iNews Briefs
Cayman identifies new drug trafficking trend
From RJR News
Cayman’s customs enforcement chief has raised concern about a possible new trend in the smuggling of hashish into Cayman following the arrest of a man who arrived from Jamaica.
Customs officers at Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman last Tuesday seized an undisclosed quantity of cannabis resin from a Caymanian travelling from Jamaica.
He has been granted bail.
Officials stated that the man was returning home after a short vacation.
Deputy Collector in charge of Customs Enforcement, Marlon Bodden, said it was the second such arrest since May and could be a new trend using the Airport.
He said the authorities will maintain vigilance to detect drug traffickers.
For more: http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/cayman-identifies-new-drug-trafficking-trend
Jamaica’s UWI Mona Campus confirms case of Chikungunya virus
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Wednesday August 13, 2014, CMC – The University of the West Indies (UWI) has confirmed a case of the mosquito borne Chikungunya virus at one of its campuses and is urging students and administrative staff to take preventive measures to stop the spread of the disease.
The UWI said that officials at its Mona campus here have implemented measures to prevent a spread through a fogging exercise and students and employees are being urged to ensure that they have no containers which could become mosquito breeding sites.
It also urged individuals, to protect themselves from mosquito bites and seek medical help if they develop acute fever and severe joint pain. It said that they should remain alert and refrain from panic.
Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson recently confirmed four recorded cases of Chikungunya, whose symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
Health officials say while Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, the symptoms can be severe and disabling.
ABC is sorry for shamelessly invading the privacy of Robin Williams’s grieving family
By Joe Coscarelli From New York Mag
The Internet loves hypocritical juxtaposition. Photo: Maddox.xmission.com
In the age of TMZ, “The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time” is all but meaningless. But when directed at a corporation that still likes to consider itself a Serious News Organization, social-media shaming works. Sometimes.
ABC News lost this round of the “insensitive treatment of a celeb death” sweepstakes last night when it marked the passing of Robin Williams with a big red banner ad promising live aerials from above the actor’s home. Real classy stuff.
The outrage kicked in almost instantly, helped along by O.G. meme-maker Maddox.
And the morning after, the regretful apology. “When we realized there was no news value to the live stream, we took it down immediately,” ABC News said in a statement, as reported by the Wrap. “Our intention was not to be insensitive to his family, friends and fans, and for that we apologize.” But had there been a visible bodybag, the subtext says, it might have stayed.
This video shows the terrifying way the Islamic State indoctrinates children
By Paul Szoldra From Business Insider
Fighters of the Islamic State control vast swaths of Iraq and Syria and are well-known for their extreme brutality, but a new Vice News documentary sheds light on the terrifying influence they have on young children in the territories under their control.
Vice gained incredible access to the group formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS or ISIL), which threatened to raise its flag over the White House in part one of the five part series. In part two, it’s clear the group is doing more than fighting. They are trying to win hearts and minds.
“For us, we believe that this generation of children is the generation of the Caliphate,” one ISIS fighter says.
Children under the age of 15 go to “Sharia camp,” where they learn about Islam and their creed to the Islamic State, while older children can attend the military camp and later participate in military operations, according to Abu Mosa, the Islamic State’s press officer.
Later in the video, a 14-year-old boy gives a chilling speech about wanting to join the fighters and kill the infidels and apostates:
“In the name of God, my name is Daoud and I’m 14 years old. I’d like to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and to kill with them … The Islamic State, they haven’t done anything wrong and God willing they will not.”
For more and to see video:http://www.businessinsider.com/vice-isis-video-child-indoctrination-2014-8#ixzz3AHKnC1yr
Cayman prison inmates provide food for hungry children
The Cayman Islands Feed Our Future programme, whose mission is to provide children in need school meals, is getting help from the inmates of HM Northward Prison.
Because schools are on Summer break there are children in the community who will go hungry so the inmates are providing produce they grow at the prison to the Feed Our Future programme.
Prisons Director Neil Lavis has acknowledged that growing produce there is helping inmates with their rehabilitation it is also a great way to also use the produce to help the community.
Rocket fired from Gaza hits Israel
From BBC
A rocket fired from Gaza has hit southern Israel just hours before a three-day ceasefire was due to expire, police say.
The rocket came down in an open area near Ashkelon, but caused no casualties or damage, a spokeswoman said.
Hamas militants denied they had fired any rockets, Reuters reported.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have been involved in indirect talks in Egypt aimed at finding a long-term solution to the Gaza conflict.
About 2,000 people have died since the fighting in Gaza began on 8 July.
Those killed include more than 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the United Nations.
Sixty-four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the violence and three civilians in Israel have also died.
The rocket, which landed in Israel late on Wednesday, was the first to be fired since the current ceasefire began on Monday.
For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28779813
Here’s the outrageous proposal to build a tramway to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
By Christian Storm From Business Insider
A new construction project being proposed for the eastern rim of the Grand Canyon has conservationists, members of the Navajo tribe, and nature lovers across the United States up in arms.
The project, known as the Grand Canyon Escalade, would create a large tourist area on the rim of the Canyon, complete with shops, restaurants, and hotels. It would also boast a tramway that would take visitors on a gondola ride to the canyon floor. There, they would access a riverwalk with an ampitheatre and another restaurant.
Proponents of the development argue that the project would allow visitors unprecedented access to the Canyon basin, an area they argue is currently inaccessible to less adventuresome tourists. They also say it will create more jobs and revenue for the Navajo people, who control the 420 acres and who are desperate for an economic boost.
Protestors of the plans, however, say the project would be built on sacred lands and endanger the resources and ecosystem of the fragile Canyon. They also say that the Grand Canyon is a national treasure, one which would be irrevocably blighted by the construction of such a tourist complex.
For more: http://www.businessinsider.com/grand-canyon-escalade-gondola-2014-8?op=1#ixzz3AHgegaTd
Cayman Islands private sectors pensions not transferable to government plan
Private sector retirement accounts in the Cayman Islands cannot be transferred to the pension funds managed by the Public Service Pensions Board.
Acting Pensions Superintendent Mario Ebanks said this has always been the case since the creation of the government retirement savings plan,
However, those monies can be used under the government housing withdrawal programme that was approved by the previous United Democratic Party government.
Microsoft’s ‘selfie phone’ expected to be revealed on September 4th
By Jacob Siegal From BGR
It looks like Samsung won’t be the only smartphone maker trying to get the jump on Apple next month. According to The Verge, Microsoft has begun sending out preliminary invites to the press that seem to indicate the rumored Lumia 730 will be making an appearance at IFA 2014 in Germany at the beginning of September. Dubbed the “selfie phone” by leakers, the Lumia 730 is rumored to have a 5-megapixel front-facing camera — an especially attractive feature for younger smartphone shoppers.
The invite reads: “Ready for more? Join us for more face time in Berlin, Germany on September 4th. Details to follow.”
It’s about as obvious of a hint as the company could drop, especially considering the fact that the picture of a smartphone camera on the invite looks strikingly similar to the leaked photo of the Lumia 730 from last week. The Lumia 730 is also expected to feature a 4.7-inch display and brand new firmware.
Microsoft might also take this opportunity to unveil the Lumia 830, a higher-end smartphone which is expected to include a PureView camera. Either way, we now have at least 3 major phone reveals to look forward to within the span of seven days. Android, Windows Phone and iOS will all be represented — any bets on who’s going to draw the most attention?
Related iNews Cayman stories:
Published August 10 2014 “A man accidentally killed himself while taking a selfie” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/a-man-accidentally-killed-himself-while-taking-a-selfie/
April 23 2014 “Fearless teenager poses for a selfie with a SHARK on frightening family day out” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/fearless-teenager-poses-for-a-selfie-with-a-shark-on-frightening-family-day-out/
August 12 2014 under iNews Briefs “Selfie tragedy: Parents fall 260 feet off cliff to deaths while taking selfie as kids watch” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/inews-briefs-176/
McDonald’s fires worker for drawing a swastika on customer’s sandwich bun
By Mary Beth Quirk From Consumerist
A McDonald’s owner is apologizing and saying a worker at a North Carolina store was fired, after a customer claimed that she found a swastika drawn on her chicken sandwich’s bun with butter.
The woman tells WCTI that she found the Nazi symbol when she opened her sandwich to put mayonnaise on the bun.
“Is this a joke? Does somebody really think they’re funny?” she said, adding that went back into the restaurant to complain, and workers offered to replace it. But she said she’d lost her appetite at that point and wanted a refund instead.
“Many people died because of that symbol and it’s not something that should be taken lightly. It’s not something that should be thrown around,” she says.
But just getting her money back wasn’t enough, she said.
“Maybe it needs to be part of training, or maybe brought up more often so that people know that this is not okay.”
The owner of that McDonald’s told WCTI in a statement that the worker in question has been let go.
“We are very sorry for the service that our customers received, and to be clear we have terminated the employee who was involved. We do not tolerate that kind of behavior at McDonald’s, and it’s not what we stand for personally as owners. It is about providing the best level of service and care to our customers, and anything less than that is unacceptable to us.”
Little League celebrates 25 years in Cayman Islands
This year marks 25th Anniversary for the Cayman Islands Little League (CILLA)
Their mission is:
Establish and conduct recreational baseball and softball programmes for the benefit of children
Provide an outlet of healthy activity and training with good leadership in an atmosphere of wholesome community
Establish the values of teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship and fair play
Provide a positive role model for all children by behaving both on and off the field in a manner that is positive, charitable and sportsmanlike
Winning is secondary
To mark the anniversary CITN/Cayman27 have produced a Little League Documentary to highlight the history of the association and also to showcase what it has provided for the community.
DVD copies of the documentary are available at the Television Centre, Eclipse Way off Eastern Avenue, George Town and 50% of the proceeds go to CILL
Trinidad police investigate disappearance of weapons from Forensic Science Centre
From Caribbean360
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday August 13, 2014, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago police have confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the disappearance of 40 high powered guns from the Forensic Science Centre.
“With regards to the stolen guns at Forensic, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has launched an investigation and as soon as we make progress with that investigation, I will let the media know,” acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams said.
The guns reportedly disappeared between 2013 and July 2014 and Williams said that the Forensic Centre, on the outskirts of the capital, was responsible for their safe-keeping.
“The director of the Forensic Science Centre (FSC) is the person responsible and FSC is not a department of the Police Service,” Williams said, adding “sometimes you listen to the media and it is rather unfair because everything that happens in the country it seems to be the Police Service but Forensics is under the Ministry of Justice and not part of the TTPS. It is an agency that assists the TTPS and provides a service to the TTPS.
“I don’t want to speak of the issue of how Forensics is run and I have a concern about the firearms getting out of the Forensic Science Centre into the hands of criminals and that’s where my concern will be because the police service is all about getting the firearms out of the hands of criminals and to see firearms which have been taken out of the hands of criminals returning to the hands of the criminal element is a major concern to me.”
Williams said that following the investigations, the police are likely to make “recommendations for the improvement of keeping the guns safe and what can we do about security with regards to items stored at Forensics.”
Preliminary assessments in the Cayman Islands
From iRap
Preliminary Star Ratings and safety investment options for 200km of roads in the Cayman Islands have been presented to key stakeholders.
At a meeting with the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, the National Road Authority, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the Caribbean Development Bank, options to lift road safety Star Ratings and prevent deaths and serious injuries were canvassed.
iRAP and the National Road Authority are finalise the assessment and ensure that recommendations are implemented.
For more: http://www.irap.net/en/irap-news/497-preliminary-assessments-in-the-cayman-islands
Get away driver in Cayman New Year’s Day jewel robbery pleads guilty and not guilty
Christopher Julian Myles has pleaded guilty to having driven the vehicle to Diamonds International where his two partners, James McLean and Jonathan Ramoon, held up Diamond’s International on New Years Day and stole over $800,000 worth of jewels in front of amazed cruise ship passengers.
However, he has pleaded not guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm.
For related iNews Cayman stories:
January 6 2014 “FURTHER UPDATES: 2 suspects named – Robbery on North Church Street – 2 charged, 1 bailed & appeal for witnesses” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/robbery-on-north-church-street-three-in-custody/
January 5 2014 “British police officer foiled $1million jewellery robbery in the Caymans” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/british-police-officer-foiled-1million-jewellery-robbery-in-the-caymans/
January 14 2014 iNews Briefs “Diamonds International robbery – Third man appears in court” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/inews-briefs-36/
June 8 2014 iNews Briefs “Robber caught and injured by Cayman police commissioner pleads guilty” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/inews-briefs-133/
May29 2014 iNews Briefs “Cayman Commissioner Baines exonerated from Diamonds International jewelry” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/inews-briefs-126/
January 9 2014 iNews Briefs “Police Commissioner under investigation” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/inews-briefs-34/
January 5 2014 Editorial – “Why the crucifixion of Baines?” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/the-editor-speaks-why-the-crucifixion-of-baines/
Cayman Islands: Last camp of the summer – Back to School Camp!
Back to School Summer Camp
Where did the summer go? The weeks seem to have flown by and next week is our last camp of the summer break!
If your children have forgotten how to hold a pencil and listen to instructions, then this will help to ease them back into school mode, get them thinking about school rules and how to make and keep friends.
Please book early, as spaces are limited – 926 1693 or www.chatterbox@candw
See attachment for details
