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  • Guyana condemns Iran’s “unprovoked” attack on Gulf States

    Guyana condemns Iran’s “unprovoked” attack on Gulf States

    In a firm diplomatic stance issued on Saturday, February 28, 2026, the Government of Guyana formally condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran for its missile strikes against multiple sovereign nations in the Persian Gulf. The targeted states included the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait.

    The Guyanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the offensive as an ‘unprovoked and unjustified’ act that constitutes a clear violation of established international law. The official statement carefully refrained from commentary on the preceding military action by the United States and Israel, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other high-ranking officials, effectively concluding his nearly four-decade authoritarian regime.

    Reiterating its commitment to regional stability, the Guyanese government called for immediate de-escalation from all involved parties. It expressed ‘full solidarity’ with the governments and civilian populations of the attacked Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. This position aligns with Guyana’s established close diplomatic and economic relations with both the United States and several Arab Gulf nations. The statement concluded by emphasizing the urgent and sustained pursuit of a lasting peaceful resolution for the broader Middle East region.

  • Abinader on power outages: “They are unacceptable. They concern us and we are addressing them.”

    Abinader on power outages: “They are unacceptable. They concern us and we are addressing them.”

    Dominican President Luis Abinader delivered a stark assessment of the nation’s ongoing electricity crisis during his sixth accountability address, acknowledging that systemic power failures have presented a formidable challenge for successive governments, including his current administration. The president confronted the issue head-on, characterizing recent blackouts as “unacceptable” while outlining corrective measures underway.

    Substantial capital investments are being channeled into modernizing the national grid, with international engineering firms contracted to enhance system security and operational stability. This strategic move aims to fortify an increasingly complex and diversified power infrastructure that has repeatedly failed to meet national demand.

    The most recent nationwide outage occurred Monday morning, triggering widespread disruption across transportation networks including the Santo Domingo Metro and cable car systems. The cascading failure paralyzed daily life for millions of citizens, highlighting the grid’s critical vulnerabilities.

    Energy Minister Joel Santos provided technical clarification, noting the incident stemmed from an equipment explosion rather than human error. “This was a breakdown caused by an explosion,” Santos stated, emphasizing the need to investigate both the root cause and the failure’s propagation mechanism through the grid.

    The National Interconnected Electric System (SENI) Failure Committee has scheduled a crucial working session for March 11 to present preliminary findings and implement corresponding corrective measures. This development follows a similar November outage that similarly crippled public transportation services, then attributed to unauthorized personnel intervention at the San Pedro de Macorís substation.

  • Staatstelevisie Teheran bevestigd dood Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

    Staatstelevisie Teheran bevestigd dood Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

    In a seismic development that has shaken the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape, Iranian state television has officially confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, along with several family members during coordinated airstrikes on his residence. The announcement marks an unprecedented moment in Iran’s modern history, ending Khamenei’s 37-year reign as the Islamic Republic’s highest authority.

    American President Donald Trump initially disclosed the operation, characterizing it as a successful joint mission between United States and Israeli forces. According to Trump’s statement, Khamenei and associated Iranian officials were unable to evade sophisticated American intelligence tracking systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently reinforced these claims, citing mounting evidence confirming the Supreme Leader’s demise.

    The tragedy extends beyond political implications, with confirmation that Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter also perished in the attack. Iranian media delivered the news through solemn programming, withholding specific operational details while acknowledging the multidimensional loss.

    Following constitutional protocols, Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning alongside seven days of official holiday periods. Regional analysts anticipate intense political maneuvering within Iran’s religious hierarchy as the Assembly of Experts convenes to select Khamenei’s successor—a process that could fundamentally reshape Iran’s domestic policies and international relations.

    Global observers are monitoring Tehran’s transition with heightened alertness, recognizing Iran’s substantial influence across Middle Eastern affairs and global energy markets. The unprecedented nature of this event suggests potential volatility in regional stability, with particular attention on Iran’s proxy networks and nuclear policy trajectory.

  • SEOB waarschuwt: economie blijft fragiel, strikte discipline en hervormingen noodzakelijk

    SEOB waarschuwt: economie blijft fragiel, strikte discipline en hervormingen noodzakelijk

    The Suriname Economic Oversight Board (SEOB) has issued a stark warning about the nation’s ongoing economic fragility in its latest February 2026 bulletin. While acknowledging certain stabilizing factors including robust banking institutions and relatively strong reserve positions, the independent monitoring body highlighted several critical concerns that continue to threaten macroeconomic stability.

    The report reveals accelerating inflation rates, persistent government deficits, and national debt levels soaring significantly above the internationally accepted threshold of 60% of GDP. This elevated debt ratio presents substantial risks to economic stability according to the oversight board’s analysis.

    In response to these challenges, the SEOB has presented comprehensive recommendations centered on implementing strict fiscal discipline. Key proposals include enhancing fiscal transparency, developing coherent medium-term tax policy frameworks, establishing five-year government financial plans with expenditure ceilings, and implementing sustainability targets for total public debt.

    The board specifically addressed concerns regarding substantial government subsidies, particularly in the electricity sector. Recommendations call for transparent divestment of non-strategic, loss-making state enterprises that require significant subsidies and the formal proclamation of procurement legislation to ensure transparency and cost control in government contracts.

    Looking toward anticipated offshore oil revenues, the SEOB emphasized the urgent need to strengthen and operationalize critical institutions including the Savings and Stabilization Fund (SSFS). The organization stressed that transparency and anti-corruption mechanisms must be fully established before substantial revenue inflows begin.

    To reduce mining sector dependency, the report advocates for active economic diversification efforts prioritizing agricultural development (including fisheries and processing), service sector expansion, ecotourism, and collaborative production and export growth strategies between government and private enterprises.

    The bulletin also addressed debt management and monetary policy coordination, highlighting the necessity of active debt management given current debt levels and ensuring proper alignment between fiscal and monetary policies to contain inflationary pressures and stabilize the Surinamese dollar. Maintaining central bank independence in accordance with the 2022 Central Bank Act remains paramount.

    Finally, the SEOB underscored that sustainable economic recovery depends not merely on statistical improvements but equally on building confidence through consistent policy implementation and clear communication regarding socioeconomic strategy for the coming years.

  • Jérémie : The health and humanitarian situation at the prison is worrying

    Jérémie : The health and humanitarian situation at the prison is worrying

    A recent inspection of Jérémie Prison in Haiti has revealed a severe humanitarian crisis unfolding within its walls. The Association of Volunteers for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Haiti (AVRP), following their February visit, documented alarming conditions that threaten the wellbeing of all detainees.

    The correctional facility currently houses 470 inmates, comprising 435 adults, 18 women, and 17 minors under age 18. The intermingling of juvenile detainees with adult prisoners raises significant concerns regarding child protection standards and compliance with international human rights protocols.

    Security remains critically understaffed with merely 25 officers responsible for all detainees, creating a volatile environment where tensions frequently escalate into physical altercations between inmates.

    Sanitation systems have completely broken down. Despite the presence of an artesian well, power failures prevent consistent water access, forcing inmates to wash in the prison yard under unsanitary conditions. Waste management is virtually nonexistent, with meal preparations over charcoal fires leaving residues that accumulate throughout the facility.

    Nutritional provisions fall dramatically short of basic requirements, with inmates receiving just one meal daily. The medical situation proves even more dire: while 11 health staff members remain on duty, they lack essential medications including pain relievers, antibiotics, and treatments for chronic conditions. This shortage has reportedly contributed to multiple fatalities over the past three years, though official statistics remain undocumented.

    Living conditions continue to deteriorate with insufficient bedding, torn sheets, and deteriorated prisoner uniforms. The complete absence of social workers eliminates any meaningful psychosocial support or rehabilitation programs, though administrative functions through a registry office maintain minimal operational structure.

    AVRP officials emphasize that immediate intervention is required to address water access, medical supplies, security reinforcement, segregation of minors, and implementation of reintegration initiatives.

  • LHF National Championship : New organizational and disciplinary measures

    LHF National Championship : New organizational and disciplinary measures

    The Haitian Football League (LHF) has announced a comprehensive overhaul of organizational and disciplinary protocols for its National Championship, marking a significant step toward modernizing the country’s premier football competition. This strategic initiative targets fundamental aspects of match administration and club conduct through an institutional strengthening program.

    The newly implemented framework establishes a harmonized regulatory system designed to address multiple dimensions of championship operations. Central to these reforms are mandates for strict compliance with official match protocols, enhanced protection measures for match officials, and reinforced security for both team delegations and spectators. The league has additionally prioritized standardization and transparency in sanction enforcement procedures.

    Key provisions include the rigorous implementation of pre-match countdown procedures, a unified disciplinary scale with progressive penalty structures, and automatic escalation mechanisms for recurrent violations. Notably, the regulations formally prohibit superstitious practices deemed potentially compromising to sporting integrity. Clubs will now bear objective responsibility for actions committed by their players, management, delegations, and supporter groups.

    League officials emphasized that these measures represent not arbitrary restrictions but essential evolution toward structured governance aligned with international football standards. The LHF statement clarified that championship credibility fundamentally depends on disciplined conduct, consistent rule adherence, and equitable treatment of all participants.

    Positioning this regulatory transformation as a collective ambition for Haitian football, the league has issued a call for unified commitment from clubs and supporters. The success of this professionalization initiative reportedly requires collaborative engagement with the new framework, emphasizing shared responsibility in elevating the championship’s stature and operational integrity.

  • Technology : The Ministry of Tourism reaches a decisive milestone

    Technology : The Ministry of Tourism reaches a decisive milestone

    In a groundbreaking technological advancement for Caribbean tourism, Haiti’s Ministry of Tourism has unveiled an ambitious digital transformation initiative titled ‘Klike sou Ayiti’ (Click on Haiti). This comprehensive digital infrastructure marks a strategic pivot in how the nation presents itself to global visitors, investors, and its widespread diaspora community.

    The initiative represents a fundamental shift in Haiti’s approach to tourism competitiveness, emphasizing that a nation’s appeal now fundamentally depends on its digital visibility and interactive capabilities. As stated by ministry officials, this project transcends conventional tourism development, instead constituting a structural transformation of territorial access and national representation.

    Central to this digital revolution are four interconnected platforms designed to serve diverse audiences:

    The National Tourism Map (welcometohaiti.ht) provides an immersive visual interface for exploring Haiti’s attractions through categorized site listings and regional tours. iTouris offers a comprehensive trip planning system that converts travel intentions into secure, actualized itineraries. Kwonik Ayiti establishes a digital memory platform preserving Haitian heritage while strengthening narrative sovereignty. Finally, Touris Hub creates a professional networking space for industry operators and young entrepreneurs to develop skills and business connections.

    Following the functional demonstration phase, the Ministry has now opened a public testing period, inviting citizens, tourism professionals, and Haiti enthusiasts worldwide to explore and help optimize these digital tools. Early adopters can register through the Ministry’s official form to participate in refining the platforms before full public deployment.

    This initiative positions Haiti at the forefront of digital tourism innovation in the Caribbean region, potentially establishing new standards for how developing nations leverage technology for economic development and cultural preservation.

  • Toepassing van aangeleerde landbouwkennis nóg belangrijker dan training

    Toepassing van aangeleerde landbouwkennis nóg belangrijker dan training

    Coronie, one of Suriname’s most agriculturally significant districts, has successfully concluded an intensive three-month training program on Traditional Compost production, marking a substantial advancement in sustainable farming practices. The program, which commenced on November 20, 2025, focused on mastering the complete process of creating traditional compost, locally known as ‘blaka doti.’

    William Waidoe, Deputy Director of Western Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), emphasized during the closing ceremony that while training remains crucial, the practical application of acquired knowledge holds even greater importance. He highlighted Coronie’s exceptionally fertile soil as ideally suited for agricultural development and reaffirmed LVV’s role as the authoritative body providing essential knowledge transfer to realize this potential.

    A notable aspect of the Coronie training was the overwhelming participation of women, who constituted the majority of attendees. Among them was Leonie Kerseboom-Lynch, a professional midwife who immediately implemented her training by constructing a compost heap alongside her husband to support his agricultural activities. Her primary motivation stemmed from composting’s environmental benefits, noting that the process not only offers sustainable organic waste management but also creates potential revenue streams through surplus compost sales while contributing to cleaner living environments.

    This training initiative forms part of the broader ‘Strengthening of Citrus Production’ project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The project aims to enhance Suriname’s citrus production capabilities through improved facilities at LVV citrus nurseries and the production of high-quality planting materials. Quality growth medium in plant bags has been identified as essential to this endeavor, prompting the establishment of compost camps and training sessions across various LVV ressort offices, experimental gardens, and nurseries for both ministry staff and interested community members.

    Soesila Ramautar of the Directorate of Agricultural Research, Marketing and Processing (DLOAV), who led the training with her team, expressed considerable satisfaction with the outcomes. This event marked Coronie’s first participation in compost training at this level and represented the final compost training activity within the IDB-funded citrus project framework.

  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes

    The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has been irrevocably altered following the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a coordinated military operation conducted by United States and Israeli forces this Saturday. Multiple major news outlets, including USA TODAY, Reuters, and CNN, have verified the demise of the long-serving Iranian leader, citing confirmation from an Israeli intelligence source.

    The strategic strikes, personally authorized and announced by President Donald Trump, specifically targeted Iran’s missile infrastructure. President Trump characterized the offensive as the initiation of ‘major combat operations,’ describing it as an extensive, continuing campaign designed to neutralize what he termed ‘imminent threats from the Iranian regime.’

    In immediate retaliation, Iranian revolutionary forces unleashed a barrage of drone and missile attacks against strategic American and Israeli assets. A significant counterstrike hit a U.S. Naval installation in Bahrain; preliminary reports indicate no casualties among American personnel. Iranian military command issued a stark warning, promising their adversaries would face ‘decisive defeat.’

    On the ground in Tehran, distressing imagery depicted plumes of dark smoke ascending over the capital city as civilians scrambled for shelter. Iranian government officials reported a devastating human cost, alleging that a strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran resulted in at least 40 civilian fatalities, highlighting the severe humanitarian consequences of the rapidly intensifying conflict.

    This dramatic military escalation culminates weeks of mounting diplomatic tensions, during which President Trump consistently issued warnings of potential armed intervention should negotiations concerning Iran’s controversial nuclear and ballistic missile programs reach an impasse.

    The assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei creates an immediate and profound power vacuum within Iran’s complex political structure at a critically volatile time. Regional security analysts are warning that the ensuing fallout possesses the potential to radically reconfigure the balance of power throughout the Middle East, carrying significant and unpredictable implications for international stability and global security apparatus.

  • War powers debate intensifies in US after Trump orders Iran attack

    War powers debate intensifies in US after Trump orders Iran attack

    In an extraordinary constitutional confrontation, key US congressional leaders are accelerating efforts to pass a War Powers Resolution that would curtail President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran without legislative approval. This development follows unconfirmed reports emerging from Saturday’s coordinated US-Israel strikes suggesting possible casualties among Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—though neither government has officially commented on these claims.

    The legislative push gains urgency as Iran retaliated with widespread attacks across strategic Middle Eastern locations including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait—all sites hosting American military installations or maintaining US alliances. Both congressional chambers, including the Senate where Republicans hold a narrow majority, had previously drafted similar war powers legislation well before this weekend’s escalation.

    Congressional sources indicate an imminent debate scheduled for next week that will effectively serve as a referendum on Trump’s controversial pattern of unilateral military decision-making. This constitutional clash represents the most significant challenge to presidential war powers in recent years, echoing similar concerns raised after Trump’s unauthorized strikes that ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro nearly two months ago.

    The proposed resolution would legally require the administration to seek congressional authorization within 60 days for any continued military engagement against Iran, invoking the 1973 War Powers Act that has been routinely ignored by multiple administrations.