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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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JAMAICA RE-ELECTED TO MARITIME COUNCIL—12/05/09

Jamaica was re-elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for 2009-2011. Jamaica will represent Category C. The Honorable Mike Henry, Minister of Transport, led the Jamaican delegation to the 26th IMO Assembly in the UK and noted that the re-election was a significant milestone for the island.

NAMES DESIGNED TO ELEVATE COMMUNITY SOCIAL STATUS—12/06/09

Some new housing units that form part of the Jamaican government’s inner city housing project are meant to elevate the communities in terms of social standing. Majesty Gardens in Kingston off Spanish Town Road, is an example of this effort. Others include Callaloo Mews and Riverton Meadows. The new names are designed to elevate the communities in the minds of both residents and non-residents and indicate a break from their past.

POLICE END BENEFIT DANCE HOSTED BY BOLT—12/07/09

The Jamaican police put an end to a charity dance in St. Ann parish that was emceed and promoted by Usain Bolt, Olympic champion and world record holder. According to Glenmore Hinds, deputy commissioner, the event was cancelled after it ran two hours past its scheduled, legal ending time. Live events must end by 2 am under Jamaica’s Noise Abatement act. The dance was meant to raise funding for a community center in Bolt’s hometown.

SCHOOL FEES TOO HIGH, HINDER STUDENTS—12/07/09

Many students in Jamaica may see their dreams of a medical school education disappear even before they enter the University of the West Indies due to extremely high yearly school fees. Medical school fees could run higher than $2 million, while law school fees may total $285,347 annually. The fees would be paid by students who receive no aid from the Jamaican government. If sponsored by the government, the maximum fee for medical sciences would be $444,574, while that for law would total $201,011.

BELGIUM WANTS TO BE JAMAICAN TRADE HUB IN EUROPE—12/08/09

Jamaican firms plan to enter into a reciprocal trade arrangement with Belgium, visiting that country and other parts of Europe to consider new investment and joint-venture partnerships with investors who want to expand their holdings to the Caribbean region. According to Omar Chedda, trade liaison for the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), Belgium wants to be a significant part of the arrangement, taking advantage of opportunities for its local market.

UNITED STATES TO BLAME FOR “DUDUS” DELAY—12/09/09

According to the Jamaican government, the months long delay regarding the extradition request made by the United States for Christopher “Dudus” Coke, West Kingston strongman, is solely the fault of U.S. authorities. Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that the U.S. had not followed proper procedures when issuing the extradition request. The U.S. was in violation of Jamaica law in this case, Golding noted.

GOLDING ASKS DJs TO END VIOLENCE—12/10/09

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has asked that warring musicians end their violent rivalry. Golding met with Adijah (Vybz Kartel) Palmer and David (Mavado) Brooks in an effort to stem the number of murders on the island. In 2009, there have been almost 1,600 homicides to date, and police believe that the warring DJs’ factions use the musical rivalry as a reason to commit crime. The DJs agreed to hold a peace concert and eliminate graffiti that encourages their rivalry.

TIGHTER BONDS WITH CUBA FAVORED BY BAUGH—12/11/09

Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Kenneth Baugh, believes that stronger ties with Cuba will benefit both countries. The Minister made his remarks at the inauguration of a photo exhibit relating the links between Cuba and other nations in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN DEPORTED IN ANTIGUA CRACKDOWN—12/05/09

Law enforcement authorities in Antigua have deported a Jamaican man during a crackdown on illegal immigrants in Antigua and Barbuda. Hendley Clive Howell, 52, was deported for being in breach of immigration laws after being questioned by immigration officials. Howell pled guilty to remaining in the country after his immigration permit had expired.

GROUP IN SOUTH FLORIDA TO AID JAMAICAN RUNNERS—12/06/09

Jamaican Americans living in South Florida want to help the athletes in their homeland. According to Vonnie McGown Arscott, president of the Jamaica United Relief Association, the group is making an effort to provide $100,000 to help teenage and adult track runners in the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association compete in international competitions, including the Olympics in 2012. 

JAMAICANS FACE DETENTION IN UNITED STATES—12/08/09

Jamaicans, along with other Caribbean nations, are often held in an expensive immigration detention system that does not offer basic fairness, according to three reports. Investigators found that detainee transfers were haphazard and provided no explanation to detainees of why they were being held in some cases. The Constitution Project in Washington, D.C., has called for major changes in detention policies.

BEENIE MAN ENCOURAGES HOMOPHOBIA IN UGANDA—12/09/09

Jamaican reggae singer Beenie Man recently performed in Uganda, where the government will decide soon on whether to change the nation’s laws to impose the death penalty on men who participate in gay sex with those under 18 years of age, the disabled, or if they are HIV-positive. Beenie Man’s lyrics encourage hatred of gay people; his song Mi Nah Wallah, for example, states that he would like to cut the throats of all gay men.

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SPORTS
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GREEN, REJIMBAL THE WINNDERS AT NEGRIL’S REGGAE MARATHON—12/05/09

Rupert Green of Jamaica and Terrie Rejimbal of the United States were the male and female champions of the 2009 Reggae Marathon. Green achieved a new record for the course with two hours, 31 minutes, and 50 seconds. Rejimbal, who is from Tampa, Florida, ran the marathon in three hours, 56 seconds.

GAYLE DEDICATED CENTURY TO MOTHER—12/08/09

Chris Gayle, captain of the West Indies cricket team, celebrated his scoring of a century versus Australia in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. He dedicated his undefeated century to his mother and his supporters. Gayle’s mother was hospitalized in November.

Chris Gayle yesterday dedicated his timely undefeated century to his mother, who was hospitalized in November, and to his supporters who sent their best wishes to his family. Gayle declared West Indies was eyeing a possible upset win over Australia.

POWELL SAYS BOLT CAN BE DEFEATED—12/09/09

Asafa Powell, Jamaican sprinter, believes he can catch Usain Bolt, currently the world’s fastest man, when the two meet in 2010. Powell says that Bolt is the target of the moment and that he is shooting at him. Powell believes he can beat him. Powell has a personal best time in the 100 meters of 9.72 seconds. Bolt, who holds the world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter distances, ran the 100 in 9.58 seconds in Berlin in August 2009.

POWELL, CAMPBELL-BROWN AT 2010 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES LAUNCH—12/10/09

Top Jamaican athletes Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell-Brown participated in the launch of the Friendship Camp for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore. Dexter Lee, current world junior 100-meter champion, was a member of Jamaica’s contingent at the launch as well, as was Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Sports Minister.

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DEVOTIONAL
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The Gift of Today

There is something extra special about today.  If we are following our regular schedule, most things, people, and places are familiar to us because we have seen them before; we are accustomed to them.  Yet it is this routineness and familiarity that often causes us to lose appreciation for today.  Have you ever stopped to consider that it is a day like no other day?  That is because though we may be familiar with all that is around us, we have never seen today.  Yesterday was another day and so will be tomorrow and that makes today rather unique.  Once the clock strikes midnight, it is gone and can never be reclaimed or relived. It stands to reason therefore, that with each passing day we are writing history. The things we say and do will be the legacy we leave behind.  

But there are some wonderful consistencies that accompanies each new day.  We can borrow the words of the Psalmist when he declares, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24, KJV). Amidst the hustle and bustle of our day and the various challenges we have to deal with, we are often jaded to this reality. Being blessed enough to have woken up every morning for the number of years each of us has been around, it is easy to take today for granted. Each day is a gift from God, one to be celebrated, and like the Psalmist we too can should rejoice and be glad in it.  Our obligation to have such an attitude to today becomes clearer when we realize, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).  Not only are we beneficiaries of God's mercies every morning, but of spiritual blessings as well.  Psalm 68:19 reminds us, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."  In other words, we have been blessed "with all spiritual blessings, with an abundance of grace, as well as with temporal mercies, for which [H]e is, and ought to be, praised day by day."  And just in case we are not aware, today we can see God all around us, for "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:1-4).

As you make your way through today, take some time to reflect on this wonderful gift.   Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is nothing but a promise; the only "real" time we have is now.  What attitude do you bring to it?  Are you using it wisely? What legacy are you leaving behind? 

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.