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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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MAJOR INCREASE IN PROSTATE CANCER AMONG JAMAICAN MEN—08/07/10
Between 1983 and 2007, there was an increase of prostate cancer among Jamaican men of 270 percent. A study by Dr. Henry Lowe found that the incidence of the disease among men in their 40s and 50s also increased. Lowe said that Jamaican men often believe it is better not to know about having the disease, but he emphasized that early detection and treatment of the disease are effective in saving lives.
GOLDING MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA—08/08/10
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding met with Colombia’s outgoing president Alvaro Uribe while on an official visit to that country. Golding also met with a group of Jamaican citizens living in Colombia. Golding and Uribe discussed the relationship between their two nations, and Golding thanked Uribe for supporting crime and violence control efforts in Jamaica.
AGRICULTURE MINISTRY SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH CANADA UNIVERSITY—08/09/10
Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Guelph in Canada. The agreement is designed to encourage collaborations and information and student exchanges between the two agencies, as well as technical aid. In addition to Dr. Tufton, the agreement was signed by Professor Kevin Hall, Vice President of Research at Guelph University.
POLICE WARN PUBLIC ABOUT BRIBERY—08/10/10
The Jamaican police’s High Command has warned the public to avoid any attempts to bribe police officers. Those found doing so will be prosecuted, said Assistant Commissioner Justin Felice, head of the police anti-corruption branch. Twenty-one police officers have been charged with breaching the Corruption Prevention Act, and ten civilians have been arrested for bribery since January 2010. Another 24 citizens have been arrested on corruption charges.
POLICE OFFICER FACES CHARGES FOR KILLING SUSPECT—08/11/10
A police officer in Jamaica who was allegedly videotaped beating and killing a suspect has been charged with murder. Sergeant Lloyd Kelly was caught on tape shooting a man suspected of stabbing and killing a woman in July 2010. While Jamaican police initially stated the shooting was self-defense, it was later found that the man he shot was unarmed and had been subdued before the shooting.
INCREASING VIOLENCE IN JAMAICA REPRESENTS THREAT TO RETIREES—08/12/10
Jamaica has the highest rate of homicide in the Western Hemisphere, and retirees who have spent their lives working overseas are often targeted once they return to the home island. Returned residents too often discover that Jamaica has become a violent country, far removed from what they remember from their childhood.
JAMAICA EXPECTED TO PASS IMF TEST—08/12/10
According to preliminary economic information, Jamaica will pass the next test imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The test will follow the IMF’s review at the end of August 2010.Dr. Gene Leon, IMF representative to Jamaica, said the overall fiscal deficit is less than projected in the budget, net international reserves are in good shape, interest rates are falling, and inflation is moderating.
KINGSTON WHARVES RESUME OPERATIONS AFTER EXPLOSION—08/13/10
Operations at Kingston Wharves, Newport West, are back to normal following an explosion of a chlorine cylinder. Several workers received hospital care after inhaling the chlorine. Hundreds of customers at the port were evacuated because of the health risks. According to Kimberley Weller, information officer with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, said the area is now safe, however.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN AT CENTER OF ELECTION SCANDAL IN ILLINOIS—08/10/10
Gary Foster, Jamaican-born advocate and politician, finds himself in the middle of the election for Congressional representative in Illinois. The Republican candidate in Illinois’s 14th Congressional district, Randy Hultgren, accused his opponent Democrat Bill Foster of taking money from Maxine Waters, California Congressional representative currently under investigation for ethics violations. However, the donations were made to Gary Foster and not Bill Foster. Gary Foster received US$1000 from Waters. Hultgren campaign officials blamed the Federal Election Commission for the mistake.
JAMAICAN INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATED AT D.C. EMBASSY—08/11/10
The Jamaican Embassy in Washington, D.C. was the center of celebrations for Jamaica’s 49th Independence Anniversary. There was an Open House at the Embassy so Jamaicans and their friends could see how the agency operates. The event featured a poetry session, information about previous ambassadors and Jamaican participants in the Organization of American States, and an exhibit of Jamaican products and art.
TUFTON ON MISSION TO ENCOURAGE GOAT FARMING—08/12/10
Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaican Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, visited a number of Canadian farms to study the potential of using a Canadian model to establish more goat farms in Jamaica. The effort is designed to reduce Jamaica’s dependence on imported goat meat. Tufton toured several farms in Ontario and Quebec.
OPENLY GAY MAN GRANTED REFUGEE STATUS IN CANADA—08/13/10
Marlon Cunningham, 45, a gay Jamaican man who married his partner, received refugee status from the Federal Court of Canada because of concerns that his life could be in danger if he is deported to his homeland of Jamaica. Cunningham’s request for refugee status was thrown out of court in 2009, but Justice Frederick Gibson now said that insufficient consideration was given to reports of violence against homosexuals in the Caribbean. Gibson noted that Cunningham faced risks if returned to Jamaica.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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CARIBBEAB ARU HOSTS LARGE PROMOTION IN BARBADOS—08/08/10
ELECTRICITY THIEVES IN GUYANA RISK BAN—08/09/10
30,000 TRUCK DRIVERS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PROTEST TAX PROPOSAL—08/10/10
57 HAITIANS SENT HOME FROM BAHAMAS—08/11/10
TOURISM IN CARIBBEAN UP IN SOME LOCATIONS—08/12/10
WENDY’S AND ARBY’S MAKE DEAL FOR EASTERN CARIBBEAN—08/13/10
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SPORTS
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JAMAICAN BOXERS BETTER THAN CUBANS—08/07/10
Orlando Cuellar, Cuban-born trainer, says that Jamaican boxers are better than their counterparts from Cuba. Cuellar currently trains the Jamaicans Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson and Nicholas “Axeman” Walters.
RICARDO FULLER CLEARED TO PLAY—08/09/10
Striker Ricardo Fuller has been cleared to play against the Wolves in spite of receiving a red card for violent conduct in a preseason match against Wrexham. Fuller, a Jamaican, will not be banned from the season’s opener of the Premier League.
JAMAICAN DEFEATS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO—08/12/10
Jamaican achieved a 3 to 1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago with the help of goals from Dane Richards, Rodulph Austin, and Gavin Bryan at the international football friendly at Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Trinidad. The match featured a fierce context between these two top Caribbean teams.
BOLT CHEERFUL DESPITE SEASON-ENDING INJURY—08/13/10
Usain Bolt, champion Jamaican sprinter, says he is in good spirits in spite of having to end his 2010 season nearly a month early because of a lower back problem. Bolt, 23, was advised to end his track activities for the remainder of the season after consulting with Dr. Hans Myller-Wohifahrt in Germany, just days after suffering a defeat at the hands of rival Tyson Gay of the United States in the 100 meters at the Diamond League meet in Stockholm, Sweden.
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DEVOTIONAL
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A Matter of Choice
There is undoubtedly a lot of evil in the world. News reports from places all over the world tell stories of violence and mayhem of all kind. In the information age we are living in, the up-to-the-minute onslaught of news can desensitize us to the loss of lives and destruction. If we are not careful we give in to feelings of helplessness and discouragement. For some of us, it is too much. We no longer listen to the news; we don’t want to know.
A lot of what we are witnessing is the result of human choices. Guns, landmines, bombs, knives, and other similar things, are deadly when humans decide to use them for such purposes. Indeed, it seems we are discovering new and more deadly ways to destroy each other. Regardless of the cause we indentify with or the belief systems we embrace, individuals – when confronted with a particular situation – bear the responsibility of choosing how we will act. For sure there are any number of factors that will influence those choices, but we are ultimately responsible for the choices we make.
I thought of choices and personal responsibility as I read God’s charge to the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 11:26-28; “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” In verse 19 of Chapter 28 we read, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” In both instances the choices are clear and we as individuals get to choose.
It is worth noting that regardless of where we are in life, we are given the same options. Our actions reflect the choices we make and so do the subsequent results. While we are not able to “solve” the evil in the world, the choices we make send life or death in our spheres of influence. Every God honoring choice breathes life and blessings; every God dishonoring choice breathes death and curses.
God didn’t leave His people guessing as to what they should do. He told them, “Choose life, that thou and they seed may live.” As you look at your actions, what choices do they reflect? Have you considered the consequences of those actions?
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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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