Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, was today asked by reporters how he feels that his “former association” Sean “Diddy” Combs spent his first night in jail in the US after he pleaded not guilty in a sex-trafficking case.
Responding to the question, Barrow said, “One of the things that I would never wish on my worst enemy is to be incarcerated or to be sick, to be bedridden. So I take no joy in anyone’s challenges, whether with the criminal justice system or otherwise.”
Barrow added, “But I just like to clarify, and you have to be truthful in the description of the relationship. This is someone who in essence testified against me when I was on trial, when I was an 18-year-old kid just wanting to do nothing other than make my mother proud and make Belize proud and do what all of us want to do, be recognised for our talent and take over the world. I was defending him, and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me. And he contributed, he pretty much sent me to prison. So, that is the context by which you must always describe that relationship. Yes, I forgave, I moved on.”
Barrow said he did not conduct any business with Combs. “I said that he proposed to give the Howard scholarship, which is what I do in all realms.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until his next court appearance on Wednesday afternoon. The 53-year-old will be housed in the Special Housing Unit, separated from the general prison population, where inmates are held for protection or other specific reasons.
Barrow said Combs destroyed his life. “This was not someone who I vacationed with and who he and I enjoyed this great intimate relationship of brotherhood. This is someone who destroyed my life and who I forgave…”
Combs, who pled not guilty to all charges, showed no visible reaction when the judge issued her ruling, quietly sipping water before being led out of the courtroom. His legal team plans to appeal the bail decision before U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Carter on Wednesday afternoon.
Combs’ charges are tied to “freak offs,” coerced sex acts that Combs allegedly orchestrated and recorded, according to a federal indictment. When asked if he knew of the “freak offs” parties, Barrow responded, “I had nothing to do with Sean Combs personal life. No interaction. That level of everything was strictly on a professional level.”
A 28-year-old Georgia mother died from a preventable infection after being denied urgent medical care due to the state’s stringent abortion laws. A state investigation concluded that her death was “preventable” had she received timely treatment.
Thurman’s death raised serious concerns about the dangers posed by such legislation and its impact on women’s health.
In August 2022, Thurman sought an abortion after being denied the procedure in Georgia due to a law prohibiting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. She travelled to a North Carolina clinic, where she received medication to terminate her pregnancy. However, complications arose when she did not expel all the foetal tissue.
Thurman experienced heavy bleeding and severe pain, ultimately losing consciousness at home. When she arrived at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, doctors did not perform a necessary dilation and curettage (D&C) due to Georgia’s stringent laws surrounding abortion.
According to Propublica, doctors waited 20 hours to operate as they monitored Thurman’s condition, during which her health deteriorated. Her blood pressure dropped, and her organs began to fail. By the time she underwent surgery, it was too late. Thurman passed away from complications.
Georgia’s law defines a medical emergency narrowly, allowing abortions only when a woman’s life is at risk.
In interviews with over three dozen OB-GYNs in states with strict abortion laws, ProPublica found that the “vague and conflicting language” surrounding medical exceptions creates serious challenges for healthcare providers. Doctors said “their judgement could be called into question under the threat of prison time.”
The Association of Defence Attorneys has officially registered as a professional organisation dedicated to defending human rights and enhancing legal practices. In an official statement, the Association declared it is “dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, the Belize Constitution, and the enhancement of legal defence practices within the country.”
In its statement, the Association confirmed the election of its first Executive Committee, comprising of:
President: Dickie Bradley
Vice President: Audrey Matura
Secretary: Oj Elrington
Treasurer: John Nembhard
Membership Director: Lynden Jones
Education Director: Leeroy Banner
Communications Director: Rachel Montejo
Ethics Director: Emerita Anderson
Pro Bono Director: Dale Cayetano
Public Policy Director: Arthur Saldivar
Immediate Past President: Michelle Trapp
The formation of the association in March 2020 was aimed at addressing these critical issues. Attorney Dickie Bradley emphasised back then the need for lawyers to advocate for the rights of the poorer population in Belize. “Police officers are in fact peace officers. They are there to protect us. They are not there to chance us and take advantage of us,” he stated.
The Association of Defence Attorneys stands ready to promote human rights, provide continuing legal education, advocate for fair legal practices, support legal aid services, and foster ethical standards among attorneys.
President of the National Evangelical Association of Belize, NEAB, Victor Hernandez, was this morning arraigned on charges of rape and sexual assault. According to reports, Hernandez, 65, was charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He was granted bail of ten thousand dollars, with one surety of the same amount.
Hernandez, who leads the Toledo Faith Outreach Christian Center, is being accused by a 38-year-old woman who alleges that he raped her on two occasions: August 2015 and March 2016. One of the incidents reportedly took place at a store once owned by Hernandez. According to the report, the victim did not report the incidents because of fear, shame, trauma, and a desire to keep the matter from her family.
Hernandez also faces a sexual assault charge from a 2021 incident in which he allegedly grabbed the woman’s breast.
The Government is enhancing wildfire protection for vulnerable communities by delivering over $320,000 in firefighting equipment to Billy White, Santa Familia, Duck Run 1 and 3, and Los Tambos. This initiative is part of the “Building Climate Change Resilience and Social Integration of Displaced People in Settlements of Western Belize” project.
Additionally, $300,000 was invested in upgrading the Los Tambos Primary School to meet hurricane shelter standards.
Launched in February 2022, this project, funded by a BZ$4,600,000 EU grant in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), aims to strengthen resilience in five Western Belize communities. Key components include constructing five hurricane shelters, a polyclinic, and improving water systems. The project also involves installing culverts and drainage in two communities.
Recent donations feature chainsaws, axes, and fire-resistant gear such as pants, gloves, boots, helmets, radios, and more to aid wildfire response. Given this year’s unprecedented fires, providing these essential tools is crucial.
The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and is set to conclude by December 2024, with a polyclinic and community centre in Duck Run 1 expected to serve over 5,000 residents by late 2024.
Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until his next court appearance on Wednesday afternoon. Combs, 53, will be held in the Special Housing Unit, separate from the general population, where inmates are placed for protection or other reasons.
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Combs, facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, will stay in custody as the case proceeds. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, announced plans to appeal the decision.
During the detention hearing, federal prosecutors revealed that at least a dozen witnesses personally observed Combs’ violent behavior toward women, many of whom are allegedly scared of him. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson highlighted Combs’ attempts to obstruct investigations and cover up his actions, pointing to a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing him assaulting his then-girlfriend in Los Angeles as key evidence of the ongoing threat he poses.
Johnson described Combs as a “serial abuser and serial obstructor,” adding that pretrial services also recommended his detention. Prosecutors expressed concerns that he had reached out to victims and witnesses, further justifying the need to keep him in custody.
Combs’ defense attorney argued that the music mogul had no intention of fleeing and had voluntarily come to New York, anticipating an indictment. Combs, who pled not guilty to all charges, showed no visible reaction when the judge issued her ruling, quietly sipping water before being led out of the courtroom. His legal team plans to appeal the bail decision before U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Carter on Wednesday afternoon. If the appeal is denied, Combs will return to the detention center to await further court proceedings.
HIV infections among young people in the Caribbean are on the rise, with alarming statistics revealing that 27% of new cases in 2023 affect those aged 15-24—up from just 15% in 2020. The Multi-Country Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Dr. Richard Amenyah, warns that without urgent action and innovative strategies, the region risks falling further behind in the fight against this devastating epidemic, jeopardising the future of its youth.
Despite global efforts, the decline in new infections among adolescents and youth has not been sufficient to control the epidemic.
Dr. Amenyah stated that young people aged 15–24 represented 28 percent of new HIV infections worldwide in 2023. In the Caribbean, this group accounted for 27% of the 15,000 new cases reported, a significant increase from just 15% in 2020. Additionally, 25% of all pregnant women living with HIV globally are between 15 and 24 years old.
Dr. Amenyah noted, “This rising proportion… warrants further investigation and serious attention if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.” The situation is particularly alarming in countries like Barbados, where the total HIV incidence ranges from 14% in Suriname and Guyana to 37% in Barbados. Belize sits at an 18% HIV incidence. This “warrants further investigation and serious attention, if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” remarked Dr. Amenyah.
While there has been some progress since 2000, the decline in new infections has stalled, especially among adolescents aged 15-24. Dr. Amenyah highlighted that in 2023, “71% of new HIV infections among adolescents aged 10-19 years were among girls.”
Several structural barriers contribute to the epidemic’s growth among young people. Issues such as social norms and a lack of comprehensive sexuality education have made HIV prevention challenging. Stigma around HIV further deters young people, “Fear of rejection by peers and family members forces many young people to hide their HIV status,” Dr. Amenyah stated. He added, “Mental health services tailored to the needs of HIV-positive youth are often limited.”
To combat this crisis, policymakers are encouraged to adopt tailored strategies. Dr. Amenyah outlined several key approaches:
Education: Integrating rights-based Comprehensive Sexuality Education in schools can empower young people with knowledge about HIV prevention.
Youth-Friendly Healthcare: Creating safe environments for young people to access confidential health services is crucial.
Targeted Prevention: Programs should focus on vulnerable populations, addressing legal barriers that hinder access to services.
Youth Empowerment: Engaging young people in designing and implementing HIV programs will ensure their needs are addressed.
Leveraging Technology: Digital platforms can be used to educate and connect young people with health services.
Evidence-Based Approaches: Investing in robust data systems will help track the epidemic and inform policies.
Dr. Amenyah’s statement concluded, “Without greater attention to HIV among adolescents and youth, the world will not achieve its goal of ending the epidemic.” Urgent action is needed to reduce new infections and “make meaningful progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat in the Caribbean by 2030,” he ended.
A San Pedro police officer has been arrested and charged with theft after a local bartender reported that casino chips and cash went missing following his detention earlier this month.
Kevin Salazar, a 28-year-old bartender from the San Pedrito area in San Pedro Town, reported that on the morning of Tuesday, September 10, 2024, he was socialising at the Palm Casino when a female police officer approached him, conducted a search, and found him in possession of controlled drugs. Salazar was detained and escorted to the San Pedro Police Station.
Upon arrival at the station, Salazar was asked to hand over his personal belongings to be logged. He surrendered two green casino chips worth $50 each, 22 red casino chips valued at $10 each, $15 in cash, a cellphone, a watch, and a silver chain. He signed the station diary confirming these items.
The next day, on Wednesday, September 11, Salazar was officially arrested and charged with “Possession of Controlled Drugs.” After pleading guilty at the San Pedro Magistrate Court, he was fined. When he returned to the police station to collect his belongings, Salazar discovered that the casino chips valued at $320 and the $15 in cash were missing. The diarist allegedly told Salazar that he had only signed for his other items and not the casino chips or money.
Salazar immediately filed a report about the missing items. The police launched an internal investigation, reviewing video footage and taking a statement from the bartender.
As a result, 28-year-old police officer Keir Roebin David Morey, who resides on Jewfish Street in San Pedro Town, was detained and informed of the complaint against him. After being cautioned and advised of his constitutional rights, Morey was placed under investigation.
On Tuesday, September 17, Morey was formally arrested and charged with theft in connection to the missing casino chips and cash.
The entrance to the Sir Edney Cain Building in Belmopan was transformed to accommodate Prime Minister John Briceno’s State of the Nation address this morning. His twenty-minute speech was briefly interrupted by the rain; nonetheless, PM Briceño touched on every sector, from business to education, health, infrastructure, job creation and even sports. He made a couple announcements that were met with mixed reactions, including an amendment to the income tax regime. The event saw the attendance of elected representatives, government officials, diplomats and primary school students. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A tent was pitched in front of the Sir Edney Cain Building. A podium was placed at the entrance and bleachers were erected for primary school students to take their seats behind the head of government. All twenty-seven elected PUP area representatives sat in front of the podium cheering on Prime Minister John Briceño, as he delivered his State of the Nation address.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I am happy to report that the State of the Nation is stronger, more hopeful and more confident than at any time in our forty-three years.”
It’s a presentation that is traditionally reserved for Independence Day. This year, however, the Briceño administration decided to forego the annual tradition to avoid the political mudslinging that often plays out in front of the diplomatic corp.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Because Belizeans are working, and Belizeans are winning. For the first time ever, ninety-seven of every one hundred Belizeans who wants a job have found one. The SIB reports that the unemployment rate stood at three percent since April of this year. Never before has jobs been so available and never before has the minimum wage been so high.”
Prime Minister Briceño says the nation’s gross domestic product has grown by thirty-four percent since 2020, with 2023’s GDP now surpassing six billion dollars. He says it’s the highest level in the country’s history.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“To further support small business, small farmers, even new homeowners, Government is making access to finance more affordable. And, as we ring in the New Year, Government will pass legislation so that all mortgages, assignments and cancellations of mortgages for less than one hundred thousand dollars will be exempt from stamp duty. This exemption will surely assist lending institutions to compete for your business and bring down interest rates.”
Perhaps the biggest revelation made by Prime Minister Briceño during his speech was the announcement of a new income tax regime.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Effective January first, in support of employees, Cabinet has approved that all workers who earn less than twenty-nine thousand dollars will be exempt from income tax. By increasing, and additional two thousand eight hundred and fifty-one workers will no longer be subject to income tax. The income laws will also be adjusted to remove existing anomalies so that in no instance will an employed person take home less pay when his/her salary increases. This amendment will benefit no less than seven hundred and thirty-three employed persons. Altogether, by these income tax deduction adjustments, over three point three million dollars more will be placed directly into the pockets of over three thousand, five hundred employees, an average of almost one thousand dollars increase in net take home pay.”
PM Briceño went on to say that with the expansion of NHI two hundred and sixteen thousand Belizeans have access to virtually free primary health care. Approximately one hundred thousand students are in the classroom at all levels of academia. Twenty thousand Belizeans have become first time landowners, and four hundred and fifty million dollars have been invested in total capital public investments.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“The only gain that matters are better life for the Belizean people. That our people are healthier that our children are assured a seat in the classroom, gaining useful knowledge with ready access to digital resources, that we are a society of landowners and homeowners and a widening middle class, and that our farmers and visitors have safe and efficient access to every corner of the country. This is the kind of progress that ignites a virtuous circle of sustainable and equitable prosperity.”
And, as a small drizzle quickly became a heavy downpour, the school children cleared the bleachers. Prime Minister Briceno kept on reading, relying solely on a printed copy of his speech as the teleprompter was drenched. He went on to reaffirm Belize’s support for Palestine and Ukraine and highlighted Belize’s trailblazing efforts in conservation, especially marine conservation.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“And so, judged by how we have improved ourselves and how we have enhanced our standing in the global stage, Belize can mark this forty-third birthday with confidence and pride. Momentum is on our side. The work continues. After four years of impressive achievements our promises shine with the aura of destiny. Together with the blessings of our creator we shall continue to reach higher heights and move ever forward. Que Vivia Belice.”
If you were listening keenly, the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation address is similar to the speech that would be given during the Independence Day ceremony in Belmopan. Well, that was intentional. Prime Minister Briceño and the Leader of the Opposition have agreed to give what would traditionally be their Independence Day addresses ahead of the actual day. PM Briceño explained that they are trying to avoid the political mudslinging that plays out at the official ceremony.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Under the Musa government, he use to do the state of report to the nation as to where we are. But it stopped with the previous government. But now that we have recontinued that tradition, it is unfortunate what is happening with the leader of the opposition. He is going and saying some most outrageous stuff and it is an embarrassment to all of us, not only to himself, not only to his party but to the entire country. I remember many ambassadors, they are afraid to say anything, but usually when we are talking on a side they would tell us, what is wrong with this person. So, to avoid that embarrassment with our visitors, we decided it is best to do this today. We consulted with him, and I guess he will probably have a press meeting or briefing with you all, supposedly tomorrow to answer back. But at least it is not on Independence Day. I have always said, Independence Day should be one day that we should set our differences aside. We will always have these differences, be it in politics or relationships. But the twenty-first is one day we should leave all of that politics behind and come to be proud and patriotic Belizeans and look what we have accomplished in those short forty-three years. We are still a baby as a nation, but it was important to take whatever corrective measures where we are going wrong and fix that. That is what we are doing. We want to avoid that travesty. So, on the twenty-first the leader of the opposition will be given an opportunity to give a greeting, a short message for the twenty-first and I will do the same.”
