Pulse of the Caribbean

#136 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 1 Week of November 3

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Here are some of the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • USVI utilizes emergency funding for SNAP and activates the use of line of credit as cushion for government operations 
  • Antigua’s brewery and distillery expansion to diversify GDP
  • BVI Nanny Cay redevelopment gets underway with expectations high for new jobs, economic activity, and marine skills training with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College
  • Dominica Republic begin  nighttime immigration operations with human rights oversight
  • Reggae Artist Maxi Priest and BritCham Guyana Chairman fundraising for Jamaica relief
  • Grenadian crowned Miss Caribbean UK 2025 
  • Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda Nationals Celebrate Independence Day

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This podcast is brought to you by Diamond Key Marina, Yosmondike, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bobbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve moorings at Diamond Key, visit Botieball.com. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, Episode 1 for the week of November 3rd. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We still report in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The administration of Governor Albert Bryant Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands is getting ready to release millions of dollars to support people who are impacted by the suspension of SNAP payments from the U.S. Federal Government Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. To protect thousands of families from not having enough food, the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands has approved$2.76 million in emergency funding to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program functioning during the current federal shutdown. Approximately 10,600 households in the U.S. Virgin Islands will shortly get paper checks for half of November benefit amounts. Julia Reimer, head of the U.S. Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget, told lawmakers on Tuesday that the U.S. territory needs to be proactive to keep critical functions operating if the U.S. Federal shutdown lasts longer than December 1st. Reimer requested the legislature to let the government's finance department move$50 million from the Virgin Islands line of credit to serve as a financial cushion until federal operations start up again. He said that the policy will stop as soon as the federal government reopened. He added that more than 1,200 federal workers in the U.S. Virgin Islands will be directly affected and may have problems paying their bills, groceries, and other daily needs. He added that the shutdown might cause the economy to lose$2.1 million in output and$1.7 million in gross domestic product in one year. In related news, on October 28, 25 Democratic-led states and a District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts against the Trump administration. They want the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release contingency funds for November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits while the federal government is still shut down. Scott Bassent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, said that the U.S. Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP benefits for almost 42 million low-income Americans could start up again as soon as Wednesday, November 5th. This is because federal courts have ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds during the government shutdown. Our next stop is Antigua. According to Prime Minister Gaston Brown, a recent granted public-private partnership loan will fund a new brewery and Antigua distillery expansion. Brown made the announcement on his weekly Brown and Brown radio show that the investment is a major step towards diversifying the economy and reducing tourism's 70% share of GDP to 55%. Brown said from next year we may have a bear factory. The loan was recently granted for corporation between the Antigua and Barbuda government and the Antigua Distillery. The Prime Minister said such corporations and adventures in agriculture, distilling, and financial services are encouraged to boost local ownership and economic engagement. Our next stop now is the British Virgin Islands. During the groundbreaking ceremony last Friday at the Nanny Key Marina and Resort on Tortola, British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalia Whitley said the multimillion dollar development will create more than 90 jobs. The marina expansion is the first of three phases of the 30 million to 40 million rehabilitation of Nanni Key over three years. Whitley says it shows trust in our economy, people, and the British Virgin Islands as a top tourism, maritime, and sustainable growth destination. De Premier stated the project is expected to generate 91 new jobs and stimulate economic activity across multiple sectors, from taxi operators and tour guides to food vendors, provisioning companies, and marine technicians. He also mentioned a marine hub with the H. Lavity Stout Community College to teach young Virgin Islanders marine repair, sailing, and environmental care. The first phase contains 112 new boat spaces, a modern boat yard, and a 200-ton haul out. The enlargement will allow for more vessels and larger vessels and hosting of regattas like the BVI Spring Regatta, 44 Cup, and Round Tortola race. Phase two and three will include a restaurant, town, boutique stores, event space, luxury pool, and beach islet. These upgrades are expected to boost local entrepreneurship and visitor spending across the area. Now we head to the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic General Directorate of Migration began nighttime operations to improve Dominican Republic immigration regulations and citizen protection. A statement from the institution says the program boosts actions against illegal immigrants, especially in high traffic regions of the National District and Santo Domingo. Uniformed agents are deployed in visible patrol teams of seven under a coordinating officer to oversee protocol and human rights compliance. This will happen regularly, but more so on weekends when agents stay in operations through the late nights and early morning hours. The Directorate of Migration said undocumented people who are there are sent to immigration processing centers. Fixed observation points have been set up at traffic intersections, motorcycle, taxi stands, and other public areas with irregular activity or begging. The organization added, many reports come from the 311 user assistance line, which allows individuals to register complaints or request assistance. Next up, reggae artist Maxie Priest joins with Brit Cam Guyana for hurricane relief efforts for Jamaica. After this.com. Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at Biz BIZ at pulsofthecaribbean.com. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode one for the week of November 3rd. The British Chamber of Commerce Guyana, Britcam Guyana, has announced a collaboration with internationally renowned artist Maxi Priest to raise funds for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica. In the wake of the recent devastating hurricane, Britcam Guyana and Maxi Priest, a reggae artist of Jamaican descent, have joined forces to rally support from businesses and individuals across the Caribbean, the UK, Guyana, and the global community to assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts in Jamaica. Chairman of Britcam Guyana, Faisel Kahn, and Maxi Priest have agreed to dedicate the networking segment of Britcam Guyana's business forum and networking event taking place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Chelsea Football Club Stamford Bridge in London to a special fundraising initiative. All proceeds raised will go directly toward organizations coordinating hurricane relief efforts on the ground in Jamaica. Maxie Priest said, Music and Unity have the power to heal and rebuild. I'm honored to lend my voice to help those affected in Jamaica. And here's our final notes. Zane Fritz of Grenada won Miss Caribbean UK 2025 in London, a colorful celebration of Caribbean heritage, culture, and talent. Fritz won this year's pageant with her confidence, eloquence, and Grenadian heritage. Alia Brown of Trinidad and Tobago was first runner up, while Tanssi Daniel of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was second. Miss Caribbean UK continues to promote identity, leadership, and cultural pride while strengthening diaspora ties for Caribbean women in the UK. Now we say Happy Independence Day to Dominican Nationals. Today marks the 47th anniversary of independence for Dominica. In the words of Prime Minister Roosevelt Scarrot, remain steady in fate and determine in hope. We also say Happy Independence Day to all Antigua and Barbuda Nationals. November 1st, Antigua and Barbuda celebrated 44 years of independence under the theme Solid, Stable, Soaring. This podcast has been brought to you by Diamond Key, Marina Yosemond Dyke, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve moreings at Diamond Key, visit Botiball.com. Have news and information you'd like to share with us and news releases to news at pulsofthearbon.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, Episode 1 for the week of November 3rd. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in Trinidad and Tobago, Washington, D.C., California, Canada, and Belgium. Thanks 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.

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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 centered news.