NEW YORK, NY (FNN) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) honored outstanding journalists and media professionals during its annual Caribbean Media Awards, held as part of Caribbean Week in New York (CWNY 2025) last week. Sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the high-profile event spotlighted exceptional storytelling and media coverage of Caribbean destinations, drawn from over 100 entries submitted by professionals across the United States and the Caribbean.

A Salute to the Voices of the Caribbean

During his keynote remarks, Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism for Bermuda, underscored the power of the media in shaping global perceptions of the Caribbean.

“Your voices shape the way the world sees us — from ESSENCE to Irie Jam to TVJ to The New York Times; from the 190-year-old Gleaner to freelance writers from AFAR, Condé Nast, and National Geographic, you are all storytellers in our diaspora,” Darrell said. “We’re proud to share our Bermudian hospitality with you, and even prouder of what your work means to all of us in this room and in the region.”

2025 Caribbean Media Award Winners

The ceremony honored excellence across diverse categories of media coverage, reflecting the richness and vibrancy of Caribbean storytelling. This year’s winners included:

• Best Feature Article or Story: Brent Pinheiro for “This Week in Travel: A hell of a time in the Cayman Islands” (CNC3 – Trinidad & Tobago)

• Best News Reporting: Brian Major for “St. Kitts and Nevis is Determined to Preserve Its Beauty and Nature – Here’s How” (AFAR)

• Best Video Production: Amoy Harriott & Glenford Campbell for “Troubled Waters” (Television Jamaica)

• Best Photojournalism: The New York Times – T Brand Studio and Burnt House Productions for “Bermuda is Calling”

• Best Personal Immersive Story: Dionne Baptiste-Clarke for “Humble & Free Wadadli: Antigua’s Growing Rastafari Community Reclaims Former Plantation & Makes It Home” (Your Caribbean Guide)

• Best Podcast/Radio: Nakinskie Robinson for “Crop Insurance; An Idea Worth Seeding” (Radio Jamaica)

• Best Social Media Campaign: Bermuda Tourism Authority for “Flavours of Bermuda Video Series”

• Diaspora Journalist of the Year: Melissa Noel for her outstanding body of work in ESSENCE

• Emerging Journalist of the Year: Romardo Lyons for “Too Hot To Handle” (Television Jamaica)

Celebrating Creativity and Impact

The awards celebrated a dynamic range of media — from traditional print journalism to innovative podcasts, video productions, and social media campaigns. This year’s winning entries stood out for their creativity, journalistic integrity, and ability to spotlight the Caribbean’s unique culture and tourism experiences for audiences worldwide.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority’s sponsorship of the event underscored a collective regional commitment to championing excellence in Caribbean journalism and content creation.

Media Marketplace and Sponsor Highlights

Following the awards ceremony, attendees participated in the Media Marketplace, fostering partnerships between tourism boards, media professionals, and travel influencers. The activation aligns with the CTO’s ongoing mission to connect tourism stakeholders with storytellers who amplify the Caribbean’s voice globally.

CWNY 2025 received generous support from:

• Platinum Sponsors: Dominica, U.S. Virgin Islands

• Gold Sponsors: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bermuda, Global Ports Holding, Travel & Adventure Shows

• Silver Sponsors: Sandals Resorts International, St. Kitts

• Bronze Sponsors: Adara (A RateGain Company), Anguilla, Barbados, Carnival Corporation & plc, Saint Lucia, TEMPO Networks

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that Ambassador Henry Wooster will assume the role of Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, effective June 12, 2025. The move comes as the U.S. navigates Haiti’s deepening crisis and awaits the nomination of a permanent ambassador to lead the mission.

Ambassador Wooster, a veteran diplomat with extensive experience in conflict zones and international affairs, previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Jordan and in several senior State Department roles. He steps in at a time when Haiti faces intensifying political unrest, rampant gang violence, humanitarian emergencies, and the ongoing fallout from the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

U.S. Air Force Colonel Rudy Moise (R) at his retirement ceremony in Homestead, Florida.

As the U.S. works to stabilize relations and support Haiti’s fragile government, momentum is building for a permanent ambassadorial nomination. One name dominating those discussions is Colonel Rudy Moise — A Haitian-American physician, attorney, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, former Ambassador-at-Large for the Republic of Haiti, and respected community leader based in Miami.

Haitian-American leaders, elected officials, and national security observers are calling on the Trump administration to move swiftly and nominate Moise, citing his cultural fluency, decades of public service, and trusted leadership in both the Haitian and American communities. Supporters argue that Moise’s military background, diplomatic experience as a former Haitian Ambassador at Large, and deep ties to Haiti make him uniquely qualified to navigate one of the most difficult diplomatic assignments in the Western Hemisphere.

For now, Ambassador Wooster is tasked with managing U.S. diplomatic operations in Haiti and coordinating with international partners to address security, humanitarian aid, and governance restoration efforts. However, pressure is mounting on the White House and State Department to fill the post permanently — and decisively — as Haiti’s crisis escalates.

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — Vice President JD Vance is set to attend American Compass’s The New World Gala on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

During the event, Vice President Vance will take part in a featured conversation with American Compass founder and chief economist Oren Cass, discussing key issues shaping the nation’s economic future.