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Community Events
Grand Court Jurors Report Date Changed
The Grand Court jury report date has been changed.
Grand Court Jurors who are in the 1 July – 6 October 2015 session are now to report on Monday, 3 August, 2015 at 9:45 a.m.
Please call the Jury Information line at 945-5072 for the most up-to-date information.
Immigration Department Closure On 31 July 2015
The Department of Immigration Headquarters, including Passport & Corporate Services, Visa Office and Front Counter, will be closed to the public for all but essential services on Friday, 31 July 2015. Only work permit and permanent residence applications (including applications for permission to continue to work (PCW)) that must be submitted prior to 1 August in order to allow continued employment will be accepted.
Time sensitive applications for visitor extensions will also be accepted.
The Passport & Corporate Services Office will not accept any applications but passports and visa waivers may be collected at the Immigration main counter location.
The Department will resume normal operations on Monday, 3 August and will also remain open to the public until 7.00pm on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 July.
The Department apologizes for any inconvenience the closure on 31 July may cause.
WED 29 JULY
Grand Court Jurors Report Date Changed
The Grand Court jury report date has been changed.
Grand Court Jurors who are in the 1 July – 6 October 2015 session are now to report on Wednesday, 29 July, 2015 at 9:45 a.m.
Please call the Jury Information line at 945-5072 for the most up-to-date information.
THU 30 JULY
Plumbers Examination Board
The next meeting of the Plumbers Examination Board is Thursday (30 Jul.) For more information, call 919-2837
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.
FRI JULY 31
Deadline for Early Childhood Assistance Programme
The Ministry of Education offers funding to assist eligible young Caymanian children to attend an early childhood centre. Children who are eligible for either full or partial funding are able to receive this support between September 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2016Application forms are available at the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue, at the Department of Education Services on Thomas Russell Way, and from early childhood centre directors/operators.
Cayman Islands police warns of overseas financial scams
A woman has informed the Royal Cayman islands Police service (RCIPS) that she has sent over $50,000KYD via Western Union transfers to Nigeria over the last 12 months in what appears to be a financial scam. The victim received an unsolicited email claiming to be from American tax authorities informing her that she was entitled to a substantial tax refund, but that advance fees had to be paid to release the funds. She paid these “fees” in several transfers by money transfer overseas totaling over $50,000KYD.
The suspect who corresponded with the victim went by the name Richard Aje, but this may not be his real name. Chances are very low that the suspect can be traced or apprehended, as there is no working investigation practice or extradition treaty in place between Nigeria and the Cayman Islands.
The Financial Crimes Unit reminds the public that unsolicited emails promising funds and asking for advance payments to release the funds or asking for account numbers or personal information of any kind are highly suspect and should never be responded to. Should you receive any emails of this type please forward to FCU at [email protected].
Cayman islands Bocce wins big at Special Olympics World Games
It’s a big day for Cayman’s Special Olympic bocce athletes.
At this year’s World Games in Los Angeles, Cayman picked up the silver medal in the BC Bocce Unified Team Division UT4 competition. Cayman’s team includes of Mark Ebanks, Leslie Hydes, Anna Jackson, and Wanda Viscount.
Mark also picked up a fourth place ribbon in the Division M15 Bocce Singles event.
Over in the swimming pavilion, Kathryn Kleinworth snagged a silver medal in the 100 meter freestyle Division F06 race…her second medal at the games this year. After grabbing two medals this weekend, Keanu McKenzie placed fourth and picked up a ribbon in the 100 Meter freestyle on Monday.
Shock as MidKent College tutor Teresa Cummins is killed by car on Caribbean island Antigua just hours after arriving in the country
By Lizzie Massey From KentOnline
A grandmother on a Caribbean holiday died after being hit by a car just hours after arriving in the country.
Teresa Cummins, a tutor at MidKent College, flew out to Antigua on Sunday, July 19.
According to a close member of the family, at 10.30pm that day she was stood on a pavement outside a pub in the Jolly Harbour area, on the West coast of the island.
A vehicle mounted the kerb and hit Mrs Cummins, killing her instantly.
The driver of the White Toyota Corolla has been identified to the family, and named by the Antigua Observer news website, as Roland Roberts of Urlings, Antigua.
A report is now being prepared for the coroner out there.
There are no drink-drive laws in Antigua and no arrests have been made, but police investigations are ongoing.
“We were deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the tragic accident involving Teresa Cummins whilst on holiday” – Simon Cook
The family member said from the information they have received from police, it may be possible to make an arrest based on causing death by dangerous driving, or manslaughter.
The 54-year-old from Rainham was a mother-of-two as well as having two grandchildren.
A popular tutor, she taught for more than 10 years at the Gillingham college and was affectionately known as “Mommy T”.
Simon Cook, principal of MidKent college said: “We were deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the tragic accident involving Teresa Cummins whilst on holiday.
“Teresa has been a highly valued and popular member of staff since 2002 when she joined the college as a personal tutor, working tirelessly to support students throughout the college.
“She will be missed greatly by her friends and colleagues and the students at MidKent College.
“Our heartfelt sympathy is with her family at this very difficult time.”
The tragedy comes almost exactly a year after the death of the college’s much-loved and respected principal Sue MacLeod, who passed away just a month after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
It is a third traumatic blow for the college, after 18-year-old hospitality and catering student Safiya Stewart passed away earlier this summer after an epileptic seizure.
IMAGE: Teresa Cummins, 54, died while on holiday in Antigua
For more: http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/shock-as-tutor-is-killed-40727/
Cincinnati hedge fund managers raise $60 million for new fund
From Cincinnati Business Courier
Cincinnati’s largest direct hedge fund operator has raised nearly $60 million for another fund.
FSI Group, the investment company run by brothers Steve and John Stein to manage investments in financial stocks, raised $59.4 million in a new fund based in the Cayman Islands, according to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The Steins began raising money for the Elbrook Offshore Fund in 2012. The latest filing is an annual update on their fundraising.
Hedge funds often open offshore funds to serve their tax-exempt clients, such as nonprofits, said Greg Dowling, head of research and co-portfolio manager of Cincinnati-based Fund Evaluation Group’s hedge fund operations. That allows those clients to avoid incurring taxes. The fund picks up taxes instead of the client, keeping those nonprofit groups out of the danger of losing their tax-exempt status.
“This is how tax-exempt institutions invest in many hedge funds,” Dowling said. “This is totally different than a company moving its headquarters overseas to avoid taxes.”
The Steins, who founded Financial Stocks Inc. in 1995, didn’t return a call seeking comment. They typically don’t talk to the media.
Elbrook has already begun operating, even as it’s still raising money. It has invested in U.S.-based financial stocks just as FSI’s standard Financial Stocks Inc. hedge fund has. Many companies run offshore funds the same way they manage their U.S.-based funds.
US Police officer investigated for throwing peanuts at a homeless man
IMAGE: HERALD TRIBUNE
By Megan Specia From Mashable
A Florida police officer is being investigated for allegedly throwing peanuts at a homeless man who was being booked in the Sarasota County jail earlier this month.
A video of the incident has prompted an investigation, according to local reports, into the dehumanizing way the officers appear to have treated the homeless man.
The man, Randy Miller, was intoxicated and handcuffed as the Sarasota officer, Andrew Halpin, threw peanuts at his mouth.
Halpin can be seen laughing in the background; he later kicks several peanuts across the floor at Miller. Three other police officers watch as the incident unfolds.
Local news outlet the Herald-Tribune posted footage of the incident on Monday. The newspaper also reported a source familiar with Miller’s arrest said Halpin was giving the homeless man “dog commands” as he threw peanuts at him.
Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino told theHerald-Tribune that Halpin had been suspended.
“Based on the actions in the video, I immediately initiated an internal investigation on Officer Halpin,” DiPino said. “I’m disappointed in what I observed in the video, and placed the officer on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Caribbean examining Singapore tourism approach
From Caricom Today
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), in partnership with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, on Friday held a workshop on Developing Viable and Sustainable Tourism Products: The Singapore Model.
The workshop, in Bridgetown, Barbados, was conducted by Christopher Khoo, the senior tourism consultant at International Business Dynamics (iBusiness), a training and consultancy firm that specialises in trade and economic development, investment promotion and tourism development.
The CTO said the workshop examined six main areas relating to Singapore’s strategic approach to tourism. These include planning and development, product development, partnerships, investment and financing, marketing and education and training.
For more: http://today.caricom.org/2015/07/27/caribbean-examining-singapore-tourism-approach/
Bahamas’ Harbour Island wins best island in the Caribbean
From Repeating Islands
Bahamas’ spectacular Harbour Island recently won Best Island in the Caribbean in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2015. When they say “spectacular,” they are not kidding. I was lucky enough to go there and will never forget the charm and beauty of the island; I am definitely a fan. The complete survey results were featured in the August issue of Travel + Leisure, which is already on newsstands.
Harbour Island was voted “Best Island in the Caribbean” by the publication’s most discerning travelers, who rated their experiences in the annual World’s Best Awards 2015 readers’ survey. This is the second time that Harbour Island has received this influential award.
“We are thrilled to receive this impressive award, a fitting tribute to this lovely island that was once the capital of the Bahamas,” said Joy Ann Jibrilu, Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas. “We invite everyone to discover the magical pink sand beaches, secluded coves and gorgeous coral reefs of this island treasure, and enjoy the unique experiences that so impressed Travel + Leisure’s global travelers.”
For the last 20 years, the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards has been the travel industry’s leading barometer of the places and companies that are satisfying the most passionate and sophisticated travelers in the U.S.
According to Travel + Leisure Editor Nathan Lump, “The Awards showcase a widely changed travel landscape, one in which exotic destinations, intimate hotels, and one-of-a-kind experiences stand out from the crowd—the preferences of individuals who have been all around the world and are seeking out ever more distinctive travel options.”
For full article, see http://news.caribseek.com/5844-bahamas-spectacular-harbour-island-wins-best-island-caribbean-travel-leisures-worlds-best
[Photo of Harbour Island above by Ivette Romero.]
Leni Gas Cuba – Joins Caribbean Council and Cuba Initiative
By Giles.Arbor From Directors Talk
Leni Gas Cuba (LGC) has been invited to join the Caribbean Council www.caribbean-council.org as a Major Investor Group Member which includes Premier Membership of the Cuba Initiative.
The Cuba Initiative seeks to improve and strengthen the relationship between the UK and Cuba and to catalyse trade and investment between the two countries.
About the Cuba Initiative:
The Cuba Initiative was founded in 1995 in response to a request from the Governments of the United Kingdom and Cuba for an independent, bi-lateral, non-governmental body able to support and develop programmes thatenhance the UK/Cuban relationship.
As such, the work of the Cuba Initiative complements the official UK/Cuban government-to-government relationship. The principal focus of the Cuba Initiative is on trade and investment. The present Chairman of the UK-side of the Initiative is the Rt. Hon. Lord Hutton of Furness, who was an MP until 2010 serving in the last Government as Secretary of State for Business and then as Secretary of State for Defence. A parallel and similar body in Havana is chaired by Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister for Trade and Investment.
The Cuba Initiative seeks to enhance bilateral relations by facilitating for its members and others, regular meetings with Cuban ministers and officials; the exchange of delegations between ministries, governments and parliaments; the organisation of seminars and conferences; the dissemination of information; and the provision of services to a broadly based membership.
The Cuba Initiative fosters a closer economic, trade and investment relationship and to deliver a sustained increase in trade and investment in all sectors. Priority is afforded to key strategic sectors:
Tourism
Energy and mining
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry
IT and communications
Agriculture
Finance
Ireland: Dead cat painted by road crew. Not cool.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK, ANIMAL HELP NET KERRY
By Max Knoblauch From Mashable
An animal welfare group in Ireland has expressed anger over the discovery of a dead cat painted by a road crew.
On July 25, the charity group Animal Help Net Kerry posted an image of the cat on their Facebook page, where other members of the community expressed equal outrage.
According to Animal Help Net Kerry, the cat was already deceased when it was painted over, but road crews took no care in moving it out of the way. The Irish Independent reports that the road painting was performed by an outside company commissioned by the county council.
A spokesperson for the county council told the Irish Independent that they were investigating the issue and will be taking up the matter with the private company.
In the about section of the charity’s Facebook page, they state that they “treat a considerable number of road traffic accident victims, rehabilitate them and re-home them.”
Iran’s top diplomat tours Arab states following nuclear deal
By Hussain Al-Qatari And Adam Schreck Associated Press From The Charlotte Observer
Now in Kuwait, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also is set to visit Qatar, Iraq
KUWAIT CITY – Iran’s most senior diplomat arrived in Kuwait on Sunday to begin a three-nation regional tour aimed at deepening ties with Arab neighbors following the conclusion of the Islamic Republic’s historic nuclear deal with world powers.
Saudi Arabia and other Western-allied Arab states lining the Persian Gulf harbor deep suspicions about Iran’s intentions in the region, though they have expressed hope that the nuclear deal will enhance regional security by reducing the chances Iran will acquire an atomic bomb.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif received a red-carpet airport greeting from his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah. He is expected to hold talks later with the ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, who paid his first visit as head of state to Iran last year.
Iran agreed earlier this month to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for broad sanctions relief. The curbs are aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb, something it denies it is seeking.
After Kuwait, Zarif is scheduled to visit Qatar and Iraq. Iranian state-linked media say he will brief officials in all three countries on the nuclear accord and discuss ways to improve cooperation and fight terrorism.
For more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/world/article28755898.html#storylink=cpy
Lawsuit raises cyberespionage questions for Ethiopian government
By Chris DiMarco, From Legaltech News
The complaint alleges that the government collected information on an ex-patriot who was involved in a political movement to oust incumbents.
Filed in United States District Court for the District of Columbia on July 18, a case involving communication taps conducted by the Ethiopian government is raising questions on the pervasiveness of cyberespionage and what the United States government can do about it. The complaint comes following the data breach of white hat hacker team “Hacking Group,” which leaked documents show supplied hacking software to multiple governments, including Ethiopia.
According to the filing, the Ethiopian government engaged in ongoing collection of communications conducted by an Ethiopian ex-patriot turned U.S. citizen. Court documents say that the man – who is unnamed in the filing to protect his identity—had his Skype call, emails and Internet browsing habits routinely collected by spy software.
When the plaintiff, who was involved with political opposition to the incumbent Ethiopian government, became suspicious, forensic analysis revealed that a program called FinSpy had been eavesdropping on his calls and had collected copies of emails and web searches that had been conducted by the computer.
“Just because governments around the world engage in spying doesn’t make it legal,” said Nate Cardozo, a staff attorney with the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), in an interview with the Associated Press. “And when spies get caught, there are consequences.” EFF is representing the plaintiff in the case.
Between its connection with FinSpy, and its appearance on the Hacking Group’s client list, these recent incidents show that Ethiopia is engaged in the proactive acquisition of software to bolster its cyberespionage efforts.
The federal judge overseeing the case has asked the U.S. government to weigh in on the lawsuits. Ethiopia has said that it should have immunity in this case and has asked that it be thrown out, the AP reported.
Cyberespionage continues to be a growing concern for governments, corporations and individuals. McAfee labs predicted that incidents of cyberespionage would hit record highs in 2015, and Verizon’s Data Breach Incident Report showed that in 2014, public sector organizations accounted for 75 percent of the more than 63,400 security incidents reported worldwide
4 Trends in Caribbean telecoms/ICT Regulatory Reform
By Michele Marius From SiliconCaribe
Earlier this month, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) published its latest Trends in Telecommunications Reform, which highlights key telecoms/ICT developments worldwide and their impact on regulation. Below four trends, from the six presented, are highlighted.
Fostering competition has become more critical
Traditionally, although having competition in a market was considered the ideal and most desired result, the premise for having regulation was to mimic it where competition was absent. However, in market segment where there was no competition, and regulation successfully governed, generally there was little impetus to be aggressive in securing new players and moving to a competitive environment.
However, and technology and telecoms/ICT-related services become even more sophisticated – where a wide variety of business models can be adopted – regulation is becoming less proficient in managing the current ecosystem. As a result, there has been a growing trend among regulators to adopt measures that promote competition and consumer choice.
For more: http://www.siliconcaribe.com/2015/07/27/4-trends-in-caribbean-telecomsict-regulatory-reform/
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – INTEGRATING GENDER EQUALITY INTO SECTOR OPERATIONS
CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR INTEGRATING GENDER EQUALITY INTO SECTOR OPERATIONS
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is applying funding from its Special Development Fund towards the cost of Integrating Gender Equality into Sector Operations. The Project includes the development of nine sector specific guidelines guided by fieldwork in six BMCs, the implementation of an in-house training with CDB staff and an online capacity building programme available at CDB’s website.
The Caribbean Development Bank, now wishes to procure consultancy services for Technical Assistance for Integrating Gender Equality into Sector Operations.
The objectives of the consultancy are to enhance CDB’s internal capacities to address gender inequality in the different sectors of the Bank’s operations through the development of gender resource materials/tools and training for mainstreaming gender in Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs); to guide sectoral policy dialogue with development partners in BMCs; and to increase the Bank’s visibility in gender operations throughout the Region. The Consultancy Firm will be required to:
(a) conduct a review of relevant CDB strategic and operational documents as well as to interview relevant CDB staff to develop an understanding of the Bank’s experiences with gender in the different sectors of operations;
(b) assist with the identification of six sample countries;
(c) coordinate contacts with CDB, multilateral development banks and BMCs, liaise with the Communications Officer responsible for Gender Communications, administer the logistics of the consultancy including bookings;
(d) undertake field trips to BMCs to gather materials for field/case studies;
(e) review background materials from other multilateral development banks and other development agencies on gender and its impact in different sectors;
(f) analyse the key gender entry points in the different sectors;
(g) develop a questionnaire/checklist for each sector that contains the relevant questions to use during field visits;
(h) enumerate the key stakeholders in each sector;
(i) indicate possible sex-disaggregated data sources;
(j) identify key indicators (output, outcome, impact) to be monitored;
(k) develop the nine different sectoral guidance notes;
(l) provide three orientation sessions on each sectoral guidance note (two hours each) including presentations and case studies for the Bank’s staff;
(m) conduct a sensitisation workshop with Senior Management of the Bank;
(n) develop a Toolkit containing the revised technical sectoral guidance notes, an executive summary and case studies;
(o) provide on demand guidance to individual staff members via Email, Skype or Lync (over a period of one year corresponding to 21 days);
(p) develop an online training for internal staff, development partners in BMCs as well as development experts worldwide containing the sectoral technical guidance notes, power point presentations, videos of the presentations and case studies for each sectoral guidance note. The online content as well as the sectoral guidance notes provided by the consultancy should be in line with CDB’s standards and business guidelines on communications and information disclosure policy and will be owned by CDB;
(q) provide strategic guidance for packaging and disseminating knowledge products from gender initiatives for policy dialogue and (social) media outreach; and
(r) recommend communication processes within the Bank, across the Region, and international networks, including multilateral development bank networks, for improved communication and flow of information on gender development.
The duration of the assignment is expected to be for a period of nine months
The Caribbean Development Bank now invites interested eligible consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest for the provision of these consultancy services
Consultants shall be eligible to participate if:
(a) in the case of a body corporate, it is legally incorporated or otherwise organised in an eligible country, has its principal place of business in an eligible country and is more than 50 per cent beneficially owned by citizen(s) and/or bona fide resident(s) of eligible country(ies) or by a body(ies) corporate meeting these requirements;
(b) in the case of unincorporated firms, the persons are citizens or bona fide residents of an eligible country; and
(c) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country.
Eligible countries are member countries of CDB.
In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to technical competence, qualifications and experience, local and regional experience on similar assignments, financial capability and existing commitments. All information must be submitted in English. Further information may be obtained from the Caribbean Development Bank, Operations Officer, Gender and Development see address below between 8.30 and 16.30 hours Monday to Friday.
Two hard copies and one e-copy of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the address below no later than 17.00 hours on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. The hard copy shall be submitted by sealed envelope upon which should be stated the name and address of the applicant and clearly marked “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for Technical Assistance for Integrating Gender Equality into Sector Operations.” The e-copy shall be submitted electronically by email to [email protected] in pdf format. The email subject line should state “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for Technical Assistance for Integrating Gender Equality into Sector Operations” and the email body must state the name and address of the applicant. The Expression of Interest will be deemed to have been received at the time that it is received by CDB. The burden of proving receipt of the e-mail will be on the applicant and will not be met solely by a read receipt or sent items report generated by the applicant’s computer.
Following the assessment of submissions, a short-list of not less than three and not more than six applicants will be provided with full terms of reference and invited to submit technical and financial proposals to undertake the assignment. CDB reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. It will not be bound to assign any reason for not short-listing any applicant and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.
