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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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BERMUDA WAIVES VISAS FOR JAMAICAN TRAVELERS—03/08/14
Jamaican nationals traveling to Bermuda for business or vacation purposes will no longer need a visa. According to A.J. Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jamaicans will need a multi-entry visa to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom in order to take advantage of the waiver.
POLICE FIND INCREASE IN DRUG SEIZURES ON CURACAO FLIGHTS—03/09/14
According to Jamaican police, there are a rising number of attempts to carry illegal drugs to and from the island of Curacao. Police at the international airport in Kingston arrested three alleged drug traffickers who were on a flight from Curacao, and just days before, another cocaine smuggler from the island was apprehended at the airport.
GAY TEENS CAN LIVE IN SEWERS, SAYS JAMAICAN JUDGE—03/10/14
A judge in New Kingston ruled that gay teenagers who have been thrown out of their family homes are free to live in the sewers. Jamaican police have attempted to evict the homeless young people, some only 12 years of age, in several early morning raids. While several youths were arrested for resisting the eviction efforts and were subsequently fined for using “calumnious language,” the judge ruled that they could not be evicted from the sewers because the sewers are public spaces.
HOLNESS TO SPEAK AT ANTI-CORRUPTION CONFERENCE—03/11/14
Jamaican Opposition Leader Andrew Holness will travel to the Cayman Islands to be the guest speaker at the Anti-Corruption Conference there. The speech is entitled “The Ethical and Anti-Corruption Framework of Jamaica: My Vision for Change.” Holness will also join a panel to discuss how effective formal education is in encouraging values and ethics. Holness is a former Jamaican Prime Minister and Minister of Education.
JAMAICANS LEAD COALITION FOR SLAVERY REPARATIONS FROM EUROPE—03/12/14
Slaver was abolished in Jamaica in 1833, and now Jamaicans are in the lead of a coalition of 14 Caribbean countries that is calling for reparations from Britain for damages suffered in the slave years. The coalition has a list of ten demands for Britain, Holland, and France. The list includes an apology, reparation funds, and assurances that slavery will never again occur.
JAMAICAN NATIONAL ARRESTED IN VIRGINIA—03/13/14
A Jamaican man, 40 years of age, was among the more than 40 “at large criminal aliens” arrested during a five-day operation by law enforcement officers in the state of Virginia. The man, who has not been named, was living in Virginia Beach. According to the U.S. immigration agency, he had been convicted in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon. He received a sentence of two years in prison on these charges.
JAMAICAN STUDENTS URGED TO HONOR CARIBBEAN HEROES—03/14/14
Students in Jamaica should respect and honor Caribbean heroes, including National Hero Marcus Garvey of Jamaica and Antonio Maceo of Cuba. Ronald Thwaites, Jamaica’s Minister of Education, encouraged students to find ways to serve and build up each other. He made his remarks at Garvey Maceo High in Clarendon.
KARTEL, THREE OTHERS GUILTY OF MURDER—03/14/14
The popular deejay and Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, along with three co-defendants, was found guilty of murder in a trial held under heavy security in the nation’s Supreme Court in Kingston. Police in riot gear barricaded streets outside the court as the jury brought in its verdict. The four were convicted in the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICANS OVERSEAS UTILIZE NEW ONLINE ERRAND SERVICE—03/08/14
Many Jamaicans in the Diaspora have found a convenient way to take care of errands back on the home island: the website Diasporaerrand.com. Marlon White founded the site when he saw the need among Jamaicans in North America to send money, pay bills, make purchases and deliveries, and perform other tasks for family members back home. Almost any errand can be handled by the site, which uses the latest technology to ensure the safety and confidentiality of each errand. The service relies on trustworthy runners across Jamaica. Payments are handled through transfers of funds via credit cards.
JAMAICA’S MARY SEACOLE TRAVELED TO CRIMEA IN 1850s—03/09/14
Long before Putin, a Jamaican woman was in the Crimea. When war broke out in the Crimea in the 1850s, Jamaica’s National Hero Mary Seacole made her way to the region to establish a healing mission. She acted as a nurse to the troops in the war years between 1853 and 1856, treating the wounded with herbs, supporting herself by selling food and beverages to army officers. She was considered a spy at one time, but French soldiers commuted her sentence. The story of Mary Seacole has finally been told in a book published in Ontario, Canada, “The Wonderful Adventures of Mary Seacole.”
VASCIANNIE REMINDS DIASPORA IN MARYLAND OF GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES—03/10/14
Stephen Vasciannie, Jamaican Ambassador to the United States, spoke to a group of Jamaicans in the Diaspora in Maryland and reminded them of the many government initiatives underway on the home island. In his speech, the Ambassador said the government was promoting the logistics hub and encouraging more foreign investment in the island economy.
COVENT GARDEN TO GET JAMAICAN PATTY SPOT—03/11/14
In late March 2014, the Jamaica Patty Company will establish a restaurant in London’s Covent Garden area. The restaurant was initiated by Theresa Roberts and is led by Executive Chef Collin Brown. The place will provide Jamaican specialties such as Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, and curried goat.
PRATT INSTITUTE HONORS DR. GOULDA DOWNER—03/12/14
Dr. Goulda Downer, who was born in Jamaica, and is an assistant professor at the College of Medicine at Howard University in Washington, D.C., will receive the Community Commitment award for 2014 as an alumnus of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She is being recognized for her health advocacy and her role in public health education.
IN HAITI, JAMAICANS SAY GOVERNMENT NEGLECTS THEM—03/13/14
Jamaicans arrested on drug charges and gun-related offenses in Haiti fell neglected by the government in their homeland. Twenty Jamaicans were arrested in Les Cayes in 2013, but deny any involvement in drug trafficking. These individuals, and several others arrested more recently, say the Jamaican government has not provided any aid despite their assertions of innocence.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF WORLD MURDERS HAPPEN IN CARIBBEAN, LATIN AMERICA—03/08/14
HEALTH AGENCY WANTS GUARANTEED ACCESS TO WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICES—03/09/14
MAYOR OF NEW YORK DROPS LAWSUIT AGAINST CITY COUNCIL—03/10/14
CARIBBEAN ATHLETES WIN MEDALS AT WORLD INDOOR MEET—03/11/14
GOVERNMENT IN HAITI DEFENDS RESORT DEVELOPMENT PLANS—03/12/14
LED LIGHTING BUSINESS IN BARBADOS TO EXPAND—03/13/14
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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JAMAICAN BAMBOO CHARCOAL TO BE SOLD OVERSEAS—03/09/14
Jamaica’s bamboo producers should be able to provide a container-load of bamboo charcoal needed to export to the United States by the middle of May 2014. The government has prepared the way by enacting an exemption that will allow bamboo charcoal to be exported from the island. The goal is to export some six million pounds of bamboo charcoal annually.
JPS APPEALS STATUS AS “ILLEGAL MONOPOLY”—03/10/14
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) plans to appeal a decision from the Supreme Court in 2012 that labeled the agency as an illegal monopoly. The court found that the exclusive license held by Jamaica’s only power distribution firm was “invalid” and therefore illegal.
SUGAR WORKERS THREATEN INDUSTRIAL ACTION—03/11/14
Over 4,000 sugar workers in Jamaica are threatening to take industrial action after negotiations involving their unions and the Sugar Producers Federation (SPF) have failed to provide agreement on better wages and fringe benefits. The three unions that represent the workers and the SPF have reached a stalemate in negotiating wages and benefits. The SPF offer of a seven-percent wage increase in the first year and a three-percent increase in the second year were rejected by the unions.
$64 MILLION EXPANSION PLANNED FOR DOLPHIN COVE—03/13/14
Dolphin Cove has approved a $J64 million expansion for its Ocho Rios and Hanover properties. The popular tourist attraction had made an agreement to acquire another piece of property in 2013 at a cost of US$750,000 as well. The firm is planning to expand its operation to Turks and Caicos in October 2014, in addition to implementing the local expansions.
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Caribbean Science and Technology News provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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CTU OFFERS WORKSHOPS TO ENHANCE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS—03/08/14
LOCAL APP DEVELOPERS SEEK $20 MILLION IN REVENUE—03/12/14
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
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SPLIFF STAR JOINS OTHERS TO SUPPORT VYBZ KARTEL—03/08/14
Spliff Star, American rapper, is joining Busta Rhymes and others in Jamaica to show support for Vybz Kartel, who is on trial for murder in Kingston. Spliff Star, who has roots in Trinidad, said he was disappointed that more Jamaican artistes had not come out to support deejay Kartel.
JAMAICAN MUSIC MUSEUM OPENS WEBSITE FOR 2014 SYMPOSIUM—03/09/14
The Jamaica Music Museum (JaMM) Symposium for 2014 has launched the website for the event. The website allows those who want to take part in the Symposium to register in advance. The first 200 individuals to register will receive $108 in call credits from Digicel. The website also provides details about the event.
ROBINSON MAKES MARK IN HOLLYWOOD WITH ONE-WOMAN SHOW—03/10/14
Sardia Robinson, Jamaican writer, comedienne, actress and television host, is inspiring women and getting Hollywood to take notice with “From a Yardie to a Yankee,” a one-woman show that tells the true story of her life and struggles for recognition as an artist. She gives credit to her Jamaican grandmother for her success in show business.
JAMAICAN PRODUCTION TOP NOMINEE FOR ACTOR BOY AWARDS—03/11/14
“Ladies of the Night,” a Jambiz International production, is leading the 2014 nominee list for the Actor Boy Awards. The production is up for a total of 11 awards. The Actor Boy award is given for excellence in Jamaican theater. Winners will be announced in April 2014.
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SPORTS
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CARTER VICTORIOUS IN 60 METERS—03/09/14
Jamaican runner Nesta Carter, known as one of the fastest men in history in the 100 meters, defeated Marvin Bracy of the United States to win the final in the 60 meters at the World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland.
FRASER-PRYCE RUNS TO VICTORY IN WOMEN’S WORLD 60 METERS—03/10/14
Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the women’s 60-meter race at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland. She ran the distance in 6.98 seconds, the seventh fastest time in history for that distance.
JAMAICAN MIDFIELDER SIGNS WITH SAN JOSE TEAM—03/11/14
The San Jose Earthquakes team has signed the Jamaican midfielder Khari Stephenson. He played with the team from 2010 to 2012. Stephenson, 33, has played professionally for 11 years and has experience in Europe. He aided the Earthquakes in making the MLS playoffs in 2010 and 2012.
SANTOKIE WANTS PERMANENT SPOT WITH WINDIES—03/12/14
Krishmar Santokie, Jamaican seamer, hopes to play with the West Indies cricket team as a permanent member. He gave an impressive performance in bowling that helped his side win over England by five wickets at the second T20 International. He claimed four for 21 to obtain his best numbers for the T20.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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- JOB TITLE: Computer Laboratory Technician – Details Here
- JOB TITLE: First Officers – Details Here
- JOB TITLE: Secretary – Details Here
- JOB TITLE: Accounting Supervisor – Details Here
- JOB TITLE: Chief Internal Auditor – Details Here
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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“Not My Will”
The place was Gethsemane, a garden outside the city, a place planted with the olive and other trees across the Kidron brook and on the Mount of Olives. It was a place that Jesus and His disciples were familiar with (John 18:1-2), and so on this night it would not have been unusual for them to be have gone there. According to Matthew’s narrative, they had just finished their last meal together and Jesus, knowing what was imminent, spoke to them about a number of things. The narrative continues, “And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:37-39, KJV).
It is hard to imagine the “weight” that was on Jesus’ shoulders. He who was born to die felt in His humanity the deepest anguish and there in the garden with His friends close by, He seemingly struggled with the burden of what was ahead. This was He of whom the angels declared to Joseph, “Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Here He was, pleading with the father, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” The word “cup” is often used in this context in Scripture to point out sorrow, anguish, terror and death. In essence Jesus’ prayer was, “If the world can be redeemed – if it be consistent with justice, and with maintaining the government of the universe, that people should be saved without this extremity of sorrow, let it be done” (Albert Barnes). However, He did not stop there but continued, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
For sure that has to be the hardest part. Yielding our will to that of the Father. Giving up what we want to do for what He wants us to do. Giving up what we would like to have for what He wills for our lives. Giving up where we would rather go to go wherever He sends us. Giving up the known for the unknown. His will versus our will – the two are not always the same. Left to our own ways we would take the easy way out, we would take only the best of what life has to offer. However, where is the growth in that? How is God glorified on “Easy Street”? How do we put Him first if we are not prepared to surrender our will for His? Yet, as His representatives on earth, that is exactly what we are called to do. There is nothing to say that His way is easy and comfortable. Lest we forget, it is never about us but all about Him and Jesus demonstrated that to the fullest.
“Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” As you strive to please God in your service and obedience to Him, do you finish your prayers with those words?
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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.
