Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a formidable Category 4 storm, boasting maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h (140 mph). This marks the fourth major hurricane of the current season, with the Dominican Meteorological Institute (Indomet) confirming its peak strength at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Sunday. The hurricane is currently advancing westward at a speed of 7 km/h (4 mph), positioned about 195 km south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 450 km south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba. Satellite and radar imagery from Punta Cana and Puerto Plata reveal extensive cloud cover across the Dominican Republic, with forecasts predicting intense showers, thunderstorms, and powerful waves along the northern and southern coasts. Indomet has issued warnings of ‘extremely dangerous’ conditions, highlighting the potential for catastrophic flooding and landslides in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic, through mid-week. Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to take immediate precautions as the storm’s trajectory and intensity pose significant risks to life and property.
分类： world
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Saint Lucia, SIDS left waiting as global shipping emissions deal sinks
A landmark global initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry has been postponed following opposition led by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework (NZF), designed to make maritime trade cleaner and more sustainable, was expected to be adopted during the Marine Environment Protection Committee’s (MEPC) meeting in October 2025. However, the framework faced significant resistance, resulting in a year-long delay. The NZF proposed drastic emission cuts by transitioning vessels from fossil fuels to renewable energy-based alternatives and introduced a carbon levy to fund climate adaptation in developing nations, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The US criticized the emissions pricing as an ‘unsanctioned global tax regime,’ while Saudi Arabia proposed an adjournment, which passed with 57 countries in favor. The decision has left small island nations, already vulnerable to climate change, in a precarious position. Countries like Saint Lucia, which rely heavily on maritime trade, face economic challenges in balancing climate commitments with financial realities. Despite the setback, technical work on the framework will continue, with hopes for renewed dialogue between developed and developing nations.
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FLASH : Melissa has become a Cat 4 hurricane
On October 26, 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that Hurricane Melissa had escalated to a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds reaching 220 km/h and a central pressure of 944 millibars. Located 487 km southwest of Port-au-Prince, the hurricane is projected to follow a slow westward trajectory before turning north and northeast by Monday and Tuesday. Its path is expected to impact Jamaica, southeastern Cuba, and the southeastern Bahamas by midweek. A hurricane warning has been issued for Haiti’s southwest peninsula, with the Sud and Grande Anse departments placed on red alert. Other regions, including South-East, Nippes, West, and the central plateau, remain on orange alert. Melissa is anticipated to bring torrential rainfall, with up to 35 inches (89 cm) in some areas, leading to catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and severe infrastructure damage. Satellite imagery indicates rapid intensification, with hurricane-force winds extending 35 km from the center and tropical storm-force winds reaching 280 km. Swells generated by the storm are expected to create life-threatening surf and rip currents along the coasts of Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. Haitian authorities have suspended coastal shipping activities and urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid watercourses, and follow safety guidelines. The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection emphasized the importance of safeguarding documents and assisting vulnerable individuals during this critical period.
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Melissa Becomes Category 1 Hurricane
Hurricane Melissa has escalated into a Category 1 storm, boasting sustained winds of 75 mph as of Saturday afternoon. Positioned 145 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, the storm’s sluggish movement at just 1 mph has heightened concerns across the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica, Haiti, and Belize. Meteorologists predict rapid intensification over the weekend, with Melissa potentially reaching Category 4 strength before making landfall late Monday or early Tuesday. Torrential rains have already begun to batter Haiti, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness warning of potential rainfall between 15 to 25 inches. The slow-moving nature of the storm poses a unique challenge, as it is expected to linger, causing prolonged and catastrophic flooding. Evan Thompson, Director of the Meteorological Service, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, ‘There is nowhere that will escape the wrath. It’s going to cause significant, widespread, catastrophic, life-threatening floods.’ In response, Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has fully activated the National Emergency Operations Centre, placing the country at Level 3—the full response phase. Air travel disruptions are already underway, with Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston set to close Saturday night, and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay reviewing operations amid numerous flight cancellations. Meanwhile, Caribbean residents, including students from the University of the West Indies, are scrambling to evacuate. Darwin McFadzean, a second-year law student and police officer, shared his struggles on social media, highlighting the financial strain faced by many students left to ‘fend for themselves’ in the face of the impending disaster.
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Jamaica Braces for TS Melissa
Jamaica is bracing for the imminent threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is projected to escalate into a hurricane and unleash devastating winds, severe flooding, and dangerous storm surges early next week. Currently located approximately 155 miles southeast of Kingston, Melissa is generating winds of up to 70 mph and is expected to intensify rapidly as it moves slowly toward the island. Landfall is anticipated late Monday or early Tuesday, raising concerns of widespread destruction. The storm’s slow progression has already wreaked havoc in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, triggering deadly floods and landslides that have claimed at least four lives and displaced over a thousand people. In a recent update, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a hurricane warning, emphasizing the storm’s potential for rapid intensification. He urged citizens to take immediate precautions, warning that Melissa ‘could be disastrous.’ The storm is forecast to dump 15 to 25 inches of rainfall across parts of Jamaica in the coming days, exacerbating the risk of flooding and landslides. Southern Haiti remains under a hurricane watch as the region continues to grapple with the storm’s impact.
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From Blue and Green to Purple and Orange: Belize to Host 2026 Sustainable Tourism Conference
Belize, often referred to as ‘The Jewel,’ is poised to become the epicenter of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. In April 2026, the country will host the annual Sustainable Tourism Conference, a premier event that unites regional leaders to redefine responsible travel. This year’s conference will transcend the conventional focus on ‘green and blue economies,’ delving into the integration of culture, diversity, and regeneration as foundational elements of sustainability. Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism at the Caribbean Tourism Organization, emphasized that the 2026 conference will introduce ‘deeper discussions, new toolkits, and best practices’ to elevate the region’s approach to sustainability. The event’s theme will spotlight the ‘colours of development,’ encompassing the blue economy (marine spaces), green economy (land-based eco-activities), orange economy (culture and heritage), and purple economy (human inclusion and diversity). Ramgulam highlighted the importance of regenerative tourism, a progressive concept that goes beyond conservation to actively restore and enhance destinations. ‘Regenerative tourism ensures that travelers leave the environment better than they found it,’ he explained, underscoring its potential for carbon-positive, niche product development. Belize’s selection as the host nation underscores its growing influence in the global tourism industry and its commitment to pioneering innovative, sustainable practices.
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Melissa expected to hit Bahamas by midweek
Hurricane Melissa has escalated into a formidable Category Four storm, posing a significant threat to the southern Bahamas by midweek. As of 8am yesterday, the storm was positioned approximately 130 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, boasting maximum sustained winds nearing 100mph. According to the latest projections from Tribune First Alert Weather and Tomorrow.io, Melissa has experienced ‘extreme rapid intensification,’ surging by 50 knots within the past 24 hours. Forecasters anticipate the storm will escalate to Category Five strength by Monday, with landfall expected in Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday.
Following its passage over Jamaica, Melissa is predicted to traverse southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night and advance through the southern Bahamas by Wednesday as a major hurricane. The most vulnerable islands include Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Cat Island, and San Salvador, where hurricane-force winds and substantial storm surges are anticipated. Heavy rainfall, ranging from three to ten inches, is expected from Exuma to Inagua, heightening the risk of flooding and flash floods in low-lying areas. Wind speeds could peak at 75mph or higher in the southern islands by early Wednesday, gradually subsiding by Thursday.
While the most severe weather is expected to remain southward, Nassau and the northwest Bahamas may still encounter sporadic showers and breezy conditions, with wind gusts up to 25mph through Thursday. Authorities are urging residents in the southern and southeastern islands to stay informed and prepare for potential hurricane conditions starting late Tuesday. Melissa is forecast to accelerate northeastward later in the week as it interacts with a trough moving off the southeastern United States.
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US warship arrives in Trinidad and Tobago
The USS Gravely, a prominent US naval warship, arrived at the Port of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago on October 26 for a five-day joint training exercise with the TT Defence Force. The vessel, escorted by two tug boats and Coast Guard vessels, docked at approximately 9:30 AM. The exercise, which includes members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit, is set to conclude on October 30. This visit occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The US has recently intensified its military operations in regional waters, claiming to have destroyed 11 vessels and killed 49 alleged drug traffickers. President Donald Trump has labeled these traffickers as ‘narco terrorists’ and authorized covert military operations in Venezuela, with potential land-based attacks on drug-related targets. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has expressed strong support for the US Navy’s presence in the region, praising their efforts to combat drug trafficking. She emphasized that the region is ‘not a zone of peace’ and advocated for the violent elimination of drug traffickers.
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This could be the worst
Jamaica is preparing for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Melissa, which is expected to bring unprecedented devastation to the island. Evan Thompson, principal director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), issued a stark warning during a special media briefing at Jamaica House on Saturday. He emphasized that Melissa, currently a tropical storm, will rapidly intensify and could strike Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 130 to 156 miles per hour—a force the island has not encountered in decades. The storm is projected to traverse the eastern and southern regions of Jamaica before moving northward, making landfall by Tuesday morning. Thompson highlighted that the slow-moving nature of Melissa could prolong its impact, with heavy rainfall of 20 to 30 inches expected to cause life-threatening flooding. Additionally, storm surges could devastate coastal communities, reminiscent of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Authorities are urging residents, particularly those in vulnerable areas like St Thomas, Portland, Kingston, and St Andrew, to take immediate precautions. The aftermath of the hurricane is anticipated to disrupt recovery efforts due to blocked roads, landslides, and lingering floodwaters. Thompson described the situation as extraordinary, stressing that Jamaica must brace for a prolonged and severe weather event.
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PM: Trinidad and Tobago not in zone of peace …welcomes US help crushing narco-traffickers
Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has emphasized the country’s unique challenges in combating narco-trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling, distinguishing it from other Caribbean nations. Speaking to reporters outside the Red House on October 25, she highlighted TT’s geographical proximity to South America as a key factor in its heightened vulnerability to these crimes. Persad-Bissessar welcomed the presence of the US military in the region, including the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer scheduled to dock in Port of Spain on October 26. She stressed that TT’s reality of being “crime-ridden, drug-ridden, cartel-ridden, and gang-ridden” necessitates a distinct approach to security. While Caricom has declared the Caribbean a “zone of peace,” TT stands apart due to its severe crime rates, including over 600 murders last year. Persad-Bissessar criticized former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s support for the zone of peace declaration, attributing his stance to his administration’s failure to address rising crime. The US military’s deployment, including the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, aims to combat drug cartels and stem the flow of drugs from South America. US Embassy Charge D’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz underscored the long-standing US-TT partnership in addressing transnational crime through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts. However, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles expressed concerns over TT’s role in the US military presence, while Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the US of fabricating a war narrative against his country.