LONDON, United Kingdom — England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced the recall of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to the national squad ahead of the final World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The Three Lions, having already secured their spot in next year’s tournament, will conclude their Group K campaign with a home match against Serbia at Wembley on Thursday, followed by an away fixture against Albania three days later.
标签： Jamaica
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Sagicor commits J$200 million to support Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to aid communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa, Sagicor Group Jamaica, through its philanthropic arm, the Sagicor Foundation, has pledged approximately J$200 million in relief funding. This comprehensive support package includes J$40 million allocated specifically for Sagicor employees affected by the storm. To date, 224 employees residing in the hardest-hit parishes have been identified for targeted assistance. As part of its immediate response, the company has distributed “family boxes” to over 670 individuals, including team members and their families, across 48 communities in five parishes. Volunteers from Sagicor’s subsidiaries were mobilized to assist with the packaging and distribution of these essential supplies. Additionally, the company is offering grants for immediate needs and interest-free loans to support long-term rebuilding efforts for affected employees. These local initiatives are bolstered by Sagicor Financial Company (SFC), the group’s parent company, which has pledged matching donations from employees in other Sagicor territories to aid long-term recovery. Sagicor is also exploring further ways to assist clients severely impacted by the hurricane, helping them regain stability and normalcy during this challenging period. Christopher Zacca, President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica and Chairman of the Sagicor Foundation, personally visited Black River, St Elizabeth, to oversee relief distribution and assess the damage. “The devastation in Black River is heartbreaking, and we are committed to supporting our team members, clients, and the broader community in rebuilding their lives,” Zacca stated. He emphasized Sagicor’s long-standing commitment to Jamaica, reaffirming the company’s dedication to recovery efforts. The Sagicor Foundation will continue to coordinate relief initiatives as recovery progresses across the island.
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Markets drop as valuations and US jobs, rates spook investors
Global stock markets experienced a downturn on Friday, mirroring Wall Street’s losses as investors grappled with weak US jobs data and mixed signals from the Federal Reserve regarding potential interest rate cuts. The week’s volatility culminated in a negative close, fueled by a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealing that US layoff announcements reached a 22-year high last month. This marked the worst year for layoffs since 2020, when the pandemic severely impacted the labor market. Investors, relying on private data due to the ongoing government shutdown, faced heightened uncertainty about the US economy’s health. While recent private hiring data showed an increase, concerns about the labor market persisted, pressuring the Fed to consider a third consecutive rate cut in December. However, comments from Fed officials, including Cleveland Fed chief Beth Hammack and Chicago Fed boss Austan Goolsbee, suggested that another rate reduction was not guaranteed. Hammack emphasized the need to address high inflation, calling the current policy ‘barely restrictive.’ Goolsbee expressed unease about making decisions without comprehensive data during the shutdown. Wall Street’s major indexes, particularly tech-heavy Nasdaq and S&P 500, ended the day down, with tech firms bearing the brunt of the sell-off. Asian markets, including Tokyo and Seoul, also declined, while European markets showed mixed results. The recent market rally, driven by AI investments and hopes for rate cuts, has sparked concerns about overvaluation and potential corrections. Pepperstone’s Michael Brown noted the fragility of market sentiment but maintained a bullish outlook, citing robust earnings growth and a resilient economy.
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Freak storm causes anxiety in several St James communities
Residents of St James, Jamaica, were left in a state of alarm on Friday afternoon as powerful winds swept through several communities, evoking memories of past severe weather events. South St James bore the brunt of the phenomenon, with locals describing the experience as both sudden and unsettling. Marcia Anderson, a resident of the Tangle River community, recounted the moment the winds began to howl. “We saw trees and bamboo swaying violently, and leaves flying everywhere, but it stopped shortly after,” she told Observer Online. Anderson also noted the eerie change in the atmosphere, saying, “The place turned white as if heavy rain was imminent, but it never came.” Her concerns were heightened by a call from a relative overseas who had warned of a potential weather system that might impact the region. “I thought this was it,” she admitted, though the winds subsided quickly. Another resident from the Meadows of Irwin community, who chose to remain anonymous, described the event as deeply traumatic. “I nearly had a panic attack,” she said, drawing parallels to the destructive Hurricane Melissa. She reported sustained showers accompanying the winds, which soaked her patio and caused water to seep through her bedroom window. “It felt like it lasted 20 minutes,” she added, emphasizing the intensity of the experience. While the winds eventually died down, the incident left many residents on edge, reminding them of the vulnerability of their communities to sudden weather changes.
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Windies strike first in New Zealand
In a gripping start to their five-match T20I series, the West Indies emerged victorious against New Zealand, defending a modest total of 164 to secure a seven-run win at Eden Park on Wednesday. The match, marked by intense moments and stellar performances, saw the West Indies successfully defend the lowest-ever total at the venue, thanks to a captain’s innings from Shai Hope and a brilliant all-round display by Roston Chase. New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner nearly turned the tide with a late blitz, but the West Indies held their nerve to claim the win.
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Scotiabank commits J$165 million to support hurricane relief efforts
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, Scotiabank has pledged a substantial financial contribution to aid Jamaica’s recovery and rebuilding initiatives. The bank has announced an initial commitment of CAD$400,000 (approximately J$48 million) to support relief efforts across the island. Additionally, the Scotiabank Foundation has earmarked J$100 million to bolster the nation’s economic resilience and assist in the recovery process. These funds will be channeled through trusted organizations actively engaged in providing aid to affected families and communities.
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PAHO urges governments to do more to deal with malaria cases
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a compelling call to governments and stakeholders across the Americas to prioritize access to timely malaria diagnosis and treatment, particularly in remote and indigenous communities where the disease persists. Speaking on Malaria Day in the Americas, PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa emphasized that every malaria case is preventable and treatable, urging collaboration between health services and communities to ensure universal access to testing and treatment.
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Camels replace cows as Kenya battles drought
In the arid landscapes of northern Kenya, where rain has been absent since April, the Samburu community is turning to an unlikely savior: camels. Chapan Lolpusike, a herder from the semi-nomadic Samburu tribe, recalls the devastating impact of the worst drought in four decades, which wiped out his cattle. ‘We no longer have cattle at home. We only raise camels,’ he said, highlighting a significant shift in livelihood strategies. Camels, known for their resilience, can graze on dry grasses, endure weeks without water, and produce up to six times more milk than cattle, making them indispensable in this climate-vulnerable region.
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Hurricane left millions of tons of debris in Jamaica – UN
The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, describing it as one of the most devastating climate disasters in the island’s history. During a press briefing on Thursday, Kishan Khoday, the UN Development Program’s representative in Jamaica, revealed that the hurricane generated nearly five million tons of debris, severely obstructing roads and disrupting access to essential services. Satellite imagery indicates that the debris could fill almost half a million standard trucks, leaving entire communities surrounded by wreckage. Khoday emphasized the urgency of debris removal, stating that delays would exacerbate the crisis by prolonging road blockages, halting vital services, and deepening the economic and humanitarian toll. Initial estimates suggest the storm caused damage equivalent to 30% of Jamaica’s GDP, with figures expected to rise. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, claimed 32 lives on the island and 76 across the Caribbean. A study by Imperial College London attributes the storm’s intensified power to human-induced climate change, underscoring the growing threat of extreme weather events.
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St Vincent man killed weeks after death threats left on his social media
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — Authorities in St Vincent are currently investigating the fatal shooting of Shem Walker, a young man in his early 20s, whose body was discovered on Wednesday near a crashed vehicle in Akers. The incident marks the 34th homicide recorded in St Vincent and the Grenadines this year, highlighting a concerning trend of escalating violence in the region.