The Caribbean region is witnessing escalating tensions as the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest military aircraft carrier, has entered the southern Caribbean Sea. This development coincides with growing concerns over the crisis between Venezuela and the increasing presence of US military forces in the area. In response, religious organizations have issued urgent calls for peace and dialogue. On November 21, the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association Inc (ASJA), one of the oldest and largest Muslim organizations in Trinidad and Tobago, released a statement expressing deep concern over the situation. ASJA emphasized the Caribbean’s historical role as a zone of peace and urged leaders to prioritize diplomacy and mutual respect over aggression. The statement highlighted the devastating consequences of war, citing examples from Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Afghanistan, and stressed the sanctity of life in Islamic teachings. ASJA called for moral responsibility and caution in addressing conflicts. Earlier, on November 17, the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) also voiced solidarity with other religious bodies, expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis and condemning extrajudicial killings in international waters. The CCSJ emphasized the need for dialogue, compassion, and adherence to international law.
作者： admin
-
Australia’s seven-wicket hero Starc ready to go again
PERTH, Australia — Mitchell Starc showcased his unwavering confidence and skill on the opening day of the first Ashes Test, delivering a stellar performance that kept Australia in contention. The 35-year-old fast bowler wreaked havoc at Perth Stadium, claiming 7 wickets for 58 runs and dismantling England’s batting lineup for a modest total of 172. Despite England’s strong response with their own pace attack, reducing Australia to 123-9 by stumps, the match remains delicately balanced. Starc’s dominance began in the very first over, dismissing Zak Crawley and setting the tone for his unplayable spell. Reflecting on his ability to strike early, Starc remarked, “It’s always the plan, but it doesn’t always happen that way. I’ve been fortunate to do it a few times.” Known for his aggressive approach, Starc emphasized his focus on taking wickets rather than worrying about economy rates. With key bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined due to injuries, Starc has shouldered additional responsibility but remains composed. “I’ve been quite calm all week,” he said, highlighting the depth of experience in Australia’s bowling attack. As Australia trails by 49 runs heading into day two, Starc is prepared to deliver another impactful performance to keep his team in the hunt. He dismissed concerns about the pitch, attributing the 19 wickets fallen in a day to the quality of both bowling attacks. “It’s just one of those days where two attacks are on the money,” he noted, emphasizing the long road ahead in the series. Starc’s brilliance has set the stage for an enthralling contest as the Ashes unfolds.
-
Gabriel faces ‘weeks’ out of action in major blow for Arsenal
Arsenal’s defensive stalwart Gabriel Magalhaes is set to miss several weeks of action after sustaining a thigh injury during international duty, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday. The Brazilian centre-back, who has been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense this season, suffered the setback during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly victory over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend. Arteta expressed his disappointment, stating, ‘Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team, and he’s going to be out for weeks. We’ll have a clearer timeline after another scan next Wednesday.’
Gabriel’s absence is a significant blow to Arsenal, as he has been instrumental in their Premier League campaign, forming a formidable partnership with William Saliba and contributing to a defense that has conceded just five goals in 11 games. Arteta acknowledged the challenge, saying, ‘It’s clearly a blow because he’s our leader in our backline. The good thing is that we have very good options, and people have to step up now.’
Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are among the contenders to fill Gabriel’s shoes in the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday. However, Arteta emphasized that Gabriel’s leadership and defensive prowess are irreplaceable. ‘Every player brings specific qualities, and Gabi’s is his leadership, his presence, and that love he has to defend,’ he added.
Arsenal’s injury woes extend beyond Gabriel, with left-back Riccardo Calafiori also sidelined due to lingering issues. Arteta revealed, ‘He’s been carrying a few things and hasn’t trained yet. We’ll assess his condition in tomorrow’s training session.’ Additionally, long-term absentees Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres remain unavailable.
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal remains at the top of the Premier League, four points clear of Manchester City. Their upcoming clash with Tottenham promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Spurs boasting the best away record in the league this season. Arsenal, however, have a strong historical advantage, having lost just once at home to their rivals since 1993.
-
Gov’t weighs new school models to prevent learning loss
In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica’s south-western coast on October 28, the Government is rolling out innovative strategies to mitigate significant learning loss among students. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon unveiled the ‘Host School Model,’ a temporary solution enabling students from non-operational schools to continue their education in functioning institutions while remaining officially enrolled in their original schools. This initiative aims to preserve educational continuity without formal transfers, addressing the cultural and logistical challenges of transitioning between schools.
-
Precaution, not panic
Jamaica is grappling with a leptospirosis outbreak following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last month. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton confirmed the outbreak on Friday, attributing it to the flooding and unsanitary conditions left by the Category 5 hurricane, which struck the island on October 28. The bacterial disease, transmitted through contaminated water, soil, or food, has already claimed six lives, with 87 suspected, probable, and confirmed cases reported since 2024. Of these, 37 cases emerged post-Melissa, with 10 confirmed and six deaths linked to the hurricane. St. James Parish, particularly Montego Bay, has been the hardest hit, recording 17 cases and four deaths. Other affected areas include St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, Hanover, and Westmoreland. National epidemiologist Dr. Karen Webster Kerr emphasized that leptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, thrives in floodwaters contaminated by animal urine, particularly from rats, livestock, and pets. The disease, which mimics symptoms of influenza, meningitis, and dengue, is treatable but can lead to severe complications affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie urged the public to take preventive measures, including wearing protective gear during cleanup activities and seeking medical attention for severe symptoms like jaundice, dark urine, or respiratory distress. Health officials are also encouraging blood donations to support critically ill patients. While the outbreak poses a significant public health risk, authorities are calling for calm and proactive measures to curb its spread.
-
Miss Mexico wins Miss Universe
In a night filled with unexpected twists and controversies, Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch emerged victorious at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant held in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The event, one of the world’s most prestigious beauty competitions, saw Bosch triumph over contestants from Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Thailand, and Venezuela, who were selected from over 120 participants. However, the road to her coronation was anything but smooth. The pageant was marred by a series of dramatic incidents, including a walkout by Bosch after she was publicly criticized by Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil. The confrontation occurred during a livestreamed meeting where Nawat accused Bosch of failing to promote the event on her social media accounts. Bosch, supported by Miss Iraq, left the room after Nawat called for security, sparking a moment of solidarity among other contestants. Bosch later addressed the media, stating, ‘What your director did is not respectful: He called me dumb. The world needs to see this because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice.’ Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised Bosch as an ‘example of how we women should speak out’ in the face of aggression. Nawat later apologized and congratulated Bosch during a press conference. The pageant also faced allegations of rigging, with two judges resigning, one claiming an ‘illegitimate vote’ had taken place. Additionally, Miss Britain Danielle Latimer tripped during the costume round, and Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry was hospitalized after falling off the stage during the evening gown showcase. Despite the chaos, Bosch expressed her desire to be remembered as ‘a Miss Universe that wasn’t afraid to be herself’ and someone who ‘changed, a little bit, the prototype of what is a Miss Universe.’
-
First mud, now dust
Montego Bay, St James, is facing a dual environmental crisis following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. While the hurricane left behind significant flooding and debris, the city is now contending with a severe dust problem as the deposited silt dries up. Mayor Richard Vernon addressed the issue during a press conference on Thursday, highlighting the health risks posed by the pervasive dust clouds. He urged residents to wear masks and outlined measures to mitigate the issue, including wetting the ground and extensive washing of affected areas. The cleanup effort has already removed 1,636 truckloads of debris from hard-hit communities like Catherine Hall and Westgreen. Vernon emphasized the use of bleach and sanitizers to minimize health risks and expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), for their assistance in the recovery process. Despite speculation about CHEC’s role in the flooding, Vernon called for a proper assessment by the National Works Agency (NWA) and acknowledged CHEC’s contributions to the cleanup. The scale of the task is immense, with over 3,500 residents and 1,300 households affected. The mayor remains committed to restoring the city to a state of sanitation and safety.
-
SPEID’S THE MAN!
In a decisive move to bolster their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has appointed Rudolph Speid as the interim head coach of the Reggae Boyz. The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting at the JFF headquarters in Kingston on Friday, attended by President Michael Ricketts, Vice-Presidents Elaine Walker-Brown and Gregory Daley, and Acting General Manager Omar McFarlane. Speid, who currently chairs the JFF’s technical committee, will assume his new role on December 15, while negotiations with Miguel Coley, a former assistant coach, are ongoing for a supporting position. Coley, currently with Zakho Sports Club in Iraq, has expressed enthusiasm about returning to the national team. The coaching shakeup follows Steve McClaren’s resignation after Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with Curacao, which dashed their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification. The Reggae Boyz will now face New Caledonia in the inter-confederation play-offs in March, with the winner advancing to play the Democratic Republic of Congo for a World Cup spot. Ricketts emphasized the urgency of the appointment, stating that Speid and Coley were the ideal candidates to ‘hit the track running.’ Speid, a three-time Jamaica Premier League champion with Cavalier FC, brings a wealth of regional success and a Concacaf ‘A’ license to the role. Despite scrutiny over his multiple positions within the JFF, Ricketts confirmed that Speid will take a leave of absence from his other duties to focus on coaching. Coley, who previously assisted Winfried Schafer, has a proven track record, including guiding Jamaica College to numerous schoolboy titles and holding assistant managerial roles in the Middle East. Both coaches are determined to lead Jamaica to their second World Cup appearance.
-
Gang Suppression Force threatens bandits in Haiti
In a determined effort to restore stability in Haiti, Kenyan forces, under the leadership of FSP Commander Godfrey Otunge, have ramped up intelligence-driven operations and continuous patrols across critical regions. Otunge emphasized that these initiatives are designed to send a resolute message: the unchecked dominance of criminal gangs is coming to an end. Through strategic and visible actions, the mission aims to dismantle gang networks and reclaim security for Haitian communities. The FSP has implemented a multi-faceted security strategy, leveraging resources across land, sea, and air to ensure comprehensive coverage. Otunge reiterated the ultimate objective: to foster peace, safeguard vulnerable populations, and guarantee that every Haitian can live free from fear, with their fundamental human rights fully protected. The Kenyan official affirmed that joint operations will persist without interruption until all criminal entities are eradicated and neutralized.
-
Woman Detained After Urging Venezuela to Attack T&T PM’s Residence
A Trinidadian woman, Olive Green-Jack, has been detained following allegations that she urged the Venezuelan government to target the residence of Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The incident stems from a social media post in which Green-Jack shared a photo of one of the Prime Minister’s residences and called for Venezuelan action against it. Authorities issued a detention order on November 12, citing her comments as a severe threat to national security and public safety. This development follows Venezuela’s declaration of Persad-Bissessar as persona non grata in October, a response to her support for U.S. naval exercises near Venezuelan waters, which Caracas viewed as a violation of its sovereignty. Green-Jack is currently being held at the Trinidad & Tobago Women’s Prison. The case has raised concerns about potential external influences inciting violence within the country.