In a thrilling rain-affected One Day International (ODI) match at McLean Park in Napier on November 19, New Zealand secured a five-wicket victory over the West Indies with just three balls to spare. This win gave the Black Caps an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final fixture scheduled for November 21. Despite a masterful unbeaten century (109 not out) from West Indies captain Shai Hope, the visitors fell short as New Zealand’s batsmen chased down a revised target of 235 in 34 overs. Hope’s valiant effort, which included 13 fours and four sixes, guided the West Indies to a total of 247/9. However, New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway (90) and Rachin Ravindran (56) set a strong foundation with a 106-run partnership. Although the West Indies bowlers fought back, captain Mitchell Santner (34 not out) and wicketkeeper Tom Latham (39 not out) sealed the victory with aggressive batting in the final overs. Nathan Smith was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 4/42, while Kyle Jamieson contributed with 3/44.
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FNM calls for removal of Golden Isles Returning Officer Neil Campbell
The Free National Movement (FNM) has formally requested the removal of Neil Campbell as Returning Officer for the Golden Isles constituency, citing concerns over his suitability and alleged conflicts of interest. In a letter addressed to Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson, FNM Leader Dr. Duane Sands emphasized the party’s ‘serious concerns’ about the integrity of the electoral process, particularly following challenges during and after advanced polling. The FNM contends that Mr. Campbell should have recused himself voluntarily, given his public admissions of personal ties to key political figures, including Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and FNM Leader Michael Pintard. The party is urging his replacement with ‘a more suitable public officer’ to ensure the election’s fairness and credibility. Meanwhile, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has dismissed the FNM’s claims as ‘reckless,’ accusing the opposition of fabricating the confrontation during Monday’s advance poll. The PLP has expressed full support for the Parliamentary Commissioner and warned against undermining public trust in the electoral system. Mr. Campbell, for his part, has vehemently denied allegations of bias, asserting that his personal relationships have never influenced his professional duties. The dispute stems from a chaotic standoff on Monday, where FNM and Coalition of Independents supporters blocked the removal of ballot boxes, alleging breaches in transport protocols. Election officials maintain that the process was conducted lawfully, with all agents witnessing and approving the sealing of the boxes. The FNM has pledged to raise further concerns in upcoming meetings with election officials, underscoring the heightened political tensions surrounding the electoral process.
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JBG chief questions how auditors missed massive fraud as multiple checks failed to detect $46b irregularities
Executives at Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) have expressed deep concerns over the failure of multiple audit teams to detect a significant, multi-year fraud within the company’s US operations. CEO Chris Levy highlighted the oversight failure as a critical issue requiring further investigation. The fraud, which involved concealing costs in biological assets and inventory accounts while understating vendor financing, led to a staggering $46 billion in financial adjustments. Despite three layers of auditors—including those from the US banking syndicate and JBG’s own auditors—issuing clean opinions on financial statements, the irregularities were ultimately uncovered by an internal whistleblower. Ian Parsard, Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Planning, expressed astonishment at the systemic failure, noting the coordinated efforts by leadership to evade detection. The company has since implemented sweeping reforms, including replacing its US accounting team, changing auditors, and introducing new controls with IBM’s assistance. The new auditors bring specific poultry industry expertise, enabling them to identify irregularities previously overlooked. This case raises broader questions about the effectiveness of audits in complex, multi-jurisdictional organizations and underscores the potential for determined management to bypass even robust financial oversight systems. For JBG, the fallout has been severe, necessitating a complete financial restructuring and eroding shareholder trust.
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New report shows violence against women is pervasive in the Americas
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the ongoing prevalence of violence against women and girls in the Americas, including the Caribbean. Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls on November 25, new estimates reveal that one in three women aged 15 and older in the region has endured physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Intimate partner violence remains the most common form, affecting one in four women aged 15-49, while one in eight has suffered sexual violence from non-partners. Young women aged 15-19 face significant risks, with 21% experiencing partner violence before turning 20. Older women are also vulnerable, as 23% of those aged 65 and above report such abuse. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), emphasized that violence is preventable and stressed the importance of high-quality data to address the issue effectively. Despite increased awareness and interventions, progress in reducing violence has been slow, and countries in the Americas are unlikely to meet Sustainable Development Goal 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women. Britta Baer, PAHO’s advisor on violence prevention, highlighted the underreporting of sexual violence due to stigma and shame, urging strengthened access to post-rape care. The WHO’s comprehensive study, analyzing data from 2000 to 2023 across 168 countries, underscores the urgent need for informed policy decisions. Violence against women has severe consequences, including physical injuries, mental health issues, and perpetuated cycles of abuse. PAHO is supporting countries through evidence-based strategies like the RESPECT framework, which focuses on empowering women, reducing poverty, and transforming gender norms. The health sector plays a critical role in early identification, clinical care, and connecting survivors to broader services. PAHO is also facilitating regional dialogue and capacity-building to scale up effective interventions. As part of the 16 Days of Activism 2025, PAHO will host a hybrid event on November 24 with UN Women and the World Bank to present new estimates and discuss proven interventions. Dr. Barbosa reiterated that violence against women remains a regional priority, calling for sustained investments and collective action to eliminate this pervasive issue.
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Parents, guardians urged to store household chemicals properly
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Gerald Miller, the Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Jamaica, has issued a stern warning to parents and guardians regarding the safe storage of household chemicals. With many schools still closed, children are spending more time at home, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. Miller emphasized the importance of keeping sanitizing products and other hazardous substances out of children’s reach to prevent health crises. ‘We are asking parents to be extremely careful to secure these chemicals, as accidental ingestion could place immense strain on our already overburdened health facilities,’ he stated. Miller acknowledged the challenges faced by families in securing storage spaces but urged them to improvise solutions, even if it means hiding chemicals in unconventional places. The call for vigilance comes as the health sector grapples with the added pressures of hurricane recovery efforts.
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Jamaica to know play-off opponents on Thursday
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican national football team, known as the Reggae Boyz, is set to discover their semi-final opponents in the FIFA World Cup play-offs during Thursday morning’s official draw. The draw will determine the matchups for the crucial qualifiers scheduled for March in Mexico. Jamaica, who missed out on an automatic qualification after a 0-0 draw against Curacao in their Concacaf Group B clash on Tuesday, is among six teams vying for the final two spots in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Curacao secured the top position in the group with 12 points, narrowly edging out Jamaica, who are aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The play-offs will feature teams from various confederations, including Suriname (Concacaf), Iraq (Asian Federation), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (African Federation), Bolivia (Conmebol), and New Caledonia (Oceana). According to the format, DR Congo (ranked 56th) and Iraq (ranked 58th) will receive byes to the semi-finals, while Jamaica (ranked 70th) and Suriname (ranked 123rd) will avoid facing each other in the first round due to their shared Concacaf affiliation. The winners of the initial matches will advance to face DR Congo and Iraq, with the ultimate victors securing their place in the World Cup.
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IR expert hopes for US-Venezuela dialogue
Recent statements by US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have sparked cautious optimism for a potential de-escalation of tensions between the two nations in the Caribbean. Maduro, during his television program ‘Con Maduro’ on November 17, expressed willingness to engage in talks with US officials, a sentiment echoed by Trump, who confirmed Venezuela’s request for formal discussions. Caribbean Policy Consortium co-chairman Prof Anthony Bryan emphasized the importance of dialogue, stating, ‘Dialogue is always better than sabre rattling.’ These developments come amidst a significant US military presence in the region, including the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its strike group. The deployment, which began in August, has been framed by the US as part of anti-narcotics efforts, though critics, including the UN and European Union, have raised concerns about extra-judicial killings. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has supported the US military presence while reaffirming her country’s sovereignty and refusal to be used as a launchpad for attacks on Venezuela.
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Penal man acquitted of arson, malicious damage, assault charges
In a significant legal development, Sarabjit Harripersad, a resident of Penal, was acquitted of multiple criminal charges, including arson, malicious damage, assault, battery, and resisting arrest. The verdict was delivered by a San Fernando jury on November 18 after nearly three hours of deliberation at the Princes Town Judicial Centre. Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds presided over the trial, while Harripersad was represented by a legal team comprising attorneys Larry Williams, Enrique Singh, and Alejandro Gocking. The charges stemmed from an incident on May 10, 2024, at Bheemul Branch Trace, San Francique Road, Penal, where Harripersad was accused of setting fire to a house, destroying a vehicle, and assaulting individuals. The defense successfully argued that the prosecution’s case was riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions among witness testimonies, undermining its credibility. Key discrepancies included conflicting accounts of where the alleged assault occurred, whether gasoline was poured, and the sequence of events. The defense emphasized that these inconsistencies rendered the prosecution’s case unreliable, leading to Harripersad’s acquittal. State attorneys Charmaine Samuel and Davenand Ramsaran led the prosecution.
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High Court awards TTEC estate constable $1.1m for wrongful dismissal
In a landmark ruling, Farad Mohammed, a former estate constable dismissed from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) in 2017, has been awarded over $1.1 million in damages. The High Court determined that his termination violated the company’s disciplinary code, marking a significant victory for Mohammed and the Estate Police Association (EPA).
Mohammed’s dismissal followed an internal disciplinary hearing in February 2017, where he was found guilty of tampering with company property. The incident occurred in October 2016 when Mohammed, while on patrol at TTEC’s Frederick Street offices in Port of Spain, noticed the emblem of a company vehicle had come loose. He claimed he placed it in his pocket to prevent it from falling off, intending to reattach it later. TTEC initially charged him with theft and tampering, though the theft charge was later dropped.
Mohammed and the EPA contested the dismissal, arguing that TTEC’s disciplinary code limited the penalty for a first-time tampering offense to a 30-day suspension with a threat of dismissal. However, the Special Tribunal upheld the termination in 2019, stating the code was merely a guide.
In 2020, Mohammed and the EPA, represented by attorneys Kevin Ratiram and Michael Rooplal, sought judicial review. On January 31, Justice Joan Charles ruled that TTEC was bound by its disciplinary code and lacked the authority to dismiss Mohammed. She overturned the tribunal’s decision, ordered his reinstatement, and directed a damages assessment.
During the assessment before Master Wrenerson Lochan, it was agreed that Mohammed’s lost earnings from 2017 to his reinstatement amounted to $924,656.79. TTEC’s legal team argued for a 40% reduction, citing Mohammed’s conduct, but his attorneys countered that the code prohibited dismissal, absolving him of responsibility. Lochan rejected TTEC’s request, ordering the full payment of $924,656.79, plus $87,355.73 in interest and $109,599 in costs, bringing the total award to over $1.1 million.
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Body found in abandoned Agriculture Ministry building
The discovery of a decomposing body in an abandoned Ministry of Agriculture building in Port of Spain, Trinidad, has left authorities puzzled. On November 17, at approximately 6:30 am, an anonymous passerby alerted the Police Command Centre about a foul odor emanating from the old Surveys and Mapping Division building on Wrightson Road. Responding officers, granted access by an MTS official, found the severely decomposed remains of a man inside. The individual, of African descent with a rasta hairstyle, was shirtless and clad in brown long pants. Police noted no visible signs of violence on the body. The district medical officer declared the man dead and ordered the body to be transported to the Forensic Science Centre in St. James for an autopsy. Investigators remain uncertain how the man entered the building, as a lock was found on the front gate during a subsequent visit on November 19, with all doors and windows appearing secure. The Central Police Station has taken charge of the investigation, seeking to unravel the circumstances surrounding this mysterious death.