作者： admin

Staatsolie boekt sterke resultaten en draagt US$ 400 miljoen af

On May 15, 2026, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) of Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V., Suriname’s national oil and gas corporation, formally approved the company’s 2025 annual financial statements, capping off a year of solid operational performance and strategic progress for the energy giant that remains a cornerstone of the Surinamese national economy. The meeting was attended by high-level Surinamese officials including President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and multiple cabinet ministers, where company leadership presented both the verified 2025 results and long-term growth projections for the coming years.

In 2025, Staatsolie, together with its two subsidiaries — Staatsolie Power Company Suriname N.V. (SPCS) and GOw2 — generated a total combined revenue of $832 million, with pre-tax profits reaching $444 million. The company transferred a total of $400 million to the Surinamese state in 2025, through a mix of tax payments, shareholder dividends, and royalty revenues from its gold mining participation stakes. This single contribution accounts for approximately 30% of the Surinamese government’s total annual public revenue, reinforcing the company’s status as the central pillar of the country’s economic foundation.

Operational data for 2025 shows that Staatsolie maintained consistent onshore oil output, even amid natural reservoir decline that challenges long-term production stability. Total onshore production hit 6.35 million barrels, staying nearly flat from 2024 levels and exceeding the annual production target of 6 million barrels, a result of targeted technical upgrades and optimized operational efficiency. The company’s refinery produced 3.15 million barrels of combined diesel and gasoline, and 2025 marked the launch of commercial sulfuric acid production, adding a new product stream to the refinery’s output.

On the energy front, SPCS, Staatsolie’s power subsidiary, generated 1.46 million MWh of electricity through a mix of hydropower and thermal generation. This output meets 69% of total electricity demand across Paramaribo and the surrounding districts connected to the EPAR power grid, delivering reliable, affordable energy to the region. Revenues from the company’s gold mining holdings also helped offset downward pressure from weaker global crude oil prices in 2025, keeping overall financial performance steady.

The past year also saw meaningful progress on Staatsolie’s high-stakes offshore energy development projects, which are set to transform Suriname’s energy sector in the coming years. Development work on the GranMorgu offshore oil field, located in Block 58, moved forward on schedule, with first oil production still targeted for 2028. Construction of the field’s floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit, currently underway at shipyards in China and Malaysia, is now roughly 50% complete, and all other project pre-development activities are proceeding according to the agreed timeline.

In a separate milestone, the Sloanea-1 natural gas field in Block 52 was formally declared commercially viable in 2025, marking a critical step forward for Suriname’s first-ever offshore natural gas project. A final investment decision on the project is expected to be approved in 2026. To fund its 20% participating stake in the GranMorgu development, Staatsolie successfully raised $516 million through bond issuances in 2025, and secured an additional $1.6 billion loan from a consortium of international and local financial institutions, locking in full funding for its share of the project.

Beyond energy and financial performance, Staatsolie expanded its community investment efforts in 2025, which marked the company’s 45th anniversary of operations. Working through its affiliated non-profit arm, the Staatsolie Foundation for Community Development, the company allocated $2.7 million to local social projects in 2025, and added an extra $3 million to fund sustainable development initiatives to mark its 45-year milestone.

Looking ahead, Staatsolie Chief Executive Officer Annand Jagesar expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, noting: “Staatsolie delivered a strong year in 2025, marked by stable production, solid financial results, and meaningful progress on our strategic offshore projects that will power Suriname’s growth for decades to come.”

15 5 月, 2026
NOTICE: Single Lan Traffic

Residents and commuters in Antigua and Barbuda are being put on advance notice of major planned infrastructure improvements that will disrupt traffic on a key stretch of All Saints Road (ASR) next year. The Ministry of Works has announced that full weekend night detours will go into effect after the temporary single-lane traffic arrangement expires, spanning from 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026 through 7:00 a.m. the following day, and again from 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026 to 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

For motorists heading out of town, the official alternate route requires a right turn at Flex Hardware Store, then connecting back to All Saints Road via the street that runs past Heritage Preschool. Drivers traveling into town toward St. John’s will instead need to turn left at D’Cravinz, and reconnect to the main route through Herberts.

To keep traffic moving safely and reduce confusion, trained flag persons will be stationed at key points along the detour to direct drivers. Commuters are reminded that marked portions of the alternate route operate as one-way traffic zones, with clear markings shown on official project maps. Visible signage is also being installed along both directions of the detour to guide road users to their destinations.

Local residents who live near the work zone will still be able to access their properties, though the Ministry has warned that they must exercise extreme caution when moving through the area. Heavy construction equipment will be operating in close proximity to the work site, making extra awareness critical for everyone in the vicinity. Importantly, all local businesses along the affected stretch of road will remain open for customers throughout the construction period.

This upgrade work forms part of the broader government-led All Saints Road Project, a major public infrastructure initiative aimed at improving the road network across the area. Project organizers are urging all stakeholders, including daily commuters, business owners, and local residents, to plan their travel ahead of the weekend works to account for potential delays. Anyone with questions about the project or the upcoming detour arrangement can reach out to the Project Implementation Management Unit directly by phone at 562-9173 for more information.

15 5 月, 2026
Dominica U23 3×3 basketball team heads to British Virgin Islands for inaugural ANOCES championship

A new chapter of Caribbean youth basketball is about to open, and Dominica’s under-23 3×3 national basketball team has already set off for the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to compete in the first ever ANOCES U23 3×3 Championship. This groundbreaking tournament marks a key milestone for 3×3 basketball development across the Caribbean region, bringing together emerging young talent from across the area.

The departure of the Dominican delegation was officially confirmed in a press statement issued by the Dominica Amateur Basketball Association (DABA). The association noted that the team left the island brimming with ambition and excitement, ready to carry the pride of Dominica onto the regional competition court. For the entire Caribbean basketball community, this event is far more than just a tournament – it is a transformative moment designed to highlight the region’s most promising rising players, strengthen cross-island sporting bonds, and accelerate the expansion of 3×3 basketball across the Caribbean.

In the lead-up to the first tip-off, DABA extended formal greetings and well wishes to all competing teams, event officials, organizing committees, and institutional partners that have contributed to making this historic tournament a reality. The association also took the opportunity to recognize the key leaders who turned the idea of the championship into a real event. First, it highlighted the outsized contributions of Velly, General Secretary of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC), praising his unwavering commitment and strategic leadership that shepherded the championship from planning to execution.

DABA also singled out the President of the St. Kitts Basketball Association, identifying him as the core visionary and driving force behind the entire ANOCES 3×3 initiative. According to the association, his persistent efforts and long-term vision for regional basketball have consistently pushed the sport to grow and advance across every corner of the Caribbean.

Beyond regional leaders, DABA expressed sincere gratitude to two key host and supporting institutions. First, the association thanked the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the tournament’s Local Organizing Committee for their extensive preparation work and warm hospitality extended to all participating delegations. It also offered public recognition to the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC), which has covered the full cost of Dominica’s team participation in the championship. DABA emphasized that ongoing support from the DOC remains an indispensable foundation for Dominican athletes, opening doors for them to compete at elite regional and international tournaments that would otherwise be out of reach.

DABA’s leadership, including the association’s president, also celebrated the hard work and dedication of Dominica’s own athletes and coaching staff, who have put in months of rigorous preparation ahead of the competition. Officials stressed that events like this inaugural ANOCES championship offer irreplaceable value for young athletes, exposing them to high-level competitive play and creating long-term development opportunities that will serve them throughout their sporting careers.

The full Dominican delegation for the championship includes four competing players: Karim Daniel, Andel Olivacee, Yawani Regis, and Rene Williams. Yannick Regis will take on the role of head coach for the team, while Yehudi John will serve as a tournament official representing Dominica.

“As the competition begins, may this inaugural championship foster unity, sportsmanship, friendship, and excellence both on and off the court,” the association shared in its closing statement. DABA ended its announcement by extending warm wishes to Team Dominica, hoping the delegation will gain a rewarding, successful and memorable experience competing in the British Virgin Islands.

15 5 月, 2026
NEW MUSIC: Ebony Empress featuring Foxy Jael – Back up your chat

The long-awaited collaborative music project from Caribbean music act Ebony Empress and versatile performer Foxy Jael, legally named Jael Joseph, has finally arrived. The duo’s brand-new single, titled “Back Up Your Chat”, was officially launched this week and is now accessible to listeners on every major streaming platform worldwide.

Confirmed via an official press statement from the artists’ team, the release marks a new creative cross-over between the two talents, bringing together their distinct stylistic approaches to create a fresh, catchy track for existing fans and new listeners alike. Unlike limited release strategies that lock content behind specific platform exclusives, the creative team made the deliberate choice to roll the single out across all streaming services simultaneously, ensuring that no matter what platform a listener prefers, they can access the new track immediately.

Music industry observers note that this wide simultaneous release strategy aligns with modern distribution best practices, allowing the track to reach the widest possible audience from its launch day. Listeners can search for “Back Up Your Chat” on any major streaming service to stream or add the new collaboration to their personal playlists.

15 5 月, 2026
35 Stann Creek Farmers Trained in Poultry Biosecurity

On a Wednesday in mid-May 2026, 35 small-scale and commercial poultry farmers gathered from all corners of Belize’s Stann Creek District to participate in a targeted training program focused on poultry disease prevention and agricultural biosecurity. This capacity-building initiative forms a core part of Belize’s long-standing proactive strategy to shield its domestic poultry industry from the growing outbreak threats that continue to impact the broader Central American region.\n\nAccording to Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, the workshop delivered practical, hands-on instruction that covered critical topics including identification of common poultry pathogens, evidence-based prevention protocols, rigorous on-farm sanitation practices, and the long-term production benefits of building and maintaining robust biosecurity frameworks. Unlike generic informational sessions, the training was designed to give farmers actionable tools they can implement immediately on their own operations.\n\ Lionel Irving, a representative from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, led a key segment of the training focused on systematic disease surveillance. During his address to the participating farmers, Irving emphasized the outsized role that on-the-ground producers play in the early detection of potential outbreaks, as well as the critical importance of rapid reporting to agricultural health authorities to stop the spread of disease before it becomes widespread.\n\nThe timing of this training is particularly relevant to the current regional context. Since first reporting cases in 2025, neighboring Central American nations Guatemala and El Salvador have been engaged in persistent efforts to control ongoing avian influenza outbreaks that have devastated local poultry sectors in parts of both countries. In contrast, Belize successfully eradicated avian influenza back in 2015, and has maintained a disease-free status for the poultry industry for more than a decade. Belizean agricultural officials note that maintaining this status requires constant vigilance and ongoing investment in farmer training, given the constant transboundary risk of disease spread.\n\ The Ministry of Agriculture also highlighted that the high level of farmer turnout for the voluntary training signals a growing industry-wide interest in refining poultry management practices and strengthening collective action to safeguard Belize’s $100 million-plus poultry sector from external threats.

15 5 月, 2026
Belize Loses Beloved Paediatrician Dr. Cecelio Eck

The small Central American nation of Belize is grieving the loss of one of its most cherished medical professionals, Dr. Cecelio Eck, a pediatrician who dedicated nearly 30 years of his life to caring for the country’s children. Dr. Eck passed away on [May 15, 2026], following a prolonged, very public fight against late-stage cancer.

Dr. Eck first made his cancer diagnosis public in 2024, choosing to be open about his health journey at a time when many people keep such news private. Over the course of his treatment, he tried multiple cutting-edge and standard therapeutic approaches, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. For a brief period after initial interventions, his health improved enough that he was able to return to the clinic to see the young patients he described as his greatest joy. Unfortunately, he later shared the devastating news that despite aggressive treatment and surgical intervention, the cancer had recurred.

Throughout every step of his illness, Dr. Eck maintained radical transparency about his experience. He spoke openly and honestly about the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that come with a stage four cancer diagnosis, providing comfort and perspective to other patients and families navigating similar battles across the country. Colleagues, patients, and community members remember him as a physician who gave endlessly of his time, energy, and compassion to his practice. He went far beyond the standard duties of a doctor, often staying late to see a sick child or supporting families through frightening health scares with gentle empathy.

As news of his passing spreads across Belize, tributes are pouring in from across the nation. Communities that relied on Dr. Eck’s care are honoring his decades of service and the profound impact he had on generations of Belizean children and their families.

15 5 月, 2026
Inaugural youth football competition to kick off in June

Barbados is set to host its first-ever NextGeN Cup this June, a landmark one-day youth football tournament organized by Mavericks Sports Club that will bring together the island nation’s most promising young football talent and top youth academies. Scheduled for June 13 at the iconic Usain Bolt Complex, the tournament has secured major financial backing from two leading regional institutions, CIBC Caribbean and Visa, which have jointly committed $50,000 to bring the event to life.

Speaking at the official launch of the tournament held Friday at the Usain Bolt Complex, Carlos Jackman, Technical Director of Mavericks Sports Club, outlined the core mission behind the new competition. Unlike many elite youth tournaments that charge entry fees for spectators, Jackman confirmed that the NextGeN Cup will be completely free and open to the general public, designed to make high-level youth football accessible to all community members while delivering an action-packed day of competitive play and family-friendly entertainment.

Eight of Barbados’ most renowned youth football programs will take the pitch for the inaugural event, including top sides Paradise, St Philip Academy, Potential Ballers, Kickstart, Pro Shottas, FM Four Pillars, First Touch, and Technique. Jackman emphasized that the tournament was crafted with intentionality to create a safe, supportive space for young athletes to display their raw talent without unnecessary pressure. Beyond just showcasing skill, he noted that competing in front of an expected large crowd will be a transformative character-building experience for the young participants, helping them build confidence and poise that will serve them both on and off the pitch.

Notably, the youth-focused tournament will not award cash prizes to competing teams. Instead, participating clubs will compete for custom trophies and new football equipment to support their ongoing youth development work. Even without the incentive of prize money, Jackman projected that the quality of play will far exceed expectations, potentially even outperforming the benchmark set by the established Prime Minister’s Cup. While he acknowledged that players are still in the early stages of their athletic development and will not display the fully refined skills of older elite competitors, Jackman pointed to the relentless work of club coaches to prepare their squads, saying he is confident the tournament will deliver a high standard of competitive play.

Victor Boyce, Country Head of CIBC Caribbean, echoed Jackman’s enthusiasm for the event, noting that the partnership stems from the institution’s core belief that sports act as a powerful catalyst for social change and youth empowerment. “CIBC Caribbean and Visa are delighted to partner with our friends at Mavericks Sports Club to host this special youth football tournament,” Boyce said. “We believe sports are more than just mere games, but vehicles for opportunity, growth and empowerment. Especially for young people who may not otherwise have access to structured activities or mentorship.”

This investment in the NextGeN Cup builds on CIBC Caribbean’s long-term commitment to youth sports development across Barbados. Boyce recalled that last year, the bank’s charitable trust foundation signed a four-year memorandum of understanding with the Athletics Association of Barbados, pledging $400,000 to support the country’s junior national athletics development program. That investment has already begun to deliver results, Boyce noted, pointing to the strong performance of Barbadian athletes at the recently concluded CARIFTA Games as early proof of the impact of sustained investment in youth sports.

“Some of the success we saw at the recently concluded CARIFTA Games is that investment starting to bear fruit. We believe that the additional $50,000 CIBC Caribbean and Visa have committed to youth, sport and development, this time to the Mavericks youth football tournament, will make a meaningful difference for the young participants,” Boyce added.

Janice Boyce, Project Coordinator for Mavericks Sports Club Inc, further explained that the NextGeN Cup is not an isolated event, but rather the centerpiece of a broader ongoing collaboration between Mavericks Sports Club, CIBC Caribbean, and Visa to grow youth sports access across Barbados.

15 5 月, 2026
Huge shakeup for Saint Lucia Kings ahead of CPL 2026

The 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) draft has wrapped up, giving Saint Lucia Kings supporters their first clear look at how the defending 2024 champions will shape up for the upcoming tournament. The draft brought sweeping roster changes, headlined by the departure of several long-time fan favorites and franchise staples.

The biggest loss for the Kings is Johnson Charles, the league’s all-time leading run-scorer for the franchise. Charles was selected by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the draft, where he will reunite with Andre Fletcher – his long-time opening batting partner from both his Kings tenure and his time representing Windward Islands in domestic regional cricket. Saint Lucian all-rounder Shadrack Descartes is also on the move, set to join the revamped Barbados Tridents, a franchise that recently confirmed it will return to its original branding after years under a different name. Another high-profile exit is former Kings leading fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who will now represent his home franchise Antigua & Barbuda Falcons.

This year’s CPL draft came with updated rule changes, sparked by the introduction of the league’s newest expansion side, the Jamaica Kingsmen. Under the revised regulations, every participating team can carry a 17-player squad, with mandatory quotas of nine senior West Indies national team players and three young breakout prospects. For returning teams, the six established franchises were each granted four Right to Match (RMO) options, a mechanism that allows clubs to retain their 2025 roster players if another side puts in a draft selection for them. The expansion Jamaica Kingsmen received a single RMO, which they can only use to retain a Jamaican player selected by another side during the draft process.

The Saint Lucia Kings made full use of their allotted RMO options to lock in four key players from their recent roster. The franchise successfully retained veteran all-rounder Roston Chase, rapidly rising all-round talent Matthew Forde, and promising local fast-bowling all-rounder Keon Gaston. They also exercised their RMO to keep breakout star Ackeem Auguste, who hit the first half-century of his CPL career during the 2025 tournament and quickly became a fan favorite across the league.

Beyond retaining core talent, the Kings pulled off several high-upside new signings to fill the gaps left by departing players. One of the most notable acquisitions is McKenny Clarke, a Saint Lucia native who is returning to the franchise after back-to-back CPL title wins in 2024 and 2025 – the first with the Kings, and the second with Trinbago Knight Riders. Clarke turned in standout performances for TKR during their 2025 championship run, particularly for his elite fielding, and the Kings are counting on his energetic young play to boost their chances of adding another trophy to their cabinet.

Joining Clarke in the new batch of signings is 19-year-old wicketkeeper-opener Jewel Andrew, who made his senior West Indies international debut just last year and is already ranked among the most promising young batting talents in the Caribbean. The Kings also added consistent slow bowler Joshua Bishop, left-arm spin specialist Damion Joachim and Barbadian medium pace bowler Amari Goodridge to their roster for 2026.

The draft selection is not the final step in building the Saint Lucia Kings squad for the 2026 season. Over the coming weeks, all CPL franchises will have the opportunity to sign up to five additional overseas players. These upcoming international signings are expected to bring valuable high-level experience to the Kings, as the side chases its second CPL championship title after lifting the trophy in 2024.

15 5 月, 2026
BRICS-top eindigt zonder gezamenlijke verklaring door verdeeldheid over oorlog in Iran

A high-stokes 2026 BRICS gathering hosted by New Delhi has wrapped up its two-day deliberations without the bloc’s traditional joint closing statement, laid bare by deep internal divisions over the ongoing conflict involving Iran that have pitted new bloc members against one another.

The 9-nation bloc, which expanded in 2024 to include both Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), could not overcome irreconcilable disagreements over how to frame the regional war that has spilled into cross-border attacks. Iran pushed the bloc to formally condemn military operations conducted by the United States and Israel against the country, and publicly accused the UAE — a key U.S. regional ally — of direct involvement in offensive military actions against Tehran. Since the conflict erupted in late February, Iran has launched repeated drone and missile strikes targeting UAE territory, a response that has ratcheted up tensions across the Persian Gulf.

Speaking after the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that a single BRICS member state had blocked the finalization of a shared statement, stopping short of explicitly naming the UAE. He clarified that Iran’s strikes on UAE soil have exclusively targeted U.S. military assets positioned in the country, adding that he holds out hope for greater consensus on the need for regional peaceful coexistence when the bloc holds its next full summit later this year.

As the 2026 chair of BRICS, India released a chair’s summary to wrap up the meeting, a document that openly acknowledged the divergent stances held by member states on the escalating Middle East crisis. Despite the core rift, all members reaffirmed shared commitments to open dialogue, respect for national sovereignty, adherence to international law, unimpeded access for global shipping through key international waterways, and the protection of civilian infrastructure and civilian lives.

In a notable point of near-consensus, the bloc collectively reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Even this position, however, faced pushback, with one member state objecting to specific clauses of the summary related to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Beyond the regional conflict, the meeting reaffirmed the bloc’s collective commitment to maintaining unity among emerging market and developing economies to address shared global challenges. These challenges include rising geopolitical tensions, global economic slowdown, rapid technological transformation, rising trade protectionism, and growing global migration pressure.

For host nation India, the conflict carries immediate tangible economic and human costs. As the world’s third-largest importer of crude oil, India is heavily exposed to disruptions in Persian Gulf energy supplies. Iran’s effective de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — the global chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass — has directly impacted India’s energy security. This week alone, Iranian strikes have left at least three Indian seafarers dead and sank one Indian-flagged commercial vessel in the region.

During a recent brief stopover in the UAE, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly condemned Iranian strikes on Gulf nations, and praised the UAE for its restraint and courage amid the ongoing period of heightened regional tension.

15 5 月, 2026
Eight contestants vie for Miss District High title

Saint Lucia’s popular regional beauty competition, Miss District High, is preparing to host its fifth annual edition on the evening of Saturday, June 27, at the Gros Islet Human Resource Centre. Eight talented young contestants, each sponsored by local businesses across the island, will take the stage to compete for the coveted national title.

The full roster of competing candidates this year includes Evanelle Faucher, representing sponsor Miss Caribbean Grains Limited; Faith Edward, sponsored by Forest Springs; Hayley Noley, backing DJ C4 Soundsystem; Kayla Edmund of Pretty Reflections; Kizzy Philgence, representing the NSDC; Merkeeba Casimir, competing for Forever Charmed; Vernick Fulgence, sponsored by DBS; and Zaira Cadette, who carries the endorsement of Eugenie’s Delight.

For the winner, the reward extends far beyond the national crown: the champion will earn the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Saint Lucia at the Miss District High Caribbean pageant, scheduled to take place this coming December.

In a press briefing ahead of the event, Executive Director Treasure Actille shared key updates about this year’s competition format, revealing that organizers have introduced a brand-new judging segment called district wear. In this segment, each contestant will showcase custom outfits that highlight the unique culture, heritage and identity of their home community, adding a fresh local-focused twist to the traditional pageant lineup. The competition will also retain fan-favorite recurring segments, including the interview round, talent showcase, swimwear competition, and evening wear presentation.

Beyond the competition itself, Actille announced that Miss District High has already made history this year, marking a first for any pageant organization in Saint Lucia. Past and current contestants affiliated with the group have competed in more than 10 different pageants across the country over the past 12 months, a feat that has never been achieved by any other local pageant body. Actille emphasized that event organizers have always prioritized the long-term personal growth of participants, encouraging contestants to pursue opportunities through pageantry far beyond the Miss District High competition itself.

Since the event launched its first edition five years ago, the core mission of Miss District High has centered on empowering young women. The organization works to build self-confidence among participants, foster youth advocacy across local communities, and nurture contestants to grow into positive role models for their peers across the island.

For residents and visitors eager to attend the June 27 event, tickets are already available for purchase at all outlets of THE CELL (Saint Lucia) across the island, priced at 50 Eastern Caribbean dollars per entry.

15 5 月, 2026