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THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION FAVORS JLP
The Jamaica Labor Party had a triumphant showing at the local government elections, winning eight of the nation’s 13 parish councils. This was the second major victory for the JLP in nine months; the party won the general election on February 25, 2016, as well. The JLP now controls the parish councils in Portland, Clarendon, St Elizabeth, St James, St Mary, Trelawny and Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. Of the 1,849,012 individuals on the voter list, 549,503 cast ballots in the local election. Prime Minister Andrew Holness viewed the results as a referendum on the JLP’s performance over the past nine months.
JAMAICA TO FLY NATIONAL FLAG AT HALF-MAST IN HONOR OF FIDEL CASTRO
Jamaica’s Office of the Prime Minister announced that the country’s flag will be flown at half-mast on December 2, 2016, at national buildings and government offices in tribute to Fidel Castro Ruz, former President of the Republic of Cuba, who died on November 25, 2016. Jamaica will join the other CARICOM members in this gesture of condolence to mark the passing of Castro and to mourn with the people of Cuba. Prime Minister Andrew Holness headed a Jamaican delegation to attend the official private Mass held for Castro in Havana on November 29.
JAMAICA LOSES NEARLY $2 BILLION PER YEAR FROM ILLEGAL CIGARETTE TRADE
According to Clifford Chambers, Assistant Commissioner of Police in Jamaica and head of the Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch, the illegal trade in imported cigarettes is operated by criminals who use the profits to buy guns and ammunition. He also said the criminals are intimidating some retailers and are making partnerships with others to ensure product sales. Chambers noted that the activity linked with the illegal cigarette trade represents a new trend identified by police.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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USAIN BOLT DEBUTS DOCUMENTARY IN LONDON
Usain Bolt, Jamaican Olympic champion sprinter and nine-time gold-medal winner, debuted a new documentary about his record-breaking racing career in London. The film, which is called “I Am Bolt,” follows the athlete as he trains, competes, and relaxes at his home, providing fans with a view into his life. Speaking about the film, Bolt said he wanted people to see what he went through to achieve the world-class status he has today. The film includes footage from the World Championships in Beijing, the Rio Olympics and the London Olympics, and features video from his youth as well as interviews with family members, friends, and his coach.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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NEW KINGSTON TO BE A SMART CITY
The Jamaican government plans to develop the core business district, which is known as New Kingston, into a “smart city” in which everything from parking to street lights and waste management will operate on smart technologies. Andrew Wheatley, Jamaican Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, this will act as a pilot program over the next few months, while the nation plans to provision all its neighborhoods with similar digital technologies in the future. If the project succeeds, New Kingston will be the first neighborhood in the Caribbean region to become a “smart” city. When the infrastructure is in place, people will be able to use a phone to pay for a ticket, and Internet wi-fi will be available to keep them always connected. The goal of the project is to make the city more efficient.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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CE’CILE CONCERNED THAT DANCEHALL LOSING TO AFRO BEATS IN EUROPE’S CLUBS
Ce’Cile, Jamaican dancehall entertainer, believes that dancehall acts are less popular than African entertainers in the nightclubs of Europe. Currently in Europe, the dancehall recording artist is touring to promote “Push It.” As it is her first appearance in Germany in two years, she has noticed that the club audience has changed and that there are more Afro beats than dancehall being played. Ce’Cile cited African artists such as the due P-Square from Nigeria, Yemo Alade, Ayo and Wizkid, all of whom have become increasingly popular in German clubs. According to Ce’Cile, the clubs play old school dancehall and not new school dancehall; she also noticed that “a lot of authentic dancehall is being produced by non-Jamaicans.”
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THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
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OPENING WIN VERSUS ENGLAND FOR SUNSHINE GIRLS
The Sunshine Girls of Jamaica took the win in the first game of a three-match series against England in London. At the end of the first quarter, the Jamaican team was down by four points, but then surged to a 31-27 lead at half time. The team dominated toward the end and won easily with a final score of 66-49. Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, goal shoot, scored 49 goals from 56 attempts, and goal attack Eboni Beckford-Chambers added 17 from 20.
