Pulse of the Caribbean

#73 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of July 7

• Pulse of the Caribbean

Share episode

The Caribbean region continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and growth across various sectors, as highlighted in the latest episode of Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. From motorsports to economic development, health concerns to judicial appointments, the Caribbean landscape is evolving rapidly with significant implications for its people and global partners.

  • Caribbean Drag Racing Championship expands from 4 countries to 8 nations 
  • Caribbean Development Bank secures increased funding for the 11 Cycle  Special Development Fund 
  • Pan American Health Organization reports measles cases across the Americas, 29 times higher than in 2024
  • Jamaica's Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness begins term as CARICOM chairman, urging strategic collaboration for regional security
  • Jamaican Justice Winston Anderson sworn in as fourth President of the Caribbean Court of Justice
  •  July 7th marks four years since the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse 

Listen online at www.pulseofthecaribbean.com or your favorite streaming platform.

Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribean.com. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at  biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

Speaker 1:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup. Now today's Caribbean News Headlines.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Varlic Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the US Virgin Islands and Diamond Key. Marina Yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2 for the week of July 7th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report at the Caribbean Drag Racing Championship Secretariat. With more participants, competition and excitement for the 2026 Championship Final in the Caribbean Drag Racing Championship is growing. Drag Racing Championship is growing. An initial four-country series between Barbados, guyana, trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica has grown into a strong regional competition. Caribbean Drag Racing Championship now includes Antigua and Barbuda, grenada, st Lucia, st Vincent and the Grenadines and the Cayman Islands as non-competing affiliate members. Federation Internationale des Automobiles, the FIA's national calendar platform, sanctioned Caribbean Drag Racing Championship has two performance-based categories street and race pro classes. Each country's national sporting authority invites participants to this exclusive tournament. The original championship concept qualifies drivers through three regional events, with the top 16 in each class qualifying for the championship final in Jamaica in early 2026. 85 drivers 55 in pro street and 30 in pro race are competing in 27 qualifying events across eight nations. The Caribbean Drag Racing Championship continues to innovate regional motorsport, fostering high-level competition and Caribbean Nation Partnership. For details and information, go online to the Caribbean Drag Racing Championship Secretariat at caribbeandragracing.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is the Caribbean Development Bank. The Caribbean Development Bank strongly supports the renewing of its flagship special development fund for the 11th cycle from 2025 to 2028. Through a media statement, bank management said that foreign and regional partners will contribute more According to the 10th cycle, which ended in December 2024. Canada, the top contributor, pledged $81.4 million or $59.9 million in US dollars. According to the bank. Regional nations' contributions have increased or sustained, showing solid regional support. Jamaica, trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and Guyana have pledged $16.5 million US dollars, $11.3 million and $9.2 million respectively. International and regional collaborations are crucial. Brazil contributed 5 million in US dollars and China offered 6.9 million in US dollars at the Brazil CARICOM Summit in Brasilia last month. Pledges from China and Guyana may be adjusted. Since its 1984 founding, the Special Development Fund has invested more than $2.1 billion in US dollars in Caribbean social development, including improved education for over 343,000 students, training for over 11,000 agricultural stakeholders in modern production technologies, improved road networks for nearly 932,000 people and provided safe water and sanitation for over 94,000 homes.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the Pan American Health Organization. The Pan American Health Organization recorded 7,132 measles infections and 13 deaths across the region of the Americas as of mid-June 2025. This is 29 times higher than the 244 cases reported in 2024. Most of the nine nations reporting cases in 2025 are Canada, with 3,170 cases and one death. Mexico 2,597 cases and nine deaths. The United States, with 1,227 cases and three deaths. Bolivia, with 60 cases. Argentina 34. Belize 34. Brazil 5 5, peru 4, and Costa Rica1 have reported instances. Infections came from imports from inside and outside the region. Children under 5 and teens, 10 to 19, are most affected. According to the Pan American Health Organization, the rise in instances highlights the need to close routine vaccination gaps. Pan American Health Organization urges countries to obtain and maintain 95% measles containing vaccination coverage with two doses, especially in lower coverage or outbreak areas. The Pan American Health Organization provides technical assistance to most countries to improve epidemiological surveillance, train health care staff and engage communities for timely detection and response. The organization advises enhanced immunization programs in affected and at-risk areas to contain outbreaks and stop the spread of this vaccine-preventable disease. As of June 6, 2025, the World Health Organization's surveillance data shows 188,355 suspected cases and 88,853 confirmed cases in 168 countries. Eastern Mediterranean 35 percent, african 21 percent and the European region 16 percent make up the majority.

Speaker 2:

Now on to CARICOM. In the changing global order, jamaica's Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness, has urged CARICOM members to enhance security and resilience strategically. Dr Holness opened the 49th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM on Sunday, july 6, at the Montego Bay Convention Center in Rose Hall, st James. The prime minister, who chairs CARICOM, said the conference subject people partnership and prosperity promoting a secure and sustainable future accurately reflects the region's mission. For its interests and people's sustainable development, the area must work together, he said. Small governments are vulnerable to global economic shocks and environmental disasters, as well as marginalization in a world where power and influence sometimes trump need. He said. That is why we must think strategically, act collaboratively and stay focused on our shared values and interests, positioning human development by ensuring food security, access to employment, climate protection and meaningful opportunities for the youth. Strengthening partnerships within CARICOM and with strategic global partners across Africa, North and South America, europe, asia, the Pacific and the Middle East, and achieving inclusive prosperity are the three pillars of people partnership and the Middle East and achieving inclusive prosperity are the three pillars of people, partnership and prosperity. The 49th meeting of CARICOM heads of government continues through today, july 8th. Delegations from 48 countries have been discussing food and nutrition security, climate change, haiti, regional security, digital resilience and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy Initiative. At the meeting, jamaica's Prime Minister, dr Andrew Holness, now serves as chairman of CARICOM from July 1st to December 31st 2025.

Speaker 2:

Next up, jamaicans sworn in as president of the Caribbean Court of Justice. After this, visit stjohnticketingcom, the reliable go-to service for locals and visitors alike. Charlotte and Molly to Cruise Bay Ferry Service is now available at the Edward Wilmot Blyden Ferry Terminal located on the waterfront in downtown St Thomas. The fastest and most affordable way to travel when exiting the St Thomas Airport. Purchase your downtown ferry tickets and see departure times for Cruise Bay and Downtown St Thomas on our website. Stjohnticketingcom. Safe, fast and affordable is the way to go. Designated taxi and transportation services are also available to pick you up from the airport and take you to the Downtown Ferry Terminal and on your trip back from the Downtown Ferry Terminal to the St back from the downtown ferry terminal to the St Thomas Cyril E King Airport, visit stjohnticketingcom, the reliable go-to service for locals and visitors. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2, for the week of July 7th.

Speaker 2:

On Sunday, july 6th, the Honorable Justice Winston Anderson was officially sworn in as the Ford President of the Caribbean Court of Justice at the 49th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. The ceremony was presided over the Governor General, his Excellency the Most Honorable Sir Patrick Allen, at the Jewel Grand Resort in Montego Bay, st James. He stated that Justice Anderson, a Jamaican, brings to the office a renowned record of education, integrity and unflinching dedication to the ideas of justice. His appointment is not only a personal triumph but also a resounding statement to our regional confidence in our own talents, values and ability to lead on the world stage. The governor general stated wishing the new president strength and success in his new post. Justice anderson is from saint anne and has degrees from both the university of the west indies and cambridge university in england. Before being appointed to the caribbean court of justice in 2010, he worked as a law lecturer and CARICOM General Counsel. Over the years, he has helped to shape regional jurisprudence and strengthen the court's position in the Caribbean legal environment. The Governor General also praised the outgoing President, the Honorable Justice, adrian Saunders, for his leadership.

Speaker 2:

And here's our final note. Yesterday, july 7, marked four years since the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who was brutally killed in his private residence on July 7, 2021. The incident exposed major lapses in presidential security. Despite dozens of arrests, the Haitian justice system has yet to bring anyone to trial. Many suspects, including mercenaries and former officials, remain in custody.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Varlic Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the US Virgin Islands and Diamond Key Marina, yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Have news and information you'd like to share with us. Send news releases to news at pulseofthecaribbeancom and if you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, pulseofthecaribbeancom. And if you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2, for the week of July 7th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in Antigua and Barbuda and also in Seattle, washington. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share a podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

Speaker 1:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you found value in this podcast, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and thank you in advance for choosing Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup as your source for Caribbean-centered news.