Category Archives: Caribbean

There is the potential for two tropical systems, one in the Atlantic and one in the Caribbean, to slowly develop and drift westward over the next week.

The next two names on the list of tropical storms in the Atlantic for 2017 are Franklin and Gert.

Residents and those planning vacations around the Caribbean should closely monitor the weather and forecasts.

Up to this point in the season, there have been extensive areas of dry air and Saharan dust as well as a large zone of strong westerly winds aloft. These three factors act as a strong deterrent toward tropical storm formation and can bring an early demise to well-developed tropical storms and hurricanes.

Conditions are gradually becoming more favorable for development in the tropical Atlantic with dry air, dust and strong winds aloft on the retreat. Waters are sufficiently warm over the region.

One system, dubbed 90L, is located close to South America over the south-central Caribbean and is the more immediate concern of the two.

"In the short-term, the close proximity to South America will be a significant inhibiting factor for development," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.

"However, once this system moves away from South America, it will have a better chance for development sometime this weekend," Doll said.

Depending on the track and speed of strengthening of 90L, some of the islands and mainland areas may be affected by adverse conditions and perhaps localized flooding.

An immediate concern for torrential downpours, gusty thunderstorms and building seas will be in northwestern Venezuela, northern Colombia, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday.

RELATED: Delay of El Nino may spur more hurricanes in the Atlantic during 2017; US on alert for impacts 10 catastrophic Atlantic hurricane names youll never see again How do hurricanes get their names? 5 deadliest hurricane-related dangers

As 90L grows in size, the risk of flooding downpours, gusty winds and rough seas may affect Jamaica late Saturday night and Sunday.

Westerly steering winds may bring 90L close over Nicaragua and Honduras later this weekend.

While this track would mark an end for strengthening, the two nations could be affected by damaging and dangerous conditions from flooding and gusty winds.

Should 90L take a more northwesterly track, toward the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, it would have more time for development and may then wander into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico next week.

The system farthest away from North America, dubbed 99L, has the potential to gradually develop into next week and beyond, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.

"Nintey-nine L could become a tropical depression by the end of the weekend," Doll said.

Provided the system avoids strong winds aloft and dry air to the north, significant additional strengthening could occur.

If 99L develops and/or survives, then it is likely approach the Windward and Leeward islands during the middle to latter part of next week. Parts of these islands are likely to experience an uptick in showers and thunderstorms at the very least during that time.

The exact track of 99L in relation to the proximity to the islands will depend on how quickly the system strengthens. A weak and poorly organized system is more likely to track to the west. A developed system is more likely to track north of west.

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Caribbean, East Atlantic may spawn tropical threats in coming days - AccuWeather.com

Caribbean Hoopfest, an international youth basketball festival, is approaching its third year in the beautiful island of Jamaica. This years showcase will be held at the Montego Bay Community College in Jamaica from August 16-21.

Aside from Jamaica, the list of countries that are slated to partake include Trinidad, Canada and the United States. While all players arrive on the 16th, when they will partake in a variety of community and social events, the action on the hardwood starts on Friday, August 18. The itinerary aims to balance competition, entertainment and culture immersion.

An event that originated with four teams has grown to over 12 squads and hundreds of visitors from across the world. Featured players for the 2017 Caribbean Hoopfest include Brandon Jacobs and Loseni Kamara. The Queens native duo will be entering college this on full scholarships, with Kamar attending The University of Idaho and Jacobs attending Pace University.

Caribbean Hoopfest founder Donald Francois had a vision of bringing corporate resources to an underserved region. And so while uniting the global community he partnered with ADIDAS, the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second largest in the world.

RISING STARS, a non-profit organization is also assisting with the Caribbean Hoopfest initiative. The organization is dedicated to building communities and creating more balanced individuals, which directly align with the goals and mission of the Caribbean Hoopfetto assist in the development of life skills through basketball.

Both organizations recognized Francois vision and ever since have supported the idea of uniting the global community by Bringing the Worlds Together to teach, educate and converge the youth.

This unique event focuses on strengthening morale amongst the athletes, as well as their families, local business owners, community leaders and vendors, whom have all been impacted by the annual showcase.

Our goal has always been to promote growth and culture and this is our best way to do it, says Francois.

Robins Nest Childrens Home, an orphanage in Jamaica, recently partnered with the Hoopfest outreach program. Proceeds from numerous fundraisers will be presented to Danielle Stryka, the Director of Robins Nest.

Francois is also the boys freshman basketball assistant coach at Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, Queens.

At Molloy, hes coached and mentored current Division I prospects Cole Anthony, Moses Brown and Khalid Moore. In addition to his wide range of community projects, he is also the Director of TEAM NYC, an emerging AAU boys travel organization founded in 2012.

In Francois own words, the commitment is not limited to basketball; Its a commitment for life.

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2017 Caribbean Hoopfest Slated for August 16-21 in Montego Bay, Jamaica - SLAM Online

GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) Two United Nations agencies say, among global countries, the Caribbean has failed to fully meet the recommended standards for breastfeeding.

According to a new report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Global Breastfeeding Collective a new initiative to increase global breastfeeding rates only 40 per cent of children younger than six months are breastfed exclusively given nothing but breastmilk and only 23 countries have exclusive breastfeeding rates above 60 per cent.

The Global Breastfeeding Scorecard, which evaluated 194 nations, finds that breastfeeding has cognitive and health benefits for both infants and their mothers.

It is especially critical during the first six months of life, helping prevent diarrhoea and pneumonia, two major causes of death in infants, the report says. Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer, two leading causes of death among women.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director general, said breastfeeding gives babies the best possible start in life.

Breastmilk works like a baby's first vaccine, protecting infants from potentially deadly diseases and giving them all the nourishment they need to survive and thrive, he said.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said the scorecard was released at the start of World Breastfeeding Week, alongside a new analysis demonstrating that an annual investment of only US$4.70 per newborn is required to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months to 50 per cent by 2025.

Nurturing the Health and Wealth of Nations: The Investment Case for Breastfeeding suggests that meeting this target could save the lives of 520,000 children under the age of five and potentially generate US$300 billion in economic gains over 10 years, as a result of reduced illness and health care costs and increased productivity, according to PAHO.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective and cost-effective investments nations can make in the health of their youngest members and the future health of their economies and societies, said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. By failing to invest in breastfeeding, we are failing mothers and their babiesand paying a double price: in lost lives and in lost opportunity.

PAHO said the investment case shows that in five of the world's largest emerging economies China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Nigeria the lack of investment in breastfeeding results in an estimated 236,000 child deaths per year and US$119 billion in economic losses.

Globally, investment in breastfeeding is far too low, said PAHO, stating that, each year, governments in lower- and middle-income countries, such as some in the Caribbean, spend about US$250 million on breastfeeding promotion, with donors providing only an additional US$85 million.

The Global Breastfeeding Collective has called on Caribbean and other countries to increase funding to raise breastfeeding rates from birth through two years.

It has also called on countries to fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions through strong legal measures that are enforced and independently monitored by organisations free from conflicts of interest.

Additionally, the Global Breastfeeding Collective urges countries to enact paid family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies, building on the International Labor Organization's maternity protection guidelines as a minimum requirement, including provisions for the informal sector.

The Global Breastfeeding Collective wants countries to implement the 'Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding' in maternity facilities including providing breastmilk for sick and vulnerable newborns and improve access to skilled breastfeeding counselling as part of comprehensive breastfeeding policies and programmes in health facilities.

Breastfeeding is critical for the achievement of many of the [UN's] Sustainable Development Goals [SDG], PAHO said. It improves nutrition (SDG2), prevents child mortality, and decreases the risk of non-communicable diseases (SDG3), and supports cognitive development and education (SDG4).

Breastfeeding is also an enabler to ending poverty, promoting economic growth, and reducing inequalities, it added.

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UN agencies say Caribbean fails to fully meet recommended standards for breastfeeding - Jamaica Observer

JONESBORO The Caribbean Association of Georgia Inc. is hosting its 8th Annual South Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival on Aug. 19.

The festival, presented by Clayton County Board of Commission Chairman Jeff Turner, will be held at the Clayton County International Park, 2300 Ga. Highway 138, from 1 to 8 p.m. The event will celebrate Caribbean American heritage.

The CAG festival will feature a lineup of entertainers including dancers, singers, musicians, stilt performers and spoken word artists. Visitors will have the chance to taste authentic Caribbean food and children can play in the CAG Kids Zone. Free medical screenings will also be available.

The Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival provides a family friendly atmosphere that highlights the rich contributions of the Caribbean American community. Each year, the Caribbean Association of Georgia shares the spirit and economic power of Atlantas Caribbean American community. This years celebration in Clayton County will help support CAGs ongoing international humanitarian efforts and local social impact programs.

Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available, but space is limited. For more information about the South Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival and the work of CAG visit http://www.caribbeangeorgia.org.

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South Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival planned for Aug. 19 - News-Daily.com

Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

Royal Caribbean tests Diamond drink redemption change Royal Caribbean Blog (blog) Onboard Majesty of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Blog reader Nick Vitani shared this photo of a notice given to guests who are at least Diamond level in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society. The note advises guests that a pilot program is in effect, ...

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Royal Caribbean tests Diamond drink redemption change - Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

There is the potential for two tropical systems, one in the Atlantic and one in the Caribbean, to slowly develop and drift westward over the next week.

The next two names on the list of tropical storms in the Atlantic for 2017 are Franklin and Gert.

Residents and those planning vacations around the Caribbean should closely monitor the weather and forecasts.

Up to this point in the season, there have been extensive areas of dry air and Saharan dust as well as a large zone of strong westerly winds aloft. These three factors act as a strong deterrent toward tropical storm formation and can bring an early demise to well-developed tropical storms and hurricanes.

Conditions are gradually becoming more favorable for development in the tropical Atlantic with dry air, dust and strong winds aloft on the retreat. Waters are sufficiently warm over the region.

One system, dubbed 90L, was located close to South America over the south-central Caribbean and is the more immediate concern of the two.

"In the short-term, the close proximity to South America will be a significant inhibiting factor for development," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.

"However, once this system moves away from South America, it will have a better chance for development sometime this weekend," Doll said.

Depending on the track and speed of strengthening of 90L, some of the islands and mainland areas may be affected by adverse conditions and perhaps localized flooding.

An immediate concern for torrential downpours, gusty thunderstorms and building seas will be in northwestern Venezuela, northern Colombia, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday.

As 90L grows in size, the risk of flooding downpours, gusty winds and rough seas may affect Jamaica late Saturday night and Sunday.

Westerly steering winds may bring 90L close over Nicaragua and Honduras later this weekend.

While this track would mark an end for strengthening, the two nations could be affected by damaging and dangerous conditions from flooding and gusty winds.

Should 90L take a more northwesterly track, toward the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, it would have more time for development and may then wander into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico next week.

The system farthest away from North America, dubbed 99L, has the potential to gradually develop into next week and beyond, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.

"Nintey-nine L could become a tropical depression by the end of the weekend," Doll said.

Provided the system avoids strong winds aloft and dry air to the north, significant additional strengthening could occur.

If 99L develops and/or survives, then it is likely approach the Windward and Leeward islands during the middle to latter part of next week. Parts of these islands are likely to experience an uptick in showers and thunderstorms at very least during that time.

The exact track of 99L in relation to the proximity to the islands will depend on how quickly the system strengthens. A weak and poorly organized system is more likely to track to the west. A developed system is more likely to track north of west.

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Caribbean, East Atlantic may spawn tropical threats in coming days - Fox News

Why settle for a beachfront cabana when you can rent the whole island? For $595 per night, Bird Island off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean could be yours. The listing comes courtesy of Airbnb, which plies such unique retreats as a treehouse in a 150-year-old oak, a replica of Vincent Van Goghs Bedroom in Arles, and a floating house on Australias Great Barrier Reef.

Stay on your own in a truly private island on a beautiful atoll, with excellent swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and exploringwith all the comforts, Airbnb promises. It is a perfect setting for either a romantic get-away for a couple, a family gathering/reunion or for a small group of friends.

The spot, which is 20 minutes by boat from Placencia Village on the mainland, includes a private three-bedroom home that can accommodate up to six guests, a brand-new propane refrigerator and freezer, and a rainwater filtration system.

Although Bird Island is off the gridpower is generated through solar and windyou dont have to be cut off from the world if you dont want to. The locale boasts a phone for local numbers, plus good and reliable WiFi.

Related: Washington Hobbit Hole is the first of three in an off-grid Shire

Self-sufficiency is key, however. Youll have to supplyor fish foryour own food. Snorkling or angling equipment is also strictly BYO.

The central theme of Bird Island is a self-catering, Robinson Crusoe type of adventure, yet with all the comforts, where one could get to do their own thing in total privacy, Airbnb says. We offer Bird Island at an exceptional price for an experience best-suited for the adventurous who are totally self-sufficient.

+ Airbnb

Photos via Airbnb

Via Thrillist

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Airbnb will let you rent your own off-the-grid Caribbean island - Inhabitat

4:20 AM ET

Peter Della PennaCricket

What is the CPL?

The Caribbean Premier League is a six-team franchise T20 competition that's perhaps better than England's T20 Blast but not quite as big as the IPL. From a quality and entertainment perspective, it's about on par with Australia's Big Bash League.

More than anything, what makes the CPL unique from other T20 competitions is Caribbean flair. It's not just Dwayne Bravo who is dancing after each wicket. The league is filled with crowd-pleasing entertainers, and that infectious energy spreads into the stands where the support is reinforced by soca, reggae, calypso and other island beats.

Each of the six teams plays each other twice, five games each home and away (with the exception of the four neutral-venue games in Florida). The top four teams qualify for the playoffs in Trinidad & Tobago.

CPL Draft v IPL Auction

Unlike the IPL auction, where players go to the highest-bidding franchise, the CPL uses a player-draft system modelled on American sports franchises. Each draft slot has a fixed salary; players taken in the first round get US $160,000, fifth-round picks make $70,000, all the way down to $4000 for the final selections in the 15th round.

Squads have the choice to retain players from previous seasons or release them back into the draft pool. They also must pick an ICC Americas player from either USA or Canada, who are not considered overseas players, as well as an Under-19 West Indies player to round out their 17-man squads.

As teams are only allowed a maximum of four overseas players in the XI, most franchises carry no more than five overseas players in their squad. So, unlike in the IPL, where overseas stars can be picked at will to boost the bench, CPL franchises are much more judicious in their overseas draft picks. If you get a dud, it's far more difficult to swap them because there may only be one overseas player waiting on the bench and one who is not necessarily a like-for-like skillset swap.

Where do the teams stand?

Jamaica Tallawahs

The defending champions are relying more on brain than brawn, after a major revamp in the offseason. Chris Gayle and Chadwick Walton, their openers and two leading scorers, are gone, while Andre Russell, the player of the previous season, is still serving his one-year ban for a doping-code violation.

Lendl Simmons was tipped to fill part of the opening void after coming over from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, while Kumar Sangakkara was retained to provide stability in the top order and behind the stumps. Coach Paul Nixon places high value on players with a winning mentality, and few fit that description more heading into this season than Imad Wasim, who was part of the victorious Pakistan side in the Champions Trophy earlier in the year.

Imad forms a three-man left-arm spin attack, along with Shakib Al Hasan and Garey Mathurin, as they focus on building pressure by choking the scoring rate. Kesrick Williams was taken in the 13th round in the 2016 draft for just $5,000, but after topping his team's bowling charts with 17 wickets, has earned a pay rise to $30,000. Another good season should attract the attention of other overseas leagues.

Guyana Amazon Warriors

Three times a bridesmaid, but never the bride. Guyana topped the table at the end of the league stage last year, but with Martin Guptill leaving for New Zealand duty, they were walloped in the final by Jamaica to fall short of the title for the third time in four years.

Guyana were dealt a major blow on the eve of the tournament when their leading scorer of 2016, Chris Lynn, was ruled out of the season due to upcoming shoulder surgery. He has been replaced by the up-and-coming Pakistan batsman Babar Azam, while the batting order has been injected with fresh blood in the form of Chadwick Walton and USA captain Steven Taylor, who is expected to take on a bigger role after limited opportunities in his two years with Barbados Tridents.

The Australian Adam Zampa, last season's leading spinner, is no longer with the side. In most cases, any replacement would be considered a downgrade, but the arrival of Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan may be what this side needs to clear the final hurdle and claim their first title.

St Lucia Stars

Formerly called the Zouks, the Stars received a double-blow ahead of their first match when their top two picks, David Miller and Lasith Malinga, withdrew. In their places is a pair of New Zealanders, Mitchell McClenaghan and Jesse Ryder.

In the past, Ryder was as capable of imploding as he was of exploding on the opposition. If he can rediscover his peak form, it will go a long way toward ensuring the Stars return to the playoffs for the second year in a row. Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher formed the most consistently destructive opening combination of CPL 2016, but with the exception of Shane Watson, struggled to find support down the order. That will need to change for sustained success.

Trinbago Knight Riders

The 2015 champions are the most settled of the six squads, with the tournament's leading wicket-taker, Dwayne Bravo, supported by fellow returnees Kevon Cooper and Sunil Narine. Outside of Rashid, Knight Riders may have plucked the best acquisition of the offseason by drafting Pakistan legspinner Shadab Khan in the eighth round for $30,000.

On the batting front, Knight Riders will have to endure the early-season absence of Hashim Amla, their leading scorer from 2016, while South Africa's Test series continues in England. Brendon McCullum will have to pick up the slack in Amla's absence and will be keen to bounce back after a subpar 2016 season.

Barbados Tridents

After winning the title in 2014 and losing in the final in 2015, Tridents missed the playoffs for the first time in 2016. AB de Villiers finished as their second-highest scorer despite playing just six games, and they have addressed the top-order deficiency by revamping the batting.

Dwayne Smith was brought over from Amazon Warriors, while the CPL's most high-profile batting newcomer, Kane Williamson, was snapped up in the second round for $130,000. Twin legspinners Imran Khan and Damion Jacobs provide captain Kieron Pollard with attacking options in the field.

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

This side has undergone the biggest facelift during the offseason in a bid to change their fortunes, having finished with at least a share of the last place in every season. Gayle was the most high-profile acquisition, and despite a poor IPL, he still possesses the intimidation factor that Patriots lacked in the past. If he clicks, Gayle and Evin Lewis may give Patriots a lethal opening combination.

The bigger changes, though, were made in the bowling, which was the weakest of any side last year despite having one of the top T20 bowlers in the world in Samuel Badree. Hasan Ali, the Man of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy, and Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi are new additions, while the $130,000 big ticket item Chris Morris will enhance the bowling further when he arrives after the end of South Africa's tour of England.

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The time for Caribbean flair is now - ESPN

Caribbean Salmon

MIKE GARTEN

August 04, 2017 - 7:30 AM

Caribbean Salmon

Serves 4.

Note: From "Skillet Suppers," by the editors of Good Housekeeping.

1 14-oz. can coconut milk, shaken

2 garlic cloves, crushed with press

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1/2 tsp. salt

3 c. cooked basmati or jasmine rice

1 medium mango, peeled and finely chopped

3 c. baby arugula

1/4 c. loosely packed fresh dill, chopped

Directions

In a 10-inch skillet, combine coconut milk, garlic and pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Sprinkle salmon with salt. Add salmon to skillet. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until just salmon is just opaque throughout. Remove from salmon from heat.

Using a slotted spoon, remove salmon from coconut milk and transfer to a large bowl. Add rice, mango, arugula and dill. Carefully toss, and serve.

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Sunday Supper: Caribbean Salmon - Minneapolis Star Tribune

YouTubeLuxuryLifestyleCollection

Does $28 million sound like too much to spend on a beachfront mansion on the Caribbean island of St. Martin? Yes? Well, you're not alone.

The trust that oversees President Trumps assets listed Le Chateau des Palmiers for $28 million back in April, but recently slashed the price $11 million recently in what appears to be an attempt to shed the property, The Washington Post reports. At the current price of $16.9 million, the beachfront property is on a par with other luxury properties for sale on the island now.

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While the Sothebys listing doesnt mention Trumps name anywhere in the listing, the Instagram account of their St. Martin office hinted at it in their gallery post saying, its huuuuuge!

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The nine-bedroom estate is located on a white sand beach on Plum Bay in St. Martin and has a heated pool, fitness center and tennis court.

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It also comes with all the chandeliers and marble you'd imagine a Trump property would have.

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This property has some particularities, being that the owner is the president of the United States, and there are some positives and then some unwanted attention that come with that, Jonathan Schaede, a broker with Sunshine Properties, told The Washington Post. It definitely makes for conversation, but I dont see anybody lining up outside.

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The current asking price is also much lower than the reported $19.7 million Trump bought the property for in 2013, according to The Washington Post. Trumps financial disclosures show that the estate, which he used mostly as a rental property, generated up to $3 million in rental income over the past three years, so its unknown why his trust is selling it the Trump Organization denied The Washington Posts requests for comment.

See more of the property here:

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Would You Buy Donald Trump's $17 Million Caribbean Mansion? - Cosmopolitan.com