December 13, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Iran’s New Morality Laws Threaten Women with Death Penalty

Iran’s controversial “Protecting the Family through the Promotion of Chastity and Hijab” law, which takes effect today, December 13, 2024, has drawn widespread international condemnation. The law imposes severe penalties on women and girls who refuse to comply with compulsory veiling, including the death penalty. Offences such as “nudity,” “indecency,” and “bad dressing” are punishable by flogging, imprisonment of up to 10 years, and fines. It also includes travel bans and restrictions on education and employment.

Amnesty International has condemned the law, with Deputy Regional Director Diana Eltahawy stating, “It intensifies the persecution of women and girls for daring to stand up for their rights.” Eltahawy warned that the law further entrenches Iran’s “suffocating system of repression,” while giving impunity to vigilantes who enforce veiling by force.

Iranian human rights lawyer Saeid Dehghan called the law unconstitutional, stating, “The punishments are grossly disproportionate to their actions.” Activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay described it as a “radical crackdown” by an “oppressive, gender-apartheid regime.”

The law follows widespread protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in custody for not properly wearing her hijab. A 23-year-old protester from the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrations said, “They’ve already killed Mahsa anyway, and, by now making it into law, they’re simply legalising the killing.”

Friday the 13th: Superstitions, Origins, and Why It Still Captivates Us

Today marks Friday the 13th, a date shrouded in superstition, mystery, and a dash of pop culture flair. This is the second Friday the 13th of 2024, following the one in September.

For those curious, next year will only have one Friday the 13th, in June 2025.

The day has long been associated with bad luck and superstition, a belief reinforced by pop culture, especially the Friday the 13th slasher film series. But its origins run deeper, with links to both religion and human psychology.

The Origins of Friday the 13th

While the exact origins of Friday the 13th remain unclear, many trace the fear of the number 13 back to Christian tradition. Some believe it stems from Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus and was said to be the 13th guest at the Last Supper. Friday itself is also linked to misfortune as it marks the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, creating a “double whammy” of bad luck, according to Dr. Phil Stevens, a retired anthropology professor and author of Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human.

Stevens explains that the human tendency toward “magical thinking” plays a role in linking two unrelated events — in this case, Friday and the number 13. This same thinking fuels beliefs about lucky charms and celebrity-owned items being more valuable.

Superstitions to Watch Out For

Friday the 13th is often met with heightened caution as people try to avoid common “bad luck triggers.” Here are a few superstitions tied to the day:

Breaking a Mirror: Said to bring seven years of bad luck, so handle glassware carefully.

Walking Under a Ladder: The triangle formed by a leaning ladder is seen as a sacred symbol of life. Walking through it is believed to “break” the symbol and invite misfortune.

Spilling Salt: Spilling salt has long been linked to bad luck, dating back to ancient times. To reverse the misfortune, it’s customary to toss a pinch of salt over your left shoulder.

Crossing Paths with a Black Cat: Black cats have historically been linked to witches and bad omens. If one crosses your path on Friday the 13th, some believe misfortune follows.

Stepping on Cracks: The childhood rhyme “step on a crack, break your mother’s back” reflects a belief that cracks on sidewalks or roads could bring bad luck or invite negative energy.

How to Reverse Your Luck

Not everything about Friday the 13th has to be ominous. If you’re feeling anxious, there are a few traditions believed to bring good fortune:

Carry a Lucky Charm: Four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, and rabbit’s feet are classic symbols of luck and protection.

Knock on Wood: This time-honored superstition is believed to ward off bad luck or “jinxes” after saying something hopeful or positive.

Why It Still Matters

Despite its mysterious origins, Friday the 13th continues to grip public imagination. From flash sales at tattoo parlors to horror movie marathons, the day blends fear, fun, and folklore. Friday the 13th remains a date where superstition and modern life collide.

House to Introduce Temporary Zero GST Legislation Today

The Briceño Administration is set to introduce legislation in the House of Representatives today that would provide temporary financial relief to consumers during the holiday season. The proposed measure, outlined in Statutory Instrument No. 152 of 2024, seeks to establish a zero rate of General Sales Tax (GST) on specific goods for select dates in December 2024.

The General Sales Tax (Amendment of Schedule) Order, 2024, will be presented by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, John Briceño. If approved, the measure will apply a zero GST rate to all standard-rated goods sold by registered suppliers on December 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd. However, notable exclusions apply. Goods sold on consignment or wholesale, as well as those sold on credit or hire purchase, will not qualify for the tax relief. Additionally, motor vehicles, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, diesel, guns, ammunition, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages are excluded from the exemption.

The legislation also proposes a month-long zero GST rate for retail sales of popular holiday items, including picnic shoulder ham, smoked ham leg, and imported turkey. This measure is aimed at making festive meals more affordable for Belizean families.

Despite the zero-rate concession for certain goods on the specified dates, GST will still be charged on taxable importations. The proposed order, which is subject to negative resolution, would automatically become effective unless annulled by the National Assembly. It is set to expire on December 31, 2024.

Accused Kidnappers Out on Bail

The High Court has granted bail to Belmopan pastor Luis Alfredo Tiul Sr. and his son, Luis Alfredo Tiul Jr. They are facing multiple serious charges, including aggravated assault, wounding, sexual assault, and kidnapping.

They, along with 59-year-old Matilda Games and 43-year-old Elizabeth Tiul, were arraigned on October 24th in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Tiul Jr.’s wife—a case that sparked public outrage in Belmopan.

Attorney Hurl Hamilton represented the father and son in their bail application. Justice Derick Sylvester approved bail for Tiul Sr., setting it at $20,000, with the option of two sureties of $10,000 each.

The family allegedly held a 23-year-old woman captive inside their home for eight agonising days. The victim was none other than the pastor’s own daughter-in-law.

Reports indicate that the young woman had attempted to leave her troubled marriage, seeking shelter with her family. But after returning to her husband’s home, her nightmare reportedly began. Her father-in-law, a man seen as a spiritual leader in the community, is accused of binding her and keeping her restrained inside the house—transforming what should have been a place of refuge into a scene of terror.

#JustADollar to End Because of ‘Attack’

#JustADollar starter Andrew “Passy” Haylock announced this morning that he has “decided to close off the $JustADollar” and that the “last day for donation will be December 20th.” Haylock said the reason was because he was “attacked by two family members of the ten deceased.” He said that “instead of focusing on the love and memory of their loved one…they focused on money.”

He later shared that it was not a physical attack.

Haylock started raising money for the families of the ten victims that died in a tragic road traffic accident on December 8 on the George Price Highway.

When we spoke to Haylock on December 12, he told us that he has raised over $20,000 and has begun disbursing the money to the families.

The victims have been identified as Ruduel Parham (driver), Shailer Lopez, Abigail Bradley, Keilin Pinelo, Jaheim Inglesias, Aimie Hernandez, Dennis Williams, Jasmine Rodriguez, and Jazelle Rodriguez. Two passengers in the SUV were critically injured, while the other two sustained minor injuries.

PUC Enhances Emergency Response with New Utility Regulations

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of Belize has made amendments to its Request for Proposals (RFP) regulations, aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to respond to emergency situations affecting public utilities.

The amendments, detailed in Statutory Instrument No. 153 of 2024, were gazetted on December 11, 2024.

The key change involves the repeal and replacement of Regulation 19, which now empowers the PUC, in consultation with the minister responsible for public utilities and with Cabinet approval, to declare an emergency situation in the public interest. This declaration can be made when circumstances beyond Belize’s reasonable control arise, necessitating urgent action.

Under the new Regulation 19, the PUC can issue emergency orders to direct and govern the procurement of necessary generation services by the single buyer to address the emergency. This includes situations where a material shortfall in generation services is anticipated within a twelve-month period.

The amendments also stipulate that the single buyer can undertake emergency generation procurement without adhering to the usual regulatory provisions, provided they notify the PUC and the minister of the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement. The required generation services must be delivered within 12 months or as soon as reasonably practicable.

These changes are subject to negative resolution, meaning they will become effective unless annulled by the National Assembly.