Pulse of the Caribbean

#101 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of August 25

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean region continues to demonstrate its dynamic cultural influence and economic resilience in multiple sectors. This week's news highlights the significant achievements and developments across various Caribbean nations, showcasing the region's growing impact on global stages. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines. 

  • The Caribbean Music Awards returns to Brooklyn on August 28th
  • Guyana's oil output reaches 650 million barrels with projections to exceed 1.4 million barrels per day by decade's end
  • Guyana's national elections scheduled for September 1st with Commonwealth observers monitoring the process
  • Puerto Rico's governor canceling $168 million port scanning contract 
  • Grenada behind on UN membership fees as the 80th General Assembly approaches
  • PGA Tour confirms Corales Punta Cana Championship returning in 2026
  • Turks and Caicos named world's favorite honeymoon destination 

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Send news releases and information to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

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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 Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Victory Run Walk is fast approaching and accommodations are available with discounted rates for participants in the 5K, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Last day to register is today, august 26th. Go online to VictoryRunWalkVIcom for more information 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 two for the week of August 25th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report in New York.

Speaker 2:

The third annual Caribbean Music Awards is set for Thursday, august 28th in Brooklyn, new York, and it's generating excitement. The much-anticipated event will again highlight Caribbean music leaders. The Caribbean Elite Group will present the awards to genre defining local and international artists. This year, over 150 nominees span over 40 categories, including Reggae Collaboration of the Year. Reggae Song of the Year. Female International DJ of the Year. Caribbean Fusion Song. Caribbean R&B Artist, soca Song, performer Collaboration and Video. Latin Caribbean Artist, dance, hall Music, album Music Event of the Year and more. The Caribbean Music Awards will be live at King's Theater in Brooklyn on August 28. In its third year, the Caribbean Music Awards have become the region's preeminent talent recognition event, sometimes compared to the Grammy Awards, but dedicated to Caribbean performers attaining global acclaim. Voting for categories began April 9 and ended in June. The Caribbean Music Awards will honor Jamaican-American Busta Rhymes as elite icon. The organizers say the award honors his significant influence on the music industry and celebrates his remarkable ability to blend his Caribbean heritage with mainstream hip-hop. The St Lucia Tourism Authority, a bronze sponsor, and the Caribbean Music Awards have teamed up with Secret St Lucia to launch an Instagram contest offering two winners an all-inclusive trip to the 2026 St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. Winners will be revealed on September 4th, after the contest ends on August 30th. St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is a music event of the year contender.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Guyana. Oil output in Guyanese waters by ExxonMobil has reached 650 million barrels since December 2019. It is now noted as one of the fastest oil booms in history. Pariah, liza Phase 1, and Liza Phase 2 have all reached important milestones. Pariah has produced 135 million barrels, liza 1, 250 million and Liza 2, 270 million. They average 660,000 barrels per day, giving Guyana a strong place in global oil markets. Starting this month, the Yellowtail project will boost production. Later in 2025, daily output is estimated to reach 786,000 barrels, with a quick ramp up. After that, the Uhu and Whiptail projects will add 250,000 barrels per day, bringing national capacity to above 1.4 million. With this capacity, guyana would generate the most crude oil per capita, ahead of Qatar and Kuwait.

Speaker 2:

Already, financial rewards are evident. Guyana has earned over $1 billion in oil revenues this year, estimated to reach $2.5 billion in 2025. As cost recovery falls and production rises, the government income might reach 10 billion US dollars by the end of the decade. Officials say the funds are being used for national development. Oil profits have funded free tuition at the University of Guyana, 12 hospitals, new roads and bridges, agricultural improvement, incomes and school and health care improvements. As output and earnings rise, the People Progressive Party Civic, the current administration says these investments will continue.

Speaker 2:

In other news from Guyana, election Day in Guyana is September 1st. Day in Guyana is September 1st. Following an invitation from Guyana Elections Commission, the Commonwealth Secretary General is sending an 11-person delegation to observe the full election. The group will be watching voting, counting and outcomes in small teams nationwide starting August 30th. They will monitor opening voting, closing, counting and results management on Election Day and deliver an interim report on September 3rd based on their preliminary observations. The delegation will leave Guyana on September 7th after drafting the final report, which will be presented to the Commonwealth Secretary General and discussed with stakeholders.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Governor Jennifer Gonzalez announced Monday that her administration will end its multi-million dollar contract with S2 Service Puerto Rico LLC, which runs the Port Electronic Container Inspection System. The governor announced a 90-day cancellation at a press conference. Governor Gonzalez stated in 2008, as a legislator, she filed a bill to have the Port Authority scan everything entering the ports for public safety. She said that today and an important day because for years we have spoken about the multiple costs consumers face while contracts are approved that are making it harder for industries to bring merchandise passing those charges to consumers. She added the contract has costed the government of Puerto Rico $168 million, but Gonzalez says it has generated zero results. She alleged scans were never referred to police, treasury or federal agencies. She said the government paid for inspections that were not done properly. Over 3,400 discrepancies and 4,510 containers were scanned from 2016 to 2024. The scanning technique was first used nearly a decade ago to help the Treasury Department enhance tax collecting.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Grenada. The 80th United Nations General Assembly will begin on Tuesday, september 9, 2025 in New York. Now Grenada reports that the United Nation reported that Grenada is in arrears of paying its membership fees for 2024 and 2025. As of August 19, 2025, grenada was not one of the 121 member states that fully paid their regular budget assessments. According to the payment site, grenada's 2024 portal, membership remains pending. United Nations public records show a 28,000 to 30,000 annual membership fee as prime minister since June 2022, membership fee as Prime Minister since June 2022,. Deacon Mitchell has addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Grenada joined the United Nations in September 17, 1974, the same year it gained independence and Commonwealth membership.

Speaker 2:

The United Nations General Assembly is a significant forum for all 193 member states to work together on important global issues. It gives countries a chance to pass resolutions and talk about foreign issues that have an impact on the world. This year's theme is Better Together 80 Years and More for Peace, development and Human Rights. It emphasizes the need for the world to recommit to multilateralism and solidarity. High-level general debate begins Tuesday, september 23rd.

Speaker 2:

Next up PGA Tour confirmed for Punta Cana. 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 2 for the week of August 25th. The PGA Tour and Punta Cana Resort have announced that the Corrales Punta Cana Championship will return to Corrales Golf Course on July 13-19, 2026. This will be the tournament's ninth edition and a renewed deal in place until 2027. Manuel Sejor, executive Director of Marketing for Grupo Punta Cana and Tournament Director in the Dominican Republic, stated that the event not only raises the country's golf reputation, but also establishes Punta Cana as a leading golf destination in the Caribbean. Beyond athletics, the championship has tremendous societal impacts. The proceeds help the Punta Cana Foundation's projects, which include health and education programs. More than 150,000 people have gotten medical care through the Sponsor Value Program, while over 7,000 students have graduated from Grupo Punta Cana's educational institutes.

Speaker 2:

And here's our final note the 2025 Traviz Award voted the Turk and Caicos Island, the world's favorite honeymoon destination, surpassing Bermuda and Fiji. Traviztravelcom, host of Traviz Awards, will honor the greatest global travel as voted by 18 to 35-year-old millennials and Gen Zers. Travelz's Travelcom's Travel December open-ended reader survey selects winners, who are revealed online and published in the Global Travelers July issue. At a Beverly Hills cocktail reception during the Global Business Travel Association convention on August 19, 2025, the 2025 2025 Trevis Awards were presented. This podcast has been brought to you by Victory Runwalk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Victory Runwalk is fast approaching and accommodations are available with discounted rates for participants in the 5k, 10k and half marathon.

Speaker 2:

Labor Day weekend, august 30th, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Last day to register is today, august 26th. Go online to VictoryRunWalkVIcom for more information. 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 2, for the week of August 25th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in the Bahamas, new York and Kenya. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora.

Speaker 1:

I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time. 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.