Cameroon, a Central African nation, has held a pivotal presidential election that could potentially extend the 43-year reign of 92-year-old Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state. The single-round election, conducted on October 12, 2025, is widely anticipated to grant Biya another seven-year term, despite facing 11 challengers. Among them is 79-year-old Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesman who resigned in June to join the opposition. Bakary has garnered significant attention for his calls to end Biya’s prolonged rule. Political analysts attribute Biya’s likely re-election to his firm grip on state institutions and a fragmented opposition. Francois Conradie of Oxford Economics highlighted Biya’s ‘formidable electoral machine’ as a key factor in his expected victory. However, voters have expressed growing discontent over pressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, and the escalating cost of living. The Constitutional Council is set to announce the final results by October 26, 2025.
标签: Belize
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Investigators Suspect Murder-Suicide
Authorities in the old capital are probing a tragic incident that unfolded on Simon Lamb Street, where two individuals were found dead in a two-story residence. The event, which took place shortly before noon, has been preliminarily classified as a suspected murder-suicide. The victims, identified as 26-year-old Keira Gentle and 27-year-old Harrison Arnold, were discovered in separate locations within the home—Gentle on her bed and Arnold on the floor. A black 9mm pistol was found near the scene, further corroborating the initial findings. Surveillance footage from the vicinity captured the sound of multiple gunshots, adding weight to the theory of a violent altercation. Law enforcement officials are focusing their investigation on a potential domestic dispute as the underlying cause of the tragedy. The community has been left in shock as details continue to emerge, with police urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
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Gaza Ceasefire Holds and Aid Efforts Intensify
A fragile ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, offering a glimmer of hope for thousands of displaced Palestinians who are now returning to the remnants of their homes. The truce, which follows two years of devastating conflict, has enabled bulldozers to begin clearing the extensive debris in Gaza City, where entire neighborhoods lie in ruins.
UNICEF has emphasized that the ceasefire provides a critical, albeit brief, opportunity to save lives amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The agency revealed that, over the past two years, a child has been killed in Gaza every hour. UNICEF is urgently advocating for unrestricted humanitarian access to deliver essential supplies such as food, medicine, and shelter to those in need.
In a significant development, the United States has deployed 200 troops to Israel to assist in monitoring the ceasefire and facilitating the coordination of aid. Meanwhile, Israel has approved the expansion of food and supply deliveries and is preparing to release prisoners as part of the agreement.
UNICEF has reported that over 1,300 aid trucks, loaded with tents, blankets, and nutritional supplies, are poised to move into the region. Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, stressed the importance of a sustained and respected ceasefire, stating, ‘A genuine ceasefire must be more than words; it must be sustained and respected.’
As the international community watches closely, the focus remains on ensuring the ceasefire’s longevity and addressing the dire humanitarian needs of Gaza’s population.
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Belize’s Derrick Chavarria Takes Gold in U23 Time Trial
In a historic moment for Belizean sports, Derrick Chavarria secured the gold medal in the Under-23 Time Trial at the 2025 Caribbean Elite Cycling Championship. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for Belize, as the nation hosts the prestigious regional tournament for the first time. The event, which commenced on Friday with an official team presentation at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, has attracted cycling enthusiasts from across the Caribbean, with nineteen nations participating. Chavarria’s triumph not only places Belize prominently on the leaderboard but also sets a positive tone for Team Belize as they prepare for the elite road race scheduled for Sunday. The championship has already drawn substantial crowds, underscoring the growing popularity of cycling in the region and the excitement surrounding this year’s competition.
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Home Affairs Ministry Reacts to Murder of Cop
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through Belize City, Police Constable Oswald Young, aged 44, was fatally shot on Friday night while en route to his duty at the Belama Police Station. The attack occurred around 9:40 p.m. in Unitedville Village, where Young, dressed in uniform, was ambushed. The Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries has confirmed that the shooting was a deliberate assault on a member of the Belize Police Department.
In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the crime and pledged full support to the ongoing investigation. ‘This was a targeted attack on a member of the Belize Police Department, and it is being treated with the highest level of urgency,’ the Ministry declared. ‘We stand firmly behind the efforts to bring those responsible to justice.’
Police Minister Kareem Musa echoed the Ministry’s sentiments, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. ‘We will not rest until the person or persons responsible are found and prosecuted,’ Musa asserted. ‘PC Young was a public servant in uniform, and his murder is an attack on the rule of law itself.’ The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of law enforcement officers and the broader implications for public security in Belize.
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Deadly Highway Crash Near Hattieville Claims Two Lives
A catastrophic accident unfolded late Thursday night on the George Price Highway near Hattieville, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The incident occurred just before midnight at mile fourteen, where a Ford F-150 pickup, driven by 40-year-old Osman Pineda, collided with the rear left wheel of a Freightliner truck. The violent impact caused the Ford to lose control, swerve into the opposite lane, and crash head-on into an oncoming Nissan. Tragically, the two occupants of the Nissan, Othoniel Vasquez Moreno, a Mexican Belizean national, and Amisadai Valdez Dominguez, a Mexican national, were pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to extricate the victims from the wreckage, but their efforts were in vain. Pineda sustained minor injuries, while his wife and their two young children—a five-year-old and a nine-month-old baby—were rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for urgent medical attention. The bodies of Moreno and Dominguez were transported to the KHMH morgue for post-mortem examinations. The accident has left the community in shock, raising concerns about road safety on this busy highway.
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Deadly Crash Sparks Safety Concerns on George Price Highway
A tragic accident near Hattieville on the George Price Highway has reignited concerns about road safety in Belize. The crash, which occurred on the evening of October 9, 2025, has highlighted longstanding issues with the highway’s infrastructure, including inadequate lighting, missing reflectors, and the blinding glare of oncoming vehicles’ high beams. These factors have made nighttime travel perilous, prompting calls for immediate action. Chester Williams, CEO of the Ministry of Transport, addressed these concerns in a recent statement. He revealed that discussions with the Ministry of Infrastructure are ongoing regarding the installation of proper road markings and reflectors. However, Williams emphasized that the government is currently focused on rehabilitating the George Price Highway, making it impractical to implement temporary safety measures. He urged drivers to exercise greater caution, particularly in poorly lit areas, and to avoid speeding when visibility is compromised. This incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive safety improvements on one of Belize’s most heavily traveled routes.
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BBA President Fires Back at Transport Ministry Over Consolidation Claims
In a recent development, Phillip Jones, the newly appointed President of the Belize Bus Association (BBA), has publicly refuted claims made by the Ministry of Transport regarding the association’s stance on bus operator consolidation. This comes after Chester Williams, the CEO of the Ministry, stated that the BBA no longer represents a significant portion of bus operators in the context of the ministry’s consolidation plans. Jones, in his first interview with News Five since assuming his role, emphasized that while most operators are participating in the audit process, they have not yet committed to the consolidation initiative.
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Religious Affairs Ministry Meets with Council of Churches
In a significant move to deepen collaboration between the government and religious communities, Minister Louis Zabaneh, who oversees both Transport and Religious Affairs, convened a pivotal meeting with the Belize Council of Churches on October 10, 2025. This meeting marked the beginning of a broader initiative to extend their partnership beyond the traditional realm of education into other societal sectors. Zabaneh emphasized the importance of open communication and understanding the concerns of various religious groups, including evangelical and Muslim communities, to better integrate their needs into government policies. The discussions focused on identifying new areas of cooperation and establishing a clear work plan with specific objectives. Zabaneh highlighted the potential for impactful partnerships that could address diverse community issues, reflecting a commitment to inclusive governance and societal progress.
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Bishop Urge Continued Church/State Dialogue on Social Issues
In a recent address following a significant meeting, Bishop Phillip Wright, President of the Belize Council of Churches, emphasized the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue between the church and the state. He highlighted the necessity of this collaboration in addressing evolving social issues, particularly in light of the church’s involvement in the recent cannabis referendum in Caye Caulker. Bishop Wright underscored that such dialogues are crucial for fostering mutual understanding and consensus on contentious matters. He expressed optimism about the evolving relationship between the church and the government, viewing it as a vital mechanism for navigating new challenges and ensuring the well-being of the nation. The Bishop’s remarks reflect a broader commitment to strengthening the long-standing partnership between religious and governmental entities, which he believes is essential for societal progress.
