iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands HSA statement regarding dialysis unit issues
Press Statement regarding independent dialysis unit review
Honorable Osbourne Bodden, Minister for Health confirms that out of an abundance of caution, Professor Everard Barton, Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at the University of the West Indies and the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica, and the regional expert in kidney disease was invited to conduct an independent review of the dialysis unit at the Cayman Islands Hospital following the four incidents that took place in the dialysis patient population last week.
Professor Barton reviewed patient records, met with doctors, nurses and biomedical technicians, inspected machine service and water quality logs and has concluded that there is no link between the dialysis unit, dialysis treatments, medical or nursing management and those four incidents.
In fact Professor Barton stated that despite the patients’ challenging and complex co-morbidities, the dialysis treatments and general clinical management in the dialysis unit is exemplary and that the quality of the water and the management of the water treatment system meet international standards of care.
Minister Bodden stated that this gives him as Minister great comfort, but most importantly is the reassurance it provides to the patients and staff. He goes on to say that he trusts that speculations can now be put to rest as the Dialysis service continues to deliver the quality service that it is known for. He went on to add his deepest condolences on the behalf of Ministry, Board and HSA to the family of the deceased patient.
See also iNews Cayman related story under iNews Briefs published August 11 2014 “Cayman Islands hospital has “incidents” involving dialysis” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/inews-briefs-175/
Cayman prisoner just convicted for life for murder got married in prison
In June this year, Brian Borden, who was sentenced last week to a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Robert Macford Bush, was married at the jailhouse.
All inmates have counseling along with their intended prior to the marriage that is allowed.
On hearing the verdict of guilty Bush’ new wife collapsed outside the courthouse.
Jamaica police seize nearly one ton of marijuana en route to Suriname
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday August 12, 2014, CMC – Jamaica law enforcement authorities say they have seized more than six million dollars (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.004 cents) worth of marijuana in a container that arrived here from Indonesia and was in transit to Suriname.
The Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division (TCND) said it had participated in a joint operation with the Jamaica Customs’ Contraband Enforcement Team in seizing the 1,751 pounds of marijuana at the Kingston Wharves, Port Bustamante on Monday.
It said the drug was wrapped in 370 parcels among household effects and had a street value of six million Jamaican dollars.
The container had arrived in Kingston from Indonesia and was scheduled to depart Port Bustamante on Monday for Suriname.
Over the weekend, police seized approximately 910.69 pounds of compressed marijuana worth an estimated three million dollars at the Kingston Container Terminal.
No arrests were made in relation to the seizures.
Cayman Islands risk: Risk overview
Cayman Islands: Risk overview – EIU Country Analysis
Published Aug 11, 2014
56 words — Published Aug 11, 2014
Price $37.00 | Buy this Report Now AT: http://www.alacrastore.com/my-cart
About This Report
Brief Excerpt:
Download the numbers in Excel SUMMARY This country is published by Risk Briefing on a ‘ratings-only’ basis. Risk Briefing covers 180 countries. For 120 major and mid-size markets our reports include extensive textual analysis and background….
EIU Country Analysis—The Economist Intelligence Unit, a division of London’s Economist Group, is the most respected provider of country analysis for governments, multi-national corporations and financial institutions around the world. Through our network of over 500 international contributor economists, we establish independent macro-economic outlooks and detailed reports on the political and commercial environments for over 200 countries around the world.
For more go to: http://news.alacrastore.com/eiu-news/Cayman-Islands-risk-Risk-overview-RK_RK_MAIN_20140811T011000_0001#sthash.lw2gWxxX.dpuf
Belize woman accused of hiring “hit men” to murder her common law husband
From Caribbean360
BELMOPAN, Belize, Tuesday August 12, 2014, CMC – A 29 –year-old woman, who is accused of putting out a hit on her common-law-husband, will re-appear in court on September 12 after she was granted BDZ$2,000 (One Belize dollar = US$0.50 cents).
Police allege that Indira Mejia had conspired with two men to murder Brian Claire, who was shot and injured on August 6.
“Our investigations reveal that Miss Indira Meja planned to kill her common law husband. It appears that Miss Mejia wants to get rid of her common-law-husband for his property,” said Sergeant Robertp Novelo.
He said the investigations had shown that she “is the one who lured Briane Claire to that location where he was shot”.
Police have arrested and charged Ignatius Williams 24, with attempted murder, wounding, use of a deadly means of harm and grievous harm with a firearm. He was denied bail and remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Police said they were seeking another person who was with Williams when the attempt on Claire’s life was made.
Meija, who has been charged with abetment to murder, appeared before Magistrate Anne Marie Smith and was granted bail over the objections of the prosecutor.
She is to surrender all her travel documents, stay away from Claire and report to the police station weekly.
Cayman Islands Arek Archibold is Caribbean Youth Champion darts player
Arek Archibold (16) is the Cayman Islands very first youth darts champion at the regional level when he won the 20th Caribbean Cup Tournament, organised by the Caribbean Darts Organization in conjunction with the Florida Dart Association last month.
In winning he had to compete in seven rounds – winning six times – with each round consisting of five games. He defeated Bahamian Breydon Rosson, 3-2, Floridians Simone Genne and Alexander Heffner by scores of 4-1, fellow countrymen Adrian Anglin, 3-2, Kaylone Warren, 3-2, and Kayjahe Warren, 4-1. Het lost one game to India Sweeting of Bahamas, 2-3. However, this was enough to earn him a place in the finals against Rosson – who had accumulated more points than Archibold, 27-23.
This did not stop Archibold emerging the winner.
UWI offers degree in sign language
By Sheldon Williams From Jamaica Gleaner
Persons who are interested in learning sign language will be able to sign their way to a first degree next academic year at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
Applications are now open in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy for a Bachelor of Arts in Caribbean sign language, with classes set to start in September.
The programme will be offered on both a full- and part-time basis over three and five years, respectively, and will see students from countries like Jamaica, where the government subsidises the costs of degree programmes, paying $259,901 this academic year for fees. Students from non-sponsoring countries of the UWI will pay $433,126 for fees this year.
Dr Keren Cumberbatch, lecturer in the department and the only person in the world with a linguistics PhD with focus on Caribbean sign language, said diploma and BA programmes were introduced in 2006, but it was only extended to a select group of people who were referred by the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.
The first two members of the BA group will graduate in November.
She said the priority now is to prepare professionals who can communicate in sign language.
For more: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140812/lead/lead2.html
Cayman Islands ICTA very concerned over Digicel network outage – 911 calls down 6 hours
The Cayman Islands Information, Communication and Technology Authority (ICTA) have issued the following statement after calls to Emergency Communications were affected for just over six hours last week:
“The ICTA is very concerned about the reported network outage last week Thursday which disrupted access to 911 Emergency Communications.
“The Authority is investigating the nature and extent of the problem in order to determine how best to prevent a recurrence.
“The Authority believes it is incumbent on the Regulator and on telecommunications licensees to ensure uninterrupted access to 911 Emergency Communications by all telecommunications users in the Cayman Islands. We will work with all our Licensees to ensure this fundamental right is preserved for all our citizens.”
It is understood only Digicel users were affected between 1:18 am and 8:08 am Thursday (7)
GFF boss says Guyana will be playing in CFU Caribbean Cup
From Guyana Chronicle
Exactly twenty days before the start of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias has said that the ‘Golden Jaguars’ will participate at the event, unless FIFA and CONCACAF say otherwise.
Guyana’s football is in turmoil, following another disastrous ending to the GFF’s General Council meeting which took place at the Regency Hotel in Georgetown on Saturday last, coupled with the fact that Matthias had made it clear that the Federation is mostly focusing on youth development.
The GFF boss in an August edition of Chronicle Sport had outlined his Federation’s plans for the remainder of the year; none of which involved the neglected senior national team.
“Yes, we will be playing at the CFU Caribbean cup, unless FIFA and CONCACAF say otherwise. We will be hosting a press conference shortly,” Matthias said when contacted via telephone yesterday.
Asked about the naming of a national coach since the event is less than three weeks away, Matthias said, “That will be announced shortly. But we will be playing, unless other things come up.”
Guyana is drawn to play against hosts St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and St Lucia in Group Six of the CFU Caribbean Cup which begins on September 1.
For more: http://guyanachronicle.com/gff-boss-says-guyana-will-be-playing-in-cfu-caribbean-cup/
9 1/2 years jail sentence to Cayman male for importing cocaine
Cayman Islands Magistrate Grace Donalds sentenced Limborn Collin Hoy Myles last week to nine years and six months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to importing 33.5 ounces of cocaine into Grand Cayman on a charter flight from San Andres, Colombia, on April 17th.
Myles had brought the cocaine in packages concealed in sneakers – two he was wearing and two were in his baggage.
He also pleaded guilty to importing another 13 ounces in luggage brought in by another passenger, who was discharged without any evidence being brought against the person.
Myles said he had been made to bring the cocaine into Cayman because of threats made against his family.
After the sentence his attorney gave notice of appeal.
The Caribbean’s biggest lake recovers level after harsh drought
From Repeating Islands
Enriquillo lake’s level has fallen 30 centimeters in just 32 days, according to monthly measurements by José Antonio Matos, a local environmentalist in western Baoruco province.
He said the Caribbean’s biggest lake slowly adds distance below sea level, falling 76 centimeters from December 30 to 31 July this year.
“It’s encouraging for the region to see Enriquillo’s levels falling while president Danilo Medina announced last March 23 that he would deal with the origins of the flooding with five projects aimed at the managing the large volumes that bring the Yaque South and San Juan rivers, which account for more than 80 percent of Enriquillo’s unusual rise,” the researcher said.
He noted that among the announced works figure the 51-kilometer Yaque South bypass tunnel, of 14 meters above sea level.
“It is important to note that as the result of the strong droughts and proper management in recent months, and the water detoured from Sabana Yegua dam for repairs, Enriquillo has dropped 25 cm of its level, including 2013, unlike 2012, which rose 122 cm, as in 2011 when it rose 155 cm,” added Matos.
For more on this story go to: http://repeatingislands.com/2014/08/11/the-caribbeans-biggest-lake-recovers-level-after-harsh-drought/
Cayman Islands most promising young runner injured
Cayman Islands’ most promising junior athlete, quarter-mile record holder Jamal Walton, is injured and will not compete in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.
The games will be held Aug 16-28 and Cayman is sending 5 athletes:
Pearl Morgan – to run the 200-metres dash.
Morgan Lloyd – to compete in artistic gymnastics.
Equestrian Polly Serpell – to compete in the individual jumping event.
Florence Allan and Pablo Bertran -to compete in the one-person dingy sailing event.
Walton’s fitness has been in doubt since he he suffered a leg injury at the IAAF World Junior Championships three weeks ago.
The Atlantic ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico remain quiet…with no active tropical cyclones.
From Pacific Disaster Center
There is however an area of disturbed weather in the far eastern Atlantic, which is being referred to as Invest 94L.It has a low chance of developing over the next two days, which takes on a medium chance over the next five days.
This disturbance has some decent thunderstorm activity associated with it, and is moving towards the west at 15-20 mph. Environmental conditions are working against this area at the moment, although conditions may improve to some degree later this week. It’s too early to know whether this tropical system may or may not strengthen, and become better organized with time. However, there is some chance that it will become a tropical depression by Friday or Saturday near the Lesser Antilles.
Here’s the 5-day outlook according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC…CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO…
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days.
Atlantic Ocean
There are no active tropical cyclones
NOAA satellite image of the Atlantic
Caribbean Sea
There are no active tropical cyclones
Gulf of Mexico
There are no active tropical cyclones
See also iNews Cayman “Latest Cayman Weather Forecast – TW being watched” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/for-latest-cayman-weather-go-to-www-weather-gov-ky/
Guy Harvey’s “Grouper Moon” finalist at Blue Ocean Film Festival
“The Mystery of the Grouper Moon”, a documentary by Guy Harvey and George Schellenger has been nominated as a finalist at this year’s Blue Ocean Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Shot entirely in the Cayman Islands, the 45-minute film focuses on the Nassau grouper’s yearly spawning ritual.
The “grouper moon” refers to the full moon in January or February where the groupers congregate to reproduce.
The Blue Ocean Film Festival runs from November 3 -9. For information go to: http://www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org/
Caribbean’s best sustainable climate/energy innovations on show in Trinidad
From news.co.tt
The Caribbean’s best sustainable climate/energy innovations will be put on show in Trinidad at a grant handover event on August 14, a release from the World Bank’s regional office has said.
Following last month’s announcement of infoDev/World Bank Group’s Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC) Proof of Concept (PoC) awards the 11 awardees will assemble to collect their grant awards, network and have their first orientation and mentorship sessions with the Centre before embarking on their projects.
This first regional proof of concept (PoC) competition will award grants of up to US$50,000 for developing, testing and commercializing innovative and locally relevant climate technology solutions. Entrepreneurs were asked to submit proposals for innovative products, services, or business models in sustainable agribusiness, water management and recycling, solar energy, energy efficiency, and resource use sectors.
Following the presentation of grants, the event will feature presentations by each entrepreneur showcasing all the award-winning concepts in an exhibition and question-and-answer format.
The CCIC is part of infoDev’s Climate Technology Program (CTP), which is currently implementing a global network of innovation centers across seven other countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Vietnam and Ethiopia. The center is also part of the broader Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC) funded by the government of Canada.
The CCIC Grant handover and exhibition event is open to the media.
WHAT: World Bank infoDev Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC) Proof of Concept (PoC) Awards Ceremony & Exhibit
WHERE: Center for Enterprise Development, Innovation Drive, Freeport, Trinidad
WHEN: Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
For more: http://news.co.tt/public_html/article.php?story=20140812072353724
Cayman Islands DOE “Flicker” magazine available online
The Department of Environment’s bimonthly magazine Flicker #3 is now available. This magazine functions to inform the public on department’s Terrestrial Unit is working on. It includes new discoveries, helpful tips when dealing with wildlife and educational tidbits.
To read DOE’s Flicker go to: http://www.doe.ky/information/newsletters/flicker/
AJ Gallagher acquires assets of Caribbean broker Minvielle & Chastanet
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced that it has acquired certain assets of Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers located in the eastern Caribbean. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The bulletin described Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers (MCIB) as a “full service insurance broker and risk management firm that provides property, casualty, health, risk management and reinsurance services to its clients throughout the eastern Caribbean. Roddy Clarke and his associates will lead this operation from its current locations in St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent and Antigua under the direction of Matthew Pragnell, head of CGM Gallagher Group based in Kingston, Jamaica.”
Chairman, President and CEO J. Patrick Gallagher noted that “MCIB is well-regarded within the industry for its quality client service and strong culture. They will provide additional scale to our existing operations and will also expand our presence into Antigua and Dominica; MCIB will be a terrific complement to CGM Gallagher Group as we continue to successfully grow our footprint in this region. We are pleased to welcome Roddy and his colleagues to our Gallagher family of professionals.”
Source: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Former Cayman Islands swimming coach appointed head coach for USA Swimming Open Water
Dave Kelsheime, former Cayman Islands National Swim Coach, has been appointed head coach for the USA Swimming’s open water team. The team is scheduled to compete later this month at the Pan-Pacific Championships, in Australia.
He currently is the Head Coach for Team Santa Monica, a club programme in California.
Caribbean Catholics plea to end violence in Gaza
From Trinidad Express
The Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) have expressed their anguish over continuing violence in the Gaza Strip, involving Israelis and Palestinians, that have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries—with children and women among the victims.
A statement released by the Port of Spain based Secretariat of the AEC said that the conflict in Gaza, “like that in Syria and Iraq, are an indictment on humanity and constitute a fundamental challenge to the whole of humanity…”
The AEC represents some two million Christians of the Catholic faith in the Caribbean region with Trinidad and Tobago being the single largest diocese within the Caribbean Community.
The statement — the first to be issued by a leading representative religious organisation of the Caribbean — coincided with a fresh round of talks between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority that got underway on Sunday.
It followed a week after a second plea by the Caribbean Community’s plea for an end to the “hostilities and appalling bloodshed being caused by the bombardment, shelling and ground invasion…”
The AEC Bishops urged Caribbean governments to “use their moral weight” in international for a, such as the United Nations, to press, for a start, “an extended ceasefire in Gaza and the provision of solid guarantees in support of negotiations for long-term peace in the area, including a process leading to citizenship for the millions of stateless Palestinians…” (R SINGH)
Cayman Islands construction company to lay off 30-40 workers
McAlpine Construction, one of the Cayman Islands largest building companies is laying of 30-40 workers because its contract at 18 Forum Lane in Camana Bay is winding down.
Layoffs commenced 2 weeks ago and will continue for another 3 weeks the company said.
American Airlines Sees Reduction In Latin America, Caribbean Traffic
From Curacao Chronicle
American AirlinesWILLEMSTAD – After a relatively flat June, American Airlines saw a 2.1 percent reduction in revenue passenger miles to Latin America and the Caribbean last month, according to the company’s latest monthly report.
The carrier saw a total of just over 3 billion revenue passenger miles to Latin America and the Caribbean last month, down from just over 3.1 billion in the same month in 2013.
For the year, the carrier is still up 2.3 percent in Latin America and Caribbean traffic compared to the first seven months of 2013.
The carrier also saw a 4.8 percent reduction in load factor last month for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Overall, the carrier reported a 0.6 percent drop in international revenue passenger miles last month, with a 1.1 percent improvement across all regions.
Selfie tragedy: Parents fall 260 feet off cliff to deaths while taking selfie as kids watch
From Inquistr
A mom and dad in Portugal were vacationing at the scenic Cabo da Roca, a popular tourist destination that marks the westernmost point in that country, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, when they decided to take a selfie, according to Portuguese authorities.
They tried to take the selfie at the edge of a cliff with what would surely have been a spectacular vista of the ocean behind them. Tragically, authorities say, they somehow lost their footing while attempting to snap the picture and plummeted 80 meters — about 260 feet — straight down into the icy waters of the Atlantic below.
Perhaps even more heartbreaking, the married couple’s two children, ages five and six, were with them at Cabo da Roca and watched helplessly in horror as their parents slipped and vanished from view, plunging to their deaths.
Names of the deceased mom and dad were not released, but police said they were Polish nationals. Monika Dulian of Poland’s Lisbon consulate said that the family were not simply tourists but had resided full-time in Portugal for the past several years.
Dulian told Polish radio that the couple had reportedly breached a safety barrier designed to keep sightseers away from the edge of the cliff, but that otherwise, no details of the deadly accident were available.
For more: http://www.inquisitr.com/1406052/selfie-tragedy-parents-fall-off-cliff/#FEUbKXBoYFHPrOxD.99
CONCACAF Girls Grassroots Festival in Cayman Islands
Please see the attached flyer for the CONCACAF Girls Grassroots Festival.
All girls from 6 to 12 are welcome to participate this Saturday, 16 August , from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the Annex Field, George Town, Grand Cayman
Female coaches are also welcome to work as coach-educators, please let me know if you are available for the instruction on Thursday, 14 August from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Westin Seven Mile Beach Resort. The sessions will be conducted by Heather Dyche (USA) and Kristina Kiss (Canada).
