The 12th Festival of Cultures and Peoples organised by the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, recently concluded. It was held under the theme, “Here is the World.” The festival featured 3,114 diverse events and activities catering to families, children, and the wider community.
Visitors from various segments of society greatly valued the festival’s offerings.
The Belize booth placed fourth in the judging. One of the participants told News 5, ” is considered a huge success as our booth was one of the smallest but which dished out significant information on Belize’s tourist industry. ”
The festival organizers confirmed that the festival had an increased number of attendees, which is in line with the significant development the festival has experienced compared to previous years.
They praised the efforts and presentations of 500 participating university students, who represented 95 countries worldwide.
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) says it has initiated investigations into an incident related to the distribution of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate® (CSEC®) Principles of Accounts Paper 02 at specific examination centres.
CXC® acknowledges the potential anxiety caused by such uncertainties and assures candidates and parents that these matters are being addressed with utmost urgency. “Upon completion of our investigations, appropriate action will follow.”
No information was given as to when or where this alleged action happened.
A Taiwanese NGO, the Cao Zhong Zhi Foundation, donated US$25,500 in medical equipment to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The donation was made today during a ceremony hosted by Health and Wellness Minister, Kevin Bernard and Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lily Li-Wen Hsu in Belmopan.
The donation includes 240 adult wheelchairs, 50 children’s wheelchairs, 80 steel commodes, 160 aluminium walkers, and 400 aluminium walking sticks.
A release from the ministry says, “Today’s donation underlines Taiwan’s commitment to aiding communities worldwide, particularly in times of need, and emphasises the importance of solidarity and cooperation in addressing global public health challenges.”
Minister Bernard stated, ““It is imperative for all global players, including Taiwan, to have the opportunity to contribute effectively to international health initiatives.”
Last week, an immigration officer, forty-eight-year-old Saul Lisbey, was arrested for the crime of wounding. He stands accused of assaulting a woman at the western border office on Monday, May 6.
The video shows an immigration officer exiting his booth, andwalking towards the woman before pushing her to the ground. The woman hit her head and was taken to the hospital.
Tanya Santos, the Chief Executive Officer of Immigration, confirmed that Lisbey had been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. In an interview, Santos stated that the incident involved an immigration officer and a member of the public, with video footage corroborating the details. Santos emphasised that such behaviour was unacceptable and assured the public that thorough measures would be taken to address the matter.
CEO of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, Dr Osmond Martinez, officially launched his candidature for the upcoming general elections. Dr Martinez announced this on his Facebook page. He wants to represent the constituents of Toledo East. Voters there will participate in a by-election following the passing of Mike Espat, who represented the constituency for six terms.
The late Mike Espat
In his statement, Dr Osmond offers “deepest condolences to the Espat family and friends as we continue to mourn the loss of the late Minister Mike Espat. Understanding the grieving process, I realize there is never a perfect time. However, in honoring his legacy, we must carry on the work. Minister Mike Espat’s contributions to our nation and specifically to the constituents of Toledo East have left an indelible mark on our hearts and our community.”
Dr Martinez says that he has “diligently worked to secure funding and support for initiatives aimed at fostering growth and prosperity across our nation. Under my leadership, project implementation within the Ministry has soared, increasing by 40% since 2019, with substantial investments now totaling BZ$208 million annually. These achievements underscore our dedication to prudent resource management and effective governance for the betterment of our citizens.”
“My candidacy is founded upon a proven track record of leadership, integrity, and results. As your Area Representative, I pledge to serve with unwavering dedication, advocating tirelessly for the interests of Toledo East and its residents. Together, let us embark on a journey of progress, prosperity, and unity, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.”
The Caymen Compassis reporting that powerful Caribbean gangs are establishing ‘franchises’. They are using music promoters and performers as a front for their illegal activities, which include drug trafficking, gun smuggling, and human trafficking.
The article says that these powerful gangs are now venturing into smaller islands, introducing unprecedented levels of violence in communities previously untouched by such serious criminal activities. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones, head of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) emphasised that these criminal networks often have ties to Caribbean nationals residing in the United States, who facilitate the influx of weapons into the region.
Container checks in the Bahamas as part of Operation Trigger. – Photo: Interpol media
There is a growing sophistication and transnational nature of these criminal groups, stressing the need for law enforcement to match this development to effectively combat organised crime. He warned that the fractured nature of policing across over 30 island nations and territories spanning 1,000 square miles of open sea is being exploited by criminals.
To tackle this challenge, Jones emphasised the necessity of enhanced coordination and cooperation among Caribbean nations, potentially including the establishment of a pan-Caribbean coast guard.
Jones emphasised that transnational organised crime involves a close connection between arms trafficking, drug smuggling, gang activities, and human trafficking throughout the region. He pointed out evidence of gangs composed of multiple nationalities and diaspora groups associated with specific countries, operating in coordination across borders.
Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) says that Hugh O’Brien has determined that the terminal handling charges and throughput fees are justified port charges.
In a release, BSI stated, “He also concluded that the industry is saving significant costs from the transition to the Port of Big Creek through more efficient loading. Therefore, based on his findings, these charges remain in the commercial agreement, and cane price estimates issued thus far for the 2023–24 crop stay unchanged.”
BSI and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) commissioned O’Brien to conduct an analysis of terminal handling charges and throughput fees as part of a two-year commercial agreement. The objective was to assess whether these costs, disputed by the BSCFA, qualify as justified port charges. O’Brien was also tasked with comparing the current throughput fee and stevedoring costs at the Port of Big Creek with those previously incurred at the Port of Belize Limited (PBL).
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has endorsed a Palestinian request to qualify for full membership in the UN, urging the UN Security Council to “reconsider the matter favorably.”
In a vote held on Friday, the 193-member UNGA conducted a global assessment of support for the Palestinian bid to attain full UN membership, which had been blocked by the United States in the UN Security Council the previous month. The assembly passed a resolution on Friday with 143 votes in favor, nine against (including the US and Israel), and 25 abstentions. This resolution does not grant full UN membership to the Palestinians but acknowledges their eligibility to join.
The UNGA resolution “affirms that the State of Palestine … should therefore be admitted to membership” and “recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably.”
Although the UNGA lacks the authority to confer full UN membership, the adopted resolution on Friday will grant the Palestinians certain additional rights and privileges starting from September 2024, such as a seat among UN members in the assembly hall, although they will not have a vote in the body.
The official opening of the Jaguar Station at Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve marks a significant milestone in conservation efforts. The new reserve was made possible by the generous support of dedicated partners such as the GEF Small Grants Programme – Belize, and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change.
The establishment of the Jaguar Station provides rangers with a secure base to enhance surveillance and protection of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. This is a significant development for conservation efforts. The ceremony, held in western Belize, celebrated the establishment of the Jaguar Station, replacing the former basic accommodations that posed challenges for the reserve’s rangers.
The construction of this state-of-the-art facility totaled $450,000.
Twelve Belizean chefs recently completed the Diploma in Culinary Arts Program. According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), this achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the BTB, the Ministry of Education, and the esteemed partnership with Florida International University / Accelerating Leaders.
BTB says, “After months of dedication and hard work, our culinarians have mastered various culinary skills including cold food preparation, meats and seafood, soups, stews, and sauces, food and kitchen safety, cultures and cuisines, introductory food science, and menu design.”
