分类： world

In a significant development for bilateral relations, India and China have resumed direct flights after a five-year suspension. The first flight, IndiGo 6E1703, departed from Kolkata and landed in Guangzhou, China, early Sunday morning, marking the official restart of nonstop air links that were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. This move is seen as a symbolic step toward rebuilding ties between the two Asian giants, who remain strategic rivals but have gradually eased tensions since a deadly border clash in 2020. The resumption of flights is expected to enhance people-to-people contact and normalize bilateral exchanges, according to the Indian government. The decision comes amid strained relations between India and the United States, following President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs and accusations that India is supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing its oil. Regular flights between India and Hong Kong have already been operational, with additional services from New Delhi to Shanghai and Guangzhou set to begin in November. Business leaders, such as Rajeev Singh of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, have hailed the move, emphasizing its potential to reduce logistics costs and transit times. Kolkata, with its historical ties to China dating back to British rule, stands to benefit significantly from the renewed air connectivity. The city’s Indo-Chinese culinary fusion remains a testament to its cultural links with China. Civil society leaders in Kolkata’s Chinatown, like Chen Khoi Kui, have welcomed the development, noting its positive impact on trade, tourism, and family reunions. Despite the thaw, India faces a long-term challenge in managing its relationship with an increasingly assertive China. The two nations continue to grapple with a significant trade imbalance, with India heavily reliant on Chinese raw materials. While recent diplomatic engagements, including meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have improved relations, fundamental strategic realities remain unchanged. The resumption of flights is a step forward, but the path to full normalization of ties is fraught with complexities.

The Trinidad and Tobago government has reiterated its lack of concrete evidence regarding the alleged deaths of two Trinidadian nationals during a United States military operation targeting illegal drug trafficking in international waters near Venezuela. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers addressed the issue during a press conference in Port of Spain, emphasizing that the individuals, Richie Samaroo and Chad ‘Charpo’ Joseph, are currently considered missing rather than confirmed deceased. Sobers urged the families to file missing persons reports with the police, as no definitive proof of their deaths has been established. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, a former senior police officer, expressed skepticism about the innocence of the two men, citing unverified reports of their involvement in criminal activities. Meanwhile, Gary Aboud, secretary of the NGO Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, confirmed the deaths of Samaroo and Joseph among six fatalities resulting from the US operation. Aboud extended condolences to the bereaved families and highlighted the growing fear among local fishermen about venturing out to sea. The incident has sparked concerns over the collateral impact of international anti-drug operations on innocent civilians.

Hurricane Melissa has escalated into a Category 4 storm, wreaking havoc across the Caribbean as it advances toward Jamaica and Hispaniola. The hurricane, moving at a sluggish pace of 5 mph, has already claimed three lives in Haiti due to heavy rains and landslides. In the Dominican Republic, a 79-year-old man was found dead after being swept away by floodwaters, while a 13-year-old boy remains missing. Angelita Francisco, a 66-year-old homemaker, described the devastation as she fled her flooded home, her belongings adrift in the rising waters. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns of ‘life-threatening and catastrophic’ flooding and landslides, with Melissa expected to make landfall in Jamaica by Monday night or Tuesday morning, and southeastern Cuba by late Tuesday. The storm, currently 120 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 280 miles southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba, could unleash up to 40 inches of rain in some areas. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged residents in flood-prone zones to evacuate, while Norman Manley International Airport and all seaports have been closed. Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, following the destructive Hurricane Beryl in early July 2024.

As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, residents of St Ann, particularly fishermen and craft vendors, are making urgent preparations while grappling with the looming threat. On Sunday afternoon, amidst grey skies and persistent rain, Harold Bloomfield, a seasoned fisherman, voiced his concerns while cleaning a marlin. ‘I’m going to lose a lot of fish pots and other things, but I’m just bracing for it. I’m trying my best to survive,’ he said, reflecting the somber mood among locals. Bloomfield acknowledged the inevitability of the storm, stating, ‘We can’t stop God’s work. It’s going to hit us hard, but we have to stand strong.’

Nearby, Dennis Gordon, a vendor at the Ocho Rios Craft Market, was busy securing his goods under tarpaulins. He expressed anxiety about the hurricane’s potential aftermath, recalling the devastation caused by Hurricane Gilbert in the past. ‘When it passes, the place will be locked down—no tourists, no business. It will take us a long time to recover,’ he said. Gordon’s fears are echoed by meteorologists, who warn that Hurricane Melissa could bring catastrophic flooding and landslides to the island.

The community’s resilience is being tested as they face the dual challenge of safeguarding their livelihoods and ensuring their safety. Fishermen were seen pulling their boats ashore, while others reinforced their homes and businesses. The memory of past hurricanes looms large, with many hoping that Melissa’s impact will not be as severe. As the storm nears, the island remains on high alert, with residents doing their utmost to prepare for the worst while clinging to hope.

As Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm, approaches Jamaica, international organizations are ramping up efforts to provide critical aid to affected residents. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are leading the charge, coordinating a comprehensive relief operation to address the anticipated devastation. The storm is expected to bring severe flooding, powerful winds, landslides, and storm surges, posing a significant threat to the island nation.