iNews Briefs
Premier’s HARDtalk airing changed
The Office of the Premier has been advised that the airing for the discussion between Cayman Islands Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin and BBC HARDtalk host Stephen Sackur has been changed to Wednesday, 12 February, 2014, on BBC World News at the following times: 4:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. GMT, which translates to Caymans Islands times of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, and Wednesday at 4:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The date could change again if there is breaking news.
Mr. McLaughlin met with Mr. Sackur on Tuesday, 4 February, 2014, when the show was recorded.
Teen admits taking part in supermarket robbery but denies being armed
A 16 year old boy has admitted he took part in the daylight robbery at Chisholm’s supermarket in North Side last year with three other men but denies being armed.
Cash, jewellery and cigarettes were taken in the robbery.
The teen and another man, Courtney Brian, entered the store and held up the 83 year old owner and her grand-daughter. Two other men had first gone into the store to check it out. Both were carrying what looked like guns.
The four men ran off before being apprehended by the police following a coordinated chase with a patrol car and the police helicopter.
The teenager will face trial later this year.
The two men, Odain Ebanks and Ian Ellington, who were alleged to have first gone into the store have pleaded not guilty. Bryan was recently jailed for four years for his part in the crime having admitted both the robbery and being armed with an imitation gun.
Elderly man placed on probation for assaulting friend with a rock
A 60 year old man, Hank Bodden, received a 12 month probation order for throwing a stone at his friend, Austin Scott, and cutting his head open that required five stitches.
The court heard that Bodden had received a degree of provocation after the two men who had been playing dominoes near The Lobster Pot restaurant got into an altercation over unpaid rent.
Bodden, who had no previous convictions was also ordered to attend an anger management course and alcohol counseling.
Guyana steps up airport security in wake of US embassy warning
From Caribbean360
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) said it had increased its security following a statement by the United States Embassy here of “unconfirmed threat information” relating to flights by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) destined for the United States.
In a statement, CJIA said that it has “since adopted the highest security posture to protect passengers, crew, aircraft and airport employees and to ensure the continued smooth and safe operations at the airport”
The CJIA said it was urging passengers and other airport users to be on the “lookout for any suspicious activities or occurrences and report same to an airport security official” adding that the heightened security posture would remain in place over a number of days until such time as the threat is no longer deemed valid.
See also iNews Cayman story: “US Embassy in Guyana advises US citizens against travel on Carib. Air” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/us-embassy-in-guyana-advises-us-citizens-against-travel-on-carib-air/
Taste of Cayman gets thousands
Although the numbers have not all been counted Jane van der Bol, executive director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, said this year’s “Taste of Cayman” is almost certain to have attracted record numbers of attendees.
“Based on pre-ticket sales, we are pretty sure we have one of the highest attendance records to date with close to 5,000 people,” she said.
Because of the two live bands, ABBA Mania and the Swanky Kitchen Band people stayed longer.
The event took place last Saturday (8) from 5pm at Camana Bay. It was the 26th year of the event and is the island’s largest culinary event.
January was very wet
The National Weather Service have reported that January 2014 was the third wettest January since record-keeping began.
A total of 5.28 inches of rain fell compared to an average of 2.04 inches for the month.
However, it was a long way from the record. 11.42 inches was measured in January 2003.
Play about female genital mutilation to show in London
From Voice online
Female genital mutilation is the difficult subject matter of a new play that is to be showcased along with live readings in London.
A sample performance of the play Face Up takes place tomorrow evening as notable guest speakers are scheduled to give readings at the event aiming to dispel the myths surrounding the practice that sees girls circumcised.
The play has already been put on at Channel 4’s studios in September, and following a national debate about female genital mutilation, key speakers at tomorrow’s event will speak on the subject.
Organisers said the evening “will include an introduction, performance of an excerpt of the play, and a question and answer session with the writer, director and speakers from female genital mutilation practicing communities.
In an appeal for public involvement, they added: “Together we will aim to illuminate some of the issues and we welcome your input.
“The collective observations and recommendations will be documented and sent to the office of the prime minister and related public bodies.”
About 24,000 girls in Britain are affected by genital mutilation, according to organisers, who claim no one in this country has yet been prosecuted for the act.
Face Up, directed and written by Yvonne Ossei, has received support from both the Metropolitan Police and NHS.
For more: http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/play-about-female-genital-mutilation-show-london
Mexico captures suspected drug lord linked to 76 tons of cocaine shipped into US
From Business Insider
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s federal police on Sunday said they arrested suspected drug boss Tirso Martinez Sanchez, who has been wanted in the United States and Mexico for allegedly running an operation that smuggled tons of cocaine across the border and into the United States and Europe.
The U.S. State Department has been offering a $5 million reward for information that could lead to the capture o fMartinez Sanchez, believed to be the leader of a group that brought 76 tons of cocaine into the United States between 2000 and 2003.
Mexico’s Interior Ministry said in a statement that the arrest was the result of intelligence work by the country’s federal police. It said that not one shot was fired during the operation.
Police believe Martinez Sanchez worked with other drug lords in Mexico as well as in Colombia, the statement said.
(Reporting by Elinor Comlay; Editing by Leslie Adler)
