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  • U-20 Natio wint van El Salvador, maar mist kwalificatie op doelsaldo

    U-20 Natio wint van El Salvador, maar mist kwalificatie op doelsaldo

    In a dramatic turn of events at the international youth tournament, Suriname’s U-20 national team secured a 2-0 victory against El Salvador only to face elimination from the competition due to inferior goal difference. The match, played overnight, showcased Suriname’s dominance in the first half followed by a challenging second period that ultimately led to their unexpected exit.

    The Surinamese squad, known as Natio, demonstrated exceptional early initiative by controlling possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Their efforts were rewarded in the 34th minute when Xavi Dors executed a spectacular goal, placing Suriname in the lead. Just before halftime, Gino Grootfaam extended the advantage with a decisive strike in the 45th minute, establishing a comfortable 2-0 margin at the break.

    The match dynamics shifted dramatically in the 57th minute when Chaverno Edelsteen received his second yellow card, forcing Suriname to continue with ten players. This numerical disadvantage allowed El Salvador to gain midfield dominance and increase offensive pressure during the second half. Despite both teams creating additional scoring opportunities, no further goals were recorded before the final whistle.

    While Suriname celebrated their 2-0 victory on the pitch, the tournament standings revealed that El Salvador advanced to the next round with a superior goal difference of +1. The result marks a bittersweet conclusion for the determined Surinamese U-20 team, whose valiant performance ultimately proved insufficient for tournament progression.

  • Prime Minister Drew receives full State Honours at Jubilee House during Official Visit to the Republic of Ghana

    Prime Minister Drew receives full State Honours at Jubilee House during Official Visit to the Republic of Ghana

    ACCRA, GHANA – March 4, 2026 witnessed a significant moment in Caribbean-African relations as Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama hosted Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew with full state honors at Jubilee House. The ceremonial welcome, marked by military precision and diplomatic pageantry, signaled a new chapter in bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

    The official reception commenced with a meticulously orchestrated military parade conducted by the Ghana Air Force, symbolizing the mutual respect and growing friendship between the African nation and its Caribbean counterpart. Following the performance of both national anthems, Prime Minister Drew conducted a formal inspection of the Guard of Honour before engaging in diplomatic introductions with members of both delegations.

    This high-profile encounter represents a strategic effort to deepen ties across multiple sectors including educational exchange programs, trade expansion, cultural collaboration, and enhanced people-to-people connections. The meeting underscores the historical bonds that link Africa with the Caribbean diaspora, particularly through shared heritage and post-colonial development challenges.

    The bilateral discussions that followed the ceremonial events focused on identifying concrete opportunities for partnership, with both leaders expressing commitment to transforming historical connections into practical frameworks for economic and social advancement. The engagement forms part of a broader diplomatic initiative to strengthen South-South cooperation and create sustainable development pathways.

    Prime Minister Drew’s extended itinerary in Ghana includes multiple high-level meetings and cultural exchanges designed to foster deeper understanding between the two nations. This diplomatic mission reflects the increasing importance Caribbean nations place on building substantive relationships with African countries, moving beyond symbolic gestures toward tangible cooperation agreements.

  • Alertheid geboden bij cassaveziekte ‘heksenbezem’

    Alertheid geboden bij cassaveziekte ‘heksenbezem’

    Surinamese agricultural authorities have issued an urgent alert regarding the escalating threat of Cassava Witches’ Broom Disease (CWBD), a devastating fungal infection that jeopardizes both food security and economic stability in remote communities. Antoinette Djoeneri, Head of the Mycology/Bacteriology Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), emphasizes that this crisis demands coordinated national and regional response efforts.

    The pathogen, which manifests through distinctive stunted growth and excessive branching in cassava plants, currently has no known effective fungicide treatment. Research initiatives across Brazil, French Guiana, and Colombia have similarly failed to develop chemical controls against this persistent fungus.

    CWBD’s impact extends beyond agricultural damage to threaten the livelihoods of processing communities that depend on cassava for chip production and bread-making. The districts of Brokopondo, Marowijne and Sipaliwini face particular vulnerability due to their geographical isolation and reliance on cassava as a dietary staple.

    Senior researcher Santusha Bhaggoe recommends immediate destruction of infected plants through controlled burning to prevent spore dissemination by insects. The practice of stacking contaminated plant material risks creating permanent infection reservoirs, as cuttings may resprout into diseased plants.

    First identified in August 2025, the disease has prompted collaborative intervention between LVV, the Ministry of Regional Development, and research institution CELOS. Their multi-faceted approach includes:
    – Distribution of educational materials and instructional videos
    – Training technical staff to guide farmers through containment protocols
    – Establishing reporting mechanisms through local agricultural offices
    – Promoting crop diversification strategies to ensure food security

    Authorities urge farmers to report suspected cases immediately to trained personnel who can provide guidance on containment measures and destruction techniques for infected crops.

  • CARPHA Champions Urgent Regional Action to Prevent Childhood Obesity and Create Healthier Caribbean Food Environments on World Obesity Day

    CARPHA Champions Urgent Regional Action to Prevent Childhood Obesity and Create Healthier Caribbean Food Environments on World Obesity Day

    The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has issued a compelling call for immediate regional collaboration to combat childhood obesity, marking World Obesity Day with urgent recommendations for systemic change. With the global obesity population surpassing one billion, CARPHA emphasizes this complex health challenge demands coordinated societal response at all levels.

    Regional statistics reveal a critical situation: one in three Caribbean children currently qualifies as overweight or obese. This early-life condition substantially elevates risks for persistent obesity through adolescence and adulthood, dramatically increasing vulnerability to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory illnesses—already the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the region—are directly linked to childhood weight issues.

    Notably, three CARPHA member states—The Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Belize—rank among the global top 20% for highest overweight and obesity prevalence according to Pan American Health Organization data.

    CARPHA’s strategic response centers on its Six-Point Policy Package (6-PPP), developed in partnership with CARICOM Secretariat. This comprehensive framework targets healthier food environments through:
    – Implementation of front-of-package warning labels
    – Establishment of nutrition standards for schools and institutions
    – Regulation of food marketing practices
    – Enhancement of nutritional quality across food supplies
    – Adjustment of trade and fiscal policies
    – Creation of food chain incentives

    Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director of CARPHA, highlighted recent advancements: “Our collaboration with PAHO/WHO has produced Technical Recommendations for Caribbean School Nutrition Standards. These guidelines address all foods and beverages within primary and secondary schools, creating environments that discourage unhealthy consumption while promoting nutritious habits.”

    The agency advocates a whole-of-society approach, complementing policy measures with its Caribbean Moves initiative promoting physical activity, nutritional education, and health monitoring.

    On World Obesity Day 2026, under the theme “8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity,” CARPHA reframes obesity as a systemic challenge rather than individual failing. The agency urges governments, civil organizations, communities, and families to collaborate on creating equitable health systems, moving toward the UN Sustainable Development Goal of reducing premature NCD mortality by one-third before 2030.

  • Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, arrives in Ghana for Official State Visit

    Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, arrives in Ghana for Official State Visit

    ACCRA, GHANA – March 3, 2026 – In a significant diplomatic move, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Michael Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis commenced an Official State Visit to the Republic of Ghana on Tuesday evening, marking a pivotal moment in the two nations’ bilateral relationship. The visit aims to deepen diplomatic engagement, enhance economic cooperation, and foster cultural exchange between the Caribbean nation and the West African republic.

    Upon arrival at the Jubilee Lounge, Prime Minister Drew received an official welcome from Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The reception committee included prominent Ghanaian officials such as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Honourable Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, and Special Envoy for Reparations Honourable Ekow Spio Garbrah, alongside senior representatives from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The Prime Minister’s delegation comprises several key figures including Mrs. Diani Prince-Drew, Dr. Marcus L. Natta (Cabinet Secretary), Special Envoy Mrs. Ama Martin and her spouse Edward Martin, along with communications and foreign affairs officials from Saint Kitts and Nevis.

    This high-level diplomatic engagement represents a strategic effort to build upon the foundation established when both nations first formalized diplomatic relations in June 1993. The agenda includes comprehensive discussions on mutual interests spanning economic development, cultural preservation, and international cooperation. The visit signals both countries’ commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation and fostering meaningful partnerships between Caribbean and African nations.

  • OWOS-voorzitter haalt uit naar EBS-directeur: Situatie was slechts een kwestie van tijd

    OWOS-voorzitter haalt uit naar EBS-directeur: Situatie was slechts een kwestie van tijd

    A severe leadership crisis has erupted at Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS), the national energy company, with union representatives accusing General Director Brunswijk of authoritarian management practices and procedural violations. Marciano Hellings, President of the OWOS trade union, revealed that tensions within the company’s executive leadership had been building for months before reaching a breaking point.

    According to Hellings, the general director has created a toxic work environment characterized by intolerance for dissent and consistent disregard for established protocols. “He determines what must be done with little respect for existing agreements and procedures,” Hellings stated in an interview with Starnieuws. The situation has deteriorated to the point where it has affected not only union relations but also caused significant friction within the Board of Commissioners.

    The union leader detailed multiple concerning practices under Brunswijk’s leadership, including withheld promotions and periodic salary increases, intimidation tactics, threats of suspension, and termination notices. Hellings also reported instances of workplace polarization, alleging that the director actively pits employees against one another as part of his management strategy.

    Of particular concern is the stalled collective labor agreement negotiations for 2025. Despite a ruling from the Mediation Council in January, management has failed to formalize the agreement. Hellings warned that continued inaction could lead to organized labor actions from the unionized workforce.

    Hellings has called upon President Simons, as representative of the company’s shareholder, to intervene decisively. The union president questioned Brunswijk’s fundamental competency to lead the organization, citing missing strategic plans, overdue annual reports, and personnel appointments that allegedly bypassed standard procedures.

    The current Board of Commissioners has received some praise from Hellings for their willingness to address the issues, unlike previous boards that avoided confrontation. However, the union maintains that only presidential intervention can resolve the deepening institutional crisis at the vital energy provider.

  • Leisure : Did you know ?

    Leisure : Did you know ?

    In an innovative approach to national development, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has captured global attention with its groundbreaking Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework. This small nation of approximately 800,000 people has pioneered an alternative development philosophy that challenges conventional economic metrics.

    The GNH concept, established in the 1970s under the leadership of Bhutan’s fourth king, represents a paradigm shift in how nations measure progress. Rather than focusing exclusively on economic indicators, this holistic approach prioritizes the comprehensive well-being of citizens through four foundational pillars: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, cultural preservation and promotion, environmental conservation, and good governance.

    This revolutionary model actively shapes national policy decisions. Bhutan implements strict tourism controls to protect its cultural heritage and mandates maintaining at least 60% forest coverage nationwide. While quantifying happiness presents methodological challenges, the GNH framework offers a human-centered alternative to materialistic development models, emphasizing harmony between humanity, nature, and spirituality.

    The nation’s cultural fabric is deeply influenced by Vajrayana Buddhism, the state religion, while Dzongkha serves as the official language. Bhutan’s innovative approach to governance continues to inspire global discussions about alternative development models that prioritize qualitative well-being over quantitative economic growth.

    This educational content originates from Quiz.HaitiLibre’s ‘Did You Know?’ series, which features general knowledge articles exploring diverse global topics. The platform offers free, registration-free quizzes available in both French and English, with three difficulty levels catering to all audiences.

  • Avancemos urges contingency plan amid Middle East war impact

    Avancemos urges contingency plan amid Middle East war impact

    SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican political organization Avancemos has issued a stark warning regarding the economic implications of the escalating Middle East conflict, calling for immediate government action to shield the nation’s economy and vulnerable populations.

    Carlos Amarante Baret, the group’s leader, highlighted alarming market shifts directly linked to the geopolitical tensions. Global oil prices have surged by over 8%, while natural gas costs have skyrocketed by nearly 20%. This volatility has triggered substantial losses across major international stock indices, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Amarante Baret emphasized that these international financial tremors will inevitably translate into domestic economic pressure, specifically driving up the national inflation rate and destabilizing the Dominican peso’s exchange rate.

    The political leader raised critical questions about the government’s preparedness, querying whether authorities have conducted a comprehensive assessment of the potential fallout. Key concerns include a ballooning national oil import bill, increased electricity tariffs, heightened agricultural production costs, and subsequent price hikes for essential goods like food and medicine. Stressing that effective governance necessitates proactive anticipation of crises, Amarante Baret advocated for the implementation of a robust contingency strategy. Such a plan would be designed to protect the economic stability of middle-class families and the most vulnerable socioeconomic segments, whose household budgets are most susceptible to external economic shocks.

    Avancemos contends that the uncertainty emanating from the military engagement involving the United States and Israel against Iran mandates decisive and swift intervention from Dominican policymakers. The organization urges the administration to move beyond mere observation and formulate concrete measures to mitigate the anticipated adverse economic and social consequences within the Dominican Republic.

  • DPP Drops High‑Profile Rape Case Against OJ Elrington

    DPP Drops High‑Profile Rape Case Against OJ Elrington

    In a dramatic courtroom development, Belize’s Director of Public Prosecutions has terminated the high-profile rape case against prominent attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington mere hours before a critical filing deadline. The prosecution entered a nolle prosequi on March 3, 2026, effectively discontinuing the nearly two-year legal proceeding without resolution.

    The case unraveled not through evidentiary challenges but through a procedural impasse regarding courtroom transparency. Central to the collapse was the prosecution’s repeated failure to meet court-ordered deadlines for submitting a statement from the complainant regarding whether the trial should proceed behind closed doors or in public view.

    Justice Nigel Pilgrim had mandated that the DPP file a declaration from the complainant outlining her position on courtroom privacy by February 26th. When prosecutors missed this deadline, citing the complainant’s mental unpreparedness, the court granted an extension until 11 a.m. on March 3rd. With this final deadline expiring without the required documentation, the prosecution abruptly discontinued the case.

    Defense attorney Alifa Elrington, representing the accused, characterized the outcome as “bittersweet,” asserting that while the termination provides legal relief, it prevents full vindication through public airing of facts. She emphasized the irreversible damage to her client’s reputation after two years of intense media scrutiny and public speculation.

    The case’s conclusion also preempted a potentially landmark ruling from Justice Pilgrim regarding the balance between rape complainants’ privacy rights and the principle of open court proceedings. The defense successfully objected to the judge delivering his prepared decision as an academic exercise after the case’s termination.

    Legal experts anticipate that this procedural collapse may trigger legislative reviews regarding in-camera proceedings for sexual offense cases in Belize, particularly as neighboring jurisdictions like Jamaica and Trinidad maintain blanket policies for conducting victim testimony privately.

  • Vier dagen VS-Iran oorlog: menselijk leed en wereldwijde protesten tegen conflict

    Vier dagen VS-Iran oorlog: menselijk leed en wereldwijde protesten tegen conflict

    The Middle East faces a devastating humanitarian crisis as four days of intensified military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran trigger widespread civilian casualties and ignite global protest movements. The current escalation began following the targeted assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which precipitated rapid deterioration across multiple nations.

    American and Israeli airstrikes have targeted Iranian military installations, energy infrastructure, and communication facilities, with several civilian structures inadvertently struck. In the southern Iranian city of Minab, a girls’ school and adjacent hospital suffered direct hits, resulting in approximately 180 student fatalities and dozens more injured. This tragic incident has generated profound grief and outrage among Iranian citizens.

    The conflict has expanded beyond Iran’s borders. Lebanon’s Hezbollah has launched retaliatory rocket and drone attacks against Israeli targets, prompting Israeli counterstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have also experienced Iranian missile assaults, with Abu Dhabi’s airport sustaining damage that caused civilian casualties.

    Civil unrest has spread throughout the region and beyond. Pakistan, home to a significant Shia minority, has witnessed massive protests against American and Israeli operations, resulting in deadly clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Similar anti-American and anti-Israeli demonstrations have emerged in Iraq and other Muslim-majority nations.

    Global peace movements have gained momentum with thousands of protesters in India demanding diplomatic solutions and immediate cessation of hostilities. Within the United States, citizens have organized multiple rallies criticizing their government’s military policies and urging peaceful conflict resolution.

    Humanitarian organizations warn of rapidly deteriorating conditions in conflict zones, with critical shortages of medical supplies, food, and shelter affecting civilian populations. International aid groups emphasize the urgent need for ceasefire agreements and humanitarian corridors.

    The ongoing violence highlights the tragic human cost of geopolitical conflicts while strengthening international calls for dialogue and de-escalation. As military operations continue, diplomatic efforts remain the primary hope for ending civilian suffering and restoring regional stability.