In a pre-recorded message, Prime Minister John Briceño spoke to the gathering, emphasizing just how crucial the work of statisticians is across the region. He highlighted their efforts and the significant impact their data-driven insights have on shaping policies and driving progress.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Our Caribbean National Statistics Office has faced numerous challenges in their efforts to operationalize it. These were even further exacerbated in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak when national statistical systems were required to provide date to support government’s response in almost real-time. You all had to work with significantly reduced budgets and hundreds or even thousands of lives depended on the accuracy of the data your office produced. To their great credit, data systems around the world were able to adopt and innovate, supporting the largest ever data-driven response to a global crisis. This is nothing new for small countries with limited resources by necessity, adoptability and resourcefulness at all levels.”
Today, San Narciso Village in the Corozal District received materials for a brand-new water system. This event is part of an ongoing partnership between the Ministry of Rural Transformation and UNICEF Belize. Minister of State Ramiro Ramirez and UNICEF Country Representative Alison Parker were on hand to mark the occasion. It’s a significant step forward for the community, ensuring better access to clean water for everyone.
Ramiro Ramirez
Ramiro Ramirez, Minister of State, Rural Transformation
“Down south when we started, I was chatting with Dr. Angela the good momentsthat we had there and the worst moments that we had there. The first time that we went to Macahakil Ha, we had to walk couple hours in bush on a harsh trail, but now today, thanks to UNICEF, thanks to the Government of Belize, for rural transformation, we have a nice road, you can take your Prado or Lexus or anything you desire to go and visit that beautiful village now.”
Alison Parker
Alison Parker, UNICEF Country Rep, Belize
“We have been together, both in the southern part of Belize, as well as the north, where we recognize that persons especially in the rural areas do not have access to safe water.”
On Saturday, residents of Orange Walk District came together to celebrate finishing the Cell Phone Repair Training Course. Organized by the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, this training aimed to help women explore new opportunities and boost their financial independence. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Orange Walk District just saw a boost in women entering the STEM field, thanks to a cell phone repair training course. On Saturday, the graduates celebrated their achievement alongside Prime Minister John Briceno and the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit. Narda Garcia, CEO of the Ministry of Investment, congratulated the women on their impressive accomplishment.
Narda Garcia
Narda Garcia, C.E.O., OPM, Investment, Civil Aviation and Immigration
“Congratulations on completing the phone repair training. Your dedication and hard work have paid off and will continue to pay off. You have acquired valuable skills that will serve you well today and in the future. Remember that you are capable of achieving great things and that this is just the beginning of your journey in the tech industry. As Thea said, tech industry is evolving and evolving fast. Very dynamic. And from this, you will start to something greater. Keep pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes and inspiring others. With your passion and expertise, we are proud of you and excited to see where your newfound skills will take you.”
Garcia expressed her desire for all the graduates to receive their trade licenses quickly so that they may start receiving income from the new skill. Several graduates expressed their excitement about applying these new techniques in their everyday lives.
Training Course Graduate
Training Course Graduate
“Phone is the most important thing. In a home right now because you can you don’t use it only to do calls, but you can use it to do chit chatting, you can use it to do, to pay your bills, you can use it to do paying bills of social security or so forth it’s also you can do withdraw or sending money from one person to another, so it’s important in a home right now for using phones when the phone is spoiled, we get frustrated, right? Because we will not be able not to be able to communicate with our loved ones or to communicate at an emergency or something. So if we are be able to repair our own phone or repair the phone of our loved ones at a minimum cost, it is very suitable for us.”
The participants started from the very basics such as changing a screen and slowly advanced to more complex techniques such as welding and button replacements.
Training Course Graduate
“The girl that is back there, she managed to open the iPhone. iPhone is different from other phones. It has a special screwdriver that you have to use it. You cannot open it as how you can. She managed to open, I think, three of them, three iPhones. Also, there was one of us who said that they would bring a speaker, so they brought speakers and they started to repair speakers because the speaker could not charge, and so they charged, they changed the port because it was similar to a phone. So at the end of the week, we were all happy and we enjoyed being together and repairing phone. We were, this is not a stop, but this is just a beginning for us. I hope you ladies. Do take it in consideration and continue, because it’s just a beginning.”
Although the course was just two weeks long, the participants are eager to keep learning and growing in this field, driven by their own dedication and the support of the community. Britney Gordon for News Five.
A tragic incident unfolded during a local league soccer match in central Peru on Sunday when a lightning strike killed one player and injured four others.
The match, held at Coto Coto Stadium in Chilca, a town about 70 kilometres southeast of Lima, had been paused due to a storm when the lightning struck. Footage from the game shows players walking off the pitch when suddenly several collapsed as the lightning hit. A brief flash and a small plume of smoke appeared near one of the players, as seen in a broadcast by local TV station Onda Deportiva Huancavelica.
Among those struck was Hugo De La Cruz, a 39-year-old defender, who was identified as the deceased by local authorities and state media. The incident occurred 22 minutes into the match between the teams Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca. Other players initially struggled to get back on their feet after the lightning hit.
As of Monday evening, two of the injured players had been discharged from the hospital, while two others remain under observation. One goalkeeper, who was critically injured, had shown signs of improvement, according to state news agency Andina.
The National Women’s Commission (NWC) announced the launch of a Digital Poster Competition with the theme “#NoExcuse” to raise awareness about gender-based violence and promote gender equality. As part of addressing gender-based violence and incorporating elements from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Commission encourages participants to create digital posters that reflect this theme.
The competition will recognise the top five winners, with prizes for each place. First place will receive a laptop and a gift package containing hygiene or school supplies. Second place will win a tablet and a gift package, while third place will be awarded a cash prize and a gift package. Fourth and fifth place winners will each receive a gift certificate.
The competition is open to everyone, and submissions are accepted until November 8, 2024. Anyone interested is encouraged to submit their digital posters via email to programme.officer.nwc@humandev.gov.bz.
Tropical Storm Rafael is forecast to intensify into a hurricane as it passes near or over the Cayman Islands within the next 12 hours, bringing dangerous conditions. According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to produce damaging hurricane-force winds, a life-threatening storm surge, and destructive waves in the region. Further strengthening is anticipated as Rafael approaches western Cuba and the Isle of Youth by Wednesday. A hurricane warning is in effect for these areas, with similar threats expected.
Tropical storm conditions are also projected to affect the Lower and Middle Florida Keys beginning on Wednesday and continuing into Wednesday night.
It remains unclear whether Rafael will impact the northern Gulf Coast, and residents in that region are advised to closely monitor updates and remain prepared.
In addition to the strong winds, Rafael is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to parts of the western Caribbean through early Thursday, affecting Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and southern and western Cuba. The heavy rain could lead to flash flooding and mudslides, especially in the higher terrains of Jamaica and Cuba. Residents in these areas are urged to take necessary precautions.
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to “revolutionise” industries, it’s leaving an unexpected environmental footprint: water usage. Research shows that AI-powered data centres, which run the vast AI models used by businesses worldwide, are using staggering amounts of water for cooling and energy production.
According to International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), about 82% of large enterprises have either deployed AI or are experimenting with doing so, signalling a rapid AI adoption. But this comes at a cost, as every AI prompt in data centres consumes around 16 ounces of water. Experts say that a single data centre can have cooling towers that need millions of gallons of water annually to prevent the critical computing infrastructure from overheating.
This growing demand for water poses a problem. Google reported a nearly 22% increase in its water usage from 2021 to 2022, reaching over 5.56 billion gallons. Microsoft saw a 34% jump, consuming almost 1.7 billion gallons.
The water consumption of AI data centres is driven by the need to cool the massive servers that power AI models. These servers generate extreme heat, which is managed through industrial-scale cooling systems that rely heavily on water. In addition, these systems often use water for humidification to keep the equipment running smoothly.
The environmental costs of AI extend beyond water, with energy consumption and carbon emissions also raising concerns. For instance, generating the electricity needed to run AI servers consumes vast amounts of water at thermal and nuclear plants. AI’s water footprint is thus a combination of both “onsite” and “offsite” water consumption.
In a world facing growing water scarcity, balancing technological growth with responsible resource use poses a serious sustainability challenge.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressing grave concern over Israel’s recent decision to formally notify the United Nations that it will no longer cooperate with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This decision follows the Israeli parliament’s approval of legislation prohibiting any contact with the agency and banning its operations within Israel, set to take effect early next year.
The Belizean government condemns this latest action by Israel and says that UNRWA is irreplaceable in providing life-saving support to vulnerable Palestinian populations. It says that Israel’s refusal to cooperate with the agency, coupled with its continued military actions, is expected to result in a sharp increase in deaths and suffering from lack of food, water, and healthcare, particularly affecting children, women, and the elderly.
Belize is calling on the international community to ensure that UNRWA is not dismantled and that international humanitarian law is upheld. The Ministry further urges the imposition of a complete ban on the sale or transfer of arms to Israel and demands that immediate steps be taken to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, claimed that the legislation stems from alleged Hamas infiltration of UNRWA, accusations that Israel insists have not been addressed by the United Nations.
UNRWA has stated that it has repeatedly requested evidence from Israel to investigate these claims, which have yet to be provided. UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed frustration, stating that the agency is “unable to address allegations for which it has no evidence” and that these claims are being used to undermine the agency’s vital humanitarian work.
UNRWA remains the primary distributor of aid in Gaza, providing education, healthcare, and essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees. Lazzarini warned that dismantling UNRWA would have a “catastrophic impact” on efforts to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Despite the ban, Israel has indicated in its letter to the UN that it will continue working with international partners and other UN agencies to facilitate aid to Gaza, though aid agencies have repeatedly reported significant delays and unsafe conditions for distributing supplies due to ongoing hostilities.
A disturbing incident occurred during a match between São Paulo rivals Corinthians and Palmeiras in the Brazilian championship, where a pig’s head was thrown onto the field. The object was hurled onto the pitch as Palmeiras prepared to take a corner in the first half. Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto quickly ran over from the penalty box to kick it off the field before the game resumed.
South American football correspondent Tim Vickery commented on X, “It’s a new one for me—during the big São Paulo derby, someone threw a pig’s head on the pitch (the pig is Palmeiras’ symbol).”
The incident echoes a similar occurrence in 2002 when Barcelona fans famously threw a pig’s head onto the field as Luis Figo, their former player, returned to the Nou Camp with Real Madrid.
Both Globo and ESPN Brazil reported that police are investigating the matter. Two fans were arrested following the incident but were later released.
The pig has been associated with Palmeiras since 1986 when rival fans chanted “pig” during a match against Santos. Palmeiras fans embraced the term, responding with chants of “Go for it Pig! Ole Ole Ole.”
Regional collaboration took centre stage as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently hosted a specialised plant breeding training in Jamaica, aimed at enhancing the quality and production of hot pepper seeds. A key contributor was Omaira Avila, Seed Technologist/Biotechnologist from CARDI Belize, who joined other experts in providing critical skill-building and technical insights to 35 participants, including Jamaican plant breeders, private seed producers, and farmers.
The training, part of FAO’s Improving Phytosanitary, Food Safety, and Market Access Opportunities along the Hot Pepper Value Chain Project, aligns with efforts to establish Jamaica’s National Seed Certification System. This system is designed to increase the availability of high-quality, clean seeds and planting materials, ensuring greater productivity and sustainability for Jamaica’s hot pepper sector.
As a representative of CARDI, Avila’s participation underscores Belize’s support in tackling shared agricultural challenges within the region. “Hot pepper species (Capsicum chinense) is indigenous to the Caribbean and has become an important commercial crop. The diversity of this crop needs to be protected and improved,” said the seed technologist.
In speaking to the training’s importance, Avila pointed out, “Breeding is the way to guarantee the survival of this indigenous species in the light of climate change as well as the pest and disease challenges the region faces. Breeding also allows for the selection of market-desired traits and increased productivity.”
CARDI’s Manager of Science and Innovation, Fayaz Shah, emphasised, “We see this training as being very essential in allowing growth and expansion of the Jamaica pepper industry. CARDI traditionally would have been a major supplier of hot pepper seeds and technologies throughout the Caribbean, and we are very grateful to FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture for reaching out to CARDI to share our expertise.”
The three-day series opened with a stakeholder meeting and panel discussion exploring key policy issues and opportunities for growth, including community seed saving and geographical indicators. The training sessions were led by CARDI, with additional contributions from Trinidad and Tobago’s Professor Path Umaharan of the Cocoa Research Institute. Together, the team introduced participants to advanced breeding techniques and strategies essential for achieving genetic purity and high-performance seed varieties.
Following the training, FAO will equip Jamaica with specialised seed processing machinery, a move expected to enhance genetic purity and boost production efficiency. These advancements will improve international compliance standards, benefiting producers, processors, and exporters across the hot pepper value chain.
The regional approach demonstrates the impact of Caribbean cooperation in strengthening agricultural resilience and quality throughout the region.
