Digital transformation in the Caribbean took a significant step forward as Senators Carolyn Trench-Sandiford and Isabel Bennett-Moody participated in a key workshop in Miami focused on digital economies. The event, titled “The Role of Parliaments in Transforming Digital Economies in the Caribbean,” took place on September 7 and 8, 2024.
The workshop gathered lawmakers and senators from 13 CARICOM countries and the US Congress to discuss how parliaments can drive digital change.
The sessions covered how to create and support policies that enhance digital growth. The workshop provided a platform for sharing useful strategies and ideas.
All travel expenses for Trench-Sandiford and Bennett-Moody were covered by the event organisers.
Women entrepreneurs in Belize are set to gain significant support as the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Belize International Network for Women in Business (NIME) announce a new partnership aimed at advancing women-owned businesses and driving economic growth in Belize.
The partnership is designed to align DFC’s goal of becoming the “Bank for Women” with NIME’s mission to support women-led enterprises. In an official press release, it states that DFC will provide financial resources and business development support to NIME members. “We are proud to partner with NIME to support the growth and success of women-led businesses in Belize… By providing the necessary tools and support to women entrepreneurs, we aim to create lasting, positive impacts in both their personal and professional lives,” stated DFC.
NIME echoed this sentiment: “Our aim is to continue to establish synergies with institutions like DFC who understand the importance of investment in women-owned businesses and the support needed for our women entrepreneurs at the micro, small, and medium levels.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is grappling with escalating economic challenges as his administration rapidly depletes the nation’s dollar reserves. Following his controversial declaration as the winner of the July presidential election, Maduro has faced significant international criticism, widespread protests, and a noticeable distancing from former allies.
The bolívar has weakened significantly in unofficial markets, trading up to 20% below the official rate, the widest gap since 2022. This drop highlights the shrinking dollar reserves, partly drained by Maduro’s election-related spending on rallies and advertisements.
Economist José Manuel Puente from the Institute of Higher Education in Administration in Caracas noted, “The government decided to keep the exchange rate anchored for political and electoral reasons. The imbalance will end as it always does in Venezuela: with a large exchange rate adjustment, probably with an inflationary shock, and with an economic slowdown or recession.”
Maduro defended his expenditures, saying, “That is not waste. It’s the necessary investment for the country to continue its course.”
Rising inflation is causing severe strain on businesses and contributing to the hardship of 82% of Venezuelans living in poverty. This economic pressure is likely to worsen the migration crisis, which has seen nearly 8 million people leave the country since 2015.
A father is reaching out with a heartfelt plea for the community’s support for his 17-year-old daughter, Adeline Ashanti Arnold, who is battling severe complications from lupus. Adeline’s condition has worsened significantly, leaving her bedridden and frequently in the hospital. She is a resident of Roaring Creek Village, Cayo.
Adeline’s family is asking for donations of A-positive and O-positive blood. Local residents who are eligible and willing to help are encouraged to visit nearby blood donation centres.
For those interested in offering further assistance or seeking more information, Adeline’s mother, Denise Gordon, can be reached at 607-0932.
The Arnold family greatly appreciates any support the community can provide during this challenging time.
Goldman Sachs and Bank of America are on the brink of a deal that could reshape Ecuador’s financial landscape while bolstering efforts to save the Amazon rainforest. The two financial giants are crafting a debt-for-nature swap that would allow Ecuador to manage its debt more effectively in exchange for a commitment to environmental conservation.
This ‘deal’ involves refinancing part of Ecuador’s debt with a new, more favourable bond, with the extra savings earmarked for protecting the rainforest. Last year, Ecuador made headlines with the largest debt-for-nature swap ever, saving over $1 billion and aiding conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands. Now, this new transaction aims to reduce the country’s future debt payments and funding needs for the next few years.
Finance Minister Juan Carlos Vega expressed enthusiasm, highlighting the dual benefits of debt relief and environmental protection.
As reported by BNN Bloomerang, a representative from The Nature Conservancy mentioned in an email to Bloomberg that such projects hold “great potential” for assisting countries in achieving their conservation and climate objectives.
Similarly, on November 5, 2021, Belize signed a debt-for-nature swap with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), an environmental organisation, which reduced the country’s external debt by a striking 10 percent of GDP. “It greatly improved the prospects for marine protection. Belize’s prime minister, John Briceño, said the deal would protect the country’s oceans and pave the way to strong, long-lasting growth,” reported IMF News.
Both Ecuador and Belize’s debt-for-nature swaps illustrate a growing trend of combining financial restructuring with environmental conservation. This approach sets a precedent for future collaborations between financial institutions and conservation organisations.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have received a $120,000 grant to study cacao biodiversity and pollination, focusing on wild cacao trees in Belize, a region renowned for its rare and highly valued fine-flavoured cacao. The project, “Using Genomic Tools to Promote Sustainable Cacao Agroforestry,” is led by graduate student Holly Brabazon, with support from faculty members DeWayne Shoemaker and Meg Staton.
The research will focus on sequencing the genomes of wild cacao trees in Belize. The study aims to explore cacao diversity and the role of pollinators in cacao farms, potentially leading to improved strategies for sustainable farming.
For the next two years, Brabazon and her team will compare genetic diversity and pollinator activity between wild and cultivated cacao trees. Their findings could enhance cacao production while supporting biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is committed to providing real-life solutions through its teaching, research, and outreach initiatives.
In a highly anticipated presidential debate held in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump squared off for the first—and potentially last—time. The 90-minute debate proved to be a heated exchange between the two. It presents a stark contrast to the previous June 27 debate between President Biden and Trump.
Harris, a former prosecutor, used her opening statement to launch sharp criticisms at Trump. She accused him of implementing tariffs that would act as a sales tax on the middle class and labelled his presidency as presiding over “the worst attack on American democracy since the Civil War.” Harris also took aim at Trump’s treatment of women on the topic of abortion and his praise of foreign dictators, citing Trump’s intention of implementing Project 2025.
Trump, on the defensive, criticised Harris for moderating her positions since the 2020 Democratic primary, suggesting she had adopted some of his views. He also emphasised issues like inflation and immigration, accusing Harris of being an extension of Biden. “She is Biden,” Trump claimed.
However, Harris chided back to Trump for his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. She noted, “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people.”
The debate featured ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis interjecting to fact-check the candidates and co-moderating the debate. Including Trump’s claim about Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating dogs and other pets.
“They’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats,” Trump declared. “They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame.”
Muir immediately fact-checked Trump’s claims, saying that the city manager in Springfield, Ohio, told the network there had been no credible reports of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by people in the city’s immigrant community.
Trump later criticised the debate as unfair, claiming it was “three on one.”
Despite Harris’s strong performance, the outcome of the 2024 race remains uncertain. Polls continue to show a tight race.
For Belize, a small Caribbean nation with close ties to the U.S., the outcomes of such debates can have indirect but notable implications. The policies and positions of U.S. presidential candidates can influence international relations, trade agreements, and economic aid, all of which are crucial to Belize.
Every September 10, Belize celebrates the historic Battle of St. George’s Caye, which took place from September 3 to 10 in 1798. This historic conflict saw British woodcutters, known as Baymen, fend off Spanish forces off the coast of what was then ‘British Honduras.’ The Baymen’s victory led to the establishment of the settlement as a British colony and shaped Belize’s future as an English-speaking nation.
The annual commemoration ceremony was held at Belize City’s House of Culture. Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner spoke about the historical significance of the battle. He stated, “226 years ago, the baymen, free men, and the enslaved found it important to stand united and firm against a mighty force… They fought to preserve a dream. A dream of a land where we can all live free, where our future would be our own to shape.”
Wagner also emphasised the importance of embracing modern advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). He highlighted AI’s potential to revolutionise Belize’s future, from improving weather forecasts to enhancing healthcare services. Wagner urged Belizeans to adopt a bold and ambitious approach, using the E-Bus transportation project as a model for progress. “We must be willing to work, especially when it is necessary to carry us forward,” he added.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker, and echoed Wagner’s call for forward-thinking. He urged Belizeans to consider the legacy they wish to leave for future generations, advocating for “unity over division, action over complacency, and hope over despair.” Fonseca called for collective effort to build a stronger, more just, and united Belize, “Let us honour the sacrifices of those who came before us by building a Belize that is stronger, more just, and more united,” Fonseca added.
The ceremony concluded with the official crowning of the New Queen of the Bay, Queen Deanni Laing.
A recent public display of a sexual nature involving a child during the Carnival Road March on September 7 has drawn widespread condemnation. The Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC) have both condemned the incident, citing serious concerns about the child’s privacy and safety.
Describing the display as having a sexual nature, the Ministry stated, “This lewd display involved a child in a manner that compromised his privacy and exposed him to undue scrutiny and potential harm. Such actions are unacceptable.”
The Ministry further added, “It is the responsibility of organisers, participants and parents to uphold ethical practices when involving children in any public setting. This display not only fell short of these responsibilities but also set a dangerous precedent.”
In response, the Ministry and NCFC announced, “The Ministry and the NCFC will seek legal advice on how to proceed with this matter.” They reiterated the need for ethical conduct in public events involving children.
Earlier today, Police Commissioner Chester William said on Facebook, “that video depicting the woman and child, is tantamount to an assault of a sexual nature upon that child. If we as a society do not see something wrong with such action them certainly something is wrong with us. The Police must at the very least bring in the child, his parents and social to address this matter. Yes the child is laughing but he do not know what was being done to him.”
The first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle will take place tomorrow, featuring former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The debate, taking place on Tuesday in Philadelphia, will commence at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Belize Time).
This highly anticipated debate follows the last major debate between President Biden and former President Trump on June 27. The 90-minute debate will be held without a live audience or live microphones.
With 56 days remaining until Election Day and even fewer before early voting begins, both candidates are intensively preparing. Candidates will each have two minutes to answer questions, followed by two minutes for rebuttals and an additional minute for follow-ups. No pre-written notes are allowed.
