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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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SHAW EXTENDS INVESTMENT INVITATION TO CHINA—07/23/11
Audley Shaw, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance, has extended an invitation to the Chinese to increase their investment in the nation. Shaw delivered his invitation on a visit to China for meetings with government ministers there. Shaw said available Chinese funds could be handled through investments rather than low-interest loans to Jamaica.
FOUR BEHEADINGS IN ONE WEEK IN JAMAICA—07/24/11
A beheaded victim’s body was discovered in August Town at the eastern end of the Corporate Area. The new killing is thought to be a copy of three previous beheadings found in Lauriston in St. Catherine. The four crimes occurred just days apart. The involved communities are in shock and believe that police are not taking sufficient action to keep the violence out of their neighborhoods.
U.S DEBT CRISIS COULD IMPACT ISLAND’S ECONOMY—07/25/11
According to at least one financial expert, Jamaica’s economy could feel a negative impact if the United States government goes into default on its debt in August. Dr. Adrian Stokes, vice president of Scotiabank’s product development and a financial analyst, believes that if there is a default in the U.S., Jamaicans living in both countries will be affected by the economic downturn that could occur.
GOVERNMENT PUTS INDEFINITE BAN ON SCRAP METAL TRADE—07/26/11
Jamaica’s Cabinet has banned trade in scrap metal indefinitely, according to Dr. Christopher Tufton, Industry Minister. Tufton says the decision was implemented because metal theft is rampant throughout the island. While it was not an easy decision for the Cabinet, Tufton said the decision reflects the desire to protect the national interest. An estimated $1 billion in equipment and infrastructure has been stolen to date.
MULLINGS SAYS JPS STILL BELONGS TO JAMAICA—07/26/11
According to Clive Mullings, Jamaica’s Minister of Mining and Energy, consumers remain the ultimate shareholders in the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) company. He made his remarks at the signing ceremony in which 40 percent of the JPS shares were transferred to the Korea East West Power Company (KEWP).
ARMORY THEFT NETS JAMAICAN POLICE OFFICER 15 YEARS IN PRISON—07/27/11
Russell Robinson, a Jamaican police sergeant, received a sentence of 15 years in prison for his part in the theft of guns and bullets from the armory for which he had supervisory responsibility. Robinson had previously been convicted on 19 counts of illegal possession of ammunition and firearms. He was arrested in 2010 when authorities discovered 18 high-powered guns and 11,000 rounds of ammunition in a house near the Kingston armory Robinson supervised.
DANCEHALL STAR CHARGED WITH ASSAULT—07/28/11
David “Mavado” Brooks, Jamaican dancehall musician, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and malicious destruction of property as a result of an event in Montego Bay. The musician turned himself in to St. James police and was released on bail.
POLICE REPORT LOWER MURDER RATE FOR JUNE 2011—07/29/11
According to Jamaica’s Police High Command, there was a decrease in the nation’s murder rate in June 2011, with 86 homicides on record for the month. There were 98 reported murders in June 2010 and 123 in June 2009. The drop was attributed to enhanced operational activities by the police. The murder rate continues to be driven by gang-related violence in 2011, with 35 murders in June being classified as gang-related.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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LEVY TAKES SILVER IN FIRST TIME REPRESENTING JAMAICA—07/23/11
Daina Levy, who was born in Canada of Jamaican parents, took the silver medal in the hammer-throw competition during the first session of the Pan-American Junior Track and Field Championships in Miramar, Florida. Levy, 18, said she felt “amazing” when she took a medal for her parents’ home country. She will begin classes at the University of Auburn in September.
ST. PETERSBURG HONORED BY REGGAE ROYALTY—07/24/11
Stephen Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, played a concert in St. Petersburg, Florida, that lasted nearly two hours. Marley was born in the United States but has strong ties with Jamaica. He included Bob Marley classics in his set, as well as songs from his first solo album. While not as well known as his brother Ziggy, Stephen is a star musician in his own right and has won five Grammys.
JAMAICAN GETS PROBATION FOR LYING TO AMERICAN CONGRESS—07/25/11
Karl Rodney, 73, the founder of New York Carib News, received a sentence of two years of probation and 500 hours of community service in a case that involved lying to the United States Congress. He was also fined US$2,500. He was responsible for organizing Caribbean conferences that led to the downfall of Charles Rangel, the Democratic Congressman from Harlem in New York.
FLORIDA TO HOLD JAMAICA GRAND INDEPENDENCE BALL—07/26/11
The Jamaican Diaspora has been invited to celebrate the 49th year of Jamaican independence by attending the Jamaica Grand Independence Ball 2011. It will be held July 30, 2011, in Weston, Florida. The evening will include a message by guest of honor Professor Jane E. Cross of the Nova Southeastern University. The ball will feature Jamaican food and music. It is sponsored by Needy Kids of Jamaica, a group devoted to providing for needy children in Jamaica and the United States.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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BANK TAKEN OVER IN ANTIGUA TO PREVENT ITS COLLAPSE—07/23/11
BERMUDA DEFEATS ST. VINCENT IN BASKETBALL—07/24/11
FIFA CHALLENGED TO PROBE FURTHER INTO BRIBERY CASE—07/25/11
JOE ARROYO, SALSA STAR, HAS DIED—07/26/11
KILLING OF AMERICAN MEDICAL STUDENT IN CURACAO INVESTIGATED—07/27/11
MURDER VERDICT IN ANTIGUA TRIAL WELCOMED—07/28/11
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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DEAL WITH NESTLE DOUBLES WISYNCO FROZEN FOOD SALES—07/23/11
Wisynco Group will be the exclusive distributor of Nestle Jamaica Ltd.’s ice cream products, announced William Mahfood, Wisynco’s managing director. The deal may increase the firm’s frozen food sales by 100 percent in the coming year. The agreement goes into effect on August 1, 2011. The agreement for ice cream product distribution is an extension of the company’s partnership with Nestle Jamaica.
UTILITIES REGULATION OFFICE SPINS OFF TELECOM DIVISION—07/24/11
Jamaican’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that the telecommunications division of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) will be separated from the organization and treated as its own entity. The action is designed to further the government’s efforts to keep up with changes in the ever-evolving telecom sector. Golding said the sector was complex and large enough to warrant its own regulator.
MONTEGO BAY FREE ZONE WORKERS FACE UNEMPLOYMENT—07/26/11
Approximately 219 workers at a firm in Montego’s Free Zone fear that they will lose their jobs without compensation as a result of a decision from the Olympic Sports Data Services firm. The firm plans to downsize because of “a fallout” in the customer base in the United States. Olympic Sports handles Internet betting and bookmaking. It has operated in Jamaica since 1996.
NEW DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL TESTED BY CRAZY JIM—07/27/11
The owner of Crazy Jim, the firm of Smith and Stewart Distributors Limited, has decided to test a new strategy designed to increase sales. Under the new plan, the firm will help multiple micro-enterprises get loans to purchase and distribute its ice cream brands. The ice cream making company received the support of the Jamaica National Small Business Loans Ltd. to lend J$60,000 to J$150,000 to individual businesses for the purchase of freezers, ice cream, and other frozen products manufactured by Crazy Jim.
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY
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GOOGLE PLANS TO HOST AND INCREASE SPEED OF WEB SITES—07/28/11
Google continues its effort to make the Web operate more rapidly by announcing a new service for rewriting and hosting web pages for others. This will allow browsers to load the pages faster. Google plans to charge a fee for the new Page Speed Service. The date of the service’s introduction has not yet been announced.
RESEARCHERS SAY CELL PHONES DO NOT INCREASE TUMOR RISK IN CHILDREN—07/29/11
According to a study from Scandinavia, cell phones do not raise the risk of brain tumors in children. The study has been published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. It involved a survey of nearly 1,000 children, aged seven to 19 between 2004 and 2008. It concluded that children who use cell phones regularly do not have a higher risk of brain tumors than those who do not claim regular utilization of cell phones.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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TECHNICAL COOPERATION ON MARTIME EDUCATION ANNOUNCED—07/23/11
HI-TECH TIRES INTRODUCED BY GOODYEAR—07/24/11
FLOW HAS “WOMAN POWER”—07/25/11
NEW INSIGHTS INTO SPREAD OF CORAL DISEASE UNCOVERED—07/28/11
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ENTERTAINMENT
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DANCEHALL NIGHT AT REGGAE SUMFEST 2011 HAILED—07/24/11
The annual dancehall night at Reggae Sumfest 2011 received rave reviews from attendees who watched some of the top dancehall music starts perform into the early hours of the morning in Montego Bay. Acts included Khago, Zaumnda and Chan Dizzy, as well as Agent Sasco, Konshens, Beenie Man, Mya, and Elephant Man. The act that generated the most comment was that of I-Octane, how sang many of his most famous hits.
REGGAE SUMFEST INTERNATIONAL NIGHT A HIT EVEN WITHOUT R.KELLY—07/25/11
International Night at Reggae Sumfest 2011 featured a calmer environment than dancehall night for its thousands of audience members. The show made up for the absence of R. Kelly, who had to undergo emergency throat surgery, with performances by Coco Tea and the main headliner Beres Hammond, who received a standing ovation from the crowd.
JAMAICA JAM FEST TO KICK OFF IN AUGUST—07/26/11
Jamaica will be the site for music and island culture during the 2011 Jamaica Jams Festival held in Rufus King Park in Kingston. The festival will honor 15 years of outdoor entertainment. The family-friendly festival will be held in August, and more than 150,000 individuals are expected to attend. Featured on opening night will be Bill Jacobs Big Band. The festival also features more than 450 multicultural vendors, music, free rides for children, an automobile exhibit, and a farmers’ market.
NICKI MINAJ CHARGED WITH INDECENT LANGUAGE AFTER PERFORMANCE—07/27/11
Hip-hop superstar Onika Ranya Maraj, known as Nicki Minaj, was charged with indecent language after her performance at Reggae Sumfest 2011 in Montego Bay. The artiste was given a summons by police upon leaving the venue. She was ultimately fined US$11 for her crime.
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SPORTS
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JAMAICAN TEAM DISSATISFIED WITH MIRAMAR CONDITIONS—07/23/11
According to media sources, Jamaican athletes at the 2011 Pan American Junior Championships in Florida are less than happy with the event’s organization. A report from Carlene Edwards, senior communications officer at Supreme Ventures Ltd., noted that only two 56-seat shuttle buses were provided for transporting the athletes and officials from 43 nations back and forth from the Florida International University campus and Competition Stadium, where the teams are housed. Some teams had to wait over two hours for a bus to pick them up.
CARTER SAYS OF BOLT “I THOUGHT I HAD HIM”—07/24/11
Nesta Carter was certain he would beat Usain Bolt in the 100-meter competition at the Diamond League in Monaco until he realized that he gave this race away. Carter, an Olympic gold medalist in the 4×100- meter relay, ran ahead of Bolt and the rest of the field for much of the race, but Bolt gained in the closing meters and took the victory from Carter on the line. He won with a seasonal best time of 9.88 seconds. Carter admitted he “messed up” in the last 20 meters.
BAD WEATHER, POOR ORGANIZATION, INJURIES AT PAN AM MEET—07/25/11
In addition to the bad weather conditions and complaints about unsatisfactory organization at the Junior Pan American Championships in Florida, the Jamaican team also suffered several injuries over the three days of the meet. Kellion Knibb aggravated a strained elbow, Javarn Gallimore had a torn hamstring, Rochelle Farquharson sprained her ankle, and Janieve Russell suffered lower back strain, among others. The injuries had a negative effect on the performance of these athletes, and some were pulled from competition altogether.
FANS TREATED TO INTERNATIONAL STAR ATHLETES IN DAEGU—07/27/11
Many top-rated international athletes will compete in Daegu, Korea, from August 27 to September 4, 2011, testing their prowess in advance of the 2012 London Olympics. The event in Daegu will give fans the chance to view performances of some of the biggest stars in track and field. Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Shelley Ann-Fraser-Pryce, and Veronica Campbell-Brown will participate in the competition in Korea.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Talking About “Body Parts”
As the parent of a soon to be college basketball player, I have had my share of sitting in gyms watching different teams practice and play over the years. One thing that usually intrigued me was that if one player did not do exactly as the coach instructed during practice, the entire team had to do laps around the gym. Something about that did not seem fair and some of the boys’ facial expressions said as much! However, in the context of team, it reinforced the fact that the actions of one affected the whole. This is not unlike what happened in Eden. Adam and Eve messed up and all of humanity continues to be affected by the consequences of their actions. Again, that does not seem fair. Just maybe, if we were able to start in our own Eden we would have made a different choice! However, just like those boys doing their laps in the gym, we did not get a vote. For better or for worse, we are a team.
The apostle Paul used the same idea when he sought to remind members of the early Church of their obligations to each other. To the Corinthians he writes, “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance” (1 Cor. 12:25-26, The Message). I find the last two sentences rather compelling; if one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the cheerfulness.
One body, one team. We all need each other. Earlier on in his letter Paul states, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him” (vv. 14-18, KJV). In other words, there is interrelatedness between each part with each part doing exactly as it should. Then and only then is the body truly healthy.
What does that mean on a practical level? As members of the body of Christ we are obligated to each other to play our part as God intended. We cannot opt out simply because we do not like some of the other body parts. Secondly, what part do you play? Maybe someone could benefit from a word of encouragement, a phone call, a note to say you care. Thirdly, understand that together we are the church, the body of Christ. Individually, we cannot wait for someone else to do what God placed us in the Body to do. An ineffective body part is a strain on the body; the body may compensate but it is not functioning as well as it should.
Are you effectively doing your part? Is the Body hurting because of the loss of your contribution?
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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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