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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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AIR JAMAICA RESCUES JAMAICANS FROM TURKS AHEAD OF HURRICANE—09/06/08
Over 100 Jamaican were airlifted from the Turks and Caicos by Air Jamaica ahead of Hurricane Ike, which threatened the small islands just days after they received a major hit from Hurricane Hanna. More than 350 Jamaicans will return home on a number of Air Jamaica flights that were specially scheduled out of the islands before Ike arrives.
JCF BOUGHT AMMUNITION FROM ILLEGAL ARMS DEALER—09/07/08
Senior operatives of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are investigating what they are calling a “major blunder” that resulted in the illegal purchase of millions of dollars worth of ammunition from Lance Brooks, a confessed criminal in the United States. Brooks did not have a license to sell military items like ammunition, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Exporting such items without a license is illegal. Brooks is the owner and operator of Taylor and Associates, an arms brokerage in Lauderhill, Florida.
RIU HAS NO REGRETS ABOUT HOTEL—09/08/08
Spanish investor Luis Riu, who is poised to unveil his new Montego Bay hotel, believes it to be the latest “jewel in his crown.” The hotel, like much of the tourist capital, was spared any damage from Tropical Storm Gustav, which devastated other parts of Jamaica. The new hotel has 681 rooms.
BOLT RETURNS HOME, GOLDING PROMISES TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL CAPITAL—09/09/08
The excitement and euphoria that surrounded the success of Usain Bolt at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, will not be permitted to die, according to Bruce Golding, Jamaica’s Prime Minister. Bolt won three gold medals and broke three world records in Beijing, and his homecoming was greeted by thousands of ecstatic islanders. Golding said Bolt “captured the heart of the Jamaican people.”
JAMAICAN TOURIST ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS AIRLINES DEAL—09/10/08
The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has decided to lend its support to the government’s arrangement with American Airlines (AA), a United States carrier, to protect the island’s tourist industry from “air seat fallout.” Wayne Cummings, president of the JHTA, said the organization entered into the debate over the deal because of the opposition to the revenue guarantee designed to secure existing and additional AA flights to Jamaica.
JAMAICAN NATIONAL EXTRADITED ON MURDER CHARGES—09/11/08
David Clarke, a 26-year-old Jamaican national, is being extradited from the island to Broward County on charges of murdering a couple in South Florida. Lauderhill, Florida police traveled to Jamaica to help with the return of Clarke, who was captured in St. Catherine. It is alleged that Clarke and two other individuals shot and killed Christ Thompson and Cassandra Williams in June 2007.
BOLT TO APPEAR ON DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW IN UNITED STATES—09/11/08
Olympic track and field gold medalist Usain Bolt will make his first appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” on September 24, 2008, in New York City. This will be Bolt’s first talk-show appearance and his first appearance ever on late-night television. Bolt won three gold medals and broke three world records at the Olympics in Beijing, China, and is called the “Fastest Man Alive.”
FORMER POLICEMAN FREED—09/12/08
Carey Lyn-Sue, a former policeman who made a sensational confession about fabricating evidence in a murder case, has been freed after serving his six-month sentence. Dr. Carolyn Gomes, executive director of Jamaicans For Justice, a human rights group, called for law enforcement to use Lyn-Sue as an example to discourage delinquency among members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). He can be a model in the battle against corruption, Gomes believes. Lyn-Sue was a JCF member for seven years and was one of over 50 police arrested by the force’s Anti-Corruption Unit for criminal conduct.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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DUKE OF EARLE STAGES YEARLY HOMECOMING TOUR—09/06/08
Bevan Earle, known as “the Duke,” demonstrates his love of his homeland every year by hosting a “Back to Jamaica Homecoming Tour.” The Sunrise, Florida radio host and newspaper publisher, began the event in 2002. It was conceived as a way to link Jamaicans throughout the Diaspora, as well as descendants of Jamaicans who had never been to the homeland, get back in touch with their roots.
UK ACADEMIC CAUSES FUROR WITH ANTI-JAMAICAN STATEMENTS—09/07/08
George Steiner of Cambridge University in the United Kingdom said that having Jamaican neighbors would be a “nightmare” because they “play reggae all day.” Steiner’s views have been defended by some of his colleagues, but the black community in the UK is outraged. Celia Grandison-Markey, advisory board member of Jamaica Diaspora UK, said Steiner’s characterization of Jamaicans was totally rejected by the organization and bemoaned his “regrettable lack of discernment and his readiness to generalize and stereotype.” Steiner has said he does not regret his comments.
JAMAICA, COLLEGE IN CANADA PARTNER TO FILL LABOR SHORTAGE—09/08/08
Okanagan College in British Columbia has partnered with Jamaica to help ease the labor shortage in the Canadian province. Jamaican-born marketing professor Michael Patterson at Okanagan began the recruitment program in his homeland to help meet the labor needs in BC. The first two batches of Jamaican students have already arrived and begun their training. The island’s government sent Jamaicans with at least six years of work experience in their field of study.
JAMAICAN AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL QUESTIONED ABOUT CANNABIS—09/09/08
Police in Antigua have questioned a Jamaican promoter/entertainer and a high-level government official in regard to a find of 17 pounds of cannabis at the VC Bird International Airport. Police have not named the official, who is reported to be part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Police confirmed that the man was questioned in the incident, however.
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SPORTS
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JAMAICANS TO PERFORM AT PARALYMPICS—09/06/08
Jamaica will compete only in the athletics at the 13th Paralympics Games in Beijing, China. Tanto Campbell, Commonwealth Games champion, will be the first Jamaican to perform when he participates in the men’s discus event.
JAMAICAN HURDLER CLARIFIES DRUG REPORT—09/07/08
Delloreen Ennis-London, Jamaican sprint hurdler, has issued clarifications regarding a report by Sports Illustrated magazine in the United States that linked her to performance-enhancing drugs. The report stated that Ennis-London received two shipments of Somatropic, human growth hormone, between June 2006 and February 2007. Ennis-London says that a doctor recommended the medication to treat a disorder, but she had disposed of it after realizing it included substances banned by the IAAF.
JAMAICAN ATHLETES WIN IN SLOVAKIA MEET—09/08/08
Jamaicans Nesta Carter, Olympic sprint relay gold medalist, Markino Buckley, Olympic finalist, and Kaliese Spencer won in their events at the 6th Athletics Bridge EAA Permit in Slovakia. Carter was a member of the sprint relay team that won gold at the Beijing Olympic Games, clocking 37.10 seconds.
MVP CONSIDERS LEAVING JAMAICA—09/11/08
The Maximizing Velocity and Power Track Club, home of several Olympic champions including Ann Fraser, Melaine Walker, and Asafa Powell, may leave Jamaica in the near future. MVP’s assistant coach and director, Paul Francis, confirmed statements by his brother and head coach, Stephen Francis, saying that the move could be imminent.
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DEVOTIONAL
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I Thank God for You
I have been blessed to have people in my life, past and present, who in the own unique ways have added, and continue to add, measures of richness to my life that has blessed me tremendously. When I think of these people, I think of them in ways that often make me smile, and at times, with mixed emotions. Some of the lessons learnt over the years have been invaluable, and in the hustle and bustle of everyday living, they have served me well in many different ways.
These thoughts came to mind as I reflected on a couple of Paul's salutations to his friends. To the Philippians he wrote, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy" (1:3, 4), and to Philemon, "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers" (1:4). Friends that cross our paths through divine appointments are priceless. Whether for a reason, a season, or a life-time, these are the people who usually see us at our best and often times, at our worse. They are always thinking of us and even without always knowing what is going on at any given moment, they are often upholding us in prayer. Our greatest joy is their greatest delight, and when we are bruised and wounded by life's events, we can count on them to be there in our hours of need.
Someone once said, "A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope." There is a lot of truth in that statement, and I believe this was some of what the Apostle experienced with those he addressed; prayed for, loved, and encouraged. Do you have proven friends like that? Today is as good a time as any to send them a note to say "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you ... making mention of thee always in my prayers." And while you're at it, make sure to really thank God for them.
CEW
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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.
