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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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MUSICIANS SUPPORT ALLEGED DRUG TRAFFICKER—06/19/10
While Christopher “Dudus” Coke is considered a criminal by Jamaican and United States authorities, he also has deep roots in the island’s music scene. Musicians like veteran reggae artist Bunny Wailer have portrayed Coke as a kind of “Robin Hood’ figure. Wailer says Coke is a “man of peace” who assured residents of Tivoli Gardens that they would be protected. Coke has funded the education of residents’ children, paid for medications for senior citizens, and reduced local crime levels, says Wailer.
JAMAICAN BUSINESSMAN UNDER SCRUTINY BY U.S.—06/20/10
A wealthy Jamaican businessman is being investigated by American law enforcement officials from three separate agencies. He is described as having hidden some US$83 million in financial institutions in the United States and making money “quicker than Warren Buffett.” The businessman is also thought to have significant amounts of money in two Jamaican banks, although most of his riches are said to be hidden in Florida.
54 PERCENT OF JAMAICANS WANT GOLDING GONE—06/21/10
Prime Minister Bruce Golding is trying to show his constituents that he is willing to fight against the island’s criminals, but a public opinion poll indicates that most citizens do not support him as head of the government. Golding has critics among academic, private sector, and religious populations, as well as among the political opposition party. Fifty-four percent of those polled want someone else leading the country, while only 31 percent favor Golding as Prime Minister.
POLICE CONFIRM ARREST OF “DUDUS” COKE—06/22/10
The Jamaican police have confirmed that they arrested alleged drug and arms trafficker Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who is wanted on charges in the United States. Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said the police were holding an arrest warrant for Coke in regard to extradition proceedings and that he had been taken in by authorities.
COKE MAY HAVE ELUDED POLICE VIA DISGUISE—06/23/10
Jamaican authorities looked for alleged drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke for more than a month, despite a violent siege of his Tivoli Gardens neighborhood stronghold. Coke, who hoped to avoid extradition to the United States on drug and arms trafficking charges, is believed to have hidden in plain sight, however, moving across the island to stay away from law enforcement authorities. He allegedly wore a full Afro wig and baseball hat, while his face was closely shaved. Upon his capture, police also found a pink wig and women’s glasses.
OAS CONFIDENT OF ISLAND EFFORTS TO FIGHT CRIME—06/23/10
Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), stated he was confident that the Jamaican government is making sincere efforts to maintain the nation’s security. Ramdin made his remarks at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Biennial Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibition at Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay.
AMERICAN, JAMAICAN GOVERNMENTS JOIN TO BATTLE HIV/AIDS—06/24/10
Rudyard Spencer, Jamaica’s Minister of Health, is happy to note the continuing partnership between the United States and Jamaica in the fight against HIV/AIDS via the American President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The plan supports the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS. Spencer signed the agreement along with U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Isiah Parnell.
POLICE SEIZE ASSETS OF JAMAICAN DRUG LORDS—06/25/10
Jamaican police are making an effort to seize assets of at least 20 criminal leaders who have been arrested in the last month, according to Owen Ellington, Police Commissioner. The police will trace and locate these assets and then take them away from the alleged drug lords. Ellington has called on leaders in the private sector to lend their support to the police by freezing out the criminals who use legitimate businesses to launder their illegal monies.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN NAMED SALES MANAGER OF VIRGIN ATLANTIC—06/20/10
Jamaican Teresa Lake will take over as sales manager for Jamaica and the Northern Caribbean region for Virgin Atlantic Airways, the second-largest airline in the United Kingdom. Nick Parker, the airline’s regional manager said the Teresa is the right person to head the sales and marketing efforts. Lake has completed studies in international management in the UK and says it will be her job to grow the business locally.
BEENIE MAN STOPPED FROM PERFORMING AT DUTCH FESTIVAL—06/22/10
Beenie Man, who is known for his homophobic lyrics, will not be allowed to perform at the free open-air music festival Parkpop in the Netherlands. Beenie Man had been selected to replace the rap musician Snoop Dogg at the festival, who was banned in order to maintain the event’s “open and friendly atmosphere.” However, Dutch event organizers decided against Beenie Man as well because of his songs, which advocate the killing of gays and lesbians.
BRADY ELECTED TO HEAD CONFERENCE—06/23/10
Rear Admiral Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), was elected to lead the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Diplomatic Conference in Manila, Philippines. Brady is the first Jamaican to be elected as chair of such a gathering. The conference is designed to implement global standards for training and certifying seafarers to operate high-tech vessels.
BRITISH BUSINESSMAN WANT STRONGER TIES WITH DIASPORA—06/24/10
Sylbourne Sydial, a British businessman, is seeking stronger links between the Jamaican Diaspora in the United Kingdom and local businesses. He has taken action to make two of his companies members of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ). Sydial says expects his connections with the organization to enhance ties between Jamaica’s business community and that of the UK.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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CUBAN FACES SLOW COMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT—06/19/10
CARIBBEAN TRADE BLOC GRANTS DUTY-FREE STATUS TO HAITI—06/20/10
CARIBBEAN REGION CRITICIZED FOR ITS SUPPORT OF WHALING—06/21/10
CORAL CONSERVATION PLANS MAY BE INADEQUATE—06/22/10
COLOMBIAN OIL FIRM AVOIDS DEBT ISSUE—06/23/10
COMPANIES ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO AID HAITI—06/24/10
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SPORTS
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LEE TO STAR AT MONCTON MEET—06/21/10
Dexter Lee, Jamaican track and field athlete, may be the next star in the sport, and fans at Moncton will be able to see him perform. He is expected to stand out from the crowd during his performance at the IAAF World Junior Championships. Lee is the current World Junior 100-meter champion. Lee, 19, has been gaining attention at international competitions with record-setting times.
BOLT TO MISS COMMONWEALTH GAMES—06/22/10
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt will miss the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India, his coach Glen Mills confirmed. Asafa Powell, Bolt’s teammate, will seek to regain his previous 100-meter championship title at the games, however. Powell will also challenge the American record holder Tyson Gay at the Aviva British Grand Prix in July.
POWELL WILL MISS COMPETING WITH BOLT—06/23/10
Asafa Powell, the former record holder in the 100 meters, says he was looking forward to facing off with Usain Bolt, his fellow Jamaican 100-meter champion at the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association National Championships. While Powell thinks that the fans would like to see the two compete against each other, Bolt has decided to skip the meet. Powell believes the competition will still be good.
JAMAICAN PLAYS AT WIMBLEDON—06/24/10
Jamaican Dustin Brown will play at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon in the United Kingdom. He will be the first Jamaican man to play at the competition since 1970. Brown has said that he feels somewhat neglected by his home country, however, and says he deserves some of the fame enjoyed by sprinter Usain Bolt. Brown, 25, says that Bolt probably doesn’t know he exists. Brown summed up his relationship with Jamaican tennis officials by saying “No funds, no coaching, no help.”
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DEVOTIONAL
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According to the Power
People love to talk about what God can do and quite rightly so. Serving a God to whom all things are possible is wonderfully exciting as it reaffirms biblical truths that we can take all things to Him, and trust Him to work them out on our behalf and for His glory.
However, one thing that is consistent throughout the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, is the fact that God’s promises to His people are usually conditional. Nowhere is this more clearly enunciated than in John 15:7 where we read Jesus’ words to His disciples, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (KJV). Interestingly in verse 14 we also read, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Our relationship with our heavenly Father is not a passive one, but one that demands our active engagement. Don’t we have the same expectations of our own children? What kind of relationship would it be if they did nothing and the parents did everything to make them comfortable and to meet every need?
I thought of this active engagement as I read Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Most of us are intimately acquainted with the first clause but what about the second? I like the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases it in The Message: “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
After meditating on this for a while, it occurred to me that just maybe we are the hindrance to our blessings. There is no doubt that God is more than ready, willing, and able to do His part but are we doing our part? Are we allowing His Spirit to work deeply and gently within us? See, both go hand in hand; we cannot have one without the other.
Today is as good a time as any to stop and consider the following: What power is at work in your life? Who is in control? Who are you listening to? Yes, our God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think BUT only according to the power that worketh in us. We get to decide.
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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.
