iNews Briefs. More & Community Events
Community Events
8th Annual CISPA Gala “Back to the Future-Celebrating 45 years of excellence”
Date: 10/10/2015
Time: 6:30 PM
Ritz Carlton Seven Mile Beach
Phone: 749 3360
Register
Event Description: The 8th Annual CISPA Gala “Back to the Future-Celebrating 45 years of excellence” is a time to celebrate Caymanians who recently attained their professional accounting designations as well as a chance to celebrate the past and look to the future
Directions: The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman
Annual Meals on Wheels Dress Down Day
SAVE THE DATE
Dress Down Day Friday, 20th November, 2015
Help feed our Seniors we believe no-one in Cayman should go hungry.
Individuals can help by purchasing an orange ribbon for $5.00 or a tee shirt for $15.00 and wearing them on Dress Down Day, we are encouraging companies to match employee donations.
For more information or to sign up to participate please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or via telephone at 949-3905.
The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens Presents a Diabetes Health Fair
Free A1C Testing
By the Cayman Islands Diabetic Association (CIDA) For Persons with diabetes and a
strong family history of Diabetes.
Where: Church of God of Prophecy, Eastern Avenue, George Town
When: Saturday 29th August, 2015
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
CARE announces Cayman Islands 5th Annual Paws for wine
Sat Sept 26th Ristorante Pappagallo
Lions Club of Tropical Gardens Brenda Tibbetts-Lund Memorial 5K Walk/Run5K
Sunday October 3, 2015 in North Side at 6am
TUE AUG 25
Financial Assistance Meeting West Bay
There will be a financial assistance meeting in West Bay on Tuesday (25 Aug) at 7pm. The location will be announced later.
NG Late Night Meet & Greet
The National Gallery is hosting a Late Night Meet & Greet on Tuesday (25 Aug) from 5 — 8pm for a special viewing of the All Access Exhibition.
THU AUG 27
Thursday High School Orientation
The orientation meetings for high schools students start on Thursday (27 Aug.) New Transfer students Years 7 — 11 for Clifton Hunter will be meeting from 930am until 11am. These are for new students and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Thursday Primary School Orientation
The orientation for George Town Primary School is Thursday (27 Aug) from 8 to 10am. Red Bay Primary School is from 9am until noon. Prospect Primary School is from 9 until 1030am. Edna Moyle Primary School is from 9 until 10am. West End Primary School is from 9am until 12pm and Creek and Spot Bay Primary schools are from 10am until 11. These are for new students and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
2015 Orientation Dates for Cayman Islands Government Schools
Released on behalf of the Education Ministry.
98L in Central Atlantic could become Erika
From Weather Underground
In the Central Atlantic about 1200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles Islands, Invest 98L appears poised to become the next tropical depression of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season, as it steams westward at a rapid 20 mph. Satellite loops on Monday morning showed that 98L had a well-developed spin and some low level spiral bands, but heavy thunderstorm activity was limited, due to dry air. The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) analysis offered by the University of Wisconsin shows plenty of dry air to the north and west of 98L, and this dry air will potentially impede development of 98L throughout the week. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are favorable for development, near 27°C, and will warm to 28°C by Wednesday. The 8 am EDT Monday run of the SHIPS model diagnosed moderate wind shear of 10 – 15 knots over 98L, and predicted the shear would remain in the moderate range through at least Wednesday. In their 8 am EDT Monday Tropical Weather Outlook, NHC gave 2-day and 5-day odds of development of 90% to 98L. Steering currents for 98L are very similar to what Danny experienced, and the 8 pm EDT (0Z) Monday run of the GFS and European models showed 98L taking a track into the northern Lesser Antilles Islands on Wednesday night, and into the Southeast Bahamas by Saturday. Wind shear will rise to a high 15 – 25 knots by Thursday as 98L brushes the Northeast Caribbean, which should slow development or cause weakening. A trough of low pressure capable of turning 98L to the north will set up shop along the U.S. East Coast late this week, but it is uncertain at this time whether or not 98L will be strong enough to get picked up by this trough. If so, 98L could represent a long-range threat to Bermuda or Canada next week. If not, then the Caribbean, Bahamas, and U.S. East Coast might be a target; it’s too early to narrow down the possibilities.
Sharks caught in Cayman Islands waters, despite new law
From SharkNewz
GEORGE TOWN (CAYMAN ISLANDS)- Last April a new law forbids the fishing of sharks in Cayman waters. Yet fishermen are continuing to illegally catch and kill these creatures despite the protection afforded them by the National Conservation Law.
The National Conservation Law provisions protecting certain species, including sharks, in the Cayman Islands went into effect this year on Earth Day (22 April.)
Just this week, a photo of a young nurse shark caught near the West Bay Dock was posted to the CI Department of Environment’s (DoE) Facebook page by a concerned member of the public. Although a DoE enforcement officer was sent to the scene in West Bay, it was too late to apprehend any law-breaking shark catchers.
Unfortunately this week’s case was not an isolated incident. In July Jamaican fishermen were seen with a caught reef shark on the docks.
For more: http://www.sharknewz.com/sharks-caught-in-cayman-waters-despite-new-law/
Nottingham group opens lid on Windrush generation
From BBC
Windrush passengers invited to Britain were told to pack just one suitcase
A unique perspective on a landmark social event is to be unveiled as part of Nottingham’s Caribbean Carnival.
SKN Heritage Museum is showing the type of belongings brought by African-Caribbean immigrants in the 1940s and 50s.
The Windrush generation responded to adverts to work in Britain but were only allowed to bring one suitcase.
Organisers said the display gives a unique insight into important part of Nottingham’s history.
The Windrush was named after the first boat which brought people from the Caribbean to Britain in 1948.
The exhibition includes items sent back to the Caribbean, including china tea sets
The exhibition, called ‘From Caribbean Isles to the British Isles -Home to Home’, aims to give an insight into people who travelled across the Atlantic to seek a better life in what was still the Empire’s “mother country”.
Item include photographs, clothes, records and games – as well as beauty products designed for black skin and hair when none were commercially available.
Catherine Ross, the museum’s founder, cameto Nottingham from St Kitts when she was just seven years old.
She said: “Our aim is to let everyone know about the contributions that Caribbeans have made to British society and Nottingham and commemorate these achievements.
“There’sno better place tostart than Nottingham Carnival, as it’s such awell known and celebratory event in Nottingham’s calendar.”
The carnival took place for the first time take in two sites – the Forest Recreation Ground on Saturday and the Victoria Embankment last Sunday.
For more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-34021188
Cayman Islands to announce changes on Marine Parks
Proposals for an enhanced system of Marine Parks, for public consultation, under the provisions of Section 9 of the National Conservation Law (NCL) will be announced by Minister of Environment, Wayne Panton on Wednesday (26).
Background: NCL was passed by the Legislative Assembly in December 2013; in September 2014, Parts 1 and 2 of the law, as well as Schedule 2, were commenced in order to provide the administrative framework for implementing the remaining parts of the law.
On Earth Day 2015, Government commenced Parts 3 and 4 of the law, aspects of the NCL that protect species and which allow the National Conservation Council to begin the practical work of increasing Cayman’s areas under protection.
Section 9 of Part 3 of the law explains the procedure through which land is designated for protected status. The proposals call for changes in marine park boundaries and regulations to mitigate conservation problems.
Also taking part will be Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie; National Conservation Council Chairperson Christine Rose-Smyth.
Opposition candidate in Trinidad gets two bullets
From CARIBBEAN360
IMAGE: POLITICAL LEADER OF THE ILP JACK WARNER (RIGHT) CHATS WITH FYZABAD CANDIDATE FABIEN ASSI AND ILP CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY POLITICAL LEADER REKHA RAMJIT AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SAN FERNANDO WEST CONSTITUENCY OFFICE EARLIER THIS MONTH: (PHOTO: TRINIDAD GUARDIAN/KRISTIAN DE SILVA)
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday August 24, 2015 – An Independent Liberal Party (ILP) candidate had to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment after he received an envelope with two bullets at his campaign office.
Police are investigating who is behind the threatening message sent over the weekend to Fabien Assie, who is contesting the Fyzabad constituency in the September 7 general elections for the ILP.
Assie reportedly found the small, brown envelope with the words “This is for Fyzabad candidate Fabien Assie” inside the doorway when he went into his office on Saturday around 5 p.m.
He contacted police who went to the scene and took away the items.
Assie, who is hypertensive, was traumatized by the incident. He was admitted to the Gulf View Medical Centre later in the night after experiencing chest pains and rising blood pressure.
ILP leader Jack Warner posted a photo of the bullets and envelope after the discovery and said his party would issue a statement in due course.
For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/opposition-candidate-in-trinidad-gets-two-bullets#ixzz3jkmYVzKu
BRI Opens New Branch in Singapore
From Jakarta Globe
Jakarta. State-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia opened a new branch in Singapore on Wednesday to expand its network and services for customers in the city-state.
The branch, located at OUE Bayfront, 50 Collier Quay, about 20 kilometers from Changi International Airport and close to the Ocean Financial Centre in Singapore, was inaugurated by State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini M. Soemarno, chief economics minister Sofyan Djalil, and Financial Services Authority (OJK) chairman Muliaman Hadad.
The officials were in Singapore as part of the entourage of President Joko Widodo, who is on a state visit to the country.
Budi Satria, BRI’s corporate secretary, said the bank aimed to increase revenue and gain international recognition with the branch opening. BRI will offer lending, funding, trade finance, wealth management, payment and treasury banking services at the new branch.
BRI seeks to “become the leading bank that accommodates the business growth of its clients in Southeast Asia,” Budi said.
BRI’s overseas network includes a New York agency that provides banking products and services for commercial banking, a Cayman Island branch that offers loan, trade finance and treasury services, and a representative office in Hong Kong.
For more: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/business/bri-opens-new-branch-singapore/
Women’s Olympic Qualifying Results August 21
From CFU
The Caribbean Football Union’s Women’s Olympic qualifying kicked off with Groups 1, 3 and 4 starting the action on August 21st.
Group 1 Results:
Aruba 0 – 14 Haiti
Scorers:(Haiti) Batchera Louis 32, 45,80,89,90, Sherly Jeudy 40th, 41st, 53rd, Nerilia Mondesir 48th, 58, 65th, 75th(PK), 76th, 91st.
Puerto Rico 12 – 0 Grenada
Scorers: (PR) Socarass Karina 10th, 13th, 65th, 87th, 89th, 91st, Mendez Annie Lee 23rd, Martinez Majory 62nd, 72nd,
76th, Pagan Selimar 64th, Rodrigez Nicole 69th.
Group 3 Results:
Dominican Republic 11 – 0 Dominica
Scorers: (DR) Yaqueisi Nunez 7th, 74th, Betzaida Ubri 32nd, 40th, 53rd, 55th, Winiban Peralta 57th, Paloma Perez 65th,
73rd. Donisha Xavier (own goal) (Dominica)
Group 4 Results:
St. Kitts and Nevis 0 – 8 Guyana
Scorers: (GUY) Otesha Charles 23rd, 35th, 46th, Mariam El-Masri 51st, Kayla Desouza 65th, Lalaigh Copland 76th, Alison
Heydorn 85th, Olivia Gonsalves 87th.
Trinidad & Tobago: 16 popular cable TV channels to get axe; No rights in Caribbean region
From Stabroek News
(Trinidad Express) The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) is calling on cable television providers to remove 16 channels for which they have not acquired Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) from local channel line-ups.
The 16 channels are:
ABC; CBC; CBS; City TV; CMT; Comedy Central, USA Networks; CW(WPIX), Encore Western, FOX, KTLA, My TV 33, NBC, TLC, USA Network, VH-l, USA, WGN.
TATT said in a statement the affected channels fall into the following categories:
-Not available because the rights for them are not available to the Caribbean region
-Available, but rights for them have not been acquired by the provider.
“Any other channel which is legally available but for which the provider has not yet acquired rights will be removed and the Authority will work with providers on a case-by-case basis in this regard,” TATT said.
“The above actions have become necessary to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago is in compliance with international IP treaties and agreements to which it is a signatory.
UK: Caribbean Carnival brings Nottingham alive
By Ellie Cullen From Nottingham Post
Spectacular costumes, vibrant dancing and a big helping of colour brought the city alive this weekend with the return of the annual Caribbean Carnival.
Thousands turned out to celebrate the Caribbean culture with a mix of entertainment, pop-up stalls and the ever-popular parade.
This year’s procession took on a new route along Victoria Embankment, but was just as impressive as ever, with sequins and glitter galore.
Young and old alike joined in the parade, showing off their dance moves as the music brought out the party spirit.
For more on this story go to: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Caribbean-Carnival-brings-Nottingham-alive/story-27661597-detail/story.html#ixzz3jfWp9FDa
Junior chefs battle it out
From Barbados Today
IMAGE: Host Peter Edey (centre) paying close attention to the competitors
The Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge, continued its second day of competition this Saturday at the Dining Room located in Newton Industrial Park Christ Church.
The annual competition launched and hosted by Barbadian French cuisine chef Peter Edey, was attended by internationally acclaimed Puerto Rican chef Josue Merced-Reyes and Executive Pastry Chef Mandred Schmidtke of Lincoln Culinary Institute.
The challengers consists of 18 culinary students from across the Caribbean, forming nine teams, who will compete for the title of winners of the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge.
When Barbados TODAY arrived, the teams from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Croix had taken to the stage for the mystery basket round.
Producing mouth-watering Caribbean delicacies in a mere 45 minutes, the six contestants tantalized the senses of the judges and the audience.
With the scores accumulated from the signature dish and the mystery basket rounds, the three teams with the highest points participated in Sunday’s final. (KK)
For more: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2015/08/22/junior-chefs-battle-it-out/
Caribbean broadcasting icons inducted into Hall of Fame
Caribbean Times Antigua & Barbuda
ST. GEORGE’S – Two Caribbean broadcasting icons were inducted into the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Hall of Fame on Monday. Tributes were paid to the late Guyanese broadcaster Terry Holder and Montserratian Rose Willock at a function held at Grenada’s National Stadium.
Holder, who died in 2014, was instrumental to the birth of the region’s first ever television news exchange, Caribvision, as well as the regional television magazine, Caribscope. He had served as CBU president and secretary general and is credited with introducing the regional Caribvision news exchange as well as the television magazine, Caribscope. His children Dawn and Dwayne attended the induction ceremony. Willock, who once headed Montserrat-based, Radio Antilles, was recognized for her service to the region, especially in building capacity for emergency broadcasting. (Caribbean360).
For more: http://www.caribbeantimes.ag/?p=3949
Over 60 same-sex couples exchange vows at mass wedding ceremony in Puerto Rico’s capital
From USA News
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Over 60 couples from around the region gathered in Puerto Rico’s capital Sunday (16) to exchange vows at a same-sex marriage ceremony while a crowd of supporters snapped photos and cheered.
The mass ceremony at a promenade in San Juan’s colonial district took the same-sex couples through the traditional marriage vows and exchange of rings.
The event follows the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in late June requiring every state to recognize same-sex marriages. The U.S. island’s governor signed an executive order soon after that ruling to comply.
Organizer Ada Conde, an attorney who filed a federal lawsuit seeking to have her same-sex marriage recognized in Puerto Rico prior to the Supreme Court decision, said Sunday’s ceremony was a “celebration of the triumph of love.”
Most of the couples were Puerto Ricans, but others from the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Venezuela also participated in the event.
Carrying an umbrella emblazoned with the colors of the rainbow, Puerto Rican gay rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano described the ceremony as “a historic moment for our community.”
“After so many years, we are finally able to marry here in Puerto Rico,” he said from the promenade in Old San Juan as the couples gathered in wedding dresses and suits.
The ceremony was criticized by the Roman Catholic bishop of Arecibo, Monsignor Daniel Fernandez Torres. Citing the church’s catechism, which defines marriage as a sacrament, he said that a marital union can be shared only by a man and woman and that same-sex marriages are “contrary to natural law.”
“Today is a sad day for Puerto Rican society,” Fernandez said in a statement.
Jamaica Product Exchange 2015 to Focus on Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America
By: Newswire From Travel Agent Central
The 25th annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX), set to take place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from September 20-22, will place special focus on the markets of Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
JAPEX is Jamaica’s premier travel trade show and serves as a forum for leading Jamaican suppliers of the island’s tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour operators.
Registration is now underway for the travel trade show hosted by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), which will again feature the industry seminars and the tourism linkages hub. Last year’s JAPEX attendance featured 113 buyers along with 277 participants from 105 supplier companies, and approximately 30 media members from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
“This annual trade show provides the ideal opportunity for qualified international buyers, travel wholesalers and tour operators to learn about the island’s tourism product from our top suppliers,” said Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s director of tourism, in a written release. “It’s an important marketing and networking forum, providing a great opportunity for our local tourism partners, particularly the smaller companies, to meet directly with the trade industry and update them on what’s new in our marketplace.”
According to Nicola Madden-Greig, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, it is anticipated that more than 200 buyers will attend this year with more than 100 travel agents expected. She indicated that this year, special focus is being placed on attracting buyers from Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
“With the expansion in both hotel room stock and attractions as well as major upgrades of several product across the destination, tour operators who have not previously sold Jamaica should take a closer look and participate this year because the island is in demand,” said Madden-Greig. “The market is loving Jamaica and they should not miss an opportunity to sell what is becoming a truly magnificent product.”
Barbados to host 2016 Caribbean Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange
From ITCM
Barbados is determined to increase its share of the US Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions travel market, also known as the MICE tourism niche.
Director for the USA at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Petra Roach, revealed that they were well on their way to realizing this goal with the island set to host 165 top-tier North American MICE planners at Hilton Barbados for the 2016 Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE).
CMITE is part of the Global Meeting&Incentive Travel Exchanges (GMITE) portfolio of events, which are owned by the Questex Travel Group.
These meetings bring together buyers and suppliers who generate millions of dollars in business for host countries of these MICE events. Many of these events fall during the softer fall months, reducing the seasonality of the tourism sector. They also utilize the services of several ancillary tourism players including entertainers, equipment rental companies, app developers, meeting stand developers, etc.
Marilyn McHugh, vice president of global events at Questex Travel Group, joined Roach in making the announcement at this year’s sold-out event, which is underway at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel&Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
McHugh stated that Barbados is known for its gracious and hospitable people, world-class beaches and fine-dining restaurants. “Barbados truly will be an exciting destination for our incentive travel buyers and suppliers,” she said. “We couldn’t be happier to share this news.”
“Hosting 165 of the top U.S buyers on the island lends us the perfect platform to showcase the renowned hospitality, sights and sounds that Barbados has to offer,” Roach stated.
“We are absolutely thrilled at the confidence invested in us by Questex in choosing Barbados as host destination for CMITE in 2016. Thanks to additional service by Delta and JetBlue airlines and newly opened resorts, now is the perfect time for the travel industry to reacquaint itself with Barbados.”
Flag raised over US embassy in Cuba for first time since 1961
AFP From Business Insider
IMAGE: The Marine guard of the newly reopened US embassy in Cuba raised the flag over the building for the first time in 54 years © AFP/File Adalberto Roque
The Marine guard of the newly reopened US embassy in Cuba raised the flag over the building for the first time in 54 years
Havana (AFP) – The Marine guard of the newly reopened US embassy in Cuba raised the flag over the building Friday for the first time in 54 years, marking the end of the countries’ Cold War standoff.
US Secretary of State John Kerry gave the cue to raise the flag, which was handed to the new contingent by the three retired Marines who had lowered the flag when Washington severed ties with Havana on January 3, 1961.
RBC GAM liquidates Lux version of precious metals fund
By Chris Sloley From Citywire UK
RBC GAM liquidates Lux version of precious metals fund
RBC Global Asset Management has liquidated and closed the Luxembourg-domiciled version of its global precious metals fund, Citywire Global has learned.
The Canadian firm communicated the planned closure to investors earlier this year, with the formal close of the RBC Funds (Lux) – Global Precious Metals fund taking place at the end of April.
In the letter to shareholders, RBC GAM said the fund, which was launched in April 2011, was closed due to its small size and lack of investor interest, which made it no longer economically viable.
Co-managers Chris Beer and Brahm Spilfogel, who had overseen the fund since launch, will continue to serve as co-leads on the firm’s natural resources fund, RBC Funds (Lux) Global Resources.
The closure of the Luxembourg-domiciled fund does not have a bearing on the RBC Global Precious Metals fund. This Canadian-domiciled strategy was launched in 1988 and has $429 million in assets under management.
According to Lipper data, the RBC Funds (Lux) Global Precious Metals fund lost 65% in US dollar terms over the period from launch to the end of March 2015. Its Citywire-assigned benchmark, the S&P GSCI Precious Metals TR, fell 34% over the same 48-month timeframe.
Also according to Lipper data, the fund had $2.04 million in assets under management at the time of closure. This compares with a peak of $5.2 million, which was achieved in August 2011.
Thomas Miller chooses Sumi Trust, Tregunter for Ucits funds
By Viola Caon From Investment Europe
Sumi Trust Global Asset Services has announced the launch of three new sub funds on the GlobalReach New Vision Strategies Fund plc, an Irish Ucits fund platform jointly sponsored with Tregunter Management, the Irish management company.
The new sub funds are managed by Thomas Miller Investment, a leading International and UK investment and wealth manager for private and institutional clients. Sumi Trust is the established service provider providing administration, accounting, trustee, depositary and custody.
The three sub funds have transitioned from existing offshore structures and comprise of a Diversified Assets fund, a US Dollar Bond fund and a Sterling Bond fund.
Karl McEneff, Chairman of Sumi Trust in Ireland, commented: “The Thomas Miller Investment partnership with Sumi Trust reflects our long history and notable expertise in supporting Ucits and Ucits-equivalent fund structures.
“Sumi Trust has been one of the fastest growing Dublin based fund administrators over the past 12 months, a testament to our full service capability, personalised client approach and committed support for asset managers of all sizes and across multiple strategies”.
What’s crazier? Eagle attacks drone mid-flight, or fisherman hooks drone mid-air
By Yoni Heisler From BGR
In what seems like the blink of an eye, drones went from something only gadget enthusiasts obsessed over to mainstream machines you can now pick up from places like Toys”R”Us for just $25. In turn, the number videos on YouTube featuring drone footage has skyrocketed in just the last few months alone. In the process, we’ve also seen an increase in drone related mishaps.
In the last week, two such drone ‘disasters’ made their way around the web. While one might think that flying a drone in the open skies should be a worriless affair, the following videos prove otherwise.
In our first video, we have an irritable fisherman who isn’t comfortable with the idea of a drone flying overhead. So he casts his fishing line into the sky and actually manages to hook it to the drone! The drone stutters a bit, but because the fisherman didn’t reel in his ‘catch’, the drone was able to fly to shore.
The next video is also pretty wild. What we have here is an Australian wedge-tailed eagle, also known as an eaglehawk, attacking a drone mid-flight. The drone tumbles to the ground immediately upon impact, though it sure would have been cool if the eagle managed to snag it and take it back to its nest.
Not to worry, the eagle is reportedly fine and the attacked drone was operational after $100 worth of repairs.
It’s hard out there for a drone, apparently. Just a few weeks ago, a man made national news after shooting down his neighbor’s drone with a 12-gauge shotgun
For more and videos: http://bgr.com/2015/08/14/drone-camera-attack-eagle-fisherman/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheBoyGeniusReport+%28BGR+%7C+Boy+Genius+Report%29
Cotchett sues over pricing of resistors
By Marisa Kendall, From The Recorder
SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers with Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy are going after the makers of yet another tiny and ubiquitous electrical component for alleged price fixing.
On Thursday the firm hit a handful of global manufacturers, including Panasonic Corp., with a class action accusing them of fixing the prices of linear resistors. The components, which regulate electrical current, are found by the hundreds in almost all electronics.
“Defendants—the worlds’ largest manufacturers of linear resistors—along with other co-conspirators (yet unknown) agreed, combined and conspired to inflate, fix, raise, maintain or artificially stabilize prices of linear resistors sold in the United States,” the plaintiffs lawyers wrote in a complaint filed in the Northern District of California.
As a result, purchasers paid artificially inflated prices, according to the complaint.
The complaint targets six companies and their subsidiaries: Panasonic, KOA Corp., Murata Manufacturing Co., ROHM Co., Vishay Intertechnology Inc. and Yageo Corp.
The Cotchett team argues the defendants collectively controlled the vast majority of the U.S. and global resistor market. The manufacturers fixed resistor prices by restricting product supply, discussing confidential business information, coordinating prices for specific customers and products, and concocting mechanisms to nullify competitive sales processes, according to the complaint.
The plaintiffs lawyers, led by Cotchett partners Joseph Cotchett and Steven Williams, seek to represent a class of indirect purchasers who bought the parts individually from distributors, who in turn bought them from the defendants.
Cotchett and Williams also are leading litigation on behalf of indirect purchasers of electrolytic capacitors—electricity-storing components found in most electronic devices.
The two cases are related. The Department of Justice began investigating the resistor industry in June as an offshoot of its probe into the capacitor industry, according to the complaint, and the two initiatives target many of the same companies. For example, Panasonic cooperated with the DOJ capacitors investigation, the lawyers wrote, and the company is believed to be cooperating with the resistors probe as well.
For more: http://www.therecorder.com/id=1202735453961/Cotchett-Sues-Over-Pricing-of-Resistors#ixzz3jjydRZbi
A Dolphinarius summer
By Lee Sausley From KRISTV
CORPUS CHRISTI – Lots of students are comparing notes about who did what this past summer. We’ve heard about a lot of excellent adventures. but the best, had to be the group of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi students who worked with dolphins down in the Caribbean through a study abroad program. They spent 10 weeks working and studying at the Riviera Maya Dolphinarius on the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you’ve never been it is a hugely popular attraction where tourists can swim and interact with bottlenose dolphins. But there’s also a heavy emphasis on dolphin research and conservation. Elizabeth Jensen, who teaches in the Life Sciences department at the University helped get Dolphinarius started. And thanks to her ties, the school offers a one-of-a-kind program that blends hands-on animal care with dolphin research.
And being able to collect baseline information in a controlled environment like Dolphinarius is tremendously helpful because everything we can learn about these beautiful marine mammals can be used to help protect them in the wild. Jensen says, “Working on the ocean is never very easy, and so when you’re working in optimum conditions, you’re able to get a lot of information that you would not normally be able to do.”
Three months in the Caribbean may sound like a vacation, and students like Eliot Covington, say it was fun. But he also says it was a lot of hard work too, “Your day starts at 6 o’clock in the morning, waking up just to walk a mile just to get on the bus, and then you’re out in the hot sun 9 hours a day washing buckets, running everywhere, constantly moving,” he said.
And Kevin Locke who went down last year as a student — and returned this year as a teaching assistant — says when you’re not working you’re hitting the books and taking tests. He says, “A lot of these exams focus on training terminology, in general bottle nose dolphin information, so grasping that knowledge and getting an understanding of histology and physiology and biology, grabbing all these concepts is really important to understand when you’re communicating with guests outdoors or you’re speaking with other trainers, or you’re understanding dolphin behavior and society.”
And that’s a lot to cram into just 10 weeks, not to mention you’re also living in a foreign country and learning about another culture. But for but for students like Eliot who wants to become a dolphin trainer, it was a priceless experience. He says, “I was able to have a tiny tidbit of just getting to see what it’s like being in the life of a dolphin trainer and getting to have that connection that you have with an animal on a work-related experience.”
And come graduation, that kind of experience can really help in a really competitive field like dolphin training where there just aren’t that many jobs available. Dolphinarius has hired two T.A.M.U.C.C. students who’ve been through the program, and several more work for Dolphin Quest, the Texas State Aquarium, and other facilities.
For more and video: http://www.kristv.com/story/29860724/a-dolphinarius-summer
Shares of The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ:CUBA) Drops by – 16.65%
By Jason May From American Trade Journal
The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ:CUBA) has lost 16.65% during the past week and dropped 21.71% in the last 4 weeks. The shares are however, negative as compared to the S&P 500 for the past week with a loss of 11.55%. The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ:CUBA) has underperformed the index by 17.39% in the last 4 weeks. Investors should watch out for further signals and trade with caution.
The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ:CUBA) witnessed a decline in the market cap on Friday as its shares dropped 6.98% or 0.59 points. After the session commenced at $8.3, the stock reached the higher end at $8.89 while it hit a low of $7.8201. With the volume soaring to 151,054 shares, the last trade was called at $7.86. The company has a 52-week high of $14.97. The company has a market cap of $29 million and there are 3,713,000 shares in outstanding. The 52-week low of the share price is $6.38.
The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund Inc. has dropped 25.36% during the last 3-month period . Year-to-Date the stock performance stands at -11.59%. On a different note, The Company has disclosed insider buying and selling activities to the Securities Exchange, The Securities and Exchange Commission has divulged that Tatum Kay W, director of Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund Inc, had unloaded 412 shares at an average price of $13.02 in a transaction dated on December 23, 2014. The total value of the transaction was worth $5,364.
The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Funds investment objective is to obtain long-term capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in equity and equity-linked securities of public and private companies, including United States-based companies, whose securities are traded principally on a stock exchange in a Caribbean Basin Country or that have at least 50% of the value of their assets in a Caribbean Basin Country or that derive at least 50% of their total revenue from operations in a Caribbean Basin Country (collectively, Caribbean Basin Companies). Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity and equity-linked securities of Caribbean Basin Countries. The Funds investment advisor is HERZFELD/CUBA, a division of Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc.
Jamaica win the 2015 Central American and Caribbean Youth Chess Festival
From Jamaica Observer
Jamaica won the recently concluded Central American and Caribbean Youth Chess Festival held in Trinidad and Tobago from August 14 to 19.
In doing so, Jamaica became the first English-speaking country to win this prestigious annual chess tournament.
The tournament featured over 180 players, aged seven to 17, from 14 countries that share the Caribbean sea, including Colombia and Venezuela. Jamaica accumulated the most points from the final positions of their players after nine gruelling and closely fought rounds, with a top-five finish in each of the nine sections contributing to the country’s cumulative point tally.
In second place was Colombia followed by hosts Trinidad and Tobago.
In the Under-8 girls’ category, Jamaica’s Jaya-Rene Richards finished third and in the Under-8 absolute category, Anthony Lyn and Kishan Clarke of Jamaica finished third and fourth, respectively, behind Rayden Rampersad of Trinidad, and Ashly Carolina of Venezuela who topped the section.
In the Under-10 girls’ category, Johmoi Blake of Jamaica finished fifth, and in the Under-10 absolute category, David Thomas placed first ahead of Leigh Sandiford of Barbados, David Ramirez of Colombia, and Mikhail Bond of Jamaica.
In the Under-12 girls’ category, Jamaica’s Adani Clarke finished second, behind Luisa Diaz of Colombia and ahead of Daijah Johnson of the Bahamas. In the Under-12 absolute section, Jamaica’s Leighton Barrett finished second behind Pavas Avila of Colombia and ahead of Angel Gonzalez of Venezuela, and Angelus McDonald of Jamaica.
In the Under-16 category, Women’s Fide Master Rachel Miller finished first in the girls’ section and second in the absolute section.
Due to their top three finishes, Anthony Lyn, David Thomas, Leighton Barrett, Adani Clarke and Rachel Miller are expected to be awarded with the Candidate Master title by FIDE, the world governing body of chess.
This would represent the highest number of such titles to be awarded to Jamaican players from a single tournament.
Other members of Jamaica’s team included Aidan Rampair, Kennedy Brown, Lontae Walker, Nicholas Lyn, Joshua Christie, Akeem Brown, Jhustice McDonald, Jaleel Thorpe, Jordan McKoy, Nickaylah Curwin, Nathan Belinfante, Michael Christie and National Master Alistair Walker, each of whom contributed to the team’s overall success. Jamaica’s team was led by Head Coach National Master Mikhail Solomon and supported by coaches Fide Master and National Champion Warren Elliott and Odane Hall.
Jamaica’s participation was made possible by the Kasparov Chess Foundation, the Jamaica Chess Federation, Glen Christian, the kind contribution of many parents of representatives and the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Federation.
