iNews Briefs, More & Community Events
Community Events
WED JULY 8
Electoral Boundary Commission Savannah Meeting
The Electoral Boundary Commission will be holding a public meeting to discuss the new proposed electoral district maps now available for public viewing at district libraries and on the Elections Office website on Wednesday (8 Jul) at 5:30pm at Savannah United Church Hall.
Electoral Boundary Commission District Maps
The Electoral Boundary Commission has now released the new proposed electoral district maps for public viewing. Electoral district maps are available for viewing at the respective district public libraries on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. A full set of maps are available for viewing at the Elections Office or at its website www.elections.ky. Members of the public are also invited to make final written submissions to the Commission c/o the Elections Office by July 8th
THU JULY 9
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.
CONCACAF and Traffic Sports USA end corporate partnership agency relationship
Existing contracts to be assigned to CONCACAF effective today
Miami (Tuesday, July 7, 2015) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and Traffic Sports USA announced today that their Corporate Partnership Agency relationship will end as of today. The mutual decision was reached following discussions between both organizations and will have no effect on CONCACAF’s ability to fulfill its existing obligations to sponsors or to stage future tournaments.
In a statement, CONCACAF said: “CONCACAF and Traffic Sports USA have decided to part ways and dissolve their commercial rights agreement. Nonetheless, CONCACAF remains committed to organizing and executing best-in-class competitions for our member associations, fans, players, coaches, and sponsors, including the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.”
CONCACAF will service existing sponsorships through its in-house sales and marketing team. The process for selecting commercial rights partners and vendors in the future is currently being evaluated by CONCACAF’s Special Committee as it reviews the Confederation’s business operations.
The agreement with Traffic Sports USA that has been terminated included rights to the next four editions of the biennial Gold Cup (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021), as well as seven additional seasons of the annual Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, from the 2015/16 edition through the 2021/22 tournament. It also incorporated rights to all other events organized by the Confederation, such as youth tournaments, Olympic qualifiers, and Futsal.
Digicel Sportsmax to broadcast Netball World Cup 2015
Live Exclusive Coverage August 6 – 16
Tuesday, 7th July 2015 – Kingston, Jamaica: Netball fans across the Caribbean are in for a treat this summer as they will get to witness Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls, Barbados’ Bajan Gems and Trinidad & Tobago’s Calypso Girls in action on the world’s biggest netball stage, as Digicel SportsMax announced that it has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights to the 2015 Netball World Cup scheduled for August 6 – 16 in Sydney, Australia.
The 2015 Netball World Cup is set to feature fierce competition from sixteen countries, including host and defending champions, the Australian Diamonds plus their biggest arch rivals, the Silver Ferns of New Zealand, as well as rising powers England, South Africa and Malawi, and Caribbean hopefuls Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.
For the first time, the competition will feature 64 games played over 10 days, and will see the top-ranked teams go head-to-head right from the outset.
The opening match of the World Cup will showcase the Jamaica Sunshine Girls vs Samoa on August 6 at 7:50pm Jamaica time, with other Caribbean contenders Barbados facing New Zealand at 1:50am and Australia vs Trinidad & Tobago at 5:50am.
Digicel SportsMax Caribbean marketing manager Tanya Lee says the 2015 Netball World Cup will be best and biggest the sport has ever seen,
“The Netball World Cup is a celebration of the continued growth and impact of netball globally and more so in the Caribbean with three of our powerhouse teams vying for the biggest prize in netball. Digicel SportsMax is happy to showcase the talents of our girls across our 25 Caribbean markets as we’ve done in the past with our broadcast of Fast5 Netball Series. We’re up for an exciting 10 days of the world’s best netballers in action and fans can see it all exclusively on Digicel SportsMax & Digicel SportsMax2.”
Along with the Netball World Cup 2015, Digicel SportsMax are regional rights holders of premium content such as the recent Mayweather v Pacquiao bout, IAAF Diamond League 2015 to 2017, IAAF World Challenge meets, the Copa America, the Barclays Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the Women’s Tennis Association premier events, The Ashes, the Indian Premier League, Australia and England cricket, and more.
For Netball World Cup 2015 updates and a full broadcast schedule, visit digicelsportsmax.com or follow Digicel SportsMax TV on Facebook & @digicelsportsmax on Instagram.
Cayman Islands Chatterbox S. E. A. (Science. Environment. Nature.) Camp
The closing date for applications for this camp is tomorrow Wednesday 8th at 5.00 p.m., as we need to know how many children to plan for.
This tried and tested, educational camp is for children aged 6 years and upwards and helps children to learn about what is in and around our beautiful ocean.
Last year, hermit crab racing and exploring rock pools were great hits and all the children loved snorkelling, even if they had never tried it before.
To book a space or to discuss further details, please call Amanda on 916 5799 or email her at [email protected]
Royal Caribbean invests $5 million in upgrading Vietnam cruise port
From Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean has invested $5 million to upgrade Chan May Port in Thua Thien-Hue Province, a major port in central Vietnam.
Photo by Chris&Steve
The upgrade work is scheduled to be finished by the end of July and will allow the cruise port to handle shops that are 360 meters or longer, such as Quantum class ships.
Royal Caribbean Vice President of Commercial Development, John Tercek, told a Vietnamese newspaper the investment in the cruise port was largely due to an increase in guest interest in the area.
Tercek cited last month’s visit by Quantum of the Seas, where more than 2,000 passengers signed up for a one-day tour around Vung Tau and the neighboring Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Tercek, Royal Caribbean is considering investing in other Vietnamese ports as well, such as Nha Trang.
He said that while improving its infrastructure, Vietnam also needs to promote itself as a cruise ship destination to attract tourists with deep pockets.
Miami Caribbean code brings together tech leaders and innovators for regional tech summit
Co-Founder Eveline Pierre
Miami Caribbean Code (MC2) hosted its inaugural Regional Tech Summit on June 25 in Miami, where technology leaders and innovators convened to discuss ways South Florida and the Caribbean can work together.
“There is tech talent in our community and in the Caribbean,” said Eveline Pierre, co-founder of Miami Caribbean Code. “Our goal at MC2 is to bring out the talent and work together as partners.”
Among the tech leaders and innovators on scene that helped co-founders Pierre and Serge Rodriguez make the Regional Tech Summit a success was Matt Haggman, program director of the Knight Foundation, who kicked off the event with opening remarks.
Attendees heard remarks from Brian Fonseca, Florida International University Director of Operations in Applied Research Center, and keynote speaker Natalie Cofield, president & CEO of the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce and founding president of the Black Technology Council.
“There is no time to level the playing field. We’ve been trying to level the playing field for a long time, and right now we need immediate wins in the digital space,” Cofield said during her speech A 21st Century Digital Renaissance: Leveling the Playing Field.”
Fonseca’s speech focused on ways Miami and the Caribbean can become regional partners and maximize on technology innovations.
MC2 also hosted a panel discussion about women in technology,which included Angelica Medina, Miami program manager of Girls Who Code, Tia Dubuisson, president of Belle Fleur Technologies, and Sandra Florvella-Pierre, founder of Haitian Businesses.
Europe used old list to name Caribbean countries as tax havens
From Jamaica Observer
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The European Union has acknowledged that the list used to blacklist several Caribbean countries as tax havens was outdated, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said.
“We take very little comfort in that, in fact we expect them to adjust their records accordingly…because the consequences are serious and there are consequences for our banking relationship,” Browne told reporters as the 36th annual summit of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders was winding up here on Saturday.
Antigua and Barbuda is among the three Caribbean countries named by the European Union in a list containing 30 countries released last month.
The EU said the blacklisting comes amidst a crackdown on multinational companies trying to avoid paying tax in the 28-nation bloc.
The European Commission is proposing reforms to end sweetheart tax deals following a series of investigations into arrangements between EU countries and firms including Amazon, Apple and Starbucks.
But Browne said that the Europeans had informed Caribbean countries that “the list that they had was an old list dating back to 2014, so they clearly would have made a mistake.”
He said the “mistake” had consequences for investment, but that “from all indications they (EU) are cooperating and we just hope that all of the countries that have been actually listed as tax havens that they will cease and desist and they will upgrade their records accordingly”.
Royal Caribbean retaining Majesty of the Seas in fleet, planning improvements
By Dana Niland From Caribbean Journal
Royal Caribbean will be retaining its Majesty of the Seas ship in its fleet, changing course after an announcement in 2014 that it would be transferring the ship.
Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas will continue to offer short cruises with new itineraries summer 2016, after receiving transformational new amenities and upgrades, the company said.
The ship will homeport from Port Canaveral after sailing to the Bahamas this year for the renovations.
“Our short itineraries have been very popular offering vacationers the perfect opportunity to sample the unmatched experience of a Royal Caribbean cruise, as well as providing a quick adventurous getaway,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO at Royal Caribbean International. “With these exciting new features as well as unprecedented fast and free unlimited internet for guests on Majesty of the Seas, we are stepping up our game and offering a phenomenal short cruise adventure for our guests.”
In addition to new free, unlimited Voom internet service, the Majesty of the Seas will offer water rides, a poolside movie screen and other entertainment.
The ship will also come with an enhanced casino that will offer gamers the latest popular table games and slot machines, and exciting new culinary options including Izumi Japanese cuisines, the Sabor Taqueria, and the Chef’s Table – an experience hosted by the ship’s Executive Chef and Sommelier.
Majesty of the Seas will sail three- and four-night cruises to the cruise line’s private Bahamas destination, CocoCay, which boasts white sand beaches and turquoise waters set in 140 acres of lush greenery, as well as exclusively reserved snorkeling activities, an aquatic park and water slide, and beach volleyball and soccer facilities.
With this move, Royal Caribbean will now shift Rhapsody of the Seas to Tampa, where it will offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises in 2016.
Letter from the Cuban President Raul Castro to U.S. President Barack Obama on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations
July 1, 2015 HAVANA, Cuba
Mr. President:
Consistent with the announcements made on December 17, 2014, and the high level discussions between our two governments, I am pleased to address this letter to you in order to confirm that the Republic of Cuba has agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations with the United States of America and open permanent diplomatic missions in our respective countries on July 20, 2015.
In making this decision, Cuba is encouraged by the reciprocal intention to develop respectful and cooperative relations between our two peoples and governments.
Cuba is likewise inspired by the principles and purposes enshrined in the United Nations Charter and International Law, namely, sovereign equality, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, non-interference in matters which are within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, the development of friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and cooperation in solving international problems and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all.
All of the above is consistent with the spirit and the norms established in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of April 24, 1963, which both the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America are Parties to, and will govern diplomatic and consular relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America.
H.E. Mr. Barack H. Obama
President of the United States of America
I avail myself of this opportunity to express to you, Mr. President, the assurances of my consideration.
Raúl Castro Ruz
(Original signed)
Cayman Islands – Guidance notes under FATCA intergovernmental agreements
July 6: The Cayman Islands tax authority has issued Version 2.1 of guidance notes for implementing the intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) between the Cayman Island and the United Kingdom and the United States.
Read text of the guidance notes [PDF 2.17 MB]
Read a July 2015 report [PDF 125 KB] prepared by the KPMG member firm in the Cayman Islands: Cayman Islands FATCA update
©2015 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
KPMG International is a Swiss cooperative that serves as a coordinating entity for a network of independent member firms. KPMG International provides no audit or other client services. Such services are provided solely by member firms in their respective geographic areas. KPMG International and its member firms are legally distinct and separate entities. They are not and nothing contained herein shall be construed to place these entities in the relationship of parents, subsidiaries, agents, partners, or joint venturers. No member firm has any authority (actual, apparent, implied or otherwise) to obligate or bind KPMG International or any member firm in any manner whatsoever.
The information contained in herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
Direct comments, including requests for subscriptions, to [email protected].
For more information, contact KPMG’s Federal Tax Legislative and Regulatory Services Group at:
+ 1 202 533 4366
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Washington, DC 20006.
To download reports: http://www.kpmg.com/global/en/issuesandinsights/articlespublications/taxnewsflash/pages/2015-1/cayman-islands-guidance-notes-under-fatca-intergovernmental-agreements.aspx
CARIBBEAN: LIAT prepares for move to new airport terminal in Antigua
By LIAT – A new, larger terminal at the V.C. Bird International Airport, the home base for regional airline LIAT, will open shortly.
On Thursday, July 2, LIAT together with other carriers and their staff, participated in a full-scale simulation exercise at the new terminal building, which was done to test the various systems and to highlight any issues ahead of the official opening of the new facility.
Dozens of people, including LIAT employees, participated in the simulation exercise. They first checked in, went through immigration and security on the upper level of the terminal and prepared for departure through the allocated gates.
They then proceeded through immigration, before collecting their luggage and going through customs and exiting the terminal.
Several agencies took part in Thursday’s exercise. Among them, ground-handlers, representatives from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, customs, immigration, red caps, taxi operators and dispatchers, as well as personnel of all key airlines serving the island.
Among the systems and facilities tested were the departure check-in counters, signage, escalators and elevators, security, immigration, jet-bridges, baggage carousels and public address systems.
At the end of the exercise, all participants handed over to the Antigua and Barbuda Airports Authority (ABAA) their completed survey forms, providing first hand feedback on the customer experience and details of any issues they felt needed addressing.
The airport terminal, built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, has 14 departure gates, modern security screening facilities, as well as a VIP lounge. A mini food court and various concession outlets should be opened in due course, ready for the opening.
The new terminal also boasts 46 CUTE (Common Use Terminal Systems) check-in areas; 15 self-check-in kiosks; advanced technology baggage handling systems; state-of-the-art screening equipment; four passenger loading bridges; 13 retail and four food and beverage outlets. There are also short and long-term parking facilities.
Officials say when the terminal opens it could be the most advanced in the region.
HBO debuts a special presentation, “7 Days In Hell,” on July 11th in the Caribbean, simultaneously with the U.S.
Andy Samberg and Kit Harington star in the sports mockumentary about the longest tennis match of all time
Guest appearances include Lena Dunham, Michael Sheen, Serena Williams and Howie Mandel, among others
Miami, FL – July 6, 2015 – HBO brings audiences one of the most anticipated comedies of the year, 7 Days in Hell. The sports mockumentary unites comedian Andy Samberg and “Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington as sworn archrivals who meet for the longest and greatest tennis match of all time: a seven-day, five-set marathon that took literally everything out of them. The 42-minute special presentation premieres on Saturday, July 11th at 23:00 hrs. AST* in the Caribbean, simultaneously with the United States.
Aside from the match, the comedy dives into the past and careers of these legends who were two of the biggest tennis stars of their day: Aaron Williams (Samberg), a hyper-malcontent American bad boy, and Charles Poole (Harington), a dim-witted prodigy who carried England’s hopes for a championship on his shoulders.
The all-star cast also includes Karen Gillan, Lena Dunham (HBO’s Girls), Michael Sheen (Masters of Sex), Mary Steenburgen (HBO’s Togetherness), Will Forte, Howie Mandel, Fred Armisen, June Squibb and Soledad O’Brien, along with real-life tennis pros John McEnroe and Serena Williams.
This premiere comes not only during this year’s Wimbledon games, but also at a particularly eventful time in the professional lives of both stars. After launching a successful career on the silver screen on “Saturday Night Live,” Samberg will host the 67th edition of the Primetime Emmy® Awards this upcoming September. For his part, Harington rose to fame as Jon Snow on “Game of Thrones,” leaving fans stunned by his unexpected death during the recent season five finale.
7 Days in Hell is directed by Jake Szymanski; written by Murray Miller; executive produced by David Bernad, Murray Miller and Andy Samberg; co-executive produced by Jonathan Buss; with director of photography, Craig Kief; edited by Dan Marks and Pat Bishop; and narrated by Jon Hamm (Mad Men).
*Atlantic Standard Time. For more information and the programming schedule by country, contact your local provider or visit www.hbomax.tv.
2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup kick off doubleheader July 7 in Dallas Sold Out
Tickets still available for other Gold Cup group matches as well as knockout round at www.GoldCup.org
DALLAS (July 6, 2015) – CONCACAF today announced that all tickets have been sold for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup kickoff doubleheader in Dallas tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. Group A begins its Gold Cup run in Dallas with Panama facing Haiti at 6:00 p.m. CT, followed by USA versus Honduras at 8:30 p.m. CT.
Organizers encourage fans with tickets to arrive early and enjoy Futbol Fiesta, the fan interactive zone located in the Gold Lot starting at 4:00 p.m. Parking lots will open at 3:00 p.m., and stadium gates will open at 5:00 p.m. All times local. The Gold Cup will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, UniMás, UDN, and can be heard on the Fútbol de Primera radio network.
Tickets to all other Gold Cup matches are available by visiting www.GoldCup.org.
Caribbean preparatory meeting for hurricane season
From Red Cross
Aiming to strengthen the regional response system through clear coordination of roles and responsibilities during a hurricane or other emergencies, the Pan-American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the English speaking Caribbean National Societies along with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management (CDEMA) and the Red Cross Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre (CADRIM), gathered from 24 to 25 of June in Port-au-Spain, Trinidad to discuss preparations for the 2015 hurricane season.
This year the main objective of the meeting was to consolidate a Regional Contingency Plan for the 2015 hurricane season and to coordinate actions amongst all the National Societies, CDEMA and the IFRC to improve collaboration and information sharing.
Some of the most important issues discussed during this meeting were:
– Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Conceptual framework.
– To work as a system with an strategic approach in order to provide relevant, effective, coordinated and quality humanitarian assistance.
– Analysis of the need to review our Disaster Management system and Contingency plans
– Analysis of the humanitarian trends and financial constraints in America and the need to collaborate with other National Societies and external actors, to create synergies
– Need to share, profile and disseminate the work of the Caribbean National Societies.
The Caribbean is a highly disaster prone region, enduring a fierce annual hurricane season, tropical storms, flooding and drought, as well as earthquakes. The frequency and intensity of weather-related events in particular are projected to rise due to climate change. In this context and due to the evolving complexity of disaster response and recovery, a disaster management and risk reduction system that is comprehensive, coordinated and collaborative is increasingly important.
UN Secretary-General sees reason to be outraged
By Marlon Madden From Barbados Today
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed outrage at the level of gender-based violence and abuse in Barbados and the rest of the region.
Acknowledging that no amount of “strict regulation or laws and punishment” will eradicate the problem, he joined local officials today in calling for a change in mindset, especially in men, to help address the issue.
Delivering remarks at the Justice and Response – Ending Gender-Based Violence in Barbados event at the UN House this morning, Ban described the Caribbean as “a place where we have a lot of problems”.
“I understand that the Caribbean has among the highest rates of sexual assault in the world. Three Caribbean countries are in the top ten in reported crimes and violence. …. at least one in every five children is affected (by abuse). Most are girls,” he said, adding that they “desperately need our help”.
He said too many women were afraid to report the crime and seek help, noting studies have showed that up to two-thirds of victims suffered without ever reporting crimes of violence.
“I am outraged by this unacceptable crime. Shame belongs to the perpetrators, not the victims. So we have to encourage the victims to report and speak out,” said Ban.
Pointing to a special system that was put in place in Liberia to encourage female victims of abuse to come forward, Ban said they were seeing success. A part of that mechanism, he said, was to have specially trained women police officers in place to deal specifically with issues of violence against women.
“They [victims] find it easier and they are more comfortable to make their report to women rather than to men,” he said.
He said in many instances family members felt ashamed and they in turn discriminated against the victims, often leaving them with “no place to go”.
“I think the fundamental thing starts from men. Men should change their mindset. Unless we change the men’s mentality, it will just continue,” he added.
Ban said he believed Barbados was well positioned to lead the region in ending violence against women, given steps that have already been taken, coupled with legislative support.
During the meeting this morning, Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite signed a Memorandum of Understanding between his office and UN Women, designed to, among other things, improve the administration of justice in ending gender-based violence, with a focus on justice and protection.
Through the partnership, it is hoped that the resources of the Royal Barbados Police Force will be strengthened to effectively respond to violence against women and children, as well as to raise public awareness about protection for victims of gender-based violence.
UN Women Representative and Head of the Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, Christine Arab, told Barbados TODAY that while it was difficult to say which Caribbean island was most affected by violence against women, each country faced similar problems.
“Within the Caribbean itself, there is just simply a very high level of violence against women,” she said.
She agreed that too often victims felt responsible for violence perpetrated against them, adding that a lot of people were too quick to judge them.
Arab said the MOU signed today was significant as it was an additional step in the fight against gender-based violence. And she contended that the “attitude change needs to move quicker”, agreeing that was critical to bringing about positive change.
UNICEF children’s champion Faith Marshall-Harris said while she welcomed the signing of the MOU as “a sort of endorsement” needed for the work that was being done, she was concerned that domestic violence continued to affect children.
“Children who live with domestic violence have tortured lives and, of course, it is then manifested in their own behaviour outside the home,” she said.
“I had proposed since last year, to UN Women, a project which involves general public education because I think that until the mindset changes, ….. that it is not acceptable, then our laws will not address it. We are going to have new laws but we don’t want it to go necessarily to the point of the court. We want to prevent it before it happens,” Marshall-Harris said.
For more: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2015/07/03/un-secretary-general-sees-reason-to-be-outraged/
