Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians, stripped of their homes by widespread destruction, have resorted to setting up makeshift tents in graveyards. This desperate measure underscores the severity of the situation, as the enclave grapples with the aftermath of conflict despite a fragile ceasefire agreement. Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, highlighted the grim reality: ‘This graveyard wasn’t meant for the living. But today, it’s home to dozens of families who have nowhere else to go.’ Khoudary emphasized that these families are not choosing to live among tombstones but are driven by sheer desperation, as graveyards have become the only available free spaces. Rami Musleh, a father of 12 displaced from Beit Hanoon in northern Gaza, shared the emotional burden of raising children in such dire conditions. ‘For parents, the psychological trauma of war is made worse by having to raise children among tombstones,’ he told Al Jazeera. Another resident, Sabah Muhammed, lamented the loss of sanctity in these spaces: ‘Graveyards, once sacred for the dead, are now silent witnesses to a living crisis. No water, no electricity, and no privacy … only the bare minimum to survive.’ The poignant reality is that in Gaza, even the land reserved for the dead has become the last refuge for the living.
分类： world
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Caribische bisschoppen waarschuwen voor militaire spanningen in de regio
The Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC), the overarching body of Catholic bishops in the Caribbean, has voiced profound concerns regarding the escalating presence of military vessels and foreign troops in the southern Caribbean. The bishops warn that this development could severely impact the socio-economic stability, security, and daily lives of the region’s inhabitants. In a formal statement, the AEC urged government leaders to prioritize de-escalation, dialogue, and respect for national sovereignty, emphasizing that ‘war or the threat of war is never the right solution.’ They invoked historical papal teachings on peace and moral responsibility to underscore their message. Simultaneously, the AEC condemned the surge in narcotics activities in the region but stressed that violence and extrajudicial actions are never justified, even in combating drug-related crime. The bishops highlighted the tangible threats posed by warships and the disruption of maritime activities, particularly to fishing and coastal communities reliant on the sea. They called on regional leaders to uphold the Caribbean model of dialogue, cooperation, and peace, reminding them of the region’s historical success in conflict resolution through diplomacy. Concluding their statement, the AEC appealed to both leaders and citizens to remain committed to hope, reconciliation, and non-violent solutions, while emphasizing the moral duty to protect society’s most vulnerable.
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First ship calls at new Kingstown Port shortly after opening
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) marked a historic milestone with the grand opening of the new Kingstown Port on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The event, held just two days before the nation’s 46th anniversary of independence from Britain, symbolized a transformative leap toward economic resilience and modernization. The first vessel to dock at the port was the Cyprus-flagged container ship FOUMA, measuring 166.15 meters in length and 25.26 meters in width, which arrived shortly after the opening ceremony.
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Aerodom responds to the effects of Storm Melissa: “So far, no flights have been canceled”
As Hurricane Melissa advances toward the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic’s airports, managed by Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), continue to operate without disruptions. Luis José López, Aerodom’s Communications Director, confirmed to arecoa.com on Sunday, October 26, that all scheduled flights are running as planned, with no cancellations reported. López emphasized that operations remain normal and that the concessionaire is prepared to communicate any changes to passengers through multiple channels if necessary. Aerodom has activated its Emergency Plan, with airport teams implementing preventive measures to ensure safety and operational continuity. Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 113–136 knots (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h), continues its slow but steady path past the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of intense downpours, thunderstorms, flooding, and mudslides. Experts note that the storm’s structure is reorganizing, with decreased upper-level winds potentially allowing it to strengthen further. Melissa is expected to reach Category 5 status before making landfall in Jamaica early next week.
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Canada : High-level visit by the Gang Supression Force
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, visited the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) headquarters in Haiti this week. Accompanied by André François Giroux, Canada’s Ambassador to Haiti, and a delegation of senior Canadian officials, Rae’s visit marked the highest-level UN diplomatic engagement with the GSF since its transition from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) on October 3, 2025. The GSF, led by Deputy Commander Colonel Eldon Morgan, welcomed the delegation and showcased its ongoing efforts to combat gang-related insecurity in the region. During his visit, Rae praised the GSF’s dedication and professionalism, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting the Force’s transformative role in restoring stability. He emphasized Canada’s $60 million contribution, which includes funding for a Regional Maritime Security Initiative aimed at countering transnational organized crime across the Caribbean. Rae also called for patience and continued cooperation, expressing optimism about the deployment of additional GSF personnel by April 2026. As part of his itinerary, Rae met with female GSF personnel, highlighting their critical contributions, and inspected newly acquired helicopters that enhance the Force’s air mobility and logistical capabilities.
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Where in the Caribbean is Melissa located?
The National Hurricane Center (NHC), in collaboration with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, provided an update on tropical weather conditions this Saturday, emphasizing that Hurricane Melissa persists as a significant threat in the Caribbean Sea. Currently positioned approximately 130 miles southeast of Jamaica, the hurricane continues to pose risks of heavy rainfall, perilous waves, and sustained winds that could impact Jamaica and neighboring islands in the immediate future. Meanwhile, the NHC also reported a period of relative calm across the North Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, with no new tropical cyclones anticipated to develop over the next seven days. This forecast suggests a temporary stabilization in the region following recent meteorological activity.
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Gonsalves contacts Vincy student group as hurricane threatens Jamaica
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has called for solidarity and prayers for Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa, a potentially catastrophic storm, advances toward the island. Speaking at the inauguration of the new port in Kingstown, Gonsalves emphasized the immediate danger facing Jamaica, urging attendees to pray for the safety and well-being of the Jamaican people, particularly Vincentian students and residents. The hurricane, predicted to escalate to a Category 5 storm within 48 hours, poses a significant threat with sustained winds exceeding 157 mph. Gonsalves highlighted his communication with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Vincentian Students Association, ensuring that necessary precautions are in place for student safety. He also mentioned discussions with UWI Vice Chancellor Sir Hillary Beckles, who confirmed that the university has implemented robust measures to protect students, including relocating Jamaican students with secure accommodations to make space for others. Gonsalves reassured parents of students in Jamaica, stating that he remains in close contact with student leaders and will continue to monitor the situation. He emphasized the importance of prayers not only during the storm but also in its aftermath, addressing potential post-hurricane challenges.
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Hurricane Melissa reaches category 4 strength, threatening catastrophic impacts
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.
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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.