As Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, approached Jamaica, the residents of Priory in St Ann were already grappling with its early impacts. Evadney Mills, a local resident, shared her ordeal with Observer Online, revealing that her son’s roof had been torn off by the storm’s fierce winds on Monday night. Mills was en route to a hardware store to purchase zinc for urgent repairs, stopping briefly at a gas station to refuel. The Boot gas station in Mamee Bay, St Ann, became a temporary refuge for many preparing for the storm’s full force. Mills described the weather conditions as increasingly severe, with strong winds and heavy waves battering the area. Despite the visible damage, including fallen trees and scattered debris, Mills expressed gratitude for their safety. A large tree near a busy roundabout in St Ann had partially collapsed, though the road remained passable. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued continuous warnings, urging residents to prepare for sustained winds, torrential rainfall, and potential flooding as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Eye of Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in New Hope, Westmoreland
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa unleashed its fury on Jamaica as its eye began impacting the island at 11:00 am. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), the storm’s core officially made landfall at 12:02 pm in New Hope, Westmoreland, with staggering wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. The hurricane has triggered widespread devastation, particularly along the island’s south coast, with severe flooding and significant property damage reported in St Elizabeth, Manchester, Westmoreland, and St James. Authorities have issued urgent warnings for residents to remain indoors as the situation is anticipated to deteriorate further. Emergency response teams are on high alert, but the extreme weather conditions are hampering rescue and relief efforts.
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Musk launches Grokipedia to rival ‘left-biased’ Wikipedia
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, unveiled Grokipedia on Monday, positioning it as a rival to the widely-used online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Musk has frequently criticized Wikipedia for its perceived ideological bias, and Grokipedia aims to offer an alternative focused on impartiality and truth. The initial version, labeled 0.1, launched with over 885,000 articles, a fraction of Wikipedia’s more than seven million English entries. Musk promised a future version, 1.0, which he claims will be “10X better” than the current iteration, already touted as superior to Wikipedia. “Our mission is to pursue the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” Musk declared on X, formerly known as Twitter. The launch, initially scheduled for late September, was delayed to allow for the removal of what Musk termed “propaganda.” Grokipedia’s content is generated by AI, including the generative assistant Grok, which xAI developed. The platform has already drawn praise from some right-wing figures, including Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin, who lauded its neutrality compared to Wikipedia’s alleged bias. Wikipedia, established in 2001, operates as a volunteer-driven, donation-funded platform with a reputation for transparency and continuous improvement. A Wikimedia Foundation spokesperson emphasized the human-centric nature of Wikipedia, noting that AI projects like Grokipedia rely on human-created knowledge. While the long-term impact of Grokipedia remains uncertain, its launch marks a significant challenge to Wikipedia’s dominance in the digital encyclopedia space.
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Trinidad to deport Venezuelans
The Trinidad and Tobago government has announced plans to deport 200 illegal Venezuelan immigrants as part of a broader initiative to combat criminal activities within the country. The Ministry of Homeland Security has issued a directive mandating that all undocumented migrants be held at the Immigration Detention Centre pending deportation. This policy, which takes immediate effect, supersedes previous practices of placing illegal immigrants on Orders of Supervision. The decision was formalized in a memo signed by Videsh Maharaj, Permanent Secretary of Homeland Security, and will remain in force until further notice. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the deportation targets only those illegal immigrants who have committed criminal offenses, regardless of nationality. She clarified that the policy does not apply to children and is specifically aimed at individuals detained in jails or detention centers for criminal activities. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, particularly over the U.S. military presence in the region. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recently suspended all energy agreements between the two nations, accusing Trinidad and Tobago of supporting U.S. efforts to instigate regime change in Venezuela. The deportation policy reflects the government’s broader strategy to address illegal immigration, which has been linked to rising criminality in the country.
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Amazon says cutting 14,000 jobs globally
PARIS, France (AFP) — In a significant move to optimize its operations and focus on artificial intelligence (AI), Amazon, the US-based online retail behemoth, revealed on Tuesday its decision to eliminate 14,000 corporate jobs. The announcement, made via a statement on the company’s corporate website, did not specify the regions or departments affected by the layoffs. Senior Vice-President Beth Galetti, who signed the statement, emphasized that the decision is part of Amazon’s ongoing strategy to reduce bureaucracy, streamline operations, and allocate resources toward its most impactful initiatives.
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USS Gravely welcomes Lochmaben RC students aboard
The USS Gravely, a US naval vessel, has been actively fostering US-Trinidad and Tobago (TT) relations through a series of collaborative initiatives. Docked at the Port of Spain since October 26, the ship is part of a joint training exercise with the TT Defence Force (TTDF), aimed at enhancing regional security cooperation. On October 27, 35 students and 15 teachers from the Lochmaben Roman Catholic School in Cedros were given an exclusive tour of the ship, hosted by the vessel’s sailors and leadership. This visit underscores the longstanding partnership between the US and TT, as highlighted by the US Embassy in a recent news release. The USS Gravely’s presence in TT is part of the US Southern Command’s (US Southcom) broader efforts to strengthen ties with the Caribbean nation. Earlier this year, US Navy Seabees completed critical infrastructure upgrades at the Lochmaben RC School during Operation Continuing Promise, which included structural repairs and improvements to water, sewage, and electrical systems. In September, US Southcom, through the US Embassy, donated educational materials and equipment to the school, including 13 computers, a printer, office furniture, and other resources to enhance learning opportunities. Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz, US Embassy chargé d’affaires, emphasized the significance of the USS Gravely tour, calling it a testament to the deep ties between the US and TT. She noted the enthusiasm of the students and teachers, describing their presence on board as a delight for the sailors. Beverley Findley, principal of Lochmaben RC School, expressed gratitude for the US Embassy’s support, describing the tour as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ that broadened students’ horizons. The USS Gravely’s visit follows other US Southcom engagements in TT this year, including the USNS Comfort’s medical and humanitarian mission in August and the Tradewinds exercise co-hosted with the TTDF in April and May.
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14 more killed in 3 alleged drug-trafficking boat strikes by US
In a decisive move against drug trafficking networks, the United States has carried out three targeted strikes in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals allegedly involved in narcotics operations. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the operation on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the strikes were executed under the directives of President Donald Trump. The operation, conducted on October 27, targeted four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations (DTOs) known for trafficking narcotics. Hegseth detailed that the vessels were identified by US intelligence and were traversing established drug smuggling routes. The strikes, which occurred in international waters, resulted in no harm to US forces. Hegseth also noted that the US Southern Command initiated search-and-rescue protocols, with Mexican authorities taking over the coordination. He underscored the US commitment to combating narco-terrorism, stating that these groups have caused more American deaths than Al-Qaeda and will be treated with the same severity. ‘We will track them, network them, and then hunt and kill them,’ Hegseth declared.
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Maduro accuses Trinidad and Tobago, US of plotting Caribbean conflict
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has leveled serious accusations against Trinidad and Tobago, alleging collaboration with the United States and the CIA to incite military tensions in the Caribbean. In a televised address on October 28, Maduro claimed that recent joint military exercises involving a US Navy destroyer were part of a broader strategy to destabilize Venezuela. He further announced the suspension of all gas and energy-related agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, citing strained relations with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the country’s acceptance of US military presence in the region. Maduro also asserted that Venezuelan security forces had intercepted a group of CIA-funded mercenaries, uncovering plans for a high-level attack involving US naval units near Venezuelan waters. Although he provided no specific timeline for the capture, Maduro claimed to have shared ‘some clues’ with Trinidad and Tobago but refused to present evidence to the US, accusing them of collusion with the CIA. He referenced historical grievances, suggesting Trinidad and Tobago were once part of Venezuelan territory before British colonization. Drawing parallels to past US military incidents, Maduro likened the current tensions to the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898 and the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, both of which he described as self-inflicted provocations. He accused Persad-Bissessar of supporting conflict and praised Venezuelans for protesting against what he termed ‘imperialist threats.’ Maduro also claimed Venezuela had thwarted three terrorist operations in recent months, including a plot to bomb Victory Square in Caracas, and vowed to defend the nation’s sovereignty and peace.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Front gate leading to Mandeville Hospital blocked
In a recent development, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has issued a public advisory regarding severe flooding affecting access to the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester, Jamaica. The primary roadway leading to the hospital’s front gate has been rendered impassable due to the rising waters. As an alternative, the SRHA has directed the public to use the entrance located at Hargreaves Avenue near Cecil Charlton Hall. Meanwhile, in St. Elizabeth, Superintendent Coleridge Minto, the divisional commander, has confirmed that the road leading to the Black River Hospital is also blocked. These disruptions highlight the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions in the region, potentially impacting emergency services and patient care. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and utilize the designated alternate routes to ensure access to essential medical facilities.
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#EyeOnMelissa: NCB branches to remain closed
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Melissa, the National Commercial Bank (NCB) has announced the temporary closure of all its branches on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The decision, aimed at ensuring the safety of both customers and staff, was communicated in a public statement on Tuesday. The bank plans to conduct thorough assessments and aims to resume operations on Thursday, October 30, 2025, provided conditions are safe. During this period, NCB is encouraging its customers to utilize its online banking platform, mobile app, and Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) located at branch sites for their banking needs. Bruce Bowen, NCB’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed solidarity with the Jamaican people, stating, ‘NCB stands with the people of Jamaica during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the hurricane, and we remain committed to supporting the nation’s recovery efforts in any way we can.’ The bank’s proactive measures highlight its dedication to maintaining service continuity while prioritizing safety amidst the natural disaster.