2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Miss Universe Belize Halima Hoy Back in Belize

Miss Universe Belize, Halima Hoy, is back in the country after representing Belize in Mexico City for the 73rd Miss Universe pageant. She was warmly welcomed at the Philip Goldson International Airport by representatives from the Belize Tourism Board and the sounds of Garifuna music played by the Wabagari Dance Group.

In an interview with News 5, Hoy opened up about her emotional journey during the pageant. “I feel so proud to be back home after representing my country,” she said, describing the rush of emotions she experienced in the lead-up to the event. “When I got on the stage, I can tell you that all of that went away. The pride of my country took over, and I felt pretty comfortable.”

Hoy described the experience as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, adding that while pageantry can be competitive, “everybody was friendly and accommodating.”

Flood Alerts Issued for Belize’s Waterways

Residents in various regions are advised to monitor waterways and exercise caution due to fluctuating water levels.

In Region 7, the Rio Hondo at Blue Creek North, Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Roman, and Douglas to the coast is experiencing decreasing flood stage levels. Meanwhile, the New River at Hill Bank, Tower Hill, and Caledonia to the coast is at bankfull stage levels.

In Region 9, extreme caution is urged as the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town shows receding flood levels nearing Hurricane Mitch levels, with further decreases expected. The Macal River at Fortis facilities, including the Chalillo, Mollejon, and Vaca spillways, is actively spilling. At San Ignacio, flood levels are decreasing, while on the Belize River at More Tomorrow, flood levels are also dropping. However, at Double Run, increasing flood stage levels persist. In Crooked Tree Lagoon, water levels have surpassed the causeway and continue to rise.

In Region 11, decreasing flood stage levels are reported on the Sibun River at Freetown Sibun and the Southern Lagoon at Gales Point Village. Watersheds along the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains and the Sittee River at Kendal Bridge are experiencing minimal decreases in flood levels. However, the branches of the Monkey River at Swasey and Bladen, the Deep River at Medina Bank, and the Rio Grande at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls South are showing above-normal levels. The Moho River at Blue Creek South and Jordan and the Temash River at Crique Sarco are also reporting above-normal levels.

In Region 13, the Sarstoon River continues to exhibit above-normal levels.

Further updates will be provided as necessary. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions.

NEMO Deploys Teams to Assist Flood Victims

16 Days of Activism: ‘Gender-Based Violence Is Not Normal’

The annual Sixteen Days of Activism against gender-based violence began today with a launch at the House of Culture in Belize City. Now in its 33rd year, the initiative involves various organisations, including governmental, non-governmental, and private sector groups, all working to address gender-based violence.

The Chairperson of the National Women’s Commission, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, gave a powerful opening message, stating that it is not normal to get slapped at home because the food did not come out perfect or to get clobbered because you got home late. She emphasised the serious mental and health impacts of such violence and touched on the significant problem of gender-based violence in Belize. She stated that individuals have lost their lives because of gender-based and domestic violence.

The theme for this year’s event is “No Excuse” and Garcia-Ramirez pointed out that many forms of violence are deeply rooted in Belize’s culture and history.

The Sixteen Days of Activism in Belize is part of a global movement, marking key dates like the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women (November 25), World AIDS Day (December 1), and Human Rights Day (December 10). The event was preceded by a parade, aimed at raising awareness and advocating for an end to gender-based violence.

Duct-Taped Banana Artwork Sells for $6.2M in NYC

Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial artwork, Comedian—a banana duct-taped to a wall—has been sold for an astonishing $6.2 million at Sotheby’s in New York, far surpassing its initial pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million.

The piece became the highlight of Sotheby’s The Now and Contemporary auction, with a fierce seven-minute bidding war. Justin Sun, a Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur and founder of the Tron blockchain network, secured the winning bid after outdueling six rivals. According to Sotheby’s, Sun, known for high-profile art acquisitions, plans to pay for the piece using cryptocurrency.

The artwork, originally unveiled in 2019, has gained global fame for its provocative simplicity and the cultural debate it has sparked about the definition of art. “This is not just an artwork,” Sun said in a statement. “It represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.”

True to its viral legacy, Comedian comes with instructions on how to replace the banana when it inevitably rots. Over the years, the artwork has travelled internationally and encountered its fair share of drama. In 2023, a South Korean art student ate the banana on display at Seoul’s Leeum Museum of Art, only for it to be promptly replaced. Similarly, in 2019, a performance artist consumed the banana during Art Basel Miami after it sold for $120,000, with no significant repercussions.

Sun has announced plans to eat the banana himself, claiming the act is a way to honour its role in art history and popular culture. The fruit itself was originally purchased for $0.35, highlighting the stark contrast between its inherent value and its status as a cultural icon.

As one of the most unconventional pieces to grace the art market, Comedian continues to inspire debate, blurring the lines between satire, spectacle, and artistic innovation.

Daughter of Property Owner Charged with San Pedro Arson

A 28-year-old woman, Isela Catzim, has been charged with five counts of arson after setting a fire in San Pedro that destroyed four homes and a shop. She was arrested on November 21. The fire, which broke out on November 19 in the DFC area, caused an estimated $200,000 in damage.

News 5 spoke with the property owner, Sandra Isela Catzim, who said that her daughter, who carries the same name as her, was charged for the incident. “My daughter was charged; my daughter’s name is like mine,” she said.

The blaze quickly spread and destroyed three homes, including a two-story house, a four-bedroom home, and a small shop with a bedroom. “The houses were already lost by the time we arrived,” said a local firefighter after controlling the fire.

Authorities have not revealed a motive for the fire.

NEMO Deploys Teams to Assist Flood Victims

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has deployed teams and resources across Belize to assist those impacted by recent weather events. In its statement on Thursday, the organisation said it is working closely with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to monitor weather and flood conditions.

“NEMO continues to closely monitor daily weather forecasts and flood conditions in collaboration with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of Belize,” the agency stated.

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) and Belize Coast Guard (BCG) have already assisted residents in Flowers Bank and Rancho Dolores with transportation. Regional teams in Cayo and Belmopan are actively assessing flood-affected areas and providing humanitarian aid.

“NEMO assures the public that efforts will continue until all affected communities have been reached,” the update stated.

Flood Warnings Issued as Water Levels Rise in Multiple Regions

Tracy Panton Announces Shadow Cabinet

Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton has unveiled a “newly reconstituted Shadow Cabinet” for the United Democratic Party. Panton, in a press release, said she convened its inaugural meeting on Wednesday.

“This body is tasked with critically examining the policies and actions of the Government, ensuring accountability, and presenting alternative solutions and recommendations where necessary.”

Panton says she is the interim leader of the UDP following a convention at CIVIC where delegates voted to recall Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Meanwhile, Barrow says he remains leader of the UDP.

Panton says that Shadow Cabinet members have been appointed to correspond with the Ministries that form Belize’s Executive Government. “Each member of the Shadow Cabinet has pledged to closely monitor the policies and initiatives undertaken by their respective government Ministries to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Belizeans.”

According to Panton, the Shadow Cabinet will convene weekly to review government actions and develop their policy responses. Additionally, they will host quarterly press briefings to engage the public, offering updates and analyses of government decisions and fostering greater transparency and public involvement.

COP29 Negotiations Hit Overtime on Final Day

It’s officially the last day of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the frustration has grown to new levels. The UN reported that on the final day, negotiators received a new draft proposal aimed at tackling climate change financing. The deal suggests rich countries should commit $250 billion annually to help vulnerable nations deal with climate impacts and transition to renewable energy. It sets a broader goal of reaching $1.3 trillion per year by 2035, but crucial details about how the money will be raised remain unclear.

“This is disappointing at the very least,” said Namrata Chowdhary from 350.org, expressing frustration at the lack of concrete solutions. Many developing nations and environmental groups are critical of the deal, with Lidy Nacpil of the Asian Peoples’ Movement warning that climate finance should not be in the form of loans, as it increases debt burdens.

Civil society groups have called the proposal a “slap in the face,” while others like Jacobo Ocharan from the Climate Action Network urged negotiators to continue pushing for a better deal.

Sindra Sharma from the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, an activist coalition, expressed “a complete sense of frustration” at the talks. “I’ve never seen a presidency like this, I’ve never seen a process like this,” she said.

The goal of COP29 is to establish a new global climate finance target known as the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) to replace the expiring $100 billion annual goal. The draft outlines a funding target ranging between $1 trillion and $1.3 trillion per year to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate change. However, the specifics of how to achieve this target remain unresolved, with divisions between developed countries and emerging economies, including China, over the role of private investment and which nations should contribute.

Azerbaijan, the host country, has been under pressure to mediate the talks and provide a balanced proposal. With negotiations running into overtime, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that “failure is not an option” and urged all parties to compromise. The outcome of these crucial talks will shape future climate action and determine the support available for nations like Belize that are most at risk from climate change.

Kidnapping Survivor Still Needs Your Help; Attacker On The Run

It has been six days since Sabela Brakeman endured a harrowing ordeal at her San Pedro home, where she was brutally attacked and kidnapped by her estranged husband, Kenny Brakeman. Sabela, who had left Kenny due to domestic violence, was living with a roommate and shared custody of their three children, aged 11, 9, and 4. Around 1 a.m. on Saturday, Kenny allegedly broke into her home, assaulted her, and forced her onto a jet ski. Sabela managed to escape near Caye Caulker by jumping into the sea and swimming to safety. Despite identifying Kenny as her attacker, he remains on the run, with police actively searching for him.

Sabela’s injuries are severe. She suffered a broken cheekbone, damaged teeth, and other injuries requiring urgent surgical and dental care. She has since relocated with her children out of fear for their safety and is now appealing for assistance to cover her medical needs and begin rebuilding her life.

Sabela has received some help from concerned individuals but remains in urgent need of more support. She shared that she is struggling to eat due to her injuries and has yet to begin formal treatment for her broken nose and damaged gums. Her sister has been cleaning her wounds, and she relies on medication from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

For those seeking to help Sabela, she can be reached at 665-5083.

Speaking with News Five, Sabela recounted the terrifying events. “All I wish is to get him a message: let him turn himself in,” she said, adding that she would not deny their children the right to see their father if that is his fear.

Manhunt for Accused Kidnapper

16 Days of Activism of #NoExcuse Against Gender-Based Violence

Belize is joining the global community in observing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, marking important dates such as the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women (November 25), World AIDS Day (December 1), and Human Rights Day (December 10). This year’s theme is #NoExcuse, calling for action to eliminate gender-based violence.

The Ministry of Human Development Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs, alongside the National Women’s Commission (NWC), is hosting a parade today, November 22, at 10 in the morning. The event will start at Regent Street, continue along Albert Street, and end at the House of Culture. The event will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend directly from the NWC’s Facebook platform.

The 16 Days of Activism, which began in 1991, is now in its 33rd year and involves a wide range of organisations, both governmental and non-governmental, as well as the private sector and individuals focused on addressing gender-based violence.