Your health means the wrld to us For a partnership that you can trust contact 747-2000. www.generali-healthcare.com cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 13 February 2020 NEWS Residents praise police community officers Page 6 Megalodon tooth found Page 2 Governor urges tolerance at prayer breakfast Page 5 Traffic impacting business and tourism Pages 10 and 11 EU set to blacklist Cayman Page 3 egalodon tooth foundMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) 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. 1917 (R) 12:30 | 3:25 | 6:35 | 9:30 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 1:00 VIP | 4:05 | 7:05 | 9:55 VIP BIRDS OF PREY (R) 1:10 | 4:05 VIP | 7:00 VIP | 9:55 DOLITTLE (PG) 1:15 | 4:00 | 6:35 | 9:10 GRETEL & HANSEL (PG13) 12:35 | 2:55 | 5:10 | 7:25 | 9:55 WAVES (R) 12:35 | 3:45 | 6:50 | 9:55 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 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: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of late night showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 86°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS Easterly 15 to 20 knots. SEA STATE Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Tooth the size of a hand discovered A tooth from a megalodon, a long-extinct giant shark, was found in the eastern districts of Grand Cayman last month, according to the Department of Environment. The DoE said that a man found the tooth in the sand at a development site early in January. DoE scientists examined and measured the tooth, which was a little over 4 inches (10.25 cm) long. A DoE spokesperson said that the man who found the tooth, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave it to the department for further study. The name megalodon, originally derived from the ancient Greek, means ‘large tooth’. Researchers believe the megalodon became extinct between 3.5 million and 2.6 million years ago. It was the largest shark ever to swim the oceans and was the apex predator of the global marine environment for 13 million years. “Adult megalodons were believed to have grown to between 15 and 18 metres (48 to 60 feet) long. That’s three times longer than an adult great white shark and about six times longer than the biggest Caribbean reef shark,” DoE said in a statement to the Cayman Compass. Megalodon tooth found in Caymanman 60 feet The scientifically accepted length of the largest megalodons Police to hold community clinics in eastern districts The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service will begin hold- ing twice-weekly community clinics in North Side and East End, from Thursday, 13 Feb. The clinics will be held every Tuesday and Thursday, between 6pm and 9pm, at the police stations in both districts, according to an RCIPS press release. Community police officers and community safety officers for the districts will attend the clinics. In addition, Inspector Fernando Soto, area commander for the eastern districts, will be at select meetings, and the community will be advised in advance of these times, police said. The release advised residents to check the RCIPS website and mobile app to find out more about these community clinics, and the dates that senior officers will be attending. The Water Authority – Cayman is advising Newlands residents to expect interruptions to their water service up until early Thursday morning as it carries out leak-detection work. The work was expected to begin around 10pm Wednesday and to be completed by 5am Thursday. Customers who live in Nathan Merren Drive, Moonbeam Drive, Candlewood Drive, Elderberry Drive, Colby Drive, Democracy Drive, Devonshire Drive and all adjoining roads may experience the interruptions, according to a notification from the Water Authority. Water interruptions for Newlands This large shark tooth, measuring a little over 4 inches (about 10.25 cm), was shown to DoE scientists last week by a man who found it in Grand Cayman’s eastern districts. - Source: PADI cayman compass 2 news N news THURSDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2020Career guidance and educational opportunities for Cayman’s future workforce. Discover exciting career paths with the help of skilled professionals and industry leaders. THE CAYMAN ISLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAREERS EXPO 2020 THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS A COMMUNITY INITIATIVE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CAYMAN ISLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 949-8090 caymanchamber.ky Governors Square, West Bay Road FEATURING EXHIBITIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM: Butterfield Bank | Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa | Health City Cayman Islands | Compass Media | Cayman Finance | Maples | Health Services Authority | WORC | Mourant | Steppingstones | Cayman Maritime | University of Tampa | Deloitte | E&Y | CIIPA | Water Authority University College of the Cayman Islands | Carey Olsen | Appleby | International College of the Cayman Islands | The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman | Department of Public Safety and Communications (911) | Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd. | Marriott Grand Cayman Beach Resort Scotiabank | Insurance Managers of Cayman | DART | Department of Tourism | Nova | Phoenix Construction | Cayman Enterprise City 21 FEB 10AM - 3PM UCCI CAMPUS SIR VASSELL JOHNSON HALL MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky The European Union is set to place the Cayman Islands on its list of uncooperative countries in tax matters at a European Council session next week. The move comes less than a month after the UK exited the EU. According to diplomats, cited by the Financial Times, EU27 ambassadors on Wednesday took a decision to place the Cayman Islands on a list of nine territories that do not effectively cooperate with the European bloc. European finance ministers are set to confirm the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, 18 Feb. In order to avoid inclusion on the tax blacklist, the Cayman Islands government had agreed last year to address EU concerns over the economic substance of collective investment vehicles before the end of 2019. The Legislative Assembly passed amendments to the Mutual Funds Law and a new Private Funds Law reforming the registration, administration and supervision of funds at the end of January 2020. Whether the delay in passing the legislation has caused the move is not clear. According to unnamed officials quoted by the Financial Times, the Cayman Islands “did not pass legislation that adequately addressed concerns about companies who claim tax advantages but do not have a sufficient economic presence on the island”. An EU official said the Cayman law was found to be “deficient”. Given that EU finance ministers are expected to make the final decision next week, the Cayman Islands government said it has not received official confirmation of a blacklisting. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the government said, “We believe that we have introduced the appropriate legislative changes to enhance our regulatory framework, in line with the EU’s requests. “Over the past two years, the Cayman Islands Government has adopted a number of fundamental legislative changes to enhance tax transparency and cooperation with the EU, fully delivering on our commitment to strengthen our regulatory regime and addressing the concerns reflected in the EU Council conclusions of 12 March 2019. The Cayman Islands Government has offered to make itself available for further dialogue or clarification with the Commission and the EU Ministers of Finance,” the statement said. The EU is targeting Cayman and two other British Overseas Territories – Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands – as well as the Bahamas, for enabling structures that attract profits without having corresponding economic activity locally. In response, all four territories introduced domestic legislation that requires certain companies, which want to take advantage of the zero- or low-tax regimes in these jurisdictions, to demonstrate they have a sufficient level of management, staff, offices or expenditures in the territories. Cayman adopted the International Tax Cooperation (Economic Substance) Law in December 2018. In March 2019, the EU Council said Cayman, the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands committed to addressing the concerns relating to economic substance in the area of collective investment funds. While the three jurisdictions had engaged in a positive dialogue with the EU Code of Conduct Group on Business Taxation and have remained cooperative, the EU Council said at the time, they will “require further technical guidance” and “were granted until end [of] 2019 to adapt their legislation”. Bermuda was briefly blacklisted and then removed from the list last year after the territory passed additional amendments to its Economic Substance Regulation and thereby resolved an issue highlighted by the EU regarding the wording of core income-generating activities for intellectual property assets. Paul Byles, director of consulting firm FTS, said the Cayman Islands had done “an extraordinary job” in the area of addressing concerns and perceptions in relation to its anti- money laundering and counter- terrorism financing regime. “This blacklisting relates more to tax-competition issues which are susceptible to more discretion by overseas bodies and commercial politics between countries,” Byles said. He added, “Without reading the analysis that led to the EU blacklisting, it is hard to comment on the tax issues, but it is surprising that Cayman would be blacklisted given the amount of effort and resources we have invested into that area as well. “If we consider the extent of cross-border cooperation that has been in place for decades, plus the recent legislation on economic substance, as well as beneficial ownership, it is hard to conclude that we belong on such a list.” The current list of countries that are deemed uncooperative in tax matters exempts EU members. Since the first EU blacklist was published in December 2017, it has been revised 10 times. Only eight countries are currently blacklisted. Most of them have virtually no financial relations with the EU. They are American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Oman, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu. EU to put Cayman on tax blacklist next week According to diplomats, cited by the Financial Times, EU27 ambassadors on Wednesday took a decision to place the Cayman Islands on a list of nine territories that do not effectively cooperate with the European bloc . cayman compass 3 news N news THURSDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 20201234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 1234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 ACROSS 1 To use (8) 5 Confound (4) 9 A lustrous fabric (5) 10 Worried (7) 11 With professed reluctance (5,7) 13 Turn like a wheel (6) 14 Narrow passage of water (6) 17 Without dissent (4,3,5) 20 Candidate (7) 21 Make suitable (5) 22 Sharp to taste (4) 23 Improper (8) DOWN 1 Other (4) 2 No longer existing (7) 3 Established by custom (12) 4 Large cooked shrimp (6) 6 Residence (5) 7 Delay momentarily (8) 8 Demanding too much (12) 12 Intimidate (8) 15 Enthusiastic applause (7) 16 Defeated (6) 18 To coach (5) 19 Reside temporarily (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16300 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16299 ACROSS: 1 Ambiguous, 8 Obese, 9 Subsidy, 10 Animus, 11 Cellar, 12 Labrador, 15 Progress, 18 Energy, 20 Stifle, 21 Perplex, 22 Reins, 23 Hamstrung. DOWN: 2 Mouse, 3 Insult, 4 Underlie, 5 Sooner, 6 Bermuda, 7 Leisurely, 11 Composure, 13 Baseless, 14 Codicil, 16 Relish, 17 Temper, 19 Green. Visiting Cayman for my granddaughter’s birthday, I arrived in George Town on Cayman Airways Friday night, 7 Feb. It’s very important for me to say ‘thank you’ to some very special people, including an off-duty pilot, Captain Garrett, who saw me struggling with my heavy case, lifting it to put on the luggage trolley for me. He was travelling with his young child and wife but, nonetheless, he assisted me and was very thoughtful and so kind to do so. After getting home and getting ready for bed, I realised I had inadvertently left my pull-along case in the Customs hall, with my medication and personal stuff. I immediately returned to the airport, hoping and praying I would be able to find my case. The security gentleman putting away the carts stepped up to help, even though Customs was closed, and went into Customs trying to locate my bag. He returned with senior Customs officer Mr. Mark Ebanks, who reassured me if I had left it inside, it would be there in the morning. The problem was, I needed my medication. He kindly took us inside to see if, possibly, it was still there. No luck! There was another Customs officer, Mr. Alex Marzouca. They were both off duty, and the airport was locked up for the night, but they truly wanted to help me. They informed me that the pull- along would have been given to the Cayman Airways baggage agent to lock up for safety, and they didn’t have a key for that storage area. The agent had already left the premises. The Customs officers then phoned Cayman Airways flight operations about my dilemma. About 20 minutes later, Mr. Carlos Julian arrived with the key. My bag was there. How wonderful they all were, to do the right thing for me, an elderly lady who needed her medications. Nowadays, not many people are willing to give that extra little human intervention to help someone, but this is the normal treatment I always find when I visit Cayman. It’s the people that make Cayman so special! I am so very grateful for their collective kindnesses and will always remember the smile they put in my heart. Jackie Simmons Visitor grateful for help at airport double and maybe triple. They will also cause a monopoly to be placed on selling vehicles that are pre- owned, as realistically not everyone can afford a brand new car or even the lease for a certified pre-owned model. Cayman definitely needs a much better public transportation system. It’s too lacklustre at the current state; maybe a government- owned public bus system would be better? We don’t need bigger buses, just better timing between each, and actually having the bus run its full route would be nice for once. – Navado O Brown Uber, Uber, Uber! Also simply not allowing any more imports and only allow a new car on island to replace one that gets written off. – Avril Ward Turning lanes. A bridge or two and roundabout or two less. More than one lane leading out of town. Charge less import duty on newer cars than old (opposite of current) and create another roadway to get out to the other side of the island (the earthquake showed the one lane out of town is not safe). It’s actually painful to read these articles, although I appreciate the fact there is motivation to get solutions in place and research being done. Before you take away people’s right to buy a car, fix the current issues. – Jamie M Allen There’s no mention of bike lanes or pavements. Safe routes to school for our children is long overdue, i.e., pavements within a half mile or mile radius of all schools. This would include a crosswalk in front of all schools. Bike lanes – so many of our roads have the central turning lane when, in fact, this would be best as single lanes with bike lanes at the sides. – Claire Hughes cartoon Jake Fuller Online What they’re saying Woman killed in jet-ski collision I hate seeing jet skis on Seven Mile. They’re dangerous, especially to people snorkelling. And people are reckless. – Gwenn Beaver I also agree that they are dangerous. On more than one occasion, I have been snorkelling off our condo in central Seven Mile Beach and jet skis have come, at high speed, inside the boat lane markers, close to children snorkelling above the few coral heads, and close to folks on stand-up paddle boards. I have witnessed jet skis doing figure eights close to shore. I have witnessed guests at our condo hit full throttle as they leave the beach and head out toward the boat lane. – Teresa Nowak 10-point plan to cut congestion Sounds pretty decent. However, if work permit holders aren’t allowed to own vehicles, they’ll still be able to rent vehicles, which still adds to the congestion. Furthermore, before doing something like that, we would need to have a much better public transport system. Maybe now the government will consider what I suggested over 20 years ago – dedicated public transport lanes. As for more efficient public transport, that can be easily done and way better managed. Want to see why the public transport is mucked up, especially for those travelling to and from anywhere outside of West Bay? Just take a look by the bus stop at the junction of Eastern Avenue and Shedden Road (across from Rohelio’s Car Wash). The buses going to the eastern districts bunch up there for the longest while and that is a big part of the problem. For solutions to much of our woes, government should definitely have a good sit down with myself and some of our other Caymanians. – Beto Anglin A good start is to enforce the traffic sign that he just had put up by Prospect Primary. Waste of time and money. Is only now they speeding through Patrick’s Island private road. – Sandra Solomon On the right track. Lots of thought put into this. Am sure the public input will tweak these recommendations but, praise be that the committee is taking the initiative. – Robert Harrold Some of these things will cause the cost of local used car prices to 4CI$16 Ticket Includes: Wellness Advocate Roper urges respect and tolerance RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Governor Martyn Roper has urged Cayman to maintain its Christian values of respect and tolerance. It came as he delivered remarks at the 24th annual national parliamentary prayer and thanksgiving breakfast Wednesday at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. The breakfast meeting was hosted by House Speaker McKeeva Bush, who said the word thanksgiving was added to the event following Cayman escaping relatively unscathed from the 28 Jan. 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Roper said Cayman has a lot to be thankful for, such as “relative peace, tranquility and stability and prosperity that we enjoy”. But, he said, “We must not take that for granted.” The governor urged tolerance as he seemingly alluded to the recent uproar over same-sex rights, which was re-ignited by a private members’ motion in the Legislative Assembly brought by Savannah MLA Anthony Eden. “It is also vital that we maintain our Christian values of respecting others and not tolerating hatred, despite any differences we may have,” he told the ministers of faith, lawmakers and members of the public who attended the breakfast. In his motion, Eden, who was not at the breakfast, said the end of times was near. He said natural disasters and disease could be viewed as “warnings” against expanded rights for same-sex couples. The event featured hymns, prayers for the nation and scripture readings. Roper commended Hazard Management Cayman Islands and emergency responders for their actions after the earthquake. He also turned his attention to the global threat of coronavirus, saying he had faith in Cayman’s response to the virus. “The world is now faced with the global threat of the coronavirus. However, I have confidence in the competence and ability of our health ministry and health professionals. They are doing everything possible to ensure we are prepared for any cases on our islands,” Roper said. Bush, in his opening remarks, said the earthquake was still “stark” in the minds of many, but Cayman had much to be grateful for. “We give thanks that we do live in a free country and that we do live in one of the best in the world,” he said. While Bush told attendees they did not come for “politics” and he does not go to church for politics, he could not help but point out the good condition Cayman is in. “Let us not become a nation of complainers, because we have it ever so good in our country,” he said. He called for Cayman “not to lie and deride everything that has been done in our country”. “Let us be grateful to the judiciary, for those that give judgment, for the Governor who wants to be fair to all. ... For our premier and all his headaches trying to keep the good ship Cayman off the rocks, our ministers for their hard work, and when you see them sometimes, do not think they are off gallivanting, they are out working on your behalf,” he added. Bush seemed to defend the event when he said he already received complaints that “this is too much, but [it was] not from the people who [are] paying.” The breakfast, which was well attended, was paid for by government. Prayers and praise offered for Cayman Among those attending Wednesday's praliamentary prayer breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton were, from left, Carla French and her husband Pastor Thomas French, Kathy Kirkconnell and her husband, Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell, West Bay Central MLA Eugene Ebanks and George Town West MLA David Wight. cayman compass 5 news N news THURSDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2020ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky It has been a little more than one year since community police were reinstated throughout the Cayman Islands, and residents in George Town say they are seeing the results. “I would really like to say that (community police officer) PC Jackson has been doing an amazing job,” said Merilda Miller, a Windsor Park resident who added that more needed to be done to tackle the growing traffic woes. Miller was one of about three dozen people who attended a community meeting at Constitution Hall in George Town on Tuesday night, to discuss various issues concerning residents. “We need to do something about the way people are parking on the sides of the road in Windsor Park,” she said. “People are renting rooms, with nowhere for their tenants to park, and so they park on the sides of the road and block up the street.” Miller’s concerns extended to the flow of commuters who cut through the area during the morning and evening rush hours. “All along Oak Mill Street, you will see bumper-to-bumper traffic,” she said. “When you add that to the parked cars on the roadside, it becomes very dangerous for the residents.” Donald Moore of Prospect said speeding is another issue that needs urgent attention. “It was about 25 years ago, I was doing something around my yard at around 5:30 in the morning,” he said. “I saw a car coming speeding down the road and it struck and dragged a young child along the road. The child didn’t die, but the accident left him disabled for the rest of his life.” Moore said the experience set him on what has so far proved to be a fruitless effort to reduce speeding in his neighbourhood, despite years of trying to get speed bumps installed. “I spoke to the (National Roads Authority) and they told me that at least 75% of the homeowners in the area would have to agree to have them installed,” he said. “But I have [not] been able to get the speed bumps in the community. Sometimes I feel like just running a piece of two-by-four across the road to try and get them to slow down.” Moore called on police to assist him and other residents to get speed bumps installed, as well as to step up prosecution of speeders. Inspector Dwayne Jones, head of the RCIPS Traffic and Roads Policing Unit, who attended the meeting, said police have renewed efforts to prosecute speeders, but added that prosecution was not the only solution. “In 2019, there were nine fatalities from six collisions. Two- thirds of those accidents involved people under the age of 36,” said Jones. “I don’t think it’s only prosecution that’s the answer; we need to get into the homes and educate these young drivers.” Residents also expressed concerns about ongoing drug use in the community. They complained that officers were not prosecuting people who were “openly smoking ganja and using drugs” and walking around with “rachets [knives] prominently displayed on their sides”. Jones refuted the claims that officers were turning a blind eye and asked that residents step up and call police when they see others breaking the law. “I cannot believe that our officers would see someone doing drugs or walking around with a weapon and not arrest them,” said Jones. “What should also be remembered is that sometimes from our vantage point, we can’t see the illegal items. So, we need the public to call us and tell us. If we [police] don’t act, then call us out.” Overall, residents expressed their gratitude for the progress they have seen since community policing returned to their neighbourhoods. Monday’s meeting also included officers from the Department of Agriculture who answered questions about ferocious dogs. Residents praise community officers “We need the public to call us and tell us. If we [police] don’t act, then call us out.” Dwayne Jones, RCIPS inspector From left, Department of Agriculture animal welfare officers Erik Bodden and Byron Morgan, Inspector Courtney Myles, Commissioner Derek Byrne and Inspector Dwayne Jones at Tuesday night's meeting. cayman compass 6 news N news THURSDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2020Winspear keen to see new regulations RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky While Auditor General Sue Winspear has welcomed the Standards in Public Life Law coming into force in March, she said she is awaiting the release of the regulations which accompany the legislation. “We don’t know what is going to come through in the regulations because the premier in his announcement did mention there would be regulations being brought before Cabinet.... I’d be interested to see what the regulations say,” Winspear told the Cayman Compass in an interview this week. The Standards in Public Life Law, which was first passed in 2014 and later amended in 2016, has been in a state of abeyance after a review was started following concerns of some government board members. However, last month Premier Alden McLaughlin announced the legislation would be implemented on 1 March. He said all statutory boards and government companies were polled last year on the existing concerns about the law. It was determined, he said, that some additional changes were still required, but those could be done in the proposed regulations. Those regulations will follow the commencement of the law. Last year, Winspear, in her report on fighting corruption in the Cayman Islands, called for the urgent implementation of the law. The Standards in Public Life Law sets out the code of conduct for those who serve the public, such as politicians and individuals sitting on government boards and at the helm of government companies. It was designed to fight conflicts of interest. The law also empowers the Commission for Standards in Public Life to investigate allegations of corruption. Winspear said she was “very delighted” to see movement on the law, which was first introduced by McLaughlin’s previous administration. “The law obviously was first passed in 2014 and amended in 2016, so it’s great that in 2020, after many years of making recommendations, that the law is going to come into force,” Winspear said. She said Cayman and those serving in public life should welcome the law since it not only offers an avenue to fight wrongdoing, it also protects against spurious allegations. While the premier had outlined the delay in bringing the law into force, he also indicated that there were registers of interests already in place for legislators and individuals subject to the Standards in Public Life law to declare their interests. Those registers, he said, were also audited by the auditor general. Winspear agreed that, as part of her office’s function, those registers are looked at, but not in depth, and are not subject to a full audit. “We check every detail on every return and we look for omissions [in the registers], et cetera. We don’t audit that because if you look at the legislation, the Standards in Public Life Commission has responsibilities for dealing with the veracity of the statements and dealing with any potential problems or any reporting to them from the public. It’s not our role,” Winspear pointed out. She said if her auditors, in checking the register of interests, see any potential conflicts in what has been declared, they would ask how the conflict was managed. “We are checking that the management and the board in the entity itself are doing all the things that they need to do to manage their business risks appropriately,” she added. Ethics Law nears commencement Auditor General Sue Winspear 7Ristorante Pappagallo 16 February 2020 11:30a - 3:00p Tickets $150 ~ MC Vicki Wheaton Music Through The Ages Theme Costumes Welcome! ~ For Reservations & Ticket Sales contact: Angelique Bodden Tel. 916-6324 or info@caymanheartfund.com Brunch Hero’s Heart THURSDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2020 cayman compass 8 news W world news World and regional news in brief Fall in new coronavirus cases in China BEIJING (AP) — The number of new cases of the coronavirus in mainland China dropped for a second straight day in the outbreak that has infected about 45,000 people and killed more than 1,100, health officials said Wednesday. China's National Health Commission said 2,015 new cases were tallied in the country on Tuesday, the second consecutive daily decline, and down from nearly 3,900 a week ago. The total number of cases in mainland China reached 44,653 on Tuesday, and the death toll hit 1,113. Two people have died elsewhere – in Hong Kong and the Philippines. While the vast majority of the infections have been in China, it has gradually rippled overseas. In Japan, 39 new cases were confirmed on a cruise ship quarantined at Yokohama, bringing the total to 174 on the Diamond Princess. Meanwhile, the world's biggest mobile technology fair, the Mobile World Congress show, in Barcelona, Spain, on 24-27 Feb. and a Formula One race in Shanghai in April have become the latest events cancelled because of fears over the virus. Pope avoids question of married priests in Amazon document VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Fran- cis refused Wednesday to approve the ordination of married men to address a shortage of priests in the Amazon, sidestepping a issue that has dominated debate in the Catholic Church and even in- volved retired Pope Benedict XVI. Francis, in an eagerly awaited document titled 'Beloved Amazon, did not refer to the recommendations by Amazonian bishops to consider the ordination of married men as priests or women as deacons. Rather, he urged bishops to pray for more priestly vocations and to send missionaries to a region where Catholics in remote areas can go months or even years without Mass. The papal dodge disappointed progressives, who had hoped he would at the very least put both questions to further study. It outraged liberal Catholic women’s groups. And it relieved conservatives who used the debate over priestly celibacy to heighten opposition to the pope, and saw his ducking of the issue as a victory. The Argentinian pontiff, who is history’s first Latin American pope, has long been concerned about the violent exploitation of the Amazon’s land, its crucial importance to the global ecosystem and the injustices committed against its peoples. Jamaican health minister defends quarantine Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton has defended the Jamaican government’s decision to designate the St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Andrew as a novel coronavirus quarantine facility, the Jamaica Gleaner reports. At a town hall meeting Tuesday, Tufton told residents who have strongly rejected the move, "The virus is not here. We have introduced all the guidelines and principles to keep it out." He noted that screening protocols are in place at ports of entry. “There is a big system at the airport that picks up your temperature and you don’t even know that. We do that as a routine and we check you,” he said. Jamaica has banned travel to and from China. On Monday, health officials reported that two Jamaicans are in isolation, 12 quarantined in government facilities, and 78 quarantined at home. JA$2.4 billion for elections With Jamaica Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Andrew Holness signalling that a general election could be held this year, the Jamaican government has set aside JA$2.4 billion (US$17 million) in the 2020-2021 Estimates of Expenditure for the holding of elections, according to a report in the Jamaica Gleaner. The Estimates of Expenditure was tabled Tuesday in Gordon House by Finance and the Public Service Minister Nigel Clarke. The two main political parties already have been revving up their political machineries, staging meetings in various constituencies as they woo voters for the national polls constitutionally due in 2021. A cyclist passes through disinfectant spray in order to return home at a residential complex in northern China's Tianjin Municipality on Tuesday. China's daily death toll from coronavirus topped 100 for the first time Tuesday and pushed the total past 1,000 dead. Pope Francis reads his message during the weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.PalettAmerica Cayman is located on South Church St., opposite Guy Harvey's Restaurant. If you haven’t yet heard of PalettAmerica Cayman, this Saturday is your chance to go and see what all the fuss is about – for free! The first 200 customers that roll up between 4pm and 6pm for the launch party will get to sample the decadent delights at no cost and there will be children’s activities and musical entertainment, so get there early. New to the Cayman Islands, PalettAmerica opened on George Town’s waterfront in January. The company creates handcrafted gourmet gelato popsicles or ‘paletas’, made fresh daily with the best locally- sourced, all-natural ingredients. The popsicles feature delicious flavours, including favourites like cookies and cream, banana Nutella, strawberry cheesecake and dulce de leche. The menu also has refreshing vegan- friendly natural fruit flavours such as mango, lime and strawberry, to name just a few. “We offer a fun and creative way to cool down in George Town,” said customer service manager Jessica Thomas. “PalettAmerica is more than just an ice cream – it’s an experience. The choice of flavours and toppings will satisfy even the most discerning gelato lover and our location is perfect for soaking up the sights and sounds of George Town.” Customers can create their own flavour combination with a selection of chocolate dipping sauces and tasty toppings. Whether they choose to keep it simple or get creative with their taste choices, PalettAmerica has something for everyone. PalettAmerica is located at 56 South Church Street on the waterfront opposite Guy Harvey’s Restaurant. Parking is available behind Guy Harvey’s restaurant. Regular opening hours: Mon.–Thur. 10am–4pm and Sat. 10am–3pm. So many gelato popsicles, so little time ... Gourmet gelato spot opens in George Town Customers can create their own flavour combination with a selection of chocolate dipping sauces and tasty toppings . Height: 18 inches x 12 inches Growth habit: Rounded, full form, evergreen leaves with ever- blooming blossoms Flowers: White or pink flowers on a long spike bearing bright red berries Soil requirement: Good loamy soil for healthy plants Light requirements: Part shade Nature attracting: Birds DISTRIBUTION It is found in the southern part of North America, down through Central America and the Caribbean to tropical South America. DESCRIPTION Fowl Berry is a perennial herb with medicinal properties, although the fruits and leaves are toxic. Horticulture potential: This little plant has excellent horticultural potential, adding colour to any garden. It is very hardy and birds love the berries. Bio Joanne Mercille Mercille has called Grand Cayman home since 1997 and she has a keen interest in local flora. She is curator for the National Trust Herbarium and has created an online database for public viewing of the physical herbarium. She is also webmaster for www.caymanflora.org and owns Caribbean Blooms – a native plant nursery. She is an avid gardener and member of the Garden Club of Grand Cayman. Plant of the Week By Joanne Mercille Fowl Berry; Blood Berry / Rivina humilis PHYTOLACCACEAE How about a strawberry paleta filled with condensed milk? For more information, visit the Facebook page @PalettAmerica Cayman, Instagram @PalettAmericaCayman, call (345) 326-1726 or email palettamericacayman@gmail.com. 9Next >