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  • Thorne calls on Barbadians to end BLP’s colonial-style governance

    Thorne calls on Barbadians to end BLP’s colonial-style governance

    In a significant show of political force, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne addressed a crowd of over 400 supporters at Independence Square during the party’s inaugural national rally on Sunday evening. The event, marked by enthusiastic displays of party allegiance with yellow and blue colors, reached a crescendo as Thorne made his entrance accompanied by the gospel anthem ‘Walk On’ at approximately 11 p.m., triggering an outpouring of support from attendees.

    Thorne’s address wove together spiritual themes with the political legacy of national hero Errol Barrow, articulating a vision of social democracy centered on robust government intervention. The opposition leader presented a comprehensive platform addressing healthcare, education, pension systems, public transportation, and housing infrastructure, framing these services as fundamental rights funded through citizen taxation.

    The DLP leader launched a sharp critique against the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), accusing them of implementing regressive taxation policies that disproportionately burden poor and middle-class families. Thorne specifically called for a overhaul of the current fiscal system, advocating for progressive taxation models, small business relief measures, reduction of Value Added Tax from 17.5 percent, and enhanced pension protections.

    ‘Current fiscal policies are creating impossible choices for families—between utilities and nourishment—while children attend school without adequate nutrition,’ Thorne asserted. ‘This administration’s approach constitutes an economic oppression that must be confronted.’

    Thorne further advanced his ‘Barbados First’ doctrine, emphasizing the prioritization of local professionals in key institutions including Queen Elizabeth Hospital and academic institutions over foreign appointments. He framed the upcoming February 11 election as a historic opportunity to reject what he characterized as a regression to colonial-era governance structures under the BLP administration.

    Throughout his speech, Thorne connected his personal narrative of ascent from humble beginnings to party leadership with the broader historical struggle against colonial oppression, positioning the electoral process as a means to ‘recapture and retrieve the nation’s sovereign identity.’

  • Venezuela’s Acting Leader Tired of U.S. Interference

    Venezuela’s Acting Leader Tired of U.S. Interference

    Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez delivered a forceful rebuke of United States interference in her nation’s domestic politics during a public address on Sunday. Speaking to oil industry workers in Puerto La Cruz, Rodríguez declared that Venezuela has reached its limit with Washington’s directives regarding internal governance.

    “We have endured sufficient imposition of Washington’s commands upon Venezuelan politicians,” Rodríguez stated in televised remarks. “Venezuelan politics must be permitted to resolve our own differences and internal conflicts without external pressure.”

    This diplomatic confrontation emerges approximately one month after US forces conducted a military operation that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Following this intervention, the US administration has intensified pressure on Caracas to restart oil production operations and sever international alliances with China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba.

    Initial US positioning suggested Washington would oversee Venezuela’s political transition, with President Donald Trump previously stating the United States would “run” the country. However, diplomatic dynamics appear to have shifted following a telephone conversation between Trump and Rodríguez earlier this month, during which the American president described his Venezuelan counterpart as a “terrific person” and noted they were “developing positive relations.”

  • Central Castries spin to victory in Sandals/SLNCA U19 opener

    Central Castries spin to victory in Sandals/SLNCA U19 opener

    The highly anticipated Sandals/Saint Lucia National Cricket Association Under-19 Tournament commenced with spectacular energy at Mindoo Philip Park on January 25th. This competitive event brings together eight district squads across four designated venues, promising weeks of exceptional 50-over cricket displays that highlight emerging talent and regional pride.

    The inaugural match featured a compelling day/night confrontation between South Castries and Central Castries—the latter sharing honors as 2025 tournament champions—following an elaborate opening ceremony that established the championship’s elevated standards.

    Adverse weather conditions necessitated a match reduction to 35 overs per side. South Castries, upon winning the toss, strategically elected to field first. Despite initial challenges with excessive extras, their bowling unit effectively contained Central Castries’ batting lineup, triggering a dramatic collapse.

    Tyler Venner emerged as the sole batsman demonstrating resilience for Central Castries, delivering an impressive 49-run performance featuring five boundaries and one six, narrowly missing a deserved half-century. The team ultimately posted 118 all out, with 25 runs attributed to extras. Nathaniel Joseph spearheaded South’s bowling attack with an exceptional four-wicket haul at the cost of 29 runs.

    Facing a modest target, Central Castries mounted an extraordinary bowling response that dismantled South Castries for a mere 65 runs. The victory was engineered through masterful spin bowling, with last season’s MVP Theo Edward redeeming his batting performance by capturing four wickets for 16 runs. He partnered effectively with leg-spinner Aiden Scholar, who achieved a stunning economy rate of three wickets for six runs across seven overs. Notably, 32 of South’s runs came from extras, highlighting their batting difficulties.

    This emphatic victory immediately positions Central Castries at the tournament’s summit as the competition progresses through its preliminary stages.

  • High Court to rule on ex-TTFA marketing director’s unpaid fees claim

    High Court to rule on ex-TTFA marketing director’s unpaid fees claim

    A legal confrontation between former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) marketing director Peter Miller and the association’s trustee will reach a pivotal moment on February 26 when Justice Frank Seepersad delivers his ruling. Miller claims substantial unpaid compensation for services rendered during the association’s financial restructuring phase.

    The crux of the dispute centers on whether Miller continued fulfilling his contractual obligations beyond March 2020, when FIFA installed a normalization committee to oversee TTFA operations. Miller maintains he persistently worked through the association’s financial crisis, while trustee Maria Daniel has disallowed portions of his claim based on advice that he ceased services during that period.

    Miller’s employment commenced January 1, 2020, under a two-year contract stipulating a monthly salary of US$25,000, plus an additional US$30,410.95 for services predating his formal contract. During virtual testimony, Miller faced rigorous cross-examination from Senior Counsel Kerwyn Garcia, who challenged the evidentiary support for Miller’s assertions of continued work.

    The judicial proceedings revealed complexities in documenting marketing achievements. Miller acknowledged completing several initiatives outlined in a February 2020 brief from then-TTFA president William Wallace, including securing kit deals, launching a new association website, and identifying broadcast rights partners. However, he conceded that his court submissions lacked documentary evidence for alleged sponsorship agreements with international companies and arranged friendlies with UK and Brazilian clubs.

    Trustee Maria Daniel, appointed in November 2021 to manage TTFA’s debt proposal process, testified that her mandate focused exclusively on financial rehabilitation assessment. While acknowledging email correspondence suggesting Miller maintained sponsor communications after March 2020, she maintained insufficient context existed to validate these exchanges as substantive work.

    Robert Hadad, chairman of FIFA’s normalization committee, corroborated the verification challenges, stating his position required confirming active employees before approving payments.

    The TTFA’s debt proposal, ultimately approved by creditors in May 2022, provided legal protection while the association pursued financial recovery. An Ernst and Young report estimated outstanding liabilities at approximately TT$98.5 million, with the enhanced proposal increasing committed funds to US$3.5 million.

    Justice Seepersad’s impending decision will hinge principally on whether evidence substantiates Miller’s claim of continued contractual performance after March 2020.

  • Undercover cooler fete full of vibes, energy

    Undercover cooler fete full of vibes, energy

    Farmhouse Events’ ‘Undercover’ cooler experience at Drew Manor in Santa Cruz transformed into an electrifying celebration of Caribbean music and culture last Saturday, with Grenadian artists delivering particularly memorable performances that captivated attendees.

    The meticulously curated event featured an impressive lineup of musical talents including DJs Wayne Small, Team Joy, Adam, Gonzo, and Kenez who maintained infectious energy throughout the night. Local favorites Freetown brought their signature wholesome aesthetic, while Viking Ding Dong entertained with comedic interludes. The dynamic duo Full Blown revived their 2025 hit ‘Big Links riddim,’ adding R&B romance to the diverse musical offerings.

    However, the evening’s most explosive moments came from Grenadian sensations Alex ‘Muddy’ Cuffie and Keron ‘Lil Kerry’ Noel, whose authentic jab energy and cultural connection ignited the massive crowd. Their charismatic stage presence and undeniable talent earned enthusiastic encores as the audience embraced their northern neighbors’ distinctive sound and style.

    Beyond the music, the event offered a visually stunning experience with Instagram-ready photo backgrounds, vibrant decorations, and twinkling overhead lights that created a backyard bashment atmosphere. Attendees elevated the glamour quotient with sophisticated outfits and hairstyles, while Next Level Devils, moko jumbies, and the One Band One Sound rhythm section provided traditional Carnival elements that enhanced the cultural authenticity.

    MC Ancil ‘Blaze’ Isaac skillfully coordinated the evening’s presentations, ensuring seamless transitions between performances. The overall production demonstrated Farmhouse Events’ commitment to creating immersive entertainment experiences that celebrate Caribbean musical heritage while fostering cross-cultural connections within the region.

  • How taxes impact air connectivity in the Caribbean

    How taxes impact air connectivity in the Caribbean

    The Caribbean aviation sector faces mounting pressure as airlines and industry leaders decry exorbitant taxation rates that threaten regional connectivity. Windward Islands Airways International NV (Winair) has launched cautious twice-weekly service between Trinidad and Sint Maarten, with CEO Hans van de Velde acknowledging the challenging economic landscape. ‘Operating an airline in this region is inherently expensive,’ van de Velde stated, revealing that approximately 50% of their introductory $200 one-way fare consists of government taxes.

    This taxation crisis isn’t new. Since at least 2018, when CaribSKY alliance members first raised concerns, regional carriers have struggled with escalating fees. LIAT 1974 documented a startling 56% increase in taxes between 2009-2016 while base fares rose merely 3%. The consequences are stark: annual passenger numbers plummeted from one million to 750,000, with taxes identified as the primary deterrent.

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued stern warnings, noting Caribbean destinations risk pricing themselves out of the global market. While global taxes average 15% of ticket prices, Caribbean routes endure 30-50% taxation—significantly higher than competing destinations like Cancun (23%). IATA’s Peter Cerdá emphasized that modern travelers prioritize total cost, making the Caribbean increasingly uncompetitive.

    At the recent State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Barbados, the tax dilemma dominated discussions. Barbados Tourism Minister Lisa Cummins defended the fees as necessary for infrastructure funding, acknowledging the challenge of reducing taxes without compromising service quality. Meanwhile, LIAT Air CEO Hafsah Abdulsalam stressed the urgent need for efficiency improvements and tax reform to enable regional expansion plans, including future routes to South America and Africa.

    A Caribbean Development Bank working paper from 2018 remains critically relevant, recommending reductions in both aviation taxes and airport charges to stimulate connectivity. The report highlighted that high costs particularly distort intra-regional travel markets, where demand proves highly price-sensitive. Without intervention, the Caribbean’s aviation ecosystem risks further contraction, potentially isolating islands and undermining tourism recovery efforts.

  • Jamrock Jerk prioritises hiring seasonal workers from areas hard hit by Melissa

    Jamrock Jerk prioritises hiring seasonal workers from areas hard hit by Melissa

    NEW YORK – Jamrock Jerk, a prominent mobile food service operator renowned for bringing authentic Jamaican jerk cuisine to New York City’s streets, has announced a targeted humanitarian hiring initiative. In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the company will exclusively prioritize applicants from Jamaica’s most severely impacted parishes for its 2026 seasonal workforce through the U.S. H-2B Visa Program.

    Led by founder Magnus McKellar, the organization operates over 20 street carts across the city and has a long-standing tradition of recruiting seasonal workers from Jamaica. The 2026 operational season, which runs from April through November, will see recruitment efforts specifically directed toward the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Trelawny, Manchester, St James, Westmoreland, and Hanover.

    McKellar explained the decision emerged from December discussions on meaningful assistance strategies. ‘This initiative forms a crucial part of the broader recovery efforts,’ he stated. ‘By focusing our recruitment there, we aim to provide not just employment but direct economic support to communities rebuilding from the hurricane’s impact.’

    The company seeks candidates who demonstrate exceptional customer service aptitude, proven food-service skills, and strong critical-thinking abilities. Additional preference will be given to applicants with practical technical skills—including commercial driving, kitchen equipment maintenance, and mechanical servicing—which are valuable for mobile food operations.

    Approximately 60 successful applicants will be selected for the program, gaining access to significant earning potential that will directly support their families and contribute to local economic recovery in Jamaica. The initiative builds on the company’s substantial economic contribution; during the 2025 season alone, Jamrock Jerk distributed nearly $1 million in wages to its seasonal Jamaican workforce.

    This targeted approach represents a private-sector model for post-disaster recovery, leveraging legal migration pathways to create immediate and tangible economic benefits for affected regions.

  • Jumpers Foreman, Cunningham win weekly award

    Jumpers Foreman, Cunningham win weekly award

    Two Jamaican collegiate athletes have earned prestigious conference honors following record-shattering performances in horizontal jumping events last weekend. Shantae Foreman of Clemson University and Lansford Cunningham of Tusculum University were both recognized as the top field event athletes in their respective conferences.

    Competing at the Orange and Purple Invitational hosted by Clemson University, Shantae Foreman delivered a spectacular performance in the women’s triple jump. The former St. Jago athlete soared to a world-leading distance of 14.17 meters on her sole attempt of the competition. This remarkable achievement established a new Clemson University program record, surpassing the previous benchmark of 13.85 meters set by Portugal’s Patricia Mamona in 2010. Foreman’s jump also broke her personal best of 13.84 meters set last season.

    Foreman’s performance has significant implications in both collegiate and international athletics. Her mark eclipsed the previous world lead of 13.87 meters set by France’s Clemence Rougier in Limoges on January 17. Additionally, it now ranks as the second-best indoor triple jump performance by a Jamaican woman in history, trailing only Suzette Lee’s 14.25 meters recorded in Indianapolis back in March 1997.

    Meanwhile, Lansford Cunningham, a former Cornwall College athlete competing for NCAA Division II Tusculum University, achieved his first weekly conference recognition. At the Hokie Invite held at Virginia Tech on Saturday, Cunningham leaped to a personal best of 7.42 meters in the men’s long jump, earning him second place in the competition. This performance extended his own Tusculum University program record, improving upon his previous mark of 7.32 meters set just two weeks earlier.

    These accomplishments highlight the continued excellence of Jamaican athletes in track and field, particularly in jumping events, while demonstrating their competitive prowess within the American collegiate system.

  • Dwyane Vaz threatens legal action against Julian Chang over sexual harassment claims

    Dwyane Vaz threatens legal action against Julian Chang over sexual harassment claims

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant political dispute has erupted in Westmoreland Central following sexual harassment allegations between two prominent figures. Member of Parliament Dwayne Vaz has formally threatened legal proceedings against Councillor Julian Chang of the People’s National Party (PNP), representing the Savanna-la-Mar Division, over what Vaz claims are entirely fabricated accusations.

    Through his legal representatives at Knight, Junior, and Samuels, Vaz issued a formal demand letter to Chang on Tuesday. The attorneys categorically refuted allegations made by Chang during a recent radio interview, characterizing them as both ‘defamatory’ and ‘factually incorrect.’ The legal notice demands a full public retraction and formal apology from Chang by January 30.

    The contested statements include Chang’s claim that Vaz made unwanted sexual advances and threatened his political career when these advances were rejected. Additionally, Chang alleged that Vaz accused him of preferentially maintaining roads in Labour Party areas and subsequently orchestrated his removal as chairman of the Savanna-la-Mar division.

    Vaz’s legal team presented a counter-narrative, emphasizing that Chang participated in a division election but failed to secure nomination or election to any leadership position through the democratic process. The attorneys argue these allegations have inflicted substantial and ongoing damage to Vaz’s professional reputation and public standing.

    The political context adds complexity to the confrontation: Vaz recently reclaimed the Westmoreland Central constituency in the 2025 General Election, defeating Jamaica Labour Party’s George Wright by a margin exceeding 1,500 votes. This victory marked a reversal of the 2020 election outcome where Wright previously defeated Vaz with 53.76% of the vote.

  • GHN’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative reaches 135 students

    GHN’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative reaches 135 students

    Jamaican-American philanthropist Dr. Laxley Stephenson is spearheading a significant educational recovery effort across hurricane-affected regions of Jamaica through his organization, Global Humanity Network Incorporated (GHN). The nonprofit’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative has now reached 135 students islandwide, with recent distributions serving 85 additional students across Westmoreland and St Elizabeth parishes.

    The expansion follows GHN’s initial December deployment in Trelawny, where 50 students received comprehensive educational support after Hurricane Melissa destroyed critical learning materials. The latest phase provided complete textbook sets and essential supplies to 60 Westmoreland students and 25 in St Elizabeth, representing 20 educational institutions across both parishes.

    Dr. Stephenson, GHN’s President and CEO, emphasized the strategic nature of the intervention. ‘Our response transcends conventional charity,’ he stated. ‘While addressing immediate textbook shortages through approximately $1 million in distributed materials, we’re simultaneously launching a three-year mentorship framework designed to create sustainable educational pathways.’

    The initiative has garnered enthusiastic support from educational leaders. Nerissa Stevens, Principal of Little London Primary School, reported that GHN exceeded initial commitments by providing materials for 19 students instead of the planned nine. ‘This intervention directly addresses classroom instructional gaps,’ Stevens noted. ‘Recipients span our entire educational spectrum, from early childhood through sixth grade.’

    Concurrently, GHN is undergoing a strategic transformation from charity-focused operations to capacity-building development. The organization unveiled a 2026-2029 roadmap establishing a structured pipeline beginning with immediate relief (‘Helping Hands’), progressing through mentorship programs (‘Mentoring Matters’), and culminating in long-term educational investments (‘Beyond the Backpack’).

    The phased implementation will establish student cohorts and tracking systems in 2026, expand partnerships in 2027, and scale the model regionally through 2029. Professor Stephenson characterized this evolution as ‘elevating charity into a strategy for building futures,’ anticipating outcomes including strengthened youth leadership, reduced aid dependency, and self-sustaining community development.