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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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GOVERNMENT ACTION NOT POSSIBLE IN VOIP DISPUTE—07/12/14
Jamaica’s government has no way to address the concerns of consumers impacted by the bans on VoIP applications imposed by Digicel and LIME, major telecommunications services providers. There is no current legislation in place that would allow the government to counter these limits. Duane Smith, deputy spokesperson for science, ICT, and digital society development, believes there should be new legislation designed to address the activities of Internet service providers.
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO LICENSE PSYCHOLOGISTS—07/13/14
The government of Jamaica will start issuing licenses to psychologist in an attempt to resolve issues arising from the provision of psychological services by unqualified individuals. According to Dr. Kai Morgan, vice president of the Jamaican Psychological Society (JamPsych), this move will help to stop operations by “quacks” who charge high prices and offer services without having the required qualifications. Members of JamPsych can apply for licenses through the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine.
CULTURAL CENTER OPENS IN MONTEGO BAY—07/14/14
The people living in western Jamaica will now have the chance to enjoy cultural experiences due to the official launch of the Montego Bay Cultural Center in Sam Sharpe Square. The center, previously known as the Montego Bay Civic Center, has undergone re-development via the Tourism Enhancement Fund. It will be home to a national art gallery. The cost of the refurbishment was J$109 million.
NEW JLP WEBSITE TO REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON LARGE DONORS—07/15/14
According to Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s Opposition Leader, the expansion of social media access by the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) is designed to reduce its dependence on a few large donors and allow ordinary Jamaicans, both locally and around the world, to take a larger role in the performance of the party. Currently, the culture of politics is funded by businessmen and large contributors, said Holness, and has not created a way for average voters to contribute to the causes or issues about which they are concerned. The JLP website will now have the capacity to handle small donations to specific causes.
PRISONS DO NOT REHABILITATE ADULTS, SAYS AUDITOR GENERAL—07/16/14
Jamaica’s Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis has stated that the nation’s Department of Corrections (DCS) has failed in making determinations of risk profiles and rehabilitation needs of individuals entering the correctional facilities. Additionally, she said that the DCS was unable to show that rehabilitation activities meet the needs of inmates and that there are no structured opportunities for rehabilitation offered to address the needs of mentally challenged inmates or those convicted of drug abuse or sexual offenses.
BUNTING SAYS FUNDING LOST DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS—07/17/14
According to Peter Bunting, Jamaica’s portfolio minister, law enforcement agencies in Jamaica have lost funding from international sources because of alleged human rights abuses by members of the security forces. The report from the Office of the Public Defender on the security forces and their activities in Kingston in May 2010 has caused some international funders to review their support.
AGRICULTURE RECOVERING FROM RECENT NATURAL DISASTER—07/18/14
The agricultural sector in Jamaica has recovered from the impact of recent natural disasters. Banana production is up 64 percent, for example, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing. Donovan Stanberry, Minister of Agriculture and Fishing, noted the production level is higher than the level registered before Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
POLICE TAKE ACTION ON HOMELESS MEN IN NEW KINGSTON—07/18/14
Police in the St. Andrew Central Division plan to meet with stakeholders and business owners to address problems associated with homeless men in the area who are “terrorizing” the new business area in New Kingston. The area requires appropriate management to address the issue, said senior superintendent Fitz Bailey, who also noted the matter is affecting businesses and creating serious concerns in the business community.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN MAY BE FIRST FEMALE BISHOP OF CHURCH OF ENGLAND—07/12/14
Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who was born and raised in Montego Bay, is a contender to become one of the first female bishops in the Church of England. The Anglican Church has decided to allow female bishops after many years of debate on the issue dating back to the 1920s. Currently, Hudson-Wilkin is a chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II and the Speaker of the House of Commons. She is very prominent in the Church of England and a strong advocate of women’s right to take part at the highest level of the church’s hierarchy.
JAMAICAN MARTIAL ARTISTS TO DEFEND REPUTATION IN FLORIDA—07/13/14
Martial artists from Jamaica will defend their reputation at the International Sport Karate Association United States Open competition of 2014 in Orlando, Florida. Jamaica has sent a team of 54 fighters of different ages to the competition. In 2013, Jamaicans won a record-setting 90 medals: 29 gold medals, 30 silver and 31 bronze.
FIRST JAMAICAN BOBSLED COACH, HOWARD SILER, DIES—07/14/14
Howard Siler, the first coach of the Jamaican bobsled team and twice a United States Olympic bobsledder himself, has died at the age of 69. Siler died at his home in Florida on July 8, 2014. He is best known for bringing the sport of bobsledding to Jamaicans, who competed in the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. His efforts became the basis of the film “Cool Runnings.”
POETRY FEST TO FEATURE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN JAMAICAN—07/15/14
The 2014 Jamaica Poetry Festival, which will take place in St. Andrew on August 10, will feature a performance by Jean “Binta” Breeze of Jamaica and the United Kingdom. She recently received honors from the Queen of England and is known as the “One Woman Festival.” The festival will also feature Dr. Neal Hall of the U.S., who has performed around the world.
2014 DIASPORA COMMUNITY HONORS ANNOUNCED—07/16/14
Franz Hall, Jamaica’s Consul General, announced the names of ten individuals being recognized with Diaspora Honors for 2014. These individuals received the award for outstanding contributions to the community development in South Florida. They include Victoria Mutual Building Society corporate executive, Ms. Suzette Rochester for Business Leadership; South Florida entrepreneur, Ms. Patricia M. Lee for Public Service; Dr. Fidel Goldson, Jr. for Philanthropy; educator Rupert Rhodd, PhD. for Education; attorney George Crimarco for Law and Justice; accountant and community activist, Leary Mullings for Entrepreneurship; President of Jamaica International Female Football Development, Ms. Lavern Deer for Sports Development, and Broward County student and community volunteer, Adam Azan for Youth Leadership. Lloyd Finlay of Finlay’s Shipping received a Special Community Merit Honor for his commitment to community enrichment.
BARTLETT WANTS DIASPORA TO SUPPORT DIPLOMACY—07/17/14
Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, suggests the government give Jamaicans in the Diaspora special assignments to support the nation’s diplomatic staff around the world. He is not in support of a proposal to assign a seat to a representative of the Diaspora in the Senate, saying such a position cannot be sustained due to the nature of Jamaican democracy. However, he does believe the Diaspora has a diplomatic role to fill overseas with voluntary positions such as ambassadors-at-large or honorary consuls.
LONDON CEREMONY DEDICATES SITE FOR STATUE OF MARY SEACOLE—07/18/14
A dedication ceremony was held in London to recognize the site at which a statue of Mary Seacole, pioneer Jamaican nurse, will be placed at the Gardens of St. Thomas Hospital in Westminster. Lord Clive Soley, the chairman of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statute Appeal, noted that the statute will be the first one in the city dedicated to a named black woman. It will erected in 2015 in honor of the 160th anniversary of Seacole’s arrival in Crimea.
JAMAICAN SUMMER CAMP MOVES TO UNITED KINGDOM—07/18/14
The Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) UK Resolution Project One Week Summer Camp is being made available to parents and guardians of children between 13 and 17 years of age. The program is designed to promote advocacy among younger people via photography. The project has been offered in Jamaica since 2004 in rural high schools and has trained many students in photography, photo-journalism and advocacy. In 2012, images from the project were shown in London to highlight the work of Jamaica’s rural high school students. The 2014 program in the UK will run from July 28 to August 2, 2014.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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GUYANA WINS OPENER AT 2014 CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE—07/12/14
480 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED IN ANTIGUA—07/1314
NYC MAYOR SIGNS LAW CREATING CITY ID FOR CARIBBEAN, OTHER IMMIGRANTS—07/14/14
NEW SPECIES OF MARINE LIFE NAMED AFTER JENNIFER LOPEZ—07/16/14
CARIBBEAN HERITAGE FETED AT GOLDEN KRUST BAKERY IN BROOKLYN—07/17/14
HEAD OF UNITED NATIONS URGES SOLUTION TO DOMINICAN CITIZENSHIP ISSUE—07/18/14
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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PAULWELL SAYS RUSAL MAY LOSE BAUXITE LICENSES IN JAMAICA—07/12/14
Phillip Paulwell, Jamaica’s Minister of Mining and Energy, says he has lost his patience with UC Rusal, the Russian aluminum company, and may be preparing to revoke the firm’s licenses to mine at Ewarton. Paulwell told Rusal on July 1, 2014, that he would revoke the licenses for the Kirkvine and Alpart plants if they did not restart their operations in six months. The plants have been out of operation since 2009. Rusal replied that restarting the plants is impossible without time-consuming and costly modernization and equipment replacement necessary to convert them to coal or gas-firing.
CARIBBEAN’S YOUNGEST ENTREPRENEUR JUST 15 YEARS OF AGE—07/14/14
Warren Cassell Jr. , 15, has already established himself as a global entrepreneur, published author, and successful investor. Cassell is from Montserrat and has founded several companies, contributed to the Huffington Post website, and earned a first-degree black-belt in Tae Kwon Do. He was named a “Youth on the Rise” by the Montserrat Department of Youth Affairs” and also “Youth Entrepreneur of the Year” for 2014 by the Caribbean Journal. His business involvement includes media, food manufacturing, hedge funds, private equity and real estate investments.
JAMPRO CONSIDERS ANOTHER RARE METALS MINING PROPOSAL—07/16/14
Jampro, Jamaica’s investment promotion agency, is considering an offer from Nippon Light Metals of Japan, in partnership with the Jamaica Bauxite Institute. The proposal indicates the firm’s interest in extracting rare-earth metals from the island’s bauxite waste. Nippon applied in 2014 to patent its extraction process, and approval could take some three years. Nippon’s proposal involves US$500 million in investments.
BUSINESSES SHOULD MAKE USE OF SERVICES OFFERED BY GOVERNMENT—07/17/14
According to Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, Jamaica’s State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Jamaica will need more innovative and creative entrepreneurs once the new logistics hub goes into operation. She is encouraging entrepreneurs to use the aid and services offered by the government to advance their business operations. Training and technical aid is offered by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation and other agencies, including HEART/NTA.
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
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DANCE4LIFE JAMAICA COMING TO KINGSTON—07/12/14
An international group of dance professionals will be providing workshops at Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing Arts, the School of Dance, and Chai Dance Studios between July 31, and August 15, 2014. The workshops will focus on teaching technique and involvement with Jamaican culture as it relates to dance. According to director Nejila Innerarity, Dance4Life is committed to offering programs that highlight the use of dance to empower, unite, and change the way people relate to one another. Dance4Life: Kingston Engaged brings professional dancers and teachers to teach students in Kingston with 25 classes per day.
EVENT TO RECOGNIZE CHINESE PIONEERS OF JAMAICAN MUSIC—07/13/14
The Tribute to the Greats Awards Show and Dance for 2014 will be held to the Chinese Benevolent Association in St. Andrew on July 26, 2014. This is the first time in many years the event has not been held at Curphey Place. The change of venue marks the event’s focus on the Chinese connection to the music of Jamaica. The show coincides with the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese people to the island.
FESTIVAL QUEEN GRAND CORONATION SLATED FOR JULY 19—07/15/14
The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Grand Coronation is scheduled for July 19, 2014, at Ranny Williams Entertainment Center in Kingston. The theme of the 2014 competition is “Jamaican Women…Shaping Our Culture and Our Nation.” Thirteen contestants will vie for the title of Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2014. Several prizes and awards, including a $500,000 cash prize, are at stake in the competition.
JAH CURE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN SEPTEMBER—07/17/14
The new album from Jah Cure, which is set to release in September 2014, features the lead single “Life We Live.” This is his sixth album. Jah Cure will perform at Reggae Sumfest on International Night. He believes that his new album represents “spiritual growth” and reflects his roles as artiste, father, husband, and producer.
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SPORTS
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BLAKE INJURED AT GLASGOW GRAND PRIX, ASHMEADE WINS—07/12/14
Jamaican champion sprinter Yohan Blake suffered a hamstring injury at the Glasgow Grand Prix, adding to a list of fitness difficulties that have followed him since 2012. The event was only his second race in the 2014 season. Blake, 24, started slow in the 100-meters Diamond League final and appeared uncomfortable at the middle of the distance. He fell to the track just as Nickel Ashmeade, fellow Jamaican team member, claimed the first prize with a time of 9.97 seconds.
JAMAICAN WOMEN WIN CARIBBEAN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP—07/14/14
Jamaica’s women’s basketball team defeated the Dominican Republic with a score of 51-45 at the Caribbean championships in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Shanneika Smith, guard, achieved 14 points, while Sasha Dixon, shooting guard, also scored 14 points, and Jennifer George, power forward, won 13 points. A $1 million donation by Olympic champion Usain Bolt allowed the team to raise the money necessary to participate in the tournament.
POWELL, SIMPSON ALLOWED TO RETURN TO COMPETITION—07/15/14
Appeals to a ruling related to positive tests for a banned substance filed by Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, Jamaican sprinters, has been upheld in part by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Both sprinters had positive results in tests conducted at Jamaica’s national trials in 2013. While an earlier ruling had suspended the athletes for 18 months from competition, the new CAS decision reduced their ineligibility period to six months, time that has already been served, and thus clearing them to compete in coming 2014 events.
ASAFA POWELL RETURNS TO TRACK—07/16/14
Asafa Powell, Jamaican sprinter, is back in competition one day after his doping ban was lowered. He competed in the 100-meter race at the Lucerne meet with a time of 10.30 seconds. He finished in third place, after Julian Foote, and Antoine Adams. Powell remains the fourth fastest man on record.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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DEVOTIONAL
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He Qualifies the Called!
If you did not know anything about Moses and he walked into your church to interview for the position of Senior Pastor, would you and the rest of the Pastoral Search Committee hire him? Would you hire him for any position at all? Looking at his résumé would provoke more questions than answers. His background was a bit sketchy, to say the least. He fled Egypt after killing a man and then spent the next forty years on the run tending goats and sheep for a man who would become his father-in-law. Those last forty years of his life stand out because he did nothing of significance. Did I mention he was now eighty years old, had no relevant leadership experience, and had a speech impediment? Chances are good that he would not be hired by any Committee because he did not fit the profile of a senior leader. Good intentions wasn’t going to cut it. The ability to communicate effectively, strong leadership skills along with the ability to plan, organize and coordinate were some of the key requirements for the position.
However, that is from our human perspective. Because one day while tending the goats and sheep on the backside of the desert, he had an encounter with the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Issac, who – after a series of events – told him, “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10, KJV). Moses’ reaction was understandable! “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (v.11). In other words, “Who, me? Go to Egypt and lead out almost two million Israelites? God, are you crazy?” But God would not be denied; Moses was His man – “And He said, Certainly I will be with thee” (v.12a). Moses reminded God, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say” (vv. 10-12). God knew something about Moses that he, Moses, did not know about himself!
Do you see a bit of yourself in Moses? In looking at yourself you have no idea why God would call you to do the things He has called you to do. In your eyes and those of others, you are not qualified. Yet, of all the people that God could have called, He called you. It is important to understand that He doesn’t necessarily call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called; those He desires to use. It is not so much what you bring to Him that He needs because just as He transformed Moses’ staff from a stick to a conduit of His power, so He is more than able to transform your inadequacies into conduits of His grace. It is not what we think of ourselves that is important but rather what God thinks of us.
What has God called you to do that you feel you are not qualified for? Rest assured that He was intimately aware of your deficiencies before He called you, yet He called you still. It is in your weaknesses that He shows Himself strong, so much so that when all is said and done, He gets the glory because you could not have done it without Him. Trust Him that He knows what He is doing. Your challenge is to go out and do as He says, knowing fully well that “certainly [He] will be with thee” every step of the way.
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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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