Ex-Cayman Islands Secretary of CIFA pleads guilty to money laundering

Former general secretary of the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and former business partner and attaché for Cayman islands’ disgraced Jeffrey Webb, Costas Takkas, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in U.S. federal court last Wednesday.

Takkas was a Cayman Islands resident from the UK and lived here for 20 years from around the 1980’s to  early 2000’s.

Cayman Islands Premier on Manchester Terrorist attack

Remarks on Manchester terrorist attack

By Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP, MLA

It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the senseless terrorist attack on concert-goers in Manchester, England on Monday night.

As of this morning it is being reported that 22 people were killed and 59 injured. There were many more still unaccounted for as parents and guardians frantically searched for their children and others who attended the Ariana Grande concert.

Flags in the Cayman Islands were ordered to be flown at half-mast on Tuesday.

Our prayers, thoughts and sympathy go out to the people of Manchester and England as they pull together in the aftermath of this act of terrorism.

Turkey thinks fight against terror should be global,says PM

Ankara, May 23 (Prensa Latina) In a joint press conference with his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Tbilisi, Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, who is on an afficial visit there, said that as a country that has greatly suffered from terrorism, Turkey understands the suffering of Britain and condemns the attack in strongest terms. ”We cannot make distinctions between terror groups, it only weakens our global efforts against terror,” Yıldırım said.

‘We offer our condolences to our ally the United Kingdom, the victims’ families and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,’ Yıldırım said.

Also Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt ÇavuÅŸoÄŸlu and Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın expressed condolences and support for British people in tweets posted in English and Turkish.

The Foreign Ministry said it offered ‘sincere condolences to the people of the United Kingdom’ describing it as a country ‘which knows and feels the brutality of these inhumane and cowardly attacks’.

It added: ‘We will continue our dedicated and efficient fight against terrorism, to eradicate this menace with our ally the United Kingdom. ‘This will be the best answer to the cowardly attack in Manchester.

For more: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=13227&SEO=turkey-thinks-fight-against-terror-shoul-be-globalsays-pm

6th Colloquium on Cultural Diversity in the Caribbean begins in Cuba

Havana, May 22 (Prensa Latina) The exercise of memory as an act of critical thinking and emancipation centers debates of the 6th International Colloquium on Cultural Diversity in the Caribbean, inaugurated today in this capital.

Organized by Casa de las Américas, the event will be held until Friday and brings together representatives from various countries around a program that includes exhibitions, conferences, concerts and book presentations on topics such as geopolitics, heritage management, and decolonization.

According to Camila Valdes, director of Centro de Estudios del Caribe (Center of Caribbean Studies), the event joins the celebration in Cuba of the 50th anniversary of the Latin American Council of Social Sciences and constitutes an important part of the 2017 actions of the UNESCO Chair for Intercultural Dialogue in Our America.

Contemporary research privileges European and American realities. Few of them focus on the Caribbean as an area of geographical, temporary, cultural and linguistic crossings and borders, she said during the opening session.

In this context, the exercise of memory is a desire for identity claim. The importance of the teaching and recognition of history and a mnemonic practice linked to identity has been pointed out, the expert added.

She also said that the conference will focus on events with a significant impact in the region such as the transfer of the Danish Virgin Islands to the United States and the implementation of the law passed by the Congress of that country to grant US citizenship to Puerto Ricans.

For more: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=13190&SEO=6th-colloquium-on-cultural-diversity-in-the-caribbean-begins-in-cuba

Cayman Islands police operation in West Bay Friday Evening, 19 May, yields 8 arrests; ganja recovered

Around 5PM on Friday, 19 May, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Birch Tree Hill Road in West Bay. During the search quantities of ganja totalling approximately 8 lbs. were found secreted away in different locations on the property. Photographs of the drugs in bags and other packaging are attached.

Altogether eight people were arrested during the operation, as follows:

A man, age 36 of West Bay, on suspicion of Possession, Consumption and Possession with Intent to Supply Ganja;

A man, age 24 of West Bay, on suspicion of being concerned in the possession of ganja;

A man, age 17 of West Bay, on suspicion of possession and possession with intent;

A man, age 17 of West Bay, on suspicion of possession and possession with intent;

A man, age 17 of West Bay, on suspicion of possession and possession with intent;

A man, age 30 of West Bay, on suspicion of possession and possession with intent;

A man, age 26 of West Bay, on suspicion of possession and possession with intent;

A man, age 33 of West Bay, on suspicion of possession and possession with intent;

All of those arrested are now on Police Bail.

IMAGES: Ganja Recovered at Different Locations around Residence on Birch Tree Hill, 19 May

Former cashier at Cayman Islands Ritz-Carlton sent to prison

Narine Hunter (55), a former general cashier at The Ritz-Carlton resort was given a prison sentence of 14 months for stealing $13,397 over a three-month period in 2016,

She had pleaded guilty to the thefts.

Hunter was having extreme financial difficulties at the time following a divorce.

NASSAU: Perry Christie Steps Down From Party Leadership

From Caribbean News Service

NASSAU, Bahamas, May 16 2017 – Former Prime Minister Perry Christie has resigned as leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) with immediate effect.

Christie made the announcement late Monday in an address at a meeting of the party’s National General Council (NGC).

The former prime minister who suffered an agonizing defeat in last week’s general election told members of the party that he tried his best.

“As your leader, I accept full responsibility for our party’s defeat – it is for me to bid you farewell as your leader. The time has come for me to move on. I wish to God that I could have helped more people . . . I tried my best.”

Christie also reassured members that the PLP could rise from the ashes and win again as it did in the elections of 1967 and 2002.

Christie, 73, entered politics as a senator in 1974 and in 1977 received the PLP’s nomination for the constituency of Centreville.

Since then he won eight consecutive elections until losing his seat by four votes in the May 10 general election.

The PLP won four of the 39 seats.

Saudi’s SABB announces establishment of Special Purpose Vehicle Entity in Cayman Islands

From Rueters

* Announces establishment of special purpose vehicle entity for its derivatives and repo activities

* Announces establishment of SABB Markets Limited Company with a share capital of $50,000, located and registered in the Cayman Islands

* There will be no financial impact on the bank financial statements as a result of establishing this company Source: (bit.ly/2rhjkyD)

For more: http://www.reuters.com/article/brief-saudis-sabb-announces-establishmen-idUSFWN1IK033

Cayman Islands Small Business Association

Cayman Airways waives change fees for Jamaica flights due to flash flood warnings

Due to the flash flood warnings in the Northern and Southern parishes in Jamaica, Cayman Airways will be waiving change fees for its Jamaica flights as follows:

Cayman Airways will waive the change fee for passengers who have been ticketed prior to May 15, 2017 for travel between May 16, 2017 and May 18, 2017.

The passenger will be responsible for any applicable fare difference. Travel for the changed flight segment must be completed by May 26, 2017.

Passengers may call Cayman Airways Reservations on 345-949-2311.
Cayman Islands Smoking Cessation Classes: ‘I Can Quit’

Smokers who wish to quit the habit can still find a space in the upcoming Smoking Cessation Classes.

The Public Health Department reminds smokers that classes will take place every Wednesday for seven weeks in the Public Health Waiting Room, starting on Wednesday, 31 May 2017, from 5.15 p.m. to 6.45 p.m.

Registration deadline is Monday, 29 May 2017.

For more information, or to sign up, contact the Public Health Department on 244-2889/244-2621, or email [email protected] or [email protected]

Vote NCVO for the Cayman Islands Island Heritage Charity Drive

From NCVO

We really want a chance to be selected to raise $15,000 that will benefit the NCVO and its programmes. www.ncvo.org.ky

Please vote below for NCVO and share this email or Facebook links https://www.facebook.com/NCVOCaymanIslands/ to all your friends and family and anyone else you can think of – LOL!

We are so proud to be able to help our community and we are asking you to simply vote below to help us to reach our fundraising goals – VOTE NCVO!

Special thanks to Island Heritage for this opportunity!

Cayman Islands: Nominations Sought for Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours

Nominations are sought for the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours List.

You can send nominations directly to the Royal, Ceremonial and Honours Unit, part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK. The deadline to receive nominations is close of business on 19 May 2017 (UK time).

Nominations can be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Royal, Ceremonial and Honours Unit, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Room KG.02, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH.

Alternatively, you can send your nominations to the Governor’s Office by email [email protected] or post to Suite 101 Government Administration Building, Grand Cayman KY1-9000, by the earlier deadline of 11 May 2017.

For more on the Honours system, nomination forms and guidance on submitting nominations, visit https://www.gov.uk/honours/overview.

Cayman Islands General, Civil Contractors Registration Deadline Extended

The deadline for General and Civil Contractors to register with the Builders Board has been extended by a month. The deadline is now 31 May 2017 instead of end April.

The registration deadlines for the other categories of contractors remain the same, as follows:

Residential and Building Contractors – 30 June 2017

Trade Contractors – 31 August 2017.

FOOTLOOSE The Musical

Business Men’s Breakfast Meeting

The Grand Cayman chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International is having its monthly breakfast on Saturday May 27th at 7:30am, at Lola’s restaurant in Camana Bay. We will have open sharing.

WED MAY 31

General and Civil Contractors Registration

The deadline for General and Civil Contractors to register with the Builder’s Board is Wednesday (31 May).

Free Smoking Cessation Classes

Free Smoking Cessation Classes hosted by the Public Health Department will take place every Wednesday for seven weeks in the Public Health Waiting Room, starting on May 31st. Classes are from 5.15 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. For more information call 244-2889.

First Baptist Church Choir Tour

The First Baptist Church Choir is touring Grand Cayman. The next performance is Sunday (25 Jun) at the John Gray United Church at 7pm.