High of 86 Low of 75 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 CONGRATULATIONS TO CAYMAN’S SPELLING CHAMPS WORLD | PAGE 10 AMID WARNINGS, TRUMP DECLARES JERUSALEM AS ISRAEL’S CAPITAL ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 Premier Health This is what smart health insurance feels like! Health insurance that does the thinking for you! Just over 6 out of 10 local and 8 out of 10 US claims are submitted electronically and 95% of claims are settled in 5 working days. British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Limited acts solely as an agent on behalf of Colonial Medical Insurance Company Limited and it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. Call 949-8699 www.britcay.ky cgigrp BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LIMITED BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. : insurance, health, pensions, life JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The developer behind a planned golf re- sort in the eastern districts is now seeking to bring a new bulk fuel storage facility to Grand Cayman. Port Breakers, a new sister company to Ironwood, and Texas-based energy company Navasota Energy Services say they have ac- quired a plot of land in the Breakers area, pre- viously earmarked by Dart Real Estate as the proposed location for a new landfill site. Dart is not directly involved in the fuel storage project. Navasota and Ironwood are involved in a partnership that seeks to bring a massive fuel storage depot and terminal to Cayman, for transshipping fuel throughout the region. As currently envisaged, the plan does not involve the construction of a port, but would service ships from offshore mooring buoys in a similar fashion to the existing terminal at Jackson Point, though signifi- cantly larger in scale. Ironwood believes this will help pay for the East-West Arterial road extension, a 10- mile highway project considered pivotal to the long-term success of the golf resort. Neither Navasota nor Ironwood is pro- posing to operate the facility. They will seek to acquire planning approvals and permits for the project before going out to bid for compa- nies to build and operate the terminal. Navasota CEO Frank Giacalone said his company would seek to find, through a re- quest for proposals process, a major oil company that would run the facility, paying annual licensing fees to government. He said it would be a business opportu- nity for the oil company. “There are worldwide operators who are going to be interested in a facility like this for the western Caribbean,” he said. “The huge ad- ditional benefit is it gives you reserve fuel on the island and easy access to cheaper fuel.” Outlining how the terminal would operate, Mr. Giacalone said it would be able to store SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Five years since its creation, the Cayman Islands YMCA finds itself ingrained in the local community. More than 30 per- cent of school-age children are involved in at least one of the YMCA’s programs, and the next five years could see a rapid ex- pansion of the activities avail- able to the public. The community will get a chance to celebrate the YMCA’s success on Saturday, when the service organization holds a free Five-Year Family Fun Cele- bration at the Field of Dreams. The party, which will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will in- clude kickball, music, tasty treats and carnival activities. More than 100 part-time and full-time staff work to de- liver the YMCA’s various pro- grams, and Greg Smith, the YMCA’s chief executive officer, is thrilled by the progress made over the last five years. “It means a lot,” said Mr. Smith. “It’s a good milestone Bulk fuel depot proposed for Breakers Cayman YMCA celebrates fifth anniversary CONSERVATION COUNCIL CHAIRWOMAN QUITS JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The chairwoman of the National Conservation Council has resigned from the position amid in- creasing uncertainty about the future of the envi- ronmental law. Christine Rose-Smyth confirmed she had stepped down from the position, citing personal issues that were standing in the way of her con- tinuing on the council. She did not directly reference the turmoil over the law, which government has pledged to revise amid concerns from developers and government ministries that it gives too much power to the council over development applications. Premier Alden McLaughlin announced in his budget address that a committee would be set up to review the law. Ms. Rose-Smyth said she was not stepping back completely and would be willing to serve on any review committee, if asked. She said she was proud of the work the council had done. “It was an honor to be asked to chair the first council,” she said. “I can say that serving as chair for the first three years of the council has involved an enormous amount of commitment, time and expertise and I am very glad to have been able to give my input to the council and help to imple- ment a totally new law for the country. I hope that is a foundation that is going to be built on in the future and not undermined. “I am extremely grateful to the other voluntary members of the council and to the staff of the Department of Environment for their dedication to achieving the goals of the National Conservation Law. I remain committed to ensuring that preservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources continue PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Back to school for Mickey Captain Mickey does a holiday dance at the Lighthouse School Monday. Mickey Mouse and his good pal Pluto were on shore leave from a Disney Cruise Line ship and dropped into the school in Prospect for a visit. For more on this story, see page 6. Greg Smith2 LOCAL&REGIONAL THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS • Daily Matinees Every Day • $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 • Additional charges will apply per 3D/VIP ticket requested 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. - THURSDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) COCO 3D (PG) 12:35 2D I 4:00 I 7:00 2D I 9:15 WONDER (PG) 1:05 I 6:30 JUSTICE LEAGUE 3D (PG13) 1:00 I 4:20 2D VIP I 7:10 2D VIP I 9:55 2D DADDY’S HOME 2 (PG13) 2:35 I 5:05 I 7:35 I 10:10 TIL DEATH US DO PART (PG13) 1:50 I 4:25 I 7:15 I 9:55 MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (PG13) 3:40 I 10:00 VIP THOR: RAGNAROK 3D (PG13) 1:20 2D VIP I 3:30 I 6:30 2D I 9:30 Cayman students in London meet with premier More than 40 Caymanian students spent an evening with Premier Alden McLaughlin on Saturday in an annual London get-together before the holi- days, according to a press release from Cayman Connection United Kingdom. The event, which is hosted at the Cayman Islands government offices in Mayfair, marked the end of a week of meetings and events for Mr. McLaughlin and his delegation, which included Finan- cial Services Minister Tara Rivers, Senior Political Advisor Roy Tatum, Senior Polit- ical Advisor Jason Webster, and Cayman Governor Designate Anwar Choudhury. The Cayman Connection U.K. network ensures that Caymanians in the U.K. are connected and receive support during their time away from home. At the gathering, Ms. Rivers spoke to students about how to speak confidently to peers about Cayman’s role as a finan- cial center, and how to make informed responses to attacks on the jurisdiction, according to the press release. Mr. McLaughlin updated the students about what’s going on in Cayman, and encouraged them in their studies. The talks ended with Mr. Choudhury talking about how excited he is to begin his tenure as Cayman’s governor in March. He assured students that he “stands ready to assist them wherever possible.” Kate Kandiah, who runs the network, said she was happy with the event’s large turnout. “This year we welcomed over 10 new students who had not been to this event in previous years,” she stated in the press release. “This shows that our mes- sage of support for Cayman students in the U.K. is being heard. “I commend the Cayman Islands Gov- ernment for their increasing efforts to help young Caymanians get the absolute best from their tertiary education, and for their continued support for the stu- dents while they are far from home.” More than 40 Caymanian students met with Premier Alden McLaughlin on Dec. 2 in London. - PHOTO: CAYMAN CONNECTION UNITED KINGDOM Five bullets of unknown caliber were found in a bathroom in the Layman E. Scott High School in Cayman Brac Monday evening. The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service said the bullets were found in a bathroom at the high school. Police were called to the scene around 5 p.m. Monday and recovered the ammunition. Police said the bullets would be examined by a firearms expert as part of their investigation. No arrests were imme- diately reported in connec- tion with the find. Police asked anyone with information to contact Cayman Brac Police at 948-0331. If you want your Christmas mail to arrive in time for the holiday, send it soon. The Postal Service says it is likely already too late for an air parcel package of 2 pounds or more to arrive in time for Christmas. Other deadlines are looming. Here are the various types of mailing options and recommended dates for arrival before Dec. 25: For airmail letters and lightweight items to Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Western Eu- rope, mail by Dec. 7. The following dates apply for EMS courier packages: Dec. 13 for Canada and the United States; Dec. 12 for the Caribbean, United Kingdom and Western Europe; Dec. 11 for all other countries. For mail within the Cayman Islands, the fol- lowing deadlines are rec- ommended: Dec. 18 from Grand Cayman to the Sister Islands; Dec. 19 within Grand Cayman; Dec. 20 be- tween the Sister Islands. More information is available at www.caymanpost.gov.ky. A man who was found covered in blood from his head to his torso Tuesday night had been assaulted by another man in cen- tral George Town, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice reported. Police were called to the scene on Harper Close, near Eastern Avenue, just be- fore 10 p.m. where it was reported that the victim was struck over the head by another man. Police said the suspect arrived at the location in a vehicle and had a con- versation with the victim just before the assault oc- curred. The attacker then fled in the car he arrived in, police said. The victim was uncon- scious when found and was transported to the hospital where he was still being treated for “serious head injuries” Wednesday, ac- cording to police. No arrests in the attack were immediately reported. The Department of Envi- ronmental Health began its annual bulk waste removal campaign on Wednesday. It continues through Dec. 20, with specific pickup days for various regions. Bulk waste consists of large items not picked up as part of regular trash service. That includes old furniture, household appli- ances and vegetative waste. Construction and demoli- tion materials are not in- cluded in the pickup effort. Items should be placed near the curb, but not blocking the street, where they are accessible to DEH crews. Metal waste – like old appliances, metal fur- niture and metal roofing, – and vegetative waste, such as tree branches, should be separated from other bulk waste items. The pickup schedule is as follows: ■■ Dec. 7-11: Bodden Town, North Side, East End ■■ Dec. 11-18: George Town/West Bay ■■ Dec. 13: Cayman Brac East ■■ Dec. 18: Cayman Brac West ■■ Dec. 20: Cayman Brac South For more information, visit: www.deh.gov.ky. FIVE BULLETS FOUND AT BRAC SCHOOL CHRISTMAS MAIL DEADLINES APPROACHING Police investigate after man found ‘covered in blood’ BULK WASTE PICKUP COMMENCES Rio police capture drug boss RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Police in Rio de Janeiro captured one of Brazil’s most wanted drug bosses Wednesday, a rare victory for authorities struggling to curb rising violence a year after the city hosted the Summer Olympics. The arrest of Rog- erio Avelino da Silva came amid an operation in the northern part of the city that included nearly 3,000 police and Army soldiers who have been sent in to help stabilize areas of fre- quent conflict. Police said da Silva was found under the covers of a bed in a house in the favela, or slum, of Arara. Two bodyguards reportedly fled when police arrived. Police said da Silva gave a fake name and said he was a cousin of the woman who owned the house. “For 10 years, he has been causing problems for Rio de Janeiro,” state Secu- rity Secretary Roberto Sa told reporters. Da Silva, known as “Rogerio 157,” is accused of crimes including homicide, trafficking and extortion. Authorities had offered a US$16,000 reward for in- formation that led to his arrest and circulated his image widely. Over the last several months, several police op- erations, which shut down parts of Rio and often led to shootouts, have been focused on appre- hending da Silva. Da Silva oversaw drug trafficking operations in the Rio slum of Rocinha, one of Brazil’s largest. In August and September, battles be- tween followers of da Silva and a former Rocinha boss, who is in prison, prompted authorities to send in mili- tary police and soldiers to stabilize the area.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 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. Felicitations are apropos for the Cayman Islands’ triumvirate of orthographic nonpareils. In other words … congratulations to the three winners of the country’s recent spelling bees: Creek and Spot Bay Primary School’s Siri Chandana Bata, Layman E. Scott Snr. High School’s Christon Asa Ferguson and John Gray High School’s Jelani Hanson. Siri beat 48 of her peers to win the RBC Royal Bank Spelling Bee competition for primary school students, while Jelani and Christon emerged as co- champions of the Lions Club Spelling Bee competition for secondary school students. While the pages of this newspaper are frequently filled with accounts of athletic accomplishments, it is not so often that we have the opportunity to pay tribute to victories secured by sheer academic prowess. Like many challenges in life, the spelling of most words is not a “multiple choice” test – you’re either right, or you’re wrong. And in a spelling bee, the fact that you’re wrong is attended immediately by the dreaded “ding” of the ineluctable bell. If you were to deconstruct the content of one’s education into its smallest integral components, you would eventually reach a bedrock composed of sounds, letters, syllables and words. To be an excellent speller is to demonstrate a mastery of fundamental language skills. The importance of this knowledge should not be undervalued and cannot be overrated. A person just doesn’t suddenly become an excel- lent speller like Siri, Christon and Jelani. It takes a con- siderable amount of talent, time and effort to learn how to spell words correctly, particularly unusual words that are not part of one’s routine lexicon. For example, Jelani spent about two to three hours each day studying for the secondary school compe- tition, while his fellow co-champion Christon began preparing for the spelling bee months in advance. Such focus and dedication should be applauded and emulated by all residents in Cayman, including children and adults. Unfortunately, outside of the recent spelling bee contestants, attentiveness to the art of spelling appears to be a rare commodity in Cayman. We regularly read and receive text messages, comments, blog entries, letters, official documents, job applications – even curricula vitae – that are replete with misspellings and grammatical guesswork. Poor spelling is evidence of either ignorance, indo- lence or some combination of the two. And no battery of computerized spellcheck programs can address the lamentable underlying issues for lack of ability, or lack of care, in written communication. (As a preemptive aside to our readers, we at the Compass have been guilty of publishing misspellings. We have fortified our proofreading efforts but, alas, some still slip by and, when they do, we wince when we catch one.) One of the members of the Compass Editorial Board happens to be a veteran of the most famous spelling competition in the world, the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which takes place in Washington, D.C., and has been held for more than 90 years. As a former contestant, he is fully acquainted with the intel- lectual and psychological rigors involved in preparing for and competing in spelling bees, and he is also con- scious of the value of such academic contests. We think it’s time to consider turning up the bright lights on our country’s champion spellers, and to explore the possibility of sending our students to more competitive spelling bees on larger stages. The Compass would be proud to support such efforts edi- torially and financially. We would love to see one of our students on national U.S. television unencrypting a particularly enigmatic word, with their effort punctuated, hopefully, not by a bell but by applause. Congratulations to Cayman’s spelling champs THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS The best reasons to support tax havens The late Mancur Olsen was a very accomplished academic economist who described the unfortunate tendency of vote-seeking governments to behave like “stationary bandits,” seeking to extract the max- imum amount of money from taxpayers. I’m not nearly as sophis- ticated, so I simply refer to this process as “gold- fish government.” Tax competition is a way of discouraging this self-de- structive behavior. Politi- cians are less likely to over- tax and over-spend if they know that jobs and invest- ment can migrate from high- tax nations to low-tax ju- risdictions (borders can be a hassle, but they are beneficial since they pre- sumably represent a limit on the reach of a govern- ment’s power). This is why I’m a big fan of so-called tax havens. I want politicians to be afraid that the geese with the golden eggs may fly away. This is one of the reasons why “offshore” nations play a very valuable role in the global economy. But it’s important to re- alize that there’s also a moral argument for tax havens. Ask yourself whether you would want the govern- ment to have easy access to your nest egg (whether it’s a lot or a little) if you lived in Russia? Or Venezuela? Or China? Or Zimbabwe? Ask yourself whether you trust the bureaucracy to pro- tect the privacy of your per- sonal financial informa- tion if you lived in a country with corruption problems like Mexico? Or India? Or South Africa? Here’s a Dec. 3 story from France24 that underscores my point: “Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Sunday that businessmen who move assets abroad are committing “treason,” adding that his government should put an end to the practice. “I am aware that some busi- nessmen are attempting to place their assets over- seas. I call on the govern- ment not to authorise any such moves, because these are acts of treason,” Erdogan said in televised comments to party members in the eastern town on Mus.” Allow me to translate. What Erdogan is saying is “I don’t want escape options for potential victims of ex- propriation.” For all intents and purposes, he’s basically whining that he can’t steal money that is held offshore. Which, of course, is why offshore finance is so important. Professor Tyler Cowen elaborates in a Bloomberg column. He wrote: “It’s not just that many offshore fi- nancial institutions, such as hedge funds registered in the Cayman Islands, are entirely legal, but also that the prac- tice of hiding wealth over- seas has its upside. … off- shore … accounts make it harder for autocratic gov- ernments to confiscate re- sources from their citizens. That in turn limits the poten- tial for tyranny.” Tyler looks at some of the research and unsur- prisingly finds that there’s a lot of capital flight from unstable regimes. In fact, one recent study shows the top five countries using off- shore banking, when mea- sured as a percentage of gross domestic product, are the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Argentina, based on estimates from 2007. Cowen notes that each of these countries carry rel- atively high risk of “arbi- trary political confiscations of wealth.” “When I consider that list of countries, I don’t think confidential off- shore banking is such a bad thing,” Cowen writes, asking readers to consider countries that are not “major players in the offshore wealth sweepstakes.” “China and Iran, for in- stance, have quite low per- centages of their GDPs held in offshore accounts, in part because they haven’t been well integrated into global capital markets,” he writes. … ”Are we so sure it would be bad for more Chinese and Iranian wealth to find its way into offshore banks? The up- shot would be additional limits on the power of the central leaders to confiscate wealth and to keep political opposition in line.” So what’s the bottom line? Simple. People need ways of protecting themselves from greedy government. By the way, the moral ar- gument should not be lim- ited to nations with overtly venal governments that en- gage in wealth expropria- tion. What about the rights of people in nations – such as Argentina and Greece – where governments wreck economies because of blind incompetence? Shouldn’t they have the ability to protect themselves from wealth destruction? I actually raised some of these arguments almost 10 years ago in this video from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity. P.S. There’s lots of evi- dence that politicians raise tax rates when tax competi- tion is weakened. P.P.S. Which is why I’m very happy that Rand Paul is leading the fight against a scheme for a global tax cartel. Daniel J. Mitchell, chairman of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity, is on the Editorial Board of the Cayman Financial Review. DANIEL J. MITCHELL DANIEL J. MITCHELL 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” I want politicians to be afraid that the geese with the golden eggs may fly away. This is one of the reasons why “offshore” nations play a very valuable role in the global economy.The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 6 LOCAL NEWS THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS West Bay students showcase skills Students at West Bay’s primary school recited poems, performed skits and presented public ser- vice announcements as they showcased the skills they have learned over the past six years to their parents and teachers. The Year 6 classes of the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School used the opportu- nity to demonstrate what they have learned since they began their International Baccalaureate journey in the Primary Years program. Close to 150 parents, sup- porters and community mem- bers attended the Nov. 28 event, which was held in the Shirley Kidd Memorial Hall. Some students, such as Joshua Powery-Kentish, Vynissa Hamilton and Samuel Hydes, wrote peti- tions promoting their causes, which they presented to gov- ernment ministers. Others asked attendees to sign pledges to preserve and pro- tect the environment. Students also used display boards, experiments, investi- gations, dioramas and other 3-D equipment to present their work and engage visi- tors in conversation. Speaking about the show- case exercise, student Joshua Nixon said, “I enjoyed it be- cause it built my self-con- fidence in talking to people about my project.” Demitri Thompson- Lamont said he liked the art. He used a tri-fold board dis- play and focused on endan- gered species. Another student, Aquinle Missick, said, “It was great seeing everyone doing hard work. I liked working on my visuals.” She made papier-maché globes to visually demon- strate areas of the world that should not be pol- luted and why. The students were guided through the process by their teachers, as well as by vol- unteer mentors from the community, including MLA Bernie Bush, Sabrina Tyndale, Sheena Ebanks, Parent and Teacher Association Presi- dent Vanda Powery, members of the Guy Harvey Founda- tion, Stacey-Ann Anderson, Angelo Roye and staff from the Department of Environ- mental Health. The students’ tasks in- cluded choosing an issue and a message, planning and de- veloping the central idea and lines of inquiry, researching the information, creating the displays and projects, sharing their research and then taking action. This year, their focus was on the environment with the central idea being: Our envi- ronment helps our country and is part of our well-being. They aimed to show that the environment plays a vital role in their well-being and health, and that they have a voice and input that can cause change in how it is managed and cared for in the future, a press release from the school noted. Students contended that the environment helps tourism, which benefits the community, so they have an important role in preserving it. They focused their at- tention on landfill disposal and its impact on society, the coral regrowth program, recycling, reusing and re- ducing, and ways to break the “take, make, use, dump” cycle and how to prevent beach erosion. Each of the four Year 6 classes was divided into dif- ferent groups based on their area of focus. Their activities and actions included a visit to the George Town landfill, viewing and analyzing the “Shark Talk” documentary by Guy Harvey, a coral reef ex- cursion, and beach clean-ups. They also chose various re- search methods and mediums to present their findings. The exhibition was held for two days and was vis- ited by students and staff from Prospect and Savannah Primary schools. Students view completed projects from the International Baccalaureate classes within the Primary Years Program at the Sir John A. Cumber school in West Bay. Disney brings holiday cheer to Prospect’s Lighthouse School The Lighthouse School played host to a special group of visitors early this week. Disney Cruise Line made a joint visit along with the Ministry and Department of Tourism to the Prospect school on Monday, spreading holiday greetings to students and teachers alike. The visit starred Disney characters Captain Mickey and Pluto, alongside Disney VoluntEARS, crew members of the Disney Magic who donate their time to ben- efit worthwhile causes at ports of call. David Wight, councilor of the Ministry of Tourism, and Rosa Harris, director of tourism, represented the gov- ernment on the holiday visit to the Lighthouse School. Captain Mickey and Pluto pose for a photo with senior students, parents, teachers of the Lighthouse School, Disney volunteers and tourism officials. Pluto makes a new friend during Monday’s visit to the Lighthouse School. They focused their attention on landfill disposal and its impact on the society, the coral regrowth program, recycling, reusing and reducing, and ways to break the take, make, use, dump cycle and beach erosion. In the Dec. 6, 1967 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the fol- lowing story appeared: “At its meeting on the Nov. 30, 1967, the Chamber of Commerce [discussed the situation caused by the devalua- tion of sterling]. During the discussion, mainly re- garding the steep and rapid rise in the cost of living resulting from the mark up on items in the stores, Mr. Sherwood pro- duced evidence of the dif- ference in price of one particular item in dif- ferent stores and he was supported by Dr. Parrish, who instanced candies 2 1/2d to 6d – 140%; meat 5%; and U.K. cigarettes 25%. “Capt. Theo Bodden countered this with an example of an item on which he made a profit at £142 which was now £149 landed cost. Mrs. Veta Bodden mentioned a banker’s draft for Italian shoes valued at £439.10.0 for which she had to pay £512.17.11, i.e., an increase of £73.7.6 or 16 2/3%. She also read a letter from a supplier notifying a 1/6th increase on all present levels. She contended that all merchandise was paid for on draft, within 190 days and therefore three-quarters of a ship- ment would be sold before it is paid for. “Mrs. Norberg Thompson felt the matter was bound to find its own level as the merchants marketing goods at the lower price would gain all the trade and others would have to reduce their prices in order to compete and stay in business. “The Secretary asked if the Chamber proposed to take any action with re- gard to public criticism that its action had pre- cipitated the wage in- crease demands. “Capt. Theo Bodden did not feel the Chamber had any authority to dictate to merchants what per- centage they should put on their goods. “Capt. Eldon Kirkcon- nell was the only mer- chant present who in any way admitted that some mistakes may have been made. He said, ‘Perhaps we merchants did act a little quickly. We may have been a bit hasty but some- thing had to be done even- tually and the Chamber did get the businessmen to try and do something. Looking back and seeing mistakes is easier than looking forwards and an- ticipating what might re- sult from one’s actions and the longest the 1d in the 1/- rise could have survived would have been one week. We should, therefore, learn from this experience so that we do not make similar mistakes in the future.’ “To Mr. Cardinall DaCosta’s question, ‘Would the members be broadminded enough to recommend to government that there is a need for price control?’ Mr. Walk- er’s reply was that he felt such an action would be an admission of defeat, as one reason for having a Chamber of Commerce is to control business in a reasonable manner without running to gov- ernment. They should try and overcome the crisis themselves and only if they prove incapable of doing this should govern- ment be asked to step in. He admitted however that they had not shown up too well in this crisis.” 50 YEARS AGO Chamber of Commerce discusses cost of living7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 OR Grand Prize US$2,000 Second Prize US$1,000 #MyHoliday † Conditions apply. Subject to credit approval. @ Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. Apply today at your nearest branch and enjoy: Flexible terms • Affordable payments • Any purpose Go to ky.scotiabank.com/myholiday for contest details. Hurry! Contest ends January 15, 2018. Get a Scotia Plan Loan for the holidays and you could win!† Former customs officer guilty of duty offenses, assault Magistrate suspends sentence ‘only because of the children’ CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Former customs officer Floyd Vashni Bush received suspended sentences on Tuesday after pleading guilty earlier this year to unrelated charges of evading customs duty and assault. Bush, now 38, was a serving customs officer in 2009-2011, when the offenses occurred. Charges were first brought to court in 2012: 24 charges of evading cus- toms duty and 24 charges of conniving at the impor- tation of goods into the is- lands other than through customs. Each of the con- niving charges related to one of the evading duty charges. Informal records show that Bush initially did not have an attorney; he eventu- ally had three in succession, with Clyde Allen representing him when the matter was fi- nally concluded. In April this year, Bush pleaded guilty to four sets of charges involving failure to pay duty on motorcycle parts and, in one case, car parts. In each case, the value of the goods was stated to be less than their actual value, which resulted in less duty being assessed. The Crown offered no evi- dence on one of the other sets of charges and the rest were left on file. Sentencing was adjourned pending a social inquiry report. This week, Mr. Allen spoke in mitigation, suggesting that Bush’s offending was dif- ferent from that of a banker or accountant who used his position to take cash from an employer. He said Bush had not taken any money, he simply had not paid and by not paying had ob- tained a benefit. He suggested further that under the Alternative Sen- tencing Law, the court should ask if there was no sentence other than imprisonment that could be justified. He asked the court to consider Bush’s situation as a single parent to one child who re- sides with him and as a pro- vider of financial support for two other children. For failure to pay duty, the Customs Law provides a mandatory penalty of three times the duty owed plus the amount of duty. Magis- trate Angelyn Hernandez cal- culated the penalties Bush owed as totaling $849.03. For the offense of con- niving, the penalty was a fine of up to $6,000 and imprison- ment up to five years. The magistrate pointed out that Bush had been re- sponsible for ensuring that members of the public paid the duty they owed. “He was breaking the law he was supposed to uphold,” she commented. By Bush’s offending, harm was done to the trust that is placed in public officers, she pointed out. Harm was also done to the public purse that provides services to the public, she said. “I take the view that breach of trust always car- ries imprisonment,” she con- cluded. She determined that the appropriate sentence was 16 weeks. However, three children relied on him finan- cially, and one of them cus- todially. “Only because of the children,” she emphasized, was she suspending the sen- tence for two years. Assault charges Separate charges of as- sault related to an incident that occurred in April 2016. Bush was charged with three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, but in May this year the Crown ac- cepted pleas of guilty to common assault. The assaults were against three women who had been at a party, the magistrate summarized. One was the mother of one of Bush’s chil- dren and his assault of her included throwing a water bottle at her, pushing her against a car and biting her hand. When two of her friends intervened, he hit them in the face. These offenses were dis- tinct from the customs of- fenses, she noted. Bush’s guilty pleas were not early, but a trial had been avoided. She therefore imposed con- current sentences of three and six weeks under a sus- pended sentence supervision order, but directed him to at- tend and complete an anger management program and a men’s anti-domestic vio- lence program. Her Majesty’s Cayman Is- lands Prison Service grad- uated the first class from its release on temporary li- cense rehabilitation program, which allows for inmates to be temporarily released for job-skills training, paid or unpaid work, and other ap- proved activities. The program entailed in- mates undergoing profes- sional training and working for a business for between six months and one year, said government information of- ficer Jamie Hicks. Inmates are paid by the companies they work for, and can access the money once they com- plete their sentences so they have money when reentering society, she said. Prisoners can only be ad- mitted into the program after being assessed to make sure they do not pose a risk to the community while they are on release, according to the pris- on’s policy on the matter. A ceremony was held on Nov. 22 for the 24 program participants to recognize their hard work, according to a press release from government. During the ceremony, sev- eral participants took the stage and explained how the program gave them a fighting chance outside the prison walls. The individuals were pre- sented with a certificate for completing the release on temporary license rehabilita- tion program, and the partici- pating businesses received a plaque to recognize their role in the positive initiative. “I am proud to say we have helped so many inmates increase their chances of suc- cessful reintegration into so- ciety,” Prison Director Neil Lavis stated in the press re- lease. “These offenders have worked hard to not become a statistic, and change their life for the better.” Mr. Lavis also thanked the businesses that have partic- ipated in the program, and urged more companies to be- come involved. The businesses that partici- pated in the program are Paint Pros, Garvin Landscaping, Ropers Enterprises Ltd., Meals on Wheels, Dolphin Discovery, National Concrete Ltd., On- site Concrete Supply Ltd., Har- bour House Marina, the Carib- bean Utilities Company, Rubis Cayman Islands Ltd., the Cayman Islands Fire Service, Kings Sport Centre, Cayman Turtle Centre, Generali World- wide Insurance Company, Ca- ribbean Marine Services, In- ternational Lighting & Design, Flowers Group, the National Drug Council, Clan Construc- tion Ltd., and Home Gas Ltd. Inmates graduate from prison work program Prisons Director Neil LavisThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 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. THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS THURSDAY, DEC. 7 CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Staff and students of Sunrise Adult Training Centre invite everyone to their show, “12 Symbols of Christmas” 7 p.m. at John Gray Memorial Church Hall, West Bay. Admission is free. REPORT EVENING: Parents of Year 7 students at Clifton Hunter High School are asked to attend Reporting Evening, 5-7 p.m. SATURDAY, DEC. 9 PLAY FIELD RENAMING: The Old Man Bay Play Field in North Side will be renamed for Olympic athlete Ronald Forbes. 5-8 p.m. with unveiling before sunset. All are invited. FESTIVAL AT GRAND HARBOUR: From 9 a.m. Homemade arts and crafts festival includes live music all day, food and drink specials from Salty’s Sports Bar, kids’ crafts and our Christmas Tree Lighting with a visit from Santa. BRAC DINNER: The Rotary Club of Cayman Brac invites senior citizens to dinner at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre. SUNDAY, DEC. 10 NATIONAL CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA: The Cayman National Choir and Cayman National Orchestra present a Christmas Spectacular at the Harquail Theater, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children. The concert features Jamaican tenor Rory Baugh, local singer Mikayla Corin, a cappella group The Singrays, and the Cayman Youth Choir. Tickets are available from caymanaisles. com/etickets or members of the choir and orchestra. TUESDAY, DEC. 12 TRADE AND BUSINESS: The Trade and Business Licensing Board holds its last meeting of the year. Persons seeking renewals and grants of licenses before the end of the year have until Friday, Dec. 8 to submit applications via the Department of Commerce and Investment. Applications received by DCI as of Monday, Dec. 11 will not be processed until January. However, DCI staff will continue accepting applications and collecting all associated payments. Applications can be submitted at the Business Licensing Counter, Government Administration Building, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. NATIONAL CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA: The Cayman National Choir and Cayman National Orchestra present their traditional Christmas carol concert 7:30 p.m. at Elmslie Memorial Church tonight and Thursday. CHAMBER COURSE: Immigration, Permanent Residence, Work Permits & Status. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $350 for members, $400 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 CONCERT AND FUNDRAISER: The St. Ignatius Band Concert and Christmas Fundraiser starts at 7 p.m. at the school. Grand prize is $25,000 with lots of other prizes. Tickets are $25 and are available at St. Ignatius and from local supermarkets and other businesses. THURSDAY, DEC. 14 SCUBALUMINATIONS: Santa and scuba-diving reindeer visit Rackam’s on the waterfront, George Town, 6:30 p.m. A fundraiser for One Dog at a Time. Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring items of dog food, toys and treats; have photos with Santa and his elves; enjoy live music, Christmas carols and a raffle. BRAC SCHOOLS: Cayman Brac Primary Schools present a combined Christmas musical. 7 p.m. Aston Rutty Centre. All are invited. VAS CHRISTMAS SOCIAL: All are invited to the annual Christmas Cocktail Party, a fundraiser for the Visual Arts Society. $35, includes drinks and canapes. At Le Vele restaurant in George Town. Prizes for best dressed Christmas, white, silver and gold theme. Email info@visualartcayman.com. SATURDAY, DEC. 16 NCVO CHRISTMAS SALE: 6-10 a.m. in the NCVO parking lot. New to You Bargain Shop, 90 Anthony Drive (off Smith Road). Clothing, shoes, books, toys, baby and household supplies. MONDAY, DEC. 18 VENDORS SOUGHT: National Heroes Day organizers are seeking independent “small-man” food vendors to provide samples of Caymanian food items at the ceremony in Heroes Square on Monday, Jan. 22. Today is the deadline to submit a proposal and completed menu form to the Protocol Office in the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue. Vendors can provide quotes on any menu item. Bidding instructions and the menu form can be obtained from the Government Administration Building, first floor, or by emailing nationalevents@gov.ky. For more information, call 916-2913. GENERAL INTEREST CARGO COLLECTION: Cayman Port reminds customers that all cargo collections from the warehouse must be done in a timely manner, so as to not impact safe and efficient operations. Persons importing vehicles should collect them without delay. Additional storage charges will be applied to all cargo not collected within five working days. LOBSTER SEASON: The open season for lobster runs from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28. Bag limit is three per person per day or six per boat per day, whichever is less. Minimum size is a six-inch tail length. No taking lobsters from Marine Protected Areas. Only spiny lobster may be taken. No wearing gloves while snorkeling. No take of lobster (or any marine life other than lionfish) while scuba diving. CONCH AND WHELK SEASON: The open season for conch and whelk runs from Nov. 1 to April 30. The legal limit for conch is five per person per day or 10 per boat, whichever is less. The limit for whelk catches is two-and-a-half gallons in the shell, or two-and-a-half pounds of processed whelks, per person, per day. DVDL EXTRA: The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing on Crewe Road will be open longer in December. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the office will open as usual at 8:30 a.m. but close later at 7 p.m. All other days the office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. SHAPED BY THE SEA: New exhibition at National Museum, Harbour Drive, celebrating Charles O. “Captain Chuckie” Ebanks. BUY A BAG SALE: The NCVO New to You Thrift Shop hosts a sale now through Dec. 15. Buy a bag for $5 and whatever it holds inside is yours. 90 Anthony Drive, off Smith Road, next to Miss Nadine’s Pre-School. CAYMAN CRAFT: The exhibition, “Revive!” – Celebrating contemporary and traditional craft from the Cayman Islands, is open at the National Gallery. OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS: The Ministry of Education is receiving applications for overseas scholarships for the 2018/2019 academic year. The application period is open until Jan. 31. Anyone planning to apply for a government scholarship for 2018/2019 is invited to complete the Overseas Scholarship Application at www. education.gov.ky. Contact the Scholarships Secretariat for any further information at scholarships@gov.ky or 244-2482. 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 are 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, by email on soci@candw.ky or call 916-2600. CANDLE MAKING: The Visual Arts Society is offering this workshop at Lucky House Pizza on Sundays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Fee of $45 per member or $55 per non-member includes materials for two candles. Parasol painting workshops, 4-6 p.m. Same fee, includes one parasol and paint. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. OPEN STUDIO: Painting, Mondays, 1-4:30 p.m. at Watler House, Pedro Castle grounds. $5 for members, $15 non-members. Fee includes use of studio, easels, painting boards and library. Thursday, 10 a.m. till noon for arts and crafts. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. 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. 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. LIFE UNDERWRITERS ASSOCIATION: Advises all members that the monthly meeting luncheon is held on the last Thursday of each month. YBPW: Meets every third Monday of each month at the Woman’s Resource Centre. SERVICES EL MINISTERIO HISPANO: de la Iglesia Bautista Cayman Islands te hace una cordial invitación a nuestro culto en español cada Domingo, 6:30 p.m., Pedro Castle Road, Savannah. Para transporte, llamar al teléfono no. 946-2422, email: cibaptist@candw.ky. SPANISH WORSHIP SERVICE: First Baptist Church, Crewe Road, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Third Sunday of each month. HARBOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH: Meets for Divine Worship and Fellowship at South Sound Community Centre, South Sound, Sundays at 10 a.m. www. safeharborlc.com. MUSLIM PRAYER: Islamic Society of the Cayman Islands advises 5 times salaat/prayer at the Masjid. Fajr at 6 a.m. Dhuhr at 1:15 p.m. Asr at 5:15 p.m. Maghrib at 7 minutes after sunset. Isha at 8 p.m. website isci.org.ky. CATHOLIC CHURCH: St. Ignatius, Walkers Road, Mass 6 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 6 p.m. Sundays. Christ the Redeemer, West Bay, Mass 9:45 a.m. Sunday. JOHN GRAY MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH: Sunday worship for the family and Children’s Church, 10 a.m. BOATSWAIN BAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Sundays. 10 a.m. Christian Education for all ages; 11 a.m., Morning Worship with nursery for youngsters; 7 p.m. Evening Worship. Visit www.bbpca.org. SUNRISE COMMUNITY CHURCH: Harquail Theater, 10 a.m., contemporary worship. Nursery ministry, children’s church and the Explorers are for ages infant to 11. Community groups meet during the week for fellowship and growth. www.sunrise.ky. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GRAND CAYMAN: Crewe Road. Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Main Worship Service and 6 p.m. Prayer and Praise Service. Sunday school, 9:15 a.m. Praise Factory for children to 4 years old and Children’s Church for 5-11 meet during morning service. Wednesdays 6:15 p.m. All Age Bible Study and Children’s Choir. Fridays, 7 p.m. Youth Group. Contact 949-0692 or www.fbc.org.ky. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. Santa and his elves arrive in George Town at a previous year’s Scubaluminations. The annual event will be held this year on Thursday night, Dec. 14.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 fuel for the commodities futures markets, refuel large ocean- going ships and store and distribute fuel. He said it could also supply the local market. “The majority of it would be fuel brought here in bulk and cut down and distributed to other areas in the region.” David Moffitt, CEO of Ironwood, said the project was not linked to the golf re- sort, which has been granted planning permission but has not commenced. But he said it would help pay for the road extension. He said the site desig- nated for the fuel terminal was previously offered by Dart to government as a po- tential new landfill site. “We have the land under contract – that is why we can make it public,” he said. Lee Hudson, project man- ager on the Kimpton re- sort, now working with Iron- wood, said the land had already undergone an envi- ronmental impact assess- ment for the landfill and was designated for indus- trial use. He accepted that there could be some oppo- sition, given the backlash to plans for a landfill at the same site, but said he hoped it would be minimal. He said the transshipment facility would be an entirely new revenue stream for gov- ernment with the spin-off benefit of bringing cheaper fuel to consumers on island. He said, “The fuel trans- shipment has the ability to provide a revenue stream that should the CIG choose, will pay for the road and pro- vide revenue for an infra- structure fund for the island. “You can’t do the trans- shipment, at least not for the local market, without the road. That is the piece of in- frastructure that everybody at that end of the island is chomping at the bit to have.” CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2017 to hold positions at the forefront of policy making for the benefit of all the citizens of these Islands.” Ms. Rose-Smyth’s res- ignation was submitted in September and effec- tive from mid-October at the close of the last council meeting, but has not been announced publicly, and no decision has been an- nounced on who her suc- cessor will be. The National Conserva- tion Council is facing issues with funding as well as po- litical opposition to some as- pects of the law. Ms. Rose-Smyth revealed at the October meeting of the council that it had been un- able to get a meeting with new Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour since the election in May. Shortly after that meeting, Premier McLaughlin spoke out against the aspect of the law that gives the council power to request environ- mental impact assessments before making a recommen- dation on major development applications, and promised a review of the legislation. Government’s two-year budget also contained no money for land purchases for national protected areas – one of the key projects the council has been involved with since inception. for a lot of the community volunteers who helped to rally and establish the Y. Five years ago is when it actually became a legal organization in the Cayman Islands. There’s a lot of ground work behind the scenes that went into doing that.” The concept for the local YMCA originally came from founding board chairman Pastor Randy Von Kanel, who was inspired by a branch of the service organization in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Mr. Von Kanel visited that Mississippi branch in 1996, and he immediately began to wonder how the Cayman community could be impacted by the same type of organization. That idea would lay dor- mant until 2011, when a group of community-minded individuals met over their concerns regarding Cayman’s youth and violent crime. The YMCA was established in 2012 with a Family Fun Day, and it took over sponsorship of the government’s sports camp programs in 2013. “I didn’t arrive until the end of 2013 and realized that the volunteers are the ones that actually made it happen,” said Mr. Smith. “I had been in the YMCA for 18 years before I came here. My job was really to get the program started. I’ve been extremely ex- cited to see how far we’ve come since then.” Mr. Smith, who began working for the YMCA as a camp counselor in 1995, be- lieves that the organization flourishes as a place where young people can begin a voyage of self-discovery. The first YMCA pro- grams – such as day camps, family fitness, teen leaders and teambuilding – were in- troduced in 2014. The YMCA began operating the govern- ment’s Extended After School Program in 2015, and now it represents 15 government primary and high schools and impacts up to 1,600 kids. “We are making lives better,” said Mr. Smith. “We are inspiring young people – plus a few adults too – to become the best version of themselves. “We are helping the is- land become healthier and stronger. Putting character values into practice have al- ways been, and will always be, the key to us sharing rich and meaningful lives. We’re blessed to be in a very special place, and wise to do all we can to preserve and improve it.” The YMCA launched a traditional Day Camp in Cayman Brac and a Summer Camp Exchange Program for Cayman Brac campers/ Counselors In Training this year. The hope for the fu- ture, the organization says, is to build at least one YMCA facility that can offer a wide range of programs for youth, adults, fami- lies and seniors. “It continues to amaze me how the people of this com- munity get behind so many different initiatives,” said Mr. Smith. “It’s so nice to see how many people have made the Y one of their causes.” Conservation Council chairwoman quits Cayman YMCA celebrates fifth anniversary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 An airline passenger traveling from Cayman Brac to Grand Cayman was ar- rested with about two pounds of co- caine Monday morning, shortly after his arrival at Owen Roberts Interna- tional Airport. The suspect, a 30-year-old man from Bodden Town, was arrested on suspi- cion of drugs possession in a combined police and customs operation. “We have once again seen the ad- vantage of our strategy to significantly increase joint operations with our partner law enforcement agencies such as the RCIPS and Immigration Depart- ment,” Collector of Customs Charles Clifford said. Police said the investigation was continuing and that the suspect had not been charged as of press time Wednesday. WASHINGTON (AP) – Doctors treating the U.S. embassy victims of suspected attacks in Cuba have discovered brain abnormalities as they search for clues to explain hearing, vision, balance and memory damage, The Asso- ciated Press has learned. It’s the most specific finding to date about phys- ical damage, showing that whatever it was that harmed the Americans, it led to perceptible changes in their brains. The finding is also one of several fac- tors fueling growing skepti- cism that some kind of sonic weapon was involved. Medical testing has re- vealed the embassy workers developed changes to the white matter tracts that let different parts of the brain communicate, several U.S. officials said, describing a growing consensus held by university and government physicians researching the attacks. White matter acts like information highways between brain cells. Loud, mysterious sounds followed by hearing loss and earringing had led investi- gators to suspect “sonic at- tacks.” But officials are now carefully avoiding that term. The sounds may have been the byproduct of something else that caused damage, said three U.S. officials briefed on the investigation. They weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly and de- manded anonymity. Physicians, FBI investi- gators and U.S. intelligence agencies have spent months trying to piece together the puzzle in Havana, where the U.S. says 24 U.S. government officials and spouses fell ill starting last year in homes and later in some hotels. Secretary of State Rex Til- lerson said Wednesday he’s “convinced these were tar- geted attacks,” but the U.S. doesn’t know who’s behind them. A few Canadian Em- bassy staffers also got sick. Doctors still do not know how victims ended up with the white matter changes, nor how exactly those changes might re- late to their symptoms. U.S. officials would not say whether the changes were found in all 24 patients. But acoustic waves have never been shown to alter the brain’s white matter tracts, said Elisa Konof- agou, a biomedical engi- neering professor at Co- lumbia University who is not involved in the govern- ment’s investigation. “I would be very sur- prised,” Konofagou said, adding that ultrasound in the brain is used frequently in modern medicine. “We never see white matter tract problems.” Cuba has adamantly denied involvement, and calls the Trump adminis- tration’s claims that U.S. workers were attacked “de- liberate lies.” The new med- ical details may help the U.S. counter Havana’s complaint that Washington hasn’t pre- sented any evidence. Tillerson said the U.S. had shared some informa- tion with Havana, but would not disclose details that would violate privacy or help a perpetrator learn how effective the attacks were. “What we’ve said to the Cubans is: Small island. You’ve got a sophisticated intelligence apparatus. You probably know who’s doing it. You can stop it,” Tillerson said. “It’s as simple as that.” The case has plunged the U.S. medical commu- nity into uncharted terri- tory. Physicians are treating the symptoms like a new, never-seen-before illness. After extensive testing and trial therapies, they are de- veloping the first protocols to screen cases and iden- tify the best treatments – even as the FBI investiga- tion struggles to identify a culprit, method and motive. Doctors treating the vic- tims would not speak to the AP, yet their findings are expected to be discussed in an article being submitted to the Journal of the Amer- ican Medical Association, U.S. officials said. Physi- cians at the University of Miami and the University of Pennsylvania who have treated the Cuba victims are writing it, with input from the State Depart- ment’s medical unit and other government doctors. But the article will not speculate about what tech- nology might have harmed the workers or who would have wanted to target Amer- icans in Cuba. If investiga- tors are any closer to solving those questions, their find- ings won’t be made public. The AP first reported in August that U.S. workers re- ported sounds audible in parts of rooms but inau- dible just a few feet away – unlike normal sound, which disperses in all di- rections. Doctors have now come up with a term for such incidents: “directional acoustic phenomena.” Most patients have fully recovered, some after reha- bilitation and other treat- ment, officials said. Many are back at work. About one- quarter had symptoms that persisted for long periods or remain to this day. Man arrested with cocaine at airport Doctors find brain abnormalities in victims of Cuba embassy mystery Christine Rose-Smyth Bulk fuel depot proposed for Breakers Tourists ride in classic convertible cars on the Malecon beside the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba. – PHOTO: APNext >