High of 89 Low of 78 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. LOCAL | PAGE 3 POLICE: REPORTS OF CHILD RAPE IN BODDEN TOWN ‘MISINFORMATION’ WORLD | PAGE 8 MASSIVE TURNOUT AT HONG KONG MARCH ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 6pc - $2.99 9 MOZZARELLA STICKS New! Law Reform Commission looks at decriminalising suicide SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@compassmedia.ky The Law Reform Commission has re- leased a discussion paper recommending that suicide should no longer be a crime in the Cayman Islands. The paper, released on Friday and which came about as a result of a referral from At- torney General Samuel Bulgin in January, made two core recommendations. The first recommendation was that Cayman law should eliminate the provisions that make it a crime for a person to commit suicide, and the second was that the Mental Health Law 2013 should be maintained in its current form. The Law Reform Commission found that the definition of ‘serious mental illness’ is ap- propriate to cover a person who is preparing to take their own life. The commission noted that the law makes provision for a suicidal person to be apprehended by a police officer and taken to a medical practitioner for assess- ment and observation. The paper says there are no known exam- ples of cases of prosecutions for suicide or at- tempted suicide in the Cayman Islands, but it says that people were prosecuted for suicide, or ‘self-murder’, in England and Wales until about 50 years ago. A person found guilty of suicide, even though dead, was subject to pun- ishments including forfeiture of property to the Crown and being given a ‘profane burial’, and while most of those who attempted sui- PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » Kadejah Bodden of Bodden Town takes to the stage after winning the Miss Cayman Universe crown and title at The Ritz-Carlton on Saturday night. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Kadejah Bodden wins Miss Cayman Universe JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Kadejah Bodden, a 24-year-old Bodden Town beauty, is the new Miss Cayman Universe. Bodden was crowned Saturday night at the annual pageant at The Ritz-Carlton hotel. One of the biggest responses from the 600-strong crowd on the night was Bodden’s answer to the question: “People from over 100 counties around the world live in the Cayman Islands. With so much foreign influences, what does being Caymanian mean to you?” She responded: “Being Caymanian means embracing Caymanian culture, history, art, food, but you know what, being Caymanian also means embracing the 100-plus nationali- ties that make up our island because without them we would not be the Cayman we know and love today.” All six contestants looked stunning in evening wear, escorted on stage by uni- formed officers from Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service, but the tall Bodden Town beauty queen stood out from the rest in a shimmering silver evening gown with matching earrings. Bodden, who also won the titles for Best in Gown, Best Legs and Best Smile, holds a master’s degree in regenerative medicine from Queen Mary University of London. She enjoys keeping up with current affairs, yoga, reading and paddleboarding. In an interview backstage with the Cayman Compass before her win, Bodden PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 »2 LOCAL®IONAL MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 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. - MONDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) THE ANGRY BIRDS (PG) MOVIES 2 1:00 VIP | 3:55 3D | 6:30 | 9:00 3D 47 METERS DOWN: (PG13) UNCAGED 12:30 | 2:55 | 7:40 | 10:00 MISSION MANGAL (PG) 12:40 | 6:50 | 9:50 GOOD BOYS (R) 1:20 | 3:35 | 5:15 | 10:10 DORA AND THE LOST (PG) CITY OF GOLD 1:30 | 6:45 THE LION KING (2019) (PG) 4:00 | 9:15 F&F HOBBS & SHAW (PG13) 1:05 3D | 3:35 | 4:05 | 6:45 VIP | 7:10 | 9:50 VIP Public beach playground closed until end August The playground by the Seven Mile Beach public beach parking lot will be closed until Friday, 30 Aug., as work by Dart in the area continues. According to a press re- lease from the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands, the playground, located just north of the parking lot, will be closed from 16 Aug. until the end of the month while walking paths are being con- structed. The work is part of the final phases of Dart’s $3 million enhancement of the recreational areas of the beach. The release noted that the playground facilities on the beach are not affected. Chief Inspector for the Public Lands Commission Winsome Prendergast said in the release, “Whilst we un- derstand that there may be disappointment in the tem- porary closure of the play- ground, I strongly advise all members of the public to keep away from the play- ground to avoid injury or bodily harm during the con- struction period. We are working in the best interest of our public to ultimately ensure a safe and user- friendly public facility for the benefit of all.” The enhancement pro- ject, which was included in the Third Amendment to the National Roads Au- thority Agreement, between the Cayman Islands govern- ment and Dart, is scheduled to reach completion in the fall. Earlier this year, Dart completed the transfer of its leasehold interests in the parcels of land to the east of Seven Mile Public Beach to the government. According to the release, the ongoing works include improvements to the vol- leyball courts, the planting of additional native land- scaping, and the construc- tion of a new vendor area and restroom block. The new southern pathway is open and the Mobi-mat has been temporarily relocated to ensure continued beach ac- cess for persons with disa- bilities. Throughout the pro- ject, beachgoers are still able to access and book the beach cabanas. CUBAN STATE TO ABSORB UNDERGROUND VIDEO-GAMERS’ NETWORK HAVANA (AP) – After weeks of resistance from Cuban video gamers, the is- land’s state-run computer organisation will absorb the services of an offline underground network that for more than a decade ex- tended privately in Havana. The state’s Youth Com- puter Club will take control of SNET – a merging of the words Street and Network – thanks to a law that came into force in late July and authorises Cubans to have private networks, while paradoxically dismantling the largest of them. “This service will grow with the increased infra- structure” of the Youth Com- puter Club, Pablo Julio Plá Feria, general director of the Communications Ministry, told local media Thursday night. His comments were a response to protests by SNET users. SNET expanded rap- idly over the past decade without the internet, re- lying instead on wireless connections and cables strung between houses and buildings. The system’s an- tennas are visible on Ha- vana rooftops. Observers say it has more than 40,000 users in the capital, many of whom use it to play games like World of Warcraft or Bat- tlefield or discuss sports. It emerged as a way to play multi-player video games in an offline mode. Talking politics, exchanging por- nography or insulting is prohibited. The network operated in a grey area in that it was not illegal but was not al- lowed either. But the new regulations allow only lower power networks cov- ering small areas, leaving SNET now outside the law. UK-based Caymanian students gather More than 100 guests joined Governor Martyn Roper at Government House on Thursday night to cele- brate six years of Cayman Connection UK. The event takes place in Cayman every year to bring together Caymanian stu- dents who are studying in the UK and those who are pre- paring to go to the UK for the first time. Roper said in a press re- lease, “It was a pleasure to meet so many Caymanian stu- dents at Government House [Thursday] before they head off to the UK. They were able to meet students who are al- ready in the UK to hear direct about their experiences. “Cayman Connection UK does an excellent job sup- porting Caymanian students whilst studying in the UK. The UK offers world-recog- nised universities and aca- demic excellence. Education is important for nurturing UK/Cayman links. The advan- tage the UK offers, because Caymanian students only pay home not overseas costs, is enormous and I am keen to see even more Caymanians studying in the UK.” He added, “On a related note, Chevening applica- tions are now open until 5 November and I would en- courage students who have a degree to consider this schol- arship programme. Chevening scholarships provide a fan- tastic opportunity to study for a one-year master’s de- gree in the UK where stu- dents have the opportunity to develop, network and experi- ence our diverse UK culture.” Eric Bush, chief officer of the Ministry of International Trade, Aviation and Maritime Affairs, attended the event and gave words of encourage- ment to the students, advised on updates from the Govern- ment Office in the UK, in- cluding the announcement of the new Cayman Islands Rep- resentative Andre Ebanks. “It was a pleasure seeing so many and such a diverse group of young adults excited to start or continue their studies in the UK,” Bush said in the release. “I wish all our students well and hope they stay active and engaged with CCUK and encourage them to experience all that the UK and Europe has to offer.” Kate Kandiah, co-founder of CCUK, spoke to guests with Lead Student Ambassador David Ramsaran, about the network and recent events in the UK. Updates included re- ports on student activity in the UK over the last year, so- cial events that took place and updates on upcoming events, including a workshop taking place on Friday, 16 Aug. She noted that Phillippa Knights is the new head of student liaison at the London Office. Kandiah encouraged stu- dents and friends to sign up to CCUK using the reg- istration form on the CCUK website. Kandiah said, “This year we welcomed a great cross- section of students studying in all fields. Our aim of this event is to bring together stu- dents who are currently stud- ying or have studied in the UK with those who are about to go for the first time; this is a great opportunity for them to mix and chat, share experi- ences and to help each other. It’s fantastic to also welcome previous student members who have now graduated and are progressing their own CCUK Alumni programme in Cayman.” After weeks of complaints and resistance, Cuban video game players will have their home grown street intranet absorbed by the Cuban State. - PHOTO: AP Governor Martyn Roper and Eric Bush, chief officer in the Ministry of International Trade, Aviation and Maritime Affairs, with students at the Cayman Connection UK event at Government House.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. Customer Announcement Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Ltd. wishes to advise that due to the announcement by the Federal Reserve to decrease the federal funds rate by 0.25% on July 31, 2019, the following changes will occur: • USD Prime Rate decrease from 5.50% to 5.25%, effective August 5, 2019 • KYD Prime Rate decrease from 5.50% to 5.25%, effective August 15, 2019 All products linked to USD and KYD Prime Rates will be adjusted on the effective dates indicated. Interest Rate Adjustments Police: Reports of child rape in Bodden Town ‘misinformation’ Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne says online re- ports of a rape of a boy in Bodden Town are incorrect, describing them as “mis- information” that has been causing alarm and tension in the district. Byrne called a press briefing on Saturday to counter the reports, stating that there was no evidence that a physical or sexual as- sault had taken place and no criminal complaint had been filed. “It’s causing an awful lot of tension in the commu- nity, particularly in Bodden Town,” he said. “The most striking feature for me at the minute is the stress that is being caused to the family at the centre of this information. It has become quite serious for them.” He said the mother and child, who are at a hospital in Miami, were reluctant to return to Cayman because of the social media reports that were circulating. Two RCIPS officers travelled to the US to speak with them last week and to get infor- mation from the hospital. Asked if the boy had made any allegations re- garding an assault, the commissioner said, “Quite the opposite. There is ab- solutely no information, no indication, nothing that would indicate that any- thing of a sexual or physical assault took place.” He added, “It is purely a child safeguarding, a child protection issue. That’s what it is at the moment. It’s not a criminal investiga- tion, and that’s what needs to be corrected.” He acknowledged that the Cayman Islands Hos- pital had made a referral re- garding the boy to the De- partment of Children and Family Services, which then contacted the Family Sup- port Unit within the Multi- Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). The Family Sup- port Unit is an investiga- tive unit that handles child protection cases. The child was then referred for assis- tance overseas. The commissioner in- sisted the referral was not in relation to a phys- ical or sexual assault, but said he was unable to pro- vide further information on why the referral was made due to medical and family confidentiality. Inspector Kevin Ash- worth, head of the Family Support Unit, sought to clarify the difference be- tween a “referral” and a re- port of an incident, saying “A referral … is actually a request for service …. In this instance, a referral was made by the [Cayman Is- lands] Hospital under the mandated reporting process under the Children Law … and that was acted upon as a safeguarding matter, not as a criminal issue.” He said the MASH unit was involved in the case two weeks before it began circu- lating on social media. Commissioner Byrne said police had sent officers to Miami to speak with the mother and son because of the momentum that had built up around the online reports that had “propelled complete misinformation of a very graphic nature”. He also denied a report online that stated that Chil- dren’s Hospital in Miami had referred the case to po- lice there. “That was ab- solutely incorrect as well,” he said. “We obviously en- gaged with the local police service and no referral was made from the hospital in respect to the child. There was other inquiries made at the hospital to confirm that nothing untoward had happened and they found no evidence that hadn’t been found here.” Police said a man who had been identified on the Cayman Marl Road website as being involved in the al- leged assault had filed a complaint with the RCIPS, which are investigating the matter. Commissioner Bryne said the online re- ports of the man’s involve- ment were “incorrect” and had caused the man “great harm and distress”. The matter would be referred to the Director of Public Pros- ecutions, he added. Asked about another el- ement of the online reports regarding a politician al- legedly paying the family to remain quiet, the com- missioner said, “My con- cern is about the mother and child at the centre of this information. There are consequential or ancillary issues relating to people being dragged into it wrongly, information being given in the public domain about hush monies and particular persons being involved, and that is abso- lutely incorrect.” Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, centre, with Detective Inspector Peter Lansdown, left, and Inspector Kevin Ashworth at Saturday’s press briefing. Cyclist mugs woman on West Bay street A woman was robbed while walking along Mount Pleasant Road in West Bay on Thursday night. Police said officers re- sponded to a report of the robbery near Vibe Lane shortly after 10pm. The woman had been walking when she was ap- proached from behind by a man on a bicycle, who at- tempted to take her phone from her. She was able to keep hold of the phone, but the robber grabbed a chain from her neck and rode off on the bicycle in the direc- tion of Meadow Avenue. The woman was not in- jured in the incident. The suspect is described as being between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall, of light complexion, and was wearing a black short- sleeved shirt, long black pants and a red hat which covered his face. He was riding a black bicycle. Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at or shortly after 10pm who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Bay CID at 649-3999. She was able to keep hold of the phone, but the robber grabbed a chain from her neck. “ It’s causing an awful lot of tension in the community, particularly in Bodden Town. The most striking feature for me at the minute is the stress that is being caused to the family at the centre of this information. It has become quite serious for them.” COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DEREK BYRNEThe 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@compassmedia.ky, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS CPR Cayman outlines its key concerns on cruise ship dock Cruise Port Referendum Cayman has submitted a three-part letter to the Cayman Compass outlining its concerns about the pro- posed facility. This is part 1. As the Elections Office verification process passes 85% and the first constitu- tionally enshrined people-in- itiated referendum becomes a certainty, much of the crit- ical data Caymanian voters will need to be able to truly make an informed deci- sion, has still not been made public by the government. The government should release any undisclosed in- formation that they do hold immediately, and the ref- erendum date should be scheduled to allow for the completion of and public consultation on the updated Environmental Impact As- sessment and updated Final Business Case reports, to allow citizens of our islands to make a fully informed de- cision on this matter of na- tional importance. This three-part letter seeks to highlight some, but not all, of the numerous sig- nificant and unquantified risks where mitigation strat- egies could be (i) high cost (ii) unidentified (iii) based on unreliable data or (iv) sub- ject to environmental un- certainty associated with this project. Berthing facility design Following the preferred bidder announcement on 29 July 2019, no design has been made public showing numerical data to quantify the direct impact of the foot- print, including dredge area, concrete area and location relative to the surrounding marine ecosystems of coral reefs, hard pan and sandy bottom habitat, and historic shipwrecks. Marine Habitat loss The 2015 design, which an Environmental Im- pact Assessment (the ‘EIA’ or ‘Baird Report’) was con- ducted on, proposed direct dredging involving perma- nent and irreversible removal of 15 acres of coral reef and total dredging of 32 acres of seabed. A footprint with 20% less dredging directly exca- vates 12 acres of invaluable marine habitat, 25.6 acres of seabed in total, in addition to indirect lethal and sub-lethal impacts on surrounding reefs. Sedimentation Lethal and sub-le- thal sedimentation from dredging during construc- tion and periodically during operation, as well as cruise ship thrusters during op- eration, will impact marine ecosystems approximately 220 metres surrounding the immediate dredged area (Baird Non-Technical Sum- mary Section 14, see Figure 14.1). The public needs to have information on the de- sign to see how extensive this indirect negative conse- quence will be. Water clarity Dredging of limestone and coral material creates milky white ‘clouds’ in the water column clearly ob- servable at other port loca- tions around the Caribbean. Cayman is famous for our enviable, over 100 feet visi- bility, of water clarity. George Town harbour’s breathtaking crystal-clear aquamarine waters are the first view of Grand Cayman for both air and cruise arrivals. This will be lost for- ever, replaced by a cloudy murky sea we are more fa- miliar with only during Nor’westers (but without the high waves). Are we pre- pared for this irreversible loss and the immediate dis- appointment of our visitors? Air pollution Air pollution risks, moni- toring and mitigation have not been highlighted by the government despite an en- tire section of the Baird re- port dedicated to air quality (Appendix G). Perhaps this is unsurprising as the Cayman Islands has no numer- ical standards on ambient air quality. There will be significantly more air pollution as a result of ships closer to shore and increased road traffic. Does government have any pollu- tion mitigation strategies? How is government plan- ning to prevent health re- lated illnesses from in- creased air pollution? Will government provide better health insurance over and above the SHIC plan? Is it fair that those working and living in the immediate George Town harbour area are exposed to these toxic fumes? Wave heights Low-lying George Town residents and merchants risk an increased susceptibility of storm flooding once the nat- ural occurring coastal coral reef defences are perma- nently destroyed. Seawalls are costly, un- sightly and protection is not guaranteed. Parts 2 and 3 will examine the proposed coral reloca- tion, socioeconomic consid- erations, job opportunities, infrastructure impacts, car- rying capacity and the fi- nancing model. In conclusion, we wish to emphasise the importance of ensuring the referendum question chosen by Cabinet fairly reflects the original pe- tition wording and is clear, easy to understand for voters and ensures fairness and objectivity. Linda Clark, FCCA, MSc Marine Environ- mental Management On behalf of CPR Cayman LETTER TO THE EDITOR Keep litter ‘pigs’ at bag In Cayman, we like to practise ‘Cayman Kind’ with respect and friendliness of- fered to all residents and visitors alike. In Cayman, we love our verdant Island. We love the blue of the sea and sky. Sadly, in Cayman, we are being negatively affected by a growing infestation of what I call ‘Invisible Trash Pigs’ (Scientific name: Quis- quiliae Sus Invisibilia). These creatures are rarely seen by the naked eye. They are relatively scent- less, and they do not snort like their common cousin, Sus Scrofa Domesticus. Trash pig infesta- tions can be determined by growing amounts of trash left on roadsides, beaches, trails. Heavy infestations man- ifest in unmistakable large dumping areas with con- tents such as building mate- rials and picked over vehicle remains, usually located in places ‘off the beaten path’, such as Barkers Head Park. Invisible pigs will influ- ence witless humans (people who have not been educated in our ways of respect for themselves, other people or the environment) to litter on their behalf. There are a few methods to successfully eliminate infestations. First, all good Caymanians need to be on guard in their own backyards and neigh- bourhoods. Pick up any little pieces of debris to place into recycling bins or the garbage. Invisible pigs love to accu- mulate garbage and learn quickly that they can deposit in the same place again and again if their first deposit goes undisturbed. Second, Caymanians who see an invisible pig in ac- tion, or a human under the mental control of an invis- ible pig, need to call out to stop the littering. We need to share with that human our concern for our environmental health, the importance for them to share that concern and we need to show them how to use the garbage and recy- cling bins located around the island. Educating and empow- ering all visitors and resi- dents alike about the impor- tance of a clean country, and how to keep it clean, will greatly reduce the ability of invisible pigs to spread their littering ways. Third, if an invisible pig, or a human under their in- fluence cannot be made to see reason and clean up after themselves, we need to use our Litter Law. Call the police to have them en- force the law. Invisible pigs are commit- ting an offence. Document with your camera, collect witnesses’ contact informa- tion, and call the police. Section 3 of our Litter Law directs that whoever litters a public place as to cause its defacement is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of $500 or to imprisonment for six months. We need to start to use the law for our own benefit. We each need to work hard to eradicate this infes- tation. Let’s keep Cayman Kind AND Clean, for us, for our visitors, and especially for the visible wildlife we share this country with. Deirdre Billes PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@compassmedia.ky Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR CATHERINE MACGILLIVRAY A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” Pick up any little pieces of debris to place into recycling bins or the garbage.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 EXPERT CANCER CAREFOR CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS © 2019 IPB CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS Pamela R. Breast Cancer Patient At Cancer Treatment Centers of America © (CTCA), we guide you and your family every step of the way, starting with a 3-5 day initial evaluation to develop your personalized cancer treatment plan. A team of clinicians will work together to provide treatments combined with supportive care therapies designed to help manage side effects, boost your energy and keep you strong during treatment. Police to reconstruct fatal boat accident The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police is bringing a marine accident reconstruc- tion investigator from over- seas to help with the probe into the fatal boat crash on Sunday, 11 Aug., in which two men were killed and a woman seriously injured. Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne told reporters on Saturday that the inves- tigation is being managed by the CID and the Joint Marine Unit. “We are taking in an off- island marine construc- tion accident investigator to assist us with the inves- tigations and that really is going to take some time,” Byrne said. Former police officer and football referee Emmanuel Brown, 49, from Cayman, and British man John Turner, 70, died after the single-engine 24-foot Hurricane Deck boat they were in was involved in a collision with charter boat Pepper Jelly just before 10am on 11 Aug. Emergency services found Turner unresponsive on board the boat. Brown had been knocked overboard and search and rescue crews recovered his body the fol- lowing day around noon. The third person on board the boat on which Brown and Turner were in that night remains in hos- pital. Commissioner Byrne said the injured woman is still “in a very serious condi- tion”, adding that an RCIPS family liaison officer had been appointed to assist her family. Three people on board the Pepper Jelly were not in- jured in the accident. Their boat capsized in the collision but all three swam to shore. The Pepper Jelly charter boat at Harbour House Marine following the 11 Aug. fatal collision. - PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY ECLIPZE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR CHARITY CUT-A-THON As it prepares for its an- nual breast cancer aware- ness Cut-A-Thon, Eclipze Hair Design and Day Spa is seeking volunteers to help out. The event takes place on Sunday, 20 Oct., during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Organisers are in- viting salon and spa pro- fessionals from other com- panies to participate, as well as people to step for- ward to have at least 12 inches cut off their hair. Donated hair will be sent to Locks of Love to make wigs for children who have lost their hair. The haircut volunteers are trying to raise at a min- imum of $1,000 towards their cuts, organisers said in a press release, “so mem- bers of the public are asked to sponsor them to help them reach this goal”. This will be the 19th time that Camana Bay- based Eclipze holds the Cut-A-Thon. Funds will go to the Lions Club of Tropical Gar- dens Breast Cancer Aware- ness Fund to help in pro- viding education on early detection and mammo- grams for men and women who are otherwise unable to afford them. “It is a great feeling to know that you could be helping to save someone’s life,” Darla Dilbert said in the release. For more information, email eclipze@eclipze.ky or call Anneka or Darla at 945- 1188 or 916-7274. Eclipze is looking for volunteers who are willing to donate their hair to children who are undergoing cancer treatment. Savannah residents learn how to assist in emergencies The newest members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) grad- uated last week from the pro- gramme at the Bodden Town Civic Centre. Ten volunteers from Sa- vannah Meadows com- pleted 26 hours of training across a five-week period, covering topics on search and rescue, vulnerability and capacity assessment, damage assessment and fire safety leading up to the graduation. The team includes vol- unteers from the Cayman Islands Fire Service, Gov- ernment Facilities Manage- ment, the National Weather Service and other various organisations. The newly established group will be responsible for compiling lists of resource personnel and equipment within their community, iden- tifying potential hazards and who may be the most vulner- able in their community, as well as promoting awareness of disaster preparedness, ac- cording to a press release. In times of natural dis- aster, emergency services may become over-stretched and communities can be in- accessible. CERTs increases national disaster response capacity and provide on-the- ground information for crit- ical decision making during the aftermath. Teresita DaSilva, acting deputy director at Hazard Management, said CERT members take on many active roles within their community. “Their skill sets prepare them to alleviate suffering before, during and after an event,” DaSilva said. “We are grateful to those who have volunteered for their commitment to making their community a stronger and more resilient place,” she added. The formation of CERT in the Savannah Meadows area was spearheaded by Heather Bodden. The training, which is provided by Hazard Manage- ment and the Red Cross is free and open to all residents aged 16 and over. CERT teams have also been established in North Side, North Sound Garden Community, West Bay, Windsor Park, Cayman Brac and Prospect. For more information on CERT training, or to establish a team in your area, contact Teresita DaSilva at 945‑4624. Members of Cayman’s newest emergency response team receive their incorporation documents and backpacks on Wednesday, 14 Aug., from Eddie Tingling‑Miller, disaster manager at the Cayman Islands Red Cross, far left, and Teresita DaSilva, acting deputy director of Hazard Management, far right. A black ribbon on the door of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service headquarters at Elizabethan Square was originally placed there to mark the passing of former Governor Athelstan Charles Long, but remains in place in honour of former RCIPS officer Emmanuel Brown who died in the 11 Aug. boat collision.The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS cide and survived were dis- charged, some were fined or sent to prison for up to six months, the paper states. The Law Reform Commis- sion stated that eliminating the law making suicide illegal would bring Cayman closer in line to laws in the United Kingdom, Canada and around the world. The discussion paper notes that the Cayman Islands are among a minority of coun- tries – mainly from the African and Asian regions – that still criminalise suicide. The paper listed the Bahamas as a Car- ibbean nation that also makes suicide illegal. Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Malaysia and Sin- gapore were also cited by the discussion paper. The commission also deter- mined that if in fact suicide is no longer a criminal offence, the Penal Code should be amended to retain assisted su- icide as a substantive offence. The amended section of the Penal Code would not just abrogate the law making su- icide illegal; it would also in- sert language asserting crim- inal liability for complicity in another person’s suicide. Sec- tion 186B of the proposed amendment would make it il- legal to encourage or assist in the attempted suicide of an- other person. Notably, a person may commit an offence in that re- gard whether or not an at- tempted suicide ever occurs. The maximum penalty for en- couraging or assisting an at- tempted suicide would be 14 years imprisonment. The new section also provides that if a trial for an indictment of murder or manslaughter proves that the deceased person com- mitted suicide, the accused may still be found guilty of as- sisting in that suicide. Section 41 of the recently enacted Health Care Deci- sions Law states that a doctor may withdraw all life-sus- taining measures from a pa- tient who has been certified as brain dead. The discussion paper states that a physician who complied with section 41 of the Health Care Decisions Law would not be guilty of an offence. The discussion document referred to a recent survey by the National Drug Council and the Alex Panton Foundation of school and college students which indicated that the rates of suicide are continuously rising in the Cayman Islands, particularly among children and young people. One in three children surveyed re- ported suicidal ideation and 13% reported actual attempted suicide. The survey also sug- gested that only 5% of these children in need are seeking treatment. Stakeholders and members of the general public will have the opportunity to comment on the issues in the discussion paper, which can be viewed at www.lrc.gov.ky. People who want to heard can submit their comments to the Director of Law Reform Commission by 21 Oct. 2019 electronically at cilawreform@gov.ky. Law Reform Commission looks at decriminalising suicide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Police, NRA clean up waterfront in GT Following reports of attempts by individuals trying to sell drugs and rent chairs along the waterfront in George Town, police and National Roads Authority, with a landscaping com- pany, cleaned up the area earlier this month. In a press release, the Royal Cayman Islands Po- lice Service said members of the public had alerted Auxiliary Constable Fabian O’Connor to the illegal ac- tivities, which police said had contributed to the area, across from Bodden Road, being in an “unkempt state”. O’Connor then con- tacted the NRA and the owner of the landscaping company, who helped of- ficers clear vegetation and debris from the area, giving it a more open ap- pearance and “reducing the seclusion that allowed anti-social activities to take place there”. Police remove vegetation and debris from the waterfront area on North Church Street. - PHOTOS: RCIPS UN: MIGRANT DEATHS IN AMERICAS TOP 500 SO FAR THIS YEAR GENEVA (AP) – More than 500 migrants have lost their lives in the Americas so far this year, about a 33% increase from a year ago, the UN migration agency said Friday. International Organ- ization for Migration spokesman Joel Millman said “turmoil” in Ven- ezuela may account for “much of 2019’s fatality surge”. More than 4 mil- lion people have left Ven- ezuela since 2015. IOM has confirmed 89 deaths of Venezuelans this year, second only to more than 100 who were of unknown nationalities. In total, 514 people have died this year in the Americas through 14 Aug., up from 384 a year ago. It’s the fastest that the 500 mark has been reached since IOM began counting in 2014. Millman told reporters in Geneva that the death rate on the US-Mexico border has not changed much in the last six years of tracking such figures, now still amounting to about one per day. Overall, just over half of the deaths this year – 259 – were caused by drowning, such as through shipwrecks in the Carib- bean or failed river cross- ings. About 65 were from highway crashes, and around 20 each on rail- road routes, from dehy- dration or exposure, vio- lence including homicide, and sickness or lack of medical care. Millman said the fig- ures do not include deaths of people in detention: 11, including eight in the US and three in Mexico. Mexico president opposes prosecuting predecessors MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador repeated Friday his opposition to pros- ecuting former presidents even as he said that a presi- dent would know everything that happened during his administration. The question of pros- ecuting ex-presidents has taken new life with prosecu- tors’ pursuit of Rosario Ro- bles, an ex-Cabinet minister of former President Enrique Peña Nieto. This week a judge or- dered that Robles be held in jail pending trial for alleg- edly knowing about the di- version of $260 million of public funds going back to 2014 and not doing anything. The judge also told prosecu- tors to clarify whether Peña Nieto knew about it. Robles is accused of “wrongful exer- cise of public service”. “Mexico’s president has all of the information,” López Obrador said. “All presidents know what happens.” López Obrador said if the public really wants to go after an ex-president he would consider holding a public vote on it. He has made battling corruption a centerpiece of his adminis- tration, but consistently said he does not want to pursue his predecessors. He has said he wants to move forward, not seek revenge. The president also char- acterised as “legal sabotage” a judge’s order Thursday to stop construction of a new commercial airport for the capital at the Santa Lucia military base until an injunc- tion requested by organiza- tions opposed to the project is resolved. “Seeking injunctions against all the projects we’re going is the national sport,” López Obrador said. “I hope it’s resolved quickly.” The judge’s decision could be appealed by the government. Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador - PHOTO: AP The Law Reform Commission stated that eliminating the law making suicide illegal would bring Cayman closer in line to laws in the United Kingdom, Canada and around the world. New US ambassador arrives in Mexico MEXICO CITY (AP) – New US Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau arrived in Mexico City on Friday to take up one of Washington’s most important diplomatic posts, which had been va- cant for over a year, amid a tricky time for relations be- tween the North American neighbours. Landau replaces Roberta Jacobson, the first woman to be the United States’ envoy to Mexico, who resigned and re- tired in May 2018. “I arrive with my hand extended. The United States wins when there is a pros- perous and stable Mexico, and Mexico wins when there is a prosperous and stable United States,” Landau said in brief remarks to journalists upon arriving at Mexico City’s airport in the morning. He did not take questions. The United States and Mexico have deep cultural, familial and economic ties. The United States buys about 80% of Mexican exports, some $358 billion last year, and in the first quarter of this year Mexico was the United States’ No. 1 commercial partner for the first time, ahead of Canada and China. But Landau’s arrival comes after months of tensions over immigration and trade. Mexico has cracked down a wave of mostly Cen- tral American migrants and asylum seekers moving through its territory after US President Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs on imports from its southern neighbour. The number of migrants encountered by US authorities in July dropped below 100,000 for the first time in five months, ac- cording to US government data released last week. Christopher Landau, the new US ambassador to Mexico, arrives in Mexico City, Friday. - PHOTO: APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 said the journey up to that point had been intense and hectic, with a lot of training, but also rewarding. She said if she won the title, it would mean that she would be able to give back to the community, and she re- ally wanted to see Cayman place this year in the Miss Universe Pageant. Miss Uni- verse 2019 will be held in Seoul, South Korea, on 19 Dec. It was won last year by Catriona Gray from the Philippines. For winning Miss Uni- verse Cayman, Bodden re- ceives a $70,000 three-year educational scholarship, em- ployment with the Depart- ment of Tourism for one year, and a 2019 Kia K3 for one year, among other gifts. Mariah Tibbetts, 25, also from Bodden Town, was named first runner-up. She also won the People’s Choice Award, and received gifts and a $20,000 scholarship. Jason Howard of Hurley’s Media said an online poll where members of the public could vote for their favourite con- testant received close to a million hits for the People’s Choice Award. Mahalia Seymour, 25, was second runner-up; she won a $2,500 educational scholarship. Samantha Dixon, 27, from East End was named Miss Photogenic, and Aleka Beck- ford, 24, from Bodden Town was named Miss Personality. Also taking part was Francine Wright from Bodden Town. To kick off the show, the contestants performed an opening dance number with Brac Koalition. It was co- ordinated by former Miss Cayman Monique Brooks. The contestants then appeared in swim wear and evening wear. Kevin Dawkins and Sa- been Calvetti co-hosted the event. Tibbetts told the Cayman Compass backstage she was excited to be in the pageant and will continue work with the Alex Panton Foundation, the chosen platform for this year’s competition. Seymour said they had all joined the pageant to win, but were all winners in their own way. “Just taking the first step to bravery is the encourage- ment most young women here in the Cayman Islands need to help join the pag- eant,” she said. Derri Dacres-Lee, com- mittee chair for the Miss Cayman Universe committee, said the pageant provides a platform for young Cayma- nian women to further their education, build social net- work and self-confidence, and create opportunities for suc- cess, which ultimately paves the way for them to become leaders in the community. Dacres-Lee said the Alex Panton Foundation had been chosen as the pageant plat- form to raise awareness about mental illness, depres- sion and anxiety that affects children and young adults in the Cayman Islands. She said it was the very first time the pageant was being held at The Ritz- Carlton, and as they were having a prestigious na- tional event, The Ritz-Carlton was the perfect place. “Hope- fully, we will be able to have it there again next year,” she said. Jane Panton, chairperson of the Alex Panton Founda- tion, told the audience that the foundation has many projects on the way to pro- mote awareness. These in- clude a youth ambassador programme to enhance knowledge of mental ill- ness, and the launch of emo- tional literacy education programmes called ‘Zippy’s Friends’ and ‘Apple’s Friends’, developed by the UK’s Part- nership for Children, which is free of charge to all the primary schools and after- school programmes in the Cayman Islands. MLA David Wight deliv- ering remarks on behalf of Deputy Premier Moses Kirk- connell, told the audience said the Miss Cayman pag- eants have always been close to his heart, ever since his mother Marguerite Wight was a runner-up in the contest. Entertainment for the pageant was provided by Jaedyn Hanna, Erica Assai, Nathan Caraballo Calles, Caitlin Tyson, Stuart Wilson and Burmon Scott. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Kadejah Bodden, Miss Cayman Universe 2019, is crowned by outgoing queen Caitlin Tyson, as second runner-up Mahalia Seymour looks on. – PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY Caitlin Tyson takes her final walk as Miss Cayman Universe. Kadejah Bodden wins Miss Cayman Universe Singer Stuart Wilson serenades the beauty queens. Mariah Tibbetts was the first runner-up. Miss World Cayman Kelsie Woodman-Bodden was on hand to support the contestants. Miss Teen Cayman Latecia Bush made a guest appearance at Saturday’s pageant. Mahalia Seymour was named second runner-up.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS Islamic State bombs wedding An Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack in Kabul this year, with 63 killed and 182 wounded at a wedding. Massive turnout at Hong Kong march HONG KONG (AP) – Hong Kong streets were turned into rivers of umbrellas on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of people marched through heavy rain down a major road in the Chinese territory, where massive pro-democracy demon- strations have become a regular weekend activity. Organisers said at least 1.7 million participated, though the police estimate was far lower. The assembly was peaceful, with no reports of violence, making for a rare calm weekend in a protest movement that has been marked by violent clashes with police. Law enforcement officers kept a low profile, with no riot police seen from the procession’s main routes. When stragglers convened out- side a government complex in the late evening, other protesters urged them to go home. Demonstrators who were shining laser pointers at a government building were convinced to leave, prompting applause from others in the group. “We hope to see whether the government gives a response to this peaceful protest,” said Mi- chael Leung, a 24-year-old who was ushering his fellow demonstra- tors away. “If we get a negative re- sponse, we cannot control the next (gathering).” Organiser Bonnie Leung of the Civil Human Rights Front said ear- lier in the day that she hoped there would be no “chaotic situations”. “We hope we can show the world that Hong Kong people can be to- tally peaceful,” she said. The Civil Human Rights Front had organised three previous mas- sive marches in Hong Kong since June. The movement, however, has been increasingly marked by clashes with police as demonstra- tors vent their frustrations over what they perceive to be the govern- ment’s blatant refusal to respond to their demands. “Peace is the No. 1 priority today,” said Kiki Ma, a 28-year-old accountant who participated in the march. “We want to show that we aren’t like the government.” While police granted approval for the rally, they did not approve an accompanying march. Demonstra- tors nevertheless fanned out and filled the streets, as there was not enough space at the designated as- sembly area. Public transit trains did not stop at stations near the assembly be- cause of overcrowding. Jimmy Shan of the Civil Human Rights Front said the group esti- mated that at least 1.7 million took part in the rally. He said the figure did not include those who were not able to make it to Victoria Park – where the march began – due to traffic constraints. Police, whose crowd figures are generally lower than the organisers’ estimates, said the turnout at the assigned location and during the designated time period was 128,000. Many protesters, however, did not follow the pre-approved guidelines laid out by the authorities. In Beijing, You Wenze, a spokesman for China’s cere- monial legislature, condemned statements from US lawmakers supportive of Hong Kong’s pro-de- mocracy movement. You called the lawmakers’ com- ments “a gross violation of the spirit of the rule of law, a blatant double standard and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs”. He said that Hong Kong’s 7.5 million people and the Chinese population as a whole rejected the actions of a “very small group of vi- olent protesters” as well as “any in- terference of foreign forces”. You did not mention any spe- cific lawmaker, but numerous US senators and Congress members, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have affirmed the US com- mitment to human rights and urged Hong Kong’s government to end the standoff. A demonstrator waves a Hong Kong colonial-era flag as others march along a street, Sunday. - PHOTO: AP US TELLS CONGRESS OF PLANS TO SELL F-16 FIGHTERS TO TAIWAN WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration has informed Congress it plans to sell F-16 fighters worth $8 billion to Taiwan in a move that will in- flame already high tensions with China. Two US officials and a congressional aide say the administration infor- mally notified lawmakers of the proposed sale late on Thursday. They were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The F-16 deal is highly controversial because China fiercely opposes all arms sales to Taiwan, which it re- gards as a renegade province, but has specifically objected to advanced fighter jets. The notification also comes as US trade talks with China are stalled and amid unrest in Hong Kong that many fear could prompt Beijing to move militarily against the former British colony. The State Department, which would ultimately au- thorise the sale, declined to comment, but members of Congress from both parties welcomed the proposal. The chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Com- mittee, Reps. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and Michael Mc- Caul, R-Tex., said in a joint statement that it “sends a strong message about the US commitment to security and democracy in the Indo- Pacific” and “will help deter China as they threaten our strategic partner Taiwan and its democratic system of government”. China flexes muscle amid more weekend rallies in Hong Kong SHENZHEN, China (AP) – Mem- bers of China’s paramili- tary People’s Armed Po- lice marched and practiced crowd control tactics at a sports complex in Shenzhen across from Hong Kong in what some interpreted as a threat against pro-democracy protesters in the semi-auton- omous territory. The sound of marching boots and synchronised shouts echoed from the grounds on Friday. Officers in green camouflage stood guard at closed entrances. A stadium security guard said “it wasn’t clear” when the paramilitary police would leave the grounds. Chinese state media have only said that the Shen- zhen exercises were planned earlier and were not di- rectly related to the unrest in Hong Kong, though they came shortly after the cen- tral government in Beijing said the protests were begin- ning to show the “sprouts of terrorism”. From a distance, police could be seen conducting drills in military fatigues, using shields, poles and other riot-control gear. In one exer- cise, two groups marched in formation with those in front raising shields as if to pro- tect themselves from projec- tiles. Others behind held red flags and banners. The words “the law” and “prosecuted” could be seen on one. Outside, dozens of ar- moured carriers and trucks sat in the parking lot of the Shenzhen Bay Stadium, close to a bridge linking mainland China to Hong Kong. Asked if Hong Kong po- lice could maintain order or if mainland Chinese inter- vention is becoming inevi- table, Hong Kong police com- mander Yeung Man-pun said that while they face tremen- dous pressure, “I can tell you we’re confident the police have the capability to main- tain law and order.” Germany, meanwhile, said it considers China to be a re- sponsible actor that will re- spect Hong Kong laws guar- anteeing freedom of speech and rule of law. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday that Hong Kong’s 1997 Basic Law, under which the city was promised a high degree of autonomy when the former British colony returned to China, “is a Chinese law, and as such we naturally expect that the People’s Republic of China, too, won’t call into question the peaceful exer- cise of these rights”. Armoured vehicles and troop trucks are parked outside Shenzhen Bay Stadium in Shenzhen, China. - PHOTO: AP The Trump administration has informed Congress it plans to sell F-16 fighters worth $8 billion to Taiwan in a move that will inflame already high tensions with China. - PHOTO: AP9 WORLD®IONAL CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2019 DEMOLITION LEVELS UK POWER PLANT ONCE NAMED A TOP EYESORE LONDON (AP) – A British power station once voted one of the country’s ug- liest sights has been mostly destroyed in a controlled demolition. The cooling towers of the disused coal-fired plant in Didcot, 55 miles west of central London, were lev- elled early Sunday. The complex, including its massive towers and giant chimney – which is due to levelled later – was voted Britain’s third- worst eyesore by Country Life Magazine in 2003. The plant has been out of commission since 2013 but plans to demolish it were delayed when four workers were killed on the site in 2016. British media reported Sunday that an electrical explosion occurred around the same time as the dem- olition, knocking out power to homes in the area. The link to the demolition is not yet clear. RUSSIAN OPPOSITION FIGURE RE-ARRESTED UPON JAIL RELEASE MOSCOW (AP) – A prominent Russian opposition figure has been detained by police immediately after leaving a jail where he had served two sentences connected to pro- tests in Moscow. Ilya Yashin is one of the independent and op- position politicians who were denied a place on the 8 Sept. ballot for Moscow’s city council election. Their exclusion has sparked a se- ries of protests, including one that attracted an esti- mated 60,000 people, the biggest protest crowd in several years. Yashin initially was jailed for 10 days on 29 July for taking part in an unauthorised rally, then detained upon his release and sentenced to another 10 days for calling for an- other protest. Yashin posted video on Twitter of his Sunday deten- tion, in which a policeman says he faces charges of calling new protests. Migrants jump off rescue boat to try to reach Italian island ROME (AP) – Frustrated by Italy’s interior minister in their quest to set foot in Europe, several migrants jumped into the sea from a Spanish rescue boat that has been blocked for days from docking at an Italian island in a thwarted bid Sunday to reach land on their own. “We have been warning for days, desperation has its limits,” said Open Arms founder Oscar Camps, who released a video showing four migrants, in orange life vests, swimming toward Lampedusa island, while sev- eral crewmembers from the humanitarian group’s ship swam quickly to catch up with them and bring them back aboard. For days, Open Arms, which on Sunday had 107 migrants aboard, has been anchored off Lampedusa, a fishing and vacation island between Sicily and northern Africa. The boat initially had 147 migrants aboard when it reached Italian waters. In the last few days, 40 mi- grants have transferred by Italian coast guard vessels to Lampedusa, including a few who were ailing and 27 who said they were minors. Right-wing Interior Min- ister Matteo Salvini has re- fused docking permission as part of his crackdown on charity rescue boats he con- tends essentially facilitate smuggling of migrants from traffickers’ base in Libya. Open Arms carried out its first rescue of this group 17 days earlier, plucking mi- grants to safety from smug- glers’ unseaworthy dinghies off Libya. Seeking to break the standoff between Open Arms and Salvini, Spain on Sunday offered its southern port of Algeciras to Open Arms for disembarking, even while ac- knowledging that the desti- nation is far and not suitable for disembarking. The office of Spain’s care- taker prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the offer re- flected the “emergency situa- tion” on the boat, and Salvi- ni’s “unconceivable response” in refusing docking. “But right now, Spain is the only country ready to receive (the boat),” Sanchez’ office said. But the offer appeared to have been made in vain. The Spanish NGO’s spokeswoman, Laura Lanuza, described the situation aboard the Open Arms as untenable. “There is anxiety, bouts of violence, control is becoming increasingly difficult,” she said. “To embark on a six day sailing with these people on board who are at the very limit of their possibilities would be crazy. We can’t put their health and lives at risk.” Salvini earlier on Sunday told the shop to leave Italian waters and go to Spain and contended in a tweet that Open Arms was staying an- chored off Lampedusa “just to provoke me and Italy”. BREXIT Leaked memos warn of food, drug shortages LONDON (AP) — Secret British government docu- ments have warned of se- rious disruptions across the country in the event that the UK leaves the European Union without a trade deal on 31 Oct., according to The Sunday Times. The newspaper pub- lished what it said were three pages worth of “plan- ning assumptions” detailing what the British govern- ment expects in the case of a sudden, “no-deal” exit from the EU. Among the most se- rious: “significant” disrup- tions to the supply of drugs and medicine, a decrease in the availability of fresh food and even potential fresh water shortages due to pos- sible interruptions of im- ported water treatment chemicals. Although the grim sce- narios reportedly outlined in the government documents have long been floated by academics and economists, they’ve been repeatedly dis- missed as scaremongering by proponents of Britain’s departure from the EU. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is ready to leave the EU re- gardless of whether he is able to renegotiate the exit Brexit deal struck with Brus- sels by his predecessor, Theresa May. His own officials, how- ever, have warned that with a no-deal Brexit, the sharing of law enforcement data and the health of Britain’s cru- cial financial services in- dustry could be in jeopardy after 31 Oct. The documents pub- lished by the Times also quote officials as warning that up to 85% of all trucks would not be ready for French customs at the crit- ical Channel crossing on 31 Oct., causing lines that could stretch out for days. Some 75% of all drugs coming into Britain ar- rive via that crossing, the memos warned, “making them particularly vulner- able to severe delays”. The officials foresee “crit- ical elements” of the food supply chain being affected that would “reduce avail- ability and choice and in- crease the price, which will affect vulnerable groups”. The Sunday Times did not explain how it got the documents. Britain’s Cabinet Office did not return a mes- sage seeking comment. The cooling towers at the disused coal-fired Didcot power station in Oxfordshire, England, are demolished Sunday. - PHOTO: AP Migrants are evacuated by the Italian Coast Guard from the Open Arms Spanish humanitarian boat at the coast of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Saturday. - PHOTO: AP British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is ready to leave the EU regardless of whether he is able to renegotiate the exit Brexit deal. The group ‘Farmers for a People’s Vote’ took a flock of sheep to the streets in London to oppose Bexit. - PHOTO: APNext >