In a significant move to promote national engagement and patriotism among the youth, the official launch of the Flag Parade Project took place today at O.S. 2 Geyersvlijt on Jouli Coeurstraat. This initiative, spearheaded by the Commission for 50 Years of Srefidensi, is part of the broader celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Suriname’s Statehood Independence on November 25. The project aims to revitalize the traditional practice of flag-raising in schools, a symbol of respect and national pride, by equipping 300 schools across the country with flags and related accessories. Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Lalinie Gopal, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of instilling patriotism in young minds. ‘It was heartwarming to witness the children singing the national anthem with such reverence. I commend the teachers who, despite numerous challenges, contribute daily to shaping our children,’ she remarked. The minister also highlighted that moments of national unity are as crucial as academic or athletic achievements. ‘Here, our children learn the true meaning of respect, discipline, and solidarity,’ she added. Clebert Drenthe, Chairman of the Commission for 50 Years of Srefidensi, underscored the project’s role in nation-building. He urged schools to institutionalize flag parades and ensure proper maintenance to keep this national symbol prominently displayed on school grounds. Sharita Parahoe, the school leader of O.S. 2 Geyersvlijt, expressed her pride in the project’s commencement on behalf of the school team. ‘When we salute the flag, we not only reflect on our history but also look forward to a future where today’s children become tomorrow’s leaders,’ she stated. The Flag Parade Project is financially supported by Zijin Rosebel Gold Mines N.V.
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Fifth Saint Lucian extradited to Martinique to face criminal charges
In a significant development, Deshawn Rene, a 25-year-old from Barre Denis, Castries, was extradited to Martinique on Thursday, November 6, to confront a series of grave criminal allegations. The extradition was executed through a meticulously coordinated effort involving the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the Bordelais Correctional Facility. Rene was handed over to an escort team from Martinique, a neighboring French territory, marking a critical step in the legal proceedings against him. He is accused of nine serious offenses, including fraud, three counts of armed robbery, two counts of kidnapping, and murder. This extradition marks Rene as the fifth individual transferred from Saint Lucia to Martinique this year, underscoring the ongoing collaboration between the two regions in addressing cross-border criminal activities.
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Authorities name returning officers ahead of election
In preparation for the upcoming general election on December 1, Saint Lucia has officially appointed 17 returning officers to oversee voting across the island’s constituencies. The appointments, announced in an extraordinary issue of the Saint Lucia Government Gazette, were made by the Electoral Commission in compliance with Section 29 of the Elections Act. Notable appointees include Jean Morille for Gros Islet, Marva Daniel for Babonneau, and Jonathan H. Emmanuel for Castries North. The Castries area will also be managed by Winston Phulgence (East), Juliana Prospere (Central), Irwin Jean (South), and Brenda Calixte (South/East). Other returning officers include Mark Thomas for Anse La Raye/Canaries, Dominique Prospere for Soufriere, Marietta Fontenard for Choiseul, Francisca Saturina Louisy for Laborie, Karen Tobierre for Vieux Fort South, Lucretia Poleon for Vieux Fort North, Pius Bastien for Micoud South, Secodina Alcee for Micoud North, Brenda Paul for Dennery South, and Patrick Freeman for Dennery North. Additionally, the Electoral Commission confirmed Zilta George-Leslie and Michael Flood as commissioners, with Maureen John-Xavier appointed as chairperson. Nomination Day is scheduled for November 21, with prospective candidates required to submit nomination papers endorsed by at least six registered electors, along with a $500 cash deposit, a signed consent form, and a recent color passport photograph.
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OP-ED: Why are women and youth still mentioned separately in climate conversations?
In 2005, Guyana faced catastrophic floods that left communities submerged and lives disrupted. Christine Samwaroo, then a young student, vividly recalls the fear and uncertainty as her grandmother was trapped in their home. This experience profoundly shaped her understanding of resilience and justice, leading her to found The Breadfruit Collective, an organization dedicated to addressing climate impacts in the Caribbean. Today, Christine emphasizes that even brief heavy rains now trigger flooding in Guyana, exposing the inadequacies of systems designed to protect vulnerable populations. ‘We still don’t design for people with disabilities or the elderly,’ she notes, ‘but when you build for the most vulnerable, everyone benefits.’ Despite being recognized as key stakeholders in climate policy, women and youth in the Caribbean often face limited participation in decision-making. Christine, who has worked in both government and civil society, criticizes the superficial inclusion of these groups in projects. ‘We’re invited to the table, but not always heard,’ she says. This sentiment is echoed across the region, where community groups led by women and young people struggle with unstable funding and inadequate disaster budgets. Research by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) reveals that fewer than one in three community organizations include women in financial decision-making roles related to disaster preparedness, and only about 25% have active youth representatives involved in climate or disaster response planning. Elishah St. Luce, a Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist from Dominica, highlights the disproportionate impact of climate disasters on vulnerable groups, using Hurricane Maria as an example. ‘A lot of elderly women couldn’t leave shelters for long periods after Maria,’ she explains. ‘Some lost their homes completely and, without insurance or income, couldn’t rebuild.’ Elishah cautions against treating ‘women and youth’ as a uniform category, stressing the importance of understanding the intersections of age, gender, income, and ethnicity in disaster planning. Both Christine and Elishah envision a resilient Caribbean that prioritizes social cohesion, local ownership, and inclusive design. ‘Resilience means being good ancestors, protecting nature so it can keep protecting us,’ Christine says. Elishah adds that rebuilding resilience requires restoring the networks of care that women and young people have sustained for generations. New regional models, such as meso-level Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI), aim to strengthen these networks by channeling funds through community groups, cooperatives, and women’s organizations. Ultimately, Caribbean resilience is not just about disaster response or economic recovery—it’s about empowering those who have long been at the forefront of community care.
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TotalEnergies to shoot 3D seismic survey in Guyana shallow water block
TotalEnergies, in collaboration with a consortium including Qatar Energy and Petronas, has announced a significant investment of at least $20 million to conduct a 3D seismic survey in the S4 shallow water block offshore Guyana. The project, set to commence in late 2026, will span approximately 1,800 square kilometers and is expected to last at least six months. This initiative follows the signing of a five-year petroleum exploration agreement with the Guyanese government, marking a pivotal step in the region’s oil and gas exploration efforts.
Daniel Larranaga, TotalEnergies’ Vice President of Exploration in the Americas, emphasized the potential impact of the survey, stating that it could lead to significant discoveries and further exploration activities. The S4 block, located off the coast of Demerara, has been a focal point for TotalEnergies since its initial exploration efforts 35 years ago. Larranaga expressed optimism about the block’s geological prospects, noting that while it differs from deep-water plays, it holds considerable potential.
The consortium is awaiting final contractual arrangements and permits, which Larranaga anticipates will be expedited compared to industry standards. The selection of the company to conduct the seismic study remains undecided. Additionally, the project will be integrated with TotalEnergies’ ongoing offshore operations in Suriname’s GranMorgu production facility, currently under construction.
In line with local content provisions, the consortium has committed to engaging in social projects and hiring local contractors and personnel. The agreement also includes a $15 million signature bonus, exceeding the stipulated $10 million, which will be directly deposited into Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund. Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat highlighted the transparency of the agreement, which will be publicly accessible on the ministry’s website.
Guyana, currently producing over 900,000 barrels of oil per day, continues to attract significant investment in its burgeoning oil and gas sector, positioning itself as a key player in the global energy market.
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National Primary Schools Football Tournament Quarter Finals 13 November
The Grenada Football Association (GFA) has unveiled the official schedule for the quarter-final round of the National Primary Schools Football Tournament, set to commence on Thursday, 13 November. The matches will be held across three venues in Grenada and Carriacou, showcasing the nation’s budding football talent. The official draw, conducted at the GFA Secretariat, has finalized the eagerly awaited matchups. The quarter-final fixtures include Our Lady of the Rosary (Carriacou) versus St Peter’s Roman Catholic at Lauriston Mini Stadium at 1 pm, South St George Government against St David’s Roman Catholic at Springs Playing Field at 11 am, and St Andrews facing Bonair Government at Progress Park at 11 am. St Patrick’s Anglican has received a bye and will advance directly to the Semi-Final round, where they will compete against the winner of the Our Lady of the Rosary and St Peter’s RC match. Ernest Richardson, Second Vice-President of the Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT), attended the draw and expressed his support for the young athletes and the tournament. The GFA is urging the public and media to attend and cheer on the future stars of Grenadian football. For additional details, contact the GFA Secretariat.
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Public urged to wear blue for World Diabetes Day
The Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association is rallying the public to don blue attire this Friday in a unified effort to mark World Diabetes Day. The initiative, aptly named ‘Go Blue,’ seeks to amplify awareness about diabetes and foster educational outreach on the condition. Marina Claxton-Brown, the Association’s Public Relations Officer, emphasized that schools and businesses have been urged to participate in this meaningful campaign. This year’s theme, ‘Diabetes in the Workplace,’ underscores the critical role of employee wellbeing in fostering productive and healthy work environments. Charity Dublin, the Association’s president, stressed the necessity for more structured wellness programs in local workplaces, asserting that healthier employees lead to more efficient workspaces. ‘We aim to dismantle stigma and create an open dialogue where individuals feel comfortable discussing their health needs,’ Dublin remarked. The Association is also extending a reminder to those living with diabetes that support systems are accessible through collaborations with the Ministry of Health, the Medical Benefits Scheme, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A series of events have been organized to commemorate the occasion, including a worship service at the St John’s Seventh-day Adventist Church on November 15, a Screening Day at the Ministry of Public Works on November 18, and a diabetes health fair on November 26 at Moss Medical Centre on Old Parham Road.
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CARILEC’s Disaster Assistance Programme deploys teams to Jamaica
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, one of the most devastating storms to hit the Caribbean, the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) has mobilized its Disaster Assistance Programme (CDAP) to aid Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) in restoring electricity across the island. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, left over 70% of the population without power, severely impacting critical infrastructure. As of November 10, JPS reported that 64% of its customers had regained electricity, with significant progress in restoring power to major health facilities, telecommunication sites, and water commission facilities.
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Miss Rural West Pageant invites young women to compete
The inaugural Miss Rural West Pageant is calling for applications from young women aged 18 to 27, with the goal of fostering empowerment and instilling a sense of community pride. Organized by Desrie Markham, the event aims to inspire the next generation of women through the tradition of pageantry, a cherished cultural practice in Antigua and Barbuda. Markham emphasized that the pageant is designed to celebrate the beauty and talent within the Rural West region, providing a platform for young women to emerge as role models and convey positive messages. This initiative marks the resurgence of community-based pageants in the area, which had been dormant since the discontinuation of the Miss Grays Green Pageant. Organizers have made it clear that there are no restrictions on body type, encouraging all interested women to participate. “You don’t have to fit a mould,” one organizer stated. “As long as you’re ambitious, dedicated, and intelligent, we’ll help you develop confidence and poise.” Applications for the pageant will close on 16 November. Those interested can apply online or contact Aaliyah Taylor (780-5260), Eddenya Aska (723-6093), or Janelle Haynes (776-6916) for further details.
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Piton Boyz in DR for Concacaf’s Friendly Series
The Saint Lucia senior national men’s football team, affectionately known as the Piton Boyz, is gearing up for two crucial matches in the Concacaf Friendly Series. On Wednesday, November 12, they will face Cuba, followed by a clash with St Vincent & the Grenadines three days later. Both games are scheduled to take place at the Cibao Stadium in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This series serves as a vital platform for teams already eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to maintain competitive momentum. The Piton Boyz departed Saint Lucia on Monday with a significantly altered squad compared to their last outing during the World Cup Qualifiers in June, where they suffered a loss to Curaçao but secured a victory against Barbados. Notable absentees include Jamaica-based players Alvinus Mayers and Darren Donaie, as well as England-based captain Terell Thomas and winger Arkell Jude Boyd. Other omissions include Kegan Caull, Ryan Charles, Ryan Remi, and Troy Greenidge. However, the team welcomes back several familiar faces, including goalkeeper Anton Richard, defender Doneal Lionel, and midfielders Brandon Sandiford and Eymani Butcher. Veterans Gregson President and Ridel Stanislas also make a return, alongside new additions like Ajani Louis, Dervaj Edward, Elijah Joseph, and Trent Alexander. Retained from the previous squad are forwards Aaron Richard, Caniggia Elva, Donavan Jn Baptiste, Saviola Elva, and Mervin St Romain. Midfield responsibilities will be shouldered by Bayan Aman, Hamaiael Charlery, and Shaquan Nelson, while the defense will feature Melvin Doxilly, Joshua Solomon-Davies, and veteran fullback Kurt Frederick. The team’s technical and support staff, led by head coach Stern John, remain unchanged. The Piton Boyz are also set to face Martinique and the Dominican Republic next year as part of Group A in the Concacaf Friendly Series.