Monthly Archives: July 2020

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will likely strengthen into Tropical Storm Isaias, pronounced “ees-ah-EE-ahs,” according to the National Hurricane Center

There is a 90 per cent chance that it will grow into a tropical storm in the next 48 hours, in NHC’s 11 pm Tuesday advisory.

In the latest advisory, Tropical-storm-force winds were reaching 230 miles from the centre. But there is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding the current forecast, storm track and intensity — whether it still stay a tropical storm or gain hurricane strength.

hurricane

“The intensity and the track forecast are highly problematic and there is still a great deal of uncertainty with the model spread,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Davis.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine/Tropical Storm Isaias is a reminder that we are in the midst of a hyperactive Atlantic hurricane season and the peak is approaching.

Experts predict that if the weather disturbance will pass over the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Wednesday, then Thursday over Hispaniola, it could keep the storm from strengthening beyond a tropical storm. But if its track were to change, if it were to spend more time over the water, then it could gain intensity and perhaps even reach hurricane strength.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued Tropical Storm warnings for Puerto Rico, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Martin, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

If Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine forms into Tropical Storm Isaias, it would be earliest in the season that a storm starting with the letter “I” has formed, according to Colorado State meteorologist Philip Klotzbach.

National #Hurricane Center gives 90% chance of tropical cyclone formation in next 5 days for disturbance currently in the eastern Atlantic. If it forms, it would be named #Isaias. Current record for earliest ‘I’ storm in the Atlantic basin is Irene on August 7, 2005. pic.twitter.com/8cM256suT5

— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) July 26, 2020

Likewise, Colorado State University’s published an updated seasonal forecast earlier this month, which called for 20 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes this season.

The post Tropical Storm Isaias likely to form appeared first on Caribbean News Now!.

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Mandarin Oriental Reopens Caribbean Resort

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Luxury brand Mandarin Oriental has reopened its only resort in the Caribbean, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, set on the island of Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines, reopened its doors this month. 

The ultra-luxe boutique resort has a total of 26 suites and 13 villas. 

mandarin oriental caribbean resort

The move comes after St Vincent and the Grenadines officially reopened its borders to international tourists (including those from the United States). 

mandarin oriental caribbean resort

Looking to visit? American Airlines recently relaunched its service from Miami to St Vincent’s Argyle International Airport, with daily roundtrip service. 

You can reach Canouan on inter-island flights or private aviation out of St Vincent. 

All travelers to the archipelago must fill out a pre-arrival travel form (you can find the form here), and show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in St Vincent. 

Those who don’t have PCR tests with them can be tested when they land, but must stay in quarantine until they get their results back. 

Mandarin first debuted in the Caribbean at the former Pink Sands Club in Canouan back in 2018. 

The company has another branded resort in development, the highly-anticipated, 100-room Mandarin Oriental, Grand Cayman, which will also include a residential component. 

For more, visit the Mandarin Oriental, Canouan. 

The post Mandarin Oriental Reopens Caribbean Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Riu Reopens Two Resorts in Jamaica

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All-inclusive giant Riu Hotels and Resorts has reopened a pair of resorts in Jamaica, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

Both the Riu Reggae resort in Montego Bay and the Riu Ocho Rios have reopened. 

Both resorts have reopened after having received certificates of COVID-19 compliance from the Jamaican government. 

The move follows a broader reopening of many of the Spanish company’s resorts in the wider Caribbean region, including in Punta Cana, Aruba and the Caribbean coast of Mexico. 

Jamaica reopened for tourism in June; here’s what travelers need to know before visiting. 

For more, visit Riu. 

— CJ

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Illinois, D.C., Puerto Rico added to NY quarantine list

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… Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico will now have to self …
Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico were added as New York … New York residents are of Puerto Rican descent.
Essential workers, such … Mexico
Nevada
Ohio
Oklahoma
Puerto Rico
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
…

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Political and civil group leaders pay tribute for Owen Arthur, Barbados’ longest-serving prime minister, who died earlier on Monday from heart-related complications.

Babardos’ current Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who struggled for word in her tribute, hailed Arthur as “the man for the times”.

Mottley believes the island has suffered a great loss in the passing of Arthur.

“Barbados is the poorer for his passing. His intellect was larger than life, believe you, me. His love of country as constant as a northern star. The last title bestowed on him was the most fitting – Professor of Practice. Owen was first and foremost a teacher. Taking the most complex economic issues and stripping them down to be understood by the average man and average woman in the shop. His keen sense of history and of politics shared daily with an emerging class of politicians that he would claim responsibility for bringing to public life,” Mottley stated, reflecting on his life.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Kamla Persad Bissessar says the Caribbean has lost one of its greatest statesmen and a true leader of character.

“On behalf of the United National Congress, I offer my sincere condolences to the people of Barbados on the passing of Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur. Our Caribbean region has lost one of its greatest statesmen and a true leader of character who dedicated his life not only to the development of Barbados but the entire region.”

Bissessar noted that Arthur’s vision went beyond the borders of Barbados as he committed to improving the overarching socio-economic structure of CARICOM and strengthening regional development.

Likewise she added that his legacy will live on for many generations as inspiration for many Caribbean youths who wish to enter politics.

CARICOM Leaders hail Owen Arthur

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described Arthur as a person who was passionate about his country.

“Today I pause to pay my respects to a man who served Barbados and the Caribbean with distinction, former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Seymour Arthur. I am truly saddened by his passing,” Holness said in a message on his Twitter page.

St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet extended deepest condolences to Barbados on the death of Arthur.

“Our heart goes out to his wife and daughters and all his family and friends and to the government and people of Barbados,” he added.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque said the entire Caribbean Community mourns the passing of an “ardent regionalist” in Arthur.

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, in his tribute, referred to Arthur as his “close friend and colleague.”

“Barbados and the Caribbean have lost a great son. He was one of the brilliant and best political minds of the region. A brilliant economist as well. I had tremendous respect for his insight into political and economic issues.”

Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit praised Arthur for his contribution to the socio-economic development of Dominica describing him also as a regionalist, who fought for the betterment of the 15-member regional integration movement, Caricom.

Caribbean diplomat Sir Ron Sanders praised Arthur for his love and commitment to the Caribbean.

“Owen Arthur and I had been talking almost every day over the last few weeks until he was admitted to hospital. He was deeply troubled by events in Guyana and about matters concerning LIAT.”

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