Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody on Saturday after the Supreme Court determined he posed a significant flight risk. Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest while appealing a 27-year prison sentence for his role in a foiled coup attempt, allegedly tried to disable his ankle monitor to escape. The court revealed that Bolsonaro used a soldering iron on the device, which he claimed was out of “curiosity.” Despite the damage, the monitor remained functional. Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the detention as a preventive measure, citing concerns over a planned vigil organized by Bolsonaro’s son, Flavio, which could create chaos and facilitate an escape. Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, has been confined to an upscale condominium in Brasilia since August. Moraes also highlighted the proximity of Bolsonaro’s residence to the US embassy, raising fears he might seek asylum. Bolsonaro, a former army captain and ally of ex-US President Donald Trump, has faced widespread criticism for his handling of the Amazon deforestation and the COVID-19 pandemic. His conviction in September accused him of leading a criminal organization to maintain authoritarian power. The case has left Brazil’s conservative electorate without a clear leader ahead of the 2026 presidential elections, where leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to run for a fourth term. Bolsonaro’s legal team has vowed to appeal the detention, citing his alleged frail health due to a 2018 stabbing incident. Meanwhile, reactions to his imprisonment have been polarized, with supporters decrying it as political persecution and opponents celebrating his downfall.
标签： Jamaica
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Fire station for a home
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that wreaked havoc across western Jamaica, approximately 15 firefighters found themselves without homes, turning their fire stations into temporary shelters. Jamaica Fire Brigade Commissioner Stewart Beckford revealed that 193 firefighters were impacted by the disaster, with 25 experiencing total destruction of their homes and 168 facing significant damage. Many of these first responders were still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Beryl when Melissa struck, compounding their struggles.
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Eze treble fuels Arsenal’s derby rout of Spurs
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.
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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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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.
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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.
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US records second human bird flu death of year
A Washington state resident has become the first recorded human case of the rare H5N5 avian influenza strain, marking a significant development in global health monitoring. The individual, described as an older adult with pre-existing health conditions, succumbed to the virus after being hospitalized earlier this month. The Washington State Department of Health confirmed the diagnosis, which was subsequently verified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health officials emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, as no other cases have been reported, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The patient reportedly kept a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds, which is believed to be the source of the infection.
This incident marks the second human fatality linked to avian influenza in the United States this year, following a death from the H5N1 strain in Louisiana in January. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented over 1,000 human cases of bird flu across 25 countries since 2003, encompassing all known strains of the virus. The CDC has recorded more than 70 human cases of bird flu in the US this year alone, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance in monitoring zoonotic diseases.
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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.’