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THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS   STORIES
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JAMAICA’S POSTAL SERVICE HEADQUARTERS TO RELOCATE—12/02/15
According to Jamaica’s Minister of Science and Technology Phillip Paulwell, the government will relocate its postal service workers in Kingston to provide office space for foreign BPO companies that want to expand their operations in the country. Therefore, the Central Sorting Office, headquarters of the Post, will be leased to BPO firms. The action is designed to free up the office space in high demand from outsourcing firms. As companies like Flow, which plans to relocate a 400-seat call center to Jamaica from El Salvador, and Xerox decide to move to the island, it is necessary to find the space to accommodate these jobs.

GOVERNMENT WANTS TO COPYRIGHT NATION’S GANJA—12/03/15
According to Anthony Hylton, Jamaica’s Minister of Investment, the government is ready to register ganja as a geographic indication (GI). The government has decided to take the action toward ganja at a time when it is already introducing its first GI for jerk. Designation as a GI provides the greatest level of legal protection on the international scale, ensuring that Jamaican products remain free of counterfeiting and duplication. Hylton noted that the GI’s immediate focus is to expand Jamaica’s bilateral agreements designed to protect medicinal marijuana.

JULIET HOLNESS UNDER CONSIDERATION AS JLP CANDIDATE FOR PARLIAMENT—12/04/15
Juliet Holness, wife of Andrew Holness the Opposition leader, has been put into consideration by the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) as the Parliamentary candidate for East Rural St. Andrew. JLP general secretary Dr. Horace Change said that the decision about whether to accept Ms. Holness’ application will be placed before the party’s selection committee. Juliet Holness is a business woman, and she would replace Senator Alexander Williams. She has already been working with Williams. Ms. Holness would compete for the seat with Imani Duncan.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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CAMPBELL BROWN HONORED AT NEW YORK GALA—12/01/15
Jamaica’s Olympic champion Veronica Campbell Brown is already one of the most honored female athletes in the world, and on December 5, 2015, she will received yet one more award, which will be bestowed by the nonprofit Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) organization. A gala and awards ceremony will be held in New York. Campbell Brown has won seven Olympic medals and is just the second women in history to achieve victories in two consecutive 200-meter Olympic events; she is one of only nine athletes to obtain world championships at youth, junior and senior levels of a sports event. COJO will honor her for having “consistently brought glory” to Jamaica, said Gary Williams, chairman and founder of the nonprofit.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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AMENDMENT TO ECONOMIC ZONE BILL ELIMINATES JAMAICAN PRIORITY FOR JOBS—12/01/15
An amendment made to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) bill that gave Jamaicans the first chance to get jobs has removed that option. Anthony Hylton, Jamaica’s Industry Minister, did not state any reason for making the change, saying only that the bill will replace the word “Jamaican” with “CARICOM.” The framework of the bill represents major legislation regarding Jamaica’s position as a logistics hub economy. The bill provides for zones to be created for dry docks, bunkering facility, tank farms, and maintenance and repair facilities. The bill is designed to repeal the Jamaica Export Free Zone Act, replacing it with the means to operate Special Economic Zones.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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KINGSTON TO BE HOME TO FIRST CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM IN CARIBBEAN—12/03/15
Rachael Barrett worked for a time as an art advisor in London, and when visiting her home in Jamaica recognized that the work of the Caribbean artists she admired was relatively unknown in the region. Therefore, upon moving back to Kingston in 2013, Barrett decided to create a museum to showcase the contemporary artists in the pan-Caribbean Diaspora. On December 4, 2015, the first such museum in the Caribbean will open in a space on the historic Henzell family estate, which has been renovated by architect David Adjaye. The museum will provide two shows a year, timed to the Edge Urban Art Festival in June and Art Basel Miami Beach in December. The first exhibition is entitled “I Feel Like a Citizen,” which will focus on the work of Michel Basquiat and his Caribbean roots.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
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WOLMER’S BOYS DEFEAT ST. GEORGE’S FOR ISSA/FLOW WALKER CUP—12/03/15
Wolmer’s Boys claimed victory over St. George’s College with a score of 5 to 4 at the ISSA/Flow Walker Cup match at Stadium East field. The teams had reached a 0-0 draw during normal time, then ended 1-1 in the 20-minute extra time period. Wolmer’s Boys took the win on penalty kicks. This the fifth time Wolmer’s has taken the Walker Cup. They won in 1971, 1976, 2013 and 2014. The team’s head coach Vassell Reynolds expressed his happiness with the victory, noting he was “elated” for the team.