—————————————-
THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
—————————————-
SEX EDUCATION TO PROMOTE ‘HEALTHY HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS’—10/06/12
Ronald Thwaites, Jamaican Minister of Education, has promised that the school curricula will promote “healthy heterosexual relationships.” He made his remarks in response to concerns from parents that students were being asked about certain sexual practices. Thwaites said the curricula will be tolerant and compassionate of those who have different lifestyles, but that heterosexual relationships will be encouraged. He believes it is important to provide balanced, appropriate information about sexuality, but not to promote a lifestyle many consider to be negative.
IMF, JAMAICA CLOSER TO DEAL—10/07/12
According to Dr. Peter Phillips, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance, the nation’s government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are discussing a draft letter of intent. Jan Kees Martijn, head of the IMF mission in talks with officials from Jamaica, said his team identified policies that both entities believe could provide the underpinnings of a letter of intent. Such a letter is a precursor to signing an agreement with the IMF. Phillips said the government and the IMF had made significant progress in their discussions.
JAMAICAN WOMAN CLAIMS DEGRADING TREATMENT IN BARBADOS—10/08/12
Avia James, 23, is another Jamaican woman claiming that authorities in Barbados mistreated her when searching for illegal drugs. James stated that she was held at the Grantley Adams Airport in Barbados after arriving there from Jamaica. She claims she was subjected to degrading treatment by police officers who suspected her of transporting cocaine.
JAMAICA’S ‘B’ RATING MAINTAINED BY S & P—10/09/12
Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S & P), the international credit rating agency, is maintaining a B-/B long-term and short-term sovereign credit rating on Jamaica. The agency took this action because the country’s economic outlook still appears “negative.” Additionally, Jamaica’s B transfer and convertibility assessment will remain unchanged as well. The ratings reflect a high governmental level of debt and burden of interest, limited fiscal flexibility, low growth potential, and vulnerability to natural disasters.
FERGUSON TO UPDATE JAMAICA ON DENGUE FEVER—10/10/12
Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Jamaican Health Minister, called a special press conference to report on the situation involving the high number of dengue fever cases on the island in 2012. As of September 22, 2012, the Ministry reported 974 suspected cases of the fever, compared to 887 in 2011. Three suspected deaths have been attributed to the fever as well. Ferguson plans to update the nation on dengue fever, vector control initiatives, and other mitigation actions taken by his Ministry to fight the virus.
SEAGA CALLS FOR EXCHANGE RATE PEGGED TO U.S. DOLLAR—10/11/12
Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, is calling on the administration of Portia Simpson Miller to support a policy that will peg the Jamaican currency exchange rate to the United States dollar. This is not the first time that Seaga has promoted this idea, but his recommendation now comes at a time when Jamaica’s dollar is decreasing in value, reaching $90.32 to the U.S. dollar. Pegging Jamaica’s currency to the U.S. dollar would reduce inflation and also lower high interest on commercial loan rates at financial institutions.
JAMAICA INCREASES EFFORTS TO FIGHT DENGUE FEVER—10/11/12
Jamaica has enhanced its mosquito eradication program across the country, encouraging school children to stamp out the insect’s breeding grounds in order to fight a dengue fever epidemic. Fenton Ferguson, Jamaica’s Minister of Health, reported five suspected deaths from the virus on the island thus far in 2012. There were over 1,200 suspected cases of the disease as of September 29, 2012, compared with just 887 during the period in 2011. Fumigation trucks have been dispatched to spray some 450 neighborhoods, and storm drains are being cleaned by teams of workers.
JNBS FIGHTS MOSQUITOES IN PORTMORE—10/12/12
The Jamaica National Building Society’s Portmore Pines branch is joining with the Health Department in St. Catherine to stem the transmission of diseases spread by mosquitoes in Portmore. The Health Department operates the Portmore Mosquito Control Program, and it was provided with funding from the JN Member Advisory Council to buy protective gear and equipment for the 12 members of the vector control team. More than $300,000 has been allocated to the program to reduce mosquito problems for residents in Portmore.
———————————————
JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
———————————————
BLAKE TO LEAD FOOD FOR THE POOR EVENT—10/06/12
Yohan Blake, Jamaican Olympic medal winner, will lead the Food for the Poor 5K Walk/Run for Hunger in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on November 17, 2012. Blake, who is known by his nickname “The Beast,” is the reigning world champion over 100 meters and a silver medalist in the 100 and 200 meter races at the 2012 Olympics in London. He says helping people overcome poverty is a cause that is near to his heart, and he is glad to participate in an event that will help him give back to his country. Both Blake and the nonprofit organization began in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
PRESTIGIOUS JAMAICAN FOOD FESTIVAL COMES TO UK—10/07/12
Restaurant Week, a leading Jamaican food festival that has wowed diners across Jamaica and in New York is now traveling to the United Kingdom. It will be held at the restaurant of Chef Collin Brown in London in November 2012. The week-long festival is sponsored by Jamaica’s Gleaner newspaper and will promote Jamaica’s food tradition to a broader audience. Brown says diners will have the complete Jamaica experience when they come to Restaurant Week.
CLERGY SAYS PATOIS BIBLE WILL EMPOWER PEOPLE—10/10/12
A new version of the New Testament of the Bible written in Jamaican patois was introduced with great fanfare at the Jamaican High Commission in London. The Bible is supported by the Bible Society of the West Indies and the UK Bible Society. The patois version of the New Testament is the result of a 20-year collaboration between translators from the West Indies Bible Society, the University of the West Indies Department of Linguistics, and top theological institutions in Jamaica. Clergy and leading individuals in the Diaspora believe the new version will serve to empower the people.
REDWOOD NAMED PRESIDENT OF CONSUMER HEALTH FOUNDATION—10/11/12
Dr. Yanique Redwood has been named as head of the Consumer Health Foundation. The Jamaican-born Redwood is an advocate for social justice and health equity and will serve as the organization’s president and chief executive officer. Dr. Redwood has a doctorate in Health Behavior and Health Education from the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan and was selected from among over 100 candidates for the position.
————————————————-
CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
————————————————-
THIRD SUSPECT ARRESTED IN KILLING OF ST. MAARTEN COUPLE—10/06/12
AUSTRALIA FALLS TO WINDIES—10/07/12
CARIBBEAN ART PROMOTED IN NEW YORK—10/08/12
RESEARCHERS MAKE DIAGNOSIS OF CORAL DISEASE—10/09/12
WARNER BANS RELEASE OF CRIME REPORTS IN TRINIDAD—10/10/12
REGIONAL WATER SECURITY CONSIDERED BY NINE CARIBBEAN MINISTERS—10/11/12
———————————————
BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
———————————————
ST.ANN FARMERS GAIN BENEFITS FROM JAPEX—10/06/12
There are new opportunities for farmers in St. Ann due to the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) of 2012. Discussions between farmers and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) could result in hotels purchasing more Jamaican food products. In 2011, invitations were extended to enterprises offering support services to the tourist industry to take advantage of business links that facilitated contracts totaling more than J$100 million. St. Ann farmers were represented at a JAPEX event for the first time in 2012.
GOLDING BELIEVES JAMAICA CAN SUPPORT FOREIGN COMPANIES—10/08/12
Mark Golding, Jamaica’s Minister of Justice, stated that the country has much to offer firms from all over the world and that these enterprises may want to establish their headquarters on the island. Jamaica has a significant number of professionals in the areas of law, accounting, and other fields who can support activities associated with group head offices. The telecommunications facilities in Jamaica are excellent as well, said Golding, who also touted the country’s strategic location, which is either the same or just an hour different from the East Coast of the United States.
MERCHANTS IN FALMOUTH DISAPPOINTED WITH CRUISE TOURISTS—10/10/12
Although hundreds of tourists visit the newest cruise port in the Caribbean at Falmouth, local Jamaican merchants are not seeing the benefits of the increased traffic. Townspeople were promised that they would have the opportunity to show their culture and crafts to a wider audience once cruise ships began coming to the port, but it has not turned out that way. While the cruise ship industry provides some $2 billion annually for Caribbean economies, critics say locals receive little of the revenue, since passengers tend to spend their money at chain stores on the piers or through shore excursions on the boats.
EXPORTPLUS PROGRAM TO BENEFIT SMALL, MID-SIZED BUSINESSES—10/11/12
The ExportPlus program put forth by the Inter-American Investment Corporation (ICC) is expected to make small and mid-sized businesses in Jamaica’s export sector more competitive and with more access to global markets. The program is being implemented on the basis of discussions JAMPRO initiated with the ICC and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). More than 200 enterprises will have the chance to benefit from technical aid workshops through the program.
———————————————————————-
CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
———————————————————————–
REMOTE LEARNING COURSES LAUNCHED IN JAMAICA—10/06/12
PIG FARMERS DEVELOPING BIO-ENERGY SECTOR—10/08/12
BIGGEST SOLAR PLANT IN CARIBBEAN OPEN IN PUERTO RICO—10/09/12
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PROMOTED TO BELIZE—10/11/12
—————————————————–
ENTERTAINMENT
—————————————————–
JAMAICAN DEEJAY EARNS RESPECT IN CHICAGO—10/06/12
Nicholas Rasinski, a Jamaican deejay known as DJ Nicco, made history when he earned a place in the finals of the World Red Bull Thre3Style Competition in Chicago, Illinois. Rasinski competed with five of the 18 top mixers in the world. Competitors came from Spain, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, the United States, and Brazil. Rasinski said he had been preparing for such a contest throughout his career and was proud to have gained a place in the finals.
JAMAICAN CULTURE EXPERTS CALL FOR MUSICAL HERITAGE EDUCATION—10/09/12
Many Jamaican entertainers have expressed concern that the country is no longer the reggae capital of the world. Therefore, according to Dr. Donna Hope Marquis, senior lecturer and director at the Institute of Caribbean Studies and the University of the West Indies’ Reggae Studies Unit, believes now is the time to teach Jamaica’s children about the island’s musical heritage. Children should know about this heritage, says Marquis, especially in a world where so many things compete for their attention.
ALL-STAR LINE-UP FOR NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY CELEBRATION—10/10/12
The line-up of performing artistes scheduled to celebrate Jamaica’s National Heroes Day will honor the country’s Olympic athletes. The theme of the event is “Jamaica’s Musical History Honoring Our Olympic Journey.” The event will trace Jamaica’s Olympic achievements from 1948 to the present day, along with the development of the nation’s music. The line-up of musicians includes Marcia Griffiths, Freddie McGregor, Beenie Man, I-Octane, and George Nooks, among others.
YAP PERFORMS AT PASS IT ON SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION EVENT—10/11/12
Jessica Yap hosted a “Jess for Jazz” concert to raise money for and awareness of the Pass It On Scholarship Foundation. The event included performances by the Orville Hammond Trio led by Hammond himself, a lecturer and artiste-in-residence at the University of the West Indies. Yap, 20, and a student at UWI, performed to an enthusiastic audience as well.
——————
SPORTS
——————
BOLT WANTED “TOO MUCH MONEY” FOR VIDEO APPEARANCE—10/06/12
According to organizers of the 2013 World Athletics Championships, Jamaican Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt asked for “too much money” for an appearance in a promotional video for the event and will not be included as a result. Alexander Polinsky, an official with the World Championships that will be held in Moscow in August 2013, said that when Bolt’s representatives named their price for his appearance, the organization decided to use their own athletes to promote the event.
JAMAICANS ADVANCE IN TAEKWONDO WORLD CUP COMPETITION—10/07/12
Kenneth Edwards and Nicholas Dussard have advanced to the finals of the International Taekwando Federation’s World Cup competition. Jamaican won gold medals at the 2008 World Cup, but the nation has never had two participants advance to the finals before.
JAMAICANS NOMINATED FOR IAAF AWARDS—10/09/12
Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Yohan Blake have received nominations for the IAAF male and female Athlete of the Year awards. The awards will be announced in November 2012. Bolt and Fraser-Pryce both retained their 2008 Olympic titles at the 2012 Olympics in London. Blake won silver medals in the 100 and 200 meters in London, and a gold medal in the 4×400 meters.
BOLT MAY PLAY SOCCER IN FUTURE—10/10/12
Jamaican Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt says he might try playing international soccer after he retires from track. Bolt, 26, has previously said he would like to try football, having played it all his life and enjoying it. He also said he could branch out into participating in other track events beyond the 100 meter and 200 meter races in which he has been so successful.
—————————
JAMAICAN JOBS
—————————
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
CANE LOADER OPERATOR
DATA INPUT CLERK
GRAPHIC AND MOTION DESIGNER
WRITER/PRODUCER/PRESENTER
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
—————————————————————
DEVOTIONAL
—————————————————————-
Radical “Surgery”: Doing What is Necessary
Some of Jesus’ hearers must have wondered what He was talking about. How did a teaching that started with the ethics of the kingdom of God got around to include plucking out an eye? Cutting off a hand? Would God’s kingdom be filled with one-armed and one-legged people? The voice of the Teacher echoed across the audience: “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee . . . And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29-30, KJV).
Of course, Jesus was using hyperbole, exaggeration, a common method of teaching then in order to make a point. Using the analogy of an amputation, He wanted to teach yet another important spiritual lesson: “If a person, in order to save his or her life, will remove an eye or amputate a limb, should he or she not also amputate an evil desire/tendency in order to save his or her soul?”
A malignant tumor is not one that is treated with the intent of saving it. Because of its tendency to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death, such a tumor must be removed. As such, physicians and specialists radically deal with it one way or another. As it is in the physical, so it is in the spiritual. The attitudes and behaviours that threaten our spiritual health cannot be allowed to proliferate in our lives without getting our attention. It is easy to dismiss and excuse these “diseased” attitudes and behaviours as insignificant, yet they are the ones that could potentially keep us out of God’s kingdom. For that reason alone, they require radical surgery; they require “amputation”! To Jesus’ point, if we would do everything to save our lives, we should be more than willing to do everything to save our souls. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
There is nothing easy or pleasurable about an amputation, but it often saves lives. From a spiritual perspective, isn’t it better to face the pain – possibly severe pain – of dealing with the issues that threaten us now, than to face the eternal pain of being separated from God due to a stubborn, persistent refusal to live life His way? Whatever is going to keep me out of the kingdom, I can do without! What say you?
—————————————————————–
CREDITS/SOURCES
—————————————————————–
The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
