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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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DAVIES CONFIRMS FARE INCREASE TO MAKE TRANSPORATION SECTOR VIABLE—05/11/13
Dr. Omar Davies, Jamaica’s Minister of Transport and Works, has confirmed that the government will approve a fare increase for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and private operators by September 2013. He said he understood the pressures facing households concerned about the fare hike, but that he also recognized that the state-owned bus company faces an operational crisis.
LLEWELLYN WANTS POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO DENTIST IN TEACHER’S MURDER—05/12/13
Paula Llewellyn, Jamaica’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), is urging the police to make a complete investigation into the orthodontist who allegedly refused to provide dental-record analysis of bodily remains believed to be those of Michelle Coudray-Greaves, a Trinidadian school teacher who was murdered. The orthodontist wants $1.8 billion to be paid to him, but Llewellyn does not believe that the police have done enough in investigating his background.
DR. JOYCE ROBINSON, EDUCATOR, DIES—05/13/13
Dr. Joyce Robinson, educator and communications expert, has died at the age of 87 after suffering an illness since February 2013. She passed at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Dr. Robinson was the first Jamaican to head the Jamaica Library Service and gained respect in leading the national literacy campaign in the 1970s, which taught about 200,000 Jamaicans to read and write. She also received an international literary prize from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
JAMAICAN SENATE PRESIDENT RESIGNS POST—05/14/13
Reverent Stanley Redwood resigned his post as President of the Jamaican Senate. He plans to move to Canada with his family. He had held the position since being appointed in January 2012. Some believe the resignation reflects the current economic and political situation in the country.
HEAD OF BITU COMMITTED TO WORKERS’ RIGHTS—05/14/13
Kavan Gayle, the president of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) has warned the government that the union will not back down from its obligation to protect the rights of workers in Jamaica, although it also wants to see the country’s economy improve. The union will continue to help with economic improvement efforts, but it intends to maintain its commitment to protecting gains made by workers thus far. His remarks were made during a church service commemorating the union’s 75th anniversary.
CHINESE, JAMAICAN MILITARY OFFICIALS HOLD DISCUSSIONS—05/15/13
Fang Fenghui, a member of the Republic of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), and Antony Bertram Anderson, visiting chief of staff of the Jamaican Defense Forces, met in Beijing on May 13, 2013, to discuss relations between the militaries of the two countries. The relationship between China and Jamaica has developed and deepened over the years, and both parties are willing to cooperate in pragmatic areas, including personnel training and military cultural exchanges.
FORCED MIGRATION OF JAMAICAN GAYS, LESBIANS TO BE DISCUSSED—05/16/13
A symposium to discuss the forced physical and mental displacement of Jamaica’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, “Homeless at Home,” to be held May 17 and 18, 2013, will focus on how this population is impacted in its own country. Many LGBT Jamaicans have been forced to leave their homes by landlords, families, or neighbors. Most people evicted from their homes find safe places to live, but some fear continuing harassment and violence against them, and are forced to leave the country altogether and travel to the U.S., Canada, England, and the Netherlands.
WILLIAMS PROPOSES POWERS TO CHARGE, PROSECUTE POLICE PERSONNEL—05/17/13
Because the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has not yet ruled on whether charges should be sought against police involved in the shooting death of Vanessa Kirkland, student at Immaculate Conception High School, Terrence Williams, head of INDECOM, has renewed a proposal to allow his office charge and prosecute police officers. The proposal was first introduced in 2011.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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CITY COUNCIL IN NEW YORK CONSIDERS GIVING VOTE TO NON-CITIZENS—05/12/13
The New York City Council is considering legislation that would provide non-citizen Caribbean immigrants, and others, with the right to vote. If it passes, it will make New York the first big city in the United States to extent voting rights to non-citizens in local elections. The bill would allow those immigrants living legally in New York for six months or more to vote for mayor and other municipal positions.
NEW IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION IN U.S. COULD AID CARIBBEAN NATIONALS—05/13/13
The Congress of the United States is considering broad immigration reforms that would provide a so-called path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. The bill would require stronger control of the borders. New guest workers programs would be created. Caribbean and other immigrants currently in the country without legal status would be eligible for provisional status as long as they paid fees, fines, and taxes; they could earn legal residency ten years after the border is declared “secure” and would be eligible for citizenship after 13 years.
JAMAICA WANTS DIASPORA HELP TO DEVELOP HEALTH TOURISM—05/14/13
The government of Jamaica is hoping the Diaspora will help in the development of a health tourism sector on the island. According to Arnaldo Brown, Minister of State, health represents an area of great interest to the Diaspora, and Jamaicans overseas make significant contributions to the medical sector already. Jamaica is considered to be extremely suitable for health tourism due to its climate and location.
FIRST JAMAICAN REPRESENTATIVE NAMED TO AFRICAN UNION—05/15/13
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has named Carlton Masters to be the nation’s first representative to the African Union. The appointment of Masters includes the position of Special Envoy of the Prime Minister and has the rank of Ambassador. Master’s role is to strengthen Jamaica’s ties with African countries and organizations and explore avenues of trade, investment, and other cooperative interests between African nations and Jamaica.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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LIAT CRITICIZES SUBSIDY OF CARIBBEAN AIRLINES—05/11/13
JUSTICE MINISTER OF FRANCE SUPPORTS AID TO SLAVE DESCENDANTS—05/13/13
BELIZE CONDEMNS DESTRUCTION OF LARGE MAYAN PYRAMID—05/14/13
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC INITIATES CRACKDOWN ON PROSTITUTION—05/15/13
HAITI CAMPS FEAR EVICTION AFTER ATTACKS—05/16/13
ST. LUCIA CELEBRATES INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY—05/17/13
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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GOVERNMENT INVESTS US$200 MILLION IN HEALTH FACILITY CONSTRUCTION—05/13/13
The government of Jamaica will invest US$200 million in the building of a health facility in St. James. The government gave its approval to the construction and hopes to reap the benefits of the growing global health tourism industry. According to Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Minister of Health, this is the first formal health tourism project implemented in Jamaica. It will be headed by members of the Diaspora via a partnership with the Jamaican government.
UNIONS SAY LABOR MINISTRY WILL MEET WITH COMPLANT—05/14/13
A meeting between the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the China National Complete Plant Corporation (COMPLANT)/Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) has been scheduled to discuss the dispute that has stopped work at the Bellaire Housing Development at Runaway Bay in St. Ann. The workers are represented by the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the National Workers Union (NWU) went out on strike over safety standards, sick leave, and the ratio of Jamaican workers to Chinese workers.
CARIBBEAN AIRLINES DISCUSSES ROUTE CUTS WITH JAMAICA—05/16/13
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) had losses totaling US$70 million in 2012, according to Trinidad authorities, and this does not include US$40 million in fuel subsidies. Finance Minister Larry Howai insists the airline is solvent, but Opposition legislator Dr. Lester Henry, disagreed. Howai states that the nearly half of the losses are due to the Air Jamaica route and the London route, which could be cut to save money.
JAMAICA ACCUSES TRINIDAD OF SCHEME INVOLVING PETROTRIN PRODUCTS—05/17/13
Jamaica has decided to place additional duties on lube oil products coming from Trinidad and Tobago due to the belief that the country is engaging in a plan to get around the Treaty of Chaquaramas’s rules of origin, which govern CARICOM. According to Anthony Hylton, Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the alleged plan involves PETROTRIN, a state-owned oil firm in Trinidad, exporting lube oil. This company has the dominant share of the Jamaican market for the oil.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS PROGRESS IN CARIBBEAN REGION—05/11/13
ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS TO CARIBBEAN TO BE ADDRESSED—05/13/13
CWC, COLUMBUS NETWORKS IN JOINT BANDWIDTH VENTURE—05/14/13
KINGSTOON ANIMATION CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN JUNE 2013—05/16/13
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ENTERTAINMENT
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PRYCE GETS FILM DEAL WITH SPYGLASS—05/12/13
Jamaican television producer Andrew Lee Pryce has made second deal with Spyglass Entertainment, a U.S.-based independent film firm, to produce “Justice System,” a script he wrote several years ago. According to Pryce, the script was submitted in 2010 and is scheduled for pre-production in 2014. The film is about a footballer from Jamaica who has legal trouble while in the United States and explores inequalities in the justice system in regard to poor people.
BOLT FOUNDATION, SAMSUNG SPONSOR PHOTO WORKSHOP FOR YOUTH—05/14/13
Samsung Electronics has partnered with Usain Bolt’s foundation to provide a photographic workshop for young Jamaicans. The workshop is entitled Samsung NX300 Junior Photographer Project. Sujin Jung of Samsung said this is the first project of its type for the company in Jamaica. She noted that she has been impressed with the passion for photography expressed by the young photographers.
MCKINLEY WINS TITLE OF MISS GLOBAL JAMAICA 2013—05/16/13
Roshelle McKinley, 18, has won the title of Miss Global Jamaica for 2013. She worked hard to win the beauty competition and was rewarded with the crown at the Riu Montego Bay when she was announced as victorious. McKinley took fourth place in the pageant in 2012 and returned in 2013 with the intention to obtain the title.
MIGUEL TO PLAY SUMFEST 21—05/17/13
Popular artiste Miguel is scheduled to headline Reggae Sumfest 2013. The singer and songwriter, who is a Grammy winner, will join several top acts for the event. Miguel is best known for “Sure Thing, Do You,” and “All I Want Is You.” He will perform on the last night of Sumfest, along with Damian Marley and Chronixx. This will be Miguel’s first performance in Jamaica.
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SPORTS
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FRASER-PRYCE WINDS AT DOHA—05/11/13
Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was victorious in the women’s 200-meter race at the Diamond League meet in Doha. She finished the race in 22.48 seconds, ahead of Jamaica’s Sherone Simpson, who ran 22.73 seconds at the Qatar Sports Club.
BOLT TO RUN IN ZURICH—05/13/13
Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has confirmed that he will run in the Diamond League meet in Zurich, Switzerland, in August 2013. He is still deciding whether to run in the 100-meter or 200-meter competitions. This will be his first appearance after the World Athletic Championships in Moscow in early August.
BURRELL HOPES NEW JAMAICAN BATSMAN WILL LEAD TO MORE SIGNINGS—05/14/13
Mick Burrell, Sawbridgeworth leader, is hoping that Collin Clarke, 27, a new Jamaican batsman who can bowl and act as wicket-keeper, will result in additional Caribbean nationals singing on to the HCPCL division.
LAMBERT SAYS TEAM NEEDS BATTING CAMPS—05/16/13
According to Tamar Lambert, head of Jamaica’s senior cricket team, believes that the lack of training camps is having a negative impact on the team’s batting displays. He cited the poor performance shown at the West Indies Cricket Board Four-Day Tournament recently. Lambert says the team needs to get back to video-taping batsmen to raise the skill level of the players.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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DEVOTIONAL
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The Gift of Today
There is something extra special about today. If we are following our regular schedule, most things, people, and places are familiar to us because we have seen them before; we are accustomed to them. Yet it is this routineness and familiarity that often cause us to lose appreciation for today. Have you ever stopped to consider that it is a day like no other day? That is because though we may be familiar with all that is around us, we have never seen today. Yesterday was another day and so will be tomorrow and that makes today rather unique. Once the clock strikes midnight, it is gone and can never be reclaimed or relived. Therefore, it stands to reason that with each passing day we are writing history. The things we say and do will be the legacy we leave behind.
But there are some wonderful consistencies that accompany each new day. We can borrow the words of the Psalmist when he declares, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24, KJV). Amidst the hustle and bustle of our day and the various challenges we have to deal with, we are often jaded to this reality. Being blessed enough to have woken up every morning for the number of years each of us has been around, it is easy to take today for granted. Each day is a gift from God, one to be celebrated, and like the Psalmist we too should rejoice and be glad in it.
Our obligation to have such an attitude to today becomes clearer when we realize, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Not only are we beneficiaries of God’s mercies every morning, but of spiritual blessings as well. Psalm 68:19 reminds us, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” In other words, we have been blessed “with all spiritual blessings, with an abundance of grace, as well as with temporal mercies, for which he is, and ought to be, praised day by day.” And just in case we are not aware, today we can see God all around us for “the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4).
As you make your way through today, take some time to reflect on this wonderful gift. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is nothing but a promise; the only “real” time we have is now. What attitude do you bring to it? Are you using it wisely? What legacy are you leaving behind?
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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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