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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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TECHNICAL SCHOOL TO GET UNIVERSITY STATUS—10/01/11
The Jamaican government has decided to give HEART College of Innovation and Technology university status, one of several education institutions slated for the upgraded title over the coming decade, according to an announcement from Andrew Holness, Minister of Education. The school, which was formerly known as the Caribbean Institute of Technology (CIT), will be part of the government’s efforts to invest in technical institutes as is common in other countries, including Germany, Austria, and Japan.
FORENSIC SCIENCE USED TO CATCH TAX EVADERS—10/02/11
Audley Shaw, Jamaica’s Finance Minister, has vowed to catch those who operate billion-dollar businesses but avoid paying taxes. Shaw said the government is working to utilize forensic science to find tax evaders. The commissioner general of the Tax Administration has turned to forensic science to discover which individuals are avoiding the general consumption tax (GCT). The magnitude of tax abuse is “horrendous,” according to Shaw, who notes that it is robbing the nation’s treasury of needed revenue.
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP CRITICAL TO NATION’S ECONOMY—10/03/11
Olivia Grange, Jamaican Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, acknowledged that entrepreneurial activities among the youth of the country are important to its economy. The government is committed to developing the entrepreneurial spirit in young people with the organization of entities like the Jamaica Youth Business Trust and the Young Entrepreneurs’ Association. According to Grange, young people represent the largest portion of the population and are therefore crucial to economic development in the future.
GOLDING EXPLAINS RESIGNATION—10/04/11
Bruce Golding, Jamaica’s outgoing Prime Minister, stated that the perceptions among the public about how he handled the extradition of drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke to the United States had an impact on his decision to resign from his leadership post. Golding said his opposition to the U.S. request for extradition reflected the fact that the indictment was based on illegal wiretap evidence. The extradition of Coke was “a breach” of Jamaica’s Constitution, he said.
DRIVERS OUTSIDE KINGSTON PAY MORE FOR GASOLINE—10/05/11
A gas survey conducted by the Consumer Affairs Commission in Jamaica showed that residents of rural areas pay more for gasoline than city dwellers. The Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association has charged that the higher costs are not due to transportation expenses, but to pricing policies employed by marketing firms. There is a gap in prices totaling as much as $22 in the prices paid by rural residents for regular gas. The rural gas gap has widened in 2011, according to the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), but not by much.
HOLNESS BECOMES FRONT-RUNNER FOR POSITION OF PRIME MINISTER—10/06/11
Andrew Holness, the current Minister of Education in Jamaica, has been propelled past his rivals in his effort to become the next head of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) and the ninth Prime Minister of the country. Four of his chief rivals for the position have given him their full support, meaning that there are now 12 government MPs who have publicly stated their support for Holness. He is now the front-runner in replacing Bruce Golding, who plans to resign as head of the JLP and leave his post as Prime Minister in November 2011.
HENRY EXPLAINS HIS ABSENCE FROM JLP PRESS CONFERENCE—10/06/11
Mike Henry, the chairman of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), has explained his absence from a press conference called by party members to endorse Andrew Holness, Minister of Education, for the top spot in the JLP and Prime Minister of Jamaica. Henry said he could not attend because he is responsible for balancing all interests in the party. Party members have until October 20, 2011, to make nominations for the position of party leader.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FUNCTIONAL AFTER 30 YEARS—10/07/11
The new Harbor View Sewage Treatment Plant has finally been commissioned after being out of operation for over 30 years. The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and residents of the area took the National Water Commission (NWC) and other state agencies to court to address the non-operational treatment plant, noting that the absence of the plant resulted in environmental degradation of the area and posed a significant health risk. An out-of-court settlement was reached in July 2010 when the NWC promised to build an interim sewage treatment facility within six months and revamp the Harbor View Sewage plant within 18 months.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN NATIONAL BUILDING SOCIETY MEETS WITH DIASPORA—10/03/11
Florida representatives of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) are meeting with Jamaicans in the U.S. Diaspora to discuss mortgage rates, mortgage financing, opportunities in real estate, and Internet access to information about land titles. Earl Jarrett, general manager of the organization, will be the chief presenter at the Miami, Florida meeting. The group is aware of an increased interest in Jamaican real estate among Jamaicans in the Diaspora.
JAMAICAN TO BE CHIEF USHER OF WHITE HOUSE IN UNITED STATES—10/05/11
Angella Reid, a Jamaican-born hotelier, will be the first female chief usher at the White House, the home of the President of the United States in Washington, D.C. Reid was born in Trinityville, St. Thomas, and went to Excelsior High School in Kingston before becoming a front-office trainee at the Montego Bay Half Moon Hotel in 1978. Reid, 52, will take over as chief usher from Rear Admiral Stephen Rochan, who has taken a job with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
HINCHCLIFFE TO J OIN STATE DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE IN U.S.—10/06/11
Audrey Hinchcliffe, a well-known Jamaican businesswoman, has received an invitation from United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to serve on the U.S. Department of State International Council on Women’s Business Leadership (ICWBL). She will serve for a term of two years. The group’s chief goal is to advise the State Department in creating policy, proposals, and strategies for business negotiations and outreach as they pertain to the economic empowerment of women around the world.
JAMAICAN YOUTH ACTIVIST ISSUES MEMOIR—10/07/11
Gavin Hutchinson is sharing his story with everyone willing to read it. He has written a memoir about his journey from idealism to reality and the experiences he had along the way. In 2006, Hutchinson was 23 and planned to return to his homeland of Jamaica, in spite of getting permanent residency in the U.S. while he attended a university in Florida. Now 28, Hutchinson has released the story of his experiences in a book called “Tried and True: Revelations of a Rebellious Youth.” The book describes his job has a weekly talk show host, working for the Bob Marley family, and launching a nonprofit meant to empower Jamaican youth through the arts and culture.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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INTEGRATED AIR TRAVEL TO BE STUDIED BY CARIBBEAN TRADE MINISTERS—10/01/11
$35.5 MILLION IN COCAINE SEIZED IN TWO SEPARATE DRUG BUSTS—10/03/11
SECRETARY GENERAL OF CARICOM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT AGREEMENT WITH CANADA—10/04/11
OIL EXPLORATION, PRODUCTION BANNED NEAR CARIBBEAN ISLANDS—10/05/11
HAITI FINDS NEW PRIME MINISTER—10/06/11
CHAVEZ SAYS HOUSES ON LOS ROQUES WILL BE SEIZED—10/07/11
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BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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FISHERFOLK KEPT AFLOAT BY SMALL BUSINESS LOAN—10/03/11
Fishing, although a traditional means of making a living in Jamaica, is not always a lucrative business. The risks of the trade are understood by those who follow it, but they are willing to push on because it is a tradition in their families. Loss of their boats and other equipment experienced as a result of hurricanes, including Hurricane Ivan in 2004, nearly devastated the island’s fishing population.
FALMOUTH NAMED PORT OF THE YEAR—10/04/11
The Port of the Year Award for 2011 has been won by the Port of Falmouth. The announcement was made at the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards held at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg, Germany in September. The Port of Falmouth achieved the high honor ahead of ports in Turkey and Norway. The award is given in recognition of improvements to handling facilities and cruise tourism infrastructure during the previous 12 months.
RED STRIPE TO MOVE U.S. BEER PRODUCTION TO NORTH AMERICA—10/05/11
Red Stripe, Jamaica’s signature beer brand, has decided to move the production facilities for product destined for the United States to a location in North America. The move will be accomplished under a license agreement and will mean job losses for Jamaica. The firm has said, however, that expected returns from higher U.S. penetration and an increased focus on its domestic business will place the organization in a stronger position overall.
FINANCING LAGS BEHIND SUCCESSES IN LOCAL FILM INDUSTRY—10/06/11
Despite the considerable success of local films, the Jamaican film industry continues to struggle to be competitive with its regional and international rivals, according to Gillian Wilkinson-McDaniel, a senior consultant at the Film Commission. The chief challenge for the industry in Jamaica involves funding. Local funding is difficult to obtain, and attracting productions from overseas is hampered by problematic local conditions and lack of financial incentives.
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CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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U.S. COMPANY DISCUSSES NEW PLANTS WITH CARIBBEAN UTILITIES—10/01/11
ROSETTA STONE SOFTWARE TO BE USED IN JAMAICAN SCHOOLS—10/02/11
CUBA, VIETNAM JOIN TO CREATE ENERGY SOURCES—10/05/11
CARIBNOG QUESTIONS DISASTER READINESS OF CARIBBEAN NETWORKS—10/07/11
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY
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KINDLE FROM AMAZON CONTINUES TO GET PREORDERS—10/06/11
The new Kindle Fire tablet computing device from Amazon has continued its pre-order sales at a fast pace. It remains to be seen whether the actual product will meet the high expectations set by Apple’s iPad, however. In the first six days after the start of pre-order sales, the Fire has been selling at a rate of some 20,000 units every day, says eDataSource, a marketing research company. Amazon sold 95,000 of the devices on the first day of pre-ordering.
APPLE FANS MUST MAKE DO WITHOUT STEVE JOBS—10/07/11
Apple fans all over the world mourned the death of the company’s founder and chief design guru, Steve Jobs at the age of 56. People paid their respects at Apple stores in Manhattan, Boston and Paris. The crowds who gathered to pay their respects highlighted the impact that Steve Jobs and his creations had on modern life and on the Apple brand, which became synonymous with major innovation and style-making.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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REGGAE PIONEER LEONARD DILLON DIES—10/03/11
Leonard Dillon, a pioneer of reggae music, has died at the age of 68. According to his daughter Patrice Dillon, the musician suffered from cancer. Dillon emerged before Bob Marley and Peter Tosh as one of the first singers in Jamaica to use Afro-centric themes and social commentary in his songs. His work illustrated the evolution of Jamaican music. Tosh introduced Dillon to Marley and the Wailers, and the musicians recorded together at Studio One in Kingston, the first black-owned recording studio and label in Jamaica.
VYBZ KARTEL FACES MURDER CHARGE—10/05/11
Vybz Kartel, a controversial dancehall star, was arrested by police in Jamaica on suspicion of murder. Kartel, whose real name is Adijah Palmer, is extremely popular, but his commercial success is also associated with links to the Kingston underworld. Kartel was part of a feud with fellow artiste Mavado, and an argument between the two resulted in escalating violence in the island’s inner cities. Now Kartel has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a conspiracy to murder Barrington Burton, a promoter who was killed earlier in 2011.
PROTOJE MAKES VIDEO FOR NO LIPSTICK—10/06/11
Protoje has become increasingly popular in the local music scene in Jamaica since his debut single entitled “Arguments” in 2009. He has now had several hit songs, including “Rasta Love.” All the songs were accompanied by quality music videos. He has recently made a music video for a new single called “No Lipstick,” which was shot on location at Great Huts Resort in Portland by his sister, LeAnn “Dream Seeker” Ollivierre.
CONTESTANTS ON “TEACHA’S PET” SAD ABOUT KARTEL MURDER CHARGE—10/07/11
The murder charge brought against dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel has had a major impact on the future of his reality series “Teacha’s Pet.” And the contestants on the show have expressed extreme sadness at the news of the charges. After the charges were filed, LIME, the telecommunications firm, withdrew its sponsorship from the series. The network carrying the show also plans to pull it from the broadcast schedule. The women on the show are shocked and sad about the circumstances and want Kartel released from jail as soon as possible.
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SPORTS
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BOLT WANTS FALSE-START RULE CHANGED—10/01/11
Jamaican sprint champion Usain Bolt wants the false-start rule to be changed. He believes that the authorities should reconsider the decision to disqualify an athlete for making a false start in a race. Bolt himself fell victim to the rule in the 100-meter race at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu and was disqualified.
GAYLE COULD BE BACK AS HEAD OF JAMAICAN NATIONAL TEAM—10/05/11
Chris Gayle could take the position of captain of Jamaica’s national team for the WICB Regional Super50 Championship tournament in Guyana. He has been recommended for the post and is waiting for ratification from the Jamaica Cricket Association. He has not led the team for the past three years, but would still offer considerable experience to the role after acting as a former West Indies captain. His presences on the team would be a major batting boost and could help Jamaica’s chances to win.
JAMAICAN RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM TRAINS AT HEWORTH ARLC—10/06/11
Jamaica’s rugby league team is holding a training camp at Heworth ARLC before going to Philadelphia to play in two World Cup qualifiers. Jamaica, which includes several players linked to the York City Knights, is coached by former York Wasps winger Dean Thomas. Seven players in Jamaica’s domestic league are coming to the United Kingdom the week of October 6, 2011.
JAMAICAN TRIO SHORTLISTED FOR WORLD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR TITLE—10/07/11
Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, and Yohan Blake, all Jamaicans and all gold medal winners at the World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, have been shortlisted for the 2011 World Athlete of the Year Award given by the IAAF. The three Jamaicans are part of a group of ten male and ten female candidates chosen by a panel of eight athletics experts of the IAAF.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Return to Sender
Have you ever felt like some of your prayers were intercepted somewhere between earth and heaven, and got stamped “Return to Sender”? Recently I was thinking about that, and it occurred to me that the devil is in the business of intercepting our prayers, or the answers to them, and carting them off into his camp while leaving us to doubt or blame God when we do not see the expected results of those prayers. Of course, that is assuming that we are praying in the will of God as guided by the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). I like the fact though, that despite the enemy’s best efforts, we can go into his camp and take back what he has stolen from us! I think if we could ever see his backyard, it would be filled with stuff and within that stuff are things that belong to us; our health, our finances, our relationships, our family members, our careers, to name a few.
So, let us put on the whole armor of God, and wage war with the one who would dare take what is not his. A closer look at the armor shows how marvelous an arsenal God has given us!
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Eph. 6:11-18a, KJV)
That really excites me. As long as we have on the whole armor of God, we have nothing to fear. We can stare the enemy down, knowing fully well that with the Lord on our side, we will have the victory. The devil is no match for us who are on God’s side. What he has stolen, he has to give it back. Those prayers prayed in the will of God marked “Return to Sender” are bogus. With sword in hand, and praise on our lips, we will march into the enemy’s camp and we will not leave until we take back all of that which is rightfully ours. Hallelujah
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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.
jamarch
