Pulse of the Caribbean

#127 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of October 13

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Security, mobility, innovation, and identity are topics covered in this episode. Here are some of the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • U.S. maritime strike on a small boat off Venezuela - based on intelligence
  • OECS unveiled billboards in Grenada as it launched a campaign on integration and free movement
  • OECS improved Saint Lucia Border Management with Self-Service Technology
  • Jamaica pilots new red snapper and shrimp aquaculture project
  • Rick Fox weighs a political run and green housing legacy
  • BVI-born residents seek constitutional reform on candidacy and belonging

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SPEAKER_01:

This podcast is brought to you by Diamond Key Marina, Yosvindai, 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 October 13th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We saw a report today at the U.S. White House. On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Marines had killed six narco-terrorists on a small boat near Venezuela's coast. The release on Troot Social with an unclassified video of the operation represents the fifth Caribbean operation since early September and highlights the administration's growing battle against regional cartels. Trump said War Secretary Pete Hexett ordered the strike in international seas at his direction. The vessel which left Venezuela was targeted based on intelligence linking it to illicit networks, but the White House did not reveal cargo or affiliation data. Nearly 4,500 U.S. troops were deployed to Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Tobago and the U.S. Virgin Islands last month. Our next stop is Grenada. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission with the support of the OECS 11th European Development Fund, Regional Integration for Growth Harmonization and Technology Program, and the International Organization for Migration officially unveiled two billboards in St. George's Grenada, promoting the rights of OECS citizens to move freely across economic union member states. The installation marks a major milestone in the public awareness campaign celebrating the 44th anniversary of regional integration within the OECS. The billboard features vibrant imagery and a clear message. Grenadians can travel using only a valid national ID card, live and work across the OECS Economic Union. The initiative is part of the Regional Integration for Growth Harmonization and Technology Program and reflects the deepening of the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union. Delivering remarks at the unveiling, Grenada's ambassador to CARICOM and OECS Commissioner Aaron Moses stated, Today it's an honor and privilege to be at this location where we are unveiling a public relations billboard, a visible manifestation of the deepening of economic integration process within the OECS. He emphasized the practical benefits of integration, stating, every citizen of the OECS now have the opportunity to move freely throughout the entire OECS with the use of only a national ID, and every OECS citizen is entitled to indefinite stay within the OECS whether they choose to. They are entitled to basic amenities and benefits such as the right to primary and secondary education, right to basic health, as well as other social services such as national insurance service benefits. Now on to St. Lucia. Local components and the correct chemical balance are used to make the bait, which targets the ant colonies. Now on to Jamaica. An innovative red snapper cage culture fin fish pilot project by Jamaica's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining is improving food security and blue economy sustainability. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and Jamaica's National Fisheries Authority lead the project. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization's$63 million shrimp and red snapper pilot grow out in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Sinkitts and Nevis is part of a CARICOM initiative. Jamaica's National Fisheries Authority, Bowden Bay Mariculture Research Facility in St. Thomas, Jamaica, is conducting the Red Snapper Pilot Project. National Fisheries Authority CEO, Dr. Gavin Bellmy, said the effort matches with the Agricultural Ministry's face of food agenda, which promotes food security, agribusiness development, climate smart technology, and exports. Next up, former NBA champion Rick Fox, a Bahamian, hints he's considering a political run after this. For Pulse of the Caribbean podcast advertising or marketplace feature opportunities, email bizbiz at pulsofthecaribbean.com. Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at Biz BIZ at pulse of the Caribbean.com. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode three for the week of October 13th. Rick Fox, a Bahamian-Canadian NBA champion, has hinted at a political run. Fox stated in a Sunday Facebook post that many have asked if he plans to run in the next general election. He said he was not expecting so much support, but in his meetings with women, teenagers, business owners, and regular Bahamians, he keeps hearing, we're ready for something different. Without making any promises, he said, I'm currently listening, reflecting, and considering the next chapter. Fox was named Bahamas Sports Ambassador in 2022. He said on social media after his appointment, thank you, Prime Minister Philip Davis, for your trust and this amazing honor of representing the great Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Your designation of me as ambassador at large honors my father, Ulrich William Fox, and I am truly grateful. In November 2022, the Davis administration signed a memorandum of understanding with Rick Fox's sustainable building development company, Partana Mohammed, to build 1,000 green homes over 10 years. Fox wrote today on Facebook, some of you have asked to know me on a deeper level after my recent posts, beyond what I may be known for as an athlete, actor, producer, analyst, and entrepreneur. You ask, who are you? What's guiding my consideration at this time? The answer is simple. At my core, I've always been a defender, facilitator, and leader at home and abroad. As captain of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, Fox won three NBA titles. His father was Bahamian. And here's our final note. Young belongers without extensive ancestral ties to the British Virgin Islands have written to the government urging constitutional amendment to allow all British Virgin Islands born people to run for office regardless of their parents' status. The Constitution prohibits non-belonger children from running for government under Section 652B of the current Constitution. However, a letter signed by 19 to 42-year-old locals call this clause discriminatory and archaic. A paradox that excludes an entire generation of Virgin Islanders, they said. Legislators were asked to revise Section 65 to ensure that Virgin Islanders belong in this territory, regardless of parental belongership, are recognized as full and rightful stakeholders in this government. In a report earlier this year, the British Virgin Islands Constitutional Review Commission stated that Section 652B remains one of the most controversial consultation topics. While the Commission indicated it could not recommend changes without public approval, many Virgin Islanders believe the restriction is unfair to British Virgin Islands born and rared people without family links. This podcast has been brought to you by Diamond Key Marina, Yosmendike, 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 pulsofthecaribbean.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode three for the week of October 13th. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Illinois, Atlanta, Georgia, Spain, and Israel. Thank you for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

SPEAKER_00:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulsofthecaribbean.com. 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 Funny News.