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  • Belizean Sisters Challenge Hyrox Competition in Red, White and Blue

    Belizean Sisters Challenge Hyrox Competition in Red, White and Blue

    In a display of national pride and athletic determination, sisters Shari Garbutt and Tashera Bowen represented Belize on the international stage at the Hyrox fitness competition in Taiwan on March 3, 2026. The duo competed in the women’s doubles open category, marking Belize’s inaugural participation in the globally recognized fitness challenge.

    The Hyrox competition represents one of the world’s most demanding indoor fitness tests, combining endurance running with high-intensity functional exercises. Participants must complete eight consecutive rounds, each consisting of a one-kilometer run followed by a challenging workout station designed to push athletes to their physical limits.

    Despite being first-time competitors, the sisters achieved remarkable results, finishing 35th among 520 teams in their category with a completion time of one hour and twenty-five minutes. Their performance demonstrated exceptional preparation and mental fortitude, particularly when overcoming mid-race challenges including muscle cramps that threatened to hinder their progress.

    The athletes intentionally incorporated national symbolism into their appearance, competing in red and blue outfits accessorized with bandanas featuring Belize’s coat of arms. This display of patriotism did not go unnoticed, as competition officials and spectators acknowledged their representation with enthusiastic cheers of encouragement throughout the event.

    In post-competition remarks, Garbutt emphasized the significance of their participation during Women’s History Month, expressing hope that their achievement would inspire more women from Belize and other nations to pursue challenging athletic endeavors. Their groundbreaking participation has generated considerable attention and pride among the Belizean community, both domestically and internationally.

  • Child protection officers suspended for allegedly dragging schoolgirl on road, amidst calls for professionalised agency

    Child protection officers suspended for allegedly dragging schoolgirl on road, amidst calls for professionalised agency

    Two officers from Guyana’s Child Protection Agency (CPA) have been suspended following the emergence of a viral video showing them violently dragging a uniformed schoolgirl by her hands and hair along a public road near Stabroek Market square. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation and intensified calls for comprehensive reform within the child welfare system.

    Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud characterized the footage as ‘appalling’ and immediately suspended the officers pending a police investigation. ‘They will be held accountable for their conduct which runs counter to the values and operational procedures of the Child Protection Agency,’ Dr. Persaud stated, emphasizing her ministry’s commitment to child protection.

    The controversy emerges against a backdrop of systemic concerns within the CPA. Just two days prior to the video’s emergence, former CPA Director Ann Greene had publicly criticized the agency’s ‘apparent lack of training and leadership’ in a letter to Kaieteur News publication. Greene highlighted that individuals were being placed in high positions ‘with not an ounce of training and understanding of their roles, responsibilities and Child Protection laws.’

    Opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) seized on the incident to demand urgent independent review of the CPA and Probation and Social Services. The party called for transparent disclosure of child protection protocols, particularly regarding teenage mothers and high-risk minors, citing recent cases of 14- and 15-year-olds delivering babies in violation of consent laws.

    Greene’s letter had specifically addressed these cases, noting that medical officers were legally required to report such incidents to the CPA for intervention. She emphasized that proper protection involves placing children and babies in safe care environments while investigating potential statutory rape charges against adult perpetrators.

    The convergence of the violent incident and preexisting concerns about agency competence has created a crisis of confidence in Guyana’s child protection systems. WIN emphasized that ‘when experienced former leadership publicly signals distress about the condition of the agency, immediate and transparent action must be the response,’ demanding measurable corrective plans with clear timelines.

  • Hoogste Franse onderscheiding voor Cynthia Mc Leod

    Hoogste Franse onderscheiding voor Cynthia Mc Leod

    In a prestigious ceremony at the French Ambassador’s residence in Suriname, celebrated author Cynthia Mc Leod-Ferrier was decorated with France’s highest national honor—the Légion d’Honneur. French Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste presented the distinction on behalf of President Emmanuel Macron, recognizing Mc Leod’s exceptional contributions to literature and historical preservation.

    Ambassador de Lacoste highlighted Mc Leod’s ‘unwavering dedication to history and intergenerational memory transmission, even when confronting dark and painful historical chapters.’ The author accepted the honor with profound gratitude, acknowledging both her personal achievement and its significance for Surinamese cultural identity. ‘This recognition extends beyond me to the entire Surinamese community and the students who encouraged me to document our past,’ Mc Leod stated during her acceptance speech.

    The ceremony, attended by family and close associates, celebrated Mc Leod’s four-decade literary career that began with her groundbreaking 1987 debut novel ‘Hoe duur was de suiker?’ (‘The Cost of Sugar’). This historical work, later adapted into a film in 2013, remains her most influential publication both within Suriname and internationally.

    De Lacoste particularly praised Mc Leod’s pioneering archival research, especially her work on Elisabeth Samson—an eighteenth-century free Black woman who married a white man. ‘No one before you had undertaken such exhaustive research in the archives of former colonial powers,’ the ambassador remarked, noting the ‘astonishing discoveries’ resulting from her meticulous work.

    Beyond her literary accomplishments, Mc Leod was recognized for her community engagement. She has invested book royalties into the Sweet Merodia boat tours, educating youth about Surinamese history through river expeditions. Her philanthropic efforts have also provided school meals for children and support for cancer patients and their families.

    The author drew historical parallels between French influence in Suriname dating back to colonial times—when Huguenots owned more than half of the plantations—and contemporary French investment through TotalEnergies’ offshore oil production. She expressed hope that current economic development would ‘more justly benefit the entire Surinamese community compared to the plantation economy centuries.’

    Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Légion d’Honneur represents France’s highest recognition of exceptional service. Mc Leod now joins an exclusive group of Surinamese citizens who have received this prestigious decoration.

  • 15-year-old McIntyre leads Barbados to triathlon success

    15-year-old McIntyre leads Barbados to triathlon success

    A seven-member Barbados triathlon squad demonstrated exceptional prowess at the prestigious Clermont Draft Legal Series in Florida last weekend, with young athlete Laila McIntyre securing dual victories in her category. The team’s performance proved particularly remarkable given that five competitors were experiencing the challenging course for the first time.

    Dr. Garth McIntyre, President of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes, emphasized the developmental significance of the event. The youth contingent (13-15 years) featured Sebastian Clarke, Liam Beckles, and Elijah Telford, who finished in consistent order across both competition days. Clarke delivered standout performances with 12th and 11th place finishes, followed by Beckles at 17th and 13th, and Telford at 21st and 22nd respectively.

    Fifteen-year-old Laila McIntyre continued her dominant streak at the event, capturing first place positions on both Saturday and Sunday. In the junior category, Alexis Lashley achieved an impressive 6th place finish among 82 starters, competing against seasoned athletes. The male junior division saw Luke McIntyre and Matthew Lashley place 16th and 44th respectively in a field of 74 competitors, with the latter returning from recent injury.

    The federation president noted the strategic importance of exposing athletes to international competition environments. With the CARIFTA Triathlon Championships relocated to Bermuda in October due to hurricane-related venue changes in Jamaica, athletes are adjusting training schedules accordingly. The federation maintains focus on positive participation, injury prevention, and sustained athlete engagement through events like the USA Triathlon series races running from Easter through July.

  • ‘It’s a miracle’: Vendor recounts stabbing ordeal

    ‘It’s a miracle’: Vendor recounts stabbing ordeal

    In what began as an ordinary Sunday in Grazettes, St. Michael, 70-year-old juice vendor Morgan Nelson found himself at the center of a violent attack that would test his survival instincts and reinforce his spiritual convictions. While conversing with his vehicle washer outside his residence, Nelson was suddenly approached by an assailant in his early twenties who stabbed him in the chest without provocation.

    The septuagenarian’s remarkable response demonstrated extraordinary presence of mind: as the blade penetrated his chest, Nelson grasped the knife with his bare hands, preventing further penetration before scaling two neighboring fences measuring approximately five to six feet in height. Despite significant blood loss and his advanced age, Nelson attributes his physical capabilities during the crisis to divine intervention rather than human strength.

    Following his escape, Nelson witnessed from concealment as his attacker turned on the vehicle washer, stabbing the second victim with such force that the weapon broke within the man’s body. The assailant subsequently beat the helpless man with a shovel until Nelson intervened with countermeasures despite his critical condition.

    The timely arrival of a nurse proved instrumental in securing Nelson’s survival. She administered emergency first aid by packing the chest wound with cotton wool before transporting him to police assistance and ultimately medical facilities. Her vehicular approach simultaneously disrupted the attacker’s continued assault, causing him to flee the scene.

    Medical professionals later informed Nelson that his survival constituted a medical mystery given his age and the proximity of the blade to vital organs. Subsequent revelations indicated the assailant had allegedly committed another fatal stabbing earlier that same day.

    Since the incident, Nelson has received overwhelming community support through visits and calls from well-wishers. While temporarily pausing his beverage business for recovery, his operations continue at Cheapside through employees, as the survivor reflects on what he believes is a divinely ordained purpose for his continued life.

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis PM: Caribbean Leader to join Ghana at 69th Independence Day celebrations

    Saint Kitts and Nevis PM: Caribbean Leader to join Ghana at 69th Independence Day celebrations

    In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Michael Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis commenced an official four-day visit to Ghana on March 3, 2026. The Caribbean leader’s itinerary centers around participation in Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebrations and high-level discussions aimed at strengthening South-South cooperation between the two nations.

    The visit, spanning from March 3 to March 7, represents a milestone in the growing partnership between Ghana and the twin-island nation. According to an official statement from the Presidency Communications Directorate, the Prime Minister’s schedule includes both ceremonial and substantive diplomatic engagements.

    A central moment of the visit will be Dr. Drew’s attendance at Ghana’s Independence Day ceremony on March 6, where he will stand alongside Ghanaian leadership to commemorate the nation’s liberation from colonial rule. This symbolic participation underscores the historical and cultural connections between Africa and its diaspora communities in the Caribbean.

    The diplomatic agenda includes substantive bilateral meetings at the Presidency, where officials from both nations will explore enhanced collaboration in education, healthcare, trade, investment, and technology. The Prime Minister’s meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana signals potential academic partnerships and educational exchange programs.

    Beyond formal discussions, the itinerary incorporates cultural components with visits to historically significant sites including the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and Cape Coast Castle. These locations hold profound meaning for people of African descent worldwide. Additionally, Dr. Drew will pay a courtesy call to Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, acknowledging the importance of traditional governance structures in Ghanaian society.

    Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, emphasized that the visit builds upon existing diplomatic ties between Ghana and Caribbean nations, particularly within the framework of South-South cooperation. For Saint Kitts and Nevis, a Commonwealth nation with approximately 47,000 citizens, Ghana represents a strategic African partner in advancing shared development objectives.

    Observers anticipate the visit will yield concrete agreements in areas of mutual interest, particularly educational exchanges and technical cooperation. The timing of the visit, coinciding with Ghana’s independence celebrations, reinforces the historical bonds between Africa and its diaspora while paving the way for future collaboration between the two nations.

  • Brother, sister drown at Melanie Damishana after wandering from parents – police

    Brother, sister drown at Melanie Damishana after wandering from parents – police

    A devastating incident unfolded in Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday morning, resulting in the tragic drowning of two young siblings. According to official statements from the Guyana Police Force, 10-year-old Jadon De Courte and his 8-year-old sister Tianna De Courte lost their lives in a trench along the Melanie Damishana/Enterprise access road.

    The sequence of events began between 8:00 AM and 11:05 AM when the children, who had accompanied their mother to the area, reportedly wandered away from direct supervision. Police investigators confirmed that emergency services received notification approximately at 11:05 hours regarding two motionless children discovered in the waterway.

    The mother was immediately alerted to the situation and subsequently identified both victims as her children. Emergency medical technicians dispatched to the location pronounced both siblings deceased at the scene. Law enforcement authorities noted that preliminary examinations revealed no visible marks of violence on either body, supporting the initial assessment of accidental drowning.

    This heartbreaking incident highlights ongoing concerns about water safety and child supervision in residential areas near water channels. The community of Melanie Damishana has been shaken by the tragedy, which serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers that waterways pose to young children, even during routine daily activities.

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister arrives in Ghana for state visit – The Herald ghana

    Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister arrives in Ghana for state visit – The Herald ghana

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis Dr. Terrance Michael Drew commenced an official state visit to Ghana on March 3, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral relations between the two nations. The four-day visit, extending through March 7, represents a concerted effort to deepen South-South cooperation and strengthen multilateral ties across critical sectors including education, healthcare, trade, and technological exchange.

    The Prime Minister’s itinerary features high-level engagements, beginning with an academic meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana. The diplomatic agenda continues with comprehensive bilateral discussions at the Presidency, followed by an official luncheon hosted by Ghanaian leadership. A notable highlight includes Prime Minister Drew’s participation in Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebrations on March 6, symbolizing the shared historical narratives and post-colonial solidarity between the nations.

    Cultural and historical immersion forms an integral component of the visit, with planned tours of the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and Cape Coast Castle—sites of profound significance in Pan-African history and the transatlantic slave trade. The Prime Minister will further enhance cross-cultural dialogue through a courtesy visit to Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area.

    According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, this visit institutionalizes the growing diplomatic rapport between Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis, reflecting a mutual commitment to advancing South-South collaboration and people-centered development initiatives.

  • US and Israel up attacks on Iran: ‘We’re doing well’, says Trump

    US and Israel up attacks on Iran: ‘We’re doing well’, says Trump

    The Middle East faces a severe escalation of military conflict as joint United States and Israeli forces intensify their offensive campaign against Iran. Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the coalition has executed approximately 1,700 strikes deep within Iranian territory, marking a significant expansion of hostilities.

    According to Iran’s Red Crescent organization, these sustained attacks have resulted in 787 fatalities, underscoring the devastating human cost of the ongoing operations. In retaliation, Iran has launched counter-offensives across the region, targeting Israeli positions and other strategic locations. These exchanges have claimed the lives of six U.S. service members and eleven Israeli citizens, with additional casualties reported in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

    The conflict has spread beyond immediate borders, with Lebanon experiencing significant violence. Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have fired missiles into Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from the Israeli military. Lebanese authorities report dozens of casualties from these exchanges, while Israel has initiated ground operations in southern Lebanon.

    In a tragic incident highlighting the fog of war, Kuwait’s defense systems mistakenly shot down three U.S. fighter jets after misidentifying them as threats.

    U.S. leadership presents contrasting timelines for the conflict’s duration. President Donald Trump suggested military operations could continue for four to five weeks, possibly longer, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured the public the campaign would not be “endless” and clarified that regime change is not the objective. When questioned about worst-case scenarios, Trump remarked, “I guess if someone as bad comes in.”

    Diplomatic efforts appear stalled amid the violence. While Trump claimed Iranian officials might be interested in negotiations, Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani explicitly stated Tehran’s refusal to engage in talks with the United States.

    The regional turmoil has triggered global economic consequences, with oil prices surging sharply due to disrupted supply chains and exports. Multiple nations are evacuating their citizens from Gulf states under attack, while widespread flight cancellations and airport closures further compound the humanitarian and logistical challenges.

  • Family of Paddlers Ready to Take on La Ruta Maya

    Family of Paddlers Ready to Take on La Ruta Maya

    The Cruz family is preparing to compete as a mixed-gender team in the upcoming La Ruta Maya 2026 canoe expedition, combining decades of collective paddling expertise. The team consists of father Daniel Cruz Sr., his son Daniel Cruz Jr., and daughter Fransisca Cruz, representing a unique familial partnership in the challenging river race.

    Their participation comes amid significant controversy surrounding this year’s event. Multiple paddlers have voiced strong objections to last-minute alterations to the race’s finish line, with Belize Canoe Association Vice-President Elvin Penner characterizing these changes as “disrespectful” toward competing teams and their sponsors.

    The logistical modifications have raised substantial safety concerns among participants. MIDH engineers reportedly diverted funding originally allocated for Haulover Creek maintenance to alternative river projects, creating uncertainty about bank stability along the newly configured route.

    Despite these challenges, the Cruz family maintains their competitive focus. Fransisca Cruz highlighted the value of mixed-team dynamics, noting: “As a female paddler, you gain tremendous experience training with male competitors. I’ve acquired extensive knowledge from these partnerships.” Daniel Cruz Jr. acknowledged the persistent sponsorship difficulties that impact team preparation, while emphasizing their determination to persevere despite the escalating tensions surrounding the event’s organization.

    The family team receives support from The Nature Conservancy and the San Ignacio Town Council as they prepare for the demanding four-day river journey that tests endurance, strategic planning, and collaborative teamwork to the same degree as all-male competitor groups.