In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) voiced strong objections to remarks made by Assad Shoman regarding the International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings and recent incidents on the Sarstoon River. The BTV accused Shoman of trivialising these encounters and deemed his comments on the uncertainty of the ICJ’s conclusions unacceptable.
When asked about it Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca stated that no date has yet been set for the ICJ’s oral hearings. He said, “It’s clear that that is in the hands of the court. I think what Assad was saying he was being frank and honest. It’s up to the court.”
Fonseca explained that once a hearing date is received, it may take three to six months, followed by a potential two-year wait for a final resolution, but reiterated, “That’s entirely up to the court.” He emphasised the government’s commitment to defending Belize’s position on the Sarstoon, stating, “We take a backseat to no one, including the territorial volunteers.”
The minister cited the government’s ongoing diplomatic talks with Guatemalan officials, where Belize’s stance on the Sarstoon River has been reiterated at multiple levels of government. “We are very clear and comfortable in terms of our position in terms of the Sarstoon. And we’re very confident about Belize’s position as it relates to ownership of a part of the Sarstoon River,” Fonseca affirmed.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached an $880 million settlement with 1,353 individuals who alleged they were sexually abused by priests, marking the largest payout by a U.S. diocese in response to decades-old claims of abuse.
Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed deep sorrow for the victims, stating, “I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart.” He also hoped the settlement would offer some healing for those who suffered.
The settlement follows months of negotiations after a California law allowed new lawsuits over past cases of child sexual abuse. Attorneys for the victims described the abuse as horrific, and the settlement concludes 25 years of litigation against the largest U.S. archdiocese. Prior settlements had already cost the Los Angeles Archdiocese $740 million, bringing the total compensation to over $1.5 billion.
Unlike several other dioceses in California, such as San Francisco and San Diego, which have filed for bankruptcy to manage similar claims, the Los Angeles Archdiocese did not declare bankruptcy. Instead, it will cover the payments using cash reserves, investments, loans, and contributions from religious organizations involved in lawsuits.
While no amount of money can undo the harm caused, attorneys on both sides issued a joint statement thanking survivors for coming forward and ensuring that steps are taken to prevent future abuse.
The Catholic Church has been repeatedly shaken by sexual abuse scandals globally, particularly since the Boston Globe’s 2002 investigation into the widespread abuse and cover-up in the Boston diocese, which inspired the Oscar-winning film *Spotlight*. In the U.S. alone, more than 11,000 complaints have been filed against clergy, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements.
The Israeli military confirmed the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 massacre in Israel. Sinwar’s body was discovered in the rubble of a building struck by an Israeli tank in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified his remains through DNA and dental records.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed no hostages were harmed in the mission, though ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations remain stalled. U.S. officials, frustrated by the lack of progress, had speculated Sinwar’s death could break the deadlock in negotiations. While his elimination marks a significant moment in the conflict, it’s uncertain whether this will accelerate peace efforts or prolong the path to resolution.
The killing comes as Israel prepares to retaliate against Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack. Despite this development, a full resolution of the wider Middle East conflict before Election Day on November 5 is not expected, though it may shift the dynamics of both the war and U.S. political landscapes.
The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported this morning that two Caribbean weather systems have low chances of developing into tropical storms.
In the western Caribbean, a low-pressure area is causing showers and thunderstorms. The NHC noted, “Some gradual development is possible over the next couple of days” before it moves inland over Central America, bringing locally heavy rainfall to parts of Central America and southern Mexico through the weekend. The National Meteorological Service of Belize added that this system has a low chance of development in the next 48 hours.
Additionally, a trough of low pressure east of the Leeward Islands is moving westward. Forecasters expect it to approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Friday, then Hispaniola and the southeastern Bahamas on Saturday. However, “strong upper-level winds should end the chances of development by late in the weekend,” with formation chances at 20% in the next 48 hours and 30% over the week.
By Dr. QU Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
This year the theme for World Food Day is “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future.” It’s a timely reminder that all people have the right to adequate food.
But how do we get from a right to a reality? And why is it so important to think about not just having sufficient food but also the diversity of diets? That’s why I speak of “foods” in the plural, emphasising this diversity as well as food availability, food accessibility, and food affordability for all.
Right now, the world’s farmers produce more than enough food to feed the global population in terms of calories. Yet around 730 million people are facing hunger due to man-made and natural disasters, including conflict, recurrent weather shocks, inequalities, and economic downturns.
Billions lack healthy diets.
Another harsh reality is that over 2.8 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet, which is a leading cause of all forms of malnutrition.
Simply put, almost one-third of the global population today is not getting the nutrients and micronutrients they need to thrive and, in some cases, survive. This means that the quality of life for roughly half the world is more urgently in need of improvement.
We need a greater diversity of nutritious and affordable foods to be available in our fields, fishing nets, markets, and on our tables for the benefit of all. This is not just about populations’ nutritional requirements but also about ensuring that our agrifood systems are efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable so that they can be respectful of traditional food cultures and healthy diets based on science and in line with personal preferences.
Another crucial consideration is the long-term health and sustainability of the environment on which we rely to produce these foods and which needs biodiversity to thrive.
The right to foods will not in itself fill stomachs or put more diverse diets on plates. But it does help frame our collective aspirations for the kind of just and equitable world we want to live in. It creates concrete obligations for governments and key partners to fulfil, and it should encourage all of us to do our part to ensure it is realised.
This is the reason for action. Now.
FAO’s role
At the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), we are working hard to turn this right into a reality, even in the face of a range of challenges. In conflict zones, access to foods is being disrupted, leading to malnutrition and hunger. In these and other hunger hotspots, FAO’s efforts are focused on rebuilding agricultural infrastructure to ensure food availability and accessibility for long-term food security, with all tools and channels.
Aside from such emergency interventions, key FAO programs such as the Hand in Hand initiative, One Country, One Priority Product, Blue Economy, and Technical Cooperation Programmes (TCPs) also target medium- to long-term food security and nutrition across a wide range of countries.
In many places, dietary changes and market concentration driven by globalisation have led to increased health issues, including obesity and diabetes. School feeding programs supported by FAO play an important role in helping address these challenges, as they source food from local farmers and ensure children receive nutritious meals.
In many countries, across all regions, FAO is working with fishing communities and local governments to expand social protection and economic inclusion of the most vulnerable by helping them diversify their production, build alternative income sources, and connect to new markets.
Inflation, particularly during periods of economic instability, can make food unaffordable. In some African countries, for example, FAO’s initiatives include cash transfers to the poorest households, helping them afford food during hyperinflation.
The climate crisis poses a significant threat to global food security. Erratic weather patterns and natural disasters can devastate crops and livestock. For example, in some countries in Asia, FAO has introduced climate-smart agriculture techniques to help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions, ensuring consistent food production.
Furthermore, by working closely with governments, FAO helps develop legal frameworks and has assisted in draughting national policies towards ensuring food security and nutrition for all.
Collective action needed
But it’s not just governments that we call upon to engage in this battle. Collective action can drive substantial change with global collaboration from all sectors and all partners—governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, and individuals.
And especially the youth—because a food-secure future is their right. They design and decide the future. All calls from the UN Summit of the Future are determined by their actions.
Farmers can make a difference by practicing sustainable agriculture that enhances biodiversity and manages natural resources responsibly. Businesses can make nutritious and diverse foods available more affordably. Academia and civil society can hold governments accountable by collecting data, identifying areas for improvement, implementing scientific solutions, and measuring progress towards targets.
Science and innovation, including IT, biotechnology, AI, digital agriculture, and others, will be a decisive force for agrifood systems transformation.
Finally, all of us as consumers can and should play our role in reducing the “food footprint,” practicin healthy lifestyles, raising our voices to influence decision-making, reducing food waste, and promoting food diversity.
This World Food Day, let us renew our commitment to build more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable agrifood systems that honour everyone’s right to varied and nutritious foods.
Together, we can get back on track to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—our collective pledge to take action for people, planet, and prosperity. We can accomplish this by transforming global agrifood systems to ensure the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life—leaving no one behind.
The Belize National Youth Awards 2024 is an exciting opportunity to recognise the achievements and contributions of young Belizeans aged 14 to 29 who are making a difference in their communities. The awards, organised by the Department of Youth Services, is calling for nominations until November 2nd.
Award categories include:
Youth Minister’s for Youth Leadership and Advocacy Award
Strength through Adversity Award (Unattached Youth)
Athletic Excellence Award (Male and Female)
Youth with Disability Award
Innovation through Technology Award (Individual/Group)
Outstanding Young Musician Award
Outstanding Youth in Visual Arts Award
Social Media Influencer Award
Youth in Agriculture Award
Academic Excellence Award
Youth in Entrepreneurship Award
Environmental Steward Award (Individual/Group)
Youth Club/Group of the Year Award
To nominate a deserving young individual or group, click the link for the online form:Nomination Form.
Experts from the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) are deploying advanced satellite technology to combat the destructive Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) fungus threatening banana and plantains crops in Guatemala and Belize. At the recent 2024 International Forum on Applied Technology held in Musacae, Guatemala, TASA showcased their innovative use of satellite remote sensing to monitor this disease.
Central America is the world’s leading banana exporter, with Guatemala contributing 10.8% of global exports and Belize’s banana sector accounting for 20% of its agricultural output. Fusarium TR4 poses a severe threat, risking up to 100% yield loss on infected farms.
Chang Li-yu, Deputy Director of TASA’s Satellite Data Group, explained that the FORMOSAT-5 satellite measures how plants reflect near-infrared light to assess their health and growth. According to Chang, after three years of operation in Guatemala and Belize, the project has successfully managed the spread of Fusarium TR4 and set a new standard for satellite analysis in the fight against banana diseases and pests.
Manslaughter charges have been formally filed against 34-year-old Oscar Patt in connection with the death of 41-year-old Nelson Claros. Both men are from San Narciso Village, Corozal District.
According to reports, Patt, his wife, and daughter were waiting for a bus in San Narciso Village when Claros reportedly approached and began harassing them, allegedly threatening Patt’s two-year-old daughter. The altercation, which occurred on August 12, resulted in Claros sustaining critical injuries. Patt was arrested on October 16.
Following the incident, Claros was taken to a local hospital and later transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on August 22.
