iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands Roads Authority appoints new Managing Director
The Board of Directors of the National Roads Authority (NRA) has appointed Mr. Paul Parchment to the post of Managing Director on a 3-year contract with effect from 08th August 2014. The position had been vacant since late- 2012.
The Board was appointed during the last quarter of 2013 and took the decision earlier this year to launch an open recruitment process to substantively fill the post of Managing Director The Portfolio of the Civil Service provided professional human resource advice and support. The position was advertised in mid-April. Only two candidates were short-listed from those who applied. They were the two senior NRA employees who had alternately acted in the position.
The candidates were given written assignments and interviewed by a panel of five persons – four from the NRA Board and one from the private sector with professional HR experience. The Board of Directors accepted the recommendation of the panel that the position of Managing Director be offered to Mr. Paul Parchment.
Mr Parchment joined the Public Works Department in 1988 as an Engineering Aide. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Florida A&M and a master’s in road management and engineering from the University of Birmingham.
“We are pleased to have been able to resolve this matter. It was fundamental to the effectiveness of the Board and the agency that there be a full-time head of the authority” said Board Chair Donnie Ebanks. “We are also pleased that a suitable candidate could be found within the agency. There is much that needs to be done and the Board looks forward to working with Mr. Parchment over the next few years to enhance the road infrastructure,” he added.
Two new Chikungunya cases confirmed in Jamaica
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday August 8, 2014, CMC – Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson Thursday confirmed two new cases of the mosquito borne disease, Chikungunya.
He told a news conference that the victims had no travel history outside of Jamaica
The new cases bring to four the number of persons infected with the virus here. Health authorities said that the first two cases were of people who had traveled to countries where the Chikungunya virus had already been detected.
Dr. Ferguson said vector control measures have also been implemented at the commercial office of one of the affected persons as the Ministry of Health stepped up its activities to help eradicate the aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue.
Earlier this week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said the number of new cases of the Chikungunya virus in the Caribbean increased by nearly 38,000 with the Dominican Republic having the most cases.
PAHO said that the total figure for the mosquito-borne disease had reached 513,393 cases compared with 473,523 cases a week earlier.
In total, the Caribbean countries had a total of 4, 135 suspected cases with 527 confirmed. PAHO said 35 of these cases were imported from another country.
Company gets OK for commercial UAV flights in Cayman
By Unmanned-Aerial.com
A Caribbean provider of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) services has been given permission by the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to commercially operate UAVs in the Cayman Islands.
The company AirVu will start out with photography and videography for real estate purposes but is interested in branching out in the future to other applications, including search and rescue, according to a report from the Cayman Compass.
It took AirVu a year to complete the process of obtaining approval from the CAA, which told the Cayman Compass that organizations must prove they are “fit and proper” to operate UAVs in Cayman, which is British territory.
In the U.S., the FAA prohibits commercial UAV flights and has even issued subpoenas to Realtors who violate the regulation.
For more: http://unmannedaerialonline.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.475#.U-Tl8VZ-SH8
Remains of nine victims of 1978 Jonestown cult massacre found in empty Delaware funeral home
From Daily Mail UK
The remains were found last week at the abandoned Minus Funeral Home in Dover, Delaware
Officials with the state Division of Forensic Science are working to identify all remains and to notify relatives
Thirty-three containers were marked and identified. They spanned a period from about 1970 to the 1990s and included the Jonestown remains
The building is owned by a bank.
The division last week responded to a request to check the former funeral home after 38 containers of remains were discovered inside.
A Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security spokeswoman told MailOnline today that they had identified the remains as Jonestown cult members by cross-checking paperwork that was found with the remains with other official records.
Dover police officers identified other areas of interest on the property, according to an official release. These were areas of loosely-compacted soil.
The excavation was conducted to determine if additional remains were on the property.
During the excavation, an arrowhead, two animal bones, oyster shells and charcoals were found.
Several bronze gravesite markers for deceased veterans who served in World War I through the Vietnam War were also found in the former funeral home.
These markers will be presented to family members if they can be located or returned to the Veterans Administration.
Cayman Customs allows persons with electronic devices to register them online
The Cayman Islands Collector of Customs will be launching online registration of devises such as iPads, iPhones and laptops from Monday 11th August.
Although not mandatory, it is advised for residents in the Cayman Islands to register these items at least 24 hours before leaving the country as this will provide proof when they were purchased if questioned by a customs officer.
People submitting forms electronically must also provide two pictures of the item to be registered and the other picture of the serial code on the item (if applicable).
A confirmation will be emailed back to the owner from customs once the item has been processed and registered
The form can be downloaded at: http://www.customs.gov.ky/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/CUSHOME/HELP/FORMS/CERTIFICATE%20OF%20REGISTRATION%20FOR%20ARTICLES%20TAKEN%20ABROAD%20WEB.PDF
The form will outline several customs locations for people to submit the form with the item and these include:
Airport: 6am-11pm (everyday)
Courier Section, Post Office, Seaport, Headquarters: 8.30-4pm (Monday to Friday)
Collections Office: 8.30-4pm (Monday to Friday) 8.30-12pm (Saturday)
Cayman Brac Airport: 6am-11pm (everyday)
Selling out: Should you be allowed to sell your music collection?
By Paul McGowan From PS Audio
I have a friend who wants to sell me his music collection for a good price. It includes both physical media as well as downloadable.
On the physical media, mostly CDs I don’t think there’s much debate. A physical CD was purchased from the label, the artist received what little money artists get and it’s no longer their property. It’s his to sell and mine to purchase.
The downloads are perhaps more difficult. Copies or an original? And what is an ‘original’ download? A ‘new’ copy legitimately sold by a download vendor is still a copy, different from a physical media such as a CD or LP.
Legally there is what’s known as the First Sale Doctrine that worked just fine for physical media, but falls apart in the digital world of transferring bits over wires. Some companies, such as Amazon, sell you a license for each bit of music you download. This means you paid for it but own only the right to play it not to sell it, despite the fact it is your property. Sort of.
The whole notion boils down to this: copyright protection has always been to protect the content creator, as it should. But sometimes I think all the lawyers in the world forget the actual consumer of music, as they shouldn’t.
For more: http://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/selling-out/
Number of codes required by Cayman’s Customs to be reduced
After hearing the volumes of complaints from businesses over the time it is taking to clear goods from Cayman Islands Customs Department since the new comprised system was introduced, government has listened.
At a government press briefing last Thursday (7) Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin announced starting from September 1st the customs law would be amended to reduce the number of Customs codes, from 5,000 to less than 3,000. The Premier said this should speed up the process of importing goods.
“The objective of the exercise is to ensure government captures the statistics it needs, but at the same time to facilitate businesses and importers and to overcome the challenges that we have faced over last few months,” he added.
Customers will now be charged $5 if the Customs Officer has to fill out the Customs Form to encourage importer s to do it themselves.
China plans its own ‘Christian theology’
From BBC
China says it may try to create a theology based on Christianity – that integrates the religion with Chinese culture and is compatible with the country’s socialist beliefs, it’s been reported.
Wang Zuoan, a senior official for religious affairs, says China supports the development of Christianity within the country. But “the construction of Chinese Christian theology should adapt to China’s national condition,” the state-backed China Daily website reports. His comments came at a conference for Sinicization of Christianity in Shanghai.
It’s thought there are about 23 million to 40 million Protestants in China – 1.7% to 2.9% of the total population – and that each year, about 500,000 people are baptised as Protestants. But China’s ruling Communist Party is officially atheistic and relations with the church have sometimes been strained. People are only supposed to worship in places approved by the government, but many underground churches operate in China too.
In Wenzhou – sometimes called China’s Jerusalem, where more than one in 10 people are Protestant – state authorities are cracking down on what they say are illegal church buildings, taking away or threatening to remove crosses at more than 130 Protestant churches and demolishing some entirely, the Taipei Times says. It cites experts and church leaders saying they believe the authorities are alarmed by the quick growth of Protestantism in the area, and are trying to suppress it.
For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-28687520
Another indigenous Rock Iguana killed in Cayman Brac
Another Rock Iguana indigenous to Cayman Brac has been killed by a motorist n the South Side of Cayman Brac Wednesday (6).
This time it was a male iguana named Marc Polo and it was tagged. There have been many notices and appeals to Brac residents to drive carefully but this death by irresponsible motorists is the sixth this year.
The Cayman Brac Rock Iguana doesn’t exist anyplace else in the world and there aren’t many of them left. They’re just part of Brac heritage and part of the nature that evolved on the sister island.
Consumer credit balances rose less than expected
By Sam Ro From Business Insider
Consumer credit balances expanded by $17.25 billion in June. This is according to the Federal Reserve’s new G.19 report of consumer credit balances.
Economists estimated balances would increase by $18.65 billion.
Revolving balances like credit cards increased by just $941.5 million.
Non-revolving balance, which includes auto loans and student loans, increased by $16.3 billion. This included a $5.4 billion increase in Federal government lending, which is mostly educational loans.
According to the Fed’s July Senior Loan Officer Survey, banks reported easing credit standards and stronger demand for most financial products.
For more: http://www.businessinsider.com/consumer-credit-june-2014-2014-8#ixzz39oivC3Pn
Cayman Islands Stroke and Stride dives off
The annual Cayman Island Triathlon Association Stroke and Stride dove off last Wednesday (6) with Matthew Courtis becoming the overall leader and Jane Hale-Smith as the first woman to finish as roughly 120 competitors took part.
The three-part Stroke and Stride series is sponsored by A Step Ahead Physiotherapy and hosted by Sunset House on South Church Street.
A unique multi-sport event, the athletes first take to the ocean off Sunset House for a swim that increases in distance each week, followed by a two mile out and back run towards Red Bay, finishing back at Sunset House
The swim distance progresses from 400m to 600m to 800m.
The series runs on Wednesday evenings. The next two are on 13th and 20th, commencing at 5.45 pm each time.
See attachment for other results.
An aspirin a day may keep the cancer away
From Fox News
Scientific review finds aspirin significantly cuts cancer rates
Taking a small daily dose of aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of developing — or dying from — bowel, stomach and esophageal cancer, according to a large review of scientific studies.
Researchers who analyzed all available evidence from studies and clinical trials assessing benefits and harm found that taking aspirin for 10 years could cut bowel cancer cases by around 35 percent and deaths from the disease by 40 percent.
Rates of esophageal and stomach cancer were cut by 30 percent and deaths from these cancers by 35 to 50 percent.
Professor Jack Cuzick, head of the center for cancer prevention at Queen Mary University of London, said the evidence showed that, to reap the benefits of aspirin, people need to take a daily dose of 75 to 100 milligrams for at least five years and probably up to 10 years between the ages of 50 and 65.
No benefit was seen while taking aspirin for the first three years and death rates were only reduced after five years, he and his team reported in a review in the Annals of Oncology journal.
“Whilst there are some serious side effects that can’t be ignored, taking aspirin daily looks to be the most important thing we can do to reduce cancer after stopping smoking and reducing obesity, and will probably be much easier to implement,” Cuzick said.
Ambitious toddler causes brief lockdown on White House lawn
By Caroline Bankoff From New York Magazine
While most newly mobile babies are content to frighten their parents by, say, toddling into the street, the kid who squeezed through the White House fence Thursday evening managed to draw the attention of the Secret Service. NBC News reports that the lawn was briefly put on lockdown while agents apprehended the little intruder and returned him to his mother and father. “We were going to wait until he learned to talk to question him, but in lieu of that he got a timeout and was sent on way with parents,” said Secret Service Edwin Donovan. Now we’ll never know what really happened in Benghazi.
Miss Cayman Islands Pageant will be returning after all
Since the announcement that it was doubtful if there would be a Miss Cayman Islands Pageant this year due to lack of government funding there will be one after all.
On Thursday (7) at Grand Old House. a new board, under the leadership of Derri Lee Dacres, held a meet and greet for young ladies interested in contesting for the crown.
The last time Miss Cayman Islands Pageant was staged was three years ago when Lindsay Japal took the title.
The deadline for entry to the patent is 23rd August.
Trinidad and Tobago Constitution Amendment Bill “dangerous” – Rowley
From Caribbean360
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday August 8, 2014, CMC – The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) Thursday described as “dangerous’ the proposed amendment to the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution allowing for term limits for prime ministers and the ability to recall legislators.
In addition, the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2014, which will be debated in Parliament on Monday, also provides for a run-off vote in the event that a winning candidate does not achieve 50 per cent of the votes cast in the election.
Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley said that the legislation offers the people of the twin-island republic “the potential for a defeated party to hold on to power while secondary elections are held, elections which they (the government) can easily and corruptly attempt to influence”.
He said it would also provide the opportunity to “conduct election petitions …and to sit in office while they (members of the government) have in fact been voted out”.
Cayman golfers complete Caribbean golf championship in PR
Golfers from the Cayman Islands completed their participation at the 58th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships, in Puerto Rico on Friday Aug 8th.
Samantha Widmer tied for 12th place on the women’s leaderboard with a 53 over par 341 and Bryan Ross was15th on the men’s with a 27-over 315.
Other placings:
Women – Emily Ribbins 17th overall and Nitti Howe18th.
Men – Michael Wight 18th overall, Brandon Smith tied for 29th, Payten Wight 31st and Jason Lovelock 39th.
Mid-Amateur class – the team of Philip Wight and Richard Hastings took eighth.
Seniors division – Mick Whitworth and Tracy Moore finished sixth.
Super seniors division – Andy Newton and Bradon Howe took eighth
Running for 7 minutes a day cuts risk of death by 30 percent, study says
By WGN Web Des
According to a new study published this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, you can reduce your risk of death up to 30 percent by running.
Whether it’s a long sprint, or a slow jog, running for even a few minutes a day can reduce your risk of death from heart disease compared to those who don’t run at all.
A recent study shed light on how beneficial running can be for cardiovascular health.
As stated by FOX8, researchers followed over 55,000 participants aged 18 to 100, over a period of 15 years, during which more than 3,000 died. A total of 1,217 deaths were related to cardiovascular, or heart and artery, disease.
Runners, who made up just under a quarter of the study population, had a 30 percent lower risk of death from all causes and a 45percent lower risk of death from heart disease or stroke than non-runners. They also lived an average three years longer.
Running for less than 51 minutes a week – or about seven minutes a day reduced the chances of dying. When the data was broken down by age, sex, body mass index, smoking and alcohol use, the benefits were still the same.
The speed at which runners ran made little difference on the overall benefits, suggesting that healthy exercise does not have to be exhausting or time-consuming.
For more: http://wgntv.com/2014/07/29/running-for-7-minutes-a-day-cuts-risk-of-death-by-30-study-says/
Nine Ways You Know You’re In The Caribbean
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon From JetSetSarah
If you’re from the Caribbean (like me), have lived there or ever visited, you know there are some behavioral quirks that only seem to take place south of the Gulf of Mexico. Check out my list of quintessential, only-in-the-islands idiosyncrasies, and then tell me: What would you add?
You ask for something, and you’re told “No problem.” Even when there is one.
The concept of time is elastic. “Soon come” could mean “right away”, in five minutes, next month, or never.
At even the most casual social gatherings (a birthday party at someone’s house, for example) at some point you’ll be asked to gather around the buffet table to say grace.
The entire plane claps when you touch down on the runway.
Checking in at the airport on a Caribbean-bound flight, there’s at least one person kneeling on the ground in front of the check-in desk re-packing their bags to avoid overweight luggage fees.
At official events, the observance of protocol (recognizing of dignitaries by name at the beginning of a speech) can take longer than the speech itself. Yet EVERY speaker on the program will do it.
Getting the attention of someone whose name you don’t know by referencing their most obvious physical feature (Hey, Fatty!/Hey, Shorty!/ Hey, Chiney Man!) is totally commonplace and not meant with any malice.
When driving, it’s perfectly acceptable to block a narrow road by stopping to chat with the oncoming driver.
In spite of any challenges, if you’re a visitor, you can’t wait to go back. And if you live in the Caribbean, no matter how much you enjoy time spent in “foreign,” it’s always good to be back home.
For more: http://www.jetsetsarah.com/2014/08/08/nine-ways-you-know-youre-in-the-caribbean/
Internet Explorer will block old plugins that leave your PC open to attack
By Jon Fingas From engadget
Internet Explorer is generally safe for your web browsing needs these days, but that’s not necessarily true of the plugins it runs; one old piece of code could leave your PC open to attack. To that end, Microsoft has announced that Internet Explorer 8 through 11 will start blocking outdated ActiveX controls (Internet Explorer-specific add-ons) when an update arrives on August 12th. Much like what you see in Chrome, you’ll get a warning if a website wants to use an older plugin. While you can force the obsolete software to run, it won’t load automatically until you either upgrade or disable the warnings altogether. IE’s blocking will initially focus on ancient versions of Java, the most frequent target of web-based exploits, but it should expand to other plugins over time.
Yes, this likely won’t affect your day-to-day browsing if you use alternatives like Chrome or Firefox. However, it still promises a safer internet for everyone, not just Internet Explorer users — it should reduce the chances that botnets and other malware will spread. The big catch is that the update won’t affect the many people worldwide (roughly 25 percent in July, according to NetMarketshare) who run Windows XP. Unless they either switch browsers or get newer versions of Windows, they’ll remain susceptible to the rogue code that Microsoft is trying to stop.
For more: http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/06/internet-explorer-to-block-old-plugins/?ncid=rss_truncated
Jamaica government to partner with ICT sector to reduce operating costs
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday August 7, 2014, CMC – The Jamaica government says it will work with investors in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, to find creative ways to address operational costs, especially in the area of energy.
Finance Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, says the the issuing of licences for 115 megawatts of renewable energy by the government, forms part of the plan to assist the sector.
“Some of those are coming on stream and should help to reduce the cost,” Phillips said after touring the soon-to-be-opened Barnett Tech Park in Montego Bay.
The Finance Minister pointed out that despite challenges, the Portia Simpson Miller government remains on track for the expansion of the base load generating capacity for the country, which should result in a reduction of energy cost.
“A lot of private sector operations will benefit from the new Electricity Act, which Minister (Phillip) Paulwell is going to be bringing soon to the Parliament, which will involve players in all sectors of the country,” he said.
