iNews Briefs, More and Community Events
Community Events
TUE JULY 21
National Gallery Summer Cine Club for Kids
National Gallery Summer Cine Club for Kids is back with an all new selection of neat movies to enjoy! Screenings will be every Tuesday afternoon starting at 2:00 PM and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. To ensure that authentic cinema experience, popcorn, cookies and juice will be on sale at each showing. On July 21st the film is The Emperor’s New Groove
WED JULY 22
2015 CBA Training Seminar Series
The Caymanian Bar Association is pleased to announce the launch of the 2015 CBA Training Seminar Series, which will consist of eight seminars on Corporate and Funds Law. The seminar series will be held from July to November this year. Seminar 1 “Practical Issues on Setting up a Cayman Company’ is Wednesday (22 Jul) in Boardroom D at Maples and Calder starting at 5:25 pm.
THU JULY 23
National Gallery Summer Arts Drop Ins
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is thrilled to be hosting a Summer of Art, free programming that allows kids to utilise their creativity by participating in a range of imaginative activities. Drop-in sessions will take place in the National Gallery Education Centre every Thursday afternoon from 2:00 PM — 4:00 PM Each Summer Camp Drop-in session is different and gives kids ages 6 to 14 multiple opportunities to take part in a range of art-related activities including stenciling, creative group activities, painting, drawing and more.
Cayman Islands bank ends money transfer service
Fidelity Bank and Trust International Ltd has announced it has ended its Cayman Islands franchise for money transfer service in the Cayman Islands. The reason it has given is the economic times and risk.
The risk would appear to be from the USA government who have put mounting pressure on US banks to manage risk and reduce money laundering.
Local banks have been given notice from their US Correspondent Banks to cease activity with Money Services businesses that include Western Union.
Cayman Islands Chinese restaurant damaged by fire
A fire breaks out at China Village in Plaza Venezia over the weekend.
The Cayman Islands Fire Service says 911 called the fire control unit at 7:40am on Saturday morning. Domestic crews and appliances were on scene at approximately 7:44 hours led by Acting Station Officer Ricardo Charlton. Once the fire was extinguished the scene was turned over to Station Officer Richard McLaughlin who’s crew continued to overturn the debris and cool the hot spots and ventilate the building, whilst CUC arrived on scene to disconnect the power.
Fire Safety Investigators James Bodden and Tina Choy arrived on scene during the ventilation process and began the investigation into the “origin & cause”. It was determined by Fire Safety Investigator James Bodden and Acting Senior Divisional Officer Tina Choy of the Fire Prevention Unit that the fire originated to the front of the restaurant within the cashier booth.
With much investigation and overturned debris it was determined that the fire was ruled an electrical fire that started within the computer’s central processing unit.
Once the scene was made safe and the investigation into the cause and origin investigation completed a further check of the plaza was conducted. It was determined that the fire alarm system was inoperable.
Mexico says U.S. sent extradition request for Guzman in June
From Caribbean Digital Network
IMAGE: Joaquin “Shorty” Guzman (C) is escorted by soldiers during a presentation at the Navy’s airstrip in Mexico City February 22, 2014. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido MEXICO CITY, July 17 (Reuters) – Mexico’s government received an extradition request from the United States for Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman a couple of weeks before the drug lord’s escape from prison last Saturday, a government spokesman said on Friday.
The request was made on June 25 via a diplomatic note, the spokesman said in response to a question from Reuters. The confirmation followed comments made by Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong to reporters late on Thursday that suggested a request had, in fact, been made.
Mexico had previously said it expected a request but had indicated in January that Guzman would not be handed over because he would serve time in his home country.
Guzman is wanted by U.S. authorities for a variety of criminal charges including cocaine smuggling and money laundering. He broke out of Mexico’s top maximum security prison through a tunnel that surfaced right into his cell.
The failure to extradite him has been heavily criticized by the government’s critics since the jail break.
Guzman’s Sinaloa Cartel has smuggled billions of dollars worth of drugs into the United States and is blamed for thousands of deaths through addiction and gang violence.
A massive manhunt is underway to capture him.
(Reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez; Editing by Dan Grebler)
For more: http://www.caribbeandigitalnetwork.com/mexico-says-u-s-sent-extradition-request-for-guzman-in-june/
Cayman Islands Islander complex is coming down
Work has started on demolishing the Islander Complex on Lawrence Boulevard near the traffic lights at the junction on West Bay Road, Grand Cayman.
Many businesses opened and closed their doors in the complex that was once owned by Laurence Thompson and later by DART.
World Gym, Butterfly Farm, Jillian’s Billiards Lounge and Bar, Dunkin’ Donuts, Purple Dragon, BED Nightclub all come to mind, and originally a nightclub that was home to a musical group headed up by Chuck & Barrie Quappe who I believed managed the business. The US Country Duo The Bellamy Bros performed there at that time.
Islamic State claims kidnapping of three African Christians in Libya
From Reuters
BENGHAZI, LIBYA – Islamic State has kidnapped three African Christians in eastern Libya, the group said, publishing their passport pictures.
The men come from Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana, Islamic State said in a statement on social media, without elaborating.
The kidnapping took place in Noufliyah, an Islamic State stronghold southeast of the city of Sirte, said a resident, asking not to be named.
Mohamed El Hejazi, a military spokesman loyal to the internationally recognized government based in the east, also said the abduction happened in the small town.
The militant group has expanded in the North African country by exploiting chaos and a security vacuum like it did in Iraq and Syria.
Islamic State militants have beheaded dozens and attacked foreign missions in Tripoli, while also fighting forces loyal to Libya’s two government.
The official government has been based in the east since losing control of the capital Tripoli a year ago when a rival group called Libya Dawn seized it, setting up its own parliament and government.
(Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli and Mostafa Hashem; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Tom Brown)
Why did these grapes sell for $8,200?
From The Kitchn
IMAGE: Ruby Roman Grapes
Have you ever heard of Ruby Roman grapes? You might remember that last year a bunch sold in Japan for ¥550,000, or about $4,500.
Those were the world’s most expensive grapes — until last week.
A new bunch of the specially bred grapes went up on auction this year, and fetched a whopping $8,200, or more than ¥1 million.
So what makes these ginormous grapes so special? It’s a variety that was developed to have low acidity and maximum sweetness. They were first created 14 years ago, but have only been on sale for the past seven years.
The first batch in Japan goes up for auction each year, and sells for a record price, as the first of the crop is supposed to bring good luck. So these will be the most expensive grapes until next summer rolls around.
Former Cayman Islands teacher joins Darlington School
From Rome News Tribune
Darlington School announces a new addition to its faculty.
Scott Lohmeyer will teach math at Darlington School in grades 6-7 and coach middle school wrestling.
He holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Rhode Island, an M.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport, and Connecticut Teacher’s Certification for grades K-6.
For the past three years, Lohmeyer taught grades 5 and 6 at Cayman International School in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. There, he advised the Middle School Student Leadership Team, was director of the high school rock band, and coordinated the “Teacher Creatures” faculty rock band.
He previously served as a long-term substitute teacher at Glenville Elementary School in Greenwich, Ct.
Clinton cadet gets senior appointment
From The Ashcroft Cache Creek Journal
IMAGE: Cadet Master Warrant Officer Alysha Milward of Clinton (centre) is appointed to Company Sergeant Major of Alpha Company at Vernon Cadet Training Centre by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Judy Peter (r). Taking part in the presentation is Major Dick Derkson, Officer Commanding, Alpha Company (l).— Image Credit: Wayne Emde
Army Cadet Alysha Milward of Clinton was appointed Company Sergeant Major of Alpha Company, becoming one of only eight senior cadet appointments at the Vernon Cadet Training Centre. Alpha Company is one of six at the camp, consisting of courses in Drill and Ceremonial as well as Sports and Fitness.
Cadet Master Warrant Officer (C/MWO) Milward was appointed to her position based on her previous successes both during summer training and at her home corps, as well as her results during an intense four-day training and evaluation period for all VCTC staff cadets. She looks forward to participating in the training centre’s Sunset Parade, which is open to the public on August 13.
C/MWO Milward plans to attend Thompson Rivers University this year. Her previous cadet training includes an exchange to the Cayman Islands and two years at summer training centres. She looks forward to the training of her cadets. In her spare time she is an amateur photographer, enjoys horseback riding, and is part of a 4H club.
The VCTC is the oldest continuous army cadet summer training centre in Canada. Each summer more than 1,000 cadets from across western Canada take part in of the may courses offered there.
The Cadet Program is a national program designed for young Canadians aged 12 to 18 who are interested in learning new skills, experiencing adventurous activities, undertaking national or international expeditions, travel, and making new friends from across the country while participating in a variety of fun, challenging, and rewarding activities.
They also learn about the sea, army, and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forced. Cadets make valuable contributions to Canadian society on a daily basis in terms of environmental, citizenship, and community activities. Cadets also learn valuable life and work skills such as teamwork, leadership, and citizenship.
Nationally, more than 55,000 cadets in approximately 1,115 army, sea and air cadet units make up the largest federally sponsored youth program in the country.
For more: http://www.ash-cache-journal.com/news/315073611.html
WuXi Healthcare Ventures files for $250 Million China-US Fund
From BioSpace
Cayman Islands-based WuXi Healthcare Ventures Fund II, L.P. has filed paperwork with the US SEC for a $250 million life sciences venture fund. In March 2015, WuXi PharmaTech’s board of directors decided to commit up to $50 million as an anchor investment for WuXi Healthcare Ventures Fund II, with an additional $200 million to come from outside investors (see WuXi Form 20-F). In 2011, WuXi PharmaTech started its original WuXi Venture Fund with $50 million. By the end of 2014, it had invested $36.1 million in 18 life science companies and recognized gains of $16.6 million on exits.
CORRECTION: WuXi PharmaTech is a separate and autonomous organization and did not file the Form D for the WuXi Healthcare Ventures Fund II, as previously reported
For more: http://www.biospace.com/news_story.aspx?StoryID=384530&full=1
Caribbean Bank will give funds to Haiti to face cyclone stage
From Prensa Latina
Bridgetown, July 19 (Prensa Latina) The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, for its acronym in English) delivered to Haiti more than two million dollars to face and cover the damages associated with 2015 and 2016 hurricane seasons.
According to the Caribbean News Now digital site, approval of that money is part of the financial institution’s commitment to support the efforts of the government of Puerto Principe to mitigate and effectively manage natural disasters and strengthen its economy.
Since 2013 the CDB granted such assistance to the Francophone nation, because it was vulnerable to the impact of disasters following the massive earthquake of January 2010.
That quake left more than 300 thousand people dead, at least three million displaced and a million people homeless, in addition to tear down the infrastructure of the capital and three other surrounding cities.
For more: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3999081&Itemid=1
Got Eggs?? Local [Cayman Islands]. Organic. Sustainable.
From Eco Chic Cayman
Support Local Farmers.
Brothers, Shanan and Pasmore Harrison have a Cayman Egg Farm which is not-for-profit. Any proceeds from egg purchases goes directly into feeding and maintaining the chickens as well as supporting Shanan’s ministry which teaches youth and adults how to cook. Together, their hard work is a labor of love. The chickens are specifically, layer fowls which means that they do not rely on a rooster to produce eggs. The animals are cared for with love, and respect. All farmed eggs are organic, thus they are hormone and antibiotic free! Check out their feature on Eco Chic Cayman
Contact: (Tel) 326-9761 Email: [email protected] Website: Coming Soon
For more: http://ecochiccayman.com/support-local/eco-chic-cayman-friends/
Cambridge-educated Naomie Harris plays a tough social worker in ‘Southpaw,’ co-starring with Jake Gyllenhaal
By Stephen Whitty New York Daily News
Naomie Harris plays social worker Angela Rivera in “Southpaw.”
Since she’s a Cambridge-educated actress with a posh accent, Naomie Harris may not have been the obvious choice to play the tough New York social worker in “Southpaw.”
But the Anglo-Caribbean performer is used to challenges. And to confounding expectations, including her own.
“Cambridge was a huge culture shock for me, actually,” the 38-year-old says. “I’m a working-class North London girl and suddenly I was dorming with Etonians. But my mum always instilled in me this belief you could do anything. Without that, I could never have taken the risks I’ve taken.”
In the boxing drama “Southpaw,” opening Friday, star Jake Gyllenhaal takes the physical risks. But Harris gets her own workout in the James Bond movies. She’ll be returning as Moneypenny this November in the 007 film “Spectre.”
“The franchise has been going for 50 years because it changes with the times. And one of the big changes has been the position of women,” says the actress, who was raised by a single working mother. “Fans loved the idea of this kickass Moneypenny.”
The character is no longer a Bond girl, Harris says, but “a Bond woman.”
But despite the high-profile action films — and parts in “28 Days Later” and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films — the Londoner is still able to take the train home unrecognized.
“The paparazzi leave me alone,” she says. “I can still dart out of my house in my jim-jams and buy a pint of milk without showing up in the papers, luckily.”
IMAGE:
Naomie Harris co-stars with Jake Gyllenhaal in “Southpaw.” SCOTT GARFIELD
Gayle slams 105 runs in 57 balls
By George H. Whyte From Caribbean Life
Chris Gayle played a swashbuckling innings at the Sabina Park Grounds in Jamaica against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2015. Gayle, who is captain of the Jamaica Tallawahs slammed 9 sixes and 6 fours in his innings of 105 runs. He shared in a partnership of 68 runs with Jermaine Blackwood who scored 28 runs from 38 balls. Jamaica Tallawahs scored 180 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SCORE 130 RUNS IN 20 OVERS FOR 9 WICKETS
Jacques Kallis scored 46 runs from 36 balls and Samuel Badree 29 from 16 as the Jamaica Tallawahs won by 50 runs. Left-arm medium pacer Krishmar Santokie picked up 3 wickets for 27 runs and he became the leading wicket taker so far the season in the CPL competition by taking 14 wickets. Daniel Vettori 2 for 22 and Jerome Taylor 2 for 21 were the other wicket takers.
Note: Chris Gayle up to July 12 has batted seven times scoring the highest runs in the CPL competition, 362 runs at an average of 90.5, the highest.
For more: http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2015/7/2015-07-16-whyte-eoc-cl.html
Fight over chicken leg lands family in court
By Jamaica Observer From St Lucianewsonline
JAMAICA OBSERVER – A mother and her underaged son have been slapped with assault charges following a fight with her adult daughter over a chicken leg.
The 42-year-old mother, who is a security guard, and her son are to stand trial on August 19.
The trial date was set Thursday when the accused appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court (in Jamaica) where they pleaded not guilty.
The boy and his sister reportedly got into an argument over the chicken leg, on the morning of July 5, which turned physical.
The minor reportedly punched his sister in the face causing her to throw a figurine at him.
The mother reportedly got involved, using a cologne bottle and her hand to pummel her daughter in the head.
In court, the mother said she had just returned home from church when her children started to fight over a chicken leg.
“I told my daughter that I would fry two piece of chicken leg. I locked my son in my bedroom and she go in there and beat mi baby with a figurine,” the mother said.
A trial date was subsequently set and the complainant bound over to attend court.
For more on this story go to: http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/caribbean-fight-over-chicken-leg-lands-family-in-court/#sthash.RVYVo8Yk.dpuf
Venezuela to stop buying rice from Guyana amid dispute
By Bert Wilkinson From Caribbean Life
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) _ Venezuela has decided to stop buying much of Guyana’s rice crop amid an escalating border dispute between the South American neighbors, the Guyanese finance minister said Thursday.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan said Venezuelan officials informed him during a visit to Caracas that they will be acquiring rice from other suppliers, including Suriname, by the end of the year.
Venezuela has in the past four years purchased about 40 percent of Guyana’s rice production, or about 200,000 tons, paying for it with oil that amounts to about half of Guyana’s daily supply needs.
“It will be a significant blow to us,” said Peter DeGroot, president of the Rice Millers Association.
The exchange of rice for oil was done under the Petrocaribe program, a Venezuelan initiative that provides fuel at generous financial terms to Caribbean and Central American countries. Guyana remains a member of Petrocaribe and will continue to buy oil from Venezuela, Jordan said.
For more: http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2015/7/2015-07-15-ap-venezuela-cl.html
CIBC launches Caribbean footprint to Aruba
By Josimar Scott From Jamaica Observer
ON July 8, 2015, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce FirstCaribbean (CIBCFCIB) pressed further in its efforts to secure a foothold in the financial markets of the Dutch Antilles, and the wider Caribbean by extension, when it opened a “representative office” in Oranjestad, Aruba.
Prior to opening the office, CIBCFCIB operated in St Maarten and neighbouring-territory Curaçao — its only Dutch-speaking markets up to that time. And, according to its website, CIBCFCIB now operates in 17 countries in the region with some 100 branches and 2,900 staff members.
“The bank has had an interest in the Aruba market for some time, and has participated in large corporate banking transactions in that country. Recognising the potential of the Aruban market, therefore, CIBC First Caribbean decided that the time had come to take the next step by establishing a presence there,” a press release noted.
However, the possibility of entry to the Aruban market did not materialise until earlier this year when the financial group was issued an operating licence for the country. Despite only having an office on location, the group is aiming to provide its customers in that market with a full suite of its products and services — retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, credit cards, among others — with the establishement of a branch in the coming year.
“The representative office is the first step, which will be followed by the opening of a modern full-service branch in 2016,” the release stated. “Until the full-scale is opened, CIBC First Caribbean employees from Curacao will travel periodically for meetings with clients.”
Attendants at the opening included: Aruba’s Minister of Finance Angel Bermudez; Chief Executive Officer of CIBCFCIB Rik Parkhill; Pim van der Burg, managing director for the Dutch Caribbean; along with several staff members from Curaçao. The opening also marked the presentation of a cheque to Casa Cuna Progreso Foundation by the CEO and managing director.
For more: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/CIBC-launches-Caribbean-footprint-to-Aruba_19219232
UK Mortgages Limited launches new fund through Guernsey
From Property Funds World
Carey Olsen’s investment funds practice in Guernsey has advised bond fund house TwentyFour Asset Management on the launch of UK Mortgages Limited, an investment fund listed on the Specialist Fund Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The fund’s investment strategy is to provide shareholders with stable income returns through leveraged exposure to portfolios of loans secured against UK residential property.
The successful launch makes UK Mortgages the second largest investment trust to launch in 2015. The fund, which was oversubscribed, is targeting an annual return of between seven and 10% with an annual dividend of 3p per share and raised GBP250 million from investors.
Corporate partner Ben Morgan led the Carey Olsen team which provided Guernsey legal advice on the offer, fund incorporation and launch within a two-month timeframe assisted by senior associate Emma Penney. The fund was incorporated as a Guernsey company limited by shares.
Advocate Morgan says: “It was a privilege to work closely with the team from TwentyFour on such a significant investment fund launch which is the first of its kind.
“The selection of Guernsey as a domicile is testament to our strong reputation for LSE listed funds. Of the 16 LSE IPOs so far this year, eight have been Guernsey companies.”
The LSE listed Guernsey-domiciled fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of existing UK residential mortgage portfolios that have demonstrated strong performance histories as well as in new portfolios.
Mark Holman, the head of TwentyFour, says: “UK Mortgages provides an opportunity to access an attractive yield supported by a historically robust asset class. The income potential and historically low correlation to other asset classes has clearly appealed to investors.”
Mexico arrests seven officials over escape of drug kingpin
From Caribbean Digital Network
MEXICO CITY, July 18 (Reuters) – The Mexican Attorney General’s office said on Friday it had arrested seven officials over suspected involvement in the jail break of drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Guzman’s escape last Saturday from a maximum security prison through a mile-long tunnel built into his cell was a profound embarrassment for President Enrique Peña Nieto, raising pressure on the government to do more to battle public sector corruption.
As the tunnel surfaced in a blind spot in the cell behind a shower wall, government officials said it could only have occurred with the collusion of prison guards and officials, and that Guzman’s helpers must have seen the building’s plans.
The government dismissed the head of the prison and questioned more than 30 prison officials over the escape. It did not name the seven people who were arrested and a government spokesman could not immediately clarify the matter.
Peña Nieto, returning from a visit to France, on Friday acknowledged the escape had caused widespread frustration and that the only way to undo the damage was to recapture Guzman.
Separately, the government said the United States had requested the extradition of Guzman about two weeks before the breakout took place.
That news hinted at a U-turn by the government, because the previous attorney general, Jesus Murillo had said in January the country had no plans to hand him over.
Still, opposition Senator Juan Carlos Romero Hicks said if Mexico did recapture Guzman, extraditing him would be tantamount to admitting it was incapable of keeping him locked up.
“National sovereignty and national pride are so important … that I doubt the government will do it,” he said.
For more: http://www.caribbeandigitalnetwork.com/mexico-arrests-seven-officials-over-escape-of-drug-kingpin/
Crash victims’ families reject Germanwings compensation offer
From Caribbean Digital Network
FRANKFURT, July 19 (Reuters) – Some of the close relatives of those killed in the Germanwings plane crash in March have rejected the carrier’s offer of 25,000 euros ($27,000) in compensation payments for their pain and suffering.
A lawyer representing some of the German victims, Elmar Giemulla, said on Saturday he had notified Germanwings earlier this week in a letter that the offer was inadequate. He added a low six-digit amount would be adequate compensation.
Germanwings, a unit of Lufthansa, was not immediately available to comment outside usual business hours.
Evidence shows co-pilot Andreas Lubitz locked the captain out of the cockpit of Germanwings flight 4U9525 from Barcelona to Duesseldorf and deliberately steered the plane into a remote mountainside, killing all 150 onboard.
The 25,000-euro offer is on top of 50,000 euros already paid as immediate financial assistance to relatives. German law does not usually provide for a separate award for pain and suffering, unlike in the United States.
The proposed payout for emotional distress would be made to parents, widowed spouses, partners and children of the victims and does not require proof of damages incurred to be presented in order for it to be made, Germanwings said in June.
Relatives living in Germany may also claim an additional 10,000 euros each as compensation for any health problems without needing to offer formal proof, the company said.
Families of the victims still have the right to make further claims for other financial costs, such as burial costs or lost pensions, although this will require proof of damages incurred.
($1 = 0.9236 euros)
(Reporting by Harro ten Wolde; Editing by Pravin Char)
For more: http://www.caribbeandigitalnetwork.com/crash-victims-families-reject-germanwings-compensation-offer/
CDEMA calls for building national first responder capacity
From Barbados Today
The head of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) says a series of earthquakes in Barbados and other Caribbean islands this week underscores at the regional level, the importance of building national first responder capacity for dealing with seismic events.
On Thursday Barbados experienced as many as six tremors, and the US Geological Survey reported that they were also felt in the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
“We find that far too much interest is placed in climate change, not that we shouldn’t have it, but we have to recognise that the earthquake threat is ever present,” CDEMA’s Executive Director, Ronald Jackson told a news conference.
“I think we have been heeding the warning from the seismic research centre from as far back as, I would say February 2014 where a number of events from the Christmas period coming into 2014 and again earlier this year has really raised, I wouldn’t call them alarm bells, but certainly underscore the importance that we have to move at pace. That now it is a situation of urgency that we address the capacity of our first responders, given the catastrophic nature that seismic events can leave us with.”
The last major earthquake in the Caribbean was in Haiti in January 2010, which measured 7.0 magnitude.
Over 230,000 people were killed and an estimated 300,000 injured in the disaster. The quake also caused severe damage to infrastructure across the capital Port au Prince, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
Jackson said CDEMA continues to work with its member states, as well as the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, which is providing guidance on the expectation of what could occur across the member states in the event of a major disaster.
For more: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2015/07/18/cdema-calls-for-building-national-first-responder-capacity/
New York’s Empire State Building glows green for EID
From Caribbean Digital Network
NEW YORK, July 18 (AFP) – New York’s Empire State Building was lit in green late Friday to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
The green light will shine until the famous skyscraper closes to the public at 2:00 am (0600 GMT), when the building traditionally turns out its lights.
The skyscraper has carried out the tradition “for several years now — it is an annual lighting,” a building spokeswoman told AFP.
The Empire State Building famously shines specific colors for a number of religious holidays — pastel shades for Easter, blue and white for Hanukkah, and red and green for Christmas.
It also has marked a number of events — red, white and blue for the US women’s World Cup victory, rainbow colors for gay Pride Week, and blue, white and purple for World Oceans Day on June 8.
The tower is otherwise illuminated in white each night.
The privately-owned building receives hundreds of requests each year to be lit in particular colors for various causes and events.
Although it does not make its selection process public, it does not accept requests for political campaigns, religious figures and organizations, or personal events.
For more: http://www.caribbeandigitalnetwork.com/new-yorks-empire-state-building-glows-green-for-eid/
