Pope Francis has attributed a second miracle to Carlo Acutis, moving him closer to canonization, the Vatican announced on Thursday.
Carlo Acutis, often referred to as the patron saint of the internet among Roman Catholics, passed away from leukaemia at the age of 15 in 2006. Known for his computer skills, Carlo used the internet to share his faith.
After his death, Antonia Acutis received messages from people worldwide claiming medical miracles, such as cures for infertility and cancer, after praying to Carlo.
Carlo’s path to sainthood began in 2020, when the Diocese of Assisi petitioned the Vatican. In February of that year, Pope Francis attributed the healing of a boy with a malformed pancreas to Carlo, marking his beatification. For canonization, a second miracle was required.
The second recognised miracle involves a woman from Costa Rica named Liliana, who prayed at Carlo’s tomb in Assisi on July 8, 2022. Liliana’s daughter Valeria had suffered severe head trauma from a bicycle accident in Florence on July 2. She required critical brain surgery with a low survival chance. Liliana’s secretary began praying to Blessed Carlo, and Liliana herself made a pilgrimage to Carlo’s tomb. That same day, Valeria began breathing spontaneously, followed by improvements in movement and speech. A CAT scan on July 18 showed the haemorrhage had disappeared, and Valeria was moved to rehabilitation on August 11. On September 2, Liliana and Valeria returned to Assisi to thank Blessed Carlo.
Cartel-related violence in southern Mexico has abated considerably, according to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. In allaying the fears of Belizean travelers who are concerned about crossing the northern border into Chetumal, ComPol Williams told reporters that there is still a strong law enforcement presence along regular and irregular crossing points in Corozal and Orange Walk districts.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The situation in Chetumal certainly has decreased tremendously. We’re not hearing much about the activities of the cartels in that city and so that is something good for us. Notwithstanding that, though, we still maintain our strong presence along our border, both irregular and regular crossing areas. Again, maintaining integrity of our country is important to us and so, our actions are not going to be dictated by what happens in Chetumal but basically what we believe is in the best interest of our people. And so, we remain in place, we continue to do our operations daily, going after persons we believe are involved in any way with the cartels over in Mexico side to make sure that we minimize the activities in our country.”
Belize has called on the U.S Government to remove Cuba from its Department of State’s website as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. In a press release issued today, the government expresses deep concern, referring to the U.S. Government’s arbitrary decision to continue to list Cuba as such. The release states in part, quote, The Government of Belize denounces these baseless accusations as there is no evidence that the Government of the Republic of Cuba is involved in any such activities, end quote. In asking the U.S. Government to remove Cuba from the list, Belize urged the U.S to continue the process to normalize bilateral relations with Cuba. Belize says it will continue along with the member states of CARICOM, to call for lifting the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. Government on Cuba as well.
By Hivy Ortiz Chour, Better Environment Officer. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Biodiversity is essential for life on our planet. Despite the technological advances of today’s world, human beings will always depend on healthy ecosystems for water, food, medicine, clothing, fuel, shelter, and energy, among other essential elements.
Healthy ecosystems are critical for maintaining agricultural, forestry, aquaculture, livestock, and food production systems, combating climate change, reducing the risk of pandemics, and protecting livelihoods. Failure to protect biodiversity, especially when agricultural practices that ignore the natural environment are promoted, puts our well-being and future at risk.
Hivy Ortiz Chour, Better Environment Officer. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for Latin America and the Caribbean.
This year’s celebration of International Biodiversity Day calls on us to “Be part of the plan” and seeks to motivate governments, indigenous peoples, local communities, NGOs, legislators, businesses, and citizens to actively collaborate in implementing the Biodiversity Plan approved at COP15, sharing their contributions and committing to the cause. Everyone has an essential role to play and can contribute to the plan’s success.
The Convention on Biological Diversity has mandated the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to integrate biodiversity use and conservation criteria into production systems. This means agricultural systems must be analyzed in an integrated manner, considering soil, water, living organisms, biological corridors, and pollinators. All of these are essential for achieving efficient production systems that generate well-being for communities.
A fisher at work in the River Tista in Panjarbhanga, Bangladesh
FAO must ensure these aspects, and the ministers of agriculture at the last Regional Conference, the main governing body of the Organization in Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed the importance of promoting more sustainable and resilient agriculture.
This issue will undoubtedly be central to the COP16 on Biodiversity, which will begin on October 21 in Cali, Colombia. At the event, the 196 participating countries must commit to the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework, signed two years ago in Canada, to restore ecosystems.
FAO promotes a solid work agenda of sustainable production practices in various regions. In Brazil, the REDESER project promotes sustainable agroforestry management to conserve biodiversity and improve local livelihoods. In Chile, the +Bosques project focuses on restoring native biodiversity, reducing emissions, and recovering landscapes. In Guatemala, forested land is being reclaimed, and natural forests are being managed.
In Honduras, progress is being made in creating a biological corridor connecting protected areas, facilitating wildlife movement, and promoting conservation. With FAO support in Paraguay, the Ava Guarani indigenous people are planting yerba mate trees to preserve their tradition and protect the environment.
In Peru, FAO is leading projects for sustainable management and restoration of dry forests on the northern coast and initiatives in the Amazon forests. In Venezuela, the project Conservation and the sustainable use of biological diversity in the Caroni River basin seeks to strengthen capacities for the sustainable use of the landscape.
FAO also promotes technical cooperation in protected areas and the creation of networks to address common challenges in the region, such as forest health and invasive species, among other initiatives.
Preserving, restoring, and sustainably using biodiversity is a monumental task that requires the commitment of all sectors: governments, civil society, and the private sector must work together to ensure a sustainable future for our planet.
It is time to move from agreement to action to ensure a healthier and more prosperous world for future generations. A Better Environment is key to Better Production, Better Nutrition, and Better Life, leaving no one behind.
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has been re-elected to serve on the executive of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police. During the association’s annual conference hosted by Belize, A.C.C.P. members elected ComPol Williams as the first-vice president. In 2023, he served as the association’s second vice-president. The A.C.C.P. is made up of twenty-five CARICOM member states and serves as the principal regional organization for promoting and facilitating collaboration to prevent crime and enhance police community relations. ComPol Williams also serves as the President of the Central American Commission for the Chiefs and Directors of Police. During his appearance on Open Your Eyes this morning, ComPol Williams spoke about his journey in law enforcement to this point in his career.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The truth is as a child growing up I was not fortunate. I am not one of those people who was born with a sliver or gold spoon in their mouth. My spoon was rather rusty. Nonetheless I am extremely thankful to my mother who did her best to raise all seven of her children the best way she could even though she was not able to provide material stuff to us she was able to give us love and attention. I think that is the most important thing one can have in life. I was not privy to be able to attend highschool; in my early age due to the fact that my mother could not have afforded to send us to highschool. So, it was after I enlisted in the police department I went back to evening division Saint John’s extension then I went to Saint Jonh’s Junior College and I went on the University of West Indies and then Norman Manley. Due to my determination, I have always made sure I can demonstrate to people that not because of how I was raised means I must remain that way. It is the first time that Belize has held these positions in either association. So I a very grateful that I am the person to achieve it. The position is not akin to the country, it is akin to the individual. So if I was to leave the commissionership tomorrow those positions would be gone as well with me.”
At least 11 people have been killed in clashes between rival cartels in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Among the victims are two nuns and a teenager.
The area is contested by the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Residents reported hearing intense gunfire on Monday night. On Tuesday, police and soldiers confirmed finding 11 bodies in and around the village of Nuevo Morelia.
The diocese of San Cristóbal, which includes Nuevo Morelia, confirmed that two women “who served the Catholic Church” were among the deceased. A 15-year-old boy was also identified as one of the victims. It remains unclear if the women were nuns or lay members of the Church, as some local media reported.
Fighting between the rival cartels has been ongoing since Friday. The Sinaloa cartel and the CJNG have been battling for control of the area for several years, often extorting migrants crossing the southern state on their way to the U.S. border.
On Monday, over three and a half tons of drugs were seized in the southern area of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The reports of the discovery came shortly after Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa informed the media that, according to Mexican government officials, cartel activity was dying down. The past several weeks has seen unrest from the Mexican and Belizean public as a surge of violent crimes were reported in connection with the cartels. Belizean authorities have assured the public that the police force is at work to ensure that these operatives do not cross over into Belizean territory and, according to Musa, the Mexican officials are allaying concerns regarding the prominence of cartel operatives. However, the large quantity of drugs was seized by the Mexican navy after they spotted two boats offshore that were attempting to enter Mexican territory. They carried out an investigation which led to the discovery. Mexican authorities are investigating further.
The past several weeks has seen a surge in cartel activity in neighboring Mexico, particularly in the state of Quintana Roo. This spurred Belizean authorities to tighten border security and increase operations along the Rio Hondo River. Today, Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa was asked if these violent crimes are showing any signs of slowing down soon. He said that, according to Mexican officials, they are.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minster of Home Affairs
“Our counterparts in Mexico are saying that in fact things are dying down. The tension is easing a bit, but at the same time we must be relentless in terms of protecting our border. And so we are at no point letting our guards down right now. The presence is still there the increase in presence and personnel from our department and the military is at our border points and we are taking it very seriously. We have not put our guards down despite the fact that it seems to have quelled a bit in Mexico.”
Reporter
“Have you investigated or are you investigating any of the narco operatives? Because I believe the COMPOL conceded that we know that there are some operating in the north.”
Kareem Musa
“Absolutely. You might have seen last week I believe it was a wanted posters for certain individuals from the north. Those are active investigations into those individuals that, that is being carried out by the department.”
Improving regional security through law enforcement cooperation was a sentiment that echoed through the room, as representatives from police forces of eighty countries met for the annual general meeting and conference of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police. This year Belize is hosting a meeting that provides an opportunity for commissioners of police from across the region to discuss strategies in tackling crime as a united front. Over the next four days, these commissioners will discuss how to address issues such as gang violence and border security, as the issues become of higher concern. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the opening ceremony today for more information.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Gun violence, cartel and gang activity are all issues that have been of primary concern for the Caribbean region. Over the past few years, neighboring countries have observed a surge in these types of criminal activities. In 2023, Belize enjoyed a record low crime rate, but this year has proven otherwise. At the annual conference of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police, commissioners from across the region will strategize how to quell these concerning numbers. This year’s meeting is being hosted in Belize.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Not just me, but I think the whole country of Belize should feel honored and privileged to be able to host this conference. As last year we hosted the AGM for the Central America Chiefs and Directors of Police in November. And so this is our second conference in eight months. It goes to show that as a police department as a country, we are progressing. Gone are the days where we see these conferences happening in other parts of the world and we are unable to bring it to our shores. And for us to have been able to do that, I think it’s a great achievement for us.”
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that Belize’s participation in the event will seek to bridge the gap between Central America and the Caribbean.
Chester Williams
“We will be doing a presentation and our presentation will be focused on How we can tie the Caribbean and Central American region together as you know that I am the president of the Central American Commission, and I’m also a second vice president of this association so I am an executive of both commissions and so as the president of one commission the Second vice president of this one. I see myself as that come with that can bring the two regions together and so we will be focusing on the similarity in the types of crimes that occur in both regions and to show how if we collaborate by bringing both regions together, we can achieve much more in fighting support of crime.”
Attending the event was Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa, who said the meeting was much needed as the Caribbean observed a particularly violent year in 2023.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries.
“To be here for this thirty-eighth annual general meeting of the commissioners of the Caribbean. Extremely important, extremely timely. As you know, 2023 was a violent year all across the Caribbean and it was extremely important that this meeting take place. We are pleased, of course, to be hosting them here in beautiful Belize, but no doubt over the next four days, very, very important deliberations and discussions and presentations happening. And so it’s extremely important. And then, of course, thereafter, we’ll have a report.”
He explained that as neighboring countries struggle with similar issues, conferences like these are a vital part of implementing effective solutions.
Kareem Musa
“Well, of course, strategies we are, we are all facing similar type issues in terms of the influx of illegal weapons into our country. Of course, Belize is more porous than the other Caribbean countries because we do have the, the borders, the illegal border crossings where, guns come across, drugs come across, um, and the Caribbean, of course, is not immune to that either they do have issues at their ports of entry, whereby illegal weapons and drugs enter their country, and so, that’s one of the big issues, of course, gun violence, gang violence, in certain parts of the Caribbean has been extremely, high over the last year. So those are some of the issues and, of course, transnational crime that will be addressed at this conference.”
President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police andCommissioner of Police in Antigua and Barbuda, Atlee Rodney, further emphasized the strength of cross-border collaborations. He explained that the association works not only by sharing information, but by conducting research into what areas need to be prioritized when addressing them as a unit.
Atlee Rodney
Atlee Rodney, President, ACCP
“We basically look at what is happening. We do our research. As most persons know, gun crimes is one of the biggest issues we have in the Caribbean. So that takes top priority. In terms of all the crimes that are happening, even cybercrimes, we look at those things that are predominantly taking place in the Caribbean. We focus on it and see how we can work together. Individually, we try to assist each other by showing if the problem is more predominant in one state, we provide some support and some of our expertise so that they can address it collectively. Especially when it comes to transnational crime, we see how we can improve our networking and sharing of intelligence, sharing of information to curtail the problems that we are facing.”
According to Rodney, Antigua does not struggle with gang activity as much as other countries in the region, making its input in the conference indispensable as other nations will study its strategies to combat the issue.
Atlee Rodney
“There are some other countries having the same experience while quite a few of the Caribbean islands does not experience that. So what we do is to do the investigation, see how we can infiltrate those gangs and to address the problems that they are creating for our region. So best practices, some places, because for instance, in Antigua, we do not have that type of gang problems, but there was a time where it was surfacing, but we basically addressed it. So sharing the best practices, what worked and what did not work, and how we can all improve the situation in the Caribbean is what we do. When we come together as commissioners of police from the Caribbean.”
Recently, concerns arose over the possibility of gang franchises establishing themselves across the Caribbean. Lieutenant colonel Michael Jones, head of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, said that these franchises often have ties to members of the Caribbean diaspora, who facilitate the entry of illegal weapons into the region. It is suspected that many of these gangs venture into smaller islands under the guise of music performers. We asked president of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police, Atlee Rodney about this investigation. Here is his response.
Atlee Rodney, President, AACP
“What I can say it’s one of our leading intelligence agency, the Caricom IMPACS, and we are paying attention to it. Hearing that information is out there now. We are paying attention to it because within all the Caribbean islands, there are normally some fets. There are normally some shows. There are normally some activities of that nature. So we are not taking that information lightly, and we are going to pay attention to The players involved, the organizers and the performers and see what we can discover from that, but we are mindful of it and we will be taking it seriously.”
