分类: society

  • Missing Convent High School student found moments ago

    Missing Convent High School student found moments ago

    Authorities have confirmed the safe recovery of 14-year-old Christarsha Baptiste, a Convent High School student whose disappearance on March 3rd prompted widespread community concern. The third-form student was reported missing after she was last sighted in the vicinity of Peebles Park and River Street in Roseau during the afternoon hours of her disappearance.

    An intensive search operation commenced immediately following the report, with law enforcement coordinating efforts and disseminating public appeals through digital flyers across social media platforms and local communities. These notices urgently requested civilian assistance in locating the adolescent and ensuring her secure return.

    While official sources have verified Christarsha’s safe recovery as of recent developments, specific details regarding the circumstances of her disappearance and the subsequent discovery remain undisclosed. Investigators have not released information about whether the case involved criminal elements or the precise location where she was found.

    This incident has reignited community discussions about youth safety protocols and the effectiveness of emergency response systems for missing persons cases. The successful resolution highlights the critical role of coordinated efforts between law enforcement and civilian populations in addressing such urgent matters.

  • GNRC statement on death of Rev. Jesse Jackson

    GNRC statement on death of Rev. Jesse Jackson

    The Grenada National Reparations Committee (GNRC) has expressed profound sorrow following the passing of renowned civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday in Chicago at age 84. Jackson’s death marks the loss of one of the most influential human rights advocates of the modern era.

    Reverend Jackson, an ordained Baptist minister and protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dedicated his life to combating racial injustice and pursuing reparatory justice for people of African descent. His multifaceted approach included street protests, organizational leadership through the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and two presidential campaigns as a Democratic candidate.

    The GNRC highlighted Jackson’s remarkable alignment with their mission, noting his unwavering commitment to addressing historical wrongs including chattel slavery. Jackson’s influence transcended American borders, evidenced by his diplomatic engagement with Fidel Castro in 1984 that secured the release of 22 American prisoners and his vocal opposition to South Africa’s apartheid regime.

    Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000, Jackson leaves behind a transformative legacy that continues to inspire global justice movements. The GNRC pledged to honor his memory by intensifying their campaign for reparative justice across the Caribbean and African nations, demanding compensation for historical atrocities including enslavement, colonization, and genocide.

    The committee emphasized that true reparations must include recognition of every nation’s inherent right to sovereignty and self-determined economic development. As the movement loses one of its most powerful voices, the GNRC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the quest for reparations throughout the Caribbean region and beyond.

  • Acties buscontroleurs nog niet opgeheven na overleg met TCT

    Acties buscontroleurs nog niet opgeheven na overleg met TCT

    Public transport services in Suriname remain disrupted as bus control personnel continue their industrial action following inconclusive negotiations with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism (TCT). Union Secretary Eugene Daniël confirmed to Starnieuws that Monday’s meeting failed to produce concrete solutions, prompting the sustained work stoppage.

    The bargaining session, which eventually extended beyond two hours after a three-hour delay, addressed critical issues including job security provisions and safety concerns for bus controllers performing street duties. The absence of both TCT Minister and Director Verno Prijor due to illness complicated the discussions.

    Union representatives expressed profound dissatisfaction with how controller interests are being handled, emphasizing that systemic changes are urgently required within the department. The union advocates for enhanced professionalization measures and improved personnel management approaches, elements currently lacking within TCT’s operational structure.

    Additionally, workers reportedly perceive that leadership decisions continue to be made unilaterally and influenced by political and ethnic preferences, allegedly favoring certain demographic groups. This perception has further eroded trust between staff and administration.

    The labor action will persist indefinitely until tangible resolutions are provided for the identified problems. Another negotiation round is scheduled for Friday as commuters continue experiencing transportation disruptions across the country.

  • Here is How Much You Will Pay to Watch La Ruta Maya Finale at Grande Resort

    Here is How Much You Will Pay to Watch La Ruta Maya Finale at Grande Resort

    A contentious pricing dispute has emerged surrounding the finale of Belize’s iconic La Ruta Maya canoe race at Grande Resort and Residence. The luxury resort’s initially announced admission fees of $75 for general access and $600 for VIP tables triggered immediate public backlash and concern from the Belize Canoe Association. Subsequent clarification from the resort indicated a significantly reduced $10 general admission fee, though this information was absent from the original promotional materials circulating online.

    Elvin Penner, Vice President of the Belize Canoe Association, expressed reservations about both the communication strategy and logistical feasibility. While acknowledging the resort’s legitimate branding rights as an event partner, Penner characterized the pricing approach as aggressive commercialization of the traditionally accessible sporting event. “The pure fact of it being commercialised, where now the Grand Resort is trying to capture or capitalize big time on the decision of the race organisers to end it there,” Penner stated.

    The association official further questioned the resort’s physical capacity to accommodate spectators and participants comfortably, even at the reduced price point. The discrepancy between initially promoted prices and subsequently clarified rates has created confusion among race enthusiasts anticipating the event’s culmination. The developing story continues to generate significant public discourse regarding the balance between commercial sponsorship and community access to cultural sporting events.

  • Here is How Much You Will Pay to Watch La Ruta Maya Finale at Grand Resort

    Here is How Much You Will Pay to Watch La Ruta Maya Finale at Grand Resort

    BELIZE CITY – A significant controversy has emerged surrounding spectator access to the finale of Belize’s iconic La Ruta Maya canoe race at Grand Resort and Residence. The resort’s initially announced admission prices of $75 for general entry and $600 for VIP tables sparked immediate public backlash and concern from the Belize Canoe Association.

    Contradictory information has since surfaced regarding the actual pricing structure. While promotional materials circulating online indicated the premium rates, resort management subsequently clarified to News 5 that general admission would actually be set at $10 per person – a substantial discrepancy that has created confusion among potential attendees.

    Elvin Penner, Vice President of the Belize Canoe Association, expressed reservations about both the communication strategy and practical logistics. “We maintain no conflict with Grand Resort,” Penner stated, acknowledging their legitimate branding opportunities as race sponsors. However, he characterized the pricing approach as indicative of “extreme commercialization” where the resort appears to be capitalizing extensively on the race organizers’ decision to host the finale at their location.

    Penner further raised concerns about venue capacity limitations, noting that even at the reduced $10 admission fee, the compound might prove inadequate to comfortably accommodate both competing paddlers and anticipated spectators. The association’s primary apprehension centers on ensuring the event remains accessible to the Belizean public while balancing commercial interests.

    The developing situation has prompted broader discussions about the commercialization of traditional sporting events and public access to cultural competitions. News 5 is scheduled to provide comprehensive coverage of this unfolding story in their evening newscast.

  • VIDEO: Handing over of two fire trucks by Minister for National Security

    VIDEO: Handing over of two fire trucks by Minister for National Security

    In a significant enhancement to national emergency response capabilities, Dominica’s Fire Department has officially integrated two new state-of-the-art fire trucks into its operational fleet. The formal handover ceremony was presided over by Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmore, and took place at the Canefield Fire Station on Thursday morning.

    The acquisition represents a substantial investment in public safety infrastructure by the government. These advanced vehicles are equipped with modern firefighting technology and are expected to dramatically improve response times and operational efficiency during emergencies. Minister Blackmore emphasized that this modernization effort is crucial for protecting both citizens and property across the island nation.

    The ceremony included demonstrations of the vehicles’ capabilities and was attended by senior fire officials and government representatives. This strategic equipment upgrade addresses growing concerns about emergency preparedness, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season when robust response systems are most critical. The deployment strengthens Dominica’s resilience against fires and other natural disasters, marking a proactive step in national security planning.

  • Grandmother Pleads for Help to Find Missing Teen

    Grandmother Pleads for Help to Find Missing Teen

    A distressing disappearance case has gripped the community of St. Mathews as 13-year-old Ana Ramos remains missing for six consecutive days. The Belmopan Baptist High School student was last seen departing for her educational institution on Friday morning, marking an unprecedented deviation from her established routine.

    Lourdes Ávila, the grandmother who has raised Ana since infancy, provided authorities with a detailed account of the teenager’s predictable schedule. According to Ávila, Ana consistently caught the 7:00 AM bus to school and returned home punctually at 4:00 PM daily. The concerning aspect emerged when the teenager’s mobile phone became completely unreachable, indicating the device was either disabled or disconnected from network services.

    The family’s initial police report filed Saturday at Belmopan police station has yielded limited progress. Investigators initially suggested the possibility of voluntary absence, despite the family’s insistence that such behavior contradicts Ana’s established patterns.

    A crucial development emerged when the teenager’s mother, Ingrid Ávila, secured surveillance footage from Belmopan bus terminal. The visual evidence captures Ana navigating the transportation hub while following an unidentified male wearing distinctive orange clothing. The footage chronology shows the man boarding a bus first, with Ana entering the same vehicle moments later.

    Family members express mounting frustration with law enforcement’s response, claiming authorities dismissed the visual evidence as insufficient for immediate action. The Ávila family now makes a public appeal for information, providing contact numbers 675-0138 and 611-9202 for any potential leads regarding Ana’s whereabouts.

  • DTV-Express voor rechter gedaagd na bericht over aangifte tegen Burney Brunswijk

    DTV-Express voor rechter gedaagd na bericht over aangifte tegen Burney Brunswijk

    In a surprising legal development, Surinamese media platform DTV-Express finds itself facing litigation from Burney Brunswijk, a senior legal officer at state mining company NV Grassalco, despite multiple news organizations having published identical information regarding corruption allegations. The lawsuit stems from January 2026 reporting about a criminal complaint filed with the Suriname Police Force’s Herman E. Gooding bureau alleging document forgery against both Brunswijk and Grassalco’s president-directeur Wesley Rozenhout.

    The criminal complaint, officially lodged by Berto Sampi on January 19, 2026, accuses the government mining officials of falsifying documents—an offense punishable under Article 278 of Suriname’s Penal Code. While SR Herald, Starnieuws, and other media outlets published similar reports about the allegations, Brunswijk has exclusively targeted DTV-Express through legal representation by attorney Iris Nazir.

    Through summary proceedings, Brunswijk demands the immediate removal of DTV-Express’s article titled ‘Breaking News: Aangifte wegens valsheid in geschrifte tegen Rozenhout en Brunswijk’ and requires the publication of a formal rectification across all distribution channels within 24 hours of any court ruling. The lawsuit further seeks to prohibit future publications linking Brunswijk to criminal activities without official confirmation from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

    Notably, the legal action includes a request for substantial financial penalties—a daily fine of SRD 1 million (approximately $27,000 USD) for non-compliance with judicial orders. The current status regarding judicial acceptance of Brunswijk’s lawsuit remains unclear as legal proceedings continue to develop.

  • Man who searched woman’s vagina killed in Kingstown

    Man who searched woman’s vagina killed in Kingstown

    Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have initiated a comprehensive homicide investigation following the discovery of 63-year-old Bertram Wright’s body in central Kingstown on Saturday. The victim was found unresponsive in the China Town district, located directly opposite the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force headquarters.

    Medical examination revealed Wright succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries to both his head and torso, indicating a severe physical assault. The timing of the incident has raised particular concerns, as Wright had attended an awards ceremony hosted by the Criminal Investigations Department at Kingstown Central Market merely hours before his body was discovered.

    Eyewitness accounts indicate Wright was socializing with a group of men who regularly congregate under a commercial store gallery in the urban center. Investigators confirmed he departed the law enforcement event before its official conclusion. The proximity of the crime scene to police facilities has prompted serious questions regarding public safety in the nation’s capital.

    Court records show Wright had an extensive criminal history, including a 2019 conviction that resulted in a 12-month prison sentence for domestic violence and sexual assault against his former common-law partner. The case continues to develop as forensic specialists and detectives pursue active leads.

  • LETTER: Five Years Later, Who Killed Neltha Telemaque?

    LETTER: Five Years Later, Who Killed Neltha Telemaque?

    Five years after the horrific discovery of 25-year-old Neltha Telemaque’s brutally murdered body in the Burma Quarry area on December 5, 2021, a cloud of unanswered questions continues to haunt the nation’s conscience. The unresolved case has sparked growing public concern about investigative transparency and judicial accountability in a country where such violent crimes typically generate swift resolutions.

    Within hours of the grim discovery, law enforcement authorities issued a wanted bulletin for Kevin Samuel of All Saints, who subsequently surrendered at St John’s Police Station that same afternoon. Simultaneously, Telemaque’s fiancé, Nehemiah Tittle, was taken into custody. Despite these rapid developments, both men were released without charges approximately 72 hours later, with investigators offering minimal public explanation beyond stating that investigations remained ongoing.

    The case presents multiple troubling questions that remain unanswered after nearly half a decade. What evidence prompted police to identify Samuel as a person of interest so rapidly? Why did circumstances change sufficiently within three days to warrant his release? Investigative integrity questions abound regarding potential evidence mishandling, forensic analysis, alibi verification, digital evidence examination, and surveillance review.

    Telemaque’s brother publicly characterized the injuries as appearing “personal,” suggesting intimate knowledge behind the violence. This declaration raises critical questions about whether all close associates underwent thorough interrogation, including polygraph examination, and whether additional suspects might exist beyond public awareness.

    As the fifth anniversary approaches, fundamental concerns persist about case status: Does an active investigative team continue pursuing leads? Have forensic samples undergone retesting with advanced technology? Was DNA evidence properly recovered, preserved, and matched? Were potential witnesses from the Burma Quarry area adequately interviewed?

    Telemaque, remembered as a kind, adventurous young woman who worked at a health food store and worshipped at Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church, transcended being merely a crime statistic. She was a beloved daughter, sister, and fiancée whose January 2022 funeral overflowed with emotional tributes. Her family continues enduring compounded grief without justice or closure, highlighting the human cost of investigative delays.

    The prolonged silence from authorities has eroded public trust in a nation where transparency traditionally fosters communal confidence. The absence of meaningful updates suggests potential early investigative missteps that may now be irreparable. With the case potentially growing cold, citizens demand accountability rather than speculation—seeking clarity about current suspects, investigative barriers, and prosecutorial review status. As justice delayed increasingly resembles justice denied, the Telemaque case represents both a personal tragedy and a systemic test of judicial integrity.