STETHS hold slim lead at Western Champs

Friday, February 14, 2014 | 3:28 PM    

HANOVER, Jamaica — Defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) hold a slender 21 points lead after 16 completed finals in the County of Cornwall Athletics Association’s (COCAA) Gatorade/Hanover Co-operative Credit Union’s Girls Western Championships after Thursday’s eliminations held at the Colin Miller Sports Complex in Lucea.

STETHS trailed hosts Rusea’s earlier but accumulated valuable points from finals that were completed late on the day to take the lead going into Saturday’s combined finals at the Montego Bay Sports Complex starting at 10:00am.

Six records were broken at both eliminations, at the boys on Tuesday at Munro College and the girls on Thursday. Grange Hill’s Felecia Street was a double-winner on Thursday, breaking the Class 1 discus throw record, with a 45.25m effort, then added the Shot put Class 1 later in the day.

Girls points after 16 completed finals:

STETHS-111.5, Rusea’s High-90.5, Herbert Morrison-72, Grange Hill-47, Hampton-32, Petersfield -29, Spot Vlley-26.5, Frome-24, Mt Alvernia-24, Mannings-23, Lacovia-19, Montego Bay High-14.5, BB Coke-14, Green Island-12, Lewisville-11, William Knibb-11, Green Pond-3, Balaclava-3, Rhodes Hall-3, Maud McLeod-2, Muschett-1

Boys points after 13 finals:

Munro College-135, Petersfield High-99, STETHS-68, Herbert Morrison-51, Cornwall College-45, Lacovia-18, Cedric Titus- 12.5, Rusea’s High-11.5, Godfrey Stewart-10, Green Island-7, Grange Hill and Mannings-6, Green Pond and Muschett-4 each, Maggotty-3, and Balaclava-1.

Paul Reid

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STETHS hold slim lead at Western Champs

Minnows August town topple giants H"View

Defending champions Harbour View were eliminated from the 2013/2014 Jamaica Yellow Pages/KSAFA Jackie Bell Knockout competition at the semi-final stage courtesy of a 1-0 win by August Town at Stadium East on Sunday.

In the feature game of a double-header, Kemar Bryan’s 63rd minute strike was enough to propel August Town into the final against three-time winners Tivoli Gardens. The latter brushed aside Boys’ Town 5-1 on penalties after regulation and extra time saw them locked 1-1.

The final is set for March 5 at the Drewsland Mini Stadium.

The curtain-raiser, which was a drab affair, Boys’ Town took the lead through Peter Keyes, who put the Collie Smith Drive boys ahead in the seventh minute.

On the other hand, Tivoli Gardens who never really looked like scoring, drew level late in the first half after Boys’ Town defender Asrick Samuels beat his own goalkeeper Kirk Porter in a goalmouth tangle.

Tivoli Gardens, who faltered so badly against Waterhouse in the Flow Cup Final in penalty kicks, were on this occasion majestic with their players being spot-on from 12 yards.

In the feature game, Harbour View who are the Red Strip Premier League champions and leaders of the current RSPL standings, failed to ignite the evening with a below par performance against a team that sits at the bottom of the RSPL 12-team standings.

But credit must be given to August Town, who it is safe to say, matched the outgoing Jackie Bell KO champions in every department.

At game’s end, August Town coach Baris Johnson was overjoyed. “August Town is a unit that has begun to believe in themselves… the team displayed some of that belief in the game, but at this stage it is still work in progress as we still have a long way to go yet,” he said.

His opposite number, Harold Thomas, said the key reason for Harbour View’s defeat was their failure “to maximise effort in the final third”.

— Hurbun Williams

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Minnows August town topple giants H"View

Jamaican firms team up to form Recycle Now Jamaica

BY SHAMILLE SCOTT

Friday, February 14, 2014    

SEVEN local private companies have teamed up to pump $23.75 million, over three years, into a new national recycling initiative, Recycle Now Jamaica — a public/private partnership with the Government.

The Government will invest $50 million each year from cash taken from collection from the environmental levy, making the total investment for the initiative over three years, $200 million.

Recycling Partners of Jamaica, a non-profit organsiation formed under the initiative, will employ at least 300 workers under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP). The company will be self-sufficient from the sale of baled plastic that is to be exported to China and the US.

Recycle Now Jamaica aims to recover 15 per cent of the island’s recyclable plastic bottles within a year.

By year three of its operations, it projects to reclaimed 35 per cent of PET (clear plastic) bottles, which amounts to about a third of the recyclables on the island.

Still, about two-thirds of the bottles will be left for private players to make money from.

“It is useful to present some statistics to indicate that there will be no crowding out of the existing operators,” said Omar Davies, minister of transport, works and housing at the launch on Wednesday at the Knutsford Court Hotel.

Wisynco chairman, William Mahfood, said that his company, along with other manufacturers such as Pepsi- Cola Jamaica, GraceKennedy Foods and Services, Jamaica Beverages, Lasco, Trade Wind Citrus, and Seprod, partnered with the Government to develop and support a long-term solution to plastic waste in Jamaica. And by the end of May more companies are expected to come on board.

“We believe that it is in the nation’s best interest to volunteer our financial support to an initiative that has the potenial to make a difference in the environment and to the earning potential of those in the society that need it most,” said Mahfood.

Funds from the partnership will be used to establish satellite depots in strategic locations across the island on property provided by the Government to facilitate collection by JEEP participants. At the depots, collectors will be paid for the PET waste, and the clear plastic bottles will be

baled and taken

to a consolidation and logistics hub in Kingston and exported.

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Jamaican firms team up to form Recycle Now Jamaica

Spence triples creative sector spend for Ja then heads to Australia

BY STEVEN JACKSON

Friday, February 14, 2014    

FORMER JAMPRO film commissioner Kim Marie Spence has secured a prestigious doctoral research position in Australia which involves some undisclosed research on Jamaica.

She resigned from JAMPRO — the Government’s marketing agency — after tripling expenditure to the creative sector to just over $1 billion. She also reflected on shifting the once Hollywood-centric film commission to one centred on developing local films.

“It is a whole new world. I am in Australia on an Australian Award, doing post-graduate/doctoral research. Of course, it will involve research on Jamaica. I was interested in this opportunity as it gave me time to step back from the daily ‘fire-fighting’ and implementation that my former position required and look at wider best practices, principles and issues involved in designating the creative industries as a key part of Jamaica’s growth strategy,” she said in a mailed response to Caribbean Business Report queries. Follow-up queries on the precise nature of this research were unavailable up to press time.

Spence, whose scholarship and fellowships are funded by the Australian Government, studied at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and also Wesleyan University. A little over a decade ago, she reportedly left a high-paying job on Wall Street to follow her convictions. Shortly after she became executive director at the think tank Capri (Caribbean Policy Research Institute) before venturing to JAMPRO as film commissioner.

Spence’s remit at JAMPRO encompassed the creative industries which includes film, photography, music, and dance. Total expenditure from that sector facilitated by JAMPRO more than tripled year-over-year to $1.16 billion up from $313 million, according to data from the Economic and Social Survey 2013 published by the Planning Institute of Jamaica. Government has hailed the 2012 results, while critics have describe 2011 as a down year.

Spence, however, oversaw the waves of expenditure since assuming the position in 2010. “As for numbers; I doubled the numbers in the first year and it was upward bound from there… However, there is lots more that it is hard to count,” she said.

Spence resigned and left JAMPRO about a month ago and quickly entered her programme in Australia. JAMPRO has yet to announce a new film commissioner.

“The highlight of my tenure at JAMPRO was the change in direction,” she said. “When I came in, there was a focus on Hollywood. However, given Jamaica’s fiscal situation, we could not realise the work from there, which was quite incentives-driven. We started looking at the audio-visual industry as a whole. This refocus was one that had been done in the industry itself — with the rise in the importance of television series, reality series and animation.

“Out of this refocus came the present animation initiative within which we facilitated ToonBoom. Also came the focus on reality television — ANTM — among many others,” she said.

Animation was the latest thrust by the commission seen as the new outsourcing frontier by Government. However, that was only half the story, “as there was little focus on the work Jamaicans were doing”. Under her watch, a barrage of local films entered cinemas and established directors and actors as stars.

“This is the sustainable aspect of the strategy — Jamaica as a (film and television) content generator. This is key from an economic and also a cultural perspective. I reached out to the distribution side of the business to facilitate greater knowledge of the kind of work Jamaica was producing,” she said, pointing films Better Mus Come, Ghetta Life, Songs of Redemption, One People, and television shows Mi an Mi Kru, Island Rockers, Beenie Man, etc.

“We were preparing Jamaica as a place to come and invest in content,” she reasoned.

The commission also looked beyond the USA and strengthened ties with the diaspora in a bid to ink distribution deals. “There is scope for some amount of Caribbean distribution and the African market, which continues to unfold; and the European market, particularly Germany with Hill an’ Gully Ride.

But financing and more rigorous data remain a perennial challenge for the industry, she reasoned.

“Jamaica is at a crossroads where we need to invest in growth areas — the new and the old. In addition, the world is changing and the new growth areas now are not very familiar — creative industries/entertainment, technology, logistics. The creative industries is an area that many do not understand… and do not take seriously, she said.

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Spence triples creative sector spend for Ja then heads to Australia

Omnibus, other reforms to bring in $4b more taxes in new fiscal year

BY CAMILO THAME Business Co-ordinator thamec@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, February 14, 2014    

THE Government plans to implement further tax reform — including the removal of most exemptions and all zero rated items for GCT — in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins April 1.

But an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study shows that the new omnibus legislation and other measures already put in place should conservatively bring in an additional US$38million ($3.9 billion) in tax revenue next fiscal year (FY2014/15).

The full impact of the reform measures is estimated to be US$125 million, but the multilateral lender projected that just 30 per cent would be realized in FY 2014/15, and that the benefits would gradually increase over the next few years until they are fully realized in 2016/17.

The bulk of the increased revenue from existing tax reform measures in the upcoming fiscal year is expected to come from corporate tax — US$11 million — followed by GCT, US$10.9million and changes to tax incentive laws, which is expected to claw back US$6.9 million from businesses next year alone.

IDB documents accompanying recently approved funding an US$80 million loan for fiscal structural programme for economic growth stated that broader tax reform will become effective at the start of FY2014/15.

“The tax reform should include legislation to modernise income tax, customs tariffs, and social security contributions, including the administration of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS),”said IDB documents, which add that tax and tariff exemptions in all major taxes, excepting for a limited number of specific goods and services, would be greatly reduced.

Changes to GCT include the removal of Government purchases from the GCT zero rate list and a broadening of the the tax base by limiting the zero rate to exports and reducing the number of exempted goods and services.

The IDB document also reiterated that an evaluation of the possibility of further broadening the GCT tax base by including petroleum products within the GCT taxable base is being done.

“Including petroleum products in the GCT requires adjustment of the SCT to ensure consumer prices of petroleum products and its derivatives do not change significantly,” said IDB documents.

On the other hand, depending on the improvements in revenue associated with these reforms, the Government will consider a phased reduction of the statutory rates of the main taxes.

“The Government is considering a prudent reduction in tax rates after FY 2014/15,” the document continued. “This reduction will be subject to improvements in revenue associated with the initial reforms implemented in FY 2013/14 and FY 2014/15.

The IDB study was prepared to estimate the financial benefits generated by the introduction of a set of fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s fiscal position as well as at achieving the sustainability of public financing and of economic growth.

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Omnibus, other reforms to bring in $4b more taxes in new fiscal year

Central bank in talks with lenders over tighter credit

WITH credit to the private sector moving slower than programmed, the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is in discussions with the banking sector to develop solutions to increase the volume of lending.

The slowdown in lending was cause for concern for the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), which monitors Jamaica’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) under the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

EPOC said it encourages both the BOJ and the banking industry to move quickly on the issue in the context of the liquidity constraints as well as the weak but improving demand in the economy.

At the same time, there are challenges with the levels of liquidity in the financial system, as seen by the upward movement in the market- determined Jamaican dollar interest rates, despite the introduction of liquidity facilities by the central bank.

A confluence of factors has led to limited trading of local Jamaican dollar bonds — the introduction of the Central Treasury Management System (CTMS); fiscal consolidation and BOJ open market operation.

For the nine-month period ended December 2013, the Government’s primary balance (the difference between its revenue and non-debt expenditure) was recorded at $61.7 billion, just marginally ahead of the target of $61.6 billion. At end-December 2013, the Net International Reserves (NIR) stood at US$1,056.7 million, considerably ahead of the target of US$836.7 million.

Jamaica has met the two most important quantitative targets for the IMF programme for the third quarter, EPOC noted.

Still, the committee, chaired by Richard Byles, is concerned about the underperformance of tax revenues.

The collection of taxes continues to lag behind the budget forecast of $255.1 billion but exceeded the IMF target by $10 million for the April to December period.

Specifically, there were shortfalls in pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) by $2.7 billion, taxes on dividends by $1 billion and taxes on international trade of $5.75 billion, EPOC reported in its ninth communiqué.

But at least one economist reckons that there should be no cause for concern.

“Revenue should grow next fiscal year, all things being equal,” said John Jackson.

To compensate for the overall shortage of revenue, the government has restrained recurrent expenditure by $7 billion and capital expenditure by $9.1 billion.

“While this is laudable fiscal management, it is concerning to the EPOC, especially since the quarter ending March 2014 is the period when an increase in the primary balance of nearly $50 billion will be required to meet the target of $111.5 billion,” the communiqué said.

EPOC added: “The financial secretary has assured EPOC that measures put in place in November 2013 are beginning to produce positive results as evidenced by preliminary tax collection numbers for January 2014 from the Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ) and Jamaica Customs.

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Central bank in talks with lenders over tighter credit

Samsung MoBay opens today

BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter

Wednesday, February 12, 2014    

MONTEGO BAY, St James — SAMSUNG Electronics is reinforcing its presence in Jamaica with the opening of a second Experience Store, this time at the Sagicor Montego Bay Shopping Centre in St James today.

This follows the success of the flagship location opened in Kingston last September.

“We are very excited about opening a second store here in Montego Bay. Jamaica has been so good to us that we are expanding our business in Jamaica,”Michelle Alvarez, project manager Samsung Experience, Samsung Electronics Latin America, Miami office told the Jamaica Observer during a telephone interview.

The Montego Bay store will feature the most popular in-demand and innovative Samsung mobile and consumer devices on the local market, including cameras.

Alvarez noted that the store will not only cater for locals but also tourists.

“We really want to expand into the Montego Bay area and try to reach the local market as well as to take advantage of the tourists that might go over there and enjoy Montego Bay,” Alvarez said.

The world’s first Samsung Experience Store opened in December 2012 in Paris; while the Montego Bay location, the region’s fifth Samsung Experience Store, is one of many executed as part of a 2013-2014 Caribbean expansion project.

Meanwhile, Jorge Lopez, product manager for the mobile division, Samsung Electronics Latin America, Miami office, said if the demand exists the company might open a third Experience Store in the island.

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Samsung MoBay opens today

Animation outsourcing to attract millions and jobs for Jamaicans

BY STEVEN JACKSON

Friday, February 14, 2014    

ANIMATION experts will use the outsourcing model to attract US$ millions and create jobs for Jamaicans.

Its a model practised by the local-based call centres which attract Fortune 500 outsourcing contracts and employ thousands. The difference is that animation outsourcing earns more at some US$68 billion compared with US$43 billion for call centres, according to local experts and an industry survey from audit firm KPMG respectively.

“Just give me one per cent,” reasoned Wayne Sinclair, head of GSW Studios, in reference to earning generated by the known cartoon series The Simpsons.

He addressed the three-day Regional Conference on IP and Creative Industries 2014 on Wednesday at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

“As individual territories we cannot compete against the 1.7 billion people in China, 2 billion from India and so on. But we can offer specialised services higher up the value chain given the technology that exists, we can make an impact in carving out a piece of the pie in the global animation industry,” Sinclair said.

The profile of the local animation sector rocketed in the last year following the opening of studios, academic programmes and Government facilitation services. In essence stakeholders view cartoons as serious business.

“Companies will be outsourcing to India or locally to for instance, GSW and [they] want to know that you can produce the level of quality that their fan base expects to see,” reasoned Kevin Jackson, director of public relations and finance at Jamaica Animation Network in his address at the conference.

The island’s lack of scale and experience is balanced by the common language with North America and UK producers; proximity and time zone similarity; and competitive pricing.

“This expansion is expected to provide 5,000 jobs in the Caribbean over the next few years,” stated Robert Scott head of exporting at JAMPRO at the conference.

The global animation industry earns some US$250 billion annually with roughly one-quarter outsourced mainly to India, South Korea and Philippines, according to industry estimates. The opportunity for Jamaica comes when these markets are buckling from excess work.

“When we look at the traditional outsourcing markets. They themselves are developing own intellectual property [shows]. So guess what — they don’t have any time to do other people’s work. That creates an opportunity for us,” said Scott.

In the short-term JAMPRO wants to drive job creation by taking advantage of outsourcing opportunities in animation. Then transition to more content ownership of animations for export.

“We don’t have enough animators to do the jobs,” he said of shortage of supply within the context of UWI recently graduating its first cohort of animators.

The medium term is the creation of locally owned shows exported globally. Currently Cabbie Chronicles developed locally is exported to seven countries, said Scott.

Regionally, the Caribbean Animation Cluster Project was established. It’s a programme sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which involves studios from a select number of Caribbean territories.

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Animation outsourcing to attract millions and jobs for Jamaicans

WIHCON scores with Lady Musgrave commercial venture

BY JULIAN RICHARDSON Assistant Business Co-ordinator richardsonj@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 05, 2014    

WEST Indies Home Contractors Limited (WIHCON) has reported a successful take-up of its near-completed high-end commercial development on Lady Musgrave Road in St Andrew, with all but three of the 21 units on offer already subscribed for.

WIHCON began construction of Musgrave Professional Suites, its first stand-alone commercial complex, in March 2013. According to WIHCON director Judith Bruce, the project will be completed before the scheduled 12 months and businesses could occupy their units as soon as a matter of weeks.

“We were expecting to be completed in March but we escalated the construction. We either had practical completion at the end of January or we are just awaiting certification of the practical completion,” she told the Business Observer.

The units have mostly been purchased by doctors and lawyers, possibly attracted to the complex’s location around New Kingston while not having to deal with the inconveniences that come with being situated in the heart of the commercial district, according to Bruce.

“The location is pivotal to its success because New Kingston has become so congested and difficult to find parking and so on,” Bruce reasoned. “I think the appeal that we are adjacent to New Kingston but not necessarily in there is what has attracted people, plus the building is very attractive, you can’t miss it.”

Musgrave Professional Suites consists of units ranging in size from 594 square feet to 2,610 square feet. Prices range from $14.8 million for a 594 square-foot office on the ground floor to $78.3 million for a 2,610 square-foot two-storey unit, according to a brochure with details of the development.

The complex has 89 parking spaces, including basement parking. Additional amenities include water storage and stand-by power.

WIHCON is reportedly projecting revenue of at least $400 million from the development.

Arguably more popularly known for its housing solutions, the development company has also been behind several commercial projects in the past, among them the Harbour View and Duhaney Park shopping centres. However, the Musgrave Professional Suites is the company’s first stand-alone commercial complex, Bruce said.

“We have done (commercial developments) as an adjunct to our housing development, I admit, and this is probably the only development we have done as a commercial complex on its own,” said the WIHCON director.

She said that there are no immediate commercial development plans for WIHCON but noted that the company is looking out for opportunities in that area.

View the original article here

WIHCON scores with Lady Musgrave commercial venture

Bartlett discusses trade with Dookeran in Port-of-Spain

BY BALFORD HENRY Snr Staff Reporter

Friday, February 14, 2014    

NEWLY appointed Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Edmund Bartlett, says that meeting Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Dookeran, last week, has convinced him that the bilateral trade issues can be resolved through dialogue.

“He is a very learned man, articulate in foreign diplomacy, and we have a common appreciation of the need for a new architecture in the regional integration movement,’” Bartlett told Caribbean Business Report on Wednesday, after the weekly meeting of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), which he chairs.

Barlett said that, like Dookeran, he believes that Caribbean economic integration is a critical plank for deeper relationship between the two countries he sees as most critical to the survival of CARICOM.

He said that he discussed with Dookeran at his office in Port-of-Spain, issues relating to the trade imbalance between both countries; broadening the Caribbean economic space to include non-anglophone countries in the region; as well as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the implications for relationships between the region and the United States and Canada.

Bartlett and Opposition spokesman on Finance and Planning, Audley Shaw, both returned home from Port-of-Spain last week-end, after attending the two-day ParlAmericas Workshop 07, which took place February 5-6, at the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre.

ParlAmericas, a forum for parliamentarians in the hemisphere, hosted the capacity-building workshop with the theme, ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Budget Oversight in the Caribbean – Phase 2′, to provide a space for oversight parliamentarians and auditors general to increase their regional knowledge and share best practices.

Prior to leaving for Trinidad and Tobago last week, Bartlett paid a courtesy call on Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commissioner in Kingston, Dr. Iva Camille Gloudon.

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Bartlett discusses trade with Dookeran in Port-of-Spain

Loss-makers topped stock gains in January

STEVEN JACKSON Business reporter jacksons@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 05, 2014    

LOSS-MAKING companies including C2W Music and LIME Jamaica were the top price gainers on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) in January.

The stock prices increased by over 106 and 56 per cent, respectively. During the period eight other active stocks made double-digit returns on the JSE combined markets.

Essentially, a fist of C2W investors doubled their money ($0.29 to $0.60) with the fluctuations of the ailing music publisher since New Year’s Day.

“C2W traded 26,000 units in January, so even though it is a winner, it doesn’t really represent any great investment or great confidence by investors,” opined Wade Mars, assistant vice president of asset management at Mayberry Investments in an Observer interview.

The C2W rise when contextualised over 52 weeks actually has investors down 50 per cent. But the improvement came amidst the company announcing fresh royalty payments in the fourth-quarter of 2013 from Barbados at some US$20,600. These earnings came from the exploitation of the ‘performing right’ collections of radio broadcast, the company stated.

Over the period, LIME’s stock jumped from $0.16 to $0.25, which reflected the trade of 34 million units.

“LIME has been doing a lot to get back to profitability,” said Mars. “The financial results and accompanying statements have spoken about being profitable in the not too distant future, and they had an increase in price and volume of transactions in the month.”

It posted a $585 million loss for the 2013 September, quarter which reflected a loss reduction by nearly two-thirds year on year. But those results came out in November and the rise occurred in January.

“Regarding LIME there was no fundamental change in the company to date but there was an increased demand for the stock,” said Dayton Thomas equity trader at Stocks & Securities Limited in a conversation with the Observer.

Last September, LIME Jamaica CEO Garry Sinclair told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting that he expected operating profit to grow 25 per cent to some US$25.7 million this financial year ending March 2014.

It’s rare for Jamaican companies to provide forecasts.

The results to date are “encouraging”, according to management statements, but a timeline for profitability remains undisclosed.

LIME’s response to Observer queries was pending up to print.

Other double-digit gains came from Carib Cement up 33 per cent, Hardware & Lumber up 32 per cent, Sagicor Investments up 25 per cent and RJR up 23 per cent, Lasco Distributors 11.5 per cent and General Accident up 10.4 per cent.

“I encourage investors to spearfish rather than set nets,” Mars analogised about picking winners with strong earnings.

Market capitalisation at $439 billion on January 31, dipped $52 billion since 2014, based on JSE statistics.

Interestingly Lasco Distributors, Lasco Manufacturers, Lasco Financial and Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ) were all in the top ten performing junior market stocks.

“For the first time, four of the 15 stocks on the Jamaica Select Index were from the junior market,” said Mars about that index which represents the most liquid stocks on the exchange based on value, volume and trades. “It represents a level of confidence on a whole.”

Meanwhile, stocks that had the greatest price declines included Jamaica Teas down 22 per cent, Supreme Ventures Limited down 12.6 per cent, and Paramount Trading Limited down nearly 10 per cent.

View the original article here

Loss-makers topped stock gains in January

"Super Bowl gaining traction locally"

BY SHAMILLE SCOTT Business reporter scotts@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 05, 2014    

IT’S not football as Jamaicans know it, but the Super Bowl of ‘American football’ is becoming an increasing attraction locally.

Patrons went out in droves at various sports bars and lounges last Sunday night to view the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl final — where the Seattle Seahawks blitzed the Denver Broncos with a 48 to three victory.

What’s more, local punters wagered millions of dollars on the outcome of the event.

Cuddy’z Sports Bar estimates that about 200 patrons watched the game at its New Kingston location on Sunday, while Usain Bolt ‘s Tracks and Records figures it had over 250 customers that night. New player, Ribbiz Ultra Lounge at the Acropolis Gaming Lounge, said the turnout was as projected.

Admittedly, persons don’t flock the sports bar to view the play offs but wait until the big game.

“It has a small but loyal following, but nothing major like some of the other sports such as football, basketball, track and boxing,” said Gary Matalon, CEO of the KLE Group that operates Tracks and Records. Matalon added that the excitement really starts closer to the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, the general manager of Cuddy’z, Jeanelle Waddell, said that the popularity of the game is gaining traction, but the Super Bowl event is quite popular.

“Jamaicans love sports, it’s a natural fit, but it doesn’t compare to our tradional football (soccer),” she said.

Andrei Roper, senior marketing officer, sports betting at Supreme Ventures, figures that the reason the game has become popular is because of how close Jamaica is to the US.

“The NFL does a good job in marketing the Super Bowl, Jamaicans travel, and many of them go off to college and become accustomed to the game,” he said.

As for sports betting, JustBet reported that sales last Sunday were just under $1 million, while total JustBet wagers on the Super Bowl came in at almost $2 million.

Still, overall sports betting sales for the Super Bowl is much higher at well over US$100 million in the US, with estimated worldwide sales exceeding US$200 million.

Furthermore, a Jamaican-born right tackle, Orlando Franklin, 26, was a part of the Broncos team. Indeed, this along with the excitement about the game helped to pull Jamaicans in and make them interested.

“Let’s not forget that Americans, Irish and Canadians who love the game also live here, many of whom were at Ribbiz,” Roper said.

“Ribbiz has one of the best viewing experiences, with eight large televisions on every wall and the event was complemented with a drink-inclusive package for $3,000,” said Kamal Bankay, experience curator, Ribbiz.

Tracks and Records said that it sent out blast emails and had heavy social and traditional media campaigns leading up to the event.

“JustBet is pleased that we were able to offer bets on the day of the Super Bowl. It is critical to fans and punters who follow and research their sports closely, to be able to bet right up to just before the match,” said Roper, adding that this allows players to evaluate weather conditions, injury reports or any other factors that they believe may affect the outcome of the game.

The Super Bowl has set a record for the most-watched television event in US history, drawing the attention of 111.5 million viewers and has the potential for a worldwide audience of 1 billion.

February 2 was the first Sunday that sales of the JustBet sports betting product became available island-wide and the company expects to see more growth in Sunday betting sales, Supreme Ventures said.

“We at JustBet are confident that Sunday betting will facilitate even greater growth, given the number of NBA, Barclays Premier League and other European football leagues, international cricket and other events that are played on a Sunday, not to mention the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil”, added Roper.

View the original article here

"Super Bowl gaining traction locally"

Swiss bank UBS beats forecasts

BERLIN, Germany

A strong performance from the investment bank division and a sizeable tax gain helped Switzerland’s biggest bank, UBS AG, return to profit in the fourth quarter following a large loss a year earlier.

The bank said Tuesday it made a net profit of 917 million francs (US$1 billion) in the October-December period following last year’s equivalent loss of 1.9 billion francs when earnings were dragged down by litigation and restructuring costs.

As a result, the bank made a full-year profit of 3.17 billion francs compared with a loss of 2.48 billion francs in 2012.

The quarterly figures showed that the bank saw an increase in fee and commission income largely at its investment bank unit and reported a tax benefit of 470 million francs on deferred taxes.

The results were better than expected — the consensus in the markets was for a fourth-quarter net profit of 577 million francs and full-year earnings just short of 2.8 billion francs.

As a result, the bank bucked the broader stock market trend and UBS shares rose 3.6 per cent to 18.07 francs in Zurich trading.

Because of its strong performance, UBS hiked its annual dividend 67 per cent to 0.25 francs per share.

Overall, last year’s results may mark a turning point for a bank that in 2012 had to pay fines for allegedly manipulating, along with other banks, a key market interest rate known as LIBOR.

UBS and 17 other financial firms were also sued by the US government for selling some US$196 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities to housing financing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

For last year’s fourth quarter, UBS reported 79 million francs in provisions for litigation and regulatory expenses — far below the 2.08 billion francs it set aside a year earlier. Full-year provisions declined to 1.7 billion francs from 2.55 billion francs in 2012.

Still, chief financial officer Tom Naratil cautioned in a conference call with reporters and analysts that UBS still expects charges related to regulatory issues and other claims “to remain at elevated levels through 2014″.

For this year, UBS said uncertainty over global growth, fragility in emerging markets and unresolved issues in Europe and the US “make improvements in prevailing market conditions unlikely”.

However, it said that “despite possible headwinds, we expect that our wealth management businesses will continue to attract net new money”.

View the original article here

Swiss bank UBS beats forecasts

Scotia to establish online FX platform for clients

SCOTIA Group Jamaica (SGJ) which includes the nation’s largest bank aims to set up an online foreign exchange (FX) platform that will allow clients to trade in developed nation currencies, management indicated.

The group hopes to begin offering the service this year as part of drive to offer more online services.

“The range of treasury solutions available to corporate customers will also be extended with the introduction of a foreign exchange forward product; and an application which will allow these clients to trade G7 currencies online, once they hold a Scotiabank account,” stated the management discussion in the SGJ annual report just published.

The G7 includes most of the world’s largest economices led by the US, Japan, Germany, UK, Italy, France and Canada.

Queries sent from last week to SGJ for further clarification went unanswered up to press time. SGJ indicated in its annual report that it allowed customers to buy and sell foreign currencies via internet banking since 2012. However clients could not trade a wide array of currencies and in real time.

According to management, the move towards real time rates and market information started last year within seven branches.

“We strengthened our reputation in 2013 as a consistent and competitive foreign exchange provider in a challenging economy in which fiscal consolidation and rapid depreciation of the Jamaican dollar were predominant factors,” stated SGJ adding that the treasury department earned revenues of $2.8 billion and contributed 16 per cent of the group’s pre-tax profits.

The local currency which trades at over $107.76 to US$1 lost nearly 15 per cent of its value year-on-year.

SGJ received the award of Best Foreign Exchange Bank in Jamaica for the fifth year running by the recognised Global Finance magazine.

Currently, brokerage house, Alliance Trading offers its online trading platform for trading of NYSE, NASDAQ and AMEX listed stocks.

SGJ posted net profit of $11.9 billion, up $350 million from a year earlier. It comes in the context of a dip in earnings across much of the financial sector arising from the national debt swap.

View the original article here

Scotia to establish online FX platform for clients

SuperClubs looks to expand resort in The Bahamas

SuperClubs’ Breezes is in discussions with the Bahamian Government over obtaining additional land to engage in an expansion of its Cable Beach resort property, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Christie pointed to this in addition to the opening of Baha Mar as part of what the Government views as leading to a “renaissance of a special kind” for the area.

Christie pointed to a number of developments which he suggested bode well for the Bahamian economy in 2014.

– Nassau Guardian

View the original article here

SuperClubs looks to expand resort in The Bahamas

Youngster Goldsmith Classic results

Girls 100 Metre Dash CLASS 4

Grant, Kiara Alpha 12.00

Richards, Jamani St. Jago High 12.35

Lyons, Tamika Hydel High School 12.48

Girls 100 Metre Dash CLASS 3

Frater, Sashell St. Jago High 12.23

Hopkins, Aaliyah Edwin Allen High 12.27

Marshall, Sidney Manchester High 12.29

Girls 100 Metre Dash CLASS 2

Burton, Rushelle St Andrew High 12.02

Hyde, Shian St Catherine High 12.07

Deer, Shanta Holmwood High 12.10

Girls 100 Metre Dash CLASS 1

Spencer, Monique Edwin Allen High 11.80

Cameron, Saqukine Edwin Allen High 11.87

Hanson, Areka Manchester High 12.0h

Girls 400 Metre Dash CLASS 3

Frater, Sashell St. Jago High 57.22

Walker, Sanique Vere Technical 58.42

Barnes, Moisha Edwin Allen High 58.80

Girls 400 Metre Dash CLASS 2

James, Tiffany Papine 54.47

Duggan, Taqece Hydel High School 55.66

Shaw, Jezelle Spaulding High 56.87

Girls 400 Metre Dash CLASS 1

McNEIL, Yanique Vere Technical 54.89

Witter, Tamika St. Andrew Techn 55.77

Haughton, Camira Edwin Allen High 55.86

Girls 1500 Metre CLASS 3

Dixon, Britney Vere Technical 4:41.26

Davis, Jeima Edwin Allen High 4:41.80

Coley, Emily Hydel High Schoo 4:57.71

Girls 1500 Metre CLASS 2

Whyte, Sasha-Gay Vere Technical 4:41.9h

St. Elizabeth Bromfield, Junelle 4:50.9h

Edwin Allen High Robb, Asshanni 4:58.8h

Girls 1500 Metre CLASS 1

McPherson, Monique St. Jago High 4:43.90

Barrett, Stephanie Rusea’s High 4:46.30

Robertson, Ackeliah St. Elizabeth 4:51.10

Girls 70 Metre Hurdles CLASS 4

Black, Ant0nette Edwin Allen High 11.03

Dawkins, Daniella Manchester High 11.15

Cooper, Rosealee St. Andrew High 11.17

Girls 80 Metre Hurdles CLASS 3

Holmwood High Allison, Shanette 11.80

Manchester High Marshall, Sidney 11.98

Wolmers Girls Bryan, Chris-Ann 12.04

Girls 100 Metre Hurdles CLASS 2

Burton, Rushelle St. Andrew High 13.89

Williams, Jeanine Immaculate Conce 14.27

Brown, Janeek Wolmers Girls 14.35

Girls 100 Metre Hurdles CLASS 1

Allen, Claudette Edwin Allen High 14.63

Lewis, Shanice Edwin Allen High 14.85

Coombs, Latavia Holmwood High 14.88

Girls 300 Metre Hurdles Under 17

Morgan, Ayeshia St. Jago High 45.60

Clarke, Tamara Vere Technical 46.50

Robinson, Leacean Holmwood High 48.00

Girls 400 Metre Hurdles Under 20

Williams, Ashley Holmwood High 1:00.30

Duncan, Britaney Hydel High Schoo 1:00.90

Kalawan, Shannon Edwin Allen High 1:01.00S

Girls 2000 Meter Steeplechase OPEN

Green, Monifa Hydel High Schoo 7:26.1h

Howill, Alvena Edwin Allen High 7:33.8h

Watson, Shanieke Holmwood High 7:36.3h

Girls 4×800 Meter Relay OPEN

Vere Technical 9:14.13

St. Jago High Girls 9:21.21

Holmwood High 9:37.80

Girls High Jump Class 4

Wolmers Girls Bailey, Shannon 1.58m

St. Jago High Thomas, Dana 1.55m

Edwin Allen High Burgher, Janique J1.55m

Girls High Jump Class 3

Rusea’s High Distin, Lamara 1.67m

Edwin Allen High Ingram, Shania 1.60m

Buff Bay High Jones, Rushellee J1.60m

Girls High Jump Class 2

Spencer, Samara Hydel High 1.70m

McKenzie, Shanae Manchester High J1.70m

Forrester, Annastacia Manchester High 1.65m

Girls High Jump Class 1 & Open

Bailey, Tasha-Gay G C Foster 1.80m

Ramsay, Israel Utech 1.75m

Hanson, Sashane Herbert Morrison 1.70m

Girls Long Jump Class 4

McFarlane, Denae Edwin Allen High 5.23m

Brown, Lotavia Edwin Allen High 5.12m

Dudley, Natasha Vere Technical 5.11m

Girls Long Jump Class 3

Cameron, Tanique Edwin Allen High 4.95m

Ashley, Annia Edwin Allen High 4.93m

Russell, Ashneak Manchester High 4.83m

Girls Triple Jump Open

Moncrieffe, Tamara Holmwood High 12.72m

Coombs, Latavia Holmwood High 12.50m

Swaby, Abigail Hydel High 11.81m

Girls Shot Put Class 2

Henry, Yanike St. Jago High 12.34m

O’Connor, Bristol Edwin Allen High 9.83m

Haughton, Basilla Rusea’s High 9.82m

Girls Shot Put Open

Fullerton, Janell Edwin Allen High 14.70m

Gayle, Paul-Ann Edwin Allen High 13.26m

Dixon, Dejonae Merl Grove High 12.69m

Girls Discus Class 1 & Open

Barnett, Tarasue G C Foster 50.34m

Harris, Venique Ardenne High 43.94m

Crosse, Tasha Edwin Allen High 42.38m

Girls Discus Class 2

Fullerton, Janell Edwin Allen 40.75m

Gayle, Paul-Ann Edwin Allen 39.57m

Johnson, Tasheka Clarendon College 39.26m

Girls Discus Class 3

Richards, Fiona Buff Bay High 39.46m

Pryce, Avery Vere Technical 37.97m

Stewart, Shakira St. Jago High 32.65m

Girls Javelin Throw OPEN

Binns, Isheka Manchester High 41.32m

Elliston, Taneika Holmwood High 37.72m

Leckford, Olivia Edwin Allen High 35.24m

Boys 100 Metre Dash Class 3

Wilson, Tyreke Calabar High 11.05

Hamilton, Yashawn Kingston College 11.26

Stevens, Michael Calabar High Sch 11.55

Boys 100 Metre Dash Class 2

Matherson, Jhevaughn Kingston College 10.64

Bloomfield, Akeem Kingston College 10.64

McLeavy, Javar Jamaica College 10.9h

Boys 100 Metre Dash Class 1

Minzie, Jevaughn Bog Walk High 10.49

Williams, Mario Kingston College 10.59

Allwood, D’Jean Monk Street Boys 10.67

Boys 400 Metre Dash Class 3

Taylor, Christopher Calabar High Sch 50.22

Wilson, Tyreke Calabar High Sch 52.10

Williams, Andy Monk Street Boys 53.16

Boys 400 Metre Dash Class 2

Carpenter, Anthony Calabar High Sch 49.63

Francis, Akyeeme Calabar High Sch 49.67

Ellignton, Devaughn Petersfield High 50.27

Boys 400 Metre Dash Class 1

Francis, Javon Calabar High Sch 45.95

Baker, Devaughn Jamaica College 47.70

Williams, Lennox Manchester High 47.71

Boys 1500 Metre Run CLASS 1

Rochester, Delano Kingston College 4:04.4h

Francis, Akeem Edwin Allen High 4:06.0h

Jahnson, Roshawn G C Foster Colle 4:06.4h

Boys 1500 Metre Run CLASS 3

Stewart, Detroy Edwin Allen High 4:24.81

Anderson, Navasky St. Jago High 4:30.70

Simpson, Kobe Manchester High 4:32.80

Boys 100 Metre Hurdles CLASS 3

Russell, Dejour Calabar High Sch 13.87

Roberts, Jordan Jamaica College 14.22

Salmon, Julian Ardenne High 14.24

Boys 110 Metre Hurdles CLASS 2

Simpson, Kamali Monk Street Boys 14.54

Smith, Orlando St. Elizabeth 14.78

Robinson, Alex Calabar High Sch 14.83

Boys 110 Metre Hurdles CLASS 1

O’Hara, Michael Calabar High Sch 14.06

Atkinson, Jovaine Kingston College 14.47

Williams, Marvin St. Elizabeth 14.48

Boys 400 Metre Hurdles UNDER 20

Williams, Marvin St. Elizabeth 52.70

Hyde, Jaheel Wolmers Boys 53.20

McNAUGHTON, Jamar St. Elizabeth 53.90

Boys 400 Metre Hurdles UNDER 17

Smith, Orlando St. Elizabeth 55.10

Morris, Alex St. Jago High 56.10

Jackson-Chin, Roje Monk Street Boys 56.60

Boys 2000 Meter Steeplechase OPEN

Chung, Webster G C Foster 6:17.6h

Haye, Larone Monk Street 6:20.5h

Guthrie, Romario St. Elizabeth 6:21.6h

Boys 4×800 Meter Relay OPEN

Kingston College 7:55.59

Petersfield High 8:05.96

Excelsior High School 8:07.32

Boys High Jump CLASS 2

Wilson, Lushane Monk Street Boys 2.00m

Darby, Kristoff Kingston College 1.90m

Martin, Oggary Ardenne High 1.85m

Boys High Jump CLASS 3

Clarke, Ricardo Calabar High 1.75m

Palmer, Vanderleer St. Jago 1.70m

Bancroft, Devonte Kingston College J1.70m

Boys High Jump CLASS 1& OPEN

Brown, Clayton Jamaica College 2.12m

Powell, Akeem Jamaica College 2.00m

Dixon, Denroc G C Foster J2.00m

Boys Triple Jump OPEN

Brown, Clayton Jamaica College 15.38m

Waysome, Obrien Jamaica College 15.16m

Ricketts, Michane Edwin Allen High 15.09m

Boys Shot Put CLASS 2

Nedrick, Kevin Petersfield High 15.41m

Richards, Balvin Jamaica College 13.99m

Mitchell, Kyle Wolmers Boys 13.86m

Boys Shot Put CLASS 1& OPEN

McDonald, Stefan Calabar High 16.08m

Longmore, Alec-Verne Jamaica College 15.77m

Lawrence, Sanjae Petersfield High 15.40m

Boys Discus Throw CLASS 1

Bingham, Basil Calabar High 57.88m

Gayle, Demar Edwin Allen High 54.44m

Watson, Glenford Petersfield High 53.80m

Boys Discus Throw CLASS 2

Nedrick, Kevin Petersfield High 48.36m

Chin, Andre Calabar High 42.46m

Mitchell, Kyle Wolmers Boys 40.99m

Boys Javelin Throw OPEN

Thomas, Orlando Kingston College 61.48m

Gordon, James Calabar High Sch 58.00m

Mitchell, Adrian Calabar High Sch 55.24m

Men Shot Put OPEN

Brown, Raymond G C Foster 19.33m

Dacres, Fedrick UTECH 18.99m

Harris, Oshane UTECH 14.83m

PHOTO SAVED AS Marvin Williams

World Youth 400m hurdles champion, Marvin Williams of St Elizabeth Technical clears another barrier on his way to an impressive 52.70 seconds in heat 3 of the 400m hurdles Under 20 event.

PHOTO SAVED AS Marvin MONIFA GREEN

Monifa Green of Hydel High distancing herself from the chasing romping home in 7:26.1 minutes to capture the 2000m Steeplechase Championship event and $20,000.

PHOTO SAVED AS JENIEVE RUSSELL

Utech’s Janieve Russell is full of concentration as she is above to go over another hurdle on her way to winning the Women 400m Hurdle Open in 1: 01.2o minutes at the Youngster Goldsmith Classic last Saturday. (PHOTOS: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

PHOTO SAVED AS MONIQUE MCPHERSON

St Jago’s Monique McPherson is all alone as she cruised to victory in her heat of the Class I 1500 m with the fastest time of 4:43.90 minutes.

PHOTO SAVED AS DEJOUR RUSSELL

The powerfully built Dejour Russell Calabar High’s powering away to van easy victory in the Class III 100m hurdles in the fastest time of 13.87 seconds.

PHOTO SAVED AS ROCHESTER

KC’s Delano Rochester easing home to victory in heat 2 of the Class I 1500m in 4:04.4 minutes.

PHOTO SAVED AS TIFFANY JAMES

The promising Tiffany James of Papine High sprinting away from the field to recording the fastest time in the Class II 400m in 54.47 seconds. Her time was even quicker than the fastest time in Class I which was 54.89 seconds done by Yanique McNeil of Vere Technical.

View the original article here

Youngster Goldsmith Classic results

Upsetters seize lead in Trelawny D-1

CAREY PARK, Trelawny — Upsetters FC could take over the lead in Zone One of the Trelawny Football Association National Rums of Jamaica Division One today if they can beat Rio Bueno FC at Carey Park, starting at 3:00 pm.

Upsetters FC are in second place after winning the only game so far, trailing Jackson Town who are on four points from their two games.

Rio Bueno FC are one of three teams yet to score a win with Daniel Town and Sherwood United, who will meet at

Daniel Town.

Granville FC lead Zone Two with four points from two games and are followed by Baca Stars FC and Fire FC, both on three points each.

Tomorrow Baca Stars and Granville will meet at Elliston Wakeland, while Fire and Muschett High will meet at Wakefield.

– PR

View the original article here

Upsetters seize lead in Trelawny D-1

Puerto Rico"s debt cut to junk

11 February 2014 Last updated at 13:13 ET Puerto Rico’s jobless rate is twice that of the US and it’s economy has been in recession since 2006 Fitch Ratings joined Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s in cutting Puerto Rico’s debt to junk status, as the island’s debt problems worsen.

Puerto Rico’s debt is 93% of the island’s gross domestic product – a ratio that is higher than that of Spain.

The island’s economy has contracted every year since 2006.

Also on Tuesday, Puerto Rico said it planned to issue general obligation bonds to help with liquidity problems.

Although Puerto Rico’s tax-free status has been appealing to investors, recently it has struggled with increasing pension obligations and a sluggish economy.

Continue reading the main story In 1898 the Spanish lost the Caribbean Island at the end of the Spanish-American war and it came under US control In 1917 its people became US citizens – they are allowed to serve in the military but still do not have the right to vote in US presidential elections The country is a self-governing territory of the US but the US Congress and the president have ultimate control, providing social services, foreign policy and defence Puerto Rico has a congressional representative who does not have voting rightsBecoming a state would see the Puerto Ricans having to pay federal taxes – currently they are exempt – but they would have the same rights as those on the mainlandThe current unemployment rate is 14.7% – twice that of the US.

“Recent downgrades have triggered new liquidity requirements and lowered expectations for the market available for the commonwealth’s debt going forward,” Fitch said in a statement, citing last week’s downgrades by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s.

Although the island is a territory of the US whose residents are granted US citizenship, it does not have the same status as other states and municipalities.

Notably, there is no provision for Puerto Rico to file for bankruptcy if it cannot raise money to repay its debts.

Puerto Rico’s governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said he had asked the island’s legislature for the ability to raise up to $3.5bn in general obligation bonds to help the island pay its debts.

Although Mr Padilla has been successful in reining in costs by trimming pensions and raising taxes, that has not been enough to placate ratings agencies and investors.

An announcement of the bond sale is expected on 18 February.

View the original article here

Puerto Rico"s debt cut to junk

NWC eyeing stronger measures to collect $12b owed by customers

BY ALICIA DUNKLEY-WILLIS Senior staff reporter dunkleya@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, February 04, 2014    

WITH over $12 billion owed to it by delinquent consumers, hundreds of whom are now before the courts, the National Water Commission (NWC) has warned that it might have to take even harsher steps to recover the arrears.

“Included in the court process is the legal course the commission has where we can take out caveats against properties so a person can be prevented from selling or otherwise utilise their property because of failure to pay their water supply bill; that’s a strong provision,” corporate public relations manager at the NWC, Charles Buchanan, told the Jamaica Observer in a recent interview.

“We also have provision where the commission can have the property sold to recover the amounts owed. That is even stronger. The commission has indicated that it will be pursuing these; it is something we would rather not pursue, but it is something we may be forced to use,” Buchanan said.

“Every month the Revenue Recovery Division has brought dozens of new cases of persons who are being prosecuted for trespassing on the works of the commission and we have also brought dozens of others every month for failure to honour their NWC bills over extended periods of time. There are hundreds of such cases before the courts,” Buchanan told the Observer.

In the meantime, he said the NWC, while trying to make its debtors pay, has itself been incurring costs.

“It is a time-consuming and costly strategy… for example, we have incurred costs from our own lawyers having to dedicate a lot of their time to go to court, as well as other employees having to spend a lot of time developing these cases and, as you know, there is a significant backlog in the courts, so it can be quite time-consuming. So you do a prosecution and you have to go to court repeatedly,” Buchanan noted.

“In addition, even when the court decision is made, the commission may have to take further civil action to get anything specifically because if the court says 30 days in prison or x fine, that’s a payment, as I understand it, to the courts,” he said, pointing out that “the issue of the commission getting a court order to say, ‘pay over x amount by such time’ is another process that itself takes more time”.

Admitting that he was “not sure” that the amounts recovered compensated for the legal costs incurred or even covered the full sums owed to the NWC, Buchanan said it is still “a necessary part of our attempt to encourage persons to pay for what they have utilised”.

“It’s important for us to show that it does not pay, it’s wrong, it’s embarrassing, it’s a crime, that’s a large part of what we want to do and to encourage persons to recognise that there is a moral imperative for them to honour their obligations and to not illegally connect to our systems,” he added.

Asked the amount owed to date he said, “It’s in the billions, over $12 billion, it’s a dynamic figure.”

View the original article here

NWC eyeing stronger measures to collect $12b owed by customers

Two entertainers among five people arrested for lottery scamming

Wednesday, February 05, 2014 | 7:38 AM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The police have confirmed that two entertainers, a male and a female, were among five people taken into custody on Monday, February 3, suspected of being involved in lottery scamming.

Reports from the police are that about 4:00 pm members of the New Kingston Police Post were conducting a routine stop and search operation along Knutsford Boulevard when a motorist was cited for breaching the Road Traffic Act.

The motorist who did not have a driver’s licence in his possession gave name which turned out to be fictitious. Further investigations were conducted that resulted in the Lottery Scam Task Force being called in.

As a result the driver and the two occupants of the motor vehicle were detained.

Consequently, a probe was launched and an operation conducted at a house in the Kingston 5 area, which is the residence of one of the occupants of the motor vehicle, the police said.

During a search of the premises, the police allege that paraphernalia related to lottery scam activities were observed and seized.

The occupants of the house and the motor vehicle were also taken into custody on reasonable suspicion of breaches of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transaction) (Special Provisions) Act, the police added.

The suspects are to be questioned in the presence of their attorneys, following which formal charges will be made against them.  

View the original article here

Two entertainers among five people arrested for lottery scamming

Wintery Sochi warms up for Russian Games

WITH two days to go for the start of 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, which will run through to February 23, the excitement has already reached fever pitch as athletes, heads of states and other dignitaries have started to flow into the Russian city. A colourful opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday. International wire services AP and AFP capture some pre-games activities.

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Wintery Sochi warms up for Russian Games

PCB lashes out over plans to reform ICC

LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yesterday lashed out over controversial plans to reform cricket’s governing body, describing the proposed revamp as unjust.

Moves to restructure the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hand power to India, Australia and England, the game’s financial powerhouses, were passed in principle during a board meeting in January.

In an in-house meeting, the PCB termed the proposed plan as “not in line with the principle of equity nor in the interest of game of cricket”.

Members of the PCB’s governing board said in a statement that they had serious concerns over the planned revamp proposed by the cricket boards of India, Australia and England to give their countries a greater say in the running of the game.

It comes after Pakistani cricket legend Imran Khan on Friday blasted the proposals, saying they would take the game back to the days of colonialism.

The PCB said it had asked chairman Zaka Ashraf to seek guidance from Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and “to apprise him on this matter of immense significance and of national interest, which will have wide-reaching impact on the future of cricket in Pakistan”.

The PCB said it had received a detailed presentation on the proposal, which it would discuss at the next ICC board meeting.

No international cricket has been played in Pakistan since 2009, when militants attacked the visiting Sri Lankan team, and Khan has warned the new proposals would hit his home country hardest.

South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are now the only three of the 10 ICC full members who are still against the report, which will next be put on the table at the ICC meeting in Singapore on February 8.

The plan needs approval from eight of the 10 ICC members.

View the original article here

PCB lashes out over plans to reform ICC

Ardenne, Jonathan Grant in tussle for group honours

BY SHERDON COWAN

Wednesday, February 05, 2014    

ARDENNE High and Jonathan Grant High will be seeking to move ahead of each other in Group D fixtures of the ISSA Grace Shield when the sixth round of games in Groups B and D get under way today.

Both Ardenne High and Jonathan Grant are locked on seven points, with both teams winning three games apiece, but have found it hard to separate themselves after playing to a draw when they met last weekend.

Both teams will have an easy task on their hands when they go up against the out-of-form Kingston Technical and Tivoli High, respectively.

Kingston Technical have only won one of their four games so far, having beaten Tivoli High and will be hoping to come away with at least a draw. Tivoli, meantime, will be hoping to put a dent in the form of Ardenne High.

Over in Group B, it is anybody’s game as five of the eight teams have already recorded a win or more, thereby leaving the group open to many with only one round of matches remaining.

Today’s games

Group B

Calabar vs Mona @ Calabar

St Jago vs Excelsior @ St Jago

Camperdown vs Eltham @ Kensington

Norman Manley vs St George’s @ Maxfield Park Field

Group D

Jonathan Grant vs Kingston Technical @ Prison Oval

Edith Dalton vs STATHS @ Pembroke Hall School Field

Tivoli vs Ardenne @ unnamed venue

View the original article here

Ardenne, Jonathan Grant in tussle for group honours

Man of the match

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Jamaica bowler Andre Russell poses with his Man of the Match trophy after his team defeated Ireland by six wickets in the NAGICO Super50 match at the Queen’s Park Oval here on Monday. (PHOTO: WICB)

View the original article here

Man of the match

P’more Pines cop Portmore T/20 title

An all-round performance by Damion Bryce helped Portmore Pines CC defeat GC Foster College by three wickets in the final of the Wray & Nephew/Portmore Association Club T/20 Championship at Bridgeport on Sunday.

Scores: (GC Foster College 109-all out from 18 overs); (Portmore Pines CC 113-7 from 20 overs).

Ken’s Wildflower took third place after defeating Waterford CC by nine runs.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on a slow, flat pitch, GC Foster got off to a terrible start when Damion Bryce took two key early wickets. He removed Kanayna Barrett (five) and captain Gavin Wallace (seven) to leave the Spanish Town based-team struggling at 33-2 from six overs.

Ransford Henry was then run out for 18 (three fours) before Dervol Green tried to stable the innings when wickets were falling at regular intervals. The aggressive Green scored 55 (30 balls) which included six boundaries and a six, but when he was beautifully caught and bowled by Jonio Beckford, the GC Foster innings came to an end.

Damion Bryce finished with 2-18, Beckford, 2-19, and Andre Bryce chipped in with 2-34 for Portmore Pines CC.

In reply, Portmore Pines got off to a slow start but Damion Bryce led the run chase with a patient 65 from 70 deliveries. His knock included five boundaries, and he also shared in an opening-partnership of 29 with Allando Minott (four) from 9.3 overs.

Captain Terrance Brown then joined the left-handed Bryce at the crease and the pair put on 28 crucial runs that swung the game their way. Brown took 17 runs from Stephan Casey’s fourth over, struck two massive sixes with the latter bursting the ball. He was then bowled by Wallace for 15 (eight balls) at 92-5.

Gavin Wallace (3-25-2) and Odane Vassell (4-9-2) were GC Foster’s best bowlers.

Damion Bryce said that the game went as planned. “As the most senior player in the side the plan was to bat through the innings. We got off to slow start, but I just have to make the team bat around me and as long I am at one end I knew we would have a great chance on winning,” Bryce said.

Meanwhile, Gibbs Williams, coach of GC Foster, said that his team was 20 runs short.

“We failed to bat 20 overs and I felt we were 20 runs short. This is a young team and they made a lot of mistakes in the field, but it was a good team effort and congrats to Portmore Pines, they played a great game today (Sunday),” Williams told the Jamaica Observer.

Batting first in a game reduced to 18 overs, Ken’s Wildflower made 128-7. Kirk Brooks topscored with 34, Lascele Davis added 23, and Oraine Williams chipped in with 20 against Shomor Anderson, 3-16, and Damion Foster, 3-31.

In reply, Waterford got off to a strong start but were restricted for 119-9 from their allotted 18 overs. Anderson, 29, and Richard Allen, 26, were the chief runs scorers for Waterford against Myron Chin, 5-36, Aaron Graham, 2-7, and Oshane Wilson, 2-19.

Scores: (Ken’s Wildflower 128-7 from 18 overs); (Waterford CC 119-9 from 18 overs).

View the original article here

P’more Pines cop
Portmore T/20 title

Beckham to buy MLS team in Miami

Wednesday, February 05, 2014 | 10:58 AM    

MIAMI (AP) — David Beckham has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion team in Miami, and the deal will be finalised if the former England football captain can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium.

The latest development in the pursuit of a Miami team was announced by MLS Commissioner Don Garber at a news conference Wednesday. Beckham and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also attended.

Beckham has scouted possible stadium sites and is seeking investors to assist with start-up costs such as construction and player acquisitions. Among those who might become involved is Beckham’s friend LeBron James, who has had recent conversations with the retired soccer star about bringing a team to Miami.

View the original article here

Beckham to buy MLS team in Miami

Netball Jamaica lends support to Romelda Aiken

NETBALL Jamaica yesterday issued a statement supporting Sunshine Girl Romelda Aiken regarding a recent struggle she has been having with cyber bullying.

The release did not give details of the invasion, but said the star netball player has gone public as a means of setting an example for young, upcoming aspirants.

“Romelda is very brave,” Netball Jamaica’s Public Relations Officer Karen Rosen said in the statement.

“She recognises her position as a role model…and has decided to make the issue public so that she can be a lesson to other young girls.

“Social media is great for interaction and communication, but there are dangers lurking, and the more we talk about these things publicly, is the more we can protect our young people… especially our girls,” the release added.

Aiken, who is a key member of the Queensland Firebirds team, which competes in the ANZ Netball Championship played among franchises based in Australia and New Zealand, is also being supported by the players and management of the Australia-based club.

The matter is under investigation by Australian officials.

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Netball Jamaica lends support to Romelda Aiken

International sport briefs

Berbatov says Evra convinced him to join Monaco

MONACO, France (AFP) — Dimitar Berbatov said yesterday that a recommendation from his former Manchester United colleague Patrice Evra convinced him to join Monaco on loan at the end of the January transfer window.

The Bulgarian striker joined the club, who lie second in Ligue 1, on loan from Premier League strugglers Fulham until the end of the season to cover for Colombian star Radamel Falcao, who is out with a long-term knee injury.

The 33-year-old moves from a relegation battle in England to a title fight in France, with a meeting with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to come this weekend at the Stade Louis II.

“My friend Patrice Evra told me a lot of good things about the club. And when Monaco called me, I said why not. I was looking for something new,” said Berbatov, who played alongside the France left-back at Old Trafford between 2008 and 2012.

However, he said that the presence of enigmatic Italian coach Claudio Ranieri — another familiar face from his days in England — was also a factor in convincing him to make the switch to a new country.

Considered something of a maverick and known for his languid style, Berbatov, who has also played for Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur, believes his way of playing will help him be successful in the French game.

European giants for preseason US tour

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP) — Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan will play preseason games in the United States.

Inter Milan, AS Roma and Olympiakos also will be part of what is billed as the Guinness International Champions Cup, to be played from July 26 to August 4, with the final at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens.

Additional venues for the games include Arlington, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Denver; East Rutherford, New Jersey, and/or New York; Glendale, Arizona; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; and Washington. Two additional cities are to be announced February 20.

Some players may not be with their clubs because of the World Cup, which ends July 13.

Attack on Corinthians players sparks outrage

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — An attack by fans on players of top Brazilian club Corinthians has sparked outrage and promoted calls for a player strike, damaging the domestic image of the game five months before the World Cup.

“We are preparing documentation to provide legal support to players and are ready to strike -— we can’t go on like this,” Sao Paulo state player union chairman Rinaldo Martorelli told Estado de Sao Paulo daily.

Around 100 fans angry at the club’s poor recent form attacked Corinthians’ training centre as they prepared on Saturday for a state league match the following day.

The fans cut through wire netting to reach top stars including Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero, who scored the club’s winner in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup final.

Chairman Mario Gobbi was unwilling to cancel the match against Ponte Preta, citing league and broadcast agreements.

But the attack has sparked a storm amid reports several players now want to leave the club over fears for their safety.

Also attacked along with Guerrero was Alexandre Pato, an expensive signing from AC Milan, as the fans went on the rampage — one grabbing Guerrero around the neck while others tried to break Pato’s legs.

Ancelotti: Ronaldo will be available for Copa semis

MADRID, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be available for the Copa del Rey semi-final today despite the threat of a four-game ban.

Ronaldo was shown a straight red card in Sunday’s 1-1 Spanish league draw at Athletic Bilbao, leaving his availability for the semi-final against Atletico Madrid up in the air.

The Portugal forward made a mocking gesture as he left the field, which could result in a longer suspension with any ban of at least four games extending to all competitions. A decision is expected by today.

There is a precedent of adding two games to any initial ban for using the gesture, which mocks a slap to the cheek to suggest the referee has a lot of nerve.

The Italian coach says forward Gareth Bale will be available after being left out of the squad against Bilbao.

Bach slams politicians over Sochi Olympics

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — IOC President Thomas Bach has criticised politicians for attacking the Sochi Olympics “on the backs of the athletes”.

Bach has also slammed politicians who publicly snubbed the games even though they had not even been invited.

The International Olympic Committee leader spoke in a hard-hitting speech yesterday, three days before the opening of Russia’s first Winter Games.

The build-up to Sochi has been overshadowed by Western criticism of Russia’s record on human rights and the law against gay “propaganda” among minors.

Bach says sports should not be “used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests”.

President Barack Obama and key European leaders are shunning the games. Obama, in a key message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation made up of three openly gay athletes. The presidents of France and Germany also won’t be coming.

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International sport briefs

CPL hires Australian as director of cricket

THE Caribbean Premier League (CPL) recently announced that former Australia International, Tom Moody, has joined its ranks as director of cricket.

Moody has vast experience at the top level of the game, having represented Australia, Warwickshire, Western Australia and Worcestershire as a player, before turning his attention to coaching, commentary and cricket administration.

“From a purely cricket perspective, CPL has set the bar high from its inaugural year and I’m excited by the challenge of helping to continue to improve and deliver the highest possible standards for the fans, the players and everyone associated with the tournament,” Moody said.

Commenting on the appointment, Caribbean Premier League CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, said: “We are delighted that Tom Moody has joined the team at CPL. As the tournament progresses, we will strive to maintain our status as a first-class cricket tournament, attracting the best players and coaches from around the world,” he said.

Following his retirement from the game in 2001, Moody became president of the Australian Cricketers’ Association and coach, then director of cricket at Worcestershire. In 2005, he was appointed as Sri Lanka’s coach, guiding the team to the World Cup final in April 2007, before returning home to coach Western Australia. He is currently coach for IPL franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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CPL hires Australian as director of cricket

Trench Town rocks on Sat

THE annual Trench Town International Night Concert will take place at Boys’ Town Football Field in Kingston on Saturday.

The event begins at 7:00 pm.

“We have outgrown the Vin Lawrence Park, so we have moved it across the road which is more beautiful and can accommodate up to 30,000 people,” said Junior Lincoln, co-chair of the festival committee.

Performers include Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Julian Marley, Lutan Fyah, Ken Boothe, Horace Andy and The Tamlins.

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Trench Town
rocks on Sat

Is brand Marley losing its roots?

WITH a restaurant, coffee, and a musical associated with his name, is there a danger of anti-establishment hero Bob Marley being over-commercialised?

That was the question pitched to the reggae legend’s daughter Cedella recently by Speakeasy magazine.

She said no, pointing out that her father, who would have turned 69 tomorrow, was more than a singer/songwriter.

“We have to remember Daddy was in the music business and it’s a business. At the same time, we keep the integrity of the man separate from the integrity of the musician,” she explained. “It’s a fine line because I don’t think lots of people know Daddy was a very smart businessman. He started his own record label, built his own studio, started his own distribution company where he was pressing records,” Cedella added. “He was very strict when it came to his business. He was the first person to print a Bob Marley T-shirt [laughs], let’s not get it twisted! He would wear his own T-shirt because that is the music business.”

She pointed out that T-shirts remain one of the most visible and profitable forms of Marley merchandise. There is also Marley coffee which is produced by her younger brother Rohan.

On Thursday, Cedella’s musical Three Little Birds (based on one of Marley’s most famous songs) opens at the New Victory Theatre in New York City.

Not all Marley merchandise have been a hit. A shoe line, launched in the 1990s, was shelved. Plans for a Marley beer never materialised.

Cedella spoke about plans for a One Love Café and also commented on the challenges of tracking illegal use of the Marley image.

We’re trying to combat a lot of the bootlegging. Every single day I get 100 letters from the lawyers. ‘Infringer, infringer, infringer’. So you try take care of all of them. As soon as you close one down you have 10 more that pop up,” she said. “The laws are different in various parts of the world, and you spend a lot of time and money doing infringement work. But an easier way to deal with that is almost like you have to step into their place because there’s a need for it,” Cedella continued. “If there wasn’t a need for that product, people would not be doing it. If we can do it in a more respectful manner, keep the integrity and message of our father, we’re always open to finding ways of making things a little bit better.”

Bob Marley died from cancer in May 1981 in Miami at age 36.

Three Little Birds is scheduled to end its run on February 23.

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Is brand Marley losing its roots?

‘D Brown’ show for Feb 23

February is designated Reggae Month. So, starting today, the Jamaica Observer begins its daily coverage of stories to mark the occasion.

DENNIS Brown’s tribute concert is scheduled for the downtown Kingston Waterfront on Sunday, February 23.

Junior Lincoln, chairman of the Dennis Brown Foundation, said he expects the concert to go ahead

as planned.

“Last year we had some challenges with sponsorship, but Tourism Enhancement Fund, WISYNCO and KFC came on board,” Lincoln told the Jamaica Observer.

In addition to the foundation, Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, Leggo Records, and Sounds and Pressure are part of the show’s production.

The concert, which was held annually along Orange Street in Kingston since 2009, was postponed twice last year due to lack of sponsorship.

“We are still trying to find other sponsors to make up for the shortfall, but we are going ahead,” Lincoln said.

The concert attracts reggae’s biggest names paying tribute to Brown, the proclaimed Crown Prince of Reggae, who died in July, 1999 at age 42.

According to Lincoln, last year over 10,000 patrons attended the free concert. He, however, expects this year’s staging to surpass

that figure.

The late singer, who would have celebrated his birthday last Saturday, is known for hits, including If I Follow My Heart, Revolution, Love and Hate, and Here I Come.

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‘D Brown’ show for Feb 23

Tarrus walks down memory lane

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer

Wednesday, February 05, 2014    

THE rocksteady beat of Alton Ellis’ Too Late To Turn Back Now recently rocked the rehearsal room at Penthouse Records where singer Tarrus Riley and the Blakk Soil Band fine-tuned songs from his Love Situation album.

Riley pays tribute to the rocksteady era on the 13-track set which dropped yesterday. On it, the band reworks classic beats from the mid-1960s to original lyrics.

Only one of the songs, My Story, written by his father Jimmy and originally recorded by singer Slim Smith, is a cover.

Standing on a balcony during a break from rehearsal, the dreadlocked Riley says he was exposed to rocksteady at an early age through his father’s link to harmony groups like the Techniques and Uniques. He added that Love Situation has been in the pipeline for a while.

“I came up with the concept two years ago while touring ’cause wi do a little a everything, ’cause mi get bored fast. So, mi sey to Dean (Fraser), ‘yow, yuh know wha’ woulda wicked, if wi do a rocksteady album’.”

Riley, Fraser and Blakk Soil guitarist Mitchum ‘Khan’ Chin selected the beats for the songs which are a nod to a genre that came after ska and ruled Jamaican dancehalls from 1965-67.

Sail Away, one of the songs from Love Situation, features veteran deejay U Roy whose toasts helped make rocksteady jams like Wear You To The Ball by the Paragons and Hopeton Lewis’ Tom Drunk, chart-toppers.

Although he was born long after the rocksteady period, Riley says he has great respect for his father’s contemporaries including Smith, Delroy Wilson, Ken Boothe and John Holt.

She’s Royal, his breakthrough hit from 2006, is driven by the beat of Money Love, a rocksteady hit for Wilson. Riley believes the rocksteady greats do not get their due in Jamaica but are revered abroad.

“Mi go Hawaii an’ the youths dem a play lovers’ rock an’ rocksteady. Wi have so much music inna Jamaica but wi limit wiself,” he said.

Rocksteady not only produced great vocalists, but also outstanding musicians like bass players Boris Gardiner, Brian Atkinson and Leroy Sibbles, keyboardists Jackie Mittoo and Aubrey Adams, drummer Fil Callender and guitarist Eric Frater.

During the roots-reggae craze of the 1970s, the Revolutionaries band at Channel One recorded numerous hits by putting their spin on rocksteady rhythms. The Roots Radics band followed suit in the 1980s working out of the same studio with producer Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes and singer Barrington Levy.

Tarrus Riley started a promotional tour of the United States last Saturday with a show at the Howard Theatre in Washington DC.

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Tarrus walks down memory lane

Death of a Reggae Ambassador

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer

Tuesday, February 04, 2014    

BUNNY Rugs was a struggling singer in 1976 when he went to a New York City club named the Bottom Line to see a band called Third World.

“It so happened that a friend of mine saw the advertisement in the Village Voice and called me and said ‘Are you going to see Third World?’ I said yes and changed my mind about five times,” Rugs told American author David Katz in 2003. “I eventually went to the concert and I’ve been with them from that day until now.”

Rugs, who died Sunday at his home in Orlando, Florida at age 65, was the voice of Third World for 37 years.

Colin Leslie, his close friend and a former member of Third World, said the singer passed away at 11:00 pm, surrounded by family and close friends.

Rugs, who would have turned 66 on Thursday, was released from the Intensive Care Unit of an Orlando hospital last week after receiving two weeks of treatment for leukemia.

During his last Jamaican performance with the band in December at a function organised by the National Commercial Bank in Kingston, Rugs spoke about his illness.

At the time, he said he was receiving holistic treatment.

Born William Clarke in Mandeville, Bunny Rugs’ early years as a musician was on the Kingston club scene in the early 1970s with the Inner Circle band.

He migrated to the United States during that period and worked the live circuit in New York City as a member of the band, Hugh Hendricks and the Buccaneers.

He returned to Jamaica in 1974 and hooked up with a band named the Bluegrass Experience which also included former Studio One session guitarist Eric Frater and Upsetters keyboardist Glen Adams.

After a stint with producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Rugs officially joined Third World in 1976, shortly after watching them at the

Bottom Line.

The band’s drummer at the time was Willie Stewart who had been a member for less than one year.

Yesterday, Stewart remembered Rugs as “a man who loved his art. He was never sad, always had a joke.”

Rugs’ first show with Third World was a Carifesta date at the Carib Theatre in 1976. He made his recording debut on the band’s album, 96 Degrees In The Shade, that year.

He sang lead on the title song as well as a number of their hits including Now That We Found Love, Always Around, Talk to Me, Reggae Ambassador and Sense of Purpose.

Along with founding members Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore (guitar) and Ibo Cooper (keyboards), bass player Richard Daley, Stewart and percussionist Irwin ‘Carrot’ Jarrett, Rugs was part of a classic Third World line-up that was signed to Island Records, CBS and

Mercury Records.

Rugs also recorded solo projects during breaks from Third World. He released the 15-track set Time on September 11, 2012.

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Death of
a Reggae
Ambassador