Carib Scope

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  • UN warns world to prepare for El Nino extreme weather

    UN warns world to prepare for El Nino extreme weather

    GENEVA, Switzerland – The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued an updated forecast confirming a steeply elevated probability that the climate-altering El Niño phenomenon will emerge by the third quarter of 2024, bringing with it a sharply increased threat of catastrophic extreme weather events across the globe. In its quarterly update on El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions released Tuesday, the agency confirmed that model data from its global collaborative forecasting network shows an 80% likelihood that El Niño will fully develop between June and August, with the probability climbing to 90% or higher by the end of November 2024.

    El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern defined by above-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which triggers cascading shifts in global atmospheric pressure, wind patterns, and rainfall distribution. The phenomenon follows a cyclical pattern, recurring every two to seven years and typically persisting for 9 to 12 months, oscillating between its cool counterpart La Niña and neutral ENSO conditions in between cycles. Most current forecasting models indicate that the upcoming 2024 El Niño will be at least moderate in strength, with a significant possibility that it will develop into a strong event.

    As of late April through mid-May 2024, WMO monitoring shows that sea surface temperatures in the central-eastern equatorial Pacific – the key reference region for tracking ENSO conditions – are already approaching the established threshold for El Niño. Below-surface ocean temperatures in the region are even more anomalous, measuring more than 6 degrees Celsius above long-term averages. The atmospheric indicator for ENSO, the Southern Oscillation Index, also aligns with the ongoing development of El Niño conditions.

    WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that global communities must prioritize immediate preparedness to mitigate the harmful impacts of the approaching event. Saulo noted that El Niño is likely to exacerbate existing climate stressors, amplifying the severity of droughts, intense rainfall events, and heatwaves across both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Even a moderate El Niño, she added, is enough to substantially raise the probability of record-breaking weather and climate extremes.

    The most recent El Niño event played a key role in pushing global temperatures to new historic highs: 2023 became the second-warmest year ever recorded, while 2024 surpassed all previous records to reach an average global temperature 1.55 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline of 1850-1900.

    While the WMO confirms there is currently no conclusive evidence that human-caused climate change increases the frequency or intrinsic intensity of El Niño events, researchers have established that anthropogenic warming amplifies the damaging impacts of El Niño. A pre-warmed global ocean and atmosphere hold greater amounts of energy and moisture, creating conditions that supercharge extreme weather events such as heatwaves and intense downpours.

    United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres framed the impending El Niño as an urgent call to action for global climate action. “El Niño is arriving on our doorstep,” Guterres said in a prepared video message. “The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. The only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis — ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all.”

    To date, 128 countries have established fully functional multi-hazard early warning systems, part of a UN-led initiative to achieve universal coverage for all nations by the end of 2027. Early advance warning of El Niño’s onset and intensity is designed to enable targeted preparedness across climate-sensitive sectors including agriculture, water resource management, energy, and public health, reducing harm to communities and economic disruption.

    Saulo added that El Niño’s impacts extend far beyond immediate weather disruptions, creating cascading risks that touch global trade, economic stability, and human security. “These go from variability of the climate, into the economy and security of the people. That’s why this information is so relevant and so important,” she told reporters in Geneva.

    Forecasts for the June to August 2024 period project nearly global above-average surface temperatures, increasing the risk of overlapping climate hazards and accelerating drought development in regions that see reduced rainfall during El Niño. While El Niño typically reaches its peak intensity between November and February, the full temperature spike associated with the event often emerges later in the cycle, and more refined forecasts for onset and strength are expected next month.

    Regional climate projections paint a clear picture of targeted risk across vulnerable regions: the northern Greater Horn of Africa is expected to see below-normal rainfall during its critical June-September rainy season; South Asia is projected to experience below-average monsoon rainfall; and Central America is likely to face warmer, drier than average summer conditions. For the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons, El Niño’s warm ocean waters tend to fuel more intense hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific, while suppressing storm development in the Atlantic during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

  • Punta Cana and Bahía de las Águilas earn spots in global travel rankings

    Punta Cana and Bahía de las Águilas earn spots in global travel rankings

    The Dominican Republic has received a significant boost to its international tourism standing, as two of its most celebrated coastal destinations have landed spots on elite global travel rankings compiled by two of the industry’s most influential publications. The dual recognitions highlight the nation’s unique ability to cater to both luxury resort seekers and eco-tourism enthusiasts, cementing its reputation as a must-visit Caribbean location.

    Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s flagship beach resort destination, secured a place on Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the world’s 11 best tropical vacation spots. The publication lauded the region for its postcard-perfect white sand shorelines, consistently warm sunny weather, energetic after-dark entertainment scene, wide array of open-water activities, and guided marine exploration excursions. Punta Cana shares the coveted ranking with other world-famous tropical getaways including the Maldives, the Bahamas, the Philippines, and French Polynesia, confirming its status as one of the Caribbean’s top travel hubs for international visitors.

    In a second notable nod to the country’s natural beauty, Lonely Planet named Bahía de las Águilas to its 2026 ranking of the 25 best beaches on the planet. Tucked inside Jaragua National Park in the southwestern province of Pedernales, the remote beach earned praise for its turquoise, crystal-clear waters, untouched powdery shore, and nearly unspoiled natural landscape that has stayed largely free of overdevelopment. The travel guide also drew attention to the area’s extraordinary biodiversity and one-of-a-kind coastal ecosystems, which have already made it a fan favorite among nature-focused travelers across the Caribbean.

    The global recognition for Bahía de las Águilas comes as Pedernales emerges as one of the Dominican Republic’s most promising emerging tourism regions. Ongoing infrastructure upgrades and targeted private and public investments to grow the province’s tourism capacity have made the region a central pillar of the Dominican government’s long-term national tourism development strategy. Industry analysts expect the high-profile exposure from Lonely Planet’s ranking to draw a rising wave of international visitors and new investment to the underdeveloped region in the coming years.

    Industry observers note that the simultaneous inclusion of Punta Cana and Bahía de las Águilas in these respected rankings underscores the remarkable diversity of the Dominican Republic’s tourism product. By pairing long-established, world-class resort destinations with well-protected, ecologically rich natural treasures, the country is successfully expanding its global tourism brand and appealing to a far broader range of travelers, from adventure and nature lovers to travelers seeking all-inclusive luxury beach getaways.

  • APORDOM highlights record growth in Dominican cruise tourism

    APORDOM highlights record growth in Dominican cruise tourism

    SANTO DOMINGO — The Dominican Republic’s cruise tourism industry is posting robust, sustained growth, a trend the country’s port authority says is driven by targeted public investments in coastal port infrastructure championed by President Luis Abinader.

    The Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) has confirmed that ongoing infrastructure upgrades have cemented the nation’s standing as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after cruise stopovers, while unlocking widespread economic benefits for coastal communities that rely on tourism revenue. Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of APORDOM, outlined the sector’s sharp expansion in recent years, with total annual cruise passenger arrivals more than doubling from roughly 1.2 million in 2022 to a projected 2.7 million by 2025.

    Rodríguez stressed that continuous investment across key strategic port locations is critical to highlighting the Dominican Republic’s diverse natural and cultural attractions, and spreading the economic gains of cruise tourism more evenly across regional and local economies. Unlike many competing Caribbean destinations that have struggled to rebuild cruise traffic post-pandemic, the Dominican Republic’s focus on infrastructure has positioned it to capture a growing share of the global cruise market.

    Looking ahead to the month of June, APORDOM is forecasting 32 total cruise ship calls across the country’s ports. The Amber Cove terminal in Puerto Plata will lead the way with 17 scheduled vessel arrivals, followed by the Taíno Bay terminal with 13, and Port Cabo Rojo in Pedernales with two. Compared to June 2024, when just 26 ships docked at Dominican ports, this represents a 23.1% year-over-year increase in arrivals — a clear indicator of the sector’s ongoing upward momentum. APORDOM also noted that all scheduled arrival plans remain provisional, as final itineraries are always subject to adjustments due to inclement weather and route changes made by individual cruise lines.

  • Abinader and Suriname President call for greater international action on Haiti

    Abinader and Suriname President call for greater international action on Haiti

    In a high-stakes diplomatic gathering held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons have jointly sounded the alarm over the deepening, protracted crisis unfolding in neighboring Haiti, issuing a urgent appeal to the global community to ramp up collective efforts to deliver a holistic, long-lasting resolution that upholds fundamental human rights for all Haitian people.

    The meeting, which marked Geerlings-Simons’ official working visit to the Dominican Republic, centered not only on bilateral relations but also on regional security priorities. Both heads of state underscored a shared core conviction: that durable stability in Haiti is non-negotiable for the broader Caribbean region’s collective security, inclusive development, and long-term economic prosperity. A failed or fractured Haiti, they argued, would create spillover effects that undermine progress across neighboring Caribbean nations.

    Holding discussions at the Dominican Republic’s National Palace, the two leaders outlined a clear path forward, stressing that Haiti’s complex challenges cannot be resolved by regional actors alone. They called for significantly deeper engagement and tangible support from leading international organizations and partner nations across the globe, to help Haitian stakeholders navigate the political, economic, and security turmoil that has gripped the country for years. Beyond global involvement, they also emphasized that coordinated regional cooperation remains a foundational pillar to build sustainable peace and lock in long-term stability across the island and the wider Caribbean basin.

    Beyond the conversation over Haiti, both presidents expressed full satisfaction with the outcomes of the official visit, framing it as a landmark milestone in strengthening the longstanding diplomatic bonds between the Dominican Republic and Suriname. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding cross-border bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, advancing forward-looking sustainable development initiatives, and deepening regional integration across the Caribbean through consistent, open political dialogue and targeted collaborative action moving forward.

  • Manchester coach relishes ‘special’ T20 triumph after turning tables on STETHS

    Manchester coach relishes ‘special’ T20 triumph after turning tables on STETHS

    For decades, Barry Barnes has built a reputation as one of Jamaica’s most respected schoolboy cricket coaches, steering Manchester High to nearly every major title in the island’s youth cricket circuit. But one crown had long eluded the veteran mentor — until Saturday’s dramatic ISSA/GraceKennedy Twenty20 all-island Super 8 final at Clarendon’s Sir P Oval, where his side toppled long-time nemesis St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) by five wickets to claim the historic win, a victory Barnes calls “extra special.”

    The showdown lived up to its billing as one of the most anticipated youth cricket matches of the Jamaican season. STETHS, the undisputed powerhouse of Jamaican schoolboy cricket, entered the final riding a wave of momentum against Manchester High, having beaten Barnes’ side in two previous 2024 season finals — the three-day Headley Cup and the rural T20 championship. After opening the batting, STETHS delivered a formidable performance led by captain Tyriek Bryan, who smashed an impressive 93 runs to anchor the side’s innings to a final total of 182 for 8 off their allotted overs. On a compact ground tailored for high-scoring T20 clashes, that total put massive pressure on Manchester High’s chasing side.

    But it was Manchester captain Pajay Nelson who rose to the occasion, delivering a match-winning all-round performance that secured his side’s place in schoolboy cricket history. Normally a wicket-keeper, Nelson contributed in both innings: he claimed two key wickets for just 27 runs, supporting pace bowler Jahdae Moore who finished with figures of 3 for 29 to restrict STETHS’ late-innings scoring. Then, with the bat, Nelson produced a stunning knock of 92 runs, guiding Manchester to reach the target of 183 with one full over remaining, finishing on 186 for 5.

    In an interview with the Jamaica Observer following the win, Barnes — who also serves as a Jamaican national cricket selector — said the victory carried unique personal weight, as it completed his collection of every major schoolboy cricket title in Jamaica. “It was very satisfying to turn the tables on STETHS in this final. This was the only title I hadn’t won at the schoolboy level — I had won all other titles. So this one is a very special one that was promised to me by the team and they delivered,” he explained.

    Barnes also praised the quality of cricket displayed by both sides, noting that the competitive match highlighted the strength of youth talent across Jamaica. “The conditions were good for T20 cricket and it’s a very small field, but I think cricket won at the end of the day. There were some outstanding performances from Tyriek Bryan of STETHS and Pajay Nelson of Manchester. I think Nelson was the deciding factor in the game. The way the boys chased the target, it was done extremely well. Whether the field is small or not, 180-odd runs is still a big total for schoolboys,” Barnes added.

    For STETHS coach Carl Wright, the final result was a disappointing end to what he still calls a standout season for his program. Wright acknowledged that his side failed to capitalize on strong early batting momentum, leaving them just short of the mark needed to defend on the small ground. “We had a good start but in the latter part of the innings we didn’t capitalise. In the end, the score we got wasn’t good enough on a small field. It just wasn’t our day,” he said.

    Even with the final loss, Wright highlighted that STETHS still turned in a dominant season performance, winning two out of three final meetings against Manchester High this year, including a victory over urban Grace Shield title-holders St Jago High in the all-island Spalding Cup play-off. “It was a good season — we contested three finals against Manchester and won two. We prevailed in most of the encounters but Manchester is a good team and congrats to them,” Wright added.

    In the third-place match held ahead of the main final, Excelsior High claimed a 35-run victory over St Jago High. Rain reduced the match to 18 overs per side, with Excelsior posting 178 for 8 before restricting St Jago to 143 for 4 in their reply. The other four schools that reached the 2024 Super 8 stage of the tournament were Vere Technical, Tacky High, Campion College, and Jamaica College.

  • Man found dead near car mart was notorious car thief, say police

    Man found dead near car mart was notorious car thief, say police

    In the quiet community of Longwood, near Santa Cruz in Jamaica’s St Elizabeth parish, a grisly double homicide has uncovered links between the killings and a long-running, profitable criminal enterprise focused on vehicle theft. Police investigations have identified one of the two men found dead at a local auto mart on Sunday as Romele Johnson, 34, a documented repeat offender whom authorities describe as a key leader of a cross-parish car stealing ring that trafficked stolen vehicles and their parted-out components across the island.

    The second victim is 64-year-old Melvin Blythe, a well-known local businessman who owned and operated the auto mart where the bodies were discovered. In the hours following the discovery of the bodies, detectives worked methodically to comb every inch of the business property, reconstructing the timeline of the violence that claimed both men’s lives.

    Based on witness accounts from nearby residents who reported hearing loud blasts, consistent with gunfire, around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, law enforcement has developed a working theory of the confrontation. Investigators say that in recent months, Blythe had adopted a routine of staying overnight at his auto mart after closing, a precaution he took to guard his business against rising theft activity in the area. A licensed firearm holder, Blythe left his home for the auto mart on Saturday night, ahead of the fatal encounter.

    Authorities allege Johnson entered the auto mart’s compound with the intent to strip vehicles for valuable parts that the theft ring would later resell. When detectives processed the crime scene, they recovered a bag of tools intended for vehicle disassembly and found a headlight already removed from one car on the lot. Investigators also noted that the grille gate to an on-site building was left open, with no evidence of forced entry, suggesting Johnson may have had access to or prior knowledge of the property layout.

    Per police theory, Blythe exited the building after becoming aware of the intruder, confronted Johnson, and a violent struggle erupted that left both men shot dead. Hours later, when Blythe’s wife grew concerned after repeated calls to his mobile phone went unanswered, she traveled to the auto mart to check on him, where she made the grim discovery of her husband’s body shortly after 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

    After being contacted by Blythe’s wife, responding officers followed a trail of blood that led over a 10-foot perimeter wall, where they found Johnson’s body with Blythe’s licensed firearm still in his vicinity. Both remains have been moved to a public morgue, where autopsies and official ballistics testing are pending to confirm the sequence of gunfire and cause of death for both men.

    A senior police source familiar with the investigation confirmed that Johnson had a lengthy criminal history tied to theft. Most recently, Johnson was free on bail after being arrested and charged in connection with a December 2024 incident in Westmoreland, where officers caught him and two associates in possession of a stolen motor vehicle. As recently as September 2025, Johnson was linked to the theft of a Toyota Voxy in Portsea, located near Junction in St Elizabeth. During that investigation, Johnson’s accomplice Mark Allen Snr—known locally as “German”—was killed in a gunfight with police during a high-speed chase between the St Elizabeth communities of Malvern and Southampton, while Johnson managed to escape capture. Johnson had previously served a six-month sentence of hard labor at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre after pleading guilty to charges of shop breaking and larceny in Clarendon, and was released from custody in 2019.

  • Inpha Reblitive makes The Introduction

    Inpha Reblitive makes The Introduction

    Almost two weeks after its official public launch on May 29, 2026, Inpha Reblitive’s debut full-length project *The Introduction: Street Mix* is quickly climbing streaming and listener rankings, solidifying a breakthrough moment for the Clarendon-born dancehall artist at a key juncture in his early career. As the first complete, cohesive body of work from the rising Jamaican talent, the mixtape blends long-beloved previously released tracks that already earned fan traction with never-before-heard original material. What emerges from the compilation is an intimate, unfiltered portrait of Reblitive’s personal evolution, life experiences, and artistic development across his journey in the competitive dancehall space.

    Ahead of the official drop, Reblitive and his team hosted a well-received preview listening party that drew a diverse cross-section of the Jamaican entertainment industry: loyal day-one supporters, key music industry stakeholders, local media personalities, veteran sound system selectors, established producers, fellow up-and-coming and veteran dancehall acts, and other entertainment professionals all gathered to get an early listen to the full project. The exclusive event earned glowing early reviews from attendees, and built widespread organic anticipation for the official mixtape launch in the weeks that followed.

    In the wake of the project’s release, Reblitive opened up about the impact of the pre-launch gathering, expressing deep gratitude for the widespread support he received. “I have to give thanks to everyone who came out and supported the listening party,” the artiste shared. “The love shown by so many people within the entertainment industry meant a lot to me. The encouragement was overwhelming. Seeing people connect with the music before it was released gave me even more confidence in the project, and I’m truly grateful for everyone who played a part in making the event a success.”

    This successful mixtape launch comes as Reblitive enters a period of rapidly growing momentum in his career. Over the past year, the artist has steadily expanded his fan base beyond his local Clarendon roots, thanks to a string of high-profile live performances and strategic industry appearances that have introduced his sound to broader audiences across Jamaica and beyond. Standout tracks including *Nuh Feel Like Miself*, *Antidote*, and *Alone*—a collaboration with established dancehall artist Shane O—have already struck a chord with listeners, racking up streams and radio play ahead of the full project’s release. With the launch of *The Introduction: Street Mix*, Reblitive has cemented his position as one of the most compelling emerging voices in Jamaica’s dynamic contemporary dancehall scene, with industry observers watching closely for what he will deliver next.

  • Fashion Radar: Geometric

    Fashion Radar: Geometric

    # Morgan Kret Discusses the Philosophy, Growth and Upcoming Releases of Conscious Handcrafted Fashion Brand Geometric

    In a recent spotlight feature with Tuesday Style Fashion, Morgan Kret, founder of the slow fashion label Geometric, opened up about her creative journey, the brand’s cross-cultural roots, and its commitment to reviving traditional craftsmanship in an era dominated by disposable fast fashion.

    Kret’s path to fashion design grew naturally out of a lifelong immersion in art, creativity, and cultural exploration. Raised in a family of artists and entrepreneurs, she was surrounded by hands-on making from childhood: one grandmother cultivated an eye for Jamaican textile design and home decor, while the other sewed and crafted traditional Polish handmade decorations. It was her time living in Ghana, however, that reshaped her entire relationship to clothing. There, she learned sewing fundamentals, was introduced to traditional batik and hand-dyeing techniques, and collaborated with local seamstresses to bring designs to life. That experience taught her to view fashion not as a trend-driven commodity dictated by big brands, but as a tangible medium for storytelling, identity, and value expression through color, pattern, and craft.

    This insight laid the groundwork for Geometric, a brand born from Kret’s desire to merge her cross-cultural influences—from Ghanaian textile traditions to the vivid Caribbean craft culture she experienced during her childhood in Jamaica—into meaningful, wearable art. From its inception, the brand has centered a conscious mission: preserving endangered handmade textile practices, collaborating equitably with local artisans, and offering consumers a thoughtful alternative to mass-produced fast fashion. “Fashion, to me, is a form of self-expression, but it can also preserve generational craftsmanship, support makers, and create more intentional relationships with what we wear,” Kret explained, noting that this balance of artistry, cultural heritage, and ethical production is the core of Geometric’s identity.

    Since opening its Design Studio & Showroom at 1 Grosvenor Terrace in Kingston, Jamaica, the brand has been warmly embraced by the local community. Kret described the Kingston space as a quiet garden oasis tucked into the city center, where visitors are often surprised to discover that most of the brand’s batik pieces are hand-dyed and produced locally in Jamaica, with a smaller selection crafted in Ghana to honor the brand’s cross-cultural origin story. Local customers have connected deeply with the brand’s mission to carry forward Jamaican handcrafted design in a contemporary, accessible style. Beyond shopping, visitors regularly come to the studio to learn about the dyeing process, textile traditions, and design philosophy, building a tight-knit community around the brand’s values that Kret calls “incredibly encouraging.”

    When asked what has kept her rooted in the fashion industry, Kret pointed to her enduring love of art, visual storytelling, and the unique power of clothing to connect people across cultures and histories. For Kret, getting dressed is one of the most intimate intersections of creativity, identity, and human connection: a well-loved garment can trigger memories, spark conversation, and connect wearers to their heritage and travels. “Handmade objects carry emotion, history, and personality,” she said, “and fashion allows that storytelling to become something people can physically live in and experience.” That commitment to connection has guided the brand’s approach to staying relevant: unlike trend-driven labels, Geometric prioritizes timeless, versatile silhouettes that flatter a wide range of body types, with every hand-dyed print released as a limited edition. No two pieces are identical, giving customers one-of-a-kind items that stand out from mass-produced fast fashion. Kret noted that this focus on craftsmanship and authenticity aligns with a growing global shift in consumer demand: major industry outlets including *Vogue* have recently highlighted handcrafted, heritage design as the new face of luxury, as more shoppers reject mass production in favor of pieces with genuine meaning and human connection.

    Geometric’s evolution into its current form came after a pivotal shift: Kret originally launched the brand in Ghana with a small collection of leather bags, printed textiles, and batik accessories, but relocating production to Jamaica became the catalyst for the brand’s full batik-focused identity. A key turning point was Kret’s participation in the Jamaica Business Development Corporation’s fashion incubator program, which gave her the support to deepen connections with local Jamaican batik artisans and seamstresses, refine her local production process, and launch her first full collection made entirely in Jamaica. That support laid the critical foundation for Geometric’s growth in Jamaica, and Kret says the brand’s ongoing revitalization comes from staying true to its unique identity: cross-cultural design, hand-dyed textiles, limited-edition releases, and artistic yet wearable pieces. “When you stay rooted in your vision and continue refining it, the right community begins to gather around the work organically,” she explained.

    Looking ahead to the coming months, customers can expect a range of new summer releases, including fresh silhouettes, new hand-dyed prints, and an expanded menswear collection that fits the brand’s relaxed, resort-inspired aesthetic, versatile enough for everyday wear across the Caribbean and beyond. The brand will also roll out a series of small, curated in-studio events designed to deepen customer connection to Geometric’s craft: the gatherings will include conversations about textile traditions, the hand-dyeing process, and conscious design, expanding the brand’s mission of building community around a shared appreciation for handmade work.

    When highlighting standout must-have pieces for the current season, Kret pointed to the new line of wrap pants, wrap shorts, and halter sets, which strike a balance between effortless comfort and elevated resort style. The fluid wide-leg wrap pants, with an adjustable closure and subtle side slit, can be paired with matching separates or solid oversized tops to create a full mix-and-match summer capsule wardrobe, currently available in five distinct colorways, with each limited-edition print retaining its unique handcrafted character. The brand’s new mini dresses are also season essentials, designed to transition seamlessly from beach days to daytime brunches and evening events.

    Geometric’s collections are currently available to shop in-person at the brand’s Kingston Design Studio & Showroom, at partner retailers across Jamaica including Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, Callaloo in Treasure Beach, and Locale in Kingston, and online via geometric-apparel.com for international customers.

  • The road to the 2000 Guineas

    The road to the 2000 Guineas

    After months of preliminary workouts, trial races, and behind-the-scenes tactical planning across Jamaica’s iconic Caymanas Park racetrack, the anticipation has reached a fever pitch as the first major Classic races of 2026 are finally set to kick off. Two elite contests, spread across one action-packed weekend, hold the potential to launch young equine careers into legendary status.

    The weekend’s opening spotlight will fall exclusively on the sport’s top three-year-old fillies, who will compete in the 1000 Guineas on Saturday, June 6. Run over one mile of fast dirt, the race tests a rare combination of raw speed, endurance, and generational bloodlines, with the winner earning the unofficial crown of the division’s new queen.

    But the biggest story heading into the weekend surrounds the Sunday, June 7 2000 Guineas, the eight-furlong showdown for colts and geldings. Hanging over the entire event is the unresolved question surrounding pre-race favorite We Jammin, last season’s undefeated champion juvenile who turned in a shockingly underwhelming flat performance at the recent Kingston Stakes, leaving trainers and fans alike baffled over his sudden loss of form.

    Rumors have rippled through the stables at Caymanas Park for weeks: multiple insider sources suggest that Peter-John Parsard’s once-unbeatable colt may not even make it to the starting line. While no official statement has been released from the trainer’s camp, oddsmakers have already reflected the uncertainty. “If We Jammin does end up running, he’ll be the clear 8-5 favorite — you can’t count out a proven champion, no matter his last race,” one senior oddsmaker explained. For now, however, official betting boards have listed We Jammin as a late scratch, and his absence has blown the 2000 Guineas field wide open for rising contenders.

    Stepping into the void left by We Jammin is Stardom, who turned heads with a dominant victory at the Kingston Stakes. Running over seven and a half furlongs, Stardom bided his time through the first half of the race before exploding past the field in the final two furlongs, crossing the finish line well clear of the competition. The extra half-furlong required for the 2000 Guineas looks tailor-made for his late-closing style, and he enters the race as the 2-1 favorite.

    Veteran trainer Gary Subratie boasts one of the strongest hands in the field, having swept the top three positions at the recent Kingston Stakes, with two of his three contenders set to return for the 2000 Guineas. His leading contender, Salute The Don, led the entire field through a bold front-running pace for most of the Kingston Stakes, only caught by Stardom in the final strides. The open question remains whether he can hold his speed over the full eight furlongs, a doubt reflected in his 7-2 starting odds. Subratie’s other entry, God’s Plan, finished third at the Kingston Stakes, running a game race but facing the same distance question. He enters at 10-1 odds.

    A handful of other late-closing contenders are also vying for the top spot. Senor Biscotti, who finished fourth at the Kingston Stakes, gained over five lengths on the leader in the final stretch, ending just five lengths behind Stardom. With an extra half-furlong to close ground, many analysts believe he could pull off an upset, and he sits at 6-1 odds. Fernando, who finished fifth at the Kingston Stakes, is considered a longer outsider at 12-1.

    The most buzzed-about dark horse contender is Strong Aveenu, who skipped the Kingston Stakes entirely to prepare for the 2000 Guineas. The colt has notched two consecutive wins heading into the race, and his connections carry unshakable confidence in his chances. Bred to excel over a full mile, with a devastating turn of foot that has caught the attention of racing insiders, Strong Aveenu has yet to face this level of competition, but he enters the race in peak form at 9-1 odds.

    The event has already been marked by standout moments earlier in the 2026 prep season: In March, jockey Dane Dawkins guided Salute The Don to a $1.2-million victory in the Sir Howard Stakes, while jockey Raddesh Roman brought Fernando across the line first to claim the Rimsky Trophy feature in January, both photographed by Caymanas Park photojournalist Joseph Wellington.

  • Crisis looms

    Crisis looms

    A disturbing upward trend of patients being dropped off and abandoned at two of Jamaica’s leading public hospitals has emerged as a growing public policy and social welfare emergency, with senior social workers sounding the alarm that a lack of urgent intervention will push the already strained system into a full-blown crisis. The alarming issue was brought to the forefront during a Friday seminar focused on urban homelessness in Kingston, hosted by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), which gathered more than 35 stakeholders to examine intersections between mental health, homelessness, and healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

    Dianne Duke, a senior social worker assigned to both Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and Victoria Jubilee Hospital, told attendees that rising abandonment of vulnerable patients is not merely a hospital operational problem—it is a deep-rooted societal dilemma that demands coordinated, systemic action far beyond hospital walls. “If this issue is not addressed quickly, it will reach crisis proportions much faster than many policymakers anticipate,” Duke warned.

    As of the seminar, KPH is currently managing 23 active open social cases of abandoned or unclaimed patients. Duke outlined that these patients arrive at the public facility through multiple pathways: some are brought in by relatives, neighbors, or good samaritans, but a newly emerging and troubling practice sees private nursing homes transferring low-income patients to public hospitals and abandoning them when family members can no longer afford private care fees. Many of these abandoned patients were already experiencing homelessness before they fell ill, with some surviving by working informal odd jobs in Kingston’s public markets, assisting vendors with loading and carrying goods in exchange for basic support. Once illness leaves them unable to work or care for themselves, they are taken to public hospitals for care—and social workers say they ethically cannot discharge incapacitated patients back to dangerous street conditions. “If a patient cannot care for themselves or move independently, we cannot in good conscience put them out onto the street,” Duke explained.

    To prevent the caseload from spiraling out of control, KPH has partnered with cross-sector stakeholders, including local non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups that offer long-term residential care, KSAMC leadership, and the national Poor Relief Department. These collaborative efforts have kept caseloads from growing even higher, Duke noted, but the underlying problem remains unaddressed.

    The crisis is not isolated to KPH. Sherene Williams-Hemmings, head of Medical Social Work at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), told the seminar that her facility is currently caring for 20 abandoned patients ranging in age from 40 to 96 years old. Williams-Hemmings confirmed the upward trend, noting that abandonment cases have climbed steadily since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ninety percent of UHWI’s abandoned patients are senior citizens, the facility is also currently caring for a teenage patient whose family has refused to retrieve him due to the complexity of his ongoing medical condition.

    Like their counterparts at KPH, UHWI social workers have stepped in to provide full wraparound care, covering not just medical treatment but also social support and financial assistance, since no family or caregiver is available to take responsibility. Ethical barriers also prevent discharging vulnerable patients to unsuitable living conditions or the street. “We cannot simply put these patients out on the road when they have no family to accept them, or when their pre-hospitalization living situation is unsafe and unsuitable,” Williams-Hemmings said.

    While the hospital has partnered with the Poor Relief Department to place abandoned patients in long-term care facilities, progress has been glacial due to overwhelming demand for limited affordable housing and care spaces. To date, only two of UHWI’s abandoned patients have been placed in permanent residential care. Missionaries of the Poor, a local faith-based charity, has offered support, but the system is stretched to breaking point: every existing residential facility is at full capacity, and new openings only become available when a resident passes away. “This is an extraordinarily complex and complicated situation that we are facing as homelessness and patient abandonment rise across the capital,” Williams-Hemmings added.

    The seminar, which also explored the growing challenges facing low-income and vulnerable residents of Kingston and St Andrew, ended with a call for expanded cross-sector collaboration to develop long-term sustainable solutions to the root causes of homelessness and patient abandonment.