In a thrilling conclusion to a tumultuous season, Jannik Sinner emerged victorious at the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5. The Italian tennis star captivated the home crowd, securing his second consecutive ATP Finals title and capping off a remarkable year that included triumphs at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Sinner’s victory was particularly poignant, given his three-month ban earlier in the season due to accidental contamination with a banned substance, a situation that the World Anti-Doping Agency acknowledged was unintentional. The 24-year-old has now won 31 consecutive matches on indoor hard courts, a streak that began after his loss to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 championship match. Sinner’s performance was a testament to his resilience and skill, as he navigated a challenging season to end on a high note. Alcaraz, despite a stellar season with eight tournament wins and six Grand Slam titles, was unable to overcome Sinner’s dominance in the final. The match was a showcase of high-level tennis, with both players delivering powerful serves and intense rallies. Sinner’s victory was sealed when Alcaraz sent a backhand wide on the first championship point, prompting an emotional celebration with his family and the roaring crowd.
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Portugal qualify for 2026 World Cup by thrashing Armenia
In a stunning display of football prowess, Portugal secured their place in the 2026 World Cup finals with a resounding 9-1 victory over Armenia in Porto on Sunday. Despite the absence of suspended star Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese team delivered a commanding performance, led by hat-tricks from Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves. The match marked Portugal’s third attempt to clinch qualification after a draw in Hungary and a surprising defeat in Ireland earlier in the week. Renato Veiga opened the scoring in the seventh minute, followed by goals from Goncalo Ramos, Francisco Conceicao, and a series of strikes from Fernandes and Neves. Armenia briefly equalized through Eduard Spertsyan, but Portugal quickly regained control, building an unassailable lead. Fernandes, who played a pivotal role throughout the match, netted his 28th goal for Portugal, cementing his place as the country’s sixth-highest goalscorer. Neves, scoring his first goals for the national team, expressed his joy while emphasizing the team’s collective effort. Juventus forward Conceicao sealed the historic win with a stoppage-time goal. Manager Roberto Martinez praised his team’s response after the Ireland defeat, while Ronaldo, who could miss the start of the tournament due to suspension, celebrated the qualification on social media. In other Group F action, Ireland secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Hungary, with Troy Parrott scoring a hat-trick to advance to the play-offs.
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US military says aircraft carrier now in Caribbean
In a significant military maneuver, the United States has deployed its most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean Sea as part of an intensified anti-narcotics campaign. This deployment, announced by the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on Sunday, is part of President Donald Trump’s broader directive to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and combat narco-terrorism. The move is likely to escalate tensions with Venezuela, whose government views the military buildup as a direct threat. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, accompanied by two guided-missile destroyers and other support vessels, joins several warships already stationed in the region under ‘Operation Southern Spear.’
In a related development, US forces conducted a strike in the eastern Pacific on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three suspected drug traffickers. Since the inception of the anti-trafficking initiative in September, US military operations have reportedly killed at least 83 individuals accused of drug smuggling in international waters. However, the US has not provided detailed evidence to substantiate claims that those targeted were indeed traffickers, leading experts to criticize the operations as extrajudicial killings.
The deployment comes amid heightened speculation about potential US military intervention in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro faces strong opposition from Washington. The US does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader and has offered a $50 million bounty for his capture on charges of leading a drug cartel. President Trump has hinted at decisive action regarding Venezuela, stating on Friday that he had ‘sort of’ made up his mind on the issue, though he declined to elaborate. Meanwhile, the US military has also increased its presence in Trinidad and Tobago, conducting joint training exercises with local forces, which Maduro has condemned as ‘irresponsible.’
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Veteran JP says, JPs in dire need of proper training
Veteran Justice of the Peace (JP) Abrahim Ali has voiced significant concerns over the expanded judicial responsibilities being assigned to JPs without the necessary training, oversight, or modern systems in place. Ali, who also serves as the Public Relations Officer for the Justices of the Peace Association (JOPATT), highlighted these issues in an interview with Newsday on November 15, following the Senate’s passage of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (AJIPA). Once signed into law by the President, AJIPA will grant JPs broader powers, including the authority to issue search warrants and grant station bail for indictable offenses.
Ali emphasized that the JP system has long suffered from structural deficiencies, including a lack of standardized training, record-keeping, and consultation. He noted that JPs, historically appointed through political channels, have never received formal training despite being expected to perform critical judicial functions. While JOPATT has attempted to address these gaps through voluntary training programs, Ali stressed that such efforts cannot replace a mandatory national framework.
The AJIPA amendments aim to restore and expand powers historically held by JPs, which had been muddled by earlier legislation. Justice Carol Gobin clarified that Parliament had never explicitly revoked JPs’ authority to grant station bail. However, the proposed expansion of JP powers, particularly regarding search warrants, has sparked intense debate. Independent Senators Sophia Chote and Dr. Desiree Murray warned that without immediate reforms, JPs could be thrust into roles requiring legal expertise and accountability mechanisms that are currently absent. Chote described the search powers under Section 5 as ‘draconian,’ while Murray cautioned that the lack of qualifications and oversight could ‘dilute judicial oversight and risk the arbitrary exercise of power.’
Attorney General John Jeremie assured the Senate that data-seizure powers remain governed by the Data Protection Act and pledged to delay the implementation of search-warrant provisions until training and further reforms are addressed. He also committed to referring the broader issue of JP standards to the Law Review Committee. Ali supported this decision, noting that the concerns raised have long been recognized within the JP community. He emphasized that warrants must never be issued without proper procedures and guidelines, warning against ‘rubber-stamping’ by JPs.
Acting President of the Police Social and Welfare Association, ASP Ishmael Pitt, welcomed the restoration of JP warrant-issuing powers, particularly from a policing perspective. He highlighted the importance of having access to judicial officers in urgent situations but stressed that the system’s success depends on JP competence matching the gravity of their responsibilities. Ali, a JP for 35 years, reiterated that the JP system still lacks consistent engagement from the judiciary and the Office of the DPP, leaving JPs without adequate guidance as their duties expand.
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CJ Boodoosingh’s pledge: Sando Supreme Court will soon reopen
Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh has reaffirmed his commitment to reopening the San Fernando Supreme Court, a landmark institution that has remained closed since 2020. Speaking at the Assembly of Southern Lawyers’ (ASL) annual Christmas dinner on November 15, Boodoosingh emphasized the judiciary’s dedication to restoring timely and accessible justice to the southern region. The event, held at the Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Club, also honored the Chief Justice, who shared a personal connection to the courthouse, recalling his early legal career within its walls. Boodoosingh pledged to collaborate with those overseeing public funds to expedite the reopening, describing it as both a facilities issue and a constitutional imperative. His remarks were met with resounding applause from attendees, including former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Criminal Bar Association head Israel Khan. ASL President Saira Lakhan praised the Chief Justice’s prioritization of the matter, expressing readiness to work alongside the judiciary to improve access to justice. The courthouse’s restoration, initially estimated at $12.8 million, has seen costs escalate to $22.1 million, with repairs stalled since July due to contractor termination. Udecott, the state agency overseeing the project, has indicated that reopening may not occur before late 2026, pending reconfirmation of the project scope and funding. Despite these challenges, Boodoosingh’s pledge has rekindled hope among southern communities, marking a significant step toward resolving years of frustration and uncertainty.
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William Knibb High considering shift system to resume classes after Hurricane Melissa
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, William Knibb Memorial High School in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is devising a shift system to resume educational activities. The hurricane inflicted substantial damage to the school’s infrastructure, with seven buildings affected, six of which suffered severe roof losses. Principal Linvern Wright, in an interview with JIS News, emphasized that the school’s immediate focus is on ensuring student safety, restoring essential utilities, and finding a feasible way to bring students back to classrooms.
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Apprentice jockey charged after armed robbery of teen in Portmore
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Delroy ‘Jockey’ Walker, a 21-year-old apprentice jockey from Carol Crescent in Newlands, Portmore, has been charged with several serious offences following an armed robbery incident last month. The charges against Walker include robbery with aggravation, possession of a prohibited weapon, using a prohibited weapon to commit a scheduled offence, and assault at common law. The incident took place early in the morning on October 15, when a teenage girl was waiting at a bus stop along Bridgeport Road. Walker allegedly approached her, displayed a firearm, and demanded her belongings, including her cell phone and $32,000, before fleeing on foot. The victim reported the robbery to the Portmore Police, leading to an investigation. Walker was later identified in an identification parade and taken into custody. Authorities are currently arranging a court date for the case.
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Economist: Contractors must be paid billions owed
Economist Indera Sagewan has urged the Trinidad and Tobago government to address the billions of dollars reportedly owed to contractors, emphasizing that delayed payments have severely undermined confidence, crippled businesses, and weakened one of the nation’s most vital economic sectors. Speaking at the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association’s (TTCA) annual awards dinner on November 15 in Port of Spain, Sagewan highlighted the construction industry’s resilience in weathering financial and logistical shocks, while stressing the need for immediate action to restore its health. She clarified that her remarks were made in her personal capacity as an economist, not as a representative of the Central Bank, where she serves as a director. Sagewan described the sector as being at a critical juncture, with immense opportunities ahead but also deep-rooted structural issues that must be resolved. She pointed to the post-pandemic era, where contractors faced skyrocketing costs for materials and shipping, prolonged supply chain disruptions, and significant payment delays from the government. “The billions owed to contractors are not just numbers on a ledger. They represent deferred livelihoods, stalled projects, and broken confidence,” she asserted. Her comments resonated with long-standing industry grievances, as contractors have struggled with months-long delays in receiving materials and government payments, leading to downsizing and project closures. Sagewan called for a reset in the relationship between the State and the construction industry, particularly as the new administration implements its Revitalisation and Economic Transformation Blueprint and the projects outlined in the 2026 national budget. She described the blueprint as a “long-awaited injection of big vision,” positioning the construction sector at the forefront of a decade-long development agenda. However, she cautioned that credibility would hinge on execution, not just policy declarations. Sagewan urged contractors to uphold high standards of delivery, transparency, and workmanship, while also expressing frustration with past failures, such as poorly constructed roads and homes. Housing Minister David Lee echoed Sagewan’s concerns, acknowledging the government’s commitment to reversing years of stagnation and unreliable payment cycles. He emphasized the construction industry’s pivotal role in national revitalization, noting that the Revitalisation Blueprint includes 129 major projects expected to generate 50,000 jobs. Lee also pledged to address past housing delivery failures, with plans to build 20,000 affordable homes using innovative construction methods. While he did not specify the exact amount owed to contractors, Lee signaled the government’s intent to improve payment reliability and strengthen partnerships with the industry.
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World’s largest military aircraft carrier now in Caribbean Sea
The USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest military aircraft carrier, has arrived in the southern Caribbean Sea as part of a significant U.S. military build-up in the region. The deployment, led by the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG), marks the largest military presence in the Caribbean in decades. While the U.S. government has framed the operation as a mission to combat narco-trafficking and dismantle transnational criminal organizations, it has also intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington views as an illegitimate leader facilitating illicit trade. The arrival of the CSG was confirmed in a November 16 statement, emphasizing its role in supporting the U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) efforts to counter narco-terrorism and protect the Homeland. Admiral Alvin Holsey, SOUTHCOM commander, highlighted the group’s readiness to address transnational threats destabilizing the region. The CSG will join forces already stationed in the Caribbean, including the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of Joint Task Force Southern Spear. Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, described the USS Gerald R Ford as the most capable and lethal platform globally, deployed to safeguard national security and prosperity. The fleet’s presence coincides with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit’s second visit to Trinidad and Tobago (TT) for joint training with the TT Defence Force (TTDF) from November 16 to 21. While TT’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers defended the collaboration as essential for combating illegal drugs and weapons, Venezuelan President Maduro condemned the military exercises, warning they threaten regional peace. Maduro has accused the U.S. of seeking to overthrow him and called for public protests against the drills. This deployment follows the 22nd MEU’s first visit in October, which sparked similar condemnation from Caracas, leading to halted petrochemical deals with TT and the labeling of TT’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as persona non grata.
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Carl Brown believes Boyz will give Jamaica ‘something to smile about’
Former Jamaica football coach Carl Brown has expressed unwavering confidence in the Reggae Boyz’s ability to triumph over Curacao in their upcoming World Cup qualifier. The crucial Group B Concacaf match is scheduled to take place at the National Stadium on Tuesday. Brown, who resides in South Florida, emphasized the importance of a victory for the nation, particularly in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. He believes the team will deliver their best performance and secure a much-needed win. Curacao currently leads the group with 11 points, just one ahead of Jamaica. A draw would suffice for Curacao to become the smallest country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Their previous encounter on October 10 saw Curacao defeat Jamaica 2-0 at home. Jamaica’s head coach, Steve McClaren, has faced criticism for his team selection during the November 11 match against Trinidad and Tobago, which ended in a 1-1 draw. However, Brown asserts that the players must rise to the occasion and deliver a victory that will bring joy to a nation still recovering from the hurricane’s aftermath. Brown, a former defender for Jamaica and Boys’ Town in the Major League, served as head coach when Jamaica won the Caribbean Cup in 1991. He later transitioned to technical director under Rene Simoes when the team qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France. Curacao, coached by the seasoned Dick Advocaat, boasts a roster of professional players based in Europe. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on October 28, causing significant damage across several parishes and resulting in 45 fatalities, according to the Jamaican government.