iNews Briefs
Accessory to murder gets Cayman man additional 20 years in jail
Leonard Antonio Ebanks was handed a twenty-year consecutive prison term on top of his existing life sentence on Tuesday (3) after his conviction of being an accessory to the murder of Swiss banker, Frederick Bise.
Bise was murdered by Chad Anglin in 2008.
Ebanks is already serving a life sentence for the murder of Tyrone Burrell.
Ebanks had also been charged with the Bise killing he was acquitted of the banker’s murder by a jury that found him guilty of the lesser offence of accessory after the fact of murder.
Social media scam targeting Cayman Islands residents
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service wishes to advise the public of an adult social media scam, to residents requesting their personal information.
Detectives from the George Town Police Station – CID received two local reports over the past few days of Blackmail from persons engaging with strangers on Adult and Social Media sites. The public is advised against sharing personal details with anyone over the internet inclusive of photographs or videos.
Anyone who has been subject of a similar threat of blackmail is asked to report the matter to the Police on 949 4222.
Afridi fetches $150,000 in Caribbean Premier League auction
From The Express Tribune
PHOTO: AFP
All-rounder Shahid Afridi was the most expensive of Pakistani stars sold at the inaugural auction for the new Caribbean Premier League 2015 on Friday as he fetched $150,000.
A total of 66 players were picked up from a pool of 200 during the Caribbean Premier League draft for the 2015 edition of the tournament. The former captain was among the ones chosen by six different franchises and was bought by St Kitts-Nevis.
Other Pakistani players bought include Shoaib Malik at $100,000 by Barbados Tridents, Sohail Tanvir at $80,000 by St Kitts-Nevis and Kamran Akmal at $30,000 by Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.
Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Jacques Kallis and Ross Taylor are also some of the big international names chosen for the league.
For more: http://tribune.com.pk/story/834026/afridi-fetches-150000-in-caribbean-premier-league-auction/
Cayman Islands Heroes Day Exhibition – Hours Extended
The Heroes Day Exhibition will now remain open every weekday until Friday, 13 February from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. All are encouraged to stop by the old George Town Public Library to see a collection of items used during the early days of health services.
Jamaican teen fencer Simms-Lymn strikes gold
From Jamaican Observer
JAMAICA’S Tia Simms-Lymn was in superlative form at the Cadet Junior PanAmerican Fencing Championships taking place in Toronto, Canada.
Going into the championship ranked number seven in the women’s epee, Simms-Lymn in claiming the gold medal faced the 10th ranked fencer Catalina Leiva of Chile and soundly beat her 15-6.
Advancing to the next round, the Jamaican then defeated Monica Lubczynski of Puerto Rico by a close margin of 15-13, and in doing so, booked her place in the final where she squared off against the number one seed Alexanne Verret of Canada.
Simms-Lymn’s performance was deemed a mature display of craftsmanship and artistry form, which claimed gold 11-9. With that victory, she took her place in Jamaica’s sporting history as the first female Jamaican fencer to be crowned a PanAmerican champion.
Only 15, she has the enviable distinction of now being ranked number two in Great Britain where she resides with her parents.
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/J-can-teen-fencer-Simms-Lymn-strikes-gold_18348880
Cayman Tennis: Former top players booked for Cayman Open
From Digicel Sportsmax
Several world-ranked tennis players have acknowledged interest in participating in the 2015 Cayman Open.
Players like defending champion Robert Kendrick, once ranked in the top 100, Dominic Hrbarty and Jamaica’s Dustin Brown are among the players who could be showing up for competition.
Rob Steward, who owns the Cayman Islands Tennis Club, which is hosting the event, said he hopes to get 16 world-ranked players into this year’s draw.
“In the 2015 Cayman Open, we are trying to make the tournament even more competitive and prestigious in the hope of creating an ATP event in the Cayman Islands. It will be by far the best competitive tennis that has ever been seen in Cayman and possibly the region,” he said.
Players who have already confirmed entry include Jamaican Davis Cup player Dominic Pagan, Italy’s Claudio Grassi, Germany’s Frank Moser, Latvia’s Adrian Zguns (Latvia) and Juho Paukku from Finland. Former champions expected to compete include Philip Bester, Haydn Lewis and Denis Zivkovic.
Four world-class players who competed in last year’s tournament, include Zivkovic, once ranked world No. 292. He teamed up with Italy’s Stefanno Lanni in the doubles. Another Italian, Adriano Biasella, played in the singles and doubles with the No. 1 seed, Kendrick, from the U.S.
For more: http://www.sportsmax.tv/?q=articles/2015/02/05/cayman-tennis-former-top-players-booked-cayman-open
Canada: Supreme Court strikes down ban on assisted suicide
From iPolitics
The Supreme Court of Canada, in a unanimous decision by the court, has declared the Criminal Code prohibition on physician- assisted death is unconstitutional.
It has proscribed set of conditions for persons asking a doctor to help them die: that they must be consenting, competent adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition causing enduring suffering that is intolerable to the individual.
A stay of one year has been granted to allow Parliament to come up with legislation. After 12 months, whether legislation materializes or not, physician assisted dying, under the conditions the court has proscribed, will be legal.
The court has further specified that a physician must be involved, deeming them competent to assess the validity of someone’s consent. The 9-0 decision does not demand that the medical condition must be terminal.
For more: http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/02/06/supreme-court-strikes-down-ban-on-doctor-assisted-death/
Cayman Mardi Gras
Cayman Mardi Gras would like to welcome Miss Jamaica Universe – Kaci Fennell to the Cayman Islands for the official Cayman Mardi Gras Festival from February 16-18 in front of Bayshore Mall (Waterfront, George Town). 3 awesome days, packed with International Celebrities and unlimited beads! Visit www.caymanmardigras.con for more information. —–
Get your Pre-sold tickets now!
Admission: $10 Pre-sold / $15 at the gate.
Tickets outlets:
- Singh’s Roti Shop
- All Tortuga Rum Outlets
- Caybrew
- Funky Tangs
- Winner Circle Sports.
——
Stoli VIP Ticket: Cost $100, wristband with drink tickets and Gift Bag from Stoli. Email [email protected] to reserve your Stoli VIP Experiecne. ONLY 200 tickets available. #CaymanMardiGras at: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/caymanmardigras?source=feed_text&story_id=709642062482061
Angelina Jolie tops poll of world’s most admired women
By Ellin Stein From InStyle
Actress, director, humanitarian, and mother of six Angelina Jolie has topped a poll of the world’s most admired women. When YouGov surveyed 25,000 people in 23 countries, Jolie emerged ahead of contenders like girls’ education advocate and Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai (runner-up), Hillary Clinton (at No. 3), Queen Elizabeth, Michelle Obama, Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Other celebrities in the worldwide top 10 included Celine Dion, Oprah, and Julia Roberts.
Interesting differences emerge when the results from specific countries are compared. In the U.S., Clinton, Yousafzai, and Michelle Obama take the podium, while Jolie is down at No. 5, just ahead of Elizabeth Warren and Laura Bush, with the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, at No. 14 (behind Taylor Swift at 13 and Sarah Palin at 10). In fact, the only non-American in the U.S. top 10 is Yousafza
In the U.K. the poll is unsurprisingly, topped by the Queen, followed by Judi Dench, Yousafzai, and Helen Mirren, with Middleton rounding out the top 5 and Jolie down at No. 7. Countries where Jolie topped the list include Brazil, Russia, and Egypt.
IMAGE: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
For more: http://news.instyle.com/2015/02/02/angelina-jolie-tops-poll-of-world-most-admired-women/
Cayman Islands Football: Under-15 squad confident ahead of Mayor’s Cup
From Digicel Sportsmax
A 25-man Cayman Islands Under-15 squad is set to fly to Las Vegas for the 2015 Mayor’s Cup International Showcase scheduled to begin on February 13.
The squad is said to be high on confidence following strong showings in the past two years.
The Mayor’s Cup is one of two annual football tournaments co-hosted by the Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club and the city of Las Vegas. The other is the International Tournament that is played in October.
Each year, the tournament welcomes amateur and professional clubs from Brazil, Colombia, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Poland, France, Australia, Denmark, Africa and the Dominican Republic.
Cayman’s first round games in the six-a-side tournament are against California Rush Miglietti and America Colorado Inter on February 13, and NSYSL Cordica 00 (Nevada) the following day.
The quarter-finals will be played on February 15, with the semi-finals and finals the following day.
The team has been together since March 2011, training every week and playing in regularly friendly games, and in competitions against local and foreign teams in preparation for tournaments like the Mayor’s Cup.
The Cayman Islands Youth Program consists of 40 of the best players in this age group from local clubs. A squad was recently selected for national training to compete in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-15 Championships in Cayman in August.
The program’s ultimate goal over the next few years is to better prepare players to represent Cayman at all age group levels up to the seniors.
Preventing leg amputations in the Caribbean
By Steve Lettau From Rotary Voices
In 1983, Alan Hudson spent several weeks on the Caribbean Island of Dominica as part of a Rotary Group Study Exchange. He was charmed by the local culture, and the warm welcome he received. So when an opportunity arose in 2012 to help people with diabetes on the island avoid having their legs amputated, Hudson jumped at the chance to give back.
Hudson’s Rotary Club of Hereford Wye Valley, Herefordshire, England, partnered with the Rotary Club of Dominica to sponsor a Step by Step program providing those with diabetes foot screenings at local clinics and training by health care professionals on how to exercise their lower limbs and take care of their extremities. Clubs in Herefordshire and Kent, Ohio, teamed up to raise more than $9,000 for the project, supported by a Rotary Foundation grant.
In the two years of the program, the number of lower limb amputations dropped 25 percent in 2012 and 72 percent in 2013. The government of Dominica has provided additional funds for diagnostic equipment to continue the progress.
The project is just one of many that Rotary members have shared on Rotary Showcase.
For more at: http://www.mtsunriserotary.org/Stories/preventing-leg-amputations-in-the-caribbean#sthash.H9UyQx6b.dpuf
Cayman Islands Government and DART reach agreement re accommodation tax rebate
In the Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin’s State of the Nation Speech last Thursday (4) at the Cayman Economic Outlook forum, he announced the controversial 50% accommodation tax rebate will not happen
The tax rebate was agreed by the previous McKeeva Bush led government to Dart Realty as part of the West Bay Arterial Road deal.
In McLaughlin’s speech he said, “The tax rebate is now gone. The tourism playing field remains level. The tourism playing field remains level. Full tax will be collected for both the Kimpton and all subsequent Dart hotels, providing a continuous revenue stream to Government.”
Wuxipra appoints two key executives
SHANGHAI , Feb. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — WuXiPRA, a leading clinical services company with operations in the greater China region, today announced appointments of two key executives. Liedong Xu was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. He brings 22 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, including roles of increasing responsibility at MSD Allergan, Abbott Santen , and Merck Serono. Jason Wu was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of WuXiPRA. His 20 years of experience in clinical practice, clinical research, and product development include management positions at Graceway, Auxillium, Sanofi, and Pfizer.
In 2012, WuXi PharmaTech and PRA formed the joint venture WuXiPRA to provide comprehensive Phase I-IV clinical trial services in mainland China , Hong Kong and the Asia region. Since then, WuXiPRA has grown to become the third largest clinical CRO in mainland China and Hong Kong , with over 400 employees. It covers all of China’s major territories and has offices in Beijing , Shanghai , Wuhan , Hong Kong , and Guangzhou . Its three business divisions focus on full-service clinical studies, embedded strategic consulting, and global clinical informatics, respectively. Services include clinical trial monitoring, project management, regulatory strategy and submissions, data management, biostatistics, drug safety reporting, and medical monitoring.
Jurors found at last for Cayman Islands re-trial of bank case
It took nearly four days to find 12 jurors to re-try the four men, David Tamasa, Rennie Cole, George Mignott and Andre Burton accused of the daylight bank robbery at the Cayman National Bank Buckingham Square branch in Grand Cayman June 2012.
The Court of Appeals overturned the convictions of the four men due to a technical irregularity concerning the judge’s directions.
The case is scheduled to continue on Monday (9) in Cayman Islands Grand Court One with Justice Ingrid Mangatal, presiding.
Sint Maarten Fire Department is hosting 3rd module of the Dutch Caribbean Professional Fire Officer on Duty training course
By Roddy Heyliger From St. Maarten Island Time.com
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The Sint Maarten Fire Department is hosting from February 2 -13 a group of senior fire fighters from all 6 Dutch Caribbean islands.
These senior fire fighters are taking part in an intensive training course that started in November 2014 and will end in June 2015.
The training course will provide the participants with the skills to become a Professional Fire Officer on Duty (in Dutch: VakOfficier van Dienst).
A Fire Officer on Duty is a manager responsible to lead fire fighters in their daily activities and responsible for the coordination of operational response to a major incident, whether it is at the harbor, airport or after an hurricane.
The four core activities that are part of the course and will be tested are:
- Lead all fire fighters on the scene of a fire or an incident
- Coordination of multidisciplinary cooperation
- Leader of On Scene Command (COPI) and informing all relevant partners of the situation at hand
- Lead the fire fighters in their daily activities
The course consists of theoretical sessions on management of incidents and personell. Also the senior fire fighters will get practical trainings where major incidents are simulated at several locations on the island. In between the training weeks the participants have to work on several assignments for the next session.
The senior fire fighters of Sint Maarten that are taking part in the course are William York and Marvin Dollison.
The training course is a product of the joint efforts of the educational officers of the fire departments of the Caribbean Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten and has been adapted from a similar course developed for the Netherlands to fit the specifics of the islands of the Dutch Caribbean.
The training course is held under the auspices of the Dutch Institute for Physical Safety (IFV) in Arnhem, whereas the IFV certificates are recognized in the entire Dutch Kingdom.
The teachers and trainers are IFV-certified Caribbean Fire officers from the several Caribbean islands and includes Fire Officer Silvanico Pauletta and Mr. Clive Richardson the Fire Chief of Sint Maarten.
Cayman Islands to look at building a new police station
Cayman Islands Premier, Alden McLaughlin, has announced the Ministry of Home Affairs and the judiciary have set up a steering committee to develop a strategic business analysis for a new George Town police station that will also house new law courts.
The property where the existing police station is located will be sold and the new facility will be constructed on government land on Lyndhurst Avenue, George Town.
Venezuela Maduro: State seizes supermarket chain
From BBC
The Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, has ordered the takeover of a private supermarket chain by the state food agency.
Speaking on television, he accused Dia a Dia of hoarding food during huge shortages in the country.
This week, soldiers and government workers were sent to branches of a large supermarket and pharmacy chain to supervise sales.
Venezuela’s economy has been heavily affected by the drop in oil prices.
Analysts also say currency controls that restrict the availability of dollars for imports has played a key role in creating the scarcity of many items.
Directors and executives from both Dia a Dia and pharmacy chain Farmatodo were arrested on charges of destabilising the economy.
Speaking on television, President Maduro did not say that the takeover of the Dia a Dia chain would be permanent.
He said the chain “was waging war against the population” and the national food distribution agency would take over its running.
Mr Maduro has said many businessmen are conducting an “economic war”, colluding with the political opposition to oust his government.
In late January, thousands of Venezuelans joined an opposition march in Caracas.
They voiced dissatisfaction with high inflation, crime and the shortage of many staple goods.
For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-31178692
Former personal assistant to Cayman Islands HAS chairman also charged with corruption and money laundering offences.
Miriam Rodriguez (53 has also charged with corruption and money laundering offences. She was charged on Monday (2) and is due to appear in Cayman Islands Grand Court on 13th February.
Rodriguez was former personal assistant to Canover Watson (43) who was charged last November with a number of corruption offences and money laundering in connection with a hospital card payment contract worth $1M awarded by the hospital during his time as chairman of the Health Services Authority Board.
There are plans by the Crown to join the two cases together.
Trip of a lifetime sailing the Caribbean for disabled man from Seaford
From Sussex Express
A disabled man who has no control of his arms, hands or legs has sailed around the Caribbean with the help of the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
Sam Taylor, 27, from Seaford, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, was diagnosed aged three months after catching a chest infection which led to complications and brain damage.
The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a not-for-profit organisation which brings together the able-bodied and disabled on holidays which require team work.
The ex Seaford Head student graduated last summer from the University of Brighton with a degree in Digital Media and was determined to travel independently.
Sam said:“Being hoisted 50ft in the air in my wheelchair in a harness up to the crow’s nest as my crew were on deck heaving me up by ropes, was an experience that I will never forget.
“I was constantly learning new things. One of my main tasks on board was to lead my team, giving them instructions to keep a steady rhythm going to successfully hoist the sails up.
“Since leaving university I wanted to go travelling. This was an opportunity to see the Caribbean. I have always wanted to see this part of the world. The trust allowed me to do this.
“Normally I feel nervous and apprehensive doing something out of the ordinary. However I didn’t get this feeling when joining the ship.”
Cayman Islands Premier’s political aide pleads “Not Guilty” to assault charges
Cayman Islands premier’s political assistant and former CITN/Cayman27TV news reporter Kenneth Bryan has pleaded not guilty to two counts against him relating to an incident last October at Dreams nightclub, on West Bay Road, Grand Cayman. Bryan was suspended from his job in the premier’s office and will now face trial in August. He denied the formal charges of assaulting police and disorderly conduct, in which he is accused of “abusive and calumnious language”.
The fact he has been charged with what amounts to pretty much verbal cursing at a police officer is strange considering the high profile cursing recently by a government minister at his female chief officer that has not brought any charges or suspension.
Kenyan lawmaker shot dead in Nairobi
Reuters From Yahoo News
NAIROBI (Reuters) – A Kenyan lawmaker was shot dead in the capital early on Saturday, in an incident likely to increase pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government over insecurity in the east African nation.
Frequent attacks blamed on militant Islamists hammered Kenya’s tourism industry last year as potential visitors cancelled bookings, leading to a shortage of hard currency inflows.
Nairobi, which serves as the regional headquarters for many international organisations such as the United Nations, is also dogged by violent crimes including robbery and murder.
Paul Wanjama, head of the central police station in Nairobi, told Reuters the parliamentarian for Kabete constituency, George Muchai, had been gunned down with his two bodyguards and a driver in the city shortly before 3 a.m. local time.
He said police were investigating the shooting of Muchai, who was also an official in Kenya’s central organisation of trade unions.
A police source said a masked gunman had shot Muchai when his car stopped on a main street for him to buy a newspaper.
Hailing Muchai as a “diligent gentleman” and a true servant of the people, President Kenyatta said in a statement: “I expect the police to mobilise all resources to ensure the criminals who murdered Honourable Muchai, his two bodyguards and driver are speedily apprehended and made to pay.”
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga said the death showed the government was failing to uphold the rule of law.
“Our country is bleeding and an atmosphere of fear and hopelessness is spreading from the unresolved murders and deaths,” he said in a statement.
For more: http://news.yahoo.com/kenyan-lawmaker-shot-dead-nairobi-110326340.html
Little Cayman marine institute to receive grant from Disney
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) in Little Cayman, Cayman Islands has been awarded a US$23,400 grant from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.
The grant is to help support CCMI’s efforts to enhance the recovery of threatened staghorn coral and its experimental coral nursery.
The nursery grows endangered corals before transplanting them back to the reefs.
DR drags along Cuba to semi-finals of Caribbean Series
From Cuban News Agency
DR Drags Along Cuba to Semi-finals of Caribbean SeriesHAVANA, Cuba, Feb 6 (acn) The Dominican Republic advanced to the semifinals of the San Juan-2015 Caribbean Baseball Series when beating Mexico 3-2 on Thursday to further seal the qualification of Cuba to that phase and the elimination of the host Puerto Rico.
The Dominican team Cibao Gigantes were losing by two but they managed to score one run in the bottom of the eighth inning and also scored twice in the ninth to walk off the Mexican side of the Culiacan Tomateros, previously unbeaten in the tournament.
The outfielders Leury Garcia and Elian Herrera drove in the decisive runs for the cause of the winners, who tied in second seat of the standings with Mexico, both with two wins and one defeat.
The Venezuelan team Anzoategui Caribes (3-0) now appears as leader and only undefeated squad in the Caribbean classic, after beating this Thursday 6-2 the Cuban side Pinar del Río Vegueros (1-3), who guaranteed the fourth and last ticket to the semifinals thanks to their win over Puerto Rico (0-3).
The hosts Santurce Cangrejeros will face today the Dominicans already with no options, because despite winning they would only match with Cuba in wins, and the tie favors the latter who won their particular match.
However , a victory by the Cibao Gigantes, combined with a defeat of Venezuela against Mexico in the other match of the final day of the qualifiers, could force a three-way tie at the top of the standings.
With the aspiration to improve in the next round the poor performance shown so far in the event, the Pinar del Río Vegueros will observe from the sidelines waiting for the definition today of its rival in the semifinals.
For more: http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/sports/2440-dr-drags-along-cuba-to-semi-finals-of-caribbean-series
Former president of Cayman Islands University pleads Not Guilty to charges
Pakistan national Hassan Syed, the former president of the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) has finally entered ‘Not Guilty’ pleas to all 13 charges that included three counts of theft and ten further counts of fraud and deception related offences.
In addition to a charge of deception for falsely claiming he had a doctorate degree Syed is accused of stealing almost US$350,000 and fraudulently obtaining another $250,000 via a number of methods.
The false doctorate enabled him to obtain the top UCCI job and the allegations all took place during his time there between 2006 and 2008.
Haiti demonstrators protest against gas prices in capital
From PowerSource
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Demonstrators in Haiti’s capital have burned a pickup truck and a car during a protest over gasoline prices and are threatening to disrupt Carnival celebrations if the costs don’t come down more.
Participants in Thursday’s demonstration also set fire to tires and threw rocks, while police responded with tear gas.
A larger protest is planned for Saturday, and organizers are urging businesses to close and calling for people from all sectors to participate.
Haiti’s Carnival will be held this year starting Feb. 15 in Port-au-Prince.
Students and other protesters warn that they will disrupt the celebrations if gasoline prices are not lowered more because of worldwide slump in oil prices. The government has recently made two reductions, decreasing the price from $4.75 a gallon to just over $4.
For more: http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/latest-oil-and-gas/2015/02/06/caribbean-briefs/stories/201502060196
Bitcoin Committee of 50 Gather in the Caribbean for ‘The Satoshi Roundtable’
satoshi-location
From Repeating Islands
This article focuses on the Bitcoin Committee’s ‘The Satoshi Roundtable’—“a private Bitcoin and crypto retreat”—that began, February 6, and will continue through February 8. Because no media is being allowed at the retreat, the location has only been identified as somewhere in the Caribbean; however, some have identified Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, as the probable location. Hal M. Bundrick writes:
Bitcoin was born with a Libertarian pulse. An autonomous, freedom from institutional control, decentralized digital currency that shuns authority. That’s why many so-called cryptoanarchists are cringing at the news of an [sic] private gathering on a remote tropical island of the bitcoin elite, heretically named The Satoshi Roundtable.
Others are shrugging their shoulders. The Caribbean in winter? We’d all go if we could.
“Satoshi Roundtable is a private Bitcoin and crypto retreat taking place Feb 6-8 at a private resort in the Caribbean,” bitcoin entrepreneur Bruce Fenton announced late last month on BitcoinTalk.org, a popular bitcoin forum.
“Invitation only and limited to 60 attendees. The event is basically full for this year but I thought Bitcoin Talk might still want to know about it in case anyone would like to request a wait list invite as well as to plan for next year,” he added.
The location of the event is promoted as being “in the Caribbean,” while Fenton’s GitHub entry for the event pinpoints Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. Fenton says the venue will not be revealed to non-attendees and one stipulation is firm: no media allowed. “We haven’t put the location mainly because we don’t want people to go to the trouble of flying there only to find that there are no on-site registrations,” he said. “It’s like a private dinner but we will make every effort to make it as transparent as possible. Some video and notes will be taken but it will be a private event not public, so the difference is that people will be encouraged to speak more freely.
See original article at http://insidebitcoins.com/news/bitcoin-committee-of-50-to-gather-at-caribbean-island-for-the-satoshi-roundtable/29488
CEI urges Caribbean leaders to support UN resolution on “Capacity building for Evaluation of Development Activities at the Country-level”
On Friday, December 12, 2014 the international community met for the signing of the UN Resolution on “Capacity building for Evaluation of Development Activities at the County-level”.
The Resolution reiterates the importance of evaluation as a tool for aiding the achievement of “internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals”.
It embraces the principle of “national ownership and with the national policies and priorities defined by Member States”. Countries may voluntarily draw upon entities within the United Nations Systems for assistance with strengthening their national capacity for the evaluation of development activities”. Each Nation must therefore, take the initiative for seeking the kind of assistance which it deems necessary for achieving its national priorities.
The International Year of Evaluation, 2015 is recognized by the Resolution as articulated below.
The “ United Nations Evaluation Group and the relevant actors have designated 2015 as the International Year of Evaluation and that they would potentially contribute to supporting Member States, upon their request, in building their capacity for the evaluation of development activities”.
Caribbean Evaluation International urges leaders of the Caribbean to sign the Resolution and take full advantage of the opportunities available.
