iNews Briefs
Little Stacy is in need of a Cayman Islands home
From CARE – Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts
We are sending this appeal out on behalf of Feline Friends. They are desperately in need of finding a home for this little sweet girl.
This cute little black and white female is in need of a good home. She was trapped in a garden along with her sibling because the owner did not want them. They were taken to the humane society to be put up for adoption.
Star her brother, has socialized very well & although still looking for a home, he is coping with shelter life. Sadly Stacey has not adjusted well & sits huddled up in the back of her cage. Although not aggressive in any way, she stiffens & struggles if held. She does love to be petted – especially being scratched under her chin.
Unfortunately, the busy and noisy shelter life is making her more timid, so she needs to find a loving home as soon as possible. We are confident that if she is adopted by someone who has experience and patience with shy cats, she will soon blossom. She would do best in a quiet home with no children. She gets on well with other cats.
She is about four months old, has been spayed, dewormed, vaccinated and tested negative for feline viruses. Please consider giving this unfortunate young cat a chance in life by taking her into your heart & home!
If you would like to meet Stacy or have any questions about adopting her please contact Heather on 525-0566 or [email protected]
Please be a voice for those without by passing this e-mail on and help spread the word for this Sweet Little girl.
Thieves rob Trinidadian minister, while he slept
From Jamaica Gleaner
Police in Trinidad are searching for thieves who stole a quantity of cash and household appliances from the Gender, Youth and Child Development minister, Clifton De Coteau as he slept at his brother’s house over the weekend.
The Police say a television set, kitchen utensils and cash were stolen at the house in Prince Town on Saturday night.
De Coteau told police he had secured the house before going to sleep and when he awoke on Sunday morning he found the house ransacked.
He said he forgot the keys to the burglar-proofed door in the lock.
The minister says he will be installing alarms and surveillance cameras as precautionary measures.
Cayman Islands tourism and government labour office patch up differences
Cayman Islands Bodden Town MLA Alva Suckoo, government officials and representatives from the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) met last week to discuss concerns and disagreements that had arisen over a recent job drive and work permit issues.
Suckoo said the meeting had resulted in renewed effort to address the problems and barriers that have been preventing Caymanians for participating in tourism.
Government officials said the job drive will be redefined and will have an effective communication plan that will be agreed in advance. All National Workforce Development Agency clients will be able to have any training gaps identified and, wherever possible, the industry will provide the required training.
Actor Robert DeNiro involved in Caribbean Resort Controversy
From The Costa Rica Star
San Juan, Mar 9 (EFE).- A $250 million plan by actor Robert De Niro and investor James Packer to turn Barbud a’s K-Club hotel into a luxury resort has created controversy on the island.
De Niro and Packer want to renovate the K-Club, which was once visited by the late Princess Diana, Antigua and Barbuda’s consulate in New York said Monday on Twitter.
The proposal was approved last week in a referendum by a vote of 206-175.
But the fact that fewer than half of Barbuda’s roughly 1,400 residents cast ballots has caused controversy, The Daily Observer reports.
De Niro and Packer’s proposal was presented to the Antigua and Barbuda government last November.
At that time, Prime Minister Gaston Browne reminded the public of De Niro’s frequent visits to the islands and he designated the actor as Special Economic Envoy in the hopes of attracting major investment to the Caribbean country.
The opposition Barbuda People’s Movement asked residents to vote “no” to the proposal, claiming that if it was approved, 102 hectares (252 acres) of land would be conceded to the investors for a time frame of almost 200 years.
It also claimed that under the Barbuda Land Act, all land on the island belongs to the people, though the legislation does authorize cession of land for development with approval from the Cabinet, Council and people. EFE
For more: http://news.co.cr/actor-robert-deniro-involved-caribbean-resort-controversy/37480/
CIBC First Caribbean scores high on gender diversity
From Jamaica Gleaner
Some companies pay lip-service to gender diversity, but not CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.
The bank, which boasts a range of initiatives designed to empower female employees, has a female complement of 51 per cent across the 17 Caribbean territories in which the bank operates. In Jamaica, 70 per cent of the total staff complement is women. A number of them head key business units and six sit on the bank’s Women’s Network, which provides a forum for senior women in the organisation to share and leverage their experience and inspire each other.
Team Members
The six include Jennifer Brown, director, northern Caribbean operations; Lola Fong, director, talent management; Yashi Hall, director, Corporate Investment Banking; Anetta Francis, chief anti-money laundering officer; Jennifer Carty Peart, head of FirstCaribbean International Bank International Securities Ltd, and Paulette Jumpp-Barnaby, head of learning and development.
Among the other senior team members are Jerome Griffiths, head of human resources; Allison Rattray, legal counsel/corporate secretary, and Marvelette Gray, manager, account services, deposit clearing and transaction processing operations.
Prominent communications consultant Jean Lowrie-Chin is a member of the bank’s board of directors.
Services
CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Women’s Network provides mentoring and coaching and also facilitates conversations with female members of the board of directors of the bank and external speakers at its quarterly meetings. CIBC FirstCaribbean is also committed to women outside of the bank, investing millions annually in organisations that support women and girls.
To mark International Women’s Day 2015, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank made donations in all 17 Caribbean territories to organisations which provide assistance to women.
In Jamaica, the beneficiary is the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which conducts a series of workshops to educate caregivers in children’s homes, teachers and parents on detecting and preventing child sexual abuse.
For more: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/flair/20150309/cibc-first-caribbean-scores-high-gender-diversity
Cayman Islands Maritime head keeps job after facing assault charges
Joel Walton who is head of the Cayman Islands Maritime Authority is to keep his job even though he is facing alleged charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, insulting the modesty of a woman, and causing fear or provocation of violence.
Last Thursday (5) the board met and after taking legal advice they decided Walton could remain in his post at present.
Special issue of ArtsEtc honoring Kamau Brathwaite
From Caribbean Commons
Call for submissions (in various genres) deadline: 31 March 2015
IMAGE: Kamau Brathwaite
From the call for submissions:
The editors of ArtsEtc are presently inviting writers to submit work to appear online in ArtsEtc No. 31. This issue’s content will essentially be dedicated to Kamau Brathwaite’s work, life and legacy.
Submissions can be in any form (poetry, essay, book review, song, etc.), previously published (with full credit listed) or new. They can be excerpts or full pieces.
1) only one submission per contributor;
2) poetry/songs should be no longer than one (1) page;
3) prose should be no longer than five hundred (500) words.
The editors would also welcome significant photos with or of Kamau. Kindly include a caption, with the names of those in the photo, place taken, date taken, and by whom (if different from the contributor/copyright holder).
All contributors retain the copyright to their work. ArtsEtc is requesting only the non-exclusive right to publish the work on its website for this special issue and store it in the website’s online archives afterward.
Deadline: 31 March 2015.
All submissions may be sent to John Robert Lee at [email protected] and Jasmine Sealy at [email protected]
Above adapted from Repeating Islands announcement.
Posted in CFPs.
By Kelly Baker Josephs
For more: http://caribbean.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2015/03/09/special-issue-of-artsetc-honoring-kamau-brathwaite/
Cayman Football: Gonzalez takes positives from 4-0 loss to Jamaica
From Digicel Sportmax
Head coach of the Cayman Islands national team Alexander Gonzalez was happy with the team getting some playing time under its belt ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers, despite a loss to the Jamaica Under-23 team.
The Cayman Islands, who will play Belize at the end of the month, lost 4-0 to the Jamaicans in an encounter at Jarrett Park on Sunday. Gonzalez, however, says saw some areas he was impressed with.
“Yes we lost 4-0 but I must say I saw some sparks and we had areas of the game where we dominated. My players were tenacious and it was just lapses in concentration at the end that messed us up. However, I am happy we got a game to get us into a bit of rhythm ahead of home and away clashes with Belize,” Gonzalez said.
Coach Gonzalez also noted his ambitions in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.
“We are targeting the 3rd round of the qualifiers, if we can reach that far, I will be pleased. Cayman Football needs to step up and be more ambitious. Let us get past the Belize hurdle then move on from there.”
Major new Caribbean Mall
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon From Caribbean Journal
Caribbean shoppers rejoice! A new mall is about to open and make all your high-priced, designer-item dreams come true.
The Mall of San Juan throws open its doors in Puerto Rico on March 26 with a 138,000-square-foot Saks Fifth Avenue and a 100,000-square-foot Nordstrom as its anchor stores – the first stores in the Caribbean for both high-end brands.
Several other brands, including Gucci, Kate Spade, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and Versace, will join the roster of about 110 upscale retailers and restaurants at the two-story shopping shrine.
It’s conveniently located just five minutes from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, so shoppers can revel in retail within minutes of leaving Baggage Claim.
Taubman Centers, the developers behind Mall of San Juan as well as Miami’s Dolphin Mall and Mall at Millenia in Orlando (both popular with visiting Caribbean shoppers), are also planning to open a hotel and casino on the property.
The mall’s opening arguably makes San Juan – also home to the region’s largest shopping center, the 300-store Plaza Las Americas – the retail hub of the Caribbean, where buyers will be limited only by their budgets.
IMAGE: Rendering of mall
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2015/03/09/a-major-new-caribbean-mall/
Chikungunya cases continues to decline in St Vincent and the Grenadines
From Caribbean News Now
Chikungunya is a viral disease, carried mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent — Health officials in St Vincent and the Grenadines said the country is continuing to see a decrease in the number of reported cases of the mosquito-borne viral illness chikungunya.
Residents across St Vincent and the Grenadines were affected last year by the outbreak of the chikungunya virus, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Epidemiologist Dr Rosmond Adams said that there were approximately 1,245 suspected cases in 2014, with 173 confirmed. He further stated that there has been a steady decline in the cases locally and regionally.
Adams also said that the decrease in the number of reported cases of chikungunya is largely due to strategic fogging and other preventative measures that were implemented by the ministry of health and the environment.
Venezuela will keep strengthening ties with the Caribbean
Caracas, Mar 10 (Prensa Latina) Venezuelan foreign minister Delcy Rodríguez said today this country will keep strengthening its ties with the Caribbean based on complementary, respectful and peaceful relations as it was shown at the recent Petrocaribe summit.
The cooperation mechanism has had a very positive impact on Caribbean economies, allowing them to increase the 25 percent of the regional GDP, he said.
The cooperation mechanism goes beyond the oil business, since it is based on economic and commercial compensation and pillars of equality, which ratifies the nations commitment to a joint development, Rodríguez explained.
Meanwhile, Oil and Mines Minister Asdrúbal Chávez referred to the progress in the development of a special area for the Caribbean in the Hugo Chavez Orinoco Oil Belt.
Nowadays, joint ventures with Cuba and Nicaragua are already working in the strip and the idea is to extend the experience to other countries.
SOURCE: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3604421&Itemid=1
CaribbeanTales prepares for 10th anniversary
From Jamaica Gleaner
For its 10th anniversary celebrations, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) returns to downtown Toronto, Canada, on September 9, 2015, targeting film fans and aficionados as well as cultural connoisseurs.
The 2015 theme, Caribbean Spirit, explores the extraordinary dynamism and diversity of Caribbean heritages in their myriad forms. The programme will also include a retrospective of the best Caribbean-themed films of past years.
This year’s festival is headed by a steering group which includes Trinidad and Tobago film-maker Mandisa Pantin (programming coordinator) and Toronto-based digital storyteller Emmanuelle Pantin (community partnerships and screenings coordinator).
CaribbeanTales International Film Festival 2015 brings together noted arts and media practitioners. These include industry programmer Chloe Sosa Simms; producer Lea Marin; film-maker and writer Elizabeth Topp; fundraising and grants specialist Lauren Mohammed; cultural communicator Stephen Weir; marketer, Louise Noel Ambrose; gender-equality activist Stephanie Leitch; and cultural entrepreneur Frank Francis.
CaribbeanTales Incubator
The CaribbeanTales Incubator, which supports filmmakers in developing strong original indigenous content for the international market, now in its sixth year, will once again run concurrently with the festival. It will be led by manager Nicole Brooks and coordinated by Timmia Hearn Feldman.
This year, the festival is supported by CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution’s 3D Distribution Project. Financed by the ACP Cultures+ Programme of the European Union, 3D aims to strengthen and promote regional audiovisual content and build sustainable distribution networks for Caribbean film and television.
Running alongside the Toronto International Film Festival, CTFF focuses the strength of Caribbean film stories in the international marketplace.
For more: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20150310/caribbeantales-prepares-10th-anniversary
Afib Patients from the US, Canada, and the Caribbean will convene in Dallas for the Get in Rhythm, Stay in Rhythm Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference
Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference Will Help Afib Patients Get in Rhythm and Stay in Rhythm
Summary: Afib patients from the US, Canada, and the Caribbean will convene in Dallas for the Get in Rhythm, Stay in Rhythm Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference to learn from healthcare experts about this condition that causes an irregular heartbeat and increases the risk of stroke.
Reading time is approximately 3–5 minutes
Afib Patients from the US, Canada, and the Caribbean Will Convene in Dallas for the Get in Rhythm, Stay in Rhythm Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference
DALLAS, March 9, 2015 —The Get in Rhythm, Stay in Rhythm Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference will bring together electrophysiologists, surgeons, and other specialists to help patients, their families, and caregivers learn more about atrial fibrillation, a condition that currently affects more than 5 million Americans and will impact many more in the future. Patients and family members from throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean are already registered.
The information at the second Get in Rhythm, Stay in Rhythm conference can dramatically improve the lives of those living with the condition. StopAfib.org will host the event, which will be at the Hyatt Regency at DFW International Airport, March 28-29. The conference is made possible with support from industry sponsors including Bristol-Myers Squibb & Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, Janssen, Sanofi, AtriCure, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Topera Abbott, AliveCor, and AfibAlert. Co-sponsors include the Heart Rhythm Society and MyAFibExperience.org.
Here are a few of the comments from previous attendees:
“The speakers were excellent and dedicated to afib treatment and research. Best of all for me was meeting other afib patients.”
“It was the most informative program I’ve ever attended. Excellent presentations from the speakers.”
“Fantastic! So grateful for how StopAfib.org has changed our lives.”
Cayman Islands College chair has resigned
Sheree Ebank has announced she has resigned as chair of the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI). She cited her reasons as a conflict with her main job as the CEO of the local accountants association.
She said she had originally tendered her resignation back in December last year but agreed to stay on until March 5th this year to oversee phase 1 of the Viability Report that is now complete.
Canada, US navies seize 1,000 kg cocaine in Caribbean
FOCUS News Agency
Canada, US navies seize 1,000 kg cocaine in CaribbeanPicture: AFPOttawa. Canadian warships along with the US Navy and Coast Guard seized more than 1,017 kilograms of cocaine while on patrol in the Caribbean, the Canadian military said Monday, as cited by AFP.
The seizure occurred on March 1 as part of a multilateral operation against trafficking.
HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Goose Bay took part in the 36-hour operation.
The crew of the suspect vessel were also taken into custody aboard the USS Kauffman.
On February 2, a CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft also assisted the US Coast Guard in the seizure of 530 kilograms of cocaine off the west coast of Guatemala.
Jamaican teen wins Pan-Am Fencing Champs
By Vinette K. Pryce From Caribbean Life
Jamaicans can claim another victory.
Their 15-year-old, Tia Simms-Lymn snatched the gold at the Cadet Junior Pan-American Fencing Championships in Toronto, Canada and is now the first of her gender from the island to be crowned a Pan-American champion.
Prior to the 20-nation contest, the teenager was ranked number seven in the women’s duel which requires command of a specific sword technique in fencing known as epee.
Competing against the best fencers from 20 countries from the region,Simms-Lymn beat Canada’s best – Alexanne Verret to claim the title.
A release from the Jamaican Fencing Federation said Tia first faced the 10th ranked fencer, Catalina Leiva of Chile.
She beat her 15-6 to advance to the next round.
Next she defeated Monica Lubczynski of Puerto Rico 15-13.
It was that win at a close margin that secured her a place in the final.
From there, she dashed all hopes for Canada retaining the coveted top position by beating the number one seed by an impressive 11-9.
Executing “a mature display of craftsm
For more: http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2015/3/2015-02-06-vkp-fencing-cl_2015_3.html
Curacao to host 2015 Caribbean International Tourism Safety and Security Conference
The Curacao Tourist Board, in cooperation with Tourism and More Inc., will host the Caribbean International Tourism Safety & Security Conference 2015 from June 24-26 at the Curacao World Trade Center.
The main goal of the Caribbean International Tourism Safety & Security Conference is for every delegate to gain knowledge through the sharing of experiences and to enhance the awareness about tourism safety and security in the Caribbean.
It also provides an opportunity to meet with hundreds of safety and security professionals from all around the world. On June 24, the Caribbean International Tourism Safety & Security Conference will start with a seminar for local stakeholders.
The seminar will be conducted as an interactive discussion on Tourism Oriented Policing and Protection Services. On June 25 and 26 both the public and private sector will come together for insightful information sessions related to safety and security in the Caribbean region.
Topics that will be addressed during the conference include the state of tourism in the Caribbean region, passenger experience, festival security, tourism police, cruise security, food and safety security, media crises, issues of law and tourism and human trafficking.
Visit www.curacao.com
