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  • Follow-up A 13-year-old boy who had been reported missing in La Guáyiga has been found safe and sound.

    Follow-up A 13-year-old boy who had been reported missing in La Guáyiga has been found safe and sound.

    Authorities in the Dominican Republic have successfully concluded a search operation for a missing adolescent, culminating in the youth’s safe return to family custody. The National Police’s Department of Search for Missing Persons (Dicrim) confirmed the successful resolution of the case involving a 13-year-old who had been unaccounted for since February 4, 2026.

    Law enforcement officials located the minor on the morning of February 7, 2026, at a private residence in the La Guáyiga sector of Santo Domingo Oeste municipality. The identity of the teenager remains protected under legal confidentiality provisions standard for juvenile cases.

    Police investigation revealed that the youth had voluntarily remained with acquaintances and relatives during the absence from home. The operation was initiated following a formal complaint filed by the adolescent’s mother, which enabled investigators to track the individual’s whereabouts through systematic follow-up procedures.

    Initial assessments confirmed the teenager’s physical and mental wellbeing upon discovery. The case has been officially closed after the minor was transferred to familial guardians in accordance with standard protective protocols.

    The National Police emphasized their ongoing dedication to handling missing persons cases with expediency and professional competence, particularly those involving minors. The institution reaffirmed its protocol of maintaining sensitivity while ensuring comprehensive protection and rights preservation for vulnerable populations during such operations.

  • SVJ 35 jaar: van verdeeldheid naar professionele eenheid in de journalistiek

    SVJ 35 jaar: van verdeeldheid naar professionele eenheid in de journalistiek

    PARAMARIBO – The Suriname Association of Journalists (SVJ) celebrates its 35th anniversary on February 8, marking a transformative journey from deep professional divisions to unified advocacy for press freedom and ethical journalism.

    Founded in 1991 through the visionary efforts of journalist Nita Ramcharan, the SVJ emerged from the dissolution of two rival organizations: the Surinamese Journalists Circle (SJK) and the Association of Progressive Media Workers (VPM). This consolidation ended years of ideological conflict that had paralyzed collective action for journalists’ rights.

    The association’s creation responded to a dark period in Surinamese media history. The 1980s witnessed severe press suppression, including the 1982 murder of five journalists, arson attacks on Radio ABC, Radio Radika, and newspaper De Vrije Stem, followed by widespread censorship and media bans. These events created an atmosphere of fear and distrust that drove many journalists to flee the country.

    Under Ramcharan’s pioneering leadership as first chairperson, the SVJ established itself as an independent professional body committed to transcending political divides through journalistic ethics, professionalism, and press freedom advocacy.

    Over three decades, the SVJ has evolved into a cornerstone institution within Suriname’s media landscape, consistently defending journalists—members and non-members alike—against pressure campaigns while serving as a crucial dialogue partner with authorities.

    Current SVJ Chair Naomi Hoever, a 19-year journalism veteran who has led the organization for two years, identifies new challenges in the digital era. “With the emergence of social media, many now consider themselves journalists, threatening to overshadow the work of true professionals,” Hoever told Starnieuws.

    In response, the SVJ has initiated a landmark accreditation system to distinguish professional journalists. An accreditation committee comprising former SVJ chairs Wilfred Leeuwin (chair), Nita Ramcharan, and Ivan Cairo will distribute the first official press badges during anniversary celebrations to members meeting professional criteria.

    This accreditation represents more than administrative formalities—it establishes a quality marker identifying who practices journalism according to professional standards versus those who don’t. The initiative aims to restore authority, credibility, and respect for the profession amid growing concerns about misinformation, opinion disguised as news, and uncontrolled online publications.

    Thirty-five years after its founding, the SVJ again stands at a crossroads: where it once bridged ideological divisions, it now guards professional quality, maintaining that free, professional journalism remains indispensable to Suriname’s democratic institutions.

  • Bouva in Dubai: Suriname zet in op regionale projecten voor toerisme, transport en sargassum

    Bouva in Dubai: Suriname zet in op regionale projecten voor toerisme, transport en sargassum

    Suriname’s Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva has led a diplomatic delegation to the 10th International Cooperation Conference of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), held during the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The high-level gathering focused on enhancing collaborative frameworks between Caribbean nations and the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa).

    During the conference’s opening sessions dedicated to regional projects for 2026–2030, Minister Bouva strategically positioned Suriname as both a key partner and beneficiary of initiatives across three critical sectors: tourism development, coastal and river transportation systems, and sargassum seaweed management. The minister articulated how tourism diversification could stimulate economic transformation, emphasized Suriname’s geographic advantages for improved transport connectivity, and highlighted the necessity of scientific capabilities and coastal protection measures for sustainable development.

    On the second day, Bouva contributed to dialogues addressing urgent priorities for the Greater Caribbean region. He advocated for a collective approach to regional challenges, proposing that nations should move beyond raw material exports and instead leverage their natural resources, strategic locations, and cultural heritage as foundational elements for sustainable economic growth.

    Suriname’s participation underscored its commitment to economic strengthening through regional integration and international partnerships. The delegation noted that Suriname had hosted a previous edition of this conference in 2024, reinforcing its ongoing dedication to regional cooperation mechanisms.

  • SVG no longer hosting Americas World Cup Netball Qualifier

    SVG no longer hosting Americas World Cup Netball Qualifier

    In a significant development for international netball, the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has formally withdrawn from hosting the Americas World Cup Netball Qualifier previously scheduled for October 2026. The decision was communicated to the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Netball Association through an official letter dated February 5, 2026, from Minister Kaschaka Cupid of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Creative Industries.

    The Cabinet’s determination followed extensive deliberation and review of a comprehensive report on the tournament’s requirements. Minister Cupid clarified that the primary factor behind the withdrawal was the insufficient time available to complete mandatory court upgrades at the designated competition venues. The government concluded that the existing timeframe made it impractical to execute the necessary infrastructural improvements to meet international standards.

    This reversal marks a dramatic shift from the previous administration’s commitments. The original hosting rights were secured in October 2025 under former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ government, which had provided written guarantees to transform the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex into an indoor facility. However, the change in government following the November 27 general election, which brought the New Democratic Party to power, resulted in a reassessment of these commitments.

    Minister Cupid emphasized that the decision should not be interpreted as diminished support for netball or the valuable efforts of the national netball association. Instead, he characterized it as a pragmatic response to logistical and infrastructural constraints, noting the government’s commitment to maintaining the high standards expected by international sporting bodies.

    The government reaffirmed its dedication to netball development and future collaboration with the association to enhance infrastructure capacity for potential hosting opportunities. The qualifier, which will determine two teams to join Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, must now seek an alternative host nation within the Americas region.

  • FLASH : Address to the Nation by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé (video)

    FLASH : Address to the Nation by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé (video)

    In a momentous national address marking Haiti’s constitutional milestone on February 7th, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé delivered a solemn declaration of the nation’s path forward following the conclusion of the Presidential Transitional Council’s mandate. The Prime Minister’s speech, characterized by its grave tone and profound sense of national duty, emphasized February 7th as symbolizing republican continuity, popular sovereignty, and the Haitian people’s unwavering aspiration for freedom, security, and dignity.

    While acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices made by the CPT members during nearly two years of extreme complexity, Fils-Aimé conceded that the transition process remains incomplete. Persistent insecurity and the inability to conduct elections within originally scheduled timelines have hampered progress. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister resolutely affirmed that Haiti will not yield to discouragement or internal division, maintaining that the transition’s core mission remains unchanged: restoring security, organizing free and democratic elections, and transferring power to legitimately elected leadership.

    The address contained strong commitments to combatting the nation’s security crisis, with Fils-Aimé promising relentless pursuit of armed gangs and their accomplices. The Haitian National Police and Armed Forces will operate with intensified coordination and continuity until complete territorial control is reestablished and peace returns to communities. Recognizing widespread social suffering, the government will immediately implement an emergency humanitarian plan providing food assistance, healthcare, and shelter to vulnerable populations, asserting that security and dignity must advance together.

    Fils-Aimé issued a powerful appeal for national unity, inviting all sectors—political parties, civil society, private sector, religious leaders, artists, youth, women, farmers, and the diaspora—to transcend divisions and unite around a republican pact centered on security, elections, and economic recovery. The international community received both gratitude for existing support and a call for strengthened, coordinated commitment to Haiti’s stability and gang violence eradication.

    In a solemn pledge, the Prime Minister vowed to lead this decisive phase with truth, courage, firmness against terror, and humanity toward the suffering population, ensuring state impartiality and guaranteeing freedoms, justice, and electoral transparency. Concluding with a call for trust, courage, and civic vigilance, Fils-Aimé affirmed that a united people never loses its way, declaring: ‘The time for coming together has come. The State is reclaiming its place. Life must go on. Haiti will not perish.’

  • Terrance Gore, three-time World Series champion, dies at age 34

    Terrance Gore, three-time World Series champion, dies at age 34

    The baseball world mourns the loss of Terrance Gore, an exceptional baserunning specialist whose unique career spanned eight Major League seasons and resulted in three World Series championships. Gore passed away at the age of 34, leaving behind a legacy defined by speed and postseason success.

    Gore’s professional journey represented one of baseball’s most specialized roles. Despite appearing in 112 regular-season games, he accumulated merely 85 at-bats throughout his career. His first hit arrived remarkably late—during his fifth MLB season in 2018—achieved within just 12 at-bats. Yet by that milestone moment, Gore had already established himself as a formidable base thief with 23 regular-season steals complemented by four additional postseason thefts.

    Originally from Macon, Georgia, Gore entered professional baseball when the Kansas City Royals selected him in the 20th round of the 2011 amateur draft. He made his major league debut in 2014, appearing in 11 games with only two official at-bats. His impact, however, was immediate and profound: he successfully converted all five stolen base attempts during the regular season and added three more during postseason play, helping propel the Royals to their first World Series appearance since 1985.

    The following season cemented Gore’s reputation as a postseason asset. During Game 4 of the American League Division Series against Houston, his stolen base contributed to a victory that ultimately led to Kansas City’s first championship in three decades. His baserunning prowess continued with the Chicago Cubs in 2018, where he stole a base during the National League Wild Card Game. The 201 season marked his personal best with 13 stolen bases during his return to Kansas City.

    Gore’s championship pedigree expanded with World Series rings from the 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers and 2021 Atlanta Braves. His tenure with Atlanta consisted of a single appearance—entering as a pinch runner during Game 2 of the National League Division Series against Milwaukee.

    Career statistics reveal Gore’s extraordinary specialization: 16 hits and one RBI contrasted with 48 successful steals in 58 attempts and 36 runs scored across regular and postseason play. His role redefined how teams value specialized speed in championship pursuits.

  • Mentally ill man who made gun in 2024 charged with firearm possession again

    Mentally ill man who made gun in 2024 charged with firearm possession again

    A 27-year-old man with documented mental health issues has been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation following his second arrest on firearms-related charges within an 18-month period. Kesroy Williams of Belair, East St George, was taken into custody on Thursday after police allegedly discovered two firearms and three rounds of ammunition in his possession without proper licensing.

    Law enforcement officials reported seizing a prohibited weapon, a modified .32 caliber firearm, and corresponding ammunition during what they described as a coordinated intelligence-led operation. This incident marks the latest development in Williams’ ongoing legal and mental health struggles.

    Williams’ previous encounter with the justice system occurred in July 2024 when he pleaded guilty to possessing a .38 pistol and ammunition. During court proceedings that December, he revealed his unusual craftsmanship—having constructed a functional firearm using scrap metal, an umbrella spring, epoxy, and screws. Despite the ingenuity noted by Senior Magistrate Colin John, who encouraged Williams to channel his talents into legal pursuits, the defendant served four months on remand followed by a seven-month prison sentence with an additional three-month concurrent term for ammunition possession.

    The current charges involve more serious allegations, including possession of a prohibited weapon category that civilians are typically barred from owning under any circumstances. Police emphasized the significance of this seizure in their public statement, noting that “each illegal weapon seized reduces the potential for serious harm within communities.”

    Following his appearance at the Mesopotamia Magistrate Court on Friday, Williams was remanded to the Mental Health Centre for a two-week observational assessment. The case has been adjourned until February 20 and will be transferred to the Serious Offences Court for further proceedings.

    Authorities have reiterated their commitment to combating illegal firearms trafficking and encouraged public vigilance, stating that citizen reports remain crucial to successful operations against weapon-related crimes.

  • Politic : Transfer of power and speech by Laurent Saint-Cyr (video)

    Politic : Transfer of power and speech by Laurent Saint-Cyr (video)

    Port-au-Prince, Haiti witnessed a significant political transition on February 7, 2026, as the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) formally concluded its mandate in a ceremony at the Villa d’Accueil. Outgoing President and Council Coordinator Laurent Saint-Cyr officially transferred authority to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, adhering to the constitutional provisions outlined in the CPT-establishing decree while emphasizing the importance of governmental continuity.

    The transfer ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials including government ministers, the Director General of Police, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, representatives from the Anti-Gang Force, and members of the diplomatic corps, underscoring the event’s significance in Haiti’s political landscape.

    In his farewell address, Saint-Cyr characterized February 7th as a day of reflection and learning, acknowledging that Haiti’s ongoing governance crisis stems from multiple complex factors. He described the CPT’s mandate as an exceptionally challenging undertaking, noting that promised resources and support essential for fulfilling their mission failed to materialize. Despite these challenges, Saint-Cyr clarified that Haiti would not experience an institutional void following the CPT’s dissolution, as stipulated by the April 3rd Agreement. He confirmed that Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and the Council of Ministers would continue their work to stabilize the nation, with Marie Élisabeth Régine Joseph Haddadla, Secretary General of the Presidency, assuming responsibility for safeguarding the institution’s integrity.

    In response, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé expressed gratitude to the departing CPT members and announced his immediate plans to address the nation that evening. He further revealed intentions to convene an extraordinary cabinet meeting promptly to initiate governmental operations without delay, signaling a commitment to maintaining administrative momentum during this transitional phase.

  • U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Qualifier : Haiti defeats Antigua and Barbuda [4-0]

    U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Qualifier : Haiti defeats Antigua and Barbuda [4-0]

    In a commanding display of youth football prowess, Haiti’s U-17 national team secured a decisive 4-0 victory against Antigua and Barbuda during their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match on February 7, 2026. The match, held at Guatemala City’s Cementos Prograso Stadium, showcased the growing talent within Haiti’s youth development program despite some tactical inconsistencies throughout the game.

    Under the guidance of Coach Kowsky Sainvil, who made only one strategic change to the starting lineup that previously defeated Grenada 5-1, the young Grenadiers demonstrated offensive efficiency. The scoring commenced early when Rolf Casillas K. Julien found the net in the 10th minute with a precise right-footed strike from the center of the box, expertly assisted by Jhon-Widy Belton.

    The Haitian advantage doubled merely six minutes later through an unfortunate own goal from Antigua and Barbuda defender Cody Richardson. While the first half concluded without additional scoring despite several missed opportunities, the Benna Boys mounted stronger defensive resistance after the interval.

    The breakthrough eventually came in the 76th minute when substitute Macenat Prophète, who had entered the match at halftime, extended Haiti’s lead with another clinical finish from the box’s center. Emerson Laïssé completed the scoring spectacle in the 90th minute, capitalizing on a well-executed corner kick to secure the comprehensive victory.

    Despite the impressive win, Haiti currently occupies second position in Group C behind Guatemala due to goal differential. Both teams maintain identical records of two victories, nine goals scored, and six points, but Guatemala’s flawless defensive record (zero goals conceded) compared to Haiti’s single conceded goal places them marginally ahead. The upcoming direct confrontation between Haiti and Guatemala on February 10, 2026, will determine group supremacy and qualification progression, with Haiti requiring victory to claim the top spot.

  • Man found unresponsive with apparent gunshot wound

    Man found unresponsive with apparent gunshot wound

    Law enforcement authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are investigating a fatal shooting in the Diamond/Brighton community, marking the nation’s fifth homicide within the first weeks of the year. Police were dispatched following reports of an unresponsive male victim presenting apparent gunshot wounds, though official identification remains pending pending family notifications.

    The incident occurred merely 24 hours after the country recorded its fourth homicide, creating a disturbing pattern of violent deaths. This recent violence follows the fatal shooting of Mesopotamia resident Kevin Richards, locally known as Masicka, who was killed on Friday evening. Richards’ death represented the third homicide recorded within a consecutive three-week period, signaling a concerning escalation in violent crime across the island nation.

    Local communities have expressed growing apprehension as the homicide count rapidly approaches numbers typically recorded over entire calendar years. Law enforcement officials have intensified patrols and investigative efforts while urging community cooperation to address the surge in violence. The consecutive nature of these incidents has prompted discussions about underlying social factors and potential organized crime elements contributing to the spike in deadly altercations.

    Authorities have characterized this as an ongoing investigation with multiple active leads. iWitness News continues to monitor developments and will provide updates as official information becomes available through proper channels. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has appealed to the public for any relevant information that might assist their investigations into these connected violent incidents.