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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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EIGHT JAMAICANS HONORED WITH MUSGRAVE AWARDS—10/19/13
Eight Jamaicans received Musgrave Medals from the Institute of Jamaica in honor of their literary, scientific, and artistic contributions. The awardees included gold medal recipients Reinford Lee “Scratch Perry and Professor Franklin Knight. Silver medals were presented to author Marlon James, guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith; author and painter Franklin Bernal; and climate change expert, Professor Michael Taylor. Musgrave Bronze Medals were given to poet and writer Dr Pamela Mordecai, and to natural products researcher Dr Trevor Yee.
EU PROVIDES BUDGET SUPPORT FOR JAMAICA—10/20/13
Jamaica will receive $1.3 billion to support its budget from the European Union (EU). This will be in addition to the seven million Euros already received in September, 2013. The disbursements will be provided in two tranches. They relate to programs that support the continued success of the Jamaica Strategy for the Adaptation of the Sugar Industry 2006-2020, which is meant to create a commercially viable sugar cane industry.
ST. CATHERINE POLICE ASK FOR COMMUNITY HELP—10/21/13
The police in St. Catherine have asked residents of Gordon Hood, Old Harbor, St. Catherine to take a larger role in helping authorities battle the increase in crime in the area. Superintendent Carl Ferguson encouraged residents in surrounding communities to help the police as well. For over a month, criminals have run rampant through the community, committing a series of robberies. The crime wave has been made worse because of the lack of street lights in the neighborhood.
DISASTERS HAVE MORE IMPACT ON THOSE WITH LITTLE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY —10/22/13
In 2012, 139 million individuals around the world were impacted by natural disasters, according to Jan Gelfand, head of programs and operations at the Americas Zone of the International Federation of the Red Cross. This was the lowest number reported in ten years, but the agency noted that the people most impacted were those who had the least access to technology that might help them. Gelfand believes that new ways of applying technology to humanitarian activities represent the critical factor in effective aid in the coming decade.
SIMPSON MILLER CHALLENGES CONCACAF TO BE “HEROIC”—10/23/13
Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, has issued a challenge to the CONCACAF to take every action possible to life the FIFA World Cup. Simpson Miller spoke at the inaugural CONCACAF Sports Summit in the Cayman Islands, reminded attendees that they need to make the World Cup t a top priority, for the region. She asked the organization to develop a heroic spirit in order to achieve greatness.
JAMAICAN MAN FOUND WITH COUNTERFEIT NOTES—10/24/13
Dwitt Blackwood, 45, was arrested by police in Browns Hall after residents informed authorities that he was buying things with counterfeit U.S. dollars. Police alleged that he had US$550 in counterfeit notes on him when he was arrested. He also had four fake J$1000 notes and J$13,500 he received in exchange for the fraudulent foreign currency he gave to retailers.
MONTEGO BAY COMMUNITIES TO RECEIVE SOCIAL PROGRAMS—10/24/13
Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, Member of Parliament for West Central St. James, plans to enhance training programs in her area to reverse a trend toward increased criminal activities among its youth. She plans to spend over $5 million in her constituency on these programs. The communities of Granville and Mount Salem are the focus of the initiatives, but other communities will also benefit.
NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY STUDENTS’ LOAN BUREAU—10/25/13
Jamaica’s Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) has started a new initiative designed to reduce the delinquency rate. The program is called “Every Dollar Counts” and seeks to reduce the delinquency rate from its current 30 percent level. This represents about $2 billion outstanding in arrears. Collections are to be improved through better communication and appropriate payment arrangements.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER TO BE INDUCTED TO WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME—10/19/13
Portia Simpson Miller, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, will be recognized by the International Women’s Forum (IWF) and inducted into the 2013 International Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at the IWF’s annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada. Simpson Miller will be honored as the first female Jamaican Prime Minister and as leader of the People National Party. Her contributions to nation building will be highlighted.
CONDOLENCE BOOK FOR MULLINGS AT MIAMI JAMAICAN CONSULATE—10/20/13
The Jamaican Consulate in Miami, Florida, has opened a Condolence Book for the later former Deputy Prime Minister Seymour Mullings. Mullings died on October 10, 2013, at age 82. He was recognized as one of the most esteemed public servants of Jamaica, serving as a member in the House of Representatives for 26 years. Known as “Foggy” Mullings, he also served as Finance Minister and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Health, Local Government, and Agriculture.
DIASPORA PROJECT TO FOSTER DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE—10/21/13
Arnaldo Brown, Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has praised the Diaspora Youth Connect Project, which is designed to facilitate the growth and development of young people on the island, especially those at risk. The project was introduced on October 17, 2013 at the Planning Institute of Jamaica in Kingston. It plans to use the talents and skills of youth in the Diaspora to help young people in Jamaica realize their full entrepreneurial potential.
GOLDING SLATED FOR LECTURE SERIES IN NEW YORK—10/22/13
Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding will be a guest presenter at the 2013 CIN Lecture Series at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York. The series is one of the major cultural events in New York and attracts a wide variety of participants, including diplomats, media, business leaders, professors and religious authorities.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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IMPROVEMENTS TO LIAT ANNOUNCED—10/19/13
BERMUDA WINS THREE MEDALS IN CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS—10/20/13
EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AGENCY STARTS TRADE INFORMATION NETWORK—10/21/13
COURT RULING ON MIGRANTS IN DOMINCAN REPUBLIC CONDEMNED—10/22/13
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF ST. KITTS SHOWS INTEREST IN CUBAN REMEDY—10/23/13
CARIBBEAN, HISPANIC ARTISTS SHOWCASED IN FLORIDA—10/24/13
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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SIX FINALISTS SEEK MICROENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS—10/19/13
Three microfinance institutions and three microentrepreneurs in the Caribbean are the finalists competing for the 2013 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards for the region. The winners will be announced on October 31, 2013, in Kingston. The awards are given in recognition of microfinance institutions and microentrepreneurs demonstrating success in the Caribbean.
PLANT TO TEST EXTRACTION OF RARE EARTH TO OPEN IN JAMAICA—10/23/13
Researchers will be testing the commercial viability of rare earth extraction at a pilot plant in Jamaica. The nation is partnering with Nippon Light Metal Co. Ltd. of Japan. This firm holds a patent for a kind of technology necessary to extract rare-earth elements from the residue of red bauxite. The plant is expected to process about 33 tons of dry red mud from the island’s mining areas to determine its commercial potential.
NO IMPORT LIMITS TO STOP DROP IN JAMAICAN DOLLAR—10/21/13
Brian Wynter, governor of the Bank of Jamaica, announced that no intensification or imposition of import limits will occur in order to improve the value of the Jamaican dollar. The government believes that pressure on the dollar will be relaxed only if the balance of payment environment improves. There are concerns about whether the government can maintain the commitments stated in the Revised Letter of Intent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while the dollar continues to fall compared to the U.S. currency.
CUBA, JAMAICA TO STRENGTHEN TRADE COOPERATION—10/24/13
Bernardo Guanche Hernandez, Cuba’s ambassador to Jamaica, said that his country wants to deepen its cooperative efforts with Jamaica in the trade sector. Relations between Cuba and Jamaica are at an all-time high, and the countries are looking for ways to improve the trade relationship even further. Hernandez made his remarks in advance of a scheduled meeting of energy ministers from Caribbean and Latin American countries on October 24 through 25, 3013, in St. James.
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Caribbean Science and Technology News provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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HIGH ELECTRICITY COSTS HINDER ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CARIBBEAN—10/19/13
RED LIONFISH TAKING OVER CARIBBEAN—10/20/13
TELECOM PROVIDER CHOOSE CALIX E7—10/21/13
RARE CARIBBEAN PLANTS COULD BE LISTED AS “ENDANGERED”—10/22/13
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
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FLIPPA MODELLA ARRESTED IN U.S. ON DRUG CHARGES—10/19/13
The Jamaican dancehall artiste Flippa Modella, whose real name is Andrew Davis, was arrested by state police in New Jersey on allegations that he is running an international drug trafficking and money laundering operation. His brother Kemar was also arrested following a 2.5-year investigation. According to the allegations, Modella took over the transnational shipping operations that send drugs from California to New Jersey.
JAMAICAN SINGER A HIT ON U.S. TV TALENT SHOW—10/23/13
The Voice, a hit television program in the United States, features singers in competition in front of well-known musicians who act as judges. Jamaica’s Tessane Chin has been wowing the audiences since her first appearance on the show and has even been called the “winner” of the competition by Judge Blake Shelton. She has won every one of her one-to-one singing battles on the show to date, which moves her closer to the ultimate goal of winning over the entire slate of competitors.
JAMAICAN ACTOR PLAYS SHAKESPEARE LEAD—10/24/13
David Heron, Jamaican actor and playwright, will play the leading role in the Shakespeare play “Coriolanus – The African Warrior” at the 2013 Harlem Shakespeare Festival in New York. This production will run from October 31, 2013 through November 10, 2013 at the Poet’s Den Theater in East Harlem. This play has not been as well known as others by Shakespeare, but it has gained in popularity recently.
FENDA, JOHN JOHN FOCUS ON AUTHENTIC ROOTS MUSIC—10/25/13
Chuck Fenda’s new album “Jah Elements” was created to become a classic. The album was produced by the reggae artiste and John John at King Jammy’s studio. Fenda says the “vibe that we hold on this album is spiritually deep.” In this album, the two musicians are harking back to the authentic roots reggae. Fenda noted that John John was one of the first music producers to record his music in the early 1980s.
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SPORTS
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ATKINSON WINS GOLD, SILVER WORLD SWIMMING MEDALS—10/19/13
Alia Atkinson of Jamaica won the gold and silver medals on the second day of the World FCup in short pools in Dubai. Atkinson won gold in the 100-meter combined styles and silver in the 50-meter breast stroke.
HEAD OF WADA CRITICIZES JAMAICAN AUTHORITIES—10/21/13
John Fahey, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), expressed dismay at Jamaican authorities for failing to facilitate an independent audit of the Jamaican anti-doping regime and postponing such an audit until 2014. Fahey said this is unacceptable to WADA and said the agency would “act appropriately” in response.
CONCACAF PRESIDENT SUPPORTS HELP FROM REGIONAL PRO LEAGUE—10/22/13
According to Jeffrey Webb, president of CONCACAF, a regional professional league would help Caribbean countries qualify for the World Cup. Webb plans to appoint a group of experts to investigate options for a league. Webb believes there is enough talent in the region to support a league.
JAMAICA TAEKWON-DO ASSOCIATION MAKES WORLD CUP PLANS—10/24/13
The Jamaica Taekwon-Do Association, headed by its president Arthur Barrows, has traveled to Spain to determine what requirements must be met when Montego Bay hosts the 2014 World Cup at Rose Hall Convention Center. Barrows addressed the International Taekwon-Do Federation, outlining the country’s plans for the event, which has only been held in the Western hemisphere once since its beginning in 2004.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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– Legal Counsel/Corporate Secretary – Details Here
– Restaurant Supervisors – Details Here
– Manager – Investigation Division – Details Here
– Assistant Investigator – Details Here
– Machine Operators – Bag Making Department – Details Here
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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“Hast Thou Considered My Servant Job?”
Satan was probably minding his own business. As a matter of fact, when asked by the LORD “Whence comest thou?” he replied, “From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it” (Job 1:7, KJV). But the LORD did not stop there. His next question to Satan was one that Christians everywhere are probably familiar with: “Hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (v.8).
The events following this interaction are acutely detailed in the Old Testament book of Job. Some believe this to be the oldest book in the Bible; God allowing man a glimpse into the unfolding of the drama behind evil and suffering, especially in the lives of some of His people. A glimpse that not only shows Him initiating events but in His sovereignty, allowing Satan limited room to orchestrate those events. The question, “Hast thou considered my servant Job?” is profound. Job, whom God described as “a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil,” was doing His best to serve the LORD. Yet, God not only saw it fit to bring him to Satan’s attention but to remove His hedge of protection from around him (vv. 12; 2:6) for him to be afflicted with seemingly incomprehensible and unjustifiable suffering.
Interestingly, in his second discussion with Satan regarding Job, the LORD not only asked the same question but added “and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause?” (2:3). For standing firm, Job was “rewarded” with more affliction. With God’s permission, Satan “smote [him] with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown” (2:7). Despite the challenge from his wife to “curse God and die” – a somewhat understandable cry of bitter disappointment with God – the writer tells us, “In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (v. 10).
What does all of this have to do with us, especially those who are serving the LORD faithfully? Good question! What if He brought you to Satan’s attention? Could you be Job? What if He has already brought you to Satan’s attention? The trials and tribulations you are going through testifying to God’s temporary removal of His protective hedge. Can you be Job in the midst of your afflictions? Three observations from the narrative that should help us on our journey: 1) The LORD was always in control of the situation. Satan could do nothing without His permission; 2) Satan was limited by the LORD in what He could do to Job; 3) Job’s faith in God and God’s faith in Job were both vindicated and God gave him double for his trouble.
“Hast thou considered my servant Job?” Replace Job’s name with yours. Could God trust you to remain faithful the way He trusted Job?
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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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