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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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SUMFEST BEGINS—07/17/10
Sumfest, Jamaica’s reggae festival, has begun. Robert Russell, chairman of Summerfest Productions, says that the Jamaica Tourist Board expects an estimated 6,000 visitors to participate in the event in 2010. Sumfest takes place in Montego Bay and features numerous reggae artists, plus musicians Chris Brown and Usher.
JAMAICAN BRAND CONSIDERED FOR CARIBBEAN AIRLINES—07/18/10
Audley Shaw, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance, reports that the use of trademarks of Air Jamaica is part of the deal made with Caribbean Airlines, which is based in Trinidad. Shaw’s remarks run counter to those of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who said that the name of the national carrier would not be included in the deal. Shaw said that the agreement with Caribbean gives the carrier exclusive rights to use the name of Air Jamaica and other trademarks for a one-year period.
MUSIC HALL OF FAME HONORS MORE JAMAICANS—07/19/10
The Jamaica Music Hall of Fame (JAVAA) honored several more Jamaican musicians in its recent induction ceremony. Only a few living honorees were named, including Burning Spear and Toots and the Maytals. Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records was also inducted into the Hall of Fame at the ceremony.
DEVELOPMENT THREATENED BY CRIME—07/19/10
Dr. Kenneth Baugh, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, believes that crime and gangs tied to transnational criminal networks represent serious threats to the development and progress made in developing nations. According to Baugh, crime is the top deterrent to direct foreign investment and growth in tourism.
CLARKE PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR JAMAICA’S GOVERNMENT—07/20/10
Yvette Clarke, United States Congresswoman, promises to work with the Jamaican Embassy to encourage the support of Jamaica’s inner city Transformation Plan in the United States. The plan is designed to break up criminal gangs and ensure the nation’s prosperity. Clarke made her pledge during a visit in which she received the Jamaican Ambassador to the U.S., Audrey Marks at her office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
TROPIC ISLE INTRODUCES NEW JAMAICAN HERB PRODUCTS—07/21/10
Jamaica’s tradition of producing high-quality herbs, spices and oils has been enhanced by the availability of Jamaican black castor oil. This oil is often used in many of the island’s products, but Tropic Isle has decided to focus on the castor oil and promote its curative and rejuvenating properties.
BOOK EXPLORES CULTURAL DIFFERENCES—07/22/10
Owen James has written the book “Jamaican by Birth, American by Choice” to discuss his life experiences, which began in rural Jamaica. He is now the chairman and CEO of a large multinational firm. The book focuses on the effect deliberate personal choices have on personal and cultural relationships in the Caribbean, North America, and Africa. James discusses how increasing cultural diversity presents a serious problem for America, although legally sanctioned racial bias has been eliminated there.
JAMAICAN MP ORDERED TO PAY J$1.6 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX—07/23/10
Dr. Patrick Harris, Member of Parliament for the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), has been ordered to pay US$18,824 in unpaid property taxes owed or spend 30 days in jail. Harris represents North Trelawny. Legal counsel for the tax department stated that Harris had been given ample time to pay his debt, but did not do so, which resulted in the court’s action. Harris said the failure to pay was due to a “foul-up.”
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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HOLNESS ACCUSED OF SERVING “JAMAICAN AGENDA”—07/20/10
Dale V.C. Holness, commissioner for Lauderhill and a Jamaican real estate broker, has been accused of promoting a “Jamaican agenda.” Holness is one of five black candidates for the position of commissioner in District 9 in Broward County, Florida. Joe Major, activist for the incumbent Albert Jones, is discouraging African Americans from voting for Holness because he allegedly shows favoritism toward Jamaican issues.
“I AM JAMAICA” CAMPAIGN AND SONG FOSTERS POSITIVE ACTION—07/21/10
The “I Am Jamaica” campaign is being launched simultaneously in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Jamaica, as well as in other places around the world. The campaign is sponsored by the Jamaica Diaspora and calls on all Jamaicans wherever they live to encourage a sense of personal responsibility and to inspire each other in recognition of their talents. Jamaicans are encouraged to elevate their communications and collaborations to address issues of national interest.
CANADA HONORS FIVE JAMAICANS—07/22/10
Five Jamaicans received recognition for their contributions to social programs on the island by the Canadian High Commissioner at a ceremony held in Kingston. The recipients of the Canadian honor are Francis Knight of the Jamaican Boys’ Home, Sheila Graham of the Area Youth Foundation, Dr. Deborah Duperly-Pinks of the Canadian Fund for Local Initiative, Fabian Brown, of the St. Patrick’s Foundation, and Moira Morgan of Hush the Guns, a charity organization in the United Kingdom.
14 JAMAICAN ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE IN CANADA—07/23/10
Fourteen Jamaicans will participate in the 13th annual IAAF World Junior Championships at the University du Moncton in Canada. The athletes will be looking to win more medals than the six they won two years ago in Poland. Dexter Lee will again lead the group. Lee won the only gold medal for Jamaica at the games in Poland.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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CARIBBEAN GAMES DELAYED BY TORNADO—07/17/10
DRUG LORD CAPTURED IN PUERTO RICO—07/18/10
DENGUE EPIDEMIC HITS CARIBBEAN—07/19/10
VENEZUELA AND THE NETHERLANDS TO REVIEW FLIGHTS—07/20/10
MAN ATTEMPTS TO GET ON PLANE WITH LOADED GUN—07/21/10
TOP AMERICAN OFFICIAL VISITS CARIBBEAN—07/22/10
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SPORTS
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BOLT TO BE YOUTH OLYMPIC AMBASSADOR—07/17/10
Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt will be an ambassador at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. The games are scheduled to run from August 14 to 26, 2010. Bolt joins a long list of Olympic champions, including Michael Phelps and Yelena Isinbayeva in becoming an ambassador. Bolt wants to encourage young people worldwide to become more active in sports.
BOLT BEATS POWELL—07/18/10
Usain Bolt, Olympic triple champion, had little difficulty defeating fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell in the 100 meters at the Diamond League meet in Paris, France. Bolt holds the world record of 9.58 seconds for the 100 meters and won with an easy 9.84 seconds. Powell had a time of 9.91 seconds for second place, while another Jamaican, Yohan Blake, finished third.
BOLT GOES BACK TO PRACTICE AFTER VICTORY—07/19/10
Jamaican sprint champion Usain Bolt plans to go home to Jamaica for two weeks after winning his matches at the Diamond League games in Paris, France. Bolt will undergo two weeks of intensive training to make a complete recovery from an Achilles tendon injury. Bolt said his performance in Paris was “a little bit weak” and recognizes the need to spend time in the gym to strengthen his back and abdominal muscles.
GONZALES SETS JAMAICAN RECORD IN 400 METERS—07/22/10
Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica set a new world of 44.40 seconds to be victorious in the men’s 400 meter dash at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Monaco. Gonzales had a fast start and looked relaxed during run, managing to pull away from his competition to break the record of 44.49 set by Roxbert Marin in 1997.
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DEVOTIONAL
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His Ability or Yours?
Philip had probably wondered if Jesus had lost His mind. There they were out in the middle of nowhere it seemed, a large crowd captivated by the miracles He was performing harboring around, and the Passover approaching. Writing some years later the Apostle John tells us, “When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Philip, surveying the crowd, articulated the dilemma, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:5,7; NIV). In other words, “Jesus, we’ve got a problem!”
Isn’t it amazing how standing right next to Jesus, who by this time had performed many miracles, Philip immediately focused on the problem? Interestingly, Jesus knowing the situation first hand had purposefully asked the question. In verse 6 we read, “He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.” Undoubtedly, He wanted Philip to recognize and acknowledge His ability to supernaturally feed the multitude. However, the disciple got caught up in problem of the moment and lost sight of the master who transcended all situations. Philip had not yet come to a full realization of who Jesus really was.
Before Philip knew there was a problem, Jesus already had the solution; He already had in mind what He was going to do. What tremendous comfort to the child of God. We are reminded of the promise of our unchangeable God, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). Like Philip we often times instinctively focus on the problem at hand, but let us remember that our problems are God’s opportunities. Just because we are overwhelmed by them doesn’t mean that He is. The disciple thought he needed to find a solution, not understanding that the Solution he needed was standing next to him. His ability was no match for the problem, but Christ’s ability far surpassed any problem they could encounter.
As we think about what is happening in our space, in our ability it is “Jesus, we’ve got a problem!” However, once we recognize who He is and the awesomeness of His ability, we can face our challenges and say “Jesus, this is something right up your street!” While you ponder, He already has in mind what He’s going to do. Do 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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