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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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DRUG GANGS VS. SOLDIERS, NO CHOICE FOR JAMAICANS—05/29/10
The failure of Jamaican police and soldiers to capture drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke lessened the support of Jamaicans for the alleged war on crime. According to Jamaica’s government, its sanctioned assault on Tivoli Gardens represents just the beginning of a move to break the hold of criminals on entire communities. Public suspicions that the army is guilty of extra-judicial killings of nearly 80 people threaten support for the government’s actions toward crime.
US$350 MILLION LOST TO TOURISM BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE—05/30/10
Jamaica’s tourism sector is likely to lose as much as US$350 million following the violence and unrest in the Corporate Area. According to the minister of tourism, losses to tourism and the general economy will total between ten percent and 15 percent. The ministry is creating a program designed to convince tourists that Jamaica is still a safe destination.
JAMAICA TRIES TO FILL SPACES LEFT BY GANG LEADERS—05/31/10
When Matthews Lane, a Kingston neighborhood, lost Donald Phipps, its crime lord, the island’s government failed to fill his role as the provider of jobs and security for residents. The gap left by the government allowed Phipps’ underlings to take over. Several neighborhoods in Kingston are beyond the control of the government, ruled instead by gang leaders who are responsible for providing for those living in the area.
POLICE CAPTURE COKE LIEUTENANTS—06/01/10
Two men captured by Jamaican police are thought to be lieutenants of alleged drug lord, Christopher “Dudus” Coke. The men were among nine individuals taken into custody when police and soldiers conducted a raid on a house where Coke was believed to be hiding. Coke himself is still at large and wanted on U.S. drug charges.
SOLDIERS ACCUSED OF KILLING UNARMED INDIVIDUALS—06/02/10
Jamaican soldiers are suspected of killing two unarmed men during the battle in Tivoli Gardens, which was sparked by police attempts to take alleged drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke into custody. Several accusations against soldiers claimed extra-judicial killings by state forces during the days of fighting. At least 70 civilians died in the unrest, as did three members of security forces.
GOLDING SURVIVES VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE—06/02/10
Bruce Golding, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, survived a no-confidence vote in parliament following charges that he was indirectly to blame for the violence in Kingston during attempts to arrest Christopher Coke, accused drug gang leader. The opposition People’s National Party accused Golding of responsibility for the deaths of civilians during the fighting in West Kingston. Golding was accused of participating in a “damnable cover-up” by Member of Parliament Peter Phillips.
BROTHER OF COKE SURRENDERS—06/03/10
Leighton “Livity” Coke, the brother of accused drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke, surrendered to police by walking into a police station in St. Andrew with Reverend Al Miller. Miller, a well-known clergyman, said he had arranged to help “Livity” turn himself in after speaking with his family. Miller is calling for “Dudus” to surrender as well.
SECURITY FOR PROMINENT JAMAICANS INCREASED—06/04/10
Following the extradition request for alleged drug boss Christopher “Dudus” Coke by the United States, the security detail for over 60 prominent Jamaican residents was substantially increased.
The added security strained the resources of the Protective Services branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Increased security was provided for politicians, opposition members, lobbyists, top-ranked civil servants, and other officials in the private sector. Glenmore Hinds, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, admitted the use of additional resources for protecting individuals, but would not discuss the security arrangements, citing JCF rules.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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U.S. ATTORNEY INVESTIGATES JAMAICAN OIL TANKER—05/29/10
An oil tanker carrying oil to New Orleans from Jamaica is being investigated by U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office. The ship allegedly had a discrepancy in its log indicating that it had less oil in it when it arrived than it did when it left Jamaica, according to the U.S, Coast Guard. The investigation will attempt to discover how much of the ship’s oil may have been discharged/
“DUDUS” FATHER SUCCESSFUL CRIMINAL IN MIAMI IN 1980s—06/01/10
The father of alleged Jamaican drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke, Lester Lloyd Coke, found the Miami, Florida, region ready for his type of crime in 1988. That was the year that Coke’s Shower Posses gang was involved with guns and drug trafficking. Twenty years later, his son is wanted for extradition by U.S. officials on drug and weapons charges. The violence that erupted in Tivoli Gardens following the announcement of “Dudus” extradition had its roots in 1980s Miami. where Jamaicans acted as soldiers in the cocaine wars.
DIASPORA CONVENTION POSTPONED—06/03/10
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has advised the Jamaican Diaspora Convention of 2010, which was schedule for June in Ocho Rios, be postponed. Following consultation with various stakeholders in the conference, it was found that the rate of registration for the meeting had slowed, threatening its viability. The Ministry apologized for any inconvenience caused by the postponement.
SOUTH FLORIDA DIASPORA READY TO HELP THE ISLAND—06/04/10
Jamaican nationals living in South Florida want to help Jamaica recover from the violence and unrest occurring in West Kingston. Wayne Golding, Orlando resident and an attorney, is also the Jamaican Diaspora representative in Central Florida, and he has noted the worries and concerns of Jamaicans in his region. Several meetings have been held to allow Jamaicans to discuss the extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke and the violence spurred by the extradition request.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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CARIBBEAN CUP HELD IN NEW YORK—05/29/10
UNREST IN UK-RULED ISLANDS—05/30/10
HAITI QUAKE VICTIMS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HURRICANES, STORMS—05/31/10
MAN FROM RENO FOUND DEAD IN CARIBBEAN—06/01/10
ROYAL NAVY PREPARES FOR ANTI-SUBMARINE WAR VS. DRUG CARTELS—06/03/10
DONORS TO HAITI ENCOURAGED TO FULFILL PROMISES—06/04/10
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SPORTS
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BEN JOHNSON SAYS POWELL DOES NOT RUN ENOUGH RACES—05/29/10
According the Ben Johnson, Jamaican-born track and field star, Asafa Powell needs to compete in more races in order to meet his potential. Johnson also said that Powell should run at least 60 races before major competitions so he will be in peak performance on race day.
BORREGO HURTS KNEE ATTAINING VICTORY—05/31/10
Carla Borrego of Jamaica made a strong finish in the ANZ Championship, providing a 58-34 victory for the Adelaide Thunderbirds. She scored 38 goals before she strained the medial ligament in her right knee in the final period. Borrego helped to provide the team with the edge they need to face the challenge from Tactix.
BOLT SUFFERS ACHILLES INJURY—06/01/10
Usain Bolt, double Olympic and World sprint champion, will be grounded for as long as three weeks because of an injury to h is Achilles tendon. This means that Bolt will not compete in the IAAF Diamond League meet in New York on June 12.
ZIGGY MARLEY WRITES SONG ABOUT WORLD CUP—06/02/10
Ziggy Marley is showing his love for soccer by writing a 2010 World Cup song. The song “Africa Land” is being released to celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Marley says the song is also about promoting unity.
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DEVOTIONAL
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The Silence Within
I love the sound of silence. Silence punctuated by the sound of running water, the rustling of leaves, and the chirping of birds is also just as good. Growing up in the bustling capital city of my island home didn’t afford a lot of opportunities for outward silence and it took a tremendous amount of discipline to achieve inner silence. Left unchecked, the mind is like an elementary school playground during recess. We are always thinking, always planning, and being surrounded by a vast amount and array of stimulants, additional thoughts are constantly invading our already noisy mind.
It may come as a surprise to some that the mind needs true peace to calm down its unpredictable and never ending flow of thoughts and feelings. True peace is rest in the mind, and to compensate for the lack of it some people often try to create a false peace with alcohol, drugs, sex, or other addictions. Some have tried self-assurance, reachable expectations, and various forms of meditation. These provide very temporary moments of respite but no lasting peace. Of course, true peace can only be found in being in the will of God; it is a gift from God found only through Christ. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). For the child of God to really settle his or her mind, the peace offered by the world is a poor substitute. We need the peace that only Christ can give.
To be in the will of God is to abide in the peace of God. When we are in His will there is no need to worry, doubt, or fear; these are the activities that often keep our minds busy. These are replaced by an unwavering faith in our God’s ability to take care of the things that pertain to us. We can rest in His care. It is no wonder the Psalmist declares, “My soul waits in silence only for God; from Him comes my salvation (Ps. 62:2); a salvation that includes his peace. Though life may be hard, though our bodies be frail, though pain is our companion, and life is unpredictable, when it seems our minds are on the verge of being overwhelmed, by God’s grace we can find stillness; we can find silence within. I am praying that for 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.
