THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
UNESCO PLACES REGGAE ON LIST INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE LIST
The cultural agency of the United Nations, UNESCO, has had Jamaica’s reggae music tradition to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The agency made its decision at the 13th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Mauritius. The government of Jamaica ‘s strong advocated for reggae’s inclusion on the list was spearheaded by Olivia Grange, Minster of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. In response to Jamaica’s admission to the list, Grange was in tears and stated the honor highlights reggae’s popularity in the world and the “captivating influence of the Jamaican art form.”
MCKENZIE SAYS PROPOSALS FROM YOUTH MAYORS FORUM TO BE DOCUMENTED
Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie stated that proposals made at the Youth Mayors Forum will be documented and considered for implementation. McKenzie said that the team will be placed on the Ministry’s website and that the proposals will be used as developments move forward. At the Youth Mayors Forum, which was held in Clarendon, proposals were presented to address concerns about Jamaica’s most vulnerable populations, including those in infirmaries. These related to training of staff, treatment, nutrition, and health of infirmary residents.
THIS WEEK’S TOP CARIBBEAN NEWS
GOVERNMENTS OF ANTIGUA, GUYANA, CONCERNED ABOUT SCOTIABANK SALE
The governments of Antigua and Barbuda is unhappy about the plans of Scotiabank to sell its operations in the country. Guyana’s government also expressed concern about the sale, which will give rise to significant issues for the nation’s banking industry. Scotiabank announced that it will shift its operations in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Maarten, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. It also made an agreement with Republic Financial Holdings Limited, which is based in Trinidad, to buy its banking operations in these “non-core” markets for US$123 million.
THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
PLANNING FOR EITHTH DIASPORA BIENNIAL UNDERWAY
Planning is ongoing for the Eighth Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference scheduled for June 16 to 20, 2019, in Kingston, Jamaica. Pearnel Charles Jr., Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, stated that preliminary plans are under consideration and that the Ministry seeks input from Jamaican nationals in overseas locations. The Minister made his remarks to members of the United States Diaspora at its inaugural leadership meeting in Georgia. He went on to focus on his intention to foster more youth involvement. He plans to establish Diaspora Youth Councils to provide a functional space where young people can create innovative strategies and programs for their own empowerment.
THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
JAMAICA, UAE TO STRENGTHEN TOURISM RELATIONSHIP
Jamaica and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to create stronger tourism relations. The plans were made following the inaugural UAE-Caribbean Cooperation Forum, which was held in 2018 in Dubai. According to Jamaica’s Minister of Tourist Edmund Bartlett, the Ministry is pleased about discussions involving the two nations’ immediate area of interest. Both countries share a strong and highly desired tourism product, and collaboration between Jamaica and the UAE will only increase their competitiveness and attractiveness in the market. The forum in Dubai provided the chance for representatives from business and government to identify the emerging drivers of economic opportunities.
THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
FILMMAKER LITTLE-WHITE MAKES DOCUMENTARY ABOUT SIMPSON MILLER
Veteran filmmaker Lennie Little-White has revealed that this next project will explore the influence of Jamaica’s former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. The documentary, which is scheduled for release for Black History Month in February 2019, will add to Jamaica’s audio-visual historical archive by covering the nation’s first female Prime Minister. “She’s our new Nanny!” he exclaimed. He noted that black American filmmakers have made significant contributions to the number of films about Martin Luther King, Malcom X, or Stokely Carmichael, and similarly, Little-John wants to avoid “heroic framing” of Simpson Miller. He said the film touches on different people on which the former Prime Minister had an impact. It will focus on her role, legacy, and “her own perspective on what has made her the person she is and how she managed to beat the boys,” according to director Little-John
THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
NOMINEES FOR TOP ATHLETES OF 2018 ANNOUNCED
Fedrick Dacres, the 2018 Commonwealth Games discus and IAAF Diamond League champion, is one of four athletes nominated to be RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year. The other competitors for the title announced at a ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel include Chris B Linnie, 2018 Pan American Games squash champion, 2018 110-meter hurdles Commonwealth Games champion Ronald Levy, and 2018 CAC Games shotput gold medalist O’Dayne Richards. The title of Sportswoman of the Year for 2018 included swimmer Alia Atkinson, 3,000-meter steeplechase Commonwealth Games Champion Aisha Praught-Leer, NACAC triple jump champion Shanieka Ricketts, Commonwealth Games triple jump champion Kimberly Williams, 400m hurdles Commonwealth Games Champion Janieve Russell, CONCACAF Women’s Football Championship top goal scorer Khadija Shaw, Commonwealth Games shot put champion Danniel Thomas-Dodd, and Windies Women captain Stafanie Taylor, who guided her team to the semi-final ICC Women’s World T20 tournament.
