Caribzone News Highlights

Jamaica

It appears unlikely that Jamaicans will head to the polls before September 3 this year as Parliament voted on Tuesday to extend states of public emergency in 10 police divisions even as a bill has been tabled proposing that both the general and local government elections be held on one ballot.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness had promised that no election would be held while SOEs were in effect.

Holness came to Parliament seeking an extension until October 24, however complaining about the manner in which the request was made to have the SOEs extended, Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips called for better dialogue in the executing the affairs of Parliament, even as he sought to protect the official campaign period that is fast approaching.

“The approach that has been offered so far has been wanting,” Phillips lamented, as he pointed Holness to Hansard evidence that National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang had said no extension would be sought after July 25.

States of emergency have been imposed in Hanover, St James, Westmoreland, Clarendon, St Catherine South, St Catherine North, Kingston East, Kingston Central, Kingston Western, and St Andrew South. 

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Jamaica

Steps are under way by the Government to organize a repatriation flight for 150 Jamaicans in Trinidad and Tobago despite border closures in the twin-island republic.

“We express our appreciation to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and in particular the Minister of National Security, with whom I was able to discuss the matter and who has approved the repositioning of a Caribbean Airlines (CAL) plane from Port of Spain to Kingston. This has provided the opportunity for CAL to offer this 150-seat flight for Jamaicans who urgently need to return home,” Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, said in a statement.

“We started discussions with CAL as soon as it was brought to our attention that there was a large number of Jamaicans in the twin-island republic who had not been aware of the June repatriation flight or had not been able to travel because of obligations at that time, but for whom return home has since become urgent. It became important, however, to also raise the issue with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and together a solution has been found,” Johnson Smith added.

She explained that 124 Jamaicans and their dependents have already approached the Jamaican High Commission in Port of Spain indicating the urgency of their need to return.

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International

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent a relief plane with medical supplies including 500,000 test kits to several countries in the region including Jamaica, Dominica, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

In a statement, the UAE's ambassador to Cuba and non-resident ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and St Kitts & Nevis, Badar Almatrooshi, said approximately 12,500 medical professionals will benefit from the assistance provided.

“The UAE is a strong supporter of Caribbean governments' efforts to achieve their national priorities and sustainable development goals, particularly in ensuring access to modern, sustainable and affordable energy services. The UAE extends as well its support to these governments in taking urgent action to combat climate change, achieve gender equality, and empower women and girls,” the ambassador said in a statement.

“The dispatch of the medical aid aircraft today to the Caribbean islands reflects the UAE's ongoing efforts to support their fight against the current pandemic by providing the necessary medical supplies to enhance the capacity of medical workers and provide them with appropriate protection,” he said.

For his part, Ibrahim Mohamed Juma Al Mansouri, UAE ambassador to Panama and non-resident ambassador to the Bahamas and Barbados said, “the UAE is honored to extend assistance to Caribbean nations where COVID-19 has presented challenges that the region has faced with courage and determination.

“This aid will further strengthen Caribbean nations' ability to fight the pandemic in service of their communities.”

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National/Entertainment

Fans of 007 got a delightful treat last Wednesday when the official Instagram account of the latest Bond flick, No Time To Die, shared two fabulous photos from their filming in Jamaica. The shots, drenched in tranquillity, show off the scenic beauty of the island paradise.

 

In the first picture, a silhouette-like figure, Bond, is seen taking a solitary twilight stroll along a strip, with his sharp reflection upside down in the water below. The second picture shows the famous spy, with his back turned, as he contemplates a vast expanse of calm water from the patio of his rustic villa.

 

The teasers, which are captioned, “No Time To Die” sees James Bond return to Jamaica. It’s the third time the country has been used, as a location as parts of Dr No and Live and Let Die, were also filmed there” have had the desired effect.

 

Fans are swooning over the stunning scenery and begging for the movie to be released. “Charge a premium and release it on demand, we can’t take the delay,” one follower demanded.

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Sports

Mike Tyson is coming back to boxing at age 54.

The former heavyweight champion will meet four-division champion Roy Jones Jr in an eight-round exhibition match on September 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he won the title in 1986 at age 20, and for a time was the most feared fighter in boxing. But his career became littered with distractions and he hasn't boxed since 2005, after losing his second straight fight.

He has occasionally teased a return with workout videos and it's finally scheduled to happen.

Jones, 51, won titles in the middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight before moving up to win the heavyweight title in 2003, becoming the first former middleweight champion to do so in 106 years.

The event will air on pay-per-view and the social media music platform Thriller. Further matches on the card and musical entertainment will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Jamaica

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has launched the Education Transformation Commission 2020, which will be tasked with reviewing and assessing the country’s public education system and making recommendations.

The terms of reference for the Commission, to be chaired by John Cowles Professor of Sociology at Harvard University, Professor Orlando Patterson, will be to comprehensively review and assess Jamaica’s education system, including its structure, operation, and processes, to recommend an action plan for change.

Mr. Holness reiterated that education is the “great socioeconomic equalizer” and the country’s core focus must be on education.

However, the Prime Minister noted that under the current education system, access to the best schools is too highly correlated with socioeconomic, and that must change.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the last major comprehensive review of the national public education system was undertaken in 2004 with the task Force on educational reform, hence the reason for the new Commission.

He said it is evident that there is need for another comprehensive review of the public education system covering all levels of education – early childhood, primary, secondary, vocational and higher education.

Consequently, he noted that the terms of reference for the Commission are wide-ranging and involve looking at the entire educational ecosystem.

The Prime Minister told members of the new Commission that his charge to them would be twofold.

The first is to advise the government on the creation of a world-class educational system geared towards enabling Jamaicans to fulfill their potential and the second, to ensure inclusivity.

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