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This is the Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup. Now today's Caribbean News Headlines.

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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 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. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2, for the week of August 11th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report in Haiti.

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On Thursday, a notable businessman in Haiti became the chairman of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council to restore order In Port-au-Prince. Laurent Saint-Cyr was appointed to the council's tightly guarded headquarters. Private sector members are serving now in a rotating capacity in Haiti's presidency and prime ministership. Saint-cyr thanked everyone who has assisted Haiti, both inside and beyond the country, as well as the private sector, which he dubbed the engine of the economy. St Cyr was president of Haiti's Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Haiti's American Chamber of Commerce. He will collaborate alongside Haitian Prime Minister Alex Dider-Philce. Amy, a former online firm executive and Chamber of Commerce and Industry head, sincere said security was a priority. Kenya leads the United Nations Security Council multinational force fighting violent gangs in Haiti, Sincere urged the military to increase operations and international allies to send additional soldiers to help with training and support for a mission lacking resources and personnel.

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Now on to the UK. The United Kingdom Home Office, which oversees public safety, policing, border security, immigration, passports and civil registration, is deporting foreign criminals before their appeals. In its Deport Now, appeal Later scheme, the Home Office added 15 countries Before they may appeal. The government can send foreign criminals in the UK to their original home. The UK Home Secretary, yvette Cooper, said expanding the scheme will prevent foreign criminals from exploiting our immigration system and fast-track their removals. Foreign nationals who have had their claims denied will be ejected from the UK and can watch their appeal sessions from their home of origin. Cooper stated that previously offenders might stay in the UK for months or even years during appeals. Countries on the UK Deport Now, appeal later lists include Canada, india and Australia. Others added include Angola, botswana, mali, bulgaria, guyana, indonesia, kenya, latvia, lebanon, malaysia, uganda and Zambia.

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Our next stop is Barbados. After new US tariffs took effect last week, authorities and businesses in Barbados are planning emergency steps to safeguard citizens from rising prices. A new 10 percent duty on Barbadian goods entering the United States went into effect on Thursday as a part of US President Donald Trump's sweeping new taxes on imports from more than 90 countries to promote domestic manufacturing, protect national security and replace income taxes. Barbados Today reports that the Barbados business community has begun talks on an alternative plan to move trading away from the United States. Barbados plans to import food from Latin America instead of the United States, its longtime source. President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, paul Ennis, called Barbados a price taker due to its high imports, saying US pricing will inevitably be passed on to the consumer. Ennis noted that not all enterprises rely on the United States as their source market. Therefore, not all will be impacted. Not all will be impacted. He explained that retailers and wholesalers that buy most of the country's food from the United States will be affected. He added that Barbados imports a lot of materials from the United States and goods through American ports. The chamber president said Barbados will gradually switch to other sources, such as Latin America, to diversify supply.

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Now on to the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic will debut its first armored vehicle on February 27, 2026, according to the Dominican Republic's President, luis Abinader. At his weekly press conference, abinader acknowledged this milestone for the national industry and the government's commitment to technical innovation and national security. Developed by the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Military, the completely constructed armor vehicle improves armed forces operations and promotes local military equipment production. The project might expand to the Caribbean export market and industrial growth. It is the first time the Dominican Republic has developed its own armored vehicle, as it currently imports for military, civilian and corporate use. Next up foundation, founded by Singariana, launches new arts and culture focus after this.

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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.

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This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2, for the week of August 11th Barbadian artists Anna Gibson, russell Watson, ronald Williams and Simoneellon Foundation. Artists can utilize the grants for projects, living expenses or travel to advance their art. Each fellow will receive $20,000 for professional or personal use and $5,000 to travel to regional and worldwide art communities. The Barbados Museum and Historical Society will host a showcase to finish the 10-month program, which will begin September 2025 and end June 2026. The Clara Foundation, created by Rihanna in 2012, funds innovative education and emergency preparedness and response projects worldwide. Clara Lionel Foundation introduced the Arts and Culture Fellowship to broaden its environment, health and equity activities. The foundation works with and invests in locals in the Caribbean, east Africa and the US South.

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And here's our final note. The Caribbean Tourism Association has hired Airport Strategy and Marketing Limited, a global leader in air service development, to conduct a strategic study to address regional air connectivity issues as a part of its reimagined plan. These issues affect Caribbean tourism, economic development and regional integration. After a competitive RFP, the Caribbean Tourism Organization Airlift Committee, founded in March 2024 to drive regional air service growth and connectivity, selected Airport Strategy and Marketing Limited. Airport Strategy and Marketing Limited will produce critical results by October 31, 2025. Two expected strategic study results include a study of Caribbean air connectivity, including demand patterns, rock growth potential and strategies for airline corporation and partnerships to enhance travel.

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This podcast has been 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 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 2, for the week of August 11th. Here's a shout-out to our listeners in Antigua and Barbuda, new Jersey and France. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora.

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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.