Pulse of the Caribbean

#116 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of September 22

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Caribbean nations face multiple developments including tropical weather systems, international governance issues, and cultural innovations while moving forward with national infrastructure projects. Here are other stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • Tropical wave bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Caribbean islands with potential depression forming near Bahamas
  • ICC suspends USA Cricket with immediate effect due to governance violations
  • Barbados government enhancing protections for citizens in the US facing potential immigration challenges
  • Dominican Republic on track to reach zero hunger in two years according to UN Food and Agriculture Organization 
  • Selecta Charts launches mobile app for Caribbean music on iOS and Google Play 
  • Grenada breaks ground on National Aquatic Center with 25-meter competition pool meeting world standards for international events

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Speaker 1:

This podcast is brought to you by Diamond Key, marina Yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Fox, east Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3 for the week of September 22nd. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report today with a look at regional weather. Rainfall has been very heavy. Some eastern and north-central Caribbean islands may experience showers and thunderstorms as a tropical wave passes through the region. It is traveling west-northwest. Moderate to strong winds have been felt as the storm passed the windward islands in Vess 94. The wave is forecast to proceed west-northwest at 15 to 20 knots, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today and the Dominican Republic tonight. The system is forecast to slow down and head northwest when it hits the southern Atlantic in a few days. A tropical depression is expected to form near the Bahamas. Due to favorable environmental conditions, interested parties in the Virgin Islands, puerto Rico, dominican Republic, turk and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas should track the system's progress. The system has a low likelihood of forming into a tropical storm within the next 48 hours.

Speaker 1:

Now on to the International Cricket Council. The United States cricket has been suspended by the International Cricket Council to reset its leadership and governance structure in a crucial market. The ICC board members made a decision on Tuesday during a virtual meeting. The suspension comes two months after the International Cricket Association gave the United States Cricket Council three months to hold free and fair elections and implement comprehensive governance reforms at its July annual general meeting. Usa Cricket remains on notice since July 2024, according to the International Cricket Council. Tuesday night, the International Cricket Council suspended USA cricket with immediate effect and took over management and administration of USA national teams. According to a news statement, the International Cricket Council board made the decision after USA Cricket repeatedly violated its constitutional obligations as an ICC member body status with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and significant actions that have damaged cricket's reputation in the US and worldwide. The February T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will not be affected by USA Cricket's suspension.

Speaker 1:

Our next stop is Barbados. The Barbados government is stepping up efforts to protect Barbadians living in the United States, especially those facing possible unfair treatment under US immigration policies. In response to probable discrimination treatment under US immigration regulations, the Barbados government is increasing protections for Barbadians in the United States. Barbados' Foreign Minister, kerry Simmons, assured Barbadians during a Brooklyn town hall meeting that their concerns are being addressed. He linked the fight to the 1960s US civil rights movement, saying rights are threatened again. Simmons said the government is adding staff and resources to better serve the diaspora, especially in states with large Barbadian communities. He advised Barbadians to continue to connect with a consulate, emphasizing that outreach supports not interferes in personal matters. He cautioned that even lawful document holders may be targeted by increased US enforcement. Barbados' Foreign Service will now train officials to handle immigration issues at embassies and counsel it as a new responsibility for Barbados' Foreign Service.

Speaker 1:

Now we head to the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic President, luis Abinadir, met with the Food and Agricultural Organization Director, chu Dong--kyu Tuesday at the UN General Assembly. Chu said that the Dominican Republic might reach zero hunger in two years due to its consistent improvement. He praised Abinadir's food security and sustainable development goals, development goals saying the nation's agricultural production, innovation and social programs have made it a regional model. Abinader reported that the Dominican Republic undernourishment fell from 8.7 percent in 2019 to 3.6 percent in 2025, significantly below the regional norm. Wage growth, social protections and higher agricultural output contributed to this accomplishment. To honor this success, the Food and Agricultural Organization requested Abby Nadir to give the keynote presentation during its 80th anniversary in Rome. While unable to attend, the president will virtually reaffirm the Dominican Republic's commitment to sustainable development goals.

Speaker 1:

Next up, selectacharts launches a mobile app for Caribbean music. After this, for Pulse of the Caribbean, podcast advertising or marketplace feature opportunities. Email biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. 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. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3, for the week of September 22nd.

Speaker 1:

Caribbean streaming platform SelectaCharts announces a mobile app designed for expanding regional and global demand. The latest step creates new doors for artists and consumers in a digital world filled with foreign streaming giants and shows a mature Caribbean music scene ready to claim a bigger share. Selector Charts mobile apps is now available on iOS and Google Play. Additional music finding options are included in the app. These include the Caribbean Top 10, a weekly ranking update by streams, curated playlists by genre gospel, soca, reggae, hip-hop, poetry and country-specific pages. Barbadian entrepreneur Paul Husbands established the platform, which originated as a school project at Barbados Community College in 2012. Artists and loyal users have supported and critiqued the platform throughout the years. According to Husbands, after acquiring the app, he believes selected charts can take Caribbean Music Global. And here's their final note.

Speaker 1:

The government of Grenada, through its Ministry of Sports, in partnership with the Grenada Amateur Swimming Association, performed the sod-turning ceremony for the National Aquatic Center on Wednesday September 17 at the National Stadium. Wednesday September 17th at the National Stadium, a 25-meter competition pool will be built within the National Stadium grounds to supplement the existing cricket, football and sports facilities. The development of an aquatic center is a long-held dream of Grenada's swimming community. Long-held dream of Grenada's swimming community. Murtha Pools, a world-renowned producer for public and private pool facilities, will manufacture and build a pool. Maureen Crowes, visiting vice president of World Aquatics, was present to commemorate the historic occasion. She went on to say this 25-meter pool facility will meet world aquatic competition standards, capable of hosting local, regional and international events.

Speaker 1:

This podcast has been brought to you by 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 September 22nd. Here's a special greeting to our listeners in Jamaica, new Jersey and Belgium. Thanks for listening. Do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora.

Speaker 2:

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