaine on Sunday.
One other person – a child – is battling for her life in hospital.
Police said that those killed are Simone “Ngina” Price, 36, her husband, Alex Blair, 42; her seven-year-old son Jahaquel Blair and her best friend, Natasha George, 36.
Price’s elder son, Jamal Waterman, 12, is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Police are working on the theory that the bottles of a multivitamin tonic had been handed to the family to be sent to the United States. However the person to whom the bottles were handed were unable to carry them because she was not visiting another relative in New York.
The police in a statement issued Sunday night said that the family ingested SSS Tonic into which a quantity of cocaine had been dissolved.
It said that the bottle of SSS Tonic, along with other goods had been left at the house by a man known to them for an overseas-based female relative to take with her on her return.
For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/cocaine-laced-tonic-kills-four-in-guyana#ixzz30xLBctEp
Notice of aerial operations by Cayman Mosquito Control
Please be advised that the Cayman Islands Mosquito Research & Control Unit will be conducting aerial operations over mosquito-breeding swamp areas from Wednesday 7th May. These operations will involve low-level flights during mornings and late afternoon. The operation will start in the area of West Bay and finish on the north side of the island. Weather permitting the application should be complete within ten days.
The distinctive red and white MRCU aircraft will be applying small pellets specifically designed to target mosquito larvae developing in aquatic habitats, and by this means prevent emergence of biting mosquitoes. Once the rains begin the pellets are activated and will provide control for up to two months. Low-level flights over specific areas are necessary to ensure that correct application and successful control of mosquitoes is achieved.
Further information can be found on the Mosquito Research & Control Unit facebook page or website (www.mrcu.ky). A daily update of the areas being treated will also be available on those sites.
Please feel free to call MRCU with any enquiries on 949-2557
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. to host first quarter conference call on Tuesday, May 13, 2014
GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS — (Marketwired) — 05/06/14 — Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: CWCO), which develops and operates seawater desalination plants and water distribution systems in areas of the world where naturally occurring supplies of potable water are scarce or nonexistent, today announced that it has scheduled an investor conference call for 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (EDT) on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, to review the Company’s operating results for the first quarter of 2014, along with other relevant topics of interest.
Shareholders and other interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing 877-374-8416 (international/local participants dial 412-317-6716) and requesting participation in the “Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. Conference Call” a few minutes before 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.
Cayman mum wants everyone to have water
Jan Thompson, a mother in Newlands, Grand Cayman wants everyone to have water.
She said she had known of many persons living in Cayman Islands who were without fresh water and wanted to do something about it.
With the help of local company, Flowers Bottled Water, she distributed water last weekend at Spotts Dock.
She said she wouldl continue her water giveaway next week.
Anyone who is in need can call her on 928-0995.
Twenty three dead, more than a dozen injured in tragic Haiti bus crash
From Caribbean360
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – At least 23 people were killed and 17 others injured after a bus crashed in the southwest city of Jeremie over the weekend, authorities have confirmed.
They said the accident occurred near the coastal town of Roseau and that most of the dead were from the town of d’Anse d’Hainault on the far western tip of the country.
The Mayor of the city of Jeremie, Ronald Etienne, confirmed the accident occurred on Saturday and that the cause was not known, but roads in the rural areas of Haiti are always in poor shape and blamed for several tragic accidents.
Cayman’s marathon runner receives donation from fellow runners
Roger Davies, treasurer of the Cayman Islands Hash House Harriers — Hash Cash handed marathon runner, Derek Haines, CI$1,000 following the AGM and Hash run recently representing a significant amount of the small running clubs funds.
Haines has now raised over $375,000 in his bid to obtain $1M for Cayman Hospice build an inpatient care facility by running six marathons.
To date Haines has run the London and Paris marathons. He then has to complete the Spanish long distance followed by San Fransisco in July, Dublin in October and finally the annual Cayman Islands marathon in December.
To help Haines further along the road to the target visit the marathon challenge website and make a donation at six4hospice.com
Cayman Chatterbox announces “Being Me”
Grace Ranke, Clinical Psychologist, is running a girls only group called Being Me!, which is designed to help self-identity and self-esteem for girls aged 11-14. The flyer below explains more about the group goals and content.
To book a space in this group, which starts on 30th May, please call Grace on 928 6976 or email her at [email protected]
You can also drop in to #15 at Pasadora Place and have a chat with her.
We love to talk to people!
See attached flyer for all details.
