THIS WEEK’S MAIN NEWS
Top 7 Jamaican and Caribbean news
Precious metals are the property of the state
Many Jamaicans who thought they were going to get rich were disappointed when the mineral discovered in Hanover was not gold, but pyrite, a mineral of little economic value. In response, Jamaica’s Division of Mines and Geology decided to use the situation to remind Jamaicans that under the country’s Minerals (Vesting) Act, the Jamaican State is entitled to all minerals. The right extends to metals, including gold, silver, minerals containing copper, lead and iron; Precious stones; minerals such as coal; and some industrial minerals, including marble, silica sand, and high-purity limestone. Jamaicans are encouraged to report mineral discoveries to the Division of Mines and Geology, regardless of their value. By law, if a mineral deposit is developed, a portion of the royalties derived from the mined minerals is shared with the landowner.
JAMAICA’S DIFFICULTIES TO BECOME A REPUBLIC
The Jamaican government has blamed the opposition for delaying the start of the process required to change the nation’s status from a constitutional monarchy to a republic. According to Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaica’s Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s announcement of the membership of a constitutional reform commission was delayed because Mark Golding, the leader of the opposition, had not named his party’s nominees. in the committee. Malahoo Forte stated that the government is prepared to move forward with discussions to make Jamaica a republic, even without the participation of the opposition. Golding said he was concerned about the “piecemeal” approach to reforms and insisted on a formal response from the minister on the planned changes to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. The opposition is also concerned about keeping the Privy Council as the final court of appeal in Jamaica.
THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS FOR THE CARIBBEAN
SURVEY SHOWS OPPOSITION TO INDEPENDENCE GROWING IN BERMUDA
An opinion poll conducted in 2019 by Narrative Research Bermuda and the Royal Gazette newspaper of Bermuda found that over 80 percent of the country’s residents oppose the nation’s independence. Bermuda is currently a British overseas territory and has a population of around 64,000. The poll suggests that attitudes against severing ties with Britain have hardened in the 25 years since a referendum, which showed nearly 75 percent of voters opposed changing the country’s status. In a series of polls conducted over the years, the majority of Bermuda’s population has opposed making the nation a sovereign state. Opposition is greatest among white residents and households with incomes above $75,000.
THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS FOR THE JAMAICAN DIASPORA
YVETTE CLARKE, JAMAICA-BORN US CONGRESSMAN, DENOUNCIES US PLANS TO RESTRICT CARIBBEAN MIGRANTS
Jamaican-American Yvette Clarke, who represents the 9th Caribbean Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York in Congress and who is the daughter of immigrants born in Jamaica, has joined Volker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the United Nations, in denouncing US President Joe Biden’s plans to limit the number of immigrants coming from the Caribbean and other regions. The Biden administration announced plans to restrict immigrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti who enter the US under humanitarian parole. She called Biden’s policies “an inadequate solution” that continued Title 42 imposed under the Trump Administration, which allowed the government to use emergency COVID-19 mitigation measures to bar immigrants from entering the US. That policy has had a disproportionate impact on black migrants for years, she said, calling for reforms focused on “equality and moral responsibility.”
THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS
INSIDE BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE JAMAICA CELEBRATES WORLDWIDE
Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee Day was celebrated in Jamaica, Japan and at various Jamaican embassies around the world on January 9, 2023. JAMPRO has partnered with the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA) and the Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority of Jamaica ( JACRA) to raise awareness of the luxury beverage for coffee drinkers worldwide. The festivities featured coffee tastings at select cafes featuring social media influencers, ambassadors and government officials. The keynote event was hosted at Café Blue by Aubyn Hill, Minister for Industry, Investment and Trade. Hill noted that Blue Mountain Coffee is a high-end luxury product, but aggressive marketing is required to push the product to tourists visiting Jamaica, through the Internet and the general public.
THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
ARTISTS FEATURED IN AFRICAN DIASPORA GHANA’S FIRST BLACK STAR LINE FESTIVAL
The first Black Star Line Festival was hosted by Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa in Accra, Ghana on January 6, 2023. The inaugural event concert featured many celebrities including Erykah Badu, Dave Chappelle, T-Pain, Jeremih, Sarkodie, Tobe Nwigwe, Asakaa Boys, M.anifest and others. An audience of over 52,000 attended the concert held at Accra’s Black Star Square at the culmination of a week-long series of events and panels at cultural centers across the city. The purpose of the festival is to improve connections between black people, artists in the diaspora and the world. The site was chosen in memory of the Ghanaians’ struggle for political freedom and their victory in 1957. Ghana was the first of the Sub-Saharan countries to fight for its independence from colonialism. In addition to celebrating black culture and music, the Black Star Line Festival is a chance for people in the diaspora to come together as a community and recognize the power of that community. The festival is named for the Black Star Line, founded by Marcus Garvey in 1919 as a way to create economic opportunities for blacks in North America, the Caribbean and Africa, and as a symbol of pride for black people in all its ports . call.
THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
JAMAICAN RECEIVES SURFING SCHOLARSHIP
Jamaican Nathaniel Bailey, a student at Jamaica College, was one of 28 surfers to receive a special International Surfing Association (ISA) scholarship. The 16 men and 12 women came from countries around the world, including Iran, Venezuela, Senegal, Costa Rica, India, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Chile and Uruguay. Bailey represented Jamaica at the Para World Surfing Championships in 2021 and 2022 and will receive a share of $20,000 towards his surfing education and training. Inilek Wilmot, president of the Jamaica Surfing Association, said he was happy that parasurfing is getting the recognition it deserves as it is a new sport for Jamaica. With Bailey receiving the scholarship, the sport will get more publicity and he will be able to access the training and specialized equipment he needs to improve his performance in the sport. Several former ISA Scholarship recipients have gone on to become elite and competitive surfers.
