iNews Briefs & Community Events
Community Events
MAY 7
Clifton Hunter High School year 7 & 8 Parents’ Consultative Evening
The Clifton Hunter High School year 7 & 8 Parents’ Consultative Evening is Wednesday (6 May) in the performing arts building at 5pm.
Reporting session Layman E. Scott High School
The reporting session for Layman E. Scott High School is Thursday (7 May) from 4 to 630pm.
Cayman Islands Agricultural Society Meeting
The Cayman Islands Agricultural Society is hosting the last of its outreach meetings on Thursday (7 May) at 7pm at the Stacy Watler Pavilion in relation to Animal Importation into the Cayman Islands.
Unplugged
The Cayman Music & Entertainment Association and Hard Rock Café invites you to “Unplugged” with Andy Blake, Stuart Wilson and the internationally acclaimed Big Mountain at Hard Rock Café this Thursday (7 May) at 7:00pm.
Special Olympics Cayman Islands Bowling & Basketball
Special Olympics Cayman Islands invites you to the 2015 Annual National Games and Week of Awareness. The next event is Thursday (7 May) with bowling at 3:30pm at Kings Gym and Basketball at 530pm at the First Baptist Church Gym.
Young Musician of the Year
Young Musician of the Year competition Thursday night at the Prospect Playhouse 6:30pm. Tickets $5 available at the door. See attached flyer
Click to enlarge
Night work begins on Godfrey Nixon Way GT Grand Cayman
The National Roads Authority (NRA) is requesting that drivers avoid Godfrey Nixon Way in the evenings until night time work to redevelop the road is completed.
Beginning Wednesday 6th May 2015, work on the road will take place round the clock.
To assist with this stage of the project, traffic will be only one way from 5.00 p.m. to 12.00 a.m. each evening, as access from Eastern Avenue will be closed.
The NRA apologises for any inconvenience.
Cayman Islands man charged with 3 counts following serious motor accident
On Tuesday 5 May 2015 the 49 year old George Town man, arrested Tuesday 26 January 2015 following a serious motor collision along the West Bay Road, near the Ritz – Carlton has been charged with:
- Dangerous Driving
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Inflicting Grievous bodily harm
The accused was bailed to appear in court later this month.
US government approves ferry service from Florida to Cuba
From Caribbean Journal
In a major step, the United States has begun approving licenses for a number of ferry companies to operate services between the United States and Cuba.
While a number of hurdles remain, from US coast guard approval of Cuban ports to Cuban government approval, the move could be a major step forward in transportation between the long closed-off neighbours.
For now, at least five companies have been approved for licenses, according to reports, including Baja Ferries USA and United Caribbean Lines, among others.
The United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control has not specifically identified all of the companies approved for licenses.
One firm, Airline Brokers Company, said it had first applied for a license in 1991 and now, 24 years later, had finally received approval.
Their license, for example, was granted for a term of just over two years.
Another company, CubaKat, which has been working on developing high-speed catamaran service, applauded the news on Facebook, although it has not yet received approval.
“This paves the way for Approved Service for Cubakat, hopefully very soon now,” the company said.
In another Cubakat comment, it said it was “looking like $169 per way,” for trips between Florida and Cuba, although it’s not yet clear what pricing would look like across the companies.
If and when such ferries become operational, there is still the ultimate hurdle: removing the embargo that makes travel to the island officially prohibited, except under a range of recently-expanded licenses, from journalistic trips to people-to-people tours.
For more: http://caribjournal.com/2015/05/05/us-government-approves-ferry-service-from-florida-to-cuba/#
Cayman Islands budget to be presented Friday May 15
The Cayman Islands government have confirmed the 2015/16 budget will be presented by Finance Minister, Marco Archer, on Friday 15th May in the Legislative Assembly.
It has been confirmed that for the first time in a number of years the budget meets all the requirements of the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR).
It is also understood there will be no new taxes and government workers will receive a 4% cost of living adjustment (COLA).
The event will be televised live on the government TV station (CIGS) and will include the Throne Speech to be delivered by the Governor, Helen Kilpatrick.
JetBlue expands again in Caribbean, plans to fly to Antigua
By Ben Mutzabaugh, From USA TODAY
JetBlue continues to expand its footprint in the Caribbean, filing for the authority to begin service to the island of Antigua. Antigua is one of the two main islands that make up the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
If approved, JetBlue would fly to Antigua three times a week from its main hub at New York JFK starting Nov. 5. JetBlue expects ticket sales for the new flights to begin in May, when the airline publishes its winter schedule.
Also, JetBlue is adding a new nonstop route between Barbados and its base at Boston Logan. The seasonal Saturday-only service would begin Nov. 7 and would complement JetBlue’s existing JFK-Barbados service.
The new routes continue JetBlue’s push into the Caribbean during the past few years. JetBlue said Antigua is one of the largest Caribbean markets it did not yet serve, adding that the destination would help “grow (its) robust JFK leisure route portfolio.”
Tampa’s Image Academy football team fly Cayman Airways to Grand Cayman
From Cayman Airways
The IMG Academy football (soccer) team arrived on Grand Cayman May 5, 2015 via Cayman Airways’ nonstop flight from Tampa, Florida. The team will be competing in the second annual Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup tournament taking place May 5-10, 2015.
“It’s cool to have the opportunity again to go back there,” said Ryan Hargis, IMG Academy Midfielder. “We were there last year and it was a lot of fun. Beside the games, I really enjoyed swimming with the stingrays. My team and I hope to do well again at the Cayman Youth Cup and hope we can make this event again next year.”
Located in Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy is the world’s foremost authority in athletic, academic and personal development for youth, high school, collegiate and pro athletes.
The Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup is an international Under-15 tournament with the aim of bringing football (soccer) teams from around the world to the Cayman Islands. Cayman Airways is the title sponsor and Official Airline sponsor, providing complimentary airfare to Cayman for the visiting teams.
For more: https://www.caymanairways.com/KXCupTampa
31-year-old doctor dies while on vacation in Caribbean
From WRAL
RALEIGH, N.C. — A 31-year-old North Carolina doctor has died while vacationing in the Caribbean with her husband.
WTVD-TV (http://abc11.tv/1ADCzNc ) reports Dr. Samyka Harris-Edwin of Raleigh died suddenly while vacationing in St. Lucia with her husband, Micah Edwin. Hospital administrators say the couple was climbing the Gros Piton mountain range Sunday when Harris-Edwin began having trouble breathing and never regained consciousness. Her husband, also a doctor, administered CPR but Harris-Edwin was pronounced dead later at a local hospital.
Harris-Edwin worked as a doctor at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. Her body remains in St. Lucia where an autopsy will be performed Wednesday. So far, officials have not released a cause of death.
Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited announces change of principal executive office
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:OXBR), announced today that it has changed the location of its principal executive offices. The Company will now occupy leased office space at Strathvale House, 2nd Floor, 90 North Church Street, Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The company believes the new space is more suited for its anticipated future growth.
About Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited
Oxbridge (www.oxbridgere.com) is a Cayman Islands exempted company that was organized in April 2013 to provide reinsurance business solutions primarily to property and casualty insurers in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. Through Oxbridge’s licensed reinsurance subsidiary, Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited, it writes fully collateralized policies to cover property losses from specified catastrophes. Oxbridge intends to specialize in underwriting medium frequency, high severity risks, where it believes sufficient data exists to analyze effectively the risk/return profile of reinsurance contracts. The company’s ordinary shares and warrants trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols “OXBR” and “OXBRW,” respectively.
Contacts
Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited
Company Contact:
Jay Madhu, CEO, 345-749-7570
US Navy vessels rendezvous in the Caribbean Sea
From Naval Today
IMAGE: Seazoom
On May 3 two US Navy vessels met in the Caribbean Sea for a replenishment-at-sea.
As the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) was sailing to Jamaica for Continuing Promise 2015, it met with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) and engaged in RAS.
Continuing Promise is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian-civil assistance, subject matter expert exchanges, medical, dental, veterinary and engineering support and disaster response to partner nations and to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America and the Caribbean.
For more: https://navaltoday.com/2015/05/06/us-navy-vessels-rendezvous-in-the-caribbean-sea/
Two female Cayman Islands prison officers fired
Although no details have been given as to why, it has been confirmed two female officers working at the Cayman Islands Fairbanks women’s prison in George Town have been dismissed.
Director of Prisons Neil Lavis said this followed an internal investigation.
2 Jamaicans advance in Caribbean entrepreneurship challenge
From Jamaica Observer
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two Jamaicans have advanced to the next round of the Caribbean Call to Action Entrepreneurs Challenge.
They are Janice McLeod, who presented Agro Central –which allows businesses and farmers to connect via web and SMS, and Shamoy Hajare, whose Jamaica School for Social Entrepreneurship hopes to develop hydroponic sites to help employ young people and reduce the country’s import bill.
The two were among 12 young Caribbean entrepreneurs selected after 24 presented their ideas on May 3 as the three-day Caribbean Young Leaders Entrepreneurship Boot Camp came to a close.
The other finalists moving forward in the challenge, which is an initiative of the Global Leadership Coalition (GLC), A Million for A Billion (1M1B), and the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (CoESL) are: Devin Odlum of Antigua & Barbuda; Joshua Forte and Nikele Davis of Barbados; Jenell Pierre of Guyana; Willan Mark of Grenada; Magaran Joseph of St Lucia; Vincent Polak of Suriname; and Josanne Arnold, Vijay Dialsingh and Korice Nancis of Trinidad and Tobago.
The participants in the Caribbean Young Leaders Entrepreneurship Boot Camp in St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, Barbados, were chosen from more than 70 entrepreneurs, aged 18 to 29, who submitted innovative proposals to the Challenge.
As part of the programme, volunteer mentors gave participants advice and guidance over the weekend on how to turn their ideas into viable businesses.
Bullet found on visitor leaving Cayman Islands costs him $1,000
A visitor was departing Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman when a single .45 live bullet was discovered in his jacket pocket when he went through the X-ray machine.
The man explained he had gone to a firing range prior to his trip to the Cayman Islands and he thought he had removed all ammunition from his pockets.
Magistrate Valdis Foldats accepted his explanation along with his guilt plea and fined him $1,000. However, no conviction was recorded.
The man had a lifetime firearm permit in his home jurisdiction.
ECLAC deputy executive secretary opens Caribbean Future Forum
PRESS RELEASE – ECLAC’s Deputy Executive Secretary Antonio Prado signaled that if the Caribbean is to achieve equitable growth in an environmentally sustainable manner, critical challenges will have to be addressed, the most urgent of these being the high and unsustainable levels of public debt.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Forum on the Future of the Caribbean at the University of the West Indies St Augustine campus in Trinidad and Tobago on 5 May 2015, Mr. Prado identified the subregion as one of the most debt-constrained in the world.
Noting that the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are at a crossroads in terms of their future growth and distribution capacity, he suggested that productivity gains, including product diversification will be needed.
These developments, he cautioned, would not occur without careful planning. Investment in basic and higher education, science and technology and technical capacity were essential for ushering in a new era of growth with greater equality in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the context of “disruptive thinking” which was the theme of the forum, he identified a number of areas where the Caribbean academic community can make a difference.
He called for ‘open day’ when faculty and staff share ideas with the public on various development challenges confronting the society. He suggested that a strengthened culture of openness can provide the seeds for new ideas for basic and applied research that can lead to new products, services, methods and techniques to boost growth and development.
He also called for increased attention to be given to micro-level research that seeks to understand how individual agents and organisations function and succeed. The study of different categories of firms, for example, could provide rich insight into their motivations and what makes them profitable and competitive.
Addressing the role of education in the development effort, he said it was critical that Caribbean universities strengthen their links with private businesses, business development agencies and bureaus of standards.
He noted that the sharing of experiences with these institutions, both those that have failed and those that are successful, provide an ideal avenue for creating dynamic networks that can serve as the scaffolding for the development of commercial products and services able to compete in international markets.
He suggested that think tanks like ECLAC should complement the work of the academy, noting that in this regard, ECLAC has consistently contributed to development thinking in the region.
He emphasised that the task of regional transformation was herculean, and urged the forum participants to dig deep to come up with workable solutions to advance the region’s development.
The Chicago Fire Academy football team fly nonstop to Cayman on Cayman Airways
From Cayman Airways
The Chicago Fire Academy U14 football (soccer) team arrived on Grand Cayman May 3, 2015 via Cayman Airways’ nonstop flight from Chicago. The team will be competing in the second annual Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup tournament taking place May 5-10, 2015.
“It is a great honor for us to be a part of the Cayman Airways Invitational Cup,” said Victor Bezerra of the Chicago Fire team. “We are thankful to be welcomed by the organization and for the opportunity to represent US Soccer and MLS. We look forward to the competition and experience ahead.”
The Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup is an international Under-15 tournament with the aim of bringing football (soccer) teams from around the world to the Cayman Islands. Cayman Airways is the title sponsor and Official Airline sponsor, providing complimentary airfare to Cayman for the visiting teams.
For tournament details and more, visit www.caymanyouthcup.ky or www.caymanairways.com/KXYouthCup2015
For more: https://www.caymanairways.com/KXCupChicago
Volaris announces flights to Puerto Rico
Volaris now services San Juan, Puerto Rico from Cancun, Quintana Roo
Puerto Rico is the carrier’s first incursion into the Caribbean marketplace
MEXICO CITY, May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Volaris (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR), the ultra low cost Mexican airline with the most extensive route network servicing Mexico and the US, as part of their active expansion plan today announced the introduction of new international service from Cancun, Quintana Roo to the city of San Juan in Puerto Rico, effective July 2nd operating with two flights per week.
During a press conference, Volaris CEO, Enrique Beltranena, addressed the importance of including San Juan in the Volaris destination roster and informed the carrier is the only one to connect Mexico with this important Caribbean island in the last 15 years. “Today we are announcing expansion of our coverage to a total of 60 destinations. Sure enough, Puerto Rico is now closer than ever to Mexico! Plus, with Volaris’ clean and clear fares, this a truly irresistible destination.”
“Incorporating Puerto Rico into the Volaris route network responds to our expansion strategy for the region. It also underscores our commitment to Cancun, where we are currently servicing 18 destinations and operating 257 flights per week,” Beltranena said.
He further explained this service opens doors to diversify the island’s offering, “At Volaris we are committed to promoting air connectivity for the country’s most important cities, which in turn fosters their economic development. This is why we are offering connections from Mexico City, Monterrey, and Tijuana, which helps our Customers avoid long layovers at other locations,” he said.
Volaris continues to strengthen its positioning as the Mexican airline with the most extensive route network throughout Mexico and the US, totaling 139 routes to 60 destinations – 22 international and 38 domestic. Since its inauguration, Volaris has transported nearly 50 million passengers, 7 million of which have been for international travel.
For those interested in the new service, flight schedules, including dates and times of operation, are announced as follows:
Cancun, Quintana Roo – San Juan, Puerto Rico
(Effective July 2. Thursdays and Sundays)
Departing Cancun, Quintana Roo at 11:30 hrs., arriving San Juan, Puerto Rico at 15:50 hrs.
Departing San Juan, Puerto Rico at 17:20 hrs., arriving Cancun, Quintana Roo at 19:40 hrs.
For more: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volaris-announces-flights-to-puerto-rico-300077992.html
Cayman Islands CEC will soon be home to maritime services
According to Karen Kokabi, Founder of Blueship and Orecoal, Cayman could play a very strategic and influential role in the maritime world.
Approx. 80% of the world’s mega yachts are registered under Cayman’s red flag and at the shipping summit being held at the Marriott Hotel, Grand Cayman it was disclosed maritime services will soon be part of Cayman Enterprise City (CEC).
ISIS vows to kill ‘Draw Muhammad’ organizer Pamela Geller
By Greg Richter From Newsmax
A message on the website Just Paste It claims Pamela Geller, one of the organizers of Sunday’s “Draw Muhammad” event in Garland, Texas, will be killed by Islamic State (ISIS) sympathizers.
“The attack by the Islamic State in America is only the beginning of our efforts to establish a wiliyah in the heart of our enemy,” the message reads. “Our aim was the khanzeer Pamela Geller and to show her that we don’t care what land she hides in or what sky shields her; we will send all our Lions to achieve her slaughter.”
Two gunmen, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, were shot to death by police outside the event when they jumped from a car with assault rifles.
The note said the two were aware the event was heavily guarded and gave their lives willingly in an effort to show “how easy we give our lives for the Sake of Allah.” The note said anyone who attempts to shield Geller or who hosts any of her events also are “legitimate targets.”
Islam considers it blasphemous to depict its founder visually.
The message claims ISIS has 71 “trained soldiers” in 15 states inside the United States.
“Out of the 71 trained soldiers 23 have signed up for missions like Sunday,” the message reads. It names Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, California and Michigan among the states with fighters.
“The disbelievers who shot our brothers think that you killed someone untrained, nay, they gave you their bodies in plain view because we were watching,” the note says.
Geller, appearing Tuesday on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” said she knows she is a target of Islamic extremists and is willing to die to fight for free speech.
“Give me liberty or give me death,” she quoted Patrick Henry.
Jamaica’s St. George’s College football team fly on Cayman Airways
From Cayman Airways
The St. George’s College U15 male football team arrived on Grand Cayman May 5th via Cayman Airways’ nonstop flight from Kingston. The team will be competing in the second annual Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup tournament taking place May 5-10, 2015.
“I am very happy to represent my school at an International tournament, and I hope to make my school, my family and my country proud,” said team member Quwaine Wright of St. George’s College, Jamaica.
The Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup is an international Under-15 tournament with the aim of bringing football (soccer) teams from around the world to the Cayman Islands. Cayman Airways is the title sponsor and Official Airline sponsor, providing complimentary airfare to Cayman for the visiting teams.
For tournament details and more, visit www.caymanyouthcup.ky or www.caymanairways.com/KXYouthCup2015
For more: https://www.caymanairways.com/KXCupJamaica
Club America wins SCCL title
MONTREAL — Dario Benedetto scored a hat-trick to help Club America to a 4-2 victory over Impact de Montreal in the second leg of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League final and win the title 5-3 on aggregate.
Oribe Peralta also scored Wednesday for the Aguilas, who won their first SCCL title and tied fellow Mexico City-side Cruz Azul atop the continental ranks with their sixth overall CONCACAF club championship.
Andres Romero netted early for Montreal, playing the second leg before a home crowd of more than 61,004 at the Stade Olympique. Jack McInerney added a consolation goal late for the Canadian side, and Ignacio Piatti had two assists.
Benedetto and Peralta finished as the competition’s joint-top scorers with seven goals each.
Romero’s eighth minute goal gave Montreal the halftime lead, but Benedetto equalized with the first goal of his evening just five minutes into the second half.
Martinez sent a looping cross from the right, and Benedetto rose to hammer in a scissor-kick finish from the edge of the six-yard box
America then scored twice in two minutes to take a commanding lead.
In the 64th minute, Quintero reached Rubens Sambueza’s cross and headed it back across the goal, where Peralta nodded it in from close range.
Then in a 66th-minute counterattack, Benedetto extended his his leg to knock in Miguel Samudio’s curling cross to make it 3-1 for the visitors.
Benedetto added his third on a strike into the top left corner from the edge of the penalty area in the 81st minute.
McInerney pulled Montreal within 4-2 on the night in the 88th minute after taking Piatti’s pass and driving a low finish beyond goalkeeper Moises Munoz.
Proposed Cayman Islands mental health facility may be public/private partnership
A public/private partnership agreement is under discussion for the new proposed mental health facility in the Cayman Islands.
A steering committee made up of government officials, senior police officers and legal representatives form the private sector is considering all options together with a business plan.
It is hoped to have the new facility up and running within 18 months.
Canada reveals Women’s World Cup roster
Canada’s roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup was unveiled at a special ceremony (above) on April 27, 2015, in Vancouver. (Photo courtesy of Canada Soccer)
VANCOUVER, Canada – Canada named on Monday a 23-player roster for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which it will host June 6 – July 5, 2015. The selection will not become official until it is submitted to FIFA by the deadline date of May 25.
Forward Christine Sinclair, who has 153 international goals, leads the way for Canada, which also features several players who were part of the bronze medal-winning team from the 2012 London Olympic Games, including goalkeeper Erin McLeod, midfielders Diana Matheson, Desiree Scott and Sophie Schmidt, as well as forward Melissa Tancredi.
“Today marks the culmination of three years of dedicated work from the team and we are pleased with the final selection,” Canada coach John Herdman said. “After the Olympics, we challenged the players to shed an old skin and strive to be even better as a team, and as individuals. They all committed wholeheartedly to this vision and competition for each position was fierce. Ultimately, we feel that this group of 23 makes us the best team we can be across our four corners of the game. They fully deserve this honor.”
Six players on the roster have at least 100 international appearances, while six others have more than 80.
“We’ve got a fantastic group of players here that are ready to step up and proudly represent their country on the biggest stage,” remarked Herdman. “It’s now up to the Canadians to show them that they are not alone on this journey and that they’ve got the strength of an entire country with them.”
Before hosting the tournament, Canada plays England May 29 in Hamilton.
Canada opens the tournament against Group A rival China PR (June 6 in Edmonton), before meeting New Zealand (June 11 in Edmonton) and the Netherlands (June 15 in Montreal).
CANADA WOMEN’S ROSTER
(2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup as of April 27, 2015)
GOALKEEPERS: Stephanie Labbe (unattached), Karina LeBlanc (Chicago Red Stars), Erin McLeod (Houston Dash)
DEFENDERS: Kadeisha Buchanan (West Virginia University), Allysha Chapman (Houston Dash), Robyn Gale (no club), Carmelina Moscato (no club), Marie-Eve Nault (no club), Lauren Sesselmann (Houston Dash), Rhian Wilkinson (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Zurrer (no club)
MIDFIELDERS: Jessie Fleming (London NorWest), Selenia Iacchelli (no club), Kaylyn Kyle (Portland Thorns), Ashley Lawrence (West Virginia University), Diana Matheson (Washington Spirit), Desiree Scott (Notts County Ladies/England), Sophie Schmidt (no club)
FORWARD: Josee Belanger (no club), Jonelle Filigno (Sky Blue), Adriana Leon (Chicago Red Stars), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns), Melissa Tancredi (Chicago Red Stars)
