Archive for October 3rd, 2012
Bush heads east on latest trip
(CNS): Updated — Having returned this week from his travels in northern Europe in connection with a number of meetings relating to the overseas territories, the premier will be travelling again from Friday but this time he will be heading east. According to sources close to the United Democratic Party, the premier will be taking another long haul overseas trip, this time to Asia. McKeeva Bush is understood to be heading to Japan for a Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting ahead of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting and then on to China. CNS has been unable to confirm the details with official sources despite requests about who is travelling with the premier and why.
CNS contacted the premier’s office but has received no response. In fact, CNS has received ‘no response’ to any of the questions sent to the premier or his office for several months and has been requested by the premier not to contact him.
Aside from the refusal to acknowledge CNS enquiries, it is understood that by 7pm Wednesday evening no official statements had been released to any other media house in Cayman regarding the premier’s latest overseas trip. It is not known how long the premier will be gone for or which officials are accompanying him.
It is understood that Bush will be attending a gathering of finance ministers from the Commonwealth to discuss debt problems in Commonwealth Small Vulnerable Economies (CSVEs), which will be held in Tokyo on 9 and 10 October.
The main IMF and World Bank meetings in Tokyo a few days later consists of the boards of governors and decision-making bodies of the two organizations. The meeting is usually attended by finance ministers, central bank governors, and other principals from around the world. Once in every three years the Annual Meetings are held outside the organizations’ Washington DC headquarters.
The travel schedule of the Cayman premier inexplicably continues to be only reluctantly revealed by officials and usually as a result of pressure from the media and the wider public. The last trip that the premier took, which included a visit to London and his first meeting with the new UK Foreign Office minister for overseas territories as well as OT meetings in Denmark and Greenland, was only revealed after the fact.
Court hears how cop chased armed man
(CNS): An officer from the RCIPS’s uniform support group described how he chased an armed man on foot along the Esterley Tibbetts highway after the suspect’s car had smashed into a guard rail, last November. The key witness in the case against Aaron Crawford from West Bay for possession of an unlicensed firearm,said that Crawford carried the gun like a “track and field athlete would carry a baton” as he tried to run from the police. Officer Bradley told the court that he saw Crawford pull out the weapon from his waist band and run with it for several yards before he eventually flung it into the bushes near the Ritz Carlton.
Crawford (19) was arrested when the USG officer caught up with him and tackled him to the ground. Soon after the court heard that the gun, which was a WWII model, nine millimetre, semi-automatic luger, and ammunition was then found some time after the suspect was arrested in the area where the police officer said he had seen Crawford throw the weapon.
Crawford denies having a gun that night when he and a second man were chased by the police while driving a white Nissan. In the early hours of 17 November the officer told the court that he and his partner in a USG unit were told that the car was of interest to the police and began to pursue the vehicle. However, before they came close the driver, who was heading North towards West Bay, lost control of the car near the Island Heritage roundabout on the Esterley Tibbetts highway and smashed into the barrier.
As the police officers approached the crash scene Crawford leapt from the car he was in before jumping over the police vehicles bonnet as it arrived and ran off down the highway on foot. Officer Bradley described how he followed Crawford and clearly saw him pull out a gun during the chase as he called to the suspect that he was an armed police officer and that he should stop.
Crawford, the officer said ignored his warnings and pulled out his own weapon as he carried on running. He said the suspect did not point the weapon at him but as he continued to flee from the officer he threw the hand gun into the bushes before he was eventually apprehended.
The trial which commenced Tuesday afternoon after legal arguments,before Justice Charles Quin, sitting without a jury, is set to continue in court three for the rest of this week. If found guilty Crawford is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.
ESO asks for public cooperation on labour survey
(CNS): The Economics & Statistics Office (ESO) has announced that it will be staring work on the annual Labour Force Survey on Sunday. The office appealed to the public to cooperate with the trained interviewers who will be randomly calling on selected samples of households across all three Cayman Islands over the next four weeks to conduct interviews. The ESO asked those people who are visited to provide the necessary information, which will be collected under the Statistics Law. Each interviewer will work under an Oath of Secrecy, and all information collected will be kept strictly confidential,” officials said.
“No information is ever entered which would allow anyone to be able to link the data with an individual respondent. All interviewers carry a photo identification which should be worn for easy visibility, and respondents are advised to request identification from any interviewer before sharing information,” the office stated in a release.
The information provided for the LFS will be used for estimating the Islands’ 2012 labour force statistics, such as the unemployment rate.
The data will also be used in estimating household size and in making a projection of the country’s population. It is also expected that this year’s LFS will enable the ESO to estimate the so-called “underemployment rate” or the proportion of the labour force already working for less than 30 hours who nonetheless seek for additional work.
Further information on any aspect of the survey, or results of previous surveys, or a sample of the 2012 LFS Questionnaire and the Interviewer’s Manual contact the Economics & Statistics Office at 949-0940 or visit www.eso.ky.
Trial adjourned as defendant won’t work with lawyer
(CNS): The chief justice has issued a warning to a man charged in relation to an armed jewel heist that he would face trial unrepresented if he had any more issues with attorneys. The trial of Julio Newball was adjourned on Tuesday morning before the case started, after his lead defence lawyer, Ben Tonner, made an application to come off record as a result he said of a failure by the defendant to supply sufficient instructions to the legal team in order for them to fully represent him. Newball is facing various charges relating to a daylight robbery that took place in George Town in December and the court heard he had already sacked one legal aid lawyer and had now run into difficulties with his second.
Chief Justice Anthony Smellie who was scheduled to hear the case against the George Town man without a jury warned the defendant that he would have one last chance to work with a lawyer and mount a defence as he adjourned the case and ordered a new attorney be found for the suspect.
“You seem to be deliberately not co-operating with your attorneys to stall the trial by refusing to give instructions,” the chief justice noted. “That is the concern I have.”
Newball denied this was the case and accused his attorneys of telling him to do things that he did not want to do as he was innocent of all charges. When pressed by the CJ about the difficulties he denied not giving proper instructions but the defendant said he was not willing to work with the lawyer as he had lost trust in him.
The CJ stated that he would not force a relationship between the defendant and the attorney but he warned him that this would be his last chance as he adjourned the trial. Newball was remanded in custody until 19 October when he will return to court to have a new trial date set.
Underwater film festival to showcase local filmakers
(CNS): Grand Cayman’s annual International Underwater Film Festival will take place on Thursday, 8 November when ocean-enthusiasts will gather for the once-a-year video celebration of the landscape, flora, fauna and experiences to be had under the sea. Held in conjunction with the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame induction ceremony, this festival will feature ISDHF inductee Leslie Leaney, director of the ISDHF Museum, and publisher of The Journal of Diving History. For the first time, the festival will also feature two short films from local videographers. The festival will be held at the Westin and film’s start at 730pm. The lineup is listed below.
Cayman Odyssea by Frans DeBacker
This is a short tribute to the rich underwater world of the Cayman Islands. The variety and abundance of marine life is breathtaking. Frans De Backer, originally from Belgium, now lives and works since recently relocating to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. His travels as a freelance cameraman brought him to the Island. Enchanted by the charm and beauty both above and below the surface, he decided to stay. Cayman Odyssea reflects his discovery and experience of the incredible aquatic world of Cayman. A wonderful but fragile environment we need to treasure and protect. Enjoy and dream away…
Sea Net 1944 From Cayman Islands International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame by Leslie Leaney
As the museum of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) expands its collection of historical diving artefacts, volunteers continue research into the origins of equipment development. Historical Diving Society member Sid Macken recently located a WWII era short film by the SEA NET company of Los Angeles showing some of the equipment from the museum. But probably the most interesting item from the company is not shown in the film clip, but is revealed after it concludes.
Raja by Howard & Michele Hall
(Howard & Michele Hall were inducted into the ISDHF in 2011, and due to a huge interest in their films, we have secured a 5-minute short film for our festival this year. Howard & Michele are well known for their underwater videography, including several IMAX films.)
Raja was made during Howard's and Michele's first expedition to Raja Ampat, Indonesia early this year. The images were captured with a RED Digital Cinema camera and music was composed by Shie Rozow. In January of next year, the Halls will return to Raja Ampat to begin production of an IMAX feature for the MacGillivray Freeman Film series, One World One Ocean.
Fragile Cayman by Michael Maes
Michael’s mission was to show viewers the beauty and versatility of the Cayman aquatic realm, educate them of its fragility and remind them of the "obligation" to protect this wonderful world for future generations. The footage of the silversides, tarpons and bar jacks is to show part of "the circle of life" and the ingenuity of species to (more or less) protect themselves against those attacks.
Guy Harvey's Ocean Explorations by Dr. Guy Harvey
From the cool waters of Nova Scotia to the Cayman Islands to the remote island of Cocos and 1000 feet below the surface, Dr. Guy Harvey presents an incredible adventure to discover the state of our oceans and the people who've dedicated their lives to the marine world. Unprecedented in scope and years in the making, you'll come face to face with giant bluefin tuna, massive tiger sharks and ethereal sailfish. With never before seen footage and new facts, it's a journey of discovery unlike anything you've seen.
Silent Auction and Lobster Lotto
The evening includes CITA’s annual silent auction and the larger-than-life ‘Lobster Lotto,’ where ‘every lobster’s a winner!’ Items have been kindly donated by CITA members and include diving packages, restaurant gift certificates, accommodation and much More! The International Underwater Film Festival is an annual fundraiser for CITA, and this year, funds raised will support marine conservation efforts through the Guy Harvey Research Institute as well as diver safety initiatives that are important to the watersports sector of CITA.
Underwater Photo Competition
The winners of the Underwater Photo Competition, which is graciously supported by Cathy Church's Photo Centre, Camana Bay, Cayman Islands Brewery and the Aggressor Fleet, will be announced right before intermission. The top three photos in each of the five categories (Cayman Wrecks, Turtles, Critters/Macro, Scenic, Creative) will be printed on canvas and displayed at the event for people to enjoy before the Film Festival and at Intermission. Prizes for each category will be awarded as follows:
1st place: $250 Camana Bay gift card, keg of White Tip Lager from CIB, photo printed on canvas by Cathy Church's Photo Centre (16” x 20”)
2nd place: $150 Camana Bay gift card, case of White Tip Lager from CIB, photo printed on canvas by Cathy Church's Photo Centre (11” x 14”)
3rd place: $100 Camana Bay gift card, photo printed on canvas by Cathy Church's Photo Centre (8” x 10”)
A ‘Best in Show’ designation (selected from the best photo in each category) will also be announced. The winning photographer will receive a trip for one (1) with the Aggressor Fleet to a select Caribbean destination.
Judges for the photo competition are Cathy Church, who is spear heading the judging panel, Elly Wray and Patrick Weir.
To purchase tickets on-line using a credit card, please complete the form at www.cita.ky/uff2012. The tickets will be waiting for you at the Will Call table at the Film Festival. We will 'SEA' you there!
DATE: Thursday, November 8, 2012
TIME: Cocktails (cash bar) & Silent Auction 6:30pm, Films 7:30pm
LOCATION: Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa, Governor’s Ballrooms (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
COST: CI $25 (Tickets will be available at the CITA office, 1320 West Bay Road, Cathy Church’s Photo Centre, Divetech, Don Fosters Dive and Red Sail Sports office) or by completing the form at www.cita.ky/uff2012 (credit card purchases only).
Every year, the Film Festival line up shows a diverse mix of underwater videography, films and documentaries. For the first time, the festival will feature two short films from local videographers in addition to pieces by world renowned IMAX film maker Howard Hall, ISDHF inductee Leslie Leaney and marine biologist Dr. Guy Harvey.
Top scientists head bill at inaugural conference
(CNS): Two astrophysicists and a mathematician will be headlining Cayman’s first ever science, technology, engineering and mathematics conference which will take place at the UCCI later this month. Edward Guinan, Ph.D (left), a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Villanova University was one of a three-man team that discovered Neptune’s ring system in 1968. Dr Shirin Haque is the first woman to ever head the Department of Physics at UWI and Dr Claude Packer is considered an icon of science, technology and innovation in the Caribbean because of his love of and commitment to the development of an understanding of mathematics in the wider society.
The three science heavyweights will be headlining the STEM Carib 2012, Cayman's first ever Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics which opens on Wednesday 17 October. The three day conference will include e other local and international experts who will be discussing a plethora of topics such as Math Phobia, Cloud Computing, Caribbean Hurricanes, Alternative Energy Sources, Mosquito Research, Engineering Turtles and Architecture, officials from UCCI said in a release about the inaugural conference.
Dr Bill Hrudey, Steering Committee Chair, said that there is a need for the educational systems to place renewed focus on STEM teaching and learning, and to spark interest in these subject areas from an early age.
"We are featuring some of the most sought-after experts in the field of STEM, and we are honoured that they share our vision in promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning within and beyond the classroom," he added.
Considered an icon of science, technology and innovation in the Caribbean, Dr Shirin Haque is the first woman to ever head the Department of Physics at UWI ( St. Augustine), advancing the study of astronomy and inspiring many students, especially young women, to pursue careers in science. She has a number of stellar accomplishments under her belt, including her involvement in cutting edge research in Astrobiology, which is the interdisciplinary study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
Edward Guinan, Ph.D., is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Villanova University. He and two colleagues discovered Neptune’s ring system in 1968. His research interests include binary star systems, black holes, evolution of the sun and solar-like stars, pulsating stars, astrobiology, exoplanets and the suitability of exoplanets for life. He is a Guest Investigator on a number of NASA Astronomy space observatories including the Hubble Space Telescope, among others.
Because of his love of and commitment to the development of an understanding of mathematics in the wider society, Dr Claude Packer’s name has become synonymous with Mathematics education in Jamaica. His contribution to the field spans several years and generations. Many persons, young and old, owe their success in the area of mathematics to Dr Packer’s teaching and research. His involvement in all sectors of the educational system demonstrates his desire to demystify Mathematics, from the Early Childhood level to the Post Graduate level.
Ahead ofthe conference UCCI President Roy Bodden said he believed that advancement of STEM education is key. "We need to equip our students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to compete in the global arena and to confront the challenges of the 21st century."
STEM Carib 2012 is being presented by the University College of the Cayman Islands in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment, UWI (St Augustine), the Caribbean Institute of Astronomy (CARINA) and the Cayman Islands Astronomical Society (CIAS). The conference is directed at teachers, parents, students, professionals in related industries the general public, with particular encouragement to the youth. The Opening Night on October 17, 5:30 pm is free and open to the public. Conference fees are $50 and $25. To register and for further information, please visit http://stem.ucciconference.ky
LC science centre wins grant to develop new lab
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CNS): The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) was the recent recipient of a grant from the National Science Foundation which will enable the Institute to improve scientific facilities at the Little Cayman Research Centre (LCRC) by constructing a new outdoor wet lab with a research focus on Climate Change and Coral Reef Stress. The new facility will improve the ability of the centre to pursue research that requires maintaining live specimens. Dr. Carrie Manfrino, President and Director of Research and Conservation at CCMI it was an important grant at a time when the risks the oceans are increasing.
“The oceans are under threat like never before, from coral diseases, ocean acidification, climate change, non-native species, and overfishing. CCMI’s long-term commitment to monitoring the local coral reef biodiversity continues to be important for addressing some of the most significant challenges facing our over-crowded planet. This award from the NSF will enable CCMI’s in-house scientists, visiting scientists and Universities to further explore these critical topics in one of the most under-developed regions of the Caribbean,” Manfrino added.
The LCRC was built in 2006 with the goal of facilitating research into a wide variety of issues facing the marine environment. Little Cayman boasts low levels of human development and abiologically diverse reef system that affords plentiful opportunities to perform research on issues including, but not limited to, climate change, fisheries management, and coral reef stress.
Currently, the LCRC provides an indoor wet lab, a dry lab, and a climate-controlled lab for use by scientists and student groups; these facilities areuseful for a variety of innovative scientific projects. However, the lack of outdoor lab space has hindered certain projects, especially those which require maintaining live specimens.
The new outdoor wet lab will support research into climate change and coral reef stress, ensuring the facility is one of a kind within the Caribbean region. The lab will consist of three separate lab spaces: a climate controlled lab, a screened lab, and a shaded outdoor area for experiments requiring sunlight. This new building will provide ample space for a variety of studies, and will contain deep, large tanks with which to grow, store, and preserve living organisms. Conditions such as flow rate, temperature, and water chemistry will be easily adjustable to compare a variety of environmental conditions. This new equipment will enable studies of animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and growth, none of which has been possible in the existing facilities.
This increased research space will support a new range of in-house and visiting scientist research at the LCRC, which will allow CCMI to continue growing and working to sustain the marine environment for future generations.
See here for more information about the award and the NSF.
Michael Ryan moved millions from Ritz-Carlton
(CNS Business): The man behind the development of the Ritz-Carlton, as well as a complex web of companies involved in the creation of Cayman’s five-star resort, appears to have taken millions of dollars over a five year period from the companies that owned the hotel. According to auditors conducting the on-going investigation, these financial transactions cannot be explained. In a ruling delivered in Cayman’s Grand Court last week relating to one of many suits surrounding the hotel, it was revealed that the Ritz-Carlton appeared to be insolvent to the tune of some US$340 million and those owed money are not likely to get more than 2.5 cents on the dollar, according to a review by Deloitte. Read more on CNS Business
Caribbean warns of regional climate change dangers
(Caribbean Journal): Grenada Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dessima Williams and Barbados Foreign Minister Sen. Maxine McClean urged the global body to pay attention to the effects of climate change on the region. “Inaction or inadequate action is inexcusable and morally indefensible, given the level of the scientific evidence before us, and the technical and financial tools at our disposal to effect the necessary change,” McClean said Monday in New York. McClean said there was “no greater threat” to the survival and viability of Barbados and other small island states than “potentially catastrophic” climate change.
“Barbados welcomes the decision taken in Durban to launch negotiations on a new legally binding agreement that would take effect after 2020,” she said. “However, for us, a post-2020 agreement is meaningless if ambitious actions are not taken now to reduce global emissions and provide finance and technology to vulnerable developing countries.”
Grenada’s Williams urged UN member states to move toward finalizing a new binding climate treaty by 2015. “Without a legally binding climate regime to uphold environmental integrity, Caribbean and other small island states could lose the opportunity for achieving sustainability soon, and some could even disappear,” she said. “We see the upcoming COP 18 in Doha, Qatar as an opportunity to move decisively away from this scenario.”
Crime falls by almost 6%
(CNS): With a 35% drop in robberies, no gang shootings or any other killings so far this year and a 3.6% drop in burglaries for the first part of 2012, the police can claim that crime is finally falling. Overall, the police reported a 5.98% drop in the most serious crimes and an overall fall in crime by over 13.4% when compared to crime reported in the first six months of 2011. The latest crime figures released by the RCIPS show that most of the crimes that undermine the community confidence, such as robbery and burglary, have fallen and with no murders since last September, the police are finally managing to curb what the public felt was a runaway crime wave.
Despite the improvements in serious crime statistics, the police said that they were not being complacent and were continuing to exercise strategies to keep on top of the criminally minded.
"The drop in crime is certainly welcome news," said Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton. “However, this is no time to be complacent. In fact, we are constantly challenging ourselves about how we approach combating criminality in the Cayman Islands. We are well aware that Grand Cayman can be 'deceptively quiet' and as such we cannot afford to allow complacency to set in,” he added.
Walton talked about the steps that have been taken by the RCIPS to become more visible to the public and to improve training. Although, like every other government department, the police are having to manage on a reduced budget, the senior cop said the focus had been on the crimes that concern the community most, such as the armed robberies and murders.
“We have looked at the critical areas across the organization and focused on becoming better and built on this through various training initiatives We have placed investigative and operational emphasis on those crimes that have had the most significant impact on the Cayman Islands and tackled them with focused and targeted operations, thus resulting in a dramatic reduction in serious crimes, such as robberies and murders,” Walton added.
The last murder victim in Cayman was Asher McGraw, who was shot and killed by his friend in East End last September. Chakane Jamelle "CJ" Scott (19) was found guilty of the killing after a judge alone trial in June last year.
The last armed robbery was at the Buckingham Square Branch of Cayman National Bank at the end of June, but since then a number of robbery suspects have been rounded up and charged by police for various armed heists with trials now set for next year. With a bulging prison and a clogged up Grand Court calendar, the police have made someserious strides in bringing some of those they believe are behind most of the crime and problems with guns into the criminal justice system.
Walton noted the importance that the community plays in assisting the police with tackling crime and rounding up those they believe are behind the criminality. “We recognize and appreciate the support shown to us from the entire Cayman community in assisting us to keep the Cayman Islands safe and to maintain the tranquillity and peacefulness these Islands are known for,” he added.
See crime statistics below.