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  • Another One set to romp home in feature race

    Another One set to romp home in feature race

    The highly anticipated StarGas United Racehorse Trainers’ Association of Jamaica (URTAJ) Trophy, boasting a prize pool of $1.25 million, is set to headline the racing action at Caymanas Park tomorrow. A competitive field of 13 runners will vie for victory in the Restricted Overnight Allowance contest, open to three-year-olds and older, over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,200 meters). Here’s an in-depth look at the contenders and their prospects:

    1. **KWAKU**: With no notable form, this seven-year-old bay horse is considered a long shot.
    2. **SUPER ALEX**: Despite recent consistency, this five-year-old chestnut horse is expected to struggle in this competitive field.
    3. **ZULU WARRIOR**: Narrowly defeated in his last outing, this four-year-old chestnut colt could improve against tougher rivals.
    4. **ALLEGIANCE**: Known for his strong finishing ability, this four-year-old chestnut colt might spring a surprise despite needing more distance.
    5. **PROVIDENT**: Likely to fall behind, making him a horse to avoid.
    6. **I DREAM AGAIN**: The Jamaica Derby winner has yet to shine at this level but could still place.
    7. **CALIFORNIA GOLD**: With no winning prospects, this five-year-old bay horse is best bypassed.
    8. **HUNTSMAN**: Expected to perform well but unlikely to win.
    9. **COMEHOMETOME**: Despite underwhelming performances, this four-year-old bay filly has the class to make a bold bid.
    10. **ANOTHER ONE**: The standout contender, this three-year-old bay colt is tipped to dominate the race.
    11. **OIL MACHINE**: Lacks the form to make an impact.
    12. **KING’S CROWN**: Best avoided due to poor recent performances.
    13. **COOKIE DAY N NIGHT**: Likely to struggle against this field.

    The race promises thrilling competition, with **Another One** emerging as the clear favorite to claim the prestigious trophy.

  • JBG CRISIS DEEPENS

    JBG CRISIS DEEPENS

    Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) has reported a staggering $7.2 billion net loss for the fiscal year ending May 3, 2025, following the discovery of significant accounting irregularities in its US operations. The irregularities necessitated a restatement of prior financial results, leading to a massive write-down of intangible assets, goodwill, and biological assets, which severely impacted the company’s equity. The restatement erased billions from the company’s stated equity, resulting in a consolidated group loss despite a $2.5 billion net profit from its core Jamaican operations, which include the Best Dressed Chicken and Hi-Pro Ace brands. The US subsidiaries, however, reported a net loss of $9.1 billion, completely offsetting the gains from Jamaica. The financial turmoil triggered a breach of the company’s debt covenants, prompting its auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), to highlight a ‘material uncertainty’ about the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated balance sheet now shows liabilities exceeding assets, with negative equity of $10.03 billion and total borrowings of $42.5 billion. The company’s directors have implemented a survival plan, including detailed cash flow forecasting and cost control measures, while engaging in ongoing discussions with financial institutions. The scandal, centered on inflated asset values and hidden debts in the US operations, led to the departure of the entire US management team, including Stephen Levy, the brother of Group President and CEO Christopher Levy. PwC issued a qualified opinion on the financial statements, citing insufficient evidence regarding the completeness of the accounting irregularities. The restatement erased $22 billion from the company’s historical profits, revealing that the previously reported earnings never existed. The company’s liquidity position is precarious, with current liabilities of $63 billion significantly exceeding current assets of $28.5 billion. Despite the crisis, the core Jamaican operations remain profitable, with a 33% rise in operating profit to $2.12 billion in the latest quarter. However, the impending $40 billion restatement looms over the company’s future. The scandal has severely impacted investor confidence, with the stock price plummeting 35.75% since the start of the year. The company’s ability to renegotiate terms with lenders and stabilize its US operations will determine its survival.

  • RACING BACK ON TRACK

    RACING BACK ON TRACK

    Live racing is poised to make a triumphant return to Caymanas Park this Saturday, November 15, following a three-week suspension caused by the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on western Jamaica. The event, eagerly awaited by enthusiasts, marks the first race meeting since October 25. Solomon Sharpe, Executive Chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), expressed his enthusiasm for the revival, highlighting the sport’s vital role in supporting the local community, including trainers, jockeys, and thousands of others dependent on it for their livelihoods. The resumption of live racing is expected to fill a significant void and provide a much-needed economic boost. Despite structural damage to five stables and the replacement of damaged rails, repairs are well underway. Over 300 horses have consistently completed their workouts, signaling readiness for the event. However, the financial toll has been severe, with estimated losses of $100 million due to the suspension of live racing and simulcast services. The hurricane also disrupted operations at over 100 Offtrack Betting Parlours (OTBs), with 40% temporarily out of service. SVREL is committed to aiding national recovery efforts by revitalizing Caymanas Park and stimulating business across Jamaica. The racing community has responded positively, with 103 horses nominated for nine races on Saturday and over 100 horses entered in 10 races on Sunday, including the prestigious Grade One Jamaica Cup and Port Royal Sprint, whose winners will qualify for the Mouttet Mile in December.

  • U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent

    U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent

    The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Laborie Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament witnessed a thrilling weekend of cricket, with Kaiden Charlery emerging as the standout performer. His impressive half-century propelled Sulphur City into the semifinals after a dominant 37-run victory over South Castries in the quarterfinals held on November 9 at Desruisseaux. Batting first, Sulphur City posted a total of 119 runs, with Charlery contributing a commanding 62. South Castries struggled in response, managing only 82 runs, despite efforts from Kaylan St Juste and Alaska James, who claimed three wickets. Meanwhile, Desruisseaux secured their semifinal spot by defeating Mon Repos, chasing down a target of 124 with five wickets to spare. Dennery also advanced, crushing Micoud by 78 runs, thanks to captain Kaiden Emile’s stellar bowling performance of 5-8. In another match, Babonneau triumphed over South Castries by four wickets, with Vincy Cadasse leading the charge. Despite their elimination, South Castries’ Ariana Dujon praised her team’s spirit, emphasizing the joy of the game. The tournament continues on November 15, with Babonneau facing Choiseul and Laborie taking on Dennery in the next round of quarterfinals.

  • No More Paper! SSB Plans to Go Fully Digital with Sickness Benefit Claims

    No More Paper! SSB Plans to Go Fully Digital with Sickness Benefit Claims

    The Social Security Board (SSB) has announced a significant shift in its operations, moving all sickness benefit claims to a fully digital platform starting December 1st, 2025. This transition will require all claims to be submitted online through the My Social Security portal, marking the end of paper-based submissions for this benefit.

    Vaessa Vellos, SSB’s Communications and PR Manager, explained that the decision follows nearly a year of internal testing and user feedback. ‘We believe the system is now robust enough to take this next step in our journey towards full online submission for sickness benefit claims,’ Vellos stated.

    Previously, the process involved manual form filling, visits to HR departments, doctor consultations, and in-person document submissions. The new system streamlines this by allowing employees, employers, and doctors to complete their portions of the claim electronically. ‘Now, you control the narrative. With your portal account, you can handle all aspects of the claim online,’ Vellos added.

    The SSB aims to process and pay sickness benefits within three business days under the new system. ‘Isn’t their time more valuable than standing in line?’ Vellos remarked.

    For those less comfortable with technology, Vellos assured that customer service agents are available to assist with navigating the portal. The board currently processes approximately 5,600 sickness claims each month, with over 70,000 users already registered on the portal. SSB also plans to move retirement and maternity benefits online in the near future.

  • Antigua and Barbuda to Establish Agro-Industrial Park to Strengthen Food Security

    Antigua and Barbuda to Establish Agro-Industrial Park to Strengthen Food Security

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled plans to establish an agro-industrial park aimed at enhancing food security and expanding local agricultural production. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced that two potential sites—Old Road and Christian Valley—are under consideration for the project. The development will feature agro-processing facilities, a feed mill, and model homes constructed using sustainable materials. Merchant emphasized that the park will play a pivotal role in reducing the nation’s dependence on imported animal feed while promoting value-added processing in the farming sector. Speaking at a post-briefing session on Thursday, he highlighted the project as a cornerstone of the administration’s strategy to foster a self-sufficient and resilient agricultural economy. The initiative underscores the government’s dedication to food sustainability and rural development, marking a significant step toward long-term economic and environmental resilience.

  • Resort ordered to pay $29,000 over unfair dismissal tied to hairstyle

    Resort ordered to pay $29,000 over unfair dismissal tied to hairstyle

    An Antigua resort, Mill Reef Club, has been mandated by the Industrial Court to compensate a former receptionist, Andre Thomas, with over EC$29,000 for his wrongful dismissal nearly three decades ago. The court found that the 1998 termination, prompted by Thomas’s refusal to change his hairstyle, violated his constitutional rights and breached principles of good industrial relations. Thomas, who had been employed at the resort for six years, was suspended and subsequently fired after a new European manager insisted on altering his appearance. Notably, the court highlighted that there were no prior complaints about Thomas’s hairstyle and that the resort lacked a formal grooming policy. The judges deemed the dismissal “frivolous and extreme,” criticizing the resort for denying union representation and failing to investigate the matter adequately. Additionally, the destruction of employment records by the club undermined its defense during the proceedings, which commenced in 2011. Thomas was awarded EC$29,325.60, covering lost income, damages, and legal costs, with the payment deadline set for 17 November 2025.

  • Colombia: Petro staakt inlichtingenuitwisseling met VS

    Colombia: Petro staakt inlichtingenuitwisseling met VS

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced the suspension of intelligence-sharing operations with U.S. security agencies, citing ongoing rocket attacks on boats in the Caribbean by the Trump administration. Petro declared on X (formerly Twitter) that all levels of Colombia’s public security intelligence services have been instructed to halt communication and other interactions with their U.S. counterparts. He emphasized that the suspension will remain in effect as long as the rocket attacks continue.

    The decision comes amid unverified media reports suggesting that the United Kingdom has taken similar steps due to legal concerns over the U.S. strikes, which have reportedly claimed at least 75 lives. Petro has called for an investigation into U.S. President Donald Trump for alleged war crimes, arguing that the attacks, ostensibly targeting drug boats, have disproportionately affected civilians from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

    Petro, a long-time critic of U.S. drug policy, accuses the Trump administration of focusing on coca farmers—the primary producers of cocaine’s raw ingredient—rather than targeting major drug traffickers and money launderers. During a recent summit between Latin American and European leaders, Petro met with the family of a Colombian fisherman allegedly killed in one of the attacks. He condemned the killing, stating, ‘He might have been carrying fish or cocaine, but he was not sentenced to death. There was no reason to murder him.’

    The Trump administration, in turn, has accused Petro of being soft on drug traffickers and criticized his decision to shield Colombian rebel leaders involved in the drug trade from extradition to the U.S. This is not the first clash between the two leaders. In September, Petro left the U.S. hours after Washington revoked his visa, citing his ‘reckless and provocative actions’ during a protest march against the Israeli war on Gaza outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. Petro responded by accusing the U.S. of disregarding international law.

    More recently, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Petro, his family, and Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, alleging their failure to curb the country’s cocaine industry and protect criminal groups from accountability. Petro’s announcement coincided with the arrival of the U.S. aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean, fueling speculation that the Trump administration may escalate military actions in the region, primarily targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a long-standing U.S. adversary.

  • Wet Weather to Linger Over Belize Through Friday

    Wet Weather to Linger Over Belize Through Friday

    Belize is set to experience continued wet and unstable weather conditions through Friday, with the National Meteorological Service predicting widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms. Over the next two days, the country will see mostly cloudy to overcast skies, with light to moderate rainfall intensifying into heavy showers, particularly in northern regions during the morning hours. By the afternoon and evening, rainfall is expected to increase again, with isolated thunderstorms likely in northern and central areas. Friday will maintain similar patterns, with scattered showers and thunderstorms concentrated in the north and central zones. Despite the persistent rain, the tropical outlook remains calm, with no tropical cyclones forecasted in the North Atlantic that could threaten Belize or its coastal waters in the coming days.

  • All Saints Road Repairs Moving Forward as Testing and Surveys Continue

    All Saints Road Repairs Moving Forward as Testing and Surveys Continue

    The much-anticipated rehabilitation of All Saints Road is progressing steadily, with preliminary testing and groundwork now in motion, as confirmed by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant. Speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Merchant revealed that the project was a key topic of discussion in this week’s Cabinet meeting. A joint venture between a Canadian engineering firm and a local partner has already initiated testing activities on the road.

    Merchant elaborated, ‘They have commenced preliminary work, including testing and surveys. In certain sections of All Saints Road, teams are conducting ground surveys and cutting out patches for testing purposes.’ The comprehensive reconstruction plan will not only address the road surface but also modernize underground infrastructure by removing outdated APUA pipelines and installing new ones.

    The project will cover a significant stretch of approximately 11 to 12 miles, extending from the VC Bird bust in St. John’s to English Harbour. To ensure minimal disruption to traffic, the team is preparing strategic traffic diversions. Merchant emphasized, ‘Mobilization will begin shortly, and the transformation of All Saints Road will soon be evident.’ He also assured that the Cabinet would provide further updates next week as additional project details are finalized.