分类: society

  • Wetenschappelijk personeel AdeKUS hervat beraad: geen colleges en toetsen

    Wetenschappelijk personeel AdeKUS hervat beraad: geen colleges en toetsen

    Academic operations at Suriname’s Anton de Kom University (AdeKUS) have ground to a complete halt as scientific staff resumed their suspended strike action on Monday. The renewed work stoppage cancels all educational activities including lectures, examinations, tests, and thesis supervision indefinitely.

    The University Scientific Staff Association (VWPU) initially paused their strike on October 15th following a request from Education Minister Dirk Currie, who established an expert team to restart stalled negotiations regarding the 2025 Collective Labor Agreement and salary adjustments.

    However, according to VWPU representatives, the ministerial team convened only once, with several members admitting they hadn’t reviewed necessary documentation. Subsequent communication completely ceased despite the association’s November 28th deadline for proposals.

    With no response from the education ministry, the academic staff association escalated matters by writing directly to President Jennifer Simons requesting dialogue. This appeal similarly received no official response.

    During an emergency general meeting, faculty members unanimously voted to resume their strike until the government engages in meaningful negotiations. The association emphasizes they are not bargaining for salary increases but rather seeking to restore disrupted compensation ratios within the existing pay structure.

    While expressing regret for the impact on students, VWPU notes that scientific staff themselves suffer significant consequences from the paralyzed educational process, highlighting the mutual damage caused by the ongoing dispute.

  • Cap Cana Foundation earns recognition for protecting endemic plant species

    Cap Cana Foundation earns recognition for protecting endemic plant species

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant environmental achievement, the Cap Cana Foundation has received prestigious recognition from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep) for its groundbreaking conservation initiative. The foundation was honored in the fifth edition of the Catalog of Promising Practices for its comprehensive program dedicated to reproducing threatened native and endemic plant species in the Dominican Republic’s eastern regions.

    The innovative program represents a multifaceted approach to ecological restoration, focusing on cultivating, nurturing, and reintroducing indigenous flora while simultaneously reducing dependence on non-native exotic plants. Through meticulous conservation efforts, the foundation has achieved remarkable success in propagating over 12,100 plants encompassing 122 distinct species, with 12% classified as endemic and 88% as native to the region.

    Among the program’s most notable accomplishments is the strategic planting of 1,000 Bayahibe rose specimens within the protected boundaries of Cotubanamá National Park. Beyond physical restoration work, the foundation has implemented extensive educational outreach, conducting environmental workshops that have enlightened more than 600 participants about sustainable conservation practices and ecological stewardship.

    This distinguished recognition underscores the foundation’s unwavering commitment to conservation and ecological rehabilitation throughout Cap Cana and the broader La Altagracia province. UNDP and Conep leadership have applauded the initiative for its substantial contributions to sustainable development principles, social inclusion, and comprehensive environmental protection. The foundation has extended an invitation to other institutions, organizations, and concerned citizens to participate in their ongoing mission to preserve the nation’s natural heritage and ensure future generations can experience the country’s rich biodiversity.

  • ECD sluit supermarkt wegens herhaalde voedselveiligheidsovertreding

    ECD sluit supermarkt wegens herhaalde voedselveiligheidsovertreding

    In a decisive enforcement action, Dutch authorities have temporarily closed a supermarket in Paramaribo for persistent violations of food safety regulations. The Economic Control Service (ECD), operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation (EZOTI), executed the closure on December 8, 2025, following the discovery of unlabeled chicken parts during a routine inspection.

    The enforcement action comes after the retailer had previously received formal warnings for identical violations. Despite these warnings, inspectors found the business continued to offer products without proper labeling, potentially exposing consumers to health risks and denying them essential product information.

    Government officials emphasized that food retailers bear full responsibility for compliance with consumer protection and food safety legislation. The ministry’s statement highlighted the mandatory nature of cooperation with inspection agencies and reiterated that businesses must proactively adhere to regulatory requirements to avoid sanctions.

    Authorities also encouraged citizens to report suspected violations, including price gouging or smuggling activities, through official channels. The ECD reaffirmed that maintaining food safety standards and protecting consumers remain top priorities within their ongoing supervisory mission.

    This case demonstrates the Netherlands’ strengthened approach to regulatory enforcement in the retail food sector, particularly regarding labeling requirements that enable consumers to make informed choices about their purchases.

  • Abinader announces “Puntos VIDA,” a safety network for women

    Abinader announces “Puntos VIDA,” a safety network for women

    The Dominican Republic has achieved a significant milestone in combating gender-based violence with a 28.17% reduction in femicides for 2025, according to President Luis Abinader. Official statistics indicate a decline from 71 cases in 2024 to 51 cases this year, marking the most substantial decrease recorded in recent history.

    Despite this progress, President Abinader emphasized that gender violence continues to represent a national emergency requiring immediate and compassionate intervention. The announcement was made during his weekly press briefing ‘LA Semanal con la Prensa,’ where he unveiled the groundbreaking ‘Puntos VIDA’ initiative – a comprehensive nationwide network of certified safe spaces for women facing violence.

    The VIDA program (representing Surveillance, Identification, Reporting, and Assistance) will establish both public and private establishments as immediate support centers for women at risk. These designated locations will employ specially trained personnel equipped to perform critical functions including danger assessment, emergency authority notification, safe accompaniment services, and direct coordination with 911 emergency services, the dedicated VIDA Line, and protective services.

    In a demonstration of governmental commitment, all central government institutions will undergo certification first, establishing a precedent for private sector participation. Following public sector implementation, the program will expand to include supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies, gas stations, banking institutions, and healthcare facilities nationwide.

    Certification requirements mandate that participating establishments provide private consultation areas, telephone access, extended operating hours, and staff comprehensively trained in gender-sensitive and trauma-informed care methodologies. The initiative integrates seamlessly with the Attorney General’s existing VITALIA strategy, creating an interconnected safety net designed to ensure that no woman in the Dominican Republic is ever far from secure assistance.

  • Religion : Christmas Message 2025 from the Catholic Bishops of Haiti

    Religion : Christmas Message 2025 from the Catholic Bishops of Haiti

    In a profound Christmas message addressing Haiti’s deepening crisis, the nation’s Catholic bishops have delivered a stark yet hopeful assessment of the country’s turmoil while calling for constitutional adherence and renewed leadership.

    The Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH) released its traditional holiday communique on December 8, 2025, drawing powerful parallels between the biblical narrative of Christ’s birth in impoverished circumstances and Haiti’s current reality of suffering and institutional collapse.

    Describing the Haitian people as ‘journeying through the dark night of uncertainty and pain,’ the bishops rejected both naive optimism and despair, instead advocating for ‘responsible action grounded in faith.’ They characterized hope not as passive waiting but as active participation in creating ‘a better tomorrow,’ invoking their designation as ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’

    The religious leaders made specific reference to the upcoming political transition, urgently calling for adherence to the 1987 Constitution as the Presidential Transitional Council’s mandate approaches its expiration on February 7, 2026. They emphasized that democratic elections would remain impossible without first establishing nationwide security, calling upon both national and international actors to accelerate efforts toward creating stable conditions.

    In a notable passage, the bishops pointed to the recent success of Haiti’s national football team as evidence of the nation’s ‘remarkable capacity for resilience when they choose unity and solidarity.’ This achievement, they noted, demonstrates that ‘no darkness is invincible.’

    The message condemned structural violence and institutional limitations while appealing to political leaders to prioritize peace and human dignity over partisan interests. The bishops called for a new leadership model based on ‘integrity, service, and selflessness,’ describing true civic engagement as potentially requiring a form of ‘martyrdom’ through relinquishing privileges and resisting corruption.

    Concluding with a solemn entrustment of Haiti to ‘Christ Jesus, Prince of Peace,’ the bishops invoked the Virgin Mary’s protection for the nation and those working toward reconciliation. The message was signed by all members of the Episcopal Conference, including Archbishop Max Léroys Mestidor of Port-au-Prince and Cardinal Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes.

  • Orange Walk Police Probe Brutal Murder of Beris Anglin

    Orange Walk Police Probe Brutal Murder of Beris Anglin

    The tranquil community of Orange Walk Town has been shattered by a brutal homicide that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2025. Authorities are currently investigating the murder of 45-year-old Beris Anglin, whose body was discovered inside his Progresso Street residence under circumstances suggesting targeted violence.

    According to police reports, the victim’s partner, Valerie Williams, made the traumatic discovery upon returning from work shortly after midnight. She found Anglin deceased on the bedroom floor, surrounded by substantial blood evidence and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Crime scene analysis indicates the assailant fired numerous rounds through the bedroom window from outside the property before possibly entering the premises through an unsecured rear entrance.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, the staff officer overseeing the investigation, confirmed that law enforcement has detained one individual of interest with established connections to the deceased. Notably, Anglin had recent encounters with judicial authorities, having been charged with narcotics-related offenses mere hours before his tragic death. He had been granted station bail and was scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court later that Monday.

    Williams provided emotional testimony regarding her partner’s character, acknowledging his involvement in cannabis distribution while emphasizing his non-confrontational nature. She suggested financial disputes within his illicit trade might have precipitated the violence, noting that physical limitations from a back injury had compelled his participation in the drug trade.

    The ongoing investigation continues to explore all possible motives and circumstances surrounding this incident, which marks another addition to the region’s criminal statistics. Forensic teams are examining ballistic evidence and witness statements to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to this fatal encounter.

  • 33-Year-Old Woman Killed in Motorcycle Collision on Phillip Goldson Highway

    33-Year-Old Woman Killed in Motorcycle Collision on Phillip Goldson Highway

    A Sunday evening motorcycle excursion ended in tragedy on Phillip Goldson Highway when 33-year-old Delty Cordova perished in a devastating collision near Trial Farm Village. The incident occurred when Cordova, riding as a passenger in a group traveling from Corozal to Orange Walk, was struck by a motorcycle operated by an unlicensed minor who allegedly made an abrupt turn without warning.

    According to police reports from ASP Stacy Smith, the minor driver, accompanied by an 18-year-old passenger, executed a sudden left maneuver from the far right side of the roadway without signaling. This unexpected action caused motorcyclist Jarret Banks, who was transporting Cordova, to collide with the rear of the minor’s vehicle. The impact proved fatal for Cordova, who succumbed to her injuries at the scene despite emergency response efforts.

    The investigation revealed the minor operator lacked proper driving authorization and permits. Both the juvenile driver and his adult passenger have been detained by authorities, with the minor facing intended prosecution and the adult charged with permitting unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

    In emotional testimony, Jess Cordova remembered her sister as an enthusiastic newcomer to motorcycle culture who had recently upgraded to a larger bike and begun participating in group rides. Family members emphasize that Cordova was an innocent victim of reckless driving behavior and are calling for greater accountability on roadways.

    This incident has intensified national conversations about motorcycle safety regulations and enforcement, particularly regarding underage and unlicensed operators. The tragedy highlights persistent concerns about road safety protocols and the need for preventive measures to reduce similar fatalities.

  • Teen Motorcyclist Faces Charges After Fatal Billy White Crash

    Teen Motorcyclist Faces Charges After Fatal Billy White Crash

    A tragic roadway incident in Billy White Village has culminated in formal legal proceedings against a juvenile motorcyclist. San Ignacio police authorities have served a fourteen-year-old male with a Notice of Intended Prosecution following a catastrophic collision that occurred on Saturday evening around 6 p.m.

    The adolescent, identified as a student residing outside the immediate village area, was operating a motorcycle along a Billy White roadway when he struck fifty-three-year-old Joel Sandoval Mendoza, a Guatemalan national who was walking roadside. Emergency medical teams from Spanish Lookout responded promptly to the scene, providing critical care before transporting the critically injured pedestrian to Western Regional Hospital.

    Despite extensive medical intervention, Mendoza succumbed to his sustained injuries in the early hours of December 7th, approximately eight hours following the initial impact. The juvenile operator also received injuries during the collision, though specific details regarding his condition remain undisclosed.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, serving as Staff Officer, confirmed the chronological sequence of events and the subsequent legal action. The issuance of a Notice of Intended Prosecution indicates authorities are pursuing formal charges against the minor, though specific charges remain unspecified pending further investigation. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety and juvenile vehicle operation in the region.

  • Minister Driver Allegedly Pulls Gun in Road Rage Incident

    Minister Driver Allegedly Pulls Gun in Road Rage Incident

    A high-profile road rage incident involving a government minister’s chauffeur and a local entrepreneur has escalated into a major controversy, prompting an internal police investigation. The altercation, which occurred on December 8, 2025, has produced starkly contrasting accounts from the involved parties.

    Young businessman Zach Reich alleges that Harrison Blades, the official driver for Minister Henry Charles Usher, brandished a firearm during a confrontation at a grocery store following a vehicular pursuit. Reich claims the incident began with aggressive driving maneuvers that nearly forced his vehicle off the road.

    Contradicting this narrative, Minister Usher presents a completely different version of events. The Fort George Area Representative asserts that Reich was actually the aggressor who pursued their vehicle after attempting to run them off the roadway.

    The situation took a more concerning turn when Reich attempted to file an official police report regarding the alleged firearm incident. According to Reich, an officer discouraged him from proceeding with the report, citing safety concerns—a claim that has prompted internal scrutiny.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, Staff Officer, has confirmed that the Professional Standards Branch has been activated to oversee the investigation. “Statements are being recorded from other persons who were on the scene,” Smith stated, emphasizing that “wherever this investigation takes us, that is where we will go.”

    The police department has specifically addressed the allegation that Reich was discouraged from filing a report. Smith emphasized that “it can never be that a person goes to a police station for assistance and is left feeling more concerned about their safety,” promising appropriate action would be taken.

    Authorities have encouraged citizens who experience similar reluctance when attempting to file reports to contact the Professional Standards Branch directly or reach out to the Office of the Police Commissioner via phone or email at any time.

  • Xmas Preparations Halted by Aloe Vera Street Fire

    Xmas Preparations Halted by Aloe Vera Street Fire

    A Belize City family’s Christmas preparations were abruptly halted by a devastating house fire on Friday evening, highlighting both the dangers of electrical devices and the power of community response. The incident occurred on Aloe Vera Street in the St. Martin’s area, where Diane Pelayo and her six children narrowly escaped catastrophe through quick thinking and neighborly assistance.

    According to Pelayo, the blaze originated in her sons’ bedroom when a tablet left charging on a bed apparently ignited. The situation escalated rapidly until her daughter detected smoke emanating from the room. Pelayo described the immediate response: ‘I ran to their room and when I pushed open the door, I saw the fire blazing. All their beds were on fire.’

    The family mounted an impressive defense against the spreading flames using garden hoses both inside and outside the property. Neighbors swiftly joined the effort, providing additional equipment and support while emergency services were notified. Their collective action contained the fire before it could consume the entire structure, though the boys’ bedroom suffered complete destruction.

    While the National Fire Service continues investigating the official cause, Pelayo issued a stark warning to the public regarding electrical safety: ‘Please make sure everything electrical—do not leave devices plugged in on beds because that’s what started the fire for us.’

    The aftermath has left the Pelayo family facing significant challenges. The four sons escaped with only the clothes they were wearing, losing all possessions. The family currently requires substantial assistance including beds, construction materials, and clothing for young men aged 14-21. Community institutions including schools and local businesses have begun providing support, but the road to recovery remains considerable.

    The incident occurred during what should have been a festive period of holiday preparation, instead leaving a family displaced and relying on community generosity. Their experience serves as both a cautionary tale about household electrical safety and a testament to the importance of community solidarity in times of crisis.