Opposition Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Alden McLaughlin on Monday hit out at the Leader of Government Business, Hon. McKeeva Bush, for bypassing the judiciary in administering funds allocated for legal aid.  Speaking to the national council of the People’s Progressive Movement at the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association Hall on Monday, Mr McLaughlin referred to the action as a fiasco that would deny deserving cases legal aid. read more...

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During a press conference Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush reiterated Tobacco Law passed in October 2008 would finally take effect by the end of the year, and that public education campaign will be launched late November or early December.  “While regrettable, this delay will allow us to get it right and does have the added benefit that residents and businesses now have ample time to get to know the provisions read more...

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During a cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, the Leader of Government Business/Premier Designate, Hon. McKeeva Bush, hit back at Auditor General Dan Duguay, who has raised concerns about the port tendering process, accusing Mr Duguay of attemptingto undermine the project.  “The Auditor General is a key figure, and he is working in conjunction with others to undermine the government’s attempt to move forward read more...

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The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) hosted their 25th Anniversary and the 2009 National Arts & Culture Awards titled ‘One White One Black’ in Honor of their founders, supporters and artists on 23 October at the Harquail Theatre.  A special award presentation was made to Helen Harquail after whom the Harquail Theatre was named, as well as to Mr Oswell Rankine, for their contributions. read more...

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Dart’s construction company DECCO has welcomed the news of having been selected to undertake the George Town Port redevelopment project that will see construction of a cruise berthing facility.  Leader of Government Business Hon. McKeeva Bush confirmed weeklong speculations at press briefing Wednesday 4 November that locally-owned Dart Enterprises’ DECCO construction company has been has been selected read more...

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In the seven weeks or so since the last Cayman Net News online poll on the topic, the government’s approval rating amongst readers appears to have declined significantly.  Our latest poll asked the question “Do you approve or disapprove of the government’s performance to date?” and a total of 267 readers responded using internet devices located in the Cayman Islands.  Of these, 119 readers (44.6 percent) indicated their approval. read more...

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The Auditor General, Dan Duguay, is insisting that an audit will be conducted on the process of awarding the contract to develop a cruise ship berthing facility at the George Town port, based on government’s efforts to by-pass the Central Tendering Committee process and the proper process for awarding a contract may not have been followed.  Instead of using a bidding process through the Central Tenders Committee... read more...

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With youth movements often being the weight that tilts elections, the opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) has renewed this strategy with the resuscitation of the Young Progressives, the youth arm of the party.  According to MLA for George Town and PPM member, Alden McLaughlin, the Young Progressives were founded in 2004 and were instrumental in the victory of 2005, but had become inactive during the last election. read more...

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(McClatchy) Inside a thick Goldman Sachs investment circular were the details of a secret, $2 billion deal channeled through the Cayman Islands.  The September 26, 2006, document offered sophisticated US and European investors an opportunity to buy into a pool of supposedly high-grade bonds backed by residential, commercial and student loans. The transaction was registered through a shell company in the Cayman... read more...

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Former Leader of Government Business and now leader of the opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), Kurt Tibbetts, has refuted accusations that his government had mismanaged the economy of the Cayman Islands.  Mr Tibbetts was speaking at a PPM National Council Public Meeting held at the Cayman Islands Seafarers Hall on Monday, 2 November.  The PPM party leader defended his government’s expenditure... read more...

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DECCO Ltd has been selected as a partner by the government to develop the port project. The companysaid in a press statement on Wednesday that, as a subsidiary of Dart Enterprises, they are committed to the Cayman Islands and believe the cruise port will improve the experience of millions of visitors when they come through what is essentially the country’s front door. read more...

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The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) recently led a delegation of Cayman Islands’ aviation related entities attending the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) tradeshow at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida. The objective of attending NBAA is to promote the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry and associated business services. read more...

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The public is advised that the Commencement Day ceremony will take place at the Legislative Assembly this Friday, 6 November.  The formal proceedings mark the commencement of the new Constitution and will include the swearing-in of the Premier, the Deputy Premier and the Deputy Governor.  The event starts at 10:30 am and members of the public planning to attend are asked to be seated at least ten to fifteen minutes prior. read more...

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The Cayman Islands signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with the Netherlands Antilles on 29 October 2009 whilst attending the CFATF Plenary, held in Curacao.  The agreement, which is Cayman’s fourteenth, was signed on behalf of the Cayman Islands by Attorney General, the Honourable Samuel Bulgin, who was Cabinet’s authorised signatory.  “This signing represents the Cayman Islands’ continued commitment to..." read more...

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Over 450 children disguised as ghosts, goblins, superheroes and princesses went door to door on Saturday, 31 October collect more than candy.  With their signature orange United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) boxes around their necks, they collected money that will aid in vaccines, clean water and improved nutrition for less fortunate children around the world, especially in the developing countries. read more...

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AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch government says it has received a list of hundreds of people who have evaded taxes with secret accounts at banks, including some in the Cayman Islands, and it plans to pay off the informant who slipped it the information.  The deal echoes an early 2008 case in Germany, where the government purchased data on tax evaders from an informant about clients of a Liechtenstein bank. read more...

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As a result of the recently announced public holiday on Friday, 6 November to mark the coming into force of the new Constitution, the Cayman Islands will enjoy a four-day weekend when coupled with the customary Remembrance Day holiday, which falls on Monday 9 November this year.  However, some feel that in the current economic crisis it was inappropriate to reduce productivity even further by means of the additional holiday. read more...

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With more than a week gone after the escape of wanted man Dainian Cecil Henry, police are offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can assist with his recapture.  The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is rewarding $5,000 to any person who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mr Henry, 28, who escaped police custody at the George Town Police Station on 25 October. read more...

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Two iconic buildings in Cayman will be lit up in blue this month to mark International Diabetes Awareness Day on 14 November.  The Butterfield Bank and Pedro St. James National Historic Site, as well as Kirk Freeport Stingray Fountain at Bayshore Mall will be lit up in blue, in response to the International Diabetes Federation’s challenge to all countries to light iconic buildings and monuments in blue to bring diabetes awareness to the fore. read more...

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Over 200 drivers at Owen Roberts International Airport have completed an airside driver safety course and were awarded their certification on Friday 30 October.  “One hundred additional drivers are close to completing their courses and qualify for the Aerodrome Vehicle Operators Permit, bringing the total to some 300 certified drivers,” said the Senior Manager of Safety Management Systems, Andrew McLaughlin. read more...

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Leader of Government Business and Premier Designate, Hon McKeeva Bush, said a press conference would be held tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the particulars of the Tobacco Law, and to clear the air on reasons behind its delay.  “There is a further delay in the legislation because there was nothing to move forward with, but now we have something to move forward with and the law will take effect by the end of the year,” Mr Bush told... read more...

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