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THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS  STORIES
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GOVERNMENT WANTS STADIUM IN TRELAWNEY TO BE RENAMED FOR BOLT—09/10/15
The Jamaican government is planning to rename the multi-purpose stadium in Trelawney in honor of sprint champion Usain Bolt. The new name will be the Usain Bolt Sport Academy. Natalie Neita-Headley, Minister with Responsibility for Sports, said that the idea of renaming the facility is “near and dear” to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. According to Neita-Headley, the Prime Minister believes it is appropriate to have the stadium in Bolt’s home parish named after him. The stadium was built in 2007 via an agreement made between the Jamaican government and the People’s Republic of China.
GOVERNMENT COMMITS TO IMPROVED FACILITATION OF TRADE—09/09/15
Horace Dalley, Jamaica’s Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, said the government has made a firm commitment to grow the country’s economy by improving trade facilitation. According to Dalley, the government’s goal is to make it easier to do business in Jamaica and create more jobs while also allowing the nation to meet international obligations.
SHANIQUE MYRIE APPROVED BY PNP TO REPRESENT OLYMPIC GARDENS—09/10/15
Jamaica’s People’s National Party (PNP) has given its approval for Shanique Myrie to represent the Olympic Gardens Division in St. Andrew in the next local elections. Myrie is the woman who won a free-movement case against Barbados. According to Paul Burke, PNP General Secretary, Myrie was approved by the National Executive Committee after local leadership put her name forward for the seat. When Myrie submitted her application in June 2015, she said that she had long wanted to enter politics to make a difference in the lives of the people who felt “neglected” by their representatives. Local elections are scheduled as late as December 29, 2015.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA HELPS DOMINICA RECOVER FROM STORM DAMAGE—09/08/15
In New York, Jamaica’s Diaspora mobilized to help Dominica in its recovery from the serious damage suffered during Tropical Storm Erika. The Jamaican Diaspora, specifically its reggae community, reached out to the Commonwealth of Dominica, according to Irwine Clare, who was born in Jamaica. Clare said that Jam Radio, which is based in Queens, New York, and Team Jamaica Bickle used the Jam 22nd Anniversary Festival on Labor Day 2015 to help with the collection of items marked for hurricane relief efforts. The activity was planned jointly with the Dominican consulate and the Jamaican Diaspora USA, NE. Jam Radio plans to continue to use its platform to urge individuals to make ongoing contributions to those affected by the devastation of the storm.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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ALPART EXPORTS BAUXITE FROM PORT KAISER—09/09/15
In what is being characterized as a landmark in the resumption of the UC Rusal Alpart bauxite alumina operation, a cargo ship was loaded with 35,000 tons of bauxite for export. According to Phillip Paulwell, Jamaica’s Mining Minister, this was the first major economic action taken by Alpart in six years. Paulwell said he was “excited and enthused” about the situation. The ship was scheduled to leave the Port Kaiser facility of Alpart, bound for Ukraine.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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RICO RODRIGUEZ OF THE SPECIALS DEAD AT 80—09/08/15
Rico Rodriguez, composer and trombonist known for his performances with the famous ska revival band “The Specials,” died at the age of 80. Born in Cuba in 1934, Emmanuel “Rico” Rodriguez was raised in Kingston, where he had a significant impact on the emerging ska and reggae genres. In the 1960s, he moved to the United Kingdom and played in various bands until ultimately returning to Jamaica to record his ” Man from Wareika” album, which was released by Blue Note Records. He then went back to London and joined the Jamaican community there, playing trombone with The Specials. He also played with Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and was awarded an MBE from the British Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
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NEDRICK WINS GOLD FOR JAMAICA AT YOUTH COMMONWEALTH GAMES—09/08/15
Shot put athlete Kevin Nedrick took the gold medal – Jamaica’s third – in Samoa at the Youth Commonwealth Games. Nedrick of Petersfield High School made a throw of 20.12 meters, making him the 15th best in history as a youth athlete. Also winning gold for Jamaica at the games were Junelle Bromfield in the 400 meters and the boy’s mile relay.
