作者： admin

Domineestraat maandag weer open, renovatie sneller dan gepland

Road rehabilitation projects rarely beat tight deadlines, but a major street upgrade in Suriname is defying expectations: the heavily worked section of Domineestraat between Neumanpad and Steenbakkerijstraat is set to reopen to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Monday, August 17, more than two weeks ahead of the original timeline.

The upgrade work first kicked off on August 3 of this year. Initially, public works officials mapped out a full four-week timeline to complete all core and finishing upgrades for the busy stretch, but authorities prioritized early reopening to minimize disruption for local residents and commuters. That urgency pushed the project’s lead contractor, Tjongalanga N.V., to accelerate work without sacrificing build quality, according to senior officials.

Vikash Moenna, deputy director of Dry Civil Engineering at Suriname’s Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning, confirmed that the first layer of asphalt was successfully laid on the planned Friday schedule, putting the project well on track for the Monday reopening. In comments to Suriname’s Communication Service, Moenna noted that the contractor has already reached an advanced stage of completion across all core works. While the full street will open to traffic on schedule, Moenna added that a small set of residual finishing works will continue after reopening, including hardening of the road shoulders and the installation of new drainage infrastructure to tackle chronic flooding in the area.

Among the key post-reopening works is the construction of a new inspection manhole on the main sewer line at the intersection of Domineestraat and Jodenbreestraat. This targeted upgrade is specifically designed to reduce persistent waterlogging that has plagued the neighborhood during heavy rain events, addressing a longstanding quality of life issue for local residents.

Monna voiced clear satisfaction with the contractor’s performance, noting that the team pulled off the accelerated timeline through extraordinary effort. Even with unforeseen challenges that emerged during the construction phase, Moenna confirmed the project remains within its approved budget and is on track to wrap all works fully according to the adjusted schedule.

Crucially, Moenna emphasized that the accelerated timeline has not come at the cost of construction quality. Public works teams carry out daily on-site supervision and quality checks, and a full battery of standardized compliance tests is required after project completion to confirm the work meets all national engineering specifications. “These tests are written directly into the contractor’s contract, and the firm must demonstrate that all work meets high quality standards before handover,” Moenna explained.

The full Domineestraat rehabilitation project is a collaborative effort, delivered by lead contractor Tjongalanga N.V. in partnership with Suriname’s main utility providers: water utility SWM, energy provider EBS, and telecommunications firm Telesur.

13 8 月, 2026
“$80 Million Deserves Answers”: BCWJ Tells BTL to Show Its Math

A newly formed labor advocacy organization is escalating tensions around Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) planned $80 million acquisition of telecommunications rival Speednet/Smart, demanding full public transparency for the proposed deal’s valuation and outstanding corporate obligations.

The Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ), the latest group to throw its weight against the merger, formally renewed its opposition in an official statement released Wednesday, challenging BTL to break down exactly what assets are included in the eight-figure purchase price.

Currently, BTL claims it can integrate Speednet’s entire customer base onto its existing telecommunications infrastructure. Given that, BCWJ argues the Belizean public is entitled to a clear, detailed breakdown of how Speednet’s core assets – including its digital technology, physical network infrastructure, wireless spectrum licenses, existing customer base, and other intangible assets – were calculated to reach the $80 million valuation.

Beyond valuation transparency, the group is pushing for a full regulatory and independent review of the transaction before any approval is granted. Specifically, BCWJ is calling for the release of multi-year audited financial records for Speednet, an independent third-party valuation of the company’s assets, a formal technical audit of Speednet’s infrastructure, and a public assessment of how the acquisition would reshape market competition, impact consumer pricing and service quality, and affect existing jobs at both companies.

The organization has also thrown a second major issue into the debate: BTL’s long-unresolved severance and gratuity claims from hundreds of former employees. According to BCWJ, legal representatives for 146 ex-BTL workers submitted a Pre-Action Protocol Letter to the company on August 10, formalizing their outstanding claims for unpaid statutory benefits. While those individual claims are now moving through the national court system, BCWJ argues the unresolved liability creates a critical question that regulators and company leaders must address before the acquisition moves forward.

“Before BTL commits $80 million to acquire another company, has it fully quantified and provided for its unresolved obligations to former workers?” the group asked in its statement.

BCWJ is now calling on all relevant national oversight bodies – including BTL’s own leadership, the Social Security Board, the Public Utilities Commission, and Belize’s national Cabinet – to impose a full, unredacted scrutiny of the proposed transaction, rejecting any push for a quick approval without public disclosure. Closing its statement, the organization emphasized its core demand for accountability: “$80 million deserves answers. Show Belize the evidence.”

13 8 月, 2026
Commencement of the 2026–2027 Academic Year

With the 2026 July–August summer vacation period drawing to a close, the Ministry of Education in Grenada has officially released a comprehensive advisory outlining all key logistics for the launch of the 2026–2027 academic year, extending a warm welcome to incoming and returning students, teaching faculty, school principals, and all campus support personnel. The official guidance is designed to address critical logistical details including staggered reopening timelines, adjusted campus schedules, updated public health and safety protocols, and required administrative preparations to guarantee a seamless transition back to in-person learning for all education community members.

Breaking down the phased reopening timeline, the advisory first sets aside five dedicated staff preparation days, running from Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28 2026. During this window, school facilities will only be accessible to employed education staff, who will use the time to set up classrooms, align on curriculum plans, and complete all pre-term administrative tasks. Orientation sessions for all first-year and new incoming students are scheduled to take place within this same staff preparation week, with the Ministry advising all attendees to follow the specific timeline and guidance distributed by their individual schools. The official first day of instruction for the Michaelmas Term, when full regular academic schedules will go into effect immediately, is set for Monday, August 31, 2026.

Beyond timelines, the advisory also clarifies expectations for student attire and course materials. All students are required to adhere to their school’s official uniform policy starting on the first day of classes. Lists of required school supplies tailored to each education level are available directly from individual campus administrative offices, to ensure families can access the most up-to-date, school-specific information. For families and guardians that receive support through the national School Uniform Assistance Programme, the Ministry encourages participants to cross-reference purchases with the official approved list of vendors and eligible supplies. This full list is currently published and accessible to the public on the Ministry of Education Grenada official Facebook page.

The guidance notes that for all additional questions related to individual class schedules, orientation programming, extracurricular activity offerings, or other campus-specific policies, parents and guardians should reach out directly to their child’s school administrative office for prompt, accurate responses. In closing, the Ministry of Education expressed gratitude to students, parents, teachers, principals, and every stakeholder across Grenada’s education ecosystem for their ongoing collaboration and support, and shared that it anticipates a safe, productive, and successful 2026–2027 academic year for all members of the education community.

This advisory was shared via NOW Grenada, which adds a standard disclaimer that the outlet is not liable for any opinions, statements, or third-party contributor content, and provides a direct channel for users to report any abusive content.

13 8 月, 2026
PM on official visit to State of Qatar

Grenada’s top executive is set to embark on a key international diplomatic mission next year, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell leading a high-powered government delegation on a multi-stop tour that will include working engagements in Spain before moving on to an official visit to the State of Qatar from August 13 to 19, 2026.

During his time in Doha, the prime minister is scheduled to hold a packed slate of closed-door and public high-level meetings with Qatari cabinet ministers, senior national government representatives, and leading stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Accompanying Mitchell on the overseas mission are Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall, Grenadian Ambassador Andrea St Bernard, senior official Damian Dolland, and Consul General Ziya Rahaman. To ensure steady governance throughout the prime minister’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister Lennox Andrews will serve as acting head of government until Mitchell’s scheduled return to Grenada on August 19.

This planned diplomatic trip marks a deliberate step forward in Grenada’s long-term strategy to deepen its global footprint and expand its network of international partnerships. According to an official statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, the tour aligns with the country’s priority to build stronger strategic cooperation with both Spain and Qatar across sectors critical to advancing Grenada’s core national development targets.

Discussions between the Grenadian delegation and their Qatari hosts will center on seven key priority areas. First, participants will address critical funding support for Project Polaris, one of Grenada’s key national development initiatives. Second, the two sides will explore expanded bilateral cooperation on energy issues, spanning both renewable energy development and collaboration on hydrocarbon resources. Third, leaders will talk through opportunities to deepen partnership in the social sectors, including sports exchange programs and joint education initiatives. Fourth, the delegations will work to align coordination and voting priorities for shared engagement within multilateral global institutions. Fifth, the visit will advance plans for expanded people-to-people diplomatic exchanges and targeted government capacity-building programs. Finally, both sides will discuss pathways to stimulate private sector growth and unlock new cross-border investment cooperation between the two countries.

This announcement of the upcoming visit confirms Grenada’s ongoing push to diversify its international alliances and secure new resources and partnerships to drive inclusive, sustainable domestic growth, as the island nation works toward its long-term development objectives.

13 8 月, 2026
Staatsolie vernieuwt AdeKUS-faciliteiten voor technisch onderwijs

In a major push to upgrade technical higher education in Suriname, state-owned energy firm Staatsolie has committed to fully funding the renovation of two long-neglected campus buildings at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS), aiming to deliver improved learning and practical training facilities for roughly 200 engineering students by the end of 2025.

The official partnership agreement was signed by Patrick Peneux on behalf of AdeKUS, and Annand Jagesar, CEO of Staatsolie, who also carried out the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on August 13. The two facilities targeted for upgrades are the university’s aging wood workshop and mechanical engineering hall, both of which have fallen into severe disrepair over decades of use. The wood workshop has sat unused for years due to its unsafe, dilapidated condition; following renovation, it will be repurposed into new lecture space for electrical and mechanical engineering students. The existing mechanical engineering lecture and practical training halls, which have also deteriorated over time, will undergo a full overhaul as well.

When construction wraps up by the end of the year, the upgraded facilities will provide approximately 200 students from AdeKUS’ Faculty of Technological Sciences (FTeW) with a safer, more functional environment for both theoretical coursework and hands-on practical training, addressing longstanding infrastructure gaps at the public university.

This renovation project forms part of Staatsolie’s series of social and community development initiatives launched to celebrate the company’s 45th anniversary, which was commemorated in December 2024. All anniversary projects operate under the core motto “Empowering communities and institutions”.

For Staatsolie, the education investment is far more than a corporate social responsibility project: it is a strategic response to the rapidly growing demand for skilled technical workers driven by Suriname’s emerging offshore oil and gas sector. As new energy operations expand across the country’s offshore waters, company leaders project that demand for well-trained technical professionals and specialized engineering expertise will continue to climb sharply in the coming years. This investment directly aligns with long-term efforts to build a local talent pipeline that can support the sector’s growth.

This is not the first time Staatsolie has prioritized investment in technical and vocational education across Suriname. The company previously spearheaded the creation of the NATIN Oil and Gas Training Program, and has continuously invested in modernizing technical curricula and practical training facilities across the country. It also supports vocational training programs — including certified welding courses — through the Foundation for Labor Mobilization and Development. Additionally, through the SURICAP program, Staatsolie partners with multinational energy firms, the Surinamese government, local educational institutions and the private sector to strengthen the overall quality of technical and vocational education across the nation.

13 8 月, 2026
Ghana President John Mahama commends UWI during milestone visit

On August 3, the University of the West Indies (The UWI) opened its doors to Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama for a landmark visit that cements the deepening ties between African and Caribbean nations in the global fight for reparatory justice for the crimes of chattel slavery and native colonial genocide. The trip coincided with Jamaica’s 64th celebration of its independence from colonial rule, creating a powerful symbolic moment to highlight The UWI’s decades-long legacy of leading reparations advocacy, academic inquiry, and Pan-African development progress.

Per an official press statement from the university, The UWI hosted the Ghanaian head of state at its Regional Headquarters to honor the collective work of the global reparations movement and broader Pan-African organizing initiatives. For more than half a century, the regional higher education institution has stood at the forefront of shaping the modern reparations campaign, driving progress through rigorous academic research, public outreach and education, grassroots advocacy, and evidence-based policy design. It has been widely credited by global stakeholders with transforming reparatory justice from a once-marginalized cause into a central topic of regional and international diplomatic discourse.

During his address on campus, President Mahama delivered high praise for The UWI’s unwavering leadership in the global movement, singling out the university’s Centre for Reparation Research. The center has grown into a preeminent global hub that coordinates cutting-edge research, develops global policy frameworks, and leads public education efforts around the demand for reparatory justice. Mahama also spotlighted the critical work of The UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, who has guided the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s unified reparations strategy, noting that the global community is increasingly turning its attention to the need for formal recognition, legal accountability, and tangible redress for the historical atrocities of transatlantic chattel slavery and the genocide of Indigenous peoples under colonial rule.

The visit carried unique personal and institutional meaning, beyond the diplomatic agenda. President Mahama is an alumnus of the University of Ghana, a sister institution that shares deep historic roots with The UWI. Both universities were established in 1948, and for 75 years have aligned around a shared mission of expanding educational access, fostering intellectual growth, and advancing self-determination for populations emerging from centuries of colonial domination.

Welcoming President Mahama to the regional headquarters, Vice-Chancellor Beckles commended the Ghanaian leader’s outstanding work advancing the reparations cause on the global stage, particularly through his advocacy at the United Nations. “President Mahama has provided courageous and visionary leadership in elevating the cause of reparatory justice within the global community,” Beckles said in his remarks. “His efforts have helped secure unprecedented levels of international support for recognising chattel slavery as the gravest crime against humanity and have strengthened cooperation among nations committed to justice, development and human dignity.”

Beckles added that recent diplomatic progress at the United Nations signals a critical shift in global public awareness and political commitment to the cause. He noted this shift reflects growing solidarity among CARICOM member states, the African Union, and aligned nations across Latin America and Asia that share a commitment to redressing historical colonial harm. Describing Mahama as “a presidential leader of the movement,” Beckles emphasized that coordinated collaboration between African and Caribbean political leaders is foundational to advancing the shared global agenda for reparatory justice. He also recognized the critical work of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who chairs CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Reparations, for her ongoing efforts to build broad international support for the movement.

University officials noted that the visit further solidifies The UWI’s unique role as a living intellectual and institutional bridge connecting Africa and the Caribbean, positioning the institution as a leading contributor to global conversations on historical justice, human rights, and equitable sustainable development. As international attention on reparatory justice continues to rise at an unprecedented pace, The UWI reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to advancing the movement through independent research, inclusive global dialogue, and evidence-based policy that centers the needs of Caribbean communities and the broader African diaspora.

13 8 月, 2026
“I Grabbed His Mouth and Fought”: Guinea Grass Man Survives Crocodile Attack

In the early hours of a Sunday morning in August 2026, a 29-year-old resident of Guinea Grass, Belize, walked away from a harrowing brush with death after a large crocodile attacked him while he swam at one of the village’s most frequented local recreation spots: New River Park.

Leomar Narvallez, the attack survivor, recounted that the encounter came completely without warning. He had been swimming alongside other visitors in the river when he suddenly felt a heavy, powerful clamp lock around his head. Before he could react, the crocodile began shaking its prey violently, a common predatory behavior to tear flesh from victims. “I was in the river swimming when something grabbed my head,” Narvallez described in the aftermath of the attack. “Then it started shaking me, just like crocodiles do when they bite you and try to tear you apart. It shook my head twice – I never saw this coming at all.”

Trapped underwater with his head still held firmly in the reptile’s jaws, Narvallez made a split-second decision that likely saved his life: instead of panicking, he would fight back. He pushed his hand against the crocodile’s teeth to work his head free of its grip, a struggle that lasted less than 10 seconds – six seconds, by his own count, with the entire attack wrapping up in under 20 seconds. Narvallez estimated the attacking crocodile measured between 9 and 10 feet long, and added that local reports had already confirmed a second, even larger crocodile living in the same stretch of river near the park.

“The crocodile got off my head, and I immediately jumped to grab a tire that was hanging from a rope over the water to pull myself up,” he said. By that point, he was bleeding heavily from the bite wounds on his head. When he first alerted his friends who were at the park, they did not immediately understand the severity of his injuries. It was only when they turned on a light and saw him spitting blood that they realized how grave the situation was.

Afraid the crocodile was still waiting nearby for another chance to attack, Narvallez told his friends not to approach him, and instead sent them to find a canoe. He clung to the tire for roughly 10 minutes, bleeding steadily, until relatives who lived close to the park arrived with a canoe to pull him to safety.

Narvallez was rushed immediately to Northern Regional Hospital for emergency care. Doctors closed his head wounds with approximately 28 stitches, and while his hands were badly bruised from the struggle, he suffered no other life-altering or critical injuries. He was released from the hospital the same day as the attack, and is now recovering at home.

Now, as he heals, Narvallez’s greatest priority is raising awareness of the ongoing danger at New River Park, a spot that local children visit regularly to swim and bathe throughout the day. He emphasized that once a crocodile has tasted human blood, it is far more likely to return to the same area to hunt again – and not everyone will be as lucky as he was to survive.

“I really want to leave this message: everyone needs to be extremely careful right now,” Narvallez said. “That crocodile has tasted blood, it will stay around this spot until authorities catch and remove it. More people could get attacked, and they might not get out alive. There are so many little kids who come here to bathe every morning, all through the day, sometimes until 6 p.m. This is an extremely dangerous situation. I want to spread this safety warning to everyone in the village, especially families – don’t let your children come here right now. If that crocodile catches a child, we can’t predict how bad it will end.”

13 8 月, 2026
Senator Quinc Britton congratulates traditional mas bands

As the curtain falls on the 2026 iteration of Grenada’s iconic Spicemas festival, top officials from the country’s Ministry of Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture have extended warm recognition to participants and winners of the Traditional Mas Competition, highlighting the cultural form’s central role in defining Grenadian national identity.

Senator Quinc Britton, Parliamentary Secretary within the ministry, offered heartfelt congratulations to all competition champions in an official statement. He commended the extraordinary creativity, meticulous craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment that mas practitioners bring to breathing new life into Grenada’s centuries-old cultural legacy. “Your outstanding presentations remind us of the beauty and significance of Grenada’s traditional mas, and the responsibility we all share in preserving these treasured traditions for generations to come,” Britton said.

Beyond honoring prize recipients, Britton paid tribute to the full ecosystem of creators that sustain the annual tradition, from full traditional mas bands and individual masqueraders to costume designers, structure builders, musicians, and behind-the-scenes volunteers who contribute year after year. He emphasized that every participant plays an invaluable role in keeping the heritage alive, regardless of whether they took home an award. “Whether you took home a prize or simply participated, your contribution is invaluable,” he noted. “Thank you for helping to showcase the creativity, history and identity that make Grenadian culture special.”

Britton also called on long-standing leaders and practitioners of traditional mas to prioritize passing down their skills and knowledge to younger generations, a step that would ensure future communities continue to embrace and celebrate this core part of Grenadian cultural life.

Britton’s remarks follow earlier congratulations from Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture Minister the Honorable Adrian Thomas, who extended praise to winners of all major Spicemas 2026 events, including the popular Kiddies Carnival segment. Thomas affirmed that this year’s festival reinforced Grenada’s long-held reputation for exceptional carnival art, stating that Spicemas 2026 proved the country continues to host “the best mas by far.”

This report was shared via the Ministry of Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture. NOW Grenada notes it does not take responsibility for contributor opinions, statements, or third-party media content included in this release, and invites users to report any abusive content via official platform channels.

13 8 月, 2026
Saint Lucia win Dominica tapeball invitational

A midweek invitational tapeball cricket clash between touring Saint Lucia sides and Dominica’s Dynamic Stars ended in a Duckworth-Lewis victory for the Caribbean visitors on August 12, capping a short break from a planned bilateral series between Saint Lucia’s national and veterans squads and their hosts from the Kalinago Territory. The multi-format tour, which combines a lineup of 10-over T10 and 20-over T20 matches across the week, is scheduled to run through Sunday, bringing cross-island competitive cricket to Dominican grounds.

In the standalone invitational fixture at Dominica’s Jolly John Playing Field, Saint Lucia won the coin toss and opted to open batting first, posting a solid total of 180 runs for the loss of 5 wickets over 15 shortened overs. Top-order batter Barry Eurysthee anchored the innings with a quickfire 51 runs, supported by valuable contributions from Nicholas Bruno (44) and Fendley Estephane (32) that pushed the visitors’ run rate to a challenging level. For the home side Dynamic Stars, bowler Dante Laurent claimed the best bowling figures of the innings, securing two wickets to limit Saint Lucia’s late-innings surge.

In response, Dynamic Stars’ batting got a major boost from a standout innings by Neo Davis, who struck an unbeaten 77 to keep the home side in the hunt. However, unplayable bad light forced officials to call off play early when Dynamic Stars had reached 157 runs for 7 wickets after 13 overs. When the D/L method was applied to adjust targets for the shortened match, Saint Lucia emerged with a comfortable victory. Eurysthee, Saint Lucia’s captain, earned the Man of the Match award for his dual contributions: he not only led the batting with his half-century but also claimed two key wickets, alongside bowler Kim Augustin who also took two wickets to restrict the hosts’ run chase.

With the invitational side game completed, the touring Saint Lucia squads have returned to the core bilateral series for the final four days of the Caribbean tour. The scheduled action kicks off Thursday with a T10 fixture between the two sides’ veterans teams, followed by a T20 clash between the full national squads. Two more T20 matches are set to be held on Friday, while Saturday will host a T10 Festival featuring four back-to-back matches. The entire tour will wrap up on Sunday with the final competitive fixtures hosted in Roseau, Dominica’s capital.

13 8 月, 2026
Saint Lucia women lose, men win ECVA openers

The 2026 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Championships kicked off Wednesday at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, delivering a dramatic opening day that delivered contrasting results for Saint Lucia’s national squads. As the defending women’s champions prepared to launch their title defense, they faced off against a determined Bermuda side that had been waiting for revenge after two prior final losses to Saint Lucia. In what organizers called a thrilling five-set thriller, Bermuda pulled off a hard-earned 3-2 victory, with set scores reading 18-25, 25-14, 25-21, 13-25, 15-10.

Speaking after the upset win, Bermuda captain Natalie Gazzard reflected on the team’s months of preparation for the contest. Gazzard noted that her side entered the match knowing full well the challenge of facing the reigning champions, who had beaten Bermuda in two straight ECVA finals. She credited her team’s intense summer training built around a “nothing touches the ground” work ethic, and specifically praised her hitters and setter for their consistent court control throughout the match. Gazzard said she was deeply proud of the squad’s performance, adding that she felt the team dominated key stretches of the contest to earn the milestone win.

On the men’s side of the opening day draw, Saint Lucia authored an upset of their own, battling back from a two-set deficit to defeat Antigua & Barbuda in another five-set classic. The final set scores confirmed Saint Lucia’s 3-2 win: 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-10. In post-match comments, the Saint Lucia Volleyball Association described the opener as a grueling, hard-fought battle, highlighting that the team’s unmatched determination and resilience were the key to turning the tide after falling behind early.

Sheldon Descartes, captain of Saint Lucia’s men’s squad, shared that the team prioritized meticulous preparation even in the weeks leading up to the tournament. “Even in practice, we were making sure that we were planning out some of our routes as to what we need to execute to get the game done,” Descartes explained. The captain acknowledged that after dropping the second and third sets, the squad briefly lost focus and strayed from their game plan. But a critical mid-match reset allowed the team to regain its composure: “But as soon as we got back in the game, we made sure we stayed on point,” he added, crediting that adjusted focus for the comeback win. As the tournament continues, both Saint Lucia squads will look to build on their opening day results, with the men looking to carry their momentum forward and the women aiming to bounce back from their narrow opening loss in their title defense campaign.

13 8 月, 2026