Pulse of the Caribbean

#88 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 1 Week of August 4

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean region continues to face significant challenges while working toward innovative solutions, as highlighted in the headlines of our latest Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. 

  • Kidnapping of nine people, including an Irish missionary and a 3-year-old, from St. Helene Orphanage near Port-au-Prince
  • President Ifram Ali launches investment plan for Region 1 in Guyana, including 30% electricity reduction
  • CARICOM and UN World Food Program report 3.2 million Caribbean residents face food insecurity
  • St. Kitts and Nevis introduces National Lotteries Authority Bill to recover up to $70 million EC in revenue
  • Dominican Republic developing Sabana Bullring as a cultural and tourist destination
  • Grenada welcomes Nigerian medical specialists to improve healthcare system

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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 Victory Runwalk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunwalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and Half. Mar, labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key Marina, yosemite, 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 1 for the week of August 4th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines.

Speaker 2:

We start a report in Haiti. Nine people, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old toddler, were kidnapped early Sunday from an orphanage in Haiti's capital. Authorities said the orphanage Irish director and a three-year-old toddler were among the nine individuals taken on Sunday near Port-au-Prince from the St Helene Orphanage in Kenscoff, 6.2 miles southeast of the capital. Orphanage in Kenskoff, 6.2 miles southeast of the capital. At the time of the recording of this report, ransom requests have not been made. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, haiti has seen at least 3,141 deaths in the first half of this year and the rise of gang violence which threatens to destabilize the country. In recent news from Haiti, the new United States ambassador to Haiti, henry Wooster, has returned to Port-au-Prince to strengthen US-Haiti cooperation during this crucial period. In July, Wooster addressed Haitians about security. In his inaugural address he prioritized combating criminal gangs, recognizing their continuous threat. Last month the UN Security Council overwhelmingly extended the UN Integrated Office in Haiti's mission until January 31, 2026. Now on to Guyana.

Speaker 2:

President Ifram Ali of Guyana launched an investment plan to empower Region 1 residents of Guyana. It includes a 30 percent electricity cost reduction and new investments in cocoa and coffee. President Ali spoke at the Pittsburgh Recreational Ground in Port Ketuma on Saturday about the People's Progressive Party Civic vision for the next five years. President Ali said his administration will invest in cocoa and coffee development in Region 1. He stated this will make Guyana a Caribbean coffee hub creating jobs. The coffee production arrangement with the Dominican Republic and Guyana was Caribbean coffee hub creating jobs. The coffee production arrangement with the Dominican Republic and Guyana was disclosed last week. The president also said a vast coal storage facility will be built in Port Ketuma to allow small farmers to safely store their produce, agro process and export to regional and worldwide markets. President Ali announced the 30 percent reduction in electricity rates and increased subsidies at Port Katuma would start August 1st. The president also announced direct funding for building homes and improving residents' living conditions. Now we head to CARICOM.

Speaker 2:

According to the latest report from the United Nations World Food Program and CARICOM Food Security and Livelihood Survey, food insecurity affects nearly 3.2 million English and Dutch-speaking Caribbeans. The report states that, as of 2025, 30% of Caribbean residents reported eating less food, consistent with a four-year rise. Food costs are rising due to global geopolitical tensions and economic upheavals. According to the World Food Program, geographic isolation, limited local resources and climate change successability make food security in the Caribbean challenging, it states. These factors prevent many nations from producing enough food locally, making them largely dependent on imports. The World Food Program representative and country director for the Caribbean, brian Bogart, stressed the region's vulnerability to natural disasters and supply chain disruptions, which can drive up food costs. He said many individuals can't afford food, which is alarming, adding that regional supply chain and trade routes must be strengthened and diversified. He said these actions will make food more inexpensive and available, also available to support faster recovery times during crises. The report notes that food price growth outpaces general inflation, which is concerning. The research underlines the importance of investing in flexible social protection systems and emergency preparedness to mitigate future food availability shocks. This extensive survey was funded by the Government of Canada and the EU. It is part of a CARICOM World Food Program partnership to analyze, monitor and combat food insecurity in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Sinkitz and Nevis. Sinkitz and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Terence Drew, championed the National Lotteries Authority Bill 2025, saying that it might save the Federation an estimated $70 million EC in lottery revenue. The National Lotteries Authority Bill 2025 creates the National Lotteries Authority as a corporate board to manage all Federation lottery operations. Employment, social funding, regulatory compliance and financial monitoring are included. The Gambling Commission, under the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, will continue to regulate all gambling activities, including the National Lotteries Authority. Prime Minister Drew announced the National Lotteries Authority would create a locally owned and professionally managed lottery system that prioritizes openness, accountability and national growth. In his address, he stated that only 50,000 EC of the projected 70 million EC produced by lottery operations annually is paid to the government. He called it shocking and unacceptable. Under the National Lottery's authority, 10 to 15 million EC annually would go towards important social services, including a national health insurance system and other social safety programs.

Speaker 2:

Next up, the Dominican Republic set to construct a bullring after this. St Thomas Virgin Islands Victory Run 2025. Accommodations are now available After race registration. Book your stay and be the first occupants to stay at the Hamptons by Hilton, directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. While around the bend and at the beach shore, is the beautiful Westin Resort and connecting waterfront villas of the Bowie House. Both locations are family friendly and here to accommodate you with special rates, making your stay a breeze as you gear up and get ready for St Thomas Victory Run 2025. Usvi. Book your stay now.

Speaker 2:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 1, for the week of August 4th, the Dominican Republic's tourism minister, david Collado, visited El Cibo to oversee the development of the anticipated Sabana Bullring, a cultural and tourist destination in the Eastern Dominican Republic province. The Bullring project, delayed for over a century, was relaunched in November 2023 with approximately $300 million in government funding. Collado stated that the Bullring has been transformed into a contemporary, secure and multifunctional arena that will seat over 3,000 people and host cultural, sporting and community events, including bullfights without animal sacrifice, concerts and family activities. The 20,500-square-meter building has 5,700 square meters of stands, commercial zones, administrative offices, dressing rooms, parking and a playground. It is the only province in the country that still bullfights. El Cibo views the bullring as a symbol of its culture. By attracting local and international tourists, the new bullring is planned to revive local traditions, diversify regional tourism and boost the economy. And here's our final note.

Speaker 2:

In Grenada, on Thursday morning, the government and people welcomed a team of four Nigerian medical specialists. The welcome ceremony was hosted at the Kobaya Beach Resort. Grenada's External Affairs Minister, mr Michael Andal, congratulated the President, government and people of Nigeria, saying that what is happening is another sign that Grenada is taking big measures to fix its current health care system. Grenada's wellness minister, philip Telesport, in his remarks, called the move more than an exchange of skill. He said we embrace our Nigerian family as we do our Cuban brothers and sisters. The Grenadian government new alliance with Nigeria is noted as an expansion of Pan-African Caribbean Corporation and exemplifies development diplomacy and is seen as being responsive, purposeful and based on mutual respect.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunWalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, 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. 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 1, for the week of August 4th. Here's a shout-out to our listeners in New York, the Cayman Islands and Germany. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our 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.