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Belize and Panama Launch Joint Cooperation Commission to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

The first meeting of the Joint Cooperation Commission between Belize and Panama for the 2024–2026 bilateral programme was co-chaired by the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Amalia Mai, and Panama’s Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, Yill Otero.

The session was held at Padre Guardia Jaén Hall in the Bolívar Palace, Panama City.

Both leaders highlighted the significance of enhancing friendship and bilateral cooperation through the new cooperation program. This initiative promotes the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and experiences, with the goal of strengthening institutions and improving the quality of life for citizens in both countries.

The Bilateral Cooperation Program 2024-2026 includes projects focused on tourism, special education, language exchange, environmental protection, and disability inclusion.

Belizean Saves Driver Seconds Before Fuel Tanker Explosion in the US

Two individuals were hospitalised following a dramatic rescue and subsequent fuel tanker explosion that caused the closure of all southbound lanes of the North Freeway near Tidwell Road for over twenty hours.

Houston police reported that a speeding vehicle collided with an 18-wheeler transporting fuel, causing the tanker to fishtail and overturn at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday.Belizean Armin Franco, present in a neighbour’s yard a block away, heard the collision and immediately rushed to assist, accompanied by two other strangers. The truck was still in motion when they arrived at the scene.

Franco, along with the other good Samaritans, discovered the car’s driver bloodied, unconscious, and trapped.

Just seconds after extricating him from the wreckage, the tanker exploded, propelling the rescuers backward with its force.

Houston Police stated that the driver rescued by Franco remained in critical condition on Sunday.

“Maybe one day it could happen to me. That’s why I ran to help the guy,” Franco explained.

https://www.tiktok.com/@news5belize/video/7376378124004494598?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7363682428676900357

David Gegg Rectifies Statements Made in Error

Portico Enterprises Limited CEO David Gegg has written to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Eddie Webster, rectifying statements made.

Gegg appeared before the Senate Special Select Committee on May 21 in Belmopan, where committee members asked him about the Portico “Definative Agreement.”.

In the letter, Gegg tells Webster, “After revisiting my records and my testimony, I recognised that the following statements were made in error.” Gegg says that while he sent an email to a personal email, which he believed to be for Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler, he “did not attach the Definitive Agreement. I also note that at no point was the agreement delivered to him.”

*David Gegg’s letter to Cleak of the NA Eddie Webster*

Gegg also clarified that he also sent it to an incorrect email from Prime Minister John Briceño. “I note however that the email I sent it to was to a jbreceno as opposed to jbriceno and as such it would not have reached the Prime Minster.”

“I apologize for the errors and trust that the record will be amended accordingly.”

Commission of Inquiry on Belize Sugar Industry Holds First Meeting

The Sugar Industry Commission of Inquiry held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, May 29. The meeting was held virtually.

A government press release says it had the participation of Wayne Piper, Chairman, and the five commissioners: Robert Mariette and Vinod Ramharai from Mauritius, Jeffery Joseph from Belize, Andy Church from South Africa, and Simon Gibbons from the United Kingdom. Also in attendance were Lorena Posada, Secretary to the Commission; Hugh O’Brien, Lead Coordinator for the Government of Belize; Marcos Osorio, Chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB); and Krity Neermul, Technical Coordinator for the Mauritius team.

According to the government, the meeting focused on discussing and agreeing upon the general plan for the first phase of work, along with associated logistics. This phase will include visits to the mills at BSI and Santander, as well as farm and field trips to sugar production sites in northern and western Belize. Commissioners are scheduled to begin arriving in Belize during the first week of June, with logistical support provided by the SICB.

This commission aims to examine the entire value chain of the sugar cane industry and provide recommendations to the Government of Belize.

The commissioners aim to complete their report(s) by the deadline of November 30, 2024.

Claudia Sheinbaum Makes History as Mexico’s First Female President

Claudia Sheinbaum achieved a historic, landslide victory. On Sunday, June 2, preliminary figures show the left-wing Morena party candidate secured nearly 60% of the vote, compared to almost 30% for her right-wing opponent, Xochitl Galvez. Sheinbaum’s win is even more decisive than that of her predecessor, current Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), in 2018.

Standing before a Mexican flag, Sheinbaum, who will become Mexico’s first female president, reiterated a frequent message on Sunday night: “I’m not coming here alone, but with all Mexican women.” In the Zocalo, the country’s largest public square, her supporters, who had been gathered for hours, celebrated joyfully. During her campaign, Sheinbaum appeared more relaxed than she had in the past, but her aides affirm she will govern as she always has: with hard work, rigor, and dedication.

Sheinbaum’s name will be etched in history as Mexico’s first female president, breaking the glass ceiling of 200 years of male leadership.

Belizean Man Convicted in Texas for Illegal Re-entry

A Belizean man, previously deported from the U.S., is returning to prison after a federal jury in Del Rio found him guilty of illegally re-entering the country.

Francis Kerr, also known as Francis Deon Flowers, 51, was apprehended by border patrol near Eagle Pass on August 22, 2023. Yesterday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced his conviction for illegal re-entry.

Kerr was deported in 2009 after serving a 17-year sentence for robbery and assault. Despite his efforts to re-enter the U.S., a trial revealed his criminal history, including two counts of 2nd-degree robbery, four counts of assault with a firearm, and conspiracy to commit robbery, all stemming from his time in Los Angeles.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas announced the case, highlighting the collaboration between Customs and Immigration Services and the U.S. Border Patrol in tackling illegal immigration.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Markovits and Joshua Garland prosecuted the case, underscoring that evading deportation orders and re-entering the country illegally will result in severe consequences. Kerr now faces another prison term, reaffirming that violating U.S. laws to escape a criminal past is futile.

Official Start of the 2024 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season

June 1st marks the official beginning of the 2024 hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin, which includes the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. This season runs from June 1st to November 30th each year, though tropical cyclones can occasionally form outside this period.

The 2024 forecast predicts above-normal tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Basin, with expectations of 17 to 25 named storms. Out of these, eight to 13 are anticipated to become hurricanes, and four to seven are likely to reach major hurricane status (Category 3 or stronger). Typically, an average Atlantic season comprises 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

Two main factors are expected to influence the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season:

High likelihood of La Niña: Developing during the peak of the season, this phenomenon is likely to enhance tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Basin.
Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures: These temperatures are expected to provide more energy, fueling tropical cyclone development.

What Does this Mean for Belize?

While seasonal predictions indicate the expected activity level of a hurricane season, they do not specify the timing or path of individual hurricanes. Belize, being in a region vulnerable to tropical cyclones, must remain prepared each year regardless of the forecast. Whether one or more of the 17 to 25 named storms predicted this season will impact Belize is uncertain, but preparedness is crucial.

Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony charges

A Manhattan jury has convicted Donald Trump on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in his New York hush money trial. Judge Juan Merchan has scheduled the sentencing for July 11.

Prosecutors charged Trump with participating in an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election and executing an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, which involved concealing a hush money payment to an adult film star.

This felony conviction of a former president or major party frontrunner is unprecedented, yet Trump remains eligible to run for office.

Trump condemned the jury’s decision as a “disgrace,” asserting that the “real verdict” will come during the presidential election on November 5. President Joe Biden responded on social media, stating that his 2024 rival can only be defeated at the ballot box.

Murder in Belmopan

Belmopan police are looking for one person for questioning in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred earlier today.

The victim has been identified as 36-year-old Solomon Peter Coleman. His body was discovered on Cemetery Road in Belmopan. He had been fatally shot.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Coleman was walking along the street when he was shot and killed.

The body is currently awaiting a post-mortem examination.