Jamaican News & Announcements
JAMAICA NEWSWEEKLY For the week ending August 24th, 2012
Published Aug 24, 2012----------------------------------------
THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
----------------------------------------
GARVEYISM TO BE PART OF CIVICS IN JAMAICA'S SCHOOLS—08/18/12
Jamaica's Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites announced that a new civics education program in the nation's schools will include Garveyism. Teaching Garveyism involves "building value systems in the schools," said Thwaites, who went on to emphasize the need for students to "know their place of dignity, of worth, who understand their rights and their responsibilities as citizens."
JAMAICAN ATTORNEY GRAHAM MURDERED—08/19/12
Clover Maxine Graham, 56, was found dead in a field near the Caymanas Polo Club. Graham, an attorney, was also the mother of Taiwo McKenzie, one of two people killed in November of 2008. In addition, she was a lecturer at UTech and a representative of the United Nations. Graham was from Spanish Town.
BRITISH OFFICIALS PROMISES CLOSER TIES BETWEEN BRITAIN, JAMAICA—08/20/12
Henry Bellingham, the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth in Britain believes that trade between Jamaica and the United Kingdom will increase by 200 percent by 2016. Bellingham noted that the countries already have a good bilateral relationship, but he is committed to making it even stronger by joining efforts to fight drug trafficking and organized crime.
UNITED NATIONS AGENCY TO PROBE JAMAICAN ACTIVIST'S MURDER—08/21/12
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is calling for a complete investigation into the abduction and murder of human rights activist Clover Graham, 56, an attorney who was Jamaica's honorary liaison for the organization. Graham's body was found near the Caymanas Polo Club outside Kingston with her throat slashed. Detectives are trying to find a motive for the crime, said Glenmore Hinds, Deputy Police Commissioner, who also said no arrests have been made in the case.
OPPOSITION LAWMAKER TAKES LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM POST—08/22/12
Daryl Vaz, Jamaican opposition legislator, will take a leave of absence as his party's chief spokesperson on information and communications technology matters in order to minimize any impact on his party from charges that he perverted the course of justice. Vaz faces accusations that he breached anti-corruption law when he intervened in a traffic violation involving his friend, businessman Bruce Bicknell.
ENTREPRENEURS IN JAMAICA TO RECEIVE MILLIONS IN FUNDING—08/23/12
Jamaica's government wills double the allocation of grants provided to entrepreneurs through the Labor Ministry and the Steps to Work program under Social Security. The Labor Ministry has about J$42 million available for entrepreneur grants for 2012. These grants can be used to help people on the island set up new businesses.
FORBES' ATTORNEY REFUSES TO DISCUSS MISSING DOCUMENT—08/24/12
Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Dirk Harrison, the attorney for James Forbes, Superintendent of Police, is refusing to talk about prosecutors' charges that a "document" held by Forbes is missing. The document is critical to the prosecution case against Forbes and is related to a meeting "facilitated" by Forbes at his St. Andrew offices. The meeting involved arrangements made to "absolve the incident" concerning businessman Bruce Bicknell. Bicknell and Forbes are charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT TO ELIMINATE 3,000 PUBLIC SECTOR JOBS—08/24/12
Jamaica's government expects to reduce the public sector establishment by about 3,000 jobs in September 2012. The move is part of a strategy designed to control the nation's debt level. According to Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, this does not mean that a large number of civil servants would lose their jobs, but that the cuts would result from vacant positions being removed from the system.
---------------------------------------------
JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
---------------------------------------------
JAMAICAN CHARGED WITH MARRIAGE FRAUD IN KANSAS—08/20/12
Shannaky Hunter, a 28-year-old Jamaican woman, faces charges of entering into a "sham marriage" with a soldier from Kansas. A jury will decide whether or not she wed for immigration purposes. According to prosecutors, Hunter is an illegal immigrant who conspired with Joshua Priest to get married in order for her to receive a "green card." Priest is a private in the United States Army. The government charges that their May 2010 marriage was never consummated and that the couple never lived together.
JAMAICA JOINS MYRIE SUIT, BARBADOS OBJECTS—08/21/12
The government of Barbados is objected to the application of the Jamaican government to become party to a lawsuit brought by Shanique Myrie. Barbados brought its objections to the Caribbean Court of Justice, which is currently reviewing the matter. Jamaica's government wants to enter the legal proceedings because it believes the case has implications for Jamaica. Myrie charges that she was sexually assaulted by a Barbados immigration official in 2011
NEW JAMAICAN OFFICIAL KEEPING BUSY IN LONDON—08/22/12
Aloun N'dombet-Assamba, Jamaica's new High Commissioner to London, reports that she is very busy addressing issues affecting the Jamaican Diaspora in the United Kingdom. One of her chief duties is to help Jamaicans in the UK get birth certificates in order to renew their Jamaican passports.
JAMAICAN ATTORNEYS INVESTIGATE KILLINGS BY GUYANESE POLICE—08/23/12
Justice Lensley Wolfe and K.D. Knight, Jamaican attorneys-at-law, are two of three jurists appointed to investigate the killing of three individuals by Guyanese police in Linden, Guyana. Wolfe is a former chief justice of Jamaica, while Knight is a former cabinet minister and currently serves as a government senator. The attorneys were appointed by the secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The killings occurred during a demonstration against a Guyanese government decision to raise electricity rates.
-------------------------------------------------
CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
-------------------------------------------------
OVER 28,000 FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM PROGRAM FUNDED BY CANADA—08/18/12
CXC CALLS FOR JAMAICAN CRITICS TO STOP "BLAME GAME"—08/19/12
POLICE CHIEF, OFFICER SHOT AT ROADBLOCK ON ST.CROIX—08/20/12
12 PEOPLE CONVICTED OF CORRUPTION IN CUBA—08/21/12
HAITI'S GOVERNMENT PALACE DEMOLISHED BY SEAN PENN'S NONPROFIT—08/22/12
MEXICO BATTLING INCREASE OF "REGGAETONEROS"—08/23/12
---------------------------------------------
BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
---------------------------------------------
SEPTEMBER LAUNCH FOR NEW JAMAICAN AIRLINE—08/18/12
The certification process for a new Jamaican airline is expected to be completed in September 2012, according to Captain Lloyd Tai, chief executive officers of Fly Jamaica Airways. Tai, a former pilot with Air Jamaica, noted that financing for the airlines is not an issue and that all staff and resources of the airline are based in Jamaica. Confirmed routes for the new carrier include New York and Toronto.
JAMAICAN AGRICULTURE EXPORTS STRUGGLING IN UNITED KINGDOM—08/21/12
Staples from Jamaica are unable to compete with similar products in the United Kingdom market, according to Jamaica's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Roger Clarke. Products like pumpkins, dasheen, mangoes, and other agricultural imports from Jamaica have lost market share to other emerging sources. Consequently, relevant authorities must make a greater effort to work with exporters to overcome the challenges.
SECOND QUARTER GROWTH IN JAMAICA FLAT—08/22/12
The economy of Jamaica grew by just 0.1 percent during the second quarter of 2012, according to data compiled by the Planning Institute of Jamaica. The institute's director general, Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, said the flat growth rate occurred due to the greater than expected contraction in critical industries. The low growth rate was also attributed to difficulties in the areas of transport, storage, and communications.
CARIBBEAN OFFSHORE DEEPWATER DRILLING TO BE ADDRESSED—08/23/12
Nations in the Caribbean will meet for the first time to specifically consider emergency response protocols related to offshore deepwater drilling. The inaugural conference, called "One Caribbean - One Response," is scheduled for September 13, 2012. It will be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and will provide Caribbean countries with the chance to focus on learning from each other to create capabilities for addressing deepwater drilling situations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CARIBBEAN TECHNOLOGY NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TECH SECTOR IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SUPPORTED BY TAIWAN—08/20/12
CXC TO ENCOURAGE MORE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMS—08/21/12
INDUSTRIAL NANOTECH COATINGS USED IN RENOVATION PROJECT—08/22/12
LIME PREPARES FOR "SKOOL AID" 2012—08/23/12
-----------------------------------------------------
ENTERTAINMENT
-----------------------------------------------------
CARIBBEAN WRITERS FIND E-BOOKS A REALITY—08/19/12
Lloyd Laing and Jovan Alston have partnered to start a new publishing firm, eBooks Caribbean. The online publisher was launched in response to Laing's need to find an outlet for his own book, "The Evolution of Reggae." From a website originating in July 2012, the company offers several services, which include formatting, conversion, and digitizing. There is also online distribution available.
JAMAICAN ARTISTES TO PERFORM IN KAMPALA, UGANDA—08/20/12
Among the artistes from Jamaican scheduled to perform on stage at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala,, Uganda, are Demarco, the dancehall and reggae star. Other artistes include Wayne Wonder and Madtraxx. Demarco is expected to perform hits like "Show It" and "She's All I Need."
PHOTOS CELEBRATE JAMAICAN MUSIC EVOLUTION AT MUSEUM—08/21/12
A photographic exhibition at the Jamaica Music Museum features citations and album covers encapsulating the history of the country. According to Herbie Miller, director of the museum, reggae music has been sued to convey messages of social change. The album covers and posters chronicle a phase of Jamaican history. The show was inspired by the Peter Tosh 1997 album "Equal Rights." It follows the power of music over the Jamaican people from the 16th century to the present.
FILM MAKERS CREATE WITH LIMITED RESOURCES—08/22/12
The Jamaica Film Academy has been in operation for five years, and during that time, independent film makers have tended to work without recognition because they have few financial resources and small promotion budgets. The Reggae Film Festival has showcased the work of such film makers, however, giving them a chance to reach audiences both in Jamaican and around the world. The festival's "Make A Film in 24 Hours" competition is designed to encourage development in the local film industry.
------------------
SPORTS
------------------
CARTER, FRATER FINISH SECOND, THIRD IN STOCKHOLM—08/18/12
Nesta Carter and Michael Frater of Jamaica took second and third place, respectively, in the men's 100 meters at the DN Galan Diamond League competition in Stockholm, Sweden. First place went to Ryan Bailey of the United States. Carter clocked 10.06 seconds for the 100 meters, while Frater ran the distance in 10.12 seconds.
ANTI-DOPING STRUCTURES DEFENDED BY JAMAICA—08/19/12
Jamaica's Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) rejected the claims of Dick Pound, former head of the world anti-doping agency, who said that Jamaica's athletes are not being tested for drugs in an appropriate manner. JADCO is defending its program in the light of Pound's remarks that it was difficult to test Jamaicans. According to Winston Davidson, vice chairman of JADCO, the organization follows the same international rules as any other anti-doping group, and it is as good or better than many in the so-called "first world."
BLAKE HOPES TO PLAY IN TWENTY20—08/20/12
Although Yohan Blake is an Olympic champion sprinter and triple medal winner, he is hoping to play at the Twenty20. He believes it is a strong possibility that he will be able to compete in the meet. Blake continues to play competitive cricket at the Kingston Cricket Club and noted that his team mate Usain Bolt would also like to play in the Twenty20.
PRAISE FROM WICB FOR JAMAICA'S REGIONAL WOMEN'S T20 WIN—08/21/12
Officials of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) heaped praise on Jamaica after the country won the Regional Women's Twenty20 Tournament. The women's team were named champions after a 16-run win over Trinidad and Tobago at Sabina Park in Kingston. This was the second major women's final in which Jamaica defeated T&T. According to Dr. Julian Hunte of the WICB, the Jamaican women demonstrated individual brilliance throughout the tournament, along with team cohesiveness that helped them overcome opposing teams.
---------------------------
JAMAICAN JOBS
---------------------------
SENIOR MANAGER
PRINCIPAL
HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER
MAINTENANCE MANAGER
DEPOT MANAGER
Visit JAMAICAN JOBS.
---------------------------------------------------------------
DEVOTIONAL
----------------------------------------------------------------
When Prayer Becomes an Excuse
"I'll pray about it." Four words that often form the basis for what I call prayer paralysis. While prayer, and by extension seeking the will of God, is an important and appropriate first step in any endeavour, far too often our inability to develop and execute a plan of action to achieve a desired goal is hidden behind our spirituality. It is as if through prayer we expect God to do for us what we should be doing for ourselves. As a result, we miss walking in His plans and purposes for our lives because we fail or refuse to step out in faith, trusting we are being directed as we have prayed.
I thought about this form of paralysis as I reflected on the words of the Proverbs writer: "Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts" (Proverbs 24:3-4, Living Bible). Three practical steps are mentioned - plan wisely, use common sense [and I add, believing we are being led by the Holy Spirit], and stay informed on what is going on by seeking out good counsel. Nowhere in the Bible are we told to park our brains at the door. Mahatma Gandhi was right when he said, “To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.” It is wonderful to be a person of faith; however, faith without works, the practical outworking of one's belief, is dead.
How many decisions have been put off because someone is still "praying about it"? Of course, there are times when a period of waiting is required, but what about those decisions that are not made because of fear, excuses, or laziness? Those are the ones we are expected to make using the three practical steps of the Proverbs mentioned earlier. For example, a person looking for a job, after praying, needs to send out applications, do some networking, and keep on checking current job postings. To pray for something, then sit back, and do nothing is presumptuous. Faith is about doing, and the answers to our prayers often come after taking the first step (see Luke 17:14). Jesus encourages us to "ask...seek...knock,” all action words that produces the desired results (Matt. 7:7).
To fail to plan is to plan to fail. Let us not confuse motion with action, or lack of planning and poor decision-making with destiny. In addition to prayer, God has given us the keys to succeed in any enterprise - plan wisely, use common sense, and stay abreast of the facts. Our destiny hinges on our ability, with His help, to consistently carry out these steps.
Military leader and strategist Napoleon Bonaparte said, "Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action comes, stop thinking and go in." That sounds like very good advice. What are you waiting for to get started?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CREDITS/SOURCES
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
Add a Comment
Please be civil.