(CNS): The National Hurricane Centre in Miami announced the first tropical storm of the 21012 Atlantic Hurricane Season on Saturday afternoon with the emergence of tropical storm Alberto off the coast of South Carolina. At 4pm local time the NHC said that the storm was packing winds of 45mph with higher gusts about 140 miles east-south –east of Charleston. The storm is moving southwest at a leisurely 3mph with tropical winds extending up to 45 miles. The NHC said it expected to issue a tropical storm watch for the Carolinas tonight. Some strengthening of the storm was also predicted over the next day or so.

(CNS): With Tropical Storm Aletta already kicking off the hurricane season west of Mexico’s coast for the Pacific area residents here in Cayman are reminded that Mother Nature doesn’t watch calendars or listen to predictions. Although long term forecasters have predicted lower than average storm activity the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season local officials are warning residents not to let their guard down. HMCI is encouraging residents to take stock of their current level of readiness, and review and update their family plan this weekend as the island marks national preparedness day on Monday’s Discovery Day holiday.

(CNS): UK’s footballing hero David Beckham was one of a number of dignitaries escorting the Olympic flame from Athens to London Friday.  When the flame lands in the UK this evening it will trigger a 70-day torch relay leading to the opening of the Games in London on 27 July. The former England soccer captain joined  Princess Anne, the London Games chairman Seb Coe, London Mayor Boris Johnson, and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson on a golden-liveried Airbus - the 'Firefly' from the Greek capital. The flame was handed over to the London delegation at a ceremony in torrential rain at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.

(CNS): Almost ten percent of Caymanian workers are without a job, the Economics and Statistics office has said in its latest report on the country’s labour force. Despite an increase in the size of the workforce, overall unemployment increased last year from 6.2% in 2010 to 6.3%. The rate of unemployment among Caymanian workers remained at 9.8% at the end of last year, while unemployment among non-Caymanians was 3.1%. The ESO reports that the size of the workforce is estimated at 37,620 and the number of people in work in 2011 was said to be 35,267. With an extra 23 added to the jobless list, 2,353 remained unemployed last year.

(Jamaica Gleaner): Newly installed Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Right Reverend Dr Howard Gregory, is urging the church to dissociate itself from tainted money, which continues to circulate in the society where corruption is rampant. Gregory said yesterday that members of the church could not consider themselves exempt from corrupt activities if they were either caught up in or benefiting from the act. He was speaking to a packed Cathedral Church of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, St Catherine, after he was enthroned as the 14th bishop of the diocese.

(CNSBusiness): Preliminary independent research by a professor who specialises in offshore finance has found that the Cayman Islands is one of only two countries that follows proper due diligence required under international money laundering regulations. The early findings of Professor Jason Sharman of Griffith University in Australia, whose work focuses on offshore centres, reveal that Cayman was top of the table of over 183 countries because it required a full suite of identification documentation. The findings were welcomed by Cayman Finance chair Richard Coles, who said the work confirms what Cayman Islands officials and industry representatives have been saying all along. Read more on CNS Business

(CNS): Following Justice Richard Ground’s recent retirement from his post as Chief Justice of Bermuda, he has also tendered his resignation from the Cayman Islands Judicial and Legal Services Commission. According to government officials, Justice Ground left the commission back on 28 March and the governor needs to appoint a replacement from outside the Cayman Islands. Ground was one of two overseas members of the commission, which fulfils Section 105 (1)(d) of the 2009 Constitution that says that two of the commission members appointed by the governor must have either held or still hold high judicial office in a Commonwealth country other than Cayman.

(CNS): The latest police statistics have revealed that robberies in the Cayman Islands fell by over 66% in the first quarter of this year compared to the beginning of 2011. After the islands have been plagued with what seemed to be a constant increase in armed hold ups at banks, shops, gas stations and restaurants, for over two years the RCIPS revealed Thursday that the crime was finally in decline. There were eight robbers in the first three months of 2012 while there had been 24 over the same period in the previous year. However, although robbers were less successful in the start of 2012 there were still bot giving up as there were seven attempted robberies in the first quarter this year compared to only 3 attempts at the crime last year leading to a 133% increase.

(CNS): Following a spate of burglaries on Grand Cayman over the past few weeks the RCIPS is warning the public to be extra vigilant and to keep a record, including serial numbers, of all valuables but in particular electrical items and the burglars’ goods of choice – laptops. The police say that overall burglaries have actually fallen slightly so far this year compared to 2011 but they still account for almost 75% of reported serious crime in the Cayman Islands. Officers are urging members of the public and businesses to do their part to ensure that their security measures are appropriate. 

(CNS): Although government states that a growth in imports into the Cayman Islands in 2011 reflects an improvement in the country’s economic fortunes it also admits that the increase to CI$762.0 million compared to CI$690.4 million in 2010 is also due to the increase in prices of some key commodities not least the cost of fuel. The Economics and Statistics Office reported this week that imports grew in 2011 by 10.4 per cent in contrast to last year’s figure which saw a drop of  7.3 per cent. Meanwhile, total exports which comprises largely of re-exports increased significantly by 63.6 per cent to reach $18.1 million compared to the 30.8 per cent decline recorded in 2010. 

(CNS): A grand court judge found 21 year old Jovin Omar Fuentes not guilty of possession of an imitation firearm after a judge alone trial earlier this month.  With only one witness testifying that he had seen a gun during an altercation outside a Bodden Town bar and no other evidence presented by the prosecution, the judge gave the benefit of the doubt to the defendant. Aaron Chisholm told the court that Fuentes came after him with a .38 revolver as he hid behind bushes close to where the two men had fought in the Everglo bar car park. Fuentes admitted assaulting Chisholm but denied having a gun.

(CNS): No new voters can be added to the electoral roll before the referendum because the update period is quarterly, but campaigners for one man, one vote have suggested that this could become a human rights issue as the cut-off occurred before the referendum law was passed. The law was officially gazetted yesterday, 16 May, which means that existing voters who will not be in the Cayman Islands on 18 July when the national poll will take place can now apply for an absentee ballot. However, anyone who had not registered with the Elections Office before the end of April cannot vote in the referendum.

(CNS): The Overseas Countries and Territories R3i - Regional Risk Reduction Initiative - is holding a conference in the Cayman Islands next week examining the risks face by small islands in the region. Experts will be examining the achievements and progress of R3i to date but they will also be focusing on the potential hazards on Grand Cayman and mapping critical buildings and infrastructure. With funding provided by the European Union R3i looks at strategies to address these potential hazards brought about by climate change and the risks faced by low lying coastal areas.