Antigua and Barbuda has aligned with its CARICOM counterparts in adopting a robust declaration demanding heightened global ambition and climate justice as the world approaches the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the pivotal COP30 summit in Brazil. The CARICOM Declaration, ratified on October 16, 2025, underscores the Caribbean’s collective stance that restricting global warming to 1.5°C is both a scientific necessity and a legal obligation. Leaders emphasized that small island developing states (SIDS), including Antigua and Barbuda, are disproportionately affected by escalating hurricanes, rising sea levels, and ocean warming, despite their minimal role in global emissions. The declaration spotlights the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS) as a critical framework for addressing the unique challenges faced by island nations. It calls on major emitters to realign their 2035 targets with the 1.5°C pathway and intensify current climate actions, asserting that “the time for implementation is now.” CARICOM leaders also advocated for equitable access to climate finance, proposing a new global goal of at least US$1.3 trillion annually. They insisted that such funding should be delivered through grants and highly concessional terms, prioritizing SIDS for adaptation and loss-and-damage initiatives. The declaration welcomed the operationalization of the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, which allocates at least half of its initial US$250 million to SIDS and least developed countries. Additionally, it endorsed reforms to the international financial system, including the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and debt-for-climate swaps, to better reflect the vulnerabilities of developing nations. CARICOM reiterated that support for these nations is a matter of “justice and legal obligation, not charity,” and urged COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to mark a decisive shift “from pledges to performance.” Antigua and Barbuda, having hosted the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States earlier this year, continues to spearhead global climate diplomacy, championing the rights and survival of vulnerable nations.
分类： world
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Powerful Quake Shakes Costa Rica, No Major Damage Reported
A significant seismic event rattled southern Costa Rica on the evening of October 22, 2025, as a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 31 kilometers, was centered approximately 62 kilometers south of San José. The tremors were felt across a wide area, from Quepos near the epicenter to Puerto Limón, over 140 kilometers away. Residents reported intense but brief shaking, with lights swaying and objects falling from shelves. Despite the widespread impact, authorities have confirmed no casualties or major structural damage. Emergency teams are currently assessing buildings and monitoring for potential aftershocks. Experts caution that the precise magnitude and epicenter may be revised as additional data becomes available. Costa Rica, located on the seismically active boundary between the Cocos and Caribbean tectonic plates, is no stranger to such geological activity, making it one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the Western Hemisphere.
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Tropical Storm Melissa lingers over the Caribbean
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The southern coast of the Dominican Republic has been battered by relentless rain, powerful winds, and thunderstorms since the early hours of Thursday morning. These severe weather conditions are attributed to Tropical Storm Melissa, which is gradually advancing across the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings, indicating that Melissa is likely to persist over the central Caribbean for several days, with the potential to escalate into a major hurricane by late this weekend or early next week. Residents of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to local weather advisories. The storm’s sluggish movement heightens the risk of extended periods of strong winds, particularly affecting Jamaica and Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula. Tropical-storm-force winds are anticipated to commence on Friday and intensify throughout the weekend. Additionally, the NHC has cautioned that Melissa is expected to unleash torrential rainfall across southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, significantly increasing the likelihood of severe flash flooding, river overflows, and landslides, especially in mountainous and vulnerable regions.
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FLASH : Meélissa risks becoming a hurricane, 5 departments on Orange Alert
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a critical update on Tropical Storm Melissa, warning that it is likely to escalate into a hurricane by the end of this week or early next week. As of October 23, 2025, at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Melissa remains stationary over the central Caribbean Sea, posing a significant threat to Haiti and neighboring regions. The storm’s slow movement, at approximately 6 km/h, increases the risk of prolonged strong winds, particularly affecting the Tiburon Peninsula in Haiti. Authorities have urged residents to expedite preparations to safeguard lives and property, as severe weather conditions are expected to intensify starting Friday. The storm’s center is currently located at 15.0 degrees North latitude and 74.9 degrees West longitude, about 485 km southwest of Port-au-Prince. Melissa is projected to bring heavy rainfall, ranging from 12 to 25 cm, across Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, potentially triggering life-threatening flash floods and landslides. Maximum sustained winds are currently near 85 km/h, with higher gusts, and further strengthening is anticipated by the weekend. A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Haiti’s southwest peninsula, from the Dominican Republic border to Port-au-Prince. The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH) has suspended all cabotage activities in the southern coastal area until further notice. The Hydrometeorological Unit, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Civil Protection, has placed five departments—South, Southeast, Grand’Anse, Nippes, and West—under an Orange Alert. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, avoid crossing waterways, and follow safety guidelines issued by civil protection authorities.
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Latest U.S Anti-Narcotics Strike Kills 2
In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics operations, the U.S. military executed a lethal strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals aboard a targeted vessel. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation on Wednesday, stating it was authorized by President Donald Trump. The strike targeted a boat allegedly operated by a designated terrorist organization involved in drug trafficking, marking the eighth such operation since early September and the first outside the Caribbean. These strikes have collectively claimed at least 34 lives. Hegseth framed the operation as part of a broader campaign against ‘narco-terrorists’ threatening U.S. borders, drawing parallels to the war on terror. The Trump administration has justified these actions as essential to combat transnational cartels it labels as terrorist entities. However, critics and legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of such strikes, arguing they lack judicial oversight and could violate international law. The Pentagon has yet to disclose the nationality of the vessel or the identities of the deceased. This incident follows recent operations in the Caribbean, which have also sparked debates over the administration’s authority to detain foreign nationals captured in anti-narcotics missions. The story continues to develop.
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Flood Risk Rises as TS Melissa Crawls Through the Caribbean
Tropical Storm Melissa is currently making its way through the central Caribbean Sea, prompting marine warnings and hurricane watches across the region. The National Hurricane Center has identified Melissa as a significant flood threat, particularly for Hispaniola and Jamaica. The storm is expected to unleash heavy rainfall over the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica throughout the weekend, with forecasts predicting over ten inches of rain in some areas. This deluge raises concerns about flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous regions. A hurricane watch has been issued for Jamaica, and hurricane conditions are possible in Haiti’s southwestern peninsula. Authorities are urging residents in these areas to complete emergency preparations by Thursday to safeguard lives and property. Melissa is projected to intensify into a hurricane by early next week, with its slow movement increasing the likelihood of prolonged rainfall and heightened risks. While the storm’s exact path and intensity remain uncertain, residents in Cuba and across the Caribbean are advised to stay vigilant and monitor official updates. Meanwhile, no other tropical cyclone activity is expected in the Atlantic over the next seven days.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Elderly Haitian dies after being hit by falling tree
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.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Sangster International Airport ‘remains open under normal operations’
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.
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No need to panic…
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.
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Las Cuevas woman tells Trump: Stop killing innocent people
The family of Chad Joseph, a Las Cuevas resident allegedly killed in a US missile strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking, is demanding accountability and an end to what they describe as the killing of innocent people in Caribbean waters. Speaking after a nine-night memorial service at St Michael’s RC Church on October 22, Lynette Burnley, Joseph’s aunt, addressed US President Donald Trump directly, urging him to halt such actions. “I just want to tell him to stop it,” Burnley said. “He’s killing innocent people and destroying families. He wouldn’t want this to happen to his family, so he needs to stop.”
The October 14 strike reportedly claimed six lives, including Joseph and another Trinidadian, Samaroo. Burnley condemned the attack as an extrajudicial killing, emphasizing that the fishermen in the area are now too fearful to venture out to sea. She also criticized the Prime Minister’s recent remarks advocating violent measures against drug traffickers, arguing that such actions are inhumane and unjust. “They’re human beings. They should be warned, held accountable, and charged if necessary, but not killed,” she said.
Burnley expressed skepticism about the authorities treating the incident as a missing-persons case, questioning how they could be certain no Trinidadians were killed. Despite the overwhelming grief, she clings to hope that Joseph might still be alive. “Every day brings more pain, but I can’t believe he’s gone. I still believe he’s out there, and someone could find him,” she said.
Joseph’s grandmother, Christine Clement, echoed this sentiment, describing the family’s sorrow and their refusal to file a missing person’s report as advised by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander. She vehemently denied allegations that Joseph was involved in drug trafficking, calling them “a big lie.” Burnley added that Joseph frequently traveled between Trinidad and Venezuela for work, assisting with farming and land maintenance.
The family first learned of Joseph’s alleged death through social media, where a video of the destroyed boat circulated. During the memorial service, Father Kenneth Assing acknowledged the tragic and unexpected nature of Joseph’s death, offering comfort to the grieving family and community. “This burden of tragic death is not easy. It will weigh heavily on your hearts and minds,” he said, reminding attendees of God’s grace and mercy.