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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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SMALL PLANE CRASHES NEAR JAMAICA—09/06/14
A small plane that traveled over the Caribbean with an unresponsive pilot crashed off the coast of Jamaica. The plan flew on autopilot for 1,700 miles until it went into the water off Port Antonio. According to Major Basil Jarrett of the Jamaican Defense Force, the pilot was apparently incapacitated and did not respond to communications from two U.S. fighter jets that shadowed it along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S.
KELLIER, CHARLES MOVE TO END POVERTY AMONG JAMAICANS WITH DISABILITIES—09/07/14
Derrick Keillier, Jamaica’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, and Pearnel Charles, Opposition spokesman, noted that ten percent of Jamaicans are disabled, and 12 percent of them live below the poverty line. They believe policies must change to remedy this situation. They made their remarks during discussions of the Disabilities Bill,
40 YEARS OF HISTORY COLLECTED, EXHIBITED AT NATIONAL GALLERY—09/08/14
The National Gallery of Jamaica is the largest and oldest public art museum located in the English-speaking Caribbean. It features a comprehensive collection of early, modern, and contemporary Jamaican art. For 40 years, the Gallery has exhibited Jamaica art and preserved the island’s artistic heritage. The museum is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014.
UNDERAGE DRINKER PROGRAM GOES INTO EFFECT—09/09/14
The WE I.D. Program sponsored by Red Stripe is ready for implementation in September 2014. The firm believes that the program can succeed if all stakeholders cooperate. The legal drinking age in Jamaica is 18, but research shows that access to alcohol on the island is not effectively monitored for those under the legal age limit. The company designed its WE I.D. program to encourage sellers to ask for
a valid identity document before allowing individuals to purchase alcohol.
LOW SUICIDE RATE ON ISLAND NO REASON TO CELEBRATE—09/10/14
While the number of Jamaicans who killed themselves remained at essentially the same level for 2012 and 2013, this is not a reason to celebrate, said Dr. Donovan Thomas, counselor. According to Thomas, Jamaica has one of the lowest suicide rates in the world, but this does not mean that the issue should neglected by relevant policymakers. He urged proactive action to address the issue.
DIXON RESIGNS, HARVEY NAMED ACTING PERMANENT SECRETARY—09/11/14
Dr. Kevin Harvey, chief medical officer, is now the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health in Jamaica following Dr. Jean Dixon, who has retired after five years in the position. Dixon called her term at the Ministry “a learning experience” and now has plans to spend more time with her family, traveling in Jamaica, and pursuing her interest in photography.
POLITICS SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR WHEN ADDRESSING CHIKUNGUNYA—09/12/14
Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Jamaica’s Minister of Health, has warned against using politics when dealing with the outbreak of chikungunya in the region. Politics should be not used to cause panic among the nation’s citizens, he said. His remarks were made in response to a press conference given by the Opposition Jamaica Labor Party, which stated that at least four of Jamaica’s parishes are battling an epidemic of the disease.
VAZ TRIAL TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY 2015—09/12/14
The trial of Daryl Vaz of the Opposition party is set to start on February 16, 2015. Vaz appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate Court to learn of the scheduled date. Vaz is charged with breaching the Corruption Prevention Act. Charged with Vaz is Senior Superintendent of Police James Forbes, and Bruce Bicknel, businessman.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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U.S. EMBASSY PRAISES JAMAICAN AUTHORITIES RESPONDING TO PLANE CRASH—09/06/14
Elizabeth Martinez, charge d’affaires at the United States Embassy in Kingston, praised the local authorities in Jamaica for the way they responded to the crash of the American aircraft off the coast of Port Antonio on September 3, 2014. Martinez noted the excellent cooperation among all Jamaican and American authorities during event. Members of the Jamaica Defense Force, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the Ministry of Health, and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority were involved in the response.
NUMBER OF CHILD ABUSE CASES IN JAMAICA ROSE IN 2013—09/07/14
According to the Office of Children’s Registry, the number of child abuse cases in Jamaica totaled 11,018 in 2013. This represents an increase of 26 percent over the year before. Many additional cases are not reported, said Greg Smith, registrar with the organization. He noted that the situation is worsening, with rape and sexual abuse on the rise.
JAMAICAN ACTOR STARS IN PANAMANIAN FILM—09/08/14
Andre Morris, a Jamaican actor, has the lead role in a short film called “Silver Roll,” which had its premiere in Panama. The film was directed by Carolina Borrero and explores several storylines linked to major events in the history of Panama. It focuses on the sacrifices made by immigrants trying to find a better life.
PARALYZED JAMAICAN, HELD ON DRUG CHARGES IN TRINIDAD, RELEASED—09/09/14
Kevon Francis, a wheelchair-bound Jamaican who was arrested at the international airport in Trinidad in 2011 for possession of seven kilos of marijuana, has been released. The drug was hidden in the wheelchair. A plea deal mitigated the sentence of Francis, who will be set free because authorities at the prison where he was incarcerated cannot care for him properly. Francis was fined TT$20,000 upon his release for importing an illegal substance and failing to declare the drug on customs forms.
IN THE UK, BISEXUAL JAMAICAN RELEASED FROM DETENTION—09/10/14
Orashio Edwards, a bisexual Jamaica, continues to fight for asylum in the United Kingdom in spite of evidence showing he would be in danger if deported back to Jamaica. Edwards lost a legal fight when immigration court authorities said he had been “dishonest” about his sexuality. He was released from detention after six weeks of what his attorney called unnecessary detention.
JAMAICAN CANDIDATE IN NEW YORK PRIMARY LOSES TO HAITIAN—09/11/14
Rickie Tullock, Jamaican-born accountant, was defeated by Rodneyse Bichotte, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Haitian immigrant parents. Tullock lost by 20 percentage points. Bichotte will now run as a Democrat in the general election in November 2014 and hopes to represent the 42nd State Assembly District in Brooklyn.
MINISTRY FOR OVERSEAS JAMAICANS DESIRED BY MP PARCHMENT—09/12/14
Member of Parliament for Southeast St. Elizabeth, Richard Parchment wants the government to establish a ministry designed for overseas Jamaicans. He believes the Diaspora community has a high value to the nation’s economy and wants to engage this population more closely in policy. According to Parchment, Diaspora remittances bring in more money than the bauxite industry, and therefore, the overseas community needs a full ministry to handle its interests.
ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES WILLIAMS’ APPOINTMENT AS POLICE COMMISSIONER—09/12/14
The Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents has recognized the appointment of Dr. Carl Mckay Williams as Commissioner-Designate of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Williams’ appointment is well deserved, the association believes, and has called upon him to make restoring confidence in the police a priority.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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$93 MILLION IN COCAINE SEIZED IN WESTERN CARIBBEAN—09/06/14
CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS CHANGES IN CARIBBEAN CONSTITUTIONS—09/07/14
RISING SEA LEVELS THREATEN CARIBBEAN—09/08/14
STAKEHOLDERS DISCUSS MARIJUANA TOURISM—09/09/14
ENERGY SECURITY MOU SIGNED BY GRENADA, UNITED STATES—09/10/14
CARIBBEAN HERITAGE EXPLORED BY CARIBBEAN AUTHOR—09/11/14
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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JAMAICA RECEIVES US$105 MILLION IN WORLD BANK LOANS—09/06/14
Jamaica made loan agreements with the World Bank to fund three projects, the Foundation for Competiveness and Growth project, the Youth Employment in Digital Animation Industry project, and the Strategic Public Sector Transformation project. According to Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of Finance, the projects illustrate the government’s investment in reducing youth unemployment and enhancing public sector modernization.
WISYNCO MAKE LARGE DONATION TO LUPUS FOUNDATION—09/07/14
The Wisynco Group has made a donation of $250,000 to the Lupus Foundation. The funds are meant to help with research and to raise awareness about lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects 1 in 250 Jamaicans. The donation was made in response to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
CWC PUTS US$250 MILLION IN LIME JAMAICA—09/08/14
Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) have renewed its efforts to help LIME Jamaica, a subsidiary. The funding will be invested in the network over a three-year period and more than doubles the firm’s investment in Jamaica in the past five years.
CREDIT UNIONS GO AHEAD WITH MOBILE WALLET PILOT PROGRAM—09/09/14
Mobile financial services provider Mozido and the Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League are partnering to develop a mobile wallet. The wallet is branded as the Jamaica Credit Union E-payment Services and is meant to provide financial services to the underbanked population in Jamaica.
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
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JAMAICAN FOLK SINGERS OFFER CONCERT SEASON IN 2014—09/08/14
The 2014 Concert Season will focus on the importance of sharing and respecting all members of a community. The message of “one community” will be showcased in several sections of the Jamaican Folk Singers programs to highlight the values and lore of the “old” Jamaica.
FIRST JAMAICAN ACT ADDED TO “SOUL IN THE SUN” LINE—09/09/14
Richie Stephens, reggae hit maker, is scheduled to impress Jamaica’s music lovers at the “South in the Sun” festival at the Aqueduct in Rose Hall in Montego Bay. He is the first Jamaican reggae act to be signed to perform at the event.
DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS REPARATIONS—09/11/14
Documentary filmmaker Karen Marks Mafundikwa received a standing ovation from the audience following a screening of her “The Price of Memory” at Neville Hall Lecture Theater and the University of the West Indies at Mona. For almost an hour, discussion and comments focused on the topic of the film, the legacy of slavery in Jamaica, and reparations for the injustice perpetrated during and after the slavery period. The film, which took ten years to make, was shot in Jamaica and England, using footage from the National Library of Jamaica and other sources.
SUCCESS CLAIMED FOR INAUGURAL CINEMA PARADISE—09/12/14
The inaugural Cinema Paradise has been labeled a success, featuring five days of festivities attracting Jamaican actors, directors and local residents from Boston Bay. According to Carlo Less, the coordinator of Cinema Paradise 2014, the event celebrated Jamaican films and all those involved with filmmaking.
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SPORTS
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THREE JAMAICANS WIN AT IAAF WORLD CHALLENGE—09/08/14
Three Jamaican athletes achieved victories at the IAAF World Challenge met in Rieti, Italy. Asafa Powell ran the 100 meters in 9.74 seconds. Carrie Russell won in the women’s 100 meters, and Stephenie McPherson also was victorious in the women’s 400 meters.
JOHNSON STILL AMONG THE BEST—09/09/14
Even at age 34, Jamaica’s international Jermaine “Teddy” Johnson showed why he remains among the best attack options for the Reggae Boyz. He scored a goal to help set up another in his new club in the North American Soccer League in Georgia. Johnson joined the Indy Eleven in July 2014/
WOMEN’S PREMIERE LEAGUE MID-SEASON FINAL SCHEDULED FOR STADIUM EAST—09/11/14
The Sherwin Williams National Women’s Premiere League mid-season final match will be played at Stadium East. Barbican and GC Foster College will be contest the final, the winner of which will receive $80,000. Barbican won its spot in semi-final be defeating Trelawny Women; GC Foster College got is place with a victory over Los Perfectos.
WILLIAMS TO REPRESENT CARIBBEAN IN IAAF CONTINENTAL CUP—09/12/14
Kimberly Williams, the triple jump champion of the Commonwealth Games, will represent the region in the IAAF Continental Cup in Morocco. She will compete with Caterine Ibarguen of Columbia for Team Americas at the meet. Williams won a silver medal at the 2014 World Indoor Championships in Poland.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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- JOB TITLE: Manager – Details Here
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- JOB TITLE: Director – Information Technology (MIS/IT 6) Headquarters – Details Here
- JOB TITLE: Legal Officer – Details Here
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Finishing Strong – Part II
As the apostle Paul came to the close of his second letter to his spiritual son Timothy, he spoke of the Christian life as a fight to be fought, a race to be run, and a faith that is to be steadfastly maintained. As he looked back over his life, he was able to conclude, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7, KJV).
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul writes, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, KJV). Eugene Peterson paraphrases these verses, “You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally” (The Message). Paul not only concluded that he had fought a good fight, but that he had finished his course.
On these verses Bible Commentator John Gill writes, “The act of ‘running’ is a motion forward, a following on to know the Lord, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another, a pressing forward toward the mark for the prize; and requires spiritual strength from Christ, and a daily renewal of it. [It] is to be performed with readiness, swiftness, and cheerfulness, in opposition to a slowness of heart to believe, and a slothfulness and sluggishness in the business and service of Christ.” It is no wonder Paul was able to say “I have finished the course” because his life was one constant act of running; right up to these last days before his execution.
How are you doing in your race? Are you receiving spiritual strength from Christ? If so, is there a daily renewal of it?
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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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