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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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JAMAICAN CHOSEN AS CLIMATE CHANGE CHAMPION—09/04/10
Jamaican Shashion Thomas was chosen as one of ten Climate Change Champions in the Caribbean region by the British Council. Thomas is an advisor in the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and is one of four Jamaican recognized for their contributions to youth and advocacy for climate change.
PARTIES AGREE THAT MANATT CAUSED DAMAGE TO GOVERNMENT—09/05/10
Officials in both the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) and the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) agree that the damage caused by the current government’s involvement with the American law firm of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips has diverted attention from its good works. Julian Robinson of the PNP stated that the JLP had made progress in some areas, but its gains were diminished by the Manatt affair.
INFLUENCE OF JAMAICA’S RADICAL SHEIK CONTINUES —09/06/10
Sheik Abdullah El-Faisal is currently in Jamaica, and while no airlines will allow him to fly, his history suggests that he does not need to enter the United States to influence the actions of radicals bent on causing damage there. El-Faisal is under surveillance by authorities in the Caribbean, and he has been banned by Muslim leaders from preaching in mainstream mosques.
El-Faisal is known to have influenced shoe-bomber Richard Reid, suicide bombers in the United Kingdom, and one of the 9/11 hijackers.
UWI LECTURER ENDORSES STATEMENT MADE BY POLICE OFFICIAL—09/06/10
Sergeant Raymond Wilson, head of the Police Federation, has said that the government of Bruce Golding is supporting criminals to the detriment of law enforcement. A lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI) endorsed Wilson, agreeing that the government backs criminals at the expense of Jamaica’s citizens.
OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE VISITED JAMAICA BETWEEN JANUARY AND AUGUST—09/07/10
Jamaica saw about 1.3 visitors in 2010 between January and August, according to Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism. The one-millionth visitor was welcomed at the Montego Bay airport on August 28. Bartlett said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the tourist season in the autumn would be relatively good and that Jamaica would get 1.9 million tourists by the end of the year. This would be the highest number the island has ever seen in a single year. Earnings from tourism have been stated at $2 billion.
NURSES TO GET OUTSTANDING ALLOWANCES—09/08/10
An agreement between Jamaica’s Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and the Nurses’ Association of Jamaica will see the payment of outstanding allowances to nurses in October 2010. The parties have agreement that the Finance Ministry will arrangement for the payments to the public sector nurses. Discussions on reclassification will continue.
FIRST JAMAICANS CHARGED UNDER NEW CYBERCRIME LAW—09/09/10
Two Jamaicans have been arrested on suspicion of ATM fraud, the first to be charged under the nation’s new cybercriminal legislation. The Cyber Crimes Act was passed in December 2009 and provides criminal sanctions for the misuse of computers or data and the abuse of electronic transaction procedures. An investigation found the men had a device that could record credit card data and Personal Identification Numbers from a rigged ATM.
HOUSING TRUST WORRIED ABOUT MINISTRY ACTION—09/10/10
Senior managers and the board of Jamaica’s National Housing Trust (NHT) oppose a recommendation from the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU) suggesting the Trust should be placed under the authority of the Ministry of Water and Housing. The Trust worries that contributors would be negatively impacted by such a move.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN DOGSLEDDER VISITS WATER VALLEY—09/07/10
Jamaica’s first dogsledder, Oswald “Newton” Marshall, made a visit to Water Valley in Canada on his way to Alaska to train for next year’s Iditarod. He met with documentary filmmaker Eppo Erkes to work on the film “Cool Mushings,” the story of Marshall’s 2009 Iditarod experience. Marshall says dogsled racing has changed his life and that he enjoys being out in the wilderness, alone with his dogs.
“DUDUS” GETS NEW U.S. ATTORNEY—09/08/10
Christopher “Dudus” Coke, alleged drug trafficker accused by federal prosecutors in the United States of smuggling drugs and firearms into the country, is adding to his team of lawyers as he awaits trial in a Manhattan jail. The year-long extradition process involving Coke caused considerable problems for the attorneys at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, as well as for the current Jamaican government.
11 JAMAICAN STUDENTS TO STUDY IN CHINA—09/09/10
Eleven students from Jamaica will pursue higher education degrees in China in the new academic year. The students were the recipients of full scholarships under the Chinese government’s scholarship program. They will study at several universities in the disciplines of economics, electronics, financial engineering, biology, tourism management, and environmental management. The students will have to learn Chinese as well, since some of the courses are taught in that language.
JAMAICAN NURSES TAKE TOUR OF TAMPA HOSPITAL—09/10/10
Three instructors and 30 nurses from Jamaica made a visit to Tampa General Hospital’s Emergency Trauma Center to learn about treatments and advanced emergency care technology. Nurses at the hospital taught the Jamaican visitors how emergency care in the United States compares with that available in Jamaica. Medical personnel in Jamaica treat a high number of vehicle-related injuries arising from the increased construction occurring on roads throughout the area.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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STORE FIRE IN BARBADOS RESULTS IN SIX DEAD—09/05/10
UN STUDY PREDICTS SURGE IN CARIBBEAN TRADE—09/06/10
MONFILS REACHES QUARTER-FINALS IN U.S. OPEN—09/07/10
JET BLUE BEGINS FLIGHTS TO TURKS & CAICOS—09/08/10
PRIME MINISTER OF BARBADOS SEEKS MEDICAL CARE IN U.S.—09/09/10
CARIBBEAN DELEGATION TO LOBBY AGAINST TAX INCREASES—09/10/10
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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JAMAICAN BANK UNDER INVESTIGATION—09/04/10
A study of bank charges will be conducted by the Governor of the Bank of Jamaica. Audley Shaw, Jamaica’s Finance Minister, says the investigation will examine best practices and compare the fees paid by bank customers on the island to those across the Caribbean and around the world. The study was ordered after reports claiming the banks charged customers for making deposits. Shaw called this practice “quite ludicrous.”
COMPANIES OFFICE WILL RAISE FEES—09/05/10
According to Judith Ramlogan, Registrar of Companies, the higher fees imposed by the Companies Office will range between 25 percent and 250 percent of current amounts. She says they are necessary to bring the charges in line with the costs of providing services. The changes will go into effect on October 19, 2010. The most significant increases will result from the provision of financial statements of overseas firms, which will see an increase of 250 percent. Fees for public document searches will rise 150 percent.
HEAD OF JCC SAYS SMALL BUSINESSES NEED HELP—09/06/10
Milton Samuda, president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, wants facilities with many resources to enhance capacity building so that small businesses will be “bank ready.” Samuda does not want financial institutions to lend money irresponsibly. He said those firms that have resources must help small businesses in formalizing their activities, keeping records, maintaining governance structures, and improving skills in marketing and the application of technology.
INDUSTRY MINISTER SAYS SMALL BUSINESS SECTOR VIABLE—09/10/10
Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry, believes the micro- and small-business sector in Jamaica is a viable sector, despite what others may think. He says that some enterprises in the small business sector have failed, but this is because they did not take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. He noted the seminar at which he spoke, which was sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Industry, stating that it represented a new beginning for small businesses.
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY
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NO-FRILLS PERSONAL COMPUTERS AVAILABLE IN JAMAICA—09/04/10
Advanced Micro Devices has partnered with Cable & Wireless to provide computers called the Max Personal Internet Communicator (PIC). This no-frills computer comes with Cable & Wireless’ high speed Internet service. The computer weighs three pounds and uses 1.1 watts of power. There is a 10GB hard disk drive, four USB ports, an internal 56K v 92 modem, a mouse, and a keyboard. The monitor is sold separately.
BEST BUY TO SELL KINDLE—09/06/10
In the autumn of 2010, Best Buy stores will begin selling the Kindle e-book reader. The consumer electronics stores already sell the Nook from Barnes & Noble and Sony’s Reader. Shoppers will be able to compare the three electronic readers on a side-by-side basis. Best Buy’s goal is to give people help in selecting the right e-reader. The chain will be the only retailer to carry all three of the top e-readers.
ANDROID ON TRACK TO CONTROL HALF OF SMARTPHONE MARKET—09/07/10
According to a report from Piper Jaffray, the availability of several Android devices will mean that the Google mobile operating system will ultimately control 50 percent of the smartphone market due to its product cycle and many partners. The operating system designed by Apple is expected to level out at 20 percent to 30 percent of the market in the long term. These two products will eventually mean the demise of Nokia and Research in Motion.
JAMAICA GLEANER LAUNCHES “SPORTS WEB TV SHOW”—09/08/10
A weekly web TV show provided by the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper is called Sports Unwrapped. The show has been characterized as a good idea that is currently executed in a less than optimal way. It is similar to a prime-time sportscast and is expected to build an even larger audience and community around the Gleaner, which is one of the two most visited Jamaican sites on the web.
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SPORTS
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BROWN HOPES TO SUCCEED BACK HOME—09/04/10
Dustin Brown, Jamaican tennis star, is having considerable success on the tennis courts and hopes that his performance at the U.S. Open in 2010 will allow him to continue his success on his home island. Brown says he has been getting some attention from Jamaicans now that he won his first round of play. Brown has a Jamaican father and a German mother.
BOLT CONSIDERS CAREER IN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER—09/05/10
Usain Bolt, Jamaican sprint champion and Olympic gold medalist, says he will try to play professional soccer after his track-and-field days are over. Bolt believes he has four years left in track and field. After that, he wants to play soccer for two years.
WILKINS RECEIVES TWO-YEAR BAN, FRASER GET MINIMAL PUNISHMENT—09/09/10
Bobby-Gaye Wilkins, quarter-mile runner, received a two-year ban by local authorities after testing positive for performance enhancing substances, according to the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA). The ban was imposed almost six months after the positive test. The hearing for Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, who was also charged with the use of a prohibited substance, was reconvened, and it appears that Fraser will receive minimal punishment after the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) doping review board agreed with the JAAA the special circumstances called for a reduction of the two-year sanction that could have been imposed.
UWI AND UTECH TO LAUNCH SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP—09/10/10
The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology (UTech) have partnered for the inaugural Sports Championship on September 18, 2010 at UWI. The meet is designed to maintain the level of success achieved at the high school level in track, football, and cricket. The universities believe that there is a need for a developed college system. .
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DEVOTIONAL
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He Qualifies the Called
If you didn’t know anything about Moses and he walked into your church to interview for the position of Senior Pastor, would you and the rest of the Pastoral Search Committee hire him? Looking at his résumé would provoke more questions than answers. His background was a bit sketchy – he fled Egypt after killing a man and then spent the next forty years on the run tending goats and sheep for a man who would become his father-in-law. Those last forty years of his life stand out because he did nothing of significance. Did I mention he was now eighty years old, had no relevant leadership experience, and had a speech impediment? Chances are good that he would not be hired by any Committee because he did not fit the profile of a senior leader. Good intentions wasn’t going to cut it. The ability to communicate effectively, strong leadership skills along with the ability to plan, organize and coordinate were some of the key requirements for the position.
However, that is from our human perspective. Because one day while tending the goats and sheep on the backside of the desert, he had an encounter with the God of Abraham, Jacob and Issac, who – after a series of events – told him, “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10, KJV). Moses’ reaction was understandable! “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt ?” (v.11). In other words, “Who, me? Go to Egypt and lead out almost two million Israelites? God, are you crazy?” But God would not be denied; Moses was His man – “And he [God] said, Certainly I will be with thee” (v.12a). Just in case God had forgotten, Moses reminded Him, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say” (vv. 10-12).
Do you see a bit of yourself in Moses? In looking at yourself you have no idea why God would call you to do the things He has called you to do. In your eyes and those of others, you are not qualified. Yet of all the people that God could have called, He called you. It is important to understand that He doesn’t always call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called. It is not so much what you bring to Him that He needs because just as He transformed Moses’ staff from a stick to a conduit of His power, so He is more than able to transform your inadequacies into conduits of His grace. It is not what we think of ourselves that is important but rather what God thinks of us.
What has God called you to do that you feel you are not qualified for? Rest assured that He was intimately aware of your deficiencies before He called you yet He called you still. It is in your weaknesses that He shows Himself strong, so much so that when all is said and done, He gets the glory because you couldn’t have done it without Him. Trust Him that He knows what He is doing. Your challenge is to go out and do as He says, knowing fully well that “certainly [He] will be with thee” every step of the way.
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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.
