THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
WINNING DESIGN FOR NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT UNVEILED
The new design fir Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament has been unveiled. A team headed by architect Evan Williams of Design Collaborative. This group won out over 21 other design teams in an international competition. The name of the winning proposal is “Out of Many One People.” It will be built in National Heroes Park in Kingston. The proposal presents a circular, monumental design that references a stadium and will be located on a piece of parkland that is more than 11 acres in size. The project forms part of a master plan for the redevelopment of downtown Kingston.
JAMAICA”S OPPOSITION PNP TRAILS JLP IN POLLS
A recent poll held no surprises for attorney and political commentator Dr. Paul Ashley. The poll found that Jamaica’s ruling Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) would win decisively if the general election were held now. The party’s popularity reflects the popularity of Peter Phillips, Ashley said. The poll of 1,000 voters taken between February 16 and March 3, 2019, found 18 percent would stand with the People’s National Party (PNP), 29 percent would favor Andrew Holness of the JPS, while 53 percent are undecided. The gap in favor of the JLP widened to four percentage points since 2018. Ashley said that it is believed the PNP needs “a resurrection.”
THIS WEEK’S TOP CARIBBEAN NEWS
BRITAIN”S PRINCE CHARLESS AND CAMILLA VISIT CARIBBEAN
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne of England, and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, made a tour of the Caribbean, completing their visit with a short stop in the Cayman Islands. Their 12-day-long trip brought them to several Commonwealth countries in addition to an historic visit to Cuba. This was the first time any British royals visited that country. As part of his visit, Prince Charles opened the new Owen Roberts International Airport in the Caymans. A large crowd greeted the couple as their plane touched down. The royal couple also visited the Blue Iguana recovery center and a visit to a pagoda to discuss the ways the finance industry can help local businesses with their environmental project.
THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
JAMAICAN-AMERICAM ANNOUNCES RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES
Wayne Messam, the first black mayor of Miramar, Florida, announced he is running to become the next president of the United States in 2020. Messam joins a crowded field of Democrats seeking the party’s nomination. Messam, 44, whose parents immigrated to the US from Jamaica, believes his experience running Miramar has prepared him to take on the highest office in the US, citing the city’s progress in creating environmentally friendly development, high manufacturing, and major corporate operations there. He also believes his personal story as the son of immigrants who now lives the “American Dream” will resonate with the general US population.
THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
US$71.948 BILLION PROVIDED BY SCOTIABANK TO IMPROVE EXPORT PROGRAM
Scotiabank has granted nearly $2 billion toward Jamaica’s Export Improvement Program. The program is designed to make it easier for at least 50 Jamaicans with small and mid-sized businesses (SMEs) to begin exporting their goods and/or services to other countries around the world. Canadian Scotiabank agreed to donate the funds for Export Max III, a program of Jamaica’s government meant to enhance the nation’s exportation sector. Government agencies will also provide aid to the SMEs for building capacity and launching their overseas marketing campaigns.
THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
NEW REGGAE LABEL PREVIEWED BY ZAK STARKEY
Trojan Jamaica is a new label from Zak Starkey and Sharna Liguz, and it has gained the participation of artists like Black Uhuru’s Mykal Rose to cover blues classics for its first release. Sharkey, a musician and son of former Beatle Ringo Starr, and his Sshh bandmate Liguz joined with Eddie Vedder and various reggae starts in 2016 to record a cover of “Get Up Stand Up” by Bob Marley. Once the track made its way to Jamaica, Sharkey and Liguz were invited to perform at the opening of the Peter Tosh Museum. Since then the duo decided to start their new reggae label Trojan Jamaica. The label’s first project is “Red, Gold, Green and Blue,” a compilation that features reggae artists covering classic American soul, R&B, and blues tunes.
THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
SHANTAE FOREMAN WINS FIRST GOLD MEDAL AT CHAMPS
Shantae Foreman turned in an outstanding performance at the 109th ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships (Champs), winning the Class 2 long jump final at National Stadium in Kingston. She achieved a distance of 6.14 meters, gaining nine points, and placing Mountain View Avenue School in a join third place with Vere Technical at 19 points. Foreman, known for her consistency, is a favorite to win gold in the Class 2 high jump on Saturday, March 30, 2019, as well.
