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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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PRIME MINISTER PROMISES JAMAICA TO BECOME REPUBLIC—01/07/12
Jamaica’s new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has promised to lessen its ties to Britain and take steps to replace the Queen as its head of state. Instead of the Queen, Jamaica will have a president, said Simpson Miller, who praised the Queen but believes the time has come for Jamaica to join other Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean in a trend toward republicanism.
NEW GOVERNMENT TEAM BEGINS WORK—01/08/12
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has charged the 20 members of her Cabinet to begin the work of government without delay. Newly appointed ministers have already made lists of their priorities and are ready to start implementation activities. According to Simpson Miller, one of the first actions of the new government involves discussions with potential investors about stimulating the country’s economy.
JAMAICA LABOR PARTY SUPPORTS END OF TIES TO UK-BASED PRIVY COUNCIL—01/09/12
In spite of previous objections, the opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) is supporting the plans of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to end the relationship with the Privy Council, which is based in the United Kingdom. Simpson Miller said she plans to replace the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the UK with the Caribbean Court of Justice, based in Trinidad, as the final appeals court for Jamaica.
U.S. SENATOR WANTS GOVERNMENT TO UNDERSTAND A “NEW WORLD”—01/10/12
United States State Senator Malcolm A. Smith, a Democratic representative for the 14th district in Queens, New York, has encouraged Jamaica’s new government to understand that the world has become a very small place. As such, Jamaica must recognize that jobs, education, and being open to foreign investors represent the chief solutions to the nation’s economic and social problems. He also wants the government to focus on new industries along with agriculture and technology.
OBAMA CONGRATULATES SIMPSON MILLER ON ELECTION VICTORY—01/10/12
United States President Barack Obama called newly elected Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to congratulate her on her electoral win in the General Elections. Obama also praised the people of Jamaica for their dedication to democracy and offered the continuing support of his government to Jamaica.
FIRST CARIBBEAN YOGA CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN JAMAICA—01/11/12
In February 2012, Jamaica will become host to the first Caribbean Yoga Conference in history. The conference will take place at the Hilton Hotel in Montego Bay. The participation of some 450 yoga enthusiasts is expected. The conference will present workshops and seminars with local and international yoga instructors, including Seane Corn, Parige Elenson, and Nadine McNeil.
NEW MINISTER OF TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT APPOINTED—01/12/12
Jamaica’s new Minister of Tourism and Entertainment is Dr. Wykeham McNeill, who was appointed by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller following her victory in the General Election on December 29, 2011. Dr. McNeill has served the tourism industry for many years and was named Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in 2000. In 2002 he was assigned the responsibility for overseeing tourism operations, including cruise ships and development of tourism. During Simpson Miller’s first government in 2007, he served as State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture.
DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM SUBJECT OF FORENSIC AUDIT—01/13/12
Jamaica’s government is set to begin a forensic audit of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Program, which has been the target of allegations of mismanagement. These allegations resulted in the resignation of Mike Henry, former Works Minister. The program receives its funding through a loan facility from China. Works Minister Dr. Omar Davies requested a progress report on the audit, which he expects will address all of the project’s issues.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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BARBADOS SUED BY JAMAICAN WOMAN FOR ALLEGED ABUSE AT AIRPORT—01/07/12
Shanique Myrie, the Jamaican woman who alleged abuse at the hands of immigration officials at the airport in Barbados, has filed suit against the government of that country. The Caribbean Court of Justice will hear the case in which Myrie is represented by the law firm Hylton and Brown. The firm intends to seek monetary damages for its client and to have the Court determine minimum standards of treatment to be given to CARICOM nationals within the region governed by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
JAMAICAN GAY ACTIVIST MARRIES TORONTO POLICE OFFICER-PASTOR—01/10/12
Maurice Tomlinson, a prominent gay activist in Jamaica, married Tom Decker, a police officer and pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. The best man at the wedding, Stephen Lewis, was the United Nations’ former special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. The couple was married by pastor Brent Hawkes. Tomlinson did not invite any of his family members due to fear. He has received three death threats in the past year for speaking openly about Jamaica’s homophobia and violence directed toward gay people there.
SUPERVISOR FINED FOR DEATHS OF MIGRANT WORKERS IN ONTARIO—01/11/12
A supervisor at a farm in Ontario, Canada, has been fined as the result of an incident that led to the deaths of two Jamaican migrant workers. The charges were brought under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act for the deaths of Paul Roach, 44, and Ralston White, 36, in 2010 at Filsinger’s Organic Foods and Orchards. The workers were trying to repair a pump for a vinegar vat when overcome by the fumes. Supervisor Brandon Weber was fined $22.500 in the deaths under a settlement agreement.
EDUCATION PROFESSOR NAMED TO DIASPORA ADVISORY BOARD—01/12/12
Susan Lycett Davis, Ed.D., a professor at the Nova Southeastern University’s Abraham S. Fischler School of Education, has been named to the Advisory Board of the Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States. She was elected to the position through a vote by Jamaican nationals in the South Florida community. Davis will replace Marlon Hill, an attorney who has served on the board for five years. In addition to being a full-time faculty member at the Fischler School, Davis has more than 30 years of experience in administrative and international management and has worked in the United States and the United Kingdom.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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WARNER’S CLAIMS OF DEALS REJECTED BY FIFA—01/07/12
THREE ISLANDS TO BENEFIT FROM CONSERVATION PROJECTS—01/09/12
TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF GUANTANAMO BAY PRISON MARKED—01/10/12
LEADER OF IRAN VISITS CUBA, LATIN AMERICA—01/11/12
HAITI TO CLEAR CAMP NEAR NATIONAL PALACE—01/12/12
UN SOLDIERS BROUGHT VIRULENT CHOLERA STRAIN TO WESTERN HEMISPHERE—01/13/12
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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KINGSTON PORT PREPARES FOR DIVESTMENT AND LARGER SHIPS—01/07/12
The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is working to develop its infrastructure and equipment to exploit the growing opportunities available in the containerized cargo market. PAJ plans to dredge the Kingston Container Terminal basin and ship channel in preparation for the arrival of larger ships that will come through the Panama Canal in the next two years.
ALCOA TO REDUCE PRODUCTION IN 2012—01/08/12
Alcoa has announced that it plans to reduce its worldwide production capacity in 2012, but it remains unclear what the impact of this move will be on Jamaica. Alcoa will “close down or curtail” 531,000 metric tons of smelting capacity, which will include closing one plant in Tennessee and taking two of six lines out of production in Rockdale, Texas. No requests have yet been made of its Jamaican partners to reduce operations on the island, but further developments are expected.
PRIVATE EQUITY COMPANY TAKING OVER FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IN JAMAICA—01/09/12
Blue Equity LLC, a private equity firm, will take control of the largest fuel distributor in Jamaica, expanding its presence on the island. Blue Equity will take a controlling stake in Cool Petroleum Holdings Ltd., which had 2010 revenues totaling $330 million. This means that the largest distributor in Jamaica’s petroleum trade will be run from Louisville, Kentucky. Cool Petroleum Holdings licenses the Shell brand in Jamaica.
PAULWELL TO BECOME LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN HOUSE—01/10/12
Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Mining, Energy, and Information and Communication Technology, will be named the leader of government business for the House of Representatives when the new Parliament under Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller goes into session. He will succeed Delroy Chuck of the Jamaica Labor Party. Andrew Holness held the position before Chuck.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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DIGICEL PLANS TO MAKE 4G NETWORK NATIONWIDE—01/07/12
LIME, DIGICEL TAKE POSITIONS ON CHALLENGE FROM FTC—01/08/12
FORBES BELIEVES SOCIAL MEDIA HAVING PROFOUND IMPACT ON SOCIETY—01/09/12
SLASHROOTS CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING THE CARIBBEAN—01/10/12
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY
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STAR TREK- INSPIRED X PRIZE TO RECOGNIZE HEALTH CARE ADVANCE—01/10/12
An element created by Gene Rodenberry for his Star Trek fictional universe could actually help people with health care decisions. The problem is that doctors are not always available in many areas of the world to diagnose diseases. The right technology could help in this area, and this is the reason for the development of the Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize, which will award $10 million to the first team that creates a mobile platform that most accurately diagnoses 15 diseases in 30 patients in three days. The prize represents a collaboration of the X Prize Foundation and the Qualcomm Foundation.
AUGMENTED REALITY DEVELOPED BY AURASMA—01/11/12
Aurasma, a part of Hewlett-Packard’s Autonomy business, has developed a 3-dimensional augmented reality application, catching up with Blippar, a startup based in London, which has already raised money from Qualcomm Ventures and has 30 partners in the United Kingdom. Stephen Shaw, business development manager at Blippar, notes that content is the key, and that with the Blippar app, consumers with iPads or smart phones can point the device’s camera to a “B” included in its partners’ content, and receive augmented information. For example, food labels will display recipes or coupons, movies will play, and magazines can come to life. Interactive games can also be provided through the same kind of augmentation technology.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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I-OCTANE BECOMES A RISING DANCEHALL STAR—01/07/12
I-Octane has become increasingly popular for his love songs, and his personality has made him the ideal Brand Ambassador for products like the Jamaican telecommunications firm Digicel. His major contribution to dancehall is his social consciousness, which provides lyrics that denounce violence and the lack of opportunity for the poor. Instead of glorifying the harsh realities of the ghetto, I-Octane provides cautionary messages about gun use and the redemption found in Rastafarian teachings.
MCGREGOR RANTS AGAINST YOUNGER ARTISTES FOR LACK OF DEDICATION—01/08/12
Freddie McGregor, a veteran reggae star, wonders why younger dancehall and reggae artistes fail to support events that are designed to build their progress. McGregor, head of the Big Ship label and member of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, says that seminars, conferences, and other events held by the association are not supported by young artistes. He wonders why they do not participate in a group that is trying to benefit them.
JAMAICAN ARTIST INSPIRED BY DANCEHALL CULTURE—01/10/12
Ebony Patterson, Jamaican artist, finds her inspiration for fashion and jewelry in dancehall culture. At an exhibit at the Bermuda National Gallery, Patterson shows a series of mannequins that explore the dancehall type of music and gender. Her exhibition specifically looks at fashion in the dancehall, using clothing and tapestries to examine the way identities are structured.
CEE LO GREEN HEADLINES JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL—01/11/12
Cee Lo Green, whose real name is Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, is an American singer and songwriter who will headline the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival on January 28, 2012, at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium. Green has explored local Jamaican talent in a video that reflects a Jamaican theme. The video, which has registered 2.5 million likes on YouTube, was directed by Wendy Morgan of Canada and features Jamaican dancers. Green is taking a break of recording with Gnarls Barkley and released a solo single in August 2011. He is now working as a vocal coach on “The Voice,” a reality talent show on NBC.
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SPORTS
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POWELL STARTS SEASON WITH INDOOR MEET IN NEW YORK—01/07/12
Jamaican sprinter and former 100-meter world record-holder Asafa Powell, 29, will start the 2012 competition season by participating in an indoor meet in New York on January 28, 2012. He will compete with Americans Justin Gatlin and Trell Kimmons, Richard Thompson from Trinidad, and Daniel Bailey of Antigua and Barbuda. Powell has been out of indoor competitions since 2004 but will join sprinters at Madison Square Garden as part of his pursuit of a medal at the London Olympics.
VICTORIES FOR REGGAE CHESS KIDZ IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION—01/08/12
The Reggae Chess Kidz of Jamaica defeated the United States, Venezuela, Trinidad and Ecuador, placing first and second in the annual Miami Junior Orange Bowl International Scholastic Chess Championships in Miami, Florida. The Jamaican players won 12 trophies and many other prizes during the three-day competition. The 22-member team is sponsored by Chess Enterprise, Wechess, and Chess Whiz Kidz. They competed with 100 players from other countries.
REGGAE GIRLZ WIN OVER CAYMAN ISLANDS—01/09/12
The Reggae Girlz of Jamaica had a 2-0 victory over the Cayman Islands that the San Cristobal Football Stadium in the Dominican Republic. Kimberly Spence propelled the Jamaicans to the lead in minute 30, while substitute Shenika Williams provided the cushion at minute 77.
BOLT WILL COMPETE IN GAMES IN OSLO—01/12/12
Usain Bolt, triple Olympic champion from Jamaica, plans to compete in the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, in June, 2012. He will be preparing to defend his titles at the London Olympics. Bolt, 25, holds world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters, and he hopes that running in Oslo will help him achieve victories in London.
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JAMAICAN JOBS
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SALES EXECUTIVE
LEVEL II IT ADMINISTRATOR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL
SOLICITOR GENERAL, CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL, HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Where Are Your Concerned About?
It is easy to put oneself above others and we start to do so very early in our lives. To look at a toddler who believes everything is “mine, mine” is to see a human being perfecting the art of looking out for him or herself. To explain this seemingly universal trait, some would argue that we are predisposed to being selfish. Evolutionists tell us this predisposition is the result of the evolutionary principle of “the survival of the fittest.” Yet, all ethical systems emphasize the essential value of helping others.
Regardless of its source, the selfish trait is still in play even after we become Christians. It is one thing to put oneself above others, but what about putting oneself above the things of Christ? This was the problem facing some of the Apostle Paul’s compatriots. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he laments, “For I have no man likeminded [as Timotheus], who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Philippians 2:20-21, KJV), or as Eugene Peterson paraphrases both verses, “I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus” (The Message). While the narrative is short on details, it could very well be that Paul’s observation grew out of the refusal of some to go visit the church he was writing to (see v. 19). Maybe something was asked of them that required making sacrifices, putting others above themselves, risking death, or whatever else, these people had no interest. They were the ones who would later abandon Paul during his trial; “they all ran like scared rabbits” (2 Timothy 4:21, The Message).
It is easy to criticize these people. However, as Albert Barnes cautions, “Let us not be harsh in judging them. How many professing Christians in our cities and towns are there now who would be willing to leave their business and their comfortable homes . . . who would not seek some excuse, and show that it was a characteristic that they ‘sought their own’ rather than the things which pertained to the kingdom of Jesus Christ?” It is necessary to remind ourselves that to be concerned about the things of Christ means practicing self-denial. Indeed, saying “yes” to Christ often means saying “no” to ourselves. For many of us, that does not come naturally. Yet deny ourselves we must if we are going to strive to please our Lord.
“Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus.” Is he talking about you?
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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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