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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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LEGAL CASE FILED AGAINST ISLAND LAWS TARGETING GAYS—10/27/12
Two gay Jamaican men have brought a legal challenge to the island’s colonial-era anti-homosexuality laws. The case charges that the laws, which criminalize homosexuality, are unconstitutional and encourage homophobia in the Caribbean region. The case is supported by the Human Dignity Trust, based in the United Kingdom.
MONTEGO BAY SPARED HURRICANE DAMAGE, CRUISE VISITORS DIVERTED—10/28/12
Montego Bay, the tourism capital of Jamaica, was not damaged by Hurricane Sandy, but many cruise ship visitors were diverted to other areas. Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport was in operation, and the city continued to do business just hours after the hurricane brought destruction to other parts of the island.
GOLDING SAYS CCJ REFERENDUM DIVISIVE, UNWARRANTED—10/29/12
Senator Mark Golding, Jamaica’s Minister of Justice, said that a referendum designed to determine the country’s accession to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is unwarranted and would be divisive, inappropriate, and disruptive. He said that a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate under the constitution would suffice.
POLICE DETAIN 100 PEOPLE TO STOP GANG FEUD IN SPANISH TOWN—10/30/12
Police in Jamaica detained approximately 100 men in Spanish Town after the murder of a woman by gunmen. The detentions were meant to head off a gang feud in response to the killing. Donna Cowan, 53, was shot and killed in her yard in Tawes Pen, and killing raised tensions between members of the One Order gang.
JAMAICA REPORTS LOSSES FROM HURRICANE SANDY—10/31/12
Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 1 storm, killing one man, and causing economic damage totaling at least $16.5 million, according to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. The preliminary damage assessment included damages to livestock, coconuts, bananas, Blue Mountain coffee, and peppers in Jamaica. Tourist resorts on the island were not as badly affected. Simpson MIller said that Jamaica “remains open for business.”
SLAVERY REPARATIONS COMMISSION REVIVED—11/01/12
A reparations commission charged with researching the economic and social impact of slavery in Jamaica has been reestablished. It will seek to determine whether Jamaica, an island where blacks predominate, should ask for compensation from Britain or a formal apology for the years slavery was imposed on the population during colonial times. The commission, formed by the government has about 2.5 years to receive submissions, make evaluations of research data, and participate in public consultations to make its recommendations about possible reparations.
FALCONER SAYS DISASTER DECLARATION COULD HARM ISLAND—11/01/12
A declaration making Portland a national disaster zone following Hurricane Sandy could have negative effects on Jamaica’s tourist sector, said Sandrea Falconer, Jamaican Minister with the responsibility for information. Declaring the area a disaster zone will “send the wrong message” to tourists who are not familiar with the island’s geography, said Falconer.
ALL JAMAICANS MUST SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CRIME—11/02/12
Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey, the head of the Organized Crime Investigation Division (OCID), believes that all parts of Jamaica society must take crime fighting seriously and that the efforts against crime need the support and participation of all Jamaicans. Bailey said that crime is a “developmental issue,” posing a serious danger to the state and business operations.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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FESTIVAL IN MIAMI TO HONOR JAMAICA’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY—10/27/12
Miami, Florida’s fifth annual Downtown Miami Riverwalk Festival will honor Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence on November 10, 2012. The festival is being organized by Urban Tours Miami and will feature a Jamaican folk festival that will include traditional food, folk performances and other cultural activities to show what Jamaica has to offer. The event is endorsed by the Consulate General of Jamaica and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
SEAGA VISITS MUSIC STORE IN QUEENS, NEW YORK—10/28/12
Edward Seaga, former prime minister of Jamaica, visited a reggae music store in Queens, New York, as part of his celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence. Seaga, 82, is considered a pioneering influence in shaping the world’s image of Jamaica. He helped to write the country’s constitution and was prime minister from 1980 to 1989. He was also a music producer and seminal in the development of Jamaican music.
JAMAICAN COACH VISITS NIGERIA—10/29/12
Jamaican track and field coach Bertland Cameron is visited Nigeria to participate in the Asaba Summit, an initiative of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State Governor. The summit will focus on water sports and track and field. Cameron will be joined at the event by Barrow Roger, coach of South Africa’s rowing team, which won gold medals at the Olympics.
JAMAICAN DIASPORA STANDS WITH VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY—11/02/12
A. J. Nicholson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to the Jamaican Diaspora in the northeastern United States issued a statement of support to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean and the United States. He noted that his organization has been kept informed about the devastation and expressed concern at the power outages, fires, flooding, and loss of life resulting from the storm. He noted that Jamaican-Americans stand with the victims and know that the bravery and kindness of people will prevail during these difficult times.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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GUYANA, ST. VINCENT ADVANCE IN CARIBBEAN CUP—10/27/12
DEATHS DUE TO CARIBBEAN HURRICANE TOTAL 65—10/28/12
LAND SALE IN PANAMA REPEALED FOLLOWING PROTESTS—10/29/12
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA OPPOSE ONLINE POKER BILL—10/30/12
HURRICANE SANDY BRINGS DEATHS, DAMAGE—10/31/12
FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHER MURDERED—11/01/12
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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HYLTON HEADS INVESTMENT MISSION TO CHINA, SINGAPORE—10/27/12
Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, G. Anthony Hylton, will visit China and Singapore as head of a trade mission on October 25 through November 7, 2012. The goal of the mission is to encourage investment opportunities in logistics in Jamaica’s economy. The delegation includes Clive Fagan, chairman of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica, and Sancia Bennett Templer, president of JAMPRO.
NEW CONCACAF COMMITTEE HEADED BY JAMAICAN—10/28/12
Leighton McKnight, a well-known Jamaican accountant, has received an appointment to chair the new Audit and Compliance Committee of CONCACAF. He will head a seven-member group that includes Richard Groden of Trinidad, Bruke Blake of the Caymans, and Andrew Griffith of Bermuda. The committee is responsible for confirming the accuracy of the organization’s financial accounting and to review its financial statements.
HURRICANE SANDY COULD COST AGRICULTURE SECTOR $1 BILLION—10/30/12
Hurricane Sandy had an impact on an estimated 11,000 Jamaican farmers, according to Ian Hayles, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. About 1,500 hectares of crops were completely destroyed in the storm as well. The devastation will take some time to recover from, said Hayles, as he noted that livestock was not included in this initial damage estimate.
IMPACT OF HURRICANE IN U.S. COULD AFFECT TOURISM IN JAMAICA—10/31/12
The destruction and damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy on the northeastern portion of the United States could have a negative impact on Jamaica’s tourism industry. This area of the U.S. is Jamaica’s biggest source market, with 40 percent of tourist business coming from Boston, New York, Washington, and Philadelphia. According to Evelyn Smith of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, the situation in the U.S. is being watched closely to determine is effect on the island’s winter tourist rates.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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MONTSERRAT MOVES TO IMPROVE SERVICES VIA ICT—10/27/12
BERMUDA SELECTED AS LOCATIONI FOR WITSA—10/29/12
LEGISLATORS IN JAMAICA TO RECEIVE TABLET COMPUTERS—10/31/12
LNG AND FUTURE GENERATION OF POWER—11/01/12
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ENTERTAINMENT
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NEW ART EXCHANGE EXHIBIT EXPLORES JAMAICA’S IDENTITY—10/27/12
Jamaica’s ideas of identity are explored at a New Art Exchange exhibit that celebrates the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. The exhibit showcases the best current talent in painting, installations, sculpture, film and video from across the Diaspora. Edward Lucie-Smith, art critic and historian will lead discussions about Jamaican contemporary art in connection with the exhibit.
REGGAE FANS AND CLARKS SUBJECT OF NEW BOOK—10/28/12
A book called “Clarks in Jamaica” by Al Newman explores the relationship between the reggae stars of Kingston and Clarks footwear. While British schoolchildren in the 1960s hated this brand of footwear, it became the iconic brand of reggae superstars in Jamaica. The book tells the story of how the Clarks company became shoemakers to reggae legends.
CHRIS GAYLE RECORDS SINGLE TO PROMOTE DANCE—10/29/12
Chris Gayle, West Indies cricket player, has made is first single music recording. He plans to promote a new dance named after him with his new single. The dance, called the “Chris Gayle Cover Drive,” was created by Zinga, a Jamaican dancer, after Gayle performed the Gangnam-style dance at cricket matches during the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka.
SEVEN DAYS OF TRIBUTES TO PETER TOSH PLANNED—10/30/12
Reggae Walk of Fame Ltd. will produce seven days worth of tributes to Peter Tosh, legendary reggae musician. A celebration of 50 years of independence in Jamaica will begin on November 3, 2012, and feature reggae entertainers from around the world who are inductees to the Reggae Walk of Fame. One week of the event will celebrate Tosh, who has been honored 25 years after his death by the Jamaican government for his contributions as a musician and songwriter.
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SPORTS
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YONA KNIGHT-WISDOM HOPES TO TAKE DIVING AWARD IN RIO—10/27/12
Yona Knight-Wisdom is hoping to the join the ranks of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake as a gold medal winner at the Olympics in Rio in 2016 by winning gold for Jamaica in the sport of diving. Knight-Wisdom is currently Jamaica’s only diver, but his talent is expected to propel him to victory at the Rio games. Born in Leeds, England, of Jamaican heritage, Knight-Wisdom decided to compete for Jamaica in the Olympics because he would be the first Jamaican in history to do so.
JFF SAYS KING COULD STILL PLAY ROLE AT QUALIFIERS—10/30/12
According to Alfredo Montesso, Jamaica’s senior team assistant coach, striker Marlon King could still participate in the Jamaica Football Federation’s efforts to prepare the Reggae Boyz for the 2013 final round of qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 championships. In spite of a below-par performance in two internationals versus Panama in 2012, King could still have a part in the qualifying matches if he proves his commitment to the program.
JAMAICA WANTS TO RECRUIT NINE PLAYERS BASED IN ENGLAND—10/31/12
Jamaican football authorities are trying to recruit nine players from England as the Reggae Boyz prepare for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Jermaine Beckford and Jobi McAnuff are rumored to be at the top of a list of players approached by a Jamaican delegation visiting the United Kingdom. Others that may be included are Nathan Dyer, Shaun Cummings, Gareth McCleary, David Hiolett, Theo Robinson, Danny Simpson, and James Perch.
JAMAICA FOOTBALL FEDERATION APPEALS FOR $700 MILLION—11/01/12
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is facing a debt of almost $200 million and must obtain at least $700 million to maintain the Reggae Boyz program for the 2014 Rio World Cup Football Campaign. According to Leighton McKnight, board member of the JFF and its finance committee chairman, the 2013 budget is being prepared and is expected to require $700 million for efforts toward the World Cup. The program is expensive, McKnight said, because the team must play many qualification and friendly international matches.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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PRINCIPAL
RISK ANALYST
REGISTERED NURSES
HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC
AMBULANCE DRIVERS
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Lessons from Feet Washing
Peter could not believe his eyes. There was Jesus, towel around his waist, pouring water into a basin and moving from disciple to disciple, washing each one’s feet. Then it was his turn. Stooping before him, waiting for him to offer his feet for washing was the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Son of God.
The words from his lips betrayed his bewilderment. John tells us, “Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” (John 13:6, KJV). Without addressing Peter’s state of mind, “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (v.7), but the disciple was having none of that. “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet” (v.8a). Who could blame him? What was happening was a travesty of enormous proportions because the duty of feet washing was that of the house slave! He who was God in the flesh, His Lord, wanted to wash his feet? Wanted to do the work of a slave? No way! Not happening! The stubborn fisherman seemed prepared to hold his ground. Then Jesus spoke and answered him, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” (v. 8b). Maybe Jesus had looked directly into Peter’s eyes; maybe there was a pregnant pause as His words pierced the disciple’s resistance. In surrender, Peter saith unto him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head” (v.9).
The narrative continues, “So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (vv. 12-15). There are at least two important truths we can glean from this object lesson. First, Jesus demonstrated to the disciples that the act of washing each other’s feet, of them all doing the work of a slave, was a demonstration of humility and deference to each other. For sure, if He, their Lord and Master, could set the example by doing it to them, they could and should do it to each other. Secondly, but no less important, was a demonstration of what it meant to trust Him when they did not know or could not explain what He was doing or why He was doing it.
We are being asked by Him to do the same things. To follow His example of service and humility for the cause of the kingdom of God. To trust Him when we cannot see Him; when we cannot feel Him; when we do not know why He leads us where He does; when we do not have any answers. Why? Because He can be trusted; He knows what He is doing.
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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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