NEW YORK, United States — FIFA has officially revealed the match ball for the 2026 World Cup, named Trionda, which blends cutting-edge technology with symbolic design elements honoring the three co-host nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Designed by Adidas, the long-standing provider of World Cup balls since 1970, the Trionda was unveiled at a special event in New York on Thursday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed pride in presenting the ball, which reflects the historic nature of the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by three countries and featuring 48 competing teams. The ball’s design incorporates red, blue, and green colors, alongside iconic symbols from each host nation: maple leaves for Canada, an eagle for Mexico, and stars for the United States. A triangular motif symbolizes the unity of the three countries. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Trionda boasts advanced technological features, including deep seams for optimal flight stability, embossed icons for enhanced grip in wet conditions, and a motion sensor chip that transmits real-time data to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the lead-up to the North American World Cup, scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026. FIFA has also initiated its phased online ticket sales, with over 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories participating in the presale draw. The tournament’s official draw will take place in Washington, D.C., on December 5.
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Diddy pleads for judge’s mercy ahead of sentencing
In a heartfelt letter to the judge overseeing his case, American rapper Sean Combs, widely known as Diddy, expressed profound remorse for his past actions and detailed his transformative journey during incarceration. The letter, published by CNN, was penned a day before his sentencing on charges related to prostitution and domestic violence. Combs admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, and acknowledged the irreversible damage caused by his actions. He described his time in jail as a period of deep introspection, where the ‘old’ Diddy died, and a new, reformed individual emerged. Combs emphasized his commitment to sobriety, personal growth, and mentoring fellow inmates, highlighting the positive impact of his ‘Free Game’ program, which fosters unity and learning among diverse prison populations. He pleaded for mercy, not for himself, but for his seven children, who have already endured the loss of their mother. Combs vowed to use his experience to prevent others from making similar mistakes, promising to dedicate his life to being a better father, son, and community leader.
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Australian drug kingpin to face retrial in police informant scandal
In a landmark decision, a Melbourne court has ruled that Tony Mokbel, one of Australia’s most infamous drug kingpins, must face a retrial following revelations that his defense lawyer was secretly a police informant. Mokbel, a central figure in Melbourne’s prolonged gangland war, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012 after admitting guilt in orchestrating a vast drug syndicate. His criminal empire, known as “The Company,” was responsible for numerous violent deaths, later dramatized in the popular Australian TV series “Underbelly.”
The case took a dramatic turn when it was discovered that Mokbel’s high-profile lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, had been covertly providing information to the police while ostensibly defending her clients. Mokbel, who spent nearly 18 years in prison, was released on bail earlier this year after a court determined he had a substantial chance of overturning his convictions. His legal team argued that Mokbel would not have pleaded guilty had he known about Gobbo’s dual role.
On Friday, the court acquitted Mokbel of one charge, ordered a retrial for another, and dismissed his appeal regarding a third charge. Mokbel remains on bail as the case is set to return to court later this year.
Gobbo, also known as Lawyer X and Informer 3838, revealed in a 2015 letter that her information led to the arrest and charging of over 300 individuals. A 2020 Royal Commission of inquiry condemned Gobbo’s actions during a period of intense gang violence in Melbourne, describing them as “fundamental and appalling breaches” of her professional obligations. Gobbo, who began her double life as a police informant in 1993 after being charged with drug offenses, played a pivotal role in gangland prosecutions between 2005 and 2009.
Victorian police spent five years and millions of dollars in legal battles to conceal Gobbo’s identity, fearing for her safety. In 2024, Gobbo testified in court about her life in hiding, expressing her exhaustion and despair. “I’m tired and I’m broken,” she said. “I’ve just had enough.”
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Passenger charged with robbing driver of iPhone and cash
In a shocking incident in St Mary, Jamaica, a 21-year-old man has been formally charged with robbery with aggravation following an alleged theft of an Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and $22,000 in cash. The accused, identified as Javaine Jones from Brown’s Street in Baileys Vale, reportedly committed the crime on Stennett Street in Port Maria. According to police reports, the incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, September 21, around 7:20 pm. The victim, who was transporting Jones home, was forced to stop at a specific location on the road. Jones allegedly brandished a ratchet knife, held it to the victim’s throat, and stole the high-end smartphone, valued at $130,000, along with the cash. After the robbery, Jones fled the scene. The victim promptly reported the incident to the Port Maria police, who initiated an investigation. Jones was subsequently arrested and formally charged after being interviewed in the presence of his attorney. His court date remains pending as the legal process unfolds.
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High Court Judge Asked To Step Aside In Continuous Abdf Matter
Captain Javonson Willock has formally requested the recusal of Justice Rene Williams, the Presiding High Court Judge, in his ongoing legal battle against the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF). Willock alleges that Justice Williams has demonstrated bias, unfair treatment, and undue pressure, which he claims compromises the integrity of the judicial process.
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Over 500 people interested in Grenada’s EC$5 million retail bond
Grenada has introduced a groundbreaking Retail Bond Programme designed to raise EC$5 million while making investment opportunities more accessible to its citizens. With a minimum investment threshold of EC$500—significantly lower than the traditional $5,000 requirement—the initiative aims to democratize wealth-building for first-time and small-scale investors. The government announced the programme on September 23, 2025, and within just eight days, over 500 individuals expressed interest in purchasing the bonds. Juletta Edinborough, a Fiscal Debt Specialist at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), highlighted the remarkable response during the launch of Financial Information Month 2025, themed ‘Financial Investing: From Savers to Investors.’ Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall emphasized that the Retail Bond is tailored for everyday Grenadians, offering a safe, tax-free investment backed by the government. Key features of the bond include a two-year investment term, tax-free returns, and a focus on enhancing financial literacy. Interested individuals must pre-register through the Ministry of Finance’s website, with brokers engaging potential investors ahead of the auction scheduled for October 31. This initiative underscores Grenada’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and fostering a culture of financial responsibility.
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Saint Lucia added to US Human Trafficking Tier 2 watchlist
The United States has included Saint Lucia in its Tier 2 Watchlist in the 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, raising alarms over the nation’s sluggish progress in combating human trafficking. The U.S. State Department highlighted that Saint Lucia, alongside other countries in this tier, has not met the minimum standards for eradicating trafficking but is actively striving to improve. Despite these efforts, the report underscores that the government has not shown significant advancements compared to the previous year. Critical issues identified include the absence of trafficking investigations, prosecutions, or convictions in the past year, no identified victims during the reporting period, and no penalties imposed for trafficking crimes under existing laws. Additionally, the report points out insufficient victim services and identification mechanisms. Saint Lucia’s Counter-Trafficking Act, enacted in 2010, has been criticized for its lack of enforcement. The government’s failure to prohibit recruitment fees for workers, a common risk factor for trafficking, was also noted. The Tier 2 Watchlist serves as a warning; if Saint Lucia does not demonstrate substantial improvements within the next year, it risks being downgraded to Tier 3, which could impact U.S. aid and international collaborations. The 2025 report also mentioned other Caribbean nations, with Barbados being downgraded to the watchlist, while the Bahamas and Guyana maintained their Tier 1 status. Although the situation does not warrant immediate panic, the report strongly urges countries like Saint Lucia to enhance prosecutions, proactively identify victims, train frontline workers, and bolster victim support systems. The full report is accessible at www.state.gov.
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Barbados downgraded to US Tier 2 Watch List on human trafficking
Barbados has been downgraded from Tier 2 to the Tier 2 Watch List in the United States’ 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, signaling concerns over the country’s insufficient progress in combating human trafficking. The Tier 2 Watch List designation is reserved for nations showing declining efforts, failure to identify victims, or worsening trafficking conditions. The US State Department highlighted that while Barbados has made notable efforts, it failed to demonstrate overall improvement compared to the previous reporting period, a critical requirement for maintaining Tier 2 status. This downgrade places Barbados under closer scrutiny for potential backsliding in anti-trafficking measures. The TIP Report, a globally influential assessment, emphasized that Barbados does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. Key shortcomings include the absence of trafficking investigations, prosecutions, or convictions under the country’s anti-trafficking law. Additionally, no trafficking victims were identified or assisted for the third consecutive year, and no anti-trafficking training was provided to first responders. The government also failed to draft or implement a new national action plan after the previous one expired in 2023. While Barbados continued screening vulnerable populations and conducting public awareness campaigns, these efforts were deemed insufficient to retain Tier 2 status. The report criticized the Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act for allowing fines instead of imprisonment for sex trafficking, a provision the US government argues undermines the severity of the crime. Further concerns were raised about systemic issues within the justice system, including resource shortages, court backlogs, and the lack of dedicated courts for trafficking cases. Civil society groups reported that law enforcement prioritized other high-profile crimes, leaving trafficking cases under-investigated. Experts also pointed to inadequate screening of at-risk populations, such as migrant workers and women in commercial sex, as a significant gap in Barbados’ anti-trafficking efforts.
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ISFODOSU professor Fátima Pons drives community engagement through school projects
The Félix Evaristo Mejía (FEM) campus of the Higher Institute for Teacher Training (ISFODOSU) is deepening its community engagement by delivering specialized value to local schools and businesses. Spearheaded by Dr. Fátima Pons, a distinguished research professor and head of the Extension Division at FEM, this initiative underscores the institution’s commitment to fostering collaborative solutions for societal challenges in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Pons emphasized the importance of direct collaboration with educational spaces during a recent appearance on the EduMás platform’s “Viva la Mañana” program. She highlighted the role of ISFODOSU in empowering teachers, counselors, and principals to drive collective progress. Families are also central to ISFODOSU’s vision, as they are seen as the cornerstone of community development. The university’s outreach efforts have been met with enthusiastic responses from local communities. Among the innovative projects led by Dr. Pons is the Educational Sites Project, which transitions schools from traditional bulletin boards to digital platforms like Google Sites, enhancing transparency and project management. Another key initiative, the Positive Discipline Project, integrates research-based strategies from renowned educators such as Dr. Becky Bailey and Dr. Randall Sprick to promote positive behavior across school ecosystems. Dr. Pons, a dedicated educator and researcher, reaffirmed ISFODOSU’s mission to cultivate pedagogical excellence, emphasizing the institution’s focus on ethics, principles, and values in shaping the future of Dominican education.
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Royal Caribbean Unveils Colorful Ferry Fleet Ahead of Paradise Island Beach Club Launch
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Caribbean is set to make a splash with the introduction of a dynamic fleet of water ferries, designed to transport visitors to the eagerly awaited Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, slated for a December 2025 opening. The five bespoke ferries, managed by Bahamas Transport Logistics (BTL), a Bahamian-owned company, will serve as the initial touchpoint for cruise passengers heading to the new beach club. These vessels are engineered to blend efficiency with local culture, featuring lightweight aluminum hulls for seamless travel and vibrant, tropical-inspired designs. Philip Simon, President of Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering an exceptional, sustainable, and authentically Bahamian experience. The ferries, each named and colored after Bahamian wildlife — Flirty Flamingo (pink), Sassy Starfish (blue), Coral Calypso (orange), Twisted Turtle (green), and Lucky Lizard (turquoise) — are equipped with advanced navigation and propulsion systems, ensuring quick turnarounds while embodying the islands’ relaxed, fun-loving spirit. BTL’s involvement highlights Royal Caribbean’s dedication to centering Bahamians in the project, with the company overseeing daily operations and maintaining international safety and service standards. The ferry fleet is part of a broader initiative to infuse Bahamian culture into every facet of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island experience, from food and entertainment to decor and staffing. This 2025 launch will mark Royal Caribbean’s first private beach club, combining the island’s natural allure with the cruise line’s renowned hospitality. As development progresses on Paradise Island, the ferry fleet’s debut is poised to herald a uniquely Bahamian welcome for the thousands of visitors anticipated upon the project’s official opening.