The Trinidad and Tobago Government has publicly distanced itself from the United States’ decision to revoke the visa of Gary Aboud, the corporate secretary of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS). Aboud, a vocal critic of the US naval presence near Venezuela, received notification from the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago that his B1/B2 visa had been revoked due to new information rendering him ‘inadmissible’ to the United States.
标签： Jamaica
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Pogba debuts for Monaco in first game in over two years
In a highly anticipated comeback, Paul Pogba returned to competitive football on Saturday, marking his first appearance in over two years. The 32-year-old midfielder came on as a late substitute for Monaco in their 4-1 loss to Rennes. Pogba’s career has been marred by injuries, a doping suspension, and an extortion case in which he was the victim. Despite these challenges, he expressed gratitude for his return, stating, ‘Football isn’t over for me. We’ve worked hard, we’ve waited more than two years to get back, and today it finally happened. Thank God.’
Pogba received a warm ovation from the crowd at Roazhon Park when he entered the pitch in the 85th minute and again after the final whistle. ‘It really touched me to see the crowd stand and applaud. I honestly didn’t expect that, so a huge thank you to all the fans who were there today and supported me,’ he said. Pogba’s return comes after a tumultuous period that included a four-year doping ban, later reduced to 18 months, and the termination of his contract with Juventus in November 2023.
Monaco took a gamble on Pogba following the conclusion of his suspension in March, and coach Sebastien Pocognoli chose to bring him on despite the team’s dire situation, trailing by four goals and down to 10 men. Rennes dominated the match with goals from Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mahdi Camara, Breel Embolo, and Ludovic Blas, while Monaco’s lone goal came from Mika Biereth after Pogba’s introduction.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) maintained their lead in Ligue 1 with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Le Havre. Goals from Lee Kang-in, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola secured the win, allowing PSG to reclaim their two-point cushion at the top of the table. Earlier on Saturday, Marseille and Lens had temporarily overtaken PSG, with Lens edging Strasbourg 1-0 thanks to Ismaelo Ganiou’s second-half winner. Marseille, however, dominated Nice with a 5-1 victory on Friday, with Mason Greenwood scoring twice to become the league’s top scorer with 10 goals.
Pogba’s return marks a significant moment in his career, as he looks to regain full fitness and contribute to Monaco’s campaign. ‘I’m relieved to be back playing football, the thing I love most in the world. But there’s still work to do to get back to full fitness, play 90 minutes, and help the team as much as possible,’ he added.
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Fitz-Henley lauds efforts of security forces and policymakers as murders fall 42%
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is witnessing a remarkable 42% reduction in murders this year compared to 2024, a development that has been widely praised by State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley. Speaking in the Upper House of Parliament on Friday, Fitz-Henley attributed this significant decline to the combined efforts of the nation’s security forces and policymakers. This achievement marks the lowest annual murder rate Jamaica has recorded in nearly three decades.
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SRC urges vigilance over food safety
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Scientific Research Council (SRC) has issued a stern warning to Jamaicans about the increased risks of gastroenteritis and other food and water-borne illnesses. Ray-Anne Shaw Phillips, team leader of the SRC’s analytical services department, emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, particularly regarding symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and severe dehydration. She advised those experiencing prolonged symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
The aftermath of the hurricane has also raised concerns about leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can spread through contaminated water. Shaw Phillips highlighted the dangers of floodwater, which often contains a hazardous mix of pesticides, chemicals, oil, human and animal waste, and decaying matter. This toxic combination creates an ideal environment for microbial growth, posing significant health risks.
To mitigate these risks, the SRC recommends discarding any food that may have come into contact with floodwater, even if it was stored in plastic or cardboard containers. The council also urges the public to treat water before consumption by boiling it or using disinfectants. Additionally, the SRC offers accredited testing services for food and water supplies, including checks for E. coli, coliforms, turbidity, and pH levels.
As Jamaica continues its recovery efforts, the SRC remains committed to supporting residents, businesses, and community groups in ensuring the safety of their food and water supplies. Those in need of testing services can contact the council via telephone at (876) 927-1771, email at edoffice@src.gov.jm, or through their website and social media channels.
Shaw Phillips expressed empathy for those affected by the hurricane and stressed the importance of vigilance during the recovery process. ‘After a hurricane, there is always increased public health risk,’ she said. ‘We must ensure that we do not exacerbate the situation by consuming contaminated items.’
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Chelsea sink Burnley to close gap on leaders Arsenal
In a hard-fought encounter at Turf Moor on Saturday, Chelsea emerged victorious with a 2-0 win against Burnley, further solidifying their position in the Premier League title race. Pedro Neto broke the deadlock just before halftime, while Enzo Fernandez sealed the victory with a late goal. This triumph propelled Chelsea to second place in the league standings, just three points behind leaders Arsenal, who are set to face Tottenham on Sunday. The Blues have been in impressive form, winning eight of their last ten matches across all competitions, marking a significant milestone in Enzo Maresca’s 50th Premier League game as manager. The victory serves as an ideal preparation for Chelsea’s upcoming crucial fixtures, including a Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday and a high-stakes Premier League encounter with Arsenal on November 30. Despite the possibility of dropping to third place if Manchester City avoids defeat against Newcastle, Chelsea’s hard-earned win in freezing conditions at Burnley has undoubtedly boosted their title momentum. Maresca praised his team’s resilience, particularly after the international break, and emphasized the importance of maintaining their form. Burnley, on the other hand, continues to struggle, having lost five of their last seven league matches. Chelsea faced challenges with key players Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo sidelined due to injuries and fatigue, respectively. Maresca also expressed frustration over the early kick-off time, which was compounded by an early incident involving goalkeeper Robert Sanchez accidentally kicking the ball into Fernandez’s head, requiring a brief concussion check. Despite these setbacks, Chelsea managed to assert control and secure a vital win.
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‘Tap into the happy’
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck southwestern Jamaica on October 28 with devastating 185 mph winds and torrential rainfall, has left a lasting impact on the mental health of children in the region. Among the most affected is Mae Allen’s two-year-old grandson, who now cries at the mere sound of raindrops, a stark reminder of the traumatic evacuation his family endured during the storm. This fear is just one example of the psychological scars left by the Category 5 hurricane, which claimed over 40 lives and left hundreds homeless.
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NEPA says tadpole surge after Hurricane Melissa ‘no cause for concern’
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has responded to a viral social media video showcasing a surge of tadpoles in a water body following Hurricane Melissa. The agency emphasized that this phenomenon is a natural occurrence and not a cause for alarm. NEPA clarified that the excess standing water left by the hurricane creates ideal conditions for cane toads to lay eggs, even in areas that may seem unusual to the public. The agency explained that the tadpoles observed in the video likely resulted from a recent spawning event, with a single female cane toad capable of producing thousands of eggs in one brood. This reproductive strategy, involving large clutches of eggs, is a survival mechanism to counteract the high mortality rates among tadpoles and juveniles. NEPA assured the public that only a small fraction of these tadpoles will survive to adulthood. While there are no immediate negative impacts, NEPA encouraged communities to remove standing water and fill stagnant areas to reduce breeding opportunities for cane toads and control mosquito populations. The agency also warned against using chemicals or bleach to kill tadpoles, as this could harm the environment and native species.
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United States warns against flying over Venezuelan airspace
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a critical security notice to airmen (NOTAM) regarding potential hazards in Venezuelan airspace. The alert, released late Friday, highlights increased global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interference and the commencement of military exercises in Venezuela starting September. While several airlines continued operations to and from Venezuela on Saturday, U.S. operators are now mandated to provide the FAA with a 72-hour advance notice before traversing Venezuelan airspace. This measure supplements an existing 2019 order that already prohibits U.S. airlines from flying to or from Venezuela. The NOTAM specifically addresses the MAIQUETIA (SVZM) flight information region (FIR), which encompasses all of Venezuela’s landmass and extends approximately 350 miles into the Caribbean Sea. Notably, flight information regions, such as MAIQUETIA FIR, are administrative divisions for air traffic control and do not align with national boundaries. The FAA’s advisory underscores growing concerns over aviation safety in the region amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
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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.
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After Melissa, egg farmers put GCT removal back on table
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica’s poultry industry, egg farmers are intensifying their appeal for the removal of the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on eggs. The Jamaica Egg Farmers Association (JEFA) argues that this measure, combined with the proposed importation of table eggs, would alleviate the financial strain on consumers during the upcoming Christmas season. Cheryl McLeod, Senior Director at JEFA, emphasized the need for government support to ensure affordable egg prices and stabilize supply. The Category Five hurricane, with winds reaching 185 mph, caused extensive damage to coops and decimated chicken flocks, exacerbating production losses still lingering from Hurricane Beryl in 2022. McLeod highlighted the prolonged recovery period, noting that restoring egg production could take up to six months due to the trauma inflicted on surviving birds. Farmers like Ronald Ranger of RanGeorge Farm Enterprise shared harrowing accounts of structural damage and flock losses, with production dropping by a third post-storm. While JEFA plans to coordinate egg imports through partnerships with Jamaica Broilers and Caribbean Broilers, McLeod stressed the importance of integrating local farmers into the distribution process. The association aims to have the first batch of imported eggs arrive by December 1, but farmers are urging the government to expedite rebuilding efforts to restore production within three to four months.