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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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CONCERNS ABOUT CYANIDE CONTAMINATION PERSIST AT GOLD MINE—10/22/11
According to Peter Knight, the chief executive officers of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), work continues to neutralize water that has been polluted with cyanide at the AUSJAM gold mining operation in Kraal, Clarendon. Efforts to resolve the issue ran into some problems that have delayed its scheduled completion of this phase of the process. After resolving the problems, NEPA will still have to find a site on which to relocate eight to ten tones of sodium cyanide stored at the facility.
FATE OF HISTORIC BUILDING IN QUESTION—10/23/11
The fate of a building that once was home to the first offices of the first university in Jamaica remains in question after two years’ of negotiations between a government agency and a nonprofit organization. The building housed the University of the West Indies in 1947. Located on Lady Musgrave Road, the building also served as a base for Jamaica’s first parliamentary ombudsman and as a tactical part of the police force. Recently, scrap metal thieves and looters have reduced the building to a shell of its former glory.
MEN TARGETED BY MAJOR CHRISTIAN MEETING—10/24/11
Mentoring A Nation (MAN), a multi-denominational group of Christian men from the clergy and corporate Jamaica are partnering with Save Jamaica, a Christian Outreach Mission, to hold a meeting concerning the particular challenges faced by men in communities, families, and the nation’s society in general. Paul Cole, president of Christian Men Network Worldwide, and Dwayne Picket, a trainer, will be the main speakers at the meeting.
NEW PRIME MINISTER SHUFFLES CABINET POSITIONS—10/25/11
Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s new Prime Minister, appointed his government and left almost all the ministries the same as they were under former Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Holness made only minor changes, but said he planned to enhance economic and administrative reforms. Holiness said his Cabinet would represent a “new direction” for Jamaica, one that will be characterized by “decisive, instrumental and quick action.”
MAN IN ST. MARY GENERATES OWN ELECTRICITY WITH WIND ENERGY—10/26/11
Paul Chong has made investments totaling more than $5 million in a system to power his house in St. Mary over the past five years. He decided to take action and take control over his own energy production after Hurricane Dean, which left him without power for weeks. A more recent unpleasant experience with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has prompted Chong to leave the grid altogether. JPS charged him for 222 kilowatts of power usage over three months, when he actually used only 71 kilowatts, a difference in charges of $5,000. He has now implemented his own wind-driven power system for his residence.
CANADIAN MILITARY TO LAUNCH NEW STAGING AREA IN JAMAICA—10/27/11
The Canadian military is negotiating with Jamaican authorities concerning an arrangement in which the island would become home to a staging area in cases of trouble or natural disasters in the Caribbean region. The two countries have been making closer ties over some time, and the new relationship became evident in a recent deployment of three CH-146 Griffon helicopters as back-up to the Jamaican defense force.
SODOMY LAW IN JAMAICA FACES FIRST LEGAL CHALLENGE—10/28/11
Maurice Tomlinson, a Jamaican attorney, has announced that the AIDS-Free World organization is presenting the first legal challenge to the nation’s anti-gay laws in history. The organization has filed a petition at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of two gay Jamaican men. The petition argues that the criminalization of homosexuality in Jamaica violates international human rights laws. Similar legal challenges are underway in Belize.
LABORATORIES IN JAMAICA NOT CERTIFIED TO TEST FOOD—10/28/11
According to Dr. Christopher Tufton, local Jamaica laboratories do not have the right equipment to handle the volume of food testing required under new laws. The new food safety laws required those who export food to provide lab-tested results on those foods being shipped to the United States. The island has two months to bring the food exporters up to code on the new U.S.-imposed food safety rules put in place by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which goes into effect in January 2012.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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NEW USHER AT WHITE HOUSE BRING JAMAICAN FLAIR—10/23/11
Angella Reid, a Jamaican, will become the first woman to hold the job of chief usher at the United States White House, the residence of the President. As chief usher, Reid will be in charge of the daily operations at the President’s home. This includes managing a staff of over 90 individuals and overseeing the entire 132-room mansion. Reid replaces retired Rear Admiral Stephen Rochon, who has moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She has worked more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, and she got her start at Jamaica’s Half Moon resort.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE THE DIASPORA—10/24/11
As the new Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness has the chance to create new ties to the Jamaican Diaspora, which represents the island’s single largest economic asset. In recent years, the government has established a Diaspora organization, but too many Jamaicans living in other nations remain unaware of its existence. Holness has the opportunity to enhance the operations of the group and its economic support of the home country.
SUSPECTED JAMAICANS ROB THREE BANKS IN A SINGLE HOUR—10/26/11
Police in Toronto, Canada, are looking for a group of black men, who may speak with Jamaican accents, in connection with the robberies of three banks in a single one-hour period. Witnesses at each of the banks have described similar suspects and a similar getaway car. The suspected robbers were described as black men with Jamaican accents. The men wore black bandanas to conceal their faces. They got away with a substantial amount of money, say police.
BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS TO HONOR THE DIASPORA—10/27/11
Entrepreneurs working within the Jamaica Diaspora have become the focus of the 2011 Business Leader Awards program, sponsored by the Jamaica Observer newspaper. The program highlights the success of Jamaicans in doing business in their adopted nations. According to Adam Stewart, deputy chairman of the newspaper, there are many local opportunities in Jamaica for entrepreneurs who live overseas. The organization plans to nominate ten entrepreneurs for the award.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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GENDER GAP STILL EVIDENT IN CARIBBEAN, LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS—10/22/11
UN EXPECTS HALF-MILLION CHOLERA CASES IN HAITI BY END OF 2011—10/23/11
CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES TRYING TO ELIMINATE GANGS—10/24/11
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS POLICE KILLINGS “ALARMING”—10/25/11
AUSTRALIA, CARICOM PARTNERING TO ADDRESS DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES—10/26/11
TEN MORE OFFICIALS IN CARIBBEAN INVESTIGATED BY FIFA—10/27/11
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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HOLNESS COMMITS TO HELPING BUSINESSES—10/22/11
Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s new Prime Minister, has promised to take quick action to decrease the bureaucracy under which local businesses must operate at present. Holness has told leaders in the private sector of his commitment to reducing the inefficiencies currently in place in the governing bureaucracy. Holness declared that his is “pro-business,” and believes that the existing bureaucracy is stifling economic growth in Jamaica.
AUDREY MARKS PRAISES HAMPDEN KENT GROUP DEBT FINANCING PROGRAM—10/25/11
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, has written letter praising the plans of Hampden Kent Group LLC to implement innovative debt refinancing projects in Jamaica. Hampden Kent Group is an infrastructure project development, management, and financing firm. Marks is excited about the future growth potential resulting from the company’s plans.
HILL QUITS SUGAR COMPANY—10/26/11
Aubyn Hill has quit his job as the chief executive officer of SCJ Holdings Ltd. as of October 31, 2011. Hill states that the firm has entered a new phase involving the management of land holdings, and it is no longer in need of his experience as a management consultant. He will also give up his job on the board of SCJ Legacy, which was created during the divestment of Sugar Company of Jamaica. Hill will be replaced by John Gayle.
ACTING GENERAL MANAGER APPOINTED AT UDC—10/27/11
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has announced the appointment of Desmond Arnold Young as acting general manager. His appointment comes after the suspension of Joy Douglas, who had been general manager of the corporation. Her suspension was implemented to facilitate the examination of management practices and procedures at the organization. Young is currently the director of technical services at the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ).
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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FIRST MOBILE MONEY PLATFORM LAUNCHED IN JAMAICA—10/22/11
CUBAN SCIENTIFIC ADVISER VISITS CHINA—10/23/11
LIME CHOOSE PEERAPP TO QUICKEN INTERNET CONTENT DELIVERY—10/25/11
LAPTOP COMPUTERS TO BENEFIT 300 TRAINEE TEACHERS BY END OF 2011—10/26/11
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY
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SKIN-LIKE SENSOR SUITABLE FOR PROSTHETIC LIMBS—10/25/11
Stanford researchers are working on new sensors that are so flexible and sensitive to pressure that they may one day be used to create touch-sensitive prosthetic limbs. Other uses for the sensors include pressure-sensitive badges. The sensors incorporate a transparent film made of carbon nano-springs, which can register pressure.
HUGE BATTERY BANK MAKES WIND PLANT INTO TRADITIONAL POWER PLANT—10/27/11
The addition of a large bank of batteries to a wind farm essentially alters the wind power project into a more traditional type of power plant. The Laurel Mountain wind facility in West Virginia is currently linked to 32 megawatts of lithium ion batters from A123 Systems. This is the largest project to combine wind power with such batteries. Using batteries will address problems associated with a sudden drop-off in power due to changes in the wind.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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JAMAICAN DEEJAY/RAPPER FACES SECOND MURDER CHARGE—10/25/11
One of the most popular deejays in Jamaica is now facing a second murder charge. Vybz Kartel, 35, was charged in connection with the killing in August 2011 of a Jamaican man known as “Lizard.” Earlier in October 2011, police charged Kartel with conspiring with other individuals to kill a 27-year-old music promoter who was shot and killed on the street. According to Ealan Powell, Kartel is under investigation for his alleged role in numerous murders, shootings, and gun-running.”
WORLD FOOD PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY REGGAE ARTISTE STEPHENSON—10/26/11
Duane Stephenson, well known reggae artiste, continues to enhance his reputation for philanthropy. His musical act continues to spread awareness of world hunger and to support the United Nations’ World Food Program. Stephenson has been emphasizing regions in the Horn of Africa where a huge drought is causing major famine conditions. He has joined with Hiho Batik to create the FEED AFRICA! T-shirt, the sale of which benefits the World Food Program.
FILM DOCUMENTARY FEATURES MICHAEL MANLEY—10/27/11
Richard Audley Vaughan, a first-time filmmaker, plans to release a documentary about Jamaica’s fourth Prime Minister Michael Manley in February of 2012. The film shows the life of Manley, with its release coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the day Manley took the post of Prime Minister. The documentary highlights key events in Manley’s life, including time with the National Workers Union and as leader of the People’s National Party.
JAMAICANS RECEIVE RAVE REVIEWS AT CONCERT IN JAPAN—10/28/11
A number of Jamaican artistes performing in Japan received high praise from the audience. The concert included Tessanne Chin, Abijah and Leye, and marks a 24-city tour of the Asian nation. The show featured a variety of Jamaican music, including hits from Marcia Griffiths, Third World, Bob Marley, and Toots and the Maytals. The concert performance and show were presented by the Min-On Concert Association, the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo, and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in Jamaica. It was the first of its kind.
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SPORTS
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DR. NEIL GARDNER HONORED—10/22/11
Dr. Neil Gardner received the Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence. He was the seventh individual to receive this high honor. Gardner is among Jamaica’s best 400-meter hurdlers, reaching the semi-final at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Gardner represents a “living testimony” to sports men and women and shows what can be achieved by hard work, both on the sports field and in the classroom.
CHICAGO MARATHON PERFORMANCE OF JAMAICANS IMPRESSIVE—10/23/11
Sykes Facey and Kishka Kay O’Connor Anderson, two Jamaicans at the Chicago Marathon, turned in an impressive performance. Both runners finished the race with a high placement among the 15,500 female runners participating. Sykes Facey was injured at the start of the 26.2-mile race but finished in three hours, 30 minutes and ten seconds. O’Connor Anderson finished in three hours, 30 minutes, and 16 seconds. The marathon was run in temperature that reached the mid 80s, a factor for both runners. Sykes Facey placed 491st in the field of 15,500 females runners, while O’Connor Anderson place 494th. Both were in the top nine percent.
YOUNG GIRLZ WIN OPENING CFU UNDER-20 QUALIFIER—10/24/11
While Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz were not at their best at the opening CFU Under-20 World Cup qualifiers, they still had a 4-0 win over St. Lucia at the meet in Havana, Cuba. Sasalee Cooper, Kedine Salmon, Nicole Broderick, and Marlo Swaefman secured goals for the Jamaicans, but the team did not impress Vin Blaine, technical director of women’s football for Jamaica.
MEDAL POTENTIAL GOOD FOR JAMAICAN TEAM —10/27/11
Jamaicans are poised to obtain more medals at during the fourth day of track and field competition at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. Lansford Spence and Simone Facey achieved spots in the men’s and women’s 200-meter finals, respectively, and had the top three times. Isa Phillips was second-fastest runner going into the 400-meter hurdles final.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Cast the “Cares Bag”
When I first saw him, I instinctively thought he was homeless. There he was, slowly pushing up the street a cart laden with what seemed like his life’s possessions. I had seen him a number of times before and it was always the same thing. Everywhere he went, his cart and its contents went with him.
I thought of him as I reflected on Peter’s short but rather profound sentence to the elders to whom he was writing, “Casting all your care upon Him [God]; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7, KJV). In my reflections, it occurred to me that like the man who carried his stuff with him wherever he went, so too some of us carry our cares and concerns everywhere we go. We are never without them. It is as if we unload our “cares bags” by the side of our beds and once we awake in the mornings, we get dressed and then dutifully – though often times without thinking – we take up our bag, ready to carry it around with us for the rest of the day. We do that every day. Inside the bag are our cares, our worries, our frustrations, and our anxieties, to name a few. All the while professing belief in an awesome God who can do the impossible. Obviously, for some of us our God is not that awesome. We have made Him too small and as a result, we think our “cares bags” are too heavy for Him to carry. We justify carrying them ourselves.
Yet Peter reminds us, as he did the elders, that we can cast ALL our cares upon Him. I like how the Amplified Bible puts it, “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” In other words, we can be rid of our bags by throwing them upon Him “once and for all!” We do not have to be burdened down with our loads of care. The accuser of the brethren is quite content for us to do just that, but that only leads to spiritual, emotional, mental and psychological rust and burn out. In the words of the old hymn writer, “Oh what peace we often forfeit / Oh, what needless pain we bear / All because we do not carry / Everything to God in prayer.” When we find ourselves worrying and unable to rest in the peace God promises, it is a sure sign that we are still carrying our own “cares bags.”
There is tremendous freedom in casting ALL our cares upon the One we serve, knowing that not only does He cares about us but also that He does so affectionately and watchfully. What are you doing with your “cares bag”? God stands by ready to relieve you of it. You just need to cast it upon Him. Too heavy, you say? Trust me, He is big and powerful enough to manage it. Yours and everybody else’s.
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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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