分类: world

  • FLASH : Sunrise Airways flights delayed and cancelled (October 30)

    FLASH : Sunrise Airways flights delayed and cancelled (October 30)

    Sunrise Airways has announced significant disruptions to its flight schedules in and out of Haiti due to Hurricane Melissa, effective Thursday, October 30, 2025. The airline has issued updates regarding delayed and canceled flights, along with options for affected passengers. Delayed flights include S6 613 MIA CAP, now departing at 9:00 a.m. instead of 7:00 a.m., and S6 041 CAP CYA, rescheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Additionally, several flights have been canceled, such as S6 030 CAP PAP and S6 012 PAP CAP. Passengers impacted by these disruptions are offered re-routing options, allowing them to reschedule their flights at no extra cost, or cancellation options, providing credits for unused tickets. Sunrise Airways urges travelers to monitor official channels for updates on the resumption of operations. For assistance, passengers can contact the airline via phone at +509 28 11 22 22 or +1 877 652 0202, or email reservations@sunriseairways.net.

  • Tourism Minister: No theatre of war in the Caribbean

    Tourism Minister: No theatre of war in the Caribbean

    As the winter tourism season gains momentum, Saint Lucia anticipates a significant economic boost driven by an expected surge in both cruise and stay-over arrivals. However, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism and Deputy Prime Minister, has expressed concerns over the escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States, warning that any regional aggression could negatively impact the tourism sector.

    Speaking on October 27, Hilaire emphasized the broader consequences of conflicts, stating, ‘Wars always have consequences beyond the theatre of engagement. Sometimes, decision-makers fail to consider the collateral damage.’ He reiterated Saint Lucia’s commitment to promoting the Caribbean as a ‘Zone of Peace,’ advocating for the exclusion of nuclear weapons and warships from the region.

    Hilaire stressed the importance of maintaining the Caribbean as a safe and peaceful area, adding, ‘We do not want to be a theatre of war.’ Despite these concerns, he acknowledged that some geopolitical issues are beyond the nation’s control, and the government is closely monitoring developments to respond swiftly if necessary.

    Meanwhile, Minister for Education Shawn Edward highlighted the impact of regional tensions on Saint Lucian students abroad. While the primary focus has been on ensuring the safety of students in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, Edward revealed that the government has also engaged with students in Trinidad and Tobago, where US military presence has heightened anxieties.

    Edward assured the public that the situation does not warrant panic, but the government remains prepared to support students if circumstances change. The recent deployment of US military assets, including warships and surveillance planes, to the Caribbean has drawn criticism from Venezuelan officials, particularly after the USS Gravely’s arrival in Port-of-Spain on October 26.

    As Saint Lucia navigates these challenges, Hilaire remains hopeful that diplomacy and good sense will prevail, safeguarding the region’s stability and economic prospects.

  • Jamaica reels from Hurricane Melissa as island suffers historic devastation

    Jamaica reels from Hurricane Melissa as island suffers historic devastation

    Jamaica is grappling with unprecedented devastation after Hurricane Melissa, the most intense storm in the island’s recorded history, unleashed its fury overnight. The hurricane left a trail of destruction, crippling power and communication networks across the nation. Journalist Nick Davis painted a grim picture of the aftermath, reporting catastrophic flooding, mudslides, and extensive roof damage. He likened the force of the winds to palm trees being ‘tossed like toothpicks,’ underscoring the storm’s ferocity. In Montego Bay, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie disclosed that parts of the city were entirely isolated as rivers surged up to five meters. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals and government offices, was inundated, forcing the evacuation of a homeless shelter. Rescue operations are ongoing but face significant challenges due to blocked roads and downed power lines. While no fatalities have been confirmed, communication with several parishes remains limited, raising concerns about the full extent of the damage. Amid the chaos, moments of hope emerged. McKenzie shared that three babies were safely delivered during the storm, one of whom he affectionately dubbed a ‘Melissa baby.’ He hailed these births as a testament to Jamaica’s resilience ‘even in the darkest hours.’ Hurricane Melissa has since moved on to Cuba, where it brought torrential rain and storm surges with winds reaching 185 km/h. The storm is now tracking northeast toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, prompting authorities to issue warnings for destructive winds and coastal flooding. In Jamaica, residents have begun the arduous task of clearing debris and checking on neighbors, showcasing the community’s enduring spirit of unity in the face of disaster.

  • Orkaan Melissa eist 25 levens in Haïti en veroorzaakt zware schade in Jamaica en Cuba

    Orkaan Melissa eist 25 levens in Haïti en veroorzaakt zware schade in Jamaica en Cuba

    Hurricane Melissa has unleashed catastrophic destruction across the Caribbean, claiming at least 25 lives in Haiti and leaving a trail of devastation in Jamaica and Cuba. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 295 km/h, has caused widespread flooding, power outages, and structural damage. In Haiti, the southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve saw the La Digue River overflow, collapsing dozens of homes and trapping residents under debris. Mayor Jean Bertrand Subrème has urgently called for government assistance in rescue operations, as limited emergency services struggle to cope with the crisis. In Jamaica, over 25,000 people sought refuge in shelters after the hurricane tore roofs off homes and left many temporarily homeless. Desmond McKenzie, Deputy Chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, ‘It’s not going to be an easy road, Jamaica.’ The U.S. Department of Defense released footage from Hurricane Melissa, captured by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, which flew through the storm to gather critical weather data. In Cuba, the storm caused collapsed houses, blocked mountain roads, and blown-off roofs, particularly in the southwest and northwest regions. Approximately 735,000 people are sheltering in eastern Cuba. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned citizens not to underestimate the storm, calling it ‘the most powerful ever to hit the country.’ The hurricane is expected to exacerbate Cuba’s existing economic crisis, marked by prolonged power outages and shortages of fuel and food. Jamaica is racing to assess the damage, with officials reporting widespread destruction in Clarendon and St. Elizabeth. The U.S. government has deployed disaster response teams and search-and-rescue personnel to the region, while non-essential U.S. personnel and their families have been authorized to leave Jamaica due to the storm’s impact.

  • Widespread damage reported in JA post-Melissa, full extent unknown

    Widespread damage reported in JA post-Melissa, full extent unknown

    Hurricane Melissa unleashed its fury on Jamaica on Tuesday evening, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its path. The Category 5 storm, with wind speeds surpassing 185 mph, wreaked havoc across the island, particularly in western regions. Reports from eTurbo News reveal that nearly 75% of Jamaica is without power, with extensive flooding submerging numerous areas. The storm’s ferocity has obliterated countless homes, leaving many families homeless and vulnerable. Montego Bay International Airport suffered severe damage and remains shuttered as authorities evaluate the aftermath. Social media accounts from Black River in St. Elizabeth, the hurricane’s point of landfall, depict a town in ruins, with at least three families trapped in their homes. Montego Bay and Negril also faced severe flooding, power outages, and structural damage. In contrast, eastern Jamaica, including Kingston, experienced minimal impact. Communication disruptions have hindered a full assessment of the disaster’s scale. The hurricane also struck Cuba, where it was classified as a Category 3 storm with wind speeds reaching 115 mph. Heavy rains and life-threatening storm surges exacerbated the crisis, isolating approximately 140,000 people due to rising river levels. The death toll, as reported by CNN, stands at 28 in Haiti, 3 in Jamaica, and 1 in the Dominican Republic. In response, the United States, the United Nations, and the United Kingdom have pledged support and aid to Jamaica and other affected nations during this critical period.

  • Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across the Caribbean

    Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across the Caribbean

    Hurricane Melissa has unleashed widespread destruction across the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The storm, which initially struck Jamaica as a historic Category 5 hurricane, later made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 before advancing towards the Bahamas as a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The hurricane has caused fatalities, severe flooding, and extensive damage to homes, hospitals, and schools in its path. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a ‘disaster zone’ on Tuesday, with power outages and flooding reported across both Jamaica and Cuba. The ‘All Clear’ was announced on October 29, allowing essential services to resume. In Haiti, the death toll rose to at least 25 after a river swollen by the hurricane burst its banks in Petit-Goâve. While Jamaica has not yet released an official death toll, three fatalities occurred during storm preparations. One death has also been reported in the Dominican Republic. Meteorologists warn that Melissa’s strongest winds are expanding, posing an increased threat to the Bahamas, where warnings remain in effect as the storm is forecast to pass between Long Island and Crooked Island later today.

  • US Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats Kill 14

    US Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats Kill 14

    In a significant escalation of efforts to combat drug trafficking, US military forces conducted strikes on four suspected drug vessels in the eastern Pacific on October 29, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals. The operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, was confirmed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated that the targeted vessels were identified by intelligence agencies as part of known narco-trafficking routes. One survivor was reportedly rescued approximately 400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, with Mexican authorities now leading the coordination efforts. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly condemned the strikes, emphasizing the need for adherence to international treaties and calling for urgent discussions with US officials. This incident marks the latest in a series of US military actions targeting suspected drug boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, which have claimed at least 57 lives to date. The strikes have heightened tensions between the US and regional governments, particularly Colombia and Venezuela. The US recently imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and deployed military assets, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean. President Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organization, a claim Maduro vehemently denies. The situation underscores the growing complexities of international drug enforcement efforts and their geopolitical ramifications.

  • Hurricane Melissa kills over 30 in the Caribbean as it heads toward the Bahamas

    Hurricane Melissa kills over 30 in the Caribbean as it heads toward the Bahamas

    Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 3 storm, wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The hurricane made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday morning, causing ‘significant damage’ and isolating approximately 140,000 people due to rapidly rising river levels. As the storm advanced toward the Bahamas, its impact continued to be felt across the region. In Jamaica, Melissa struck as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, severely damaging public infrastructure and plunging most of the island into darkness. The full extent of the devastation remains unclear, with many areas still inaccessible. The storm also proved deadly, claiming at least 25 lives in Petit-Goâve, Haiti, after a river swollen by the hurricane burst its banks. Three fatalities were reported in Jamaica during storm preparations, and one person died in the Dominican Republic. As communities grapple with the aftermath, efforts to provide aid and support are underway. Here’s how you can assist those affected and share your experiences if you’ve been impacted by the disaster.

  • Message from monster Melissa

    Message from monster Melissa

    As Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic cyclones in history, battered Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and the Bahamas, it left behind a trail of devastation that underscores two critical issues: the escalating climate crisis and the indispensable role of Caribbean unity. The storm, with sustained winds exceeding 157 mph, caused significant damage, displacing thousands and claiming lives even before making landfall. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported severe impacts on infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, and properties, as the storm reached Category 5 intensity. In Haiti, floodwaters claimed 25 lives, including children, while Cuba evacuated 735,000 residents. The storm’s ferocity was fueled by unusually warm seawater, a direct consequence of climate change. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that humanity has already surpassed the 1.5°C global heating target, with devastating consequences for ecosystems worldwide. Despite these warnings, global discourse remains mired in political divisions, with oil and gas interests influencing populist agendas. Even figures like Bill Gates have downplayed the urgency, suggesting humanity can adapt to climate change. Meanwhile, regional leaders like Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago have undermined Caribbean unity, prioritizing national interests over collective action. Hurricane Melissa serves as a stark reminder that no nation is an island; the Caribbean must stand together to face the existential threat of climate change.

  • WATCH: US disaster relief team arrives in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

    WATCH: US disaster relief team arrives in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant move to bolster recovery efforts following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, the United States Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) touched down at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston on Thursday. The arrival of the team, accompanied by critical relief supplies, marks a pivotal moment in the international aid response to the Caribbean nation’s plight.