分类： world

A moderate earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck the Caribbean region on Friday, causing tremors across several cities. The seismic event, which occurred at 10:59 am local time, was recorded at a depth of 142 kilometers, according to the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in St. Augustine, Trinidad. The quake was felt in multiple locations, including 33 kilometers northeast of Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 67 kilometers south-southwest of Castries in St. Lucia, and 128 kilometers south of Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique. Despite the widespread tremors, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The SRC continues to monitor the situation, urging residents to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols in the event of aftershocks.

In a significant military operation, US forces targeted an alleged drug-smuggling vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Friday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike in a post on X, accompanied by a video showing the boat engulfed in flames. Hegseth described the operation as targeting ‘narco-terrorists’ transporting ‘substantial amounts of narcotics’ intended for the US, vowing that such strikes would persist until threats to American citizens are eradicated. This marks at least the fourth such attack, with a total of 21 fatalities reported. The US government has classified drug cartels as ‘non-state armed groups’ and ‘terrorist organizations,’ justifying the strikes as part of an ‘armed conflict.’ However, critics argue that the lack of evidence and the summary nature of the killings raise legal and ethical concerns. The operation has escalated tensions between the US and Venezuela, with Caracas condemning recent US military activities in the region as provocations. The deployment of US warships and fighter jets has further strained relations, with Venezuela accusing the US of threatening its national security.

A tropical wave is anticipated to emerge off the coast of Africa this Friday, as reported by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). The meteorological system is projected to interact with another atmospheric disturbance over the eastern tropical Atlantic, subsequently progressing westward. Environmental conditions are expected to favor the gradual development of this system over the coming days. By the end of next week, there is a possibility that the wave could evolve into a tropical depression, potentially forming near or east of the Lesser Antilles. The NHC continues to monitor the situation closely, urging residents in the region to stay informed about potential weather developments.

Caribbean leaders are being called upon to implement a ‘blue tax’ on ships utilizing the region’s ports, with the revenue directed into a Caricom fund aimed at safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems. This proposal emerged during a panel discussion on sustainable shipping at the Caribbean Maritime University Industry Conference, where concerns were raised about cruise lines and foreign shippers profiting while Caribbean waters bear the environmental brunt. Devant Maharaj, Director of Professional Services at ECO Canada and former Trinidad and Tobago transport minister, emphasized the urgency of the issue. ‘Rather than encouraging more cruise ships to dump waste into our seas, we should impose a blue tax,’ he stated. ‘This fund should be managed collectively by Caricom to ensure it is used for marine protection rather than diverted to local projects like road repairs or school construction.’ Maharaj highlighted alarming statistics: 795,000 tonnes of raw sewage and eight tonnes of garbage are dumped into Caribbean waters weekly, with 85% of untreated sewage from cruise liners being released into the ocean. Despite these environmental hazards, individual islands continue to court cruise ships for economic gain. The discussion also addressed the Caribbean’s significant role in global shipping, with logistics strategist Dr. Eric Deans noting that the region accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s shipping tonnage through flags of convenience. However, he warned that the region often forfeits its leverage by ceding port control to foreign operators. Radcliffe Spence, a lecturer in shipping and logistics, criticized Jamaica’s Kingston Freeport Terminal concession for lacking sustainability provisions, contrasting it with efforts in Barbados and Antigua, which are investing in renewable energy for port operations. Meanwhile, private companies like Campari Group Jamaica are stepping up, embedding sustainability into their procurement strategies and influencing carrier practices. Maharaj stressed the need for political unity and a broader definition of sustainability encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions. ‘True sustainability requires breaking the shackles of colonialism and achieving economic self-sufficiency,’ he concluded.

MIAMI, United States (CMC) — Hurricane Imelda, which has been rapidly moving away from Bermuda, is anticipated to transition into an extratropical storm later on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami. As of Thursday, the storm was located approximately 170 miles east-northeast of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds reaching 85 miles per hour (mph). It is currently advancing east-northeast at a speed of nearly 30 mph. The Meteorological Service of Bermuda has downgraded the hurricane warning to a tropical storm warning, indicating that tropical storm conditions are expected to persist for the next few hours. Bermudian authorities have confirmed that the most severe phase of Hurricane Imelda has passed, though hurricane-force winds and gusts remain prevalent. Residents are urged to remain indoors until the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) issues an all-clear. The NHC forecasts that Hurricane Imelda will continue its northeastward trajectory on Friday and Saturday, with its core moving further away from Bermuda in the coming hours. The storm is expected to weaken gradually over the next several days as it transitions into an extratropical low. Swells generated by Imelda are currently impacting the Bahamas, Bermuda, and much of the United States’ east coast. The NHC has also warned that these swells will extend toward the Greater Antilles and northern Leeward Islands by Friday, continuing through the weekend, potentially creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly denounced the recent violent incident outside a synagogue in Manchester, UK, labeling it a “barbaric terror attack.” The assault, which occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, resulted in two fatalities and four injuries. The suspect was reportedly shot dead by authorities, who classified the event as a terrorist act. Netanyahu emphasized that “weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism,” urging strength and unity to combat such threats.

MIAMI, United States (CMC) – Hurricane Imelda, which has been a significant weather event in the Atlantic, is now rapidly moving away from Bermuda, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) based in Miami. As of Thursday, the storm, boasting maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (mph), was located approximately 170 miles east-northeast of Bermuda and is advancing towards the east-northeast at a speed of nearly 30 mph. The NHC anticipates that Imelda will transition into an extratropical storm later in the day, with a gradual weakening expected over the coming days. The Meteorological Service of Bermuda has downgraded the hurricane warning to a tropical storm warning, indicating that tropical storm conditions are still anticipated in the immediate future. Bermudian authorities have reported that the most severe impacts of Hurricane Imelda have passed, but caution remains as hurricane-force winds and gusts persist. Residents are advised to remain indoors until the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) declares it safe. The NHC has also highlighted that swells generated by Imelda are affecting the Bahamas, Bermuda, and much of the U.S. East Coast, with these swells expected to spread towards the Greater Antilles and northern Leeward Islands by Friday, continuing through the weekend. These conditions are likely to create life-threatening surf and rip current situations.