——————————————–
THIS WEEK’S SUMMARY
——————————————–
JAMAICA MAKES PLANS TO MOVE BEYOND BANANAS—10/24/09
The worldwide financial crisis has had a serious impact on economies in the Caribbean, and it is prompting Jamaica and other nations in the region to rethink their business operations. Jamaica has started an aggressive campaign to diversify its economy. An example of this is the banana plantation in Annotto Bay, which is reinventing itself from a business that once shipped fresh bananas to one that currently processes and packages them and exports them as banana chips instead.
FOREIGN INVESTORS OWN MAJORITY STAKE IN ISLAND TOURISM—10/25/09
Foreign investors hold a larger share of Jamaica’s tourism industry than native islanders, according to Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism. Bartlett is appealing to local investors to reclaim their dominance in the industry. Bartlett says foreign investors currently own 60 percent of Jamaica’s tourism assets.
GUNMEN ENTER SCHOOL, KILL VENDOR—10/25/09
According to Jamaican police, three gunmen entered a public school in Montego Bay and killed a food vendor. Teachers and students fled for cover as the gunshots began. The gunmen also shot two other vendors in the attack. No students were injured at the Farm Primary and Junior High School in St. James where the attack took place. No motive has been established, and the gunmen remain at large.
OAS HONORS JAMAICAN HERO—10/26/09
The Hall of Culture at the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., has been renamed after Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaican national hero. The Marcus Garvey Hall of Culture will be the venue for major cultural events, according to OAS officials. Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the OAS, says it is appropriate that Garvey is recognized by the organization, since he was active in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America.
JCF INCREASES DEPLOYMENT TO REDUCE CRIME—10/27/09
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is attempting to lessen the public’s concern about a noticeable increase in police presence on the island. The JCF says that people should not be alarmed at the greater number of security forces, which are trying to reduce crime rates. Karl Angell, director of communications for the JCF, says the force understands the public’s concerns, but moved to reassure everyone about the force’s aims. There is no need to fear, says Angell.
MORE IMMIGRANTS CITE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AS REASON FOR ASYLUM—10/28/09
Federal immigration authorities in United States immigration courts report that more immigrants, including those from Jamaica, are citing sexual orientation as the chief reason for seeking asylum, saying it makes it too dangerous for them to return home. The experience of Nathaniel Cunningham, who lived in secret with his boyfriend in rural Jamaica, is typical. Cunningham reported having an angry mob gathered outside his house, throwing rocks and bricks, until he and his friend fled.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE AGRICULTURE MINISTERS TO MEET IN JAMAICA—10/29/09
The agriculture ministers of 34 nations in the Western Hemisphere of the Americas will meet in Jamaica in hopes of adopting an action plan that will lead to more development in the region. Donovan Stanberry, Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, believes that the minister will adopt a plan that will be implemented, monitored, and supported by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture.
MOST JAMAICANS SURVEYED SAY THEY OPPOSE ABORTION—10/30/09
According to a Don Anderson poll, which was commissioned by a pro-life organization, 67 percent of Jamaicans surveyed are against abortion. Anderson conducted the poll in June 2009. Sixty-seven percent of those polled said they opposed the practice of abortion, while 15 percent said they were in favor of abortion. Eighteen percent said they were ambivalent on the issue.
——————————————–
JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
——————————————–
PLAY ABOUT WWII JAMAICAN FAMILY TO BE PERFORMED IN UK—10/24/09
A play about a Jamaican family living through World War II will be performed in Liverpool in the United Kingdom. The play, “My Mother’s Children Don’t Like Me,” will be presented by Patrick Graham of BlackOut Productions in partnership with Writing on the Wall. The play takes place in the Caribbean, on the high seas, in North Africa, and in England.
U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUP CRITICIZES GAYS FOR ACTIONS VS. BUJU—10/25/09
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Florida chapter is defending Buju Banton, the Jamaican artiste who faces increasing opposition from gays in the United States and Europe. The ACLU chapter says that Buju has the right to perform in Miami in spite of protests by gay groups in the city. Howard Simon, executive director of the chapter, has accused the gay groups of encouraging censorship.
JAMAICAN WIDOW COULD BENEFIT FROM CHANGE IN LAW—10/26/09
A Jamaican widow who would have faced deportation because of a requirement in United States immigration law could soon benefit from a change in that law. The United States Congress took action to approve legislation that would abolish the “widow’s penalty.” Under that penalty, Osserritta Robinson would no longer face deportation because her husband died before their second wedding anniversary.
JAMAICAN CHARITY IN NY TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM JETBLUE—10/30/09
Children of Jamaica Outreach Inc. (COJO), a Jamaican charity based in New York, will join in a philanthropic partnership with JetBlue Airways. The Jamaican nonprofit’s mission is to aid with improving the health, education, and well being of underprivileged children in Jamaica. According to Icema Gibbs, director of corporate responsibility for JetBlue, the airline has been a supporter of COJO for nearly ten years and believes it is important to secure a better future for Jamaican children.
——————————————–
SPORTS
——————————————–
LIME TO SPONSOR 2010 CARIFTA GAMES—10/24/09
LIME, the premier telecommunications firm in the Caribbean, has announced its sponsorship of the 2010 CARIFTA Games. The sponsorship is valued at US$200,000. The firm has signed a contract of one-year duration with the North America Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) to become the major sponsor of the 2010 games.
JAMAICAN BOBSLEDDERS TO GET EQUIPMENT FROM TODD HAYS—10/27/09
Todd Hays, a star driver for the United States bobsled team, will lend some equipment to the cash-challenged Jamaican Bobsleigh Federation. The equipment will be sent to Whistler, British Columbia, where the international teams are training on the Olympic track. Hays may send one or two sleds. Stephen Samuels, Jamaican Federation official, says he is grateful for any help from Hays.
JAMAICAN RUGBY SQUAD HOSTS UNIQUE FUNDRAISER—10/28/09
The Jamaican Rugby League squad is scheduled to play the USA in the “Hotels of Jacksonville.com Atlantic Cup on November 14, 2009. The squad has created a unique way of providing for supplemental funds for their trip and their first international game. Dean Thomas, the Jamaican team’s head coach, and the other players will hold a 12-hour DJ marathon in Leeds to raise money.
BOLT SAYS “DRUG TAINTED IMAGE” WILL NOT PREVAIL—10/29/09
Usain Bolt, Jamaican Olympic triple gold medalist, says that the tainted image athletics acquired due to high-profile drug cases in the recent past will fade away over time. Bolt believes it will take a few years for people to see that athletes are “clean” and then the tainted image will disappear. Bolt, 22, made his remarks at a news conference at the Zeitz Foundation in London.
—————————————————————-
DEVOTIONAL
—————————————————————
A Place of Quiet Rest
Most of us, at one time or another, have felt overwhelmed by things going on around us. It seems there is hardly enough hours in the day to do what needs to get done, and that does not include taking care of the things that might affect us personally. To be overwhelmed is to be covered over completely; to be overpowered in thought or feeling. Despite our best efforts, things get like that sometimes.
The Psalmist David was no stranger to being overwhelmed, but instead of dealing with things by himself he turned to the God of his salvation. In Psalm 62:2-3 we read, “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy” (KJV). It is important to note that despite the feeling of being covered over, he realized the importance of trusting God for relief. In Him he found a shelter and a place of refuge from life’s harsh realities. As individuals, there are limitations to our physical, mental, and emotional resources but there are no limitations in God. There is no burden too heavy for Him to bear, no problem too difficult for Him to solve, no mountain so high He cannot bring low, no sickness so grave that He cannot heal. The Psalmist knew this and declares, “Cast your cares on the LORD and [H]e will sustain you; [H]e will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22, NIV).
God did not intend for us to carry our burdens like a load upon our backs. Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). Peter reaffirms, “Cast all your anxiety on [H]im because [H]e cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). It is comforting to know that in those moments when things threaten to overwhelm us, or when they do, we do not have to battle alone. In the words of the old hymn writer, “There is a place of quiet rest / Near to the heart of God.” May God grant us the grace to not only cast our cares on Him, but also to find that quiet place in our anxious and troubling moments.
—————————————————————–
CREDITS/SOURCES
—————————————————————–
The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
