In a powerful address at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need to combat climate disinformation and defend scientific integrity. His remarks come ahead of the pivotal COP30 summit in Brazil and follow controversial statements by former US President Donald Trump, who dismissed climate change as a ‘hoax’ and criticized renewable energy technologies. Guterres underscored the critical role of ‘clear-eyed’ climate science in understanding the existential threat posed by global warming, urging nations to reject misinformation, online harassment, and greenwashing. He highlighted the surge in renewable energy investments, noting that nearly all new power capacity in 2024 came from renewables, which he described as the ‘cheapest, fastest, and smartest’ solution to climate change. Guterres also stressed the importance of early warning systems for extreme weather events, particularly for vulnerable nations, as the planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges. With COP30 set to take place in Belem, Brazil, from November 10-21, Guterres called for bold national climate action plans aligned with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
分类： world
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Melissa expected to become hurricane by Friday—Met Service
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a tropical storm watch as Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to intensify into a hurricane by Friday. Evan Thompson, the Director of the Meteorological Service, announced during a special press briefing on Wednesday that the island will begin experiencing the storm’s effects as early as Thursday.
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Tropical Storm Melissa threatens Jamaica as Bahamians there prepare
Tropical Storm Melissa has gained strength in the Caribbean, triggering a hurricane watch for parts of Haiti and a tropical storm watch for Jamaica, where a significant number of Bahamian students reside. Meteorologists predict that Melissa will escalate into a hurricane by Saturday as it moves northward, bringing torrential rains, powerful winds, and turbulent seas to the region. While The Bahamas remains outside the immediate threat zone, a potential northward shift could result in rain, squalls, and coastal swells affecting the southern islands next week. According to CNN, the storm was positioned 300 miles south of Haiti yesterday, with sustained winds reaching 50 miles per hour. Experts have warned of up to a foot of rainfall in certain areas, raising concerns about flash floods and mudslides, particularly in Hispaniola. Alveta Knight, Bahamian Consul General in Jamaica, assured that her office is vigilantly monitoring the situation and preparing to assist Bahamian citizens, especially students, if necessary. She highlighted that approximately 160 Bahamian students are enrolled in Jamaican universities, alongside 20 to 70 permanent residents, though these numbers vary. Knight emphasized that students are advised to adhere to campus safety protocols, which include evacuation and disaster response plans. In cases where institutional measures fall short, the Bahamian government steps in to ensure the safe evacuation of its citizens. Past hurricanes have seen students transported back to The Bahamas via government-coordinated flights. Knight also noted that assistance is available to all Bahamians who can verify their citizenship, regardless of prior registration with the Consulate. She observed that many Bahamians only seek Consulate support during emergencies, such as the need for emergency travel documents or family crises. With Melissa’s trajectory still uncertain, WESH 2 First Warning Weather forecasts suggest a northward path over Hispaniola, though some models indicate a possible turn toward The Bahamas.
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Cuba nabs suspected Chinese fentanyl kingpin wanted by Mexico, US
Cuba has apprehended Zhi Dong Zhang, a notorious Chinese fentanyl trafficker who escaped from house arrest in Mexico and is wanted by both the United States and Mexico, according to the Mexican Government. Known by the alias ‘Brother Wang,’ Zhang is accused of collaborating with Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, both designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the US. His arrest was confirmed by Mexico’s Security Secretariat, though it remains unclear whether he will be deported to Mexico or undergo a formal extradition process. Zhang was initially detained in Mexico in October 2024 on charges related to money laundering and was awaiting extradition to the US when he escaped custody in July. Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch described Zhang as a key figure in international money laundering and fentanyl trafficking, facilitating the drug’s distribution from China to Central and South America, Europe, and the US. The arrest comes amid heightened US pressure on Mexico and China to combat fentanyl trafficking, a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin and a major contributor to the US overdose epidemic. While Mexico has been the primary source of fentanyl in the US, Washington has increasingly targeted Chinese suppliers of precursor chemicals. Sources in Havana suggest Zhang will be extradited to Mexico, though details remain undisclosed. Cuba has yet to officially comment on the arrest.
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US embassy resumes operations after threat alert
The US Embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, has resumed its operations on October 21, following a brief closure prompted by a security alert issued by US authorities. The alert, which was issued on October 18, warned of potential threats to US infrastructure in the region, urging US nationals to avoid visiting US government facilities during the Divali holiday weekend. The embassy communicated this advisory through a social media post, heightening public anxiety and speculation about the underlying reasons, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela. However, by October 20, the embassy announced via Facebook that it would reopen for visa appointments and citizen services the following day. During a visit to the construction site of the new embassy on Tuesday, Newsday observed heightened security measures, including thorough searches of vehicles entering the compound. Embassy staff declined to comment on the situation, citing media restrictions, but a security source confirmed that such measures are standard procedure. Meanwhile, Minister Barry Padarath commended Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander for addressing public concerns, emphasizing that such advisories are not uncommon given the geopolitical climate. Attorney General John Jeremie also dismissed rumors of seeking refuge in a safehouse, stating, ‘Absolutely not.’
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Belize Gets BZ$10 Million to Improve Water Access in Rural Communities
Belize has been granted BZ$10 million from the Adaptation Fund to enhance water accessibility in rural communities and bolster climate change preparedness. The initiative, named SEAM (Securing Water Resources through Solar Energy and Innovative Adaptive Management), will introduce solar-powered water systems to four villages: Boom Creek, Dolores, Otoxha in Toledo, and Copper Bank in Corozal. This project is set to benefit over 1,800 residents. Beyond water access, SEAM will promote reforestation, watershed protection, and agricultural activities, with a special focus on empowering women. Local water boards will receive training to ensure equitable and efficient management of these systems. The five-year project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Rural Transformation and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), with backing from the Ministry of Economic Transformation, is slated to commence in early 2026.
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Tropical Storm Melissa Forms in the Caribbean
Tropical Storm Melissa has emerged in the central Caribbean Sea, with forecasts predicting its intensification into a hurricane by the weekend. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed the storm’s formation, citing satellite and radar data that reveal a well-defined center and sustained winds of up to 50 mph. As of Tuesday morning, Melissa was positioned approximately 300 miles south of Haiti. The NHC has issued warnings of significant flooding and dangerous mudslides for parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with these risks persisting through the weekend. The storm is expected to gain strength steadily, fueled by the warm Caribbean waters, potentially reaching Category 1 hurricane status by Saturday morning. Currently, a hurricane watch is in effect for portions of Haiti, while Jamaica remains under a tropical storm watch. Puerto Rico is also anticipated to face heavy rainfall as Melissa progresses northward. This marks the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and the first to originate in the Caribbean Sea.
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PISLM and GWP-C team up to support land and water management in region
In a significant step toward addressing environmental challenges in the Caribbean, the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) and the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) have solidified their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement, signed on October 16, 2025, in St. George’s, Grenada, aims to enhance sustainable land and water management practices across Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS).
The MOU focuses on tackling critical issues such as land degradation, drought, and water scarcity while promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Dr. Roxanne Graham, Regional Coordinator for GWP-C, highlighted the interconnected nature of these challenges, stating, ‘We must recognize the intrinsic connection between land and water and manage both harmoniously for the benefit of our people and planet.’
The partnership will encompass a wide range of activities, including information exchange, joint projects, capacity building, research, and policy advocacy. Strategic priorities include soil and water resource management, drought and flood mitigation, water quality monitoring, and innovative solutions to water scarcity. Additionally, the collaboration will emphasize youth engagement in natural resource management and community resilience.
A flagship initiative under this partnership is the Caribbean Drought Initiative, which aims to assess regional drought conditions and develop sustainable practices. Dr. Ronen C.A. Francis, Executive Director of PISLM, explained that this initiative, approved at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties in Saudi Arabia, seeks to build resilience in Caribbean communities facing drought.
GWP-C expressed its enthusiasm for the collaboration, acknowledging PISLM’s support and emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts. ‘We look forward to working together to advance sustainable development and climate resilience for our Caribbean region,’ the organization stated in its official release.
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UK supports Grenada fishing communities
In a significant move to bolster the resilience of Caribbean fisheries, a team from the UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) conducted an in-country visit to Grenada from October 4 to 12, 2025. This initiative is part of the UK government’s Sustainable Blue Economies (SBE) technical assistance platform, aimed at fostering sustainable ocean economies in the region. The visit, delivered through the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat and in collaboration with the Grenada Fisheries Division, focused on the Caribbean Ocean and Aquaculture Sustainability Facility (COAST) fisheries insurance. The primary objective was to explore how insurance mechanisms can enhance resilience in the fisheries sector, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. COAST insurance recently disbursed over US$1 million in Grenada following Hurricane Beryl, contributing to a record US$55 million payout under the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). The UK, a founding contributor to CCRIF, continues to support innovative, sector-specific insurance products that expand resilience. The Cefas delegation, including Marine Climate Change scientists Dr. Bryony Townhill and Prof. John Pinnegar, engaged with officials from the Ministries of Finance and Economic Development (Fisheries) and held discussions with fisherfolk and stakeholders in Gouyave and Carriacou. These interactions aimed to gather insights from the experiences of Hurricane Beryl to inform strategies for building back better and increasing climate resilience in Grenada’s fisheries and aquaculture industries. The visit underscores the UK’s broader commitment to Grenada’s blue economy, complementing prior support through initiatives like Compete Caribbean and GNExTT (Grenada National Export Traceability Technology Inc.), which provided cluster support to fishing cooperatives in Gouyave and Carriacou. Resident British Commissioner to Grenada Victor Clark emphasized the importance of such investments, stating, ‘Investing in the resilience and sustainability of fishing communities provides livelihoods while protecting shared oceans and the ecological balance of Grenada.’
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Barbados hands over UNCTAD presidency to Switzerland
Barbados has formally transferred the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Quadrennial to Switzerland, marking a significant transition in global trade leadership. This handover follows Barbados’ historic role as the first small island developing state to host the UNCTAD 15 ministerial conference four years ago during the pandemic. The 16th UNCTAD ministerial conference, themed ‘Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Development,’ is set to convene from October 20 to 23 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNCTAD, a UN agency dedicated to integrating developing nations into the global economy through sustainable trade practices, continues to play a pivotal role in addressing global economic challenges. Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados delivered a powerful opening statement via video, emphasizing the urgent need to reinforce multilateralism amidst global instability. She warned that the international order is at risk of unraveling due to shifting geopolitical dynamics and questioned values such as gender equality and diversity. Mottley called for a reinvention of multilateralism, stressing that multipolarity without agreed rules could hinder sustainable growth and peace. Barbados’ delegation, led by Minister Sandra Husbands, actively participated in key discussions, including the Group of 77 and small island developing states meetings. Ambassador Matthew Wilson, elected as a vice chair of the conference, contributed to sessions on trade, productive capacities, and youth engagement. Additionally, Barbados leveraged the occasion to strengthen ties with its diaspora in Switzerland and Caribbean ambassadors through a cultural event promoting ‘We Gatherin 2025.’