iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands medical society says no names on Cancer Registry Bill
The Cayman Islands Medical and Dental Society released a statement Wednesday in support of the proposed Cancer Registry Bill. However, they recommended a vital change
“While it is understood that names and addresses are never included in the registry database, after thoroughly reviewing the bill, the Cayman Islands Medical and Dental Society has suggested that names and addresses also be omitted from the data collection form to be used by reporting physicians.
“The society supports this bill and will continue to be a strong advocate for the automatic reporting of cancers to the national registry,” the release said.
Cancer Registrar Amanda Nicholson said the names and addresses should be on the form because it helps duplicate reports.
EDITOR: What baffles me is that NO ONE has bothered to ask cancer sufferers for their opinion alone what they think about their names being MANDATORY added to this list.
MOVIE ‘Beyond the Mask’: Mercenary-turned-patriot redeems himself
By Kam Williams From Caribbean Life
Up until 1775, cold-blooded assassin William Reynolds (Andrew Cheney) never had a problem with his job as a hit man for the East India Tea Company. But the veteran mercenary finally developed second thoughts about his grisly line of work after being double-crossed by his diabolical boss, the conniving Charles Kemp (John Rhys-Davies).
So, he ventures to America where he proceeds to impersonate a recently-deceased vicar upon being fished out of a lake by a fetching, eligible lass named Charlotte Holloway (Kara Killmer). It’s love at first sight as soon as their eyes meet, which makes it unfortunate that this faux man-of-the-cloth’s identity is a total fraud.
The plot thickens when Charlotte’s long-lost uncle arrives in the New World, since he also just happens to be the aforementioned Charles Kemp. He not only outs William, but nips the smitten couple’s budding relationship right in the bud.
Before being run out of town, the disgraced suitor apologizes for the lies but vows to prove himself worthy of her love one day. An opportunity for redemption presents itself when William moves to Philadelphia and becomes an apprentice to none other than Benjamin Franklin (Alan Madlane).
For, it is 1776, and Ben, George Washington (John Arden McClure) and the other Founding Fathers are planning to convene the Continental Congress in the City of Brotherly Love that July. Meanwhile, it comes to light that evil Uncle Charles is a British Loyalist with a diametrically-opposed agenda involving disrupting the convention.
Can William foil the plot, get the girl and gain forgiveness from God? That is the proposition posed by “Beyond the Mask,” a swashbuckling Revolutionary War saga featuring an absorbing mix of romance, derring-do and patriotism served up as a parable of Biblical proportions.
Directed by Chad Burns (Pendragon), this unabashedly Christian production is a faith-based film which avoids heavy-handed moralizing in favor of a subtle style of sermonizing. The sort of action adventure a Born Again Quentin Tarantino might make.
For more: http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2015/4/2015-04-07-kw-beyondthemask-cl.html
Fire alarm goes off at Cayman Islands bank but no fire
It was just a scare when a fire alarm went off on Wednesday (8) at Butterfield Bank on Albert Panton Street, George Town, Grand Cayman.
The building was evacuated and employees lined the street and car park until it started to rain. The all clear was given after about 30 minutes and it was back to work.
Getting a piece of Target breach settlement won’t be easy
By Marlisse Silver Sweeney, Corporate Counsel
Last year’s data breach of Target Corp. is back in the spotlight. Jean Magistrale, writing on the Continuing Education of the Bar of California’s blog, looks at an expected settlement in the class action litigation. The preliminary numbers are sizable, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a big payday.
The breach affected a whopping 110 million customers and is expected to settle for $10 million, says Magistrale. If approved, customers would be able to file claims of up to $10,000 as early as April 30; however, she notes that “$10 million is a lot of money, but it’s not very much for a breach affecting 110 million customers.” Breaking down the numbers, if every customer filed a claim for $10,000 and was qualified, only 1,000 claims would be paid out.
Customers will have to show proof of actual harm with evidence demonstrating unauthorized charges on accounts, time spent addressing the charges, fees incurred to correct credit reports and costs to replace identification documents such as driver’s licenses. But perhaps the most meaningful aspect of the settlement will be the requirements that Target appoint a chief information security officer, keep a written information security program and offer more training to its workforce, among others, which would “hopefully influence other companies to improve security,” says Magistrale.
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank to take some coins out of circulation
From Times Caribbean Online
“Effective 1 July 2015, the I cent and 2 cent EC coins will be withdrawn from circulation.” This was the first line of a statement issued by Deputy Governor of the Easter Caribbean Central Bank Mr. Trevor O.B Braithwaite.
According to the statement the decision was taken by the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in light of the high production cost of these coins compared to their intrinsic value, coupled with the large volumes required to maintain an adequate supply in circulation.
Braithwaite stated that as a result of the factors outlined starting I July 2015 these denominations will no longer be issued to businesses or financial institutions.
The coins will no longer be valid either as consumers will not be able to conduct transactions using these coins. Persons can present the coins at any of the commercial banks which operate within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to receive face value.
A price rounding system will be implemented within the ECCU countries for the settlement of cash transactions only, whereby the total payment, inclusive of duties, fees and taxes, will be rounded symmetrically to the nearest five cents. Non-cash payments using cheques, debit and credit cards will not be impacted and therefore will not be rounded.
A Video Conference is scheduled to be held on Wednesday April 15th at 2pm to provide stakeholder institutions with critical information relating to the withdrawal of the coins from circulation and to give an opportunity to have concerns aired and addressed. The video conference will bring together representation from the Ministries of Finance and the Chambers of Commerce within the ECCU.
[US] Madison man charged with trying to join ISIS
By Mary Spicuzza From Journal Sentinel
A Madison man has been charged with trying to travel to the Iraq or Syria to join ISIS.
Joshua Ray Van Haften, 34, was charged in federal court with attempting to provide material support and resources — “namely himself as personnel” to a foreign terrorist organization.
A federal complaint released Thursday said that Van Haften traveled to Istanbul, Turkey on Aug, 26 with the intent of crossing Turkey’s border and joining ISIS.
He was arrested at O’Hare Airport in Chicago Wednesday evening after landing on a flight from Turkey.
“Van Haften traveled overseas for the alleged purpose of joining and attempting to provide material support to ISIL,” Assistant Attorney General Carlin said. “Stemming the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq and Syria and holding accountable those who attempt to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations remains a top priority for the National Security Division.”
Van Haften is scheduled to appear in court Thursday. If convicted, he faced a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
KIPCO Cayman Financial Statements
Source: RNS RNS Number : 7621J
Kuwait Projects Co. (Cayman) 09 April 2015
Kuwait Projects Company (Cayman) Announces the Publication of the Audited Annual Financial Statements (the Issuer) for the annual period ended 31st December 2014.
To view full documents, please paste the following URL into the address bar of your browser.
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/7621J_1-2015-4-9.pdf
For further information, please contact:
Robert Drolet
52nd Floor
KIPCO Tower
P.O. Box 23982, Safat 13100
Kuwait
Tel: +965 2294 3465
Fax: +965 2294 3468
Email: [email protected]
This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
RBC donates amount to Caribbean Day Care
From Curacao Chronicle
RBC customers who swung by the Rooi Catootje branch on Thursday, April 2nd 2015 were greeted by singing children. The performance was held by children from Caribbean Day Care in order to raise money for playground equipment. RBC rewarded the children by donating an additional amount to help them achieve their goal.
At Caribbean Day Care the children are taught to share by encouraging the children to sing for customers of local companies as a way to raise funds for a good cause. Last Christmas the children raised over 1500 guilders for the zoo. During the Easter break, the children entertained the RBC Rooi Catootje customers, while carrying a beautifully decorated container for donations. RBC supported this initiative by rewarding the children with an pic7_branch manager RBC met Erica Joosten van CDCadditional donation.
This year marks the 4thanniversary of the daycare center that is located in a former family home in the neighborhood of Gaito. Caribbean Day Care is known for its pleasant atmosphere and the healthy snacks they prepare for the kids. The children and their parents are approached in a personal way with the utmost respect for everybody’s opinion. A variety of dishes, with a lot of vegetables, are prepared fresh for the children. What makes the daycare center special is the strong focus on crafts, dance and educational games. The children learn new things every month through themed games. Public holidays are celebrated together with the parents. Carnival is celebrated with a jump-up in the streets and ‘simandikultura’ by dancing with ribbons.
For more: http://curacaochronicle.com/social/rbc-donates-amount-to-caribbean-day-care/
Economy of Latin America and the Caribbean to Grow Around 1% in 2015, According to ECLAC’s Latest Forecast
This downward revision by the United Nations organization reflects a global environment characterized by less economic dynamism than was expected in late 2014.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has revised downward its economic growth projection for the region in 2015, forecasting a 1.0% increase in the regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the United Nations organization said today in a press release.
This revision reflects a global environment characterized by less economic dynamism than what was expected at the end of 2014. With the exception of the United States, industrialized countries have revised their growth estimates downward, and emerging economies continue to decelerate. The region is expected to keep economic growth at around the same level as in 2014 (1.1% according to the ECLAC’s annual report Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2014).
In the subregions, ECLAC forecasts growth of nearly zero for South America, while Central America and Mexico should reach 3.2% and the Caribbean 1.9%.
In addition to lower growth in the global economy, there is also an impact from greater international financial volatility due to very expansive monetary policies in Europe and Japan, combined with expectations that the United States will raise interest rates. Meanwhile, the end of the so-called “supercycle” in commodity prices is affecting several countries in the region negatively.
The particularities of the region’s economies, in terms of their economic structures and their modes of insertion in the global economy, account for the significant heterogeneity in the magnitude and way in which external shocks have affected them. The growth forecasts for economies specialized in commodities production, particularly oil and minerals, have seen the biggest declines (South America and Trinidad and Tobago), while those with greater links to the U.S. economy, and which benefit from lower crude prices, have the best forecasts: Central America and the English-speaking Caribbean.
The countries that will lead the region’s expansion during 2015 will be Panama, with a 6.0% increase in its GDP, Antigua and Barbuda (5.4%), and Bolivia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic (5.0%).
Central Bank to stop setting minimum savings rate
PR/NB: The Central Bank of Barbados today announced that effective April 21, 2015 it will no longer set the minimum savings rate on deposits. It stated that going forward, each commercial bank and deposit-taking institution would be responsible for setting its own interest rate.
The rate was set at 2.5 per cent.
The legal notice of this change appears in the Official Gazette of today’s date (April 7), and commercial banks are obliged to provide customers one month’s notice before they may alter the existing rate.
The bank revealed that the decision to allow the market to determine the rate was reached after careful consideration of the performance of the domestic financial markets.
Barbados now joins at least two other Caribbean countries, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago that have deregulated interest rates for savings accounts. (PR/NB)
Dates and kick off Times set for Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Finals
Club America and Impact de Montreal to Battle for Regional Title in Home-and-Away Series Slated for April 22 & 29
Miami (Thursday, April 09, 2015) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today confirmed the dates and kick off times for the Finals of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League 2014/15, which will feature Mexico’s Club America and Canada’s Impact de Montreal.
The home-and-away series begins in Mexico City on Wednesday, April 22, at 9 pm ET (8 pm local) at Estadio Azteca. The final and deciding leg will be played one week later on Wednesday, April 29 at 8:00 pm ET in Montreal, at that city’s historic Olympic Stadium.
Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League 2014/15 – Finals
Wednesday, April 22 (9 pm ET/8 pm local), Estadio Azteca –Club America vs. Impact de Montreal
Wednesday, April 29 (8 pm ET), Olympic Stadium – Impact de Montreal vs. Club America
The two finalists are competing to replace Mexico’s Cruz Azul as CONCACAF Scotiabank Champions League Champion. The winner will also earn a place in the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup, to be played this December in Japan.
The up-to-date schedule, news and stats from the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, as well as results from this and previous season’s fixtures can be found at www.CONCACAF.com
BVI Commercial Court judge to speak at OffshoreAlert Conference
Justice Barry Leon, the newly-appointed judge for the Commercial Division of the British Virgin Islands High Court, will speak at next month’s OffshoreAlert Conference.
Justice Leon, whose three-year contract became effective on March 16th, will participate in a session entitled ‘The Lure Of The BVI: Why Is It THE Place For Chinese, Russians & Other Foreigners?’ along with asset recovery attorney Martin Kenney and business consultant Bomi Anise.
The panelists will evaluate the pros and cons of the BVI as an international financial center and discuss why, for many years, the BVI has been the King of Incorporations in the offshore world, proving to be particularly popular with citizens of China and Russia in recent times.
This session will look at why the BVI is so attractive to foreigners seeking to set up offshore shell entities, what the jurisdiction offers that rivals don’t, what is so appealing about its legal structures, what they are being used for, and a look at its laws and judiciary.
With a theme of ‘financial intelligence and investigations’, The 13th Annual OffshoreAlert Conference North America will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach on May 3-5.
There are 23 sessions, two cocktail receptions and numerous other opportunities to mingle with some of the leading individuals in international finance.
Speakers include UBS whistleblower Bradley Birkenfeld, HSBC whistleblower Hervé Falciani, the head of the IRS’ offshore unit, the former head of the same unit, and several of the world’s leading asset recovery attorneys, insolvency specialists, investigators.
Limited space available: Click https://www.cvent.com/events/offshorealert-conference-miami-2015/registration-b15d0f2b33f943a5a3ff04682aabc5c2.aspx?utm_source=BVI%20Commercial%20Court%20judge%20to%20speak%20at%20OffshoreAlert%20Conference&utm_campaign=Miami%202015%20BVI%20Judge%20Release&utm_medium=email
to register now or call +1 305-372-6296.
NWC tops Caribbean in water competition again
From Loop News Service
The National Water Commission (NWC) has been rewarded for the drinking water it has been producing.
The company has won the annual Caribbean Water and Waste Water Association’s Best Tasting Water Competition for three consecutive years.
“The association is a grouping of water experts and utility representatives from across the region and for the last three years, since 2012, we have entered and in all three years that we have entered we have won,” said NWC communications manager, Charles Buchanan.
Buchanan said the awards represent just reward for Jamaica’s long tradition of having one of the best raw water quality generally.
“The raw water in Jamaica has been acknowledged by people in water business and when you add to that, the rigorous treatment processes that we put the water through, it guarantees a very good product,” he explained.
Buchanan said most ships that travel the Caribbean will not take water anywhere else in the region other than Jamaica because of their confidence in the country meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) standard and the local IMAJ standard.
Buchanan further explained that not only is the water of the highest quality, the taste is also excellent.
The NWC bottles water for special occasions but currently has no plans to do so commercially.
The bottled water is of similar quality to what which is obtained through the taps.
For more: http://loopjamaica.com/2015/04/09/latest-jamaica-news-nwc-tops-caribbean-in-water-competition-again/
