iNews Briefs
Dart plans another hotel on Cayman Islands 7-Mile-Beach
It has been confirmed that the Dart Group are in the “early planning” stages of their second hotel on Grand Cayman’s 7-Mile-Beach.
This second hotel would be constructed a few miles up the coast from the 4-Star Kimpton Hotel site Dart are currently building, between the Royal Palms Bar and the West Indian Club.
The proposed hotel would be 5-Star.
South Africa: Gambling board ‘blew cash on Vegas trip’
From BBC
South Africa’s gambling board has been suspended for seemingly overspending on foreign travel, including a trip to Las Vegas, it’s reported.
The board spent 4.1 million rand ($374,000; £233,000) on trips abroad in three years, including visits to Turkey, Singapore and France, the Times Live website reports. The biggest chunk of cash was spent on flying seven of its members to a Las Vegas gaming conference in 2011, at a cost of more than 936,000 rand ($85,000; £53,000), according to South Africa’s trade and industry minister, Rob Davies.
The board members’ spending habits came to light after a parliamentary question on the details surrounding their suspension, which happened in September. They have allegedly contravened the Public Finance Management Act by “failing to prevent irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure,” the website reports. Aside from regulating the gambling industry, South Africa’s National Gambling Board exists to “to preserve the integrity of South Africa as a responsible global citizen,” according to its website. For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-29761326
Cayman Islands residents raise $44,000 for Red Cross playing golf
At the 17th Annual Charitable Golf Tournament on Oct. 3rd over 140 residents in the Cayman Islands took part and raised over $44,000 for the Cayman Islands Red Cross.
The money was raised through entry fees, raffle items, hole sponsorships, and a putting contest sponsored by RBC Royal Bank.
The event also featured a four-man scramble format with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Michael Munnings, country head and area vice president, personal banking, at RBC Royal Bank, opened the event by thanking the Cayman Island Red Cross for its role in the community.
The golf tournament’s title sponsors, RBC Royal Bank and RBC Wealth Management, also announced their plans to sponsor the CIRC’s Dinner/Dance Gala in May 2015, which is Red Cross month.
The golf tournament concluded with a prize-giving ceremony where the top teams were recognized.
The winning teams were:
1st Prize – Chris Johnson & Associates (Graham Robinson, Russell Homer, Michael Mulligan and Ben Hobden)
2nd Prize – Friends of the Red Cross (Ken Crowley, Duke Sullivan, Jim Beisel and Billy Edwards)
3rd Prize – AETNA (Dan MacLean, Seamus Tivnan, Ron Sulisz and James O’Brien)
Hole-in-one prizes were a 2015 BMW 316i sponsored by GT Automotive and 2015 Mercedes GLA sponsored by Car City. The raffle prize was a special RBC golf bag, autographed by Brandt Snedeker. In addition, Foster’s Food Fair IGA donated food for the barbecue, which was prepared by Mise en Place.
Gibson says he was fired by the WICB
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday October 23, 2014, CMC – Ottis Gibson says he was fired as West Indies head coach despite a statement from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) suggesting otherwise.
Gibson’s declaration three months after ending ties with the WICB contradicts a statement from the board which said the two had mutually agreed to end their association.
Gibson and WICB severed ties in August on the eve of a series against Bangladesh involving two-test matches and One Day Internationals (ODI).
He has been quoted in the regional media as saying he was shocked when WICB president Dave Cameron fired him during a telephone conversation.
He says Cameron told him that players had lost confidence in him.
Gibson’s contract was renewed last year after taking up the post in January 2010.
His finest moment with the Windies came when he led them to victory in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament two years ago.
For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/sports/gibson-says-he-was-fired-by-the-wicb#ixzz3H1KLSdWp
Cayman Islands local cricket competition
Defending champions Cayman Islands got their second win in the 2014 Challenge Trophy League section joining unbeaten teams Jamaica and Barbados at the top. Rounding off the Big 4 will be World Stars in the playoffs scheduled for December.
Jamaica defeated Commonwealth on Saturday at the Smith Road Oval. Batting first Commonwealth scored 97 with Chris Palmer 28 but the rest of the batting was tempered by the controlled bowling of captain Conroy Wright, Adrian Wright and Corey Cato.
Adrian Wright 29 and Ainsley Hall 28 were amongst the runs giving Jamaica a 6 wickets victory.
Gregory Smith got 3 for 7 and captain Troy Taylor 3 for 8 as the Cayman Islands made short work of India’s batting which was followed by explosive knocks from Omar Bryan 27 and Omar Willis 22 both not out. Cayman won by 8 wickets.
The World Stars versus Barbados at the Jimmy Powell Oval was rained out.
The national senior team will continue training with matches organized for the next five Sundays beginning at 10 a.m. at the Jimmy Powell Oval.
There will be two matches per day. The women’s off season tournament will be played at the Smith Road Oval starting on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Nigerians free once again to visit Trinidad & Tobago – Khan
From Caribbean360
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday October 23, 2014, CMC – Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan says Nigerians are once again free to visit Trinidad and Tobago with immediate effect.
He made the announcement on Wednesday at a post- Cabinet press conference held at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital.
Khan also said and the Government has agreed to contribute US$100,000 to the United Nations Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund to fight the virus in the affected West African countries.
However, the October 9 ban prohibiting visitors from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in an effort to prevent the virus from entering the country, remains intact.
Cabinet’s decision to lift the ban follows the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration on Monday that Nigeria was now free of the Ebola virus.
“The honourable Prime Minister, as well as the Cabinet, have agreed that based on the information from the WHO and based on the stringent screening methods that have occurred in international countries, standard to embarkation and exit of passengers, the Cabinet has decided to lift the ban on the Federal Republic of Nigeria with immediate effect,” Khan said.
WHO’s clearance came 42 days since Nigeria’s last reports of any new cases. Khan explained that period was twice the maximum incubation period for the virus to develop.
IMAGE: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO HEALTH MINISTER DR FUAD KHAN (CREDIT: FLICKR)
Shot gun noises near Cayman Islands airports are to scare off birds not humans
Motorists driving past Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman might think they are hearing a shot going off or their engine backfiring, but the frequent popping sounds are coming from two devices behind the fences on the airport landing strip, opposite Rubis gas station and the Mango Tree restaurant. Another two similar devices are on the landing strip of the Gerrard Smith International Airport in Cayman Brac.
The devices are Zon Propane Cannons, which provide a pressure-regulated sonic blast to shoo away birds when planes are incoming and outgoing.
Because the shot gun sounds might scare humans the airport authority is making plans to place signs along the airport fence to alert motorists of the use of the air cannons for wildlife management.
Jamaica police investigating shooting of nine, three fatally in Corporate Area
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday October 23, 2014, CMC – The police are investigating circumstances surrounding the shooting of nine persons, three fatally late Wednesday by gunmen in the Corporate Area community of St. John’s Road.
According to police reports, shortly after 7 pm gunmen approached the nine – who were all sitting on a sidewalk and opened fire, killing three men – Adayon-Ian Stratcha, 23, Terrence Dixon and a man known only by his alias “Ricky”.
The others, including one woman were injured.
In the aftermath of the incident, police and soldiers were deployed to the area.
CAMANA BAY: CAYMAN ISLANDS SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN
List of Spooktacular events
Starfish Village Harvest Camp
A week of Halloween and fall themed arts and crafts, fun games and fountain play for children ages 3-12 at Starfish Village. Oct. 27 to 31. One full day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. is $70. A week of halfdays from 9 a.m. to noon is $175. A week of full days is $325. Email [email protected] to register.
Moonlight and Movies Halloween Series
From Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, Gardenia Court will be the venue for a series of spooky flicks; “The Addams Family” on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., “ET: The Extra Terrestrial” on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m., and “The Ring” on Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. On Nov. 1, there will be three screenings; “It’s the Great Pumpkin” at 6 p.m., “Coraline” at 6:30 p.m. and “Men in Black” at 8 p.m.
Haunted House of Horrors
All proceeds benefit charities supported by the Rotary Club, which sponsors the event, this year in partnership with Lions Productions. Admission is $10 and children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. The Haunted House of Horrors is open Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. in The Crescent next to Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink.
Organisers say it will be as spooky and scary as ever.
Halloween Spooktacular
Children are invited to trick or treat throughout Camana Bay’s Town Centre between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 1. Crafts can also be enjoyed as well as a Pumpkin Patch. A Spooky Creature Double Feature will be screened and a Monster Mash Bash allows youngsters to dance into the evening.
A Monster Lab is also on hand to entertain and “terrify.” It is an interactive kid-friendly component of Spooktacular.
Organisers say this year it will be taking on the form of a Mummy Tomb, where kids can reach inside spooky concealed boxes containing all the creepy and crawly things of Halloween.
New superyacht marinas for St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean
From Repeating Islands
St Kitts and Nevis, which Charter World calls “a fabulous Caribbean yacht charter destination,” is expected to host an increased number of superyachts with the development of two new marinas: Tamarind Cove in Nevis and Christophe Harbour in St. Kitts. Here are details:
The marinas could be ready to support a restricted amount of business by early 2015. When speaking to Yachting Pages, Rickie Browne of Serviciz commented, “Currently we have two major marinas under construction, one in St Kitts called Christophe Harbour Development and the other in Nevis under the name Tamarind Cove Marina Development. Both developments are well on their way and might be ready to do limited business at the beginning of 2015. [. . .] Both Christophe Harbour Marina in St Kitts and Tamarind Cove Marina in Nevis will be able to accommodate yachts up to 300′ (90m). I most certainly expect the number of yachts to increase when the marinas are completed and we will be seen by the yachting community as a new home for yacht owners.”
Currently, the majority of larger yachts and superyachts anchor off shore due to the lack of superyacht berthing facilities. Rickie finished, “We do have a small marina in Basseterre called Port Zante that can accommodate yachts of up to 120′ (36.5m). Unlike St Kitts, with its current limited berthing space, Nevis on the other hand currently has no marinas, so all yachts are anchored.”
For full article, see http://www.charterworld.com/news/superyacht-marinas-st-kitts-nevis-caribbean
Caymanian in Panama celebrates his 100th birthday
McNeil DaCosta Connolly, who moved from Cayman to Panama when he was 14 celebrated his 100th birthday last Thursday (23) with his Caymanian and Panamanian families.
The centurion is the brother of Clarissa Bird from Walkers Road who passed away in September 2010. In Cayman, he has two nieces, a nephew, four grand-nephews, five grand-nieces and several great-grand nieces and nephews. In Panama he married in his early 20’s and had two daughters. There he has four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
World Bank touts public-private partnerships for Caribbean
From Fox News Latino
The World Bank is encouraging Caribbean governments to create more partnerships with the private sector and to “leverage young talents” as ways to stimulate economic growth.
“The global financial crisis exposed the fragility of the Caribbean region,” the bank’s vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jorge Familiar, said Thursday at the 2014 High Level Caribbean Forum in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
He praised Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago for putting in place reforms to improve the business climate, but said that more needs to be done to fill in the infrastructure gap, reduce the high cost of electricity and ease dependence on oil.
“The private sector can play an important role in financing infrastructure through Public Private Partnership. At the same time such projects need to be carefully designed and structured from a financial point of view so that they are well suited for an environment of rising interest rates and increased volatility,” Familiar said.
The World Bank executive also encouraged Caribbean governments to focus more on young people.
“By leveraging young talents, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries are positioning themselves to become technology hubs,” he said.
The High Level Caribbean Forum brings together prime ministers, finance ministers, central bank governors and other high-ranking officials from Caribbean countries, as well as senior officials from the IMF, Caribbean Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank and the private sector.
The first edition of the Forum took place in the Bahamas in 2013. EFE
WuXi PharmaTech Cayman : Congratulates TaiMed Biologics on receiving Orphan Drug Designation for Ibalizumab from U.S. FDA
SHANGHAI, Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: WX), a leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device R&D services company with operations in China and the United States, today congratulates its partner TaiMed Biologics for receiving the Orphan Drug Designation from U.S. FDA for ibalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of HIV/AIDS infection. This is a significant milestone that brings ibalizumab one step closer to patients.
“We commend TaiMed’s great progress in advancing this important life-saving therapy,” said Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi. “This is the first biologic manufactured in China to receive Orphan Drug Designation, a historic milestone for TaiMed, for WuXi, and also for China.”
About WuXi PharmaTech
WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX) is a leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, with operations in China and the United States. As a research-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi PharmaTech provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies with a broad and integrated portfolio of laboratory and manufacturing services throughout the drug and medical device R&D process. WuXi PharmaTech’s services are designed to help its global partners in shortening the cycle and lowering the cost of drug and medical device R&D. The operating subsidiaries of WuXi PharmaTech are known as WuXi AppTec. Please visit http://www.wuxiapptec.com
Appleton Estate enters Guinness Records in ‘World’s Largest Rum Tasting’
From Jamaica Observer
KINGSTON, Jamaica — History was made recently when Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum and master blender, Joy Spence, joined forces with RumFest founder, Ian Burrell, and five other rums to achieve the Guinness World Record title of ‘World’s Largest Rum Tasting’.
Approximately 350 rum enthusiasts came together during UK RumFest at the Ibis Hotel in London, England to set the record by sampling and discovering hand-picked rums from six brands, including Appleton Estate, a news release from Appleton Estate said.
“Rum is a spirit loved by many and to have the chance to taste six esteemed rums hosted by their top master blenders, ambassadors and distillers is an honour and a privilege. As a Jamaican, I was extremely happy that Appleton Estate was a part of this historic event,” Burrell said.
Spencer, whom Appleton heralds as the first female Master Blender in the world, represented the brand and Jamaica as part of the record breaking attempt, and took participants through a tasting of Appleton Estate ‘Extra 12 Year Old Jamaica Rum’.
The tasting was officially adjudicated by a Guinness World Records representative.
The rising tide of quality rum is upon us,” said Spence. “And, the world’s largest rum tasting is further indication of the growing consumer interest in, and love for, premium quality rums.”
More businesses in Cayman Islands burglarized
The spate of burglaries to businesses on Grand Cayman continued last Wednesday (22) when there was an attempted burglary at one establishment and a successful burglary at another, both located just across the street from each other on Walkers Road, George Town.
The attempted burglary was at Burger King where thieves mashed the glass door of the restaurant at approx. 1:30 a.m. but ran off when they saw someone inside.
The successful burglary was reported to police at 5:00am when it was discovered thieves had made off with an undisclosed amount of cash when they broke into Home Gas.
Mother beheads infant, eats part of his brain in San Antonio
From Emirates 24
Charged with murder and is being held on $1 million bail
San Antonio police say a woman accused of beheading her 3-week-old infant son used a knife and two swords in the attack and ate some of the child’s body parts.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told reporters Monday that Otty Sanchez’s attack on her son, Scott Wesley Buchholtz-Sanchez, was “too heinous” to fully discuss.
But he says Sanchez ate part of the newborn’s brain and bit off three of his toes before stabbing herself twice.
Police say the 33-year-old Sanchez told officers who were called to her house early Sunday that she killed her son at the devil’s request.
Sanchez is charged with capital murder and is being held on $1 million bail. She is recovering from her wounds at a hospital.
NOTE: This story is from June 7 2012
For more: http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/mother-beheads-infant-eats-part-of-his-brain-2012-06-07-1.460996
“Tragic case” says Cayman Islands judge after man admits careless driving when brother killed
Cayman Islands Grand Court Judge, Charles Quin said the court hears many sad cases but this was a “particularly tragic case”.
The judge made his comment as he adjourned the case of Eduardo Robinson (27) who admitted driving over 14 mph over the speed limit on a chip and spray road in Prospect on 29 October 2012 when his younger brother Egbert Robinson (24) was killed in a car smash after the car hit a wall on Mangrove Avenue in Prospect.
Egbert Robinson was pronounced dead at the hospital following the early morning single vehicle collision. Eduardo Robinson who is hearing impaired also suffered serious injuries in the car smash. The car was a Nissan Sunny.
It was revealed in the court hearing how the whole family had suffered much remorse at Egbert Robinson’s death.
Eduardo Robinson was bailed to appear on 22nd January 2015 for sentencing.
NYC Health Official: Ebola system worked
By Wanda Carruthers From Newsmax
New York City’s health system worked when presented with the city’s first patient to be diagnosed with Ebola, Dr. Mary Travis Bassett, commissioner of New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“Since the end of July, we’ve been working very hard to ensure that we had all the systems in place. And, yesterday all of those systems were tested, and all of them worked,” Bassett said Friday (24).
Dr. Craig Spencer, a physician who had treated Ebola patients in Guinea, was admitted to New York’s Bellevue Hospital on Thursday with symptoms of the disease. Bassett said Spencer was “completely well” when he returned to the United States from West Africa a week ago.
Since his return, Spencer rode the subway, took a taxi, and went to a bowling alley, raising concerns that he might have spread the disease to others. When people who have Ebola are well, Bassett stressed they were “not contagious to others,” adding that when Spencer returned to the U.S., “he did all the right things.”
“He monitored his temperature twice a day,” she said. “He followed every rule, and he called for help.”
For more: http://www.Newsmax.com/Headline/NYC-Ebola-health-system/2014/10/24/id/602925/#ixzz3HBfITB2p
Many posts on TripAdvisor re Cayman Islands spate of robberies
After the spate of robberies to businesses on the Cayman Islands, especially Grand Cayman that included a tourist area restaurant where even the customers were robbed, TripAdvisor.com carried some negative comments and concerns.
TripAdvisor.com is one of the world’s premier travel websites, and it is the last place Cayman Islands wants to receive negative comments.
Thankfully there were just as many positive comments about Cayman’s crime wave as the negative ones.
Speaking about the problem on local television channel CITN/Cayman27 last Thursday (23) Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) President Ken Hydes said having a low crime rating helps differentiate Cayman from other Caribbean destinations.
“We still are extremely safe in comparison to many of our competitors,” he said.
However, he added, ““I think we need to continue to have dialogue with all the interested parties, everyone from Royal Cayman Islands Police Service to the Department of Tourism, [to look at ways of basically not making this be the new norm.”
Applications for tobacco registration renewals are due
From Cayman Islands Government
George Town, Grand Cayman – The Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI) reminds all tobacco dealers that according to the Tobacco Law, their applications for registration renewals must be submitted by 1 November 2014.
Because 1 November falls on a Saturday, DCI advises the dealers to have their renewals in by Friday, 31 October.
Applications submitted between 2 November and 31 December will attract a late charge fee that is 50% higher than regular renewal rate. Applications submitted between 1 January and 31 January will incur a late fee of 100% of the regular renewal rate. Any dealer who does not apply for a renewal before 31 January must cease operations for one year before he or she is allowed to submit a new application.
‘The Tobacco Law (2008) requires dealers to register their tobacco products annually. Failure to comply means that persons are operating illegally, and therefore they are subject to fines or prosecution’, said DCI Director Ryan Rajkumarsingh.
Annual registration renewal fees are CI$500 for a retailer; CI$750 for a cigar bar; and CI$5,000 for a wholesale distributor.
Renewal application forms are available on www.dci.gov.ky, and at the Trade and Business counter, located in General Registry on the first floor of the Government Administration Building.
All applications must be submitted along with a current trade and business licence certificate, and written notification of changes made since the last registration, such as the dealer’s contact details, business location, ownership, and trade of products information.
For more information, contact DCI’s Tobacco Administrator Samone Morgan at [email protected]
