iNews Briefs
Cayman Airways announces it’s fall seat sale
Cayman Airways has announced it’s fall seat sale which will run from today, September 1 until September 8.
The airline company is offering seat sales on trips between the months of September and November booked before or on September 8.
In addition to the seat sale the airline is offering additional nonstop Boeing 737 jet flights to and from The Cayman Islands .
Cayman Airways reminds travelers that it is one of the only carriers that allows each up to two free checked bags along with free Rum Punch inflight.
JetBlue flight from New York forced to make emergency landing
From Caribbean360
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Monday September 1, 2014, CMC – A JetBlue flight en route from New York to St Maarten was diverted to Bermuda on Monday after smoke and fumes were detected inside the aircraft’s cockpit.
The Airbus 320, which had 139 people on board, landed safely at the L.F. Wade International Airport’s just after noon local time, official said.
Sergeant Russann Francis of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) said that the duty officer at the airport had informed that “a Jet Blue Airbus 320 will make an emergency landing in Bermuda due to smoke and fumes issuing in the cockpit.
“The Jet Blue flight was reported to carry 139 souls with five hours of fuel remaining on board. BFRS were standing by on scene with 10 vehicles and 16 personnel as the flight landed safely in Bermuda at 12.07 p.m.”
BFRS emergency medical technicians carried out a search of the aircraft and conducted an assessment of everyone on board, but determined that no medical assistance was required.
An investigation into the cause of the problem is underway.
On Friday, a Norwegian Airlines Boeing 787 was diverted to Bermuda after a passenger became ill while the plane was en route to Fort Lauderdale from London.
The passenger was later taken to hospital.
Cayman Islands Academy Sports Club holding tryouts for U15 Girls
Girls between the ages of 12 and 14 will have their chance this coming football season to enjoy their football with one of Cayman’s leading youth football programs, as Academy Sports Club looks to launch its first U15 girls team in this year’s CIFA league.
“We are having tryouts this Saturday September 6th at the Academy field on Outpost road and hope to see a lot of young female footballers there”, said Coach Virgil of Academy.
Mr Seymour explained that the club has discussed introducing a girls team for a while and felt this season was the right year to do it.
“Since we have announced that we will be having tryouts there has a been a great response so we are really looking forward to achieving similar success with the girls team as we have demonstrated with our bouts teams over the years”, he added.
The Academy U15 girls team tryouts is being held from 9:00am to noon on Saturday September 6th. Girls must be born in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Major Chinese conglomerates eager to do business in Antigua
From Jamaica Gleaner
SHANDONG, Aug. 31, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda Government says over 12 major conglomerates in China have expressed interest in doing business in the Caribbean state.
During a meeting here on Saturday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a group of chief executive officers and presidents of corporations attached to the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province that Antigua is part of a network of trade agreements that allow goods to enter the European Union, Canada and the United States.
“Antigua and Barbuda has a stable investment environment. When you invest in our country, there is no need to worry about a fall in the value of your products; in fact, value will increase instead,” said Browne in a statement.
“Investing in Antigua and Barbuda is also a gateway to other markets within Latin America and the Caribbean,” he added.
“I urge you to capitalize on investing in a country that is poised to become the economic powerhouse of the Caribbean.”
Deputy Director-General of Shandong Department of Commerce, Yan Zhaowan, said that Chinese business leaders were impressed with Brown’s presentations and the economic possibilities in Antigua and Barbuda, the statement said.
Zhaowan said his division sees the possibility of investing in tourism, information communication technology (ICT), agriculture and manufacturing, adding that there is “great value to future collaboration”.
For more: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=55145
Table tennis ‘King’ marries his ‘Queen’
From Stabroek News
Guyana’s table tennis `King’ Paul David on Saturday married his `Queen’ Ravina Singh at a simple ceremony at the Elim Pentecostal Church, Middle Road, East La Penitence.
The lovely Singh is a Loans Officer at Republic Bank Guyana Limited.
David, one of Guyana’s most successful male table tennis players in the last decade, is coming off a satisfactory performance at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Scotland which saw him becoming the highest ranked Guyanese player by the International Table Tennis Federation.
David, along with Christopher Franklyn, world-ranked 695, Idi Lewis, world-ranked 573 and youthful Shemar Britton, catapulted Guyana to become the number one ranked team in the English-speaking Caribbean and number 88th in the world.
Not only did David reach the second round in dramatic fashion coming from three games down to defeat Vanuatu’s Joshua Shing 4-3 but he also attained his highest ever world ranking of 572 surpassing his previous best ranking of 580.
The former Caribbean boys silver medalist and Caribbean men’s singles bronze medallist said that he wanted to warn his competitors that he is married not retired and that himself, Franklyn and Lewis’s aim is to win the coveted Caribbean men’s team championships.
For more: http://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/sports/09/01/table-tennis-king-marries-queen/
Cayman Islands young Caymanians award date is November 1
The date for the CITN/Cayman27 Young Caymanian Leadership Awards (YCLA) will take place on Saturday 1st November.
The Young Caymanian Leadership highlights and honors outstanding young leaders, who are positive role models.
This will be the 14th annual celebration of the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards (YCLA), which recognise outstanding young leaders in the Cayman Islands who are positive role models for the younger generation.
The theme for this year’s event was selected by a core committee of YCLA alumni who have enthusiastically come forward to assist with the current and future development of the YCLA and the Foundation. The theme is “Fan Into Flame: A New Generation of Leaders.”
Last year’s winner was Shomari Scott.
Antigua strengthens Caribbean Cup roster
CONCACAF: ST. JOHN’S, Antigua & Barbuda – August 31, 2014 – The Antigua & Barbuda Football Association has identified eight overseas players who have committed to represent the country in Caribbean Cup first-round play next week.
General Secretary Gordon Derrick named England-based Calaum Jahraldo-Martin (winger/forward), Nathaniel Jarvis (forward) and Keiran Murtagh (midfielder) as three of the competitors.
Midfielders Quinton Griffith, Josh Parker and Akeem Thomas, defender Connor Peters and goalkeeper Brenton Mohammed (goalkeeper) will also join the contingent of squad members from abroad.
“There are five groups being played with everybody playing the same day because we are using the international dates so everybody has access to international players,” said Derrick.
From September 3-7, Antigua will host Group 5, which also contains Anguilla, the Dominican Republic and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
“I hear they (Anguilla) are bringing in international players so everybody is boosting their squads like St. Kitts and all the other groups so there is lots of excitement out about this version of the Caribbean Cup,” Derrick noted.
Senior team regulars Peter Byers, Tamarley Thomas and Lawson Robinson are also expected to be present, when the Benna Boys open their campaign Wednesday against the Dominican Republic at the Antigua Recreation Grounds.
Cayman Islands recognises World Alzheimer’s Month with many events
World Alzheimer’s Month is September. This year Cayman commemorates it with the theme of “Reducing risk of Dementia”.
The aim this year is to educate caregivers and family members, as well as support those coping with Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
World Alzheimer’s Month events
5 September – North Side Clinic presentation
8 September – George Town GP presentation
10 September – Bodden Town Clinic presentation
15 September – West Bay Clinic presentation
19 September – Corporate dress down
21 September – World Alzheimer’s Day
22 September – East End Clinic presentation
23 September – North Side Clinic presentation
24 September – Support group meeting
27 September – 5K Memory Run/Walk
Chikungunya spreads on St. Thomas, St. John
By Aldeth Lewin From Virgin Islands Daily News
ST. THOMAS – A V.I. Alert went out Friday warning residents that the V.I. Health Department has confirmed 25 cases of chikungunya in the St. Thomas-St. John District.
St. Croix has no confirmed cases.
Since June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been helping the V.I. Health Department beef up its surveillance, investigation and diagnostic capacity, while also providing education to health care workers about the clinical management of the mosquito-borne virus.
The CDC and local Health Department have been offering free blood testing to confirm the cases as patients come into their doctors’ offices with symptoms.
The virus is very similar to dengue, and the two share many symptoms including fever, rash and joint pain. Chikungunya, like dengue fever, is a reportable disease in the territory.
In early June, the territory had only one confirmed case that was acquired on-island and two cases that were imported – where the person acquired the virus in another locale and then returned to the territory before getting sick.
Chikungunya has swept rapidly through the Caribbean since the first locally acquired case in the Americas was diagnosed in St. Martin in December.
The V.I. Health Department is urging the district’s residents to take precautions against mosquito bites and to see a doctor if they experience any symptoms.
For more: http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/chikungunya-spreads-on-st-thomas-st-john-1.1744428
Minister Dabreo to represent Caribbean ICT Ministers at SIDS conference in Samoa
From Government of Grenada
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, August 29, 2014 – GIS: Minister with responsibility for Information Communication Technology, Honourable Alvin Dabreo, left Grenada earlier today to participate in the UN Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference in Apia, Samoa.
Minister Dabreo will be making a presentation to the Heads of Government of the small island states represented at the Conference.
Speaking on behalf of all of the Caribbean’s ICT Ministers, Honourable Dabreo will be offering practical solutions for “Bridging Broadband Barriers for SIDS.”
Under this theme, the Minister is expected to address solutions that include policies that can be enacted to stimulate demand and spur adoption of broadband services; the developing of capacity through skills training; employment of resources for the development of local and regional content; and the fostering of partnerships with neighboring countries to enable maximum benefits of broadband for economies of scale.
The SIDS conference is an initiative of the United Nations, designed to implement and reinforce sustainable measures for the most vulnerable small island states, as part of the UN’s post 2015 development agenda.
Minister Alvin Dabreo makes his major presentations on September 2nd and 3rd, and returns to Grenada on September 6th.
Cayman bellhop accused of sexual assault found Not Guilty
Iyilla Delmar Spence who was accused of sexually assaulting a 15 year old girl when he worked as a bellhop at the Ritz Carlton-Grand Cayman, was found Not Guilty by a jury of five men and two women at the Cayman Islands Grand Court last Friday (29).
Spence admitted having a consensual sexual encounter with the girl who was staying at the hotel with her parents in March last year. Spence said he hadn’t known how old the girl was and thought she was a college student, making her over the age of consent.
Even though the girl gave evidence that she had told Spence she was 15 there were a number of inconsistencies in her story and the judge had instructed the jury they had to be sure the teen had not consented and the defendant knew the girl was underage.
After the verdict the parents of the girl said they would be still be pursuing a civil case against the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman that was filed earlier this year.
ACIBC First Caribbean makes donations to PACE Foundation and Project Read
From Bahama Islands Info
CIBC FirstCaribbean Financial Controller Stacia Williamson presents PACE Foundation President, Sonia Brown with a gift to aid in the organisation’s work to give teen mother’s second chances through education.NASSAU, Bahamas — In a display of the bank’s dedication to education for all, CIBC FirstCaribbean donated to two charities aimed at providing schooling for non-traditional learners.
CIBC First Caribbean awarded The PACE Foundation school for unwed teenage mothers, and Project Read Bahamas, an adult literacy programme, with monetary gifts to contribute to the work the organisations do in giving second chances to un-conventional and disadvantaged students.
The gifts are courtesy of the company’s International Comtrust Foundation, a Caribbean-wide initiative which ensures that 1% of the Bank’s profits reach important causes, which may be nominated by local employees.
Education is a major component of CIBC First Caribbean’s four-pronged social impact policy which also promotes health & wellness, staff volunteerism, and environmental causes.
Rising star of Belgian cycling Igor Decraene dies in apparent suicide
By Daniel Mcmahon
Belgian cyclist Igor Decraene, the junior world time-trial champion, has died in an apparent suicide, AFP reported. He was 18 years old.
“A native of Waregem in northern Belgium, Decraene killed himself not far from there at Zulte, the Belga news agency said without giving further details,” AFP said.
The Belgian Cycling Federation confirmed the news on its website. Its president, Tom van Damme, said, “It’s difficult to comment on this terrible news. It will take time.”
The governing body of world cycling, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), posted this statement on its website:
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is very sad to announce the loss of Belgian rider Igor Decraene.
At a mere 18 years of age, Igor was the current Junior individual time-trial World Champion. At the end of 2013, he received the Vélo de Cristal as best Junior rider of the year in Belgium, and was due to defend his title in a few weeks time in Ponferrada at the 2014 UCI Road World Championships in Spain.
UCI President Brian Cookson said: “This is a terribly sad news. Igor was a very promising rider. Our thoughts are with his parents, brothers, family and friends.”
Season one of HBO’S “The Leftovers” comes to an end
The season finale airs Sunday, September 7th in the Caribbean, simultaneously with
the United States
Miami FL – The HBO original drama series The Leftovers wraps up its first season with the episode titled “The Prodigal Son Returns,” premiering one week after the originally scheduled date, on Sunday, September 7th in the Caribbean, simultaneously with the United States. The series has been renewed for a second season.
In the final episode, an unexpected ally helps Kevin (Justin Theroux) get out of a jam near the town of Cairo. Meanwhile, an elaborate Memorial Day initiative by the Guilty Remnant plunges Mapleton into chaos. Holy Wayne (Paterson Joseph) grants a final wish, while Tom (Chris Zylka) copes with his new reality and Nora (Carrie Coon) makes a life-changing decision.
Based on Tom Perrotta’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Leftovers was created by Damon Lindelof (Emmy® award winner for Lost) and Tom Perrotta; executive produced by Lindelof, Perrotta, Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey; and co-executive produced by Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger. Lindelof serves as showrunner.
