The semifinal matches of the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup have been rescheduled due to the anticipated impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. The second leg between Defence Force and Mount Pleasant Football Academy, originally set for October 29, has been moved to November 5. This decision was announced by Concacaf’s chief football competitions officer, Carlos Fernandez, who emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of players, officials, and fans. Jamaica’s Meteorological Office had upgraded the alert level from a hurricane watch to a warning on October 24, prompting the change. Additionally, the all-Dominican Republic semifinal clash between O&M FC and Cibao FC has also been postponed. The first leg of this matchup will now take place on October 30, with the second leg scheduled for November 6. In the first leg between Defence Force and Mount Pleasant, the latter dominated with a 5-1 victory, maintaining their flawless record in this year’s tournament. Raheem Edwards scored twice, while Kimoni Bailey, Shaqueil Bradford, and Warner Brown added to the tally. Defence Force’s Kaihim Thomas managed a late consolation goal. The rescheduled second leg will be held at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. The Caribbean Cup champion will secure a direct spot in the round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the second- and third-placed teams advancing to the first round.
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#EyeOnMelissa: ‘Prioritise your mental health,’ says Health Ministry
As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches Jamaica, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging citizens to prioritize not only their physical safety but also their mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, emphasized the importance of mental health during such stressful times, encouraging individuals to utilize available resources. These include the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline (888-NEW-LIFE) and the U-Matter Chatline, which supports young people aged 16 to 24. The Ministry also advises staying informed through credible sources, checking on vulnerable individuals, maintaining healthy habits, and seeking help if overwhelmed. Mental health professionals remain on standby to assist during and after the storm. For additional support, the public can contact the Health Emergency Operations Centre at 888-ONE-LOVE.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Melissa strengthens into hurricane as it takes aims at Jamaica
MIAMI, United States — Hurricane Melissa has escalated into a Category 1 storm, posing a significant threat as it moves at an alarmingly slow pace toward Jamaica, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). The hurricane, currently generating winds of 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour, is forecasted to intensify rapidly into a major hurricane within the next 24 hours. The NHC’s latest advisory highlights the potential for devastating flash floods and landslides in Jamaica and Haiti, with the storm expected to linger over the region for several days.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Montego Bay preparing for the storm
As Tropical Storm Melissa looms over Jamaica, residents and authorities are ramping up efforts to minimize the potential destruction. The storm, which is predicted to intensify into Hurricane Melissa, has prompted widespread preparations across the island. In Montego Bay, workers were observed dismantling a large sign atop a building on Saturday, a precautionary measure to prevent it from becoming a hazardous projectile in the anticipated strong winds. The Western Parks and Markets agency has also initiated extensive clean-up operations to reduce the risk of garbage clogging drains and exacerbating flooding. With heavy rains and flooding expected, the accumulation of debris could severely impact drainage systems, leading to more extensive water damage. The community remains on high alert, taking proactive steps to safeguard lives and property as the storm approaches.
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#EyeOnMelissa: ODPEM activates National Emergency Operation Centre
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has escalated its response to Hurricane Melissa by activating the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) at its highest alert level. The tropical storm, rapidly intensifying, is anticipated to unleash severe weather across the island, necessitating a comprehensive and coordinated national effort.
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#EyeOnMelissa: JPS says no to system shut down
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has firmly denied rumors circulating about an imminent electricity shutdown scheduled for 1:30 pm today. In a statement released on Saturday, Winsome Callum, JPS Director of Corporate Communications, clarified that the company has no plans to cut power and emphasized that the system will remain operational as long as conditions permit. Callum urged the public to rely on official JPS communication channels for accurate updates, including the JPS website (jpsco.com), the MyJPS Mobile App, the JPS WhatsApp Channel, and the company’s social media pages (@myjpsonline).
JPS also warned that, depending on the severity of the impending weather system, prolonged power outages could occur. Restoration efforts will prioritize essential services, major industrial zones, and urban centers, with smaller communities and individual customers being addressed afterward. Callum reassured the public, stating, ‘This is a time to remain calm, focused, and properly informed, while we care for each other.’ The company emphasized the importance of staying updated through verified sources to avoid misinformation during this critical period.
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Carter into 50m butterfly final in final leg of Swimming World Cup
Trinidad and Tobago’s elite swimmer, Dylan Carter, is set to conclude his 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup journey with a determined push for a podium finish in Toronto, Canada. On October 25, Carter will compete in the men’s 50-meter butterfly final at 6:32 PM (TT time), aiming to cap off his campaign with a medal. Earlier in the day, during the preliminary rounds, the 29-year-old secured second place in heat four with a time of 22.49 seconds, trailing behind Canada’s Ilya Kharun, who dominated with a blistering 21.85 seconds—the fastest time across all heats. Carter’s performance ranked seventh overall in the prelims, signaling the need for a stellar effort in the final to add to his two bronze medals earned earlier in the competition. In the first leg of the Swimming World Cup in Indiana, Kharun claimed gold in the 50m butterfly with a time of 21.86 seconds, while Carter finished fifth in 22.57 seconds. The second leg in Illinois saw Kharun repeat his golden feat in 21.69 seconds, with Carter placing seventh at 22.48 seconds. Carter’s previous successes include bronze medals in the 50m backstroke (first leg) and 50m freestyle (second leg), showcasing his versatility and determination throughout the tournament.
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Tropical Storm forces postponement of Army’s return leg with Mt Pleasant
The semifinal matches of the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup have been rescheduled due to the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Melissa in Jamaica. The second leg between Defence Force and Mount Pleasant Football Academy, originally set for October 29, has been moved to November 5. This decision was announced by Concacaf’s chief football competitions officer, Carlos Fernandez, who emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of players, officials, and fans. Jamaica’s Meteorological Office had earlier upgraded the country’s alert level from a hurricane watch to a hurricane warning on October 24. The first leg of the match, held on October 22 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, saw Mount Pleasant dominate with a 5-1 victory over Defence Force. Raheem Edwards scored twice, while Kimoni Bailey, Shaqueil Bradford, and Warner Brown added to the tally. Kaihim Thomas managed a late consolation goal for Defence Force. The other semifinal, an all-Dominican Republic clash between O&M FC and Cibao FC, has also been rescheduled. The first leg will now take place on October 30, with the second leg on November 6. The Caribbean Cup champion will secure a direct spot in the round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, while the second- and third-placed teams will enter the first round.
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Turbulence among stars featured on Dasvibes’ ‘Dancehall Nice Again’ compilation
From his humble beginnings as a sound system operator in Seaview Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica, Dasvibes has always been driven by a singular mission: to spotlight emerging dancehall talent from underserved communities. Now based in Brisbane, Australia, where he has resided for 16 years, Dasvibes continues to champion the genre with his latest project, ‘Dancehall Nice Again,’ a compilation album released on October 25. The album features a dynamic mix of established stars like Turbulence and rising artists such as Charly B, Wiski D, and Wilful Skillful, representing a diverse array of countries including Jamaica, Australia, the United States, France, Costa Rica, and Guyana. In an interview with Observer Online, Dasvibes emphasized his deliberate approach to curating the album, stating, ‘I handpicked artistes based on authenticity, originality, and their passion for real dancehall culture. I wanted voices that embody the true spirit of dancehall and bring their own cultural flavour.’ One of the standout tracks, ‘One Life,’ a collaboration with Turbulence, has already gained significant traction in the UK and South Africa. Other notable contributions include Wiski D’s ‘Bring That Come,’ Charly B’s ‘Reda Than Red,’ and Yellow Marshall’s ‘Not Like Dem.’ Dasvibes, who spent four years perfecting the project, aims to showcase the vibrancy and global appeal of dancehall. Beyond music, Dasvibes is a mobile application developer and a key figure in Australia’s burgeoning dancehall scene. His earlier success with the EDM track ‘Stickmen Toys Rock’ and his roots as DJ Wade on the Dub Sonic sound system in Seaview Gardens have cemented his reputation as a multifaceted talent. His journey, blending a passion for information technology with music production, underscores his unique contribution to the dancehall genre.
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#EyeOnMelissa: NMIA to temporarily close at 9pm as Melissa approaches island
KINGSTON, Jamaica – In response to the impending Tropical Storm Melissa, PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), the operator of Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), has announced the temporary closure of the airport effective 9:00 PM tonight. The shutdown will follow the departure of the last scheduled flight on Saturday.