Caribbean
BVI faces law and order breakdown
(CNS): RCIPS officers were the first policing reinforcements to get to the hurricane stricken British Virgin Islands, where in addition to all other security issues, the local police had to deal with more than 100 convicts set free by the storm on the island of Tortola. Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan has said there […]
Cayman reaches out to help BOTs in distress after Irma
(CNS): The Cayman Islands has prepared a humanitarian mission that is flying to Anguilla today, Tuesday, taking teams from the Health Services Authority, Health City Cayman Islands, Department of Environmental Health and Hazard Management, as well as medical supplies, water, non-perishable food and toiletries provided by the Cayman government. Meanwhile, CUC says that seven staff […]
RCIPS assists devastated BVI and TCI
(CNS): The RCIPS chopper has been sent to the Turks and Caicos Islands and 16 Cayman Islands officers are now in the British Virgin Islands to help those islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. According to the RCIPS, the deployment of cops to the BVI was in response to an urgent request yesterday for policing […]
LGBTI network welcomed into Commonwealth
(CNS): The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) has become the first lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex (LGBTI) organisation to be officially accredited by the Commonwealth. The NGO will now benefit from increased access to, participation in and information about Commonwealth matters and the accreditation sends a strong signal about the legitimate role LGBTI activists have […]
BOTs get new minister in May’s reshuffle
(CNS): Another Conservative peer has taken over the Foreign Office job overseeing the British Overseas Territories after Baroness Anelay was moved in Prime Minister Theresa May’s post election Cabinet reshuffle. The Baroness has gone to the so-called Brexit department created to oversee the UK’s departure talks with the European Union and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon […]
Digicel to cut one in four jobs in restructure
(CNS Business): Digicel is a planning to cut a quarter of its workforce over the next 18 months, the firm said in a statement on its website. The company claims it is reorganising to be “fit for purpose for 2030 and beyond” and this means a 25% reduction of the global workforce over the next […]
US visitors to pre-clear, China gets visa-free entry
(CNS): The premier has announced some immigration changes that will impact travellers to Cayman and Caymanian travellers. Speaking at Cayman Economic Outlook Thursday, Alden McLaughlin said his government was close to finalising an agreement for immigration pre-clearance at Miami International Airport for eligible passengers coming to Cayman. He also revealed that Chinese visitors with a valid […]
Bolt loses gold medal in relay team drug scandal
(CNS): Usain Bolt’s team mate from the 2008 Olympics 4 x 100 Jamaica relay squad, Nesta Carter, has tested positive for a banned substance after samples from the Beijing Games were re-tested. As a result, the national team has been stripped of their medals, which means that Bolt has also lost the title of ‘triple-triple’ Olympic champion. […]
US ends ‘wet foot, dry foot’ Cuba policy
(CNS): With just days to go before the end of Barack Obama’s historic term as president of the United States of America, his administration has announced an end to the policy which allows Cuban migrants who reach US soil to stay there legally while those intercepted at sea are sent back to Cuba. In exchange, Cuba […]
Premier walks diplomatic tightrope over Castro’s death
(CNS): Among the controversial reactions around the world regarding the death of Fidel Castro this week, Cayman’s own leader walked the diplomatic tightrope with his comments. Premier Alden McLaughlin said Castro would be remembered “as the man who brought the Cold War to the Western Hemisphere in 1959 and irked many American presidents for many […]
JMC focuses on pensions for UK citizens in OTs
(CNS): As the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting kicked off on Tuesday, the question of pensions and healthcare for retired British citizens living in the territories appeared to dominate the talks. Peter Hayes, the FCO’s director of the overseas territories, opened the talks about retirees who paid into the UK pensions system and are […]
