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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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NICHOLSON SAYS MYRIE’S WAIT NOT LONG—03/22/14
A.J. Nicholson, Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, says that the five months elapsing between the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice in the case of Shanique Myrie is not a long time to wait for payment of the judgment and legal costs. Myrie, who is from Jamaica, was awarded $3.6 million in damages after the court found the government of Barbados breached her right to enter the country under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
CHRISTIE PROPOSES STRONG MEASURES AGAINST CORRUPTION—03/23/14
Greg Christie, a consultant and the former Contractor General of Jamaica, is proposing measures designed to address corruption in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries. He has recommended that a national and regional system of certification, decertification, debarment, and cross-debarment of government contractors be implemented to address those who consistently fail to adhere to required standards or who engage in fraudulent practices.
LAWS IN JAMAICA DO NOT ADDRESS KNOWING EXPOSURE TO HIV/AIDS—03/24/14
Jamaican laws do not provide for circumstances in which someone with HIV or AIDS, who knows they have the infection, knowingly or willfully exposes another individual to the infection by engaging in unsafe conduct and transmits the disease to that other person. Margarette Macaulay, women’s and children’s affairs advocate at attorney at law, notes that other countries have laws that make such transmission a crime. She has called Jamaica’s 1937 Venereal Disease Act “archaic” and “inadequate” to address current conditions.
DRUG TRAFFICKER FROM GUYANA FINED BY JAMAICAN COURT—03/25/14
Jonathan Fontanelle, a man from Guyana, was caught trafficking cocaine in Jamaica. He was sentenced to a fine of J$800,000 or 18 months in local prison as a result. Judith Pusey, Senior Corporate Area Magistrate, imposed the large fine on Fontanelle, whose own attorney described him as someone who did not understand what he was getting into when he carried two pounds and three ounces of the drug into Jamaica.
JEEP PROGRAM WILL BENEFIT 12,000 UNEMPLOYED JAMAICANS—03/26/14
Some 12,000 Jamaicans are likely to see the benefits of additional work performed under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Program (JEEP). The total value of the work is $630 million. Each of Jamaica’s 63 constituencies received an allocation of $10 million for development of the project in construction, road repair, retaining wall repair, and repairs to drains and pavements. The activities are part of projects facilitated through the Major Infrastructure Development Program (MIDP), which is funded chiefly by the government of China and the China Harbor Engineering Company.
JAMAICA TO PUT US$22 MILLION TOWARD AVIATION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS—03/27/14
Jamaica’s government plans to spend US$22 million during the next two years toward improvements in aviation safety and security. The government will upgrade or replace old technology to bring Jamaica into compliance with international standards. Leroy Lindsay, director general of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, made the announcement of the government’s plans.
NET LOSS OF J$2.23 BILLION RECORDED BY PORT AUTHORITY—03/28/14
An unrealized exchange loss by the Port Authority of Jamaica of $4.38 billion is the fallout from a 13-percent depreciation of the Jamaican dollar against the dollar of the United States. The loss was recorded during the 2012/2013 financial year.
GOVERNMENT DISCUSSES BOG WALK GORGE DAM WITH CHINA HARBOR—03/28/14
The Jamaican government plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) for a feasibility study about the damming of Bog Walk Gorge in St. Catherine. The dam would provide a reservoir of drinking water and a means of electricity generation.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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TIES WITH MEXICO FEATURED IN REGGAE POSTER COMPETITION—03/23/14
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mexico City hosted an exhibit of the International Reggae Poster Competition to illustrate the importance of the Jamaican musical genre. The exhibit was implemented via a partnership between Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Jamaica in Mexico. Organizations collected the best reggae posters from the 2012 and 2013 competitions. The exhibit is called “World-A-Reggae” and features 50 posters chosen from 2,000 submissions from 90 countries. the 2013 award was won by Lenin Vasquez of Mexico.
CARIBBEAN STATES ORGANIZATION HOLDS TALKS IN D.C.—03/24/14
Talks between Alfonso Munera Cavadia, Secretary Generation of the Association of Caribbean States, and Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, were held in Washington, D.C. The talks focused on ways to build more dynamic partnerships between the two organizations to enhance their similar initiatives and programs.
HISTORIC STUDENT DEMOSTRATION NOW ON FILM—03/25/14
West Indian students at Sir George Williams University in Montreal, Quebec, in Canada, took over the computer labs at the university in 1969 and changed the university and the students who took part in the affair. The Computer Riot at the university, which is now part of Concordia University, influenced its participants, many of whom went on to impact revolutionary events in the Caribbean. Now Selwyn Jacob, who was born in Trinidad, has created a documentary film about the 1969 events that will be distributed by T&T Film Company.
SIMPSON MILLER TO SPEAK AT LAFAYETTE COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT—03/26/14
Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica, is scheduled to be the featured speaker at the 179th commencement at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania in May 2014. She will also be awarded an honorary degree in public service. Simpson Miller is the first woman to be Prime Minister of Jamaica and is serving her second term. She was previously a cabinet minister for 17 years with responsibilities spanning labor, sports, social security, tourism and local government.
TOP POLICE OFFICER IN WINNIPEG IS JAMAICAN—03/27/14
Devon Clunis of Jamaica has become the 17th Chief of Police in Winnipeg, Canada. He is the first black man and the first Jamaican to serve in this post. He is a native of Harmony Vale, St. Ann, and enlisted Winnipeg’s police force for 29 years.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY FETED BY JAMAICAN WOMEN OF FLORIDA—03/28/14
The Jamaican Women of Florida will mark its first anniversary by holding a Reggae/Jazz Brunch and Fashion Show at Broward Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale. Eugene Grey, Jamaican jazz musician, and his band will perform, along with Sabrina Williams, and Soleil Rowe, at 11 years of age the next-generation star.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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ISLANDS REBUILDING AFTER FLOODS—03/22/14
CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GIVES US$16.18 MILLION TO COLLEGE—03/23/14
NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNEY INCLUDES 6 PLAYERS FROM CARIBBEAN—03/24/14
MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY TO END IN BARBADOS—03/25/14
END CUBAN EMBARGO, CARICOM TELLS U.S.—03/26/14
CLIMATE POLLUTERS COULD BE TRIED IN COURT—03/27/14
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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REGIONAL FOOD LABELING URGED—03/22/14
CARICOM nations have been called upon to create regional food labeling standards. A report from the Second International Conference on Non-Communicable Diseases of Children and Adolescents also recommended that marketing of fast food and drinks that contain lots of sugar been limited or even banned. The report was issued by the Health Caribbean Coalition and noted that countries in the Caribbean have done well responding to non-communicable disease among young individuals, no national policies have been made against advertising unhealthy foods to children.
RUSSIAN AIRLINE STOPS SERVICE TO JAMAICA—03/23/14
Political developments involving Russia and Ukraine have resulted in the suspension of service to Jamaica by Transaero Airlines, a Russian firm. Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism announced the suspension of flights between Moscow and Montego Bay will begin March 28, 2014. Services are set to resume in November. The change was attributed to currency fluctuations in Russia and the impact this has on the airline.
JAMAICA READY FOR EXPO 2014—03/25/14
The largest tradeshow designed to showcase locally produced goods opens at National Arena in Kingston in April 2014. The 2014 EXPO Jamaica is expected to be provide significant improvements over the previous year, according to co-chair of the EXPO Jamaica 2014 Committee, Aswad Morgan. Booths for the show are sold out, and 448 buyers have registered to date. Of that number, 193 are from Jamaica, and foreign buyers represent the Czech Republic, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, United states, Britain, Canada, and the Caribbean.
EDWARDS GIVES ADVICE TO FARMERS—03/26/14
Diane Edwards, president of JAMPRO, has advised farmers in Jamaica to upgrade planting methods and crop selection to take advantage of the agricultural export market, which represents billions of dollars. Edwards noted that farmers should research marketing methods to obtain higher profits.
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Caribbean Science and Technology News provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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OAS TO HELP JAMAICA WITH CYBER SECURITY—03/22/14
TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM TESTED IN CARIBBEAN BASIN—03/26/14
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
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ART OF JAMAICA DISPLAYED IN CAYMANS—03/22/14
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands offers a new exhibit that examines the art of Jamaica in the 1960s and 1970s. This time period encompassed major social and political events in Jamaica and also saw art and artists proliferate. The Caymans collection includes 35 works that have been loaned by the National Gallery of Jamaica.
PROFESSIONALS TO REVIEW MUSEUMS’ ROLE IN NATIONAL IDENTITY—03/23/14d
Jamaican museum professionals and academics met at the University of the West Indies Museum to mark the launch of a new publication “Plantation to Nation: Caribbean Museums and National Identity.” The introduction brought co-editor Alissandra Cummins, director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, with two authors of Jamaica, Dr. Veerle Poupeye and Dr. Rebecca Tortell Cummins. The book is designed to explore how museums shape the identity of a country and should be studied themselves.
JUDGE CONSIDERS RESTITUTION PAYMENTS FROM KARTEL—03/27/14
Justice Lennox Campbell is considering whether Vybz Kartel, who was convicted in the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, should be required to pay restitution to Williams’ family. The judge has looked for information concerning whether someone with talent like Kartel may continue to produce music was incarcerated. If so, the judge plans to order that proceeds from the productions be paid to the estate of Williams.
NEW FILM’S TRAILER CAUSES STIR—03/28/14
The promotion trailer for “Jamaican Mafia” is intended to increase public interest in what has been called the “biggest” film to come from the United States that features Jamaican talent. The film, which was written by Mykal Fax, tells the story of the life of Zoolian Anderson, also known as Zoo-Zoo, who gives up a corporate job for a life of crime after learning he is related to a notorious crime boss.
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SPORTS
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EDWARDS MAY COMPETE IN TAE KWON DO—03/23/14
Kenneth Edwards, Jamaica’s Olympic athlete in tae kwon do, has been cleared to resume competition following a decision from the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel. While he can go on with his athletic career, he is considering an appeal, since the Panel publically reprimanded him after an adverse analytical finding. He tested positive for a banned diuretic in the summer of 2013, but the authorities were satisfied that he did not intend to consume any substance to enhance his performance.
REGGIE MARLEY VICTORIOUS IN CARIHI CUP—03/25/14
Jamaican Reggie Marley is the first athlete to have his name on the Carihi Cup. He beat B.J. Laredo in the finals of an eight-man tournament hosted by the Pure Wrestling Association. The competitive event was given to raise funds for the 2014 Carihi graduation class.
CARIFTA GAMES TEAM ANNOUNCED BY JAAA—03/26/14
The list of the 78 members for the team representing Jamaica at the CARIFTA Games in Martinique in April 2014 includes five individual medalists from the World Youth Championships. Yanique Thompson, Jaheel Hyde, Martin Manley, and Marvin Williams, along with Tiffany James were named to the team.
CARTER PREPARED TO MOVE AHEAD—03/27/14
Sprint athlete Nesta Carter of Jamaica will not allow his experience at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships impact his future ambitions or the preparations he is making for his outdoor season. Carter tool a silver medal in the 2012 IAAF Worlds, but only ranked seventh at the Indoor Worlds in Sopot. His goal is to perform well on the circuit in preparation for major competitions over the coming three years and is getting ready for the outdoor season.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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- JOB TITLE: Motorcycle Distribution Supervisor – Details Here
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Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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His Works Speak
One of the things I enjoy doing is walking, usually in parks or along trails. Not only is it good exercise if done consistently, but it is also a great way to empty the mind of mental clutter. One of the greatest benefit for me is the opportunity to meditate, to pray, and to feel the embrace of my Heavenly Father in the surroundings. Then there are the times when I am simply enjoying the walk, and nature, and it is during those times that it become evident that the glory of God is everywhere to be seen.
I think the Psalmist David shared those experiences as he sat outdoors tending sheep. I believe that as he probably laid on his back, looking up into the skies, the words that became a part of Psalm 19 took form in his mind – “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (vv.1-4a, KJV). It is as Matthew Henry states, God “not only glorifies himself, but gratifies us, by this constant revolution; for as the light of the morning befriends the business of the day, so the shadows of the evening befriend the repose of the night; every day and every night speak the goodness of God, and, when they have finished their testimony, leave it to the next day, to the next night, to stay the same.”
Day after day, night after night, a constant revolution. The Message paraphrase reads, “Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening”, no words are spoken, no voices are recorded, “but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.” It is no wonder that when Carl Boberg, while on a two mile walk through a thunderstorm from a church meeting, considered the power of God on display in the universe, he later penned the words:
“Then sings my soul / My Saviour God, to Thee / How great Thou art!”
We couldn’t miss the glory of God if we tried. God has made Himself known and we who have found Him can testify that the “revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together” (v.7a). For those still waiting to find Him, there really is no excuse. How great He is indeed.
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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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