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THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
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PRIME MINISTER WANTS EVERYONE TO HELP REDUCE ROAD COLLISIONS—06/07/15
In recognition of National Road Safety Month, Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller gave the keynote address at the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association meeting in St. Catherine. She said it was Jamaica’s “ultimate trust” as a society to protect and preserve the lives of its children in particular. Since the beginning of 2015, some 150 individuals have died in road collisions, nine more than during the same period in 2014. The Prime Minister said the government will update the Road Traffic act and continue its various public safety awareness campaigns. It may also implement addition electronic surveillance systems to address drivers who speed or ignore red lights.
MYRIE SEEKS POST AS PNP REPRESENTATIVE FOR OLYMPIC GARDENS—06/11/15
Jamaican Shanique Myrie, the woman who achieved a victory in a free-movement court case in Barbados, plans to seek a role in representing the People’s National Party (PNP) in the Corporate Area. Myrie, 27, has submitted her application to represent the Olympic Gardens Division of St. Andrew in the pending local elections. Myrie said she has always been interested in politics and wants to change the lives of area residents for the better. She noted that residents felt “neglected” by their current representation.
ARSCOTT SAYS RELOCATION OF RIVER BANK RESIDENTS WILL NOT BE EASY —06/12/15
Noel Arscott, Local Government Minister, says that the plan proposed by Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to relocate people living along the river banks during hurricane season will be difficult. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to start the process. Hurricane season began on June 1, 2015, and will continue until November 30. Consultation has begun on how best to remove individuals from vulnerable areas, with the consultations guiding the process. Arscott is concerned that the process cannot be completed during the hurricane season.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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HOLNESS WANTS DIASPORA TO HAVE CONSTITUENT VOTE IN JAMAICA—06/11/15
Andrew Holness, Jamaican Opposition Leader, has successfully completed a trip to the United States and United Kingdom, and is now urging the government to find ways to give Diaspora members a constituent vote. Holness said the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) will take this issue to the members in an islandwide consultation. While he acknowledged that Jamaicans at home may question giving the Diaspora a voice in domestic policy, he noted that the proposed vote would be a “constituent” vote and not a vote that decides on the government. A similar action is practiced in France, he said.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GIVES APPROVAL TO 95-YEAR COPYRIGHT—06/09/15
Jamaica’s House of Representatives has approved increasing the copyright protection period for creative works used in the country to 95 years after they are available. The increase received bipartisan approval on the basis of a conditional partnership between the government and the Opposition. Under the new rule, copyright protections for local creative works was increased to 95 years from the end of the calendar year in which it was first made available. It will apply to creative works including sound recordings, film, broadcasts and cable programs, and performer’s rights.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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JENNIFER HUDSON TO APPEAR AT REGGAE SUMFEST—06/11/15
Jennifer Hudson, international superstar and recording artiste from the United States is set to headline the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2015 on July 18, 2015, in Montego Bay. According to the executive director of the event’s producers, Johnny Gourzong, Hudson has confirmed her appearance, which will be her debut in Jamaica. She is looking forward to visiting the island and has already begun to prepare her performance for the event, said Gourzong of Summerfest Productions.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
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ASAFA POWELL BREAKS RECORD IN MARSEILLE MEET—06/08/15
Jamaican sprinter and one-time world record holder in the 100 meters, Asafa Powell broke a six-year record at a regional competition in Marseille, France. He ran the distance in 10.05 seconds into a strong headwind. His time beat the previous record of 10.17 seconds established by Dwaine Chambers of the United Kingdom in 2009. Powell is considered the second-fastest man in the world for 2015, behind Justin Gatlin of the United States, who won the 100 meters at the Jamaica International Invitational in May with a time of 9.84 seconds.
