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  • Start ATC-opleiding voor versterking luchtvaart

    Start ATC-opleiding voor versterking luchtvaart

    Suriname’s Ministry of Transport, Communication, and Tourism (TCT) has inaugurated a specialized Air Traffic Controller (ATC) training program under the Basic Air Traffic Services (BATS) framework, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s aviation infrastructure. The initiative, launched on Friday, represents a strategic investment in enhancing safety protocols, operational continuity, and professional excellence within both domestic and international air transport systems.

    Thirteen candidates with prior practical experience in aviation operations have been selected for this comprehensive training curriculum. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Suriname (CASAS) will oversee the entire program and conduct final assessments to certify participants’ mastery of essential knowledge and technical competencies. Successful graduates will qualify as Tower Controllers, with clear pathways for career progression to full Air Traffic Controller roles.

    Transport Minister Raymond Landveld emphasized during the opening ceremony that human capital development is fundamental to building a resilient and secure aviation industry. He noted that effective air traffic management is critical for supporting key economic sectors—including tourism, oil and gas, medical evacuations, and international connectivity—while also strengthening global confidence in Suriname’s airspace integrity.

    Concurrently, the ministry is advancing training for Aeronautical Information Services personnel, aligning with stringent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. These efforts collectively aim to bolster the international reputation and operational credibility of Suriname’s aviation sector, reinforcing its commitment to world-class safety and efficiency.

  • 98% of BTL Severance Paid, But What About Claims Older Than 6 Years?

    98% of BTL Severance Paid, But What About Claims Older Than 6 Years?

    Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) has announced the near-completion of its severance payment obligations to former employees, fulfilling a mandate from last November’s Caribbean Court of Justice ruling. The telecommunications company reports successfully disbursing 98% of eligible claims that fall within the six-year limitation period established by national law.

    According to an official statement, BTL initiated payments promptly following the judicial decision, though three former employees have yet to collect their entitled compensation. The company attributes this remaining balance to the individuals’ failure to complete necessary disbursement procedures at BTL offices.

    This adherence to the statutory limitation period has ignited significant public debate regarding corporate responsibility versus legal technicalities. Critics argue that severance pay constitutes earned compensation that should transcend temporal legal boundaries, representing a fundamental matter of social justice rather than merely a contractual obligation.

    Prime Minister John Briceño recently weighed in on the controversy, expressing his view that severance claims should not be subject to statute limitations. His comments came following parliamentary proceedings where he emphasized the moral imperative to compensate all former employees regardless of temporal constraints.

    The Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) has mobilized public demonstrations, conducting a three-day protest outside BTL’s Belize City headquarters. The labor advocacy group demands comprehensive payment for all affected workers, including those whose employment terminated beyond the six-year threshold.

    In response to mounting pressure, BTL’s Board of Directors has initiated review procedures for claims predating the limitation period. A conclusive determination regarding these historically excluded cases is anticipated during the board’s forthcoming meeting.

  • Trilla-G’s latest single ‘Congratulations’ embodies transforming trials into triumph

    Trilla-G’s latest single ‘Congratulations’ embodies transforming trials into triumph

    Dominican Bouyon sensation Trilla-G (born Gael Jno Baptiste) has transformed personal adversity into artistic triumph with his powerful new single “Congratulations,” released following his successful battle against cancer. The Billboard-recognized artist received his diagnosis in July 2025, embarking on an intensive treatment regimen that fundamentally reshaped his perspective on life and creativity.

    Despite the physical challenges of cancer therapy, Trilla-G maintained an extraordinary performance schedule throughout 2025, appearing at Virginia and Miami carnivals, the UberSoca Cruise, and Aruba events. His perseverance culminated in a memorable performance at Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival, followed immediately by his return to medical treatment. During this period, he also released his debut album “Take Me as I Am: The Album” just days before his festival appearance.

    In an emotional reflection, the artist shared: “Cancer was not a word I ever imagined hearing connected to my name. There were moments of fear, exhaustion, and unbearable weight. But I held on to my faith and decided that as long as I had life, I had a chance to fight.” This mindset fueled his creative process, leading to the composition of “Congratulations” during his recovery.

    The track represents more than musical expression—it serves as a testament to human resilience. Blending Trilla-G’s signature Bouyon energy with profound emotional depth, the song centers on themes of gratitude for life, faith, and supportive relationships. As of February 5, the artist proudly announces he is officially cancer-free.

    Produced by Andel “Fr3EzE” Horsford and Dernel Green, with writing contributions from Shane Maloone and Christon Jno Baptiste, the single features longtime collaborator Th3rd from the US Virgin Islands. The accompanying music video, released just two days after Trilla-G’s final treatment session, was shot by 365MMP with creative direction from Tridel Edwin, Anthony Nibbs, and the artist himself. This visual component symbolizes both closure to a challenging chapter and the beginning of a renewed artistic journey.

    Currently available across all major streaming platforms, “Congratulations” extends beyond typical entertainment to deliver an inspirational message encouraging listeners to appreciate life’s blessings without awaiting crisis. Trilla-G now prepares for Carnival Season with renewed purpose, celebrating Dominica’s Real Mas with profound personal significance.

  • Health minister announces latest finalization of senior healthcare positions as part of bolstering sector

    Health minister announces latest finalization of senior healthcare positions as part of bolstering sector

    The Dominican government is undertaking a significant restructuring of its healthcare leadership, with Health Minister Cassanni Laville announcing the finalization of critical senior management positions within the nursing department. This strategic move represents a continuation of the administration’s multi-year effort to enhance the nation’s medical governance and ultimately improve patient care outcomes.

    Minister Laville revealed that these appointments are part of a broader initiative to strengthen the healthcare system’s administrative framework. “We are in the process of finalizing some critical senior management positions, particularly in nursing as well as various other management positions,” he stated during a recent announcement.

    The minister emphasized that this organizational overhaul reflects the government’s sustained commitment to healthcare improvement, noting that over the past two years, the administration has consistently prioritized both healthcare outcomes and staff welfare. This focus has included substantial investments in human resources and strategic resource allocation across hospital networks.

    Detailing the comprehensive nature of these reforms, Laville highlighted several key achievements: “We have seen increases in salaries, appointed over 100 nurses in our system, created 26 permanent positions for medical doctors and various specialists, and established 34 full-time community health aid positions.” Additionally, the government is currently creating temporary positions for nine environmental health officers while continuing to review positions throughout both primary and secondary healthcare systems.

    This systematic approach to healthcare workforce development demonstrates the government’s recognition that robust administrative leadership—particularly in nursing—is essential for delivering quality medical services to the Dominican public.

  • “I Just Saw Him Yesterday”: Family Grieves “Sparrow” After Dangriga Shooting

    “I Just Saw Him Yesterday”: Family Grieves “Sparrow” After Dangriga Shooting

    The coastal community of Dangriga is grappling with the tragic loss of a cherished resident following a fatal shooting incident on Friday evening. Bernaldo Gorosica, affectionately known throughout the town as ‘Sparrow,’ was killed in the Riverside area, sending shockwaves through this tight-knit Belizean community.

    Gorosica, remembered as a perpetually cheerful fisherman from the Salty Dog neighborhood, was described by those who knew him as a beacon of positivity. His cousin, who spoke with local media through tears, painted a portrait of a man whose infectious smile and vibrant personality touched everyone he encountered. ‘He was a cool person, always happy, full of vibes, always had a big smile on his face,’ she recounted emotionally.

    The victim’s sudden and violent death has left his family, including his two sons, devastated. The emotional impact is particularly profound given that many relatives had interacted with Gorosica mere hours before the tragedy. His cousin revealed the heartbreaking detail that she had exchanged greetings with him just one day prior to the shooting, making the loss even more difficult to process.

    Local law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While police continue to pursue leads and evidence, the community focuses on mourning a man whose presence defined the character of his neighborhood. The incident has raised concerns about public safety in the area, though official details regarding potential suspects or motives remain undisclosed as the investigation progresses.

  • Social Security director urges self-employed individuals to register with the department

    Social Security director urges self-employed individuals to register with the department

    The Director of the Dominica Social Security (DSS), Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas, has issued a compelling appeal to the nation’s self-employed workforce, urging immediate registration with the national social security system to secure future welfare benefits. Emphasizing the critical need for personal financial planning, Thomas highlighted a concerning trend where individuals neglect to make provisions for their later years yet expect support upon reaching retirement age or becoming unable to work.

    Thomas articulated the core principle of the social security system as a mechanism for ensuring personal independence through compulsory savings. “By making the modest sacrifice of regular contributions during your productive years, you guarantee financial compensation from DSS when your earning capacity diminishes,” she stated, framing the system as a foundational pillar for retirement security rather than an optional expense.

    In parallel, the DSS Director issued a crucial advisory to all salaried employees, encouraging them to proactively verify their contribution status. Thomas clarified that observing a social security deduction on one’s payslip does not automatically confirm the remittance of those funds to the DSS. She strongly recommended that employees periodically visit DSS offices to conduct official checks, ensuring their employers are fully compliant with contribution payments on their behalf.

    This dual-focus outreach underscores a broader governmental effort to strengthen the social safety net by expanding coverage and enforcing compliance, thereby safeguarding citizens against financial insecurity in old age or incapacity.

  • New Power Lines to Reach 150 Homes in Five Villages

    New Power Lines to Reach 150 Homes in Five Villages

    A landmark rural electrification initiative has brought transformative change to five previously underserved communities in Belize’s Orange Walk District. The collaborative project connecting Indian Church, San Carlos, San Benito Poite, Jalacte, and San Vicente to the national grid represents a significant infrastructure advancement for the region.

    For generations, residents of these villages endured unreliable electricity access that constrained domestic life, agricultural productivity, and entrepreneurial development. The newly operationalized project—spearheaded through a tripartite partnership between the European Union, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), and the Belizean Government—has altered this reality fundamentally.

    During the official inauguration ceremony, Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat emphasized the government’s commitment to inclusive development, stating: “This project clearly demonstrates that rural communities matter… no village is left behind in our national progress.”

    The undertaking evolved strategically from initial micro-grid conceptions to a more comprehensive grid-connection solution following extensive community consultations. BEL engineered a ten-mile interconnection to the national infrastructure, while the EU and utility provider co-financed complementary components including utility poles, transformers, distribution networks, street lighting systems, and residential wiring installations.

    Karique Marin, BEL’s General Manager for Distribution and Energy Solutions, highlighted the broader implications: “We are not merely activating electrical current; we are collectively powering socioeconomic progress. Reliable electricity possesses the transformative capacity to redefine family living standards, agricultural operational efficiency, and youth future-planning capabilities.”

    Initiated in 2021, the project now delivers sustainable power to over 150 households, creating unprecedented opportunities for agricultural enhancement, small business development, and improved quality of life across the beneficiary communities.

  • COMMENTARY: Does The Usa Really Care About Our Criteria For Accepting Deportees?

    COMMENTARY: Does The Usa Really Care About Our Criteria For Accepting Deportees?

    By Yves Ephraim

    A provocative analogy has emerged to characterize the response of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to United States immigration pressures. The narrative depicts a scenario where a woman, confronted by an overpowering assailant in her own home, abandons resistance and instead negotiates the terms of her violation. This disturbing parallel serves as a metaphor for how regional governments are handling Washington’s insistence that they accept criminal deportees.

    The core issue centers on the perceived capitulation of Caribbean leadership. Rather than issuing flat refusals to accept deportees who may destabilize their societies, these nations have engaged in procedural negotiations. Grenada’s Prime Minister, for instance, has been praised by some commentators for establishing criteria regarding transportation costs and accommodation standards for deportees. The author vehemently rejects this perspective as dangerously naive.

    The fundamental power imbalance remains unaddressed: if Caribbean nations cannot refuse deportation requests outright, what guarantees exist that negotiated standards will be honored? The article argues that establishing conditions for acceptance while lacking ultimate refusal power constitutes self-deception. The author characterizes this as a sovereignty violation comparable to historical subjugation, noting that leaders have spun this dynamic as somehow representing regional control.

    Particular scorn is reserved for suggestions that Caribbean nations might selectively accept deportees who could contribute to national development. The piece dismisses this as fantastical thinking, emphasizing that recipient countries ultimately have no meaningful selection authority. The conclusion presents a damning assessment: Caribbean leaders have surrendered to inevitable domination while pretending to negotiate terms, embodying a tragic failure of political leadership and sovereign protection.

  • Bezorgdheid over Nutrilon-babyvoeding in Suriname na internationale terugroepactie

    Bezorgdheid over Nutrilon-babyvoeding in Suriname na internationale terugroepactie

    Health authorities across multiple nations have escalated a major recall of Nutrilon infant formula products after discovering potential contamination with cereulide toxin, sparking significant concern among parents in Suriname where the affected batches remain commercially available.

    The international recall initiative, originally initiated in European countries including the Netherlands, now encompasses various Nutrilon formulations specifically designed for infants. The products under scrutiny include Nutrilon Stage 1 and specialized AR variants intended for babies with reflux conditions. This regulatory action follows comprehensive evaluations identifying specific batches containing ARA fatty acid sourced from a particular supplier believed to be the contamination origin.

    Medical experts warn that cereulide exposure can trigger severe gastrointestinal complications in infants, particularly those under six months of age. Symptoms may include persistent vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort, necessitating immediate medical attention if observed.

    In Suriname’s Wanica district, one concerned mother shared her apprehension with local media after discovering she possessed contaminated products. She has immediately discontinued usage and initiated contact with both the retail outlet where she purchased the formula and regional suppliers, though official guidance from distributors remains pending at this time.

    The Surinamese Ministry of Health has acknowledged the developing situation and is currently conducting its own assessment. Officials have indicated that formal public guidance regarding the recalled products will be issued shortly. Meanwhile, parents are advised to scrutinize batch numbers and expiration dates on all Nutrilon products and refrain from using any items matching the officially recalled batches circulating internationally.

  • Prosecutors Signal Possible Withdrawal of Fatal Motorcycle Crash Case

    Prosecutors Signal Possible Withdrawal of Fatal Motorcycle Crash Case

    In a significant judicial development, prosecutors have indicated potential discontinuation of legal proceedings against Jameel Adams, a Bendals resident charged in connection with a tragic motorcycle accident that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Annik Lawrence in November 2022. The Director of Public Prosecutions formally notified the High Court on Thursday of the intention to potentially terminate the case, though no official withdrawal application has been submitted yet.

    The case centers on allegations of causing death by dangerous driving stemming from the November 14 incident along All Saints Road. According to official reports, the motorcycle operated by Adams allegedly lost control, ejecting both riders from the vehicle. Lawrence, who was traveling as a passenger, sustained fatal injuries and passed away shortly before her 24th birthday. Adams also suffered injuries in the crash.

    Nearly thirty months after the tragic event, the judicial process remains in limbo with no definitive timeline for resolution. The court proceedings have not disclosed the prosecution’s rationale for considering case abandonment, leaving fundamental questions unanswered about evidentiary challenges or procedural considerations influencing this potential outcome. The development represents another layer of tragedy for Lawrence’s family, who continue to await conclusive justice despite the passage of years since their loss.