The Caribbean Will See More US Flights

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News Americas, New York, NY, Thurs. June 13, 2024: The Caribbean is set to welcome an increase in flights from the US starting this month, continuing through the year and into next year.

Jamaica will see more US flights.

Southwest Airlines has launched new services from Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida to four Caribbean destinations for the summer travel season. Starting June 4, the airline began daily flights to Grand Cayman, Nassau, Providenciales, and Punta Cana. These new routes complement Southwest’s existing services from Orlando to Aruba and Montego Bay, Jamaica, along with an expansion of service to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

From May 24 to September 2, Southwest expects to connect nearly 57 million customers to destinations across North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America, providing over 4,000 daily flights.

Meanwhile, American Airlines is adding new routes and increasing flights to the Caribbean in time for a winter warm-weather escape. The airline will introduce eight new flights, including a new route to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. This daily flight from Miami will start on December 5, operated by an Airbus A319, making American the only US airline to fly directly to La Romana.

Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network and schedule planning, stated, “Customers will have more reasons to choose American than ever before for nonstop fun in the sun this year. We are excited to continue growing our network to the region with more flights this winter to the Caribbean and Latin America than any other US carrier ever.”

American Airlines’ additional new routes this winter include:

Charlotte to St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

New York to Barbados: Daily service starting Nov. 5 on a Boeing 737

New York to St. Lucia: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

New York to St. Maarten: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on an Airbus A319

New York to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

Philadelphia to Barbados: Saturday-only service starting Nov. 9 on an Airbus A321

Philadelphia to Costa Rica: Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 on a Boeing 737

Frontier Airlines is expanding its services to include a new route from San Juan (SJU) to St. Croix (STX), starting in April 2024.

Sun Country Airlines has announced new nonstop flights from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, as part of its winter schedule. These flights will operate from mid-December 2024 through early April 2025.

Punta Cana Flights: Starting December 26, 2024, initially running twice per week, with an increase to four times per week from January 23, 2025, until April 7, 2025.

Montego Bay Flights: Commencing January 25, 2025, operating twice a week until April 5, 2025.

The expansion of flight services by these major airlines underscores the growing demand for Caribbean travel, promising more convenience and options for travelers looking to enjoy the region’s warm weather and vibrant culture.

US Official For Guyana

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 12, 2024: US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador, Bonnie D. Jenkins, will travel to Guyana tomorrow.

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador, Bonnie D. Jenkins,

Ambassador Jenkins will be in Guyana from June 13 – 14, 2024.While in Guyana, the Under Secretary will participate in bilateral meetings, meet with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and attend side events to underscore the U.S. commitment to arms control, nonproliferation, and international security.

Her visit comes just days after The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), slapped sanctions on three Guyanese, including a government official.

Ambassador Jenkins, PhD, has served as the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security since July 22, 2021. As Under Secretary, she oversees three bureaus: the Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability Bureau; the International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau (ISN); and the Political-Military Affairs Bureau. In addition, as of May 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken named Under Secretary Jenkins as the senior official to lead the Department’s efforts on AUKUS implementation. She is the first African American to serve as an Under Secretary of State.

Jenkins previously served in the Obama Administration as Special Envoy and Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs in the ISN bureau from July 2009 until January 2017. In that role, Ambassador Jenkins coordinated U.S. government efforts on threat reduction programs alongside international programs that prevent non-State actors with intent to do harm from acquiring chemical precursors, biological pathogens, nuclear material, and radiological sources to develop Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). She was also the State Department’s lead for all four of the Nuclear Security Summits held from 2010 to 2016, as well as the U.S. Representative to the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

Caribbean American Sean Kingston Out Of Jail and Performing

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News Americas, New York, NY, Weds. June 12, 2024: The “Beautiful Girls” superstar is back. Caribbean American star Sean Kingston marked his return to the stage with an inspiring performance at Alabama’s Sand Mountain Amphitheater on Saturday, June 8th, following recent legal allegations. He is out on $100,000 bail after spending time in jail in California and Florida.

Sean Kingston is on bail and performing. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)

Last month, Kingston was arrested at his show in Fort Irwin, California, following a raid on his Miami mansion that linked him to a widespread fraud ring allegedly run with his mother, Janice Turner. He was extradited to South Florida and booked into the Broward County jail. Local 10 reports that the 34-year-old recording artist, whose real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, faces several felony charges after authorities accused him and his mother of committing over a million dollars worth of fraud.

His arrest in California occurred soon after Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies raided the mansion he rents in Southwest Ranches on May 23. During the raid, authorities also arrested Kingston’s 61-year-old mother, Janice Turner. Both mother and son now face serious allegations tied to their involvement in a major fraud operation.

Kingston addressed his situation, saying, “I am gonna use this situation and have it be a fuel to my fire, I’m back.”

As Kingston prepares to face a judge, the music world watches closely, awaiting further developments in this high-profile case. The allegations have sent shockwaves through the industry, putting a spotlight on Kingston’s legal troubles and the potential ramifications for his career.

Two Caribbean Heritage Players Are Part Of The U.S. Cricket Team In The ICC World Cup

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 12, 2024: As the US faces India today in the ICC World Cup match in Nassau, NY, two Caribbean heritage players are part of the US Cricket squad in Caribbean American Heritage Month. They are:

Aaron Jones

Caribbean heritage cricketer, Aaron Jones of Team USA, is presented with the Player of the Match award from Ian Bishop after winning the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Canada at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium on June 1, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Aaron Jones, the current vice-captain of the US Cricket Team, is of Bajan parentage. A right-handed top-order batsman and occasional leg spinner, Jones made his List A debut in January 2016 and his first-class debut in October 2017. He has been a significant player for the US since 2018, making notable contributions in T20I and ODI formats. Jones was the leading run-scorer for the US in the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament and has continued to excel, including a standout performance in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup where he scored a match-winning 94 off 40 deliveries. Jones was presented with the Player of the Match award from Ian Bishop after winning the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Canada at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium on in Dallas, Texas.

Steven Ryan Taylor

Caribbean heritage player Steven Taylor of Team USA poses for photographs with fans after the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Pakistan at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium on June 1, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Florida-born Steven Ryan Taylor, of Jamaican parentage, is a left-handed top-order batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler. Taylor has played in West Indian domestic cricket and several Caribbean Premier League (CPL) teams. He has been a key player for the US, becoming the first U.S. batsman to score a century in Twenty20 competition in 2013. Taylor made his ODI debut for the US in April 2019 and achieved his first ODI century in June 2022 against Nepal. Known for his explosive batting and reliable off-spin, Taylor has been an essential part of the US cricket team’s growth and success on the international stage.

Match time for today’s match-up is 10:30 AM EST.

RELATED: Full ICC Cricket Schedule

These Ten Caribbean Nations Are Poised For Positive Economic Growth In 2024

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News Americas, Washington, D.C., Weds. June 12, 2024: Ten Caribbean nations are forecasted to show positive growth this year, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. The overall growth for the Caribbean is expected to strengthen to 7.1 percent in 2024, with a continued robust performance in 2025 at 5.7 percent. Excluding Guyana, the growth rate is forecasted at 3.9 percent in 2024 and 4 percent in 2025. Analysts attribute this growth to a moderate recovery in tourism and remittances.

Caribbean Countries Set To Show Positive Growth in 2024

Country2024 Growth (%)Guyana34.3Dominican Republic5.1Saint Vincent and the Grenadines5Dominica4Barbados3.7Belize3.4Suriname3St. Lucia2.9The Bahamas2.3Jamaica2

Global Outlook

The global economy is expected to stabilize for the first time in three years in 2024, although at a weaker level compared to recent historical standards. Global growth is projected to hold steady at 2.6% in 2024 before slightly increasing to an average of 2.7% in 2025-26. This is below the 3.1% average seen in the decade before COVID-19. The forecast suggests that from 2024-26, countries representing more than 80% of the world’s population and GDP will grow more slowly than in the pre-COVID-19 decade.

“Four years after the upheavals caused by the pandemic, conflicts, inflation, and monetary tightening, it appears that global economic growth is steadying,” said Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President. “However, growth is at lower levels than before 2020. Prospects for the world’s poorest economies are even more worrisome. They face high levels of debt service, constricting trade possibilities, and costly climate events. Developing economies will need to encourage private investment, reduce public debt, and improve education, health, and basic infrastructure. The poorest among them, especially the 75 countries eligible for concessional assistance from the International Development Association, will need international support to achieve this.”

“Although food and energy prices have moderated globally, core inflation remains relatively high and could stay that way,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group. “This could lead central banks in major advanced economies to delay interest-rate cuts. An environment of ‘higher-for-longer’ rates would mean tighter global financial conditions and much weaker growth in developing economies.”

US Slaps Sanctions On Three Guyanese, Including Government Official

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News Americas, New York, NY, Tues. June 11, 2024: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has slapped sanctions on three Guyanese, including a government official.

OFAC has imposed sanctions on Thomas Nazar Mohamed, his son, Azruddin Mohamed, and their company, along with designating two other entities, Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team, which are owned or controlled by Mohamed’s Enterprise and Azruddin, respectively as well as on Mae Thomas, the Permanent Secretary of the Guyana Ministry of Labour.

The Guyana government announced on Tuesday that it has placed Thomas on immediate leave following her inclusion in a list of sanctioned individuals by OFAC.

According to OFAC, these sanctions fall under Executive Order 13818, which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act targeting perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption worldwide.

“Today’s action underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit Guyana’s underdeveloped gold sector for personal gain,” stated Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. He added that the Treasury, in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement, will continue efforts to protect the U.S. financial system from corrupt actors.

The U.S. authorities highlighted that gold is one of Guyana’s main exports but described the industry as highly fragmented, with small-scale mining operations dominating gold production. These small businesses often have informal relationships with larger traders like Mohamed’s Enterprise, leading to international gold sales across markets in the U.S., Canada, UAE, and the EU.

Nazar Mohamed established Mohamed’s Enterprise in Guyana, later expanding to the U.S. and transitioning into gold trading, making it one of Guyana’s largest gold exporters. Azruddin Mohamed eventually took over the enterprise, which now also operates as “Confidential Cambio.”

From 2019 to 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise allegedly underreported over 10,000 kilograms of gold in import and export declarations, avoiding more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Guyanese government. OFAC stated that Thomas, as Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Home Affairs, misused her position to benefit Mohamed’s Enterprise and Azruddin in exchange for cash payments and high-value gifts, influencing contract bids and approval processes for weapons permits and passports.

The Guyana government acknowledged the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s information regarding the three Guyanese nationals. It stated that the Ministry of Finance and relevant statutory agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority, will request further details to support local law enforcement agencies.

“The Government of Guyana takes very seriously the claims contained in the press release and will continue to engage relevant United States entities on these matters. In the meantime, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Ms. Mae Thomas, has been sent on leave with immediate effect,” the statement read.

President Irfaan Ali’s administration emphasized its commitment to working with the U.S. government on mutual interests, including upholding the rule of law and order.

Caribbean Tales and Tempo TV: Bringing Caribbean Content to Millions

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News Americas, Toronto, ON, Mon. June 10, 2024: TEMPO Networks announces an exciting partnership with CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG) to provide a platform for the CaribbeanTales catalogue to reach millions of mobile customers worldwide on IOS and Android devices. Under the agreement, TEMPO as lead partner, will give its customers access to a huge range of original locally and regionally produced content from the CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution catalogue directly through its TEMPO+ Caribbean app. This partnership will enable millions of viewers to access Caribbean content in ways that they have not been able to before.

CaribbeanTales and Tempo Networks join forces.

“This groundbreaking partnership is destined to further catapult the distribution of culturally relevant Caribbean content worldwide and create important pathways for Caribbean producers and creatives,” exclaimed Frederick A. Morton Jr. aka Mr. TEMPO, Founder of TEMPO Networks. “I am thrilled to join forces with CaribbeanTales, which has been engaged in the important work of distributing Caribbean content for decades and shares our vision for the production and distribution of quality content documenting Caribbean history and lifestyle.”

“With our partnership we are building on our commitment to support, develop and distribute Caribbean content for Caribbean viewers worldwide,” explains Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CTMG. “This partnership expands the reach of CaribbeanTales-TV and brings rich, new content to both the CT and TEMPO+ Caribbean platforms.”

For almost two decades, TEMPO has permeated the hearts and souls of viewers with the network emerging “as the ultimate platform for the expression of the entire Caribbean experience,” says Morton. “Caribbean people have a unique passion for living which shines through everything they do and TEMPO+ Caribbean is the bridge to this culturally rich and trendsetting community.”

CTMG is the leading supporter of content generation in the Caribbean with an enormous library of productions that tell the tales of everyday Caribbean people and the Diaspora through series, dramas, documentaries, animation, comedies and short films. All of this content is currently available on CaribbeanTales-TV.

“This wonderful partnership provides an injection of energy and resources into the world’s availability to access Caribbean content and has the potential to be a game changer for our emerging industry,” says Solomon. “There is now a mechanism through which the most compelling regional projects from the most talented producers can be viewed and disseminated, creating funds for the creators in the process. We are looking forward to working with TEMPO+ Caribbean, and with producers and other partners to build on this important milestone in the establishment of a sustainable indigenous industry for the Caribbean.”

Download the TEMPO+ Caribbean App on IOS and Android to access the widest library of Caribbean content in the world.

Links:
CaribbeanTales-TV – Online SVOD for Caribbean Content: https://caribbeantales-tv.com/

TEMPO on CaribbeanTales-TV: https://caribbeantales-tv.com/pages/TEMPO-on-cttv

TEMPO+ app on IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/TEMPO-caribbean-network/id1640195256

TEMPO+ app on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tvcoins.prod.TEMPO&hl=en_CA

CaribbeanTales-TV on TEMPO: https://www.temponetworks.com/caribbeantales-tv/

About CaribbeanTales Media Group
Built over 20 years, CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG) is the only media group in Canada that provides an ecosystem of screen-based activities that serve Black Canadian, and culturally diverse audiences. CTMG is Black-owned, staffed and controlled. Our Board leadership and staff are mainly Black and are culturally diverse. CTMG provides a pipeline of activities from creation to distribution that aims to uplift, enrich, promote and monetize Black and culturally diverse film and television content for audiences.

CTMG includes: CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean; the Caribbean-Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) that produces festivals and events; the CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI), a production hub creating world-class and compelling original content ; and CaribbeanTales-TV (CT-TV), an online streaming video service.

About TEMPO Networks
Founded in 2005, TEMPO Networks is the Caribbean’s leading television, media & entertainment life-style brand capturing Caribbean life & culture worldwide. With its flagship 24/7 linear TV station broadcasting throughout the Caribbean and the USA on cable to over 4M viewers, TEMPO produces popular Caribbean life-style content, featuring travel, tourism, music, cuisine, pop-culture and diaspora life. TEMPO recently launched its streaming platform, TEMPO+ Caribbean, on Apple IOS & Android platforms, with an exciting and ground-breaking slate of original and exclusively curated programming. Its diverse content caters to the very significant and varied worldwide demographic who love and enjoy all things Caribbean.

New Caribbean Music You Should Know

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By NAN ET Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 7, 2024: It’s the weekend, the summer and also the midst of another Caribbean carnival season. That means a lot of Caribbean artists are also dropping new music. Here is some new music that’s out this week.

Sean Paul And Kes

International Jamaican-born dancehall star Sean Paul has teamed up with top Trinidad and Tobago soca artist Kes as well as some of the top voices from India (DIVINE), Pakistan (Bilal Saeed), and Sri Lanka (Yohani) for a remix EP of their high energy uplifting smash ‘Out Of This World’.

The original song is the anthem/theme song for the 2024 Cricket World Cup, one of the biggest sporting events in the world that is currently being played in the Caribbean and the US.

Produced by Trinbagonian producer Tano, the song fuses the sonic influences of Jamaica and Trinidad with India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to create a global sound that can connect with listeners all around the world. Released via Ineffable Records.

Listen HERE

Beenie Man & Hezron

A new generation of fans have been gifted with the opportunity to rock to a dancehall version ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,’ the classic 1966 dance number by The Temptations by Hezron and Beenie Man.

Produced by Pot of Gold Production for Tad’s International Record, Hezron & Beenie Man’s rendition of ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’ is a DJ’s musical delight. Hezron does justice to David Ruffin’s earnest plea for his lover to give him another chance. And the doctor, Beenie Man, showcases his groovy vibes, which is a signature feature of collaborations with this Jamaican musical connoisseur.

Beenie Man complements Hezron’s smoky vocals with a toast big on swag to the melody of Teddy Pendergrass’ 1978 hit song, ‘When Somebody Loves You Back’. The blend of soul, Rhythm and Blues and dancehall makes ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’ a certain hit in diverse markets. Hezron is a stalwart of the Tad’s International Record camp. He has released several well-received songs for the label including ‘Natural Woman’, ‘Save The Children’ and ‘I Shall be Released’ (with Big Youth).

For ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’, Hezron teams with Grammy winner Beenie Man, a dancehall legend whose countless hits include ‘Slam’, ‘Nuff Gal’, ‘Oyster And Conch’, ‘Who Am I’ and ‘Dude.’

Catch it HERE

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=MpRT9aoiC6k&si=VWfRj0t0njiZlwN2

Antaeus Returns With “Athena

Fresh off his Grammy win with Julian Marley, acclaimed artist and music producer Antaeus returns with “Athena,” the eagerly awaited follow-up to his global hit “Byzantine Meditation.”

This captivating new track showcases a mesmerizing performance by Greek-Canadian vocalist Christina Ralli, whose ethereal vocals, invoking the Ancient Greek word “Onar” (meaning a dream or vision), infuse the song with a haunting allure and emotive resonance that captivates listeners.

Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare (though not war itself), embodies the intellectual and civilized aspects of conflict, representing virtues such as justice, skill, and prudent restraint. The track draws inspiration from Athena’s symbolism, including the owl and the olive tree, while paying homage to her significance in Greek mythology.

Catch it HERE now

STEPHEN MARLEY

Stephen Marley, the acclaimed 8-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer, has released a brand new remix of “Old Soul.” The title track of his latest critically acclaimed album by DJ Delano, co-founder of renowned Jamaican sound system, Renaissance Disco, the “Old Soul (DJ Delano Renaissance Santa Barbara Mix),” features a sample of the classic “Santa Barbara” riddim created by legendary Grammy Award-winning Jamaican drummer, Sly Dunbar (Sly & Robbie), is out now on all streaming platforms.

The new remix release coincides with the second leg of Stephen’s Old Soul Tour (Unplugged) dates, currently with Michael Franti and Spearhead as a co-headliner. Both the remix and tour are a continuation of Stephen Marley’s support of his landmark album Old Soul that was released last fall.

Catch it HERE

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=4LzyERDTonM&list=OLAK5uy_nMI85ml8MG3jgQv9sYHDZBUzFQP6R4A70

Adrian Dutchin

Guyanese soca star Adrian Dutchin is back with ‘Carnival Done.’ Produced by Fabulous Soundsz, the song is sure to be a wonderful addition to this carnival season as Dutchin sings: “wine pon nah nah.”

Listen HERE

Gouvana

Jamaican dancehall powerhouse Govana delivers his new single ‘Four Storey.’ An introspective and uplifting track about pursuing your dreams in order to create the life that you desire despite the obstacles that may be placed in your way. Produced by Curt “Crash Dummy” White, this is the third single from Govana off his upcoming album ‘Legacy’, due out June 28th on Ineffable Records. It follows his recently released singles ‘Dat Mi Seh’ with Skeng and ‘Pull Over’ with Jada Kingdom. Listen Now.

Farenizzi and Charly Black

Dancehall artists Farenizzi and Charly Black team up for a sizzling new single titled “Perfect Timing,” set to heat up the airwaves this summer. Produced by Dutty Rock Productions, the infectious track tells the story of a captivating lady who is all about living in the moment and having a good time, with her mesmerizing dance moves perfectly syncing to the rhythm.

Farenizzi and Charly Black bring their unique styles and energies to “Perfect Timing,” creating a fusion of soul & dancehall beats accompanied by a catchy hook to captivate listeners. This collaboration showcases the undeniable talent and charisma of these two acclaimed artists.

LISTEN HERE

Khalia

Jamaican born and UK grown rising reggae star Khalia delivers her new romantic/sexy single ‘Addicted’. Produced by Anwar Hanchard for Albion Muzic, who’s smooth production lends itself perfectly to Khalia’s silky yet powerful vocals and relatable songwriting. This is the second single released since her debut EP ‘Stay True’, which dropped last year and included features from Shaggy, Mortimer, Tanya Stephens, and Blvk H3ro.

Khalia recently performed at Protoje’s Lost In Time Festival in Jamaica, and is scheduled to perform at Summerjam Festival in Germany in July, along with 6 other shows this summer. Released via Ineffable Records.

Listen HERE

BioQuest Achieves Caribbean First with Grooved Brain Coral Genome Sequencing

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News Americas, New York, NY, Fri. June 7, 2024: In celebration of World Oceans Day, BioQuest is proud to announce the completion of the draft reference genome of the Grooved Brain Coral. This milestone marks the first time whole genome sequencing of a coral reef has been accomplished in the Caribbean by Caribbean scientists. This groundbreaking work was conducted locally in Bermuda in collaboration with the Two Frontiers Project, ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ Org.One.

The project began in July 2023, with the BioQuest team learning how to sample and extract DNA from the coral reef with training from the Two Frontiers Project. In Phase 1, the team progressed from sampling to coral microbiome analysis within 72 hours, with all work conducted by Bermudians in Bermuda.

Phase 2 saw BioQuest successfully sequence the whole genome of the coral for the first time during Roche Science Week at Bermuda College in February. The assembly of the draft reference genome was completed by Professor Miten Jain, Principal Investigator of the Genome Technology Laboratory at Northeastern University in Boston.

This technological feat leveraged the advanced capabilities of Seq2Know, the sole Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) certified sequencing laboratory in the LATAM & Caribbean region, run by CariGenetics.

The Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis), a large, reef-building coral found throughout the Caribbean Sea and its adjacent waters, is currently classified as critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List. BioQuest’s efforts are pivotal in the conservation of this species, creating a vital resource for future genetic work that will contribute to its preservation.

Jean-Pierre Rouja, Executive Director of BioQuest, remarked, “Completing the coral reference genome represents a monumental achievement in our efforts to conserve marine biodiversity. This project underscores our commitment to build local capacity and advance scientific research in the Caribbean.”

BioQuest is an innovative philanthropic NGO focused on biodiversity conservation using genomics, starting with the Caribbean’s signature species. It’s aim is to create local biodiversity genetic research capacity whilst preserving our unique environment for generations to come.

ExxonMobil Guyana Reports Record GUY$614.6 Billion Profit for 2023

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News Americas, New York, NY, Fri. June 7, 2024: ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator and one of the coventurers in the prolific Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, has reported a net profit of GUY$614.6 billion (One Guyana dollar = US$0.004) at the end of 2023.

This profit comes as the country’s revenue for the year surpassed $1 trillion, with total operating expenditures pegged at $356.1 billion. Revenues refer to the income the company generates, while operating expenditures represent the company’s expenses and responsibilities.

Exxon’s financials were shared with the media on Thursday during an engagement at the company’s office. The company’s Vice President and Business Services Manager, Phillip Rietema, told reporters that ExxonMobil Guyana continues to reinvest much of its earnings into expanding production in Guyana. Still, last year’s financials are a positive sign for the company.

“2023 was another profitable year, reflecting the building on the success of prior years,” Rietema said.

Last year, the company earned $577.7 billion in profits, up from $132 billion in the previous year, which was the first year the company made a profit in Guyana. Rietema explained that the increased revenues and profits resulted from higher production from the oil platforms operating offshore.

Globally, ExxonMobil’s profit was US$36 billion, approximately GUY$7.5 trillion. CNOOC and Hess, the other coventurers in the block, have separate financial figures.