ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 THROUGH A NEW STRATEGIC ALLIANCE A STRONGER, BRIGHTER FUTURE LIES AHEAD FOR GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESS. CAYMAN NATIONAL — PROUDLY GROWING WITH THE CAYMAN ISLANDS FOR 45 YEARS. CAYMAN ISLANDS | ISLE OF MAN | DUBAI A Subsidiary of Citizen army to fight seaweed on the beaches Around 300 register for summer NiCE programme JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hundreds of unemployed Caymanians will begin clearing Cayman’s beaches of sargassum from next Monday after the government’s summer work programme was brought for- ward to help deal with the sea- weed invasion. Beaches, particularly on the southern side of the island, have been inundated with mats of the foul-smelling brown seaweed. Now workers in the govern- ment’s National Community En- hancement, or NiCE, programme, which provides two weeks of work cleaning up the island, will assist Recreation, Parks and Cemeteries Unit crews in shifting the unsightly sargassum. Around 300 people showed up to register for the twice- yearly work programme at the Lions Centre on Monday. Minister for Commerce, Plan- ning and Infrastructure Joey Hew said it was pleasing to see a smaller cohort than in pre- vious years, citing a steady de- cline in unemployment. He acknowledged the pro- gramme has its critics, but said it was a win-win for the country. “If we have a need and we have people that need our help, DART IS GRANTED 3-D PARCEL FOR CAMANA BAY TUNNEL JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Dart group has been granted permis- sion to create a three-dimensional parcel above its tunnel on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway. The move enables Dart to give the section of the highway within the tunnel to the Na- tional Roads Authority, without relinquishing its ownership of the base land parcel. Techni- cally, Dart still owns the land beneath the road and the tunnel surrounding it, but the NRA will be able to take ownership of the road. That means that Dart will be able to apply to build on top of the tunnel, or to subdivide and sell aerial parcels to other developers. The rest of the highway extension, built by Dart and cutting through its land, has already been gazetted and moved into NRA owner- ship. But the section within the tunnel is still essentially a private road belonging to the Dart group. An estimated 300 people attend the registration session for this year’s NiCE summer work programme at the Lions Centre on Tuesday morning. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Fireworks display for Constitution Day Fireworks erupt at Camana Bay on Monday night as part of the celebrations for the Constitution Day public holiday. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS BREAKTHROUGH (PG) 1:25 I 4:10 I 7:15 I 10:00 SUN: 4:10 I 7:15 I 10:00 KALANK (PG) 3:10 I 9:00 (SAT ONLY) I 9:30 (NO SAT) SUN: 3:10 I 9:20 LITTLE (PG13) 12:30 I 3:25 (SAT ONLY) I 3:50 (NO SAT) 6:50 I 9:45 SUN: 3:50 I 6:50 I 9:35 DUMBO (PG) 10:30 (SAT ONLY) I 4:35 I 7:15 (NO SAT) SUN: 4:35 I 7:15 CAPTAIN MARVEL(PG13) 1:40 I 10:00 (NO SAT) SUN: 6:30 I 10:00 THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA (R) 1:10 VIP I 4:35 I 7:00 VIP I 10:15 HELLBOY (R) 12:35 (SAT ONLY) I 1:00 I 6:10 (SAT ONLY) I 6:45 SHAZAM! (PG13) 1:30 I 3:40 VIP I 7:15 I 9:30 VIP SUN: 3:40 VIP I 4:40 I 6:40 VIP 8:00 I 9:40 VIP KIDS CLUB: OVER THE HEDGE (PG) 10:00 (SAT ONLY) CULTURE AT THE CINEMA: THE TRAGEDY OF KIND RICHARD THE SECOND(R18) SAT ONLY: 8:00 • 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. - WEDNESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) ANNABELLE COMES HOME (R) 1:20 | 4:20 | 7:15 VIP | 9:55 VIP MEN IN BLACK (PG13) INTERNATIONAL 1:35 | 4:20 I 7:05 | 9:50 ESCAPE PLAN: (R) THE EXTRACTORS 2:45 | 5:10 | 7:40 | 10:10 TOY STORY 4 (G) 12:45 VIP | 2:00 | 3:15 VIP | 4:00 | 6:30 | 9:00 YESTERDAY (PG13) 1:00 | 7:00 | 9:45 SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 (PG) 12:30 | 4:30 | 6:45 | 9:00 Caribbean sargassum invasion garners regional response KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Thirteen Caribbean and Latin American nations agreed to concerted con- trol efforts last week to ad- dress the influx of sargassum seaweed that has impacted coastlines and economies across the region. A gathering in Cancun, Mexico, on 27 June re- sulted in a 26-point agree- ment, with the goal of estab- lishing an action plan before the next regional sargassum forum this October in the French-controlled island of Guadeloupe. Signatories to the agree- ment include Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guade- loupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago. The agreement, estab- lished Thursday at Cancun’s Moon Palace resort, outlines the need for cross-border in- formation sharing on sar- gassum monitoring, science, education and entrepreneur- ship, among other topics. One mechanism to facilitate such sharing will be the web- site, www.internationalsar- gassumnetwork.com, a web portal intended to offer cen- tralised information for re- searchers, government and the general public. The agreement also calls on participants to begin iden- tifying financial mechanisms to mobilise resources, to map out control efforts to identify sargassum-related initiatives, and to involve cruise lines in the issue. The Association of Car- ibbean States, of which the Cayman Islands is not a member, will offer a formal structure to facilitate these efforts. ACS Secretary General June Soomer explained that the realisation that sar- gassum would require re- gional collaboration came out of a 2015 symposium on invasive species. Since then, she said, members have been working to address the masses of sargassum that began invading Caribbean beaches in 2011. Reports of sargassum influxes reach across the Americas, from the United States to Brazil. “We realise that disas- ters, invasive species like sar- gassum, know no bounda- ries,” she said. “It does not matter which country you are from. … Sargassum doesn’t care whether it is in St. Kitts and Nevis or in Mexico. The sea has no boundaries. And because the sea has no boundaries, we are seeing a major impact on our coun- tries economically, socially, culturally, etc. “But we have not sat down and allowed it to happen to us. We have been speaking about it. We have been put- ting policies in our countries. We have been engaging with innovators, with scientists, with anybody who could help us to solve this problem.” Soomer called on at- tendees to revisit the Carta- gena Convention, the 1983 treaty that establishes en- vironmental protections in the Caribbean region. Any of the convention’s signato- ries, Soomer explained, can call for an amendment to the treaty. “We need to revisit the Cartagena Convention to make sure we put in a pro- tocol on invasive species, whether it be sargassum or lionfish or anything that is affecting our very important biodiversity in the region,” she said. “That is the way we will be able to attract financing. … We can also do it in col- laboration. We have many mega hotel chains in the re- gion. We need to bring eve- rybody together to speak to the issue of sargassum and how we can rid ourselves of this scourge.” She called for a commu- nity-centric response that keeps in mind not only the impact on tourism but also on Caribbean people who depend on the sea for their livelihood. “[Natural disasters] touch our people, not just our min- isters of tourism or our owners of properties, but the people who make their liveli- hood from the sea: the fish- ermen,” she said. Benito Juarez munic- ipal president Mara Lezama pointed out that, with the right response, sargassum can present an economic opportunity. “The potential is enor- mous,” she said. “We’ve heard that you can take advantage of it as a biofuel, a fertiliser, for the pharmaceutical in- dustry, as a thickening agent, for fibre development, for dis- posable cups that are envi- ronmentally friendly. There are options,” Lezama said. She and other elected of- ficials from Mexico called on a collective response to im- prove strategic cooperation. Mexico’s Quintana Roo state, home to major beach destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, has seen itself greatly im- pacted by sargassum arrivals in recent months. Mounds of the invasive seaweed have required daily clean- up and control efforts, as the area works to protect its tourism product. In mid-June, the Quin- tana Roo government de- clared a state of emergency, in an effort to access funds for greater sargassum con- trol. The declaration sparked controversy in Mexico, with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador describing the move as irresponsible. “It’s not a delicate issue, and much less a serious issue,” Lopez Obrador said during a press conference in late June. “It has a solution, and we’re working on it.” The Mexican navy has been deployed as part of US$2.7 million anti-sar- gassum plan that will in- clude the installation of bar- riers and the use of ships to collect the plant at sea and prevent arrivals on the beach. Quintana Roo Governor Carlos Joaquín González had hoped the emergency declaration would result in much greater funding, saying in mid-June that the state sought to raise around US$31 million from local, state and federal entities. During Thursday’s gath- ering, González said, “The challenge is how we will continue forward with this problem so that it isn’t a det- riment to the environment. We are open to projects that take advantage of sargassum and others that are in the re- search stage. Another chal- lenge is for entrepreneurship to tackle the costs that come with collection.” Workers remove sargassum from a beach in Tulum, Mexico. The seaweed continues to plague certain coastal regions of the Gulf and Caribbean. - PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Premier travels to St. Lucia for CARICOM meeting Premier Alden McLaughlin is leading a delegation from Cayman to the 40th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CAR- ICOM) in St. Lucia this week. The Cayman delegation includes Attorney General Sam Bulgin, Minister of Fi- nance and Economic Devel- opment Roy McTaggart, Cab- inet Secretary Samuel Rose, Head of the Office of the Pre- mier Roy Tatum, Interna- tional Affairs Analyst Jamaal Anderson and Personal As- sistant to the Premier Jana Pouchie-Bush. According to a press re- lease from the Office of the Premier, Minister McTaggart has been invited to attend the Council for Finance and Plan- ning in advance of the CAR- ICOM meeting. Among the items for dis- cussion by the CARICOM government heads are sar- gassum in coastal waters, EU blacklisting, the potential to increase regional trade and security matters, including border control. “While as an associate member of CARICOM not all the agenda items are ap- plicable to the Cayman Is- lands, there will be many areas of common interest,” McLaughlin stated in the release. “It is important to foster fraternal relations with our neighbours within the region and to support each other as far as is practical. “It is also worth noting that at the last CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, at my behest, CAR- ICOM supported the Cayman Islands and our fellow Over- seas Territories on the chal- lenges we are facing re- garding public registers of beneficial ownership.” An opening ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 3 July, and will be addressed by St. Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet; the outgoing chairman, Prime Minister Timothy Harris of St. Kitts and Nevis; and CARICOM Secretary-General Ambas- sador Irwin LaRocque. CARICOM has 15 member states – Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Be- lize, Dominica, Guyana, Gre- nada, Haiti, Jamaica, Mont- serrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago; and five associate members – Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Is- lands, and the Turks and Ca- icos Islands. Premier Alden McLaughlin3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 www.butterfieldgroup.com The Butterfield 101 programme... Financial tips For smart money management If you’re between the ages of 18 and 30, and a full-time college or university student, attend Butterfield’s Financial Management 101 class to start planning your financial future. You’ll learn budgeting tips, savings strategies and credit management techniques. Register to attend Butterfield’s 101 class on Thursday, 18 July or Monday, 22 July 2019 at our Butterfield Place Banking Centre, 5th Floor . For more information and to register , visit our website. Upon completion of the class, you will receive: • a Butterfield Debit Mastercard ® Card • access to Butterfield Internet & Mobile Banking • a pre-approved Mastercard Credit Card with a $1,000 limit • and be entered into a draw for a $100 gift certificate Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited is licensed to conduct banking and investment business by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. Address: 12 Albert Panton Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Caribbean trip was UK royals’ most expensive Carbon footprint grows with increased travel JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Prince Charles and Camil- la’s royal tour of the Car- ibbean, which included a whirlwind one-night stay in the Cayman Islands, cost British taxpayers almost half-a-million dollars, ac- cording to data released by the royal family. The 11-day trip, which also included a historic visit to Cuba, was the most ex- pensive in a long list of royal travel expenses collectively totalling just over £2.75 mil- lion, equivalent to around CI$2.9 million. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who are responsible for the bulk of the royal family’s of- ficial overseas engagements, accounted for almost half of that total, according to data from the Sovereign Grant Re- port, which details annual UK government spending on the royals’ official duties. The island-hopping trip, on the ministerial jet RAF Voyager, was requested by the UK government and also included stops in St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados and Ha- vana among others, costing a total of £416,576 (CI$438,000) The report also highlights an increase in the royals’ “carbon footprint”, largely at- tributed to overseas travel. Prince Charles has long used his platform to cam- paign for greater awareness of global climate change. In a speech at Pedro St. James castle in Grand Cayman, the climax of the Caribbean trip, the prince delivered an urgent call to action over the “poten- tially catastrophic” impact of global warming. The expenses report, which also keeps track of the royal family’s greenhouse gas emissions, indicates that CO2 emissions from business travel doubled from 1,687 tonnes in the 2017/18 finan- cial year to 3,344 tonnes in the 2018/19 financial year. It attributes this to the use of the royal aircraft, which made five trips in the last fi- nancial year, compared with just one the previous year. This increase was mostly offset by a large reduction in energy use across the royal estate, the report indicates, “Total greenhouse gas emissions increased by 3 per- cent overall, due to the in- year impact of foreign busi- ness travel outweighing the reduction from heating and lighting,” the report states. Prince Charles visited all three islands in a 28-hour tour of the Cayman Islands. The prince, who has been a long-time champion of envi- ronmental causes all over the world, visited both CCMI in Little Cayman and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in Grand Cayman, where he met Cayman’s endangered resident blue iguanas, during his visit. In his speech at Pedro St. James, he said he had been warning for years of the im- pending crisis of climate change and the responsi- bility to protect the inher- itance of “our children and grandchildren”. He added, “Now those very children are crying out for concerted action rather than just empty words.” Figures from the Sovereign Grant report Overall expenditure met by Sovereign Grant£67 million Total travel expenses£2.75 million Prince Charles and Camilla’s Caribbean tour £416,756 Renovations of Frogmore Cottage (home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) £2.4 million Upgrades and maintenance of Buckingham Palace £14.1 million CO2 emissions from business travel: 3,344 tonnes * The Sovereign Grant report details the expenditure incurred by the govern- ment for the royal family’s official duties and maintenance of the royal estate. OfReg approves CUC rate increase The Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg) has approved a base rate ad- justment 0.9% for Caribbean Utilities Company. CUC said this will mean the average customer will see a $1.06 increase in their monthly utility bill. The marginal increase in the energy charge compo- nent of the bill will be ap- plied to the electricity con- sumption for June, which is billed in early July. The rate increase is gov- erned by the Rate Cap Ad- justment Mechanism contained in CUC’s Trans- mission & Distribution Li- cence, issued in April 2008. The mechanism is based on a formula that takes into ac- count consumer price in- flation in both Cayman and the US after the effects of the prices of food and fuel are removed. The base rate increase does not impact the Fuel Cost Charge nor the Licence and Regulatory Fees Charge. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles unveil a plaque at Owen Roberts International Airport shortly after arriving in the Cayman Islands on 27 March. The short trip to Cayman was part of a Caribbean tour by the royal couple. - PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKEGRAHAM MORSE I have just returned from a month in London. It is hard not to pick up a newspaper or watch the news on radio or TV without getting drawn into the climate change de- bate and the problem of air pollution. But things are changing. The buses are electric, as are many of the iconic black cabs. One cab driver told me he was making so much more money by buying a fully elec- tric cab that he could take a month off and still make the same take-home money. Charging was no problem. An overnight charge and a plug- in while he was having his lunch was all that he needed. The UK government has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and a ban on all gasoline and diesel fuelled vehicles by 2040. The all-party Climate Change Committee has set out a detailed report on how to achieve net zero emis- sions. Much progress has al- ready been made, with 50% of the UK electric supply now being generated from non- carbon sources. New technology will play an increasing part in achieving the government’s goals. Hy- drogen will come into the pic- ture and a hydrogen train is being tested. Developing tech- nology will allow machines to capture and store carbon di- oxide, and planting more trees is part of the solution. Climate deniers have been drowned out by the over- whelming scientific evidence, and even they are conceding, not that it is not happening, but challenging how fast it is hap- pening and how catastrophic the outcomes could be. The debate now has moved on to estimating the cost of change to net zero emissions. What will people be prepared to give up to become carbon neutral? Would they give up eating beef? Would they take fewer flights or pay more? Back here in Cayman, it feels very different. Two years have passed since our National Energy Policy was passed into law with a target of 70% of our power to be generated from renewable sources by 2037. But little ap- pears to have been done. Only around 5% of Cay- man’s power comes from re- newable sources. No plans have been announced to add to the utility-scale solar farm in Bodden Town. Home and business owners who want to put solar panels on their roofs are put off by the red tape and bureau- cracy that discourages it. In- deed, the CUC CORE pro- gram that incentivises home owners to put solar panels on their roofs is due to end later this year. We have companies here in Cayman who are expert in designing and installing re- newable energy systems, but in the face of such uncer- tainty and frustration, they have had to go elsewhere in the Caribbean to grow their businesses. That shouldn’t be happening. We need them, and the local jobs that they bring, here in Cayman. If ever there was a region that is ideal for electric ve- hicles, it is Cayman. Limited range is the big turn-off for many buyers switching to electric. But most electric ve- hicles are capable of doing 100 miles without a recharge. How many drivers in Cayman do that mileage in a day? The National Energy Policy mandated that fully electric vehicles would come into Cayman duty free, making them very price com- petitive. But the law has not been implemented. Why not? Presumably [it is] buried in government and OfReg bu- reaucracy like other renew- able energy initiatives. Low lying islands like Cayman will be the worst af- fected by the potentially cat- astrophic effects of climate change. And yet there is no public debate. This issue mat- ters to us. We need to know what is happening. Why is there no information coming from the government? From OfReg? From the independent Energy Policy Committee which was set up to monitor the progress of the National Energy Plan? Or from CUC? Does Cayman care about climate change? Do you think the government should be doing more? This newspaper now has a policy of encour- aging debate through its letter page. Let the Compass know what you think. Graham Morse, author and ocean sailor, built his own eco-friendly house in Cayman in 2011, is an advocate for the environment and renewable energy, and is a member of the Cayman Renewable Energy Association. WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 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. 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 PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” Climate change: Does Cayman care? Two years have passed since our National Energy Policy was passed into law with a target of 70% of our power to be generated from renewable sources by 2037. But little appears to have been done. A London black cab stops at an electric recharging station. 50 YEARS AGO: 3 children die in Cuban landing tragedy In the July 3, 1969 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the front page carried a report titled “3 children die during 5-day or- deal: 19 Cubans land in Brac”. It read: “Twenty-two Cubans in a 22ft fishing boat, ex- hausted from the rigours of five days at sea during which three of them died, arrived in Cayman Brac around midnight last Thursday (26 June, 1969). “The deceased were all children from one family, twin boys born on the 14th July, 1966, and a girl born on the 19th Oct., 1964. “Five men, two women and 15 children started out on the journey to freedom, expecting to reach Jamaica in about one and a half days, so very little food and water was on board. “Some miles out from Cuba, the engine failed. A small sail was put into use and it was mainly the cur- rent which carried them eventually to Cayman Brac. “Two of the children died about 2pm and the third at about 5pm on Thursday. “Upon arrival all were suffering from exposure and four of the children were sick. They were all temporarily accommo- dated at Rafaldo’s Club at Spot Bay where they were well cared for by the folk there. Coffins were made for the deceased children. “The group was trans- ferred to Grand Cayman by Cayman Airways flight on Friday, arriving at 4:30pm. Dr. Smith went to the airport and all were conveyed to the hospital where they were individ- ually examined by Drs. Smith and Bennett, as- sisted by Mr. Fedum. The mother of the deceased and two more of her chil- dren were detained. Post mortems were carried out by Dr. Smith. “The funeral of the three children was held at Prospect at 6:30pm, which was attended by quite a few Caymanians. “In his brief words of comfort, Rev. R. Coke of the United Church said how sad it was that these children had lost their lives at such a tender age because their parents were seeking freedom. He expressed the view that we should commend the parents for the attempt they had made and as these little ones had died in search of freedom, it is the duty of Cayman- ians to give sympathy and help and to make the re- mainder of the family and others at home. “The families are now at Sunset Lodge on South Church Street and a com- mittee with Mr. Harry McCoy as chairman has been set up to look after them and any other refugees. “Any clothing or other gifts may be left at the po- lice headquarters. “Inspector Roy Archer who made most of the ar- rangements and mem- bers of the police force who did all the trans- porting should, we feel, be thanked for the services he rendered.” The front page of the Caymanian Weekly on 3 July, 1969.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 ADVERTORIAL Acuris Risk Intelligence announces partnership with SILO Compliance The companies join forces to enhance anti-money laundering efforts London, 24 June 2019 – Acuris Risk Intelligence, a trusted and independent provider of data intelligence for anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and cyber security professionals, today announces its partnership with industry-leading due diligence management solution, SILO Compliance System, to provide access to Acuris Risk Intelligence’s world-class data set within its application. SILO Compliance System, based in the Cayman Islands, is a comprehensive, risk-based client due diligence management solution used by trust and corporate service providers, law and accounting firms, and other financial services providers that must comply with anti-money laundering regulations. In collaboration with Acuris Risk Intelligence, SILO Compliance will enable its users to access a dataset that includes fraud and cybersecurity content as well as expert human analysts and state-of-the-art technology to help them effectively manage risk in business relationships. Access to Acuris Risk Intelligence’s KYC6 will allow SILO Compliance customers to use the highly effective online portal that provides compliance teams key capabilities of individuals via search, on-going monitoring, sanctions and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reports. “We’re delighted to join forces with an industry-leading provider such as SILO Compliance,” states Joel Lange, Managing Director, Acuris Risk Intelligence. “Our integration into SILO Compliance System will further streamline its already efficient system.” “SILO is pleased to have the Acuris Partnership,” Kimberly Smith, co-founder of SILO Compliance System, advises. “Pooling our experiences and technologies has already proven to be of value to our customers. The integration of Acuris into the SILO platform further serves our customer’s needs for more automation and streamlining of their compliance processes.” About SILO Compliance SILO Compliance System is a comprehensive, risk-based client due diligence management solution used by trust and corporate service providers, law and accounting firms, and other financial services providers that must comply with anti-money laundering regulations. SILO’s dashboards provide senior management with key analytics providing them with quick information and statistics on the business’s compliance obligations. SILO’s cloud solution is versatile and easy to manage. SILO users find our design to be intuitive and highly adaptable to regulatory changes and pressures. Designed by compliance professionals with years of compliance and KYC/CDD work flow experience, SILO can help reduce the time you spend on compliance matters while ensuring you and your regulators stay confident in your processes. 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For more information, please visit us at https://www.acurisriskintelligence.com/ or call us on +44 (0) 203 742 1200. New cars let tourists scoot around Cayman MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com They look like toy cars. Something you might leave under the Christmas tree for a 10 year old. But the bright primary- coloured Scoot Coupes are the newest way for tourists to experience Grand Cayman. Sade Wood has been in- troducing visitors to the is- land via Segway for the past four years as co-owner of Cayman Segway Tours. When she took a Scoot Coupe tour of San Francisco in Jan- uary, she immediately saw the potential to expand her offerings. “I said, ‘This is such a cool idea,’” she said, re- calling the experience of mo- toring around the Bay Area city in the two-seat, three- wheeled vehicle. Not only was it fun to drive, but the tour that came with it was informative. The self-paced tour was linked to GPS and provided information based on geo- graphical pins connected to an app. Wood decided it was something that would work in Cayman as well. Although it took some time. Wood said she spent three to four months researching and writing scripts for two tours. A four-hour tour covers West Bay, while it takes five hours to do the East End. She passed that information off to a New Hampshire firm that developed an app in- corporating narration and photos tied to specific GPS points. Now people can take what’s being marketed as a Scoot n Tour. “It’s geared toward Cayman history and culture,” Wood said. “I have some things on there on dialect. We give them a few Cayma- nian phrases.” Tourists not only get di- rections on where to go, but also information on the var- ious attractions on Grand Cayman, including such things as Hell, the Cayman Turtle Centre, the East End Blowholes and recom- mended beaches, with time built into the itinerary to stop and experience each one. There is material on the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and colourful local stories that help give visitors a taste of the island. For instance, Wood in- cludes a story about a woman making sure her bar- racuda, which is often as- sociated with ciguatera food poisoning, is safe to eat, by trying it out on her husband first. “He survived, and so will you,” the narrator assures the listener. The Scoot Coupes, which are produced by a Florida- based company, are techni- cally licensed as motorcy- cles. The model Wood has is listed at $7,600 and has a top speed of 30 miles per hour, according to the man- ufacturer. It is controlled by a motorcycle-type handlebar which includes the throttle and brakes. And for those unfa- miliar with British-inspired driving, the app “reminds them to stay on the left”, Wood said. She said she’s encour- aged by the interest the cars have generated in the two weeks they have been on the road in Cayman. Hotel concierges have been “calling us like crazy”, she said. “The fact there is something new to do, they like that.” She’s even had a lot of interest from local resi- dents, she said. Eventually, she plans to add a nine-hour islandwide tour option and, if there is enough demand, put more of the little cars on the road, be- yond the four she now has. She said she believes the cars will catch on. “It’s a great opportunity for people to learn about Cayman in a cool, unconven- tional way,” she said. Sade Wood navigates West Bay Road in one of her new Scoot Coupes, which offer self-paced tours for island visitors. - PHOTO: MARK MUCKENFUSS Eight arrested in postal smuggling cases Cayman’s Customs and Border Control’s courier section has arrested eight people in recent weeks for trying to smuggle contra- band into the country via the postal service. In a news release, CBC Deputy Director Jeff Jackson said criminals are attempting to take advantage of the in- creased volume of packages arriving in Cayman as on- line ordering becomes more widely used. “With faster shipping times and the increased volume of packages being shipped each year using these services, dealers at- tempt to circumvent our controls by using creative methods of concealment to facilitate their illegal ship- ments,” Jackson said. The latest arrest was on 25 June, after officers found 11 pounds of ganja in a package described as con- taining clothing. Narcotics officers ran a sting opera- tion to see who picked up the package and where it was transported. A Jamaican man, 35, em- ployed as a security officer was arrested for importation of ganja. During the joint op- eration, the officers also ar- rested a Jamaican woman, 45, and a Jamaican man, 23, for possession and being concerned in the importa- tion of ganja. Officials said the investi- gation is ongoing.6 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS InStyle in Cayman A group of Cayman models, from tots with atti- tude to poised young adults, traipsed down the runway Saturday night during the first InStyle fashion event at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. The models had plenty of support from parents and family, who made up much of the crowd, as they showed off ensembles cre- ated by both local and in- ternational designers amid bright lights and pounding electronic music. The event, which aimed for the feel of a high-end show, akin to what might be seen in New York or Paris, also in- corporated a fundraising el- ement, raising money for the Alex Panton Foundation. Organisers said they hope to create ongoing InStyle events to encourage and pro- mote the arts, and particu- larly fashion design, in the Cayman Islands. Kidfest raises $16,000 for charity The second annual Kid- fest at Pedro St. James on Saturday raised more than $16,000 and attracted more than 600 attendees, according to organisers. The family fun day was organised by Team Nolan – Ailian and Sean Evans – in memory of their son Nolan Evans who passed from com- plex congenital heart disease in January last year. Children who attended took part in activities that in- cluded a huge musical chairs competition, Kids Zumba, Miss Izzy’s kids musical on stage interactions, face painting, snow cones, slime sales and much more. Adults tried their hand at men’s and women’s hula- hoop contests. There were also raffle prizes throughout the day. Ailian Evans said she was extremely happy with this years Kidfest. The money raised will be donated to Hart for Hearts, the paediatric arm of the Cayman Heart Fund. In the 16 months since the passing of their son, the Evans family has held three fundraising events – Kid- fest 2018, the Heart Warriors and Angels Beach Walk and Kidfest 2019. To date, Team Nolan has raised more than $46,000 in donations to the Cayman Heart Fund. Last month, Team Nolan in partnership with Artisan Metal Works donated the Nolan Evans Memorial Bench installed at Health City as a visual reminder of the impor- tance of raising awareness for congenital heart disease (CHD). A press release from the family stated, “Nolan’s par- ents’ concept for Kidfest is to invite kids out to a day of wonderful fun activities in celebration of the fun spirit of kids during the birthday month of baby Nolan. “Their continued mission is to champion Team Nolan’s goal of raising CHD aware- ness and helping local fami- lies with CHD babies.”Families gather at Pedro St. James on Saturday for the annual Kidfest fundraiser. A young model wears a black and white jacket during the InStyle fashion show. - PHOTOS: MARK MUCKENFUSS This dress is one of the featured outfits in the Sunni Dai kids fashion portion of the InStyle event. It may not be easy being green, but this young model makes her Kermit the Frog-emblazoned outfit work. This young model’s moves draw an enthusiastic crowd reaction during the InStyle fashion event. This young model is all about cool. Some of the kids clearly enjoy their work during the Sunni Dai portion of the InStyle fashion event. The Sunni Dai kids fashion portion of the InStyle event features a selection of swimwear. From the light-hearted to the serious, Cayman’s young models impress Saturday night’s InStyle crowd.7 LOCAL NEWS Venezuelans charged with possession of criminal property SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two additional people were charged with crimes Tuesday in relation to a pri- vate plane that allegedly brought gold and cash to Grand Cayman on 4 June. Venezuelan nationals Francisco Ventura-Herrera, 26, and Daniel Aguilar-Fer- riozzi, 27, were formally charged with possession of criminal property in Sum- mary Court on Tuesday. Two men, Pedro Jose Be- navidez Natera and Juan Carlos Gonzalez Infante, were previously charged with being engaged in smuggling in relation to US$135,000 in cash found on the plane. Natera and Infante were the pilots of the pri- vate plane. When they ap- peared before Magistrate Valdis Foldats on 20 June, the court heard that their fingerprints were not found on the money. All four of the defendants are Venezuelan nationals. The court had previ- ously heard that Natera and Infante denied having any knowledge of the money found on the plane. Defence counsel Prathna Bodden told Magistrate Foldats on a previous ap- pearance that the gold the plane had been carrying had been properly declared. Natera and Infante have been held without bail and are slated for trial on 17 July. Their case is expected to be back in court for a case management hearing on 10 July. CAYMAN COMPASS WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 The National Conservation Council (NCC) is seeking public comment on a plan to conserve and protect Cayman’s sea turtle species. The NCC resolved on 19 June, 2019 to send the Conservation Plan out for public comment. The public comment period begins on 3 July, 2019 and ends 9 Sept., 2019. The Conservation Plan as proposed includes: Certain turtle-friendly lighting requirements, no driving rules and other protections for turtle nesting beaches, rules for human interaction with wild turtles and other protective measures. Copies of the Conservation Plan may be obtained at the Department of Environment (DoE) o ces at 580 North Sound Road, at the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue or online at www.doe.ky. In the Sister Islands, copies may be obtained at the district administration buildings. Copies will also be distributed to public libraries in all three islands. Any comments on the proposal may be received at the DoE o ces, mailed to PO Box 10202, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, or sent via email to Conservation Council@gov.ky. National Conservation Council Sea Turtle Species Conservation Plan Streamlined liquor licensing renewals announced Applying for a renewal of a liquor licence is be- coming simpler. The Liquor Licensing Board, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Investment, the Fire Ser- vice, Department of Environ- mental Health and the Plan- ning Department, has agreed to streamline the process for liquor and music and dancing licence renewals. Police clearances and in- spections of premises by the Planning Department are no longer required for renewal applications for liquor and music and dancing licences, according to a statement from the board. And, while annual inspec- tions of premises by the De- partment of Environmental Health and the Fire Service are still required, licensees will not need to submit the reports to the Department of Commerce and Industry with their renewal applications. However, licensees will be re- sponsible for making arrange- ments for those inspections to be carried out, and are re- quired to retain copies of the inspection reports. The Liquor Licensing Board will be notified at the annual session by the relevant department of any premises deemed unsatisfactory during the inspection process, before the board makes a licence re- newal decision, according to the statement. Minister of Commerce Jo- seph Hew said in the state- ment, “This Government has already made strides to end the red tape that makes it overly complicated to run a business in the Cayman Is- lands, for instance with amendments to the Trade and Business Licensing Law. “Now, we are pushing for- ward with improvements to the Liquor Licence renewal process. This is yet another initiative aimed at helping local business owners and entrepreneurs, as we strike for a key Government pri- ority: to create a strong economy to help families and businesses.” Hew said further reduc- tions in the application re- quirements can be expected in the future. To renew a licence, licen- sees are required to submit a completed application form for each location and each li- cense being renewed, along with the licensing fee for each category. The next annual liquor li- censing meeting will be held on 9 Sept. The deadline for ap- plications is 16 Aug. The Liquor Licensing Board and various government departments are streamlining the process for renewing liquor and music and dancing licences. CCMI seeks nominations for People’s Choice Award The Central Caribbean Ma- rine Institute is now accepting nominations for its second an- nual People’s Choice Award, which recognises the efforts of members of the community in maintaining the health of the oceans and coral reefs. Nominees are chosen and voted on by members of the public in this award initiative, which was launched last year as part of CCMI’s 20th anni- versary celebrations. Carrie Manfrino, presi- dent and research director of CCMI, said in a statement, “We love learning about the individuals and companies that are making a difference to our coral reefs and oceans. At CCMI, our aim is to find solutions to declining coral reefs through research, con- servation and education, but we do not work alone. Pre- senting these awards allows us to shine the spotlight on others who value our marine environment and coral reefs.” This year, the marine insti- tute will recognise two Peo- ple’s Choice Award winners: an individual and a company or organisation. According to the CCMI statement, nominees should have made significant pos- itive impacts on the ma- rine environment, whether through a project, programme or event. They should demon- strate leadership and com- mitment to bringing about a transformative impact on the ocean habitats, especially coral reefs, in the Cayman Is- lands, from 1 Jan. 2018 to 30 June 2019. Last year, Claire Hughes was selected in the public vote as the winner for the work she does with Plastic Free Cayman. Manfrino said she is excited to see who is nomi- nated for the award this year. “The People’s Choice Award is an important op- portunity to identify inspired leaders, bold innovators, cre- ative thinkers and those who give generously and tirelessly of their time and talents,” she said. “We are fortunate to live in a place with so many in- dividuals and organisations who push us to think bigger, reach further and strive for greater solutions to protecting and restoring coral reefs, be- cause we can save [the] coral reefs, if we act now.” The winners of the People’s Choice Award and the Healthy Reefs Challenge will be an- nounced at the annual Festival of Seas Awards and Gala event on 16 Nov. at Grand Old House. Nomination forms can be found at www.reefresearch.org/ peopleschoice2019. Anyone can submit a nomination between 2 July and 14 Aug. After the nomination period has closed, CCMI will contact nominees to confirm their acceptance of the nomination. Voting for the winners will take place online on 16–29 Sept. CCMI President Carrie Manfrino, left, and keynote speaker Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, right, present Claire Hughes with the People’s Choice Award at last year’s awards ceremony. - PHOTO: MAGGIE JACKSON TWO ADDITIONAL SUSPECTS CHARGED IN SMUGGLING CASE Francisco Ventura- Herrera, 26, and Daniel Aguilar- Ferriozzi, 27, were formally charged with possession of criminal property in Summary Court on Tuesday.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS why not put the two to- gether and get those that need some help to help our country. It makes sense to me and I don’t understand why so many people are against it,” he told the group at the Lions Centre. Speaking to the Com- pass after the event, Min- ister Hew acknowledged that two weeks of beach cleaning would only provide a tem- porary fix to the sargassum problem. Officials from var- ious government depart- ments have formed a task force to help deal with what is expected to be an ongoing issue on Cayman’s beaches. If the NiCE project is suc- cessful, Hew said, it was pos- sible that the clean-up pro- gramme could be extended. “At the moment, it is a two-week thing,” he said. “We are going to see how effective we can be, and my ministry is working to perhaps make a proposal to the government.” Some $700,000 has been budgeted for the NiCE pro- gramme, typically held for two to three weeks in the summer and again at Christmas. Hew said the lower numbers this summer may make it possible to add an extra week or two for those who needed work. “The greater part of the sargassum influx will be next month and in the weeks coming, so I do foresee the need for further clean ups,” he said. “We know we have an issue. We are strug- gling with clearing the sar- gassum, especially in some of the more populated areas in South Sound and Bodden Town, where the smell is be- coming overwhelming to the residents, so we have to do something now.” Mark Bothwell, deputy di- rector of the Department of Environmental Health, said the sargassum was so thick in some places it required heavy equipment to move it. He said new machinery had been pur- chased for the task and the Recreation, Parks and Ceme- teries Unit would be working throughout the summer to keep the beaches clean. He said additional man- power from the NiCE pro- gramme would help with the manual labour required to clear the final patches of seaweed, once the machines have been through. Heavy equipment has to be used with extreme caution be- cause of the threat of beach erosion and the potential im- pact on turtle nests. Bothwell said the De- partment of Agriculture was looking at options for dis- posing of the sargassum, including giving it away to farmers to process for fertiliser. Hew said the dwindling numbers in attendance on Monday was a positive sign for the economy. “There may be further numbers as the day goes on,” he acknowledged, as people continued to trickle into the Lions Centre at 10am on Monday. Doors had opened at 8:30am. “I don’t think the numbers will be anywhere near what we have in the past,” he added. Some 460 people turned out for the same programme last summer. Previous NiCE programmes have attracted more than 600 people. Kenneth Bryan, MLA for George Town Central, at- tended the opening and of- fered support for the sar- gassum clean-up, which he had also suggested in the Legislative Assembly ear- lier this year. He said it was good that people got a chance to earn some money and help with a national problem. But he highlighted long-term issues with the same people re- maining reliant on the NiCE programme, and urged gov- ernment to look at more sus- tainable solutions, including investment in training and reviewing the $6-an-hour minimum wage. The application was brought by Dart subsiduary Cayman Shores. Eric Cronier, a land sur- veyor representing the de- veloper at the Central Plan- ning Authority on Friday, said, “This is why volumetric legislation was created.” He said the sub-divi- sion meant that Dart re- tained ownership and re- sponsibility for the physical structure while the NRA will own and be responsible for the roadway. Dart retains ownership of the core parcel and can therefore apply, through separate planning applica- tions, to build over the road. A similar arrangement is planned for the tunnel on West Bay Road. Dart has previously outlined plans for a hotel, shops and res- taurants as it expands Ca- mana Bay over both roads to Seven Mile Beach. Friday’s application did not include plans for any of that type of develop- ment, which is still very much in the early develop- ment stages. Nigel Bates, a chartered surveyor for Dart, said on Friday that the intent of the application was to sort out the land ownership issues around the road. He said it was important that the NRA was able to own the public highway. He said this would have needed to happen regardless of any future building plans. Citizen army to fight seaweed on the beaches CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Commerce Minister Joey Hew speaks to people who came to sign up for this summer’s NiCE work programme, at the Lions Centre on Tuesday morning. - PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY Some 300 people registered for the NiCE project, which this year will involve clearing sargassum from local beaches. JAMAICA APPEAL IN COLD CASE MURDER INQUIRY Detectives investigating a cold case murder dating back to 2010 have broadened their search for information to Jamaica. In November last year, police said a new lead had prompted the re-opening of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Courtney Spence, in the parking lot of a George Town warehouse. A $50,000 reward was of- fered for information leading to a conviction in the crime. Now detectives have part- nered with Cayman Crime Stoppers and Crime Stop Ja- maica in an effort to track down anyone with informa- tion about the crime. A Royal Cayman Islands Police Service spokeswoman said, “Detectives believe that people who were close to Courtney around the time of his murder may now be re- siding in Jamaica, and would like to speak with them.” Jamaican national Spence, who was 32, had just com- pleted a shift at Progres- sive Distributors when he was shot around 11pm on Thursday, 28 Jan. 2010. A security guard heard the shots and found his body lying in the parking lot shortly afterward. At the time, police said the killing bore the hallmarks of a deliberate, premeditated attack on Spence. Friends and colleagues described the victim as a hard-working man who did not appear to have any enemies. A press release issued in Jamaica this week states, “RCIPS detectives are keen to trace friends and acquaint- ances of Courtney’s who are now living in Jamaica but at the time of his murder were residing on Grand Cayman. Detectives are also keen to speak with any Facebook friends of Courtney.” Tips can be submitted at www.crimestoppers.ky. Anyone passing on information is asked to reference ‘Operation Convoy.’ Courtney Spence was shot dead on 28 Jan. 2010. Dart is granted 3-D parcel for Camana Bay tunnel Dart’s application allows ownership and responsibility for this section of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway to transfer to the NRA, while the developer retains ownership of the 3-D land parcel. The move enables Dart to give the section of the highway within the tunnel to the National Roads Authority, without relinquishing its ownership of the base land parcel. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2019 Fire kills 14 Russian submariners The Russian Defence Ministry said a fire on one of the Russian navy’s deep-sea submersibles killed 14 sailors Monday. The ministry did not name the vessel, but Russian media reported it was a secret nuclear-powered submarine designed for sensitive missions at great ocean depths. Trump and Kim’s DMZ meeting mixes show and substance PANMUNJOM, Korea (AP) – “OK, let’s do it.” With those words, a de- liberate step and a pat on the arm of Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump be- came the first sitting Amer- ican leader to step into North Korea on Sunday as the two made history at the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone. The made-for-television mo- ment was unthinkable just two years ago, when the men were trading base insults and grim threats. Trump’s three-hour stop at the DMZ – of which about 80 minutes were spent with Kim – was a display of hand- shake-diplomacy for the his- tory books, but also a cha- otic spectacle reflective of the last-minute nature of the in- vitation to the authoritarian leader to join him at the border between the Koreas. Afterward, it was unclear whether the meeting was more show than substance. Other than the headline-grab- bing moment and the unprec- edented images, Trump’s only accomplishment appeared to be securing an agreement to restart nuclear talks that he himself had walked out on in February during his last summit with Kim in Vietnam. Trump had long planned a visit to the DMZ, dating to 2017 when a scheduled trip was cancelled by fog, but aides said the public invitation for Kim to join him there was as sponta- neous as it seemed. In typ- ical Trump fashion, it started with a tweet. “I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!” Trump posted about 30 hours be- fore the visit. The secrecy that had sur- rounded the ill-fated at- tempted visit two years ago was replaced by a media frenzy stoked by the presi- dent himself. Trump said North Korea quickly responded and ex- pressed interest in the in- vitation. US and North Ko- rean officials spent much of Saturday evening and early Sunday trying to surmount the immense logistical and security hurdles on such a tight timetable. Even Kim seemed unable to contain his surprise when the meeting occurred. “I never expected to meet you at this place,” he told Trump as they shook hands across the concrete slab marking the Military De- marcation Line between North and South. It was Trump who first broached the notion of walking into North Korea. “Would you like me to step across?” he asked Kim as an interpreter translated his words to Korean. “Would you like me to?” Kim waved Trump over, replying through an inter- preter of his own: “If your ex- cellency would step forward, you will be the first US presi- dent to cross the border.” As Trump took his first steps, the former reality tel- evision star quickly moved to stage-manage the show of his own creation. “Come on,” he said to Kim, tapping his elbow, as they walked side by side 10 paces into the North. After a moment, they turned to face the press waiting in the South. Trump escorted Kim back to the South as a scuffle broke out between reporters and North Korean security guards, with officials shoving and trying to block the press from capturing the moment. The jostling intensi- fied as the leaders moved to the Freedom House on the southern side of Panmunjom, where they made brief re- marks to reporters and then met for roughly 50 minutes. A photographer was knocked to the ground and one reporter was seen in tears. At one point, incoming White House press secre- tary Stephanie Grisham side-checked a North Korean guard who was blocking re- porters from the room while other security officials fran- tically tried to cordon off the area with yellow rope. Grisham ended up with bruises from the fracas. The US Secret Service inter- vened in the pushing and shoving match. The president was joined in the Freedom House conversa- tion with Kim by his daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, both senior White House advisers. Chief of staff Mick Mulvaney milled about with other aides. National security adviser John Bolton, a sceptic of the talks with Kim, was en route to Ul- aanbaatar to consult with Mongolian officials on re- gional security issues. At one point, Ivanka Trump and Kushner stopped to enter one of the blue huts straddling the border between the two Koreas. Asked by a re- porter about her trip to the North, she replied, “Surreal.” And a sequel could be in the works: Trump told re- porters he had invited Kim to Washington. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump shake hands Sunday over the military demarcation line at the border village of Panmunjom in Demilitarized Zone. – PHOTO: KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY VIA AP UK Tory contenders vow to scrap Irish border Brexit policy LONDON (AP) – The two con- tenders to be Britain’s next prime minister both said Tuesday they would unblock the Brexit impasse by scrap- ping a contentious Irish border provision that has hamstrung efforts to approve a divorce agreement with the European Union. Critics accuse Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson of making empty promises – al- ready rejected by the EU – that will send the UK crashing out of the 28-nation bloc without a deal to cushion the shock. Hunt and Johnson – Brit- ain’s foreign secretary and his immediate predecessor – are competing to replace Prime Minister Theresa May, who is quitting as leader of the Conservative Party and the country after Par- liament rejected her Brexit deal. A key sticking point is a measure known as the back- stop, designed to ensure that the border between the UK’s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland remains all but invisible. Many Brexit-backing law- makers reject it because it would keep Britain bound to EU trade rules in order to maintain an open border. And Northern Ireland’s Dem- ocratic Unionist Party, which props up the UK’s minority Conservative government, op- poses the backstop over fears it could weaken the bonds between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. EU leaders insist that without the backstop there can be no withdrawal agreement. Hunt told Conservative Party members in Belfast that “we are never going to have a deal to leave the EU with the backstop. So it has to change or it has to go”. He said a “technology- led solution” could remove the need for customs posts and other border infrastruc- ture. Britain and the EU have agreed to look into technolog- ical fixes, but say a solution doesn’t currently exist. Johnson said “the with- drawal agreement as it cur- rently stands is a dead letter”. He called the backstop a form of “moral blackmail” by the EU, and later tweeted: “I will never accept a deal that seeks to bind us in the EU’s customs union for- ever, or which divides our United Kingdom”. Three years on from Brit- ain’s 52%-48% vote to leave the EU, Britain’s departure has been delayed twice by the country’s political impasse. It is currently scheduled for 31 Oct., and both Johnson and Hunt say they will lead the UK out of the bloc, with or without a divorce deal. Most economists say leaving without an agree- ment would severely disrupt trade between Britain and the EU, plunging the country into recession. But Johnson said the warnings had been “wildly overdone”. “We should not be terrified of a no-deal Brexit,” he said. Johnson and Hunt are competing for the votes of about 160,000 Conservative Party members across the UK. The winner, to be an- nounced 23 July, will replace May as party leader and prime minister. The new leader will face a country, and Parliament, deeply divided over Brexit. Polls suggest most mem- bers of the Conservative Party support a no-deal Brexit, and shrug off the warnings of economic turmoil. But most Britons, and the bulk of British businesses, oppose the idea. Treasury chief Philip Ham- mond, who has made increas- ingly loud warnings to Con- servative colleagues about the risks of a no-deal Brexit, said Tuesday that leaving the EU without a divorce agree- ment would mean a 90 billion pound (US$114 billion) hit to the public purse. “It would be wrong to pursue ‘no deal’ as a policy, and I believe it will be for the [House of] Commons, of which I will continue proudly to be a member, to ensure that doesn’t happen,” Ham- mond told lawmakers. Boris JohnsonJeremy Hunt Critics accuse Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson of making empty promises – already rejected by the EU – that will send the UK crashing out of the 28-nation bloc without a deal to cushion the shock.Next >