Archive for December 8th, 2009
Cruisers to surf the web with the help of LIME
(CNS): With the introduction of high-speed, high-powered WI-FI Internet Hot Spots to the George Town port cruise passengers will be able to surf the web through LIME’s new service. Designed to accommodate the growing numbers of cruise ship passengers and crew using netbooks and laptops LIME has rolled out the service across a number the Caribbean ports of call that will also benefit local residents and stay-over tourists in range of the signal. LIME said that the signal in Cayman will cover a 500 metre radius of the port and the service is provided in partnership with World Wi-Fi Network (WWN).
Customers who want to utilise the service can do so using a credit card or by purchasing scratch-off cards from Hot Spot locations identified by distinctive LIME banners which will be displayed at all locations. Cable and Wireless account holders will be able to utilize the service through their passwords.
Chris Dehring, Chief Marketing Officer for LIME Caribbean, commenting on the introduction of the new service said the objective was to ensure that everyone across the region has the ability to stay connected whether they live in the region or are just visiting a short stay or an extended visit. “We are confident that this new service will be embraced by thousands of visitors to our islands,” he added.
Customers who want to utilise the service can do so using a credit card or by purchasing scratch-off cards from Hot Spot locations identified by distinctive LIME banners which will be displayed at all locations. Cable and Wireless account holders will be able to utilize the service through their passwords.
Chris Dehring, Chief Marketing Officer for LIME Caribbean, commenting on the introduction of the new service said the objective was to ensure that everyone across the region has the ability to stay connected whether they live in the region or are just visiting a short stay or an extended visit. “We are confident that this new service will be embraced by thousands of visitors to our islands,” he added.
Uganda’s President flies economy class
(BBC): There have been mixed reactions in Uganda to the news that President Yoweri Museveni flew economy class on a commercial airline over the weekend. The ruling party welcomed his move which his spokesman said was to show an example to complaining civil servants that economy class should be used. But the BBC’s Joshua Mmali in the capital Kampala says many Ugandans see his trip as a publicity stunt. He says a second presidential jet was bought last year, amid opposition. According to presidential spokesman Tamale Mirundi, the president flew economy class from London to Entebbe on Sunday.
Bikers need toys
(CNS): Organisers of the fourth annual Motorcycle Toy Run which takes place this Sunday are appealing to the community to donate gifts to the drive to help them give kids in need a happy Christmas. Sponsors, Cayrock and X107.1, in collaboration with LIME, said the drive is a “a more-the-merrier” affair which anyone can join, either on their two wheels or just by giving a gift when the convoy comes through to their district. The bikers start at in West Bay and will ride round the Island ending up at North Side public Beach.
“There is nothing more rewarding than ensuring that those less fortunate are taken care of. On behalf of dms Broadcasting, it is our honour to be associated with this charitable adventure and we encourage everyone to continue to show their support whether they join in the ride or donate a toy,” he added.
Riders are encouraged to bring their toy for donation along with them on the ride which will meeting in the parking lot of Boatswain’s Beach. Riders will collect toys along the way as they ride firstly through West Bay, making a quick stop at The Strand, and continuing through George Town and South Sound, another pit stop in East End – and looping around to the final destination, North Side Public Beach.
The two wheel convoy is expected to last around three hours between 10 AM and 1 PM and riders will be rewarded with a BBQ shindig in North Side. Open to all, food, drinks and music will be provided, as well as the final opportunity to drop off toys.
Leading the way will be the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association (CIMRA) which is encouraging as many participants as possible.
“Riding is obviously a passion of mine, and to get to do one of my favourite things all to benefit our less fortunate youth – I could not think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning," said president Keith Keller. "Each year we are delighted with the turnout – this has become a much-anticipated annual event, and we can’t wait to see lots of familiar faces out there doing their part to give back during the holiday season.”
With returning sponsor LIME also on board, all toys donated will then be distributed to the Lion’s Club of Grand Cayman at their annual Christmas function on 20 December.
“LIME has an ongoing commitment to do its part to help the needy in our community, and it is our privilege to be associated with this worthy and admirable cause. Let’s come together and make sure these kids have as special and memorable a Christmas as possible!” said LIME’s Marketing Manager Julie Hutton.
Cayrock and X107.1 are encouraging the local community to show some holiday spirit by donating a new, unwrapped toy for Cayman’s less fortunate youth, particularly girls and boys aged two to 13 years old. Donations are being collected at LIME stores located in Anderson Square and Galleria Plaza, all Foster’s Food Fair locations, Priced Right, Cost U Less and dms Broadcasting Centre.
dms Broadcasting Network
“The holiday seasonrepresents a time to come together, and we are appealing to residents for support, and to make a donation to bring smiles to the faces of the kids of Cayman,” he added.
Bryant says UK will step in when OTs fail on finance
(CNS): Although he says he does not wish to micro-manage the economies of the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories, Chris Bryant has warned that the Foreign Office will step in when it has concerns about poor financial management and inadequate governance. Speaking to the territories’ leaders on the eve of the eleventh annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) on Monday 7 December, the FCO Minister said he was accountable to the UK parliament and had to keep an active interest in the territories.
Speaking at a specially arranged meeting with elected leaders from some of the Caribbean territories, Bryant told Cayman’s Premier McKeeva Bush, Anguilla Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown, and Montserrat Chief Minister Reuben Meade why the UK Government had felt it necessary to take firm action in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where the British governor is now in control of the government.
According to Foreign Office reports, the pre-council meeting focussed on the extent and nature of the UK Government’s contingent liabilities in the Caribbean Overseas Territories and the territories’ own roles and responsibilities in managing those liabilities. The UK minister said this included sound financial management, government borrowing and good governance
“We want the maximum amount of self-government possible and we have no desire to micro-manage the economy in any of the OTs. But I am also accountable to parliament and it would be negligent of me if we did not take a keen, active interest in the economic and social well-being of the OTs,” Bryant said. “That’s why we will step in when we have concerns about poor financial management and inadequate governance. I look forward to the next two days when we can discuss these and other issues in more detail.”
During his speech when he was sworn in as the Cayman Islands’ first premier, McKeeva Bush had warned the incoming governor, Duncan Taylor, who is expected to arrive in Cayman in January, not to try and micro manage the territory as the Cayman Islands Government would fight the UK where it had to in order to protect the interests of the Cayman people.
During the pre-OTCC meeting the FCO minister also met British Virgin Islands Premier Ralph O’Neal separately reportedly to discuss the financial issues particular to that territory. The main council meeting begins today, where a number of issues regarding the UK’s relationship with its territories will be discussed. According to reports in the Bermuda press, Ewart Brown the island’s premier, will be pressing the UK to hand over operational control of the police to the Bermuda Government during his visit.
Yellow pages donates to ‘Meals on Wheels’
(CNS): Grand Cayman’s programme to help the elderly get the nutrition they need recently received a donation of CI$5,000 from Caribbean Publishing Company (CPC), publishers of the Cayman Islands Yellow Pages®. This donation will help support the ‘Meals on Wheels’ programme, which provides nutritious meals to frail and homebound elderly, many of whom face physical or financial challenges that prevent them from obtaining regular, nourishing meals. Programme Director Beulah McField said Meels on Wheels also provided social interaction, sharing a smile and a good day. (Left: Beulah McField and personnel from MoW and CPC)
"I am most grateful to Caribbean Publishing for their very generous donation to Mealson Wheels. This gift will assist us in continuing to provide 168 hot nutritious meals a day in three districts to our older persons. Many of whom would go without if not for this programme and those of you who give”, said McField.
“We are blessed to be able to help our neighbors by providing financial assistance to support the efforts of the ‘Meals on Wheels’ programme. This initiative makes a meaningful difference in the lives of so many people in need of a hot nutritious meal in the Cayman Islands,” said Eileen Keens, Marketing Manager of Caribbean Publishing Company.
The company members of Caribbean Publishing Company have also taken an active role in this initiative by becoming volunteers and delivering an average of 40 meals a week during their own lunch hour. “Their dedication is truly exceptional as they impact the lives of so many people with their generous meal deliveries,” said Eileen. McField also said thank you to Caribbean Publishing’s staff for their willingness to give of their time.
Caribbean Publishing Company encourages other companies to be part of this collective effort and support their staff in assisting with deliveries as ‘Meals on Wheels’ is looking for additional drivers. Currently, there is only one person in charge of delivering 48 meals a week in the East End area.
Cuba to allow UN human rights monitoring
(Reuters): Cuba said on Monday it will accept regular UN monitoring of its human rights record from 2009, even as its plainclothes police broke up a small demonstration marking International Human Rights Day. Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque announced Cuba will sign the U.N. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and a similar pact on economic and social rights by March next year. Havana has long refused to sign the pacts adopted in 1976 at the height of the Cold War. He said Cuba would open its doors in early 2009 to regular international scrutiny by the newly created UN Human Rights Council. Cuba refused visits by a special rapporteur appointed by the previous body, the UN Human Rights Commission.
Waterworks in Bodden Town to cut leaks
(CNS): As a result of a number of burst water mainsin the Bodden Town area the Water Authority has started a pipe replacement programme to improve the efficiency and reliability of its service to residents in the area. The work is being carried out in sections, the authority said in order to minimize the disruption to customers, motorists and pedestrians and it hopes to have all three phases completed by next March. “The pipeline replacement is necessary due to the number of main breaks that have occurred in this area,” said Robert Robler, Chief Operations Manager of the Water Authority.
“The replacement should eliminate the current inconvenience to customers and motorists associated with the recent outages.”
The first 450-ft long section between the cemetery and Anton Bodden Drive was completed in early December 2009. And the second section, approximately 1700-ft long, spans the distance between Anton Bodden Drive and Lakeview Drive. Preparations for this section have already been completed. The pipe replacement works has commenced and is anticipated to be completed by the end of January 2010.
The third and final section between Lakeview Drive to Kipling Street, measuring 1900-ft long, is projected to be completed by the end of March 2010.
“The work is being carried out in sections to minimise the inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians,” Robler said. “Flagmen and temporary traffic signals will be utilised to aid in traffic control however we do ask motorists to slow down in this area for safety reasons while the work is in progress.”
He also explained that water service disruption to customers will be minimised with the use of temporary pipelines for customers adjacent to the pipeline being replaced and with the new North Side Water Works facility serving customers east of Bodden Town.
The Water Authority successfully completed a similar project to replace the aging 8-inch pipeline along Walkers Road and Smith Road last year. The pipeline replacement projects are part of the Water Authority’s ten-year capital plan to expand and upgrade its water and wastewater infrastructure.
Californian man dies during North Wall dive
The diver was conveyed by the RCIPS Marine Unit to the nearby Yacht Club and he was then transported by ambulance to Georgetown Hospital where he was found to be dead on arrival. Police said that investigations into the death are ongoing.
Why there’s no sign of a climate conspiracy in emails
(New Scientist): The leaking of emails and other documents from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia, UK, has led to a media and political storm. The affair is being portrayed as a scandal that undermines the science behind climate change. It is no such thing, and here’s why.
Caribbean prepared for a potential H1N1 outbreak
(Miami Herald): Health officials initially feared that an epidemic in the Caribbean would have caused havoc to the population and aggravated a tourism-dependent region already suffering from the tanking global economy. But that didn’t happen. “It was not as bad aswe thought,” said Rudolph Cummings, program manager for health sector development on behalf of the Caribbean Community regional bloc. Still, there have been some deaths. The Dominican Republic reported 22 deaths while officials documented seven in Cuba, and five in Jamaica, compared to the more than 1,000 in the US. One country that has seen a spike in flu activity is the Cayman Islands.