ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 High of 87 Low of 74 Rough with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 ANOTHER DELAY ON ROAD TO MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY LOCAL | PAGE 2 CAYMAN RAISES FLAG FOR COMMONWEALTH DAY Cayman Airways grounds its 2 new jets JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Airways has canceled a planned “christening” event to celebrate the arrival of its second Boeing 737 Max 8 jet and tempo- rarily grounded the aircraft amid safety fears following the second fatal crash of the model in less than six months. The national carrier was one of several air- lines worldwide to suspend use of the new jets, which only came into commercial use worldwide in 2017, following a fatal crash in- volving an Ethiopian Airlines jet on Sunday. Cayman Airways is in the process of making adjustments to its flight schedule fol- lowing the decision. The long-term implications for the air- line’s plan to replace its aging fleet of four Boeing 737-300 aircraft with the new model were not immediately clear. Fabian Whorms, CEO of Cayman Airways, said the airline had taken the decision to put safety first and suspend operations of the new planes until more information is available. “We are just taking it one day at a time. We have to find out what happened and take it from there,” he said. “We have had two events that appear sim- ilar with brand-new planes and until we know more, we are not flying them.” There were no immediate announcements about the flight schedule but Mr. Whorms said the airline was working to minimize the im- pact on passengers. The longer reach of the new jets enabled the airline to launch a nonstop route to Denver, Colorado, earlier this month. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed TRADE SCHOOL PLAN TAKES SHAPE Former government youth worker Michael Myles is in the early stages of setting up a vo- cational school to train Caymanians in con- struction, electrical, mechanics, air condi- tioning and other trades. Mr. Myles has been certified as a master trainer by the U.S.-based National Center for Construction Education and Research, and plans to partner with local companies to de- liver vocational training. He has established a business, Inspire Cayman Training, and hopes to begin offering courses in July. Mr. Myles, formerly the at-risk youth of- ficer for government schools, and now school operations manager at Hope Academy, said government statistics showed that more than half of the people coming to Cayman on work permits are taking jobs that do not require a bachelor’s degree. He said many of those were in skilled trades that, with the right training, could Caymanian student heads to Asia on wildlife rescue mission JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com From rescuing injured elephants in Thailand to caring for stray dogs and cats on the streets of Nepal, a young Caymanian vet student is embarking on an exotic volun- teering trip. Melanie Moore developed her passion for caring for animals at Island Veterinary Services, where she has worked as a volunteer and an intern since she was 14. Now she is heading to Asia for six weeks as part of the Ontario Veterinary College’s Global Vets ini- tiative, which allows student vets to provide support to animal health projects in developing countries. Ms. Moore, 24, a second year student at the vet college in Guelph, Ontario, has worked on dog washes and spay-and-neuter programs in Cayman and even volunteered at Big Cat Rescue in Florida. Youth Parliament takes center stage ‘Members’ of the Legislative Assembly stand at attention for the Speaker’s Procession at the beginning of Monday’s Youth Parliament. Students took on the roles of premier, leader of the opposition, speaker of the house, government ministers, MLAs and other officials in the annual parliamentary exercise. This year, the Youth Parliament, held to commemorate Commonwealth Day, debated the use of single-use plastics and the need for youth detention facilities in the Cayman Islands. For more on this story, see page 5. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Melanie Moore worked with exotic animals, like this serval, at Florida’s Big Cat Rescue. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 »2 LOCAL NEWS Situational awareness seminar teaches techniques to prevent violence KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com For many of the teens served by the Cayman Is- lands Crisis Centre, violence and abuse at home, often fu- eled by drugs and alcohol, have long been their norm. And their experiences are not at all uncommon in the Cayman Islands. More than 1,400 domestic abuse cases involving adults and children were reported to the Royal Cayman Islands Police in 2017 – more than double the 676 domestic abuse incidents reported in 2015. Driven by a desire to change the tide and em- power teens, a group from the Crisis Centre’s youth program, the TAYA Lounge, learned self-defense tactics Saturday at CrossFit Cayman in Camana Bay. The two-hour session, led by professional bodyguard Renata Kecskes in honor of International Women’s Day, emphasized a key mes- sage: the best self-defense is knowing how not to fight. Basic situational aware- ness techniques can help avoid violent confrontation altogether. “My biggest nemesis is the general concept that ‘self- defense’ means to know how to fight,” Ms. Kecskes said. “During my interactive seminars, I raise the impor- tance of situational aware- ness that helps you to be out of harm’s way, as the best self-defense is avoidance.” The techniques Ms. Ke- cskes teaches provide valu- able insight, not just for young people, but for women who may find themselves targeted by domestic and sexual violence. She points out that violence against women remains one of the most common human rights abuses in the world. From an attack in a parking lot to an assault at home, she says the greatest weapon a potential victim possesses is their brain. Other items, such as fists or blunt objects, are just tools. Survival often depends on the ability to react quickly and use logic. “You can’t wait for someone to save you. You have to be your own hero,” she told participants on Saturday. She disavows commonly repeated, and flawed ad- vice, such as shouting “Fire!” during a sexual assault. She points out that when neigh- bors look outside and see there is no smoke and no fire, the natural assumption is, there is no danger. She encourages students to get assertive and be pre- pared to fight for their lives, if the situation arises. “It doesn’t take years to learn, require special ath- letic skills, or demand daily practice to know how to pro- tect yourself. It is not based on ‘cool techniques’ seen in movies or on fighting styles suited for martial art compe- titions,” she said. “It relies on what works in a given situation, and there are no rules, except enabling your own protection. When all fails and social skills won’t work, I teach my cli- ents to defeat the threat and stop the violence from hap- pening to them.” Basic self-protection be- gins with awareness of our surroundings: keeping at- tention off cellphones when walking, utilizing peepholes before opening doors to strangers, and trusting a gut feeling that communicates an unsafe situation. Rather than reasoning with attackers, Ms. Kecskes encourages getting tough and being assertive. Instead of asking a stalker to leave, turn and tell the person in a strong voice, “I know you are following me. Keep walking!” She points out that common criminals don’t rely on reason or discipline; they in- stead seek out easy targets. While valuables such as money and jewelry can go, in- dividual lives are priceless. For the teens at the sem- inar, a key message was learning the difference be- tween instigating violence and self-defense. “I always tell the teens, violence is not the an- swer,” said TAYA Lounge coordinator Natalie Baldwin. “They grew up in violence … all they see is violence. So unfortunately, it’s important for them to also learn to de- fend themselves. Self-defense and violence [are] different and it’s an empowering thing to know that you can’t let anyone come and attack you and take control over you.” The TAYA Lounge is a re- cent addition to the Crisis Centre. Situated in Estel- la’s Place, located at Crown Square on Eastern Avenue, the lounge offers a safe place for at-risk youth, ages 14 to 21, to learn life skills and ac- cess therapeutic resources. Saturday’s seminar was just a part of a larger effort to show youth that a dif- ferent path is possible. “I think the main thing I learned is to be really as- sertive, confident and pow- erful whenever you are, like Renata said, being attacked,” Ms. Baldwin said. “There are a lot of life lessons you can use in the real world whenever you are trying to talk to people and communicate. You can be as- sertive with conflict resolu- tion through communication, and the way you stand.” The event was also pro- moted by the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Grand Cayman, a supporter of the Crisis Centre and the TAYA Lounge. “We’ve just been trying to think outside the box. What knowledge can we impart that [young people] can ac- tually use on a day-to-day basis? I thought, I’ve done this class before and it was so good, just being able to hear your own voice some- times and speaking up like that,” said BPW member Can- dice Czeremuszkin. “It’s just empowering.” For more information on RenataK Self-Protection Int. and Ms. Kecskes’s seminars, email renatak.selfprotectionint@gmail.com. TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS • Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 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 - 640-FILM (640-3456) CAPTAIN MARVEL (PG13) 12:30 VIP I 1:10 3D I 3:25 VIP I 4:05 7:00 3D I 9:50 I 9:55 VIP A MADEA FAMILY FUNERAL (PG13) 1:10 I 3:45 I 6:45 I 9:20 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD (PG) 1:30 I 9:15 3D FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY (PG13) 1:55 I 7:20 ALITA BATTLE ANGEL (PG13) 1:10 I 4:10 I 7:10 I 10:00 WHAT MEN WANT (R) 4:30 I 10:00 CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA: GOLDENEYE (PG13) 7:00 VIP Cayman raises flag for Commonwealth Day KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com Just before the clock struck 10 a.m. on Monday, Governor Martyn Roper raised the Commonwealth flag in front of the Govern- ment Administration Building as members of government and the public looked on. Cayman was joined by Commonwealth jurisdictions around the world that par- ticipated in the same cere- monial flag-raising in obser- vance of Commonwealth Day. “Today we number over 2.4 billion people, a third of the world’s population. We all have something spe- cial to offer,” said the Royal Commonwealth Society’s local representative, Le- muel Hurlston, marking the occasion. “By working to- gether in practical ways and by interacting and cooper- ating across national bound- aries, we build and sustain a more strongly connected Commonwealth.” This year’s Common- wealth Day is the 70th an- niversary since the 1949 London Declaration, which created the Commonwealth as it is known today. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 sovereign states, most of them former British colonies or dependencies. As a cur- rent British Overseas Ter- ritory, Cayman is not tech- nically a member state, but still participates in many Commonwealth events and is considered a part of the “Commonwealth family,” ac- cording to the Common- wealth declaration. Commonwealth Day was formerly known as Empire Day until 1958. Mr. Hurlston said the flag- raising acknowledges Cay- man’s commitment to the same principles the polit- ical group was created to pursue 70 years ago: peace, liberty and progress. Along with Mr. Hurlston’s speech, a Commonwealth affirmation was also read by Girl Guides member Adelaide Walton. “ You can’t wait for someone to save you. You have to be your own hero.” RENATA KECSKES, professional bodyguard Teens learn the best self-defense is avoidance The Commonwealth flag, right, flies outside the Cayman Islands Government Administration Building Monday, along the Cayman and British flags. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Self-defense students learn to drop and square their hips to create balance and prevent an assailant from dragging a would-be victim away from behind. - PHOTO: KAYLA YOUNG3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 The Office of Education Standards gave the Lighthouse School a ‘good’ rating in its latest school inspection report. Lighthouse School gets ‘good’ rating MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com Lighthouse School has be- come the first Cayman Is- lands Government school to earn a “good” rating under the new framework for school inspections that was ad- opted last year. In a report issued last week, the Office of Education Standards judged the school to be good in eight out of 12 areas that it assessed. It scored excellent in two areas and satisfactory in the re- maining two. Lighthouse School pro- vides services for students with moderate to severe learning disabilities and is the only government school that accepts students of all ages, from 5-17. There are 110 stu- dents at the school, with 18 teachers and 37 support staff. “Exceptionally strong guidance and support en- abled students of all abilities to thrive,” the report said. “The principal and senior leaders had created a culture of high expectations where every stu- dent mattered, and this vision was embraced by all staff.” School officials had not re- sponded to requests for com- ment from the Cayman Com- pass by press time. The report rated the school good in the following catego- ries: Students’ attainment and progress in English mathe- matics and science; positive behavior for good learning; civic and environmental un- derstanding; teaching and learning; curriculum quality; health and safety; leadership; and self-evaluation and im- provement planning. Inspectors found the school was excellent in connecting with the community and in of- fering support and guidance. It scored satisfactory ratings in staffing, as it relates to the learning environment and as- sessing students. In evaluating student achievement, inspectors said, “High-quality support con- tributed to the strong prog- ress made by [autistic] and [moderate learning difficulty] students. Students were devel- oping literacy skills, including a love of reading, as they en- joyed listening to stories.” By Year 9, according to the report, students with mod- erate difficulties “could pro- duce a descriptive piece of writing using a range of punc- tuation and vocabulary.” Even students with severe learning disabilities “could write a fac- tual piece about a wild an- imal” by Year 11. Last fall, the school an- nounced that, for the first time, seven of its students had passed the City & Guilds exams, allowing them to con- tinue their education at the Cayman Islands Further Edu- cation Centre. In a survey of 42 par- ents, overall satisfaction for the school was 90 percent, with only one person saying they did not agree it was doing a good job and one other answering “not sure.” The amount of homework re- ceived the biggest negative re- sponse among parents, with 20 people saying it was not appropriate. Teachers and staff were similarly pleased with the school’s performance. Of 54 respondents, all but one said Lighthouse was doing a good job. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MEALS ON WHEELS DRIVE More than 250 volunteers will be out and about later this month to raise money to feed housebound and disabled seniors throughout Cayman. “¢hange for Change Coin Drive” takes place on March 22 and 23 across 30 pre-ap- proved locations. “Meals on Wheels is re- questing that all service groups, corporate teams and individuals sign-up for two hours on those dates to vol- unteer their time to assist in collecting coins and dona- tions from the community,” said Erin Bodden, Meals on Wheels general manager. All volunteers will be pro- vided a pre-assigned collec- tion bucket, volunteer T-shirt, instructions and lapel stickers to hand out to those who do- nate. The Meals on Wheels program feeds more than 230 seniors, five days per week across Grand Cayman. Meals on Wheels receives a quarter of its funding from the Cayman Islands govern- ment, with the balance made up from donations, sponsor- ship and fundraisers, such as the annual coin drive. “There is an 80-person waiting list in West Bay alone, which we cannot begin to serve until we are able to raise more funds at fundraisers like this one,” Ms. Bodden said. “It only costs $5 per day to supply a senior in need with a hot nutritious meal and a soup, delivered by one of our 100 delivery volunteers.” This is the second year that Davenport Development Ltd. is sponsoring the “¢hange for Change Coin Drive.” The company’s sponsorship helps to cover the cost of executing the event, including volunteer shirts, lapel stickers and more. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up online at www.mealsonwheels.ky, or contact info@mealsonwheels.ky or 769-1974 for more information. A donor gives to a Meal on Wheels volunteer at last year’s coin drive.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. TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS “To promise better treatment of our mentally ill and not follow through would be seen as a failure to the people of the Cayman Islands.” – Compass editorial, Nov. 27, 2007 “It’s very frustrating for me, but much more frus- trating for the patients. People are asking about this on a daily basis: ‘Where are they with this facility? We heard about it a year ago.’” – Mental Health Commission Chairman Dr. Marc Lockhart On its face, the project does not seem too terribly complicated. A central building, a handful of small cottages surrounded by gardens and grounds – essen- tial elements that are common to many planned devel- opments here on Grand Cayman. But our community has been waiting for years for this particular project to come to fruition: A therapeutic residential facility where islanders who have serious and persistent illness can receive ongoing care and support. As all should well know after years of discussion, such a facility would fill a critical need for our popula- tion. So it is doubly frustrating to learn government has once again gone back to the drawing board in re- issuing a request for bids. As we reported this week, officials did not confirm for the Compass why the retendering was neces- sary, but Cayman Islands Mental Health Commis- sion Chairman Dr. Marc Lockhart, who is close to the project, told the Compass earlier that last year’s pre- liminary bids came in costing too much. Jennifer Ahearn, the Ministry of Health’s chief officer, says government remains committed to building the new facility. Interested bidders will have until March 22 to submit proposals for the project, which was broken down this time into five separate elements. We hope that is enough to bring this long- promised facility into use. This is not the first time we have been assured that a solution was on the horizon. Searching through the Compass archives, one will find periodic commitments to provide on-island facilities for residents with long- term mental health conditions. When this most recent iteration was approved nearly a year ago, we were told groundbreaking would take place in the summer of 2018, with the doors opening for residents this spring. No one disputes that the current arrangement of sending patients to facilities in Jamaica or the United States is untenable and causes considerable expense and hardship. So why has it been so hard to get this project off the ground? As the Compass editorial board wrote so succinctly more than a decade ago – to promise and not deliver this vital facility serving such a vulnerable segment of our population would be a failure to the people of the Cayman Islands. One of the defining characteristics of a good and responsible government is its attentiveness to the needs of its people. One of its core functions is carrying out those responsibilities which cannot be dis- charged reasonably by the individual or profitably by private enterprise. This project clearly fits well within that scope. Another delay on road to mental health facility China’s race to control blockchain JOSH ROGIN The grand, strategic competition between the United States and China will be won or lost based on who controls the rules and systems that govern 21st-century commerce, communications and se- curity. Washington can no longer ignore that China is way ahead on the core tech- nology that will underpin those systems: blockchain. Last month, the Trump administration finally is- sued a broad U.S. plan for the development of artifi- cial intelligence. But there’s no U.S. government strategy at all for blockchain. Mean- while, the Chinese govern- ment’s blockchain effort is already well under way. “Ever since the start of the 21st century, a new gen- eration of industrial rev- olution is substantially reshaping the global eco- nomic structure,” based on artificial intelligence, the internet of things and blockchain, Chinese Pres- ident Xi Jinping told the Chinese Academy of Sci- ences in May. Blockchain is often de- scribed as “an open, dis- tributed ledger that can re- cord transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and perma- nent way.” It is a core tech- nology for Web 3.0, the in- frastructure of the next generation of online con- nectedness. For Western so- cieties, blockchain is trans- formative in that it can be used to distribute power, which in turn can promote rule of law, fight corruption and crime, and protect dig- ital identity and privacy. That is not how Beijing sees it, though. If China can be first and build a blockchain system it con- trols, such as its own state- controlled internet, Beijing will be able to use the tech- nology to repress its people, expand its influence and subvert the Western rule- of-law based system. Days after Xi’s remarks, state-controlled media organ CCTV ran a one-hour special explaining that “the value of blockchain is 10 times that of the internet.” In that program, Chinese official Xu Hao said that the Chinese government’s vision for blockchain was not “decentralization,” but “de-intermediarization.” “There is no way to get rid of the center,” he said. The Chinese govern- ment’s blockchain strategy has been twofold: investing heavily in blockchain de- velopment, innovation and implementation while also cracking down on block- chain systems it cannot control. Blockchain devel- opment is part of China’s “13th Five-Year Plan.” The Chinese government has invested billions in block- chain partnerships with Chinese firms. Through 2017, China filed more blockchain-related patents than any other country. Last year, the China De- velopment Bank signed a memorandum of under- standing for blockchain re- search collaboration with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. On the local government level, China is now imple- menting blockchain for supply chain management, tax collection, food and drug safety, and more. As the Na- tional Interest reported, China’s People’s Liberation Army is already working on how to weaponize block- chain for “gray zone” at- tacks, meaning cyber and information warfare. Meanwhile, Beijing has outlawed most crypto-cur- rencies such as Bitcoin and begun banning all vir- tual currency exchanges, deemed a threat to gov- ernment control over the economy. The Chinese gov- ernment is reportedly devel- oping its own central bank- backed blockchain currency. Beijing is also cracking down on blockchain users’ privacy and free speech. In January, the Chinese gov- ernment issued regulations requiring blockchain com- panies to collect users’ pri- vate data, make that data available to authorities and censor user content. The South China Morning Post wrote that that might be a response to a Chinese woman posting an open letter alleging sexual ha- rassment at her univer- sity on a blockchain after being censored on other social media. Experts warn that the Chinese government is not just regulating blockchain for internal repression. Beijing is investing huge amounts of time and ef- fort to develop blockchain technologies that can be used to exert Chinese influ- ence abroad. While West- erners envision blockchain- based Web 3.0 as an open system, China could build a closed blockchain that it controls and corrupts for its own purposes. For example, Beijing could build a closed block- chain to manage the flow of goods, services and funds through its multitrillion- dollar One Belt, One Road initiative. Everyone would have to use that system, and the Chinese govern- ment could abuse its con- trol by inserting back doors – enabling data theft, intel- ligence gathering, cyberat- tacks and more. The United States is way behind, but it’s not too late. Last month, the Chamber for Digital Commerce is- sued a National Action Plan for Blockchain, a call to action for the U.S. gov- ernment. The Trump ad- ministration should pivot from a regulation-based ap- proach to one that supports blockchain technology de- velopment and innovation through a coordinated in- teragency strategy, the paper argues. If the Chinese govern- ment is able to control the way blockchain is devel- oped and governed world- wide, that would be a grave and long-term threat to U.S. and international economic and national security. Josh Rogin is a columnist for the Global Opinions section of The Washington Post. © 2019, The Washington Post Writers Group. If China can be first and build a blockchain system it controls, such as its own state- controlled internet, Beijing will be able to use the technology to repress its people, expand its influence and subvert the Western rule-of-law based system. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited 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 EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 Fueled by HR Competencies SHRM certification Is powered by the SHRM 8ody of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK”) which was developed and validated by more than 40,000 HR professionals. Engineered by Experts 79 subject matter exports (SMEs) from around the world came together to develop the first-ever SHRM certification exams. Twice per year. SMEs ''write new questions to refresh the exam. Recognized by HR and Employers The fastest-growing program in the HR certification community. Meets the Highest Standards The SHRM·CP and SHRM-SCP exams are accredited by the Bures Center for Testing. the global leader In evaluating the psychometric quality of examinations. Youth Parliament takes center stage SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The ideas are the same but delivered with the force of youthful exuberance. The voices of Cayman’s future stepped up to lead the Legislative Assembly Monday, when the 12th Youth Parliament of the Cayman Is- lands took place to commem- orate Commonwealth Day. The event, which invites high school and college stu- dents to mirror the Legis- lative Assembly and debate issues facing this jurisdic- tion, gave a sneak preview of what tomorrow’s leaders may sound like. Barbara Conolly, Min- istry of Education coun- cilor and George Town South MLA, gave introductory com- ments Monday and noted that the Youth Parliament had its highest ever turnout – 27 youth representatives – with 16 members of the del- egation being young women. Women represented the Youth Parliament in posi- tions of leadership, such as premier, speaker of the house, deputy speaker and deputy leader of the oppo- sition, and Ms. Conolly was thrilled by the diversity. “As we strive for gender equality in the world, let us commend these young women in the roles they have chosen in this debate,” said Ms. Conolly to the Youth Par- liament. “You are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects bal- ance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence.” Students from John Gray, Clifton Hunter and Prospect Primary schools filled the gal- lery on Monday, as the Youth Parliament debated a regula- tion on the usage of plastic bags and the need for imple- mentation of a juvenile deten- tion and youth rehabilitation center for the Cayman Islands. Premier Alden McLaughlin spoke just before the pro- ceedings began, praising to- day’s youth for being more engaged in issues than gen- erations past. “You believe, like no other generation before you, that equality is a God-given right, regardless of your color, re- gardless of your ethnicity, regardless of your gender, and regardless of your sexual orientation,” said Mr. McLaughlin to the assembled youth delegates. “The future of this country is bright. It is secure because you care more about the things that are important, the things that are sustainable, that will allow this country to endure not just for the next generation, but for gen- erations to come,” he added. Richard Weber, who for the purposes of the gathering was the youth minister of en- vironment and representative for George Town West, spoke early in the proceedings in favor of a bill to regulate the use of single-use plastics in Cayman. He said that plas- tics inevitably end up being consumed by animal and fish species and then by hu- mans at the other end of the food chain, creating un- speakable and unpredictable health problems. “We need to stand in sol- idarity amongst government and amongst opposition to recognize the truth [that] a matter of such importance is beyond petty party poli- tics,” Mr. Weber said. “This is a matter that affects our health, the health of our chil- dren and the health of our children’s children.” Alexandra Rodrigues, the youth representative for Pros- pect, noted that the opposi- tion concedes that plastics are a serious environmental con- cern. But the question, Ms. Ro- drigues noted, is not whether something should be done, but whether the proposed leg- islation will make an impact. The bill, Ms. Rodrigues said, aims to ban plastic bags from supermarkets checkout counters, but not all plastic bags used in local stores. In fact, she said, it lists nine dif- ferent exemptions for using plastic bags. “Is the government’s bill, as currently presented, the solution? How much real dif- ference can it make in re- ducing the use of plastic bags and, even more importantly, how much difference will it make in reducing the overall quantity of pollution by plas- tics?” she asked. “I would say ‘Not enough.’ “My position, Madame Speaker, is that the govern- ment’s bill in its current form and its current focus is inade- quate, insufficient and, there- fore, needs to be amended.” The bill on the regulation of plastic bags passed fol- lowing a vote by members. The debate on the need for a juvenile detention and youth rehabilitation center was continuing at press time. The event, which invites high school and college students to mirror the Legislative Assembly and debate issues facing this jurisdiction, gave a sneak preview of what tomorrow’s leaders may sound like. Youth Parliament Premier Kiarilyn Reyes listens as members of the delegation make their arguments regarding the use of single-use plastics in Cayman. – PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY Richard Weber, the Youth Parliament’s minister of health, spoke in favor of a resolution limiting the use of single-use plastics. Shanell Martinez, the Speaker of the Youth Parliament, presides over the debate on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on Monday.TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS 6 LOCAL NEWS T he Pink Ladies teamed up with the Cayman Is- lands Humane Society to celebrate International Women’s Day by hosting an outdoor fashion show and clothes sale at a home in West Bay, with all the money raised going to charity. The event, held on Saturday, featured designer outfits from Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and others. Check out these photos and others by visiting caymancompass.com/photogalleries or on facebook.com/caycompass (and don’t forget to tag yourself and your friends!) Models of all ages displayed designer outfits at the fundraiser fashion show. Designer outfits abounded on the catwalk. The models make a final lap of honor on the catwalk. A model takes to the ‘catwalk’ at a private home in North West Point Road. A model shows one of the designer outfits featured at the Pink Ladies Fashion Show.A model walks past ladies attending the show. Pink Ladies director Faye Lippitt talks to the audience at the start of the show. Dr. Virginia Hobday and Margaret Rewalt Rosemary Becerra and Manuela Nemes have a chat before the show begins. Derryn Sell, Colette Byrne, Natasha Playne and Anne Frawley were among the attendees at Saturday’s fashion show. Former Ford model Christel Ibsen was on hand to support the fashion show. - PHOTOS: MAGGIE JACKSONThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 provide lucrative careers for Caymanians. Citing sta- tistics from the U.S., he said there were 30 million jobs in that country paying more than $55,000 a year that did not require a degree. He be- lieves the picture is sim- ilar in Cayman. “The last time I had my air conditioning fixed, I called a company and they sent a guy out for two hours and it cost me $400,” he said. “There are people making a lot of money in the trades and we need to do more to help our young people take advantage of those opportu- nities. At the moment, there is limited access to accred- ited training programs in vo- cational fields.” He said the National Center for Construction Ed- ucation and Research certifi- cation system would enable students to earn a qualifica- tion that they could use to get employment in Cayman or in the U.S., where the ac- creditation is accepted. He hopes to recruit two full-time staff and use in- dustry professionals to teach specific courses. He said the NCCER approach al- lowed students to learn di- rectly from people working in the trades. “I want to bring in pro- fessionals from the industry and train them up to pro- vide the curriculum. We have some of the best contractors in this country – plumbers, electricians, HVAC [air con- ditioning] technicians. That gives us a huge advantage.” Mr. Myles is currently in negotiations over a lease agreement for a space for the training center. He said the aim was for the project to be self funding, with students paying or using government scholarships to fund their instruction. Depending on interest, he said the course offering would include carpentry, construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, automo- tive, light repair and scuba diving. There will also be a “core curriculum” course and a “tools for success” soft skills course, which will be mandatory for all students to brush up on the basic aca- demic and technical require- ments of the trades, as well as their employability skills. Caribbean Utilities Com- pany already uses the same accreditation company, NCCER, for its trainee pro- grams, and is on board as a training sponsor for Inspire Cayman Training. Mr. Myles says he is discussing further collaboration opportunities with the company. He also hopes to partner with the new Workforce Opportuni- ties and Residency Cayman department to provide poten- tial students and ensure the center is eligible for govern- ment scholarship spending. He believes training more young people will help solve a variety of social problems. “This isn’t something that I have just dreamt up last night,” Mr. Myles said. “It comes from multiple re- ports about how to deal with crime and social problems in the Cayman Islands, it comes from the ESO [Economics and Statistics Office] statis- tics that have highlighted where the problems are and where the solutions are. We have to look at the gaps in the employment market and position our kids to take ad- vantage of them.” shortly after takeoff from the Addis Ababa airport Sunday morning, killing all 149 pas- sengers and eight crew- members. The plane had been in service for less than two months. The tragedy was the second crash in five months involving the 737 Max 8 air- craft, the latest model off the Boeing production line. A Lion Air jet went down in similar circumstances shortly after take-off in Indonesia last Oc- tober, killing 189 people. Cayman Airways was among multiple airlines, in- cluding all Chinese state- owned airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and South African carrier Comair, to ground the aircraft model following Sun- day’s crash. Several major airlines, in- cluding American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which serve routes to the Cayman Islands, were con- tinuing to operate the aircraft as of Monday. Southwest Airlines, which operates 34 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft and has report- edly used the model on its Cayman routes in the past, is- sued a statement saying, “We have been in contact with Boeing and will continue to stay close to the investigation as it progresses. We remain confident in the safety and airworthiness of our entire fleet of more than 750 Boeing 737 aircraft, and we don’t have any changes planned to 737 MAX operation.” Norwegian Airlines, Air Italy and WestJet are among the airlines that continue to operate the Max 8 aircraft. An investigation into the cause of the crash in Addis Ababa is being led by Ethio- pian authorities coordinating with teams of experts from Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. In a statement Sunday evening, Cayman Airways CEO Mr. Whorms said the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority would be moni- toring the investigation. “While the cause of this sad loss is undetermined at this time, we stand by our commit- ment to putting the safety of our passengers and crew first by maintaining complete and undoubtable safe operations, and as such, we have taken the decision to suspend opera- tions of both our new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, effec- tive from Monday, March 11, 2019, until more information is received,” he said. “We offer our valued cus- tomers our continued assur- ance that all prudent and necessary actions required for the safe operation of our Max 8’s will be accomplished before the aircraft are re- turned to service,” There is currently no clear information about the cause of the Ethiopia crash and no evidence, as yet, of a direct link with the cause of the In- donesia incident. However, the fact that both flights took place on a new model air- craft that saw its first flight less than two years ago has caused alarm. “It’s highly suspicious,” Mary Schiavo, an aviation analyst and the former In- spector General of the U.S. Transportation Department, told CNN. “Here we have a brand-new aircraft that’s gone down twice in a year. That rings alarm bells in the aviation industry, because that just doesn’t happen.” In a separate incident this weekend, a Cayman Air- ways plane suffered minor damage when it was struck by a fuel truck at Miami Air- port on Saturday evening. The plane has been repaired and is back in service. But nothing in her short career so far has prepared her for what awaits at the Wildlife Friends Founda- tion, where she could be working on anything from el- ephants and tigers to snakes and gibbons. The center rescues and re- habilitates animals from the illegal pet trade, as well as from rogue tourism facilities. It also employs vets to work in the field, assisting sick or injured animals. Ms. Moore, who will travel to Thailand in May for four weeks along with three of her fellow students, said she was excited to work with such a diverse range of animals. “I think it will be life- changing,” she said. “I have always had a pas- sion to make a difference, es- pecially in local communi- ties. I have worked with Dr. Brenda [Bush] on grassroots initiatives in Cayman, dog washes and spay-and-neuter programs. Being able to make a difference is what keeps me going every day.” Ms. Moore and her fellow students will head straight from Thailand to Kath- mandu, the capital of Nepal, where they will work with the KAT treatment center, which attempts to pro- vide care to the more than 22,000 stray dogs roaming the streets. Ms. Moore said, “They go into the streets and treat cats and dogs with minimum equipment.” She hopes her research into the spread of dis- eases through parasites among animals will also be useful in Nepal. “A lot of these animals live very closely to humans and the parasites the dogs carry can be passed on to humans, so it is a public health con- cern as well,” she said. Ms. Moore added that she was thankful to her par- ents Lorna Walton and Allan Moore for supporting her passion, and to Dr. Brenda Bush at Island Vets for being a mentor since she was a teenager. Dr. Bush said she expects great things from her protege. “She is going to surpass anything I have ever done in life,” she said. “I am so proud of her and her poten- tial. She started here when she was in the ninth grade. Normally we don’t take stu- dents that young, but she has such a passion for veteri- nary medicine.” Anyone who wants to help support the trip or any of the charities involved can contact Ms. Moore at melanie.moore094@hotmail.com. Cayman Airways grounds its 2 new jets The first Boeing 737 Max 8 in the Cayman Airways fleet comes in to land at Owen Roberts International Airport in late November last year. The second Max 8 arrived last Thursday. Both planes are now temporarily out of service. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Trade school plan takes shape CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Caymanian student heads to Asia on wildlife rescue mission Caymanian student Melanie Moore, second from left, is heading to Asia with fellow vet students to assist with animal welfare projects in the region. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Melanie Moore with her mentor Dr. Brenda Bush, of Island Vets. - PHOTO: JAMES WHITTAKERThe 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. TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS THURSDAY, MARCH 14 PIANO RECITAL: 5:30-7:30 p.m. at George Town Public Library. Cayman Arts Festival showcases young Caymanian pianists who will present a concert- competition with a prize of a two-week scholarship at the International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New York. The concert- competition will be followed by Matei Varga’s piano recital. Tickets available at the door. $20 for adults, $5 for children. There will be only 75 tickets available. FRIDAY, MARCH 15 CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP: The Church of God Holiness in Red Bay holds training sessions for volunteers, Sunday School teachers and youth workers. Training will take place Friday 5:30-9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A contribution of $10 per person is requested. Register via email at cefcayman@gmail.com or phone 926-1541. HONOURING WOMEN MONTH LUNCHEON: A luncheon featuring speakers, networking and celebration, with a focus on leadership, empowerment and progress. Noon to 2 p.m. Aurea East, Kimpton Seafire resort. $25 tickets include 3-course lunch, door prizes and raffle. Group bookings available, tables seat 10. For more information, send an email to hwm@gov.ky. SUNDAY, MARCH 17 COLOUR ME PURPLE RUN: The Family Resource Centre is hosting its annual 5K walk/run as part of Honouring Women Month, 6:30 a.m., Seven Mile Public Beach. Funds support empowerment programs for women and youth in the community. $25 registration includes T-shirt (for the first 200 paid registrants), raffle prizes and light refreshments. There will be color bombing, breakfast and medals for runners, as well as raffle prizes. Register at www. caymanactive.com/purple. SUMMER INTERNSHIP: Training opportunities exist for young people through the Summer in the City Internship Program at Cayman Enterprise City. Application deadline is March 17. For more information, visit www.caymanenterprisecity.com/ enterprise-cayman/intern- in-the-city or contact Bianca Mora, public engagement officer at CEC, at b.mora@ caymanenterprisecity.com. TUESDAY, MARCH 19 SEAFARERS ASSOCIATION: Members are advised that the March Social will be held on March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Seafarers Hall, 11 Victory Ave. Prospect. Buses will be provided from West Bay Town Hall at 6 p.m. A bus route has been added in George Town, leaving the Public Library parking area at 7 p.m., stopping at Cayman Compass building and the Airport Fosters. The bus is marked Bobo $1 Public transport and is blue in color. There is no charge. THURSDAY, MARCH 21 BULLYING: The Ministry of Community Affairs and the Alex Panton Foundation host a presentation on bullying at Webster United Church Hall in Bodden Town. 6:30-8 p.m. All are invited. FRIDAY, MARCH 22 MEALS ON WHEELS: Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels needs 250-plus volunteers for its annual “¢hange for Change Coin Drive” to raise money to feed housebound and disabled seniors. The coin drive takes place on March 22 and 23 across 30 locations. Service groups, corporate teams and individuals are invited to sign up for two hours on those dates to assist in collecting donations. Volunteers will be provided a collection bucket, T-shirt, instructions and lapel stickers. Sign up online at www.mealsonwheels.ky, or contact info@mealsonwheels.ky or 769-1974 for more information. SATURDAY, MARCH 23 RED SKY AT NIGHT: 4 p.m. to midnight. Rescheduled from March 2. More than 100 artists and artisans, delicious food, live entertainment. All tickets will be valid for the new date. Members of the public who are unable to attend today and would like a refund, contact cncf@artscayman.org. KIWANIBIKE: Pre-registration 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Strand. Fee of $25 includes T-shirt, refreshments and raffle entry. To register and for more information, visit www.kiwanis.ky. SUNDAY, MARCH 24 KIWANIBIKE: Participants may drop off their bike at Smith Cove between 5:30 and 6 a.m. and the bikes will be transported to the Blow Holes. Participants may then take a special bus to the Blow Holes in East End where the ride back to Smith Cove begins at 7 a.m. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 PEDRO AND PARK CLOSED: The Pedro St. James National Historic Site and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park will be closed to the public on Wednesday and Thursday, March 27 and 28 to facilitate the Royal Visit. Both attractions will reopen for business as usual on Friday, March 29. BPW AGM: The Annual General Meeting and Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony for the Business and Professional Women’s Club takes place upstairs at the George Town Yacht Club restaurant. Dinner is $50. Email info@bpwgcm.org for details. SATURDAY, APRIL 6 ORCHID SHOW: Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park today and tomorrow (Sunday), 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 9 BULLYING: The Ministry of Community Affairs and the Alex Panton Foundation hosts a presentation on bullying at John Gray Memorial Church in West Bay. 6:30-8 p.m. All are invited. GENERAL INTEREST LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Applications are now being accepted for the Ministry of Education’s local scholarships. Eligible Caymanian students and adults are invited to apply until April 30. Funding is available for Year 12 students to pursue studies in A-level and BTEC Level 3 Extended for two years, and Year 13 students to pursue studies in Advanced Placement, CAPE and International Baccalaureate courses. Government will also award scholarships for certificate, associate, bachelor, master and law degree programs at ICCI, UCCI, UWI Open Campus, St. Matthew’s University and the Cayman Islands Law School. The online application for local scholarships may be accessed at www.education. gov.ky/scholarships. For more information, contact the Scholarship Secretariat at 244-2482 or email scholarships@gov.ky. LOCAL HARVEST MARKET: Local farmers sell their produce and farmed goods at Camana Bay on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Heliconia Court (located next to Scotiabank). SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Be a volunteer for athlete training at Truman Bodden Sports Complex. Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. for track, bocce and football, and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. for basketball. Swimming on Wednesdays at the Lions Pool 10-11 a.m. or on Saturdays at the Cayman International School pool, 9:30 a.m. Email soci@candw.ky or call 916-2600. 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. ART OPEN CANVAS: At KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay, Wednesdays 7-11 p.m. Artists of all levels are welcome to come and enjoy painting and socializing with other artists. Includes use of easels, lights, space, beverage ticket. No fee. For more information, contact info@visualartcayman.com or jar.was@gmail.com. VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY: Adult Open Studio available to those who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere. Wednesdays for adults, 9 a.m. till noon. Thursdays Adults and Youth, 10 a.m. till noon. Watler House Art Studio, Pedro St. James. Fee is $5/$15 pp for ceramics. $15/$25 pp non-members. Includes use of studio, glazes and ceramic tools. Clay available $30 per bag/fee for kiln usage. To register, call 546-9422 or email info@visualartcayman.com. SEAFARERS HALL: The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association wishes to inform the community that the hall is now available for rent every day of the week, including Saturdays. THRIFT SHOP: One Dog at a Time’s New To U shop is now located at JJT Warehouses, Row 2, Unit 2 on Industrial Way. Open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Variety of items available, including men’s, women’s, children’s and baby clothes, shoes, household, electrical items, CDs, DVDs, books, home furnishings, toys, games, furniture, baby cribs, car seats, dog beds and more. 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 Street. 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-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. For more information, email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc. in good condition needed. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. Call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centered 12-step recovery group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Tuesdays, 7:15 p.m. For details, contact Vanessa Gilman at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at ADACI’s office, 4th floor, Cardinall Plaza, 30 Cardinall Ave., George Town. Call 924-4170 or email info@adacayman.com. GRAND CAYMAN TOASTMASTERS: Club meets each Thursday 6-7:15 p.m. on 3rd Floor, George Town Public Library. Visitors and guests welcome. Contact George R. Ebanks at 322-9369 or Grand Cayman Toastmasters club on Facebook. Email info@ toastmastersclub2686.org. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. Volunteers throw purple powder as runners take part in last year’s ‘Colour Me Purple’ run. This year’s run, hosted by the Family Resource Centre, takes place on Sunday, March 17. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2019 Rainstorms kill 7 in Sao Paulo area Heavy rains have caused the deaths of at least seven people in and around Brazil’s largest city. The Sao Paulo state fire department said on Monday that four people died when a house collapsed in the city of Ribeirao Pires, on the outskirts of the megalopolis. In Loving Memory Of a Loving Husband and Father Rayas Dixon Who passed away 13 sad years ago. Your memories still remain in our hearts. It seems as if it was just yesterday since you le us. And we will always remember the good times we shared together Sadly missed by your loving Wife Gaynell Dixon Daughters; Linda , Jessica & Mareta Sons; Ronnie, Robert & Roderick Flight recorders found in Ethiopia crash EJERE, Ethiopia (AP) – Au- thorities in Ethiopia, China and Indonesia grounded all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft Monday following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet- liner that killed 157 people, and investigators found the flight recorders from the field where the plane went down. The new plane crashed shortly after takeoff in clear weather outside Addis Ababa on Sunday, and the airline de- cided to ground its remaining four 737 Max 8s until further notice as “an extra safety pre- caution,” spokesman Asrat Begashaw said. Ethiopian Airlines had been using five of the planes and awaiting delivery of 25 more. As Ethiopia observed a day of mourning, Red Cross workers slowly picked through the widely scat- tered debris near the black- ened crash crater, looking for the remains of those aboard, while heavy machinery dug for larger pieces of the plane. The plane’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders were found, Ethiopian Airlines said. An airline official, how- ever, said one of the recorders was partially damaged and “we will see what we can re- trieve from it.” The official spoke on condition of ano- nymity for lack of authoriza- tion to speak to the media. Ethiopian authorities are leading the investigation into the crash, assisted by the U.S., Kenya and others. “These kinds of things take time,” Kenya’s Transport Minister James Macharia told reporters. Sunday’s crash was strik- ingly similar to that of a Lion Air jet of the same Boeing model in Indonesian seas last year, killing 189 people. The crash was likely to renew questions about the 737 Max 8, the newest version of Boe- ing’s popular single-aisle airliner, which was first in- troduced in 1967 and has become the world’s most common passenger jet. Safety experts cautioned against drawing too many comparisons between the two crashes until more is known about the disaster. Besides the groundings in China and Indonesia, Caribbean carrier Cayman Airways temporarily grounded their Max 8s. People from 35 countries died in the crash six minutes after the plane took off from Ethiopia’s capital for Nai- robi. Ethiopian Airlines said the senior pilot issued a dis- tress call and was told to re- turn but all contact was lost shortly afterward. The plane plowed into the ground at Hejere near Bishoftu, scat- tering debris, like a shredded book, a battered passport and business cards in mul- tiple languages. Kenya lost 32 people, more than any country. Relatives of 25 of the victims had been contacted, Macharia said, and taking care of their welfare was of utmost importance. “Some of them, as you know, they are very dis- tressed,” he said. “They are in shock like we are. They are grieving.” In Addis Ababa, members of an association of Ethio- pian airline pilots cried un- controllably for their dead colleagues. Framed photos of seven crewmembers sat in chairs at the front of a crowded room. Canada, Ethiopia, the U.S., China, Italy, France, Britain, Egypt, Germany, India and Slovakia all lost four or more citizens. Leaders of the United Na- tions, the U.N. refugee agency and the World Food Program said colleagues had been on the plane. The U.N. migra- tion agency estimated that 19 U.N.-affiliated employees were killed. Both Addis Ababa and Nairobi are major hubs for humanitarian workers, and some had been on their way to a large U.N. envi- ronmental conference set to begin Monday in Nairobi. The U.N. flag at the event flew at half-staff. The plane was delivered to the airline in November. The jet’s last maintenance was on Feb. 4, and it had flown just 1,200 hours. The crash shattered more than two years of relative calm in African skies, where travel had long been chaotic. It also was a serious blow to state-owned Ethiopian Air- lines, which has expanded to become the continent’s largest and best-managed carrier and turned Addis Ababa into the gateway to Africa. China’s Civil Aviation Ad- ministration said that it or- dered airlines to ground all 737 Max 8 aircraft as of 6 p.m. (1000 GMT) Monday, in line with the principle of “zero tolerance for security risks.” It said it would issue fur- ther notices after consulting with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing. China Southern Airlines is one of Boeing’s biggest cus- tomers for the aircraft. Chicago-based Boeing said it did not intend to issue any new guidance to its customers. It plans to send a technical team to the crash site to help Ethiopian and U.S. investigators, how- ever, and issued a statement saying it was “deeply sad- dened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew” on the Ethiopian Airlines Max airplane. The 737 is the best-selling airliner in history, and the Max, the newest version of it with more fuel-efficient engines, is a central part of Boeing’s strategy to compete with European rival Airbus. Rescue workers search debris Monday at Bishoftu, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. - PHOTO: AP The crash was likely to renew questions about the 737 Max 8, the newest version of Boeing’s popular single-aisle airliner, which was first introduced in 1967 and has become the world’s most common passenger jet. UK prime minister fights to save Brexit deal LONDON (AP) – British Prime Minister Theresa May re- fused to admit defeat for her European Union divorce deal Monday, despite deadlocked talks with the bloc a day be- fore Parliament is scheduled to vote on the plan. The House of Commons is due to vote Tuesday on whether to approve a deal that it resoundingly re- jected in January. There are few signs of any big shift in opinion, with British law- makers still divided over whether to leave the EU, and if so on what terms. The EU, meanwhile, is frustrated at what it sees as the inability of Britain’s gov- ernment to lay out a clear vi- sion for Brexit – and because it is seeking changes to an agreement that May herself helped negotiate. British lawmakers’ oppo- sition to the deal centers on concerns over arrangements for the Irish border. May’s government has been seeking changes, but the EU refuses to reopen the 585-page agree- ment that it spent a year-and- a-half negotiating. European Commis- sion spokesman Margaritis Schinas said Monday that “no further meetings at political level are scheduled,” but that the EU is “open and willing” to hold talks with the U.K. at any time. “It is now for the House of Commons to take an im- portant set of decisions this week,” Schinas said. May’s spokesman, James Slack, said “talks are ongoing” at a technical level, and there is “a shared determination by both sides to find a solution.” The British leader has spoken by phone to eight EU national leaders since Friday, including French Presi- dent Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, without any sign of a breakthrough. A rumored trip by May to meet EU leaders in Brussels on Monday has been shelved for now, though she spoke by phone to Euro- pean Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. If Parliament throws out the deal again, lawmakers will vote on whether to leave the EU without an agreement – an idea likely to be rejected – or to ask the EU to delay Brexit beyond the scheduled March 29 departure date. May warned last week that any delay could mean “we may never leave the EU at all.” Hard-line Brexit sup- porters in May’s Conserva- tive Party said she should postpone Tuesday’s vote rather than risk another crushing defeat. Former Conservative chief whip Andrew Mitchell told the Times of London that “anything that avoids what looks like a massive defeat on Tuesday is worth considering.” Slack said the vote “will take place tomorrow,” but it was unclear exactly what motion would be put to lawmakers. Members of the Ethiopian community take part in a special prayer for victims of the Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crash, at the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada, Saint Mary Cathedral, in Toronto, on Sunday. - PHOTO: THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA APNext >