In a tightly contested international football match on Tuesday night, Antigua and Barbuda’s national team, the Benna Boys, managed to hold Aruba to a goalless draw. Both teams displayed tenacity and skill, but despite numerous close attempts, neither could clinch a winning goal. The match, characterized by intense midfield battles and defensive resilience, ended with the points evenly shared. The Benna Boys now shift their focus to their upcoming fixture against Guyana, scheduled for next Tuesday at 7pm at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Fans are being encouraged to rally behind the team as they aim to secure a vital victory on home turf.
作者： admin
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Govt considers more funding after 800 apply for Creative Economy Grant Fund
Saint Lucia’s newly established Creative Economy Grant Fund (CEGF) has garnered significant attention, with over 800 applications received, far surpassing the initial funding allocation of $350,000. Launched earlier this year by Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, the CEGF aims to support aspiring and established creatives across various disciplines, including dance, film, writing, and visual arts, with grants of up to $10,000. Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire revealed the overwhelming response during a pre-cabinet meeting, prompting discussions about securing additional financial resources to meet the demand. The application window closed at the end of October, and a dedicated committee is currently reviewing and categorizing the submissions. Hilaire emphasized the fund’s broad scope, which includes proposals for exhibitions, plays, book publications, and documentaries, reflecting the diverse creativity of Saint Lucia’s artistic community. The Ministry has notified all applicants via email and expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic participation, describing the response as a testament to the innovation within the nation’s creative sector. Officials have pledged to ensure transparency and fairness in the review process, aligning with the fund’s mission to foster excellence and sustainability in the creative industries. Successful applicants will be informed of the outcomes by December 2025.
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Telesur lanceert eigen streamingplatform ‘Telesur Plus’
Suriname has officially entered the digital streaming era with the launch of Telesur Plus, its first indigenous streaming platform. Unveiled on Tuesday at the Assuria High Rise by Vice President Gregory Rusland, Telesur Plus aims to rival global giants like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. The platform offers a diverse range of content, from international football matches, including World Cup qualifiers, to the latest films from Nollywood, Bollywood, China, and Hollywood.
Telesur Plus is accessible via smartphones through its dedicated app, computers via its website (https://telesurplus.sr), and currently on Android smart TVs. CEO Doric Ramlakhan highlighted the platform’s strategy: ‘We’ve acquired rights from foreign channels and pay a monthly fee to access their content. Additionally, we’re integrating local content by collaborating with Surinamese TV stations and influencers.’
One of the platform’s standout features is its monetization model for local creators. Social media influencers and content creators can upload their videos and earn revenue based on viewership. Jean Luc van Charante, CEO of Ineffable, a partner in local content generation, praised the initiative: ‘This platform provides visibility and a monetization opportunity for Surinamese creators, which is often inaccessible on other platforms.’
Subscription to Telesur Plus is flexible and affordable, with no credit card required. Users can activate their accounts via SMS using a Telesur number, with packages ranging from 1 to 30 days, the latter costing SRD 240. Ramlakhan emphasized the platform’s accessibility: ‘We want it to remain affordable and inclusive for all Surinamese.’
Telesur Plus marks a significant milestone for Suriname’s digital landscape, offering a localized alternative to international streaming services. As Ramlakhan stated, ‘This is the first true Surinamese streaming platform, designed to reflect our culture and meet our needs.’
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Phillips named ACC Offensive Player of the Year
North Carolina State University’s men’s soccer team celebrated a remarkable achievement on Wednesday as three of its players received prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors. Among them, Saint Lucian striker Donavan Gusto Phillip stood out, earning a spot on the All-Conference Team and being crowned Offensive Player of the Year. The junior forward, hailing from Marchand, is poised to transition to professional football in 2026, having secured a contract with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids. Additionally, Phillip aspires to represent the Saint Lucia national team, aiming to make his senior international debut. In his final collegiate season with the Wolfpack, Phillip dominated the conference with impressive statistics, leading in shots (62), shots per game (3.65), points (31), points per game (1.82), goals (15), and goals per game (0.88). His stellar performance cemented his claim to the Offensive Player award. NC State’s success extended beyond Phillip, with sophomore centre-back Nikola Markovic being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and senior goalkeeper Logan Erb earning ACC Goalkeeper of the Year. Erb led the conference in shutouts and shutouts per game, showcasing the team’s defensive prowess. Senior midfielder Taig Healy, who leads the ACC in assists, also secured a place on the All-ACC First Team. This collective achievement marks the first time since 1984 that NC State has placed four players on the All-ACC First Team, a historic milestone in the program’s history.
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‘He is a leader who divides’: Estephane lambastes Chastanet
In a dramatic political shift, former United Workers Party (UWP) MP Edmund Estephane publicly declared his support for the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) during a rally in La Caye, Dennery on November 12. Estephane, who previously represented Dennery South from 2006 to 2021, delivered a blistering critique of the UWP’s leadership, particularly targeting party leader Allen Chastanet and deputy leader Guy Joseph. He accused them of squandering their opportunity to govern and vowed they would never lead the country again. Estephane’s decision to switch allegiance follows a period of intense backlash, including death threats, after he appeared at an SLP event earlier in the campaign season. At the rally, he urged constituents to re-elect incumbent Alfred Prospere and endorsed his brother, John Paul Estephane, for the Babonneau seat. In a symbolic gesture, Estephane removed his white shirt to reveal a red one, signaling his new political alignment with the SLP. “The mood is red,” he concluded, marking a definitive break from his former party.
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UK Intelligence-Sharing Report Denied by T&T Prime Minister
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has vehemently denied a CNN report alleging that the United Kingdom is withholding intelligence from the United States regarding anti-drug operations in the Caribbean. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Persad-Bissessar labeled the report as ‘fake news’ and accused it of being part of a broader effort to undermine regional efforts to combat narco-trafficking and organized crime. She emphasized that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Rubio has also refuted the claims internationally. The Prime Minister criticized local media outlets for irresponsibly circulating the false report, stressing her government’s commitment to maintaining strong cooperation with the U.S. in addressing transnational criminal networks. Persad-Bissessar highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by drug cartels, which continue to destabilize the Caribbean, and underscored efforts to enhance national security systems to combat drug trafficking, firearms smuggling, and human trafficking. She warned that illicit trade has fueled decades of violence and instability in the region. The CNN report had claimed that the UK paused intelligence sharing with the U.S. due to concerns over the legality of military strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean, which reportedly resulted in numerous casualties and prompted skepticism from other U.S. allies, including Canada and Colombia.
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Melius recalled to Windwards for Regional Super50 cricket
Kimani Melius, the former West Indies Under-19 captain, has made a notable return to the regional cricket scene, securing a spot in the Windward Islands squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament. This marks his first appearance in List A cricket after a two-year hiatus. The 24-year-old top-order batter from Boguis, Saint Lucia, is one of four Saint Lucians selected for the five-match series, which kicks off on November 19 in Trinidad & Tobago. The Windward Islands Cricket Board has announced a 14-member squad for the tournament, aiming to add to their four previous 50-over titles since the competition’s inception in 1972. Melius joins allrounder Shadrack Descarte and young fast bowlers Keon Gaston and McKenny Clarke in the squad, alongside wicketkeeper Noelle Leo and fast bowler Dillan John, who have been training with the team since early October. Melius, who debuted for West Indies B in 2018, has played 23 List A matches, accumulating 397 runs with a high score of 46. His best performance came in his debut year, averaging 21.60 in five fixtures. Descarte, known for his T20 skills, brings experience from the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory with Saint Lucia Kings. Gaston and Clarke, both promising talents, have shown their potential in regional and CPL matches. The Windward Islands will begin their campaign against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes on November 19 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
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BREAKING: Belizean Arrested and Charged for Labour and Sex Trafficking
In a significant development, Reyna Urbina, a 46-year-old Belizean from the Orange Walk District, has been arrested and charged with two counts of labour trafficking and two counts of sex trafficking. The arrest was carried out by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIPS) Police Unit of the Belize Police Department. Urbina is accused of trafficking two adult women from Central America, subjecting them to forced labour and sexual exploitation. Following her arrest, Urbina was granted bail set at $10,000 with two sureties. She is required to adhere to stringent conditions, including surrendering all travel documents, obtaining court permission before leaving the country, avoiding any contact with complainants or prosecution witnesses, and signing in at the Orange Walk Police Station every Wednesday and Friday. The case has been adjourned to January 16, 2026. This arrest was the result of a coordinated effort involving the ATIPS Police Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Immigration Department, the Department of Human Services Alternative Care Unit, INTERPOL Belize, and several supporting NGOs. Authorities are urging the public to report any suspected human trafficking activities by calling 911, the Department of Human Services at 0-800-PROTECT, or Crime Stoppers Belize at 922 or via the P3 Tips App.
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During Cyber Security Awareness Month, Digicel Business and Symptai offer free dark web scan for businesses
The Caribbean region, increasingly vulnerable to cybercrime due to a shortage of local cybersecurity expertise, is taking proactive steps to address this growing threat. In observance of Cyber Security Awareness Month, Digicel Business has joined forces with Symptai to offer Caribbean enterprises complimentary dark web scans. This initiative aims to help organizations identify potential data breaches and mitigate risks before they escalate into costly incidents.
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CASAS start intensieve training voor luchtvaartveiligheid in Suriname
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Suriname (CASAS) has launched a pivotal seminar and workshop on Safety Management Systems (SMS) this week, aimed at enhancing safety standards in Suriname’s aviation sector. Held from November 10 to 14 at the Jacana Amazon Wellness Resort, the training marks the initiation of a comprehensive project to meet the latest international aviation requirements. The event saw participation from 58 attendees, including representatives from all Surinamese airlines, CASAS inspectors, and specialized personnel. Renowned security and crisis management expert Daniel Juzi, a certified EASA instructor, led the sessions. The training focused on updating and deepening knowledge about SMS, which helps analyze incidents, prevent recurrences, and strengthen the safety culture within the industry. Damienne Lansdorf, Human Resource Manager at CASAS, emphasized that aviation safety is a shared responsibility. The seminar also included a refresher course for inspectors on November 12, addressing the need for updated training. Despite progress since the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audits in 2009 and 2012, challenges such as insufficient training, weak legal frameworks, and irregular funding have hindered development. The lack of a local aviation school forces inspectors to train abroad, incurring significant costs. The current government has acknowledged these issues, with President Jennifer Simons establishing an Aviation Safety Task Force to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors. The seminar highlighted the four pillars of aviation safety: risk analysis, safety policy, safety performance, and safety culture. This intensive training and broader safety program represent a crucial step toward making Suriname’s aviation sector safer and more resilient.