KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the impending threat posed by Tropical Storm Melissa, the Ministry of Education has mandated that all schools across the island maintain remote learning operations on Friday, October 24, 2025. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff as the storm approaches.
分类： society
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#EyeOnMelissa: JUTC buses to continue to operate as long as conditions allow, says Vaz
Commuters depending on the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) can rest assured that bus services will remain operational as long as safety permits. This assurance was provided by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz during a Jamaica House media briefing on Thursday, where he outlined the government’s preparedness measures for Tropical Storm Melissa. Vaz emphasized that JUTC will continue its regular bus operations unless weather conditions pose a risk. Updates on service status will be disseminated through social media and public communication channels. To bolster emergency response, 30 buses have been allocated for deployment across key depots in Portmore, Spanish Town, Rockfort, and Montego Bay. Each depot has activated an emergency operations committee, and JUTC representatives are stationed at national and parish emergency centers to ensure coordinated efforts. Additionally, all depots, fuel stations, and assets have been secured, and the company stands ready to assist with evacuation and transportation if required. Montego Bay Metro and Western Transport Operations are also fully operational and will continue services as long as weather conditions allow. Vaz further noted that toll road operators are on standby to implement emergency measures, including waiving toll fees if necessary to alleviate highway congestion during the storm.
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‘This is our type of season’ say Jamaican surfers as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches
As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches Jamaica, surfers on the island’s southeast coast are eagerly anticipating the powerful waves it may bring, rather than fearing its potential dangers. Billy ‘Mystic’ Wilmot, founder of the Jamnesia Surf Club in Bull Bay, St. Andrew, expressed excitement about the hurricane season, which he described as ideal for surfing. “We always look forward to the hurricane season. It sends waves from far away, even if the storm is hundreds of miles from us,” Wilmot told Observer Online during a visit to the area on Thursday, October 23, 2025. However, he emphasized the need for the storm to remain at a safe distance to avoid strong winds that could disrupt surfing conditions. “We welcome the waves, but not the breeze. The wind can make it impossible to surf,” he explained. At 7:00 pm on Thursday, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located approximately 224 kilometers south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica, prompting a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for the island. Despite the warnings, surfers like Ivah Wilmot and Danielle Mattis were seen catching waves at Wickie Wackie Beach in Bull Bay. Wilmot also expressed hope that the storm would not cause loss of life or property damage, recalling the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which led to flooding and debris accumulation in the area. Bull Bay, like other low-lying regions in Jamaica, remains vulnerable to flooding during heavy rainfall.
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Useful and unsafe revolutions
The concept of ‘revolution’ has historically been linked to upheaval, violence, and the overthrow of regimes. From the 18th to the 20th century, nations like France, Haiti, Cuba, Russia, and the United States underwent transformative revolutions. Yet, these events did not universally lead to stability or prosperity. In 2025, democracy and progress remain elusive for many citizens in these countries. Revolutionary leaders often romanticize their successes, yet the reality is marred by inequality, social strife, and undemocratic practices such as the suppression of dissent. Revolutions can exacerbate racial, religious, and class tensions, and their outcomes are frequently exaggerated, leaving supporters disillusioned. Counter-revolutions often lead to regression rather than progress. Frantz Fanon, a psychiatrist and advocate of the Algerian revolution, viewed violence as a ‘cleansing force’ that restores self-confidence to the oppressed. Similarly, Walter Rodney argued that violence aimed at achieving equality should not be equated with violence used to maintain oppression. However, in 2025, the world no longer needs justifications for violence or ideologues promoting it. Instead, there is a pressing need for peaceful, constructive revolutions that uplift society. Movements promoting literacy, clean water, healthy living, kindness, and recycling are essential. A 2022 article in New Scientist, titled ‘The Happiness Revolution,’ highlighted the importance of creating a joyful society. Citizens must shift their focus to intellectual empowerment, reducing discrimination, and fostering equality. Effective leadership is crucial for any meaningful revolution, yet many are resistant to unorthodox ideas. A true revolution requires maturity, a paradigm shift in societal interactions, and a focus on the marginalized. Developing countries face unique challenges, as revolutions can lead to uncontrollable outcomes and reversed progress. Global protests indicate that societies are increasingly volatile, with even developed nations susceptible to unrest due to societal imperfections and disguised dictatorships. Politicians must embrace concepts like ‘consensus democracy’ and ‘politics of inclusion’ to foster stability. The Caribbean, in particular, must address economic and political disparities to create a suitable environment for progress. A merit-based revolution is needed to end nepotism and corruption, ensuring appointments and promotions are based on qualifications rather than ethnicity, religion, or political ties. Continuous efforts are essential to combat the misuse of taxpayer funds and build a just society.
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Pintard: Bodies of Hurricane Dorian victims still being stored in trailers
More than six years after Hurricane Dorian ravaged The Bahamas, the remains of several victims are still being stored in trailers in Grand Bahama, according to Opposition Leader Michael Pintard. Pintard has accused the current Davis administration of hypocrisy and neglect, highlighting the stark contrast between their past criticisms and their current inaction. The issue was brought to light during the official opening of the new Sir Albert Miller Community Centre and Emergency Shelter in Grand Bahama, a facility designed to provide refuge during future disasters. Pintard described the situation as ‘unconscionable,’ pointing out that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), which had previously condemned the Minnis administration for delays in burying victims, now faces the same unresolved problem. ‘There is a gap between what they say and what they do,’ Pintard stated. ‘There’s one rule for them and another rule for others.’ He also defended the Minnis administration’s record, asserting that it made more progress in housing repairs and family assistance in its two years post-Dorian than the current government has achieved in four. Hurricane Dorian, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, struck The Bahamas on September 1, 2019, with winds exceeding 180 miles per hour. The storm devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama, killing at least 74 people and leaving many missing. Entire communities were flattened, thousands were displaced, and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and government offices, was destroyed. The recovery of hundreds of bodies and the subsequent struggle to identify remains became a source of national grief and political controversy. While in opposition, the PLP had criticized the Minnis administration’s handling of victims’ remains, pledging to ensure proper burials and compassionate treatment for grieving families.
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Fear and frustration
Residents of Mountain View, Jamaica, are bracing for Tropical Storm Melissa, just over a month after heavy rains caused Burger Gully to overflow, flooding several homes. Beverly Underhill, a local resident, expressed deep concern for her neighbors, particularly those living closer to the gully, who have repeatedly suffered from severe flooding. While Underhill feels somewhat secure due to the elevated construction of her home, she remains worried about the potential devastation the storm could bring. ‘I’m sorry for them,’ she said, referring to her neighbor Andrew Smith, whose home has been repeatedly damaged by floodwaters. Despite temporary measures like sandbags being installed by local authorities, Underhill believes these efforts are insufficient. ‘It’s complacency that has put us in this position,’ she stated, urging for a permanent solution to the gully’s overflow issue. During a recent tour of the area, Minister Robert Morgan and MP Phillip Paulwell were shown the extent of the problem by Underhill, who demanded immediate action rather than promises. ‘We want the gully fixed, and we won’t rest until it is,’ she warned, threatening to take the issue to the streets if her demands are not met. As the community prepares for Tropical Storm Melissa, residents remain hopeful but fearful of the potential consequences.
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End this fireworks assault on peace, sanity
Every year, the uncontrolled use of fireworks across the nation brings distress to countless citizens, pets, and wildlife, turning moments of celebration into nights of trauma and environmental disruption. Despite existing laws under the Summary Offences Act (Chap 11:02) and the Explosives Act (Chap 16:02), which regulate the use, importation, and sale of fireworks, enforcement remains virtually nonexistent. Fireworks continue to explode indiscriminately in communities, often causing widespread harm. The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has recommended banning the importation of loud fireworks, restricting their use to specific occasions and government-managed venues, and promoting quieter alternatives. This approach is both logical and compassionate. Roger Neckles, in a letter to the editor, advocates for a total ban on the public sale and use of fireworks, with exceptions only for Independence Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations at authorized, government-supervised venues. This proposal aims to balance cultural traditions with public safety, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility. Fireworks cause significant suffering to pets, wildlife, and vulnerable populations, including the elderly, the sick, and children on the autism spectrum. The loud detonations disorient nesting birds, bats, and forest animals, often leading to death or abandonment of their young. Neckles urges citizens to express joy through kindness, such as supporting charities or community causes, rather than through harmful smoke, debris, and noise. He calls on leaders to enforce existing laws and protect people and wildlife from this annual assault on peace and sanity.
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Senator Freeland Outlines New Security Measures Following Series of Break-Ins in St. George
In response to a surge in break-ins plaguing the St. George constituency, Senator Michael Freeland has unveiled a robust set of security initiatives aimed at enhancing safety and fostering community resilience. The announcement, made on Tuesday, underscores a collaborative approach involving local businesses, government authorities, and community members to address the escalating concerns.
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Assistant police commissioner says expect increased police presence
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alleyne Maximea has reassured the public that the Dominica Police Force is fully prepared to uphold safety and security during the upcoming 2025 World Creole Music Festival (WCMF). Speaking at the weekly WCMF press conference on Tuesday, Maximea emphasized the force’s readiness to ensure a secure environment for all festival-goers. ‘The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force is ready to perform its role at this year’s World Creole Music Festival,’ he declared. ‘We are ready to perform our duties.’ Maximea outlined that comprehensive plans have been implemented to guarantee the safety of patrons, including heightened police visibility in both uniform and plain clothes across Roseau and its surrounding areas. He issued a stern warning to potential lawbreakers, stating, ‘We will not tolerate any transgressions as it pertains to the laws of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Anyone who disturbs the peace or breaches the law during these activities will be dealt with to the full extent of the law.’ The announcement underscores the police force’s commitment to maintaining order and ensuring a festive yet secure atmosphere for the highly anticipated cultural event.
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ST LUCIA: Drug bust results in four Port Authority employee arrests
In a significant development at the Castries Port, four employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) were apprehended following a high-profile drug bust. The arrests were the result of an intelligence-driven operation executed by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) on Saturday, October 18, as reported by The St Lucia Times. The operation led to the interception of a motor vehicle driven by one of the SLASPA employees. Authorities discovered a barrel that had not yet undergone customs inspection, which upon further search, revealed substantial quantities of controlled substances, including cannabis and MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. The driver was immediately taken into custody. Subsequently, three additional individuals suspected of involvement in the incident were also arrested. The RSLPF continues to delve deeper into the matter, and the accused are expected to face formal charges this week.