iNews Briefs
Brain Tumor Foundation launched in Cayman Islands
The Cayman islands Brain Tumor Foundation (CIBTF) is a newly formed organisation that aims to give brain tumor survivors and patients support. The foundation has been working to create a database that will note current patients, survivors and those who have passed as a result of their brain tumor.
The founding member and president of CIBTF is Brenda Archer who herself is a survivor of a brain tumor.
The launch of the Foundation took place at the Westin recently with keynote speaker, Professor Ivor Cradon. He said there is a large gap between treatment and the recovery period.
“Patients need emotional and psychological support,” he added.
Cayman’s Auditors Oversight Authority joins International Forum
Mr Michael Austin, Chairman of the Board of the Auditors Oversight Authority (AOA), is pleased to report AOA’s application for membership in the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) has been approved and AOA is now a member of IFIAR.
AOA was established in 2011 to regulate and supervise auditors in the Cayman Islands who audit the accounts of market-traded companies. IFIAR was established in 2006 to share knowledge and practical experience of independent audit regulatory activity, promote collaboration in regulatory activity, and provide a focus for contact with other international audit regulators around the world.
There are now more than 46 independent audit regulators who are members of IFIAR. Mr Austin notes this is an important step for AOA, as it allows AOA to gain access to the knowledge and experience of other audit regulators around the world and is further indication of the growing maturity of the Cayman Islands financial regulatory environment.
CARE raises $3,000 to help spay and neuter programme
Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiast (CARE) held their 5th Annual CARE/BRITCAY K9/5K dog jog on Sunday Feb 16th at Camana Bay that raised $3,000.
The money goes towards educating the community of spay and neuter programmes as a humane solution to end the over population problem of animals – cats and dogs – that sadly exists in the Cayman Islands today.
CARE Mission
To prevent ill-treatment, cruelty and suffering to all domestic animals and to eliminate over-population and its accompanying pain and suffering by actively promoting spaying and neutering and to make funds available, where there is a need, to the public for this purpose and to endeavor to educate on responsible pet ownership, animal welfare and animal behavior by engaging the hearts, hands and minds of the community to help the animals.
Probation Officer receives Employee of the Month Award
Probation Officer Herbert Tomlinson was the December winner of the Civil Service Employee of the Month Award.
Tomlinson is viewed as a positive role model by colleagues and clients and the go-to officer in his department for high-risk clients. He joined the department of community relations in 2008 with experience from the Jamaican probation and parole services where he worked for more than 15 years.
Officials said Tomlinson possesses an unstinting work ethic and deep commitment to the department’s goals of intervention and rehabilitation.
In his work facilitating the Department’s Men’s Non-Violence Programme, Tomlinson has also shown a remarkable ability to engage participants by posing questions that cause them to truly self-reflect.
Tomlinson said he was truly humbled and motivated by the award and would not have achieved it without the help of his colleagues, senior staff and superiors.
Handing over the award to Tomlinson, Deputy Governor, Franz Manderson, said, “Whether you are interviewing clients, preparing a pre-sentencing report, supervising a court order or facilitating a psycho-educational group, I am assured that you ensure that clients are treated fairly.”
Bill Clinton in Haiti to visit projects
By Trenton Daniel / Associated Press From Boston.com
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Bill Clinton arrived in Haiti Monday to shine a spotlight on some of the projects that his private foundation has supported to help the country recover from a devastating earthquake in 2010.
The former U.S. president began the visit with a tour at a solar-powered primary school in Cite Soleil, a forsaken seaside slum that is one of the Caribbean nation’s poorest neighborhoods.
The Clinton Foundation helped the Institution Mixte Union des Apotres-Prodev plant trees and a garden, meant to help feed the school’s 200 students. And it helped organize a donation of 64 solar panels by NRG Energy Inc. valued at $100,000.
‘‘This is going to be a complete — not only educational but neighborhood experience,’’ Clinton told reporters. ‘‘It’s a good model.’’
During his visit, Clinton will also tour a training school for Haitian coffee farmers in a remote village as well as a recycling center and a new apparel manufacturer that invests part of its profits in its employees and their families.
St Lucians to pay less for electricity
From Caribbean360
The basic tariff for electricity has been reduced, starting with bills for February and continuing throughout 2014.
CASTRIES, St Lucia, Tuesday February 18, 2014, CMC – St Lucians will be paying less for electricity as a result of a 2.6 cent reduction in the tariff for 2013.
The country’s sole provider, the St Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) announced that the basic tariff for electricity has been reduced, starting with bills for February and continuing the remainder of the year.
LUCELEC Manager Trevor Louisy explained that the basic tariff is what LUCELEC customers pay per unit of electricity without the fuel surcharge.
It is reviewed in January of every year in accordance with the Electricity Supply Act and reflects the average price of fuel for the preceding 12 months.
Louisy said the reduction in the basic tariff is a result of the average price of fuel for 2013 being lower than the previous average price LUCELEC paid in 2012.
“These reductions are largely due to a fuel price hedging programme which LUCELEC has had in place for the past five years.
“It is designed to reduce large fluctuations in the fuel surcharge,” he said.
LUCELEC’s Corporate Communications Manager Roger Joseph says what the customer pays from month to month is the total of the basic tariff plus the fuel surcharge (which is calculated each month).
LUCELEC customers will see details of the basic tariff and fuel surcharge on their monthly electricity bills.
