Cayman News
Cayman News's Latest Posts
IPCC report: humans ‘dominant cause’ of warming
(BBC): A landmark report says scientists are 95% certain that humans are the "dominant cause" of global warming since the 1950s. The report by the UN's climate panel details the physical evidence behind climate change. On the ground, in the air, in the oceans, global warming is "unequivocal", it explained. It adds that a pause in warming over the past 15 years is too short to reflect long-term trends. The panel warns that continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all aspects of the climate system.
After a week of intense negotiations in the Swedish capital, the summary for policymakers on the physical science of global warming has finally been released.
The first part of an IPCC trilogy, due over the next 12 months, this dense, 36-page document is considered the most comprehensive statement on our understanding of the mechanics of a warming planet. It states baldly that, since the 1950s, many of the observed changes in the climate system are "unprecedented over decades to millennia".
Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth's surface, and warmer than any period since 1850, and probably warmer than any time in the past 1,400 years.
"Our assessment of the science finds that the atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amount of snow and ice has diminished, the global mean sea level has risen and that concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased," said Qin Dahe, co-chair of IPCC working group one, who produced the report.
Charity & accountability
I was affected by the article on ‘Meals on Wheels’ (MOW), and agree wholeheartedly that this program cannot be allowed to fail, and so I set about to learn a lot more as to how MOW now find themselves in this position, having been heavily sponsored and supported in the past by Rotary and many individual Rotarians, some of whom I understand still provide support by donations and delivering meals.
I do feel very strongly that we MUST look after our elderly and infirm and MOW should not fail due to lackof funding. BUT, I would suggest the following,
- There must be stringent criteria in order to enter the program (e.g MOW absolutely cannot deliver food to a home with a resident who owns a late model luxury car, for example). This criteria must be transparent (i.e. a document that is readily available to the public) so that those wishing to provide support can see how these decisions are made and so that those wishing to be supported can discover if they ‘fit the bill’.
- MOW must be able to provide accounts – these accounts must include absolutely every donation received, both in terms of money and direct gifts of packaged food, and be accounted for down to the penny. They must include absolutely every outgoing including of course details of any ‘salaried volunteers’.
- The provision of MOW meals should go out to tender – I understand from the article that each meal costs CI$4 however also understand that some of the people providing meals to the schools are providing meals for CI$3 each – this is an enormous saving when you consider just $1 shaved off each meal amounts to just over CI$40,000 each year.
This concept is not intended to point a finger at the current management of MOW alone, because despite the above suggestions which are specific to the current MOW situation, I think that some of this ‘common sense’ approach applies to all of our charities here in Cayman – without exception. After all, If they require the support of the public, they ought to be open, honest and transparent.
I think that some trust has been lost lately. However, this trust can be (re)gained and the charities must be prepared to put egos and politics aside for the greater good. Being asked to provide accounts is not querying the integrity of the individual who is running the charity but instead ensuring that the integrity of these individuals and organizations is above question – unfortunately in this day and age the anomaly is that you do have to answer questions, sometimes before they have even been asked, in order to keep yourself ‘above question’!
We must still support those in need – we are a small Island with an awful lot of need – there are many people willing and able to provide for this need but the charities MUST do everything they can to provide as much comfort as they can to those willing to support them.
Back-to-work programme for jobless Caymanians
(CNS Business): A local recruitment agency has developed a not-for-profit programme to help find jobs for local people who are registered as unemployed, maintaining that this will lower unemployment, which stands at around 10.5% for Caymanians, and expand the local labour supply. Alan Brady, operations manager at Baraud, said the agency will launch a 13-week pilot back-to-work programme, Re-Start, on 14 October for 20 Caymanians looking for work and they are hoping it will be rolled out nationally if the pilot programme goes well. “Employers very often overlook people who have been out of work for a period or have a gap in their resume, particularly in times such as these with an abundance of people on the market,” Brady said. Read more on CNS Business
Fourth suspect charged for Crewe Road burglary
(CNS): Police say a 27-year-old man has been charged in connection with a burglary at Cayman Contractors, Crewe Road, last June. He has been charged with burglary and handling stolen goods and is expected to appear in court today (Tuesday 24 September). The two men and one woman, aged 29, 30 and 43, who were charged earlier this month in connection with the same incident will also appear in court today.
Teen arrested for Bodden Town mini-mart robbery
(CNS): A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a robbery at a mini-mart in Bodden Town last May in which an elderly man was assaulted. The teenager, who was arrested on 30 August, has been charged with robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence and common assault, and is expected to appear in court tomorrow. The charges relate to a robbery at Lookout Fresh Fruit and Juices Minimart, Anton Bodden Drive, on 28 May. Police said at the time that around 4pm, a man entered the store in possession of what appeared to be a handgun and stole a quantity of cash. He assaulted the man who confronted him before leaving the location riding a bicycle along Hardy Street.
No shots were fired and no serious injuries were sustained.
The teenager is currently on police bail and it is anticipated that he will appear in court on Friday, 20 September.
Parents urged to keep lunchbox meals safe
(CNS): The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is reminding parents of the importance of following good food-safety practices when preparing children’s school lunches. “It is important to keep our children safe from food-borne illnesses by following the recommended safety guidelines” said DEH Food Safety Officer, Gideon Simms. DEH officials ask parents to follow thee tips below in order to prevent children from acquiring food-borne illnesses. For more information on food safety, please contact the DEH at 949-6696.
At Home:
- Keep the kitchen’s food-preparation areas clean.
- Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water before handling food.
- Clean your cutting boards, dishes, utensils and countertops with hot water, and a sanitizer or antibacterial soap.
- Don’t let pets jump up on kitchen counters.
- After making lunch, return perishable foods (like cheese, deli meats and mayonnaise) to your refrigerator promptly. Don't let them sit out on the counter.
The Lunchbox:
- Pack lunch in the morning, not the night before. Make sure that cold foods are cold before packing them in a lunchbox.
- Insulated lunchboxes are the best way to keep food at a safe temperature until it’s time to eat. Sandwiches made with refrigerated items such as luncheon meats, cheese and tuna salad should be carried in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack. This will keep the sandwiches safe to eat, even after two to three hours outside of a refrigerator.
- Pack a frozen juice box or an ice pack in the lunchbox, to help cold food stay cold.
- Keep hot foods hot, like soups, stews or chilies. In the morning, bring food to a boil and then pour it into a hot, clean vacuum bottle (you can disinfect the vacuum bottle with boiling water).
At School:
- Instruct kids to store their lunchboxes in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
- Place dairy products such as milk and yogurt into a refrigerator.
- Instruct kids to always wash their hands before eating.
- Never eat food that has a funny taste or smell.
- Use food within their recommended “use-by” dates.
Lunch foods that can be eaten at room temperature include the following:
- Peanut butter
- Jams and jellies
- Breads, crackers, cereals
- Clean fruits and vegetables
- Dried meats, such as beef jerky
- Baked products, such as cookies and cakes
- Canned meat or poultry products that are eaten immediately after opening.
Car stolen at gunpoint in GT
(CNS): A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a car was stolen at gunpoint in George Town yesterday evening. According to the RCIPS, just before 6pm on Tuesday 17 September, they received a report of the car jack near to the Red Cross building in Huldah Avenue. The suspect, who was known to the victim, sped off in the stolen Honda Civic, which was spotted a short time later by police patrols. A car chase began and the Air Operations Unit and USG officers were deployed. The stolen Civic travelled at speeds of around 60-80mph along Shamrock Road, weaving in and out of traffic, and so, in line with the RCIPS pursuit policy and concerns about public safety, the critical incident manager took the decision to stand down the pursuit .
However, the police helicopter crew maintained observations on the car as it continued into the Midland Acres area. The car swerved off the road and the suspect ran into a nearby yard and bushes. The helicopter crew then guided Uniformed Support Group (USG) officers to the suspect’s hiding place and he was immediately arrested on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue.
Anyone who was in the area of Huldah Avenue and witnessed the incident, or the car travelling from Huldah Avenue to Midland Acres, is asked to contact George Town police station on 949-4222, the RCIPS tip-line on 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers 800-8477 (TIPS).
Below: Two stills of the stolen vehicle overtaking other traffic in Bodden Town (supplied by the RCIPS).
Arrest made for WB murder
(CNS): Police say a 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of Irvin Garlon Bush (52), who died of gunshot wounds on Sunday night. An RCIPS spokesperson said the arrest took place following a police operation in the Breakers area at around 5.30pm yesterday, Tuesday 17 September. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody while enquiries continue. Bush was shot in Daisy Lane in West Bay as he was entering his home at around 10pm on 15 September. The victim's son, Robert Mackford Bush, was killed in the district's gang related shootings in September 2011.
A murder investigation has been launched with an incident room at George Town police station. The murder incident room hotline is 925-7240.
Anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, or has any information can also contact George Town police station on 949-4222, the RCIPS tip-line 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers 800-8477 (TIPS).
The murder of Irvin Bush is the first this year and nine months since the last fatal shooing in the islands, when Jackson Rainford was shot and killed in George Town. Tareeq Ricketts (22) was convicted of his murder last month following a trial by jury and sentenced to life in prison.
Robert Mackford Bush, the son of the latest victim, as well as Andrew Baptiste and Preston Rivers were the three young men killed in the gang related violence two years ago in September 2011 in West Bay. Since then Brian Borden has been charged with Bush's murder and has been on remand at Northward since August last year.
Woman shot at outside her home in BT
(CNS): A 56-year-old woman was confronted by a man with a handgun Sunday night, and as she quicklyentered her home a shot was fired, which struck the building. The police have already arrested a man in connection with the incident, which happened on Shamrock Road, near to Will T Drive in Bodden Town, around 9.00pm on 15 September. A grey/silver saloon car was seen to leave the vicinity at high speed towards the direction of Northward. The suspect is described as 5’8” to 5’9” in height and of medium build. The woman was not injured but was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town as a precautionary measure. She has since been released.
Police said a 30-year-old man was later arrested in the Northward area in relation to this matter, but did not say if he is the suspected shooter. He is currently in custody at George Town police station.
Anyone who was in the area last night and witnessed the incident or the car speeding away is urged to contact Bodden Town police station 947- 2220, the RCIPS tip-line 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers 800-8477(TIPS).