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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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SECRET CABLE REVEALS LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN GOLDING—06/04/11
According to a secret diplomatic cable between the United States and Jamaica that has recently come to light, leaders in the island’s private sector reported losing confidence in Prime Minister Bruce Golding. The cable was sent just two years after Golding took office and expressed worries among business leaders concerning the delay in making a deal with the International Monetary Fund.
FAITH-BASED TOURISM MEANS POTENTIAL BILLIONS FOR JAMAICA—06/05/11
Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, stated that Jamaica has made inroads into the faith-based tourist market. The inaugural stop of the ship Carnival Destiny’s “Cruise with a Cause” in Montego Bay brought more than 4,000 passengers and crew members to the port Passengers included religious leaders and music ministers who accounted for almost J$1 billion in expenditures, plus the passengers participated in a number of community outreach projects on the island.
HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES IN JAMAICA VULNERABLE TO DISASTER—06/06/11
According to an assessment from Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), over 300 communities received a ranking of “highly vulnerable” to natural disasters. Fifty-six of these will participate in a pilot project designed to improve the capacity they have to mitigate and manage a disaster.
JAMAICANS DON’T CARE ABOUT CARICOM—06/07/11
The Complete Snapshot study conducted in April 2011 by Dr. Herbert Gayle discovered that Jamaicans have little or no interest in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) regional union. Only 24 percent of 200 individuals surveyed believe that Jamaica benefits from CARICOM, which has been in existence since 1973. Sixteen percent of Jamaicans surveyed believe that Jamaica loses in being part of CARICOM.
US$3 BILLION PROJECT FOR DRY DOCK IN CLARENDON IGNORED—06/08/11
Lloyd Cole, a Jamaican physician, proposed the construction of a dry dock facility in Clarendon at Jackson Bay. However, the US$3 billion project has remained dormant for more than 20 years, even after obtaining the support of government ministers from several administrations. Dr. Cole, frustrated at the delay, has made a second appeal for the project, which he believes could create jobs for as many as 5,000 individuals.
RECORD LEVEL OF LOAN DEFAULTS AMONG JAMAICANS—06/09/11
According to data released by the Bank of Jamaica, Jamaicans with underserviced loans more than three months represented a record amount of J$25.6 billion in March 2011. This is 32.6 percent higher than the total in 2010. The increase in non-performing loans is occurring at the same time that deposit takers are less interested in lending. There has been a two-percent decrease in total loans. The high non-performing loan amounts do not endanger the viability of banking institutions, however, since it represents just 7.5 percent of all loans.
PARLIAMENT TO SEE TOBACCO BILL—06/10/11
The Tobacco Bill is set to go before Parliament in Jamaica after more than ten years in existence. The legislation is designed to control tobacco use on the island. Final amendments to the bill are being made, according to Rudyard Spencer, Minister of Health. The bill includes a total ban on advertising for tobacco products, a ban on sale of tobacco to minors, and a crack-down on the illegal trading of tobacco products.
U.S. EMBASSY CRITICAL OF PORTIA AFTER 2007 GENERAL ELECTION—06/10/11
According to a diplomatic cable sent in March 2008 to the United States, officials at the local U.S. embassy in Kingston claimed that Portia Simpson-Miller’s lack of leadership had left the People’s National Party (PNP) “in shambles.” The cable also claimed that the party appeared to be “lost at sea” and unable to accept its defeat.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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GOLDING TO VISIT UNITED STATES ON DEVELOPMENT MISSION—06/04/11
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding will be at the head of a delegation from the island to the Inter-American Development Bank International Forum on Caribbean Investment and Development. The forum will take place between June 5 and June 10, 2011, providing a place for public and private sector organizations to address trade and finance issues of importance to the Caribbean.
SEAN KINGSTON IN RECOVERY—06/06/11
Jamaican-American musician Sean Kingston is recovering from serious injuries suffered on Labor Day weekend when he experienced at jet-ski accident. Kingston suffered a broken jaw, broken wrist, and water in the lungs following a collision between his jet ski and a bridge. He is now walking and his condition was upgraded to serious.
JAMAICAN ACTIVE IN HIV/AIDS EFFORTS HONORED—06/07/11
Human Rights Watch and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network plan to honor Jamaican activist Dr. Robert Carr, who died at the age of 48 in Canada in May 2011. Carr will be honored for outstanding contributions in the protection of human rights of individuals who live with HIV/AIDS. Also honored will be the organization founded by Carr, the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition.
DIASPORA TO PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT—06/09/11
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding believes that the Diaspora has a critical role in moving the country forward. Golding stated that the contribution of the Diaspora to Jamaica involves more than the $2 billion in remittances that is sent back to the island each year. Jamaicans living overseas are investing in the homeland as well.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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ACTING PRESIDENT OF CONCACAF SUSPENDED—06/04/11
EVACUATIONS ON TAP FOR HAITI AS LAKE OVERFLOWS ITS BANKS—06/05/11
CARIBBEAN FASHIONWEEK OPENS—06/06/11
GOVERNMENTS IN CARIBBEAN TOUT GARDENING TO STEM FOOD COSTS—06/08/11
HOSPITAL IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC STRIKES IN SPITE OF CHOLERA CASES—06/09/11
NATURAL PROTECTION FROM EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE FOUND—06/10/11
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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HIRING POLICY DEFENDED BY SANDALS RESORTS—06/05/11
Sandals Resorts International is defending its hiring policies after being criticized for retaining high-salary managerial positions at local properties for foreigners. The company says that its board comprises individuals of Caribbean and Jamaican nationality and that local people can be found at all levels of the organizational hierarchy. The accusation was made by email from an unknown sender, and Sandals believes the contents of the email are libelous, false, and defamatory.
MURDER RATE DECREASE NEGATIVELY IMPACTS LOCAL UNDERTAKERS—06/06/11
While the current police commissioner has been effective in reducing Jamaica’s murder rate, local undertakers have noticed a significant drop in business. Since late 2010, police have been announcing a consistent reduction in the number of murders, funeral homes have taken an economic beating, says Tommy Thompson of Brite-Lite Funeral Services. Early in the 2000s, Jamaica had an average murder rate of 1,000 deaths per year, and his business was thriving. Since late 2010, business has dropped by 40 percent over six months.
JAMAICA COULD HAVE SHARE OF FASHION INDUSTRY MONEY—06/07/11
According to several fashion designers, Jamaica would benefit from the creation of a central design facility that would train future stylists. This would allow Jamaica to get a percentage of the multi-billion-dollar worldwide fashion industry. Carlton Brown, one of Jamaica’s top designers, has noted the lack of unity in the local design sector and would like to see his colleagues collaborate more to grow their business. Jamaican had a strong fashion industry in the 1980s when there was capacity for the manufacture of international brands.
GARDENS TO HELP WITH FOOD EXPENSES IN CARIBBEAN—06/08/11
The Jamaican government is supporting a Caribbean initiative to encourage more independent food growing through backyard gardens. Citizens of Jamaica can grow much of their own food and supplement it with other locally grown produce to reduce their dependence on costly imported food products. The government believes that home-grown vegetables would go a long way in avoiding future food crises on the island.
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY
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VERIZON IPHONE OWNERS CANNOT USE APPLE’S NEW ICLOUD—06/07/11
Apple has introduced the beta version of its new iCloud storage service, but it requires the latest version of iOS. This means that users of the Verizon iPhone will not be able to utilize the new service. While other iPhone users will be able to access all of their iTunes content, which will be stored online, from any device without needing to sync with their computers, Verizon iPhone users will be locked out because they will still have iOS 4.2.6. The new service requires iOS 4.3.3. Verizon’s iPad will be able to upgrade to this new iOS, however.
REPORT SAYS ONE-QUARTER OF HACKERS IN U.S. INFORM FOR FBI—06/08/11
According to the Guardian newspaper, 25 percent of all computer hackers in the United States are working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The British publication says that the reformed hackers are easy for the agency to recruit, since they would rather provide information to authorities than experience long terms in prison. Targeting hackers and turning them to lawful purposes has become an important objective for law enforcement.
IP ADDRESSES NEARLY GONE, INTERNET COULD STOP—06/09/11
Every computer, smartphone, server, and modem that is linked to the Internet has its own unique Internet Protocol address, or IP address. This address allows users to find the particular computer. The format for the IP was standardized in 1977 as a 32-digit binary number. There were 4.2 billion addresses available with this format, which seemed adequate at the time. However, these IP addresses have nearly all been taken. On June 8, 2011, several large companies will experiment with 128-digit numbers for the first time in an attempt to expand the IP address universe. Old cable or DSL modems may not be able to handle the new long numbers and so will not be able to access machines that use them.
SPACECRAFT FINDS SIGNS OF MAGNETIC BUBBLES—06/10/11
The aging Voyager spacecraft launched by NASA in 1977 has been moving away from Earth for over 30 years. It may now be finding indications of what researchers believe are large magnetic bubbles that exist at the border of the Sun’s influence and the space beyond. The bubbles are similar in shape to sausages and are over 100 million miles across. Scientists believe they impact the way high-energy cosmic rays move into the solar system and could tell researchers how stars interact with their environments.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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ONYX TECH DISTRIBUTION PROVIDES REGION WITH SOFTWARE, HARDWARE—06/06/11
MOBILE TELEVISION BEGINS IN CARIBBEAN—06/07/11
LIQUID LENSES FOR CAMERA PHONES ON THE WAY—06/08/11
CELL PHONES CAN CAUSE AIRCRAFT TO CRASH—06/09/11
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SPORTS
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GIDDEN CRITICAL TO JAMAICA’S OLYMPIC BASKETBALL GOAL—06/04/11
Vanessa Gidden, the six-foot-four-inch center on Jamaica’s women’s basketball team, carries the hopes of the nation for the London Olympic Games in 2012. Gidden, 25, left Jamaica at age 10 to come to the United States, and played basketball for Stamford High School in Connecticut, where her talent was recognized by her coach Curtis Tinnin. She says she has never forgotten where she comes from and will play for Jamaica in the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Women, the final step toward a place in the Olympics for Gidden.
ASHMEADE RUNS PERSONAL BEST IN DIAMOND LEAGUE 100—06/05/11
Although American Tyson Gay won the men’s 100-meters in Clermont, running the fastest time in the world thus far in 2011, Jamaica’s Nickel Ashmeade ran a personal best time of 9.96 seconds. Gay ran the distance in 9.79. Ashmeade is following in the footsteps of fellow Jamaican champion Usain Bolt, who set a world record in 2009 with a time of 9.58 seconds.
MULLINGS SENDS MESSAGE TO COMPETITORS—06/06/11
Jamaican Steve Mullings won the 100-meter race at the Diamond League meet in Oregon with a time of 9.80 seconds. Just hours after America’s Tyson Gay ran the distance in 9.79 seconds in Florida, Mullings was victorious in Eugene, Oregon, with a time suggesting he could be a major force at the World Championships in the 2011 season.
BOLT WINS FIRST 200-METER VICTORY OF 2011 SEASON—06/09/11
Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s Olympic sprint champion, set the best time in the world for the 200 meters by running the race to win with 19.86 seconds. With his victory, which was achieved in heavy rains, Bolt shows doubters that he is returning to his top performance level. This was Bolt’s first 200-meter race in 13 months.
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DEVOTIONAL
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“Why Call Ye Me, Lord, Lord?”
Jesus had a habit of getting straight to the point and it could be unnerving. With laser-like precision His words often struck deep, leaving His hearers at a loss for words. It wasn’t just His eloquence. It was the way He unmasked the hypocrisy of His audience while making it clear that there was nothing in their actions, thoughts, or motives that was hidden from His view.
In chapter 6 of Luke’s narrative we see the equivalent of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). As He meanders His way through various teachings, in verses 45 and 46 we read Him saying: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” It would have been so easy for them to have missed it. The fruit of our lives that springs forth from the condition of our hearts bears testimony to our allegiance. If we are aligned with God, our fruit will bear that out. However, the opposite is also true. “where the love of the world and the flesh reign there is an evil treasure in the heart, out of which an evil man is continually bringing forth that which is evil; and by what is brought forth you may know what is in the heart, as you may know what is in the vessel, water or wine, by what is drawn out from it” (Matthew Henry).
Having pointed out the obvious disconnect that it was the condition of the heart that was important, Jesus asked the probing question: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” While the people talked a good talk, their walk with Christ was not aligned with what they professed. It is not enough to hear the sayings of Christ; we must do them. It is not enough to profess relation to Him, as His servants; we must make it our business to obey Him. For Jesus to be “Lord” is to have Him be the controller of our lives. It means we are wholly at His command, we are devoted to His service, and we are serving the interests of His kingdom. We cannot call Him “Lord” yet walk in our own ways and doing as we please. If we are going to call Him “Lord,” we must do the things He says we ought to do.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Remember, He judges the heart not by words but by works. What do you call Him? What do your actions say?
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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.