Residents across several regions of Belize are being urged to monitor waterways and exercise caution due to ongoing flood conditions.
In Region 7, which includes areas like Blue Creek North on the Rio Hondo, flood stage levels are expected to decrease, while at Santa Cruz, minimal increases are anticipated. Flood stage levels are also expected to decrease at San Antonio, San Roman, and Douglas along the coast. On the New River, residents in Hill Bank, Tower Hill, and Caledonia can expect bankfull stage levels.
Region 9 is under heightened advisories. On the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town, flood stage levels are receding to levels seen during Hurricane Mitch, and a further decrease is expected. The Macal River at Fortis facilities and the Chalillo, Mollejon, and Vaca spillways are actively releasing water, with decreasing flood stages expected at San Ignacio. The Belize River at More Tomorrow will see a continued decrease in flood levels, while at Double Run, levels are expected to keep increasing. Crooked Tree Lagoon is experiencing rising water levels, having already exceeded the causeway.
In Region 11, caution is advised as well. The Sibun River at Freetown Sibun is receding to Hurricane Mitch levels and will continue to decrease. The Southern Lagoon at Gales Point Village will also see a decrease in flood stage levels. In areas along the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains, flood levels on the Sittee River at Kendal Bridge are expected to decrease. Flood stage levels are rising on the Deep River at Medina Bank and at Swasey and Bladen on the Monkey River branches. On the Rio Grande at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls South, above-normal levels are expected to decrease. The Moho River at Blue Creek South and Jordan, and the Temash River at Crique Sarco, are all seeing above-normal levels.
Finally, Region 13 residents are advised to be aware of above-normal levels on the Sarstoon River.
The Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise, in partnership with the family of literary icon Zee Edgell, has launched the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise / Zee & Al Edgell Scholarship to honour Zee and her late husband, Al Edgell.
This new scholarship will support Belizean students with a passion for English, literature, and the arts.
Zee Edgell, a celebrated author, is known for her novel Beka Lamb, a Belizean literary classic, while her husband, Al, was a respected educator and development specialist. Together, their legacy highlights their dedication to literature and education in Belize.
The scholarship will cover tuition, fees, and an annual grant for books and supplies. It is open to high school students attending St. Catherine’s Academy or St. John’s College in Belize City. Candidates are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their love for literature.
The first recipient of the scholarship is Jahzara Brooks, a sophomore at St. Catherine’s Academy. Brooks said, “My sincere gratitude extends out to the Zee and Al Edgell Scholarship Foundation for selecting me for this award… I will continue to pursue my studies with as much determination as I can.”
Misty Michael, Chairlady of the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise Scholarship Committee, stated, “We look forward to seeing the impact that this scholarship will have on Belize’s future generations.” Holly Edgell, daughter of Zee and Al, added, “We hope this news spurs more students and families to consider applying for the next school year.”
‘The Honourable Shyne’ debuted at number 1 on Hulu earlier this week. The documentary takes a look at the life of Belizean politician Moses “Shyne” Barrow.
Since his last #1 record in the past 20 years, Barrow calls his “life documentary a “Belizean success story, a global success story.”
As the 2025 elections approach, some wonder if the documentary could influence Belize’s political arena.
Prime Minister John Briceño has publicly criticised the film, questioning its portrayal of Barrow’s story. In response, Barrow dismissed the criticism, saying, “Fool is talking, but it’s not fool-listening. I’m happy he’ll be tuning in.”
Barrow said that the documentary isn’t about campaigning for political office but about resilience and second chances. He said, “I don’t believe that the documentary is campaigning for me to be the next Prime Minister.” However, when asked about a possible sequel, he said, “The part two is me being the prime minister of Belize.” He added, “Even if it doesn’t happen, it will be part two because it will document the journey.”
He added, “My story is the Briceño story, the Barrow story, the Musa story, the Hyde story. It’s your story.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Judges at the ICC found “reasonable grounds” to hold Netanyahu and Gallant criminally responsible for using starvation as a weapon and committing acts of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts in the Gaza Strip. This follows the court’s rejection of Israel’s challenge to the ICC’s jurisdiction, stating that Israel’s consent is not required for the investigation.
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. These charges include murder, torture, sexual violence, and hostage-taking.
Previously, arrest warrants for former Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismael Haniyeh were withdrawn after their deaths were confirmed by Israeli forces. While Israel claims to have killed al-Masri, Hamas has not confirmed or denied this.
The ICC investigates individuals for crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Its investigation into possible war crimes by Israel began in 2021, with concurrent investigations into Hamas actions and violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The ongoing conflict, particularly the violent escalation starting with Hamas’ October 7 attack, is central to these investigations.
The ICC’s jurisdiction typically applies when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute, and in this case, the Palestinian territories, which are signatories to the Rome Statute, have accepted ICC jurisdiction. Israel, the U.S., China, Russia, India, and most Arab states, including Iran, have not ratified the Rome Statute.
While an arrest warrant does not equate to a conviction, it serves as a signal that the ICC takes the accusations seriously enough to proceed with the investigation. However, given the ICC’s lack of enforcement mechanisms, it is unlikely that Netanyahu or his associates will be arrested unless they travel to a country that is a signatory to the court’s treaty.
This case should not be confused with the genocide allegations against Israel, which are being pursued in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ, unlike the ICC, handles disputes between states and does not issue arrest warrants. The ICJ has acknowledged the risk of genocide in Gaza and has ordered provisional measures but has not demanded a cessation of all Israeli military operations.
The United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, today handed over “contraceptive methods and also equipment for the insertion and removal of intrauterine devices (IUDs)” to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
UNFPA Program Officer, Mackeva Westby Neal, told News Five, “Today, we are very excited to be presenting to the Ministry of Health and Wellness a donation within the framework of our ongoing project, The Leave No One Behind Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy Project.” She explained that the regional project spans three years, with each year incorporating a component specifically aimed at procuring essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) commodities. “Today is the outcome of year one of that project component. We are very excited to present this to the Ministry of Health as well as to strengthen the partnership,” she said. Westby Neal said this aligns with UNFPA’s mandate with that of the Ministry, which seeks to ensure zero maternal deaths, address unmet needs for family planning, and bolster SRH services and access to necessary commodities.
The donation includes a range of SRH items such as implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), condoms, and instruments for vaginal health. Westby Neal noted that the Ministry would manage the distribution of these supplies across the country. “For this project, we are targeting three districts: Belize, Stann Creek, and Toledo. The distribution plan is integrated to serve these areas,” she explained.
Dr. Natalia Beer, Technical Advisor for Maternal and Child Health, told News Five, “We have injectables, pills, condoms—both male and female—and intrauterine devices. We are also getting implants; they’ve already been paid for and should arrive by next month,” she explained. According to her, implants and injectables are the most popular methods among users.
Dr. Beer also mentioned the availability of permanent contraceptive options. “We have definitive contraceptive methods, like tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men, which are surgical procedures typically chosen after a woman has satisfied parity,” she noted.
When addressing the role of contraceptives in reducing adolescent pregnancies, Dr. Beer emphasised their accessibility at all health facilities. “These products help reduce maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, and unplanned pregnancies. We also have postpartum contraception, where every woman who delivers in a hospital receives counselling and, if they agree, leaves with a contraceptive method,” she said.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as implants, are promoted over daily options like pills due to their convenience and efficacy.
Two Jamaican nationals, Devon Duran Dean, 37, and Khairo Fisher, 24, remain in police custody after they were detained at Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport in October. Their attorney, Norman Rodriguez, filed for a judicial review of their detention. Both men faced criminal charges after being denied entry to Belize.
Dean said that after being handed over to the police, the officers informed him that they were no longer responsible for him. He claimed he felt threatened and likened the situation to being kidnapped. “In the morning I feel threatened, it felt like I was kidnapped. So I looked down and saw the officer sleeping so I said I am no going down the step because I don’t know if they are trigger happy and will see me going and shoot me.”
Instead, he jumped through a window, landing on his feet.
Feeling hungry after not eating the previous night, Dean said he crossed the road to buy food. However, as he returned, he noticed a white vehicle from which individuals exited, pointing guns at him and ordering him not to move. Dean claimed they forced him back to the hotel, where immigration officers questioned him.
He alleged that during this interaction, one of the officers stepped on his foot, causing him significant pain. “One of the immigration officer point on me and stepped on my foot and then I say ah you broke my foot. No one wanted to assist me when I told them I feeling pain. I was crying balling, living eye water before someone took me to the hospital.
Dean was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly attacking an immigration officer with a wooden chair and for escaping custody. He pleaded guilty to escaping and was fined $800. The aggravated assault charge was dropped after Rodriguez argued it was based on a nonexistent law. Fisher was charged with harm for injuring a security guard and was fined $300 after pleading guilty.
With just one day left before the deadline at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, frustration is growing as negotiators struggle to make progress. Negotiators are struggling to finalize a climate finance agreement. The task at hand is to condense a 25-page draft document, outlining potential post-2025 climate finance goals, into a concise two-page version. However, significant disagreements remain, particularly around the financial commitments and who should contribute.
The draft document presents two starkly different options for the climate finance goal, each reflecting the contrasting priorities of developed and developing countries. Option one proposes an annual finance target starting in 2025, running through 2035, with a focus on funding from developed countries’ governments and the private sector they can mobilize. Developing nations may contribute voluntarily, but their contributions would not count toward the main goal. This option mirrors the current $100 billion per year target, which has yet to be fully met.
Option two envisions a longer timeline, with the goal set for 2035. This option expands the sources of finance, including public, private, and innovative funding from both bilateral and multilateral channels. While developed nations are expected to take the lead, the option also acknowledges that other countries with the economic capacity to contribute should do so. It adds a broader investment goal alongside a mobilisation target, marking a distinct difference from option one, which only focuses on mobilisation.
A key point of contention is the distribution of finance, particularly for the world’s poorest countries, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). These nations are calling for specific annual minimum amounts, such as $220 billion for LDCs and $39 billion for SIDS, but these figures remain unresolved, with the text still marked with square brackets. Some countries are advocating for a more general emphasis on the vulnerability of these groups, or an “equitable resource distribution” approach, instead of setting firm financial targets.
Uganda’s negotiator, Adonia Ayebare, voiced the frustration of developing nations, saying, “We have been very, very clear that we should not leave Baku without a number.” He criticised the proposal for $300 billion in annual climate finance, a figure many developing countries, including those in the G77 and China, deem insufficient. These countries are calling for $1.3 trillion in public climate finance annually, a figure they argue is necessary to meet the global climate challenge.
“We are hearing $300 billion. But if that is true, that’s really not acceptable. It’s embarrassing,” said Ayebare.
COP29 has entered its “endgame,” but UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned, “Success is not yet guaranteed.” Some developed nations, including the EU and the US, continue to push for a broader, more inclusive approach to climate finance, while developing nations stress that wealthier countries, who have contributed the most to global emissions, bear the primary responsibility.
On the issue of emissions reduction, the latest draft has weakened key commitments. Notably, provisions for a transition away from fossil fuels have been removed, drawing criticism from countries and climate experts alike. Meanwhile, climate scientists have warned that the world is on track for a dangerous 3.1°C rise in global temperatures by 2100 if current trends continue.
In the final days of COP29, there are glimmers of progress, with over 50 countries signing a declaration on climate-friendly tourism. Additionally, Mexico has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, joining other G20 nations in setting ambitious climate goals. Mexican Environment Minister José Luis Samaniego noted, “We don’t think this will be easy, but we have never had a stronger political mandate to do so.”
Police in Cayo are investigating the murder of 63-year-old Miriam Castellanos, a Belizean domestic worker, who was found dead in the Santa Cruz area of Santa Elena Town on Wednesday afternoon.
Police responded to the scene around 1:48 p.m., where they discovered Castellanos’ lifeless body with stab wounds. According to initial reports, she was last seen alive on Tuesday, November 19, around 7:30 p.m. Her body was discovered by a family member the following day at approximately 1:30 p.m.
The body of Castellanos has been transported for a post-mortem examination.
A lucky player has won last night’s Mega Bingo progressive jackpot of $166,000, hitting the prize on ball G47. The host of the show described the moment as “absolutely phenomenal,” calling it “an incredible, dream-come-true early Christmas gift.” This win follows another major jackpot just 18 days ago, when a player walked away with over half a million Belize dollars, marking a spectacular streak of big wins for the popular game.
Police in Roaring Ceek Village are investigating the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Jonathan Josue Leonardo of Duckrun 2, Cayo District. The incident happened on Wednesday night outside Divinas Restaurant and Bar in Roaring Creek.
According to reports, Leonardo was involved in a dispute with another patron inside the bar. In an effort to avoid further confrontation, Leonardo stepped outside and got into his vehicle with two friends.
The conflict took a deadly turn when the other individual followed him outside. As Leonardo tried to drive away, the assailant approached the driver’s side and fired a single shot, fatally wounding him.
Police recovered a spent 9mm shell at the scene and have identified a suspect, reportedly a licensed firearm owner from the Maya Mopan area.
