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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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RESIDENTS OF MOUNT ROSSER WANT BETTER WATER SITUATION—02/08/14
In Mount Rosser in St. Catherine, residents must travel several miles to get water. The shortage of water is a continuing problem and has even prevented children from getting to school on a regular basis. A catchment is the only source of water in the community, but it is not readily accessible to all residents. Water is sometimes trucked in to the community, but this is not sufficient.
DOCTORS TOLD TO MEET CONTINUING EDUCATION STANDARDS—02/09/14
The Medical Council of Jamaica issued a warning to doctors, stating that they may be banned from practicing medicine if they do not meet annual continuing medical education (CMEs) requirements. The Council says it is determined to ensure that physicians know about the latest trends and treatments, and it is insisting that doctors produce evidence of at least 20 CME hours before renewing their licenses.
POTENTIAL MEMBERS OF GANJA GROWING ORGANIZATION WILL WAIT—02/10/14
While Jamaica is seeing the organization of its first ganja growers’ association, potential members say they will not begin to cultivate the plant until receiving approval under the law. Supporters of the Ganja future Growers and Producers Association propose that interested parties sign a declaration that they will not take part in growing or cultivation until a legal and regulatory framework has been established for growing the plant.
STUART HALL, CULTURAL THEORIST, DIES—02/11/14
Stuart Hall, a well-known cultural theorist in Jamaica, has died at the age of 82. While Hall had not made personal appearances for some years due to ill health, his admirers remain. In 2013, director John Akomfrah, made a documentary “The Stuart Hall Project,” which explored Hall’s work in television as a cultural icon. He was also characterized as an “intellectual giant” by Professor Gus John of Grenada.
RESCUE MISSION COULD BE EXPANDED BY JDIC—02/12/14
The Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation may be able to expand the terms by which payouts are made to customers of policyholders due to changes in deposit insurance law. The agency is considering whether it will lend money or act as guarantor for banks that need financial help, as this is now possible under new rules.
GOVERNMENT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH INTERPOL ON ENTRY RULES—02/12/14
Jamaica’s government has signed an agreement with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) that provides for the recognition and acceptance of Interpol’s Travel Document when this document is used by the agency’s officers at Jamaican borders. The Interpol passport is an electronic book that will be presented with a letter of invitation from Jamaican authorities and a valid national passport to allow individuals entry to the country.
IMF TARGETS MET—02/13/14
Dr. Peter Phillips, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance, announced that more expeditious improvement in business to encourage economic growth. However, the third review by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) showed that all quantitative targets under the program were met and that the board would consider Jamaica’s performance by the end of March 2014.
VYBZ KARTEL PLEADS FOR UNDERSTANDING AT TRIAL—02/14/14
Vybz Kartel, Jamaican entertainer, pleaded with his jury in the High Court and asked that they separate his show-business identity from his real identity. Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, told jurors that his skin bleaching and tattoos represented part of his entertainment persona and that his physical appearance was only superficial. He asked to be considered a “normal man” and not “an alien who came from space.”
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN RECEIVES HONOR IN UNITED KINGDOM—02/08/14
Norman Mitchell, 93, is one of the older residents of the United Kingdom to receive a place on The Queen’s 2014 New Year’s Honors List. Originally from Clarendon in Jamaica, he will receive an MBE for his service to the elderly resident of North London. He has provided food, shelter, and recreational opportunities for senior citizens of West Indian heritage for more than 33 years.
OREGON TO SEE BLACK UHURU—02/09/14
The Jamaican reggae group Black Uhuru will perform at the Ashland Armory in Oregon. The group was formed in 1972 in Kingston’s Waterhouse District. Its first album was “Love Crisis” in 1977. In 1980 the group performed at Sunsplash Festival in Montego Bay and signed with Island Records in 1980.
BOOK TRACKS 19TH CENTURY JAMAICAN PIONEERS IN GUATEMALA—02/10/14
Gloria J. Arnold has written a book that tells the story of Jamaica pioneers who traveled to Guatemala in the early 1900s and created a life for their community. While representing only a small part of the African and Jamaican Diaspora, the book provides one more glimpse of Jamaican history. The book, entitled “Guiou: The Other Blacks,” documents the struggle and accomplishment of these Afro-Jamaican pioneers.
HOMELESS JAMAICAN IN LONDON GETS ONLINE FUNDRAISER FOR TRAVEL HOME—02/11/14
In London, Jenny Baker raised enough money to help a homeless Jamaican man return home. Baker met the man in the street after a night out and was impressed by his demeanor. After talking with him, she discovered that he was 64 years of age and had come to the United Kingdom with his mother for a better life. His mother had passed away, however, and he was stranded, homeless and without money to get home. Baker raised the funds for an airlines ticket to send him back to Jamaica via a social media campaign on Twitter.
MONCRIEFFE SIGNS WITH NORTHERN ILLINOIS TRACK TEAM—02/13/14
Tamara Moncrieffe, Jamaica’s track and field star athlete, has signed with the Northern Illinois track and field team as part of the recruiting class of 2014. According to Connie Teaberry, the Director of Track and Field Cross County, Moncrieffe will join the Huskies from Holmwood Technical High School in Manchester, where she has been a standout athlete.
LONDON TO EXPERIENCE JAMAICAN “FAST CASUAL” FOOD—02/14/14
The Jamaica Patty Company will be introduced to London diners by Theresa Roberts, who was born in Jamaica and is hoping to change preconceptions about Caribbean foods with a contemporary and authentic approach. The restaurant will serve pastries with various fillings, including jerk chicken, prawn, curried goat, and saltfish and ackee. Fresh soursop juice will also be available, among other traditional Jamaican dishes.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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CARIBBEAN ATHLETES LOOK TO MEDAL AT WINTER OLYMPICS—02/08/14
OUTBREAK OF CHIKUNGUNYA CONTINUES TO SPREAD—02/09/14
MEXICO AGAIN CHAMPION AT CARIBBEAN SERIES—02/10/14
UNITED STATES EMBASSY ISSUES WARNING OF POSSIBLE THREAT FROM GUYANA—02/11/14
PETITION TO SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES ON ISLANDS SIGNED BY HUNDREDS—02/13/14
OPPOSITION PARTY CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF ST. LUCIA HOSPITALS—02/14/14
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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JAMAICA TO RECEIVE IDB LOANS WORTH MILLIONS—02/08/14
Jamaica will receive US$140 million in loans from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) in order to sustain the country’s future society and economic growth. The first loan will total US60 million and will finance the third phase of a program designed to sustain Jamaica’s macro-economic situation.
ISRAELIS JOIN LOGISTICS HUB INVESTORS—02/09/14
The government of Israel has committed to providing considerable aid to Jamaica in creating a way to implement the planned logistics hub. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services and its large network will be involved with preparing and building the hub. Jamaicans will go to Israel to train while the hub is being constructed, according to Bahij Mansour, ambassador designate from Israel to Jamaica.
TAX REVENUES RAISE CONCERNS FOR EPOC—02/11/14
The Economic Program Oversight Committee (EPOC) is responsible for monitoring the four-year program in operation between Jamaica and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The agency says it is “cautiously optimistic” about the government’s ability to meet fourth-quarter targets, but is worried about under-performing tax revenues.
JAMAICA MOVES INTO INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION INDUSTRY—02/13/14
According to the World Bank, Jamaica is very close to being in a good position to act as a viable player in the international animation industry. Forty-five new animators graduated have just graduated from the “Animate Jamaica” project, and Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of Finance, said he was “upbeat” about the future of Jamaica in joining the growing, multi-billion-dollar global animation industry.
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Caribbean Science and Technology News provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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CARIBBEAN NATIONS PROMISE TO TRADE FOSSIL FUELS FOR RENEWABLES—02/11/14
SCIENTISTS WARN CARIBBEAN COULD FACE BIGGEST TSUNAMI EVER RECORDED—02/12/14
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
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GUYANA FILMS SCREENED AT CARIBBEAN FILM ACADEMY SERIES—02/09/14
The Caribbean Film Academy plans to host an evening of films from Guyana on February 21, 2014. The short narrative film “The Seawall,” which won a prize at the Cannes Film Festival, will be shown. Also featured is “Rebecca’s Story,” a film submitted by the Youth of the Witness Project.
CHRONIXX MADE BIG IMPACT IN 2013—02/10/14
Among the Jamaican entertainers making an impact on 2013 was Chronixx. In spite of a downturn in record sales and tours for reggae and dancehall artistes, Chronixx remained a top attraction. The roots singer was features at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Trelawney, and he notes the success of his European tour in the summer of 201, particularly the concert at Leeds in the United Kingdom. He expects 2014 to be even better.
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UTECH, JAMAICA MUSIC MUSEUM TO HOST MUSIC BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM—02/11/14
The Jamaica Music Museum has partnered with the University of Technology to host a symposium entitled “The Business of Jamaica’s Music and Cultural Industries.” The event will be held in March 2014 and provide a platform for discussing the debate that surrounds the socio-economic value of the island’s intangible assets, its music and culture.
WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION DEAL SET FOR JAMAICAN GOSPEL ACT—02/12/14
Reverend Dr. Kay Morris, a Canadian of Jamaican heritage, has signed a distribution deal with Serious Records and with Universal Records in the United States. Dr. Morris received the deal after finishing second in the Prayze Factor Awards Grand Finals Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. Her single “Letters of Love,” will be featured on the Prayze Factor Volume 3 CD, distributed by Universal.
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SPORTS
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STRONG JAMAICAN TEAM TO GO TO WORLD RELAYS—02/08/14
According to Warren Blake, the president of the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA), the absence of a trial meet before the inaugural meet will not mean that Jamaica will send anything less than its strongest team to the World Relays. Warren said the team will be chosen the same way as for the Penn Relays.
BOLT STILL DECIDING ON COMMONWEALTH GAMES PARTICIPATION—02/09/14
World champion record-holder Usain Bolt plans to wait until June and the Jamaican championships before deciding whether he will join the competition at the Commonwealth Games in July 2014. Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills, said Bolt will know at the Jamaica Trials, and if he runs there, he will participate in the Commonwealth Games.
JAMAICAN BOBSLED TEAM MOST POPULAR TEAM AT WINTER OLYMPICS—02/10/14
While they had some difficulties getting to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the Jamaican bobsled team overcame them and is now considered the “most popular” team at the games. The team is a top contender for a medal, and there is a sequel to the movie “Cool Runnings” in planning.
STOP SENDING MONEY, SAYS JAMAICA’S BOBSLED TEAM—02/13/14
Jamaica’s entry in the bobsledding competition at the Winter Olympics for 2014 turned to the Internet to raise the funds necessary to get to the games. Now, the team wants its fans to stop sending money. According to Winston Watts, pilots, and Marvin Dixon, brakeman, they would feel like they were being “greedy opportunists” if they don’t call a halt on donations. In total, the team received $178,000 in funding from fans, sponsors, and the national federation.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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- JOB TITLE: Deputy Manager – Details Here
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Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Loving One Another – Part III
One of the fascinating things about the command to love one another is the ease with which some Christians rationalize or justify not doing so. Of course, we would never confess to “hating” them; that’s a very strong word and so not Christ-like. Yet ever so often at the root of what we sometimes describe simply as “avoiding so and so” or “I’ve forgiven them but I just won’t speak to them” is a reflection of our inability or unwillingness, to – by God’s grace – agape one another. I have been there and more than likely so have some of you. However, if we judge our actions by the Word, the only standard that really matters, how do those actions stand up?
In 1 John 4:20 we read, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.” If you are like me, your mind rebels: “But I don’t hate him/her, I really don’t!” However, through God working on me as I read the Word, I came to realize that the word translated “hate” also means “to detest; to love less”. That last part got my attention because what it implied was, paraphrasing John, if I love (agape) God, and love (agape) my brother less, I am a liar because I cannot unconditionally, self-sacrificially, actively, volitionally, and thoughtfully love God, who I cannot see, and deny the same love to my brother whom I can see. Does it mean we love others the same way we love God? No, of course not. Jesus made the clear distinction when He said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength … Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” In other words, we are to love one another with the highest and purest form of love that can be offered to another human being; we are to agape them. It is not a suggestion; it is a divine command.
But what does loving like that mean? A long time ago I read the profound statement, “Loving someone is wanting what is best for that person, even if that best does not include you.” That is hard for most of us to accept because our human nature is more selfish in its approach. Can we truly want what is best for someone else if it means watching on the sidelines as they pursue or achieve that best? Sure we can. We would do well to remember Jesus’ words, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12, 13). At the heart of that command is self-sacrifice, one of the attributes of agape love. If we desire the best for ourselves, we should desire no less for our brother, even if that best has nothing to do with us.
As we close our look on this theme, I’m struck by Jesus’ next statement – so profound in meaning, yet one we could easily overlook: “Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you” (v.14). Friends, IF …
Are you a friend of God? As you ponder the question, bear in mind who defines the terms for the friendship. He does.
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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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