Latest news with #Surinamese
News18
6 days ago
- General
- News18
GRSE to beautify two ghats along Hooghly river under MoU with Kolkata Port
Last Updated: Kolkata, Aug 6 (PTI) State-owned warship builder Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) will beautify two ghats along the Hooghly river under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) on Wednesday. The two are Suriname Ghat in south Kolkata's Garden Reach area and Mayer Ghat in the northern part of the city's Bagbazar localities, according to a statement. The initiative is part of SMPK's drive to restore the city's iconic riverfront infrastructure and highlight its historical legacy. Suriname Ghat holds major historical significance as the departure point for over 34,000 indentured labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who were shipped to Suriname between 1873 and 1916. The first such vessel, 'Lalla Rookh', left from the ghat in 1873 with 410 passengers. These labourers played a crucial role in shaping Surinamese society despite facing difficult conditions, and the ghat remains a symbol of that migration era. Mayer Ghat has spiritual importance, being associated with Ma Sarada, the consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. She is known to have used this ghat during her visits to 'Udbodhan', the residence and publication house of the Ramakrishna Mission. The site is closely tied to Kolkata's religious and cultural heritage. PTI BSM NN view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jairzinho Rozenstruik 'definitely' surprised by UFC release, not opposed to a return
Jairzinho Rozenstruik didn't expect to get his walking papers from the UFC. Eight knockout wins, six main event bouts and a positive record didn't keep Jairzinho Rozentruik from getting his walking papers from the UFC. The heavyweight was released from the promotion earlier this year after a unanimous decision loss to former title challenger and top contender Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia. It was a surprise to many since Rozentruik (15-6) had a long history with the promotion and was on a two-fight winning streak prior to the loss to Pavlovich. Among those surprised was Rosentruik himself. "Definitely (it was a surprise), especially because there was no warning or nothing," Rozentruik told MMA Junkie. "I got home from the fight. I was tired because I think it's a 12- or 13-hour difference. I was sleeping and my friends and family were calling me and they're asking if it's true and all of this. I don't know anything, so I called the manager, we spoke, and then I found out. After, I look at my emails and I see I had a few emails from the UFC. "But if there's no more business for me in the UFC, why should I complain about it? It was a business relationship. So if there's no more business with you, I think you should warn me about it, and be like, 'That's it for us,' and then we part ways. But that's the way it goes. I don't think it was professional, and I don't want to put too much emotional feelings behind it. I had a good time with the UFC. The UFC was good to me. I'm honored to be a part of the history I built with them, and other than that, we have to move forward." Since the release, Rozentruik signed and debuted for Mike Perry's Dirty Boxing Championship. He picked up a TKO win over Victor Cardoso in June, and is set to return Aug. 29 in Miami to fight Rob Perez for the inaugural heavyweight title. The Surinamese fighter is focused on his work at Dirty Boxing Championship, but is definitely not done fighting MMA. He said he wants to continue his MMA career, and is even open for a UFC return. "If there's need of my professional performance in the UFC, then why not?" Rozenstruik said. "You can be in the best combat sports company that's ever existed. If that's the case, why not?"
Korea Herald
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Suriname parliament elects Simons as first female president
PARAMARIBO, Suriname (Reuters) -- Suriname's parliament backed Jennifer Simons as the South American country's first woman president on Sunday, setting the doctor and former parliamentary speaker on course to helm a nation on the cusp of a predicted oil boom. Surinamese lawmakers elected Simons president six weeks after the ruling party and its top opposition nearly tied in the race for legislative seats, leading to a coalition deal to install Simons as president. Simons' opposition National Democratic Party won 18 seats and current President Chan Santokhi's Progressive Reform Party won 17 seats in the May 25 parliamentary election. Smaller parties won the remaining 16 seats. Suriname's president is elected indirectly. Following the general election, members of the National Assembly vote for the president, and a candidate must secure a two-thirds majority to win the office. "I come into this office to serve, and I will use all my knowledge, strength and insight to make our wealth available to all of our people," Simons, 71, said in a brief speech after lawmakers approved her appointment with a round of applause. Simons vowed to pay special attention to young people and those who have not yet had the best opportunities. "I am very aware of the responsibility now placed on our shoulders, a responsibility compounded for me by the fact that I am the first woman to hold this office," she added. "I do not need many words. My thanks, and we will get to work." Incumbent President Chan Santokhi, a 66-year-old former police commissioner who stood for re-election, had faced criticism over a lack of protections for the poorer and more vulnerable sectors of society. Santokhi congratulated Simons on her election and told lawmakers he took responsibility for his shortcomings and hoped he would be remembered for his commitment. He said he would continue to serve the country after the transition as a member of parliament. Suriname, a former Dutch colony independent since 1975, is expected to see a surge in revenues from the nation's first big offshore energy development, an oil and gas project led by TotalEnergies. The GranMorgu project is set to begin production in 2028. Discovered reserves may allow Suriname to compete with neighboring Guyana, whose economy grew 43.6 percent last year, as a prominent producer. However, campaigning featured little debate about what the next government, which will hold power until 2030, should do with the income. Simons' election was agreed in a six-party deal two days after the parliamentary contest, but was not made official until Sunday's vote. Her inauguration is scheduled for July 16. Suriname's parliament backed Simons for the post by acclamation, alongside National Party of Suriname leader Gregory Rusland as her vice president. Simons served as parliamentary speaker for a decade until 2020. She was second in vote tallies behind Santokhi, winning more than 41,700 votes. She is the head of the NDP, founded by former President Desi Bouterse, who dominated Surinamese politics for decades but died a fugitive last year. NDP founder Bouterse left office in 2020, the year after he was convicted in the 1982 murders of 15 government critics. When the conviction was upheld in 2023, Bouterse went into hiding, dying at the age of 79 at an unknown location on Christmas Eve.
Al Etihad
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Jennifer Geerlings-Simons becomes Suriname's first woman president
7 July 2025 01:13 PARAMARIBO, SURINAME (AFP)Lawmakers elected Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as Suriname's first woman president on Sunday, after her party won the most seats in legislative elections in 71-year-old former opposition leader was left the sole candidate for president after her rivals decided on Thursday not to nominate anyone to lead the small country on South America's northern National Democratic Party (NDP) won 18 of the 51 seats in the National Assembly, more than those of the centrist VHP party of outgoing president Chan NDP had already entered into an agreement with five other parties with which it jointly holds 34 seats in parliament -- obtaining the two-thirds majority needed to claim the said she "accepted the position," in a speech to lawmakers, ahead of an inauguration due July 16."I am acutely aware of the responsibility that now rests on our shoulders. This responsibility is made greater by the fact that I am, in fact, the first woman to hold this office," Geerlings-Simons said."I will use all my knowledge, strength and insight to make our wealth available to all our fellow citizens, with special attention to our young people and those who have so far not had the opportunities to develop," she former Dutch colony of 600,000 inhabitants gained its independence in government is hoping that an oil boom will follow from recently discovered offshore oil could bring the tiny nation, where 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, an unprecedented windfall from 2028 -- when an offshore block begins the campaign, Geerlings-Simons, former chairperson of the National Assembly, said she wanted "to be in power to ensure that the population really benefits" from the expected oil would involve "establishing a law that requires all companies to work with Surinamese people and buy Surinamese products." Suriname, a diverse country made up of descendants of people from India, Indonesia, China, the Netherlands, indigenous groups, and Africans, marks its 50th anniversary of independence from the Dutch throne this November.
GMA Network
06-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Suriname parliament elects Jennifer Simons as first female president
PARAMARIBO — Suriname's parliament backed Jennifer Simons as the South American country's first woman president on Sunday, setting the doctor and former parliamentary speaker on course to helm a nation on the cusp of a predicted oil boom. Surinamese lawmakers backed Simons (also Jennifer Geerlings-Simons) as president six weeks after the ruling party and its top opposition nearly tied in the race for legislative seats, leading to a coalition deal to install Simons as president. Simons' opposition National Democratic Party won 18 seats and current President Chan Santokhi's Progressive Reform Party won 17 seats in the May 25 parliamentary election. Smaller parties won the remaining 16 seats. Suriname's president is elected indirectly. Following the general election, members of the National Assembly vote for the president, and a candidate must secure a two-thirds majority to win the office. "I come into this office to serve, and I will use all my knowledge, strength and insight to make our wealth available to all of our people," Simons, 71, said in a brief speech after lawmakers approved her appointment with a round of applause. Simons vowed to pay special attention to young people and those who have not yet had the best opportunities. "I am very aware of the responsibility now placed on our shoulders, a responsibility compounded for me by the fact that I am the first woman to hold this office," she added. "I do not need many words. My thanks and we will get to work." Incumbent President Chan Santokhi, a 66-year-old former police commissioner who stood for re-election, had faced criticism over a lack of protections for the poorer and more vulnerable sectors of society. Santokhi congratulated Simons on her election and told lawmakers he took responsibility for his shortcomings and hoped he would be remembered for his commitment. He said he would continue to serve the country after the transition as a member of parliament. A coming boom Suriname, a former Dutch colony independent since 1975, is expected to see a surge in revenues from the nation's first big offshore energy development, an oil and gas project led by TotalEnergies. The Gran Morgu project is set to begin production in 2028. Discovered reserves may allow Suriname to compete with neighboring Guyana, whose economy grew 43.6% last year, as a prominent producer. However, campaigning featured little debate about what the next government, which will hold power until 2030, should do with the income. Simons' election was agreed in a six-party deal two days after the parliamentary contest, but was not made official until Sunday's vote. Her inauguration is scheduled for July 16. Suriname's parliament backed Simons for the post by acclamation, alongside National Party of Suriname (NPS) leader Gregory Rusland as her vice president. Simons served as parliamentary speaker for a decade until 2020. She was second in vote tallies behind Santokhi, winning more than 41,700 votes. She is the head of the NDP, founded by former President Desi Bouterse, who dominated Surinamese politics for decades but died a fugitive last year. NDP founder Bouterse left office in 2020, the year after he was convicted in the 1982 murders of 15 government critics. When the conviction was upheld in 2023, Bouterse went into hiding, dying at the age of 79 at an unknown location on Christmas Eve. — Reuters
