April, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Halima Hoy Crowned Miss Universe Belize 2024

After months of preparation and training, the Miss Universe 2024 Pageant was held over the weekend. On Saturday, twenty-nine-year-old Halima Hoy competed against eight other women to take home the crown, and ultimately succeeded. Today, we spoke to Hoy, who told us all about her amazing journey. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

On Saturday, twenty-nine-year-old Halima Hoy took the stage at the Miss Universe Belize 2024 Pageant and walked away with the crown. We spoke with Hoy today, who told us what the final moment before her name was announced as the winner was like.

Halima Hoy, Miss Universe Belize, 2024

“For a second, It was totally blank, you here William in the back talking and its blurred out. And then all I could do was pray in that moment, because that’s when it hit me that it can all end for me right here. Just one word. One named called and it can end for me and that’s the last thing I wanted. I made it so far, and I just kept saying God you brought me here for a reason. All the way here. Let’s make it happen. And then my name was called and the emotions just flowed and I think you could see that on my face.”

Hoy is a certified personal trainer, studying to get her bachelor’s degree in allied health. One of the main causes she is advocating for is health and education, which she told us about in an earlier interview.

Halima Hoy

“I’m passionate about family, friendship, health and fitness and education. I specifically believe that the people that you surround yourself with really shapes who you are. And that is why I’m really grateful for my circle, my husband, my friends and family members. And I also believe that, it sounds cliché, but I also believe that education is key. In order to make it out of any situation, to climb higher, to better yourself, we need to keep education yourself. Whether that’s in school or a more non-traditional environment.”

Hoy said that she is advocating to bring awareness to health and fitness in communities in south side Belize City, such as Port Loyola, where she grew up. Hoy said that she is grateful that the pageant embraced diversity in its participants this year, opening up doors for married and older women to compete.

Halima Hoy

“They took off the rule about married women so now I can finally push forward and achieve the dream that I had growing up. Growing up in south side Belize City, I never thought that I could ever be a beauty queen. It was always about survival; and of course, making it into a better environment. So, with my new-found discovery in confidence my the education that I’ve accumulated over the past couple years, I was confident that I could put my best foot forward and represent this country.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belizean Pro Boxer Amir Rudon Adds TKO Win to Record

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. We begin tonight’s coverage highlighting one of the nation’s most promising young boxers, Amir Rudon. He currently boasts a 7-0 pro run. He added the sixth win to his record on Saturday night against Mexican boxer, Ruben Reyes, by way of technical knockout. We heard from the young phenom today about his first stoppage in the first round.

Amir Rudon, Lightweight Pro Boxer

“It happened very fast I was not expecting it. But, while there in the first round, I realized that I hurt him with a left hook to the body and I capitalized on it by landing two or three more and then he went down after that.”

Paul Lopez

“How prepared are you for those types of moments?”

Amir Rudon

“Physically because of the training I have been doing, I am very prepared, so the fight was scheduled to go six rounds, so it was an early night for me, but I appreciate it nevertheless.”

Paul Lopez

“Now tell me what that felt like, there was an iconic picture being shared of you standing with your hand in the air and this guy seeking help in the background.”

Amir Rudon

“In the humblest way it feels good knowing your hard work is paying off and it means a lot to me and the team and my country.”

From boxing, we move into some basketball highlights. It was an electric weekend for basketball as the BEBL nears its 2024 playoffs. On Thursday night, the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes took on the Cayo Western Ballaz inside the Belize City Civic Center. The Hurricanes won that match, defeating Ballaz ninety to seventy-five points. JD Weatherspoon and Mark Gordon fought valiantly for the Ballaz. But in the end, they were no match for the muscles, height and versatility that the Hurricanes bring with guys like Sidibe Bourama, Glency Lopez, Jamell Harris and the rest of the team. Thursday night also saw the return of Kirk “Shabba” Smith Junior. We spoke with him after the game, as well as league MVP Victor Evans.

Kirk “Shabba” Smith Jr., Belize Hurricanes

“It feels good seeing friends and family, coaches, familiar faces, guys we battled with last, come back, defending champion, it feels good.”

Paul Lopez

“What do you feel you bring to this season?”

Kirk “Shabba” Smith Jr.

“Versatility. I can do a little bit of everything; you know these guys are already going. I just want to be able to add to contribute anyway I can.”

Victor “Vito” Evans, Belize Hurricanes

“We have had a lot of down time this year, a lot of games in between each other, we would have a game then three weeks off. We are really fresh so it feels like we have not really gotten into the season as yet. It is still like the beginning. So we are good to go, on and running right now. Regular season, we are not going to get to high right now. I feel like we are doing what we are suppose to just off of the talent. To be honest, playoffs is what we are looking forward to. The end goal is the championship, so nothing really excites us unless we hanging another banner.”

Let’s now move into some football action. The William Dawson Peace Cup hosted four playoff knockout games over the weekend at the MCC grounds.

The first match of the day was between Tutbay FC and West Lake. It was win or go home inside the MCC grounds. The starting whistle is blown, and the game is on. Thirty-two minutes in and this superb find by Steve Myles in front of the goal, off the corner kick, puts Tutbay FC on the scoreboard. And only two minutes later, Tutbay FC’s Calvin Thompson sent the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net off a breakaway. The first half ended with two goals to nil. Midway into the second half, Westlake was awarded a penalty shot after this hard slide tackle inside the box. Ryan Sampson scored his team’s first goal.

A second penalty shot was awarded to West Lake eighty minutes into the game after another hard tackle inside the penalty box. Sampson again capitalized and tied the game. With only three-minutes left in regular time, the tables turned in favor of Tutbay FC, now on the receiving end of a penalty shot. It is a debatable call, but ultimately Devin Thurton sealed the deal for his team’s trip to the semi-finals. The second match of the day between Lake- I FC and Ceasar Ridge FC ended in a penalty shootout. Regular time ended in a tie, one goal to one. The match then went into twelve minutes of overtime which also ended with a tie, two goals to two. After fourteen penalty shots between the two teams, the game ended in favor of Ceaser Ridge FC.

Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday, Catch you on the next one.

Will Iran’s Attack Lead to Higher Fuel Prices?

Increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to higher fuel prices. Experts are expecting that Iran’s recent attack on Israel will potentially cause fuel prices to soar and disrupt global supplies if the conflict escalates further. Israel’s war cabinet has assessed military strategies for possible retaliation against Iran. Israel has declared its intent to retaliate and “exact a price” following the unprecedented drone and missile assault.

While oil prices initially surged in anticipation of such an escalation, they later stabilised. The International Energy Agency says that the escalating conflict underscores the vulnerability of oil markets. The recent attack by Iran also raises concerns about potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a critical passage for the global oil trade. Any significant disruption could have a profound impact on oil supplies and prices worldwide.

Strait of Hormuz/ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION

While the conflict presents risks to oil markets, factors such as production from non-OPEC+ countries may offer some relief in mitigating these impacts in the short term.

Oil prices have surged alongside escalating tensions in the Middle East this month. U.S. benchmark crude futures rose by 5%, while global benchmark Brent crude gained nearly 6%. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical factor.” Iran’s ability to block the Strait of Hormuz is its secret weapon. The Strait serves as the world’s most important oil-transit chokepoint. Global oil inventories are already low, and any disruption to supplies could further deplete them, leading to higher oil prices.

Albert Vaughan is New City Administrator: Confirmed

News Five has confirmed that former Belize City councillor Alberto Vaughan is the new city administrator. Vaughan replaces the late Stephanie Lindo.

Last week, the Belize City Council said, “We understand the importance of this position in ensuring the effective functioning of our city, and each application is being carefully reviewed. We received three applications for the position of city administrator.”

The Belize City Council is expected to issue a release later today.

UPDATE (2:31 p.m.)

The Belize City Council issued a release on Vaughan’s employment.

The release says, “The Belize City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Albert Vaughan as the new City Administrator, effective April 15, 2024. This decision follows the recommendations of the interview committee, recognizing Mr. Vaughan’s exemplary track record. Albert Vaughan brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served diligently in various capacities on both the national and municipal levels. His extensive tenure within the public sector, coupled with his involvement in the private sector, underscores his unwavering commitment to service and effectively leading teams. Having previously served as a dedicated member of the council for six years, Mr. Vaughan is quite familiar with the workings of the city. His experience within the municipal sphere uniquely positions him to understand the challenges and opportunities facing Belize City. The Belize City Council is confident that, under Mr. Vaughan’s stewardship, the council will continue to make meaningful progress in fulfilling its obligations to the residents of Belize City. As we embark on this new chapter, the Belize City Council extends our warmest congratulations to Albert Vaughan on his appointment. We look forward to working closely with him to advance our shared vision of a thriving and vibrant Belize City.”

“Boots'” Recall Petition Fails

A recall petition launched by former UDP Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez has failed. These petitions were intended to trigger a recall referendum aimed at removing sitting Area Representative Gilroy Usher Senior from office.

Port Loyola has 4,950 registered electors. This meant that Martinez would have needed to collect 1,485 signatures, or 30% of the total number of voters in the division.

Martinez submitted 1,654 signatures, or 33.4%, to the Governor General. However, the total number of signatures approved totaled 1,389, or 28.06%.

The total number of rejected signatures totaled 265, or 5.35%. According to the Governor General, 188 signatures did not match the Elections and Boundaries Department’s record of registered voters; 14 petitioners were not registered; 41 petitioners are not registered in the division; 1 petition did not have a signature; and 21 petitions were submitted more than once.

Martinez is also told that it is an offence for a person to forge the signature on a recall petition or to willfully sign the petition more than once.

CARICOM Calls for Immediate Cessation of Hostilities between Israel and Iran

The Caribbean Community Council of Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) is expressing grave concern regarding the escalating violence in the Middle East, particularly the recent direct military engagements between Israel and Iran.

CARICOM said, “These developments not only exacerbate the already tense situation but also pose significant threats to regional stability and international peace.”

“The continued cycle of retaliation, including the recent attack on Israel by Hamas, Israel’s disproportionate response in Gaza, and the alarming new dimension of direct confrontations between Israel and Iran, leads to an untenable situation fraught with potential for greater regional conflict and global instability.”

COFCOR urgently calls for:

An immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. We strongly urge both nations to halt any further military actions that could worsen the situation, endangering not only their own populations but also the broader international community.
The international community, particularly the five Veto-nations on the UN Security Council, to work assiduously towards an immediate ceasefire, ensuring the provision of necessary humanitarian aid and fostering conditions conducive to a lasting peace
All involved parties to re-engage in diplomatic dialogue, prioritizing peaceful resolutions and cooperation over military actions.

CARICOM says it stands ready to “support efforts toward de-escalation and the establishment of a durable peace in the region.”

Iran Attacks Israel

Israel’s war cabinet is expected to reconvene soon to discuss actions in response to Iran’s attack.

Overnight on Sunday, a barrage of drones and missiles surged towards Israel, increasing tensions in the Middle East. The assault, launched by Iran, was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month. Several Iranian generals were killed in that attack.

Iran and its allies from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon launched approximately 350 rockets, comprising over 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles. The majority of these were intercepted, with minimal impact on Israeli territory, as reported by Israeli military sources and the White House.

The unprecedented attack marked a significant escalation in the region.

Israel continues to face pressure from its allies to refrain from escalating towards open warfare and instead pursue a path of de-escalation.

Patient Neglect at Northern Regional Hospital?

A video making its rounds on social media has forced the Ministry of Health and Wellness to launch an investigation. The video, which was recorded inside the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town, shows individuals, including a woman, who were seeking medical attention.

The person recording the video says the woman was suffering from heart pain, and officials from the hospital refused to help. Other patients were reportedly pleading with the hospital’s staff to help the woman. That did not work, and the woman decided to bring public attention to the incident.

In a press statement, the Ministry said, “The video suggests that there was a significant delay in a patient receiving necessary medical attention.”

While the situation was resolved, the ministry says it takes “any allegations of patient neglect and staff misconduct very seriously.”

Ministry of Health says it will investigation allegations of patient neglect.

The statement said, “In response to the video and the allegations made, we have already commenced a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident. The Ministry condemns any behaviour that compromises patient care and safety.”

This is not the first time that patients have been ill-treated at the Northern Regional Hospital. In March, Jaime Castillo complained on Facebook that he was disrespected by a female security guard.

San Pedro man arraigned for manslaughter by negligence in death of common law wife

Forty-one-year-old Maynor Ancona is out on bail after being arraigned on five criminal charges. Ancona is accused of causing the death of his partner, forty-six-year-old American National Jennifer Griffith, on Ambergris Caye. As we reported on April sixth, Ancona got into an altercation with another male individual at a bar on the island. During the altercation, Ancona allegedly picked up a conch shell and threw it at the person, but it caught Griffith in the head. That injury later led to her death. As a result, he was charged with manslaughter by negligence, disorderly conduct, two counts of harm and one count of wounding. He appeared before a magistrate in Belize City in the presence of his attorney, Orson “OJ” Elrington. In court, no plea was taken from Ancona for four of the five counts, apart from disorderly conduct for which he pleaded not guilty. There were no objections to bail being granted to Ancona by the Prosecutor who only asked for stringent conditions to be laid as the police investigation is ongoing at this time. With that, the sitting Senior Magistrate offered bail to Ancona in the sum of ten thousand dollars plus one surety of the same or two sureties of five thousand each, which he met. Elrington spoke with us following the arrangement.

Orson Elrington, Attorney

“The allegation by the police is that there was a fight and that my client, there were coconut shells thrown and one of the shells hit the deceased and she died after that. My client denies that that is the facts and what happened. But of course, manslaughter by negligence is one of those cases that is not tried summarily. It has to be tried in the Supreme court and so no plea was taken for those charges and a number of charges that the DPP has to determine if those charges will be heard summarily or whether or not they will be heard by the high court. He has been in police custody for two plus days now and when I met with him he is still grieving because he lost his common law wife and he wanted to get out to make the necessary preparations for her funeral or to transport her body. That is his primary concern right now and still in the mourning process. Losing someone is never easy and especially under these circumstances where the authority has charged him for the death, and he feels unfairly so and it is obviously a very tough situation for him.”

Elmer Castro, the individual Ancona got into an altercation with at the bar was also charged for disorderly conduct and two counts of wounding.

Jaylon Jones charged for murder of coast guard

The eighteen-year-old who police believe murdered twenty-six-year-old Charles James has been criminally charged. Investigators say that Jaylon Jones fatally shot James on Wednesday night. At that time, chaos erupted after police arrived at the scene, and a shootout ensued between the suspects and officers. As previously reported, Jones was injured in the crossfire, having been shot in the foot. Police claimed that due to the clothes and vicinity Jones was found in, he matched the description of the alleged shooter. Jones’ family protested him being detained, alleging that the police were operating under a case of mistaken identity and that Jones had no involvement in the crime other than being caught in the crossfire. One of those who protested was Joseph Anthony Camp, Jones’ brother-in-law. Camp was charged with spreading false news.