Authorities have uncovered the remains of a drug plane, deliberately set ablaze after landing on a makeshift airstrip in the remote Toledo District. The aircraft, believed to have been used for smuggling, landed earlier this week in the Graham Creek area, near the Guatemalan border.
Images from the scene show the charred wreckage, reinforcing suspicions of a coordinated illicit operation.
Two law enforcement officers have been detained in connection with the incident.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has issued an urgent directive to municipalities across Belize following the discovery of excessive lead (Pb) in outdoor fitness equipment located in parks nationwide.
The letter said, “It has been brought to our attention that a number of the Outdoor Fitness Equipment (OFE), the ones that are painted yellow and red located in parks countrywide, have tested positive for excessive lead (Pb).
The equipment, painted yellow and red, was procured in 2018 and installed in various public areas as part of Belize’s “First Ever Wellness Parks” initiative.
It added, “Eight different sets of OFE in six different Belizean communities were analyzed and found to contain high concentrations of lead (Pb). The locations assessed were Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize City, Belmopan, San Ignacio, and Benque Viejo del Carmen. Additional parks in San Pedro, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda also received this equipment.”
Dangriga Mayor, Robert Mariano, told News Five that the Dangriga Town Council removed the equipment two years ago due to rust.
The alarming findings were revealed through research conducted by Dr. Joaquin Urbina, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Belize, in collaboration with Dr. Adam Kiefer and Dr. Addie Buerck from Mercer University.
The equipment, which bears signage indicating sponsorship by the Government of Belize, the Ministry of Health, and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), was found to contain high concentrations of lead in its paint. The MOHW has requested the immediate removal and careful disposal of the affected equipment to prevent potential health risks.
Women from all walks of life gathered to discuss an often-overlooked yet significant topic: menopause. The event aimed to break the stigma surrounding this natural phase, offering education, support, and a sense of empowerment to those experiencing it. Many left feeling more prepared to navigate these life changes with confidence.
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones, marking the end of menstrual periods for twelve consecutive months. Perimenopause, the transitional stage leading up to menopause, can last anywhere from two to eight years, bringing fluctuating hormone levels and a variety of symptoms.
Open discussions about menopause help normalise the experience and foster understanding, not only for women but also for their families and communities.
Dr Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public & Wellness, said, “We do have over fifty, almost sixty, health facilities across the country, at different levels. The first step would be going into one of these facilities, seeing the nurse and then seeing a medical officer. In terms of the symptoms that you have, the consultation will then involve looking at the symptoms, and a lot of the menopause treatment is geared towards, essentially, alleviating symptoms.”
Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam shared her personal experience, highlighting the need for family support. “My family will tell you I have good days and I have bad days, to the point where my son now, in the morning, would say, ‘Mommy, you slept well last night? No hot flashes?’ He knows about hot flashes. ‘Are you okay?’ And it’s amazing that even somebody asking you, ‘Are you okay?’ sets the tone for the rest of the day because it means you’re not alone,” she shared.
Rosanna Briceño, Special Envoy for Women & Children, stressed the importance of breaking the silence around menopause. “Menopause brings with it a complex array of experiences, but perhaps the most complex of them is the silence that surrounds it. We only see the signs. This lack of open conversation often leads to isolation, misunderstanding, and missed opportunities for support,” she noted.
Creating a supportive environment encourages women to seek help, explore available treatments, and adopt strategies to manage symptoms effectively.
By fostering open discussions and awareness, women can approach menopause with greater confidence, ensuring better health outcomes and an improved quality of life.
Former Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Belize News Network (BNN), accusing the Facebook blog of publishing false and defamatory statements regarding the surrender of his diplomatic passport.
The letter, sent by Pitts Pitts & Associates on Barrow’s behalf, demands the immediate removal of an article published on BNN’s Facebook blog on March 26, which allegedly claimed that Barrow refused to return his diplomatic passport and, in doing so, had stolen government property.
Barrow, through his attorneys, refutes these claims, stating that he voluntarily returned his diplomatic passport to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via his staff before the article was published. The legal team argues that BNN’s post was not only inaccurate but also intended to cause “intentional embarrassment and malicious harm” to Barrow’s reputation.
The cease-and-desist letter outlines the following demands:
The letter warns that failure to comply within 14 days could lead to legal proceedings in Belize’s High Court. It also notes that BNN’s Facebook posts could be subject to penalties under the Belize Cyber Crimes Act.
Former Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow has issued a formal demand for retraction and apology from 7News Belize, following what he claims is a defamatory report regarding the surrender of his diplomatic passport.
Through his legal representatives, WA Lindo LLP, Barrow has alleged that the news station, led by Jules Vasquez, published factually incorrect statements that falsely suggested he had resisted returning his diplomatic passport to the Government of Belize.
The report in question, aired on March 26 and later posted on 7News Belize’s Facebook page under the headline “GOB Says to Shyne, ‘Game Over’, Yanks Diplomatic Passport”, claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had instructed Barrow to return his diplomatic passport but that he had shown reluctance in complying.
However, Barrow’s attorneys contend that he had already returned the document earlier that morning, at approximately 10:51 a.m., hours before the news report was published. The letter, addressed to Vasquez and Tropical Vision Limited (the parent company of 7News), argues that the report’s wording was designed to tarnish Barrow’s reputation, portraying him as defiant and unwilling to comply with government regulations.
In their letter, WA Lindo LLP demanded that 7News:
The letter warns that failure to comply will result in defamation proceedings against the news station.
7News reported on Thursday night that Barow returned his diplomatic passport.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, causing significant damage and casualties. The epicentre was near Myanmar’s Mandalay region. In Bangkok, Thailand, a 33-storey building under construction collapsed, resulting in at least two deaths and several injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities search for survivors.
In Myanmar, the earthquake caused extensive damage to historic structures, including monasteries and royal palaces. A bridge collapse and highway disruptions were also reported. The Myanmar government has declared a state of emergency in six regions, including the capital Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, and is appealing for blood donations to aid the injured.
The tremors were felt in neighbouring countries, including China, where injuries and damage occurred in the city of Ruili. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has pledged full support for rescue and relief efforts and urged citizens to remain calm during this crisis.
Pope Francis has expressed his prayers for the victims and those affected by the disaster. Rescue efforts are being hampered by damaged infrastructure and downed power lines, complicating access to affected areas.
Authorities in both countries are working to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate relief efforts for those impacted by this devastating earthquake.
