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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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JPS SHEDS LIGHT ON REBATE NECESSITY—08/04/12
The Jamaica Public Service company (JPS) has clarified the need to provide a customer rebate. Winsome Callum, head of corporate communications, stated the necessity of the rebate arose from a miscalculation made by Petrojam, which overcharged the independent producer Jamaica Private Power Company (JPPC) for the fuel bought to generate electric power. The fuel rebate ensures the return of funds that had been overcharged by Petrojam and collected via customers’ bills.
SAMSUNG’S SELECTION FOR LNG INFRASTRUCTURE OF CONCERN—08/05/12
The choice of a bidder for Jamaica’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure has attracted some controversy. Samsung, a company from Korea, was announced as the preferred bidder, but questions have arisen about the process in which the firm was selected. Leader of opposition business in Parliament, Delroy Chuck, tabled 15 questions from Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Energy, arguing that Samsung was not identified as the lowest bidder and also raised issues about the public opening of bids.
JAMAICA DRENCHED BY RAIN BUT UNBOWED AS BOLT WINS AT OLYMPICS—08/06/12
Jamaica was drenched by the rains of a tropical storm, but its spirits remained high as it celebrated another Olympic win by Usain Bolt in London. Bolt re-established his title as world’s fastest man as a crowd of some 500 people at the national stadium cheered his victory in the 100-meter dash with a time of 9.63 seconds. Rains and winds from Tropical Storm Ernesto forced the cancellation of outdoor viewing at the Kingston stadium, but attendees were able to see Bolt’s victory run before crews had to disassemble video monitors and the stage.
JAMAICANS WEAR NATIONAL COLORS TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE—08/06/12
People across Jamaica wore the national colors in honor of the island’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain. Streetlights and telephone poles were decorated with the gold, black, and green colors of the national flag, and in Kinston, celebrants wore shirts carrying Jamaica’s name in a “golden jubilee village” designed to showcase the history, food, and culture of the country. The celebration was held just a day after Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake won gold and silver medals, respectively, in the Olympic 100-meter dash in London.
BOLT INTERRUPTS INTERVIEW TO HONOR U.S. NATIONAL ANTHEM—08/07/12
Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s champion sprinter, showed his respect for other athletes and their countries when he interrupted an interview to impose a moment of silence while the United States national anthem played in the background in honor of Sanya Richards-Ross’s gold medal in the 400 meter dash. Bolt was being interviewed by a Spanish reporter when he halted the interview in respect for the American anthem.
JAMAICANS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO CAYMAN ISLANDS, SAYS PREMIER—08/08/12
McKeever Bush, Premier of the Cayman Islands, stated that his country received considerable benefits from the contributions of Jamaicans to its national development. Bush made his remarks at the 60th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Clarendon. Bush noted contributions of Jamaicans to the growth of the Cayman Islands as a nation and thanked Jamaica for its efforts.
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL IN OCHO RIOS RESCHEDULED—08/09/12
Due to the heavy rains brought to Jamaica by Tropical Storm Ernesto, the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival was postponed to October 14, 2012, the Sunday before Heroes’ Day. Camille Miller, senior marketing manager for the event, said she expected a “massive turnout” for the festival before the rains came, and the decision to reschedule was made after meeting with all relevant stakeholders. Vendors who bought stalls will be able to attend the rescheduled event at no extra cost, and the entrance fees will be reduced “across the board.”
ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL TO RECEIVE MODERN SANITARY FACILITIES—08/10/12
Jamaica’s government has promised to provide help to Mount Rosser Primary School in St. Catherine so that the school will have modern sanitary facilities in place by the time school starts in September 2012. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education, said the ministry would help the school’s efforts in completing the facilities in time for the new school year. Mt. Rosser Primary is one of 200 schools in Jamaica that still uses pit latrines.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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UK DIASPORA READY TO EXPLODE WITH JOY AT OLYMPIC WINS—08/05/12
If Usain Bolt and his teammates from Jamaica succeed as expected in winning several Olympic medals, the thousands of Jamaicans living in London and throughout the United Kingdom are more than ready to celebrate with them. If the Jamaican athletes win first, second, and third place in the 100 meters, Jamaicans in the UK will consider that the best independence day in history for the Caribbean nation.
UK’S LITTLE JAMAICA CELEBRATES COUNTRYMEN—08/06/12
The population of Brixton in the United Kingdom celebrated the victory of its countryman, the champion sprinter Usain Bolt, with enthusiasm. Bolt’s victory in the men’s 100 meter race at the 2012 Olympics in London was marked along with celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. Bolt, the fastest man in the world, took the gold in the 100 meters, followed by Yohan Blake, also Jamaican, who took the silver. People in Brixton noted that it is amazing for a nation of 2.7 million people to produce the fastest runners in the world.
DIASPORA TARGETED BY JAMPRO WITH JAMAICA HOUSE FORUM—08/09/12
The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) began a series of trade and investment events at Jamaica House in London with a special Diaspora Day forum. According to Sancia Bennett-Templer, president of JAMPRO, a crucial portion of the agency mission is to engage the Diaspora. She said the organization hopes to leverage the wealth, experience, and business connections of the Diaspora for the good of Jamaican development.
UK CABINENT MEMBER PRAISES JAMAICA FOR DEMOCRACY—08/10/12
Kenneth Clarke, a senior Cabinet minister in David Cameron’s administration in the United Kingdom, praised the relationship shared by Jamaica and the UK since the island attained independence 50 years ago. Clarke, who is the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in the UK, noted the major strides Jamaica has made as a democratic nation.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO KEEPS MOVING WEST IN CARIBBEAN SEA—08/04/12
CARIBBEAN SPRINTER CUT FROM OLYMPICS AFTER VISITING WIFE IN HOTEL—08/05/12
TORONTO CELEBRATES CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL—08/06/12
CAYMAN PREMIER ELIMINATES INCOME TAXES FOR EXPATRIATES—08/07/12
WESTERN CARIBBEAN SHIPS TAKE ACTION IN FACE OF TROPICAL STORM—08/08/12
HOLIDAY IN GRENADA TO HONOR OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL WINNER—08/09/12
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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JAMAICA, NIGERIA REVIVE ARRANGEMENT—08/04/12
An oil deal between Jamaica and Nigeria, which has been on hold, is now being renewed. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller of Jamaica and President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria met at Jamaica House to discuss the issue as part of bilateral talks. Jonathan was on a two-day state visit to the island. Simpson Miller said the suspension of cooperation between the two nations in oil was of “great concern.” She said the two officials had agreed to revive the negotiations.
JOCKEY INTERNATIONAL RENEWS ATTEMPTS TO SELL FACTOR SPACE—08/05/12
New efforts are underway by Jockey International to sell off factory space in Hanover. The business was closed by lessee Sandy Bay Sweets in December of 2011. Hilco Real Estate, an asset-disposal firm based in Illinois, will handle the sale of two oceanfront manufacturing properties and the equipment as turnkey operations. The company is also willing to entertain other offers. Sealed bids are due on September 13, 2012, for the properties.
BOLT MENTIONS BLACKBERRY DEVICE IN INTERVIEW AFTER WIN—08/06/12
Usain Bolt, Jamaican 100-meter Olympic gold medal winner, mentioned his BlackBerry device in an interview. The naming of the device is likely to please the manufacturer Research in Motion. While iPhone and Android devices have become increasingly popular in the United States, RIM has struggled to maintain its market there. However, there are 55 million BlackBerry users worldwide, and Bolt’s high-profile mention is a positive for the Canadian manufacturer.
BLAKE RUNS AFOUL OF OLYMPIC BRANDING RULES—08/08/12
Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, silver medal winner in the men’s 100 meters at London’s Olympic Games, has attracted the attention of the International Olympic Committee for the possible infraction of rules involving official Olympic sponsors. Athletes are banned from showing logos of non-official sponsors, and a watch Blake was wearing could violate those rules. Several other athletes competing in London have run afoul of the sponsorship rules as well.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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JAMAICANS BYPASS CVMTV, WATCH OLYMPICS—08/04/12
HUMAN ACTIVITY IMPACTS CORAL REEF CONDITIONS—08/08/12
OIL SPILL RESPONSE TEST SIMULATES DISASTER—08/09/12
CUSTOMERS OF WESTERN UNION UPSET AT CLOSURE—08/10/12
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ENTERTAINMENT
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NEW COOKBOOK CELEBRATES CULTURE OF JAMAICA—08/04/12
A new culinary guide, “Homestyle Authentic Jamaican Cuisine,” by Enid Clarke Watson, offers a dish to suit everyone’s taste. Watson has compiled authentic Jamaican recipes and passes on her cooking techniques, honoring the total flavor of Jamaica’s culture. The guide covers everything that had its origin in Jamaican kitchens, including roasted breadfruit, cow foot jelly, and gungu peas.
RAP PIONEER DIES IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT—08/07/12
Jamaican Ranking Trevor, one of the pioneers of rap reggae in the 1970s, was killed in a traffic accident at the age of 60. According to Robert Grant, Trevor’s brother, he was crushed by an automobile after being knocked from his motorcycle. Trevor was born Maxwell Grant and became a top “toaster” in Jamaica in the 1970s. He lived in England for more than two decades, but returned to Jamaica when his career went into decline in the 1980s. He is survived by his mother, eight brothers and sisters, and 15 children.
BUJU BANTON NEW TRIAL REQUEST REJECTED BY COURT—08/08/12
Jamaican reggae artiste Buju Banton was denied a new trial by a ruling from federal judge James Moody in Tampa, Florida. The ruling was handed down a month after a circuit court in Atlanta, Georgia, turned down Banton’s appeal to overturn his conviction. Banton was originally convicted in February 2011. His attorney, David Oscar Markus, says he will continue his fight to free Banton and will take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.
TWO MUSIC BUSINESS LEADERS HOSPITALIZED IN EUROPE—08/09/12
Two of the top businessmen of the Jamaican music industry were hospitalized in Europe due to heart-related incidents. Lloyd “Kind Jammy” James, producer and engineer, and Copeland Forbes, artiste/road manager, both suffered heart problems. James was at the Garance Festival in France when he suffered a heart attack. Forbes was scheduled for an angiogram at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, where he was arranging a concert series in honor of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence.
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SPORTS
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FRASER-PRYCE WINS WOMEN’S 100 IN LONDON—08/04/12
Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce successfully defended her status with a second straight victory in the women’s 100 meters at London’s Olympic Games.
BOLT WINS MEN’s 100—08/05/12
Usain Bolt is the world’s fastest man, winning the 100-meters at the Olympics in London with a time of 9:63 seconds. This was an Olympic record and Bolt’s second straight gold medal in the event. His win ended rumors that he was injured, which arose after teammate Yohan Blake defeated Bolt twice at the Jamaican Olympic trials.
FRASER-PRYCE, PARCHMENT TAKE OLYMPIC MEDALS—08/09/12
Jamaican Olympic athletes Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Hansle Parchment turned in historic performances at the 2012 Games in London. Fraser-Pryce took a silver medal in the women’s 200 meters, while Parchment, 22, was on the way to achieving Jamaica’s first medal in 110 men’s hurdles by reducing the national record in the semi-final heat from 13.15 seconds to 13.14 seconds. He ultimately ran the distance in 13.12 to get a bronze medal.
JAMAICANS SWEEP 200 METERS IN LONDON—08/10/12
Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, and Warren Weir ran first, second, and third in the 200 meter race at the 2012 Olympics in London for a clean sweep of gold, silver, and bronze medals in the event. Bolt solidified his title of the “greatest sprinter in history” with a time of 19.32 seconds for the win. His victory made him the only runner to win two Olympic titles in the event.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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SALES EXECUTIVE
DEPUTY PROGRAMME MANAGER
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER
INTERNAL AUDITOR
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Walking In the Dark
There is something about the dark that frightens some people. As J.R.Tolkien in his classic The Hobbit observes, “It cannot be seen, cannot be felt / Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt / It lies behind stars and under hills / And empty holes it fills / It comes first and follows after / Ends life, kills laughter.” It is no wonder some of us do not like being in the dark. It is the place of the great unknown, where every sound is amplified and where it feels like someone or something is watching and waiting to get us.
There are times in our Christian walk when it seems we are walking in and through the dark. Those difficult periods in our lives when the silence is loud and answers are elusive. We can relate to Job who lamented, “He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and He hath set darkness in my paths. … When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness” (Job 19:8; 30:26, KJV). Even as we cry out to God, we echo the words of the Psalmist, “Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps” (Psalm 88:6). The longer we are in the dark, the greater our discomfort. Times when it seems the LORD dwells in thick darkness (1 Kings 8:12), the more we question God. After extended periods in the dark, some stop trusting Him.
Corrie Ten Boom reportedly once said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” That is so because though inside the tunnel is shrouded in darkness, the engineer can see ahead because of the light at the front of the train, unseen by the passengers, that pierces through said darkness. The Christian walking timidly and fearful in the dark can take the same comfort. David said of our Engineer, the One we serve, “…the darkness and the light are both alike to thee” (Psalm 139:12). In other words, He sees in and through the dark. When we cannot see anything, He can. When we don’t know where to go, He does. Because of that, we do not have to be afraid; we simply need to trust Him.
That is the good news. He (the Lord) constantly watches over us, lovingly and protectively, working out His purpose in our lives (Romans 8:28-29). For He who orders your every step knows exactly where you are. Even in the dark.
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CREDITS/SOURCES
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The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
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