iNews Briefs, More & Community Events
Community Events
Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs will be hosting public meetings in every district, including Cayman Brac, to discuss the Education Bill, 2015 and gain the public’s feedback on the proposed changes.
The meetings will be as follows:
Bodden Town: Wednesday 1st July, 2015, Savannah Primary School Hall from 7:30pm – 9:00pm
All residents of the Cayman Islands are invited to attend the meetings.
Members of the public can also obtain and review the Education Bill, 2015 and complete the online survey on the Ministry of Education’s website: www.education.gov.ky
WED JULY 1
CARE Quiz NightWhy not get a team together and join us for the first Wednesday of every month for Quiz night at PD’s! 7:00PM Wed July
Education Bill 2015 Public Meetings SavannahEducation Bill 2015 Public Meetings head to Savannah Primary School Hall in Bodden Town on Wednesday (1 Jul) at 730pm.
Botanic Park Summer SpecialNow thru August, every weekend residents will be able to visit the Botanic Park for only $5.
THU JULY 2
Child Month Board GameChild Month organisers invite families to enjoy the rescheduled Board Games evening on Tuesday (2 Jun) at Book Nook, in the Galleria Plaza on West Bay Road, 6.00- 8.00pm
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.
Bethel Refuge Apostolic Church’s Youth Week
Bethel Refuge Apostolic Church’s Youth Week continues thru Thursday (2 Jul) under the theme The Ultimate Decision: Save Yourself at 715pm nightly at #23 Devon Road in Prospect.
Child Month Board Game
Child Month organisers invite families to enjoy the rescheduled Board Games evening on Tuesday (2 Jun) at Book Nook, in the Galleria Plaza on West Bay Road, 6.00- 8.00pm.
CARIBBEAN: Cops receive 278 reports of sex with underaged girls
By CMC From St Lucia News
CMC – Jamaica Police say that since the start of the year, they have received 278 reports of people having sex with underage girls.
Forty-six of the young girls were found to be pregnant.
Officials from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) made the disclosure during a press conference at the Police Commissioner’s office in Kingston, on Friday.
Legal expert: Alan Grayson hedge fund explanation ‘complete nonsense’
By Kirby Wilson From The Buzz Tampa Bay Times
According to a story published Monday, Rep. Alan Grayson’s hedge funds are in violation of a House ethics rule that prohibits sitting legislators from managing self-named investment entities.
Grayson has at least three funds that bear his name, two of which are based in the Cayman Islands and one of which is based in Delaware.
The Grayson Master Fund (Cayman) Ltd. and Grayson Fund (Cayman) Ltd. had been the subject of previous scrutiny because of Grayson’s unusual fund structure.
Grayson maintains he has not violated any ethics rules because he has no “fiduciary duty” over them. His explanation, via spokesman Ken Scudder:
“The reason why the funds’ offerings are ‘exempt’ is that all of the fund’s investors are qualified investors. ‘Qualified investors,’ by definition, are sophisticated investors to which no fiduciary duty is owed.”
Investment experts have called baloney on that explanation, saying fiduciary duty exists whether or not investors are “qualified.”
Politico has the full story here.
Life threatening flooding on Caribbean side of Costa Rica
From the Costarican Times
Costa Rica News – 745 people have had to evacuate their homes and go to one of 11 shelters due to heavy rains and floods in the Limon province.
Between Saturday and Sunday the number of people in the shelters doubled as conditions worsened.
The National Emergency Commission declared a red alert for many Caribbean towns and a green alert for various parts of the Pacific as downpours are expected to continue. So far there are 216 communities affected.
There are damaged bridges, landslides, 12 domestic roads damaged and some roads closed.
The Ministry of Public Education cancelled school from June 29th to July 4th in Sarapiquí, Talamanca, Limón, Matina, Pococí, Siquirres, Guácimo and Turrialba.
¢64 million has already been invested in the emergency response.
Panama has sent a helicopter to help in the efforts. The Chamber of Exporters have had additional fees of $800,000 in the week to move their products by alternate routes.
Several banana plantations are isolated by the conditions and the extent of damage is yet unknown.
For more: http://www.costaricantimes.com/life-threatening-flooding-on-caribbean-side-of-costa-rica/38882
Argentina judge orders asset seizure of Falklands oil firms
From Caribbean Digital Network
(BBC) – A federal judge in Argentina has ordered the seizure of assets of five companies drilling for oil in the Falkland Islands.
Tierra del Fuego judge Lilian Herraez ordered the authorities to seize boats and other assets worth $156m.
Argentina claims sovereignty of the islands, which it calls the Malvinas.
The oil companies named in the case are not based in Argentina and it is not clear how the measure will be implemented.
Drilling for oil in the territorial waters around the Falklands began in 2010 despite opposition from Buenos Aires.
‘Bordering on stupidity’
Judge Herraez says the new ruling will take steps to try to seize the companies’ assets abroad.
The five companies mentioned are: Premier Oil Plc, Rockhopper Exploration Plc, Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd, Noble Energy Inc and Edison International Spa.
Three of the companies are British-based, one is American, based in Texas, and one is French-owned, based in Italy.
Britain and Argentina went to war over the Falklands in 1982.
Argentina occupied the South Atlantic archipelago for 74 days, before British forces regained control.
During the conflict, 255 British and about 650 Argentine servicemen were killed, along with three Falklands civilians.
Argentina accuses Britain of colonialism, saying the islands lie some 700km (450 miles) off its coast.
Britain has held the Falklands for 180 years and says the wishes of its 3,000 residents should be respected.
The vast majority of them want the islands to remain a British overseas territory.
“They want to remain British and that view should be respected by everybody, including by Argentina,” said David Cameron after a 2013 referendum in which the islanders gave almost unanimous support for the status quo.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said at the time that Britain was “arrogant” and “bordering on stupidity” for refusing to negotiate on the future of the islands.
For more: http://www.caribbeandigitalnetwork.com/argentina-judge-orders-asset-seizure-of-falklands-oil-firms/
Clintons’ Caribbean vacation cost US taxpayers at least $211K
From Weekly Standard
Bill and Hillary Clinton vacationed in the Dominican Republic around New Years, visiting at least two exclusive resorts, Punta Cana and the Casa de Campo. The once-and-possibly-future first couple spent the week, of course, under the watchful eye of the U.S. Secret Service, but the security required for the trip didn’t come cheap. Five contracts for the Secret Service for lodging and vehicles totaled more than $211,000, not including food or transportation to and from the island for the agents on duty.
The trip was first reported by THE WEEKLY STANDARD in April, but since that time more contracts have come to light, one as recently as June. The initial contract for hotels rooms for Secret Service agents was $104,093, as shown in this composite screenshot of contract details attached
Ex-intern wins $18m verdict against financier Wey
By Scott Flaherty, From The Litigation Daily
A federal jury in Manhattan on Monday showed where its sympathies lie in a sexual harassment and defamation case brought against controversial Wall Street financier, Benjamin Wey, by an erstwhile intern who claimed he coerced her into a sexual relationship and fired when she ended it. As reported by Reuters, a jury awarded 25-year-old Swedish national Hanna Bouveng $18 million, including $16 million in punitive damages. Bouveng worked in 2013 and 2014 for Wey’s New York Global Group, which she also sued.
Bouveng had sought $850 million in damages. Bouveng claimed that Wey defamed her by calling her a prostitute and drug dealer in online postings.
Bouveng is represented by David Ratner of Morelli Alters Ratner. Wey’s lead lawyers are Dentons partners Glenn Colton and Gary Meyerhoff.
Wey made a name in the business world by connecting Chinese companies with advisers and investors in the U.S., helping them get U.S. stock listings through the controversial process known as a reverse merger. According to his company’s website, Wey is a financier and China expert who advises governments and Fortune 500 companies, as well as a journalist and civil rights advocate.
During closing arguments last week, Wey’s lawyer Colton maintained that no sexual encounter occurred between Wey and Bouveng.
Baha Mar Resorts To Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Blames China Construction For Delays
By Erin Carlyle from Forbes
Baha Mar, the massive new resort in the Bahamas that has been plagued with delays, announced today that it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The $3.5 billion new development, to contain four hotels, a Jack Nicklaus golf course, and more than 40 restaurants, was supposed to open in December, then March. But that hasn’t happened. Developer Sarkis Izmirlian blamed the delays of his dream project squarely on the contractor, China Construction America, which is majority-owned by the Chinese government.
“The general contractor repeatedly has missed construction deadlines,” Izmirlian said in a statement. “This has caused both sizeable delay costs and forced the resort to postpone its opening. Unable to open, the resort has been left without a sufficient source of revenue to continue our existing business.”
Baha Mar’s board of directors decided that Chapter 11 “is the best path to provide the time to put in place a viable capital structure and working relationships to complete construction and successfully open Baha Mar,” Izmirlian announced in the statement. The filing was made in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
The construction process has been problematic on several fronts. On top of the delays, it was politically fraught: hundreds of Chinese were shipped in as workers despite the fact that the unemployment rate is high. Local contractors who were involved complained that they were regularly paid late. At least two Chinese workers have died on-site, one in May when he was electrocuted by a power line while driving a dump truck; a Bahamian worker was crushed by a crane in April.
Izmirlian is arranging the funding for the Debtor-in-Possession (DIP ) financing facility of up to $80 million; up to $30 million will be used by Baha Mar in the next 30 days, the statement said.
The statement did not specify a new time frame for opening the resort.
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCoy, LLP and Kobre & Kim, LLP are acting as legal advisors to Baha MAra, and Moelis & Company is acting as financial advisor to the filing entities.
Statia Sustainable Conference and Exhibition – Powering Sustainable Development!
Every year during the month of September the STDF celebrates Tourism Week which revolves around World Tourism Day set by the WTO. The staff of the STDF plans a week of activities for the entire island whereby we try to involve everyone on the Island as much as possible.
This year we took a different approach, in the form of the Statia Sustainable Conference and Exhibition
This was first of its kind for the Island of St. Eustatius. Our goal was to achieve a greater awareness of sustainability in our community by an extra 20%, and to educate the community that sustainability is more than just changing your light bulbs or planting a tree.
We invited a great variety of speakers and presenters both locally and from abroad to be part of this conference. The conference was a great success! Below we have made the presentations available to download. Take the time to check them out and post your responses below the links, make sure to give a reference in your post by the specific topic at: http://www.statiatourism.com/conference.htm
Bus carrying British children crashes in Belgium, driver dead
Caribbean Digital Network REUTERS/DOMINIQUE JAUQUET
BRUSSELS, June 28 (Reuters) – A British bus with 34 children on board overturned and crashed on a motorway in Belgium on Sunday morning, killing a driver, a local mayor said.
None of children nor six accompanying adults were seriously injured in the accident, which happened when the driver lost control of the vehicle on a stretch of the E40 motorway near the Belgian coast.
“One driver has been killed, the other is seriously injured. Some of the children with light injuries have been taken to hospital and local medical centers,” Janna Rommel-Opstaele, the mayor of the nearby coastal town of Middelkerke, told Reuters.
She said the bus was operated by British company NST, which organizes school tours.
For more: http://www.caribbeandigitalnetwork.com/bus-carrying-british-children-crashes-in-belgium-driver-dead/
Risks or benefits of e-cigarettes unclear says report
Smokers’ and ex-smokers’ understanding of electronic cigarettes: a qualitative study
By Catriona Rooke, Sarah Cunningham-Burley, Amanda Amos
Correspondence to Professor Amanda Amos, UKCTAS, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK; [email protected]
Received 12 November 2014
Accepted 20 May 2015
Published Online First 8 June 2015
Abstract
Objective To explore among a diverse range of smokers and recent ex-smokers, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, how nicotine-containing products, particularly electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), are understood and experienced.
Methods Qualitative study of 64 smokers and ex-smokers in Central Scotland. Twelve focus groups and 11 individual interviews were carried out with a range of purposively selected groups.
Results Nicotine replacement therapies and e-cigarettes were regarded as being very different products. Nicotine replacement therapies were viewed as medical products for smokers who want to quit, while e-cigarettes emerged as an ambiguous product whose meanings are still being negotiated. Participants’ attitudes and intentions about smoking and quitting were especially important in shaping their understanding of these products. Four main interpretations of e-cigarettes were identified: a more satisfying replacement for smoking, an ambiguous but potentially useful device, a less desirable cigarette and a threat to smoking cessation. The acceptability of continued nicotine addiction and the similarity of e-cigarettes to conventional cigarettes were central themes on which participants held conflicting views. There was considerable uncertainty among participants around the constituents and safety of e-cigarettes.
Conclusions Different groups of smokers bring diverse expectations, requirements and concerns to their evaluations and therefore to the potential use of nicotine-containing products. The ambiguity around e-cigarettes in public health debates and medical practice is reflected in the positions and concerns of smokers. There is a need for both clear, up-to-date trustworthy information about their benefits and risks, and stronger regulation.
SCOTUS halts 5th Circuit Ruling allowing for abortion clinic shutdowns
By Miriam Rozen, From Texas Lawyer
In a 5-4 order, the U.S. Supreme Court suspended today a decision issued 20 days earlier by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The Fifth Circuit ruling would have allowed for a likely shutdown of nine Texas abortion clinics.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, representing the clinics, had asked the nation’s highest court to block the Fifth Circuit ruling.
In its order, the Supreme Court majority granted the stay pending the timely filing and disposition of a petition by the clinics for a hearing. If the court denies that petition, it will also terminate the stay. But the stay will otherwise remain in place until the Supreme Court issues a judgment.
“The justices have preserved Texas women’s few remaining options for safe and legal abortion care for the moment. Now it’s time to put a stop to these clinic shutdown laws once and for all,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights.
The office of Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, which represents the state of Texas, did not return an email seeking comment.
On June 9, a Fifth Circuit panel of three judges upheld a Texas law that regulates—and potentially shuts down—seven abortion clinics.
Last year, the Fifth Circuit rejected a stay of lower court rulings that deemed parts of the same Texas law unconstitutional in Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole.
ECLAC remains committed to assisting Caribbean
From Trinidad Express
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean remains committed to providing assistance to Caribbean countries. This is as the region prepares a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be included in the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda, director, Diane Quarless has said.
Quarless on Wednesday opened the symposium on Sustainable Development Goals for the Caribbean within the Post-2015 Development Agenda organised by the UN Commission, with the support of the Caribbean Development Bank. She noted that the timing was perfect for strategic action and regional introspection, ahead of the Conference on Financing for Sustainable Development set for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in mid-July.
Also at the opening, Jamaica Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Arnaldo Brown, underscored that some of the important areas that need to be considered include vulnerability to natural hazards, the high indebtedness faced by many Caribbean countries, youth unemployment and high crime rate. In this regard, he called for Caribbean leaders to take action towards the development of their countries.
The symposium (June 24-25) brought together ministers and senior policymakers in the fields of planning and development, the environment, and social affairs, who considered, among the SDGs the goals that are central to the sustainable development needs of the Caribbean.
Specifically, the event highlighted and raised awareness of the challenges faced by Caribbean countries in pursuing sustainable development, and to provide a rationale for the selection of these priority goals.
Policymakers and experts have been deliberating on the region’s development strategy as it transitions from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs.
Discussions have also taken into consideration the immediate and medium term constraints facing the region and the resource gaps that need to be filled from both domestic and international sources.
For more: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150625/news/eclac-remains-committed-to-assisting-caribbean
North America dominates aerospace ranking
From FDI Intelligence
Over the past five years, North America has attracted the most aerospace investment of any global region, with the US ranked the leading destination country and Mexico the top ranking developing country.
North America is the global leader when it comes to landing aerospace investments, with the US the most popular destination for greenfield projects in the sector over the past five years and Mexico ranked third. Canada is also a top 10 destination for number of projects attracted.
This is according to data from fDi Markets, a greenfield crossborder investment tracking service affiliated with fDi Magazine. Between January 2009 and March 2015, a total of 841 FDI aerospace projects were recorded by fDi Markets. These projects represent an estimated capital investment of $42bn with an average investment of $50m per project. The largest number of projects was announced in 2012, with 151 projects that year, and capital investment peaked in 2010.
Mexico is the highest ranked developing country in the fDi league tables, edging out China and India by one project (60 versus 59). The Mexican state of Querétaro is ranked fifth globally among states and Chihuahua 11th. Meanwhile, Querétaro city is fourth and Chihuahua sixth on the city lists.
CARIBBEAN: Police Welfare Associations group holds fourth AGM
By CFPWA
The Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Associations (CFPWA) held its Fourth Annual General Meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the National Insurance Services Conference room from 17th – 18th June, 2015 under the theme “Preparing For The Challenges of Tomorrow”.
An opening ceremony was held which saw addresses from the President of the Federation Sergeant Brenton Smith, Commissioner of Police of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Michael Charles, Chairman of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Welfare Association Inspector Trevor Bailey and Deputy Commissioner of Police of St. Lucia Mr. Severin Monchery.
The meeting was deemed very successful. A decision was made as to how the membership dues would be paid. The Federation was fully registered on 8th April, 2015 in Trinidad and Tobago and the Secretariat will be located in Trinidad and Tobago and will be operational from 1st July, 2015.
Medical Air Services Association (MASA) recognized the Federation as an important entity and is the first company to provide sponsorship to this organisation. St. Kitts and Nevis and the British Virgin Islands seized the opportunity and signed on as members of the Federation.
Elections were held for the positions of General Secretary and Trustees. Sergeant Adrian Peters of Grenada was elected as General Secretary whilst Detective Constable Sean Mc Call of the British Virgin Islands and Inspector Mohan Khan of Guyana were elected as the new Trustees.
Officials dump confiscated seafood into Caribbean
From Dominican Today
Santo Domingo.- The Justice Ministry on Thursday dumped various types of seafood into the Caribbean Sea, which had been confiscated from export company that violated a permit issued in 2013.
In a press conference Environment prosecutor Francia Calderon said Xinda Trading Company, located in Boca Chica, faces prosecution on charges of violating Fisheries Environment Law 64-00.
Calderon, accompanied by other officials dumped the products during a ceremony held on one f the ocean terraces on the Malecon, next to Centro de los Heroes (La Feria).
The Caribbean’s getting almost $400 million from the European Union
By Dana Niland From Caribbean Journal
The European Union has announced a new regional funding program of about $393.5 million (USD) to the Caribbean.
In a statement, CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said he welcomed the announcement.
The funds are intended to finance Caribbean regional programs up until 2020, and represent a significant increase over those available in the prior financing cycle.
“The funds are earmarked for areas which we in the reason see as priorities for our development,” LaRocque said.
These areas include climate change, crime and security, and economic cooperation and integration, among other issues.
LaRocque pointed to specific initiatives within these areas, including capacity development for effective and efficient response to national disasters on regional and national levels, support for the promotion of women and children security and safety, and the advancement of measures to optimize the use of renewable energy sources.
The signing of the Caribbean Regional Indicative Program, financed by the European Development Fund, took place at the Caribbean Forum of Africa Caribbean Pacific States EU High Level Meeting in Brussels, Belgium on June 11.
