iNews Briefs
Recall of Deep Raw Cashew Pieces in Cayman Islands
From Cayman Islands Department of Environmental Health
The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is advising the public that an alert has been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning the potential contamination of “Deep Raw Cashew Pieces” with Salmonella. Due to this potential contamination, the public is being advised not to eat this product.
Officials in the Food Safety section of the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) have identified the product as being sold in Grand Cayman between 15th October and 27th October 2014. Officers are currently contacting all wholesalers and local supermarkets, both here and in the Sister Islands, to ensure that all affected products are immediately removed from sale.
The recalled “Deep Raw Cashew Pieces” are sold in a 7 oz., 14oz., & 28oz. clear plastic package marked with UPC number on the rear of the package.
UPC number for 7oz. is 011433133104
UPC number for 14oz. is 011433133111
UPC number for 28oz. is 011433133128
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing conducted by the FDA. No illnesses have been reported to date in the United States in connection with this problem.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children; frail or elderly people; and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhoea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances the organism may get into the bloodstream, producing more severe illnesses such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis. If you have eaten this product and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your medical provider immediately.
For further information concerning local efforts, contact the DEH at 949-6696. For other details, visit the FDA website at www.fda.com
Calif. principal arrested with drugs, unconscious woman
From CBS News
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – Police say the principal of a private Marin County high school was arrested after he was found in a hotel room with large quantities of drugs and a passed-out woman roughly 30 years younger than him.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports 54-year-old Thomas Price was taken into custody Friday at the Hyatt Place in Rancho Cordova. Deputies say Price, the principal of Branson High School in Ross, was in possession of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Also in the room was 21-year-old Brittney Hall, who was also arrested.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Jason Ramos says the pair could face charges including possession of drugs with intent to sell or distribute.
It wasn’t immediately known if Price or Hall have lawyers.
Calls to Branson High School were not returned Monday.
For more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/calif-principal-arrested-with-drugs-unconscious-woman/
Cayman Islands endemic protected blue iguana killed by stray dogs
Two wild dogs at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park killed a 14-year-old endemic female Blue Iguana called Green Orange last week.
According to Fred Burton, director of the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, gardeners working at the Botanic Park spotted two dogs without collars attacking the iguana by the lake during the early morning of Oct. 23rd.
Green Orange was sent to a veterinary clinic where she was given an ultrasound and placed in a cage under an ambient temperature, but she died the next morning from the shock.
Burton said, “We need the leash law [for dogs] to be properly enforced.” He bemoaned the loss of one female reptile was particularly devastating especially in such a small population group.
Green Orange was projected to give birth to more than 300 hatchlings throughout her lifespan.
Britain’s SFO opens criminal probe into Tesco profits error
From Business Insider
London (AFP) – Britain announced a criminal investigation on Wednesday into accounting practices at the country’s biggest retailer, Tesco, after the supermarket group overstated its profits by £263 million ($424 million, 333 million euros).
“The SFO (Serious Fraud Office) confirmed today that the director has opened a criminal investigation into accounting practices at Tesco plc,” the government department said, while Tesco said it was “cooperating fully”.
CARPHA workshop to strengthen Caribbean response to Ebola
By Knews From Kaieteur news
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) will host workshops geared at strengthening the Caribbean’s ability to prepare and respond to outbreak situations such as the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa. ebola 9
From November 17 to November 21, CARPHA, in collaboration with the Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis (CHA) unit of PAHO/WHO, will provide two training workshops on Infectious Substances Shipping Training and Bio-safety Practices for the Clinical Laboratory, at its Port of Spain, Trinidad headquarters.
Laboratory professionals from across the Caribbean who complete the World Health Organization Shipping Infectious Substances course will be certified to prepare shipments of laboratory samples. Successful participants will be certified for a period of two years to handle and package Category A Infectious Substances, such as samples from suspected cases of Ebola virus disease.
CARPHA will also train personnel in bio-safety measures, practiced in the laboratory, which include infection control, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and waste management measures.
It is expected that laboratory technicians actively involved in the packaging of laboratory samples, for the purpose of international transport, will in turn provide similar training to other colleagues at institutional and country level.
Both the Shipping and Bio-safety courses are in accordance with WHO Guidance on regulations for the transport of Infectious Substances 2013-2014 and WHO Biorisk Management Programme respectively.
Many countries adopt the United Nations Model Regulations in their entirety to stand as their national dangerous goods legislation. Some countries apply variations. National authorities should provide details of their own national requirements.
Cayman Islands police “doing everything possible to trace and locate….”
Speaking on the morning after another robbery, which happened on Sunday evening at a George Town gas station, Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton said, “We are doing everything possible to trace and locate these individuals.”
He also said it could be a handful of people committing the same burglaries but he believes there are as many as 150 burglars on the streets of Grand Cayman! Police are now highly visible in George Town and on the Seven Mile Beach Strip. The perception about crime getting worse is incorrect. Walton noted the figures in the early 1990s for burglaries were almost double that, running on average over 900.
Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay said a decision had been made to pull the investigations together and tackle them under one senior investigating officer and a combined investigation team instead of treating each enquiry in separate silos. Although this was being done the police do not believe that all of the recent robberies in the streets and at restaurants and gas stations are the work of the same two men, but there are links between some of the crimes.
Caribbean countries cautioned to coordinate tax incentives
From WINN
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Caribbean countries will have to look at coordinating tax incentives when attracting foreign investment as a means of addressing issues of economic growth. That’s the view of Economic Professor Dr. Nouriel Roubini. He was addressing finance officials of various Caribbean countries at a High Level Caribbean Forum organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The key thing is try to coordinate to make sure there is no kind of free riding. That might be easier said than done,” Dr. Roubini said. He explained that tax incentives might work for small islands seeking to attract some large scale investment. He noted though that the level of business from these investments must compensate for the incentives. “There is a significant amount of waste and inefficiency and even these countries that are energy imported, they can do much more in terms of reducing the inefficiency,” Dr. Roubini said.
Dr. Roubini highlighted the challenges to economic growth in the Caribbean and how developments in the developed and emerging markets can impact growth in the region. A tax regime for investment was one of the topics debated at the forum where officials debated whether the merit of Caribbean countries offering tax incentives to potential investors. In addition to regulating tax incentives, Dr. Roubini also made a case for Caribbean countries to become more energy efficient as the cost of energy is a major impediment to economic growth. The professor also called on Caribbean countries to diversify their economies and not rely solely on tourism in the case of the tourism dependent countries. He however acknowledged that diversification can be difficult but can be achieved through economic integration.
Cayman Islands Finance Minister says there are improvements to government accounts
Cayman Islands Minister for Finance, Marco Archer, said last Friday in the Legislative Assembly that since the latest Auditor General’s report, government had made important personnel changes in the ministries that had been named as having the worst problems and things are now improving.
He said over 90% of government entities received qualified or unqualified reports for the year ending 2012. However, he qualified that by saying “the quality of the overall government accounts would depend on every entity. If just one entity was disclaimed or received an adverse opinion the entire public sector statements would be disclaimed.”
After meeting with the Auditor General, Alastair Swarbrick, the finance ministry was now developing a standardized submissions package. This, Archer said, would help the ministries and public authorities to properly present their accounts and supporting documentation.
Meyer Werft hands over Quantum of the Seas to Royal Caribbean
From Seatrade Insider
Bernard Meyer speaks at the handover ceremony. Behind is North Star, one of the ship’s signature features Bernard Meyer speaks at the handover ceremony. Behind is North Star, one of the ship’s signature features
Meyer Werft delivered Quantum of the Seas to Royal Caribbean International during a ceremony in Bremerhaven. Key figures gathered in front of one of the ship’s signature features, the North Star viewing pod.
On hand were Meyer Werft managing partner Bernard Meyer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. chairman and ceo Richard Fain and evp maritime Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean International evp Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and svp William Baumgartner and Quantum Capt. Felix (Srecko) Ban, among others.
First in a new design, the 167,800gt vessel also offers a sky-diving simulator; the multifunctional SeaPlex with bumper cars and a circus school, among many other features, the cutting-edge Two70° lounge with its RoboScreens and the Bionic Bar, staffed by a pair of robot bartenders. There are 18 dining spots and a dozen bars.
Plus, Quantum of the Seas is expected to have huge energy efficiency gains through a multitude of advances including a micro-bubble air lubrication system developed by Royal Caribbean, Foreship, ProcessFlo and Meyer Werft.
The engines are Wärtsilä, two 12V and two 16V, for a total of 67,200 kW, while propulsion power is 41,000kW.
Quantum has 4,180 lower berths with capacity for 4,905 total passengers.
The ship’s registry is the Bahamas and DNV GL is the classification society.
Quantum is due to leave Bremerhaven for inaugural festivities in Southampton. The ship is to begin its crossing to the US on Nov. 2, and arrival at New York Harbor is expected Nov. 10. A number of inaugural events are planned stateside, with the naming ceremony at Bayonne, N.J.’s Cape Liberty Cruise Port scheduled for Nov. 14.
Cayman Islands bar manager completes 350m paddleboarding to funds for kids
Jasmin “Yaz” Muratagic, the bar manager at Fidel Murphy’s on West Bay Road, Grand Cayman raised just over $5,000 for the Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home.
Muratagic made a 350-mile paddleboard journey across a lake and river system in western Canada that took 9 days. A friend, Canadian firefighter Chad Guenter, accompanied him.
Muratagic said the trip, which started in Canmore, Alberta, took them through remote wilderness before they were joined by a group of local paddlers on the final stretch into the city of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. He had practiced for the trip by paddling along the Seven Mile Beach.
Several businesses helped with big donations, including Jacques Scott, Miller Lite and businessman Marcus Cumber, who owns Island Air.
Muratagic said his friend, Mr. Guenter, raised money for mental health awareness during the trip.
SOURCE: Cayman Compass http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2014/10/29/Bartender-makes-a-splash-for-foster-kids/
Tim Cook explains why the iPod Classic had to die
From engadget
It was the best question pitched to Apple CEO at WSJD’s Live conference: Why was the iPod discontinued? Apparently it’s a very simple reason: “We couldn’t get the parts any more,” explained Tim Cook. “They don’t make them any more.” While the iPod Classic isn’t exactly a creaky transistor radio just yet, that’s how it went down. “We would have to make a whole new product…. the engineering work to do that would be massive.” The difficult truth that some of you probably don’t want to hear: “The number of people who wanted it is very small.” So pour one out for the iPod Classic — and hit up eBay if you’re still craving a clickwheel.
For more: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/27/why-the-ipod-had-to-die/?ncid=rss_truncated
Cayman Islands Residential Garbage Collection Schedule
Fro Cayman Islands Department of Environmental Health
Department of Environmental Health (DEH) officials are reminding residents to follow proper guidelines for garbage disposal. Doing so will help ensure that garbage waiting for collection will not be hazardous, either to the public or DEH collectors. Residents are also reminded not to allow garbage bins to fill with rainwater, rather to keep bins covered, so as to reduce the risk of mosquito breeding areas.
“Officers have noticed that garbage enclosures are not being kept clean and sanitary,” said DEH Director Roydell Carter. “Property owners or agents are responsible for keeping these areas well maintained. Residents should be mindful of their collection day and only put out garbage on their assigned collection day”.
All customers are encouraged to only place their waste by the roadside for collection based on the following schedule:-
Mondays – From Crystal Harbour / Governor’s Harbour to West Bay inclusive of the side roads.
Tuesdays – From Safe Haven / West Bay Rd including Harbour Heights to South Church St, Walkers Rd, Smith Rd, Templeton Pine Lake area, Shedden Road, North Sound Road, Breezy Way, Eastern Ave, Mary’s St, Rock Hole, plus the side roads.
Wednesdays – From Windsor Park, South Sound Rd, Crewe Rd, Bobby Thompson Way, Half Way Pond, Randyke Gardens, Prospect Point Rd, the entire Prospect area including Patrick’s Island and the side roads.
Thursdays – From the junction of Shamrock Rd / Prospect Point Rd. to Will T. Dr. in Bodden Town and this includes Spotts, Homes off the East-West Arterial road plus the Savannah / Newlands area and the side roads.
Fridays – From Will T. Drive eastward inclusive of Northward, Bodden Town, East End, North Side and the side roads.
For more information regarding garbage collection, contact DEH’s solid waste unit at 949-8793 or 949-6696 or visit the DEH website at www.deh.gov.ky
Caribbean’s largest oil refinery sold
From Caribbean Journal
HOVENSA, the St Croix-based oil refinery that was the largest in the Caribbean until it shuttered in 2012, has a new buyer.
And it could mean an economic rebirth for the island of St Croix.
The US Virgin Islands government announced that Atlantic Basin Refinery had reached a tentative agreement with the owners of the site, Venezuela’s PDVSA and Hess Corporation.
US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh said the government had reached an agreement with the buyers on a “detailed operating agreement” that will define their rights and obligations going forward.
The agreement marks the culmination of a sales process that first began in November 2013.
Under the operating agreement, the new owners are required to rebuild and restart the refinery, employ “hundreds” of Virgin Islanders and make “substantial payments to the government” totaling over $1.6 billion in fixed payments over the life of the agreement.
The deal would also include additional variable payments depending on the refinery’s profitability.
If the refinery is not restarted, the owners will be required to take the facility down and clean up the site.
“This will ensure that, whatever the circumstances, if there is not to be an operating refinery, we will not be left with an eyesore and a wasting asset,” de Jongh said.
Atlantic Basin Refining is a company formed specifically to acquire the property.
The transaction requires approval of the operating agreement by the legislature.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/10/28/caribbeans-largest-oil-refinery-sold/#
Beauty in the blue iguanas on Grand Cayman
From ARAR
The rarity and beauty of the indigenous Blue Iguana is a marvelous wonder saved and preserved solely based on the efforts of the Blue Iguana Recovery Program located in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. This exotic reptile, only found on Grand Cayman, was on the critically endangered list—with numbers in the low teens—when the program was started in 1987. The foundation is currently working towards a repopulation goal of 1,000 Blue Iguana’s to roam freely within a natural reserve located on the eastern tip of Grand Cayman. Until then, see the captive breeding and various life stages from hatchlings to full-sized adults at the reservation. Watch these amazing reptiles bask in the sun, casually roam around the park, or even go wild for a bite of their daily snack of Noni Fruit.
For more: http://www.afar.com/places/queen-elizabeth-ii-botanic-park-east-end-2?context=recent
EDITOR: See also above story: “Cayman Islands endemic protected blue iguana killed by stray dogs”
Will Honda’s air bag crisis deflate earnings?
From Wall Street Daily
Japan’s third-largest carmarker, Honda (HMC), acknowledged two deaths related to its air bags (which were made by Japanese supplier Takata).
On top of the two confirmed deaths, two additional incidents are being investigated, as well.
This week, the automaker will release its Q3 numbers – which will reveal whether the growing crisis over explosive air bags deflates its earnings significantly.
Mitsubishi (MTU) is sitting in a similar position, as it’s facing an air bag recall of its own.
For more: http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2014/10/27/hondas-air-bag-earnings/
Miss BumBum contest reaches 1 million votes; fans get lingerie photos as thanks
FromFox News Latino
IMAGE: Claudia Alende Crop.jpg
The girls of Brazil’s Miss BumBum competition show that they don’t need a photographer to get a great shot … whichever side of themselves they’re shooting.
The girls of the now-famous Miss BumBum Contest in Brazil are so pumped that fans are voting on who has the best backside, that they recently posted online a series of sultry pics from a photo shoot showcasing what they’re working with.
After voting for the annual contest that judges which girl has the most beautiful buns reached 1 million votes, the organizers of Miss BumBum put out the photos of the 27 girls garbed in little more than lingerie.
The girls this year include a Megan Fox look-a-like, a set of tattooed twins and a 39-year old woman who is the oldest contestant in Miss BumBum’s history.
Online votes for the top 15 girls will decide who heads to São Paulo in November for the finals to determine who has the most bodacious booty in Brazil.
For more and video go to: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2014/09/12/miss-bumbum-contest-reaches-1-million-votes-fans-get-surprise-lingerie/
