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THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
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JAMAICA AWARDED US$6.8 MILLION TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE—10/03/15
The Jamaican government and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (BRD) have entered into an agreement to use $US6.8 million in grant money to improve the quality and utilization of climate-related data to inform development planning and action at the national level. It is hoped that this initiative will mitigate some of the impacts of natural disasters on the island. The project seeks to provide better warning systems and more timely and accessible climate information and services to Jamaicans.
JAMAICANS TO RECEIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FROM CAYMANS ON VISAS—10/05/15
Jamaicans who visit the Cayman Islands frequently will benefit from an immigration law that provides for the availability of a 10-year visitor visa for individuals from Jamaica. Other nationalities may obtain only single-entry visas or receive permission to enter several times during a one-year, three-year, and five-year fixed period. The 10-year visitor option will be made available only to Jamaicans in recognition of the special relationship between the two countries.
DEMONSTRATORS OBJECT TO BRITISH PLAN TO CONSTRUCT PRISON—10/06/15
Jamaicans plan to protest a plan by the British to construct a prison on the island, which will house at least 300 Jamaicans who are currently imprisoned in the United Kingdom. Organizers of the protest are encouraging Jamaicans to express their concerns about the prison and to reject the prison-building proposal made by British Prime Minister David Cameron during a visit to Jamaica. Many government members and Jamaican citizens have questioned the plan, with Opposition leader Andrew Holness noting that it would be better to help Jamaica build more schools than to put money into prison construction.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICANS IN NEW YORK PROTEST BRITAIN’S PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN—10/06/15
Jamaicans living in New York have started an online petition to raise objections against Britain’s plan to provide a £25-million grant to Jamaican to construct a new prison on the island. This amount is expected to cover 40 percent of the total cost, with taxpayers in Jamaican responsible for funding the rest. According to the petition, Jamaicans in New York are encourages to reject the offer and to communicate their concerns and objections to the Jamaican Consulate General in New York and to the island’s ambassador to the United States. The petition calls for more educational supplies, hospital equipment, and jobs to be made available in Jamaica instead of a prison.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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NO MAJOR CHANGES EXPECTED AT RED STRIPE FOLLOWING SALE—10/08/15
According to Cedric Blair, the head of Red Stripe Jamaica, there should be no major changes in the production of the company’s products following its sale. Diageo brands, which had owned the local production operations for Red Stripe, entered into a deal with Heineken NV. Under the agreement, Heineken purchased the assets and brand of the popular Jamaican beer for US$421 million. Heineken bought Diageo’s shares in Desnoes & Geddes Limited, the corporate vehicle for Red Stripe, as well as bought other Diageo brewing interest in other markets in a deal totaling US$781 million overall.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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TARRUS RILEY HITS HOT 100—10/03/15
Tarrus Riley, well known reggae artiste, has made his debut entry to Billboard’s Hot 100 ranking with “Powerful,” which he recorded with Major Lazer and Ellie Goulding. The recording is currently ranked at Number 95 on the chart. This represents Riley’s first time on the prestigious Hot 100 chart, despite the fact that he has been consistently popular in Europe and Jamaica for more than a decade. “Powerful” mixes reggae with pop to create a unique sound. Riley says he has always favored blending various genres.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
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SWIMMER ALIA ATKINSON PLANNING TO MAKE HISTORY—10/05/15
Alia Atkinson is joining other Caribbean athletes in making a mark worldwide. While many Jamaicans have achieved great success in track and field, Atkinson is breaking new ground for Jamaica in international swimming competitions. She recently competed at the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup in Singapore in preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Atkinson, 26, hopes to win the Jamaica’s first Olympic swimming medal in the history of the games in 2016.
