Jamaican officials issued urgent warnings on Saturday as Hurricane Melissa approaches, threatening to become the strongest storm ever recorded in the country.
“Do not take this lightly,” warned Daryl Vaz, Jamaica's Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport. “Avoid making foolish decisions, like venturing out in the middle of the storm to see what's happening."
The National Hurricane Center reported that Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify over the weekend. In response, all airports in Jamaica will close at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The last flight of the day will be allowed to land if delayed, but all subsequent flights will be suspended until further notice.
Melissa is forecast to reach Category 4 strength as it passes over Jamaica, making it the most powerful storm to ever impact the country, according to Evan Thompson, Director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service.
“There is nowhere that will escape the wrath of this storm,” Thompson stated. The storm is expected to bring between 20 to 30 inches of rain, with National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome calling the situation "very concerning."
“If you have friends or family in the area, it’s crucial that you contact them to ensure they are aware and taking necessary precautions,” Rhome urged.
Hurricane Melissa has already claimed the lives of at least three people in Haiti. The Haitian Civil Protection Agency reported two fatalities from a landslide near Port-au-Prince on Thursday, and an elderly man was killed by a falling tree in Marigot.
As of 2 p.m. ET Saturday, the storm was moving west-northwest at just 1 mph, located about 145 miles southeast of Kingston.
The hurricane center warned of “life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides” across Jamaica and southern Hispaniola over the weekend. In the Dominican Republic, more than 500,000 people have already lost water service due to downed trees and widespread traffic disruptions.
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The Kremlin stated on Monday that it hoped another summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could take place once the necessary preparations had been completed.
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Sunday it had arrested Amir Rashid Ali in Delhi, accusing him of conspiring with the driver of a car that exploded near the Red Fort last week, killing eight people and injuring at least 20 others on 10 November.
Around 50 tourism companies attended the "China Visitors Summit" in Baku on Sunday (17 November). The event, organised by the State Tourism Agency, was the first time it was held in Azerbaijan's capital, and brought together representatives from the tourism industries from both countries.
The UK has announced its most extensive asylum reforms in decades, replacing automatic routes to permanent settlement with temporary protection reviewed every 30 months.
Ukraine is facing a sharp escalation in fighting across several fronts, with Russian forces launching large-scale offensive operations while Kyiv intensifies long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had made significant advances in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, capturing two settlements as part of what it described as a broader offensive aimed at securing full control of the strategic territory.
Storm Claudia, which brought violent weather to Portugal, has resulted in the deaths of three people and left dozens injured, authorities reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Britain, rescue teams were organising evacuations due to heavy flooding in Wales and England.
U.S. President Donald Trump purchased at least $82 million in corporate and municipal bonds between late August and early October, including new investments in sectors benefiting from his policies, according to financial disclosures made public on Saturday.
Japan urged China on Saturday to take "appropriate measures" after Beijing issued a warning to its citizens against travelling to Japan, amid an ongoing dispute over Taiwan.
The Kremlin stated on Monday that it hoped another summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could take place once the necessary preparations had been completed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration of intent on cooperation at the Villacoublay air base near Paris during Zelenskyy's visit on Monday.
A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death on Monday, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Sunday it had arrested Amir Rashid Ali in Delhi, accusing him of conspiring with the driver of a car that exploded near the Red Fort last week, killing eight people and injuring at least 20 others on 10 November.
Around 50 tourism companies attended the "China Visitors Summit" in Baku on Sunday (17 November). The event, organised by the State Tourism Agency, was the first time it was held in Azerbaijan's capital, and brought together representatives from the tourism industries from both countries.
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