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  • Wet Arbeidsadviescollege aangenomen; zittingsduur verlengd naar vijf jaar

    Wet Arbeidsadviescollege aangenomen; zittingsduur verlengd naar vijf jaar

    Suriname’s National Assembly has unanimously approved significant amendments to the Labor Advisory Council Act, fundamentally restructuring the tenure framework for council members. With all 30 votes in favor, the legislation extends membership terms from two to five years, marking a substantial shift in the country’s labor governance approach.

    Parliamentary officials emphasized that the extended tenure period aims to foster greater continuity, institutional stability, and expertise development within the tripartite advisory body. Silvana Afonsoewa, Chair of the Committee of Rapporteurs, articulated during deliberations that prolonged terms would enhance the stability of social dialogue between government, employers, and employee representatives.

    The legislative process featured vigorous debate regarding leadership term limits. In response to concerns about unlimited reappointments for leadership positions, legislators eliminated Article 4, Section 8 through an oral amendment. This establishes that the Council’s chair and deputy chair may now serve only two consecutive terms.

    Notably, regular members remain eligible for unlimited reappointments, preserving flexibility for labor unions and business associations to select their preferred representatives. Government officials serving ex officio on the Council are also exempt from the new term limitations.

    Minister of Health, Welfare and Labor André Misiekaba characterized the reforms as a significant boost to Suriname’s tripartite consultation model. The Labor Advisory Council, which advises the government on labor matters and socioeconomic policy, now operates under strengthened governance provisions that prevent ministers from dismissing its recommendations without formal justification.

  • Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance had NYC ‘holding it in’

    Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance had NYC ‘holding it in’

    New York City experienced an unprecedented hydrological phenomenon during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, with municipal data revealing a massive coordinated pause in water usage across the five boroughs. According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), water consumption dropped dramatically throughout the 13-minute spectacle before surging immediately after its conclusion.

    The DEP’s monitoring systems detected a water usage spike in the 15 minutes following the performance equivalent to 761,719 simultaneous toilet flushes—a clear indication that hundreds of thousands of residents had deliberately delayed restroom breaks to avoid missing the Puerto Rican superstar’s performance. This unusual pattern demonstrates the cultural impact of major entertainment events on urban infrastructure and daily routines.

    The international dimension of the performance also garnered attention, particularly when Belize’s flag appeared prominently during the show. Nyah Davis, the flag bearer who carried the Belizean standard during the production, characterized the global exposure for her nation as ‘worth it 100%,’ highlighting how such cultural moments resonate beyond domestic audiences and create pride within international communities represented on stage.

    This incident provides a unique case study in how mass media events can temporarily alter metropolitan utility patterns, with entertainment spectacles now visibly impacting urban infrastructure metrics in real-time.

  • Mia Mottley Eyes Historic Third Term

    Mia Mottley Eyes Historic Third Term

    Barbados is witnessing a pivotal moment in its democratic history as citizens cast their votes in a general election that could grant Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley an unprecedented third consecutive term in office. The nation’s first female leader since gaining independence in 1966, Mottley has achieved international acclaim for her vigorous climate advocacy and steadfast support for small island nations.

    Recent nationwide polling data reveals overwhelming support for Mottley’s Barbados Labour Party (BLP), with approximately 80% of decided voters expressing their backing. The survey indicates Mottley personally commands 61.2% support, significantly outpacing her main opponent, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne, who trails at 18%. Merely 10% of respondents indicated they might consider voting outside the two dominant political parties.

    The nation’s economic resilience has emerged as a central campaign theme, with World Bank data confirming Barbados achieved 4.0% real GDP growth in 2024. This robust economic performance has been primarily driven by vigorous activity across three key sectors: tourism, construction, and business services, with positive momentum continuing into 2025.

    Ensuring electoral integrity, a three-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) has been deployed to monitor voting procedures and overall election conduct. The mission’s primary objective is to verify transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to democratic standards throughout the electoral process. The CEOM is scheduled to present its comprehensive findings during a closing media briefing on Thursday.

  • Are Airbnbs Posing a Challenge to Hotels in Belize?

    Are Airbnbs Posing a Challenge to Hotels in Belize?

    Belize’s tourism landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as vacation rental platforms like Airbnb emerge as formidable competitors to established hotels, according to Efren Perez, President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA).

    During a recent appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, Perez highlighted the competitive advantages driving Airbnb’s popularity among visitors. “Airbnbs typically offer more competitive pricing structures and provide guests with entire apartments including kitchen facilities, granting travelers substantially more flexibility during their stays,” Perez explained.

    The BTIA president raised concerns about the operational impact of unregistered short-term rentals on the traditional hospitality sector. “When Airbnbs operate without proper registration through the Belize Tourism Board, this creates an uneven playing field that adversely affects hoteliers who consistently fulfill their tax obligations to the industry,” Perez emphasized.

    Despite recording increased overnight stays nationwide, conventional hotels are experiencing disproportionate financial pressure. Perez revealed insights from industry dialogues indicating strategic shifts toward all-inclusive models as a potential solution. “Hotel properties are increasingly moving toward all-inclusive offerings to deliver enhanced value propositions for travelers,” he noted, suggesting this transition represents the industry’s evolutionary direction.

    The BTIA has embarked on nationwide consultations, visiting key destinations including San Pedro, Punta Gorda, and Hopkins to assess regional challenges spanning infrastructure, road safety, emergency medical access, and recurring Sargassum seaweed impacts.

    Perez expressed confidence in the sector’s adaptability, stating: “By equipping the industry with appropriate tools and addressing critical challenges systematically, we position ourselves to achieve established tourism targets through strengthened public-private collaboration, enhanced marketing initiatives, and targeted training programs in the coming year.”

  • Second Case of Unprovoked Attacks by Mentally Challenged Individuals

    Second Case of Unprovoked Attacks by Mentally Challenged Individuals

    Belizean authorities are confronting growing public safety concerns following a second documented case of random violence perpetrated by individuals with apparent mental health conditions. The latest incident unfolded on February 10th in Belmopan, where surveillance footage captured a disturbing assault near the city’s bus terminal.

    According to eyewitness reports and video evidence, a 10-year-old boy was waiting with his mother for evening transportation when an unidentified man approached them. After being denied a cigarette, the individual returned moments later and delivered a forceful blow to the child’s face, rendering the victim unconscious. The assailant immediately fled the scene and remains at large despite ongoing investigation efforts.

    This troubling event mirrors a previous case documented in Belize City, where authorities detained another mentally disturbed individual connected to two separate attacks against female victims. Those incidents, including one occurring on Christmas Day near the Michael Finnegan Market and Orange Street, were similarly captured on security cameras.

    The recurrence of such unprovoked violence has ignited serious discussions regarding mental health infrastructure and public protection measures. Community members have expressed heightened anxiety about safety in public spaces, particularly transportation hubs and commercial areas. Law enforcement officials face mounting pressure to address both immediate security concerns and underlying systemic issues contributing to these events.

  • OP-ED: Building inclusive futures for women and girls through STEM education

    OP-ED: Building inclusive futures for women and girls through STEM education

    A profound gender disparity continues to plague global Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education systems and workforce participation, with UNESCO data revealing women comprise merely 35% of STEM graduates worldwide—a statistic unchanged for over ten years. The Latin America and Caribbean region demonstrates even more pronounced inequality, where despite women constituting 60% of tertiary graduates, they represent less than 40% of STEM professionals, with particularly low representation in engineering (under 31%) and information technology (14%).

    The roots of this systemic exclusion trace to deep-seated cultural narratives that stereotype STEM as masculine domains. In patriarchal societies worldwide, girls face discouragement from technical subjects and are frequently steered toward ‘softer’ academic pursuits. Afghanistan presents the most extreme case, where approximately 2.2 million girls are systematically denied education beyond primary level under official prohibition.

    According to OECD analyses of Latin American and Caribbean nations, gendered career expectations emerge early, with only 14% of girls anticipating STEM occupations compared to 26% of boys. This gap manifests in confidence disparities, with just 27% of girls expressing mathematical confidence versus 45% of boys. Domestic responsibilities further disadvantage female students, with adolescent girls in countries like Bolivia, Guatemala and Nicaragua dedicating 3-4 hours daily to care work—significantly more than their male counterparts.

    Professional environments introduce additional barriers including gender pay gaps, limited advancement opportunities, and frequently hostile workplace cultures. Historical erasure of female contributions has perpetuated the perception of STEM as male-dominated territory, with women currently constituting just one-third of scientific researchers globally.

    The United Nations designated February 11 as International Day of Women and Girls in Science to promote gender parity in scientific fields. The 2026 observance focuses on ‘Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls,’ highlighting the critical need to integrate artificial intelligence with interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate sustainable development.

    Education reformers emphasize that comprehensive policy frameworks must address funding shortages, mentorship gaps, and institutional barriers. Successful interventions include visibility campaigns featuring accomplished female scientists, school outreach programs, early exposure to constructive play activities, and laboratory access initiatives. Creating inclusive environments where women and girls can drive innovation remains essential for both gender equity and scientific progress.

  • Rutherford, spinners fire West Indies to World T20 win over England

    Rutherford, spinners fire West Indies to World T20 win over England

    In a commanding display of power-hitting and strategic bowling, the West Indies cricket team secured a decisive 30-run victory over England in their ICC T20 World Cup clash at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 11. This triumph marks their second consecutive win in the tournament, positioning the Caribbean side one victory away from securing a Super 8 berth as they pursue their third T20 World Championship title.

    The highly anticipated rematch of the 2016 final featured two undefeated squads, with England having previously overcome Nepal and the West Indies defeating Scotland. England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that initially appeared justified when Barbadian-born paceman Jofra Archer spectacularly dismissed West Indies skipper Shai Hope for a three-ball duck, followed quickly by Brandon King’s departure.

    Despite early setbacks, the West Indies innings gained momentum through a crucial 47-run partnership between Shimron Hetmyer (23 off 12 balls) and Roston Chase. The team reached 55/3 by the end of the powerplay before Chase contributed a steady 33 runs. The innings’ defining moment arrived through Sherfane Rutherford’s spectacular display, hammering 76 runs off just 42 deliveries with two boundaries and seven massive sixes. His explosive performance, combined with Jason Holder’s blistering 33 off 17 balls in a 61-run partnership, propelled the West Indies to a formidable total of 196/6.

    England responded aggressively in their chase, racing to 67/1 within the first six overs courtesy of Phil Salt’s 30 off 14 balls and Buttler’s 21 off 14. However, the West Indies spinners orchestrated a remarkable turnaround during the middle overs, with the duo of Roston Chase (2/29) and Gudakesh Motie (3/33) claiming five crucial wickets between them. Despite resilient resistance from Sam Curran (43 not out) and Jacob Bethel (33), England’s batting order crumbled under sustained pressure, complemented by exceptional fielding that sealed the Caribbean victory.

    This statement win under coach Daren Sammy’s leadership demonstrates the West Indies’ serious championship intentions as the tournament progresses toward its knockout stages.

  • Sour Sour 2026 Calypso single ‘Lion King’

    Sour Sour 2026 Calypso single ‘Lion King’

    Dominican calypsonian Sour Sour has unveiled his highly anticipated musical contribution for Carnival 2026 with the powerful release titled “Lion King.” The artist delivered a captivating performance of this new composition during the recent Calypso eliminations, showcasing his continued artistic evolution in the Caribbean music scene.

    The track, which blends traditional calypso rhythms with contemporary musical elements, demonstrates Sour Sour’s distinctive vocal style and lyrical prowess that has characterized his previous works. The recording, made available through Dominican News Online, features the artist’s signature storytelling approach that has earned him recognition within the calypso community.

    This release continues Sour Sour’s musical journey that began years ago, with his 2021 performances still remembered by calypso enthusiasts. The “Lion King” represents another chapter in the artist’s creative expression, potentially addressing themes of strength, leadership, and cultural identity through the metaphor of the lion, a recurring symbol in Caribbean musical storytelling.

    The musical piece has been professionally recorded and distributed, allowing audiences to experience the full depth of Sour Sour’s latest artistic vision. This release contributes to the rich tapestry of Carnival 2026 preparations, maintaining the tradition of calypso as both entertainment and social commentary during the festival season.

  • Acado Grenada vacancy: Brand Manager

    Acado Grenada vacancy: Brand Manager

    Acado Grenada Ltd. has announced a career opportunity for a Brand Manager, inviting professionals to join their dynamic team in a challenging and rewarding environment. The company is seeking an individual to enhance brand presence across all sectors within an assigned portfolio.

    The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, conceptualizing, coordinating, and executing comprehensive marketing and promotional strategies on behalf of brand principals and product lines. Key objectives include achieving agreed distribution targets, sales goals, return on investment metrics, and gross profit margins while consistently applying internal operational procedures for efficient divisional performance.

    Applicants must possess a degree or diploma in Business Management, Marketing, Sales, or a related discipline, along with CXC/O-Level certifications in English Language and Mathematics. A minimum of five years of marketing experience at a managerial or supervisory level is required, with demonstrated hands-on involvement in brand development, promotion, and in-trade exposure. Experience in the food and consumer goods sector will be considered particularly valuable.

    The position demands exceptional organizational capabilities with superior time management skills and the ability to multitask effectively. Candidates should demonstrate outstanding interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the capacity to build relationships and interact effectively with diverse groups while representing the company and its brands positively. Additional requirements include creativity, strong presentation abilities, commercial acumen, numerical proficiency, and proven initiative in resolving day-to-day issues.

    Major duties encompass implementing marketing strategies and budgets to achieve sales and distribution targets, coordinating advertising and public relations activities, managing inventory levels, supervising merchandising activities, ensuring proper management of Point of Sale materials, analyzing market trends and competitive activity, and establishing effective working relationships with brand owners and internal/external customers.

    Interested candidates must submit written applications and current CVs by February 28, 2026, to the Human Resources Manager at P.O. Box 1298, St. George’s, Grenada, or via email to the provided address. The position requires flexibility to work outside normal hours, including weekends, and mandates a valid driver’s license with access to transportation.

  • Royal Police Force Marks Fifth Anniversary of Corporal Clifton Common’s Killing

    Royal Police Force Marks Fifth Anniversary of Corporal Clifton Common’s Killing

    The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda held a solemn commemoration ceremony this Tuesday marking five years since the passing of Corporal Clifton Common, who served with badge number 500. During the memorial event, police officials delivered heartfelt tributes highlighting Corporal Common’s exceptional dedication and years of unwavering service to the force. Colleagues and superiors alike reflected on his enduring legacy, emphasizing how his professional commitment and spirit of camaraderie continue to resonate within the police community years after his death. The force formally expressed its ongoing support for Common’s family, friends, and fellow officers, ensuring they remain in the thoughts of the entire department. The ceremony concluded with collective prayers for Corporal Common’s soul to rest in eternal peace, underscoring the lasting impact he made on both the police force and the community he served.