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Three Bodies Recovered In Black River After Hurricane Melissa Devastation

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(DDM) – The death toll in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, has risen to three following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, which battered the region on Tuesday.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the most recent body was discovered in the Gallon Beach area, one of the hardest-hit communities in the parish, where heavy flooding and mudslides swept through homes, vehicles, and farmlands.

Local authorities confirmed that the recovery was made early Wednesday morning after search and rescue teams intensified operations along the coastline and nearby waterways.

Residents told DDM that the storm unleashed fierce winds and torrential rainfall that caused several rivers to overflow, leaving behind widespread damage and displacement.

“Everything happened so fast. The water rose and carried away houses, vehicles, and people. We are still trying to find missing persons,” one eyewitness recounted.

The St. Elizabeth Police Division has since cordoned off the area, while emergency responders from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) continue rescue and relief efforts.

Officials described the discovery of the bodies as part of ongoing operations to locate more potential victims feared trapped under debris or carried away by floodwaters.

Authorities have also urged residents to remain cautious, warning that rising river levels and unstable ground conditions pose continued risks in several parts of the parish.

Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on Jamaica’s southern coast earlier in the week, brought intense rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters in some areas, causing flash floods and landslides across St. Elizabeth, Manchester, and Clarendon.

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DDM reports that the hurricane has been classified among the most destructive storms to hit Jamaica in recent years, leaving extensive damage to infrastructure, power supply, and agricultural zones.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has promised federal assistance to affected communities and ordered a full-scale assessment of the damage, while relief materials, including food and temporary shelter, are being distributed to displaced families.

Meanwhile, environmental experts have warned that the repeated pattern of severe flooding and coastal erosion linked to intensified tropical storms underscores the growing threat of climate change in the Caribbean region.

As cleanup efforts continue, the people of St. Elizabeth are left counting their losses, mourning loved ones, salvaging what remains of their homes, and hoping for swift recovery after yet another devastating hurricane season.

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UK Issues Fresh Travel Alert as Insecurity Worsens in Nigeria

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The United Kingdom has issued a new travel advisory, warning its citizens to avoid large parts of Nigeria due to worsening insecurity, terrorism, and violent crime.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released the update on GOV.UK, urging British nationals in Nigeria to exercise “extreme caution”, review safety measures, and maintain contingency plans.

According to the advisory, insecurity is now widespread across all regions, with incidents of kidnapping, intercommunal clashes, and violent crime rising sharply.

“Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria,” the FCDO said.

The UK government advised against all travel to six northern states  Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara  citing a high and growing threat from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa.

The warning also covered transport hubs, religious sites, and large gatherings, where terrorist attacks are most likely to occur. The FCDO added that humanitarian workers and facilities could be direct targets of extremists.

“Humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals,” the statement added.

The UK further warned against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba states, along with the outer suburbs of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It noted that violent crime, including armed robbery and kidnapping, has spread from Abuja’s outskirts into wealthier central areas. As a result, British staff in Nigeria have been ordered to restrict movements to central Abuja.

The advisory also flagged occasional protests and unrest in the capital, urging British nationals to stay informed, avoid demonstrations, and comply with security directives.

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In the North-East, the FCDO described the region as unstable despite ongoing military operations. It warned that retaliatory attacks could occur and noted that deteriorating conditions in Maiduguri might make evacuation “extremely difficult.”

The warning extended to riverine areas of the Niger Delta, including Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. The UK cited the presence of militant groups, frequent kidnappings, and attacks on oil and gas facilities as reasons for concern.

“Militant groups are active across the Niger Delta region and have carried out many attacks on oil and gas infrastructure,” it said.

In the South-East, the UK highlighted the activities of secessionist groups and frequent clashes with security forces, noting that while foreigners are rarely targeted, they risk being caught in crossfire.

The South-West, including Lagos, was also listed as an area of concern. The advisory said armed robbery, carjacking, mugging, and kidnapping are common, especially on the mainland and at night.

Although large-scale terrorist attacks remain rare in the region, the FCDO recalled that Islamic State West Africa had claimed two attacks in 2022.

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Trump Snubs G20 Summit, Revives ‘White Genocide’ Claims Against South Africa

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President Donald Trump imposed sanctions against South Africa
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United States President Donald Trump has announced that no American official will attend this year’s G20 Summit in South Africa, accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of grave human rights abuses.

Trump, who had earlier delegated Vice President JD Vance to represent him, made a sudden U-turn, declaring a total boycott of the summit.

“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.

“No U.S. government official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue.”

The American leader repeated his controversial claim that white Afrikaner farmers are being “killed and slaughtered” and that their farms are “illegally confiscated.”

He also confirmed that the 2026 G20 Summit would take place in the United States  at his own golf resort in Miami, Florida.

South Africa’s foreign ministry reacted sharply, calling Trump’s remarks “regrettable.”

In a statement, it said the government looked forward to hosting a “successful and inclusive summit” scheduled for November 22–23 in Johannesburg.

“The characterisation of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is ahistorical,” the ministry said.

“Furthermore, the claim that this community faces persecution is not substantiated by fact.”

Pretoria reaffirmed its G20 theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” and emphasized that its focus remained on global cooperation and shared development goals.

“Drawing on our journey from division to democracy, South Africa is uniquely positioned to champion genuine solidarity,” the ministry added.

Trump’s stance has deepened tensions between Washington and Pretoria.

Since returning to the White House in January, he has repeatedly targeted South Africa, claiming a “white genocide” is underway a claim long dismissed by rights groups and the South African government.

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Earlier this year, Trump confronted President Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, playing a video that alleged a campaign against white farmers.

The South African leader rejected the claim, saying there was no policy promoting violence or land seizures against any racial group.

Trump’s administration has also moved to slash the U.S. refugee quota to 7,500 per year, giving priority to white South Africans. Meanwhile, the White House has imposed 30 percent tariffs on South African goods  the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

The diplomatic rift widened further after South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a move that drew sharp criticism from Washington.

Despite the backlash, Pretoria said it remains committed to hosting global leaders and promoting unity at the summit.

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Don’t test Trump’s resolve,’ US lawmaker warns FG over killings of Christians

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(DDM) – United States lawmaker Riley Moore has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian Federal Government over the continued killings of Christians in the country.

The ongoing and tragic series of killings targeting Christians within the country has become a grave concern, highlighting a distressing pattern of violence that demands urgent attention.

This continued persecution has instigated fear and sorrow within the affected communities, leading to a climate of tension and insecurity that undermines the principles of coexistence and peace.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Moore emphasized the seriousness with which President Donald Trump is monitoring the situation, cautioning that any continued violence against Christians could provoke international scrutiny and action.

According to the lawmaker, the Trump administration is closely observing security challenges in Nigeria’s North and Middle Belt regions, where attacks by armed groups have disproportionately targeted Christian communities.

Moore described the killings as “unacceptable” and urged Nigerian authorities to take decisive steps to protect vulnerable citizens immediately.

He warned that failure to curb the violence may affect Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and could trigger measures from international partners, including sanctions or travel restrictions.

Observers note that the statement comes amid growing concern from foreign governments over religiously motivated attacks, with many human rights organizations calling for urgent intervention.

The lawmaker stressed the moral and political implications for Nigeria, urging the government to prioritize the protection of all citizens over political considerations.

While the Federal Government has pledged to improve security in affected states, incidents of mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks continue to plague areas such as Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger.

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Civil society groups welcomed Moore’s warning, describing it as a critical reminder that international attention remains focused on Nigeria’s human rights record.

Moore called for transparent reporting of attacks and immediate prosecution of perpetrators, noting that decisive action is essential to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.

Experts say sustained international pressure could influence domestic policy and compel stronger measures against perpetrators of religious violence.

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