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Hospitality firms delay financial reports after Hurricane Melissa

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two prominent hospitality entities within the Margaritaville Caribbean Group consortium have announced significant delays in their financial reporting schedules, attributing the postponements to operational disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa’s recent passage through the region.

Margaritaville (Turks) Limited disclosed Thursday that its board of directors has formally rescheduled the publication of its upcoming financial report to February 27, 2026. Company officials confirmed the delay stems directly from hurricane-related complications that impaired normal accounting functions and data collection processes.

In a parallel development, Express Catering revealed similar reporting challenges, announcing the deferral of its second-quarter 2026 interim financial statements to the same revised date of February 27, 2026. The food service provider cited identical storm-related operational disruptions affecting its financial documentation pipeline.

Both organizations emphasized their commitment to expedite publication should operational conditions improve ahead of the revised timeline. The coordinated delay highlights the broader challenges facing Caribbean businesses following October 2025’s Hurricane Melissa, which severely impacted commercial activity, supply chain logistics, and administrative capabilities across multiple industrial sectors throughout the region.

The hurricane’s aftermath has created particularly complex challenges for hospitality and tourism-dependent businesses, which must simultaneously manage recovery operations while maintaining regulatory compliance. Industry analysts note that such reporting delays are not uncommon following major natural disasters, though the nearly three-week postponement indicates significant systemic disruption to financial infrastructure.

5 2 月, 2026
ITA’s Morant Bay Service Hub to close at midday

ST THOMAS, Jamaica — The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) has issued an urgent public service announcement regarding the operational status of its Morant Bay Service Hub. Authorities confirmed the facility will suspend all services unexpectedly at 12:00 PM local time this Friday, citing unresolved internal administrative matters.

Officials are strongly advising citizens with pending transactions to complete their business at the Morant Bay location prior to the noon deadline. Following the closure, residents requiring ITA services will need to utilize alternative offices located in adjacent parishes until normal operations resume.

The government agency extended formal apologies for any disruptions caused by this unforeseen closure, acknowledging the potential inconvenience to the public. The statement specifically thanked community members for their continued patience and cooperation during this temporary service interruption.

Regular operational schedules are expected to recommence at the Morant Bay hub on Monday, February 9, with doors opening at the standard time of 8:30 AM. The ITA reassures the public that all neighboring offices remain fully operational and prepared to handle additional service demands during this temporary closure period.

5 2 月, 2026
US urges new three-way nuclear deal with Russia and China

GENEVA, Switzerland — The United States has formally proposed trilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations involving Russia and China following the expiration of the New START treaty on Thursday. This development marks the first time in decades that the world’s leading nuclear powers operate without formal arms control agreements, raising global concerns about a potential new arms race.

Speaking at the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control Thomas DiNanno characterized the expired treaty as containing ‘fundamental flaws’ that failed to address contemporary security challenges. ‘Serial Russian violations, expanding global stockpiles, and structural deficiencies in New START’s design and implementation compel the United States to advocate for a new framework addressing current threats rather than those of a previous era,’ DiNanno stated.

The American diplomat particularly emphasized concerns about China’s nuclear program, noting that ‘China’s entire nuclear arsenal operates without limits, transparency, declarations, or controls’ despite its rapid expansion. This assessment was immediately challenged by Chinese Ambassador Shen Jian, who maintained that ‘China’s nuclear capabilities remain substantially inferior to those of the US and Russia’ and reaffirmed Beijing’s position against participating in current disarmament negotiations.

Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov introduced additional complexity to the proposed talks by demanding the inclusion of NATO nuclear powers France and Britain in any future negotiations. Moscow’s position reflects its view that NATO’s collective nuclear alliance status necessitates broader participation in arms control discussions.

The expiration of New START, which previously limited both the US and Russia to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each, has created a strategic vacuum in global nuclear arms control. The Trump administration rejected a Russian proposal to extend the existing treaty for one year, instead calling for a ‘new, improved and modernized agreement’ that would address what officials describe as New START’s limitations in upholding both American strategic deterrence and extended deterrence commitments to allies.

5 2 月, 2026
Island luck co-founders slam human and gun trafficking allegations in Epstein file

Prominent Bahamian gaming executives Sebas Bastian and Adrian Fox have vehemently denied allegations connecting them to human and firearms trafficking through convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as detailed in a recently released FBI document dated September 30, 2021. The document, part of the Epstein case files, contained claims from an informant who alleged Epstein exerted control over both Bahamian and US governments.

Bastian, currently campaigning as the PLP’s Fort Charlotte candidate, dismissed the allegations with forceful rhetoric. “I don’t do fool,” he stated, adding, “The closest I come to Epstein, Jepstein or any Stein is the stain on my shirt.” He emphasized his focus remains on the upcoming election and national development rather than these claims.

Fox expressed “grave concern” about the report’s contents and issued a categorical denial: “I want to unequivocally state that I have never had any personal interaction with him [Epstein], nor have I engaged in any activities that could be construed as illegal, including the sale or trafficking of firearms or women.”

The FBI document also referenced other Bahamian figures including Craig Flowers, principal of rival FML Group of Companies, though without connecting him to trafficking allegations. Flowers did not respond to media inquiries before press time.

Additionally, former national security minister Marvin Dames was mentioned (under the misspelling ‘Marvin James’) as having brought the informant to the US embassy in Nassau where she provided her information. Dames confirmed this aspect of the report while questioning the document’s overall authenticity. The informant, whose identity was redacted in the FBI report, has been identified by Tribune Business as a wealthy US expatriate and fitness professional residing in Paradise Island’s exclusive Ocean Club Estates.

5 2 月, 2026
Two Jamaicans among finalists for Commonwealth Youth Award

LONDON, United Kingdom – Four exceptional Caribbean youth leaders have been distinguished as regional finalists in the prestigious 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. They join an elite group of twenty young innovators selected from 977 applications across the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations.

The Caribbean honorees include Moesha Allen and Nahjae Nunes from Jamaica, Kaveer Phillip from Trinidad and Tobago, and Ishmael Nicholson from Belize. Their selection followed a rigorous two-stage evaluation process conducted by 57 Pan-Commonwealth adjudicators, recognizing their extraordinary contributions as social entrepreneurs, climate advocates, and development practitioners.

Moesha Allen, a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, founded Helping Youths Pursue Excellence (HYPE), an initiative that has positively impacted over 10,000 young people through mentorship programs, literacy initiatives, behavior modification strategies, Police Youth Clubs, and the Safe School Programme.

Nahjae Nunes has distinguished himself as an international development policy expert who reduces inequality by integrating youth evidence into public decision-making. His diplomatic achievements include negotiating several UN General Assembly resolutions adopted by 193 states and co-chairing the CHOGM 2024 Youth Taskforce that produced the Apia Youth Declaration. At UNICEF, he has authored landmark publications on child poverty and supports multiple Commonwealth nations on social development issues.

Ishmael Nicholson founded RISE Belize, serving as a unifying force for youth organizations and empowering young people to become agents of change. He successfully led advocacy efforts to update Belize’s National Youth Policy in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations.

Kaveer Phillip established The Carbon Sync, a non-profit organization raising awareness about nature-based solutions through tree planting initiatives. The organization has planted over 450 trees while directly educating and benefiting more than 4,000 individuals. As a decarbonization professional, Phillip has pioneered work in carbon dioxide removal technology, electric vehicles, recycling programs, and climate finance with widespread impact on communities, corporations, and national policies.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey emphasized the organization’s commitment to youth empowerment, stating: “Young people must be at the forefront of shaping solutions. Their research, innovation and voice are essential to building a future where they are empowered to tackle poverty, fight for climate justice, advocate for education, and bring hope to communities in need across our 56 nations.”

The 2026 awards ceremony will introduce the inaugural Patsy Robertson Award for Outstanding Communication Skills, honoring the late journalist and women in media advocate. Six additional finalists have been shortlisted for this special recognition celebrating voices that shape a fairer, more open world.

All twenty finalists will receive £1,000 grants, trophies, and certificates. Five regional winners will be awarded additional £2,000 prizes, while the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will receive a total of £5,000. The Patsy Robertson Award recipient will receive a trophy, certificate, and £1,000 cash prize. The top winners will be announced during a special ceremony on March 11.

5 2 月, 2026
US strike on alleged drug-smuggling boat kills two in Pacific — military

The United States military has confirmed conducting a targeted strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals identified as suspected drug traffickers. This operation marks the latest escalation in Washington’s controversial counter-narcotics initiative that has now claimed at least 128 lives since its inception.

The Trump administration launched this aggressive campaign in early September, characterizing it as a necessary military response to what officials term ‘narco-terrorist’ networks operating from Venezuelan territory. Despite these assertions, administration representatives have yet to present conclusive evidence demonstrating the drug trafficking involvement of the targeted vessels, raising significant legal and ethical questions about the operations’ expansion from Caribbean waters into the Pacific basin.

US Southern Command articulated the justification for Thursday’s operation through an official statement on social media platform X, asserting that ‘intelligence confirmation indicated the vessel was transiting established narco-trafficking corridors in the Eastern Pacific and actively participating in narcotics operations.’ The command further noted that no American military personnel sustained injuries during the mission.

This incident represents the second publicly acknowledged strike in the region since the January 3rd apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who had previously accused the United States of using anti-drug operations as pretext for regime change initiatives. Maduro currently faces narcotics and weapons charges in New York after being transported by US forces, with the leader entering a plea of not guilty.

The legal landscape surrounding these operations grew more complex last week when relatives of two Trinidadian nationals killed in a 2025 strike filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the US government. This landmark case constitutes the first legal challenge to the Trump administration’s missile strike policy in Caribbean and Pacific waters, potentially establishing significant precedents regarding extraterritorial military actions and accountability mechanisms.

5 2 月, 2026
The story behind Bob Marley’s iconic ‘Survival’ album cover

Released in October 1979, Bob Marley’s ‘Survival’ stands as arguably his most politically charged album, conceived during a pivotal era of African anti-colonial movements. The album’s distinctive visual identity emerged from the creative genius of Neville Garrick, Marley’s longtime art director, who recently revealed the profound conceptual thinking behind the iconic cover in an interview with journalist Chris Morrow.

Garrick described ‘Survival’ as his personal favorite among the twelve album covers he created for Marley and The Wailers. Originally titled ‘Black Survival,’ the project underwent significant reconsideration to ensure its message would resonate universally rather than alienate non-black audiences. This philosophical shift prompted Garrick to develop a powerful visual language that conveyed black identity without explicit verbal declaration.

The groundbreaking cover design featured the assembled flags of independent African nations, meticulously handcrafted by Garrick using construction paper at twice the standard album size to achieve perfect color fidelity upon reduction. Notably, Garrick made a conscious political statement by excluding Rhodesia’s flag—then still under white minority rule—and instead incorporating the banners of liberation movements ZANU and ZAPU fighting for what would become Zimbabwe.

Garrick’s most inspired innovation came through a sudden ‘mind-flash’ addressing the African diaspora’s lack of national symbols. He conceptually reversed the word ‘Survival’ from the blueprint of a slave ship, powerfully connecting contemporary liberation struggles with the historical trauma of slavery.

The album’s release coincided with extraordinary historical momentum, culminating in Marley’s historic performance at Zimbabwe’s independence celebrations in April 1980 before over 100,000 people in Harare. Featuring anthems like ‘Africa Unite’ and ‘Zimbabwe,’ the album presented a stark contrast to the more relaxed ‘Kaya’ released the previous year.

This retrospective gains poignancy considering Marley’s untimely death at 36 in May 1981—he would have turned 81 this week—and Garrick’s recent passing in November 2023 at age 73, closing a chapter on one of music’s most visually and politically significant collaborations.

5 2 月, 2026
‘Shocked & disappointed’

A significant accounting failure at Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) has triggered a financial crisis for one of its largest institutional investors, Mayberry Jamaican Equities Limited (MJE), erasing nearly $1 billion in portfolio value and contributing to one of the worst annual performances in MJE’s history.

The scandal emerged from JBG’s U.S. operations, where accounting irregularities necessitated a massive $46 billion restatement of its 2024 audited financial statements. This restatement, primarily involving overstated inventories and biological assets, precipitated a catastrophic 53% plunge in JBG’s stock price throughout 2025.

For MJE, the collapse was devastating. The investment firm recorded an $899 million unrealized loss on its JBG holdings, forming part of a broader $4.93 billion net loss for the year. MJE Chairman Chris Berry expressed profound shock and disappointment during an investor briefing, stating, “We still don’t really understand how it happened, why it happened… It’s a great tragedy for Jamaica, the Jamaica Stock Exchange, and for the company.”

The fallout continues as accountability remains unclear. When questioned about remedial actions at JBG’s U.S. operations, Berry declined to elaborate. MJE’s exposure to JBG grew substantially over several years, with investments exceeding $1 billion since 2022, making MJE JBG’s fifth-largest shareholder before the collapse.

JBG has implemented sweeping reforms including management overhaul, strengthened financial controls with IBM’s assistance, appointment of a new U.S. auditor, and a $24 billion refinancing package. The company’s audit committee is pursuing an electronic communication search requested by auditor PwC Jamaica, which issued a qualified opinion due to the absence of this investigation.

Despite these measures, uncertainty persists. Bruce Bowen, chairman of JBG’s audit committee, revealed no intention to pursue further recovery actions related to the U.S. operations at this time. The company continues negotiations to resolve approximately $120 million in U.S.-related debt while implementing governance reforms including a comprehensive review by Cube Corporate Support Limited.

The scandal has eroded investor confidence significantly, with JBG shares losing $22.45 billion in market capitalization during 2025, highlighting the profound impact of accounting governance failures on market stability and investor trust.

5 2 月, 2026
HOT ON ICE!

As the Winter Olympics commence in Milan, Italy, Jamaica’s sporting narrative undergoes a profound transformation. Sport Minister Olivia Grange declares the nation has shed its novelty status to emerge as a legitimate competitive force in winter sports, despite its tropical climate.

The Jamaican team will compete across three bobsleigh disciplines and alpine skiing during the Games running through February 22. This marks the country’s tenth Winter Olympic appearance and fourth consecutive in bobsledding, demonstrating sustained commitment beyond the underdog story popularized by the 1993 film ‘Cool Runnings’ inspired by Jamaica’s 1988 Calgary debut.

‘Our active winter sports program without natural snow proves our athletes aren’t just ordinary competitors,’ Minister Grange emphasized. ‘We demonstrate extraordinary daring, courage and bravery by excelling in environments contrary to our climatic identity.’

The roster features captain Shane Pitter leading the four-man bobsled team with Andrae Dacres, Junior Harris, Joel Fearon and former 100m champion Tyquendo Tracey. Pitter and Tracey will additionally compete in the two-man event, while Welsh-born Mica Moore represents Jamaica in women’s monobob. Henri Rivers completes the delegation in alpine skiing.

Recent achievements have fundamentally shifted perceptions of Jamaican winter sports. The program reached a milestone last year by securing its first regional competition gold medals, validating years of development. ‘We’re now respected because we’re winning, not just because we lost and were novel,’ Grange noted, referencing the team’s progression since her early involvement.

Despite competitive gains, the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation continues advocating for enhanced financial and corporate support. Communications manager Rolando Reid acknowledged equipment disparities, noting current sleds are ‘fast but not German-fast.’ The federation has pursued crowdfunding initiatives to acquire world-class equipment comparable to leading nations.

The government has provided support through the Athletes’ Assistance Programme, allocating $2.16 million to qualified bobsledders. Additional backing includes coverage under the National Athletes’ Insurance Plan and developmental documentation through the sports ministry.

Jamaica seeks its first Winter Olympic medal while continuing to redefine expectations of tropical nations in cold-weather sports, combining athletic excellence with groundbreaking perseverance.

5 2 月, 2026
Candlelight tribute to mark the start of Barry G’s final journey

The children of renowned Jamaican broadcasting pioneer Barrington ‘Barry G’ Gordon are organizing a ceremonial candlelight vigil to commemorate their father’s immense legacy, scheduled for this evening at the Police Officers’ Club in St Andrew. This tribute, deliberately postponed due to the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Melissa which coincided with Gordon’s passing on October 29, 2025, is designed as a national moment of reflection and celebration.

Barry G, celebrated for his dynamic on-air persona and profound influence on Jamaican music and culture, fathered seven children. They have collaboratively designed an event that mirrors his passions, featuring performances from artists and colleagues whose careers he helped shape. The symbolism of candlelight was chosen to represent both remembrance and the guiding light of his legacy, inviting widespread public participation.

The serendipitous scheduling of the tribute on February 6, which marks the birthday of reggae icon Bob Marley and initiates Jamaica’s Reggae Month, adds a layer of cultural significance. The family emphasizes this was unintentional yet profoundly fitting, given Barry G’s lifelong dedication to promoting Jamaican music globally.

Beyond his professional acclaim as a ‘broadcast legend,’ his daughters Sade and Stacy Gordon fondly recalled his role as a devoted father, mentor, and confidant. They highlighted his core values of humility, discipline, and an unwavering belief in education and hard work. The family intends to channel the collective grief into positive action, announcing preliminary plans for a charitable foundation and youth development initiatives established in his name, ensuring his commitment to service endures.

A formal thanksgiving service is also scheduled for February 7, 2026, at Boulevard Baptist Church, providing another opportunity for the nation to pay its respects to an icon whose voice defined an era.

5 2 月, 2026