Archive for May, 2011
Visitor arrested in road death
(CNS): A 64-year-old man who was visiting the island on vaction from from Ohio, USA, has been arrested following the death of his wife one week after a road collision in West Bay. Police said that they were informed that the woman, who was in the front passenger seat during the smash and who was also 64 years old, had died in hospital yesterday. Officers subsequently detained her husband at Owen Roberts International Airport, in George Town, and then arrested the visitor on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving this morning (Tuesday 17 May).
The road smash occurred at about 9.45pm on Tuesday, 10 May, when two vehicles collided in the area of Jubilee Lane, off Batabano Road, West Bay.
Police said that a report was made at the time that a black Chevrolet Colorado being driven by a 23-year-old local man was struck by an oncoming Suzuki Liana. Although the local driver was not hurt, the driver of the Suzuki, a 64-year-old man, sustained a laceration to his shin, as did his male back seat passenger (aged 58).
The driver’s wife, who was traveling in the front passenger seat of the car, complained of head and back pain following the crash and was then taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital, George Town, where she was admitted for observations.
The woman, who was visiting the Cayman Islands on vacation with her husband, died Monday, 16 May, hospital staff reported, but the extent of the woman's injuries or the reason for her death almost one week after the incident are not clear. Police have not yet revealed the circumstances that have led them to arrest her husband, who it is understood currently remains in custody.
Anyone who was in the area and witnessed the crash last Tuesday is asked to contact Inspector Adrian Barnett of the RCIPS Traffic Management Department on 946-6254.
Female tourist assaulted in nightclub
(CNS): Police say that an assault on a woman inside a West Bay Road nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning may have been connected to a second assault on a male resident that occurred outside the club a short time later. CNS understands the woman, who is visiting Cayman, was treated in hospital for head injuries after being hit over the head with a bottle inside Elements night club, and a short time later a local man was reportedly stabbed outside the same club. Police said the man, who was also treated in hospital for his injuries, refused to cooperate with their enquiry. “Inquiries are continuing to collect witness statements and view CCTV,” a police spokesperson stated.
Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact GTPS 949 4222 or Crimestoppers. 800 TIPS
Victim robbed, pistol whipped
(CNS): Police say a 44-year-old man was robbed outside his home in Glade Drive, West Bay, in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 17 May. Shortly after 2.15am police received a report that the man, a local business owner, had been returning home after work and was carrying his business takings in a bag. As he approached his house he was suddenly confronted by three men all wearing dark clothing. Two of the suspects were armed with what appeared to be firearms. The suspects grabbed the bag of cash from the man, and one of them struck him on the head with a firearm. The man sustained a cut to his head as a result. The suspects then ran off and, as they did so, one of them fired the gun towards the man.
The victim was not injured by the shot but he did require medical attention for the laceration to his head.
Anyone who was in thearea at the relevant time this morning and has not yet come forward is urged to contact West Bay CID on 949-3999, or the confidential Crime Stoppers number 800-8477 (TIPS).
Cops seize drugs after canoe interception
(CNS): Four Jamaican nationals have been arrested following a police operation at the weekend in which a drug canoe was seized coming into Grand Cayman. Police said that 275lbs of ganja had been recovered during the operation off the north coast on Saturday night. Shortly after 10.00 p.m. 14 May officers on maritime patrol sighted what was determined to be a Jamaican canoe. The helicopter was notified and after a short pursuit the marine vessel intercepted the vessel. Officers from the task force were notified they attended the location on the beach, where the vessel was first sighted, and the drugs haul was recovered. All of the men were arrested for illegal entry into the Cayman Islands as well as suspicion of importation of drugs.
Investigations are on-going at this time and all four men remain in custody.
"This is yet another example of how the RCIPS combined resources of the Air OperationsUnit and our joint marine assets are successfully protecting our borders and preventing illegal drugs reaching the dealers and streets of the Cayman Islands,” said Superintendent Kurt Walton. This latest intervention should send a very clear message to anyone thinking about bringing drugs or guns into our country."
Financial centres need one voice says economist
(Royal Gazette): International financial centres will not survive unless they join forces to create a united body to articulate the benefits they provide the global economy. That is the view of Professor Gilbert Norris, who gave an outspoken speech on the first day of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners (STEP) Caribbean Conference (in Bermuda) yesterday. Norris, the chief economist of the Caribbean Basin Review in Sao Paulo and author of the book ‘Shifting Ground: The G20 Pogrom against International Financial Centres’, told delegates that smaller countries were not being treated equally in international law.
IFCs had made a great contribution to global financial stability, but this message was not getting across to larger countries because there was no organisation giving IFCs a unified voice, he said.
“It’s time for IFCs to grow up and really be part of the global financial system,” Mr Norris said.”What international organisations can we influence? You can’t play in this game at this level and have no institutional and tactical ground beneath you. If we don’t have that, we cannot survive. What I believe IFCs need is an international body, founded in law.”
Charleston risks historic status over cruise tourism
(AP): The National Trust for Historic Preservation expects to announce on June 15 whether to include Charleston on its list of the nation's 11 most endangered historic places. Trust president Stephanie Meeks wrote Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. recently that the size and number of liners "threaten the very character of this historic place." But the mayor fired back, saying it would be outrageous to add Charleston. The city is honoured for its historic preservation efforts and crafted the nation's first tourism management plan. "It would harm our city, its residents and it would not be based on truth," Riley wrote.
As the cruise industry grows, and as plans for a new $25-million state cruise terminal move forward, some opponents view the ships as bringing an endless stream of tourists, traffic and pollution.
Scientists find master gene for obesity
(Medicalnews): A master regulator gene which causes obesity and is linked to diabetes and cholesterol and controls the behaviour of distant genes that exist inside fat cells has been identified, researchers from King's College London and the University of Oxford wrote in the journal Nature Genetics. The authors say their discovery may help toward developing more effective treatments for obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. Researchers already knew about KLF14, a gene that is linked to cholesterol levels and diabetes type 2 – however, nobody knew what role it played until now.
The scientists explained that while "cis regulatory patterns of gene expression have been extensively explored, the identification of trans regulatory effects in humans has attracted less attention."
This latest study was part of a large multinational collaboration – the MuTHER study – financed by the Wellcome Trust. Scientists from The Wellcome Turst, the University of Oxford, King's College London, as well as the University of Geneva collaborated. DeCode Genetics also contributed.
Royal couple choose Indian Ocean for honeymoon
(CNS): Any hopes that the royal newlyweds would be heading to the Caribbean for their honeymoon have been dashed as the couple have opted for the Seychelles. Itis not clear exactly where the couple is staying as the palace has released few details. However, the international press is reporting that William and Kate are staying at a private island in the Indian Ocean archipelago for their ten day vacation. The Sun newspaper is also reporting that the couple has chartered the Sea Stream a $2million luxury yacht for at least some of their stay. The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, 16 of which offers hotels and resorts for tourists.
According to the Daily Mail, Farhan Vladi, who runs a private island estate agency, said his firm had rented an island to the British royal family. “Prince William and Kate are spending their honeymoon there. But you will understand that we are not saying anything further," he told the UK tabloid.
It has not been made clear who will pay the bill for the 10-night holiday at $45,000 per night or whether the royal couple were given a discount on the sum.
Car flips and smashes into Bodden Town house
(CNS): In one of a number of road smashes over the weekend a driver and passengers have escaped serious injury after the car they were in smashed into a house on Bodden Town Road. The crash occurred on Monday evening when the car, which was travelling east, headed towards East End, flipped and hit the side of the house near Moon Bay Condos. It is not clear how the smash happened but police say that the matter is now under investigation. Two of the people were treated by medics at the scene. The third person was taken to hospital with back injuries but has since been released. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
Police said the investigation is being undertaken by PC 156 Forbes of Bodden Town police station (947-2240).
TV personality ditched in cost cutting measure
(CNS): One of the Cayman Islands best known faces has been dropped from the local television station in what appears to be a cost cutting exercise. Sheena Hurlstone, the host of Cayman Islands Television Network’s morning magazine show, had been with the station for over 17 years. Having worked in numerous roles at the station, both in front of and behind the camera, she has most recently been the face of Daybreak, covering a variety of local stories on location and via interviews with guests in the studio. The Caymanian mother of one, who was informed of the decision on Friday, said that although disappointed and certainly concerned given the economic climate, she hoped it could present an opportunity for her to do something new.
“It is surprising and disappointing that a decision was taken by the station to make me redundant after 17 years as a devoted and loyal employee,” Hurlstone told CNS. “It is indeed not the most opportune time for a dedicated Caymanian to be made redundant in this very difficult economic climate. However, I do wish the station well and I intend to use this as an opportunity to open a new chapter in my life.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the many viewers, supporters, and clients who have been instrumental in the growth and popularity of the show, which I have hosted and produced for so many years. I look forward to exploring what options may be available and to moving forward with the support of my family and, most importantly, my son.”
CNS contacted CITN management for comment on the decision and a spokesperson, speaking on behalf of General Manager Michael Martin, noted that they could not comment directly on personnel issues but confirmed that Hurlstone had left the station. “Sheena Hurlstone is no longer with CITN. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours,” the representative stated.
It is understood that Hurlstone has been targeted for redundancy as a result of her being one of the highest paying staff members at the station, which is understood to be looking to cut costs. The TV firm has not yet revealed who will host Daybreak or what the future plans are for the show. CITN is believed to be undergoing another review of news programming, including the format of the morning show, before the end of the year.