Tag: 2024-11-07

Rising Water Levels Expected in Several Regions

The National Hydrological Service has issued a flood forecast for several regions across Belize. Residents are urged to monitor waterways and exercise caution as water levels in certain rivers continue to rise.

Region 7:
In the Rio Hondo, water levels at Blue Creek North remain above historical Hurricane Mitch levels but are expected to decrease. However, from Douglas downstream to the coast, flood levels are expected to rise above Hurricane Mitch levels. In Santa Cruz, San Antonio, and San Roman, flood stage levels are also anticipated to continue increasing. On the New River, above-normal levels are expected to persist at Hill Bank, Tower Hill, and Caledonia.

Region 9:
Residents near the Mopan River in Benque Viejo Town should expect water levels to reach bankfull stage. On the Macal River, reservoir levels at Challillo and Mollejon are expected to remain below the spillway, but the Vaca Facility spillway remains active. In San Ignacio, water levels are expected to stay below the low-lying bridge. On the Belize River, above-normal levels are anticipated at More Tomorrow, while flood stage levels are expected to continue at Double Run. In Crooked Tree Lagoon, water levels are rising but remain below the causeway.

San Roman Village Still Under Deep Water

Region 11:
At Freetown Sibun on the Sibun River, water levels are expected to reach bankfull stage. In the Southern Lagoon near Gales Point Village, above-normal levels are expected to persist. Watersheds along the Eastern Slopes of the Maya Mountains, including the Sittee River at Kendal Bridge, will experience above-normal levels, while Swasey and Bladen branches of the Monkey River are expected to see below-normal levels. Normal levels are anticipated on the Deep River at Medina Bank, while above-normal levels are expected on the Rio Grande at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls South. The Moho River and Temash River are expected to maintain normal levels.

Region 13:
The Sarstoon River is forecasted to remain at normal levels.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and heed any future updates. The next update will be issued as necessary.

Australia to Ban Social Media for Kids Under 16

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today that its government will introduce a law to ban social media for children under 16. Albanese said this decision is anticipated to be in effect against major social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X by the end of 2025.

In his address, Albanese said, “Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” and pointed out the risks of harmful body image portrayals for girls and misogynistic content targeting boys. “If you’re a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, it can be a really difficult time,” he added.

The Australian government is testing age-verification methods, including biometric scans and government IDs, to enforce the ban. These methods would make Australia the first country to use such technology to block underage access to social media.

“There will be no exemptions for children who have parental consent or who already have accounts,” said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. “The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access.”

Other countries, like France and the United States, have also set age limits for social media use, but Australia’s approach is the most restrictive to date.

Hurricane Rafael Moves into Gulf of Mexico

Hurricane Rafael, which struck Cuba on Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm, has caused significant damage to the island’s power grid. “The national electric system collapsed due to strong winds,” said Félix Estrada Rodríguez, director of Cuba’s Electric Union. The storm brought down power poles and disrupted services.

Rafael has weakened to a Category 2 hurricane as it moves westward into the Gulf of Mexico. While its path no longer threatens the U.S., the storm poses an increasing risk to Mexico’s Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Centre now predicts the storm will stay over the southern Gulf for several days before weakening further.

Chevron, Shell, and BP have all taken precautions by evacuating personnel from oil rigs in the Gulf as Rafael moves closer.

The Latest from Cabinet

On Tuesday, Prime Minister John Briceño and the Cabinet made several decisions that address key challenges in Belize’s justice system, expanding access to electricity, and boosting the country’s international presence. 

In an official statement, the government announced that the Cabinet approved the creation of a Criminal Justice Board to tackle the backlog of appeals and endorsed a comprehensive National Electrification Plan. This endorsement, which is a partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), outlines a roadmap for ensuring universal electricity access by 2030, particularly in rural households, schools, and clinics. The Board identified issues with the inferior appellate regime, which will now be addressed by an amendment to the Senior Court’s Act. This change will allow for expanded substituted services through public notice, enabling the Senior Courts to manage a backlog of appeals and ensure that appellants are given reasonable notice of the date, time, and place of their appeals.

Cabinet also approved a name change for the Women’s Department, which will now be known as the Family Support and Gender Affairs Department. 

In the area of maritime governance, the Cabinet approved the designation of San Pedro as a port. The new port status will also introduce clearer port limits and enforce stronger safety and security measures.

Additionally, Belize is set to join the Inter-Parliamentary Union, strengthening its role in global diplomacy. The IPU is an international organisation that empowers parliaments worldwide to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development through parliamentary diplomacy.

Opposition Leader Moses Barrow Congratulates Trump 

Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow has congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump. In a statement, Barrow said, “We wish President-Elect Trump and the American people well, as Belize remains committed to strengthening the strong bilateral relations shared by our nations for the last 43 years.”

Barrow also congratulated Vice President Kamala Harris on “her historic and formidable presidential candidacy.”

“The Opposition thanks outgoing U.S. President Biden and Vice President Harris for the significant contributions made to Belize during their administration, from the appointment of @michellewkwan as the first U.S. Ambassador to Belize since the Obama Administration to the $250 million BZ grant to the people of Belize for education and energy given by the Millennium Challenge Corporation in September 2024. We thank you for your partnership and wish you and the American people well.”

Trump defeated Harris in the 2024 US presidential election.

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