iNews Briefs
Strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits Mexico
From BBC
An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude has shaken parts of Mexico, causing buildings to sway in the capital.
The US Geological Survey said it was centred near the town of Tecpan de Galeana in southern Guerrero state, about 190 miles (300km) south-west of Mexico City.
It was also felt in the resort city of Acapulco, the Associated Press says.
There are no reports of any damage or injuries but frightened office workers ran into the streets in the capital.
Tremors
Engineer Daniel Rodriguez, 55, fled his second floor office.
“At first it felt like a jolt and then it started to move,” he told AFP news agency.
Mexico lies on top of three continental plates and is regularly shaken by tremors.
Finance Minister Luis Videgaray was mid-speech at the National Palace in Mexico City when the latest quake struck, Reuters reports.
“I think we’d better take a pause if you don’t mind,” the news agency quoted him as saying.
A 7.2-magnitude quake with an epicentre about 40 miles (66 km) from Thursday’s quake shook central and southern Mexico last month.
In 1985, at least 10,000 people were killed in Mexico City by a magnitude 8.1 earthquake.
For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27335028
Final Cayman youth golf team selected
The Cayman Islands National Youth Golf team that will head to the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships in Puerto Rico July 27th is as follows:
Boys 16/17: Conor O’Dea
Boys 14/15: Andrew Jarvis, Joe Purton, Adam Stainrod
Boys 11 – 13: Justin Hastings, Aaron Jarvis
Jamaica: Doctor in critical condition after Montego Bay shooting
From Caribbean360
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Thursday May 8, 2014, CMC – A doctor attached to the intensive care unit at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in the second city of Montego Bay is recovering in hospital after being shot by gunmen late Friday.
The police report that Dr Debbie Tyghter sustained injuries to her ribs and lungs when she was shot while on her way home. Tyghter, who underwent surgery, is reported to be in critical but stable condition.
The police believe that robbery was the motive for the attack.
Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, reacting to the shooting, said it had left the medical fraternity in shock.
“Even when it has happened away from the (hospital) premises, it is their colleague and friend and therefore it impacts the entire medical fraternity, both at Cornwall Regional and elsewhere, and therefore could impact on even the service level at this point,” he said.
Ferguson said he hoped the shooting will encourage members of the public to become more vigilant and speak out against criminals.
Health City Cayman wants to partner with local physiotherapists
Health City Cayman Islands Orthopedic Unit will start its first operations in the coming weeks and wants a partnership with local physiotherapists.
Dr. Alwin Almeida, a senior orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, said last Tuesday on CITN/Cayman 27 News, “In orthopedics it’s more the post operative work that plays an equal part as much as the surgery. That’s why we want physiotherapists involved if the patient needs to go through a series of exercises, muscle strengthening, stuff like that.”
Four found dead in US tennis star’s burned Florida home
From BBC
Four bodies have been found in the burned home of former tennis star James Blake in the US state of Florida.
The unidentified victims were found by fire fighters early on Wednesday after responding to reports of a blaze.
Mr Blake, 34, was not at the $1.5m (£884,468) home, which was being rented out at the time of the incident.
He was one of the top-ranked tennis players in the world in 2006, retiring from competition in 2013 after a 14-year career.
Emergency crews battled the fire throughout the morning on Wednesday before later extinguishing it.
Two bodies were located earlier in the day, a third later in the morning and a fourth body in the afternoon, according to local media.
Safety concerns regarding the structural integrity of the home have hampered a more detailed search as of yet.
Hillsborough County sheriff’s Corporal Donna Lusczynski told the Tampa Tribune it may be days before the home is safe enough to enter and for medical examiners to identify the victims found inside.
For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27317324
T&T pairs struggle in NORCECA
By Shammi Kowlessar From Trinidad Express Newspapers
TRINIDAD and Tobago’s pairs struggled again when the NORCECA (North, Central America and the Caribbean) Beach Volleyball Tour continued in Guatemala over the weekend.
After finishing 11th of the 15 pairs in the first stage of this year’s circuit the prior weekend in Cayman Islands, Ayana Dyette and Nancy Joseph again won one of their three matches and ended up 12th of the 16 pairs.
Tevin Joseph and Tarandath Deonath, who had lost all four matches in the Cayman Islands, ended up 15th. The youngsters, preparing for the World Under-23 Championships in Cyprus in July, were forced to default their second and final group encounter because of an injury to Joseph after losing their first.
Deonath, who played in last year’s World Under-21 Championships, had only competed in one NORCECA event before this season, while his partner made his debut at this level in the Cayman Islands.
On the other hand. Nancy Joseph and Dyette have both just missed the podium twice by placing fourth in NORCECA events. They combined on four occasions last year and were able to reach as far as the quarter-finals once.
Heather Hughes and Cristal Engle, who beat Dyette and Joseph in their first group match last Friday, were crowned champions on Sunday with a 21-14, 24-26, 15-0 victory over Karen Cope and Natalia Alfaro of Costa Rica. But William Montgomery and Stafford Slick failed to complete the sweep for the US as they were beaten 21-17, 21-15 by Cubans Nivaldo Diaz and Sergio Gonzalez for the men’s gold medal match.
The third leg will be contested in a different city in the same country from Friday and T&T will be represented by the same four players. The 14th and final stage is scheduled for Trinidad in the middle of November.
For more: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/TT-pairs-struggle-in-NORCECA-258215741.html
Wyoming Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Using Concealed Caribbean Bank Account in Tax Evasion Scheme
Robert C. Sathre was sentenced today to serve 36 months in federal prison for tax evasion by U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Sathre was also ordered to pay $3,113,882 in restitution to the IRS and to serve three years of supervised release. Sathre pleaded guilty on Feb. 26, 2014, to willfully evading the payment of his 1995 and 1996 tax liability.
According to court documents and proceedings, Sathre sold a Minnesota business and received installment payments in 1995 and 1996 of more than $3 million. Sathre concealed his income by filing a 1995 tax return in which he reported only $64,928 in total income. Sathre then purchased land and set up another business, a gas station and convenience store in Sheridan, Wyoming, known as the Rock Stop.
According to court documents and proceedings, Sathre concealed assets by opening a foreign bank account in the Caribbean island of Nevis and by using purported trusts. In a 10 month period spanning from 2005 through 2006, Sathre sent over $500,000 to the account in Nevis to keep the funds out of reach from the IRS. When Sathre sold the Rock Stop in 2007, he wired over $1,250,000 from the sale proceeds to the trust account of a Wyoming law firm. He later directed the law firm to wire $900,000 from the trust account to his account at the Bank of Nevis. Sathre also provided a false declaration and false promissory note to the Bank of Nevis to conceal the source of this transfer and obtained a debit card linked to the foreign account to access funds locally. In addition, Sathre provided the Bank of Sheridan with an IRS form on which he falsely claimed that he was neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States.
This case was investigated by special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation. Trial Attorneys Ellen Quattrucci and Ignacio Perez de la Cruz of the Justice Department’s Tax Division prosecuted the case.
One lucky college student accidentally received a $350,000 drone in the mail
By Brad Reed from BGR
It has all the makings of a terrible early-’80s frat comedy: A college kid receives an expensive aerial drone in the mail and hilarity ensues involving drone-assisted beer runs and raids of girls’ dorm rooms. Amazingly, Motherboard reports that something very similar actually happened recently when a college student in the Boston area accidentally received parts of a $350,000 aerial drone in the mail and posted pictures of it on Reddit. Motherboard confirmed that the drone is actually the property of the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the agency has told the publication that it’s not sure exactly how the drone wound up in the student’s mailbox.
“We sent one of our Puma unmanned aircraft systems to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts,” an NOAA representative told Motherboard, who also said that the drone is capable of flying for around two hours at a time and has an eight-mile radius. “We sent a set of about eight boxes for this one aircraft system, and one was misdelivered by UPS. We’re working with UPS to find it.”
In other words, if the college student is going to try assemble the drone and use it to commit zany antics, he’d better do it soon because the mean old federal government is coming to ruin his fun Dean Wormer-style.
New temporary chief medical officer appointed for Cayman Islands
The Ministry of Health has appointed Dr. Elizabeth McLaughlin as new temporary chief medical officer to serve the Health Services Authority. She will remain in that position for six months. The appointment became effective on March 31.
She replaces Dr. Gerald Smith who has retired as chief medical officer after serving in that position for 12 years. He will continue to work at the Cayman Islands Hospital as an anesthesiologist.
Investors Trust deploys FRS Invest|Pro software
From Finextra
Investors Trust, a Cayman-regulated international life assurance company, which specialises in unit-linked investment products, has adopted Invest|Pro software.
Under an initial 5-year license, the software will be used to manage all investment administration including daily valuations, trading, charges and corporate actions for its new portfolio bond business in Latin America, Asia and Africa. It is the first Cayman-regulated life assurance company to adopt Invest|Pro™.
The Invest|Pro™ software is developed and licensed by Dublin Company Financial Risk Solutions (FRS). The system was delivered and installed for testing 24 hours after the license agreement was concluded.
In addition to Invest|Pro™, Investors Trust have also licensed Invest|Retail™, an FRS white-labelled web application which allows brokers and policyholders to see valuation statements, place trades, request withdrawals and manage their personal portfolios directly over the web and in real time.
Ariel Amigo, Chief Marketing Officer at Investors Trust, says, “With the launch of our new portfolio bond business, we wanted our investment administration to be as secure, efficient and scalable as possible so that we can focus on providing great products for our clients. The Invest|Pro™ software allows us to do exactly that, and FRS has done an excellent job in understanding our requirements and providing a system to do exactly what we need for our growing international client base.”
“Having an international life company like Investors Trust is testament to the strength of our system,” says Frank Carr, CMO at FRS. “We are pleased that Invest|Pro™ is the chosen solution to manage their complex investment administration requirements and assist their international growth.”
Invest|Pro™ is already a well-recognised system in the life assurance investment administration market in Europe. FRS’s customers are some of the biggest brands in life assurance and business process outsourcing (BPO)
For more: http://www.finextra.com/news/announcement.aspx?pressreleaseid=55145&topic=wholesale
Scientists may have just solved one of life’s biggest mysteries: Why yawning is contagious
By Brad Reed From BGR
Life is filled with little mysteries, one of which is why we’re more likely to yawn when others around us. However, new research from the University of Vienna suggests that group yawning is actually a survival mechanism that has the side effect of cooling off our brains, which in turn makes us more alert and less likely to doze off.
The study, which was conducted in conjunction with researchers at the Nova Southeastern University and SUNY College at Oneonta in the United States, found that contagious yawning typically only occurs within certain temperature “windows” where the yawning would be an effective tool for cooling the brain.
In other words, the scientists discovered that people were less likely to yawn contagiously in either very hot or very cold temperatures because in those temperatures yawning would have very little impact on the brains temperature. In fact, the researchers pointed out that yawning excessively in the cold might even have “harmful consequences” because it might make the brain too cold.
The scientists say that their report “adds to accumulating research suggesting that the underlying mechanism for yawning, both spontaneous and contagious forms, is involved in regulating brain temperature,” which in turn could help “improve arousal and mental efficiency” and even “enhance overall group vigilance.”
Taxi driver in Cayman for 30 years has license revoked
Veteran taxi cab driver, Richard Hydes, 55, who has been driving taxis in Grand Cayman for more than 30 years and cannot read, has had his licence revoked by the Cayman Islands Public Transport Board.
The reason given by the board was said to be from the receipt of 29 complaints made against him from 2011-2012. The complaints amongst others included 12 counts of soliciting passengers, six for parking in a restricted area and two for dress code violations
Hydes said the claims are false.
Caribbean: Cuba has over 50 percent of animal health investigators
Havana, May 8 (Prensa Latina) Cuba has more than 50 percent of the investigators in animal health in the Caribbean, working on the prevention and elaboration of control programs for regional importance, such as the avian flu and diseases provoked by pigs.
Cuba is a member of the Caribbean Epidemiologic Surveillance Net, an organization to which 33 Caribbean countries and territories belong to, said Cuban doctor in Veterinarian Sciences Maria Teresa Frias Lepoureau to Prensa Latina today.
Doctor Frias Lepoureau, president of the Organizing Committee for the 2nd International Conference on Animal Health Surveillance, being held in Havana, said that it is a kind of recognition to the work of the Cuban services for animal health and the prestige earned by the scientific knowledge and results of Cuban specialists in regional and international forums.
As part of the event, the 9th Meeting of the Committee of the Caribbean Epidemiologic Surveillance Net (Caribvet) was also in session, to guarantee the participation of its members to this event, said Doctor Frias.
The Cuban expert said that health topic will be approached from the same perspective, and reduce the risk of zoonotic disease, which is also taking care of human life.
The conference includes topics such as adversity, including low-income countries, the current complex context in terms of trade, movement of people, undermining the control and prevention of disease.
Over 150 participants from around 38 countries on all continents and 60 national experts discuss their research results at the Second International Conference on Animal Health Surveillance in the Palace of Conventions in Havana.
For more: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2658831&Itemid=1
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. declares dividend
MIAMI, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL) today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share payable on June 5, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 20, 2014
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture. Together, these six brands operate a combined total of 41 ships with an additional six under construction contracts. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 490 destinations on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es,
www.azamaraclubcruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Regis Romero, Chief Executive Officer, Digicel Caribbean and Central America
As Regional CEO for the Caribbean and Central America, Regis has overall responsibility for the strategic development and operational performance of Digicel’s 26 markets in the Caribbean and Central America.
Regis comes to Digicel with extensive experience as a senior executive in Africa and Latin America for companies such as Millicom, Tigo and Telcel.
Highlights of this include implementing new business strategies for Tigo in Paraguay which resulted in significant growth and overseeing operations for Millicom’s 13 markets with responsibility for revenues of US$4.6 billion.
He holds a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration from National University, California, United States of America. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from EDAN in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Regis is married with two children and is based in Kingston, Jamaica.
Haiti confirms cases of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus
From Caribbean360
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Thursday May 8, 2014, CMC – Haiti has confirmed 14 cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus that has been affecting the region since it was first detected in the Caribbean in December last year.
Health Minister Florence Guillaume Duperval, speaking on radio here, said that the government would soon begin a public education programme in a bid to alert citizens about the viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.
Chikungunya causes fever and severe joint pain and other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Persons experiencing such signs and symptoms should contact their health care provider.
Health authorities had been bracing for the disease after neighbouring Dominican Republic confirmed at least 150 to 200 cases since March.
The virus was first detected in the Caribbean in December 2013 in St Martin, and since then a number of Caribbean countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines have reported confirmed cases of the painful illness most commonly found in Asia and Africa.
Chikungunya virus confirmed on mainland St Vincent
From Carribean360
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Thursday May 8, 2014, CMC – Two cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus have been confirmed on mainland St. Vincent, as the total number of persons with the disease on the multi-island state climbed to 39.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment said on Wednesday that there were 37 confirmed cases of the virus on the northern Grenadine island of Bequia, where an outbreak began in late April.
The illness was first detected in the Caribbean in December 2013, in St Martin, and Antigua and St Vincent and the Grenadines have become the latest countries to declare an outbreak.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Luis de Shong, said the authorities would continue to implement vector control activities against the aedes aegypti mosquito, which causes the chikungunya virus.
“The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment will continue active surveillance and island-wide intense vector control campaign. Additionally, several public outreach programmes have been held and more are scheduled throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines to sensitise Vincentians about the virus and the Ministry urges the participation of all individuals in fighting the aedes aegypti mosquito and the chikungunya virus,” de Shong said.
Workers gassed in Cayman whilst working in manhole
Two men were taken to George Town Hospital after being gassed whilst working in a manhole in Grand Cayman’s sewer system adjacent to the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, near the former Hyatt hotel.
The Water Authority said in a release one of the workers contracted from US Sewer and Drain, Inc, a Pennsylvania-based company, to clean and inspect the public sewerage system using closed-circuit television, was overwhelmed, most likely by sewer gases, during his work in the manhole and a second worker, also from the US, who tried to rescue him was also overcome.
One of the two men was then pulled out of the manhole by a Water Authority staff member and some helpful passers-by. Emergency services that arrived on the scene soon after being called assisted in the rescue of the second worker and immediately performed first aid.
“A detailed investigation will be carried out to determine why the normal safety equipment, such as gas monitors, safety harnesses, lanyards etc, were not used in this instance, as the contract workers are properly trained in safety procedures, and particularly OSHA confined space entry,” the authority stated.
Design Caribbean set to be ‘GLOBALISHUS’ at Calabash 2014
From Caribbean Export Development Agency
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is pleased to announce that eleven (11) participants from nine (9) countries will join the Design Caribbean stand at the Calabash Literary Festival from May 30th-June 1st. The stand, which will showcase the work of some of the region’s finest craftsmen, will be a key standing feature of the festival which is scheduled to take place at the picturesque Jake’s Hotel, Villas and Spa in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
The Calabash festival not only features some of the most prolific and revered writers from the Caribbean and around the world but has continuously provided an outlet for highly-skilled craftsmen and women to showcase and sell their products in on a highly visible platform to its exponentially increasing audience. This year the festival will be expanding it’s offering by playing host to Design Caribbean with the brands Belzeb Incorporated from Grenada; Very Vanita, and Avark from Barbados; Rainforest Pottery and Arawak Leather Craft of Guyana; Hands in Clay and Reve Jewellery and Accessories of Jamaica; Kay Expressions from Belize; St. Lucian – Designs by Nadia and Haitian Creations Dorees, all being part of the Design Caribbean pavilion.
“We are thrilled not only by the invaluable support from and collaboration with Caribbean Export, but the opportunity to fully showcase regional artisans alongside local craft and fashion. The Design Caribbean pavilion will be a fitting addition to the GLOBALISHUS offering at Calabash” expressed Justine Henzell, producer of the Calabash International Literary Festival.
For more: http://www.carib-export.com/2014/05/design-caribbean-set-to-be-globalishus-at-calabash-2014/
New energy drink available in Cayman
Caribbean Beverage Holdings LTD is the exclusive distributor for 28 Black in the North Caribbean, Florida, Italy, Switzerland and India.
28 Black is the energy drink of the new generation. Without taurine, without artifical colouring or preservatives but with the abounding energy and unmistable touch of fruit and valuable essential elements of the Brazilian acai berry.
Caribbean Beverage Holdings LTD was formed six months ago and was looking for something to distribute that was trendy, healthy, and pleasing to both the eyes and taste buds. This is where 28 Black came in.
Not only does the product look more sleek and stylish than many of its counterparts, it also does not share the same artificial taste or synthetic ingredients list.
CULL culls lionfish in Cayman
The Cayman United Lionfish League (CULL) was officially formed in March of 2013, and since then, this group of concerned divers, snorkelers and environmentalists has organized regular tournaments in an effort to reduce the lionfish population.
CULL works closely with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association to educate the public about lionfish culling and organize tournaments throughout 2014 and beyond. Since the lionfish have no known predators, these lionfish culling events are the only sure way to keep lionfish from taking over as they have already done to other islands.
The next big culling tournament, which will be the 11th tournament organized by CULL, is scheduled for May 10 and 11, located at Rackam’s in George Town. There will be prizes and awards up for grabs, and anyone licensed through the Department of the Environment or the PADI program can participate.
People who neither dive nor snorkel can still do their part by ordering lionfish off the menu of the restaurants that serve them. Have you ever tasted lionfish? It is a light, flaky, delectable morsel, perfect for ceviche and other recipes. It’s delicious and good for you!
Register for the CULL tournament on May 10 and 11 by signing up at Rackam’s on Thursday, May 8 between 5 and 7 p.m.
For more information on CULL, go to its Facebook page under “CULL-Cayman United Lionfish League.”
FBI agent arrested at Pakistan airport to be released on bail: police
By Katharine Houreld And Syed Raza Hassan
(Reuters) – A U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent arrested in Pakistan for trying to board a civilian flight with bullets and a knife in his luggage was due to be released on $10,000 bail on Thursday, Pakistani authorities said.
Joel Cox, confirmed by the U.S. State Department as an FBI agent, was arrested on Sunday at the airport in the southern city of Karachi after trying to board a flight with the knife and 15 9-mm bullets in his luggage, police said.
He had yet to leave the court, a witness said. Bail conditions included a payment of 1 million rupees ($10,000).
“The government can challenge the bail but since the offence is not serious enough they might not challenge it,” a police officer said.
The case has revived memories of Raymond Davis, an American Central Intelligence Agency contractor who was arrested in January 2011 after shooting dead two men he believed were about to rob him in the eastern city of Lahore.
Many Pakistanis were angry that Davis was released after compensation was paid to the families of the dead and he was pardoned, a practice allowed under Pakistani law.
Cox appeared in court on Tuesday on what police said were charges of carrying unauthorized ammunition on a civilian flight and was remanded in custody.
For more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/08/us-pakistan-fbi-arrest-idUSBREA4705Q20140508
HBO renews Vice for third and fourth seasons
Miami, FL – May 7, 2014 – Due to its outstanding success, HBO announced the renewal of its Emmy®-nominated original news magazine series VICE for a third and fourth season. The series has crossed barriers to cover all kinds of stories that are often ignored by most media, as VICE correspondents travel the world to uncover today’s most pressing issues, from civil unrest and hotbeds of terrorism, to unchecked government corruption and looming environmental catastrophes. The award-winning series recently premiered its second season on April 18th.
Over the past two years, VICE has shed light on some of today’s most vital issues, including the environmental destruction in Greenland triggered by climate change, rampant U.S. military waste and corruption in Afghanistan, extortion, torture and killings in Rio’s favelas and terrorist trainings in Dagestan. Correspondents have embedded themselves with Nigerian oil pirates, reported from within North Korea, and offered a firsthand look at Afghanistan’s child suicide bombers.
Hosted by Shane Smith, founder of the revolutionary global youth media company of the same name, VICE is executive-produced by Smith, Bill Maher, Eddy Moretti and BJ Levin; with CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria serving as consulting producer and stellar correspondents including Thomas Morton, Suroosh Alvi and Vikram Gandhi, among others.
Jamaica gets new lending program from World Bank
From Washington Post
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Caribbean director of the World Bank says Jamaica will receive $510 million under a four-year lending program.
At a Tuesday news conference in Kingston, Sophie Sirtaine says the program is part of a reform project led by Jamaica.
Sirtaine has praised positive economic signs, including hitting fiscal targets and a recent return to growth. But she also points to Jamaica’s weaknesses, such as its high vulnerability to shocks.
She says, “It’s not an easy walk, but I think that everybody is trying to do their best to make sure this works.”
Last year, Jamaica began a four-year loan package with International Monetary Fund to stabilize its economy. That deal was reached after Jamaica launched a debt-swap program and halted what the prime minister described as a “serious economic crisis.”
Republic Bank plans to complete HFC takeover by Dec.
From Ghana Web
Republic Bank says they are planning to complete the takeover of HFC Bank by December. That is if shareholders finally decide to sell their shares to the Caribbean bank.
Republic Bank is currently offering shareholders of HFC bank 1 Ghana cedi 60 pesewas for every share.
This was after it increased its holding in HFC to 30 percent which requires a mandatory takeover according to the current rules on takeover and mergers in Ghana.
However, there have been strong oppositions by some persons at HFC because of how the whole process was handled. But the Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Jacqueline Quamina, is assuring all interested parties at HFC that nothing would change if they are able to take over.
“This is because we like the current management and staff currently in place at HFC bank. What we might just do is bring in some personnel with some expertise to help with the training of staff to aid the growth of the bank.”
She, however, denied reports that their takeover could be described as hostile one.
She also ruled out any immediate plans to re-brand HFC if it is successful with the takeover.
Republic Bank Limited is one of the largest and most successful independent commercial banks in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Republic Bank is listed on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange with subsidiaries in Trinidad Guyana, Barbados and Grenada as well as in other Caribbean Countries.
For more: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=308433
St Lucia announces plan to join Caribbean Court of Justice
From Caribbean Journal
St Lucia is planning to accede to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the country’s final court of appeal, the government announced this week.
“My Government will therefore follow the lead of the Commonwealth of Dominica and proceed, pursuant to section 41(7) of our Constitution, to advise Her Majesty’s Government that it wishes to give effect to the international Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice,” St Lucia Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy said in her recent Throne Speech.
St Lucia, like most of the Caribbean, currently sends its final appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
The country would be the latest in the region to plan to sign on to the court. Earlier this year, Dominica announced a similar plan to amend its constitution to accede to the Caribbean Court of Justice.
For now, only Barbados, Belize and Guyana send their appeals to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Trinidad in 2012 announced it would send criminal, but not civil, cases to the court.
St Lucia will have to amend its constitution to make the change, however, and the UK will still have to agree to the move.
“Let it never be said that we are an ungrateful nation. We shall always be grateful to the United Kingdom Government for the years it has allowed us to use the Privy Council as our final Court Of Appeal,” Louisy said.
In 2002, St Lucia ratified the regional agreement establishing the CCJ.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/05/08/st-lucia-announces-plan-to-join-caribbean-court-of-justice/
Nurses week 10-16 May to host 5k walk/run Sat (10) on Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands nurses are hosting a 5k walk/run on Sat 10th May as part of Nurses Week that takes place 10th-16th May.
Funds raised from the walk/run will be used to purchase a simulator for nurses to practice life saving techniques.
The public is encouraged to nominate a nurse for the Eloise Reid Award – an award created to recognise and honour a nurse who shows excellence in care.
The Cayman Islands annual nursing conference will take place at the Marriott Beach Resort from May 14th -16th. Registration is at 7:30am and the conference starts at 8am.
