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  • RO ondersteunt jonge ondernemers via PKF Level-UP krediet

    RO ondersteunt jonge ondernemers via PKF Level-UP krediet

    Suriname’s National Development Bank (NOB) has officially launched the PKF Level-UP credit program, specifically designed to empower young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 27. The initiative, introduced on Friday, provides convertible loans from the Production Credit Fund (PKF) to support business establishment, financing, and expansion within the manufacturing and tourism industries.

    Named ‘Wan Okasi Gi Den Jongu Basi’ (An Opportunity for Young People to Advance), the program offers favorable-term microloans to both startup founders and existing young business owners. During the ceremonial launch event, President Jennifer Simons urged youth to actively leverage this opportunity, emphasizing the program’s potential to facilitate the transition from poverty to production and prosperity.

    The launch ceremony saw participation from key government officials including Finance and Planning Minister Adelien Wijnerman, Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation Minister Andrew Baasaron, PKF board members, and NOB Director Sandy Cameron with her team.

    Managed collaboratively by the NOB and the PKF oversight board, the program receives crucial operational support from the Ministry of Regional Development (RO). Sharma Betterson-Leefland, PKF board secretary and RO representative, highlighted the ministry’s pivotal role in program success, noting that RO’s nationwide district presence enables effective outreach and education for young entrepreneurs about the Level-UP credit opportunities.

    Originally established in 2023, the PKF aims to stimulate growth and development among small and medium-sized producers of goods and services across all districts, excluding direct trade, agriculture, livestock, and fishing operations. However, businesses in these excluded sectors may qualify for funding when engaged in processing industries.

    The fund’s strategic objectives include enhancing production capacity, promoting exports, replacing imports, creating business spin-offs, and generating employment opportunities, with particular emphasis on strengthening the position of young Surinamese entrepreneurs in the national economy.

  • The oldest Spaniard in the Dominican Republic is recognized

    The oldest Spaniard in the Dominican Republic is recognized

    In a heartfelt tribute ceremony held last Monday, December 15, the Foundation of Spanish Immigration in the Dominican Republic (FINMIESP) conferred its highest recognition upon Don Manuel Rodríguez Maire, celebrating his extraordinary life as the oldest Spanish national residing in the Caribbean nation. The emotional event unfolded at the Rodríguez Álvarez family home in Santo Domingo, where his wife Josefina Álvarez and daughter María Rodríguez welcomed distinguished guests to honor his remarkable legacy.

    FINMIESP’s board of trustees presented Rodríguez Maire with a commemorative plaque inscribed with text honoring his “exceptional merits” and recognizing his role as an “exemplary model” for current and future generations. As both witness and active participant in the history of Spanish immigration to the Dominican Republic, Rodríguez Maire embodies the cultural bridge between the two nations.

    The ceremony drew prominent figures from Dominican society and business circles, including Don Pepín Corripio and his wife Doña Ana María, who joined the family in celebrating their dear friend’s lifetime achievements. Adding diplomatic significance to the event, Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, Ambassador of Spain to the Dominican Republic, personally attended to congratulate Rodríguez Maire and emphasize the importance of maintaining the strong fraternal bonds between Spain and the Dominican Republic through its most distinguished citizens.

    Foundation leadership including President José Vitienes, Vice-President Elena Viyella de Paliza, and board member Manuel García Arévalo presided over the proceedings. Secretary Juan Ramos had the honor of formally presenting the plaque to Rodríguez Maire, whose life story represents the positive impact of Spanish culture, work ethic, and values on Dominican society’s development.

    FINMIESP, as an institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the Spanish immigrant legacy in the Dominican Republic, continues to recognize those individuals whose lives exemplify the enduring connection between the two nations.

  • Venezuela kondigt amnestie aan voor politieke gevangenen

    Venezuela kondigt amnestie aan voor politieke gevangenen

    Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has unveiled a sweeping amnesty initiative that could secure freedom for hundreds of political detainees, marking the most significant conciliatory gesture since assuming power on January 3. The announcement came during a high-profile ceremony attended by judicial authorities, cabinet ministers, military leadership, and government officials.

    The proposed legislation, which will receive expedited consideration by the government-controlled National Assembly, aims to address long-standing demands from US-backed opposition groups. Rodríguez characterized the measure as a vital mechanism to ‘heal the wounds of political confrontations’ and restore justice and social cohesion within the nation.

    In a parallel reform, Rodríguez declared the imminent closure of Helicoide prison in Caracas—a facility repeatedly documented for torture and human rights violations. The notorious detention center will be converted into a recreational complex serving both police personnel and local communities.

    The announcement unfolded amid mixed reactions. While government officials presided over the ceremony, including some accused by former detainees of involvement in prison abuses, relatives of political prisoners gathered outside correctional facilities livestreaming the proceedings and demanding immediate releases.

    Opposition leader and Nobel Prize recipient María Corina Machado expressed skepticism regarding the government’s sincerity, suggesting the move resulted from international pressure. She emphasized that political detainees have endured incarceration ranging from one month to 23 years under what she described as a ‘cruel repressive apparatus.’

    Human rights organization Foro Penal estimates 711 individuals remain imprisoned for political activities in Venezuela, with 183 already convicted. Notable cases include former parliamentarian Freddy Superlano, attorney Perkins Rocha, and former governor Juan Pablo Guanipa, a key ally of Machado.

    Critical details remain unclear as the government has not released specific eligibility criteria for the amnesty program. Rodríguez indicated the law would cover political violence offenses from 1999 to present, excluding those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, corruption, or human rights violations.

    The US State Department confirmed Friday that all known American detainees in Venezuela have been released and announced the arrival of new chief diplomat Laura Dogu to Caracas on Saturday.

    Despite earlier promises of releases, advocacy groups Provea and Foro Penal criticized the process for lacking transparency and proceeding too slowly. They emphasized that detainees are imprisoned unjustly for exercising internationally recognized rights protected by Venezuela’s constitution.

    Outside another Caracas prison, Edward Ocariz—who himself endured over five months’ detention following the 2024 presidential elections—joined families in demanding faster action. ‘We Venezuelans have suffered enough injustices and humiliations,’ Ocariz stated. ‘No one deserves this, yet the guilty continue governing Venezuela.’

  • Trump’s ICE Crackdown in Minnesota Greenlighted to Continue

    Trump’s ICE Crackdown in Minnesota Greenlighted to Continue

    A federal immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota has received judicial authorization to proceed despite mounting public opposition and allegations of civil rights violations. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that halting Operation Metro Surge, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown targeting undocumented immigrants, would constitute undue interference with federal authority.

    The court acknowledged the operation’s severe societal impacts, including emptied classrooms, economically strained businesses, and overwhelmed local services. Judge Menendez characterized these consequences as “profound and even heartbreaking” while maintaining that constitutional principles prevented judicial intervention.

    Operation Metro Surge has sparked sustained protests across Minnesota, with demonstrators condemning the tactics as a “federal invasion” involving warrantless arrests, racial profiling, and excessive force. The controversy has expanded beyond Minnesota with simultaneous protests emerging in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC.

    The Department of Homeland Security celebrated the ruling as “a win for public safety and law and order.” However, the administration faces additional criticism following the arrests of a former CNN anchor and an independent journalist covering church protests, raising fresh concerns among free speech and press freedom advocates.

    The operation continues under heightened scrutiny following two reported fatalities during its implementation, though specific details regarding these incidents remain undisclosed.

  • Aadham O’Garro Convicted and Sentenced for Firearm and Ammunition Offences

    Aadham O’Garro Convicted and Sentenced for Firearm and Ammunition Offences

    In a significant judicial outcome for Antigua and Barbuda’s law enforcement efforts, 25-year-old Grays Farm resident Aadham O’Garro has been handed a prison sentence for firearms violations. The conviction was delivered at St. John’s Magistrate Court on Friday, where Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel presided over the case.

    O’Garro entered a guilty plea on charges of illegal possession of both a firearm and ammunition. The court imposed a two-year custodial sentence for the firearm offense and an additional one-year term for ammunition possession, with both sentences ordered to run concurrently.

    This successful prosecution stems from a coordinated police operation conducted in the Green Bay vicinity on January 24. During the tactical operation, law enforcement officials confiscated a Glock 17 9mm pistol alongside fifteen rounds of corresponding ammunition. O’Garro was one of three individuals apprehended and detained during this security initiative.

    The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda emphasized the operation demonstrates their continued commitment to combating illegal weapons circulation through strategic interventions and inter-agency cooperation. This sentencing occurs amid broader regional efforts to address firearm-related crimes in Caribbean communities.

  • Ghost ship threatens reef as inclement weather stalls removal

    Ghost ship threatens reef as inclement weather stalls removal

    A major environmental crisis is unfolding off the coast of Barbados as the abandoned cargo vessel MV Christina Debora remains lodged on a fragile coral reef, causing ongoing ecological damage while rough seas prevent salvage operations. According to Dr. Leo Brewster, Head of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), the ship has already caused significant harm since running aground on the reef crest at Sam Lord’s Castle coastline.

    The 100-foot vessel poses a continuous threat through its constant rocking motion from wave action, which is actively damaging the reef structure in its immediate vicinity. Dr. Brewster reported divers have observed substantial seabed alterations, including sand displacement from beneath the hull that threatens to create channeling across the reef rooftop or cause harmful sedimentation.

    The situation is compounded by the risk of the vessel settling permanently on the reef structure if not removed promptly. This has prompted the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to mobilize a multi-agency response team to address the escalating environmental threat.

    Salvage experts are planning a carefully controlled extraction operation that would pull the vessel backward along its original path onto the reef. Dr. Brewster emphasized that attempting to drag the ship over the reef crest would cause additional irreparable damage to the coral ecosystem.

    However, adverse weather conditions have forced authorities to pause removal efforts. Major Robert Harewood, Deputy Director of DEM, reported that drone surveillance missions were aborted due to inclement weather, though low-altitude footage confirmed the vessel remains stationary on the reef.

    With a flood watch in effect and unfavorable sea conditions persisting, agencies are maintaining constant coordination while awaiting a weather window to resume operations. Major Harewood indicated that towing operations may recommence later today or early tomorrow depending on improving conditions, with the primary objective being the safe removal of the vessel to prevent further reef degradation.

  • Jamaican drummer Lowell ‘Sly’ Dunbar dies

    Jamaican drummer Lowell ‘Sly’ Dunbar dies

    The music world is mourning the loss of Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, the revolutionary Jamaican drummer and one-half of the seminal production duo Sly and Robbie, who passed away on the morning of January 29, 2026. His wife, Thelma, confirmed the tragic news, stating she discovered him unresponsive around 7 a.m. following a day spent happily with friends. Although Dunbar had been battling illness for some time, the sudden severity of his condition was reportedly unforeseen.

    Dunbar’s legacy is nothing short of monumental. From humble beginnings drumming with The Yardbrooms at just 15 years old, his fateful meeting with bassist Robbie Shakespeare in 1972 ignited a creative partnership that would become the rhythmic backbone of reggae and dub for over five decades. Together, as both session musicians and visionary producers, they were instrumental in crafting the sound of artists like the militant Peter Tosh and were the masterminds behind an estimated 200,000 recordings, a staggering figure that underscores their immense influence.

    Their pioneering work extended beyond performance. In 1980, they founded Taxi Records, a label that became a crucible for Jamaican talent, launching the careers of and releasing seminal works for acts including Black Uhuru, Beenie Man, and the duo Chaka Demus and Pliers. Dunbar’s passing marks the latest in a series of devastating blows to reggae’s foundational figures, coming just days after the death of Third World’s Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore and following the 2021 loss of his own musical soulmate, Robbie Shakespeare.

    In recognition of his unparalleled contributions to music and Jamaican culture, the government honored Dunbar with the Order of Distinction. His mantle of accolades also includes the prestigious Musgrave Gold Medal (2015) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota, bestowed just months before his death in May 2025.

  • U-17 World Cup 2026 Qualifier : 3rd victory, our Grenadières dominate the Cayman Islands [3-0]

    U-17 World Cup 2026 Qualifier : 3rd victory, our Grenadières dominate the Cayman Islands [3-0]

    In a display of technical mastery and strategic discipline, Haiti’s U-17 women’s national football team secured their third consecutive victory in the FIFA World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifiers with a commanding 3-0 win over the Cayman Islands on January 31, 2026. The match, held at the FFK Willemstad Stadium in Curaçao, demonstrated Haiti’s growing dominance in Group C of the CONCACAF qualification tournament.

    The Grenadières established control from the opening whistle, with Keisha M. Gue breaking through the Cayman Islands’ defense in the 7th minute. Gue’s precision right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area found the bottom right corner, giving Haiti an early advantage. The team maintained relentless pressure, culminating in Léa Jacques’ spectacular right-footed free kick in the 31st minute that extended Haiti’s lead to 2-0 by halftime.

    Throughout the second half, Haiti demonstrated superior ball control and tactical organization, effectively neutralizing the Cayman Islands’ offensive attempts. The match concluded with Daphney Louis securing the final goal during stoppage time (90+1′) with a left-footed strike from the center of the penalty area, assisted by Rosalie St. Louis.

    Head coach Frenoy Baptiste implemented strategic substitutions throughout the match, including Gilouse Alisha Jean-François for Alyssa Somer Manasse and Adjani Kamanzi-Mondestin for Krystel Châtelain at the 60-minute mark. The team’s starting lineup featured players from diverse football backgrounds, including clubs in Canada, the United States, Scotland, and Haiti itself, highlighting the diaspora’s contribution to Haitian football development.

    With this victory, Haiti maintains top position in Group C with a perfect record of 9 points from three matches, having scored 14 goals while conceding only one. The team’s impressive goal differential of +13 positions them favorably ahead of their crucial upcoming match against Guatemala, who trail with 7 points after a draw against Saint Lucia.

    The upcoming fixture against Guatemala on February 2nd will determine which team advances to the final qualification stage for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026. Haiti’s current form suggests strong potential for securing qualification and potentially making history in international women’s football.

  • Rupununi tourism organisation says police not properly investigating death of tour guide, blames cattle rustlers

    Rupununi tourism organisation says police not properly investigating death of tour guide, blames cattle rustlers

    The Guyana Police Force faces mounting criticism from tourism organization Visit Rupununi over its handling of the investigation into the brutal killing of renowned tour guide and conservationist Leon “Rasta” Baird. The 38-year-old’s partially charred remains were discovered January 25, 2026, in a burned vehicle near the Rupununi River, adjacent to Wichabai Ranch in South Rupununi.

    Visit Rupununi, established in 2015 with support from Conservation International, issued a strongly worded statement expressing “deep disturbance and outrage” at both the murder and the perceived inadequate police response. The organization directly implicated cattle rustlers operating in the Sand Creek area as the likely perpetrators, citing evidence from the crime scene and local reports.

    According to official police bulletins, forensic examination by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh determined Baird was alive before the fire that caused his death. Investigators recovered evidential items including a knife and spent shotgun shells near the scene, alongside the remains of two cattle suspected to have been shot.

    The tourism body highlighted concerning investigative gaps: potential witnesses have come forward, suspects have been reportedly sighted, and physical evidence remains uncollected at the crime scene. Notably, the lead investigator hasn’t been seen in the district since the Sunday following the discovery.

    Visit Rupununi condemned the historical lack of police action against organized cattle rustling networks that have long plagued Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo). The organization warned that failure to properly address this crime could embolden further violence, creating a dangerous perception that such acts occur without consequence.

    Neither Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken nor CID Head Deputy Commissioner Wendell Blanhum responded to media inquiries regarding these allegations. The police force’s only official communication stated that no arrests have been made while investigations continue.

    Baird, remembered as a respected local guide, vaquero, and dedicated conservationist, has been laid to rest after his remains were released to relatives following DNA sampling as part of the ongoing investigation.

  • WHO Steps Up Response to Nipah Virus Outbreak in India

    WHO Steps Up Response to Nipah Virus Outbreak in India

    The World Health Organization has escalated its containment operations in India’s West Bengal region following confirmation of Nipah virus infections in two healthcare professionals. This zoonotic pathogen, recognized for its high mortality rate ranging between 40-75%, transmits through bat reservoirs, contaminated food sources, and direct human-to-human contact.

    In coordination with Indian health authorities, WHO has implemented reinforced surveillance protocols and contact tracing mechanisms. Comprehensive testing of 190 identified contacts has yielded negative results, providing cautious optimism regarding containment progress.

    The international health agency has deployed mobile diagnostic laboratories and adopted an integrated One Health strategy, combining expertise from human medicine, veterinary science, and environmental health sectors. This multidisciplinary approach addresses the complex transmission ecology of the virus.

    Current risk assessment classifies the outbreak as moderate within the affected region. WHO explicitly advises against implementing travel or trade restrictions based on available epidemiological data. Nonetheless, several Asian nations have preemptively enhanced airport screening procedures in response to the outbreak.