iNews Briefs
Cayman Water awards SWRO DB contract
From GWI Desalination
Consolidated Water Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Ocean Conversion (Cayman) Ltd, has been awarded a contract by the Cayman Water Authority to design and build a 3,000 m3/d (0.8 MGD) SWRO system at its Lower Valley RO (LVRO) Plant. Tom van Zanten, the Water Authority’s deputy director, told WDR that Ocean Conversion’s $960,000 lump sum tender amount was the most competitive of the five offers submitted.
The two new independent and identical 1,500 m3/d trains are to be installed within an existing building and will use the existing feedwater and brine disposal wells and pumps, pretreatment filters, post-treatment air stripping towers and the wet gas scrubber. The contract includes operating the system for 90 days before turning it over to the Water Authority, and the project is scheduled for completion within 40 weeks.
For more: http://www.desalination.com/wdr/50/14/cayman-awards-swro-db-contract
More Cubans in Cayman waters
A boat containing 15 Cuban migrants is moored offshore, and is being monitored by local authorities.
Immigration officials state that this latest group, comprising six females and nine men, arrived in the Brac last Saturday evening (5 April 2014). They headed out to sea later that night, bound for Honduras.
However, yesterday they arrived off Grand Cayman around 2.00 pm, indicating inclement weather was hindering their journey. They are now hoping to continue on their way once the weather clears.
There appears to be no structural damage to their vessel.
Apart from this group, there are 40 Cuban migrants detained for processing at the Immigration Detention Centre. Another male, Yasmany Gonzalez Rodriguez, remains at large, having escaped the facility on 27 March. There are also 16 on Cayman Brac awaiting transfer to Grand Cayman for processing.
Latin America and the Caribbean preparing for Earth Day
From Earth Day Network
All across Latin America and the Caribbean, individuals and organizations are gearing up for Earth Day.
The island of St. Kitts and Nevis, for example, will be home to the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society’s Earth Day “Clean Island Sweep,” where they will teach the public the importance of caring for their island through several waste management activities. This year, the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society will also be adding the “Environmental Fun Day” for children to teach them about the environment.
Meanwhile in Guatemala, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala Altiplano is planning to host a full day of Earth Day activities for the public. The activities will include a seminar on how to preserve Lake Atitlán, a crucial water supply source, as well as a water treatment demonstration and other activities focused on water resource protection and conservation. The university will also be hosting a campus wide clean up and education session on how to recycle properly.
Then, in Chile, students at the International Preparatory School will be spending this Earth Day working on a project where they will be in charge of designing a sustainable city. The students will have to take into consideration many complexities that are involved in designing a sustainable urban landscape, including water management, waste disposal, energy production, transportation, energy efficient buildings, lifestyle choices, and food production. There will also be a variety of other environmentally-related school activities and guest speakers.
As usual, Earth Day 2014 should be a huge success in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Cayman minister wants costs for election challenge from former candidate
Cayman Islands Education Minister, Tara Rivers, is seeking costs against Gordon Hewitt, husband of Velma Hewitt who was unsuccessful in her attempt to be elected member for West Bay in last year’s election.
Gordon Hewitt had filed an election challenge against Rivers’ election but had lost in a high profile suit heard by the Chief Justice Hon Anthony Smellie.
Costs were not awarded in his decision and Rivers’ lawyers are seeking a hearing before the Chief Justice to ask for the legal costs she incurred in defending the challenge.
In his ruling the Chief Justice said the matter had been of significant public interest and he would not condemn Hewitt to pay for the defence costs as well as his own.
China travel websites Qunar.com and Ctrip.com may merge: Bloomberg
From Chicago Tribune
(Reuters) – Qunar Cayman Islands Ltd, the operator of Baidu Inc’s travel website, is in talks with Ctrip.com International Ltd for a merger or partnership, Bloomberg reported, citing two people familiar with the matter.
The talks are in early stages and may not result in a deal, the report said. (http://link.reuters.com/vat38v)
Qunar, which is 55 percent owned by Baidu, operates the Qunar.com travel website, while CTrip owns the CTrip.com travel website.
A Qunar spokesman said the company does not comment on market rumors or speculation. Baidu and Ctrip also declined to comment.
Baidu, which operates the largest internet search engine in China, acquired a majority stake in Qunar in 2011 for $306 million. Qunar went public last November and has a market capitalization of about $3 billion.
For more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-qunar-ctripcom-intl-20140408,0,6370910.story
Pot growers association launched in Jamaica
By David Mcfadden From The Sacramento Bee
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A group of influential Jamaicans gathered Saturday to launch an association of supposed future marijuana cultivators as momentum builds toward loosening laws prohibiting pot on the Caribbean island.
Some 300 people, including a few medical marijuana entrepreneurs from Canada and the U.S. state of Colorado, assembled at a conference center in downtown Kingston to officially launch the Ganja Future Growers and Producers Association. Among other things, the group will lobby for creation of a regulated cannabis industry on the tropical island that is nearly as famous for its pot as it is for its scenic beaches and unique culture.
The moderator of the Saturday event was Kingston Mayor Angela Brown-Burke, who is also a senator and a vice president of the ruling People’s National Party. Her husband, Paul Burke, is one of the leaders of the new association and also an influential PNP figure. Groups that spoke in support of the venture included the country’s scientific research council, agricultural society and the Jamaican campus of the University of the West Indies.
“Jamaica has a prime opportunity to enter and revolutionize an industry that could have an enormous kickback on our growth and development potential,” said Rupert Lewis, a politics professor who spoke on behalf of the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies
Marijuana has been pervasive but outlawed on the island for a century. But as the pot legalization movement gains unprecedented traction across the globe, most notably in the South American nation of Uruguay and the U.S. states of Colorado and Washington, there’s a growing push to lift restrictions in Jamaica to give the island’s long struggling economy a big boost.
For more: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/05/6298910/pot-growers-association-launched.html#storylink=cpy
Lifeguards for Cayman?
The Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association and Cayman Islands Red Cross are joining forces in training 12 local swim coaches to become lifeguards.
Not only will it provide an extra skill to coaches, but it will add to the available pool of lifeguards qualified to ensure safety at the many open water events held here. Over 1,000 competitors take place in the Flowers Sea Swim every year.
The Red Cross has assumed responsibility for training lifeguards in Cayman and is pushing for wider use of lifeguards here.
Surprisingly the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) is reported as saying lifeguards on Cayman’s beaches are not necessary despite one tourist a month drowning to death so far this year.
“Lifeguards could lead to a liability blame game if something were to go wrong,” was one of the reasons given by the CITA.
Better to let someone drown?
NCRA international participating member joins Cayman Islands judicial administration
Camar Clarke, an international participating NCRA member, will join three other court reporters currently serving in the Cayman Islands jurisdiction.
A native of Barbados, Clarke studied court reporting at the Barbados Community College.
Prior to joining the Cayman Islands judicial administration, she was employed as a court reporter for seven years by the Barbados government and served in Supreme Court.
A music of Exile: Haiti during the Duvalier years
From WBAA
From Ricky Ricardo to the Buena Vista Social Club, Cuban music has always seemed to find big audiences here in the U.S.; for lots of people, it’s become the sound of the Caribbean. A new compilation hopes to expand our horizons a bit by introducing the sounds that came out of Haiti, before and during the Duvalier regimes. It’s called Haiti Direct: Big Band, Mini Jazz & Twoubadou Sounds, 1960-1978.
“The Haitian sound was something that was extremely important across the Caribbean at the time, but has been ignored for whatever reason,” says archivist Hugo Mendez, who produced the collection. “It’s been difficult to get your hands on, so the idea behind the compilation was to represent music that has been very important for many people, but has not been available, say, in America or in Europe.”
Mendez unearthed 28 lost recordings. In the process, he got to know some of the people who played this music, many of whom had to flee the country to avoid the abuses of Francois “Papa Doc” and Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. One of those musicians, José Tavernier of the band Ibo Combo, joined Mendez and NPR’s Kelly McEvers to talk about how these volatile years shaped Haiti’s musical profile. Hear their conversation at the audio link.
For more: http://wbaa.org/post/music-exile-haiti-during-duvalier-years
Cycling in Cayman speeding up towards a velodrome
With cycling in the Cayman Islands becoming popular again there’s talk of constructing a velodrome. A velodrome is an arena for track cycling that has steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights.
Interest in cycling has speeded up in recent months, especially amongst youngsters that caused the Daybreakers cycling group to been formed.
Daybreakers enter local races and organise international trips that have included Cuba and Jamaica.
Daybreakers welcomes people of all ages and abilities.
For information on Daybreakers go to Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151318672120035.817055.88843185034&type=1
For information on Cayman Islands Cycling Association go to: http://caymancycling.com/
Chinese VP meets CELAC Quartet delegation
From Global Times
Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao Friday met with a delegation of the Quartet of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on seeking closer China-Latin America ties.
Li said China is willing to work with CELAC to push forward the establishment of a comprehensive mechanism of cooperation centered on the China-CELAC forum, and further promote the development of China-Latin America comprehensive cooperative partnership, which features equality, mutual benefit and common development.
He called for more efforts on enhancing both sides’ capability to address crisis so as to advance world peace and stability.
The CELAC, established in December 2011, comprises the 33 countries of the western hemisphere with the exception of the United States and Canada.
The Quartet comprises the current rotating chair of the CELAC, its previous rotating chair and its next rotating chair — Costa Rica, Cuba and Ecuador, respectively — as well as representatives from the Caribbean Community.
The delegation, led by Costa Rican Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo, also include Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno, and Ecuadorian Deputy Foreign Minister Leonardo Arizaga.
They were here for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
For more: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/852754.shtml#.U0NThiiSa68
Cayman’s roundabouts should not be used for parking vehicles says road safety chairman
Aileen Samuel, chairman of the Cayman Islands Road Safety Advisory Council, has spoken out against the practice of cars illegally parked at roundabouts especially the one across from Kings Sports Centre on Crewe Road.
She has reported the problem to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) warning of the danger it is to other motorists legally using the roundabouts the police. However the response from the RCIPS has puzzled her. Although agreeing with her, a RCIPS spokesperson said it was “not a major issue.”
Apparently illegal tinting of vehicular windows presents more danger and potential loss of lives as the police are executing a major crackdown on it at present.
NYT’s Eavis: Dollar’s Pre-Eminence Faces Little Threat From Digital Currencies
Despite all the ballyhoo about the bitcoin, digital currencies are highly unlikely to supplant the dollar anytime soon, says Peter Eavis of The New York Times.
“It is not clear that virtual currencies will ever have the strengths and scope of the current system, which, let’s face it, functions nearly all of the time,” he writes.
To figure out why digital currencies haven’t been more broadly utilized, you can just look at consumer behavior, Eavis explains.
“Consumers have no problem rapidly adopting new technologies if they find them attractive. But they get a lot out of the current system,” he notes.
“With minimal inconvenience, they can make secure non-cash payments online and in stores, and they can do so around the world at any time. The existing system also allows people to store their money safely in insured banks.”
The creators of bitcoin didn’t seem to be primarily focused on consumers. “Instead, they seemed motivated mostly by a desire to reduce the cost of a payments system. Such savings would most likely benefit merchants far more than consumers,” Eavis argues.
“As things stand today, digital money is highly unlikely to become the new status quo. Anyone hoping to feast on bitcoin may not get anything more than raw onions.”
Venture capital star Marc Andreessen, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, is much more enthusiastic about the bitcoin. “I’m completely unfazed and plan to invest more,” he tells The Wall Street Journal, referring to the currency’s recent turmoil.
Andreessen, a co-founder of Netscape Communications in the 1990s, says the bitcoin brings back early memories of the Internet. “I’m having deja vu,” he states. Bitcoin is “weird and scary and nerdy, and it’s full of scams and frauds, just like the Internet was.”
Cayman’s Department of Labour and Pensions loses 2 senior officers
With two senior officers at the Cayman Islands Department of Labour and Pensions, Marlon Bodden and Amy Wolliston, being reassigned elsewhere in other Civil Service departments, the workload at this department has been stretched further.
With hundreds of cases involving delinquent payments into private sector retirement savings plans, as well as police allegations of violations of local labor laws, department director Mario Ebanks said these positions must be filled quickly.
Last October, Complaints Commissioner Nicola Williams, called the situation “a national crisis” in a report released to the press and the Legislative Assembly.
Surprise: Tobacco could eventually lead to new cancer treatment
By Mariella Moon From Engadget
When tobacco and cancer are used in the same sentence, the word “cause” usually goes in between. That’s why a new research from La Trobe University in Australia could confuse some folks — after all, the researchers discovered that tobacco could potentially be used for cancer treatment. Before you pick up that box of Marlboros, know that it’s actually a flowering tobacco plant named Nicotiana alata, which isn’t even the same species used to make cigarettes, that has magical, cancer-beating properties. After a series of tests, the scientists have determined that NaD1 (a protein found in its pink and white flowers) can not only fight off plant fungi, but also kill cancer cells.
Apparently, NaD1 latches onto cancer cells with its pincer-like structure, causing them to form little balloons on the surface until they explode. But, what makes it an ideal cure is that while it attacks affected cells, it leaves healthy ones untouched. According to lead researcher Dr. Mark Hulett from the school’s Molecular Science program, a huge issue with the therapies we use today is that unlike the NaD1 protein, they attack cells indiscriminately.
Of course, the irony of it all didn’t escape his notice. He said:
There is some irony in the fact that a powerful defence mechanism against cancer is found in the flower of a species of ornamental tobacco plant, but this is a welcome discovery, whatever the origin.
Like any new medical discovery, though, the protein has to go through years of more rigorous testing and research. In fact, Hulett believes we have to wait at least 10 more years before it’s ready to step out of the lab and into the hospital.
For more: http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/05/tobacco-cancer-treatment/?ncid=rss_truncated
Cayman lionfish cull scheduled for Earth Day and beach cleanups
A lionfish cull is being organised for Grand Cayman on April 19 at DiveTech and reef cleanups will depart from DiveTech, Don Fosters and Red Sail Watersports on April 27.
Cayman Islands Tourism Association members DiveTech, Cayman Turtle Farm and Turtle Nest Inn have scheduled cleanups at Barkers, West Bay and Bodden Town, respectively, on April 26. Also on the same day Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce has organised an Earth Day Roadside Cleanup.
Earth Day is April 22, but events are scheduled all month.
A schedule can be viewed at www.cita.ky/earthmonth
Spring Splash concert failed to attract
Headline act, Ky-Mani Marley, failed to attract a big audience at the Spring Splash concert held at Camana Bay’s Festival Green last Friday (5).
Billed as a night of reggae music under the stars only a couple of hundred people turned up.
However, concert promoter, Jean-Eric “Notch” Smith, said he will still bring back Spring Splash next year as Cayman has a need for live musical events.
If you want to understand why the NASDAQ is tanking, just look at Egypt
By Joe Weisenthal From Business Insider
The big story in U.S. markets right now is the NASDAQ decline. The index fell 2.6% on Friday, and it’s been persistently weak over the last several days.
What’s really going on is that big “momentum” names are getting drubbed, and many of these (Tesla, Netflix, FB, etc.) are traded on the NASDAQ.
The NASDAQ is also where a lot of biotech stocks trade, and the biotechs have been getting hammered.
So what’s the story? All you have to do is look at Egypt.
Is there an intrinsic connection between biotech stocks and the Egyptian market? Of course not. Both just represent risky areas of the global marketplace that soak up cash in the good times, and then tumble when people get tense.
There’s no “story” that’s worth telling about what’s going on. Nothing specific has happened in tech or biotech or anywhere else. But things always go in waves, and the tides have come back out, leaving certain areas dry once again. That’s the story to watch, and it’s much bigger than any one industry.
For more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ibb-vs-egypt-2014-4#ixzz2yG1PgrNe
Helipad appeal decision faces new legal challenge
Although the Cayman Islands Chief Justice’s decision to ban Cayman Islands Helicopters use of its helicopter pad in George Town near Burger King on North Church Street was overturned by Appeals Court judges, a new challenge to its use has been issued.
This time the matter of noise nuisance has been raised by Coastal Two and they are asking for a review of the Planning Appeals Tribunal’s decision not to hear its appeal against the Central Planning Authority’s decision to grant permission for the helipad.
A court date has been scheduled for May 20th.
Krys bolsters Bahamas office
From Tribune242
KRyS Global, the insolvency and forensic accounting specialist, has added Michael Schulz to its Bahamas office.
Prior to joining KRyS Global, Mr Schulz worked in the advisory department of a ‘Big Four’ accounting firm in Germany, the Cayman Islands and the Channel Islands.
His career began as a turnaround consultant, advising investors and companies how to avoid bankruptcy, which prompted him to then focus on recovery projects and manage a number of complex cross-border Court administered liquidations and forensic investigations.
Mr Schulz then became responsible for management consulting and risk consulting, with a focus on assisting governments, regulators and financial services companies to navigate through the sudden increase in regulatory changes.
“I’ve been involved in a broad range of consultancy work, and am very excited to join KRyS Global as their range of services closely matches my experience,” said Mr Schulz. “The firm has also managed to grow steadily since its foundation and has earned an excellent reputation both offshore and onshore.”
Mr Schulz is a Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner. He is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of the UK and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
“Michael’s recruitment demonstrates our continued commitment to growing the business in both the Bahamas and internationally. This addition to the existing KRyS Global team means we are perfectly placed to grow our client offering in this region,” said Edmund Rahming, managing director of the Bahamas office.
For more: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/apr/07/krys-bolsters-bahamas-office-krys-bolsters/
Cayman School teacher assaulted
A 15-year-old student at John Gray High School assaulted a teacher in the classroom on March 26th.
According to a police statement the teacher was initially threatened with a pencil because the teacher in class was chastising him about his disruptive behavior.
The statement goes on to say:
“The teacher continued to request that the student sit and do class work, but was ignored and the disruptive behavior continued, causing the teacher to open the classroom door and ask the student to leave.”
“When he was exiting through the door, he punched the teacher in his face, which burst his lip. The teacher then fell to the ground where the student proceeded to kick him in his stomach.
“The student has been suspended from school. The matter was reported to the police and is currently being investigated.”
Cayman boxer loses first fight
Peter Lewison lost the first fight of his career when he fought a televised bout in the USA against unbeaten American Mike Lee.
Lewison was knocked down in the sixth round after a shot that also left him with a cut.
Lewis scrambled back to his feet but his corner called the fight over a short time later.
Lewison is now 6-1 as a professional whilst Lee is 12-0.
Cuba to Have 375 Slots at Central American and Caribbean Games
Havana, Apr 8 (Prensa Latina) With the help of karate, Cuba’s slots at the 22nd Central American and Caribbean Games in November, in Veracruz, Mexico rose to 375 today.
Cuba won nine spots through its karate wins in the recently concluded qualifying tournament in San Luis de Potosi, also on Mexican soil.
Cuban gold medal winners at the event were Listmar Licea (60 kg) and Yoandra Moreno (68). Two silvers and three bronzes also went to Cuba.
The silvers went to Yanelsis Góngora (55) and Yanet Franquiz (61), and bronze to Cirelis Martinez (68), Jander Tiril (+84) and the man’s kumite (sparring) team.
Although not medal winners, Cubans Leodán Hernández (67), Lester Zamora (75) and Dennis Pelayo (84) performed well enough to win tickets to the upcoming games.
This means that Cuba now will compete in 26 sports at Veracruz, with its largest participation in shooting and rowing (20), in terms of individual disciplines.
For more: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2558461&Itemid=1
