ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 High of 90 Low of 78 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 A PRESCRIPTION FOR A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER CAYMAN LOCAL NEWS | PAGE 3 CARICOM MEMBERS GATHER IN CAYMAN TO TALK STATISTICS www.butterfieldgroup.com BOOK TODAY: • Call 1 800 433 7300 (MileSAAver Awards have limited availability) • Book between 10 October and 10 November 2017 • Travel between 10 October and 15 November 2017 or from 10 April and 23 May 2018. BOOK ROUND-TRIP TRAVEL TO THE USA OR CANADA USING 20,000 MILES FOR MILESAAVER AWARDS* OR RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT ON AANYTIME AWARDS WHEN BOOKING ON AMERICAN AIRLINES WITH YOUR BUTTERFIELD / AADVANTAGE® MASTERCARD® BOOK ROUND-TRIP TRAVEL TO THE USA OR CANADA USING 20,000 MILES FOR MILESAAVER AWARDS* OR RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT ON AANYTIME AWARDS WHEN BOOKING ON AMERICAN AIRLINES WITH YOUR BUTTERFIELD / AADVANTAGE® MASTERCARD® Don’t have a Butterfield / AAdvantage Mastercard Credit Card? Apply for one today by calling us on 949 7055, visit us online or at any of our three Banking Centre locations. Travel further on fewer miles. *Terms and conditions apply. Must be a Butterfield / AAdvantage® MasterCard® Personal or Business Cardholder. Travel is originating in the Cayman Islands to the US and Canada. See website for details. *Terms and conditions apply. Must be a Butterfield / AAdvantage® MasterCard® Personal or Business Cardholder. Travel is originating in the Cayman Islands to the US and Canada. See website for details. *Terms and conditions apply. See website for details. 185009_1-Ad-Strip-ReducedMiles-OPage 1 10/5/17 3:34:48 PM New spearfishing licenses may be approved JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Seeking to preserve a Caymanian tradition without destroying the islands’ marine envi- ronment, the National Conservation Council has proposed a compromise over spearfishing. The number of people licensed to hunt with spearguns on Cayman’s reefs could be increased if a new system of marine parks is put in place, the council recommends in a new policy proposal sent to Cabinet for approval. The council has been tasked with im- plementing legislation, introduced through an amendment to the National Conserva- tion Law, to allow spearfishing for “tradi- tional or cultural needs.” The amendment re- versed a previous policy of phasing out the activity in Cayman. Under the new system, the 170 fishermen currently licensed to use spearguns will be allowed to import new parts and replace their equipment. The council’s initial recommendation is that spearfishing remain limited to those 170 people. But it has indicated this number could be increased to 300, if expanded marine parks, dramatically increasing the size of no-fishing zones in Cayman, are introduced, to offset some of the negative impact this increase would have on marine life. The document also recommends changes to customs and enforcement policy to reflect the fact that it is now legal to import spear- guns under certain conditions. In its document, the council expresses some reservations about the move. “This new provision which was proposed at the committee stage of the National Con- servation Bill, once enacted by the Legislature, reflected a change in Government policy to- wards spearguns,” it notes. INQUEST JURY HEARS HENRIKSEN DROWNED CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A coroner’s jury began hearing evidence on Monday about the death of Norwegian busi- nessman Erik Henriksen, which occurred on the Remembrance Day holiday on Nov. 9, 2015. Government pathologist Dr. Shravana Jyoti said the physical cause of death was seawater drowning. He told the jury that he had re- ceived background information from the po- lice, which indicated that Mr. Henriksen and the boat captain had been thrown from Mr. Henriksen’s 34-foot Nor-Tech vessel and Mr. Henriksen could not make it to shore. Dr. Jyoti said a contributing factor was the presence of two broken ribs on Mr. Henrik- sen’s left side, which would have caused him difficulty swimming. The deceased also had a blood-alcohol level of .295 (the legal limit for driving in Cayman being .100). Research vessel Alucia calls in on Sister Islands A 184-foot-long research and exploration vessel, com- plete with submersibles ca- pable of reaching depths of more than half a mile, called in to the Sister Islands this week. The Alucia, owned by the Dalio Foundation, the philan- thropic organization of Amer- ican hedge fund manager Ray Dalio, made an impressive sight as it cut through waters off the Brac on Sunday. The research ship launched its subs, the Triton 3300/3 and the Deep Rover 2, during its visit, according to onlookers. The ship also called in at the Central Caribbean Marine In- stitute on Little Cayman. The Alucia is involved in numerous research proj- ects across the globe and re- cently partnered with the Dis- covery Channel to get the first footage of a giant squid off the coast of Japan. Women get power presentation Author/leadership coach Maggie Craddock delivers a speech at 100 Women in Finance NextGen Cayman Inspire 2017 at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort Thursday night. More than 100 women attended the event, which organizers described as a career summit of workshops, networking and idea exchange. Ms. Craddock is author of ‘Power Genes: Understanding your Power Persona – and How to Wield It at Work,’ which outlines a schematic of various power styles. For more on this story, see page 5. – PHOTO: MAGGIE JACKSON PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » The Alucia research and exploration vessel was spotted off Cayman Brac this weekend. – PHOTO: BRAC SCUBA SHACK PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema @cbcinema6cbcinema6 *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. 640-FILM (640-3456) SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - THE SNOWMAN (R) 3:50 VIP I 7:00 I 9:35 VIP I 9:45 BLADE RUNNER 2049 3D (R) 3:15 I 6:30 2D I 9:25 AMERICAN MADE (R) 1:20 THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US (PG13) 12:35 I 6:45 I 10:00 THE FOREIGNER (R) 12:55 I 3:35 I 7:10 I 9:55 TYLER PERRY’S BOO2! A MADEA HALLOWEEN (PG13) 1:00 VIP I 1:10 I 4:00 I 6:50 VIP I 7:15 I 9:50 THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (PG) 12:50 I 3:55 MY LITTLE PONY (PG) 4:15 Two-headed turtle hatchlings surprise researchers JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Sometimes nature hatches weird and won- derful surprises. So it proved for volun- teers with the Cayman turtle monitoring project who discovered a pair of two- headed newborn sea tur- tles this week. Researchers were aston- ished to find two tiny hatch- lings, from separate nests in separate parts of Grand Cayman, each born with a rare deformity that means they have two heads, two sets of eyes, but one body. Lucy Collyer, lead intern on the research and conser- vation project said the hatch- lings, found on Seven Mile Beach and South Sound, were successfully returned to the water. She said, “This is a rare condition that these hatch- lings have. I have been working on turtle projects for 10 seasons now and my fellow interns have worked on multiple seasons also, and this is the first time that we have collectively wit- nessed a live two-headed hatchling, let alone two in one week.” She said they had encoun- tered dead hatchlings with the same mutation. The hatchlings’ chances of survival are slim, but not necessarily any slimmer than their more traditional- looking siblings. Only one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings survive to adulthood. Janice Blumenthal, a re- search officer with the De- partment of Environment, said the two-headed hatch- lings suffered from a rare condition known as poly- cephaly, which occurs natu- rally. She said the DoE checks nests for dead embryos and hatchlings that were un- able to emerge from the nest as part of its monitoring of the health of Cayman’s turtle population. She added, “This allows us to look for any changes in the types or frequencies of abnormalities over time. To date, we have not seen cause for concern, but this mon- itoring will continue each turtle nesting season.” POLICE FIND GANJA ON LITTLE CAYMAN SHORES Police have found five par- cels of suspected ganja that washed ashore on Little Cayman, according to Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Public Relations Officer Jac- queline Carpenter. RCIPS officers based in Little Cayman, with the as- sistance of the Air Operations Unit, found the parcels after re- ceiving multiple reports from the public between Friday and Sunday, said Ms. Carpenter. The five parcels weighed roughly 80 pounds in total, she said. Anyone with information that could assist the police in locating the source of the parcels is asked to call the Cayman Brac Police Station at 948-0331, the RCIPS confidential tip line at 949-7777, or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 800-TIPS to remain anonymous. Low-pressure system threatens formation south of Cayman A broad area of low pres- sure showed signs of forma- tion in the Western Carib- bean, south of the Cayman Islands, the National Hur- ricane Center reported Monday afternoon. At a 40 percent proba- bility, there was a medium chance of cyclone forma- tion over the next five days. The system was expected to develop slowly as it moved northwestward to northward. Forecast mapping by the National Hurricane Center Monday showed the Cayman Islands in the path of the possible disturbance. The Royal Cayman Islands Police helicopter searches a beach on Little Cayman after police received reports of ganja being discovered in the area. MILLIONS RETURN TO POVERTY IN BRAZIL, ERODING ‘BOOM’ DECADE RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – When Leticia Miranda had a job selling newspapers on the streets, she earned about $160 a month, just enough to pay for a tiny apartment she shared with her 8-year-old son in a poor neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. When she lost her job about six months ago amid Brazil’s worst economic crisis in decades, Miranda had no choice but to move to an abandoned building where several hundred people were already living. All of her possessions – a bed, a fridge, a stove and some clothes – have been jammed into a small room that like all the others in the building has windows with no glass. Residents bathe in large garbage cans filled with water and do their best to live with the stench of mountains of trash and rummaging pigs in the center of the building. Between 2004 and 2014, tens of millions of Brazil- ians emerged from poverty and the country was often cited as an example for the world. High prices for the country’s raw materials and newly developed oil re- sources helped finance so- cial welfare programs that put money into the pockets of the poorest. But that trend has been reversed over the last two years due to the deepest recession in Brazil’s his- tory and cuts to the sub- sidy programs, raising the specter that this continent- sized nation has lost its way in addressing wide in- equalities that go back to colonial times. “Many people who had risen out of poverty, and even those who had risen into the middle class, have fallen back,” said Monica de Bolle, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Pe- terson Institute for Interna- tional Economics. The World Bank esti- mates about 28.6 million Brazilians moved out of poverty between 2004 and 2014. But the bank esti- mates that from the start of 2016 to the end of this year, 2.5 million to 3.6 mil- lion will have fallen back below the poverty line of 140 Brazilian reais per month, about $44 at cur- rent exchange rates. Those figures are likely underestimates, de Bolle said, and they do not cap- ture the fact that many lower-middle class Brazil- ians who gained ground during the boom years have since slid back closer to poverty. Lines of job-seekers stretching several blocks have become commonplace whenever any business an- nounces openings. Economists say high unemployment and cuts to key social welfare pro- grams could exacerbate the problems. In July, the last month for which data is available, unemployment was close to 13 percent, a huge increase from 4 per- cent at the end of 2004. An otherwise healthy turtle hatchling found in Grand Cayman, had two heads, two sets of eyes and one body.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 CARICOM members gather in Cayman to talk statistics KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com Representatives from 15 Caribbean Community-affil- iated jurisdictions and orga- nizations such as the United Nations and the Caribbean Development Bank are in Cayman this week for CAR- ICOM’s 42nd Meeting of the Standing Committee of Ca- ribbean Statisticians. An opening ceremony for the four-day event was held Monday morning at the Mar- riott Beach Resort, where CARICOM and government officials discussed the goal of the conference, as well as the history and significance sta- tistics play in Cayman and the wider region. Philomen Harrison, the project director for CARI- COM’s regional statistics pro- gram, said the conference’s roughly 40 attendees hope to further develop a uniform methodology of tracking and producing statistics among CARICOM’s members and as- sociate members. “The aim is to improve the quality and comparability of statistics, and to ensure that policymakers have the data required for development,” said Ms. Harrison. That includes finding a common method of cal- culating gross domestic product, population demo- graphics and other eco- nomic and social statis- tics, she said. CARICOM officials hope to implement many of these goals by 2020 so that they can produce a regionwide census, the project director added. Developing uniform sta- tistics is one aspect of the or- ganization members’ “action plan for statistics,” which also includes upgrading their information technology in- frastructure for the produc- tion and dissemination of statistics and promoting sta- tistical education in their school systems. Other topics of discus- sion at the conference in- clude the efforts various CARICOM members have made in implementing that action plan, the difficul- ties different member ju- risdictions have in gath- ering data, and what among the hundreds of eco- nomic indicators are fea- sible to track and record in the Caribbean. Finance and Economic De- velopment Minister Roy Mc- Taggart also spoke at the opening ceremony, providing a broad overview about the statistics that have been re- corded throughout the his- tory of Cayman. The territory’s first census was conducted in 1802 by a government official from Ja- maica, who recorded 933 people on Grand Cayman, said Mr. McTaggart. “The only residents noted on Sister Islands were tur- tlers visiting during the summer season,” he added. Today, “Cayman’s statis- tical system is still underde- veloped when compared to some of our neighbors, said the minister. “However, over the past few years, some sig- nificant progress has been made to improve our statis- tical system.” Improvements touted by Mr. McTaggart include more advanced training for Eco- nomics and Statistics Office staffers and updates to the Statistics Law, including in- creased fines for non-respon- dents to statistical surveys. Methodically keeping Cayman economic and social data has been crucial in re- cent projects like the remap- ping of the territory’s elec- toral districts and setting the minimum wage to $6 last year, he said. “High-quality statistics are one of the critical com- ponents of sound government policy development,” said the minister. This is Cayman’s first year hosting CARICOM’s Meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Stat- isticians, which will be held through Friday. Senior Assistant Financial Secretary Michael Nixon gives opening remarks at the start of the Caribbean Community’s annual statistics conference. - PHOTO: KEN SILVA MOTHS MAKE THEIR MARK ON CAYMAN STAMPS Cayman mail has gone to the moths. A new series of stamps has been created to honor the depictions of Cayman Islands Moths done by artist Letitia Askew. The stamps come in four denominations – 20 cents, 25 cents, $1.60 and $2 – and be- came effective on Oct. 12. The 20 cent stamp fea- tures Faithful Beauty, and the Cayman Clearwing is on the 25 cent issue. The White-lined Sphinx is on the $1.60 stamp and the Gaudy Sphinx Moth is on the $2 version. Other moths displayed on the first day cover are Caicus Sphinx, Tantalus Sphinx and the Boisduval’s Urania. The first day cover is valued at $4.85. The stamp set and the first day cover can be obtained from the Phila- telic Bureau at the Seven Mile Beach Post Office (West Shore Plaza), the Philatelic counter at the General Post Office in George Town, and the Hell Post Office in West Bay. Additionally, the stamps alone can be purchased at any post office in the Cayman Islands. Mrs. Askew and her hus- band, Dr. Richard Askew – the author of the renowned work “The Dragonflies of Europe,” – were among the guests in- vited to a reception staged to commemorate the release. Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow lauded Mrs. Askew for her realistic por- trayals of the moths. “We are very proud of our latest stamps release, which features some of the hardest working yet silent denizens of Cayman’s fauna. As nightly pollinators, moths help many of our flora species to flourish,” said Ms. Glasgow. “We at the Postal Service are thrilled and honored that a natural life artist of Mrs. Askew’s caliber was instru- mental in commemorating some of the spectacular moths that call the Cayman Islands home.” Mr. and Mrs. Askew – a British couple who spend much of their time in the south of France – were awarded a set of the stamps and the first day cover. “It is very nice to work with such an efficient phil- atelic bureau,” said Mrs. Askew of her experience cre- ating new stamps for the Cayman Islands. “It is especially grati- fying that the bureau is keen to maintain the authenticity and realism of the Cayman Islands’ natural life,” she added, lauding also the issue in the past of other Cayman Islands’ flora and fauna, in- cluding butterflies. For more information on this stamp issue and others in the past, contact 946-4757 or visit www.caymanpost.gov.ky. Health City physician implants novel cardiac device Dr. Ravi Kishore of Health City Cayman Islands recently became the first physician in the Caribbean, Central or South America to install a cardiac contrac- tility modulation device to treat heart failure. “This is the first time we have introduced this device in the entire Caribbean,” said Dr. Kishore, Health City’s chief cardiologist and electrophysiologist, in a news release. The device, called the Optimizer IVs Active Im- plantable Pulse Generator, was installed in August. “It’s an investigational device so it’s not routinely implanted in patients in the U.S. and none of them [have] been implanted in Central America and South America. In that sense, I think we have introduced yet another novel therapy in the region,” Dr. Kishore said. In contrast to other treatments like pacemaker therapy, cardiac contrac- tility modulation (CCM) de- vices do not directly affect the cardiac rhythm. Instead, they attempt to enhance the heart’s natural contraction over long periods of time. CCM device implantation is currently used only on an investigational basis in the United States, but CCM de- vices are approved and avail- able for clinical use in Eu- rope and Australia, Turkey, India and Hong Kong. CCM therapy is not cur- rently approved for clinical use in the U.S., but a study has been initiated to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration. “We are very happy in- troducing a new device for our patients in the Cayman Islands … this is specifi- cally used in patients with congestive heart failure where the heart pumping function has come down in spite of medications,” said Dr. Kishore. “The CCM de- vice functions by giving non-contractile stimuli to the heart. It modulates the metabolism of the heart in such a way that its contrac- tile function improves.” Between 60 percent and 70 percent of patients are not eligible for traditional cardiac resynchronization therapy, and are, there- fore, potential candidates for CCM therapy. “We had one such eligible patient who had to have re- current hospital admissions despite treatment with med- ication,” Dr. Kishore said. “His pumping function had come down to something like 25 percent to 30 percent, normal is 60 percent. By doing this particular device, he is showing a remarkable improvement just at two weeks after implant.” Howard Vernon vis- ited Health City with short- ness of breath and a condi- tion that left him fatigued through normal activity. That led to Dr. Kishore proposing the CCM treatment, and Mr. Vernon has been surprised at how quickly he’s been able to return to his normal lifestyle. “Everything has been great since day one with them, and even after the surgery,” he said. “For sure, not short of breath since the surgery. They gave me the OK to start back exercise and I [started] back working about a week ago, and so far, I feel much, much better.” From left, Richard Askew, Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow and Letitia Askew, artist of the moth stamp series, pose together at the unveiling of the new stamps. Dr. Ravi Kishore, chief interventional cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Health City, performed the first-ever CCM implantation in the Caribbean, Central or South America.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. On Saturday, Oct. 16, the Romanian Pianist Matei Varga performed a recital at the Westin Ballroom as part of the 2017 Cayman Arts Festival Concert Series. Those who at- tended the recital were also treated to a stunning perfor- mance of Beethoven, Grieg and Delius by 14-year-old John Gray student Cameron Gilson. Cameron’s performance was both sophisticated and charming and quite remark- able considering that until re- cently he did not have a piano to practice on at home or had had any private tuition. For the last four years, Cayman Arts Festival has worked with the government schools to identify and sup- port gifted and talented stu- dents. Cayman Arts then puts everything possible in place to help the identified stu- dents succeed. As a result of this program, Cameron now has a piano at home on loan from Cayman Arts Festival, thanks to an ex- tremely generous donation by local Attorney Sarah Dobbyn, who gave her piano to CAF. Cameron now receives piano lessons once a week from Ni- cole Bodden, group trumpet tuition from Keith Millar (on a trumpet purchased by CAF) and is part of a jazz ensemble under the direction of young Caymanian virtuoso jazz pi- anist Beneil Miller. Cayman Arts Festival funds all of this and, as a result, Cameron has a bright musical future ahead of him. Cameron is absolutely not alone in receiving an en- hanced music education through CAF. We have cur- rently more than 100 string students aged 7-13 who work daily in classes after school at John Gray High School, Monday through Saturday. Their school music teachers have identified all these stu- dents as having musical potential. All these string players use superior quality CAF-owned instruments and attend group classes, which include beginner, interme- diate, advanced, ensemble, quartet and orchestra. There is no charge to any of the students, either for the use of the instrument or for les- sons. The success of the stu- dents and their enthusiasm is remarkable. Cayman Arts Festival is running the Gifted and Tal- ented Instrumental Program through the help and spon- sorship of the community. A visionary grant from Royal Bank of Canada has allowed the program to flourish. In addition, Adam Johnson of Johnson Strings has not only donated instruments but also last year sent a luthier from Boston to repair and maintain them. Patrons of the arts, for ex- ample Peter and Julia Kan- diah, have donated funds to further purchase instru- ments. Greenlight Re spon- sors our string quartet and generously covers Trinity exam fees for members of the quartet who would otherwise not be able to enter exams. Teachers like Angharad Parkes (cello) give their time with no charge. CAF organize workshops for our students to work with visiting musi- cians and annually send our best students to the interna- tionally respected summer music camp in Luzerne, New York state. They also run and provide financial support for the Cayman Youth Choir. Glen Inanga, Marius Gaina and the Cayman Arts Festival committee members work tirelessly to support and de- velop their commitment to music education. When I was a child, I was picked out as musically gifted at my primary school in the U.K. and given access to les- sons, firstly at school, then at the “County Music School.” I was the child who was given opportunities to play in na- tional orchestras and ensem- bles supported all the way by the generosity of people who recognized that we need to support and nurture talent. I know from my own experi- ence how a program such as that which Cayman Arts Fes- tival is running can offer op- portunities which can change a child’s life. On behalf of our amazing, gifted, talented, and inspiring students who are part of the CAF instrumental pro- gram, I would like to convey my sincere thanks to all who have contributed in any way. I would encourage anyone who is interested in giving to this program or becoming part of it to contact Marius Gaina (director@caymanarts- festival.com) or any member of the Cayman Arts Fes- tival committee. Right now, we have a waiting list for places in the cello program – we are able to provide the lessons but are in need of instruments for the students to use. Your support will make this a reality. Fran McConvey Head of Music, John Gray High School “You are what you eat.” – Mom Not unlike the major systems of the human body (circulatory, nervous, digestive, etc.), our individual health and well-being is influenced by several interde- pendent “systems.” And speaking more broadly, so is the healthcare profile of the Cayman Islands. Preventative, therapeutic and pharmaceutical care work in tandem with lifestyle and dietary decisions to keep our bodies healthy and our minds sharp, so that we can get the most out of life. Accordingly, it is noteworthy when healthcare pro- fessionals from diverse disciplines, including nutri- tionists, physicians, psychologists, physical thera- pists and others, gather to share information about advancements in their areas of expertise. This past weekend, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, hosted just such a “meeting of the minds,” the eighth annual Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference, which was also attended by government officials, employers and health-conscious consumers. This year’s theme, “Food for Thought: Exploring the relationship between nutrition and health,” offered attendees insights, both scientific and practical, about the relationship between health and nutrition. Much of our well-being can be traced to a multitude of small daily behaviors, that – in their simplest form – boil down to Mom’s general prescription: Eat your vegetables. Drink your milk. Run outside and play. Mom’s wisdom acknowledged, the relationship between good nutrition and an individual’s good health is, of course, complex and scientific. Speakers at last weekend’s conference delved deep into the research, including healthy eating for different life stages; links between diet, obesity and cancer; how nutrition can affect mood, behavior and cognition; and myths and facts about food. For many reasons, Cayman is an ideal location for discussion of health, healthcare and the healthcare business – which could be said to be “everybody’s business.” Tourists flock to our beautiful islands to participate in athletic leisure activities – including scuba, sailing and other water sports. Visitors and residents, alike, put a premium on health and fitness – cycling, yoga, sports, etc. Local farmers are paying renewed attention to growing highly nutritious produce, and local consumers are eager to buy. First-world health facilities offer first-class services to residents, and, increasingly, visitors. Health City Cayman Islands and other practitioners are pioneering cutting-edge medical techniques. As we reported recently, a new wellness-themed hotel is planned for the George Town area. These developments not only bode well for healthy bodies, but also for a healthy economy. Worldwide, wellness is a $3.72 trillion industry and continues to grow, according to the nonprofit Global Wellness Institute. There are, of course, challenges. Rates of obesity and chronic disease – especially among Caymanians – are cause for concern. Even more so is the above- average rate of obesity among local youth. Improving and maintaining our health is a long- term, never-ending process. Think of it as a journey, not a destination, that encompasses our minds, our bodies and our spirits. Altering deeply entrenched and indulgent habits, such as over-eating and over-imbibing, requires both diligence and self-discipline. Anyone feeling guilty or remorseful about their past lifestyle choices might be encouraged by the words of Richard Bach, author of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” Said Mr. Bach: “Here is a test to find out whether your mission on Earth is complete. If you’re alive, it isn’t.” For many of us, it may be time to take a first step on a new and healthier path … A prescription for a healthier and happier Cayman TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” LETTER TO THE EDITOR Supporting youths’ musical development Cameron Gilson, 14, performs at the Cayman Arts Festival Concert Series at the Westin Ballroom on Oct. 16.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 Women get power presentation MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com Author/leadership coach Maggie Craddock told a con- ference room packed with women last Thursday that un- derstanding the dynamics of power would make them more effective in the business world. “These simple building blocks of power can help de- mystify how people see us,” Ms. Craddock said during her keynote address at NextGen Cayman Inspire 2017, held at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. The conference, focused on power and presence, was sponsored by the global or- ganization 100 Women in Fi- nance. NextGen Cayman is a local subgroup of the organi- zation, aimed at women with less than 10 years of experi- ence in business. Ms. Craddock’s book, “Power Genes,” outlines a schematic of various power styles. She told the crowd of more than 100 women that recognizing those styles would allow them to adapt and better navigate relationships. “This stuff doesn’t just help us on the job, it’s going to help you in the home as well,” Ms. Craddock said. The event also featured a panel discussion on es- tablishing presence and a workshop session. Georgina Loxton, of In- ternational Financial Plan- ning, said such events are im- portant for business women in the Cayman Islands and elsewhere. “We’re all capable of greatness,” Ms. Loxton said, “and this is where it all starts.” Victoria King, Kellie McGee and Tristanna Ebanks Aarthee Ganeshan and Alison Lebitschnig Georgina Loxton, Danielle Young and Caroline Barton Toastmasters celebrate anniversary with on-air show Cayman Toastmasters have proven they can cer- tainly “talk the talk” after en- gaging in a month of com- munity outreach activities through the weekly radio show “Toastmasters on Air.” The four chapters of Toastmasters Cayman – the Grand Cayman Toastmasters Club, Eminent Orators, Elo- quent Speakers and Scotia- bank Pioneers – teamed up with Radio Cayman to cel- ebrate Toastmasters Inter- national’s 93rd anniversary, which was held on Oct. 22. Annick Jackman of the Grand Cayman Toastmas- ters Club said, “Our goal is to share ways with the com- munity on how you can effec- tively communicate your mes- sage regardless of your age or profession. Our organiza- tion’s motto is ‘Where leaders are made,’ and these shows give us a forum to engage in dialogue on what it means to be a successful leader.” “Toastmasters Interna- tional is renowned for deliv- ering high quality training, which will be valuable to all of our listeners,” said Anita Khan, a Radio Cayman announcer. “Toastmasters on Air” seg- ments featured on Radio Cayman on Oct. 7, 13 and 21, with the remaining seg- ment due to air at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, when Toastmasters will share techniques in the art of lead- ership and communications. Toastmasters Area Di- rector Paul Persaud, said, “This is our way of making a meaningful contribution to our community by sharing practical tips in the areas of leadership and commu- nications, useful for anyone wishing to enhance their knowledge base.” He said the “Toastmas- ters on Air” program show- cased various themes, in- cluding humor in leadership, dealing with fear in public speaking, mentoring and community, and leadership and communications. For more information, email toastmasterscayman@gmail.com. Local Toastmasters clubs celebrated the foundation’s 93rd anniversary with a monthlong community radio show in partnership with Radio Cayman.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days West Bay TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Boatswain Bay church supports cancer survivors Church members at Boatswain Bay Presbyte- rian Church went “pink” to show support for breast cancer awareness during a special Sunday church ser- vice on Oct. 22. At least four members of the congregation are cancer survivors. To show support for them and other cancer pa- tients during October, which is Cancer Awareness Month, the members wore pink. The four cancer survivors were presented with gifts. In support of the cam- paign, the church’s “Power of Praise” team led the con- gregation in a number of praise and worship songs, in- cluding “O Worship the King,” “Come People of the Risen King,” “Majesty,” and “Shout to the Lord.” Elder Rupert Ebanks led the service, Deacon Langlie Powery gave the church and community announcements, and Renee Ebanks gave a fit- ting children’s message. During the offertory, Sasha Hunte sang “I put my Trust in You” and Pastor Jason Knox’s message on life from Ephesians 3 was well received by the congregation. Following the sermon, worshippers took part in a Service of Communion/The Lord’s Supper. Following ser- vices, members of the congre- gation enjoyed a time of fel- lowship and refreshments in the church hall. Parents, students and teachers gathered in the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School hall Oct. 18 to witness the installation of the new 2017-2018 student council. Through this council, “stu- dents become involved in the affairs of the school working in partnership with school management, staff and par- ents for the benefit of the in- stitution and its students,” a school press release stated. The council is made up of 28 students who have been either selected by their class teachers in the case of Key Stage One (5-7 years old) or elected by their classmates in Key Stage Two (8-11 years old). Students were addressed by Pastor Christopher Murray, school counselor at John Gray High School. In his address, he used an almond seed as an object lesson. He challenged the fu- ture leaders and the student body “to envision themselves as such – small in stature but full of untapped potential.” He said the almond tree can grow to heights of 60 feet or more but its size and height cannot be de- termined by the size of its seed. He added that likewise, every child has the ability to be great and to do great and powerful things. He told them that on this path they must be respectful, kind and fair, according to the release. He challenged the adults not to lower the goal posts in order to accommodate or accept mediocrity but rather keep the standards and ex- pectations high. The student council mem- bers each received a spe- cial tie to distinguish them from the rest of the student body. The pledge was read by Daniella Campbell and Mi- kaelie Foster. Pastor Donovan Myers from the John Gray Memo- rial Church offered a spe- cial prayer of blessing for the student leaders. The student council is a representative body for all students and was offi- cially launched in 2009. It is coached by Elysia Murray, the school’s guidance counselor. Student council installed at Sir John A. Cumber 50 years ago: New teacher for West Bay infants In the Oct. 25, 1967 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the fol- lowing story appeared: “Mrs. Janet Barham and her 4-year-old son Rex, ar- rived on the island last week from away in the frozen North where they left six inches of snow and where the temperature can drop to 60 degrees below zero. She has come to teach in the Infant Department at the West Bay Primary School and is now settled in at the Teacher’s Cottage. “Although born in London, Mrs. Barham spent from 1947-59, her school days, in Kenya, until, with her parents, she moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. There she received her training as a teacher and was married. For the past nine years, she has been with her husband in the N.W. Territories at an iso- lated spot known as Fort Smith. There was just one store, operated by the well- known Hudson’s Bay Com- pany and until very re- cently the only way to get in and out was by plane. A road has now been cut through but it is an ex- tremely rough, hard drive. Thus, Mrs. Barham will have no complaints about Cayman being isolated or having bad roads. “The family were here on vacation last February and like Cayman very much. It reminded Mrs. Barham somewhat of her days in Kenya and so she applied for a post in one of our schools.” Church members wear pink to show support for four cancer survivors in the congregation. Mikaelie Foster, left and Daniella Campbell say the pledge at the installation of the school’s student council. The Sir John A. Cumber Primary School student council gathers with, back row, from left, guidance counselor Elysia Murray, Pastor Christopher Murray, Deputy Principal Leonora Mendoza-Hydes and Principal Paul Samuel.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 TUESDAY, OCT. 24 OLDER PERSONS MONTH: Eastern District Day, Clifton Hunter High School, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. USED BOOK SALE: Today through Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Red Cross Thrift Shop, Huldah Avenue. Customers can get all the books they can fit in a single bag for only $5. REVIVAL SERVICES: Red Bay Church of God (Holiness) continues Revival Services through Oct. 29. 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Evangelist will be Bro. Glaremon (Bobo) Grant. All are welcome. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25 PIRATES WEEK FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING: The Department of Environmental Health will conduct two basic Food Handlers’ Certification Courses for Pirates Week food vendors today and tomorrow, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. All food handlers needing to update their certification before Pirates Week should register early, as there is limited space available. Cost is $15 per person and includes materials. Certification is valid for three years. To register, visit the DEH main office or contact 949-6696 or dehcustomerservice@gov.ky. THURSDAY, OCT. 26 BRAC COURT: Today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. VAS VOLUNTEERS: The Visual Arts Society seeks volunteers to help with pre-decorating/craft prep at Pedro Castle before the event Saturday’s SpookFest. Today and tomorrow 9:30 a.m. till noon at the studio. VAS also needs styrofoam egg cartons and paper towel and toilet paper rolls. Any items for Halloween decorations also welcome. Will need these for Thursday, Oct. 26; can be dropped off at the studio on the porch and will be retrieved at end of each day. Email leledesigns2@gmail.com. FRIDAY, OCT. 27 STATE OPENING: The State Opening of the Legislative Assembly takes place at 9:40 a.m. The meeting will include the Throne Speech by Governor Helen Kilpatrick; the Budget Address by the Finance and Economic Development Minister Roy McTaggart; and the Policy Statement by Premier Alden McLaughlin. NEEDS ASSESSMENT: The Needs Assessment Unit will be closed for a staff function and will reopen on Monday, Oct. 30. BRAC POETRY EVENING: 7 p.m., Cayman Brac Library. All are invited. LEADERSHIP CAYMAN: The Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2018 program. Improve your leadership skills by applying. Today is the deadline. Call 743-9121 for further information or visit www.caymanchamber.ky/ leadershipcayman. SATURDAY, OCT. 28 OLDER PERSONS MONTH: Seniors Gala, The Westin, 6:30 p.m. To RSVP please call Vanda Powery 916-7902. DEALS ON WHEELS: The Red Cross Mobile Thrift Shop is in West Bay at The Lord’s Church Compound, junction of the West Bay Town Hall. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Items available include clothing and shoes for men, women and children, ladies’ accessories, linens and more. MOVIE NIGHT: “God’s Not Dead 2” 7:30 p.m. The Park at Seven Mile Beach, next to the Kimpton Hotel. Free admission. Organized by familyempowermentgroup@ gmail.com. Call 916-6182. FULL GOSPEL BUSINESSMEN: The Grand Cayman chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International is having its monthly breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Lola’s restaurant in Camana Bay. Come hear how God is making a difference in the life of men like you, right here in Cayman. BEGINNERS CERAMICS: Registration is now open for the National Gallery’s ceramics class with artist Cecilia Urdaneta. Sessions take place today, 2-4:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 5, 2-4:30 p.m. Learn the art of hand building vessels using fundamental techniques such as slab, coil, and pinch, then construct your own vessel during part one, and glaze your creations in part two. Cost is $150 for both sessions, 10% discount to NGCI members. To register contact education@ nationalgallery.org.ky or 945-8111. LITTLE CAYMAN SPOOKTACULAR: 5K Fun Run. 4 p.m. $25 Adults, $15 Children under 12. Contact littlecaymansports@ gmail.com. SPOOKFEST: At Pedro Castle, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visual Arts Society offers Kids Halloween Arts and Crafts, VAS Art Market. Kiwanis will host a book reading corner in the Great House. Pedro will be filled with Halloween activities, food, haunted house, costumes. Entrance fee is one Hershey wrapper per person or two per family. GARAGE SALE: At St. Alban’s Church, 461 Shedden Road, (opposite Bodden Place). 7 a.m. Clothes, household items, books, toys and more. For information, call 949-2757. TUESDAY, OCT. 31 OLDER PERSONS MONTH: Cayman Brac Social, Aston Rutty Civic Centre, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1 TOBACCO LICENCES: Tobacco license holders are reminded of the 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, deadline to apply for their annual license renewals. Annual registration renewal fees are $500 for a retailer, $750 for a cigar bar and $5,000 for a wholesale distributor. MONDAY, NOV. 6 PROUD OF THEM: The public is invited to recognize excellence among young people in the Cayman Islands by submitting nominations to the Proud of Them award scheme. Today is the deadline. Youth ages 10–25 who are reaching new heights of achievement in academics, sports, their career, culture, business or community service can be nominated. Forms can be found online at www.gov.ky. For more information email proudofthem@gov.ky. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15 RUN IN THE DARK: 5K/10K walk or run. 8 p.m. A fundraiser for the Mark Pollock Trust, which aims to find a cure for paralysis. To find further information or sign up for this year’s event, visit www.runinthedark.org/ cayman-islands. GENERAL INTEREST CAYMAN CRAFT: The exhibition, “Revive!” – Celebrating contemporary and traditional craft from the Cayman Islands, is open at the National Gallery. GARBAGE COLLECTION: The Department of Environmental Health urges residents and business operators to ensure that garbage containers are accessible to sanitation crews at all times. Place garbage containers either at the front of the property or at a side that is accessible to the roadway. Receptacles must be stored in properly constructed enclosures and should not impede the flow of traffic. HURRICANE RELIEF: The Adventist Church has started a fund in aid of Hurricane Irma victims in the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas. Financial contributions may be made at the local office, 209 Walkers Road, during business hours, or at the nearest Adventist Church. Donations may also be deposited at the Royal Bank of Canada, to ADRA account number 500-6234. SCHOLARSHIPS: The Chevening Secretariat is accepting applications for U.K. government scholarships to study in the U.K. in 2018/2019. Applications for Chevening Scholarships are open until Nov. 7, with applications to be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply. CERAMIC OPEN STUDIO: Offered by the Visual Arts Society on Wednesdays to adults. 9 a.m. to noon at the Watler House Studio, Pedro St. James. $15 per person or $25 per non-member. Clay, materials and firing facilities available. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers needed for weekly sports training. Tuesdays – Track, bocce, football. Wednesdays – Lighthouse School swimming at Lions pool. Thursdays – Basketball. Saturdays – Adult swim. Golf is starting soon if interested. Contact Darrel Rankine, national director at soci@candw.ky or 916-2600. CANDLE MAKING: Visual Arts Society offers this workshop at the National Trust Club House on Sundays 3–4:30 p.m. Fee of $45 per member or $55 per non-member includes materials for two candles. Parasol painting workshops, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Same fee, includes one parasol. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT SHOP: The shop has moved to Plaza Venezia, next to China Village. The thrift shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday. Phone 945-5596. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc., in good condition always needed. RED CROSS THRIFT SHOP: The Thrift Shop opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed evenings. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. ARTISAN MARKET: Every Wednesday, noon–8 p.m. at Camana Bay Farmers Market. Visual Arts Society artists display arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand- crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale at the tents by KARoo Restaurant/ Bar. For more info email info@visualartcayman.com. OPEN CANVAS: Every Wednesday. Visual Arts Society supports this event at KARoo Restaurant located in Camana Bay. 7-11 p.m. No fee. Easels provided for artist of all levels to come out and enjoy painting and socializing with other artists. info@visualartcayman.com or jar.was@gmail.com. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@museum.ky. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. For more information, call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. Governor Helen Kilpatrick delivers the Throne Speech in the Legislative Assembly in May 2016. She will deliver this year’s speech on Friday, Oct. 27 at the state opening of the Assembly.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS “Previous Government policy was to phase out spearfishing through nat- ural attrition, in order to promote other forms of marine resource use. Spearfishing, because of its ability to target large, re- productively important in- dividuals, is far more detri- mental than other forms of recreational fishing.” With Cayman’s reefs al- ready facing varied threats from overfishing and inva- sive species to coral disease and climate change, the council indicates it cannot recommend any additional spearfishing licenses until new marine parks legisla- tion is implemented. It suggests expanded marine parks, increasing no-take zones from 14 to 40 percent of Cayman’s marine shelf, as it has rec- ommended, would help in- crease fish stocks and the health of reef populations. “An enhanced system of marine protected areas may be able to support a proportional increase in the number of spear- fishers,” it suggests, recom- mending a steady annual increase of licenses to a maximum of 300. It notes that this will not be possible, how- ever, without expanded marine parks. “Until the proposals for the enhanced marine parks have been enacted, any en- largement of the pool of po- tential speargun licensees within the Cayman Islands will only increase the need for other more restrictive management in the imme- diate future.” Queen’s Coroner Eileen Nervik asked if that alcohol level would have affected his ability to cope with the cir- cumstances. Dr. Jyoti said he thought so. The circumstances as set out in the autopsy re- port included the fact that Mr. Henriksen had lunch with a friend at Morgan’s Restaurant, Cayman Is- lands Yacht Club. They left the restaurant around 5:15 p.m. and the friend was dropped off at the George Town Yacht Club. Mr. Henriksen and his captain, Warren Weiss, then went on their way to Mr. Henriksen’s residence at the DeckHouses at The Ritz-Carlton. “Mr. Weiss said he was operating the vessel at a speed of 40-45 mph while the deceased was sitting next to him talking and listening to music,” the autopsy re- port summarized. “He said he drove past The Ritz-Carlton entrance, which is the en- trance to the deceased’s ad- dress, for about 400 meters, turned the vessel around and began heading back towards The Ritz-Carlton channel. “He [Mr. Weiss] said the vessel was traveling par- allel to the shoreline and he left the helm to change over the fenders from the star- board side of the vessel to the port side and the de- ceased was at the time op- erating the boat and as the vessel was lining up with The Ritz-Carlton channel, he just felt the vessel made a sudden turn which sent him flying into the air, out of the vessel and into the water. “He [Mr. Weiss] said he was unable to say what hap- pened because, prior to his being thrown out of the vessel, his back was turned to the helm of the vessel.” This account noted that the unmanned vessel con- tinued in a circular motion in the North Sound until it ended up in the mangroves in the Barkers area of West Bay. The jury heard from witness Neville Scott Jr. of Scott’s Marina that the boat’s GPS system showed it making “hundreds and hundreds” of circles before it entered the mangroves. Meanwhile, Mr. Weiss swam to shore while trying to assist Mr. Henriksen, who became unrespon- sive while they were swim- ming to shore. Mr. Weiss continued with Mr. Henriksen until they got to shore, where he left him and went for help. He met a security guard and used his cellphone to call 911. An ambulance attended and Mr. Henriksen was trans- ported to the Cayman Is- lands Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:57 a.m. on Nov. 10. Police Constable Cyril Gordon, who was the lead in- vestigating officer, read his summary of the case to the jury before the lunch ad- journment. He referred sev- eral times to his efforts to have the boat inspected so that he could see if the inci- dent was the result of human or mechanical error. Mr. Gordon said informa- tion about the boat indicated it could go 70 mph. Lan- yards needed to be clipped to the captain so that if the captain were thrown out of the boat, the boat would stop immediately. He also referred to evi- dence of witnesses at the res- taurant who said Mr. Hen- riksen had lifted his shirt and they observed a bruise mark on his left side; Mr. Henriksen told them he got it from wrestling with a friend in Montreal. Officer Gordon was sched- uled to continue his evi- dence after lunch. The in- quest has been scheduled for three days. Government pathologist Dr. Shravana Jyoti said the physical cause of death was seawater drowning. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Inquest jury hears Henriksen drowned New spearfishing licenses may be approved CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Department of Environment has seized many homemade speargun parts over the years, including these. Licensed speargun owners will now be able to import spear parts. Warning over Malaysia job con A Cayman Islands job- seeker was conned into sending money to Malaysia after responding to an on- line employment advert, police have warned. The victim replied to the advertisement for a job at the St. Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. He even took part in a phone interview for the role and was told he had been successful. The con artists then asked him to send money to pay for a visa and half his airfare. According to police in Cayman, the victim sent the cash but later called the hotel and discovered the job advertisement and offer were not genuine. He was able to get the money back after can- celing the wire transfer, but the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Financial Crime Unit is concerned about the incident and is warning others not to fall for similar scams. “We would like to re- mind job-seekers that funds should never be wired in response to any job advertisements. Such ads and emails should be treated as highly sus- picious and not re- sponded to,” the unit said in a statement. Lawmakers urge reversal after financier’s visa revoked WASHINGTON (AP) – Re- publicans and Democrats on Monday demanded an- swers from the U.S. govern- ment after British-American financier William Browder, who lobbied heavily for a law targeting Russian officials over human rights, said his visa was revoked. Browder pushed for the 2012 law named after his former employee, Russian whistleblower Sergei Mag- nitsky, that imposed travel bans and froze assets of dozens of Russian officials. Magnitsky died in jail after accusing Russian officials of stealing government money in a tax fraud scheme. Browder tweeted Sunday that his name had been added to an Interpol travel list and his U.S. visa had been revoked. In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Browder said he was checking in to a flight to the United States on Sunday when he discovered his visa had been revoked. He said it was denied because Russian President Vladimir Putin had issued “an abusive Interpol arrest warrant for me.” Browder said he believes his visa was revoked by “an automatic process” in the U.S., and he doesn’t think this was an active attempt by President Donald Trump’s administra- tion to bar him from entering. “The real tests will be how quickly DHS cleans this up,” Browder said, referring to the Department of Home- land Security. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., and Mary- land Sen. Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, wrote the Magnitsky Act. The two senators said Monday that Browder is a “strong advo- cate for anti-corruption ef- forts” and Homeland Security should immediately review the decision. “Mr. Browder’s work has helped to remove cor- rupt actors from our finan- cial system and enhance ac- countability measures with respect to the U.S. relation- ship with the Russian Fed- eration,” McCain and Cardin said in a statement. “It would be unfortunate if the U.S. de- cided to bar him based on a decision by those same Rus- sian officials who have been targeted by this important legislation.” In a separate letter, New York Rep. Eliot Engel urged the State Department to re- verse the decision. Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Com- mittee, said the Trump ad- ministration is playing into Putin’s hands. “This decision harms American credibility on the world stage, and is unaccept- able,” Engel wrote. The Magnitsky Act aimed to retaliate against the Rus- sians who were accused of being involved in Magnitsky’s death. Shortly after its pas- sage, the Russian government countered by barring Amer- icans from adopting Rus- sian children. More recently, the law has factored into the ex- planations for a meeting at Trump Tower in New York between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian attorney. The meeting was billed in emails to Trump Jr. as part of a Rus- sian government effort to aid his father’s campaign by providing information that could be used against Demo- cratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. But the attorney, Trump Jr. and others present – in- cluding Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort – have said it mostly involved Russian adoption and the Mag- nitsky Act. Also present at the meeting was Rinat Akhmetshin, a well-known Washington lobbyist and former Soviet military of- ficer, who for the past few years has been lobbying on behalf of Russian interests trying to poke holes in the Magnitsky story. US-born businessman William Browder Browder tweeted Sunday that his name had been added to an Interpol travel list and his U.S. visa had been revoked. Under the new system, the 170 fishermen currently licensed to use spearguns will be allowed to import new parts and replace their equipment.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 World mayors pledge emissions-free cities The mayors of London, Los Angeles, Paris and other major world cities are pledging to ban gasoline and diesel vehicles from ‘large parts’ of their cities by 2030. Mayors meeting in Paris promised to ‘progressively abandon combustion engines’ to make their cities cleaner and quieter. CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2017 PALM ROAD MEDICAL Dr. Brian Michael (Diabetes & Thyroid Specialist) will be visiting Grand Cayman from October 23th - 27th 2017 For appointments call 946-7256 Chestnut Centre, 8 Palm Rd, off Smith Rd At least 67 bodies found after ISIS ‘massacre’ in Syria town BEIRUT (AP) – The bodies of at least 67 Syrian civilians, many summarily killed by the Islamic State group, have been discovered in a central town in Syria that govern- ment forces retook from the extremists over the weekend, the Syrian government and activists said Monday. A senior Syrian official described the attack as a “shocking massacre,” saying the search for and documen- tation of those killed in the town of Qaryatayn is still under way, and the number of bodies was likely to climb. Some were shot in the street as ISIS militants re- treated from the town be- cause they were suspected of working with the gov- ernment, according to ac- tivists. At least 35 had been shot dead, their bodies dumped in a shaft. The militants have been retreating across northern and eastern Syria, days after having been defeated in Raqqa, the one-time “cap- ital” of the group’s self-pro- claimed caliphate. The kill- ings raise the specter of more revenge attacks by the group while it fights to hang on to its last strongholds in Syria. An Associated Press video, filmed as Syrian government troops recaptured Qaryatayn, showed several bodies in the streets of the town. In the video, a town resident says ISIS “monsters” killed more than a 100 people, including soldiers and civilians. “These are people who don’t know God, they don’t know anything. They killed children and women with knives, they beat women, broke their arms,” he said, speaking on condition of ano- nymity, fearing for his safety. Talal Barazi, the gov- ernor of the surrounding Homs province, told The As- sociated Press on Monday that most of the bodies were of townspeople who were government employees or were affiliated with Syria’s ruling Baath party. He said the killings went on for the three weeks that ISIS held the town and “terrorized” its resi- dents, adding that at least 13 residents remain missing while six bodies have not been identified. “It is a shocking mas- sacre,” he said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had docu- mented the killings of at least 128 people in Qarya- tayn during the last days of ISIS control of the town. The head of the Observatory, Rami Abdurrahman, called it a “massacre.” Syrian troops and allied militias regained control of the town on Saturday. The government-run Syrian Cen- tral Military Media at the time said the Syrian army and its allies restored secu- rity and stability to Qarya- tayn after clearing the town of ISIS fighters. The activist-run Palmyra Coordination Committee published the names of 67 ci- vilians confirmed killed and said the number was likely to rise. It said at least 35 were found shot and dumped into a deep shaft. The activist-run group said other bodies were also found in the town streets – apparently of people shot by pro-government forces and suspected of working with ISIS. The Observatory also said it documented at least 12 killed at the hands of pro- government troops after they regained control of the town. ISIS militants first seized Qaryatayn in August 2015, and relied on the strategi- cally located town to defend another of their bastions, the historic city of Palmyra. At the time, thousands of the town’s Christian residents fled, fearing the extremist group’s brutality. With Russian backing, Syrian troops regained con- trol of the town in April 2016. But ISIS, facing major set- backs around Syria and Iraq, launched a new attack on the town in late September and recaptured it. At the time, Russia ac- cused the United States, which is battling the Islamic State group, of looking the other way and allowing ISIS to attack Qaryatayn. Most of the ISIS militants who were involved in attacks on the town were local resi- dents. Pro-government media blamed the loss of Qarya- tayn for the second time on what it described as militant “sleeper cells.” There was no immediate comment from the govern- ment in Damascus on the discovery of the civilian bodies in Qaryatayn. Syrian soldiers patrol in the street of Qaryatayn, a town in central Syria which was recaptured from Islamic State group militants on Saturday. – PHOTO: AP Senate presses ahead on $36.5B disaster relief package Requests from Florida and Texas for additional hurricane relief funding rejected WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate is pushing ahead on a $36.5 billion hurricane re- lief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash. The measure also would replenish rapidly dwindling emergency disaster accounts and provide $16 billion to permit the financially trou- bled federal flood insurance program to pay an influx of Harvey-related claims. But it rejects requests from the pow- erful Texas and Florida con- gressional delegations for ad- ditional money to rebuild after hurricanes Harvey and Irma. A final vote on the mea- sure is expected no later than Tuesday. That would send the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature. There is urgency to move the measure swiftly – rather than add more money to it at this time – because the gov- ernment’s flood insurance re- serves are running out. Still, members of the Texas and Florida delegations in Congress are unhappy be- cause the measure failed to address extensive requests for additional hurricane re- building funds. Texas, inun- dated by Harvey in August, requested $19 billion, while Florida sought $27 billion. “I’m pretty disappointed with what the House sent over,” Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday. But later, after speaking to both Trump and White House budget director Mick Mul- vaney, Cornyn said he was promised that the White House would issue another disaster aid measure next month that would provide much-needed help for Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. A fourth, and perhaps final, measure is likely to anchor a year-end spending bill. The measure currently be- fore the Senate contains $577 million for wildfires out West that forced agencies to tap other reserves for firefighting accounts and FEMA money for the disastrous fires in northern California. Republicans dragged their feet last year on modest re- quests by former Presi- dent Barack Obama to combat the Zika virus and help Flint, Michigan, re- pair its lead-tainted water system. But they are moving quickly to take care of this year’s alarming series of di- sasters, quickly passing a $15.3 billion relief measure last month and signaling that another installment is coming next month. UK’S JOHNSON URGES NORTH KOREA TO ‘CHANGE COURSE’ ON NUKES LONDON (AP) – British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Monday that nobody wants armed con- flict over North Korea’s nu- clear ambitions, but that U.S. President Donald Trump is right to keep the option of military action open. In a speech on global se- curity in London, Johnson urged the government of Kim Jong Un to “change course” and engage in diplo- macy to resolve the crisis. “By continuing to de- velop nuclear capabilities, Kim risks provoking a re- action in the region that is at once defensive and com- petitive, that reduces not increases his security and therefore reduces not in- creases the survival chances of the regime,” Johnson said. North Korea has dra- matically ramped up its nuclear weapons pro- gram, launching intercon- tinental ballistic missiles that can potentially strike the U.S. mainland and a conducting its largest- ever underground nu- clear explosion. Johnson called for North Korea’s neighbor China to lead efforts to pile economic pressure on Pyongyang, but also said U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had rightly offered North Korea “sensible reassurances” that it does not seek regime change or invasion. But he said Trump has an “absolute duty to prepare any action” to keep America and its allies safe. “I don’t think anybody can conceivably want a military solution to this problem,” Johnson said. “And yet clearly it must re- main on the table.” Johnson told a confer- ence organized by the Cha- tham House international affairs think tank that di- plomacy had succeeded in limiting the spread of atomic weapons beyond a handful of countries.Next >