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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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JAMAICA TO BEGIN TALKS WITH HONDURAS—01/15/11
Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that the government of Honduras confirmed that the captain of a fishing vessel involved in a confrontation with Jamaican coast guards was killed. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, spoke via telephone with Mario Canahuati, Foreign Minister of Honduras to discuss the incident. Baugh expressed his regret for the death, which he noted was the result of illegal activities by the Hondurans who were illegally fishing in Jamaican waters. The ministers of both nations agreed to continue talks about the matter in the future.
NEW AIRPORT NAMED FOR IAN FLEMING—01/16/11
Jamaica’s new international airport, which is located in Ocho Rios, has been named for author Ian Fleming, writer of the James Bond novels. Fleming wrote his famous novels while residing on the island. Prime Minister Bruce Golding officially opened the Ian Fleming International Airport in the resort city. The airport is designed to serve “high-end tourists,” according to the Jamaica Information service.
LDS MISSIONARY KILLED IN JAMAICA—01/17/11
An elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was killed by gunfire in Jamaica. The missionary, a native Jamaican, was shot when a group of church members were caught in crossfire between a gang and the police. The group of seven elders was traveling back from a Preparation Day activity when the shooting took place.
DISAGREEMENT ARISES BETWEEN COYE AND LEYES ABOUT MANATT—01/17/11
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Evadne Coye, and Douglas Leyes, Jamaica’s Solicitor General, are disagreeing about the involved of Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips in the extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke. The matter arose when Coye offered verbal proof on the first day of a commission enquiry into the connections between Manatt and Coke. Coyes was unhappy with Leyes over the composition of a delegation representing Jamaica to the United States during conflict over the U.S. extradition request for Coke.
MATH TEACHERS POOR AT SOME SCHOOLS IN JAMAICA—01/18/11
A two-month assessment of six Jamaican high schools, which was conducted under the auspices of the Mutual Building Societies Foundation Centers of Excellence program, has resulted in several recommendations designed to improve math teaching and learning at the high school level. According to Tamika Benjamin, a former coordinator of the Transformation program from the Ministry of Education, the main negative among math teachers was that they use “didactic and expository approaches” to teaching.
JUNIOR MINISTER INVOLVED IN CORRUPTION CASE RESIGNS—01/19/11
Joseph Hibbert, Minister of State in the Transportation and Works Ministry, has handed in his resignation after meeting the Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Hibbert maintains, however, that he had not done anything wrong. The scandal surrounding Hibbert involved awarding government contracts to the firm of Mabey and Johnson Ltd., a British bridge construction company. Hibbert was suspected of taking bribes from Mabey and Johnson.
EX-IM BANK URGES JAMAICAN PRODUCERS TO TAKE ENERGY LOAN—01/20/11
In the light of crude oil prices that are expected to reach US$100 per barrel in 2011, EX-IM Bank believes that producers in Jamaica start to retrofit their operations and make them more efficient in order to control costs. Additionally, the bank is urging producers to access energy loans designed to support the development of renewable energy systems. These loans are available at 9.5 percent on JMD credit.
JAMAICA TO END CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS—01/21/11
Officials in Jamaica are planning to eliminate the use of corporal punishment in the public schools. They reached their decision after finding out that a student in a fifth grade class lost most of the vision in his left eye because he was hit by a teacher. Andrew Holness, Minister of Education, noted that “moderate and reasonable” punishment remains legal in all but early childhood institutions.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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BUJU BANTON PLAYS TO CAPACITY CROWD IN MIAMI—01/17/11
Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star facing drug and gun charges in the United States, performed a concert in downtown Miami, Florida. The Before the Dawn concert was sold out as crowds filled the 6,500-seat Bayfront Park Amphitheater. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, expressed his appreciation for the fans’ support as he awaits retrial on charges imposed December 2009.
IN UK, CUMMINGS FACES WORK PERMIT DIFFICULTIES—01/18/11
Omar Cummings, Jamaican striker for the Colorado Rapids who was to be loaned at Aston Villa, must return home to Jamaica because he could not obtain a work permit in the United Kingdom. Cummings, 28, traveled to Birmingham in December 2010 to start training with the English Premier League team. However, his work permit was denied because he is not a Premier League member and Jamaica has not been in the top 70 in FIFA World Rankings in the past two years.
FLORIDA’S PEACOCK SOIREE TO HONOR SHAGGY—01/19/11
The Seventh Annual South Florida Peacock Soiree, presented by American Friends of Jamaica, plans to honor Shaggy, the international recording artist, at its event on April 9, 2011. The event will occur at Miami’s Jungle Island. Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, best-selling reggae performer and Grammy award winner, will be recognized for his philanthropic work with Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston, Jamaica.
INDEPENDENT FILM FROM JAMAICA WOWS HOLLYWOOD—01/20/11
“Out the Gate,” an urban action film from Jamaica, garnered major attention at its premiere at Laemmle’s Royal Theatre in Hollywood. The crowd of nearly 600 viewers laughed and clapped throughout the film’s presentation. A question-and-answer session was held immediately after the screening, hosted by Roger Steffens, reggae historian. Weekend showings following the premiere continued to a packed house.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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JONES GETS FIRST VICTORY FOR HAMPSHIRE IN TWENTY20—01/15/11
“BABY DOC” VISITS HAITI—01/16/11
OBAMA’S NEW TRAVEL DECISION MAKES CUBA UNHAPPY—01/17/11
HAITI TAKES STEPS TO TRY DUVALIER ON CORRUPTION CHARGES—01/18/11
DUVALIER LAWYER SAYS CLIENT PLANS TO STAY IN HAITI—01/19/11
ELIMINATING TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS WILL ENHANCE TOURISM—01/20/11
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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AIR JAMAICA TO BE “HONORED” BY CARIBBEAN AIRLINES—01/15/11
George Nicholas III, chairman of the board at Caribbean Airlines, said that his firm intends to “honor” Air Jamaica because there is a great value in the brand. He dismissed speculation that Caribbean Airlines no longer had any interest in acquiring the Jamaican airline. According to Nicholas, there is considerable equity in the name, and his firm intends to get the best from existing marketing efforts.
VIRGIN HOLIDAYS TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO JAMAICANS—01/17/11
Virgin Holidays, a leading tour firm based in the United Kingdom, plans to establish the Branson Center for Entrepreneurship for the Caribbean in Montego Bay. The center will provide skills training and seed money aimed at improving Jamaica’s existing small businesses. Virgin Holiday’s managing director Amanda Wills stated the firm will spend over $27 million over the next decade to create the program in Jamaica.
TOURIST ASSOCIATION HAPPY ABOUT AIR JAMAICA OUTCOME—01/18/11
Jamaica’s Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is extremely glad that direct service to the island has been resumed by Air Jamaica. Air Jamaica provides “instant branding” for the island and ensures that it remains competitive in the tourist market. Caribbean Airlines Ltd., owners of Air Jamaica, say the carrier will be one of two brands under the corporate umbrella, putting an end to fears that the brand would be eliminated.
GOLDING CONSIDERS MARKETERS TO BE PARTNERS—01/19/11
Prime Minister Bruce Golding opened the Caribbean Marketplace at Montego Bay’s new convention center by welcoming participants as “indispensable partners” in the tourism industry that is an essential part of the economy in the Caribbean. Golding said that in spite of the region’s natural assets and attractions, it is the buyers who close the deal and who are particularly important during the downturn in the global economy.
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY
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APPLE IPAD HAS 87 PERCENT OF MARKET SHARE—01/18/11
As tablet computers gain in popularity throughout the world, the iPad from Apple continues to hold the lion’s share of the market. According to IDC, a marketing research firm, global growth in the tablet market rose by 45.1 percent in the third quarter of 2010. In the second quarter of 2010, the iPad had 87.4 percent market share, which translates to 4.2 million units shipped globally.
STAR IN YOUR OWN VIDEO WITH SAFARII STAR—01/19/11
Safarii Star is a docking addition designed for use with the iPhone 4, iPod Touch, or a mini-camcorder. It allows customers to shoot video by themselves, without needing another person to handle the camera. It is more than a tripod. Once places in its battery-powered cradle, a “marker” is given to the person being photographed. This allows the base to track that person and stay focused via infrared technology. The device is still at the prototype stage, but developers are raising money to fund their project with IndieGoGo, a crowd-funding site.
NOKIA SUED BY APPLE OVER SCROLLING PATENT IN IPHONE—01/20/11
Apple has brought suit against Nokia in the United Kingdom, claiming that a patent used by the company is not valid. The patent under scrutiny involves the technology for scrolling on touch-screen handsets, including the iPhone. It is one of the patents that Nokia has sued Apple for violating in the past. Nokia says that it believes its patents are valid and will take “whatever actions are needed” to protect its rights.
GOOGLE TO LAUNCH APPLICATIONS IN IRAN—01/21/11
For the first time, Google will launch Picasa, Google Earth, and Chrome to its Iranian users. It can do this because the United States government recently eliminated some restrictions designed to prohibit software downloading in Iran. Google now wants to provide its downloadable products to Iranian citizens while blocking access to the country’s government.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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FIBER OPTIC CABLE TO BE INSTALLED BETWEEN CUBA, VENEZUELA—01/15/11
NEW ERA FOR JAMAICAN TELEVISION BEGINS—01/18/11
VENEZUELA TO LINK CUBA TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET—01/19/11
YACHTING CUSTOMERS TO GET HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND—01/20/11
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SPORTS
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CONCACAF LOBBIES FOR FOURTH WORLD CUP SPOT—01/17/11
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has the right to raise its allotment of slots in the World Cup competition from 3.5, according to its executive committee. CONCACAF is looking for a guaranteed fourth spot in the World Cup match to be held in Brazil in 2014. A decision on the matter will be forthcoming from the FIFA executive committee in March 2011.
HINDS WINS 10K—01/18/11
Jamaican Korene Hinds because second winner from her country at the Bermuda International Race Weekend 2011. She ran the women’s 10-kilometer race in 33 minutes and 56 seconds to take the title. Hinds, who is 34 years old, took second place in the 10K in 2010. Kenia Sinclair from Jamaica won the women’s mile competition.
ROSE LEARNS AS JAMAICA DEFEATS SOMERSET AT TWENTY20—01/19/11
Brian Rose, director of cricket at Somerset, said he was very disappointed by his team when they were beat by Jamaica by 61 runs. He said he learned a lot about his players, however. He said his team had a poor performance, while Jamaica had excellent batting. Rose says he now knows how his team members will react in certain situations as a result of the thrashing by Jamaica.
SAMUELS STARS AS JAMAICA CRUSHES SOMERSET—01/20/11
It was Jamaica over Somerset by 61 runs at the Caribbean Twenty20 at Kensington Oval. Mid-afternoon rains delayed the start of the match by almost three hours, but Jamaica quickly gained 85 for one after Somerset won the toss. Jamaica’s Marlon Samuels hit 45 from 21 balls to lead the team. He hit four fours and three sixes as well, contributing to Jamaica’s sound defeat of Somerset.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Beside the Still Waters
Under the guidance of the good shepherd, the sheep is being properly looked after. Laying in pastures of tender grass it is at rest, lacking nothing, relaxed and contented. In this state of contentment is the wisdom of the shepherd, for to be able to have its thirst satisfied the shepherd must lead the sheep beside still waters.
Instinctively, sheep are afraid of moving water. Because of its heavy coat of wool it is not a good swimmer; the water would soak into the wool pulling the sheep down. Being a timid creature it is said that the sheep will not drink from a moving stream, only from still waters. In his “The Healing Power of the 23rd Psalm” Charles Allen writes, “The shepherd does not laugh at the sheep’s fears. He does not try to force the sheep. Instead, as he leads his sheep across the mountains and valleys, he is constantly on the watch for still waters, where the thirst of the sheep may be quenched. If there are no still waters available, while the sheep are resting, the shepherd will gather up stones to fashion a dam across a small stream to form a pool from which even the tiniest lamb may drink without fear.”
Knowing the disposition and limitations of his sheep allows the shepherd to provide care that is consistent with that disposition. In that picture of care is a picture of God. Allen continues, “God knows our limitations, and He does not condemn us because we have weaknesses. He does not force us where we cannot safely and happily go. God never demands of us work that is beyond our strength and abilities. Instead, God is constantly ministering to our needs. He understands the loads upon our shoulders. He also knows where the places of nourishment and refreshment are located.” What comfort!
For those of us who have accepted the LORD as our Shepherd, we too can rest assured that He has our best interest in mind. I find that extremely comforting. With Him I can face the challenges and the heat of the day knowing “He leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2b). I can be at rest; He can be trusted.
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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.
jamarch
