Residents of New Haven, Jamaica, are bracing for potential flooding and crocodile sightings as Hurricane Melissa approaches the island. The community, already plagued by blocked gullies filled with trash and debris, fears that heavy rainfall could exacerbate the situation, leading to dangerous backwater spillage into homes. Residents have expressed concerns about the safety of children in the area, as crocodiles are known to inhabit the clogged waterways.
分类： society
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Pride Walk: Je hoeft ons niet te accepteren, maar respecteer ons wel
Hundreds of participants took to the streets of Suriname on Saturday for the Pride Walk, a highlight of Pride Month Suriname 2025. The event, marked by colorful costumes and lively energy, underscored a powerful message: “You don’t have to accept me, but respect me,” emphasized Jermain Tjin-A-Koeng, a key organizer and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. He stressed that this principle should extend beyond the LGBTQ+ community and Pride Month, urging Surinamese citizens to foster positivity and mutual respect year-round for the betterment of the nation. Despite a minor disruption—a man playing loud anti-gay music from a parked car—the event’s spirit remained unshaken as a brass band drowned out the noise, marching joyfully through the streets. The route was adjusted due to the Parbo Biri Bigi Yari Fesa at Independence Square, but this did not dampen the vibrant atmosphere. Tjin-A-Koeng, who recently received the Matie Award alongside Stichting Projekta for his longstanding dedication to LGBTQ+ rights, highlighted the ongoing need for Pride Month in 2025. “There is progress, but misunderstanding persists. More awareness and education are essential. Being ‘gay’ simply means being happy and free. We should all use this month to embrace our true selves. If we can celebrate together in December and now in October, why can’t we collaborate year-round?” he questioned. Throughout the month, various activities have been organized to inform, guide, and engage citizens, businesses, and organizations. Tjin-A-Koeng expressed gratitude for the growing support from the corporate sector, with 32 businesses signing the Declaration of Paramaribo, pledging to create safer workplaces for the LGBTQ+ community.
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40 Antiguan Students Sheltered at Pegasus Hotel as Hurricane Melissa Nears Jamaica
As Hurricane Melissa intensifies and approaches Jamaica, over 40 Antiguan and Barbudan students pursuing their education in the country have been relocated to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel for safety. This proactive measure, orchestrated by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Students’ Association (ABSA), aims to protect students from the impending storm. The initiative includes two nights of accommodation and meals at the Kingston-based hotel, contingent upon students presenting valid Antiguan passports and university identification. Rohan Telemaque, ABSA Public Relations Officer, emphasized the importance of centralizing students in a secure location to enhance safety and streamline emergency responses. ‘Having everyone in one place ensures that if an evacuation is necessary, we can act swiftly and collectively,’ Telemaque stated. The Antiguan government is maintaining close communication with student leaders to monitor the hurricane’s progression and provide further support if needed. Officials reaffirmed their dedication to safeguarding nationals studying abroad, particularly during crises. Meanwhile, Jamaican authorities have issued warnings for residents and visitors to remain alert as Hurricane Melissa, recently upgraded from a tropical storm, is predicted to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding to the island in the coming days.
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Driver Escapes Serious Injury After Honda Fit Crashes on Jonas Road
A young male driver narrowly escaped serious injury in a dramatic car crash on Jonas Road late Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. as the driver, traveling from north to south on the bustling roadway, reportedly lost control of his Honda Fit. The vehicle veered off the road, crashed through a wire fence, and overturned in the yard of a nearby mechanic shop. Despite the severity of the crash, the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, managed to climb out of the wreckage with only minor injuries. Eyewitnesses described the scene as harrowing, with the car sustaining extensive damage. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with preliminary reports pointing to excessive speed or a sudden loss of control as potential factors. The visibly shaken driver expressed gratitude for his survival, attributing his escape to divine intervention. Law enforcement officials seized the opportunity to remind motorists to exercise caution, especially on high-traffic routes like Jonas Road, where a momentary lapse in attention can have catastrophic consequences.
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Warme zondag en overwegend droog
Today, Suriname is set to experience another warm day, with predominantly dry conditions in the morning, particularly along the coastal strip and in Paramaribo. Temperatures are expected to rise rapidly, reaching between 31 to 34 degrees Celsius by midday. The high humidity levels may make the weather feel even more oppressive. In the afternoon, localized rain and thunderstorms are likely, especially in the inland and savanna regions. These showers, though brief, could be intense, accompanied by thunder and gusty winds. Areas like Nickerie and Para might experience light rain earlier in the day. The coastal region is expected to remain mostly dry, though isolated showers inland cannot be ruled out. By late afternoon and evening, the chance of showers diminishes, and temperatures gradually drop to 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Winds will be light to moderate, blowing from the east to northeast.
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Srefidensi Telethon van start: eerste SRD 10.000 in half uur opgehaald
The Srefidensi Telethon officially commenced on Saturday at the Congreshal, marking a significant fundraising initiative for Suriname’s 50th anniversary of state independence. Within the first half-hour, the campaign successfully raised over SRD 10,000 through phone calls, SMS, physical donations, and bank transfers. The event, running until October 31, aims to collect a total of SRD 25 million. Organized by the Commission for 50 Years of State Independence, the Telethon seeks to fund the grand celebrations, estimated to cost SRD 65 million, with 60% of the funds allocated to schoolchildren and 40% to the festivities themselves. The initiative has garnered positive responses, including from the diaspora, as highlighted by coordinator Rachel Pinas. Influencers and TV personalities will engage with communities nationwide to encourage contributions, with the Congreshal serving as the central collection point. Pinas emphasized that donations can start from as little as SRD 50, urging everyone to participate generously.
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News : Zapping…
In a significant operation on October 24, 2025, the Haitian National Police (PNH) targeted Laurent Bertony, alias ‘Ti Police,’ in Fonds-des-Blancs. Bertony, wanted for the assassination of police officer Rivaky Abner, was fatally shot while attempting to evade arrest. This operation underscores the PNH’s commitment to justice and public safety. Concurrently, France has reinforced its support for Haiti by training 48 specialized PNH officers from October 12 to 23. This initiative, involving units like BRI, SWAT, and UTAG, highlights international efforts to bolster Haiti’s security forces against criminal gangs. In the cultural sphere, Haiti mourns the loss of Dr. Michel Philippe Lerebours, a renowned art historian who passed away on October 25 in New York at the age of 91. His contributions to Haitian art have left an indelible mark. Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc on Haiti’s agriculture, devastating banana plantations and flooding cornfields, prompting urgent monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO. In other news, Ms. Frantzia Gilles was appointed Chief of Staff at the Ministry for the Status of Women, and Allenby Augustin received the 2025 HSA Award for his dedication to preserving Haitian cultural heritage.
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Ocoa coffee farmers face “disastrous” losses due to rain
The Orlando Mazara Coffee Growers Association (Asocaom) has declared the situation in the coffee-growing region of Quita Sueño, spanning seven areas in the Rancho Arriba municipality of San José de Ocoa, to be catastrophic in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s torrential rains. Daisy Encarnación Casado, the association’s coordinator, and Aris Peguero, project manager, revealed that the damage is extensive, with hundreds of quintals of coffee lost due to the severe weather. Producers are struggling to dry their grains due to the absence of drying tunnels and the destruction of local roads, leaving many farmers stranded on their properties. Additionally, the overflowing Nizao River near Montenegro has cut off access to several communities, isolating over 200 families. These families are now without medical services and face millions in losses from ruined coffee and other crops. In response, coffee growers have urgently appealed to President Luis Abinader to implement immediate measures to support the agricultural sector. They emphasized the critical importance of coffee production for reforestation, economic sustainability, and the livelihoods of local farmers. The association also called for the repair of local roads and the swift construction of a bridge over the Nizao River at the Montenegro Crossing to restore access and aid recovery efforts.
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Religion : First Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV
In the midst of Haiti’s ongoing turmoil, marked by violence, natural disasters, and systemic poverty, Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic exhortation, *Dilexi te* (Latin for ‘I have loved you’), has emerged as a beacon of hope. The document, which emphasizes Christ’s love for the poor and calls for the Church’s renewed commitment to the marginalized, has resonated deeply with Haiti’s suffering population. Bishop Pierre-André Dumas, Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, who is currently recovering in the United States after an attack by criminal gangs, has described the exhortation as a ‘prophetic text’ that speaks directly to the pain and aspirations of the Haitian people. The exhortation, signed on October 4, 2025, and published on October 9, 2025, underscores the moral imperative to address poverty, which Bishop Dumas argues is not an inevitability but a consequence of human choices. The document also finds relevance in the lives of Haiti’s most vulnerable, including victims of gang violence, migrants, and families displaced by natural disasters. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Bishop Dumas remains hopeful, citing the solidarity and faith of Haiti’s communities as evidence of divine benevolence. *Dilexi te* has been hailed as a transformative message that could inspire Haiti’s path to recovery and renewal.
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Melissa: Nearly 100 people evacuated from Saona Island
In a swift and coordinated response to the impending threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, the Dominican Republic Navy (ARD), under the Ministry of Defense (MIDE), successfully evacuated 98 individuals from Saona Island this Saturday. The operation was executed as a preventive measure against the storm’s adverse effects, which have already brought heavy rainfall and high waves to the eastern and southern coasts of the country. The evacuation was part of a broader emergency response strategy led by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MIDE), which mobilized all available resources of the Armed Forces to support the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and civil authorities in ensuring public safety. Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, the Minister of Defense, directed the Navy to activate its emergency protocols, deploying surface naval units and specialized rescue teams. Vice Admiral Juan Bienvenido Crisóstomo Martínez, Commander General of the Navy, emphasized the critical role of interoperability among Naval Commands, the Eastern Naval Zone, the Captaincy of the Ports, and the Dominican Maritime Authority in the operation’s success. ‘This swift action reflects the preparation, discipline, and commitment of our men and women of the sea, who respond with determination whenever the nation needs them,’ stated Vice Admiral Crisóstomo Martínez. The evacuees were safely transported to the Port of Bayahibe, where they received immediate assistance from relief agencies. The Ministry of Defense reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives, safety, and well-being of its citizens, with air, naval, and land resources remaining on standby to address any further challenges posed by Storm Melissa.