iNews Briefs
Nevis confirms first two cases of Chikungunya disease
From Caribbean360
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, Monday July 7, 2014 (NIA) – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) informed the Ministry of Health, Nevis, of two laboratory confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever on the island. These are the first laboratory confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever for the island of Nevis. Both patients have recovered fully.
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease which is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes infected with the virus. Both of these mosquitoes are present in St. Kitts and Nevis and are the same vectors which spread dengue fever from human to human.
Chikungunya fever affects all age groups and both genders. The disease is characterized by the abrupt onset of high fever frequently accompanied by severe joint pains 3 – 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Infected persons may also complain of one or more of the following: back pain, headache, muscle pain, rash, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. These symptoms typically last 3 -10 days. Deaths from Chickungunya fever are rare.
See iNews Cayman related story ”Chikungunya: Imported case confirmed in Cayman. Minister’s statement” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/chikungunya-imported-case-confirmed-in-cayman-ministers-statement/
Pinellas County has first mosquito virus case
From The St. Augustine Record
(AP) ST. PETERSBURG — The first case of the mosquito-borne chikungunya illness has been confirmed in Pinellas County.
The state’s health department says a Pinellas County resident who traveled to the Caribbean in June came down with the viral illness.
There have been 52 cases in Florida this year through Friday.
The Tampa Tribune reports that none of the cases were acquired locally, and there have been no reports of anyone acquiring the disease within the United States.
The infection is typically reported in patients who had traveled to the Caribbean region.
While the disease rarely leads to death, it can cause a week or more of fever, severe joint pain and rash. There is no vaccination or treatment.
New private ambulance may help Cayman’s HSA
Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) is due to respond to a proposal submitted by William Bodden, pilot and CEO of local air ambulance company MedEvac, to use their ambulance in Grand Cayman for emergencies.
Bodden said his ambulance, a 2010 Chevy Horton model, is a medium duty ambulance used for critical care and advanced life support transport.
Bodden said MedEvac only use the ambulance for around 22 calls per month for air ambulance service so it is not being used to its full potential. He therefore submitted his proposal to the HSA to use his ambulance as a back up for George Town.
MedEvac have also sent a proposal to the HSA offering to replace the current air ambulance services at a cost of $12,000 per patient. According to Bodden this is $3,000 less than what local insurance companies are currently paying for overseas air ambulance services.
Fifa partner’s CEO Ray Whelan arrested over ticket scam
From BBC
Brazilian police have arrested the chief executive of a Fifa partner company as part of investigations into the illegal sale of World Cup tickets.
Ray Whelan from Match Hospitality was held at the Rio de Janeiro hotel where officials from the world’s football governing body were also staying.
He was freed after questioning. Match Hospitality said in a statement that it expected Mr Whelan to be “exonerated”.
Last week, police held 11 people over illegal ticket sales.
They are accused of illegally reselling tickets, including some originally allocated to players.
Police say an international gang earned as much as $90m (£52m) per tournament and could have operated at four World Cups.
Mr Whelan, a British national, was arrested at the Copacabana Palace Hotel on Monday.
He was taken for questioning as part of the ongoing police investigation Operation Jules Rimet, and released on Tuesday.
For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-28205082
Barbadians must pay new solid waste tax or face stiff penalties
From Caribbean360
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Monday July 7, 2014, CMC – Barbadians have been told to pay the Municipal Solid Waste Tax even though they have not yet received information from the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA).
BRA director of Shared Services, Wayne Forde, said the first instalment of the tax is due by July 28.
He said that property owners who have structures with an improved value on their land, were required to pay the solid waste tax, which has been calculated at a rate of 0.3 per cent of the site value.
“The Municipal Solid Waste Tax Act 2014 does not make any provisions for exemptions from the payment of the tax. However, the Minister of Finance has the authority to remit or refund part or all of the tax on the grounds of undue hardship or for any other reason, as stated in Section 5 of the Act,” Forde said.
Forde warned that failure to pay the tax by the specified dates would result in a penalty of five per cent of the tax demanded and unpaid. In addition, interest at the rate of one per cent for each month on the penalty and the unpaid tax at the prescribed time, will be charged.
The tax was introduced this year to assist with the management of solid waste, that is, all garbage generated from residential households, apartment buildings, commercial and business establishments, institutional facilities, construction and demolition activities, municipal services and treatment plant sites.
O2Micro will announce second quarter 2014 results on July 23, 2014
GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, July 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O(2) Micro(R) International Limited, (Nasdaq:OIIM), a global leader in the design, development and marketing of high-performance integrated circuits and solutions, will announce its financial results for the second quarter, ended June 30, 2014, on Wednesday, July 23, 2014.
The press release will be followed by a conference call at 6:00 a.m. (PDT), 9:00 a.m. (EDT). You may participate using the following dial-in information.
In the US and CANADA: 888-438-5448, pass code #7951380
INTERNATIONAL participants: 719-325-2323, pass code #7951380
A replay of the call will be available by phone until July 30(th) using the following dial-in information.
In the US and CANADA: 888-203-1112, pass code #7951380
INTERNATIONAL participants: 719-457-0820, pass code #7951380
A live webcast will also be available on the Company’s website at http://ir.o2micro.com, and an online replay will be available on the website for one week
About O(2) Micro
Founded in April 1995, O(2) Micro develops and markets innovative power management components for the Computer, Consumer, Industrial, Automotive and Communications markets. Products include LED General Lighting, Backlighting, Battery Management and Power Management.
O(2) Micro International maintains an extensive portfolio of intellectual property with 26,272 patent claims granted, and over 27,000 more pending. The company maintains offices worldwide. Additional company and product information can be found on the company website at www.o2micro.com.
O(2) Micro, the O(2) Micro logo, and combinations thereof are registered trademarks of O(2) Micro. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Haiti: UN official urges new approach on internally displaced persons
From Caribbean Journal
It is time to move from a “largely humanitarian approach to a development-based drive in Haiti,” a United Nations official said this week.
Chaloka Beyani, the UN’s special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, said it was “high time to focus on a development approach for the achievement of durable solutions for the displaced.”
“Durable solutions are reached only when the needs related to displacement no longer exist, which is medium to long term complex development led process for all IDPs and not just those living in camps or sites,” he said following a week-long visit to Haiti.
For Beyani, closing camps “by itself does not mean that durable solutions for them have been found.”
The number of displaced persons in Haiti has fallen from about 1.5 million 2010 following the earthquake to about 100,000.
But “much more needs to be done,” he said.
That includes everything from a comprehensive housing policy that targets internally displaced persons to an improvement to the existing rental subsidy policy that helps IDPs leave camps.
Music summer camp for Cayman’s kids
Cayman Islands Hopscotch Studios is offering a summer camp to youngsters with a calling for music.
Charles Gregory, the owner of Hopscotch, said not only will the campers work with him as a mentor they will also work closely with some of Cayman’s talent who are trained by the Berkley College of Music – one of the top institutions in this arena.
Camp dates are July 14th through 18th or August 11th through 15th.The registration fee is $25 and the cost of camp for one week is $400KYD with snacks and lunch included. Registration fees will be credited towards the cost of the camp upon placement . Registration forms may be collected from the studio, via email [email protected] or call 949-6131/325-8041 for details. Updates are available through https://www.facebook.com/hopscotchproductionscayman
Black Caps [NZ] end Caribbean [WI] tour with a whimper
By: TVNZ
The Black Caps have ended their Caribbean tour with a disappointing 39-run loss in the second and final Twenty20 international at Roseau today.
The West Indies batted first and set New Zealand a competitive 165 for six to win.
In reply the Black Caps never got going and were eventually bowled out for 126 in 19.1 overs.
“It wasn’t a strong performance from us and West Indies played really well,” captain Kane Williamson said.
“At the halfway stage, we though we did reasonably well but we lost our way with the bat. They took wickets at key times and made it difficult in the late overs. It was a nice opportunity and I am sure Baz will be looking forward to it in the near future.”
For more: http://fijione.tv/black-caps-end-caribbean-tour-with-a-whimper/
Cayman Rotary Club Central appoints new leaders
The Cayman Islands service club Rotary Central held their annual Change Over evening last Friday (3) and new officers for the 2014-2015 Rotary Year were installed. Rotary Central was awarded the Best Club in District 7020 as well as Platinum Club of the month winner from 84 other clubs.
Outgoing President was Naude Dreyer.
This year’s officers are: President Larry Tibbetts; President Elect Sandy Cram; Vice President Mike Pratt; Secretary Trudy-Ann Scott; Treasurer Paul Arbo. Directors include Susie Bodden, Nickii Sonnenberg, Katie Dilbert, Sue Holmes, Colin Fawkes, William Inniss, Richard Lewis and Sergeant At Arms Mike Donnelly.
The theme of “Light up Rotary” was confirmed
Rotary International President-elect Gary C.K. Huang chose Light Up Rotary as his theme for 2014-15 inspired by the teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Four new Rotarians were also inducted.
In keeping with this year’s theme the new president chose “Our Projects, Our Rotarians” as the Club’s motto which will focus on “highlighting our Projects and engaging and recognising our Rotarians”.
TSA cracks down on uncharged electronic devices
By Margaret Hartmann From New York Mag
Forgetting to throw your cell phone charger in your bag is already pretty high on the list of travel annoyances, but now it could lead to an altercation with the TSA. The agency announced on Sunday that U.S.-bound travelers at some overseas airports will be asked to turn on their cell phones and other electronic devices before boarding. “As the traveling public knows, all electronic devices are screened by security officers,” the TSA said in a statement. “Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. The traveler may also undergo additional screening.” The new restriction was sparked by fears that terrorists may be developing bombs that can be hidden in gutted electronic devices.
The new rule follows an order from Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson last week that the TSA “implement enhanced security measures” at some of the roughly 250 foreign airports that offer nonstop service to the United States. Officials said there is no specific threat against the U.S., or proof that terrorists have attempted to use such a device. However, ABC News reported last week that there are concerns that terrorists in Syria are developing new types of bombs to bring on commercial aircraft. Analysts believe that some extremist groups there hope to bring down a U.S. or Europe-bound plane, with help from foreigners who have joined the conflict.
For now the restriction only affects U.S.-bound international travelers, but in an interview on Meet the Press, Johnson wouldn’t say if the security procedure might be expanded to domestic flights. “We continue to evaluate things,” he said. “The screening we have right domestically from one domestic airport to another is pretty robust as the American traveling public knows. In this instance we felt that it was important to crank it up some at the last point of departure airports and we’ll continually evaluate the situation.” Someday we may actually look back fondly on the days when we only had to take off our shoes.
St Kitts-Nevis opens Cuban embassy, calls for US to end trade embargo
From Caribbean360
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Friday July 4, 2014, CMC – St. kitts-Nevis has opened an embassy in Cuba and has called on the United States to end its decade old trade and economic embargo against the only Communist country in the Caribbean.
A government statement said that Foreign Affairs Minister Patrice Nisbett told delegates to the opening of the embassy that Basseterre would continue to support the annual United Nations General Assembly vote calling on Washington to remove the embargo placed on the island when Fidel Casyro assumed power 50 years ago.
“We continue to avail ourselves of every opportunity and in every forum to appeal to the United States of America to bring to an immediate end its unfair treatment of the Cuban people who continue to suffer unreasonably as a result of the decades old embargo. Cuba is our neighbour.
“Cuba is our friend and we shall continue to exploit all possible means of speaking on their behalf in the international community on this issue,” said Nisbett.
The St. Kitts-Nevis government has noted that the majority of countries within this hemisphere has supported Cuba in its quest for “normal and constructive relations” with all nations around the world.
The United States and a handful of countries have consistently voted against ending the embargo.
Nearly 70% Cayman Brac students obtain 5 or more high level passes
69.2% of students who graduated from the Layman Scott High School on Cayman Brac already have five or more high level passes before the results of external examinations taken this summer are known.
When the full results are known in a few months it is expected that the students from the Class of 3014 will be the highest achieving year group in the history of the Cayman Islands.
All five passes must include mathematics and English for a Level 2 Diploma. Level 2 passes are grades 1‐3 at CXC, A*‐C at GCSE or IGCSE, or the equivalent for other examination boards. 85% of the 26 Brac 2014 graduates already have a Level 2 pass in English, 65.4% in mathematics and 85% in science, which does not include any exams taken at the end of Year 12.
UWI and University of Havana discuss Caribbean challenges
From Caribbean360
ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad — On June 24 and 25, representatives of the University of West Indies (UWI) and the University of Havana, Cuba, met at the Institute of International Relations located at the UWI’s St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago to discuss “Development challenges and possibilities for a deeper integration”.
This first workshop on Contemporary Caribbean was coordinated by Professor Milagros Martínez, chair of Caribbean Studies (Cátedra de Estudios del Caribe) at the University of Havana together with Dr Mark Kirton of the Institute of International Relations.
Participants debated major problems of the contemporary Caribbean, especially the challenges associated with small island developing states and the regional integration recent dynamics. The cases of Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba were specifically examined.
Cayman Brac oil spill at dump cleaned up
An oil spill at the Cayman Brac dump last week has been cleaned up.
The oil spill was discovered on Wednesday July 2nd and the following day Roydell Carter, Director of the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), travelled to Cayman Brac to supervise the cleanup, along with the DEH foreman of recycling operations and a private company.
Carter said, “All of the remaining used oils in the small containers were transferred to new 55-gallon drums and secured on site. The area now has new soil material in place.”
The spillage was due to deteriorating 5-gallon buckets and open and partially filled 55-gallon drums that had been knocked over. The storage conditions were not only poor but the used oils were being stored on a sloped area.
Carter admitted there was “definitely room for improvements in the landfill operations and recycling programmes on the Sister Islands”.
Man cuts off penis in restaurant in London
From BBC
A man cut off his penis with a knife in a packed London restaurant.
Police were forced to use CS gas to restrain the man when they entered the Zizzi restaurant in The Strand on Sunday evening.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said the man was aged between 30 and 40 and that his injuries were self-inflicted.
The man was then taken to hospital in south London where his condition is stable. It is understood surgeons were unable to reattach his penis.
A spokeswoman for Zizzi said the man was not thought to have any connection with the restaurant.
She said: “At around 9pm on Sunday, a man walked into the Zizzi restaurant on The Strand, down the stairs to the basement restaurant area and tried to enter a kitchen.
“Members of staff stopped him, at which he ran into a second kitchen area.
“The man then picked up a kitchen knife and slashed himself across the wrist and groin areas before running back into the restaurant, where he continued to stab himself.
“This happened in a matter of seconds and was obviously extremely frightening and distressing for the many customers and staff in the restaurant at the time.”
She added: “Apart from the man, we understand that no-one else suffered any physical injuries.”
For more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6586879.stm
Royal Caribbean meets with Haitian tourism officials
From Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean vice president of global tour operations, John Weis, met with Haiti’s minister of Tourism and Creative Industries (MTIC) along with other officials from Haiti to inspect the progress the MTIC has made in developing tourism in the country.
Haiti is looking for ways to bring more Royal Caribbean cruise passengers, who are already visiting Labadee, to other tourist stops near by. This includes the Citadelle Henry and the Palace Sans Souci.
Weis visited the pier located on Acul bay (recently built by MTIC) where Royal Caribbean passengers would stop before getting to the Citadelle.
Also present for the meeting was Dieudonne Luma, Regional Director North MTIC, Jean Bernard Simonet, CEO of Citadelle Agency and Konrad Shutt, President of the Tourist Association of Northern Haiti (ATH-Nord), went in the North Destination.
Labadee is Royal Caribbean’s private resort that the cruise company leases from Haiti.
For more: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/07/05/royal-caribbean-meets-haitian-tourism-officials
More companies bail on US for lower taxes
By Gregory Wallace From News 4 JAX
47 companies have relocated to home bases overseas
A new analysis found 47 companies have relocated to home bases overseas to take advantage of lower rates in the past 10 years through a merger process known as inversion.
To qualify for the lower taxes, a company must do more than simply set up shop overseas and change its address. It must first merge with a company in the lower-tax country and then either do at least a quarter of its business overseas or give the owners of the foreign company at least one-fifth ownership of the newly merged company.
Only 29 companies used the inversion process during the previous two decades, according to the Congressional Research Service analysis.
Lawmakers and regulators have tightened the requirements over the years after high-profile companies like Fruit of the Loom, Seagate and Tyco shifted some or all of their business to places like the Cayman Islands and Bermuda.
But with the trend seemingly on the rise, some say it is time for yet more stringent requirements. Among them is Rep. Sander Levin, a senior Democrat whose office distributed the CMS report.
Inversion can yield significant tax savings. One of the most recent deals, for example, shifts medical device giant Medtronic from Minneapolis to Ireland, where it acquired rival Covidien. Ireland’s corporate tax rate of 12.5% is significantly lower than the top U.S. rate of 35%. Pfizer recently pursued a similar deal with its British pharmaceutical rival AstraZeneca.
For more: http://www.news4jax.com/news/money/more-companies-bail-on-us-for-lower-taxes/26832808
T&T laments lack of funding for IMPACS
From Jamaica Observer
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Trinidad and Tobago has called on its Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states to fulfil their obligations and make the necessary payments to the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), a regional organisation.
The regional leaders met in retreat and caucus on Thursday and Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar, who has lead responsibility for security within the quasi-Caricom Cabinet, said prior to her departure from the ongoing summit here on Thursday night, that Caribbean countries needed to pay their dues for the upkeep of the Trinidad-based agency.
“I raised the issue of IMPACS and the fact that the funding has not been as forthcoming as it should be from Caricom nations. I tabled that issue for discussions and it will be taken up by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran in my absence,” she said.
IMPACS serves as the nerve centre of the region’s new multilateral crime and security management architecture. It is specifically designed to administer a collective response to the crime and security priorities of member states.
IMPACS also has responsibility for the co-ordination of meetings of five sub-committees, including the Standing Committee of Commissioners of Police; the Standing Committee of Military Heads; and the Standing Committee of Heads of Intelligence and Financial Investigative Units.
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/T-T-laments-lack-of-funding-for-IMPACS_17090367
Planes in ‘near miss’ at Barcelona airport
From BBC
A plane spotter captured footage appearing to show the moment two aeroplanes almost collided at a Barcelona airport.
An Airbus 340 is shown crossing the runway at El Prat Airport as a flight from Moscow is coming in to land. The pilot of the Boeing 767 from Russia then aborts the landing.
The plane then lands safely on the runway shortly afterwards. Officials have denied passengers were in danger at any point.
For more and to see video go to: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28195337
LGO warrants exercised
StockMarketWire.com – Leni Gas & Oil has issued 57,465,989 new ordinary shares following the exercise of warrants raising £697,379.
Dutchess Opportunity Cayman Fund has exercised the remainder of its rights by purchasing 3,200,000 shares at 2p per share. These rights were granted under the equity line facility announced on 3 October 2011 and subsequently terminated on 12 November 2012 following the successful acquisition of the Goudron field.
YA Global Master SPV exercised its rights to purchase 54,265,989 shares at an average price of 1.167p per share under the loan agreement announced 26 June 2013. Funding under this bridging loan has been successfully deployed to the ongoing development of the Goudron field.
For more: http://www.stockmarketwire.com/article/4844799/LGO-warrants-exercised.html#sthash.FxcnextC.dpuf
California police ‘pummelling’ of woman is investigated
From BBC
The unidentified officer involved in the incident is reported to be on administrative leave while it is being investigated
The California Highway Patrol says that it is investigating footage posted on YouTube that shows a policeman repeatedly punching the face and head of a prostrate woman.
Video shows him straddling the woman and hitting her at least 11 times.
Police say that the woman needed to be restrained and was endangering herself and motorists by walking on a busy road in the west of Los Angeles.
The incident was recorded by passing motorist David Diaz.
“[The policeman] just pounded her,” he told CBS Los Angeles.
“If you look at the video, there are 15 hits. To the head, and not just simple jabs. These are blows to the head. Blows. Really serious blows. And this is ridiculous to me.”
“I find it hard to believe there [was] no other remedy in this situation.”
The officer involved in the incident is reported by the AP news agency to be on administrative leave while it is being investigated. He has not been identified.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that it is looking into the details of the incident, which has been condemned by civil rights leaders.
For more and to see video go to: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28173984
