iNews Briefs & Community Events
Cayman Islands Humane Society: Raine
Raine is looking for a foster home, or even better, a forever home. He was surrendered a week ago when his owner moved home and couldn’t take him with them. Raine is in poor shape and needs a patient and caring owner. We know that he would make an awesome pet for the right person or family. This gentle guy deserves a second chance. Can you help him?
For more: http://www.caymanislandshumanesociety.com/pet/raine/
Old Age pension is not an entitlement from employment, Guyana gov’t clarifies
By News Source Guyana From St Lucia news Online
The Ministry of Social Protection is enforcing the point that for persons to be eligible for the Old Age pension, they must meet the residency and other requirements.
“Old Age Pension is not an entitlement from employment, as in the case of Government Pension and National Insurance Scheme Pension, but rather Old Age Pension is a monthly payment ($18,200 at present) available to eligible Guyanese aged 65 or older”, the Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry pointed out that the Old Age Pension is provided for under the Old Age Pension Act (Chapter 36:03), which clearly states that applicants must meet certain statutory conditions to qualify for Old Age Pension. These statutory conditions are:
The person must have attained the age of sixty five years;
The person must satisfy the appropriate authority that s/he has been a citizen of Guyana for at least ten years immediately preceding his [her] claim for a pension;
The person must have been ordinarily resident in Guyana during the twenty years immediately preceding his [her] claim for pension.
According to the Ministry, in the event that the person is temporarily absent from Guyana, the applicant or pensioner must satisfy the Authority, usually through the provision of the person’s passport and an immigration check conducted by the Ministry, that the period of absence from Guyana has not exceeded two years during the past twenty years, according to law.
Trinidad Film Festival calls for Caribbean filmmakers
From The Voice
Emerging creatives have the chance to win a TT$20,000 cash prize
FILM FESTIVAL: Creative movie makers have a chance of winning a huge cash prize and learn from experienced international film professionals
EMERGING FILMMAKERS from the Caribbean are being offered the chance to win a huge cash prize and learn from experienced international film professionals.
The Trinidad + Tobago Film Festival (ttff) is encouraging filmmakers across the English-speaking Caribbean, the Netherlands Antilles and Haiti, to submit their application to this year’s RBC Focus: Filmmakers’ Immersion, which will be held in September.
The RBC Focus: Filmmakers’ Immersion is an intensive development programme that provides 10 selected filmmakers with the opportunity to learn from internationally respected film professionals. Aimed at sharpening the skills and abilities of participants, this year’s sessions will place emphasis on enhancing the filmmakers’ creative voice and storytelling capabilities.
Applicants must have completed at least one narrative film (short or feature-length), but no more than two narrative features, as a screenwriter and/or director.
Focus will include group discussions on a range of topics concentrating on the artistic side of narrative filmmaking, sharpening the skills and abilities of participants. There will be a particular emphasis on enhancing the filmmakers’ creative voice and storytelling capabilities.
Each filmmaker will enter Focus with a concept for a feature-length fiction film, from which they will be expected to develop a detailed treatment.
At the end of Focus, all participants will be given an opportunity to pitch their project to a jury at the ttff/16.
The participant with the best project and pitch, as determined by the jury, will win a TT$20,000 cash prize.
For more: http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/trinidad-film-festival-calls-caribbean-filmmakers
Improving Lives: Public libraries in Africa, Europe, and Caribbean win EIFL Innovation Awards
By Gary Price From info Docket
From EIFL: The four libraries, in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, use digital technology and fun activities to improve lives in their communities by addressing development issues included in the
Congratulations to –-
‘Cercle de lecture et d’animation culturelle’ (CLAC), whose mobile library service offers online mathematics and computer coding classes to under-resourced schools in Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon;
Cyberiada public library, which has inspired children in the town of Elblag in Poland to take action to protect the environment through their environmental education service;
Kaunas Municipal ‘Vincas Kudirka’ Public Library in Lithuania, which provides a dynamic and practical electronics, 3D design and computer coding education programme to motivate young people to take up careers in technology and engineering;
Micoud Public Library in the island of St Lucia, whose computer and job-seeking skills training programme is building young people’s confidence to seek work.
Delta and United Airlines to commence historic nonstop service to Havana
From Caribbean News Now
WASHINGTON, USA — The US Department of Transportation on Thursday granted both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines permission to operate direct flights to Havana, Cuba.
Delta Air Lines will begin flying to Havana this fall from New York-JFK, Atlanta and Miami. United will fly to Havana from its global gateways in New York/Newark and Houston.
“Today has been a long-awaited moment to celebrate Delta’s historic return to Cuba, and we thank Secretary Foxx, his team and the other US officials for granting us the authority to provide Havana service from Atlanta, Miami and New York,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president – Latin America and the Caribbean. “We look forward to providing the market with excellent customer and operational performance that will reunite families and support a new generation of travelers seeking to engage and explore this truly unique destination.
“These flights open the door to a new world of travel and opportunities for our customers,” said Oscar Munoz, United’s president and CEO. “We are proud of the important and historic role our airline will play in connecting the US and Cuba, as commercial air travel takes flight between these countries for the first time in more than 50 years.”
All routes are subject to Cuban regulatory approval.
Bank of America to sever ties with Guyana banks
From Jamaica Gleaner
Guyana’s Central Bank Governor Dr Gobind Ganga has confirmed that Bank of America will be severing ties with banks in the CARICOM state as early as next month.
Bank of America provides correspondent banking services for some financial institutions in the region. It has been pulling out in an effort to manage its risks. It discontinued its relationships with institutions in Belize last year, leaving the country’s main banking institutions with reduced access to global markets.
However, Ganga says the pullout from Guyana may not have any implications for the country as other banks from North America and Europe have already expressed an interest in filling the void.
He says only a few local banks will be affected by the exit of Bank of America.
He indicated that several reasons were given by the American bank for its exit, including de-risking; and the need to concentrate more on larger customers due to the high level of liquidity
For more: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/caribbean/20160710/bank-america-sever-ties-guyana-banks
St Lucia: Chastanet says US contributing to Caribbean crime
From St Lucia Times
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has been quoted by the Barbados Nation as criticizing the United States over serious crime in the Caribbean.
According to the publication, Chastanet referred to the US dumping thousands of criminal deportees on the Caribbean.
He asserted that many of the deportees have little relationship with their homeland.
In an exclusive interview with the Nation, the Saint Lucia Prime Minister described the situation as “horrific.”
He accused the US of dumping thousands of criminals on the doorsteps of small Islands, while at the same time slashing the funds it spends to beef up security in the region.
Chastanet’s comments came against the backdrop of a resurgence of gun violence in Saint Lucia.
In the latest incident, a man and a woman were wounded when a lone gunman opened fire on Chaussee Road on July 8, 2016.
According to information, the man appeared to have been the intended target while the woman was hit by stray bullets.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has had US assistance to it stopped as a result of alleged extrajudicial killings by police officers.
The twelve fatal shootings occurred between 2010 and 2011 during an anti-crime campaign dubbed – Operation Restore Confidence.
The killings were the subject of an investigation which produced a damning report on the police.
Excerpts of the report, read on national television in March 2015 by then Prime Minister, Doctor Kenny Anthony, said that police had a “death list”.
According to Anthony, the report also said that police staged fake encounters and planted weapons to justify their actions.
While in opposition, Chastanet’s United Workers Party (UWP) promised that it would announce the terms of reference of an independent tribunal to deal with the matter.
The UWP said that the announcement would come during its first one hundred days in office.
For more: http://stluciatimes.com/2016/07/11/chastanet-says-us-contributing-caribbean-crime
MMC faces liquidation
From World Coal
Troubled Mongolian coal company, Mongolian Mining Corp., has been informed by lawyers for its creditors that BNP Paribas Singapore Branch, one of its lenders, has submitted an application for its liquidation.
The application has been submitted to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, where Mongolian Mining Corp. is incorporated, for processing.
The agreement with BNP Paribas Singapore Branch dates back to 2014, when Mongolian Mining Corp. entered into a loan agreement with that bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
Mongolian Mining Corp. has yet to receive any official notice in relation to the petition from the Cayman Court.
For more: http://www.worldcoal.com/coal/11072016/MMC-faces-liquidation-2016-2003/
Warming stressed plants become more toxic
From The Carbon Wars
Food crops could be generating more chemical compounds in response to extreme weather, damaging our health.
A new report from the United Nations Environment Assembly says that crops such as wheat and maize are generating more potential toxins as a reaction to protect themselves from extreme weather.
Some drought-stressed crops, when then exposed to sudden large amounts of rain that lead to rapid growth, in turn accumulate hydrogen cyanide, more commonly known as prussic acid – one of the ingredients used in some types of chemical warfare – interferes with oxygen flow in humans. These chemical compounds are harmful to people and animals if consumed for a prolonged period of time.
Plants typically convert nitrates to amino acids and proteins, but prolonged drought slows or prevents this conversion. This results in nitrates accumulating in the plant, which for people and animals, can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen in the body.
For more: http://www.thecarbonwars.com/warming-stressed-plants-become-toxic/
Red Bay Summer Roadworks Cayman Islands
Roadworks continue in the Prospect and Red Bay areas; to reconfigure the Red Bay roundabout and enhance the east-west arterial.
Most work is being done during off-peak times to avoid disruptions to traffic.
While work is being done, one of the lanes will be open for traffic as usual, but drivers may also use an alternate lane, as directed.
Please drive carefully, and pay attention to signs indicating lane closures or diversions.
Work in this area is to be completed before the end of August.
Click on images to enlarge.
COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)
FRI JULY 15
Submissions sought for Grant for the Arts
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) is set to recognise and promote arts and culture in the Cayman Islands through the Grants for the Arts.
As part of the CNCF’s mission to facilitate and preserve all forms of artistic expression in the Cayman Islands a grant programme was created. The grant can be used to bring projects to fruition or support ongoing programmes. In the past the grant has be awarded for training, productions, publications, festivals and special projects.
CNCF is accepting application for the grant. Application forms and guidelines can be found online at www.artscayman.org/grants-for-the-arts. Applications are due Friday 15 July.
SAT JULY 16
Lookya with Mango Season at the Museum
“DATS A MANGO STAIN?!”
In Cayman, mango season is highly anticipated, and the sweet, unique flavor of the mango is enjoyed by all. Locals reminisce on diving up mangoes in the sea and going in the land to find the perfect tree to climb, whether it be for a long, round, or a Julie mango. The maiden plum and cockspur weren’t any match for anyone with mangoes on their mind.
Join us on Saturday, 16th July 2016, from 3−8pm at our first annual Mango Season at the Museum on the Waterfront. Admission is free to the public. Enjoy food and mango products, a mango peeling/eating competition, music by local artists, and arts & crafts and fun for the kids and entire family in a family-friendly environment.
Use the hashtag #DatsAMangoStain on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to create conversation and to share your experiences.
MON JULY 18
Vacation Bible School
The Churches of God Holiness Spot Bay and Watering Place are hosting Vacation Bible School Monday — Friday (18 — 22 Jul) from 6-8pm daily at the Watering Place location. Call 948-0214 for more information
TUE JULY 19
Cayman Islands Seafarers Association
“The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association wishes to inform all Members that there will be a General Meeting, on Tuesday 19 July 2016 at 7:30 PM. in the Seafarer’s Hall, 11 Victory Ave. Prospect. THU JULY 21
Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 1
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar on Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 1 at their offices in Governor’s Square on Thursday (21 Jul) at 9am. Sign up at caymanchamber.ky.
THU JULY 28
Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 2
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar on Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 2 at their offices in Governor’s Square on Thursday (28 Jul) at 9am. Sign up at caymanchamber.ky.
World Hepatitis Day
Thursday (28 Jul) is World Hepatitis Day under the theme ‘It’s Up To You.’ Log on to caymanactive.com for information about local events.
July Events at Camana Bay
Next month’s public holiday on Monday, 4 July will have a fireworks extravaganza not to be missed. Kids won’t be bored this summer with a variety of camps for all ages, outdoor movies shown under the stars every Tuesday and a summer splash party with prizes to be won. Grownups will enjoy summer savings as the shops mark down prices for one day only and ladies will have the chance to enjoy a ‘healthified’ three-course menu. Moviegoers are also in for a real treat as Regal Cinemas shows the ballet classic, One Man, Two Guvnors.
For more details on our summer festivities, camps and offers; visit camanabay.com/summer.
Here is a quick look at our summer camps:
6th Annual Multi-Sport Camp
5 through 8 July (Week 1), 11 through 15 July (Week 2) and
25 through 29 July (Week 3)
8am-12pm
Camana Bay Sports Complex
Starfish Village Summer Camp
5 July through 25 August
8am-3pm
Starfish Village
Shutterbugs Photography Camp
Mondays, 11 July through 15 August (Ages 8-11) and
Fridays, 15 July through 19 August (Ages 11-16)
9am-12pm,
Picture This Studios
Budding Chef Summer Camp
11 through 15 July
12-1pm
Bon Vivant
8th Annual Basketball Camp
18 through 22 July
8:30am-4pm
The Arts & Recreation Centre
Here is a quick look at our special events:
End-of-School Kids Disco Party
Moonlight & Movies
Tuesdays, July through August
7pm
Gardenia Court
Patriotic Festival
Monday 4 July
5-8pm
The Crescent
Summer Sidewalk Sale
Saturday 9 July
11am
Town Centre
Abacus Restaurant Takeover with Nadine Dumas
Tuesday 12 July
5:30-7:30pm
Abacus
The Bookends Club
Wednesday 13 July
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Ross Tibbetts Book Signing
Friday 15 July
6:30pm
Books & Books
Culture at the Cinema: One Man, Two Guvnors
Saturday 16 July
7pm
Regal Cinemas
Floetry
Wednesday 20 July
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Summer Splash
Saturday 23 July
2-7pm
The Crescent
