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THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
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UPGRADES PLANNED FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY OF JAMAICA
The Jamaican government plans to make major upgrades to the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) that will facilitate the handling of growing collections and catalogues created by local historians and artistes. The upgrade plans were announced by Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport during the launch of the Miss Lou Archives at the library in Kingston. According to Grange, investments have been made to ease space limitations through digitizing content and storing it online, but additional upgrades are required. In the short term, newspapers from other Caribbean nations acquired by the library during its time as the West India Reference Library will be stored offsite, and construction of another floor at the present library site is also being considered. The idea is to make room to house the personal archives of Jamaica’s other literary “giants,” Grange said. In the long term, Jamaica needs a larger modern facility to fulfill the library’s mandate to preserve documents published on the island by Jamaicans and about Jamaica.
MORENO CITES JAMAICA’S POTENTIAL TO BE WORLD MODEL OF DEMOCRACY
Luis G. Moreno, the United States ambassador to Jamaica, believes that Jamaica could potentially serve as a model of democracy for the entire world. Moreno made his remarks in New Kingston at the American Chamber of Commerce Jamaica Business and Civic Leadership Awards for Excellence ceremony. He singled out Jamaica’s politicians for providing an “emboldened, responsible and democratic” example for the world. As a specific example of Jamaica’s democratic leadership, Moreno cited the “seamless,” “flawless” and “civil” transition in government after the hard-fought election in February 2016.
HINDS BLAMES TENSION BETWEEN JCF AND INDECOM ON WILLIAMS
Glenmore Hinds, Jamaica’s Deputy Commissioner of Police has blamed Terrence Williams, commissioner with the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) for much of the tension that exists between the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the agency. Hinds also objected to the “pleasant” depiction of the relationship between the police and INDECOM that Williams presented to Parliament. Williams had assured the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) that the two entities had an “excellent” relationship. According to Hinds, the major issue exists with Williams as no agreement can be reached to bind INDECOM unless Williams agrees to it
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THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS ANTI-GAY LYRICS DO NOT AFFECT VISA APPROVAL
According to Joshua Polacheck, public affairs officer at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Jamaican entertainers who suggest that they are being denied visas to the U.S. because of homophobic lyrics in their songs are mistaken. Polacheck says Jamaican entertainers have “never” been kept out of the U.S. or had their visas taken away over anti-gay lyrics. “No artiste has ever been refused a visa for artistic reasons,” he said. Polacheck says visas may be denied if individuals are disqualified due to involvement or associations with criminality, or if they have committed crimes. In order for a performer to receive a visa, a promoter in the U.S. must petition for that artiste to enter the country. If the promoter does not come through for its own reasons, a visa may be denied.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
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BARTLETT OPPOSES “GOVERNMENT HOTELS”
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has stated that he has a fundamental objection to the state going into direct competition with private sector businesses in the hotel industry. He says he has “difficulty” with the government becoming involved with hotel ownership and that the purpose of the state is to “facilitate” growth and expansion of entrepreneurship through legislation, regulations and the provision of a framework in which companies can succeed in business Bartlett made his remarks at the Shared Ownership Investment Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. He also noted that the government is the “custodian” of the nation’s assets and shouldn’t risk these assets in projects like Jolly Beach.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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REGGAE SUMFEST WINS CONCERT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest event defeated four other nominees to win the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) top honor for Concert of the Year. Headed by Joe Bogdanovich, Sumfest beat Florida’s Best of Best; Jamaica’s Rebel Salute: the 9 Miles Music Festival and the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival. Under Bogdanovich’s leadership, Sumfest has focused on Jamaican dancehall and reggae acts to promote and support the island’s music industry. He has also worked to promote the festival as a tourist product, which garnered the support of Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s tourism minister. The 2016 staging of Sumfest introduced live 360-degree virtual reality streaming technology, which allowed audiences to experience the festival over the Internet.
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THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
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ASAFA POWELL TO RUN IN AIRTEL DELHI HALF MARATHON
Jamaica’s 100-meter sprint star is ready to debut at the ninth edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon competition scheduled for November 20, 2016. Powell held the record for the 100-meters from June 2005 to May 2008. He has consistently broken the 10-second barrier in that distance some 97 times, which earned hi the title the “Sub 10 King.” Powell was banned from the sport in 2014 for doping, but came back to win gold in the 4×100 men’s relay at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is promoted by Procam International and will feature more than 34,000 participants, world-class Indian and international athletes, professionals, amateurs, and fitness enthusiasts.
