2024-09-05 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Grants Permanent Residency to Asylum-Seekers in Historic Amnesty Ceremony

Seven asylum-seekers in Belize have been awarded Permanent Residency Cards, officially confirming their legal status in the country. The residency cards were issued during an Amnesty Ceremony on September 2 at the University of Belize Conference Center in Belmopan, Cayo District.

Prime Minister John Briceño, alongside key government and international officials, including Immigration CEO Tanya Santos, Nationality and Passports Department Director Dayna Blades, and Refugees Department Director Nikolai Zelaya, were present at the event. Also attending were Jose Samaniego, UNHCR Regional Director for the Americas, and Jose Egas, UNHCR Representative for Belize and other regional countries.

The Belize Amnesty Programme, which concluded its registration phase in March 2023, offers asylum-seekers and irregular migrants a path to permanent residency. Over 12,765 applications were submitted, including 737 from asylum-seekers. So far, nearly 400 asylum-seekers have been granted permanent residency cards, with the government working to finalize more approvals.

“UNHCR commends Belize for its leadership in providing durable solutions to forced displacement,” said UNHCR’s Samaniego. “With permanent residency, asylum-seekers can now fully integrate into Belizean society.”

UNHCR has supported Belize’s efforts to assist refugees and asylum-seekers since the 1980s. This recent amnesty is a major milestone in securing the rights and safety of vulnerable populations. During their four-day visit, UNHCR officials are scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and other high-level officials, as well as refugee organizations and UN partners.

Asteroid Disintegrates in Spectacular ‘Fireball’ Over the Philippines

An asteroid, identified as 2024 RW1, safely disintegrated in the Earth’s atmosphere, producing a brilliant “fireball” over the Philippines, NASA confirmed. The small asteroid, about 1 meter (3 feet) wide, was detected by astronomers in Arizona just hours before it broke apart over the western Pacific Ocean near Luzon Island at approximately 16:46 GMT on Wednesday.

This marks only the ninth time an asteroid has been spotted prior to its impact, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). Although asteroids of this size enter Earth’s atmosphere around twice a month, they rarely pose any danger as they typically burn up upon entry.

NASA’s Asteroid Watch had predicted that the impact could result in a visible fireball, leading residents on the east coast of the Philippines to capture and share images of the event on social media.

NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office reported that multiple sensors confirmed the asteroid’s safe breakup. According to the *New Scientist*, the asteroid entered the atmosphere at a speed of 17.6 kilometers (10.9 miles) per second, equivalent to 63,360 kilometers (39,370 miles) per hour.

Alan Fitzsimmons, a professor of asteroid and comet science at Queen’s University Belfast, explained that while such speeds are typical for space rocks, they don’t leave time for the dramatic escapes often portrayed in movies. “You wouldn’t have time to run out and jump into your car,” he said.

The ESA reiterated that while small asteroids like 2024 RW1 are rarely detected before impact, larger asteroids—those capable of causing widespread damage—are much less common. Over 90 percent of these large space rocks have been identified, with none currently posing a threat to Earth.

Belize Faces Rainy Carnival Weekend with Showers and Thunderstorms on the Way

As carnival celebrations take place this weekend, the National Meteorological Service of Belize warns of mostly cloudy conditions with outbreaks of showers, thunderstorms, and periods of rain. An excessive rainfall watch is in effect, with potential impacts over the next few days.

Additionally, the National Hurricane Center also reports on several tropical systems:

Northwest Gulf of Mexico: A trough is bringing widespread disorganised showers and thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall is anticipated along the northern Gulf Coast, with only a 10 percent chance of further development.
Northwestern Atlantic: A low-pressure system east of North Carolina could acquire subtropical characteristics. However, development is unlikely once it encounters cooler waters by late Saturday, with a 20 percent chance of further growth.
Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A broad low-pressure area is producing disorganised activity. Some slow development is possible as it drifts northwest, with a 10 percent chance through the next few days.
Western Caribbean Sea: A tropical wave is increasing shower and thunderstorm activity. While significant development is unlikely before reaching Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula, there is a 30 percent chance of development once it moves into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.

The National Meteorological Service of Belize will be hosting a press conference this afternoon to provide updates.

Police Commissioner to Deal with Attackers

A video on social media shows three women attacking a young girl last night in Belize City. The incident happened on Fairweather Street. The video shows the women hitting and kicking the girl, who was left unconscious.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams addressed the incident, stating, “This matter will be dealt with by the police. It’s disheartening to witness the growing lawlessness in our society. When women were fighting, the men stood by, watching, recording, and even encouraging the fight to continue until it escalated to a point where one of them could have been killed. Where is the sense of empathy? And yet, we wonder why some of our children today are so violent.

“Nonetheless, we must send a strong message: those involved in the fight will be charged, and those who stood by, filming and encouraging, will be charged with incitement. I hope they will learn a lesson from this.”