THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
REGIONAL RAINWATER HARVESTING PROJECT TO BENEFIT JAMAICA
Jamaica was one of several Caribbean countries chosen as participants in the installation of harvesting systems for rainwater. This is designed to improve climate resilience by bettering management of water issues. The other countries participating are St Lucia, Haiti and Grenada. Discussions of rainwater harvesting, mapping, and the training of consultants occurred at a meeting of technical experts under the Investment Plan of the Caribbean Regional Track of the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience. The meeting was hosted by the Environmental Health and Sustainable Development Department of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
JAMAICA TO ADOPT UNITED NATIONS PROTOCOL ON GLOBAL MIGRATION
According to an official announcement, Jamaica is on board with the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Jamaica joined with other UN member states in the adoption of the protocol at a conference held in Morocco,. Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade stated that the Global Compact is the first negotiated agreement among governments under the UN auspices to address international migration. The compact is non-binding under the law but is a political commitment designed to act as a guide for enhanced management of migration at local, national, regional, and international levels.
THIS WEEK’S TOP CARIBBEAN NEWS
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT WARNS WOMEN ABOUT TRAVELING TO CARIBBEAN
The Canadian government has issued specific warnings about dangers to women who choose to visit popular Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica. In addition to the warnings on the government’s travel advisory website, Caribbean nations are also listed by Global Affairs Canada with warnings about reports of women being victims of sexual assault, sometimes by resort staff. According to the Canadian government, women traveling to the countries under the advisory may be at risk of having their food or beverages spiked with drugs and being raped or sexually assaulted by perpetrators including taxi drivers, staff at resorts, or fellow tourists. Of 32 popular winter vacation destinations on the government website, 28 are in the Caribbean and over half include warnings to women.
THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
EDUCATION MINISTER URGES COMPANIES, UNIVERSITIES TO UTILIZE JAMAICA FOR RESEARCH, SEMINARS
Jamaica’s Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid believes the Diaspora is “uniquely poised” to have a dual role in supporting education and helping the home country’s tourism sector. Reid called for Jamaicans in the Diaspora to use their contacts to encourage universities and businesses to select Jamaica when they are looking for places to hold educational seminars and academic research programs. He went on to say that seminars and conventions represent a large percentage of the travel and tourism market, and Jamaica is interested in getting in on that business. Diaspora members are key to educating the island’s people to the highest level and to improve its economy for better living conditions.
THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
JAMAICAN ORGANIZATION WINS COPYRIGHT SUIT
The Jamaica Association of Composer, Authors and Publishers (JACAP) has sued some 22 companies since the beginning of 2018 for copyright infringement. Following a victory in its suit against Mars Cable Vision Limited, JACAP warned that it plans to explore all of its options in order to protect the rights of its members. According to Lydia Rose, general manager of JACAP, media companies and cable providers should become more compliant with copyright laws. These types of businesses most frequently infringe upon others’ copyrighted material. Rose noted that it is the business of media firms to disseminate a creator’s work to the public and that they tend to think, inadvertently, that such material should be used without compensation.
THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
FIRST BI-RACIAL “SPIDER-MAN” IS OF JAMAICAN DESCENT
Shameik Moore, who is of Jamaican descent, has wanted to play the role of Spider-Man in the movies since he was a teenager. His dream is about to be realized in part as Moore will act as the voice of the character in a new animated film called “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” In the film, he will play biracial Brooklyn teen Miles Morales who gains superpowers after suffering a bite from a radioactive spider. The old Peter Parker outfits have been replaced by red-and-black costumes and some cool sneakers in the new animated version. While Moore would like to be playing the character in a live-action film, he is happy to serve as the voice of Morales. Moore noted that it is “a new time in Hollywood” and that he is honored to be the first black Spider-Man in film.
THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
ALIA ATKINSON WINS GOLD MEDAL AT WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Just one day after her 30th birthday, Jamaican Olympic swim star Alia Atkinson won her first World Championship gold medal in the 50-meter breaststroke competition Hangzhou, China.Atkinson came from behind to take the gold with a time of 29.05 seconds, defeating her long-time rival Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania, who won silver with 29.38 seconds. Atkinson set a world record earlier in 2018 in the 50-meter breaststroke with 28.58 seconds, beating her own previous record time set in 2016.
