Staff WriterCOURT IN U.S. DELAYS SENTENCE FOR JAMAICAN DOCTOR—11/22/14
The sentencing of Dr. Norman Williams, 68, a Jamaican-born physician who was convicted in the United States of sexual assault, has been postponed by a United States court. The judge decided to delay the sentencing to give time for Williams’ attorney to review the case, but will not allow Williams to stay out of jail on bond until the new sentencing date of December 16, 2014.
JAMAICA TO SEND SEVEN REPRESENTATIVES TO GLOBAL CLIMATE TALKS—11/23/14
Jamaica plans to send a delegation of seven members to global climate talks in Peru in December 2014. The representatives are charged with advancing the nation’s agenda. Fund-raising is necessary if all seven individuals are to attend the conference. The delegation will receive some support from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for three representatives. Funding for the others has been applied for through another UN agency. The delegates are also contributing their own money toward attending the global conference.
JAMAICANS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF STUDIES OVERSEAS—11/24/14
According to Don Cunningham, director of international recruiting at the Lincoln College of Technology in the United States, more Jamaican students should take advantage of the benefits they could gain by studying overseas. Cunningham, a graduate of Manchester High School, emphasized that the world has become smaller and since Jamaicans can be found everywhere, overseas studies have become increasingly important. He emphasized the need in Jamaica for hospitality and culinary workers, since the national economy depends heavily on the tourism industry.
DIASPORA ELECTIONS SPAWN CONTROVERSY—11/25/14
The election for a new representative for the North East United States to the Jamaica Diaspora Board has erupted into controversy. Joan Pinnock, one of the candidates, said she received the endorsement of Arnaldo Brown, state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. According to Diaspora leaders, however, Brown has denied making any endorsement of any of the three candidates for the board position. Pinnock has since withdrawn her comment, saying that she had made a mistake.
NEW SCAM TREND INVOLVING LOTTERY DISCOVERED—11/26/14
Martha Steffens, a professor in the United States and chair of the Business and Financial Journalism unit at the Missouri School of Journalism, reports that there is a new trend in lottery scams in Jamaica. Scammers not pretend to be agents of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or agents of the Financial Crimes Enforcement network in attempts to exploit victims. When victims refuse to wire money in an initial scam phone call, the scammers call back impersonating agency officials who want to follow up on the initial call.
“THE VOICE” CONTESTANT FOCUSED ON ADVANCING MUSICAL CAREER—11/27/14
Jamaican Anita Antoinette’s participation on the television program “The Voice” may have ended, but she is determined to continue advancing her career in music. She is more focused on that goal than ever, since being eliminated from the TV competition. Anita described her experience on “The Voice” as “eye-opening.” She says it daughter her to have more confidence in herself, and it gave her exposure to a wide audience of fans. She still has a chance to re-enter the competition as a “wild card.”
JACKSON HOPES NEW TV PLATFORM WILL EXPAND UK OPINION ON CARIBBEAN—11/28/14
April Jackson, former Miss Jamaica Universe, is hoping that the new Caribbean TV platform available in the United Kingdom, CaribBe TV, will help to reduce the separation between the UK and Jamaica. The new platform was introduced in September 2014 as a multimedia outlet that offers its viewers various television channels direct from the Caribbean. It is designed to reach Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals in the Diaspora as well as viewers who have an appreciation for Caribbean culture.
PHOTOGRAPHS CELEBRATE CARIBBEAN FUNERALS IN LONDON—11/28/14
A book by Charlie Phillips entitled “How Great Thou Art” offers an exploration of Caribbean funerals as the mortuary tradition of Jamaica and the Caribbean has survived in the Nine Night ceremony. Born in Jamaica, photographer Phillips as spent some 50 years documenting Nine Night and other African Caribbean events in his adopted home of London. His book offers a socially significant document, revealing the British West Indian tradition as it relates to death and life-affirming rites experienced at funerals.
jamarch
