Archive for November 6th, 2009
Easter Islanders fed up with immigrants
(global post): They are the face of Chilean guidebooks: giant statues made of volcanic rock scattered across Easter Island. Constructed centuries ago, the figures are thought to represent ancestors or chiefs of the indigenous Polynesian population. It is their descendants who now inhabit the tiny triangular island nearly 2,000 miles off the Chilean coast. But they’re fed up with the hundreds of immigrants who keep flooding the island in search of fortune. These immigrants, they say, are destroying the ecosystem, taking their jobs and ruining the historical legacy of their ancestors. And so they’re fighting back in the hope of restricting residence on the island, known in the indigenous tongue as Rapa Nui.
The world’s best universities
(Huffinton Post): This week, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) published its 2009 list of the best 500 universities. The annual ranking, which is in its seventh year, began at Shanghai Jiao Tong University as an attempt to measure the performance of Chinese post-secondary education relative to the rest of the world. But according to The Economist, it’s since become "the most widely used annual ranking of the world’s research universities." Which isn’t to say the ARWU methodology is without its critics. One researcher reportedthat the results "cannot be reproduced," and others have pointed out that the criteria used to determine the ranking, skew the results toward science and math.
Luxembourg to boom as hedge funds move onshore
(Reuters): Luxembourg could draw hedge funds in their droves as European investors retreat from offshore vehicles and seek to rein in liquidity and counterparty risk in the post-Madoff, post-Lehman environment. To meet investor demand, managers in Europe’s $300 billion hedge fund industry are eyeing Luxembourg listings for eligible funds. even though tough new European Union proposals to only allow EU-registered funds to be sold may be watered down after fierce opposition from the United Kingdom and others. The Cayman Islands, home to some 80 percent of the world’s around 10,000 hedge funds, could be one major loser.
Marine cop tells boaters to keep noise down
(CNS): Although Cayman is facing at best a dreary holiday weekend with plenty of rain, the RCIPS has issued a warning to boat users to keep the noise down if they are on the water at Rum Point during the short break. Police said that they have received numerous complaints of loud music coming from vessels in the Rum Point area, especially on Sundays. Inspector Brad Ebanks of the RCIPS Marine Unit said that music that disturbs the public is an offence under the Towns and Community Law, and the Marine Unit will be paying special attention to these offenders this weekend.
The Marine Unit also adviced the public about safety, noting that under the Port Authority Law there should be a life vest on board for every person. Undoubtedly there will be a lot of families out this weekend and all safety and Marine Conservation Laws must be adhered to.
Premier warns UK he’ll fight
(CNS): The country’s new premier has sent a message to the UK that he is now the chief defender of the Cayman Islands. During his speech at the Constitutional Commencement Celebrations, McKeeva Bush said he had fought the UK’s representatives in the past and won and he would do so again, as he warned the incoming governor not to try and micromanage. Following the ceremony, in which Bush was sworn in as Cayman’s first premier, he spoke about his own political career and avoided references to the constitution, which he has often said he did not vote for, until towards the end of his presentation when he said he would be seeking to improve it.
In the wake of mounting disagreements between Bush and the UK, he also took the opportunity to make it clear he was not afraid of the FCO and that he would not be weak. “This is our country,” he said to the gathering in Heroes Square but sending a clear message to the UK and its representatives.
Bush said very little about the Constitution itself, despite the fact that it was the Appointed Day. However, he said he was the “first among equals” and “the one that was chosen to be there” that day.
He also spoke again about the creation of a nation building programme which would be part of the office of the premier — a new initiative that was first announced in the Legislative Assembly during the budget debate when some $2.5 million was allocated to it. He said he intended to encourage young people to participate in the future politics of the country. Noting that it was always the same people who were prepared to participate in public life by being on boards and committees, he said he wanted to prepare the way for much greater participation by the people in government in future.
The new premier also spoke again about his concerns that with the changes in the Constitution his government had lost three votes in the Legislative Assembly. The three missing seats are destined to go to elected members, which, under the new Constitution, would be returned to office at the next general election. However, Bush has now made several references to the missing votes over the last few weeks, although it will not alter his majority in the House, it may indicate that the contested issue of a byelection could be about to be raised again by the UDP.
Other announcements included the creation of what he called the premier’s island council, which would be in addition to the district councils provided for in the new Constitution. Bush also said he would be introducing a number of awards and prizes under the premier’s office.
The governor, who was making one of his last public appearances before leaving the islands later this month (no official date has yet been set), spoke directly to the Constitution itself. He said it gave the people far more opportunities to participate in the running of the country and play an increased role in public life, with the introduction of various councils and commissions as well as the people’s referendums. However, Stuart Jack also pointed out that the UK still retained the ultimate power and was there to ensure good governance.