Pulse of the Caribbean

#70 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of June 30

Pulse of the Caribbean

The Caribbean landscape is rapidly changing through new international partnerships, economic investments, and concerning health trends while traditional aid structures undergo significant reformation as highlighted in the latest Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. 

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces dismantling of USAID, bringing all aid programs under the US State Department 
  • St. Lucia and Nigeria forge comprehensive bilateral partnership 
  • CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett calls for stronger Africa-Caribbean integration ahead of September 2025 summit
  • Grand Bahama Shipyard announces $600 million expansion with investments by major cruise lines
  • Pan-American Health Organization reports 43% increase in non-communicable disease deaths 
  • Trinidad and Tobago prepares to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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 Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Register now for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. August 30th, labor Day weekend. St Thomas, us, virgin Islands Special rates for on-island accommodations are now available. 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 three for the week of June 30th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines.

Speaker 2:

We start our report at the US State Department. Us Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development, usaid, the major administrator of US international aid. The US State Department will now personally oversee all aid programs, with the goal of ensuring that American help fits with national objectives, while avoiding aiding governments or organizations allied with opposing nations. In a statement, us Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated US aid marketed its programs as a charity rather than an instrument of American foreign policy designed to advance our national interests. Rubio said. Moving forward, our help will be focused and time limited. We will reward nations that have proved both the ability and willingness to help themselves, and we will direct our resources to areas where they may have a multiplier impact, catalyzing long-term private sector growth, including American enterprise and global investment. In his issued statement, us Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that by empowering diplomats on the ground through regional bureaus, we are creating a fast feedback loop to ensure programs aligned with American interests and the needs of partner nations.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is St Lucia. In a special joint sitting of St Lucia's Parliament on June 30th, St Lucia and Nigeria's heads of state presented a comprehensive bilateral partnership plan. St Lucia's Premier Philip Pierre and Nigerian President HE Bola Ahmed Tenubu discussed a shared vision for growth through collaborations in education, health care, climate resilience, culture, finance and technology ties and provide practical benefits. Full tuition grants for OECS students to study in Nigerian institutions and academic exchange programs in marine studies and scientific research are among these strategic partnership areas. Medical personnel from Nigeria's Technical Aid Corps will visit St Lucia. Both countries will explore environmental adaptability, food security and sustainable agriculture to build climate resilience. Direct air connectivity, cultural festivals and tourism initiatives will increase cultural and tourism exchanges. Nigeria can also invest in St Lucia's digital economy, renewable energy and resilient infrastructure. The two nations want to provide OECS diplomats visa waivers and form a joint commission to manage their rapidly growing alliance. The leaders will formalize several of these measures during the Africa CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa, ethiopia, in September. President Tenubu summed up the day's unity by quoting Marcus Garvey, saying If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Speaker 2:

In related news, caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett has called for a new era of integration between Africa and the Caribbean, as stronger ties are needed to build resilience, drive development and assert influence in a fractured global land escape, she stated At the 32nd Annual Meeting of the African Export-Import Bank. Dr Barnett said globalization, once considered as a roadmap to shared prosperity, has revealed several severe disparities and vulnerabilities, especially for developing nations. Dr Barnett said Africa and the Caribbean, home to a large African diaspora. The sixth region can build common causes on shared values and interests and forge a path toward mutual, beneficial collective action. Integration is needed, dr Barnett said, and both regions should prioritize progressive unity, shared principles, conversation and collaboration. Africa must use its diversity and strategic assets to mitigate geopolitical and geoeconomic risk to realize its potential. For the Caribbean too, our future depends on cooperation. Dr Barnett stressed that both regions have started preparing for this new relationship. The first CARICOM African Summit was hosted in Kenya in 2021, and the second summit will be held in Addis Ababa, ethiopia. On CARICOM Africa Day, september 7, 2025. Day, september 7, 2025. Dr Barnett said CARICOM is committed to strengthening this corporation and building a mutually beneficial and stable partnership. Trade and investment climate resilience, development, finance, media repertory, justice and people-to-people exchange offer integration opportunities, she said.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the Bahamas. In a press release yesterday, Grand Bahama Shipyard announced that MSC Cruises would join Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean in a $600 million expansion and modernization project to strengthen the Grand Bahama Shipyard's maritime industry leadership. In that effort, the shipyard is expanding its floating dock system. Grand Bahama Shipyard will soon own two new floating docks. The statement said the extensive initiative is projected to create jobs and generate significant economic impact over the next 25 years. The shipyard's transformation centers on the Western Hemisphere's largest floating dock, include a mega dock with the world's largest lifting capacities. These ports can serve all present and future cruise lines and many more vessels. The yard will serve all major cruise liners and other commercial boats after the second larger dock, designated lukayan, opens in 2026 with a capacity of lifting 125 000 tons. Grand bahamas shipyard ceo, chris earl, says the expansion and renovation project is moving forward. He said the investment will increase activity in the shipyard, boosting local business, creating economic opportunities and enriching the community. For Grand Bahamians, the statement says the shipyard is the Bahamas' largest private non-tourism employer, with a successful apprentice program that develops Bahamian Ute talent and maritime repair skills.

Speaker 2:

Next up, the Pan-American Health Organization reports that non-communicable disease deaths in the Americas have risen 43%. After this, ready to lace up your shoes, experience paradise and say I'm an overcomer? 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. 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 th 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. This is the pulse of the caribbean news roundup, episode three, for the week of june 30th.

Speaker 2:

According to the pan-american health organization's-Communicable Disease at a Glance 2025 report issued today, non-communicable disease deaths in the Americas have increased by 43 percent since the year 2000, reaching 6 million in 2021. Most deaths in the region are caused by non-communicable diseases, with roughly 40 percent occurring before age 70. The report states that aging and population growth contribute to this burden, but controllable risk factors like tobacco, poor food, inactivity and problematic alcohol use drive the increase. The report listed 2.16 million fatalities from cardiovascular illness, 1.37 million from cancer, 420,000 from diabetes and 416,000 from chronic respiratory ailments. Suicide, the fourth largest cause of mortality for 15-year-olds to 29-year-olds, caused a loss of 100,760 lives. The Pan American Health Organization's director, dr Jarbas Barbosa, said the surge in non-communicable disease deaths is an urgent wake-up call. Too many early deaths are caused by preventable and treatable diseases. We can save lives with early detection, rapid diagnosis, access to care and strong policies. This study equips nations to act To reduce non-communicable disease deaths. The report says countries should increase tobacco and alcohol control, front-of-package nutrition labeling and physical activity promotions and boost primary care for early hypertension, diabetes and cancer detection and management. Mental health and suicide prevention should also be integrated into first-level care. The Pan-American Health Organization's HEARTS program, a fundamental component of the Better Care for Non-Communicable Diseases strategy, helps countries enhance primary care systems and implement national action plans by treating 5.7 million hypersensitive hypersensitives in 33 countries. The Pan American Health Organization says its second edition non-communicable disease debts at a glance 2025 report can help shape policy ahead of the fourth high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable disease deaths and the promotion of mental health and well-being, which will take place in September 2025, when countries are expected to adopt a new political declaration. And here's our final note To prepare for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival on Thursday, july 3rd, trinidad and Tobago will close non-essential public services and schools early.

Speaker 2:

Modi will visit two days, beginning July 3rd. He will meet with President Christine Kanglu at President's House, st Anne's, on July 4th and receive the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country's highest honor. Afterwards he will address both houses of Parliament in Trinidad and Tobago, exchange memorandums of understandings with the administration and plant a tree at the Red House. In 2024, barbados, guyana and Dominica gave Modi their highest awards. According to an Office of the Prime Minister announcement, at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, modi's leadership has strengthened the 63-year connection between Trinidad and Tobago and India. The release stated that the award will serve as a tribute to the nation's appreciation for Modi's great commitment to the development of Trinidad and Tobago and service to the region and wider international community. The release also stated that Modi's leadership has also resulted in strengthening Indian CARICOM relations.

Speaker 2:

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. August 30th, labor Day weekend, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands Special rates on island accommodations are now available. 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. 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 3 for the week of June 30th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in the Twin Island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis and in Atlanta, georgia. 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.