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.
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Dalia Vellos Speaks Out After Christy Guzman Cleared of Charges
In a deeply emotional public statement, Dalia Vellos, 37, has opened up about the years of domestic abuse she endured, following the withdrawal of all charges against her niece, Christy Guzman. Guzman, 21, was cleared after new evidence revealed she acted in self-defense during a fatal altercation with Wilson Hernandez, Vellos’ abusive partner. The incident occurred when Hernandez was choking Vellos, and Guzman, holding a licensed firearm, shot him in a moment of panic, resulting in his death. The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Javier Chan, confirmed the charges were dropped due to the lack of evidence contradicting the account. Vellos emphasized that the shooting was not premeditated but a desperate act of survival. She also shared graphic text messages from Hernandez, which included threats and demands for her to commit suicide. Vellos used her platform to shed light on the pervasive issue of domestic violence, urging victims to speak out and document their abuse. She condemned the public backlash against Guzman, stating, ‘It was never planned—it was survival.’ Her statement concluded with a powerful message to other survivors, encouraging them to seek help and break the cycle of silence.
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Appointment of Honorary Consul of Japan in St George’s, Grenada
On November 12, 2025, Dr. Akima Umezawa, the Ambassador of Japan, announced the historic appointment of Dr. Nicole Phillip as the first Honorary Consul of Japan in Grenada. The official ceremony, held at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort in St. George’s, was attended by senior government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and other distinguished guests. Ambassador Umezawa highlighted the significance of this appointment in deepening the 50-year diplomatic relationship between Japan and Grenada, which he referred to as a ‘golden jubilee.’ He underscored the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, including Grenada’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan’s support for sargassum countermeasures, vocational training expansion, and media tours showcasing Japan’s ODA facilities. Dr. Phillip, currently the Acting Director of the University of the West Indies Global Campus, was praised for her academic leadership and contributions, positioning her as a key figure in fostering future bilateral relations. Acting Prime Minister Phillip Telesford also commended the appointment, celebrating the enduring friendship between the two countries. Dr. Phillip expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to strengthening ties and pledged to build on the foundation of mutual cooperation. The ceremony concluded with a captivating performance by Yosuke Irie, a renowned Japanese Shakuhachi artist, adding a cultural touch to the event.
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Syria denounces theft of valuable statues from National Museum
A significant theft has struck a Syrian museum, with six precious sculptures of Venus among the stolen artifacts. These sculptures, crafted from marble, alabaster, and plaster, were integral to the museum’s esteemed collection. Among the stolen pieces is a restored marble Venus with damaged feet, an incomplete alabaster figure, and a plaster statue depicting a standing woman, renowned as a quintessential representation of female sculpture. The Ministry of Culture has issued a call to action, urging both domestic and international institutions to collaborate in locating the stolen works and providing any relevant information. The ministry underscored the protection of Syrian heritage as a shared national and collective duty. This initiative aligns with a broader national strategy focused on documenting and preserving Syrian antiquities, enhancing museum security, and safeguarding the artistic and cultural legacy that reflects Syria’s rich, millennia-spanning history.
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Türkiye and Egypt support Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity
In a significant diplomatic move, the Foreign Ministers of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, and Egypt, Badr Abdel-Aty, have signed a joint declaration following the inaugural meeting of the Joint Planning Group in Ankara. This bilateral mechanism, co-chaired by both ministers, was established under a joint declaration signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on February 14, 2024, in Cairo. The primary objective of this mechanism is to lay the groundwork for the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. At the regional level, the Foreign Ministers emphasized the necessity of fostering peace and stability in the Middle East. They highlighted the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, held on October 13, 2025, and discussed a comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza. Both nations reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people and expressed their backing for the upcoming International Conference on the Recovery and Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which is set to take place in Egypt.
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Venezuela ends election of Bolivarian Base Committees
In a significant move to reshape its grassroots organization, Venezuela’s ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), is transitioning from individual to collective leadership. President Nicolas Maduro described this shift as the emergence of a ‘new organizational theory of the Bolivarian Revolution,’ aimed at empowering the people and inspiring others to adopt similar models. The announcement was made during Maduro’s weekly TV program, ‘Con el Mazo Dando,’ where PSUV Secretary General Diosdado Cabello confirmed the conclusion of the CBBI (Bolivarian Committees of Integral Struggle) elections and the proposal of a committee to oversee this leadership transformation. Maduro revealed that 145,465 CBBI units were established over the weekend, with over three million Venezuelans participating in forming these foundational structures. These committees are expected to revolutionize party activities at the grassroots level. The swearing-in ceremony for more than 260,000 CBBI members nationwide is set for November 15, with the goal of mobilizing over six million individuals committed to nation-building. The next phase involves creating the Network of Comprehensive Base Bolivarian Committees, which will pave the way for establishing over 47,000 Community Commands across the country.
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OECS Data for Decision Making Project — Specific Procurement Notice
The Government of Grenada, with financial support from the World Bank, has launched a procurement initiative under the OECS Data for Decision Making Project. This initiative aims to acquire essential IT equipment and accessories to bolster the project’s implementation in Grenada. The Central Statistical Office, operating under the Ministry of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation, is overseeing the procurement process and has issued a Request for Quotations (RFQ) to eligible suppliers worldwide. The required items include high-performance laptops, professional laptops, laptop backpacks, a computer repair toolkit, a video conferencing camera, wired headsets, and USB Type-C chargers. All goods must be delivered to the Central Statistical Office in St. George’s, Grenada, within eight weeks of contract signing. The bidding process adheres to the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (February 2025) and is open to all qualified suppliers. Bids must be submitted electronically by 3 pm AST on December 5, 2025, via Grenada’s procurement system. Late submissions will not be considered. For further inquiries, interested parties can contact Erisa Bleasdille, Procurement Officer at the Central Procurement Unit. This procurement effort underscores Grenada’s commitment to enhancing data-driven decision-making capabilities with the support of international funding and collaboration.
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Türkiye recovers body of last victim of plane crash
Following extensive search operations at the crash site of a military cargo plane, authorities have successfully recovered the body of the twentieth victim, as confirmed in an official press release. The tragic incident involved a C-130 aircraft belonging to the Turkish Air Force, which crashed while returning from Azerbaijan to Turkish territory. The Ministry of Defense had earlier confirmed the deaths of all 20 military personnel on board. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the retrieval of the aircraft’s black box and the initiation of a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation is being conducted in coordination with authorities from Azerbaijan and Georgia. Official reports indicate that search and rescue teams from both countries located the wreckage in a remote, mountainous area, where technical inspections are currently underway.
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Vietnam’s Parliament approves socio-economic development plan 2026
Vietnam has unveiled a comprehensive economic resolution aimed at fostering sustainable growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability. The document prioritizes controlling inflation, ensuring key economic balances, and elevating per capita GDP to a range of US$5,400 to US$5,500. Additionally, the resolution outlines specific sectoral goals, including increasing the manufacturing and processing industry’s contribution to GDP to approximately 24.96 percent and maintaining an average Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth rate of around 4.5 percent.