iNews Briefs
Cayman unemployed civil servant has received full pay since 1999
Cayman Islands Member of the Legislative Assembly raised a question at the recent Finance Committee meeting concerning the continuing payment of a salary to a civil servant who has not been employed by government since 1999.
The civil servant, Astley McLaughlin, a scientist, was fired from his position in April 1999 but a UK Privy Council determined he had been wrongfully dismissed. Since that date he has enjoyed his salary (between $ $55,128 and $74,136 per year) and no other government agency had shown any interest in employing him.
However, it is coming to an end.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson confirmed McLaughlin will come off the payroll as during this year the civil servant will reach 60 years old and he will be retired as is normal protocol.
Manderson added that McLaughlin will receive pension payments as normal upon his retirement.
Environmental conservation promoted in the Caribbean
From Radio Cadena Agramonte
Castries, Jun 30.- The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) will receive a millionaire contribution from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), local media reported here today (June 30).
This funding will promote the conservation, protection, management and expansion of national protected area systems and other areas of biodiversity significance across the Eastern Caribbean region,” according to a statement released by the CBF.
The sum is part of a project sponsored by The Nature Conservancy institution on behalf of the participating countries.
‘The Caribbean is the most biologically rich area in the Atlantic, which retains 10 percent of the world’s coral reefs and 12 thousand marine species, “said Philip Kramer, director of Caribbean Program of The Nature Conservancy.
The contribution is part of a project that is being executed by The Nature Conservancy on behalf of the participating countries.
“The Caribbean is the most biologically rich area in the Atlantic, retaining 10% of the world’s coral reefs and 12,000 marine species”, said Dr Philip Kramer, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Caribbean Program
The CBF will distribute the proceeds generated by the investment to conservation trust funds that are in the process of being established in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. (Prensa Latina).
Illegal immigrant on ganja boat arriving in Cayman sentenced to 6 months jail
Kemar Paul Williams was sentenced to six months imprisonment with a recommendation for deportation on Monday (30) by Magistrate Valdis Foldat.
Williams arrived on a boat carrying ganja with three other passengers at East End on Grand Cayman last October and had hitchhiked to West Bay.
After a joint operation between immigration and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service on May 30th Williams was arrested. He was not charged with importation of illegal substances.
Caribbean leaders gather for annual summit
By Peter Richards From DaVibes
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders begin their annual summit here on Tuesday fully discussing the first ever Strategic Plan for the 15-member regional grouping.
The five year plan, 2015-19, will dominate the July 1-4 event and CARICOM officials hope it will reposition the Community to deal with a changing global environment.
The plan has been developed following widespread public consultation across the region and the leaders will seek to reach agreement on top priority areas for focused attention over the five year period of the plan.
For more: http://dominicavibes.dm/caribbean-leaders-gather-for-annual-summit/
Cayman Islands chili team leaves to take on Texas
The Cayman Islands National Chili Team leaves this week to head for Dallas, Texas on 4th July to take part in The Texas Finals an event that showcases Chili Categories in various forms.
The George Town Yacht Club won the Caybrew International Chili Cook-Off and it’s their recipe that will be used to entice the Texans that their chili is the best.
Cayman’s team is headed by Aimee Moore with Executive Chef Chris Van Ness, Jack Horner and Cassandra Videtic.
The team wants to thank support from Cayman Airways, Home Gas Ltd, Department of Tourism, Uncle Bill’s CNS News and CNS Business, and the Caybrew events team.
Chikungunya outbreak in Caribbean: Possible risk of local transmission in Europe in areas with mosquito species, vectors of the disease
From European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Possible risk for local transmission of chikungunya in Europe in areas where the mosquito species, potential vectors of chikungunya, are present, need of personal protection measures for travellers, suggested preparedness and prevention measures in EU, are the main conclusions an ECDC risk assessment issued today.
Autochthonous transmission from an imported chikungunya case during the summer season in the EU is possible, assesses ECDC. The risk is linked to importation of virus by infected patients in areas with competent vectors (the mosquito species that can carry chikungunya: Aedes albopictus on mainland Europe and Aedes aegypti – in Madeira): exposure to infected mosquitoes is the principal risk for infection in currently affected areas. In addition, travellers returning from outbreak areas should seek medical care if presenting with chikungunya symptoms and apply personal protection measures to avoid mosquito bites.
The risk assessment provides also suggestions for prevention and preparedness measures in EU, related to the chikungunya outbreak:
• High vigilance regarding imported cases of chikungunya and dengue in the EU: awareness among clinicians and travel clinics in areas where competent vectors are present);
• Preparedness measures in the EU, such as strengthened surveillance systems and rapid notification of cases;
• Vigilance of the EU blood safety authorities regarding the epidemiological situation in the Americas in line with measures taken for West Nile virus infection.
This is the first documented autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus in the Americas. The outbreak started on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin in early December 2013 and expanded through the Caribbean during the first half of 2014. Recently, suspected autochthonous cases have been reported from Central America (Costa Rica and El Salvador).
CARPHA director says Caribbean can manage chikungunya and dengue
By Caribbean Medical News Staff
At the symposium with over 40 participants present, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Dr. James Hospedales said that the Caribbean can properly manage the current dengue and chikungunya outbreaks. To date 500 cases have been confirmed in the region with the latest confirmation coming out of Suriname.
He said that using the region’s research and education network C@ribNET, health care practitioners, researchers, physicians and public health experts and practitioners can manage the two vector-borne illnesses. He emphasized information sharing and a region-wide coordinated preventative diagnostic and control mechanism as part of the plan to control a potential public health nightmare for the Caribbean.
He made these remarks while speaking at a recent symposium hosted by CARPHA and the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) indicating that several proactive measures were already in place to prevent and control the Chikungunya virus, including providing laboratory diagnosis and regional co-ordination. Regional co-ordination will be managed through “an incident management team” and a regional public education awareness programme.
Dr Bernadette Theodore-Gandi, PAHO/WHO representative for T&T rallied a cry for research and policy to be translated into action through the sharing of information across all sectors.
Both diseases are carried by the same mosquito and present with severe headache, fever, joint pains and in the case of chickungunya, rash, muscle pain and joint pain that can last for as long as two years.
One of Cayman’s oldest jerk chicken vendors closes down
Seymour’s Jerk Centre has closed down for good. Last Saturday (28) restaurant founder Seymour Silburn served his last jerk chicken or was it pork?
Seymours is one of the Cayman Islands oldest jerk vendors and has been at its Shedden Road location in George Town for 34 years.
Silburn was served with an eviction notice from the owner of the parking lot, Frank Flowers who said Silburn was in “substantial debt” with the Flowers Group.
Silburn said he had found it difficult to meet the $1,400 in rent per month for the location plus the cost of utilities.
Three members of his staff have now lost their jobs.
Cayman Islands: Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd. schedules Second Quarter 2014 conference call
GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, July 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd.(R) (“HLSS” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:HLSS) will hold its conference call on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to review the Company’s operating results. This event will follow Home Loan Servicing Solutions’ Second Quarter 2014 earnings release. The press release will also be available on the HLSS Shareholder website at www.hlss.com.
A live audio webcast and slide presentation for the call will be available on the Company’s website at www.hlss.com through a link on the Shareholders page. Those who want to listen to the call should go to the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the conference call will be available via the website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately 30 days.
For more information on prior releases and SEC Filings, please refer to the “Shareholders” section of our website at www.hlss.com
HLSS is an internally-managed owner of non-agency mortgage servicing assets with historically stable valuations and cash flows. HLSS’ assets are predominately mortgage servicing advances that, along with the related servicing rights, are over-collateralized 23 times by residential real estate. HLSS’ objective is to generate stable, recurring fee-based earnings and dividends throughout the economic cycle.
Dog digs up skull and doll fragments from California backyard
By Reuters Media From Brainerd Dispatch
LOS ANGELES, June 30 (Reuters) – A California man and his dog dug up a human skull, animal bones and doll fragments in his backyard, remains that anthropologists believe may have been part of an Afro-Caribbean rite, police said on Monday [30].
Detectives investigating the discovery in Yuba City have not ruled out the possibility of foul play, and are awaiting lab results on the skull’s age, police spokeswoman Shawna Pavey said.
The Husky dog was digging obsessively in the backyard, prompting the man to help him dig. A week ago, they uncovered a bag containing the human skull and animal skeletal remains, as well as a ceramic pot and doll fragments, Yuba City police said.
Nathaniel Oberman, who police say rents the home, told local television station KTXL that he immediately called police after realizing a human skull was among the jumble of items unearthed.
“There was like machetes, like horns with shells wrapped around it, a whole bunch of animal skulls, two coyote skulls, a goat skull and a bunch of bird skulls,” Oberman told KTXL, a Fox affiliate.
Anthropologists called in to help with the investigation said the find might be related to Afro-Caribbean religious traditions, such as Santeria, police said.
A spokeswoman for California State University, Chico, confirmed the skull had been taken to an anthropology lab at the university, but she referred further questions to police.
Pavey said police were seeking to locate previous tenants of the home to find out if they know anything about the buried items.
Oberman told KTXL he only recently moved into the house.
For more: http://www.brainerddispatch.com/content/dog-digs-skull-and-doll-fragments-california-backyard
Cayman Islands Clifton Hunter students’ graduation
At the recent graduation at the Clifton Hunter High School in Frank Sound, Grand Cayman, 161 graduates met the new minimum standard to graduate, achieving level one diplomas or better.
38 graduates from the class of 2013, obtained “returning honors” for achieving seven level two passes.
Principal Pauline Beckford said, “This has been an exceptional group of students and they have achieved some excellent results.”
Caribbean Airlines pilots strike, all flights to be disrupted
From Jamaica Gleaner
Caribbean Airlines says that all its international and domestic flights scheduled for today (1) will be affected because many of its pilots scheduled to work have called in sick.
The reason for the apparent protest is not clear.
However, in a statement this morning, Caribbean Airlines said it is disappointed with the action of the pilots.
It noted that the management of the airline and the pilots’ union – the Trinidad and Tobago Pilot’s Association have been in communication.
Caribbean Airlines says it will continue to urge further open and frank discussion in good faith with trade union, while “exploring all options available.”
Meanwhile, the airline’s chief executive officer, Michael DiLollo, says the industrial action comes at the start of the critical summer season.
“We are naturally concerned firstly for the health and welfare of our pilot body since this is an unprecedented occurrence.
This unfortunate situation has disrupted our scheduled services at the beginning of our critical summer season, during which we count most on our operational crews to demonstrate reliability and service for our loyal customers.” said DiLollo
DiLollo also expressed concern about the potential negative impact of the disruptions to passengers.
For more: http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/news/article.php?id=53985
Cayman teenage pleads guilty to forgery
A 17 year old male has pleaded guilty to two charges relating to counterfeiting.
He admitted to having in his possession a fake CI$50 bill at his school in October 2013.
Police discovered related implements of forgery at his home in Bodden Town, Grand Cayman.
The teenager was bailed to appear in court on 28 August pending a social enquiry report.
Cayman Male Voice Choir to celebrate 40 years
The Cayman Male Voice Choir is celebrating 40 years of singing from 1974.
To acknowledge this milestone they will be presenting a Summer Concert aptly titled “Down Memory Lane” on Sunday 6th July 2014 at 7:30pm at Elmslie Memorial Church, on the waterfront – Harbour Drive, George Town, Grand Cayman.
Admission is FREE!
Please download attached flyer and send it to your friends.
