They made the news last week!

 

Portia Simpson Miller

 

The prime minister has been on the front pages for days, as the country waits with bated breath for her to announce the date for the next general election. But the People's National Party president did not give away much on the campaign trail last week only to say the country will be appropriately informed when her Master touches her.

 

John-Paul White

 

The PNP aspirant was resolute last week as he declared he had no intention of stepping aside as the standard-bearer for the Northern Trelawny constituency. White's stance came amid protest from some in the constituency against his selection, while it also emerged that chairman for the PNP's Region 1, Lisa Hanna, has been pushing for Damion Crawford to be sent to the constituency.

 

Horace Dalley

 

The recently appointed minister of heath grabbed the headlines after just one week on the job, as he asked the boards of the University Hospital of the West Indies and the Western Regional Health Authority to step down while the Cornwall Regional Hospital board was said to be next. The resignations of the board members were sought following the tragic circumstances that led to the deaths of 19 premature babies.

 

Paris

 

The headlines across the world last week, with Jamaica being no exception, were dominated by the vicious terrorist attacks in France's capital. A total of 129 people were killed after ISIS terrorists some with AK-47s, some reportedly with bombs strapped to them in a coordinated manner attacked sites throughout Paris. Islamic state group, ISIS, has since claimed responsibility for the attacks.

 

Mark Shields

 

Former Jamaica crime chief Mark Shields was in the news last week issuing a warning after the series of deadly terrorist attacks in France that something similar could possibly occur in Jamaica. The British counter-terrorism expert labelled the island as a "soft target" for terrorists, insisting that Jamaicans should not underestimate the threat posed by ISIS and warned that the United States and French embassies, along with the British High Commission, could make attractive targets for would-be terrorists.

 

Brian Wynter

 

The Bank of Jamaica governor made his way on to the front pages last week after announcing that the Jamaican dollar is no longer overvalued and is less susceptible to unpredictable slippage. Wynter said this was achieved following recommendations by the International Monetary Fund for the dollar's continued devaluation to maintain competitiveness.

 

Donna Parchment Brown

 

The former custos rotulorum for the parish of St Andrew was sworn in as the first female political ombudsman and the fourth to hold that office in Jamaica since Independence. The dispute resolution specialist declared that she stands ready to be an advocate, mediator and arbitrator for the safe conduct of Jamaica's elections.

 

Clayton Donaldson

 

The Reggae Boyz striker endeared himself to local football fans, in his first start, after scoring the game's only goal to give Jamaica a vital win in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match against Haiti in that country's capital last week. The Birmingham City player's 63rd-minute strike earned Jamaica three desperately needed points, having suffered a 0-2 defeat to Panama at the National Stadium in Kingston in the opening round.