In a stunning display of skill and determination, Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze delivered a masterclass performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to a resounding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby. The match, held at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, saw Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points, further solidifying their title aspirations.
标签： Jamaica
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TOUGH, BUT RIGHT CALL
The Vitality Netball Roses Horizon Series, a high-profile international netball competition between England and Jamaica, has faced a significant setback with the cancellation of its Jamaican leg due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The decision, though disappointing, was deemed necessary to prioritize the recovery efforts of the affected communities. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28, disrupted extensive planning and sponsor engagements, prompting stakeholders to focus on relief initiatives.
Karen Baugh, President of Netball Jamaica (NJ), expressed her regret over the cancellation but emphasized the importance of supporting hurricane recovery. ‘We were working very hard on putting on a great show, but we must come back stronger next year,’ Baugh stated. The series, designed to provide consistent, high-intensity competition for both teams, will now proceed with only the England leg, scheduled for December 13 and 14 at London’s Copper Box Arena.
In a show of solidarity, England Netball announced that £1 from every ticket sold for the London matches will be donated to World Central Kitchen (WCK), NJ’s charity partner, which is providing meals to Jamaican families affected by the hurricane. Fans are also encouraged to make optional donations at checkout.
Eboni Usoro-Brown, President of England Netball, highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations, stating, ‘The Sunshine Girls are more than opponents; they have shaped some of the most defining moments in our sport.’ She expressed pride in England Netball’s support for Jamaica during this challenging time and pledged to ensure the Sunshine Girls feel respected and supported in London.
The Jamaican team, already facing selection challenges due to the unavailability of key players, remains determined to perform at their best. ‘We are going out there to give it our best shot,’ Baugh affirmed, despite the absence of regular captain Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and other prominent players.
The cancellation underscores the broader impact of natural disasters on sports and community life, while the collaborative response highlights the resilience and unity within the netball community.
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Fitz-Henley and Tavares-Finson return to St Elizabeth with building supplies, urge multi-stakeholder effort
Government Senators Abka Fitz-Henley and Christian Tavares-Finson have emphasized the critical role of private stakeholders in aiding the state’s efforts to provide secure shelter for Jamaicans displaced by Hurricane Melissa. The senators made this appeal during their recent visit to several communities in St. Elizabeth, where they distributed essential building supplies, including cement, tarpaulin, zinc, nails, and water, all sourced from private contributions. These supplies were delivered to residents in Black River, Springvale, and Middle Quarters, areas severely impacted by the hurricane.
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Althea and Donna’s Uptown Top Ranking hits gold in the UK
Nearly five decades after their iconic song ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ took the music world by storm, Althea and Donna, the Jamaican reggae duo, reveal they have yet to receive any royalty payments. Released in 1977 and produced by Joe Gibbs, the track became a global sensation, topping the UK pop charts in early 1978 and achieving gold certification in 2005 for sales and streaming equivalent to over 400,000 units. Despite its enduring popularity, the duo claims they have never been financially compensated for their work. Currently, they are engaged in litigation, represented by the same legal team that handled Max Romeo’s estate. Althea shared their struggles, recalling how their initial lawyers were allegedly bought out by the record company, leaving them in a ‘losing battle.’ Donna echoed her sentiments, emphasizing their decision to move on with their lives despite the lack of financial gain. The recent gold certification has brought a sense of pride to the now 60-something artists, who expressed surprise and joy at the song’s lasting impact. Althea described the track as ‘almost a phenomenon,’ while Donna reflected on the honor of being part of such a cultural milestone. Recorded at Gibbs’ studio in St. Andrew, the song was born from a casual beach outing with friends, with Jacob Miller predicting its success. The duo’s unexpected rise to fame included performances on BBC’s ‘Top of the Pops’ and chart-topping success across Europe. While their children take pride in their legacy, Althea and Donna admit they would approach the music industry differently if given another chance, emphasizing the importance of proper contracts and business knowledge. Today, Althea resides in Atlanta, and Donna lives in Florida, reflecting on a career marked by both triumph and unresolved challenges.
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Patterson urges G20 leaders to prioritise climate justice
Former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson has urged global leaders at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, to prioritize climate justice as they address the pressing challenges faced by the world’s poorest nations. Patterson’s appeal comes in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, which has left hundreds homeless, destroyed critical infrastructure, and severely affected key industries like tourism and agriculture. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck Jamaica’s southwestern coast on October 28, has been linked to 45 deaths and caused an estimated $8.8 billion in damages, equivalent to 41% of Jamaica’s GDP. The World Bank has labeled Melissa as the costliest hurricane in the country’s history.
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50 children kidnapped from Nigerian school have escaped—Christian group
In a glimmer of hope amidst a harrowing crisis, fifty of the over 300 children abducted from St Mary’s co-education school in Niger state, Nigeria, have managed to escape their captors, according to a statement released by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday. The children, aged between eight and 18, fled between Friday and Saturday and have since been reunited with their families. This development follows a brazen attack by gunmen on Friday, who stormed the school and kidnapped 303 students and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass abductions in the country’s history. The incident has exacerbated growing security concerns in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, prompting widespread school closures. Earlier in the week, a similar attack occurred in Kebbi state, where 25 girls were abducted from a secondary school. Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger State, expressed cautious relief but urged continued prayers for the safe return of the remaining victims. The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the abduction.
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Brazil ‘very concerned’ about US naval build-up near Venezuela
Johannesburg, South Africa (AFP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva voiced deep concern on Sunday regarding the United States’ escalating military presence near Venezuela, emphasizing the potential for conflict. Speaking to reporters in Johannesburg following the G20 summit, Lula revealed his intention to address the issue directly with US President Donald Trump. “I am very troubled by the military assets the United States has deployed in the Caribbean Sea. This situation worries me, and I plan to discuss it with President Trump,” Lula stated. He further cautioned against the dangers of military escalation, drawing parallels to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “Once a shot is fired, it becomes difficult to predict the outcome,” he warned. The US has recently positioned an aircraft carrier strike group, additional naval warships, and stealth aircraft in the vicinity of Venezuela. On Friday, the US issued a warning to civilian aircraft operating in Venezuelan airspace, urging them to “exercise caution.” Since September, US forces have targeted over 20 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, resulting in more than 80 fatalities. US officials claim these operations were aimed at drug traffickers but have yet to provide substantiating evidence. The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a “terrorist” drug cartel and has not dismissed the possibility of deploying US troops. Lula, highlighting Brazil’s shared border with Venezuela, stressed the importance of seeking a diplomatic resolution before tensions escalate further. Notably, Trump opted not to attend the G20 summit in South Africa, citing a misalignment between the summit’s focus on global trade and climate change and US policies.
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Sorrel for Christmas?
Jamaica’s cherished Christmas tradition of enjoying sorrel, a deep red, gingery drink made from the Roselle plant, faces significant challenges this year due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Farmers in the northeastern parish of St Mary report severe damage to sorrel crops, with yields expected to plummet to just 10% of normal levels. The Category 5 storm, coupled with pre-existing leaf diseases and relentless rainfall, has left many fields flattened and crops ruined. Dave Evans, a sorrel farmer from Richmond, shared that his usual harvest of 9,000 pounds has been drastically reduced, forcing him to declare a loss for the season. Comisha Campbell-Clunis, another farmer, saw her 3,500 sorrel plants dwindle to just 1,500 survivors. The scarcity is expected to drive prices up to $1,500 per pound, a steep increase from the usual $500. Veteran farmer Junior Williams, who cultivates a hardy variety of sorrel, emphasized the resilience of the crop but acknowledged that even his fields suffered damage. Across the sector, farmers are struggling to salvage what remains, but the festive season may see many Jamaican tables without the traditional sorrel drink. The Minister of Agriculture, Floyd Green, has yet to comment on the situation, leaving farmers and consumers alike uncertain about the availability of this holiday staple.
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G20 grapples with splintering world order
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP)—As the G20 summit concluded in South Africa on Sunday, leaders emphasized the importance of multilateralism, even as they grappled with a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by unilateral U.S. policies, escalating conflicts, and intensifying geopolitical rivalries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney remarked, ‘Too many nations are retreating into protectionist blocs or geopolitical battlegrounds. What we’re witnessing is not a transition but a rupture.’ The summit, notably boycotted by the United States, sparked intense discussions on the future of the G20 in an increasingly fragmented world. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his closing remarks, described the gathering as ‘crucial,’ noting the growing global demand for progress on pressing issues. Despite the challenges to international cooperation, the G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism in a joint declaration, asserting that shared goals outweigh differences. Attendees included representatives from Europe, China, India, Japan, Turkey, Brazil, and Australia, marking the first G20 summit hosted in Africa. The leaders acknowledged the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and inequality. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the G20 might be nearing the end of an era, suggesting a refocus on strategic economic issues. The G20, established after the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, was initially designed to enhance global economic stability. However, the U.S. absence, attributed to policy disagreements with South Africa, cast a shadow over the event. Emerging economies and the Global South were highlighted as increasingly pivotal within the G20 framework. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asserted that multilateralism remains robust, despite efforts to undermine it. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed disappointment over the U.S. decision to skip the summit but noted the emergence of new global alliances.
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Golovkin elected president of World Boxing
PARIS, France (AFP)—In a significant development for the sport, former middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin has been elected as the president of World Boxing, the organization tasked with overseeing boxing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The 43-year-old Kazakh boxer, a two-time unified world middleweight champion and Olympic silver medalist, was unanimously chosen during the annual congress in Rome, where he stood as the sole candidate. Golovkin succeeds Dutchman Boris van der Vorst, who opted not to seek re-election after his 2023 appointment. In his inaugural statement, Golovkin emphasized his commitment to placing athletes at the core of decision-making and restoring trust in Olympic boxing. ‘Starting today, athletes will be at the heart of every decision we make,’ he declared. ‘On the road to LA28, we will restore trust in Olympic boxing to secure our place in Brisbane (host of the 2032 Olympics) beyond. Now it’s time to move forward as one united boxing family.’ Golovkin’s election comes amid a turbulent period for the sport, following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to sever ties with the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to governance and ethical concerns. The IOC managed boxing at the Tokyo and Paris Games while deliberating the sport’s Olympic future. World Boxing, established in 2023, has now taken the reins, with Golovkin at the helm. His appointment follows the recent election of Manny Pacquiao, another boxing legend, as vice president of the IBA, highlighting the sport’s ongoing efforts to navigate its challenges and secure its Olympic legacy.