At the 40th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Small Branches Conference, Speaker of the National Assembly of Belize, Valerie Woods, was elected as the new chairperson. Woods emphasised the need for small legislatures to collaborate on common challenges and share their experiences.
In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am honoured to have the trust of the Members of the CPA Small Branches.” She plans to focus on strengthening support for small branches and their parliaments during her tenure.
Woods takes over from outgoing Chairperson Joy Burch from Australia. The election occurred as part of the larger 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which brought together over 700 parliamentarians and staff.
Commander of the Belize Defence Force (B.D.F.) Brigadier General, Azariel Loria, confirmed what News 5 Digital has been investigating and reporting for several weeks. Guatemalan loggers have been bribing members of the B.D.F. On Friday, Loria told News 5 that “as part of our investigation, we more or less know now that the Guatemalans are bribing our patrol commanders.”
In October, an exclusive investigative piece by this news station revealed that B.D.F. soldiers at the Machakilha Conversation Post were being bribed by Guatamalan loggers who illegally cross into Belize and harvest precious wood. These bribes were given to soldiers in exchange for ignoring illegal logging activities by Guatemalan nationals within Belizean territory.
Loria told News 5, “Whenever other security forces are operating in the area, aren’t they bribed? You see, we are not immune to these things. The BDF, we are not immune.” He emphasised that only a few rogue commanders are suspected of accepting bribes, adding that those found guilty will face disciplinary action.
“There will be the elements, the bad guys there, that they’re going to come and try to extort to bribe. There are some that will take it, others that will not. They say no…I’m being taught in my force about the virtues I’m being taught in my force about the virtues and the values that we espouse and the values that we espouse. All the bribery, alleged bribes—not everybody is getting bribed. It’s only one or two commanders—rogue commanders. I’m telling you that we are going to look at it disciplinarily.”
The bribery takes several forms, including cash and food items like chicken. Reports indicate that soldiers accept these bribes because they don’t have adequate food rations.
“We don’t carry chicken to the bush. We cannot carry chicken and because that will spoil. So what is given to us is the compo rations we call it or the meal ready to eat from the Americans and that suffice for us to accomplish our necessities for 7 to 14 days. So when we come back, we’re going to eat our chicken, but we cannot be carrying chicken. to remote areas, per se, Machakilha and Rio Blanco.”
Brig. Gen. Loria explained that standby rations are stored at conservation posts for emergencies, such as hurricanes or flooding, and are rotated every six months to ensure freshness. “He confirmed that the matter is under investigation to determine if expired rations had indeed been distributed.”
“We usually have standby rations that are allocated at the conservation posts. And the standby rations is just in the case of any emergency hurricanes or flooding, and we cannot adequately resupply them with rations. It is only them that we make use of the rations. Every six months to a year we have our standing operational procedures. We have sent it to the battalion commanders. Every six months they’re supposed to rotate the standby rations. We are investigating it. And, depending on the results of the investigation, we will see what next.”
As we’ve reported, the B.D.F. is actively investigating bribery among its soldiers, following an exposé by this station in October. BDF soldiers stationed at the Machakilha Conservation Post, near the Belize-Guatemala border, had been accepting bribes from Guatemalans. The issue of Guatemalan bribes is not new; reports suggest that such exchanges have occurred for years, with one logger stating that he has been paying off soldiers for over five years. Our investigation has revealed that the BDF high command is broadening its inquiry to include not only the Machakilha post but all conservation posts (CPs).
The U.S. presidential election is one day away, and the world is watching the polls closely. A vote in favour of either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will affect not only American climate policy but also the worldwide fight against global warming.
Former President Trump has repeatedly called global warming a “hoax” and has claimed it was “created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive.”
During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, he repealed over 100 environmental regulations and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement. Although the U.S. rejoined it in 2021 under Joe Biden, Trump has continued to dismiss climate change, saying it is “one of the great scams of all time” and claiming that “people aren’t buying it anymore.” He has also falsely stated that the planet “has actually got a bit cooler recently” and suggested that rising sea levels will create “more oceanfront property.”
This may pose challenges for Belize’s climate efforts if he wins again. Belize has committed to the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming and address climate change. The country relies on international support, including funding from the U.S., to carry out projects focused on renewable energy and protecting its natural resources. If Trump were to become president again and reduce U.S. involvement in global climate initiatives, Belize could face significant setbacks.
In a recent interview, we asked Orlando Habet, the Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, about the potential impact of a Trump victory. He expressed concern, stating, “If they pull out on the Paris Agreement, certainly we will be worried. But, perhaps—maybe on the global stage—we don’t know what happens with the relationship with individual countries. Maybe that still remains the same.”
The worry is that if the U.S. steps back from its climate commitments, it could weaken global efforts to fight climate change.
It is the last day before the U.S. presidential elections, and thepolls continue to show Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump running neck-and-neck, both nationally and in most swing states. Early voting has already surpassed 77 million.
A Trump victory would make him the first president to serve non-consecutive terms, while Harris hopes to become the first woman and first person of South Asian descent to be elected president.
Harris campaigned in Michigan on Sunday, while Trump visited North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Harris is campaigning in Pennsylvania, and Trump is touring North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Trump talked about the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, saying, “It was horrible. Many people died” and criticised FEMA for its response, claiming it was inadequate. Despite his claims, FEMA has allocated over $100 million to help affected families in the state.
In addition to Harris and Trump, several third-party candidates are also on the ballot. Jill Stein from the Green Party and Chase Oliver from the Libertarian Party are notable contenders. Stein is polling at 2% in Michigan, while Oliver has the same support in Arizona. Robert Kennedy, Jr. is still on the ballot in some states despite suspending his campaign, polling at 3% in Michigan.
On Sunday, Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow and other members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) visited flood victims in the Orange Walk District. There he and others assessed the challenges faced by residents.
The visit follows reports of villagers expressing concerns that “NEMO was playing politics with emergency food aid,” claiming it was only given to certain families. Reports from the UDP officials indicate that villagers also voiced concerns on the need for more boat trips to dry land and access to clean drinking water.
The UDP officials also noted that in Douglas, the primary need was for grocery assistance, which “The UDP Leader will work with… the Village Chairman to provide emergency food aid.”
Belize Government Lotteries Ltd. (BGLL) has announced a special event to commemorate its one-year anniversary. To mark the occasion, the company will host a one-time raffle game titled the “One & A Million Anniversary Jackpot.”
According to BGLL, tickets for the celebratory raffle will be available for purchase beginning today. Ticket sales will conclude on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 9:00 pm, with the drawing scheduled for Saturday, December 21, at 10:00 am.
Each ticket, priced at $5.00, allows participants to select a 4-digit sequence similar to the regular jackpot game. The grand prize for the raffle is $1 million, and in the event of multiple winners, the prize will be equally divided among them.
Tickets will only be valid for 30 days following the drawing date. To redeem prizes, tickets must be fully legible with an intact QR code and ticket number, and players are encouraged to safeguard their tickets against any potential damage.
The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) is currently monitoring two active weather systems in the Atlantic. The first is Tropical Storm Patty, which is located over the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, east of the Azores Islands.
The second system, Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen, is positioned in the south-central Caribbean Sea. The NHC says that the likelihood of this system developing into a tropical cyclone is very high, with the “formation chance through 48 hours…high…near 100 percent” and “formation chance through 7 days…high…near 100 percent.”
The NHC warns that there is a risk of “dangerous impacts from hurricane-force winds and storm surge” in the Cayman Islands on Tuesday and are possible in portions of Cuba early Wednesday. Warnings are currently in effect. Tropical storm conditions are anticipated in Jamaica this evening.
The system is forecast to enter the Gulf of Mexico later this week. However, the NHC said “it is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts could occur.”
On November 3rd, 2024, Americans across the country set their clocks back one hour, marking the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) for the year. This annual event, often referred to as “falling back,” brings a mix of benefits and adjustments for individuals and communities.
The end of DST means that mornings will be lighter and evenings will be darker. This shift can have several immediate impacts:
Sleep Patterns: Many people appreciate the extra hour of sleep gained when clocks are set back. However, the change can also disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to temporary sleep disturbances as our bodies adjust to the new schedule.
Daily Routines: With the sun setting earlier, activities that rely on daylight, such as outdoor sports and evening walks, may need to be rescheduled. This can also affect mental health, as shorter days and longer nights can contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Safety Considerations: The time change can impact road safety. Studies have shown an increase in traffic accidents immediately following the switch due to altered sleep patterns and reduced daylight during evening commutes.
Energy Consumption: One of the original purposes of DST was to save energy by extending daylight hours. However, modern research suggests that the energy savings are minimal, and the benefits may not outweigh the inconvenience.
Daylight Saving Time was first introduced during World War I as a way to conserve energy. It was standardized in the US by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Despite its long history, DST remains a topic of debate. Many Americans express frustration with the biannual clock changes, and there is a growing movement to make DST permanent. Nineteen states have passed legislation to “lock the clock,” but such a change requires federal approval.
Police are investigating two fatal motorcycle accidents that occurred in the Orange Walk and Toledo districts over the weekend.
The first incident took place in Toledo. A motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in Trio Village, resulting in the motorcycle rider’s death at the scene. First responders are investigating the cause of the accident, with no identities released yet.
The second fatality occurred on the San Felipe Road and claimed the life of 28-year-old Ellias Cowo from San Felipe Village. Reports indicate that Cowo was found lying face down in a pool of blood. Cowo was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the Northern Regional Hospital. According to reports, the accident was caused by an elderly man, who was intoxicated, stumbling onto the road.
During a visit to flood-stricken Valencia, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia faced a hostile crowd who threw mud and shouted accusations, calling them “murderers” and expressing “shame” at the government’s response. The protest erupted as the royal couple walked through Paiporta, one of the areas worst affected by the recent catastrophic floods.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who joined the royals, was also targeted by the crowd and was swiftly evacuated as tensions mounted. Some protesters even threw stones at Sánchez’s car as he left the scene.
The flooding, the deadliest in Spain in decades, has claimed over 200 lives, with emergency responders still searching underground areas for survivors and victims. Public outrage has grown amid criticisms of insufficient warnings and inadequate support from authorities.
In the heart of Paiporta, video footage captured King Felipe struggling through a narrow street surrounded by his security detail, who were quickly overwhelmed by protesters. The king attempted to engage with the crowd, reportedly even embracing some demonstrators, though objects continued to be thrown.
As the protest intensified, bodyguards shielded the royal family with umbrellas, but mud and debris still struck the king, queen, and members of their entourage.
King Felipe later addressed the public’s reaction in a video, stating he understood the “anger and frustration” of those affected.
Local politician Juan Bordera criticised the timing of the royal visit, calling it “a very bad decision” and noting that authorities ignored warnings leading up to the disaster. Sánchez, in response, has deployed an additional 10,000 troops, police, and civil guards to the area, acknowledging that the crisis response has faced “severe problems and shortages.”
The devastation began on Tuesday after days of relentless rainfall triggered flash floods, sweeping through towns, destroying infrastructure, and cutting off essential services.
