iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands customs and police’s ‘Operation Spearfish’ nets containers
In a joint operation named ‘Operation Spearfish’ that is underway, Customs and Police officers today (Wednesday, 30 July 2014) removed and detained two containers from the Windsor Park area in George Town on suspicion of containing stolen goods.
The containers were transported to the Cargo Distribution Centre where the goods will be verified with lists of stolen items reported to the police.
The ongoing investigation is on the look-out for stolen items from various burglaries, robberies and thefts being exported concealed in shipping containers.
In addition to the two containers detained today, the investigation has already resulted in the detention of four shipping containers on suspicion of exporting stolen goods.
The operation and investigations are ongoing.
Cayman Islands on track for tourism record this year 31 Jul 2014
From Opodo travel news
Record numbers of travellers are taking holidays in the Cayman Islands, according to new figures released by Cayman Islands Tourism Association.
Air arrivals are up 10% on last year’s numbers and the islands are now expecting 2014 to be the best ever year for tourism in the Cayman Islands. Some 210,491 passengers arrived in the islands for a holiday between January and June, which is the location’s best ever figure for the first six months of the year.
Ken Hydes, president of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, told the Cayman Compass that hotels are full, watersports are popular among tourists and car rental data is also positive.
He said: “People are making the Cayman Islands their sun and sea destination of choice and we need to make sure we earn their respect and keep their loyalty.”
Sports fans are set to travel to the Cayman Islands for the forthcoming CONCACAF tournament and this is expected to boost tourism further.
Tourism minister Moses Kirkconnell added that the Cayman Islands are “regarded as a popular and sought after destination” thanks to the hard work of the government.
The Cayman Islands are located south of Cuba and to the north-west of Jamaica, with Seven Mile Beach one of the main attractions for visitors booking holidays in the Caribbean location.
For more: http://news.opodo.co.uk/NewsDetails/2014-07-31/Cayman_Islands_on_track_for_tourism_record_this_year_
See also iNews Cayman story published July 29 2014 “Cruise ship passengers return to Cayman” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/cruise-ship-passengers-return-to-cayman/
Puerto Rico warns that strict water rationing near
From The New Zealand Herald
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Puerto Rico’s government will impose strict water rationing for parts of the island’s capital and surrounding areas if a cluster of thunderstorms headed toward the Caribbean does not generate enough rain, officials announced Wednesday.
More than half of the U.S. territory is experiencing abnormal dryness, with the worst conditions in its southern region and a small area in the northeast.
The lack of rain has caused an estimated $20 million in crop losses, affecting coffee farms and the milk and meat sectors the worst, agricultural secretary Myrna Comas has said.
In June, rain totaled less than an inch, compared with the month’s average of more than 4 inches. There has been more rain in July, but the 3.40 inches (8.64 centimeters) that have fallen so far is still down from the average of 4.76 inches (12 centimeters), said Jose Antonio Estrada, National Weather Service meteorologist.
Forecasters say a cluster of thunderstorms in the Atlantic moving toward the eastern Caribbean has a 50-percent chance of becoming a tropical depression by the end of the week. It’s too early to know how close it might come to Puerto Rico or whether it would generate enough rain.
For more: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11301785
Cayman’s Rotaract Club raises money for Haines’ hospice
Club members of Cayman Islands Rotaract Blue have raised just over one thousand dollars to contribute to marathon runner Derek Haines’ six for hospice fundraiser.
Although they were hoping to reach double that amount they will be out in force again this weekend at various shopping locations on Grand Cayman.
Haines is trying to raise $1M for a hospice facility in Camana Bay and is over half way there in donations received or promised.
Horrific Trinidad highway accident claims family of three
From Caribbean360
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday July 30, 2014, CMC – Police have detained the driver of a vehicle that caused an accident in which a famil of three, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed after a garbage truck slammed into their vehicle on the Uriah Butler Highway, south of here on Tuesday.
Police Information Officer, Inspector Wayne Mystar, who was on the scene, told reporters that the driver of the garbage truck may have lost control after receiving a “bad drive” from the unidentified driver now in police custody, resulting in the vehicle crossing the median and slamming into the vehicle.
He said police had to use the “jaws of life” to get the victims out of the mangled wreck.
According to the Trinidad Express newspaper, Nanda Ramcharan, 36, her husband Mahadeo, 48, and their 13-year-old son Nyron were returning home when the incident occurred along the south-bound lane of Uriah Butler Highway, near Endeavour Flyover, Chaguanas, around 1.45 p.m.
The Trinidad Guardian also reported “almost four years ago, Nanda Ramcharan saved the life of her [then] nine-year-old son, Nyron, by donating one of her kidneys”.
Numerous people to to Twitter to express their shock and sadness at the unbelievable turn of events.
Police Information Officer, Inspector Wayne Mystar, said the person who initially caused the accident was taken into custody and given a breathalyzer test, which he subsequently passed.
So far this year, more than 100 people have been killed in vehicular accidents in Trinidad and Tobago.
EDITOR: Cayman Islands recorded a fatal motor vehicle accident on the West Bay Road in the area of the Captain’s Bakery at about 11:50 pm on the 29th July 2014. Go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/accident-west-bay-road-tuesday-night/
Five DIRT CHEAP protein sources
By Josh Bezoni & Joel Marion Founders, BioTrust Nutrition
If you’re looking to transform your body, then protein is perhaps the most important macronutrient you could ever have on your side. It’s the macro with the highest thermic effect of feeding (i.e. you burn calories by eating it), it helps you regulate insulin by causing the release of insulin’s “balancing” hormone, glucagon, and it provides the vital building blocks to support maintenance of your calorie burning lean muscle as you lose those stubborn pounds.
BUT, it’s also typically the most expensive macronutrient, and THAT’S the problem we’re here to solve today with the below 5 DIRT CHEAP protein sources.
#1 – Eggs. A dozen eggs provides 72 grams of protein for about $1.69. At that rate you can even go organic and have an extremely inexpensive meal.
#2 – Greek Yogurt. At 21 grams/dollar, this one is another penny pincher protein source that’s slow digesting and versatile in its use.
#3 – Beans and Lentils. A can of beans or lentils packs about 45 grams of protein (and fiber!) for about a buck!
#4 – Cottage Cheese. 48 grams of protein ready to eat out of the container — not too bad!
#5 – Tuna. Perhaps the cheapest of all lean protein sources, a can of tuna yields approximately 42 grams of protein for just under $1.
Getting your daily protein requirements (I recommend eating protein with every meal and snack) doesn’t have to be cost prohibitive by any means; in fact, it can be DIRT CHEAP by getting a good portion of your daily protein from the above sources.
Speaking of inexpensive meals, at the link below we’re going to show you the #1 fat-burning meal of ALL-TIME, and how by eating this simple high-protein, inexpensive meal twice daily, you can shed fat faster AND easier than ever before.
Even better, you can prepare this simple fat-melting meal in less than 60 seconds.
No, it’s NOT too good to be true.
A.M. Best Places Ratings of KnightBrook Insurance Company and Knight Insurance Company Ltd. Under review with negative implications
OLDWICK, N.J., Jul 31, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) — A.M. Best has placed under review with negative implications the financial strength ratings of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a-” of KnightBrook Insurance Company (KBIC) (headquartered in Valley View, PA) and Knight Insurance Company Ltd. (KIC) (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands).
The under review with negative implications status reflects KBIC and KIC’s heightened execution risk due to significant business growth in 2013 and the uncertainty regarding loss-reserve and premium adequacy from this new business. These concerns are amplified by sizable adverse loss development experienced in the first quarter of 2014, which resulted in restatement of year-end 2013 regulatory/statutory filings.
KBIC and KIC’s business model calls for organic growth resulting in material increase of its books of businesses within relatively volatile and competitive markets. At this point, KBIC and KIC are adequately capitalized for currently known exposures; however, the ratings will remain under review until further quantitative analysis can be completed.
A.M. Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated in the United States and throughout the world. For current Best’s Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive
For more information, visit www.ambest.com
Chukka Caribbean Adventures
Guided by a spirit of exploration and adventure, Chukka (previously known as Chukka Caribbean Adventures) is driven to define, design, develop and deliver tour experiences of the highest quality. Chukka is rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit, supported by strong family values, employee and partner loyalty, and the best-trained staff in the Caribbean.
The Chukka business began in 1983 when an idea for a tour was born after visitors were allowed to exercise the polo ponies from Chukka Cove Farm in the warm Caribbean Sea. The combination of the scenic ride along a spectacular coast and a thrilling swim on horseback proved to be a launching pad for the company. Today, Chukka operates over 60 tours in Jamaica, Belize, and Turks & Caicos. They recently opened a multi-million dollar expansion at Good Hope Estate in Falmouth that offers an unparalleled variety of experiences in one location.
The guides and team at Chukka across the Caribbean will tell you one of the most common questions they are asked is “What is Chukka?” Or, “What does Chukka mean?” Visitors from around the world and locals alike wondered. The team tried to explain the history of the company, the tie to polo, the fact that a chukka was a period of time in a polo match when the players were on the field but it was all too complicated. What did that have to do with a fun-loving company that offered amazing experiences in some of the most beautiful locations in the world?
Simple-Chukka is about playtime! It’s about fun, laughter and a passion for life. Every single member of the Chukka team in Jamaica, Turks & Caicos and Belize contributes to helping their guests play; they get to wow them at every turn with all that the Caribbean has to offer. From the spine tingling rush of a zipline to a journey back in time at a great house, a ride through mystical caves to a river tube ride down famous rivers; Chukka is about playing-being a child again, seeing things with new eyes and leaving with smiles.
Website: http://www.chukka.com/
Qunar Cayman Islands Limited upgraded by Deutsche
Qunar Cayman Islands (NASDAQ:QUNR) was upgraded by Deutsche Bank from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued on Friday, TheFlyOnTheWall.com reports. The firm currently has a $31.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $27.00. Deutsche Bank’s price objective indicates a potential upside of 8.58% from the company’s current price. Qunar Cayman Islands Limited (NASDAQ:QUNR) has institutional ownership stands at 85.70%. In last trading activity company’s stock closed at $28.93.
Cayman brewery supports local charities
The Cayman Islands Brewery, the makers of the popular Caybrew, has initiated a programme where four local charities benefit from a charity choice case.
The programme gives visitors to the brewery a chance to drop a token in the glass case to support a cause close to their hearts.
Caybrew donates a dollar per token to the charities, and every three months four new charities are chosen by the brewery for visitors to support.
At the moment the National Trust, the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, and Canine Friends split a $7,000 donation from Caybrew.
Eastern Caribbean to benefit from new energy infrastructure
By Shanelle Weir From PanAmerican World
The three agencies will support the efforts of Eastern Caribbean states to reduce high energy costs and dependence on fossil fuels by diversifying the regions energy mix and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. The plan was announced following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) by Nigel Romano, Vice President-Operations (acting) of CDB, Toshiyuki Kuroyanagi, Vice President of JICA and Gerard Johnson, General Manager, Caribbean Country Dept. of IDB.
The agreement lies within the broader context of the staging of the first CARICOM-Japan Summit led by His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. The aim of the MOC is to identify and support programmes and projects which explore a joint effort for further introduction of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean countries, with a special focus on geothermal development.
“Reducing poverty through inclusive and sustainable social and economic growth, and building resilience to external shocks and natural hazard events underpin all of CDB’s development financing and technical assistance to its Borrowing Member Countries” said Mr Morano. “Within that broad framework, the Bank has been intensifying its focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
The CDB is engaged in actively promoting a new Green Economy paradigm for sustainable growth with renewable energy and energy efficiency offering potential opportunities for the creation of new non-traditional businesses, reduced electricity costs and the boosting of foreign exchange reserves by reducing energy imports. The bank is also promoting the transformation through development financing and technical assistance and will provide further assistance by mobilising private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships.
For more: http://www.panamericanworld.com/en/article/eastern-caribbean-benefit-new-energy-infrastructure
British MP says don’t sell turtle meat to tourists
Dr Matthew Offord, a British Conservative Party Member of Parliament, is backing the campaign, spearheaded by the World Animal Protection, to persuade local restaurants to take turtle off the menu and stop promoting the meat to visitors.
Dr Offord hosted a reception at Grand Old House last Monday to invited guests.
Turtle meat was not on the menu in any guise.
Disaster agency shot in the foot by CARICOM members’ failure to pay
From Caribbean360
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Wednesday July 30, 2014, CMC – The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is experiencing major difficulties meeting objectives because member countries are not paying up.
The Antigua Observer newspaper Friday reported the agency’s Executive Director Ronald Jackson saying inadequate contributions by member states are causing a circular negative effect because without that money CDEMA cannot build internal mechanisms to qualify it for international financing.
“We have managed to currently negotiate 20 million Euros (one US Dollar = 0.74 Euro) for the next five years of which we are only going to get 4.9 Euros. Why? The European Union did not think we had the infrastructure internally to manage all 20 million Euros,” Jackson said during a courtesy visit to Minister of Social Transformation and Human Resource Development, Samantha Marshall.
CDEMA membership covers a total of 18 Caribbean countries, including all members of CARICOM.
For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/disaster-agency-shot-in-the-foot-by-caricom-members-failure-to-pay
Cayman Islands local rum to be exported to Canada
Cayman Spirits Company (CSC) located on Grand Cayman is a distillery and is now distributing its Seven Fathoms Rum to the west coast of Canada. This is in addition to the United States and the United Kingdom.
CSC produces 10 kinds of liquor but Seven Fathoms is its premium brand. It is the first spirit to be made entirely in the Cayman Islands, despite a West Indian history deeply embedded in the rum industries and culture. All Seven Fathoms rum is made using an innovative maturation technique that involves aging the rum underwater!
Website: http://www.sevenfathomsrum.com/
Why clogs will change your life
By Allison P Davis From New York Mag
Over the last several months, a specific sect of anti-fashion style has slowly gained popularity. We’ve seen an onslaught of caftans, Birkenstocks, and the rise of the quirky single earring. All the puzzle pieces meet to form a familiar look: a woman who’s creative, comfortable, a little bit mysterious, unpretentious — your middle-school art teacher. That’s right, slip on that billowy tunic. The rise of Art Teacher Chic is upon us.
It’s a look defined by, as Style.com put it, “loose tunics, big ceramic necklaces, and modest shoes” — the kind of clothes sold at Bird in Brooklyn, or at Rachel Comey (or even Céline, for those who want the high-fashion take).
My style has long been inspired by my zany elementary school art teacher, Ms. Kopf — lots of eccentric dresses, “artfully” unkempt hair, and, of course, a fast-growing collection of the preferred sensible shoe: the clog. Sure, you can sub in a Birkenstock or even a Teva. But without the clog art-school teacher chic easily morphs into “hippie sex doula mom” or “retiree who owns an artisanal ceramics store in Phoenix” — it’s a fine, fine line, people. Toe it with clogs.
If the “clog” still evokes Swedish milkmaids, line dancing, or a general idea of schlubbiness, rest assured that it has evolved from the all-practical Dansko — the stereotypical footwear of librarians everywhere (although, a white pair is on my Zappos wish list). But clogs have become so much more than that — they can be platformed, high-heeled, low-heeled; made of tough leather or disco metallic. And they are back in a big way.
For more and to see slideshow: http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/07/why-clogs-will-change-your-life.html?om_rid=AACMTw&om_mid=_BT2UoWB87hkb0r
