iNews Briefs
Sudanese women sentenced to death for marrying Christian man
By Celestine Hendrickson International News From CMV
A Sudanese woman who was born to a Muslim father was sentenced to death by hanging for marrying a Christian man. The 27-year-old pregnant woman was sentenced on Thursday after marrying a Christian man and refusing to convert to Islam. Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag also faces charges of adultery.
Ibrahim was born to a Muslim father but was raised Orthodox Christian by her mother. She was first sentenced on Sunday, but was given until Thursday to change her mind and convert. Al Jazeera reports that she refuses to do so.
Ibrahim said, “I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy.” Apostasy is the abandonment of one’s religious faith. She was found guilty of apostasy because she was born to a Muslim father and married a Christian man. The adultery came as Islamic law prohibits Muslim women from marrying outside of their religion.
This rule effectively voided the marriage. The death sentence will reportedly be carried out after Ibrahim gives birth. Western embassies and human rights group have urged Sudan to let Ibrahim choose her religion freely.
The post Sudanese women sentenced to death for marrying Christian man appeared first on Classified World News.
For more: http://cmvlive.com/international-news/sudanese-women-sentenced-to-death-for-marrying-christian-man
Quake rattles Guadeloupe
From Stabroek News
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe on Friday (16), but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the Caribbean Media Corporation reported.
The US Geological Survey said that the quake, with a depth of 23 miles was felt north ease of the Grande Anse. It was located 17.1 degrees North and 60.2 degrees West and was also felt in neigbouring Antigua and Barbuda.
For more: http://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/news/regional/05/16/quake-rattles-guadeloupe/
Former Digicel employee files sexual harassment suit against the telecoms giant
From Caribbean Now
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Justice Kirk Anderson of the Jamaica Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned a three-day hearing of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Digicel Group director Jean Blackstock.
Blackstock worked as the human resources director from 2000 to 2004 and has given evidence that she was sexually harassed by her immediate supervisor and CEO Seamus Lynch.
The case filed March 31, 2011, by Jacqueline Samuels-Brown QC says the former employee was wrongfully dismissed, which also resulted in the loss of her full share options with Digicel.
“I did not report the harassment because I was afraid and concerned that nobody would have believed me. Also based on how ex-colleagues were treated, clearly I would not have been supported,” Blackstock stated.
Defence attorney Alexander Williams is proposing that what Blackstock experienced was merely normal work pressures.
Blackstock, who did not wish to go into the details of the case as it is still pending, has stated that she believes she made the right decision to ask the court to rule on her case and has taken note of the fact that the government of Jamaica is to introduce a sexual harassment bill which will make it easier for women to bring such cases.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on October 8, 2014.
Mormon missionaries arrive from US and Jamaica in Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands has its first female missionaries to come to Cayman since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived on the island in 1982.
Four women, Sister Maranda Christiansen and Sister Caitlin Tominey from Utah in the U.S., Sister Blessing Mashabela from South Africa and Sister Leonie Coleman from Jamaica, are here on Grand Cayman “preach the gospel, share their beliefs and serve local people.”
The missionaries age between 18 and 24 and will be in Cayman for a period of 18-24 months before being transferred to another country.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has around 90,000 missionaries doing similar work in 170 countries across the world.
They can be contacted at 925-2541 or 938-5337.
New Zealand FM to discuss Pacific-Caribbean issues in Havana
From English.news.cn
WELLINGTON, May 16 (Xinhua) — Issues facing small island developing states will be on the agenda for New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully when he attends the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) next week.
“The Caribbean and our own Pacific region share a number of similar challenges and opportunities,” McCully said in a statement Friday.
The CARICOM meeting in Havana was an opportunity to discuss New Zealand’s growing relationship with the region.
“It is also a chance to discuss regional approaches to the issues that impact small island developing states, such as, renewable energy, oceans and fisheries and disaster risk management,” said McCully.
Following the meeting, McCully would visit New Zealand’s Mission to the United Nations in New York, where he would undertake a range of activities in support of New Zealand’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council in 2015-2016, including making a presentation to Permanent Representatives from the Arab Group of countries.
For more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-05/16/c_133337762.htm
Oil spill in North Sound Grand Cayman
The Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DOE) are having to clean up an estimated 200 gallons of oil that has been spilled into the North Sound from a partially-sunken derelict dredging vessel parked in a basin just inside the Sound.
Specialised pumps are needed and the DOE expect the clean-up to be a protracted effort.
At present crews have been able to get a barrier around the affected area to contain the spill.
DOE were notified about the oil last Wednesday (15) and are trying to determine who is responsible for the pollution as they will have to pay all the costs involved in the clean up.
Appleby Isle of Man announces Senior Associate promotions
Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC is pleased to announce the promotion of Tom Brook and Andrew Harding to Senior Associates.
Andrew Harding, who joined Appleby in 2005, is a member of the firm’s Corporate & Commercial department. He specialises in the establishment of Isle of Man funds and private investment structures. He also advises in relation to mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and regulatory matters, with a particular focus on distressed funds. Andrew also has experience of Cayman Islands law, having been seconded to Appleby’s Cayman Islands office during 2013.
Tom Brook is a member of Appleby’s Corporate and Commercial department and is qualified as a solicitor in both England & Wales and the British Virgin Islands. Tom spent six years in England working within the banking and finance teams of two international law firms as well as gaining significant commercial experience during an extended secondment within the legal department of Barclays Bank PLC. Tom, whose onshore banking and finance legal expertise has enhanced and expanded Appleby’s offering to banks and lenders in the local debt finance market, also has experience on a wide range of corporate transactions encompassing international finance, acquisitions, insolvency and matters involving the ever-growing Isle of Man Aircraft Registry.
Faye Moffett, Partner and local Corporate and Commercial Practice Group Head at Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC commented: “Andrew and Tom are key members of our corporate and commercial team, which is now the largest on the Island”.
She continued: “They bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the table and I look forward to continuing to work with these talented individuals as we focus on our strategic priorities and building our business in 2014.”
Cayman PAC cancels public hearing from OAG
The Cayman Islands Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has cancelled a proposed public hearing on a collection of damning reports from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) dealing with the management of resources, accountability and good governance.
Last January the OAG published five reports but the PAC chairman, Roy McTaggart, said witnesses were too busy to come to the meeting due to budget preparations.
To read the full story go to: http://www.caymannewsservice.com/politics/2014/05/16/pac-delays-public-meetings-governance-reports
US missionary stabbed to death in Haiti
From Seattle pi
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — An American missionary who came to Haiti in the wake of the January 2010 earthquake has been stabbed to death in the capital of the impoverished Caribbean country, police and friends said Friday.
George Knoop, an elder with the Quisqueya Chapel in Haiti, was attacked inside his home in the Delmas section of the capital on Tuesday afternoon, said friend and fellow church member Zach Segaar-King.
Knoop managed to call friends for help and told them he recognized his assailant before he died, Segaar-King said.
A computer was apparently stolen during the attack but it does not appear that robbery was the motive and the slain missionary likely knew his assailant through his ministry efforts in the country, he said.
Police investigator Jean-Faustin Solomon said the motive for the slaying is unknown and no suspects have been arrested. Authorities recovered the knife that was apparently used in the attack at the man’s home, which he shared with two roommates who were away at the time.
The victim, who was in 70s, also worked in Haiti as a volunteer for U.S.-based Missionary Flights International.
For more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/US-missionary-stabbed-to-death-in-Haiti-5484278.php
Cayman police officer found guilty of bribery
It took a Cayman jury last Thursday (15) just over three hours to convict former Royal Cayman Islands Service police officer Elvis Ebanks guilty of two counts of bribery and two counts of breach of trust.
Ebanks asked for a bribe of over CI$500 not to pursue a criminal case against a Filipino national who was suspected of stealing a phone.
Following the verdict, Ebanks (30) from George Town was bailed until 17th July.
See related iNews Cayman stories:
“Police officer on bribery charge”, November 20, 2012 at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/police-officer-on-bribery-charge/
“Police officer denies bribe charge – to be tried by jury”, January 14, 2013 at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/police-officer-denies-bribe-charge-to-be-tried-by-jury/
See also following statement from RCIPS on the foregoing case:
RCIPS statement: Cayman Police Officer guilty of bribery
The following statement has been issued by the RCIPS following Thursday’s (15) verdict in the trial of RCIPS’ officer Elvis Kelsey Ebanks.
“The objective of the RCIPS is to uphold the law without fear or favour; to prevent and detect crime and bring to justice those who transgress the laws of the land.” PC Elvis Kelsey Ebanks guilty verdict reached by the jury yesterday is another example that the RCIPS will not tolerate corrupt police officers. The RCIPS takes allegations of corruption against its officers very seriously, and will pursue any allegations against its officers who disobey the laws. Police officers are not above the law and will be held accountable if they disobey the laws.
Unfortunately, this type of dishonest behaviour smears the reputation of many of the RCIPS’ officers who are honest, trustworthy, hardworking and committed. The RCIPS will continue to strive to maintain the highest standards and professionalism and pride in our service to the public.
Costa Rican judge suspected of taking bribes
From FoxNews Latino
A judge suspected of freeing drug defendants in exchange for bribes was arrested Friday in the Caribbean province of Limon, Costa Rica’s OIJ investigative agency said.
The judge, identified only as a 62-year-old woman with the surname Gamboa, faces charges of corruption and influence-peddling for conduct dating back to 2011.
In one instance, she overturned the pre-trial detention order for “one of the maximum drug traffickers in the Caribbean zone,” the OIJ said in a statement.
The defendant in that case fled the jurisdiction and remains at large.
Judge Gamboa also ordered the release of a defendant who was apparently the brother of one of her friends.
Investigators suspect money changed hands in each case, the OIJ said.
OIJ searched Gamboa’s home and office, seizing documents and other evidence. EFE
For more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/05/16/costa-rican-judge-suspected-taking-bribes/
CONCACAF President Opens Inaugural Coaching Course in St. Vincent
Miami (Friday, May 16, 2014) — Development was top of mind during a recent visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines by CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice-President, Jeffrey Webb. During a brief stop in Kingstown, St. Vincent, President Webb opened the D License Coaching course, visited the FIFA Goal Project site, and met with Government and the Federation Officials.
“We recognize that much work needs to be done in the Caribbean, and we have been focusing on development initiatives for some time now. In the last year, CONCACAF has conducted 23 development courses in the Caribbean, which speaks to the importance placed on educating our youth, coaches and referees.”
CONCACAF has invested more than 80 percent of its annual budget to development programmes including the D License coaching initiative, Grass roots programmes, venue development youth and senior competitions.
Speaking on behalf of the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Football Association, President Coombs said, “This was a momentous occasion, and it speaks volumes to the great leadership we have in the region. President Webb is an inspiration to the football fraternity, and it is our pleasure to welcome him to St. Vincent. The results we are getting from CONCACAF are a testimony to leadership qualities we have been receiving. We are confident that football in the region will continue to move forward; we are far better off now than we were before.”
Fight for ‘Alcatraz of Caribbean’ in Puerto Rico
From Washington Post
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The fortress-like facade of the Oso Blanco prison looms over a gritty neighborhood in the Puerto Rican capital, and even larger in the imagination of many on the island.
But perhaps for not much longer. The Puerto Rican government, which struggled for decades to gain control of the prison known as the “Alcatraz of the Caribbean,” wants to demolish most of the cavernous structure and build an office park aimed at attracting high-tech businesses.
Preservationists and historians say not so fast. The Rio Piedras State Penitentiary is considered a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture. It’s also part of history, though it’s a dark chapter featuring brutality and mismanagement.
“This prison has been a very real part of the lives of Puerto Ricans for more than 80 years,” said archaeologist and preservationist Aida Belen, who has been a consultant to the government on what to do with Oso Blanco. “So many of us have had a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a neighbor, a relative who was in Oso Blanco. We’ve all known someone.”
Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla surprised and angered some people by mentioning during a budget speech last month that demolition had begun. Since then, officials have been besieged with phone calls and a growing social media campaign hoping to stop the wrecking ball and preserve at least part of the prison as a museum, gallery or open-air park. The former Alcatraz Island federal prison in San Francisco Bay itself is a tourist attraction, with daily tours.
Cuba mobile email experiment causes chaos
By Andrea Rodriguez From Greenwich Time
HAVANA (AP) — On an island where most people have no Internet access, the arrival of mobile phone email service was embraced with joy.
Tens of thousands of Cubans began emailing like crazy in March — for days, until the service started to fail, taking much of Cuba’s already shaky voice and text-messaging mobile service down with it
The island’s aging cellphone towers became swamped by the new flood of email traffic, creating havoc for anyone trying to use the system. Users had to make eight or nine attempts to successfully send an email. Even voice calls by non-subscribers’ began to drop mid-conversation. Callers sounded like they were phoning from the bottom of the sea. Ordinary text messages arrived days late, or not at all.
Since then, the state telecom monopoly Etecsa has issued a rare apology and the troubles have eased. But problems with the service, dubbed Nauta, offer a rare window into the Internet in Cuba, where the digital age has been achingly slow to spread since arriving in 1996, leaving the country virtually isolated from the world of streaming video, photo-sharing and 4G cellphones.
Cuba’s government blames the technological problems on a U.S. embargo that prevents most American businesses from selling products to the Caribbean country. Critics of the government say it deliberately strangles the Internet to halt the spread of dissent.
Strong earthquake shakes Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda
By the Caribbean Journal staff
A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake caused shaking in Antigua and Barbuda and Guadeloupe on Friday morning, according to data from the United States Geological Survey.
The quake struck at around 7:01 AM local time at a depth of about 24 kilometres.
Its epicentre was 113 kilometres northeast of Grand Anse in Guadeloupe and about 155 kilometres east of St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
It was the latest in a string of moderate to strong earthquakes in the Caribbean region in recent months.
It was the strongest earthquake in the Caribbean Sea since a 6.4-magnitude quake struck Puerto Rico in January.
The quake was followed by several aftershocks of around 4.8 to 5.0 magnitude on the Richter scale. There were also reports of shaking around the Eastern Caribbean region, including in Dominica.
There were not yet any reports of damage or injuries resulting from the quake.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/05/16/strong-earthquake-shakes-guadeloupe-antigua-and-barbuda/
Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment Friday (16)
From NBC SVG
The first sitting of the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment CPEA will be written today (Fri 16) by close to two thousand Grade Six Pupils from Primary Schools across the nation.
The students will write the external component of the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment, CPEA, at seventeen centres.
The CPEA, which replaces the Common Entrance Examination, is administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council, CXC, for students exiting the primary cycle of their education.
A release from the Ministry of Education says the students will sit multiple choice papers in Mathematics, English and Science. It says they have all completed their Internal or School-Based Assessment, and the scores and the samples of their work have been sent to the Caribbean Examinations Council.
The Ministry says the internal assessment accounts for 40-percent of the final score, while the multiple choice component comprises 60-percent of the final score.
This year, one thousand, nine hundred and forty eight students have registered for the CPEA. This comprises 917 girls and 1031 boys.
For more: http://www.nbcsvg.com/2014/05/16/caribbean-primary-exit-assessment-friday/#.U3eMcCjKO68
ENVIRONMENT-Ocean Energy –Europe and the Caribbean
By Mikael Barfod From Cananewsonline
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, May 16, CMC – European Maritime Day is celebrated annually across the European Union (EU) on 20 May. This is relevant to the Caribbean as large parts of the EU and of course the entire Caribbean has a very close relationship with the ocean and secondly, the ocean is an enormous source of energy.
It is estimated that 0.1 per cent of the energy in ocean waves could be capable of supplying the entire world’s energy requirements five times over. The EU has established a trinity of energy policy goals, energy supplies must be: i) secure; ii) sustainable and iii) underpin the EU’s global competitiveness.
The energy challenges facing the Caribbean are remarkably similar.
The development of this emerging sector would not only help us to achieve our mutual renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets, but could fuel economic growth through innovation and create new, high-quality jobs. Also for these reasons, renewable energy is a key component of the EU’s most recent policy document on development cooperation; the 2011 “Agenda for Change”.
So, the potential is significant and, for now, the EU position is very strong, and we are working very hard to consolidate our position as a global leader and expand our efforts. Today, ocean energy covers around 0.02 per cent of EU energy needs and it is primarily used for electricity production. The target is for 15% of EU electricity to be provided from ocean energy by 2050.
This is a massive task, but one which the EU must deliver on. In the following, I will briefly outline how the EU intends to achieve this goal. This may inspire a similar process in the Caribbean or ignite desires for collaboration on specific areas. As in many areas, the EU has started at the policy level. Important “Communications” from the European Commission, e.g. on “Blue Energy” (2012), demonstrate how the EU views a possible development of marine energy.
Ziggy Marley pens first children’s book
By Vinette K. Pryce From Caribbean Life
Ziggy Marley said he was in his kitchen one day when his three-year-old daughter Judah looked up to him saying “I love you.” The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley said he looked down and simply responded saying “I Love You Too.”
That simple interchange between parent and child spawned a book devoted to children called “I Love You Too.”
Dedicated to his mother Rita, daughter Judah and sister Cedella, the book amplifies on every page the power of saying the words of endearment and care.
Based on his Emmy-winning song of the same title, the book illustrates graphic images depicting a multi-cultural community, happy occasions, animals, interaction with the elderly, adults, animals and family. Illustrated by Agnieszka Jatkowska the publication adds another title to his long list of achievements since taking the spotlight as a child musician and singer.
Joining his sister Cedella who is reputed for publishing children’s books dedicated to songs inspired by her father, Ziggy’s debut furthers a mission to empower youth as well as demonstrate their innocence and beauty.
Already steeped in humanitarian charities, the Grammy-winning recorder founded Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE).
For more information about URGE, log onto www.urgefoundation.org
For more: http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2014/5/2014_05_14_vkp_ziggy.html
SVG leads Caribbean in tree planting competition
From I-Witness News
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is leading in the Caribbean, and is ahead of several other countries in an effort to plant 100 Million Trees by 2017.
More than 70 schools and community groups in St. Vincent have registered for the first Environment Online (ENO) Treelympics, in which more than 100 other countries are participating.
Schools in the ENO Programme aim to plant 100 Million Trees by 2017, a commitment ENO gave at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 Summit) in Brazil in June 2012.
ENO is a global virtual school and network for sustainable development. Since its launch in 2000, over 100,000 schools in 157 countries have joined ENO and made concrete deeds for the environment like planting trees.
Two annual ENO tree planting days take place annually — May 22 (UN Biodiversity Day) and Sept. 21 (World Peace Day).
The theme for May 22, 2014 is “Trees for life”. Trees play a vital role in rural and urban populations. They are needed to enrich and anchor soil, to maximize water supplies, to beautify and humanise townships and urban areas and to provide shade and shelter. They are also crucial for biodiversity conservation.
Products and services from trees include food, timber, fibre, medicines and energy. The impact of planting trees is one of the ways of offsetting our carbon emissions.
For more: http://www.iwnsvg.com/2014/05/16/svg-leads-caribbean-in-tree-planting-competition/
Caribbean risk pooling facility considers cat bonds, collateralized reinsurance
From Business Insurance
The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility’s chief executive, Isaac Anthony, has said the risk pool is “seriously looking at the possibility of getting involved with (catastrophe) bonds and potentially, collateralized reinsurance” as part of risk transfer, reports Artemis.bm.
Mr. Anthony said the facility is eyeing expansion and diversifying sources of risk capital would be advantageous. Latin America is the next target region for the CCRIF, Artemis.bm reported.
For more: http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20140516/NEWS09/140519880
CNN fires serial plagiarist
By Joe Coscarelli From New York Magazine
Marie-Louise Gumuchian, a former news editor, was found to have plagiarized “about 50 published stories” and counting, as the investigation continues.
CNN said in a statement that Gumuchian’s employment has been terminated, and her wrongdoing either scrubbed clean or, in some cases, deleted entirely.
Gumuchian has also written for Reuters, which would do well to start a review of its own if past instances of this kind of thing are any indication.
Adidas is taking sneaker customization to a whole nother level
By Edgar Alvarez From Engadget
Adidas is in the process of revamping mi Adidas, its feature that lets people customize shoes with various elements — you can mix and match colors and even have your name embroidered on them. To make things better (or worse, depending on who you ask), Adidas will soon also allow you to create sneakers using any image you want as your print — because why not, right? Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do this with all Adidas Originals, as the sporting gear company is limiting the customization feature to the ZX Flux model. Adidas says the ZX Flux is the perfect shoe for this, citing the recent success of the Photo Print Prism model as evidence and as a driving force behind the idea. You can customize your own pair starting in August, which is when the iOS and Android apps are due to launch.
It’s worth noting that the concept of customizing shoes, or other gear, isn’t particularly novel for manufacturers; Nike, as an example, has its NikeiD program and, of course, there’s the one we’ve been talking about: mi Adidas. Still, there’s something more exciting about the idea of letting buyers upload a picture of their choosing — we can only imagine what folks will be sporting on their feet soon enough.
For more: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/16/mi-adidas/?ncid=rss_truncated
8.2M people newly displaced by conflict in 2013
By Matt Petronzio From Mashable
A record 33.3 million people were internally displaced by conflict and violence in their home countries in 2013, according to a new report the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) released on Wednesday. The figure is an astounding increase of 4.5 million from the previous year.
As a result of more recent crises, a total number of 8.2 million people were newly displaced in 2013 — 43% of which were in Syria alone. The three countries with the most displaced people — Syria, the Central African of Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo — made up 67% of newly internally displaced people in the world.
Internally displaced people, or IDPs, are considered to be among the world’s most vulnerable people, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) notes. They are not refugees — they haven’t crossed international borders to find sanctuary, but they may have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, such as armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, or natural or human-made disasters.
They remain under the protection of their governments, even if the government is what caused them to flee.
The following chart, created by Statista, breaks down the 10 countries with the highest number of newly internally displaced people in 2013.
See attached graphic
