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FAO warns: The need to accelerate our progress is urgent

Mario Lubetkin, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), engaged in the United Nations’ assessment of countries’ progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at the “Review of Progress in the Transformation of Food Systems” event.

Held on April 17, 2024, in Santiago, Chile, the event was organized by the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Center (Hub) in partnership with several organizations including the FAO, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), among others. Lola Castro, WFP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Center, inaugurated the event. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mario Lubetkin participated in the event’s closing ceremony.

National convenors, UN resident coordinators, and representatives from various stakeholders attended the event, which aimed to evaluate countries’ progress in transforming their agrifood systems, foster regional knowledge exchange, and identify emerging trends and solutions in response to the UN Secretary-General’s call to action issued during the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Event (UNFSS+2) in Rome in July 2023.

The event emphasized the importance of creating a collaborative and participatory platform for countries to share best practices and effective strategies in building necessary capacities within the region. Peer-to-peer knowledge exchange was recognized as a vital tool to support the transformation of food systems at both national and sub-regional levels.

UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed, stated: “These meetings are critical to shaping our collective vision for more sustainable, equitable, healthy, and resilient food systems and indicate the acceleration we need to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The network of national conveners is growing; it is stronger every day and is the best asset for the food system summit process in implementing all national pathways.

*Mario Lubetkin, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization*

In his speech, Mario Lubetkin stated: “We have analyzed how the region has made some progress in reducing hunger and food insecurity figures. Our latest estimates show that three million people no longer suffer from hunger. However, we still face important challenges and gaps linked to agrifood systems, which could hamper our ability to respond.

He added: “In this context, the transformation of agrifood systems becomes an immediate and critical need, a process in which investments and political and development agendas must be aligned to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. We have crossed the halfway mark for the 2030 Agenda, so the need to accelerate our progress is urgent.”

This regional meeting will serve as preparation for future actions, including COP29 in Azerbaijan and COP30 in Brazil, where the food systems transformation agenda is expected to remain high on the climate and sustainable development agenda.

Lubetkin also moderated Table 2: “SDG 2: Zero Hunger” of the Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development. During his intervention, he said that it is necessary to prioritize policies and programs that really impact food security and nutrition of people, and for this, it is more relevant than ever to strengthen national and regional coordination mechanisms. “The road to food security and nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean requires continued commitment and concerted action on multiple fronts to ensure the well-being of present and future generations in the region,” he said.

Cockroach infestations are up by a third in Spain: Is climate change to blame?

Rising temperatures across Spain are thought to be responsible for growing numbers of insecticide-resistant Germanic cockroaches.

Climate change could be causing a concerning uptick in the number of cockroach infestations in Spain – as well as alterations to their genetic makeup.

So far this year, Spanish authorities have reported a significant rise in infestations – up by 33 per cent compared to the rate in 2023.

Experts say record hot temperatures are to blame for these ‘mutant’ cockroaches. Increased heat means the pests’ metabolic cycles accelerate – and it’s particularly evident in the Germanic cockroach. That’s a worry as that variety is prevalent in homes and food-related businesses.

Hotter-than-average temperatures also mean that the breeding season of the creatures is getting longer and their genetic resistance to conventional insecticides has been enhanced.

All of these factors are linked to a broader and more serious public health issue, with more frequent sightings being reported in both residential and commercial establishments.

How has climate change caused these changes in cockroaches?

Jorge Galván is the director of the National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA). Speaking to Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos, he said experts are concerned that this genetic shift is making it challenging to control the cockroach population effectively.

Pest controllers are trying to fight the growing problem, though. They’re moving towards using less invasive and more sustainable methods, ranging from improved sanitation practices to mechanical traps.

The need for these different methods appears to be global warming. In recent years, Spain has made a gradual shift from a subtropical to a tropical climate, which prompts longer active periods for pests like cockroaches.

*Cockroaches in Spain are becoming increasingly able to resist pest control methodsErik Karits via Unsplash*

The Germanic cockroach was first detected in Europe in the 18th century and was controlled using various methods for decades.

In the 1990s, spraying of the insects was replaced by the use of ‘sweet baits’, which contain insecticides. These release fewer chemicals which can harm the environment.

The current breed of cockroaches are increasingly unsusceptible to this type of killer, meaning more of them can survive – and for longer.

The Germanic variety was once isolated in the Canary Islands region, off the coast of Morocco, to mainland areas including Andalucia and the Mediterranean coast as well as the Balearic Islands to the east of Spain.

Cockroaches tend to emerge out of their own form of hibernation as spring approaches and now, as temperatures heat up, the proliferation of the pests in Spain is an increasingly worrying public health concern.

Article published by Euronews.com

Male Police Office Charged with “Unnatural Crime” Against Male Minor

Police officer Marcus Che is tonight sitting in a jail cell at the Belize Central Prison after he was arraigned on a single charge of “unnatural crime.” He is accused of raping a fifteen-year-old boy on Sunday, April 14.

The official police report states that “On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at about 9:30 a.m., a 15-year-old, (male) Belizean student of Punta Gorda Town reported to police in the presence of his mother that on Sunday, April 14, 2024, sometimes around 2:45 a.m., a 29-year-old, Belizean Police Officer had sexual relations with him.”

PC Marcus Che was arraigned today at the Punta Gorda Magistrate Court and was read a single charge of unnatural crime. Due to the nature of the crime, no plea was taken from him, and he was remanded until June 11, 2024, for disclosure.

Prime Minister Departs for Vatican City

The Office of the Prime Minister informs that the Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño left the country on an official visit to Vatican City, Rome, to meet with Pope Francis.

The Prime Minister will return to Belize on April 24. During his absence, Hon. Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining will hold over as Prime Minister.

BREAKING: Anke Doehm Sentenced!

Sixty-three-year-old Anke Doehm was today sentenced to five years behind bars at the Belize Central Prison. Doehm, who was reportedly diagnosed with blood cancer in 2018, was found guilty of cruelty of a child. Doehm stood trial following the death of thirteen-year-old Fay Lin Cannon back in 2017. The tragic incident involving the abused teenager happened in San Pedro. The court determined that Fay Lin was malnourished and abused sexually and physically.

Doehm must also enroll in every rehabilitation programme at the prison. She will be eligible for parole after serving half of her prison term.

Full details on News 5 Live at 6 o’clock.

Who is Joseph Camp?

The first time many of us got to know of Joseph Camp was when he went live on Facebook following the shooting of his brother-in-law, eighteen-year-old Jaylon Jones, earlier this month. Jones was shot by Belize City police following the murder of twenty-six-year-old Charles James on Tuesday, April 11, near his home on Consuelo Street in Belize City. Jones was later charged with James’ murder.

Jaylon Jones charged with the murder of Charles James

James was considered a respected member of the Belize Coast Guard. He was the nephew of the late Winston “Tanga” James, a figure known for his gang affiliations. However, Police Commissioner Chester Williams maintained that his murder was not gang-related and was instead driven by a dispute over a romantic partner.

When police arrived on the scene, chaos erupted. This led to a shootout between police officers and the suspects. Jones sustained a gunshot wound to the foot amid the chaos. But Jones’s family complained about his detention. They, including Camp, asserted that he was wrongly identified and had no connection to the altercation besides being caught in the midst of it. Camp decided to go live from the Raccoon Street Police Station, saying that his brother-in-law had been shot and that police officers were “purposely trying to keep him dead.” He also says that the police officers assaulted him. He repeatedly tells the officers that he is an American citizen. Camp was subsequently charged with spreading false news.

*Joseph Camp appearing in court with Attorney Sharon Pitts.*

He appeared in court in Belize City with his attorney, Sharon Pitts. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a fine of six hundred Belize dollars or be sentenced to three months behind bars.

In one of his social media posts, he says, “Imagine the meltdown when they realize that it is $600bzd which is equal to only $300usd. Since I have no criminal history and very high and good character it was the minimal it could be.”

*Joseph Camp explains that 600 Belize dollars is 300 US dollars.*

Camp has a criminal history in the U.S.A. He was asked about it on Friday. He said, “In 2010, I was arrested for changing my grades at the University of Central Missouri. I thought that it would be easier to change my grades. The police thought it would be a felony. Three years later, I was acquitted of all of those charges, except for a minor offense.”

*Former Student Sentenced for Computer Hacking at University of Central Missouri*

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, Camp was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole for his involvement in a computer hacking conspiracy. Camp, along with Daniel J. Fowler, gained unauthorised access to the UCM computer network, obtaining sensitive information and attempting to alter grades and transfer money to their student accounts. They also developed a virus to infect UCM computers and remotely access webcams and email accounts. Camp pleaded guilty to these charges in April 2013. The court also ordered Camp to pay $61,500 in restitution.

Camp says he is a software developer.

UN Security Council Convenes as Guyana-Venezuela Tensions Escalate

The United Nations Security Council has voiced its concern regarding the escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region. This area, spanning approximately 160,000 square kilometres of densely forested land, constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and is inhabited by around 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens.

The roots of this dispute trace back to the 19th century, when Guyana was under colonial rule. Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region dates back to 1841, when it asserted that the British Empire had encroached on Venezuelan territory during the acquisition of the territory of then-British Guiana from the Netherlands. Venezuela has contested the validity of the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award, which delineated the border between Venezuela and British Guiana.

In response to recent developments, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, submitted a letter to the UN Security Council on April 5, requesting a meeting to address the situation. President Ali highlighted Venezuela’s enactment of the “Organic Law for the Defence of Guayana Esequiba,” signed by President Nicolás Maduro on April 3, as evidence of Venezuela’s intent to annex a significant portion of Guyana’s sovereign territory.

The Security Council convened in private on Tuesday to deliberate on these recent developments in the territorial dispute.

Three Guatemalans Detained in Chiquibul

Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) is reporting that three Guatemalan men were detained on April 11 in the Chiquibul Forest in Belizean territory. They are Rigoberto Caal (51 years old), Hector Canan Hernandez (48 years old), and Isaias Caal Coc (32 years old). Each individual was found to be in possession of a firearm, including a .22 rifle, a 16 gauge shotgun, and a homemade wooden handgun. Live ammunition was discovered in their possession.

The three individuals were detained and escorted to the San Ignacio Police Station via an extensive route through Rio Blanco, Ceibo Chico, Natural Arch, Tapir Camp, and onwards to San Ignacio, where it is anticipated that charges will be filed by the Police Department, Immigration Department, and the Forest Department.

According to the FCD, it was determined that the individuals were located 400 meters within the boundaries of the Chiquibul National Park. They are from the nearby village of Monte Los Olivos and were en route to a plantation. Given the presence of firearms, it is likely that they were also engaging in hunting activities.

PM Briceño on Andre Perez Investigation: No Laws Were Broken

Prime Minister John Briceño was asked this morning about the investigation into allegations made by attorney Wendy Auxillou against Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez.

In August 2023, News Five broke the story of a sitting minister of government being accused of sexual harassment by a female attorney. Later that month, a release from the government was issued, stating that PM Bricecño “has accepted a request from Hon. Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, for a leave of absence from the Cabinet.”

That release also stated that “during his leave of absence, an investigation will be conducted into the recent allegations against Minister Perez. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs will advise the Prime Minister on whether there has been any actionable wrongdoing.”

Today, when asked if there was an actual investigation, PM John Briceño told reporters, “The investigation was that no laws were broken. You could question the judgement of the person, but no laws were broken that came to light.”

The PM stated that no one provided evidence to the Office of the Attorney General.

Auxillou alleges that no one from the Attorney General’s office approached her for the evidence she says she has. Auxillou has yet to file an official police report against the minister.

Perez denies all allegations. He was reinstated as Minister of The Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management in April 3, 2024.