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THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS   STORIES
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NATIONAL ID SYSTEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN JANUARY 2018
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the National Identification System (NIDS), which is currently in development, will be put into operation in January of 2018. According to Holness, who made his remarks at the 5th annual Anti-Money Laundering /Counter-Financing of Terrorism conference in New Kingston, he established the creation of the NIDS as a top priority for his administration as soon as he took office. He noted that the new system will make it easier for Jamaica to comply with international practices and eliminate many of the difficulties associated with transacting legitimate business with the country. The biometric system will assign a unique ID number to every Jamaican and will be deemed conclusive for purposes of customer due diligence for banks and others that require customer identification and verification.

ALLEN URGES JAMAICANS TO EMBRACE THEIR CULTURAL HERITAGE
Sir Patrick Allen, Jamaica’s Governor General, wants Jamaicans to be more appreciative of island culture and pass on its heritage to the next generation. Speaking at the annual World Heritage Week, Allen said Jamaica’s heritage developed from the elements of struggle, aggression, resilience, overwhelming odds, and triumph. He specifically mentioned the Maroon Wars and the emergence of Nanny as a courageous leader. Allen also cited as examples Sam Sharpe, Paul Bogle and George William Gordon, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley as reasons to take pride in he island’s cultural heritage.

HOLNESS ADMINISTRATION TO EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORD OF GARVEY
The government of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has decided to expunge the criminal record of Marcus Garvey, the country’s first National Hero. The announcement of the administration’s action was given by Delroy Chuck, Jamaica’s Minister of Justice. The government has been force to address the issue because of the failed attempts to have the mail fraud criminal record of Garvey expunged in the United States. Garvey spend time in prison in Jamaica in 1929 for contempt of court and was pardoned in 1984; however, his criminal record was not removed because of constitutional stipulations. Jamaica can’t lobby the US to take any action in regard to Garvey if his record on the island is not removed.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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JAMAICAN ACTRESS IS GRAND MARSHALL OF CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL IN MIAMI
Stacy-Ann Rose, a Jamaican-born actress who plays the role of “Dr. Robbins” in the HBO television series “Baller,” has taken the lead in the Miami Broward Caribbean Carnival for 2016. While she has never been to a Caribbean Carnival, Rose says she believes it to be a “life-changing” experience for her. Rose was born in Kingston and moved to South Florida when she was 15 years of age.  She attended Miami Dade Community College and Florida State University, earning a BA and MA in International Business and Marketing before pursuing a career in acting.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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JAMAICAN WINS START-UP AWARD FROM INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
The “Start-Up with the Most Growth Potential” award from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has been given to Jamaica’s Dwayne Campbell of “Book Fusion.” Campbell was the only Caribbean national to win an award as the IDB celebrates its third “Venture Night,” which featured 12 start-ups from Latin America and the Caribbean. Book Fusion is an open, international eBook platform designed for publishers and readers in the Caribbean region. The top prize of the event – US$30,000 –  was given to Hana Milkes of Columbia for the start-up “Nativo Digital,” which was named the “Most Innovative Start-Up with Development Impact.” This start-up teaches children and teens how to code.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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NO MUSGRAVE MEDALS FOR 2016
The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) has decided not to award any Musgrave Medals for 2016, moving the ceremony to May 2017 instead. In May, the awards ceremony will be part of the build-up to Jamaica’s 55th anniversary of political independence in August 2017. According to Vivian Crawford, the acting executive director of the IOJ, the new date will also coincide with the month-long celebration of the Institute’s own founding. The Musgrave Medal originated in 1889 and was named for Sir Anthony Musgrave, founder of the Institute and former governor of Jamaica. The Musgrave is one of the oldest medals to be awarded in the Western Hemisphere. The Institute gives out gold, silver and bronze medals. Gold medal winners in 2015 were Professor Orlando Patterson, writer and sociologist, and the musicians Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Silver medal winners in 2015 were jazz singer Dr. Myrna Hague Bradshaw, photographer Donnette Ingrid Zacca, poet Dr. Ralph Thompson, medical doctor Anthony Vendryes, choreographer Patsy Ricketts; and architect Errol Charles Alberga Jr. The first person to win a gold Musgrave Medal was Edna Manley.

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THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
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MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PRICE OF OLYMPIC CELEBRATIONS DEFENDED BY GRANGE
Jamaican Minister of Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange is defending the decision to spend J$542 million to the members of the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic delegations saying it represents a symbolic gesture to show the nation’s appreciation for the accomplishments of the athletes. Grange said that even those who may not need the money will put it to good use through charities they support. She also noted that while it is commonly believed that most athletes are financially secure, this is not necessarily the case. The government is often asked to provide aid to athletes, she said. Usain Bolt, Elaine Thompson, and Omar McLeod will receive US$10,000 for each of their individual gold medals. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson will receive US$5,000 each. The members of the 4×100-meter women’s team and the men’s and women’s 4×400-meter teams will get more than US$4,000 to be shared among the members of both teams. Finalists who did not medal in Rio will receive US$3,500, and non-finalists will receive US$2,500. Officials and managers of teams will receive less than US$1,000 each.