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On Benny Hinn’s renunciation of the Prosperity Gospel

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admin
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1070
Photo source: Christianity Today

on The Cutting Edge – Rev. Dr. Dylan Toussaint

Whichever way we want to spin it, the report that the internationally known televangelist, Benny Hinn, has publicly renounced the so- called Prosperity Gospel, is “Big” news!

In an article entitled: ‘Benny Hinn Renounces Prosperity Gospel’, the highly acclaimed Christian Post states the following:

“Declaring that the “Holy Ghost is just fed up with it,” controversial televangelist Benny Hinn, formerly one of the most aggressive proponents of the prosperity gospel, has for the first time in his career, delivered a full-throated rejection of the practice that made him and his family millions…

Speaking to his followers, Hinn, who has long been a lightning rod for criticism for his support of the theology, declared the Gospel “is not for sale.”… I’m sorry to say that prosperity has gone a little crazy and I’m correcting my own theology and you need to all know it. Because when I read the Bible now, I don’t see the Bible in the same eyes I saw 20 years ago.”

The fact is that the so-called Prosperity Gospel has gained traction and attraction to many individuals across the length and breadth of this world. The fact is, the       so-called Prosperity Gospel is being stridently preached and taught in numerous churches and church groups as a basic tenet of the Christian Faith.

What really is the Prosperity Gospel?

According to the Christian Post, the Prosperity Gospel teaches (among other things) that believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth, and they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and the “sowing of seeds” through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings.

The adherents of this Prosperity Gospel oftentimes use a number of Bible passages to support their beliefs and practices. They include the following:

  • (Psalm 1: 1-3) “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law he meditates day and night…3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
  • (III John 2) “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”
  • (II Corinthians 8: 9) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich”

SICK TO MY STOMACH

On the other hand, there are those who oppose the Prosperity Gospel and do so by making the case that the above-mentioned passages are usually misinterpreted and mishandled. They also do so by drawing attention to passages such as:

  • (Mark 10: 25) “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
  • (Luke 6: 20) “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God”
  • (Luke 16: 19-31) The Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus

Of course, the adherents of the Prosperity Gospel also argue that their detractors have misinterpreted and mishandled these passages.

Be that as it may, Benny Hinn is now on record as having renounced the Prosperity Gospel, even to the point condemning some common practices associated with it. Indeed he recently stated the following:

“I think it’s an offense to the Lord, it’s an offense to say give $1,000. I think it’s an offense to the Holy Spirit to place a price on the Gospel. I’m done with it. I will never again ask you to give $1,000 or whatever amount, because I think the Holy Ghost is just fed up with it…

Did you hear me? I think it hurts the Gospel, so I’m making this statement for the first time in my life and frankly, I don’t care what people think about me anymore…When they invite me to telethons I think they will not like me anymore…

If I hear one more time, break the back of debt with $1,000, I’m gonna rebuke them. I think that’s buying the Gospel. That’s buying the blessing. That’s grieving the Holy Spirit. … If you are not giving because you love Jesus, don’t bother giving…I think giving has become such a gimmick; it’s making me sick to my stomach.”   

Wow! Need I say more? Shalom

DEADLY CRASH

By
Shaqueal Benti
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881
ILL-FATED VEHICLES: The mangled wreck of the ill-fated vehicles which claimed two lives in a motor vehicle accident along the North Coast Highway on Monday.

Twisted metals, shattered glass, and screams of family members and curious onlookers, on Monday, painted a harrowing picture of the tragedy that unfolded along a section of the busy North Coast Highway. In the tragic incident, a three-vehicle collision caused the death of two men and injured 17 others, including 12 students, between the ages of 4 and 8.

The deceased have been identified as Anthony Forbes, otherwise known as ‘Toney’, a 60-year-old resident of Providence, and Oneil Henry, a 33-year-old chef of Trelawny.


In the collision, which had traffic backing up for miles and scores of emergency workers and on-scene helpers at the scene, a number of the injured were assisted to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, some in private vehicles, to get medical attention. Up to press time, the Western Mirror understands, four of those involved in the crash, one a passenger from the ill-fated motorcar, remained hospitalized in critical condition.


Students from St. James Prep, Barracks Road Primary, Corinaldi and MoBay Infant were among those injured.


A white Toyota Corolla motorcar with registration plates 7926JE; a grey 2008 Nissan Caravan and a white AD Wagon, were the vehicles involved in the fatal crash.


According to information from the Police, the Corolla motorcar was heading towards Montego Bay, while the Nissan Caravan and AD Wagon were heading in the direction of Falmouth, travelling in the right lane.


On reaching the Flanker main road, in the vicinity of the playfield, the Toyota driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle. The car reportedly raced across the median and crashed into the Caravan, which then had then had the AD Wagon crash into its back.


Henry died on the spot while Forbes (‘Toney’), who had suffered grave injuries, died at CRH while undergoing treatment, about an hour after the impact.


ALLEGED EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT


According to reports from an alleged eyewitness, shortly after 3 p.m. on the day in question, the Corolla, said to be at the heart of the accident, was being driven by Henry, who was employed to Iberostar. As he was travelling towards Montego Bay, he reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which overshot the median, just before slamming into the packed mini-bus head-on, which was going towards Flanker.


The AD Wagon, which also had children aboard – four to be exact, rammed into the rear of the mini-bus. Fortunately, no one was badly injured.


‘TUNEY’ WAS A SWEET MAN


Traumatized and visibly shaken children – some wailing for their mothers, were rescued from the wreckage by early passersby. Some, however, were motionless on the grass close to the collision as their bags piled up close by.


‘Tuney’, who was at the wheel of the minibus, was pinned down in the vehicle and had to be cut from the wreckage by firefighters, who were forced to tie the bus onto their unit in a bid to pry it away from its entanglement with the other vehicle.


The elderly man was described as a reliable individual by scores of Flanker natives who had converged on the scene, who shared that for most of the children from the Flanker community who attended school in Montego Bay, ‘Tuney’ was the one who carried them. One person remarked that no matter what kind of tension was going on in the community, Mr. Forbes would still go and do his pickups and drop-offs.


To date, some 27 persons have died as a result of vehicular accidents in the parish of St. James, coming from a total of 15 accidents since the start of the year.


More than 400 have been killed so far in the island, overrunning the target set by the Road Safety board.

written by: Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts / Shamir Brown

ISSA da’Costa Cup BATTLE FOR TOP CONTINUES

By
Shaqueal Benti
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RECKLESS: Peter Sinclair, the Cornwall College goalkeeper (ball in hand), leaves the side of his boot to the face of his St. James High attacking opponent, Jordan Oates, during their exciting Zone ‘A’ ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup match played at Cornwall on Saturday. Sinclair was shown the red card as Cornwall won 3-2. – Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

Three Western schools, two with 23 titles between them, will be among the 12 seeking to maintain leadership of their zones when the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Schoolboy Football Competition continues today, Wednesday, with midweek action across the island.


Rusea’s, Cornwall College and Manning’s are the Western teams hoping to maintain their stance at the summit of their respective zones, all needing wins to be assured.


High-scoring Rusea’s, with 15 goals in their last two outings, face a challenge against Green Island, who though having just a solitary win to date, should prove a much more testing opponent.

The ‘Russian’s’ have conceded just once from their two previous matches in Zone ‘B’, and will be gunning for a third straight.


Frome Tech, with goals yet to be scored against them, face off with winless Merlene Ottey in the other game in the zone, and are expected to claim all three points on offer as they too hunt top spot in the zone and can overtake Rusea’s, should they fail to secure maximum points.


The irresistible Manning’s, who had their perfect winning streak brought to a halt against Petersfield, seek a return to winning ways when they line-up at home to Grange Hill in a Zone ‘D’ affair, seeking a third outright win.


Maud McLeod, sitting second, just a point off the leaders (Manning’s), take on tottering bottom-of-the-pack Godfrey Stewart, and Belmont Academy, still feeling upbeat after a maiden victory, battle Petersfield in another encounter.


CC WITHOUT #1 KEEPER


Meanwhile, 12 times champions Cornwall College will be without their number one goalkeeper, Peter Sinclair, for their tricky Zone ‘A’ encounter away to the dangerous and unpredictable dark horses, Anchovy High.


Just a point separates the two going into the top-of-the-table fixture with CC ahead on 7 and Anchovy 6.


Both have already marked off two wins and are both undefeated in the zone, but Anchovy have played a game less and will be in a bullish mood to take all three points in a bid to surpass their more fancied opponents in their own backyard.


Cornwall College, last year’s beaten finalists, face a slight handicap heading into the fixture as they will be without number one custodian for the past three years, the outstanding Peter Sinclair.


Sinclair will miss the encounter after being shown a straight red card in their previous outing at the weekend.


In other games in the zone, St. James High, bidding to return to winning ways and avoid a third defeat of the season, host winless Maldon, and Green Pond High, previous leaders of the zone, clash at Irwin against the hosts.


Green Pond, who are bidding for a return to the Inter Zone round for the first time since 2013, will need all three points to keep alive their hopes while remaining on the heels of the front two.

written by: Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

MOHW to Embark on All-Island Dengue Tour

By
Shaqueal Benti
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1005
SPEAKING TO THE WORKERS: Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, addresses vector control workers in Westmoreland following a tour of the parish on Friday.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, says the Ministry will be embarking on an all-island tour to sensitize residents about the importance of implementing good vector control measures in the fight against dengue.


Following a tour of sections of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth on September 13, Dr. Tufton said that the battle can only be won on a united front and that there is absolutely no room for complacency.
“Today was a good tour of the two parishes, where we also met and spoke with vector management and health workers,” the Minister said.
“We also got a brief as to the vector control measures that have, and are being implemented in both parishes. The objective is to sensitize the public, help with the planning process and to give critical support to the health staff in the parishes, because we believe this is the best response to this dengue challenge,” he added.


Dr. Tufton said that in St. Elizabeth alone, the Ministry has increased the number of vector workers from 41 to 100 in an effort to ensure maximum coverage and attention in susceptible areas.


“We have quite a number of workers now to be deployed in the field where we have also increased the logistic support for them. We have also made available materials for them to visit the different locations. We take the issue of dengue very seriously and we don’t want the people of St. Elizabeth to be badly affected,” the Minister said.

Noting that the hospitals in both parishes have been sensitised, the Minister said he is urging persons who are showing symptoms of the virus, to seek immediate medical advice.
NO SPECIAL TREATMENT
Meanwhile, Dr. Tufton said that factors beyond Jamaica’s control are responsible for the dengue alert, pointing to “adjustments in climate change; a hotter environment; greater breeding of the mosquito, which has increased its population; and more aggressive features of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes”.


Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has rapidly spread to all regions in recent years. The virus is transmitted mainly by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito also transmits Chikungunya, Yellow Fever and Zika viruses. Dengue is widespread throughout the tropics, with local variations in risk influenced by rainfall, temperature and unplanned rapid urbanization.


According to the WHO, there is no specific treatment for dengue/severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates to below one per cent.


The international health body also notes that dengue prevention and control depend on effective vector control measures.

Tyra Reeves is JN Foundation Scholar for Westmoreland

By
Shaqueal Benti
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3263

Tyra Reeves is only 12 years old, however, her level of maturity and reasoning is far beyond her age. She is a go-getter and a strategic thinker, who is goal-oriented, ambitious and achievement-driven.
A first-form student at the Manning’s School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Tyra has already drafted a mental plan of what she wants to achieve at her new school.


“In the short-term, I want to be the top girl in my class, to be on the Principal’s Honour Roll, and to get good grades in all my subjects. My long-term goals are to become a head prefect or head girl; and to gain ten CSEC subjects, as my sister did,” she declared.


Her goals are not limited to what she wants to accomplish in high school, as she has already decided what her career path will be.
“I want to become a lawyer and a QC [Queens Council], because I want to see innocent people go free; and bad people [being] punished for the consequences of their actions.”


Having attained an average of 349.7 in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP), Tyra was awarded a five-year scholarship by the JN Foundation and named the JN Scholar for the parish of Westmoreland. She was one of 37 students who were officially recognised for their academic achievement at the PEP Scholarship Reception, which was held at the JN Bank Chief Office, in Half-Way Tree, on September 8.

Medical Cannabis therapy centre to open in Negril

By
Shaqueal Benti
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1236

Jamaica has made a bold step towards capitalizing on the medicinal and revenue-earning potential of medicinal cannabis. Medical Cannabis Therapy is now a reality with the opening of a state-of-the-art, next-generation master-planned wellness and treatment facility in the popular Negril resort.


Apollon Formularies commenced treating of patients on Thursday, August 1, 2019, to coincide with Emancipation Day and the Dream Weekend, an annual entertainment event in Negril.


The facility, which will have its official opening on Friday, October 25, 2019, is a joint venture between Doc’s Place International Inc., an international health and wellness resort, and Apollon Formularies Jamaica Limited. It is located at Doc’s Place, Hotel and Resort Centre in Negril’s West End.


Keynote speaker for the opening will be Minister of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw.


CEO of Doc’s Place and a director of Apollon Formularies Jamaica, Ltd., Stephen D. Barnhill, MD, said, “This strategic relationship provides patients worldwide with the opportunity to receive world-class medical cannabis treatments provided by licensed physicians with special expertise in treating with medical cannabis-based pharmaceuticals in a safe, professional, medical and legal environment.”


He quoted the noted Greek physician, Hippocrates, the patron of medicine, as saying, “Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”


The goal of the Medical Cannabis Therapy Centre is to provide an environment that enhances the quality of life for those being served. It is modelled after treatment centres, spas, resorts, and hotels that provide hospitality-oriented services in combination with personal care and well-being services.


Commenting on the new facility, Medical Director of Doc’s Place International Inc. and a U.S. board-certified neurosurgeon, Anthony Hall, MD, said, “We are very excited about the opening of the world’s first Global Centre of Excellence for Medical Cannabis Therapy in Negril, Jamaica, which will provide patients with specialized medical care for the myriad of conditions shown to be beneficially treated with medical cannabis pharmaceuticals in a Federally legal environment.” Dr Hall is supported by a team, which includes Dr. Marjorie Vassell and Dr. Alfred Dawes.


Chief Science Officer of Doc’s Place International and former Professor and Director of Clinical Chemistry at MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Herb Fritsche, Ph.D., pointed out that “having the world’s first Global Centre of Excellence for Medical Cannabis Therapy gives us the opportunity to do state-of-the-art research, clinical trials and development based on patient outcomes data, create and adapt pharmaceutical formulations, establish accurate therapeutic doses and develop genomic markers to better determine the proper course of treatment for patients being treated by our excellent medical team using Apollon Formularies Jamaica, Ltd.’s award-winning medical cannabis strains and cannabis-based pharmaceutical formulary.“


CEO of Apollon Formularies Jamaica Ltd., Paul Burke, is pleased that, “We have a strategic relationship with Doc’s Place International to open the world’s first Global Center of Excellence for Medical Cannabis Therapy in Negril, Jamaica, and to provide legal, state-of-the-art, quality-controlled medical cannabis-based pharmaceuticals to the excellent medical team treating these patients.“


Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism has the development of health and wellness tourism as one of its pillars for growing the tourism industry and the Ministry of Health and Wellness recently said they aimed to attract over 100,000 medical tourists to the island within the next 10 years. Doc’s Place International’s Global Centre for Medical Cannabis Therapy aims to be a major contributor to this increase in medical tourists to the island.


Medical cannabis has been shown to be beneficial in myriad of conditions including Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Brain Cancer, Nausea/Vomiting (chemotherapy), Nausea/Vomiting (sea sickness), PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Pain, Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease/Ulcerative Colitis, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, HIV, Alzheimer’s Disease, Lupus (SLE), Opioid/Narcotic Rehabilitation, Parkinson’s Disease, Anxiety Disorders and Sleep Disorders.

MATTHEW’S SUSHI BAR -Sushi is more than raw fish

By
Shaqueal Benti
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2441
MATTHEW AND HIS STAFF: Matthew Wallace and his staff stopped for a moment to greet our shutterbugs.

All roads led to the Negril on Saturday, September 14, for the Grand Opening of Matthew’s Sushi Bar. Located at the Board Walk Shopping Village on Norman Manley Boulevard, free Sushi samples and Appleton specials were the main attractions for the night.


Being a part of a family that has been in the hospitality industry for several generations, Matthew Wallace, who calls Negril home, continued the family tradition, but with a little flare.


It all started off with his love for Sushi. He tested the market by introducing the town to a Sushi Night, which has now evolved into a restaurant. According to Matthew, this isn’t where the buck stops, as the restaurant will be expanding very soon while keeping on the path of healthy and unique food options.


Matthew’s Sushi Bar does not only offer sushi. The restaurant offers a variety of beverages, as well as a variety of meals. It also offers a child friendly environment and special packages for celebratory occasions such as birthdays, showers and anniversaries, just to name a few.


Sushi, usually prepared with rice, along with a variety of ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits, is a Japanese dish more popularly known for its raw seafood inclusion. However, there is a Sushi at Matthew’s Sushi Bar for everyone. If you do not like the idea of raw seafood, cooked ones are also available; if you do not eat seafood, chicken is available; if you are vegetarian, then choose a vegetable or fruit Sushi. The top choice for many is the Volcan Roll with Shrimp Tempura, according to head chef Rumain Thorpe and manager Sophia Stewart.


“Despite the success of the Sushi Night, I still considered opening the restaurant a huge risk.” Matthew shared with the Western Mirror. “Sushi is not very popular in Jamaica, but I wanted to create something unique in Negril and I thought this was it. Also, I love Sushi, I love Negril, and didn’t want to have to leave Negril to get Sushi.”


He further went on to express his surprise at the number of locals who have been supporting the restaurant since it opened. “I didn’t know so many locals would be drawn to sushi,” Matthew stated, before sharing that he is overwhelmed with gratitude for the support he is receiving.
We also had a chance to catch up with Matthew’s father, Richard Wallace, who expressed the importance of investing in your children.
“The work we put in when we are young is not to benefit us, it is to ensure that the next generation has a foundation,” he shared.


At 31 years of age, this will be Matthew’s first business. Richard further expressed that he is merely the facilitator, but all decisions are made by Matthew.


Over the next few weeks the restaurant will be hosting a series of other specials, continuing their Appleton Jamaica Rum partnership. On September 28, for only $2,200 JMD, patrons will get one flask of Appleton Jamaica Rum along with one pound of Chicken Wings, for which eight flavours will be available.


Pick up a copy of the Western Mirror each Monday to keep up with the latest deals being offered by this destination!

ENTRY: This is the entry point for Matthew’s Sushi Bar

Rosalee D. Wood
rosawwesternmirror@gmail.com

UNESCO PROTECTION NEEDED

By
admin
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1142
Mining in the Cockpit Country

Anthony Barrett

“The land, forests, plants and animals in Cockpit Country provide us with clean air to breathe, cooler temperatures, fresh water collected and stored, pollination and pest control for agriculture, medicinal plants and fertile soil in the valleys. The forests of Cockpit Country also help to buffer the impacts of climate change.” – Diana McCaulay, Jamaican environmental advocate.

For some time now, a disaster of such calamitous proportions has been threatening that, should it ever come to fruition, future generations will wring their hands in despair and wonder how our generation, yes, our generation, could ever have ever let it occur. Their bane of contention will be the decimation of Jamaica’s Cockpit Country. A Russian aluminum giant, through its subsidiary, Noranda Jamaica, entered into a 26-year mining lease with the Government in 2004 and now fifteen years later, they want their pound of flesh. They are ready to despoil and desecrate the Cockpit Country for economic gain.

McCaulay, a local environmentalist, best described the area and its potential despoliation in these words: “The Cockpit Country is a rugged, forested area of west-central Jamaica, rich in plants, animals, water and history. It is home to about 70,000 people, including the Leeward Maroons of Jamaica. The wet limestone forest of Cockpit Country is Jamaica’s largest remaining natural forest and a refuge for rare native species. Plans to mine for bauxite and quarry for limestone threaten this important area.”

Noranda apparently does not think so. In discussing the impact of a ban on mining in the Cockpits, Noranda’s General Manager, Delroy Dell, issued, in my opinion, a veiled threat when he opined, “The resulting economic impact, which will be felt in the relatively near future, will jeopardize Noranda’s ability to sustain the more than 800 direct and 4000 indirect jobs, and the millions of US dollars in export earnings, taxes and other outgoings, that the company contributes to the Jamaican economy.” 

OBVIOUS NO BRAINERS

At stake is much that all Jamaicans, here and in the Diaspora, should hold dear, the fabric of the country; the sustainability of the ecology over financial threat and economic desperation plus the long-term health of all our citizens. These are obvious no brainers, yet the government and civil society seem content to sit on their hands while paying lip service to this cantankerous issue. As a result, with the clock ticking down towards a grotesque act of vandalism to which Noranda threatens, only the environmental and Rastafarian communities, along with the people domiciled within the immediate vicinity, are agitated and protesting.

We are facing a desecration, the defilement that is the strip mining of one of the last remaining Jamaican forests, the Cockpit Country, which is the largest unspoiled forest in Jamaica. If this travesty is allowed, in a few years from now, the topography of one of the most precious and verdant landscapes in Jamaica, will bear the scar of our folly, inertia and shortsightedness.

It is claimed that the now burning Amazon rainforest is the lungs of the world; likewise, there are Jamaicans who have similarly likened the Cockpit Country. The forest cover and biodiversity that provide the Cockpit Country with its unique context and characteristics, which currently enable farmers in the bread basket and garden parishes of St. Elizabeth and St. Ann, will have been devastated. The yam farmers and related industries in Trelawny will be hard-pressed to maintain their economic independence, given that Trelawny comprises the majority of the Cockpit and where the proposed mining is to be concentrated. Those are incidental consequences.

TOO LATE

However, we must be aware that the strip mining of vast quantities of such lush vegetation will have desecrated it for all time. The damage this would inflict on both the landscape and the broader ecology inclusive of flora, fauna and underground rivers will not be fully known until when it is too late. The government should be resolute in protecting this zone which potentially can be more economically viable than bauxite extraction with its known hazards. Untapped are phytomedicines and the possibility of new drugs which could be far more lucrative economically and a great deal safer for those residing in and around the Cockpit Country.

It is said that the health of people and the health of the planet that we live in are inextricably bound. Destruction of our fragile habitat threatens our access to the most fundamental requisites for human existence, potable water, clean air, safe food and shelter. Within those stated parameters, air pollution poses one of the greatest threats to those fundamentals and human rights of communities abutting the proposed excavation zone.

Let us be clear, bauxite extraction in Jamaica can best be described as open mining which involves substantial clearing and removal of land. The processes of excavating, removal of top soil and vegetation, transportation of bauxite ore, unwanted elements and stockpiling of bauxite cause degradation of air quality due to dust pollution. Fine particles are well documented causes or triggers which lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Dust is a solid particulate matter, and is of great health concern because, while unseen to the naked eyes, it can be inadvertently inhaled deep into the respiratory system, even by those not involved in the mining operation. Then there is the nuisance dust which can be seen. It reduces environmental comfort, contaminates clothes, properties, vegetation and water, and has negative corrosive effects on personal wellbeing and health.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Trees, vehicles, houses and clothes along the route of the trucks transporting bauxite were also contaminated with red dust. It stains even the transportation infrastructure as exemplified by a stretch of road in Faiths Pen in St. Ann, which is plied by bauxite trucks going to and from the quarry. It is tainted dark red. The location of mining activities in relation to human settlement is of great concern to public health and should be treated accordingly.

Again, let me reiterate, there are a number of reasons why bauxite mining in the Cockpit can cause environmental problems which will subsequently spread to negatively impact the health of adjoining communities if the issue is not shelved.

No matter the reassurances, multi-national corporations are driven only by the bottom line, not morality. There ought not to be any Cockpit Country Protected Area (CCPA). The entire area should be off limits and declared in its entirety as a UNESCO protected area.

Recently, Mr. Dell was quoted in a Jamaican newspaper (Monday September 9, 2019) as saying: ”We are not only a leader in Jamaica with our reclamation activities, but we have been recognized around the world for our reclamation and greenhouse initiatives.” Dell went on to note that a fundamental principle of all aspects of their operations, and a key reason why they have been able to operate in harmony with their communities, is that they not only mine bauxite, but implement environmentally friendly long-term projects that allow residents to derive greater economic and social benefits from their surrounding environment. He further posited that at Noranda, they work hard to ensure the lands they mine are effectively reclaimed for beneficial use by local farmers and residents alike.

While all that sounded well and good, his primary focus was the sustainability of his company’s mining operation when he said that precluding Noranda from mining the reserves granted to it in SML 173, all of which fall outside of the CCPA, will result in Noranda mining lesser quality bauxite at much further haul distances. Obviously, the only tangible cost for him is the company’s profit margin. Peace!

mocobarrett@yahoo.com

Five hunt points

By
admin
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20
EASY YUTE! St. James High’s versatile talisman, Ewan Barton, effortlessly holds off the charge of tricky Kajem Lewis of Irwin, taking possession of the ball near the touchline during the ISSA/WATA da’CostA Cup Zone ‘A’ clash between the schools at Jarrett Park last Wednesday. St. James High, who had been defeated in their opening game, rebounded with a 1-0 beating of their opponent, a wonder strike providing all three points and handing them their first win of the season. - NLR photo

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

With schools beginning the jostle for points and positioning in their respective zones, increased action in the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Schoolboy Football Competition continues tomorrow (Tuesday, September, 17) with another five games down to be contested.

Two of the five matches will be on in the west and will see the closely contested Zone ‘C’ in action, three days after their weekend fixtures.

Former two times champions Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTHS), bidding for a return to the Inter Zone round, will take aim at maintaining a solid start to the campaign when they play their play their second away game.

‘Compre’ have already tasted defeat and will be bidding to avoid another as they try to keep their noses in front when they line-up against lowly Holland High, yet to tick a win.

Holland have been struggling since the back end of last season and with several of their more seasoned players absent from the team, less effectiveness is expected from coach Dane Randall.

Holland has managed just two goals in three outings and Randall bemoaned the team’s lack of finishing. “Though we are not as strong as we should have been due to setbacks, we have not been taking the chances we are creating, and, that mainly has been our letdown.”

“Without dominating our opponents, we have carved out chances, many of which, if taken, could have put us back in games or even earned us a point, and that is something we must rectify going into this home match, Randall said.

Holland, who will be playing back-to-back home games, were beaten 1-0 in their last game by Spot Valley.

They were left idle on Saturday, with Muschett having withdrawn.

Elsewhere in the zone, unpredictable William Knibb, gunning for another victory, face-off with Cedric Titus in what should be a very competitive match.

Knibb hit four in their first game against a lowly opponent, but will be tested by their visitors who possess speed on the frontline.

Both Knibb and Cedric Titus, who dominated the zone last year, are hovering mid-pack and will be desperate to get vital points as they plot their climb up the standings.

Zone ‘F’ is also down to be active with Belair at home to May Day; Mile Gully opposing B.B. Coke and Decarteret College  engaging former semi-finalists Manchester High.

All games are scheduled to go off at 3:30 p.m.

Tessanne Chin’s new love revealed!

By
admin
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861
Tess and Brandon

Michael Nattoo – Staff Reporter

Last Wednesday, we revealed that Jamaican songbird and internationally acclaimed artiste, Tessanne Chin, shared on her Instagram page that she was expecting he first child – expected to be a bouncing baby girl. Great. We even shared a picture that came along with the announcement, which included some adorable pink baby shoes, and – something which apparently piqued the interest of the over 200,000 people who saw the post – Tessanne and a mystery man locking lips in a blurred out background. Most of us men were hurt by that – obviously, but there is a silver lining. The mystery is no more!

Tessanne apparently saw the queries about her mystery fellow, and in usual fashion, dropped a bomb of an announcement – well, more like a revelation, putting all the curious cats to rest. The identity of Ms. Chin’s new boo was revealed to be – Brandon! Just Brandon – that’s all we have on him for now – along with a picture of him! Even without reading the caption, one glance at the posted photo, which, up to last week had over 20,000 likes, it could easily be deduced that this lucky fellow was the man with whom Tessanne had apparently rediscovered love.

She could have easily left us to speculate who the fellow was, but being the kind soul that she is, she blessed us with a somewhat revealing caption. It read: “Brandon and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who offered such warm words of encouragement and congratulations over the past few days!!! We are honestly so grateful and blown away by your kindness in our journey to becoming parents for the very first time. All our love and thanks guys!! God bless. Tess and B (AKA @MumAndDad #Cheesin #HappyFriday”.

Just like before, Tessanne’s comment section was littered with people just pouring all sorts of kindness on her and, this time, her new love. There were, expectedly, some other shady comments – directed squarely at Tessnanne’s ex-husband, Michael Cuffe Jr. One such comment was “Michael must be punching the air right now.”

It seemed the picture also raised more questions. One Instagram user asked what was arguably on most of Tessanne’s followers’ minds. “Lemme ask what everybody wanna know. Who is Brandon? Weh him come from? Wa him do for a living?” It’s unlikely Tessanne will answer those questions in another Instagram post, but we’re sure to know those details in due time.

Until then, best wishes to the new and expecting couple!

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