North Korea reportedly executed 30 officials last month for their alleged failure to address the catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of over 4,000 people.
According to South Korean outlet TV Chosun, the officials were accused of corruption and dereliction of duty. The devastating flooding, which struck Chagang province in July, displaced more than 15,000 people.
North Korean news reports indicated that the floods caused extensive damage in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and neighboring Uiju, affecting over 4,100 homes, 7,410 acres of farmland, as well as numerous roads, buildings, and railway lines. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the authorities to “strictly punish” the officials deemed responsible, the North Korean Central News Agency reported.
An unnamed official within the Kim regime told TV Chosun that 20 to 30 cadres from the flood-stricken area were executed late last month. Following the disaster, Kim declared that North Korea would reject any international aid, as reported by the Associated Press.
Instead, he directed officials to relocate thousands of displaced residents to the capital, Pyongyang, where they would receive better care and support. The rebuilding efforts were projected to take two to three months, during which the government planned to provide for nearly 15,400 vulnerable individuals in facilities within Pyongyang.
North Korea has a history of public executions, with an average of 10 occurring annually before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Korea Times, a South Korean media outlet. The number has since increased to an estimated 100 or more, the outlet claimed.
At least four people were killed and nine others wounded in a school shooting on Wednesday, about an hour outside of Atlanta, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities reported that one suspect was taken into custody alive following the incident at Apalachee High School.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith confirmed “multiple injuries” during a news conference but refrained from providing additional details, stating that it would take “multiple days” to fully understand what occurred.
“Every minute, new information is emerging,” Sheriff Smith said.
He added that efforts were underway to reunite students with their parents after what he described as an “evil thing” that had taken place at the school. The first report of an “active shooter” at Apalachee High School came in around 9:30 a.m., according to Smith. Deputies and emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene by about 10:23 a.m., as noted in a statement from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Governor Brian Kemp said in a statement, “I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.”
President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting, according to a senior White House official.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed his sorrow for the affected families, stating that the Justice Department stands ready to provide support.
The contract of Dorothy Bradley, Belize’s Auditor General, has officially come to an end. Bradley, who initially retired in December 2021, was brought back in 2022 for a two-year term as Acting Auditor General. Her term expired on August 31, 2024, and it has been confirmed that her contract will not be renewed.
She first took on the role of Auditor General in 2011, after serving as the Chief Elections Officer. Her return to the Auditor General’s office in 2022 was unprecedented, as it was the first time an Auditor General was hired on a contract basis. This move was deemed necessary by the government due to challenges in finding a permanent successor.
During her tenure, Bradley faced both praise and criticism. Earlier this year, Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union (PSU), publicly criticised her performance, arguing that her tenure had not met expectations and calling for a new appointment with greater competence and experience.
The post will be advertised shortly, and an interim Auditor General will be appointed in the meantime.
The Department of the Environment (DOE) announced key decisions on three major projects, highlighting a strong commitment to environmental protection. According to an official statement from the DOE, the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) has set important conditions to ensure that development does not come at the expense of Belize’s natural heritage.
For Fortis Belize Limited’s Chalillo Solar PV Facility, the NEAC required a revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and a second public consultation. “An updated EIA report is to be resubmitted and a second public consultation is to be held,” the DOE stated.
The MW Collective’s Crawl Caye project received approval with strict conditions, including mangrove preservation and the removal of a helipad. A decommissioning plan for an existing solar farm was also mandated. “The environmental clearance be granted to the MW Collective with strict conditions,” the DOE stated, adding “the verification of the mangrove cover to be maintained and legally declared into a private reserve.” “NEAC also recommended that a decommissioning plan be incorporated for the existing solar farm and that the helipad be removed from the project concept,” the DOE continued.
In the case of Earlene Dixon’s Turneffe Atoll vacation home, only the residential part of the development was approved. Due to the potential adverse impacts on the marine ecosystems, the DOE stated that “the dredging component and the marina component of the development be removed and thus was not recommended for approval.”
The DOE confirmed it will follow NEAC’s recommendations and informed the developers of these decisions.
Antonio Soberanis Gómez, a name synonymous with courage and conviction, stands tall in Belizean history as the driving force behind the country’s labour movement. Affectionately known as “Tony,” he dedicated his life to championing the rights of the working class. He left an indelible mark on Belize’s journey towards social justice and independence.
A Humble Beginning
Born on January 17, 1897, in San Antonio, Rio Hondo, Belize, Antonio was the son of Mexican immigrants who sought a better life in Belize. His early years were shaped by the values of hard work and resilience, which he carried with him throughout his life. After completing his education at an all-boys school in Belize City, Antonio became a barber, opening The Panama Barbershop—a modest establishment that would later become a crucible for political thought and activism.
Championing the Working Class
By the early 1930s, Belize was in the throes of economic despair. The once-thriving mahogany trade was in decline, and the Great Depression, compounded by the catastrophic 1931 hurricane, had left the working class in dire straits. It was against this backdrop that Antonio Soberanis emerged as a beacon of hope. When the Unemployed Brigade—a group formed to address the mounting hardships—began to falter, Antonio’s unwavering resolve came to the fore. With the declaration, “I’d rather be a dead hero than a living coward,” he galvanised the movement, taking up the mantle to fight for fair wages and dignified working conditions.
Founding the Labour and Unemployed Association
In 1934, Antonio, alongside a group of determined individuals, founded the Labour and Unemployed Association (LUA). The LUA became the voice of the oppressed, organising strikes, boycotts, and protests that challenged the status quo. Despite facing repeated arrests and government crackdowns, Antonio’s spirit remained unbroken. Under his leadership, the LUA achieved significant victories, including wage increases, improved employment opportunities, and a stronger political presence for workers.
Service and Continued Advocacy
Soberanis’ commitment to his country extended beyond the labour movement. In 1942, he served in the British military in Panama during World War II. He demonstrating his dedication to the greater good. Upon returning to Belize, he continued his activism, playing a key role in the formation of the People’s Committee political party in the 1950s, which would later evolve into the People’s United Party—one of Belize’s major political forces.
A Life of Legacy
Antonio Soberanis Gómez was more than a labour leader; he was a devoted family man, married to Violet Garbutt and the father of ten children. Even as he pursued his activism, he remained connected to his roots, continuing his work as a barber—a testament to his humility and dedication to his community.
When Antonio passed away on April 14, 1975, at the age of 78, Belize lost one of its greatest champions. Yet, his legacy lives on. In 1991, a bust of his likeness was unveiled at the inauguration of Battlefield Park in Belize City, a lasting tribute to his contributions to the nation’s independence and the rights of its people.
Antonio Soberanis Gómez’s life is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have in shaping the course of history. His relentless pursuit of justice and equality remains an enduring source of inspiration for all Belizeans. He is, without doubt, a true hero of Belize.
This morning, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported several tropical waves with low chances of development. A tropical wave moving west at 20 mph is generating “disorganised showers and thunderstorms” near southeastern Cuba and Jamaica, with only a 30 percent chance of formation over the next week. Another wave, east of the Lesser Antilles, is showing minimal activity and has a 10 percent chance of significant development. A third wave in the eastern Atlantic is also producing disorganised showers, with a 20 percent chance of slow development in the coming week.
In Belize, the National Meteorological Service has issued a warning for “moist and unstable conditions” expected to continue over the next few days. The 24-hour forecast indicates “mostly cloudy to overcast skies,” with “a few showers, thunderstorms, and periods of rain” impacting northern and central areas today, with increased activity anticipated tonight, especially over the south and coast.
An excessive rainfall watch is in effect due to the potential for heavy rainfall, and small craft operators are advised to exercise caution due to gusty winds and rough seas.
The pine bark beetle, a tiny but relentless invader, is wreaking havoc on forests and threatening global food security. As this insidious pest spreads its destruction across continents, urgent action is needed to halt its advance and protect vital ecosystems.
West Virginia State University (WVSU) has stepped up to meet this challenge with a new initiative aimed at combating the beetle’s threat. Led by Dr. Ayesha Sarker, assistant research professor of food science, the 1890 Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense launched a project titled “A Collaborative Network for Monitoring Emerging Plant and Animal Diseases for Food Security.”
This summer, WVSU hosted a critical workshop in Belize, “Addressing New and Emerging Pests and Diseases: The Case of Pine Bark Beetle in Belize,” in collaboration with the University of Belize and the Forestry Department. The event, held at the Central Farm, brought together experts, students, and stakeholders to discuss beetle identification and integrated pest management strategies.
Dr. Sarker highlighted the workshop’s impact, stating, “The workshop focused on potential technical support from regional partners in specialized areas such as pine bark beetle identification training and IPM control measures.” The initiative aims to strengthen international partnerships and improve monitoring and data collection to effectively tackle this global pest threat.
Police have detained a fifty-five-year-old Lebanese man who brandished a firearm this morning outside the Department of Lands. Reports are that the individual, identified as a foreign national, visited the department and sought to join the express service line. He was reportedly informed that he needed to get a ticket which would indicate his position in the queue. The foreign national reportedly became infuriated after learning that he would not be given access without a ticket. Video has surfaced showing him hurling threatening words and brandishing a firearm during a verbal altercation with a security guard. Information is that at least three Special Patrol Unit officers were on duty at the location at the time. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
This morning, a fifty-five-year-old Lebanese man seeking the services of the Lands Department in Belmopan pulled out a firearm during a verbal altercation with an individual employed at the department. The individual seen dressed in a red T-shirt, a short pants and a hat can be heard hurling threatening words. He stepped closer to the door. He is then heard saying “I have one too”, before pulling a firearm from his waist. Chief Executive Officer Paul Thompson informed News Five that the individual visited the department and attempted to enter the express service line. The security guard reportedly informed him that he needs to get a ticket to join the line because there is a ticketing system in place.
That is when the individual became agitated and pulled out his firearm. Thompson told us that two security guards were on duty at the time of the incident, along with three Special Patrol Unit officers. Notwithstanding the relatively high level of security on the premises, the individual left the compound without being apprehended. The Ministry of Natural Resources has since met with members of the police department to formulate a plan for heightened security at the Lands Department. Currently, people visiting the department are not screened for weapons. Furthermore, individuals are allowed to park their vehicles on the premises. CEO Thompson informed News Five that these are all areas being looked at. Fortunately, no one was injured, though the weapon was drawn. The actions of this individual, however, amount to a clear violation of the gun regulations in Belize. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Earlier in the newscast, we told you about an altercation at the Lands Department in Belmopan that led to a Lebanese businessman brandishing a firearm. We contacted that individual who was detained by police and later released. Here is what he told us over the phone:
The United Democratic Party appeared before the Belize City Magistrates Court today to challenge just over sixty voter transfers in the Cayo North constituency. We spoke with U.D.P. Chairman, Michael Peyrefitte who contends that in one case, fifteen persons were registered in a single bedroom apartment. Peyrefitte argues that most of these transfers are from the Belize Rural Central constituency. He says it should be concerning for Belize Rural Central Area Representative Dolores Balderamos-Garcia. He also described it as a desperate move by Cayo North Area Representative Michel Chebat. Ultimately, the challenge was unsuccessful. Peyrefitte told us more.
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Well, it was very simple what was being tried, challenged. You know, July and August, that’s the transfer period. So, if you were once living in one constituency, but you recently moved to another constituency, the law allows you in the months of July and August to transfer to where you now live, right? But just like first registration, when you transfer, it has to make sense. For example, if you have a one-day rule, the evidence led by our person who led the evidence in one of the situations goes to the host once a week, friends with the chief occupant, then what you have then is that person testifying. That you have a small living room, a small kitchen and one bedroom, but yet between July tenth and August tenth, fifteen people claim to have moved into that property. I mean, that’s just, that doesn’t fly. I mean, that’s ridiculous. And I know the law says that the law puts no limit on it in terms of as long as the chief occupant says they live there, then, you know, it’s kind of hard for the magistrate to say, well, you know, I don’t accept that because that’s the law, but that is completely and utterly ridiculous. And I hope the court would have made the chief occupant and the registering officer come under oath and testify that when she, as a registering officer went to check to see that these people actually live there, that she found them there, that she found evidence that they lived there, and we believe that she could not have said that, because then there’s no way that 15 people could live in some of these places. And then they, it felt to us like it was never going to reach that stage, because shockingly, amazingly, the magistrate allowed a no case submission in a civil matter. What should have happened in our view since in a civil matter, while the burden was on us, it’s a balance of probabilities. You hear our side. And then the registering officer and the people who were being objected to would come into court and testify on their side of the story. It didn’t even reach to where the registering officer had to explain how it is that she registered these people.”
