iNews Briefs
Cayman Government’s “Affordable” health insurance becomes MUCH less affordable
CINICO – Cayman Islands National Insurance Company – that provides health insurance coverage to Cayman Island residents who are unable to get insurance from the private companies, gave their members a shock this month.
Those members covered in their self termed ‘Affordable’ Plan were the hardest hit with a whopping increase of over 120%!!!!
Even in the other CINICO ‘Silver’ Plan the increase is nearly 40%.
The CINICO notice was sent out by mail informing members of the increases well after the date the increase took affect. Under their own rules this increase is illegal as 30 days notice of any increase has to be given before it can come into affect. Even with the one-month grace period contained in the letter where actually their members have to pay the new increased fees the government’s own date stamp on the envelope is 4 days past the 30 days requirement.
Civil servants under CINICO are not affected. Their coverage is FREE!
See today’s iNews Cayman Editorial “Sickening increases to CINICO’s members who actually pay for health insurance”
4.5M Earthquake off coast of Haiti
From Caribbean Journal
A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck northeast of the coast of Les Cayes, Haiti on Friday evening, according to data from the United States Geological Survey.
The epicentre of the quake, which occurred at around 9:11 PM local time in Haiti, was around 16 kilometres northwest of Petit Trou de Nippes and 51 kilometres north-northeast of Les Cayes and around 134 kilometres west of the capital of Port-au-Prince.
There were not yet reports of damage or injuries, although there were reports of slight shaking in downtown Les Cayes and other areas.
It struck at a depth of 6 kilometres.
As a point of comparison, Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake was a 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale.
Friday’s was the latest in a string of recent earthquakes of similar magnitude in the wider Caribbean region, from Cuba to the north to Trinidad to the south.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/03/21/4-5m-earthquake-off-coast-of-haiti/
Cayman MD arrested for money laundering was manager of Trinidad company
Eric St-Cyr a Canadian national and Managing Director of Cayman company, Clover Asset Management, was general manager of Guardian Asset Management in Trinidad before coming to the Cayman Islands.
Whilst there he was employed to train money managers!!
St-Cyr was one of three men arrested by US agents for allegedly being involved in the illegal transfer of $200,000 from the United States to the Cayman Islands via the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Oil spill in Galveston delays Navigator of the Seas
A 160,000 gallon oil spill near Galveston, Texas is delaying cruise ships coming and going to the cruise port, including Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.
The collision between a barge and another vessel Saturday near the Texas City Dike spilled 160,000 gallons of heavy oil into Galveston Bay and has forced the U.S. Coast Guard to close the Houston Ship Channel.
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas was scheduled to arrive early this morning and let off its passengers while allowing new ones to board but it remains stuck outside the harbor.
Passenger Jonathan Spoon is aboard the ship and told the Galveston Daily News, “We are being told they are conducting a flyover to see if the ship can make its way into the port (of Galveston) without going through the oil. There are lots of ships parked all around us. So far no problems on the boat.”
He said Royal Caribbean reopened many of the ships restaurants and onboard activities to keep the passengers comfortable.
Royal Caribbean has not commented on the situation yet, but is monitoring it.
40 kilos of cocaine seized at Pearson, Canada
By Louie Rosella Mississauga News From thestar
Border services agents at Pearson airport have seized 40 kilos of cocaine hidden in false-bottomed suitcases.
There was a total of 40 kilograms of cocaine hidden in these suitcases seized at Pearson earlier this month.
A woman carrying eight suitcases off a flight that landed at Pearson International Airport earlier this month was arrested after a drug-sniffing dog found more than 40 kilograms of cocaine inside.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says on March 6, officers selected a suitcase off a flight from the Caribbean for further examination.
As part of the exam, a sniffer dog indicated that there might be narcotics in the suitcase.
When it was opened, officers discovered a false bottom, filled with what was subsequently found to be cocaine.
The CBSA said seven more suitcases belonging to the same female traveller were examined and found to be similarly compromised with suspected narcotics concealed.
The CBSA announced the seizure Friday.
For more: http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2014/03/21/40_kilos_of_cocaine_seized_at_pearson.html
Biopama asserts vision for Caribbean protected areas at Mesoamerican Parks Congress
From Biopama
In an event that brought together a diverse set of conservation agencies from throughout the Mesoamerican and Caribbean regions, BIOPAMA presented its vision for the Caribbean at the Fourth Mesoamerican Congress on Protected Areas, held in San José, Costa Rica from 18 – 21 March.
The event included an opening speech by Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Regional Director of IUCN’s ORMA (Mesoamerican) office, a presentation on the BIOPAMA program by BIOPAMA Protected Areas Officer for the Caribbean region, Hyacinth Armstrong-Vaughn, and a lively discussion facilitated by Dr. Téa García-Huidobro, Regional Programme Coordinator for IUCN’s ORMA office.
A number of VIPs and principals from the Caribbean region attended, including representatives from BIOPAMA member countries Belize and the Dominican Republic, Mexican conservationist Dr. Ernesto Enkerlin, Head of IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas, BIOPAMA Global Programme Manager Nick Cox, and José Courrau, Senior Advisor on Protected Areas at the IUCN-ORMA office.
The discussion focused on gathering the participating countries’ responses to four key questions: which technical capacities are lacking for optimal protected area management; did participants wish they had more information for decision-making on protected areas and what kind of information would be most useful; what can be done to improve access to data and information; and are there tools that managers can use to influence decision-makers in support of PA management?
Executive Director of Grupo Jaragua in the Dominican Republic, Yvonne Arias said, “In the Caribbean, we have to be fighting all the time to save a site. The places that are saved, are saved thanks to the people’s struggle. We have the necessary information about PAs, but there is no follow-up.”
One of the discussion’s key conclusions was that through the creation of the BIOPAMA regional observatories, scientific and technical information and knowledge exchanges within regions would be strengthened. BIOPAMA is currently searching for a host institution and technical officer to open a Caribbean observatory.
The BIOPAMA event at this regionally important forum comes less than eight months from the IUCN World Parks Congress, the once a decade event to be held in Sydney, Australia this November that sets the agenda for the world’s protected areas. BIOPAMA will contribute to the World Parks Congress through its initiatives in the Caribbean and the three other BIOPAMA regions, and by disseminating its knowledge gathered at pre-WPC events such as the Mesoamerican Parks Congress.
More Caribbean tourism chiefs hail APD decision
By Phil Davies From Travel Weekly
Tourism chiefs of Barbados and Antigua have joined the Caribbean Tourism Organisation in welcoming reform of long-haul Air Passenger Duty.
Richard Sealy, tourism and international transport minister of Barbados, predicted the change in the air tax bands from next year would trigger more arrivals from the UK.
The simplification of APD follows years of industry lobbying from both sides of the Atlantic.
Sealy said: “When I attended meetings with the British government together with Caribbean colleagues and the travel sector to present our case against this tax, I was impressed with how forcefully our industry came together on this issue.
“Our key travel industry partners were incredibly supportive in arguing with Barbados against the APD whilst still continuing to advocate travel to our country.”
He added: Now that the distorting impact of the tax has been removed I am confident we will be working with our same loyal and dedicated travel partners to welcome more British visitors back to Barbados in the coming years.”
Antigua and Barbuda tourism minister John Maginley said: “I am delighted that the British government has decided to remove the discrimination created by the banding in the application of the APD.
“I had the privilege of leading a delegation of Caribbean ministers of tourism as chairman of the CTO to the UK to meet and discuss the effect of the APD as far back as September 2009 where this proposal was first made.
“It has taken some time for this to happen but in the end it will be beneficial to Antigua and Barbuda in terms of lowering the cost of travel to the destination and increasing arrivals out of the UK.”
See also iNews Cayman story “Cayman Islands welcomes long lobbied reduction in APD for UK travellers” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/cayman-islands-welcomes-long-lobbied-reduction-in-apd-for-uk-travellers/
Cayman Brac Ag Show March 29
The Cayman Brac Agricultural Show will take place at the Agriculture Grounds, off Songbird Road on the Bluff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday March 29th.
To accommodate Grand Cayman residents, Cayman Airways Limited has added an extra jet flight from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac on the day of the show.
The schedule for the extra jet flight is convenient for a day trip to the Brac, with flight KX 2401 departing Grand Cayman at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, and arriving on the Brac at 7:35 a.m. On the return to Grand Cayman, flight KX 2406 departs Cayman Brac at 7 p.m., and arrives on Grand Cayman at 7:35 p.m. The day trip airfare is US$99 plus taxes and fees.
The AG show will feature local produce and dishes, animal displays, exhibits, sales booths, competitions and demonstrations by customs, police, health and fire services, as well as entertainment by J. R. Douglas, Localz, and Koalition.
Experts analyse welfare of future Caribbean generations
Port of Spain, Mar 20 (Prensa Latina) Experts from several Caribbean countries are analysing today in this capital strategies to guarantee welfare and health of future generations in the area.
In debates held here, which are part of the Second International Conference on Non-Communicable Diseases of Childhood and Adolescence, the experts expressed their concern about the tragic consequences to society of many diseases.
During the opening ceremony of the two/day meeting, Health Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Fuad Khan told the audience that the issue of non/communicable diseases had become an issue of great importance.
Rector of the University of the West Indies George Alleyne considered that the most important pending task was to continue submitting such concern to the top political levels and put pressure to use the technical tools that can solve the situation.
He said that nature and the magnitude of the problem in terms of morbidity and mortality in children and adolescents should be dealt with, because it is not seriously debated nowadays.
He mentioned, among the non-communicable diseases to monitor in a great extent, diabetes and child obesity, which many times affects or brings negative consequences in social and human aspects in that sector of the population.
Asthma was another of the clear examples presented by the experts as a disease that brings about limitations within educational environments.
Bo Miller says local investment fund may solve Cayman’s dump problem
Cayman businessman Bo Miller’s idea of a local investment fund (see iNews Cayman story published March 19 2014 “Bo Miller says his infrastructure fund to be registered” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/bo-miller-says-his-infrastructure-fund-to-be-registered/) said it could be the solution to Cayman’s George Town dump problem together with the country’s sewage, the port and airport issues.
Miller urges the business community to get behind his proposal that he partners with Samit Ghosh and Andre Wright.
Speaking at last week’s Chamber of Commerce ‘Be Informed’ presentation, Miller said, local and international firm Walkers had already agreed to create the fund to raise local capital to pay for local projects while giving investors a long term return on their cash.
All they need now, Miller said, is the help of the community to persuade government that this is the way forward for local infrastructure. He pointed out for years Cayman, via its offshore sector, has been facilitating this type of structure for overseas investors and developers but had never once looked at how it could be used to fund its own desperately needed projects.
The creation of the Cayman Islands Infrastructure Fund could provide the means by which Cayman could modernise its infrastructure without straining government coffers, return the gains to the islands instead of overseas, create local jobs, give a better return for pension investments and savings compared to the banks, and give Caymanians a real stake in their own economy, he said.
Miller will be registering the fund as a company,
Cuba hikes salaries for doctors, nurses
By Anne-Marie Garcia From Boston.com
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba is giving hundreds of thousands of medical workers raises that in some cases exceed 100 percent, official media on the island announced Friday, though pay remains much lower than what medical professionals earn elsewhere.
The Communist Party daily newspaper Granma also reported that Cuba expects to take in $8.2 billion this year for the tens of thousands of medical worker it sends to care for the poor in countries such as Venezuela and Brazil.
Granma published a sample of what the pay hikes, which take effect June 1, will look like. At the high end, doctors with two specialties will see their salary go from the equivalent of $26 a month to $67, while an entry-level nurse will make $25, up from $13.
Salaries at government jobs in Cuba average about $20 a month, augmented by a range of free services and subsidies.
The raise will affect more than 440,000 medical sector employees, Granma said, and was made possible by the elimination of 109,000 redundant jobs in the last four years.
‘‘This is very good news that makes me tremendously happy. … With my first paycheck I’m going to buy a toy for my youngest grandson, who’s 3,’’ said Soraida Pina, a 62-year-old nurse. ‘‘This will open new doors for me.’’
Others were less wowed.
‘‘They had talked to us about this, and it’s very important for the family economy, but it continues to be a salary that means very little because everything is very expensive,’’ said Laura Vazquez, a 38-year-old pathologist.
Cuba also is raising the salaries of medical workers on international missions, which already pay higher salaries and in hard currency.
Doctors and nurses working in Cuban ally Venezuela, for example, will see their salaries double.
The changes ‘‘will contribute to the stability and quality of the medical services for the people, as well as fulfill international commitments,’’ Granma said.
Cayman Governor optimistic FCO will approve Ironwood road financing structure
Cayman Islands Governor HE Helen Kilpatrick has said she is optimistic the restructuring of the road funding agreement with the Ironwood developer in paying for the 10-mile extension of the highway from Newlands to Frank Sound can be put in place.
In a statement issued from the governor’s office last week it said, “[Governor Helen Kilpatrick] is optimistic that a financing structure can be put in place that the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office] recognises as meeting the requirements of the [Framework for Fiscal Responsibility]. The FCO is supportive, in principle, of the Ironwood project and road extension.”
In the non-binding terms of agreement (see iNews Cayman story published March 19 2004 “MOU between CIG and Ironwood released” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/mou-between-cig-and-ironwood-released/) the Ironwood project backers propose to fund the initial construction of the 10-mile stretch of road and government will refund the developer through concessions based on import duty fees.
Healthy Caribbean Coalition – Civil Society Regional Status Report
From NCD Alliance
This March, the HCC releases its Civil Society Regional Status Report – “Responses to NCDs in the Caribbean Community”. The report details what has been achieved and what is yet to be achieved in the response against Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean, and advocates from a civil society perspective for means to slow the NCD epidemic. The Executive Summary is available now, and the full report will be released on 28 March.
For more information go to: http://www.healthycaribbean.org/newsletters/march-2014/HCC-NCDA-RSR-EXEC-SUMMARY-FINAL-MARCH-2014.pdf
15 selected from 500 to be constables with the RCIPS
According to a statement from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) 15 persons have been selected from 500 applicants to become police constables.
Last year’s recruitment exercise used a “vigorous testing regime” to select the group of 10 men and five women who will begin a 16-week training program after being sworn in on March 31, the statement said.
Applicants were judged on their age, nationality, physical and background checks, tests, multiple choice exam, essay and presentation, and finally an interview.
By the end of the process, 21 individuals had exceeded the minimum overall score and from these the top 15 were chosen.
The candidates range in age from 18 to 30 years. Two are residents of Cayman Brac and the other live in Grand Cayman.
Russian airline Transaero suspends service to Jamaica
From Caribbean360
This development has been attributed to “dramatic currency fluctuations in Russia, their impact on airline operations and recent political developments.”
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The recent political developments between Russia and Ukraine, has led to the suspension of service provided by Transaero Airlines.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Tourism here announced that Transaero will be suspending service between Moscow and Montego Bay, effective March 28, with a resumption of service set for November.
This development has been attributed to “dramatic currency fluctuations in Russia, their impact on airline operations and recent political developments.”
As a direct result of this development, the tourism ministry says the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) Regional Director in Europe, has been dispatched to Moscow “to keep in touch with the market and to protect the gains we have made there.”
The airline began its Jamaica service in the winter of 2012/13. At the time it was welcomed as a major boost to the tourist trade from that part of the world. It was so successful that the airline opted to maintain the service through the entire year.
However, in light of these recent political developments, Transaero has revealed it is not confident in its ability to maintain the same level of service this year.
Cayman power outages in WB and GT
Cayman Utilities Company (CUC) Grand Cayman’s power company suffered a generator failure at its power plant in the industrial area of George Town on Wednesday (19) leaving parts of the island without power.
All of West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, Camana Bay down town George Town as well as most of the capital and out towards Crewe Road and beyond were without power. The power outage began before 4pm and lasted for just under an hour, according to CUC officials who said crews worked hard to get the supply back and succeeded in doing so before 5pm.
Dutch Caribbean prosecutors say man arrested in St. Maarten to be sent to US in drug case
From The Province
(AP) Officials in the Dutch Caribbean say a judge has approved the extradition of a man arrested in St. Maarten who faces a drug charge in the United States.
Rogelio Koieman was indicted in October 2013 in New York in an alleged conspiracy to smuggle cocaine from the Caribbean island of Curacao to the United States.
He was arrested March 17 in St. Maarten.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office for the region announced Friday that a judge has approved the extradition of the 46-year-old former police officer. The U.S. government must submit a formal extradition request to Dutch authorities within 60 days of his arrest. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York declined comment.
Man arrested in Cayman court for filming
A visitor to Cayman was arrested in Grand Court for filming the trial of Raziel Jeffers with his camera phone.
After the Royal Cayman Islands Police Services investigated the incident it was revealed the tourist didn’t know it was illegal in Cayman to film as in the case in the USA and other jurisdictions it is allowed.
Jeffers is accused of killing alleged gang rival Damion Ming four years ago in West Bay.
Cubana Airlines begins direct flights to Martinique
From Caribbean360
HAVANA, Cuba, Friday March 21, 2014, ACN – With the inauguration of a weekly direct flight from Havana to Martinique, Cubana Airlines strengthens connections between the two Caribbean islands.
According to the Cuban Tourism Ministry, the new connection is part of actions to reinforce the influence of Cuba as a holiday destination in the Caribbean area by encouraging more visits by vacationers.
Along with the traditional sun-and-beach modality, visitors from Martinique will also enjoy the local culture and history in a safe ambiance.
The new flights between Havana and Fort de France are scheduled to take place every Thursday and will be carried out by AN-158 planes with capacity for 85 passengers.
For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/travel/1107331.html#ixzz2whyGYIhn
Wisconsin strip club owner gets probation in federal tax scam case [involving Cayman]
By John Diedrich of the Journal Sentinel
The owner of strip clubs in Milwaukee and Manitowoc tried to hide $240,000 from the IRS so he could buy a condo in the Cayman Islands, court records show.
Dale Trostorff, 60, of Milwaukee pleaded guilty to “structuring” — breaking up bank deposits in an effort to avoid transaction reports to the Internal Revenue Service, and in the process, the taxes.
Trostorff was sentenced Friday to two years of probation, with six months on home confinement. He also was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman went above the sentence recommended by the prosecutor and the defense — probation with no home confinement and no fine.
“Cheating on taxes is extremely serious. It’s stealing from the public,” Adelman said.
The judge said this easily could have been a prison case but added he wouldn’t put Trostorff away because of his “extraordinary” effort to pay the government.
Trostorff earlier paid the IRS the $240,000 to avoid having the government seize the condo in Grand Cayman. He will get to keep the condo.
He also agreed to re-file taxes for three years after the IRS discovered he had $750,000 in unreported income. He failed to pay $250,000 in taxes on that income, according to his plea agreement.
Over two months in 2009, Trostorff made 30 deposits into a half-dozen accounts. All the deposits were below the $10,000 threshold that triggers a currency transaction report.
The money came from his strip clubs — Hillside Gentlemen’s Club on S. 13th St. in Milwaukee and Goldiggers in Manitowoc.
In July 2009, Trostorff opened an account at a bank in Grand Cayman and later that month bought a condominium for $243,000.
In 2010, IRS agents raided Trostorff’s house and seized $46,000. That money also went back to the government.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Campbell said his office recommended probation because of Trostorff’s willingness to pay.
“He has taken extraordinary steps to make things right with the federal government,” he said.
Down Syndrome Day in Cayman
The Cayman Islands observed World Down Syndrome Day last Friday (21) that was aimed at fostering acceptance and awareness in the community.
Events included the premier of the locally-produced short film “Changing Perspectives” that focuses on three people living with the genetic disorder. It was shown at Camana Bay Regal Cinema.
Another event was a buddy walk, to replicate similar walks done around the world.
National Meteorological Institute forecasts another rainy season with less precipitation in most of Costa Rica
From Tico Times
Costa Rica’s transition to the rainy season is likely to begin in late April, but a decrease in rainfall is expected starting in July. Lindy Drew/The Tico Times
Costa Rica will experience the effects of an El Niño weather phenomenon beginning in July, which means less rainfall for most of the country, the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) reported Wednesday.
IMN Director Juan Carlos Fallas said the transition to rainy season is expected begin in late April or early May. Rainy season lasts from May to November.
Fallas said the Northern Zone and the Caribbean region are two areas most likely to be affected by less rainfall, for a fourth consecutive year.
Along the Caribbean coast, rainy season starts between May 16 and 20, and the IMN is expecting up to 50 percent less precipitation than the area’s average.
The lack of rainfall in the Caribbean since 2010 has worried IMN experts, particularly because 2013 was the driest year in that part of the country since 1995.
In 2013, Caribbean precipitation decreased by 45 percent compared to 2009, the last year that registered a “normal” rainy season, IMN meteorologists said.
“People seem to be unaware of the seriousness of this issue, perhaps because it’s in the [Caribbean],” Flores said. “If a lack of precipitation like this occurred in Guanacaste, it would have had serious consequences.”
On the Pacific side of Costa Rica, the northwestern province of Guanacaste actually registered more rainfall last year than in 2012.
Last year, Guanacaste registered 2 percent more rainfall than the normal average, and this year the trend is expected to continue up to 5 percent, the IMN said.
Forecasts show El Niño could continue affecting the country through the end of the year. The IMN has begun alerting agencies to begin preparing preventive measures.
CPL team Tallawahs appoints Arthur as coach
From IBN
Kingston: Former Australia cricket coach Mickey Arthur will take charge of defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The organisers confirmed that the South African, who also coached the Proteas for several years, will replace Englishman Paul Nixon. The Tallawahs beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final of the inaugural event last August with Nixon at the helm of the management team.
Arthur will be one of several new faces in the coaching staff of the six franchises as another former Australia coach Tim Nielsen will take up the position at the Antigua Hawksbills.
Simon Helmot, who coaches Melbourne Renegades in the Australian Big Bash League (BBL), will lead Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, India’s Robin Singh will coach Barbados Tridents while Matthew Maynard will take up duties with St. Lucia. Former West Indies head coach Roger Harper will continue his role with Amazon Warriors.
“We’re extremely pleased to have secured such a strong line up of talented and respected coaches for this year’s tournament. With their technical expertise along with guidance from our legendary mentors, the standard of cricket this year is set to be higher than ever,” CPL director of cricket Tom Moody said.
The new appointments represent a number of changes to last year’s management staff. West Indies legends, who filled most of the head coach positions, have now been installed as mentors.
Sir Viv Richards will take charge at the Hawksbills, Courtney Walsh at the Tallawahs, Desmond Haynes with the Tridents, Gordon Greenidge with the Red Steel, Sir Curtly Ambrose at the Amazon Warriors and Sir Andy Roberts at the Zouks.
Last year, only Ambrose did not serve as head coach of a franchise, acting as Harper’s assistant with the Amazon Warriors.
The CPL will be played in July and August.
For more: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/cpl-team-tallawahs-appoints-arthur-as-coach/459293-78.html
Barbados airport to benefit from CDB facilities study loan
From Caribbean360
The loan of US$357,200, was approved by the Board of Directors of the CDB to the Government of Barbados for the study which will be undertaken by Grantley Adams International Airport.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – With the approval of a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB),the Government of Barbados will be exploring ways to improve cargo facilites at the Grantley Adams International Airport.
The loan of US$357,200, was approved by the Board of Directors of the CDB to the Government of Barbados for the study which will be undertaken by Grantley Adams International Airport Incorporated (GAIA Inc.), operators of GAIA.
The study will be conducted to access the current and future needs and the type of infrastructure that will create a world class facility.
The study will also focus on several areas including security considerations to applicable international standard for both operation and physical infrastructure, developing and presenting physical development options and a gap analysis of existing operations and physical infrastructure.
“Investments in improved logistics and supply chain management can help maximize opportunities that exist for improvement in the productivity of the transportation system. Trade logistics in Barbados require institutional reform and investment in infrastructure in order to improve efficiency in the processing goods and services in trade. The development of modern air cargo facilitation will be critical in achieving this goal,” said CDB’s Vice-President, Operations, Dr. Carla Barnett, following the meeting on Thursday.
The GAIA is Barbados’ only international airport.
Opposition leaders in Cayman and Jamaica call for removal of travel visas
Opposition leaders in Cayman and Jamaica have called for the removal of the visa requirement for nationals travelling between the countries.
Andrew Holness, the Jamaica Opposition Leader said Jamaica and Cayman are “umbilically” and “historically linked. We are very close to each other. I think it will be stronger if the visa requirements are dropped, but they are still strong.”
Bermuda did away with the same system it had in place for Jamaica on Wednesday (19)
Cayman Islands Opposition leader, McKeeva Bush agreed. “I see no reason why Cayman shouldn’t be doing the same thing. Our familial relationship is just too strong,” he said.
HSI, Caribbean Border Interagency Group seize 469 pounds of cocaine, arrest 2
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), working jointly with the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG), seized 469 pounds of cocaine and arrested two individuals for drug trafficking Sunday. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $5.7 million.
While on a routine patrol in the Caribbean Sea March 16, the crew of a Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft detected a 25-foot go-fast vessel with two outboard engines and two subjects onboard traveling northwest without navigation lights approximately 115 nautical miles southeast of Vieques.
Coast Guard Sector San Juan was notified of the developing situation and diverted a cutter to interdict the suspect vessel. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) marine unit with an HSI special agent onboard also responded while the Puerto Rico Police Department’s Joint Force for Rapid Actions, along the east coast of Puerto Rico, remained ready to respond in case the go-fast vessel entered Puerto Rico jurisdictional waters.
The Coast Guard maintained constant surveillance as the CBP cutter Reef Shark arrived on scene and intercepted the go-fast vessel approximately 22 nautical miles southeast of Vieques. The crew of the Reef Shark located the suspected illegal drug shipment in plain sight, a total of seven bales, and detained Raddif Tapia-Rivera and Estevan DeCarlos. A further inspection and testing of the suspected drug shipment revealed the contraband to be cocaine.
The Coast Guard transferred custody of the two alleged smugglers, the narcotics and the go-fast vessel to HSI special agents for further investigation and prosecution. The HSI investigation is ongoing.
If convicted of smuggling charges, Tapia-Rivera and DeCarlos face a sentence of 10 years of up to life in prison. Both men were transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo awaiting the outcome of their case.
Twelve year old student slaps, chokes teacher
From Caribbean360
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Sunday March 23, CMC – A 12-year-old primary school student will be sentenced on April 11 after he pleaded guilty on Friday to slapping and choking a teacher.
The incident comes as education authorities here deal with a wave of unruly activities by school children that have gone viral, including a fight involving 10 female students at a secondary school in the capital. Those students have been suspended pending an investigation.
The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association has expressed alarm at the level of school violence, especially in primary schools.
The student from the Jordan Hill Presbyterian Primary School, who appeared before Magistrate Avason Quinlan in the Princes Town Second Court, south of here, said he had “tripped off” because other pupils had provoked him about his mother, who died three years ago.
The court was told that the 32-year-old female teacher had observed the schoolboy during recess throwing bottles at other pupils, and she spoke to him about his behaviour. He was again approached later and that’s when he slapped her several times and choked her.
The court was also told that the teacher suffered bruises and swellings during the incident.
The magistrate instructed that the school boy visit a probation officer and ordered a report be submitted to the court.
She placed the schoolboy on TT$5,000 (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) bail with his sister as a surety, and postponed the case to April 11 for a decision.For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/trinidad_tobago_news/1107332.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=e93b5d2f34-Vol_9_Issue_004_Sunday_News3_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-e93b5d2f34-39393477#ixzz2woTE6qdC
