iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands Cabinet, LA going to Cayman Brac
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Members of the Cayman Islands Cabinet and elected members of the Legislative Assembly will travel to Cayman Brac next month to conduct their meetings there.
Cabinet will meet in the District Administration Building on Tuesday, 8 April, 2014, and The Legislative Assembly will begin a new meeting at 10am Wednesday, 9 April, 2014, at the Aston Rutty Centre.
Radio Cayman and CIGTV 20 will carry the LA meeting with audio only.
The last meeting of Cabinet in Cayman Brac was in January 2013. Efforts are made to hold at least one meeting of Cabinet in Cayman Brac during each administration.
“Holding a meeting of the LA in Cayman Brac gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our solidarity with the Sister Islands and allows the public to see how their parliament functions up close and personal,” said Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose. “Many Cayman Brac residents have never had an opportunity to attend a meeting of the Legislative Assembly in Grand Cayman. It is all the more special given that both the Speaker and the Deputy Premier are from Cayman Brac.”
The last time the Legislative Assembly was held on Cayman Brac was in March 2003.
Cayman Islands Projects Increase of 300,000 Cruise Visitors in 2014
From Caribbean Journal
The Cayman Islands is predicting a nearly 300,000-passenger increase in cruise arrivals this year, according to Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell.
The Minister made the revelation a few weeks after the recent Cruise Shipping Miami conference.
“As a result of previous negotiations with cruise operators, roughly 1.65 million passengers are projected to visit Cayman in 2014, growing to approximately 1.9 million passengers in 2015,” he said. :Consequently, our ability to provide a more convenient, satisfying and pleasurable passenger experience is important to the cruise lines, which are keen to ensure their customer satisfaction ratings are optimum.”
The 1.65 million passengers projected for 2014 would be about a 300,000-passenger improvement over 2013, he said.
“The FCCA and cruise representatives were interested to hear about the about developments that my Ministry has implemented to provide positive impacts on the cruise passenger experience over the short term,” Kirkconnell said. “Furthermore, in addition to exchanging relevant information, such meetings also help to develop more cohesive working relationships with cruise lines, and strengthens the spirit of partnership between our organization.”
The Cayman Islands is currently working on a long-term project to build a cruise berth in George Town.
Cayman government lawyer sues for $1.7M damages against HAS
A 58-year-old government lawyer working in the legal drafting department has filed two suits against the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) seeking over $1.7M in damages.
The first suit claims the lawyer was prescribed Terazosin, which he took for three years for urinary problems without being warned by the HAS doctor or the pharmacist of the side effects that gave him much worse medical problems. These included skin rashes and erectile dysfunction.
In the second suit the lawyer claims a dentist overlooked a cavity causing him to lose a tooth. He said the dentist’s negligence and failure to discover his rotting tooth caused him significant pain, injury and loss.
Trinidad prime minister takes charge of ministry following dismissal of Ramadharsingh
From Caribbean360
After meeting for three hours with Ramadharsingh on Tuesday, Persad-Bissessar advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke his appointment.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday March 27, 2014, CMC – Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar has assumed responsibility for the Ministry of the People and Social Development following the firing of Glenn Ramadharsingh – the Member of Parliament for Caroni Central, from that position on Tuesday.
In a release on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said she would be taking charge of the portfolio for the time being.
“The Ministry of the People and Social Development remains something very close to my heart. It was a promise I made to the nation that was delivered in 2010 and the work of the ministry is important to my vision of poverty eradication, the achievement of social justice and empowerment of people”.
“Given the strategic importance of the ministry to my Government’s overall objective of eradicating poverty and enhancing the quality of lives and citizens who are differently-abled or disadvantaged by their circumstances, I will assume charge of the ministry, while I consider an appropriate replacement,” she added.
Ramadharsingh was removed from his portfolio following an incident in which he was accused of behaving inappropriately with a flight attendant on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Tobago. After meeting for three hours with Ramadharsingh on Tuesday, Persad-Bissessar advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke his appointment.
Ramadharsingh was appointed to spearhead the Ministry from May 2010, following the People’s Partnership victory at the polls.
The former Minister who has professed his continuing loyalty to the party, is expected to take a position on the back bench when Parliament meets on Friday.
CONCACAF Statement
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced today that General Secretary Enrique Sanz will be undergoing treatment for leukemia.
The CONCACAF community expresses its full support to Mr. Sanz and his family during this challenging period and wishes him a speedy and full recovery.
We thank everyone for respecting Mr. Sanz and his family’s wishes for privacy during this time.
Cayman public health officer wins University Torch Award
Timothy McLaughlin-Munroe, a Cayman Islands public health office was among 11 alumni who received the annual Torch Awards from Florida International University this month. Fellow honorees included six-time Emmy award winning journalist Pamela Silva Conde and mayor of Boward County Barbara Sharief.
McLaughlin-Munroe works as a public health surveillance officer and deputy national epidemiologist at the Cayman Islands Public Health Department. He is responsible for monitoring and making recommendations to prevent, eradicate or control communicable diseases within the Cayman Islands.
Health Minister, Osbourne Bodden in congratulating McLaughlin-Munroe said his “dedication, commitment, and professionalism are known to your colleagues, and this recognition by FIU is well-deserved.”
St Lucia project aims to better understand Caribbean volcanoes
From Caribbean Journal
A new project in St Lucia is aiming to better understand the impact volcanoes have on their local environments.
The project, led by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, primarily looks to “gain a better understanding of volcanic emissions or gases at the Soufriere volcano and the potential impact on environmental and human health,” according to the country’s government.
Over a period of eight months, the new network will monitor potentially harmful volcanic gases at Soufriere, and will also work to train locals in the application of low-cost, low-technology monitoring techniques developed by the University of the West Indies Department of Chemistry in St Augustine, Trinidad.
The project will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean; similar ones have been established in Hawaii and Reunion Island.
“The involvement of the community through the training is an important component of the project as it will improve and expand our capacity to provide volcanic monitoring of gases beyond the life of the project,” said Dr Erouscilla Joseph, a volcanologist at the UWI Seismic Research Centre and principal investigator on the project.
The ultimate goal is for the project to be used as a model for other volcanic islands in the Caribbean region.
It is being funded by the The UWI Trinidad and Tobago Research and Development Impact Fund, with partners including the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and the St Lucia National Emergency Management Organization, among others.
100 people took part in Cayman’s Light Up the Night beach walk for cancer victims
Over 100 breast cancer patients, survivors, supporters, and even pets walked together from Royal Palms to the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman on March 15 and raised almost $5,000 for the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s 4th Annual Light Up the Night beach walk.
To raise awareness of breast cancer, walkers lit up the beach wearing glow-in-the-dark gear, including t-shirts, necklaces, and earrings. Not to be outdone there were pets sporting glowing collars.
The Breast Cancer Foundation said the money raised from the walk, which was sponsored by Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, Dart Enterprises and Silver Wheaton, will go to breast cancer victims in dire need of financial support.
Carnival, Royal Caribbean, & Princess Cruise ships finally leave port after delays
By Ben Souza From Cruise Fever
The Carnival Magic has set sail on a 5 night cruise to the Western Caribbean. The Carnival Triumph will set sail once the cruise line receives approval after the hull has been cleaned. The Caribbean Princess has also left port and will make one stop in Cozumel, Mexico. The Carnival Magic, Carnival Triumph, Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, and the Caribbean Princess have been delayed in port due to the oil spill earlier this week in the Houston Ship Channel. The port channel has remained closed until the oil has been cleaned up.
For more: http://cruisefever.net/0325-cruise-ships-stuck-in-houston-due-to-oil-spill/#sthash.Eac6W0Vd.dpuf
Cayman’s charitable organisations must register with Labour office
A notice was sent out last Tuesday (25) by Government Director of Labour and Pensions Mario Ebanks informing all charitable organisations they must register with his agency, if they maintained any employees. However, any organisation that does not have employees will not have to register.
The Labour Law (2011 Revision) exempts charitable organisations from its provisions, as long as they register with the Labour and Pensions Department and the director accepts them as being charities.
The process is separate from a step many charities have taken in registering as a nonprofit or charitable entity under the Cayman Islands Companies Law.
Ebanks noted his department doesn’t have any charitable organizations in their registry.
This isn’t surprising as none of Cayman’s charities were aware of this provision.
Puerto Rican wants same-sex marriages recognised
By Danica Coto From Boston.com
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A Puerto Rico attorney who married her longtime partner on the U.S. mainland has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to have their marriage recognized in her home territory.
The lawsuit comes as the debate on gay rights intensifies in Puerto Rico, where legislators and religious groups have recently clashed on several issues.
The suit filed Tuesday by attorney Ada Conde challenges the constitutionality of Puerto Rican laws that define marriage as between a man and a woman, as well as those that prohibit same-sex marriage and the recognition of such marriages.
Conde said she has been in a relationship for nearly 14 years with Ivonne Alvarez, an accountant and financial adviser whom she married in Massachusetts in August 2004.
‘‘We wish to enjoy the same social privileges and contractual rights … and not to be treated as we are being treated as second-class citizens,’’ she said.
Conde is suing Puerto Rico’s heath secretary, who oversees the island’s demographic registry, as well as the registrar of vital records.
Cayman Islands’ young model is “the face” in Essence Magazine
Nicole Whittaker, a 17-year-old teen from Bodden Town, Grand Cayman is the face of a two-page spread in the April 2014 issue of Essence magazine that reaches more than one point six million readers.
Wihelmina International, is a Dallas Texas talent management agency owned by New Century. Dutch supermodel Wilhelmina Cooper and her husband, Bruce Cooper, founded the agency, originally called Wilhelmina Models, in 1967.
The agency has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami and they signed up Whittaker two years ago.
Waste-to-Energy Plant Slated for Barbados
From Environmental Leader
Cahill Energy will build and operate a clean energy plant on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The waste-to-energy plant, which will cost up to $240 million, will be built in Vaucluse, St Thomas, creating up to 650 jobs under a 30-year contract.
Cahill Energy said the company has been considering the technology for three years and was led to the Caribbean.
The plant will provide a leading edge, environmentally sound solution to two of Barbados’s most pressing challenges: waste management and energy security, Cahill said. Using plasma gasification technology, the plant will consume up to 650 metric tons of solid waste per day. The energy generated will provide a new domestic source of power for Barbados, reducing the island’s reliance on imported fossil fuel. The plant is expected to provide up to 25 percent of Barbados’s total energy needs and reduce the cost of energy.
For more: https://www.environmentalleader.com/2014/03/26/waste-to-energy-plant-slated-for-barbados/
Tenfu (Cayman) Holdings 2013 Profit Down
By RTT Staff Writer 3/27/2014 5:09 AM ET
Tenfu (Cayman) Holdings Company Limited said its full-year 2013 profit attributable to the owners of the Company slid to RMB 267.13 million or RMB 0.22 per share from last year’s RMB 294.6 million or RMB 0.24 per share.
Profit before income tax declined to RMB 369.03 million from RMB 407.13 million a year ago.
Revenue for the year decreased 2.6 percent to RMB 1.66 billion from RMB 1.70 billion, citing the economic slowdown in China.
In addition, the company said its board proposed a final dividend of HK$0.13 per share.
For comments and feedback: [email protected]
Grandfather of wandering toddler receives police warning
Following the discovery of a 4 year old toddler walking Cayman’s streets in Bodden Town alone on Saturday (22) the grandfather of the child received a warning from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. They told him if the matter repeats itself and harm is done to the child, he could be liable for negligence.
The grandfather had left the toddler asleep with three other relatives who were also asleep. The toddler apparently awoke, was able to unlock the door and wandered outside looking for his grandfather.
A police officer advising the grandfather to install child-safety locks at the home.
Still no operations performed at Cayman’s Health City
It will be at least another 2 to 3 weeks before the first operation will be performed at Cayman’s newest and much publicized health City Cayman Islands.
The first operation was expected to have been performed two weeks ago but was postponed for technical and administrative reasons. Now it has been announced there will be a further delay due to last minute details to work through, some which are on the patient side.
Due to patient confidentiality, a spokesperson says details cannot be released about the nature of the first operation unless a waiver is signed.
Cayman Food Tours
A new company in Cayman is offering a 3-hour guided food tasting and cultural walking tours that take you on an entertaining journey through George Town – steps from the cruise ship terminals and minutes from Seven Mile Beach.
The tours are a combination of delicious food and drink tastings and cultural, historical, and architectural highlights of the historic downtown area provided by knowledgeable and professional guides.
Their website: http://www.caymanfoodtours.com/ says:
“Indulge your taste buds on a 3-hour adventure with 10 food and drink tastings from five well-loved local and world-renowned restaurants, ethnic eateries, and stores featuring specialty artisan products. Beyond the local delights, you will be fascinated by the stories that reveal the rich history and architecture of George Town as you stroll through the streets of the capital. All flavourful and well-balanced tastings, enough for a hearty lunch, are included in the ticket price of US$75.”
Complaints about Cayman artist’s bloody crucifix being investigated by police
A bloody crucifix and a dead goat’s head that was erected in Cayman Brac by a local artist known as ‘Foots’ is to be launched by The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service see whether an offence has been committed.
The artist said wasn’t forced to take it down. He announced he was now moving onto the next stage in his art series that is a trilogy.
He told CITN/Cayman27 that his new creation is a stone carved with the words ‘father forgive them for they know not what they do.’
“It’s my opinion that mankind has gone astray and this is a statement I’m making. It’s part of my art, it’s my thoughts and my feelings,” he told the television reporter.
British man found dead in Caribbean on partly burnt raft
From Jamaica Observer
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — The body of a 53-year-old British man was found on board a partly burnt raft at sea on Wednesday, police said.
They have identified the man as John Edward Garner and said that the raft was found approximately 15 nautical miles west of Buccament in southwestern St Vincent.
Police said they received reports just after noon (local time) that a yacht was on fire at sea and the Coast guard responded immediately.
The police said Garner was found with injuries to both of his legs as well as his head. He was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said the yacht “ASANTE” was registered in Gibraltar and that debris and oil spill were discovered at sea, where police believe the yacht sunk.
Police said their preliminary investigations have shown that Garner and another person, Heidi Hukkelaas, whose nationality was not given, had arrived in St Vincent and the Grenadines by air on January 19. They were granted an extension to remain until April 19, 2014.
The whereabouts of Hukkelaas are unknown, but checks revealed that she did not leave the state at any of the airports or seaports, police said, adding that investigations were continuing.
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/British-man-found-dead-in-Caribbean-on-partly-burnt-raft
Cayman law firm employee has to pay compensation and gets a 4 year prison sentence for theft
Patricia Glasgow, who belatedly offered a guilt plea to stealing $437,300 from a company and trust registered with the Bodden Corporate Services where she was an employee and trustee has been ordered to pay back $44,600 compensation by High Court Justice Charles Quin. She also received a 4 year jail sentence that had 1 year reduced because of her guilty plea.
Although the money Glasgow stole was considerably more than the compensation order this was all he court could identify as potential assets still owned by Glasgow.
Glasgow had stolen the money over a three year period that involved 70 transactions.
The judge said Glasgow had shown little remorse for her criminal activities, had carried out a major breach of trust and continued offending.
Cayman Islands Cadet Corps announces 10km run/walk
Cayman Islands Cadet Corps 10km run/walk will be held Sunday 6th April 2014 Start Time is 7:00am
Sponsored by BDO with all proceeds benefitting the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps
Team event in the Cross Country club format. 3 runners per team with individual positions for team scores Lowest team score wins team prize. This is NOT a relay
The registration fee is Adults CI$15, Juniors (16 or under CI$5 and the Children’s race is FREE>
For more details and to download the registration form go to: http://cicadetcorps.ky/files/CICC%2010km%20entry%20form_2014.pdf
ECCU governments open discussions on FATCA compliance
From Caribbean News Now
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM) — The member governments of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) have commenced discussions with the United States with a view to executing an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) for the implementation of the provisions of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).
In 2010, the US government enacted FATCA to combat tax evasion by specified US persons holding investments in accounts outside of the United States, specifically as it relates to US-sourced income. FATCA requires foreign financial institutions (FFIs) to report to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), information on assets of US$50,000 or more held by US taxpayers, or by foreign entities in which US taxpayers hold substantial ownership interest. Failure of an FFI to submit information could result in a 30.0 percent withholding tax levied on withholdable payments and may result in the potential loss of correspondent banking relationships.
The ECCU member governments have decided to pursue IGA Model 1. This model requires financial institutions to submit customer information to the local government for onward submission to the IRS. Member governments have also undertaken to pass the Foreign Account Tax Compliance (United States) Implementation and Enforcement Bill, 2014, to provide for the legal submission of customer information for the purposes of FATCA.
In the circumstances, all non-bank financial institutions, including offshore banks, are required to register on the IRS portal prior to the 25 April 2014 deadline. Timely registration by the deadline would avoid the imposition of the 30.0 percent withholding tax, the penalty for non-compliance. Withholding commences on 1 July 2014.
Katherine Powell-Francis called to Cayman Bar
Katherine Powell-Francis was recently admitted as an Attorney-at-Law in the Cayman Islands, after completing her articles with Campbells. Partner Shaun McCann presented her qualifications to Justice Williams in a Grand Court ceremony, which was attended by a large number of family, friends and colleagues. Powell-Francis first joined Campbells in 2007 as a legal secretary in the Corporate Department and later that year graduated from the Cayman Islands Law School, receiving her LLB with honours from the University of Liverpool. In 2008, she transitioned to a position in Campbells Corporate Services Ltd and also entered the Professional Practice Course at the Law School.
In 2009, she successfully completed and obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, with sponsorship support from Campbells and the Cayman Islands Government.
“I am extremely grateful to the partners and staff at Campbells for affording me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams and to pursue new avenues in my career. I believe that the knowledge I have gained from each of my supervisors during my articles is invaluable and thank them for their continued support,” Powell-Francis said.
John Wolf, Head of Campbells’ Corporate Department said, “We are delighted that Katherine has been called to the Cayman Bar and we are fortunate to have her as part of our team here at Campbells. I look forward to seeing her continue to develop her legal skills in the coming years. I am pleased that, as a young Caymanian, she has and continues to demonstrate all the qualities that it takes to be successful. Katherine serves as a great role model for our youth, showing the rewards of hard work and determination.”
Appleby admits two Caymanian articled clerks
Two Caymanian lawyers from Appleby’s Articled Clerk Programme have been admitted to the role of attorneys-at-law of the Cayman Islands on applications moved by Appleby (Cayman) litigation partner Peter McMaster QC.
Sophie Benbow and Brigitte Tomascik joined Appleby in September 2012 under the Appleby Articled Clerk Programme following their legal studies and completed their articles in February 2014; both lawyers were awarded legal scholarships by the firm in 2010.
Benbow graduated from the University of Sheffield in the UK with a Bachelor of Laws and Spanish. Prior to this, she completed a year of study at the University of Granada in Spain, where she studied Spanish Law as a part of the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (ERASMUS) Programme. She has secured a position as an associate with Appleby in the corporate and commercial practice group.
Tomascik is a graduate of the University of Liverpool, where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws with honours. She then went on to acquire her Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice with commendation, as well as her Masters of Laws Degree, both from the BPP Law School.
The two were called before Justice Williams with a courtroom of both family and Appleby staff to witness the event.
Through its Articled Clerk Programme, the firm has welcomed in the last five years alone some 17 students who successfully completed their studies; 11 of those students were called to the Cayman Islands Bar, including Benbow and Tomascik. Appleby also recently welcomed back scholarship recipients Victoria King and Lisa Donalds, who recently completed their studies abroad and joined the firm to commence their articles of clerkship.
Regular vigorous exercise may cut flu risk
From Caribbean360
LONDON, England, Thursday March 27, 2014 – The many known health benefits of exercise could be in for a surprising addition as new research suggests that regular vigorous exercise could reduce the risk of flu by around 10 percent.
Working up a sweat with at least two-and-a-half hours a week of strenuous activity like fast cycling or running was found to reduce flu or flu-like illness. And in the best tradition of “no pain, no gain,” less vigorous pursuits, such as walking or jogging, were found to have little effect.
Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine drew these preliminary findings after examining data from its online flu study Flusurvey, in which more than 4,800 people have taken part so far this year.
The experts found that overall flu levels across Britain appear to be lower than last year, with the winter flu season apparently curbed by a lack of illness among children and young people.
During the flu season, 4.7 percent of people were believed to have flu compared to 6 percent the previous year.
About 5 percent of children were reported to have flu, compared to almost 8 percent the previous year.
Dr Alma Adler, research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told The Huffington Post: “We’re really interested in the preliminary findings around fitness activity and flu-like illness, as exercise is something that everyone can do to reduce your chance of having flu.
“We need to treat this result cautiously as these are preliminary findings, however they are consistent with findings for other conditions and really show the health benefits of exercise
For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/1107358.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=c0fe065ed4-Vol_9_Issue_062_News3_27_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-c0fe065ed4-39393477#ixzz2xBV63qt8
Cayman Islands: How to get children to do what you want!
From Chatterbox
Last October Dr. Bill came to Cayman to offer a presentation to help parents and teachers become more influential in the lives of their children.
His presentation was very well received and he is returning on April 9th to present “How to get kids to do what you want!”.
If you missed his workshop last year or if you want to refresh you knowledge and skills, you can book a space by emailing [email protected] or calling 926 1693.
Space is limited, so be sure to book early to secure your place.
See attached flyer for all details.
