Archive for September 7th, 2010
Financier to donate $100m to Human Rights Watch
(BBC): George Soros is to donate $100m (£65m) to Human Rights Watch (HRW) over the next 10 years, the investor and philanthropist has announced. "Human Rights Watch is one of the most effective organisations I support," Mr Soros said. The gift from Soros’s Open Society Foundations is the largest the billionaire has made to a non-governmental organisation, HRW said. It is given under the condition that HRW raises another $100m. The gift is the first in a series of large donations he plans to make, Mr Soros said in an interview with the New York Times. "This is partly due to age," the 80-year-old added. "Originally I wanted to distribute all of the money during my lifetime, but I have abandoned that plan." HRW is to use the money to hire more staff and expand its work internationally, the group said in a statement.
Pedestrian knocked down in Prospect
(CNS): A pedestrian was hit by a van this morning (Tuesday 7 September) as he was walking in the westbound carriageway of Shamrock Road, close to the Ocean Club complex. Police said the van, which was travelling in the George Town direction, then flipped onto its side trapping the male driver inside. Emergency services attended the scene and both men were conveyed to the Cayman Islands Hospital where they are currently being treated for what are described as ‘non-life threatening injuries’. Both the pedestrian and the driver sustained cuts and bruises. The driver also appeared to have a head injury. Police are appealing for witnesses. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
Police enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Inspector Adrian Barnett of the RCIPS Traffic Department is appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come forward. He said, “Both men involved in the incident this morning were lucky to escape without serious injury. I would ask any witnesses to the incident who have not already spoken to my officers to call the Traffic Department.
“This incident and the news that a lady who had been injured in a George Town crash in April this year has since died should act as a strong reminder to drivers, and other road users, to be more safety conscious. The roads are noticeably busier now that theschools have gone back after the summer break. Allow a few extra minutes for your journey, be patient and drive at a speed, and in a manner, that is conducive to both the weather and traffic conditions. Make sure thatyou are aware of your surroundings and that you are ready to anticipate the actions of other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Anyone with information about this morning’s crash should contact the Traffic Department on 946-6254.
No charges in burglar killing
(CNS): Police announced this afternoon that no criminal charges will be brought against the homeowner who shot and killed Harryton Rivers on Thursday 22 July, but said the Legal Department had advised that the matter should be referred to the Coroner’s Court for review. Twenty-nine year old Rivers, of Prospect, was shot with a handgun as he attempting to burgle the home in Liguinea Circle, off Aspiration Drive in George Town, by the homeowner, who was a licensed firearms holder. The man told police he woke up at around 2am to find an intruder inside his house and shot him. Rivers was taken to George Town hospital with critical abdominal wounds, where he was later pronounced dead.Police later confirmed that a knife was found at the scene.
It was revealed later that Rivers had been electronically tagged while on bail for other crimes, and George Drake, an independent expert with 25 years experience in the field, was hired to investigate the electronic monitoring system. Based on Drake’s findings, the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs, which is responsible for the system, confirmed that, while the device attached to the deceased, Harryton Rivers, had been fitted correctly, it had clearly been tampered with.
The RCIPS said today (Tuesday 7 September), “Some weeks ago the file on this case was referred to the Legal Department for consideration. Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden has today, Tuesday 7 September 2010, been advised that no criminal charges will be brought against the homeowner involved in the incident. The Legal Department has advised that the matter should be referred to the Coroner’s Court for review.”
Police said that, following the completion of minor outstanding lines of enquiry, the matter would be referred to the Coroner’s Court. The families of both the deceased and the homeowner have been advised of the decision.
“It would be inappropriate to make any further comment in relation to this matter at this time,” said Bodden.
Teachers get lesson on local culture
(CNS): Over 30 of the government’s newly recruited teachers were learning some lessons of their own last month on the Cultural Caravan, a joint effort between the Education Ministry and the Cayman Islands National Museum. According to officialsthe aim is to acclimatize new recruits to the local culture. As a result they were shown home baked products, how to spin gigs and blow conch shells, exposed to local art and hear some traditional story telling. The teachers also got a potted political history of Cayman at Pedro St. James. Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette, who conceptualised Cultural Caravan said it design to ensure overseas teachers get to know the local people.