Staff WriterJAMAICAN SINGER TO PERFORM IN SUDAN AT PEACE CONCERT—11/29/14
Jamaican singer Alaine plans to travel to Juba in Sudan to perform at a peace concert. The singer will be the first Jamaican star to visit South Sudan. Stardom Entertainment, which is promoting the event, hopes that more Jamaicans will come to the country to perform in April of 2015. Alaine will perform at an event considered a motivational perquisite for workers at various corporations in Juba. It is meant to encourage networking and is the first of its kind in the country. A percentage of the concert proceeds will be given to orphans and other vulnerable children in need in Juba.
SWITZERLAND TO ENJOY EXHIBIAT BY ARTIST FROM SWIFT RIVER—11/30/14
Kingsley Thomas, Jamaican artist, will be featured in a major art exhibit in Switzerland. According to gallery owner Daniel Kellenberger, the work of Thomas “has soul” and tackles social and political issues with a personal approach. The exhibit is title “Through the Window” and will be located at the Kunsthaeuschen-Herrliberg gallery in Zurich.
JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO PLEAD FOR RELEASE OF PILOT IN QATAR—12/01/14
While the Jamaican government has called and made several formal requests for the release of pilot Paul Stephens from a prison in Qatar, there has been to indication from that nation about whether he will be granted a pardon. Jamaica’s government is hopeful that the pardon request will be viewed favorably by Qatar authorities.
PINNOCK ELECTED TO LEAD JAMAICA DIASPORA ADVISORY BOARD IN U.S.—12/02/14
Joan Pinnock, an immigration attorney, has been elected to lead the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board for the North East United States. A release of results of the elections was made by a committee authorized to review the results. In spite of Pinnock’s win, however, controversy has erupted over the elections. Patrick Beckford, former advisory board head, claims that guidelines were not followed and no eligibility or registration rules were established for the election.
NATIVE JAMAICAN JELLYFISH FOUND IN AUSTRALIA—12/03/14
A jellyfish native to Jamaica, the Tripedalia cystophora, has been found in Australia and in other parts of the globe. Australia is the most southerly location at which the species has been discovered, however. A single female Caribbean box jellyfish was found on the Gold Coast in January 2014, miles from the ocean and a significant distance from the nearly mangroves. The find was announced now because initial sightings of the jellyfish mistook the creature for some type of floating plastic.
JACKSON BELIEVES EBOLA EPIDEMIC WILL IMPACT “VALUES OF HUMAN SOLIDARITY—12/04/14
Fitz Jackson, a Jamaican Member of Parliament, has warned that the Ebola epidemic requires a sustained global response based on values of empathy and humanity. As the co-chairperson of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)-European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), he says any response to the outbreak should be “informed” by human solidarity values. Jackson represents South St. Catherine in the Jamaican Parliament.
JAMAICAN DANCER’S DREAM COMES TRUE—12/05/14
Jamaican dancer Benton Morris has dreamed of becoming part of the award-winning Disney musical production “The Lion King” for some time. He had auditioned for a role on two previous occasions, but on his third try, he was selected to become part of the show’s cast in London, England. The musical is on its first United Kingdom tour after 15 years on the international stage. Morris believes that being involved with the production represents the “opportunity of a lifetime.” He first auditioned for a part during his first year at Edna Manley College.
JAMAICAN BAKERY FIRM BEGINS DISTRIBUTION IN NEW YORK CITY—12/05/14
National Baking Company, one of the most recognized brands in Jamaica, has begun distributing some of its most popular products in New York City. The New York initiative is part of the firm’s expansion to overseas markets. The company’s products will be available at more than 300 retail outlets “between Brooklyn, Queens, and the south Bronx,” says Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, chairman and managing director of the firm.
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