Pulse of the Caribbean

#145 Caribbean News Roundup Episode 1 Week of November 24

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Policy, investment, civic data, and culture roundup the news. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines.

  • BVI seeks UK cooperation on border security 
  • BVI finance underscores strong Chinese ownership links
  • Antigua targets blight with demolitions and plan installation of new 200-camera network
  • Barbados removes 8,291 names from voter registry
  • Bahamas announces $100m Sandals Beaches redevelopment on Exuma
  • Iconic Reggae Artist Jimmy Cliff has passed

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SPEAKER_01:

This podcast is brought to you by Diamond Key Marina, Yosvendike, British Virgin Island, home of Foxy's taboo and gateway to the bubbly pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve moorings at Diamond Key, visit Botiball.com. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode one for the week of November 24th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We still report in the British Virgin Islands. British Virgin Islands Premier, Dr. Natalia Whitley, will use discussions in London this week to pursue more UK help for the British Virgin Islands border control and security, saying that trafficking and smuggling challenges are spreading across the overseas territories. The annual UK Overseas Territories meeting prioritizes security, Dr. Whitley said at a press briefing on Friday before leaving for the Joint Ministerial Council. Security will remain central, adding meetings with UK agencies on internal security, irregular migration, border management, and criminal justice are also planned. The Premier said the British Virgin Islands and other islands need greater British practical cooperation to combat cross-border crime. He said security has been a challenge in many of the territories. In other news from the British Virgin Islands, the BVI used the Outbound Investment Summit in Shanghai from November 10th to 12th to reignite and emphasize its strong financial relationship with China, a vital financial services market. BVI finance CEO Elise Donovan told more than 300 senior executives that over 40% of BVI company beneficial owners are Chinese, demonstrating their relationship strength. Donovan said Chinese clients are increasingly using offshore wealth planning tools, BVI-based entities that protect assets abroad. These arrangements are growing as global transparency rules tighten and authorities want more checks and information sharing. Brown stated on the Brown and Brown show that homeowners have received notices. As a part of beautification and environmental enforcement, the Prime Minister said the initiative will remove dilapidated vehicles, clean abandoned structures, and target unlawful dumping in several localities. Structurally damaged, abandoned, or illegally dumped and squatted homes will be demolished. Brown said the initiative will continue as a part of the government's neighborhood revitalization and public health efforts. As the 28-day notifications expire, the government will determine the demolitions. The expenditures represent one of the greatest surveillance and enforcement upgrades in Antigua and Barbuda's national history. On the Brown and Brown show, Brown said the goal is to allow law enforcement to monitor a wide spectrum of unlawful conduct in real time. He stated that 200 cameras will be installed at important locations to combat crime, violence, and trash as part of a larger national security and clean environment project. The Prime Minister revealed that the government has made a large upfront payment for the system. During the presentation, he mentioned that they had invested over a million dollars in the new camera system, deeming it crucial for policing and environmental enforcement. Our next stop is Barbados. After Barbados' first thorough enumeration in more than 30 years, the Barbados Electoral and Boundaries Commission will delete 8,291 names from the National Register of Electors. At a Saturday media briefing at Warren's Tower St. Michael, Chairman Raymond Aline said the Commission wants to compile the cleanest and most accurate register in decades. The names set for removal include 4,923 people who have been abroad for more than five years and 3,368 deceased. Aline said these categories are legally defined and must be addressed. Over two weeks, Barbados Electoral and Boundaries Commission's website and local media will list the names to be removed. Aline advised families to check the information and notify the commission of any mistakes. Next, Sandals Resort International inked a$100 million deal to rehabilitate Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. After this, this is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode one for the week of November 24th. On Friday, Sandals Resort International and the government of the Bahamas inked an agreement at the office of the Prime Minister to rehabilitate Emerald Bay on Eczuma into a beaches resort with a$100 million investment to begin repairs at Sandals Emerald Bay, which was shuttered almost a year ago. Executive Chairman Adam Stewart expects more guests to Eczuma after the resort makeover. Stewart noted that more visitors will mean more airlift demand, which will benefit other Eczuma homes and businesses. He said the development will require 950 full-time workers, 250 more than Sandals Emerald Bay. Stewart said Sandals will boost island employee housing due to the surge of staff. Beaches will have numerous new outdoor facilities due to its size and layout. A water park, pickle bay, archery, field sports, everything outdoors will be added because of its landscape, Stewart said. The Greg Norman golf course will be in full swing. We will turn many rooms into two, three, and four-bedroom family villas for multi-generational vacation. Ten new restaurant ideas will debut. The resort will contain 1,500 square foot banqueting and event convention facility, and the list goes on. Redevelopment will begin in the second quarter of 2026. Independent estimates reveal that the resort will employ over 1,500 people and draw tens of thousands of guests once it opens. And here's her final note. Jimmy Cliff, the iconic artist who popularized by reggae around the world, has died, his family said on his official Instagram account. He was 81. Jimmy Cliff died from a seizure and pneumonia. I'm thankful for his family, friends, and other artists and co-workers who shared his journey with him, his wife Latifa Chambers wrote on Instagram. He was well known for songs such as Many Rivers to Cross, The Harder They Come, the title song for the movie of the same name from 1972, which featured Cliff. The film's soundtrack was a great international success and contributed much to expand the appeal of Jamaican reggae. He was only one of two Jamaicans to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Barb Marley. He was inducted in 2010. This podcast has been brought to you by Diamond Key Marina, Yospendike, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve morings at Diamond Key, visit Botiball.com. Have news and information you'd like to share with us, send news releases to news at pulsofhecaribbean.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean news roundup, episode one for the week of November 24th. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, St. Lucia, California, Colorado, Canada, and Finland. 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.

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 centered news.