Suriname’s Energybedrijven Suriname (EBS) is currently embroiled in a storm of governance issues, internal tensions, and a growing lack of trust. The situation escalated when the union clashed with the management following the dismissal of union chairman Marciano Hellings. Despite rulings from both the Labor Inspectorate and the Dismissal Commission favoring Hellings, the management refused to accept the decision, leading to a highly charged atmosphere within the company.
博客
-
Government and NVIDIA sign memorandum to promote AI training, innovation, and research
In a landmark event held in Santo Domingo, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic spearheaded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and NVIDIA, a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing. This strategic collaboration is set to propel the implementation of the National AI Strategy, revolutionizing critical sectors of the nation through cutting-edge technologies.
The partnership zeroes in on pivotal areas such as health, education, transportation, public safety, finance, and tourism. By integrating AI solutions, the initiative aims to elevate public services, boost competitiveness, and champion sovereign and inclusive technological advancements. President Abinader hailed the agreement as a historic milestone, underscoring its potential to shape a future anchored in the nation’s people, talent, and innovation. He highlighted the transformative social impact of AI, ranging from expedited medical diagnoses to the development of smart cities, personalized education systems, and sustainable tourism practices.
Key components of the MoU include:
1. **Technological and Data Sovereignty**: Ensuring local hosting of AI models and infrastructure to promote national control over technological assets.
2. **AI Talent Development**: Cultivating homegrown expertise through initiatives like the Deep Learning Institute and the planned AI Academy.
3. **Center of Excellence**: Establishing the first-of-its-kind AI hub in Central America and the Caribbean, dedicated to research, education, and innovation, accessible to students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and tourists.
4. **AI Training Programs**: Launching comprehensive training initiatives in collaboration with INFOTEP, with broader public and private sector involvement commencing in 2026.This agreement marks a decisive step in positioning the Dominican Republic as a regional leader in technological innovation. It underscores the nation’s commitment to digital sovereignty, smart solutions, and an AI-driven future. President Abinader described the partnership as the dawn of a new era of intelligence, innovation, and national progress.
-
Abrahams kijkt uit naar voorstel gratie veroordeelden 8 december 1982
During a commemorative gathering of the National Democratic Party (NDP) on Monday evening, marking what would have been the 80th birthday of the late Desi Bouterse, Ramon Abrahams, the party’s vice-chairman and a former comrade of Bouterse, reflected on his legacy and the ongoing controversy surrounding the December 8 murders. Abrahams reiterated the NDP’s long-standing stance that the December 8 trial was politically motivated. ‘We, the NDP, have always maintained that the December 8 trial was and remains a political process. Remember that,’ Abrahams declared, echoing previous statements by the deceased party leader. He emphasized the party’s commitment to winning the 2025 elections to secure pardons for those convicted in the case. ‘I have personally stated on stage and in the media that we must win the 2025 elections to free our comrades,’ he added. Abrahams also posed a poignant question to the audience: ‘What if he were still alive? Would he still be in the jungle? Personally, I believe he would be standing beside Inke on July 16,’ referring to Bouterse’s widow. The NDP vice-chairman expressed concern for the current situation of the convicts serving their sentences in Santo Boma prison. ‘What is happening to our comrades in Boma and Mr. Dijksteel? Attorney Kanhai has submitted a request for clemency. All I can say is that he is doing his best,’ Abrahams noted. The event was attended by party chairwoman and President Jennifer Simons, party members, supporters, and guests who gathered to honor the legacy of the late former president.
-
Symmonds casts moves to deepen CARICOM integration as historic milestone
Barbados has embarked on a transformative journey towards enhancing regional integration and mobility within the Caribbean. The nation’s Foreign Minister, Kerrie Symmonds, announced groundbreaking legislation that grants Barbadians the right to live and work in several CARICOM member states without the need for permits. This historic move, encapsulated in the Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Nationals) Bill, is being hailed as a monumental step for both current and future generations of Barbadians. Symmonds likened the initiative to the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States, emphasizing its potential to unlock new opportunities for personal and professional growth. The legislation extends long-established rights within Barbados—such as the freedom to choose where to live and work—to countries including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Belize. Under this new framework, Barbadians will no longer require work permits to practice their professions in these territories. Symmonds underscored the bill’s significance by referencing the visionary aspirations of past Caribbean leaders, including Eric Williams, Forbes Burnham, Michael Manley, and Sir Grantley Adams, who championed regional integration and the dream of a unified Caribbean federation. While acknowledging the progress made, Symmonds also reflected on the delays in achieving full regional mobility, stating, ‘The shame is not that we have come this far. The shame is that we have not got further.’ This legislation marks a pivotal moment in the Caribbean’s ongoing quest for deeper unity and collaboration.
-
Economy : Summary, key points of the 2025-2026 budget
The Haitian Council of Ministers has officially approved the 2025-2026 national budget, totaling 345 billion gourdes, marking a 6.8% increase from the previous fiscal year. This budget is strategically designed to address critical priorities such as public security, electoral organization, and macroeconomic stabilization, as outlined by the Transitional Government. The budget aims to restore confidence, consolidate progress, and lay the groundwork for inclusive and sustainable growth. Key areas of focus include the restoration of public security, the organization of general elections, economic recovery, and the modernization of tax administration. The budget also emphasizes a territorialized approach to public spending, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in resource allocation. Macroeconomic projections indicate a modest real GDP growth rate of 0.3%, with an end-of-period inflation rate of 23.4%. The budget will be primarily financed through domestic resources, including tax and customs revenues, which account for 70.5% of the total funding. Capital expenditures, representing 38.2% of the budget, will focus on infrastructure rehabilitation, regional recovery, and social protection systems. Specific initiatives include the rehabilitation of police stations, the strengthening of the Haitian National Police and Army, and the introduction of reliable technologies to ensure transparent elections. Additionally, the budget allocates resources for food security, healthcare, education, and gender-based violence prevention, aiming to address the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
-
Abrahams dismisses fears of migrant influx under free movement deal
Barbados’ Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams, has addressed concerns regarding potential mass migration under the newly enacted free movement agreement among four CARICOM member states. Speaking during the introduction of the Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Nationals) Bill in the House of Assembly, Abrahams emphasized that the anticipated surge in migrants has not materialized. He clarified that the legislation aims to formalize and refine existing arrangements, addressing legal and procedural gaps to ensure seamless movement between Barbados, Belize, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica. Abrahams underscored the long-standing reality of regional mobility, citing examples such as the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Court of Justice, and West Indies cricket as testaments to regional integration. He also praised the contributions of past and present leaders, including Grantley Adams, Errol Barrow, and Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in advancing regionalism. However, Abrahams criticized a former Democratic Labour Party administration for its 2008 policy of deporting non-nationals, which he claimed negatively impacted Bridgetown’s vibrancy. Addressing Barbados’ demographic challenges, the minister highlighted a “population crisis” marked by declining birth rates and an ageing population, which poses significant social and economic planning challenges. He dismissed fears that free movement would displace Barbadians from jobs, noting that the predicted influx of migrants has not occurred.
-
IMF projects continued global growth despite trade tensions and potential economic headwinds
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a resilient global economic growth trajectory, forecasting expansions of 3.2% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026, despite persistent trade tensions and broader economic uncertainties. These projections were unveiled during the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., where officials highlighted the complex interplay of evolving trade policies and fiscal dynamics shaping the global outlook. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, IMF’s Chief Economist, emphasized that while inflationary pressures have increased modestly, the impact of tariff shocks has been mitigated by trade exemptions and new agreements. He noted that many countries have avoided retaliatory tariffs, and private-sector adaptability has cushioned the effects of policy shifts. However, Gourinchas warned that risks remain, particularly in advanced economies like the U.S., where growth projections have been revised downward due to inflationary and labor market challenges. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the IMF has revised growth forecasts upward, with Mexico leading the region. Guyana, driven by its booming oil sector, remains the Caribbean’s fastest-growing economy, though growth is expected to slow significantly in 2025.
-
Guyana aviation records being digitised, landing permit application goes online
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has embarked on a groundbreaking digital transformation, transitioning its decades-old paper records to a modernized online system. This initiative, spearheaded by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) under the Prime Minister’s office, includes the launch of a user-friendly online portal for aircraft landing permit applications. Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field, Director-General of the GCAA, announced that the digitization of all files is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. The project, which began in 2024, aims to streamline operations and enhance efficiency within the aviation sector. GCAA Deputy Director-General Saeed Suliman highlighted the progress, noting that 180 out of 1,600 files have already been digitized. The initiative also encompasses the development of a human resources management information system, a payroll system, and an online application system for drones. Suliman emphasized that the new platform will simplify the application process for residents across Guyana, including those in Berbice, Essequibo, and Linden. The GCAA is currently testing the drone system, with plans to launch it by the end of 2025. Field described the move to digital operations as a ‘paradigm shift,’ enabling the GCAA to handle over 500 applications more efficiently. He anticipates that the number of applications will double by early 2026 but remains confident in the system’s capacity to manage the increased workload. This digital transformation positions Guyana as a leader in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for aviation innovation.
-
Charles F. Broome school closure leaves parents seeking answers
Parents of students at Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School were left bewildered by the abrupt closure of the institution on Monday, with officials providing no immediate explanation for the decision. Communication with families was delayed until after a scheduled meeting with teachers, leaving many in the dark about the circumstances. In an evening email, parents were informed that the school would remain closed on Tuesday to facilitate discussions between Ministry of Educational Transformation officials and the teaching staff. Earlier in the day, Principal Paula Toppin had issued a notice advising parents and guardians to collect their children “as soon as possible” due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
When Barbados TODAY visited the Government Hill school, parents expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. Many had received the email or seen the alert in a WhatsApp chat but were given no further details. “We received a notice via email and some of us have class chats, so that notice came probably after 11 a.m. No reason was given; we were just told to collect the kids,” one parent shared. “We would like to know what is the reason. After all, it’s our kids. Up to now, I still don’t know what is happening. This is the first time the school has closed for the term, and we would like some answers.”
The Ministry of Educational Transformation had pledged to release a statement clarifying the closure, but as of the time of publication, no such communication had been issued. Julian Pierre, head of the Barbados Union of Teachers’ health and safety committee, stated that the union would comment on the matter at a later date, further heightening the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
-
Travel : Sunrise Airways wants to open a direct route between Haiti and Newark (NJ)
Sunrise Airways, a privately owned Haitian airline, is taking significant strides to expand its international reach by proposing a wet lease agreement for a direct flight route between Haiti and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the United States. This innovative approach involves leasing an aircraft and its crew from a third-party operator, along with outsourcing insurance, maintenance, and other operational aspects. This strategy allows Sunrise Airways to expedite the launch of the Newark route without the need to invest in owning or leasing entire aircraft and staffing. The proposal is under close scrutiny by aviation regulators and industry experts, as its success could mark a pivotal moment in Haiti’s efforts to rebuild its tourism sector and enhance its global appeal. To proceed, Sunrise Airways must secure approval from U.S. aviation authorities, who will evaluate compliance with safety, security, and bilateral agreements. This process includes rigorous reviews of maintenance records, crew credentials, insurance, and liability provisions, as well as adherence to U.S. aviation standards. Regulators will also ensure that the wet lease agreement does not compromise safety or oversight, potentially requiring additional safeguards such as joint oversight or insurance guarantees. If approved, the direct Haiti-Newark route would have far-reaching implications, opening new tourism opportunities, improving travel conditions for Americans, and facilitating access to the U.S. for Haitians and the large Haitian diaspora. The route would also strengthen ties between Haiti and its largest trading partner, the United States, while serving as a vital transportation link for the Haitian diaspora in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. Newark Liberty International Airport, a major hub in the Northeast, would provide convenient access for travelers, further enhancing the route’s potential impact.