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Jamaica remains on high alert as Tropical Storm Melissa advances slowly across the Caribbean Sea, prompting a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch. The storm, currently positioned approximately 270 kilometers south-southeast of Morant Point, poses a dual threat: tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, while hurricane conditions could materialize within 48 hours. As of 4:00 pm, Melissa’s center was located near latitude 15.6 degrees north and longitude 75.5 degrees west, moving at a sluggish pace of four km/h toward the north-northwest. Forecasts predict a gradual northward trajectory over the next few days, followed by a sharp westward turn by the weekend. With maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h and higher gusts, Melissa is projected to intensify rapidly, potentially evolving into a hurricane by Saturday and a major hurricane by Sunday. Satellite imagery reveals heavy showers and thunderstorms associated with the storm’s core, located about 200 kilometers southeast of Jamaica, slowly advancing toward the island. Residents should prepare for moderate to heavy rainfall beginning late Thursday or early Friday, escalating through the weekend. This precipitation increases the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and hilly areas. Strong, gusty winds, potentially reaching tropical storm strength, are expected to develop on Friday, initially affecting eastern and southern parishes before spreading island-wide. Hurricane-force winds may impact eastern parishes by Saturday. Marine interests are advised to anticipate widespread heavy showers, thunderstorms, and tropical-storm-force winds, with hurricane-strength winds likely over southern and eastern offshore waters on Saturday. Small craft operators, including fishers, are urged to secure their vessels and complete safety precautions immediately. The Meteorological Service continues to monitor Melissa closely, urging all stakeholders to stay updated on further developments.

Jamaica is on high alert as Tropical Storm Melissa advances toward the island, prompting the issuance of a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica announced in its early Thursday bulletin that tropical storm conditions could impact the island within 36 hours, with hurricane conditions likely to follow within 48 hours. As of 4:00 am, the storm’s center was positioned approximately 353 kilometers south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica, and 390 kilometers south-southeast of Kingston. Melissa is currently moving westward at a sluggish pace of 6 km/h, with a projected shift toward the northwest or north-northwest in the coming days. Maximum sustained winds are near 85 km/h, with potential for intensification into a hurricane by late Friday or over the weekend. The storm is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall, strong gusty winds, and hazardous marine conditions, particularly affecting eastern and southern parishes initially. The Meteorological Service has urged small craft operators and fishers to seek shelter and complete safety preparations promptly. Authorities continue to monitor the storm closely, advising residents and stakeholders to stay updated on further developments.

In a landmark event bridging centuries of religious division, King Charles III of the United Kingdom participated in a public prayer service with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. This historic gathering, held on Thursday, marked the first time a reigning British monarch has prayed publicly with a pope since the 16th-century schism initiated by King Henry VIII. The 76-year-old monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, joined the US-born pontiff for a 30-minute ceremony that seamlessly blended Catholic and Anglican traditions. The service, held beneath Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes, symbolized a significant step toward reconciliation between the two Christian denominations. King Charles, who serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and Pope Leo, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, underscored their shared commitment to environmental conservation during the event. The ceremony featured choirs from both the Sistine Chapel and Saint George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, further highlighting the unity of the occasion. The visit also comes amid renewed scrutiny of the British royal family, following Prince Andrew’s decision to relinquish his Duke of York title amid ongoing controversies.

The United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated US$4 million to three UN agencies to assist over 100,000 vulnerable individuals in Haiti as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches. The storm, forecasted to intensify into a hurricane by Friday, poses a significant threat to the Caribbean nation. The funds will be distributed to the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to bolster preparedness efforts. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized the importance of anticipatory action to mitigate the storm’s impact, which is expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding, landslides, and power outages. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Melissa, currently located 320 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, is moving slowly westward with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. A hurricane watch is in effect for southwestern Haiti, while Jamaica remains under a tropical storm watch. The NHC anticipates gradual strengthening, with Melissa potentially becoming a hurricane by Friday. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that critical early warning messages, evacuation support, cash transfers, emergency shelter management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene kits are prioritized in the response.

In a powerful address to the United Nations Security Council, Carlos G Ruiz Massieu, the UN Special Representative for Haiti and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), emphasized the resilience of the Haitian people despite the country’s deepening crisis. Massieu, who has engaged with various political, international, and civil stakeholders over the past two and a half months, underscored the urgent need to address gang violence, humanitarian challenges, and the upcoming political transition. He highlighted the unprecedented scale of internal displacement, with over 1.4 million people forced to flee their homes due to armed group attacks on farming communities and other areas. Massieu expressed deep concern over the human rights situation, citing widespread abuses linked to gang violence, self-defence groups, and certain security operations. He stressed the importance of restoring democratic governance by February 7, 2024, and welcomed Haitian authorities’ efforts to consult with political representatives to avoid a post-February political vacuum. Massieu also praised the Security Council’s support for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and urged swift action to enhance security, particularly for vulnerable communities and children. Despite the hostile security environment affecting international partners in Port-au-Prince, Massieu reaffirmed BINUH’s commitment to achieving full staff presence in the capital as a top priority. He called on the international community to translate its support into tangible progress to combat violence and restore stability in Haiti.

In a significant counterinsurgency operation, Nigeria’s military announced on Thursday that it had eliminated over 50 jihadists in coordinated drone and ground assaults. The attacks targeted militant groups who had launched simultaneous strikes on army bases in the volatile northeast region. The operation, supported by fighter jets, focused on locations in Borno and Yobe states, including Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko. While the military did not specify the faction responsible, intelligence sources attributed the attacks to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter group of Boko Haram. Both factions have been waging a 16-year insurgency aimed at establishing a caliphate in the region. Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, a military spokesman, confirmed the success of the operation but noted that several soldiers were injured and infrastructure, including vehicles and buildings, was damaged by armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades. Local residents in Mafa reported seeing charred trucks, allegedly set ablaze by militants. The conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people, has also spilled into neighboring countries, prompting a regional military coalition to combat the Islamist threat.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Tropical Storm Melissa has claimed its first victim in Haiti, as an elderly man in the coastal town of Marigot lost his life due to severe flooding caused by the storm. According to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, the man was tragically struck by a falling tree, while five others sustained injuries in the central Artibonite region. The storm, which continues to intensify over the warm Caribbean waters, poses a significant threat of dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reported that as of 11:00 AM local time, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was positioned near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 74.9 West. The storm is currently moving north-northwest at a slow pace of 2 mph (4 km/h), with a forecasted northward motion over the next day or two, followed by a westward turn by the weekend. Meteorologists predict that Melissa will strengthen into a hurricane within the next couple of days, potentially becoming a major hurricane by the end of the weekend. Residents in the affected areas are urged to prepare for severe weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — As Jamaica braces for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), the operator of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, has confirmed that the facility remains fully operational. The island is currently under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch, heightening concerns about potential disruptions.

Jamaica is on high alert as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches, with the possibility of it intensifying into a Category One hurricane and making landfall. Evan Thompson, principal director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), warned that while the storm is currently projected to move parallel to the island’s southern coast, there remains a chance it could deviate and impact land. This would mark the first tropical system to hit Jamaica since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, as even Hurricane Beryl in 2023 bypassed the island despite causing significant damage. Thompson emphasized that the slow-moving storm could dump up to 12 inches of rain, exacerbating already saturated soil conditions from weeks of prior rainfall. The storm is expected to begin affecting Jamaica by Thursday evening, with eastern and southern parishes likely bearing the brunt of the impact. Authorities are urging residents to prepare for potential flooding, strong winds, and prolonged rainfall that could persist into next week. Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda reassured the public that the government is actively monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates through the Met Service’s enhanced capabilities, including its newly acquired Doppler Radar. Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr highlighted the activation of emergency protocols, including shelter readiness and resource prepositioning, to ensure swift response if needed. The National Water Commission has also engaged its emergency measures to guarantee water supply to critical facilities like hospitals. As Jamaica braces for Melissa, officials are emphasizing the importance of staying informed and prepared to mitigate potential risks.