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  • George leads fifth cleanup campaign in St. Mary’s South

    George leads fifth cleanup campaign in St. Mary’s South

    In a significant display of civic engagement, Senator Dwayne George has spearheaded his fifth consecutive community cleanup initiative across the St. Mary’s South constituency. The latest operation concentrated efforts on Urlings Village and Cades Bay, marking another phase in an ongoing environmental enhancement campaign.

    Organized under the unifying banner of “Clean Where You Live,” the event successfully mobilized local residents, dedicated volunteers, and organizational team members in a coordinated effort to eliminate substantial waste accumulation and environmental debris from these designated zones. This initiative represents a critical component within a larger strategic framework designed to advance environmental stewardship and active community involvement.

    Senator George emphasized that these sustained efforts demonstrate a profound dedication to responding to essential community needs while simultaneously nurturing a stronger sense of collective unity among constituency residents. Volunteers collaborated extensively throughout the operation, systematically clearing neglected waste materials while organizers consistently underscored the fundamental importance of shared responsibility in preserving hygienic and secure community environments.

    The recently concluded cleanup represents just one installment within an expanding series of analogous environmental initiatives implemented throughout the constituency. These programs share the dual objectives of enhancing public space aesthetics and functionality while cultivating an enduring culture of community care and heightened civic pride among participants.

  • Khan Cordice Tells Politicians: Hire Local Artists Instead of Only Using AI This Election

    Khan Cordice Tells Politicians: Hire Local Artists Instead of Only Using AI This Election

    As the nation approaches a significant electoral period, prominent cultural director Khan Cordice has issued a compelling appeal to political candidates, urging them to prioritize collaborations with local creative professionals for their campaign requirements. This strategic move, he contends, would simultaneously enhance cultural vibrancy and build crucial public confidence.

    Cordice specifically recommended that politicians commission local singers, composers, producers, writers, and instrumentalists for their musical campaigns, while also engaging graphic and visual artists for their design needs. He emphasized that such partnerships transcend mere transactions, serving as powerful demonstrations of leadership commitment to valuing and financially investing in homegrown talent.

    Beyond economic support, Cordice highlighted the profound psychological impact on the creative community. He stated that these collaborations signal genuine care from potential leaders, potentially inspiring artists to innovate and expand the boundaries of their creative expression. This approach, he suggested, fosters a symbiotic relationship between politics and culture.

    The cultural director also addressed the emerging challenge of artificial intelligence in campaign production. While acknowledging the efficiency of AI tools, Cordice cautioned politicians about the potentially detrimental message conveyed by opting for automated solutions over human creativity. He posed a critical question about the signal sent to the very constituents whose livelihoods depend on creative work when campaigns prioritize AI-generated content.

    This call to action emerges against a backdrop of intensifying political activity, with candidates developing sophisticated outreach strategies that increasingly depend on digital and multimedia engagement. Cordice’s commentary adds an important cultural dimension to the election discourse, challenging politicians to consider the broader societal impact of their campaign production choices.

  • Kinderafdeling AZP krijgt renovatie en eigen spoedpost

    Kinderafdeling AZP krijgt renovatie en eigen spoedpost

    The Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP) has announced a major modernization initiative for its pediatric care facilities, funded by a $13 million capital injection from TotalEnergies. Hospital Director Claudia Redan revealed that the project will establish a dedicated emergency post for children, separating them from the general Emergency Department where they currently receive treatment.

    The announcement came during AZP’s 5-kilometer walk event celebrating the institution’s 60th anniversary. Redan, who completed the entire route herself, emphasized that despite significant challenges including staff shortages and facility limitations, the hospital remains committed to expanding and improving healthcare services.

    Government support has been crucial in advancing these improvements. Following a visit from President Jennifer Simons, several stalled projects have been reactivated, including the expansion of the Emergency Department. Additional resources have been allocated for essential medical supplies and steps are being taken toward salary adjustments for staff.

    Significant progress has already been made in maternal and child care, with the maternity ward returning to the AZP complex in February after 13 years of operation at the Military Hospital.

    The TotalEnergies-funded project, named GranMorgu, will dedicate $10 million of the total investment specifically to AZP’s pediatric department upgrades. ‘We will completely upgrade our children’s ward, with the pediatric emergency post as a central component. Children will no longer need to go to the adult emergency department but will receive care in their own specialized environment,’ Director Redan stated.

    The walkathon concluded a series of anniversary activities that included honoring long-serving staff, interfaith prayer services, academic symposiums, and field visits to the Central Market.

  • Abinader leads Te Deum for 182nd Anniversary of March 30 Battle

    Abinader leads Te Deum for 182nd Anniversary of March 30 Battle

    SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The nation solemnly observed the 182nd anniversary of the pivotal Battle of March 30, a foundational event in its struggle for independence, through a series of official ceremonies in Santiago on Thursday.

    President Luis Abinader, accompanied by Vice President Raquel Peña and First Lady Raquel Arbaje, presided over a traditional Te Deum mass at the historic Santiago Apóstol Cathedral. The religious service, a cornerstone of the commemorative events, featured a floral tribute honoring the fallen heroes of the 1844 battle that secured Dominican sovereignty.

    In his homily, Archbishop Héctor Rafael Rodríguez delivered a poignant address that transcended historical remembrance, connecting the nation’s past struggles to contemporary global challenges. He called for profound societal reflection on the principles of freedom, solidarity, and collective responsibility. Urging citizens to embody compassion, moderation, and unwavering commitment to the common good, the Archbishop framed these virtues as essential continuations of the independence fighters’ legacy.

    Earlier in the day, Vice President Peña spearheaded a separate civic-military ceremony at Parque Imbert. This event featured formal military protocols, including a flag-raising ceremony and the rendering of honors. Government officials and military leaders used the platform to emphasize the enduring relevance of unity, patriotism, and national pride. Speeches underscored that the values demonstrated during the historic battle—courage, sacrifice, and dedication to sovereignty—remain critical pillars for the nation’s ongoing stability and developmental progress in the modern era.

  • COMMENTARY: Renewal, a new Caribbean tourism concept

    COMMENTARY: Renewal, a new Caribbean tourism concept

    The Caribbean tourism sector is pioneering a transformative new concept that moves beyond traditional sun-and-sand vacations toward a more meaningful model of travel. Dubbed ‘Renewal,’ this emerging philosophy represents a fundamental reimagining of the visitor experience, focusing on holistic wellness, environmental stewardship, and cultural authenticity.

    This paradigm shift responds to evolving traveler preferences post-pandemic, with tourists increasingly seeking purpose-driven journeys that offer personal transformation alongside relaxation. The Renewal concept integrates multiple dimensions including spiritual rejuvenation through nature immersion, physical wellness via locally-inspired treatments, and mental restoration in culturally rich environments.

    Industry leaders across the archipelago are implementing this approach through various initiatives: eco-resorts incorporating renewable energy systems, culinary programs highlighting ancestral farming techniques, and community-based tourism that facilitates genuine cultural exchange. The model emphasizes reciprocal benefits where tourism revenue directly supports conservation efforts and local heritage preservation.

    Market analysts indicate this innovation positions Caribbean destinations competitively in the luxury experiential travel segment, potentially commanding premium pricing while addressing sustainability concerns. The concept also addresses climate vulnerability challenges by promoting low-impact tourism models that protect fragile marine and coastal ecosystems.

    This strategic rebranding of Caribbean tourism could establish new standards for responsible travel globally, demonstrating how destination economies can balance economic development with ecological preservation and cultural integrity.

  • WATCH: Simon calls Bolans housing project ‘a complete disaster’ over drainage concerns

    WATCH: Simon calls Bolans housing project ‘a complete disaster’ over drainage concerns

    Opposition Parliamentarian Kelvin “Shugy” Simon has launched a severe critique against the Bolans housing development, demanding an immediate independent inspection of what he characterizes as a catastrophically flawed project. The Member of Parliament for St. Mary’s South issued a formal statement outlining profound concerns regarding drainage systems, public safety, and the overall planning integrity of the development.

    Simon asserted that critical deficiencies were visibly apparent even prior to the handover of keys to prospective homeowners. He described the entire project as plagued by inadequate infrastructure from its inception, creating conditions that compromise both safety and basic livability for future residents.

    “The housing development in Bolans represents a complete disaster in public project execution,” Simon declared. “Families deserve residences constructed with meticulous care, professional foresight, and robust infrastructure—not dwellings burdened with impending problems from day one.”

    The parliamentarian extended his criticism beyond the specific development to issue a broader challenge to governmental accountability. He emphasized that electoral victory does not constitute a blank check for substandard performance on public works initiatives, characterizing the government’s mandate as a profound responsibility rather than unconditional approval.

    Simon’s demands include three specific actions: an immediate independent technical inspection of the entire Bolans development, a comprehensive review of all drainage and infrastructure systems by neutral experts, and a commitment to transparent communication with citizens regarding findings and remedial actions.

    Concluding his statement with a powerful appeal, Simon emphasized: “The people of this nation deserve superior standards of public service. The community of Bolans warrants substantially better than what this project has delivered.”

  • Antigua Sailing Community Camaraderie Embraces the Young & Not-So-Young

    Antigua Sailing Community Camaraderie Embraces the Young & Not-So-Young

    The sailing community of Antigua is abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming Antigua Sailing Week, with a compelling narrative unfolding between a young record-holder and a seasoned racing veteran. Carrack Jones, a 17-year-old local sailor, is preparing to captain a youth crew in the newly formatted event, drawing on experience far beyond his years. His remarkable journey began at age 14 when he set a world record by solo sailing an Optimist dinghy 100 nautical miles across open ocean from Antigua to St. Maarten in a grueling 31-hour voyage—a feat that profoundly shaped his seamanship and self-assurance.

    Jones now transitions from small boats to competitive racing, having already notched three Antigua Sailing Week appearances and a recent victory in the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club Valentine’s Regatta’s racer cruiser division. This year, he will helm the family boat, Blue Peter, with a crew of 8-10 sailors all under 18, including his brother Tyson. The team is enthusiastically supported by sponsorship from Absolute Properties and is prepared to take time off school for the event, a regular sacrifice in Jones’s dedicated sailing career.

    His mentor and occasional teammate, Bernie Evan-Wong, represents the enduring spirit of Caribbean sailing. A participant since 1982 who has missed only five Antigua Sailing Weeks, Evan-Wong is a stalwart of the regional circuit. His current vessel, High Tension, is a testament to his passion; he spent six months rebuilding the Mumm 36 after it was derelict from hurricane damage. The restoration proved successful, with the boat immediately achieving third-place finishes in the Valentine’s Regatta, Nelson’s Cup, Antigua 360, and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

    Both sailors express excitement for the new ‘racing and cruising’ format, which will involve daily journeys to different coastal locations and living aboard. Jones, with intimate knowledge of Antigua’s waters, anticipates challenges primarily from wind and currents around Cade’s Bay, Green Island, and Half Moon Bay. Evan-Wong, weighing whether to sail High Tension or a more comfortable boat like his Cal 40 Huey, praised the event’s superior on-water management and shoreside organization compared to other regattas.

    Beyond competition, the story highlights a cherished mentor-protégé relationship. Evan-Wong, who has known Jones since infancy, actively fosters youth sailing talent, recognizing the sport’s need for new generations. Their dynamic blends fierce on-water rivalry with deep camaraderie ashore—a hallmark of their sport. For both, the ultimate goal remains the same: a profound love for sailing and the unparalleled joy of competing in their home waters.

  • Emanuel Peters assists with grading of Gray’s Hill and Nut Grove roads

    Emanuel Peters assists with grading of Gray’s Hill and Nut Grove roads

    Emanuel Peters, the United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for St. John’s Rural South, has revealed his direct involvement in organizing and executing recent road grading operations in the Gray’s Hill and Nut Grove communities. Peters asserts that this infrastructural improvement was undertaken entirely without financial or logistical support from national government bodies, including the Ministry of Public Works.

    In an official statement, Peters framed the initiative as a necessary response to the dire condition of local roads, a persistent issue that severely impacts residents’ daily lives and mobility. He emphasized that the primary objective was to deliver tangible, practical improvements by enhancing accessibility and transit conditions for the community.

    Peters characterized the project as an expression of his constituent responsibility, stating that his team proceeded independently after determining that government assistance was not forthcoming. This action, he noted, reflects his broader commitment to prioritizing actionable results and community service over political rhetoric.

    The state of roadways in St. John’s Rural South has been a chronic source of grievance among locals, with many areas suffering from deteriorated surfaces and infrequent maintenance, which often hampers reliable access for vehicles and emergency services alike.

  • Column: Het kruis van de lijdende mens

    Column: Het kruis van de lijdende mens

    As Christians worldwide enter Holy Week and Muslims conclude Ramadan, the tragic timing of the Middle East conflict’s eruption during these sacred periods reveals a painful paradox. While wars have historically been waged in religion’s name, suffering itself recognizes no faith—it permeates every street, household, and broken soul regardless of religious or ethnic background.

    The cross carried by Jesus—Christianity’s ultimate symbol of unconditional sacrifice—weighs no less heavily than the burdens borne by millions of innocent civilians today. Children orphaned by violence, mothers weeping amidst the rubble of their homes, and families abandoning lifetimes of memories in search of safety remain trapped between the iron fists of world leaders whose egos blind them to unfolding human tragedies.

    While those in power sleep securely in comfortable palaces, untouched by bombings or gunfire, ordinary men, women, and children huddle in dark shelters with empty stomachs and hearts filled with terror. Uncertain of survival and unable to envision peaceful futures, their eyes reflect both despair and hope—a paradoxical burden no human should bear.

    This Holy Week, traditionally a period of reflection and compassion, demands actions that transcend symbolic gestures. It calls for concrete deeds to break cycles of violence, for while wars persist and egos overshadow humanity, innocent suffering continues unabated.

    The heartbreaking transformation of our world into battlegrounds stems not from necessity but from the stubbornness of few. Those who believe themselves victorious instead crush lives, shatter families, and destroy dreams. The true casualties are measured not in political losses but in children’s tears, orphans’ silence, and entire peoples’ forgotten existence.

    Christian teachings find meaning in injustice and pain, yet contemporary society remains silent as millions carry their crosses. History demonstrates that power without compassion proves destructive, and true victory emerges not from imposed dominance but from restored peace and protected innocents. The price is invariably paid not by war-initiating leaders but by ordinary people seeking only to return to their homes, families, and lives.

    As Erich Maria Remarque profoundly observed: ‘War will never claim the guilty, but always the innocent.’ This Holy Week must serve not merely as historical remembrance but as present-day call to action—choosing humanity over ego, advocating peace over conflict. Only then can we hope for a world where ordinary people no longer suffer from the powerful’s mistakes.

  • Over 70 killed in Haiti gang attack

    Over 70 killed in Haiti gang attack

    In the troubled Caribbean nation of Haiti, a brutal mass killing carried out by a notorious armed faction has unleashed devastation in a rural community north of the capital Port-au-Prince, leaving dozens of civilians dead and hundreds of families homeless.

    The coordinated attack unfolded in Jean Denis, a small settlement located in Haiti’s strategic Artibonite region, when fighters from the powerful local armed group Gran Grif launched a surprise pre-dawn assault on the community Sunday. In a well-planned move to block outside intervention, the attackers immediately sealed off all major access routes leading into the village, digging trenches and erecting makeshift barricades to slow the response of Haitian security forces.

    Antonal Mortimé, an official with the Port-au-Prince-based human rights organization Collectif Défenseurs Plus, told reporters that preliminary on-the-ground investigations have confirmed at least 70 fatalities from the attack – a number that includes multiple child victims. Around 30 other people were wounded in the indiscriminate shooting, and nearly 50 residential homes were set ablaze during the violence. The destruction has forced more than 6,000 terrified residents to flee their homes to seek safety in nearby towns and camps for internally displaced people.

    Witness accounts shared with local media, paired with graphic videos circulating on Haitian social media platforms, show heavily armed gunmen roaming the streets of Jean Denis firing randomly into homes and public spaces. Multiple local residents have publicly criticized the Haitian National Police for a delayed response to the emergency, saying the delay left the community vulnerable to the sustained attack.

    When the violence first broke out, Haitian government authorities released a lower initial casualty count, confirming only at least 16 people killed and 10 injured. Officials have acknowledged that the gang’s barricades and trench obstacles successfully slowed advancing police units, giving the attackers extended time to carry out the killings and arson before they withdrew from the area. Police forces eventually pushed the gunmen out of Jean Denis, and law enforcement officials say search operations are still ongoing to track down the perpetrators and reestablish stable security for any residents who wish to return to the community.