标签: Jamaica

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  • #EyeOnMelissa: NCB branches to remain closed

    #EyeOnMelissa: NCB branches to remain closed

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Melissa, the National Commercial Bank (NCB) has announced the temporary closure of all its branches on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The decision, aimed at ensuring the safety of both customers and staff, was communicated in a public statement on Tuesday. The bank plans to conduct thorough assessments and aims to resume operations on Thursday, October 30, 2025, provided conditions are safe. During this period, NCB is encouraging its customers to utilize its online banking platform, mobile app, and Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) located at branch sites for their banking needs. Bruce Bowen, NCB’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed solidarity with the Jamaican people, stating, ‘NCB stands with the people of Jamaica during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the hurricane, and we remain committed to supporting the nation’s recovery efforts in any way we can.’ The bank’s proactive measures highlight its dedication to maintaining service continuity while prioritizing safety amidst the natural disaster.

  • #EyeOnMelissa: Section of Arthur Wint Drive blocked by downed electricity pole

    #EyeOnMelissa: Section of Arthur Wint Drive blocked by downed electricity pole

    In Kingston, Jamaica, a significant traffic disruption has occurred on Arthur Wint Drive, close to the Bustamante Hospital for Children. The cause of the blockage is a fallen electricity pole, which has rendered the road impassable. Authorities have promptly advised motorists to seek alternative routes to avoid the affected area. The incident has raised concerns about potential delays for emergency vehicles and hospital access. Local officials are working to clear the obstruction and restore normal traffic flow. Further updates on the situation are expected as efforts to resolve the issue continue.

  • #EyeOnMelissa: Front gate leading to Mandeville Hospital blocked

    #EyeOnMelissa: Front gate leading to Mandeville Hospital blocked

    In a recent development, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has issued a public advisory regarding severe flooding affecting access to the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester, Jamaica. The primary roadway leading to the hospital’s front gate has been rendered impassable due to the rising waters. As an alternative, the SRHA has directed the public to use the entrance located at Hargreaves Avenue near Cecil Charlton Hall. Meanwhile, in St. Elizabeth, Superintendent Coleridge Minto, the divisional commander, has confirmed that the road leading to the Black River Hospital is also blocked. These disruptions highlight the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions in the region, potentially impacting emergency services and patient care. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and utilize the designated alternate routes to ensure access to essential medical facilities.

  • #EyeOnMelissa: JDF launches Melissa incident response form

    #EyeOnMelissa: JDF launches Melissa incident response form

    In response to the impending threat of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has introduced a new incident response form to facilitate local reporting of storm-related observations. The JDF emphasized that this initiative is designed to gather critical information rather than prompt immediate emergency responses. Residents facing life-threatening situations are advised to contact emergency services directly by dialing 119. For non-urgent incidents, individuals are encouraged to complete the form, detailing the type of event, the parish and specific location of occurrence, and the severity of the situation. Additionally, users can upload photos and specify the date and time of the incident. The JDF highlighted that the collected data will significantly enhance response coordination and may be shared with other government agencies to assess the extent of damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. A screenshot of the incident report website has been made available to guide users through the process.

  • Amazon says cutting 14,000 jobs globally

    Amazon says cutting 14,000 jobs globally

    PARIS, France (AFP) — In a significant move to optimize its operations and focus on artificial intelligence (AI), Amazon, the US-based online retail behemoth, revealed on Tuesday its decision to eliminate 14,000 corporate jobs. The announcement, made via a statement on the company’s corporate website, did not specify the regions or departments affected by the layoffs. Senior Vice-President Beth Galetti, who signed the statement, emphasized that the decision is part of Amazon’s ongoing strategy to reduce bureaucracy, streamline operations, and allocate resources toward its most impactful initiatives.

  • #EyeOnMelissa: Hurricane Melissa reduced to Category 4

    #EyeOnMelissa: Hurricane Melissa reduced to Category 4

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa, initially a formidable storm, has weakened to a Category 4 hurricane shortly after making landfall in Jamaica. The National Hurricane Center reported that as of 2:00 pm, the storm’s center was positioned near latitude 18.5 North, longitude 77.7 West. Melissa is currently advancing north-northeast at approximately 8 mph (13 km/h).

    Meteorologists predict a shift toward the northeast with increased speed by Tuesday evening, accelerating further on Wednesday and Thursday. The storm’s core is expected to depart western Jamaica by Tuesday evening, subsequently traversing southeastern Cuba late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Melissa is then forecasted to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday, potentially approaching Bermuda by Thursday night.

    With maximum sustained winds nearing 145 mph (230 km/h) and higher gusts, Melissa remains a significant threat. It is anticipated to reach southeastern Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane and could maintain this intensity as it progresses through the southeastern Bahamas. NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft are scheduled to conduct investigations into Melissa on Tuesday evening.

    Hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 195 miles (315 km). The estimated minimum central pressure stands at 921 mb (27.20 inches). Authorities continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory and intensity closely, urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant.

  • Trinidad to deport Venezuelans

    Trinidad to deport Venezuelans

    The Trinidad and Tobago government has announced plans to deport 200 illegal Venezuelan immigrants as part of a broader initiative to combat criminal activities within the country. The Ministry of Homeland Security has issued a directive mandating that all undocumented migrants be held at the Immigration Detention Centre pending deportation. This policy, which takes immediate effect, supersedes previous practices of placing illegal immigrants on Orders of Supervision. The decision was formalized in a memo signed by Videsh Maharaj, Permanent Secretary of Homeland Security, and will remain in force until further notice. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the deportation targets only those illegal immigrants who have committed criminal offenses, regardless of nationality. She clarified that the policy does not apply to children and is specifically aimed at individuals detained in jails or detention centers for criminal activities. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, particularly over the U.S. military presence in the region. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recently suspended all energy agreements between the two nations, accusing Trinidad and Tobago of supporting U.S. efforts to instigate regime change in Venezuela. The deportation policy reflects the government’s broader strategy to address illegal immigration, which has been linked to rising criminality in the country.

  • #EyeOnMelissa: Winds intensify in downtown Kingston

    #EyeOnMelissa: Winds intensify in downtown Kingston

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa has unleashed its fury on Jamaica, making landfall in the island’s southwest region early Tuesday morning. As the storm traversed the island, its ferocity became increasingly evident, particularly in eastern parishes such as Kingston, where winds intensified significantly. By Tuesday evening, downtown Kingston bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact, with powerful waves inundating the shoreline and uprooted trees littering the streets. The hurricane, which initially struck around 11 a.m., is projected to move offshore by late Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as the storm’s aftermath continues to unfold.

  • Musk launches Grokipedia to rival ‘left-biased’ Wikipedia

    Musk launches Grokipedia to rival ‘left-biased’ Wikipedia

    Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, unveiled Grokipedia on Monday, positioning it as a rival to the widely-used online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Musk has frequently criticized Wikipedia for its perceived ideological bias, and Grokipedia aims to offer an alternative focused on impartiality and truth. The initial version, labeled 0.1, launched with over 885,000 articles, a fraction of Wikipedia’s more than seven million English entries. Musk promised a future version, 1.0, which he claims will be “10X better” than the current iteration, already touted as superior to Wikipedia. “Our mission is to pursue the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” Musk declared on X, formerly known as Twitter. The launch, initially scheduled for late September, was delayed to allow for the removal of what Musk termed “propaganda.” Grokipedia’s content is generated by AI, including the generative assistant Grok, which xAI developed. The platform has already drawn praise from some right-wing figures, including Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin, who lauded its neutrality compared to Wikipedia’s alleged bias. Wikipedia, established in 2001, operates as a volunteer-driven, donation-funded platform with a reputation for transparency and continuous improvement. A Wikimedia Foundation spokesperson emphasized the human-centric nature of Wikipedia, noting that AI projects like Grokipedia rely on human-created knowledge. While the long-term impact of Grokipedia remains uncertain, its launch marks a significant challenge to Wikipedia’s dominance in the digital encyclopedia space.

  • #EyeOnMelissa: ‘Ackee war’ in Arnett and Trench Town amid Hurricane Melissa

    #EyeOnMelissa: ‘Ackee war’ in Arnett and Trench Town amid Hurricane Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Hurricane Melissa unleashed torrential rains and fierce winds across Jamaica, most residents sought refuge indoors or in shelters. However, the neighborhoods of Arnett Gardens and Trench Town defied the storm’s fury, continuing a unique local tradition known as the ‘ackee war.’ Despite the hazardous weather, scores of young people gathered outdoors to engage in the spirited game, showcasing resilience and community spirit. ‘The storm can’t stop us. We are water ourselves. We’re out here playing ackee war and enjoying ourselves—no violence,’ one resident proudly declared. ‘Every storm, we’re out here, just love and love alone.’ The friendly competition pitted Arnett Gardens against Trench Town residents, highlighting a tradition that thrives even in the face of adversity. This event underscores the deep-rooted cultural practices and unity within these west Kingston communities, offering a glimpse into how they turn challenges into moments of joy and camaraderie.