iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands police warn of numerous scams
Over the past few weeks the RCIPS – Financial Crime Unit has been receiving reports of numerous scams taking place within the Cayman Islands. One of the scams involves fraudulent advertisements being placed on local internet classified/advertisement websites. These ads are often for large ticket items, such as cars or boats and even pets that are usually being sold by a seller from overseas.
The seller will usually request payment through a money service, such as MoneyGram or Western Union, but may sometimes request a money transfer through a local retail bank. Caution is advised when buying large ticket items like these from websites. Never buy large ticket items online without first being able to verify that it is being sold locally and being able to verify the identity of the seller.
There have also been reports of scammers calling local residents claiming to be from Microsoft Support. These scammers will usually request credit card details, so that your Microsoft Windows license can be updated. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft Support, do not provide them with any personal details, credit card details or any details about your computer.
If you believe you may have recently been a victim of this type of scam or fraud, please contact the Financial Crime Unit at 949-8797.
Bob Marley named as the face of Marley Natural Marijuana Brand
From VIBE
Affectionately known for his popular use of marijuana, Bob Marley was named the face of Marley Natural, a cannabis brand created this year.
Reported on NBC’s Today program, the entity was created by the “Kaya” singer’s family and a private-equity firm, Privateer Holdings, located in Seattle, Wash. to bring fans “a premium cannabis brand rooted in the life and legacy” of the Reggae legend.
“It just seems natural that Daddy should be part of this conversation,” said Cedella Marley, Bob’s first-born daughter. “As Daddy would say, ‘make way for the positive day.'”
The herb brand, which will be available in 2015, includes strains of “heirloom Jamaican cannabis,” vaporizers, creams, oils and more. On the topic of the recent legislation that has legalized weed in certain parts of the U.S., the “Ganja Gun” artist’s wife, Rita Marley, said the legendary musician would be proud of these new laws. “He’s happy because this is what we dreamed of,” she said. “It was unruly for them to call it weed or drugs. We saw it as a spiritual thing, given to us by God.”
Photo Credit: Instagram/bobmarleyofficial
For more: http://www.vibe.com/article/bob-marley-named-face-marley-natural-marijuana-brand
Cayman Islands Bodden Town FC force draw in New Zealand
From CIFC
Despite dominating much of the play and creating a plethora of chances, Bodden Town Football Club of the Cayman Islands had to settle for a goalless draw against Singapore Under 23 National Team at the Trusts Arena. Swirling winds and a stubborn opponent frustrated the reigning Cayman Islands Football Association Premier League champions. In his post game assessment Head Coach Elbert Mclean said, “We played well but I think we should have won.” Bodden Town created the more significant chances from the opening whistle with Ricoh Brown having the first clear shot on goal in the third minute.
Bodden Town’s best chance of the opening half came in the 15th minute when Theron Wood hit the upright with a curling free kick. Singapore also had their chances, but goalkeeper and captain Ramon Sealy was equal to the task at every stage.
Coach Mclean heaped praise on his players however:
“Sealy was excellent he always gives us 150 percent,” said Mclean. Sealy was called to make crucial saves in the second half, denying the Singaporeans on several clear cut goal scoring chances. In the 67th Singapore’s Shamil Sharif collected a pass from Stanely NG in space and blasted a venomous shot at the Bodden Town goal, but Sealy’s made a magical reflex save to keep the clean sheet.
Bodden Town collect one point from the draw and move on to face local champions Auckland City FC on Friday. Looking ahead to that encounter , Coach Mclean said the team’s objective is clear. “We are going for the three points.”
Auckland City FC tops Group A with 3 points, ahead of Bodden Town and Singapore.
To watch video go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IcW3jLhimE&feature=youtu.be&list=PLjgP2llG4VOjSFXpFKwVgUoQL305Z24uF
UK’s NHS flew doctor in from the Caribbean for cover
From Herald Scotland
A DOCTOR was flown in from Jamaica to provide temporary cover for a hospital battling a major recruitment crisis.
The locum consultant was hired for just over five weeks because Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was left without a top anesthetist.
National Health Service (NHS) Grampian paid £1,535 pounds for the doctor’s return flight from Kingston to Aberdeen in June.
Pay rates for the period from June 23 to August 1 started at £46 an hour and rose to £68 for the last two weeks.
The crisis-hit health board then paid more than £2,175 to fly in a consultant in from India to cover a weekend shift in the casualty department a few weeks after the anesthetist returned home.
Yesterday, NHS Grampian said the consultant from Jamaica had worked at the hospital before, but could not confirm if he was a retired specialist who had relocated to the Caribbean.
A health board spokeswoman said: “He was known to the department and his economy flight ticket was paid as part of the agreement for securing his services. No accommodation costs were involved.
“Locum doctors are a necessary expense for any NHS board.
“They provide vital support to our full-time staff complement and when vacancies arise in the medical staff group locum or agency doctors are used to ensure continuity of service while we recruit.
“Approximately 500 consultants are employed in Grampian and at any one time some vacancies are to be expected.”
Littering will not be tolerated in Cayman Islands says DEH
The Cayman Islands Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has reiterated that littering will not be tolerated in the Cayman Islands.
This comes after a viewer submitted photos to CITN/Cayman 27 News of a man dumping garbage in the Bakers area of West Bay.
Persons caught littering can be fined up to $500 or face a six months jail sentence.
Anyone found littering could be reported to law enforcement or the DEH at 949-6696.
Guyana still Caribbean motor racing champs
From Stabroek News
It is official.
Guyana has retained the coveted country award of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC).
Thanks to skillfully putting pedal to the metal, Team Guyana’s daredevils amassed 541 points during the course of the three legs (Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana) which allowed the prized piece of silverware to remain in the Land of Many Waters.
For more: http://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/sports/11/18/guyana-still-caribbean-motor-racing-champs/
Parenting tales in new book by Cayman author
Faye Lippitt, a local author in the Cayman Islands has written a book titled “Sixteen Chickens on a Trampoline”. The book comprises a series of short stories that chart the highs and lows of raising her six children, including two sets of twins, all born within eight years.
A former journalist, Faye was inspired to the write the book following her monthly column in a Canadian magazine about dealing with the chaos around her growing family.
Mrs. Lippitt, who moved to Grand Cayman with her husband in 2011, said it is her hope that busy moms will steal five minutes of the day to read one of the stories, and another five to write their own on the back pages.
“If the kids weren’t so darn cute, you’d be tempted to toss them out at 2 a.m. with their pile of smelly diapers and booger-encrusted fist. However, just the sight of a pout or a toothless smile can melt a weary heart,” Ms. Lippitt said.
There will be a book signing at the Camana Bay bookstore Books & Books on Thursday, Nov. 20th from 7:30pm.
All profits from the sale of the book will go to Rotary Sunrise to help improve literacy on Cayman.
Costa Rica’s Caribbean ports are about to get a serious facelift
From The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
The government of Costa Rica announced its support for the second major port project in the province of Limon (Caribbean), which is worth about $900 million and will be built in the coming years.
The project consists of a “mega container transhipment terminal” by the company America’s Gateway Development Corporation (Amega) and will be developed along with public works.
The president of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis said in a statement that the government’s support this project demonstrates its commitment to the development of the Limon province and the country, and said it must be done in strict compliance with environmental legislation.
“A project of this size it is a strategic asset for Costa Rica and a powerful engine of social and economic development for the Caribbean. The project will strengthen the position of Puerto Limon as one of the main ports of Latin America, diversify their productive activities and generate quality jobs,” said Solis.
Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Trade, Alexander Mora, said that this type of infrastructure will enable Costa Rica to seize the opportunities arising from the expansion of the Panama Canal.
The minister said the government is moving in line with the necessary procedures for the establishment of a trust to start with the first steps of the project’s development.
This is the second major port project that seeks to develop Costa Rica in the province of Limon.
The other is a container terminal valued at $1 billion by the Dutch company APM Terminals, which could begin building next year.
The project faces opposition by unions since they believe that it establishes an “illegal monopoly” for the loading and unloading of containers.
APM is just waiting for the authorities to endorse the EIS to start building the port. (EFE)
For more: http://thecostaricanews.com/costa-ricas-caribbean-ports-are-about-to-get-a-serious-facelift
Teenager hit by Pirate Ship in Cayman Islands cardboard boat race
During the end of the Cayman Islands National Festival Pirates Week’s Cardboard Boat Race Brittney Bodden, a 15-year-old John Gray High School, was hit by the 60-foot-long Jolly Roger Pirate Ship.
Bodden was with four other local students paddling with their boat in the race around Hog Sty Bay in George Town Grand Cayman when they were forced to jump into the water when the Pirate ship came towards them.
Bodden hit her head on the ship’s hull and suffered minor concussion.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is investigating the accident that was videoed and posted on Facebook.
Energy LEDS: A regional overview of Latin America and the Caribbean and experiences from Nicaragua
Event Date: November 26, 2014 – 9:00am
Location: Webinar
Reserve your seat now.
The Regional Platform for Latin America and the Caribbean (LEDS LAC) and the Energy Working Group (EWG) of the Low-Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS-GP) are co-hosting a webinar on sustainable energy progress in Latin America and the Caribbean. The webinar offers both an overview of recent developments in clean energy policies, programs, and targets across the region and an in-depth case study on Nicaragua’s experience in facilitating private and public investments in climate-compatible energy development. The presentation details the mechanisms that Nicaragua’s investment-promotion agency (ProNicaragua) has employed to attract private investment in order to meet the government’s national energy targets and policy objectives. The webinar will feature the following presentations:
Introduction & Moderation Ana Maria Majano, INCAE Business School/EWG Co-Chair for LAC
Regional Overview: Renewable Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean Alexander Ochs, Worldwatch Institute/EWG Chair
Nicaragua: Promoting Private Investments towards National Sustainable Energy Goals Javier Chamorro, ProNicaragua
Q&A
This webinar is the second in a three-part series on regional experiences in low-emissions energy program and policy design. Later this year, a session on Africa will be announced through this list.
SOURCE: Worldwatch Institute
6th straight month for less than average rainfall in Cayman Islands
If any of our readers have been watching closely when you view our “Latest Cayman Weather Forecast” you may have noticed that if you compare each month’s rainfall this year with the average rainfall listed you will have seen a shortfall this year.
The Cayman Islands National Weather Service’s statistics also confirm this., Between May and October, typically the rainiest months of the year along with November, they report Grand Cayman received 29.57 inches of rain, almost a foot less than the 30-year average 41.23 inches during that period.
To date in November our statistics show only 1.13 inches of rain has fallen and we are more than half way through the month. The average for November is 4.6 inches.
It is the same throughout the Western Caribbean and local farmers who grow crops in Cayman have expressed concerns.
It is not only with the water shortage but also with an increasing pest problem the drought is causing.
In a Cayman Compass report on Wednesday on the same subject they quote local farmer, Patrick Panton of East End Garden Centre & Gifts, as saying that “two fresh water wells – one natural and one dug – that he uses on his farm are showing salt levels about double what is recommended for farming because of the shortfall of diluting fresh rainwater.
However, nature has a habit of rebounding.
Britain announces aid programme for five Eastern Caribbean countries until 2020
From Caribbean News Now
LONDON, England — Hugh Walker (head of DFID Caribbean) has signed a joint letter of intent with St Vincent and the Grenadines on behalf of Desmond Swayne, Britain’s minister for international development.
Walker said, “The United Kingdom is committed to the long-term development of the Caribbean. The Department for International Development (DFID) is starting a new set of development programmes which will run until 2020. DFID has listened carefully to what Eastern Caribbean countries have said are the key challenges for the region. Our projects will focus on supporting economic growth and job creation, increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, and reducing the risks posed by climate change and natural disasters.”
The UK has already committed to spend up to £75 million in the Caribbean from 2011 to 2015. DFID will now invest a similar amount in the Caribbean from 2016 to 2020 to achieve shared development objectives.
DFID will work closely with Eastern Caribbean countries to build programmes better tailored to their individual needs. The new programme will build on the successes of DFID’s current regional support. The strong personal, cultural and institutional links between the UK and the Caribbean will help deliver results for the people of the Caribbean. DFID will work with governments and partners in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, to help them return to economic growth while managing the risks from external shocks.
DFID will continue to work regionally to support Caribbean integration and tackle regional issues which are essential to the Caribbean’s long-term development. It will continue to play an important role through other institutions such as the EU and Caribbean Development Bank (to which the UK is a significant contributor).
Cayman Islands Helicopters announce a return to George Town
Cayman Islands Helicopters have announced they will be returning to their George Town location on North Church Street near Burger King next week.
The business has been fighting many battles along the way with the businesses close by who have complained about noise and safety.
It would seem the final battle has been one by the helicopter business and that spells relief to the owner, pilot Jerome Begot, who said being downtown compared to the airport is “like black and white”.
SOURCE: Cayman Compass
The terrifying Takata airbag recall just got much worse
By Benjamin Zhang From Business Insider
The terrifying Takata airbag recall that once included only regions of the US with high humidity has now expanded to include the entire country.
The federal government announced Tuesday that it was calling for a nationwide recall of millions of cars due to potentially faulty airbags produced by auto parts giant Takata corporation.
As many as 16.8 million cars around the world are reportedly affected by the recall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said “its latest decision is based on the agency’s evaluation of a recent driver’s side air bag failure in a vehicle outside the current regional recall area and its relationship to five previous driver’s side air bag ruptures, all of which are covered by existing regional recalls.”
The recall stems from a series of incidents dating as far back as 2002 in which Takata-built airbags have deployed with such excessive force that portions of the airbag’s housing blow loose and shower the car’s occupants with shrapnel.
As many five deaths and nearly 140 injuries have been attributed to Takata’s airbags.
NHTSA is also calling for Takata, along with the carmakers BMW, Ford, Honda, Toyota, General Motors, Chrysler, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Subaru, to submit detailed reports under oath on its planned and ongoing airbag testing outside of the current recall areas. Federal regulators are also calling for Takata and the automakers to submit reports on Takata’s changes to its airbag propellants.
“We now know that millions of vehicles must be recalled to address defective Takata air bags and our aggressive investigation is far from over,” NHTSA deputy administrator David Friedman said. “We’re pushing Takata and all affected manufacturers to issue the recall and to ensure the recalls capture the full scope of the problems.”
This latest expansion of the recall will only further compound Takata’s already struggling share prices, which is down more than 50% from its 52-week high.
Cayman Islands weather Doppler system is out of action
For over a week now Cayman Islands Doppler radar in High Rock, East End, on Grand Cayman, has been out of action due to a faulty operating part.
A replacement has been ordered but it has to come from the manufacturer in Germany. It is reported the part has been shipped.
*The Doppler radar used in weather forecasting measures the direction and speed, or velocity, of objects such as drops of precipitation. This is called the Doppler Effect and is used to determine whether movement in the atmosphere is horizontally toward or away from the radar, which aides in weather forecasting. The radar was named for J. Christian Doppler, an Austrian physicist, who was the first to articulate the reason an approaching train’s whistle will sound higher than the whistle as the train moves away. – *SOURCE: the Old Farmer’s Almanac
US Transportation board overturns ruling that made small drones legal
By Mariella Moon From engadget
You may want to hold off on prepping a drone to do aerial shots of your Thanksgiving party. The National Transportation Safety Board has just overturned (PDF) one of its judges’ previous ruling for a case filed against Raphael Pirker, which effectively determined that the FAA had no right to regulate the use of small drones. If you recall, Pirker was fined $10,000 because he flew a five-pound styrofoam plane equipped with a camera to shoot a promotional video in 2011. He argued in court that it was just a model aircraft and not an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) — and the NTSB judge sided with him, warning the FAA that it should be careful what it calls a drone, before it ends up classifying everything flying in the air, even paper planes, as UAVs. Unfortunately, the Board reversed that ruling due to the FAA’s appeal, which hinged on the official definition of what an aircraft is.
In the end, the Board ruled that his small video-equipped Zephyr drone fits the legal classification of an aircraft (“any contrivance invented, used, or designed to navigate, or fly in, the air”), and hence it falls under the agency’s jurisdiction. This obviously sets a precedent for future situations involving small drones, but until the FAA comes up with an official set of rules, every incident will likely be handled on a case-by-case basis.
For more: http://www.engadget.com/2014/11/18/transportation-board-overturns-drone-ruling/?ncid=rss_truncated
Cayman National Bank celebrates 40 years in Cayman Islands
“Home For Christmas” – Cayman National’s Annual Customer Appreciation and Community Event
Cayman National Bank (CNB) is inviting their customers and friends to their 12th Annual Customer Appreciation and Community Event “Home For Christmas”. This special event is to invite our customers and friends into our home to say thanks for their support throughout the year. In honor of our 40th Anniversary celebration, this year we will feature a special ceremony as we rename our corporate headquarters in memory of our late Founding Father, Mr. Peter A. Tomkins. Donations will also be made to a selection of local charities.
The featured school at this year’s event will be the Edna M. Moyle Primary School, who will perform a few musical items.
Other entertainment will be by the UCCI Pandemix/Cayman National Steel Pan Band, a performance by Dance Unlimited, and musical selection from the Cayman National Corporation Choir.
Date/Time: Tuesday 2nd December, 2014 6:00pm – 9:00pm Location:Cayman National Building Parking Lot, 200 Elgin Avenue Information: For further information please contact Shari Whittaker or Christy
Braggs at: [email protected]
Authorities arrest owner, six employees of debt collection group that scammed $4.1m from consumers
By Ashlee Kieler From Consumerist
We’re no stranger to the shady tactics that debt collection companies use to pry money from consumers. But the latest scam to be shut down by U.S. authorities might be one of the most egregious we’ve ever seen.
Reuters reports that criminal charges were filed against a Georgia collection agency, its owner and seven employees for their alleged part in running a scam that bilked $4.1 million from 6,000 consumers over a five-year period.
Williams Scott & Associates are accused of wrongly threatening people with arrest, using aliases and trying other tricks to collect million of dollars in fake payday loan debts from consumers, a federal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court states.
Employees with the company allegedly impersonated FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, sheriffs and Justice Department employees as a way to collect debts.
Callers used aliases such as “Mr. Cline” and “Investigator Ace Rogers,” telling victims that the “national check fraud center” had filed complaints against them and that they would face jail time if they didn’t pay up, the complaint states.
WSA also allegedly emailed bogus “government” documents purporting to show consumers owed money or were being sought on a warrant.
In order to sound convincing, Reuters reports, the company’s employees read from a script containing phrases such as “failure to respond will lead to criminal charges being pursued,” and “it’s a Class A felony pending against you for theft of property.”
During the five-year scheme, the company reportedly used 87 phone numbers, switching when a number received too many complaints.
The company’s owner, John Williams, along with six employees were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connections with the scheme.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara tells Reuters that the case is an example of “an absolute epidemic of abusive debt collection practices.”
Bharara says he has contacted federal agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, to bring about more cases as part of a broad crackdown of deceptive debt collection practices.
WSA previously agreed with the FTC to stop collecting allegedly fake payday loan debts.
Visiting couple to Grand Cayman has lost jewelry. Have you found it?
A visiting couple from the USA while at Smith Cove, George Town on Sunday 16th November 2014, lost jewelry. Wedding rings and other pieces of property of sentimental value were lost.
Anyone finding jewelry on the beach at Smith Cove between Sunday 16th November and Monday 17th November 2014 are asked to contact the George Town Police Station on 949 4222.
[WordPress Security] SSL Will be Free Starting Summer 2015
The Electronic Frontier Foundation just announced that they’re collaborating with Cisco, Akamai, Mozilla and several other organizations to create a non-profit organization who’s purpose is to make SSL free and easy to implement.
Their goal is to create a completely encrypted Web and the net result is that starting next year, SSL will be free.
Wordfence has put together a detailed blog post showing the impact of not using SSL with some additional details about this important announcement including the EFF’s video explanation of the project. This has a big impact on WordPress users because the net result is that SSL will be the default for all well maintained WordPress websites by late next year.
Help spread the word because this is a major change for many WordPress websites who currently do not use SSL.
Go to: http://www.wordfence.com/blog/2014/11/free-ssl-certificates-lets-encrypt-ssl-eff/?utm_source=list&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=effssl to learn more about SSL
Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference Nov 20-22 2014
The Ministry of Health’s 2014 Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference will be taking place on Thursday November 20 – Saturday November 22 at The Ritz-Carlton.
See attachment for all details
