Pulse of the Caribbean

#69 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of June 30

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean finds itself at a critical juncture this week, with recent developments highlighting both challenges and progress across the region. Our latest news roundup reveals a complex tapestry of issues affecting Caribbean nations, from severe humanitarian crises to innovative regional cooperation and cultural celebrations, as highlighted in the latest Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. 

  • Haiti faces escalating violence with 1.3 million internally displaced persons and severe humanitarian shortages 
  • St. Kitts and Nevis announces formation of an OECS regional regulatory body for Citizenship by Investment programs 
  • Eastern Caribbean Music Collective distributes over $1 million in performance royalties to members and international composers
  • World's largest floating book fair "Logos Hope" returns to Dominica 
  • Dominican Republic and Jamaica unveil "One Heartbeat, Two Nations, One Caribbean" mural in Kingston 

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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 Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. August 30th St Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Register now for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. Labor Day weekend St Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Register now for the 5k, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend 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. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2 for the week of June 30th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our.

Speaker 2:

Abuses in Haiti has increased one year after the United Nations authorized multinational security support force was deployed. Violence has escalated in Haiti's capital and beyond due to the multinational security support staff, money and equipment shortages. Haiti's largest number of internally displaced persons, approximately 1.3 million, is due to violence. According to the International Organization for Migration, displaced Haitians make up to 11 percent of the population. Over half of the displaced are women and girls, and most are either with host families or in areas with severe food, water, health care and other shortages. Over 8,400 makeshift displacement site residents face starvation. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, existing capacities are overburdened by displacement. The United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan, which promises to help 3.9 million Haitians out of 6 million, is just 8 percent funded. After eight nations informed the United Nations Secretary General in 2024 that they would send troops to the multinational security support force, only Kenya, which leads it, guatemala, el Salvador, jamaica and the Bahamas have sent troops. Their deployed officers are far fewer than the planned 2,500. To secure territory and consolidate its presence, the Multinational Security Support Force needs more cash to operate through December and to create nine of 12 planned operational locations.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Sinkitz and Nevis. Dr Terrence Drew, prime Minister of Sinkitz and Nevis, announced that the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States will establish a regional regulatory body to oversee the citizenship by investment programs within this coming month. Sinkitz and Nevis-led project advances regional corporation economic governance and international openness. On his nation's national radio, prime Minister Drew said we are putting together the regulatory body. All of us will pass the Citizenship by Investment Program Regional Regulatory Body Legislation. The regional regulatory organization will standardize due diligence, implement compliance requirements and boost the Citizenship by Investment Industry's international credibility, which is critical to small island developing state economies. The prime minister highlighted that the method was successful in establishing regional institutions like the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Drew said we have also sought to do this in close collaboration with international stakeholders the EU, the UK, the United States of America all involved so they can see the tremendous progress we have made.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the Eastern Caribbean Music Collective. The Eastern Caribbean Music Collective Organization for Music Rights Inc. Distributed over $1,044,083.85 in performance royalties to members in allied music rights societies worldwide in June 2025. Earning members' bank accounts will receive payments on July 2nd. The revenues reflect 2023 music performances, with 44% going to Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Right members in the Eastern Caribbean and 56% to foreign right societies on behalf of international composers whose works are utilized there. This distribution was made possible via licensing and royalty collections from radio and TV broadcasts, live events, festivals, hotels, restaurants, pubs and other licensed facilities across Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights six operating territories. This milestone recognizes Caribbean music's cultural and commercial relevance and the necessity of collaboration. Members must register their works and regulatory authorities must support fair enforcement and licensing. For Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights to continue, authors in six Eastern Caribbean countries, namely Antigua and Barbuda, dominica, grenada, st Lucia, st Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Next up the world's largest floating boat fair. Next up the world's largest floating book fair, returns to dominica. After this, ready to lace up your shoes, experience paradise and say I'm an overcomer.

Speaker 2:

This Labor Day weekend, august 30th, join us for the Victory Run Walk in beautiful St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Imagine yourself running along the beautiful waterfront and pushing yourself to achieve your personal best. The Victory Run Walk is more than just a race. It's a community celebration. Your personal best. The Victory Run Walk is more than just a race. It's a community celebration. It's a chance to challenge yourself, connect with friends and experience the unparalleled beauty of St Thomas. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting your fitness journey, we have the race for you. Choose from the exhilarating 5K, the challenging 10K or the ultimate test, the half marathon. And it's not just about the run. Bring the whole family, enjoy post-race festivities and the unforgettable island vibe. Don't miss out on this incredible event. Register today at VictoryRunWalkVIcom. Sign up now and secure your spot in the Victory Run St Thomas, Labor Day weekend, august 30th. Get ready to say I'm an overcomer. Be there to celebrate. We'll see you at the finish line.

Speaker 2:

Logos Hope, the world's largest floating book festival, returns to Dominica beginning today, from July 1st to July 14th 2025. It last visited Dominica in 2010. The ship offers over 5,000 titles and allows many visitors to buy quality literature. The ship stays at each port for one to four weeks, welcoming hundreds or thousands of visitors daily. Logos hopes crew members and staff of volunteers are from 60 countries. According to gbashipsorg, seafarers, engineers, electricians, nurses, teachers and cooks are among the crew and staff who volunteer without pay. The organization receives sponsorship from friends, family and civic organization. It also says one million people visit one of the ships annually. The website says the Logos Hope community is regarded as a genuine expression of international goodwill and understanding. According to the group, crew members visit hospitals, schools, orphanages or prisons, supply aid and take part in community care at each port of call. Logos Hope will be open in Dominica Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm and Sundays from 1 pm to 10 pm. The ship is closed on Mondays. And here's our final note.

Speaker 2:

The Dominican Republic Embassy in Jamaica unveiled a vibrant mural in Kingston's art area to mark growing cultural and diplomatic ties. The installation marks the 60th20 of their capitals in Santo Domingo and Kingston during the month of June. The painting titled One Heartbeat, two Nations, one Caribbean was made by renowned Dominican Republic artist Angel Luis Peralta Figueroa at the intersection of Water Lane and Peters Lane. He was accompanied by Dominican muralist Jose Don Barroa and Jamaican artist Kidon Savage. The artwork depicts Dominican Republic and Jamaican traditions in a tropical setting at sunrise, symbolizing unity, perseverance and shared identity. Kingston City Council funded 70% of the project and Andrea Dempster Chung, kingston Creative, supported it. Chung termed the artwork a great representation of culture, corporation and mutual respect between the nations. This podcast is brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Register now for the 5k, 10k and half marathon.

Speaker 2:

August 30th Labor Day weekend. St Thomas, us Virgin Islands and Diamond Key, marina, yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Fox East 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 2, for the week of June 30th. This is the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2, for the week of June 30th. Here's a shout-out to our listeners in St Vincent and the Grenadines and in Chicago, illinois. 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. Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup as your source for Caribbean-centered news.