In a significant move to support public sector employees, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines announced a 3% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for three months during his Independence Address. This one-off, tax-free payment will benefit public servants, nurses, teachers, police officers, prison officers, and non-established employees in the central government. The announcement, made at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, coincides with the nation’s 46th independence anniversary from Britain. The COLA, costing the Treasury EC$3 million, is expected to be disbursed by the end of November 2025, fueling speculation of an early general election ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline. Additionally, 2,704 individuals previously receiving a monthly COLA of $175 will receive another three-month payment from October to December this year, amounting to $1.4 million. Gonsalves also highlighted plans for salary-related negotiations with public sector unions in January 2026, to be included in the 2026 Budget. Further measures include appointing 234 teachers and 159 public servants with verified degrees to appropriate graduate salary scales, effective November 1, 2025, at a cost of EC$1.25 million. The government also plans to create 30 additional Teacher II and 46 Teacher III posts to accommodate promotions. Gonsalves emphasized his administration’s commitment to addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, having rebuilt or repaired 5,000 damaged houses and provided EC$2.5 million in appliances to affected families. Despite these efforts, 2,000 homes remain unaddressed, and a waiting list of 2,500 individuals for appliances persists. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s dedication to supporting citizens during natural disasters, ensuring free repairs, appliance deliveries, and social safety nets.
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Hurricane Melissa may be ‘catastrophic’ for Jamaica, say experts
Hurricane Melissa has escalated to a Category 5 storm, the most severe classification, with wind speeds peaking at 165 mph (270 km/h). The hurricane is expected to make landfall early Tuesday, posing significant threats to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations. Already, Melissa has claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with four fatalities reported. Meteorologists have issued warnings about the storm’s slow movement, which is likely to result in prolonged heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding and landslides. Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The extreme rainfall potential due to the slow motion will create a catastrophic event for Jamaica.” In response, the Jamaican government has ordered evacuations in parts of Kingston and declared the entire island as “threatened.” Forecasters predict that Melissa could strengthen further in the next 12 to 24 hours, bringing destructive winds and life-threatening storm surges to Jamaica overnight Monday and early Tuesday. The NHC anticipates that the hurricane’s core will move near or over Jamaica by Monday night, followed by southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night and the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday. Despite potential fluctuations in intensity, Melissa is expected to remain a major hurricane as it traverses these regions. The NHC forecasts up to 40 inches (100 cm) of rain in some areas of Jamaica over the next four days, heightening flood risks. Local authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to seek safer shelter. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a social media post, called for thorough preparation and adherence to evacuation orders, expressing resilience with the message, “We will weather this storm and rebuild stronger.”
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Rising stars shine in global health tech
Four ambitious students from the University of the West Indies (UWI) have embarked on a transformative journey into the future of healthcare, leveraging technology and innovation to position Barbados as a burgeoning hub for health tech advancements. The students—Daemon Dawson, Jahniqua Esdaille, Jaliea Lovell, and Tarika Birch—participated in the Health Tech Fellows Programme (HTFP), a groundbreaking initiative co-developed by FutureHEALTH and UWI. This program, supported by FutureBARBADOS and the IDB Lab, aimed to strengthen the health tech ecosystem in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. Over six weeks, the fellows gained hands-on experience at leading health technology companies in the UK and Europe, immersing themselves in digital health, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and health systems innovation. Dr. Kia Lewis, community activator for FutureHEALTH, emphasized the program’s mission to address the urgent need for health innovation in the region. ‘The initiative is designed to cultivate a pipeline of skilled professionals and establish a local health tech innovation culture with global partners,’ she explained. The students’ placements in Bristol, London, and Germany exposed them to international professionals and live projects, fostering both technical and professional growth. Dawson, who interned at Wanda Health in Bristol, described the experience as transformative, highlighting mentorship and exposure to cardiometabolic disease research. Birch, assigned to FluoretiQ, was inspired by the collaborative process of health tech development. Esdaille, working at NeuroVirt Limited in London, expanded her skills from back-end to full-stack development, while Lovell, placed in Germany, praised the inclusive and diverse culture of her host organization. Dr. Lewis noted that the fellows’ achievements underscore the potential of Caribbean talent in advancing health innovation. The program’s success reflects a growing collaboration between academia and industry, with plans to integrate health technology into UWI’s curriculum and create opportunities for knowledge transfer to local solutions.
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Three arrested, prime suspect in gas station explosion still at large
In a tragic incident that has shaken Georgetown, Guyana, a deadly explosion at a Mobil gas station has left a six-year-old girl dead and four others injured. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has confirmed the arrest of three individuals connected to the blast, but the prime suspect remains at large. The explosion, which occurred at approximately 7:24 p.m. on October 27, 2025, caused significant damage to the gas station and surrounding buildings, including a KFC outlet and parts of the High Court. CCTV footage revealed that the suspect, a Spanish-speaking man, attempted to place a bulky black plastic bag near a fuel pump before leaving the scene. Moments later, the bag exploded as a car was reversing nearby. The GPF has launched a coordinated operation, intercepting a silver motor car (PSS 7874) used by one of the suspects. Forensic experts are analyzing plastic and metal fragments collected from the scene to determine their origin. The GPF has urged the public to provide any information on the suspect’s whereabouts, emphasizing their commitment to bringing those responsible to justice. This incident follows two similar high-intensity explosions in May 2025, which remain unsolved.
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NOAA Hurricane Hunters Cut Short Mission as Hurricane Melissa’s 200-mph Winds Batter Aircraft
In an unprecedented move, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters were compelled to cut short their reconnaissance mission on Monday as Hurricane Melissa unleashed ferocious winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The aircraft encountered severe turbulence in the storm’s southwestern eyewall, prompting the rare decision to abort the mission. Melissa, now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, is on a collision course with Jamaica, raising alarms across the Caribbean region. Forecasters predict the storm will approach or directly hit Jamaica late Monday night or early Tuesday, October 28–29, before traversing eastern Cuba and heading toward the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos by Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that hurricane-force winds extend nearly 195 miles from the storm’s center, with Melissa’s sluggish 3 mph forward motion expected to prolong devastating conditions, including destructive winds, flash flooding, and landslides. Even before making landfall, Melissa has already claimed lives in Jamaica, with at least three fatalities reported. Among the victims was a healthcare worker in St Elizabeth, tragically killed by a falling tree during storm preparations. Jamaican authorities have issued urgent warnings, urging residents to remain in safe shelters as catastrophic flooding and landslides loom. The NHC emphasized that whether Melissa strikes as a Category 4 or 5 hurricane, the impact will be equally devastating, with both categories capable of causing catastrophic wind damage. As the storm continues its menacing path, the Caribbean braces for days of destruction and peril.
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Government evaluates Hurricane Melissa damage to determine possible state of emergency
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – President Luis Abinader revealed on Monday that the government is actively assessing the extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa to determine the necessity of declaring a state of emergency. Such a declaration, which would require congressional approval for additional funding, hinges on the ongoing evaluation of the storm’s lingering effects. Abinader stressed that the full impact of the hurricane, which brought torrential rains, widespread flooding, and significant property damage across the nation, is still being analyzed.
In a public address, the president reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting affected families and communities. “As we have demonstrated in past storms, we stand firmly with our people and will not abandon them in their time of need,” he declared. Emergency response teams are currently deployed in the hardest-hit regions, providing aid and assessing infrastructural damage.
According to the latest update from the Emergency Operations Center (COE), the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left 3,785 individuals displaced, 737 homes damaged, and critical infrastructure such as two roads and two bridges compromised. Additionally, 38 people remain in shelters, and 48 communities are isolated due to the storm’s devastation. Hurricane Melissa, the 13th cyclone of the Atlantic hurricane season, has already claimed one life in the Dominican Republic, further exacerbating the region’s challenges in a year marked by a series of destructive storms.
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Guyana on standby to provide humanitarian support to Jamaica after monster hurricane passes
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the most devastating storm in Jamaica’s history, Guyana has announced its readiness to provide humanitarian support to the affected nation. The Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has confirmed its preparedness to dispatch emergency assistance, including technical, logistical, and relief supplies, to aid in Jamaica’s response and recovery efforts. The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with regional partners, such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), to coordinate potential support. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour and gusts up to 215 miles per hour, is expected to make landfall near Kingston, Jamaica, late Monday or Tuesday, October 2025. The Government of Guyana is also assessing the safety of Guyanese nationals in Jamaica, ensuring they have access to emergency assistance and arranging for possible repatriation. The government has urged citizens in Guyana and the wider Caribbean to stay informed through official advisories and support regional preparedness efforts.
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Global experts converge in Saint Lucia for high-level workshops
From October 28 to 30, Saint Lucia will host two high-profile international workshops at the Harbor Club in Rodney Bay, bringing together global experts in trade, policy, and sustainability. These events are part of the Remaking Trade for a Sustainable Future Project (RTP), a global initiative co-led by Dr. Jan Yves Remy, a prominent Saint Lucian trade expert and director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy, and Services at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus. Launched in 2023, the RTP aims to align global trade policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). After successful dialogues in cities like Brussels, Washington DC, and Nairobi, the project now focuses on the Caribbean, highlighting the region’s potential to lead in sustainable trade transformation. The workshops will feature over 70 participants, including policymakers, private-sector leaders, academics, and civil society representatives, collaborating to shape a greener and more inclusive Caribbean economy. The first workshop, on October 28, will focus on advancing the CARICOM Industrial Policy and Strategy (CIPS), exploring how trade incentives and regional value chains can bolster critical sectors like agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy. The second workshop, on October 29-30, will delve into the burgeoning global bioeconomy, valued at over $4 trillion and projected to reach $30 trillion by 2050. Discussions will center on sustainable agriculture, marine biotechnology, and eco-tourism, culminating in a draft Caribbean Sustainable Trade and Bioeconomy Action Plan to guide climate-smart development.
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Dominican and Israeli authorities launch joint risk management training in Israel
The Israeli Embassy in the Dominican Republic, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (Mispas), has facilitated the participation of a multidisciplinary Dominican team in the international course “Emergency Situations Management.” This training, scheduled from October 19 to 31, 2025, in Israel, is a joint effort supported by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mispas’s Department of Risk Management and Environmental Health. The initiative underscores the deepening collaboration between the two nations in emergency healthcare and disaster response. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum on emergency management, encompassing hospital and community response systems, coordination with security forces, and strategies for community resilience. Participants will engage in both theoretical and practical sessions, focusing on mass casualty incidents, hazardous materials management, and hospital organization. Additionally, they will exchange insights with Israeli health authorities, rescue teams, and hospitals to bolster national and international crisis response capabilities. The delegation includes representatives from key Dominican institutions such as Mispas, the National Emergency Operations Center (COE), the Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Assistance (DAEH), the Dominican Red Cross, the National Police Hospital, Plaza de la Salud General Hospital, and the Dominican Air Force. The Israeli Embassy emphasized that this initiative enhances bilateral cooperation in public safety and health preparedness. Mispas further highlighted that the knowledge acquired will be disseminated nationwide to refine hospital response plans, rapid action protocols, and inter-institutional coordination.
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PM Briceño Reaffirms Support for Caribbean as a “Zone of Peace” Amid Tensions
Prime Minister John Briceño of Belize has reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to preserving the Caribbean as a ‘zone of peace,’ aligning with the collective stance of CARICOM Heads of Government. This declaration comes amid escalating tensions fueled by increased U.S. military presence near Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Briceño emphasized the importance of regional unity, stating, ‘The Caribbean is a zone of peace, and we must do everything to maintain it.’ He highlighted Venezuela as a key partner and Trinidad and Tobago as a valued member of CARICOM. The Prime Minister’s remarks were prompted by recent developments, including the arrival of U.S. warships in the region and reports of strikes on suspected drug vessels. Briceño condemned attacks on fishing boats, acknowledging the possibility of drug-related activities but stressing the need for lawful and peaceful resolutions. On October 18, 2025, CARICOM leaders, excluding Trinidad and Tobago, issued a statement endorsing the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. The statement advocated for dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution while reinforcing cooperation against narcotrafficking and the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons within the framework of international law.