In a significant move to bolster economic resilience and create sustainable opportunities, the PROSPER initiative was officially launched in Belize’s Toledo and Stann Creek districts. The event, held at Toledo Bible College in Yemeri Grove, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the European Union, and the Government of Belize. PROSPER, which stands for Participation, Ownership, and Sustainable Progress for Economic Resilience, is a four-year project with a budget of nearly nine million Belize dollars. It aims to empower local communities by fostering entrepreneurship, generating employment, and enhancing social inclusion, particularly among youth, women, and indigenous groups. ILO Deputy Director Noortje Denkers underscored the initiative’s alignment with Belize’s Decent Work Country Program, emphasizing the organization’s dedication to job creation and rural development. Leroy Martinez from the Ministry of Economic Transformation reiterated the government’s commitment, while Minister Florencio Marin Jr. highlighted PROSPER’s integration into the broader national agenda under Plan Belize. This initiative marks a transformative step toward building stronger, more resilient communities in southern Belize.
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Six Belizean Athletes Score Major Olympic Funding
Six talented Belizean athletes have been granted a significant financial boost through the Olympic Solidarity Program, marking a pivotal moment in their journey toward Olympic glory. The program, administered by the International Olympic Academy, provides $18,000 monthly to support the training and development of these promising individuals. Each athlete will receive $1,500 per month, supplemented by additional funds to help cover living expenses, bringing their total monthly support to approximately $3,000. This initiative aims to enable them to focus full-time on their athletic pursuits as they strive to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
Allan Sharp, President of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, emphasized the strategic focus on individual sports, which offer a more feasible path to Olympic qualification for smaller nations like Belize. He highlighted the challenges faced by team sports, which often require substantial financial investment and are limited in participation at international events.
The six athletes, evenly split between male and female participants, have already demonstrated exceptional talent at the junior level in regional competitions. Nyasha Harris, a track and field athlete, expressed her gratitude for the scholarship, noting its role in supporting her training, travel, and daily expenses as she aims to improve her personal best times. Similarly, Derrick Chavarria, a cyclist, shared his aspirations to compete in Europe, where he hopes to gain experience and challenge himself against the world’s best.
While the scholarships target individual athletes, team sports in Belize will also benefit from over $900,000 in funding over the next two months. This dual approach underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering athletic excellence across all disciplines. Shane Williams of News Five reports on this transformative development for Belize’s sporting future.
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Man killed weeks after death threats left on his social media
A tragic incident unfolded in Akers on Wednesday when Shem Walker, a man in his early 20s from Stubbs, was shot and killed. This marks the 34th homicide recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines this year, highlighting a concerning trend of violence in the region. Walker’s body was discovered near a crashed vehicle, registration number PA666, which had collided with a property adjacent to the road. The open left front door of the car suggested that Walker might have attempted to flee after the crash. Sources indicate that the vehicle’s occupants may have been targeted by gunfire, leading to the collision and Walker’s untimely death. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but the incident has left the community in shock. Walker’s family is now grappling with the loss of their loved one, adding to the grief of three families mourning young victims of violence in recent weeks. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with no arrests made yet. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in solving the case.
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Douglas Langford Makes NCAA Division I Debut
Belizean basketball prodigy Douglas Langford Jr. has etched his name in history by making his NCAA Division I debut for the San Jose State University Spartans. On Monday, Langford took to the court against the Utah Utes in a season opener, marking a monumental moment for his family and Belizean basketball. His father, Douglas Langford Sr., expressed immense pride and excitement, describing the experience as deeply emotional. He emphasized the importance of unwavering parental support in nurturing children’s dreams, no matter how ambitious. Langford Jr. now joins an elite group of Belizean athletes who have competed at the Division I level, including Kirk “Shabba” Smith and Keith “Superman” Acosta. Fans can catch Langford in action on CBS against Stanford on December 13, or on ESPN Plus this Saturday as the Spartans face UC Santa Barbara.
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Government allocates RD$12 billion for recovery efforts after Tropical Storm Melissa
In a significant move to address the aftermath of Tropical Storm Melissa, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic has unveiled a comprehensive RD$12 billion aid package. The initiative, announced in Santo Domingo, is designed to support affected communities, farmers, and merchants while also stimulating economic recovery and repairing damaged infrastructure nationwide.
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Qatar : Laurent Saint-Cyr meets with Prime Minister Al Thani
Laurent Saint-Cyr, the President pro tempore and Coordinator of Haiti’s Transitional Council, recently concluded a significant meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The encounter took place during Saint-Cyr’s official visit to Qatar for the Second World Summit on Social Development, held from November 4th to 6th, 2025. Al Thani, who also serves as Chairman of the Qatar Fund for Development and holds key roles in Qatar’s Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment, extended a warm welcome to the Haitian leader. He expressed appreciation for Haiti’s participation in the summit, highlighting it as a testament to the deepening bilateral ties between the two nations. Al Thani also conveyed Qatar’s solidarity with Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, underscoring the Gulf state’s commitment to supporting its Caribbean partner. The discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in critical areas, including security and social development. Qatar reaffirmed its support for Haiti’s efforts to restore stability, particularly through its involvement in the United Nations-approved Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a joint initiative with the United States. Additionally, the leaders explored partnerships in youth reintegration and housing construction for Haitian National Police personnel, aiming to address the country’s pressing social and economic challenges. Both sides agreed to continue their strategic dialogue and explore new avenues of collaboration, with Qatar expressing interest in reviewing specific projects aligned with Haiti’s national priorities.
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Traffic speeds up by 30% in Santo Domingo under RD Se Mueve initiative
Santo Domingo has witnessed a transformative leap in urban mobility as the Dominican Republic’s Transportation Cabinet revealed that the RD Se Mueve plan has surpassed 70% completion in its first phase. This ambitious initiative has already delivered a remarkable 30% enhancement in average travel speeds across major road corridors in Greater Santo Domingo, marking a pivotal milestone in the city’s traffic management and public transport integration. Deligne Ascención, the Transport Cabinet Coordinator and Minister, underscored the plan’s success in fostering safer and more efficient mobility for the capital’s residents. The first phase of RD Se Mueve has yielded tangible outcomes, including a 20–30% reduction in travel times during peak hours. Key measures implemented include flexible working hours for 70,000 employees across 137 public institutions, optimized traffic light systems in 11 critical corridors, and the introduction of turning restrictions, contraflow lanes, and regulated parking in high-traffic zones. Furthermore, over 700 DIGESETT agents, equipped with body cameras, have bolstered traffic enforcement, leading to the towing of 5,200 vehicles and the issuance of 7,100 citations for violations. The Metro system has also expanded its capacity to minimize wait times and enhance service quality. The government has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing the RD Se Mueve plan by integrating cutting-edge technology, educational campaigns, and road safety initiatives, aiming to transform Santo Domingo into a modern, well-organized metropolis.
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Belizean-American Fatally Shot in California
A tragic incident unfolded in Lancaster, California, early Saturday morning, resulting in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old Belizean-American Marine. The victim, identified as Lance Corporal Tevon Wade from Rosamond, was attending a Halloween party at a vacant business building when the altercation occurred. Authorities from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call at approximately 12:45 a.m. on the 100 block of West Avenue I, near Division Street, where they discovered Wade with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators revealed that the shooting ensued after a fight erupted inside the event. The suspect, who remains unidentified, fled the scene in an unknown direction. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Wade’s cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds, officially classifying the case as a homicide. Friends and fellow Marines have since expressed their grief, remembering Wade as a disciplined and kind individual. A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by Justin Calderon, Wade’s senior Marine, seeks to support his family, as Wade was the primary breadwinner. The suspect is still at large, and the investigation continues.
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‘Each Trip Gets Worse’: Belizean Businessman Details Extortion
Robert McClaren Jr, a Belizean car dealer, has shared alarming details about the escalating dangers of traveling through Mexico for business. In a widely circulated video, McClaren recounted a harrowing experience where he and a group of nine Belizeans were allegedly extorted by corrupt officials and armed civilians. The incident began when a flat tire on one of their vehicles attracted unwanted attention. Despite no accident occurring, transport security officers demanded 50,000 pesos, threatening to confiscate their cars and detain the group. McClaren described how the situation intensified as officers began seizing car keys, searching vehicles, and attempting to take his passport and cash. Fearing for their safety, the group created a scene, which eventually led to the intervention of Mexican police, who returned their documents and allowed them to leave. McClaren revealed that this was just one of many perilous encounters he has faced during his frequent trips to Mexico. He highlighted the prevalence of unofficial checkpoints manned by armed civilians, where travelers are forced to pay bribes to proceed. Despite the ordeal, McClaren remains undeterred, viewing the experience as a lesson to better prepare for future trips. He emphasized the need for increased awareness and caution for those traveling through the region.
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Father Rushes Son to Hospital After Chopping Attack
In a harrowing incident in August Pine Ridge Village, Orange Walk, a father’s quick actions saved his son’s life after a brutal chopping attack. Early on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 61-year-old Emeraldo Diaz discovered his 32-year-old son, Juan Carlos Diaz, at his doorstep with severe chopping injuries. Without hesitation, Emeraldo rushed Juan to the Northern Regional Hospital, where he was admitted in critical but stable condition. The attack occurred around 3:00 a.m., though the motive remains unclear. Police are investigating the incident but have yet to determine the reason behind the assault. The community is left in shock as authorities work to uncover the circumstances surrounding this violent act.