Pulse of the Caribbean

#104 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 1 Week of September 1

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean region continues to demonstrate resilience and forward-thinking leadership across multiple fronts, as highlighted in the latest Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. From natural phenomena to political developments and energy innovations, the Caribbean's diverse nations are navigating complex challenges while embracing opportunities for growth and sustainability. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines. 

  • Kick 'em Jenny submarine volcano five miles north of Grenada shows increased seismic activity, maintaining Yellow alert 
  • Guyanese citizens head to Polls, September 1st, with President Ali urging participation and peaceful acceptance of election results
  • Dominican Republic signs 11-year hydrocarbon exploration contract with Global Min Consortium in strategic move toward energy diversification
  • Jamaica implements National Energy Policy 2030 with goals to generate 50% of electricity from renewable sources
  • Antigua and Barbuda introduces legislation to regulate artificial intelligence while promoting its beneficial applications
  • Victory Run-Walk event in St. Thomas attracts diverse participants across Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races
  • St. Thomas League of British Virgin Islands showcases Caribbean heritage at Cultural Extravaganza

Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com. For marketplace feature opportunities email 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 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 1 for the week of September 1st. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report at the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center. The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center informed the National Disaster Management Agency of increased seismic activity at the Kikimjeni submarine volcano on Thursday August 28. Kikimjeni is an active Caribbean seafloor undersea volcano five miles north of Grenada. Unrest began on Wednesday, august 27, 2025. The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center reported much lower activity at Kikimjeni submarine volcano on Friday August 29, 2025. The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center informed the National Disaster Management Agency at midday on Saturday, august 30, that volcanic activity had diminished to one or two earthquakes per hour. Despite lower activity, the alert remains at yellow Volcanic restlessness. Activity may increase. Jenny's submarine volcano alert levels are green means volcano is quiet, inactive, with no odd behavior seen. Yellow volcano is restless Seismic activity notice. This activity will be specified when the alert is raised. Orange extreme seismic activity. Other signs and unexpected eruptions might occur within 24 hours and red eruption is underway or imminent. The National Disaster Management Agency will actively follow the issue and update the public. Residents should put trust and rely on official sources and follow official instructions.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to Guyana. Today, monday September 1st, guyanese are going to the polls to vote. Guyana's President, dr Ifrim Ali, has urged citizens to do their democratic duty and called on political parties running in the election to act responsibly for the good of the country and accept the results. Dr Ali says that elections shouldn't split the people of Guyana. Instead, they should bring them together under the flag of democratic sovereignty. He acts that everyone involved accept the outcomes of the elections, no matter what they are. The Guyanese leader went on to say that the way these elections are run should set the tone for people to work together, to be willing to compromise, be dedicated to the country's development and be committed to bringing the people of the country back together. As Commander-in-Chief, dr Ali noted that the police and other law enforcement authorities have already promised to stay alert and ready to keep the calm and maintain order. Ali reminded everyone that the world is watching Guyana right now and asked that the country be an example of a place where people can disagree without fighting, compete without being rude and choose without causing trouble.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is the Dominican Republic. The government of the Dominican Republic signed a production sharing contract with the Global Min Consortium to look for and eventually produce hydrocarbons in the Sibayo Basin. This is an important step towards making the country's energy sources more diverse and secure. The first oil round was a fair procedure that followed the law. The National Congress still needs to approve the deal. Cb2, which are in the provinces of Monte Cristi, dajabon, valverde, puerto Plata and Santiago de los Caballeros. These areas are thought to have liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons. Joel Santos, the Dominican Republic's Minister of Energy and Mines, and Felix Manuel Santana Reyes, the agent for the consortium, signed the contract. It gives the consortium an 11-year concession for the exploration and development phases of boat blocks. The contractor will take on all the risk, cost and investments that come with running the business. They will provide the technology, equipment and money needed for the exploration and production phases. With the signing of this contract, the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Energy and Mines strengthens its plan to keep building a national oil and gas exploration and production industry. It is also getting ready to start the second oil round in 2026, which will open up new areas for investment, which is anticipated to make the Dominican Republic's energy security stronger.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to Jamaica. The Jamaican government is diversifying its energy sources and investing in renewable energy to minimize its dependency on imported fuel and improve energy security. The National Energy Policy 2030 guides Jamaica's energy security, and future Goals are to generate 50 percent of the nation's electricity from renewable sources, switch power plants from oil to liquefied natural gas, develop energy infrastructure and technology with local and international investors, and encourage private and public electric vehicle and bus adoption. Jamaica is investing in renewable energy, offering incentives and encouraging public-private partnerships to achieve energy self-sufficiency. Next up, antigua and Barbuda is introducing legislation to regulate artificial intelligence.

Speaker 1:

After this, For marketplace feature opportunities email biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom.

Speaker 2:

Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. News Roundup, episode one for the week of September 1st, prime Minister Gaston Brown of Antigua and Barbuda said his administration has produced draft legislation to regulate artificial intelligence, ai, and warned that without protections, the technology might be used for harm. On Point, fm Brown called AI a tremendous equalizer that can help artists, authors and professionals, but said it needs monitoring. The prime minister addressed public worries about plagiarism and overuse of generative AI. He advised users to avoid using AI without good language and comprehension skills to create unoriginal content or appear inauthentic. When using chat, gbt for music, literature and academic work, transparency is important, he said, citing political opponents who publish AI-generated work without credit. Brown also noted AI's potential to alter Antigua and Barbuda's creative economy. He claimed the government has provided dozens of AI and computer science scholarships, funded local artists training and Barbuda will promote its benefits while regulating it to prevent harmful misuse. And here's our final note. On Saturday, august 30th, pulse of the Caribbean was happy to be at Victory Run-Walk Half Marathon, 10k and 5K Races 2025 in St Thomas, virgin Islands. It was a pleasure to host the event, which had a diverse range of participants in each race. We want to say well done to everyone who registered and took on the challenge and we say congratulations to the people who came in first in each race Mark Haynes Ayala won the 5K with a timing of 19 minutes and 33 seconds, jeffrey Federoff won the 10K with a timing of 41 minutes and 17 seconds and Connor McClevery won the half marathon with a time of 1 hour 27 minutes and 35 seconds. To the organizers and participants and volunteers, you did an awesome job.

Speaker 2:

After the victory run-walk on Saturday, august 30th, pulse of the Caribbean then headed over to the League of British Virgin Islands Cultural Extravaganza at the Emancipation Gardens on St Thomas. It was a great show of Caribbean culture at the event. There was music, cultural dancing, mucajumbis, heritage storytelling and vendors selling tasty Caribbean desserts, drinks and other treats. At the event we were able to talk with the group president Molito Smith and Dr Carl Dawson, a member of parliament from the British Virgin Islands, who was there for the celebrations. League of British Virgin Islands. Thank you for showcasing and keeping cultural traditions alive.

Speaker 2:

Sunday August 31st marks the 63rd anniversary of independence for the people of Trinidad and Tobago. We wish Trinidad and Tobago a happy independence. And finally, today, monday September 1st, it's Labor Day. Thank you to working men and women. The work you do every day is important. Thank you for the work you do in your field to make the world a better place. Happy Labor Day. This podcast has been brought to you by 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. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 1 for the week of September 1st. Here's a shout-out to our listeners in Antia and Barbuda, north Carolina and Panama. Thanks for listening. 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.