hipolito - Greater Belize Media

Trump: “They don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”

U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at both Israel and Iran on Tuesday, accusing them of violating a fragile ceasefire he attempted to broker. His remarks, made in characteristic blunt style as he departed the White House for a NATO summit in The Hague, included a profane rebuke of both nations.

“I gotta get Israel to calm down now,” Trump told reporters, according to Reuters. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before.”

“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing,” Trump added.

Despite his frustration with both Middle Eastern powers, Trump touted support from NATO allies.

On the economic front, Trump signalled a softening in Washington’s stance on sanctions against Iran. “China can now continue to purchase oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the U.S. also,” he posted.

Beijing remains Tehran’s largest oil buyer, accounting for more than 90% of its exports.

Meanwhile, in Israel, pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from both political opposition and hostage families. Following news of a ceasefire with Iran, opposition leader Yair Lapid called for a similar resolution in Gaza.

“It’s time to finish it there too. Bring back the hostages, end the war,” Lapid wrote on X.

KHMH Offers Compensation Deal, Rejects Pension Demand in Union Talks

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) has expressed support for an ex gratia payment to staff members employed between 2001, when KHMHA was formally established, and 2017, the year the hospital’s Provident Fund was created.

According to the KHMH, the proposed ex gratia payments, as outlined in a letter to the union dated June 20, 2025, aim to recognise the years of service by eligible staff prior to the creation of the fund. According to the proposal, payments will be made upon retirement, resignation, or release from service.

“This payment is in addition to other benefits every staff member accrues during the referenced period of employment and includes severance, social security benefits, vacation days, and provident fund benefits,” the KHMH said.

KHMHA also highlighted the comprehensive package of incentives currently available to staff, which includes hospital service discounts, free medical care, access to the staff and family clinic, group health insurance, study leave, meals, night transportation, various allowances, and concessionary staff loans.

While the union had requested a pension scheme, the Authority explained that such benefits are reserved for public officers covered under the Pensions Act and paid by the Government of Belize. Employees directly hired by KHMHA do not qualify under this system.

KHMHAWU has been fighting to have its member pensionable.

Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump declared what he described as a “Complete and Total” ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, expressing hope that the truce will become permanent. He did so on social media.

The ceasefire is scheduled to begin in approximately six hours, allowing both nations to conclude ongoing military operations. According to Trump’s statement, the initial phase will last 12 hours, during which Iran will cease hostilities, followed by Israel joining the truce in the second 12-hour phase. At the 24-hour mark, the president said, “an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.”

Neither Israel nor Iran has issued official confirmation of the ceasefire terms or its implementation timeline. Trump’s post stated that each side is expected to remain “PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL” during the other’s ceasefire window.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking moments after the announcement on Fox News, praised the development and said he had seen a draft of the ceasefire announcement shortly before it was published. “That’s good news, that the president was able to get that across the finish line,” Vance said, noting that Trump had been “working the phones” on the deal throughout the day.

Vance added that, due to U.S. military action, “Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have, because we destroyed it.”

Authorities Respond to Boat Video Showing Standing Passengers

The Belize Port Authority (BPA) and San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi have issued official statements in response to a viral video circulating on social media showing several passengers standing on the lower deck of a passenger vessel.

The Belize Port Authority confirmed awareness of the video and assured the public that passenger safety remains a top priority. It said that it continues to engage with vessel operators to ensure compliance with the country’s maritime safety standards, but also noted that vessel owners bear primary responsibility for the safety and well-being of all passengers aboard.

“Compliance with safety protocols is a shared obligation,” the BPA stated. “We encourage all operators to consistently uphold these standards.”

The public is encouraged to report any safety concerns by contacting BPA via telephone at 222-5666, the emergency line 966, or through their official social media channels.

In a separate public notice, San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi clarified the context of the footage. The company explained that the vessel shown is a double-deck craft, and that the passengers seen standing on the lower deck had temporarily moved from the upper level due to unexpected rainfall. This brief relocation, they said, led to a temporary gathering in the lower section.

The company asserted that all vessels display clear capacity limits, and are inspected daily and approved for dispatch by BPA representatives. “The video appears to have been shared with the sole intent of drawing media attention, rather than accurately representing the circumstances,” the notice added.

Lobster Season Opens July 1

The Belize Fisheries Department announced that the 2025-2026 Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) season will officially open on July 1, 2025, and run through February 28, 2026.

The department urges all licensed fishers and members of the public to adhere strictly to the Fisheries Resources Act and its Subsidiary Regulations, which govern the sustainable harvesting of this vital marine species.

As part of its public advisory, the Fisheries Department outlined the following key regulations for the lobster fishery:

Minimum carapace length must be three inches.
Minimum tail weight must be four ounces.
It is illegal to possess soft-shell (moulting) lobsters or females carrying eggs (berried lobsters).
Tampering with egg-bearing females—including removing eggs, spawn, or the protective setae—is strictly prohibited.
Filleted or diced lobster tails are not allowed in any person’s or establishment’s possession.

Anyone witnessing illegal fishing activities is strongly encouraged to report them by calling 224-4552 or emailing Fisheries_department@fisheries.gov.bz.

Coalition Demands Action, Accountability Over Threats to Hol Chan Marine Reserve

A broad coalition of community, environmental, and tourism groups from Ambergris Caye has issued a united call for urgent government action amid growing frustration over what they describe as the mismanagement of Belize’s marine reserves, particularly the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

In a joint statement released Monday, the Ambergris Caye Fishing Guide Association, San Pedro BTIA, Belize Flats Fishery Association, San Pedro Tour Operators Association, San Pedro Tourist Guide Association, North Ambergris Alliance, Green Reef Environmental Institute, the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD), and the San Pedro Town Council, including Mayor Wally Nuñez, expressed deep concern over government-approved developments they say are threatening critical marine habitats and livelihoods.

At the centre of their concerns is Cayo Rosario, located within the Conservation Zone of Hol Chan. Despite its protected status, the site faces the prospect of dredging, seabed destruction, and over-the-water construction by private developers. The coalition says such activities not only endanger vital ecosystems but also threaten Belize’s $200 million catch-and-release fly-fishing industry, which depends heavily on preserving habitat for species like the protected permit.

Equally troubling, they say, is recent bulkhead construction and dredging in front of the Mexico Rocks Marine Reserve. These projects, they claim, have proceeded without sufficient environmental assessments or meaningful public consultation.

“What is the point of declaring an area a marine reserve if the government continues to permit activities that destroy it?” a coalition spokesperson asked. “We fought to expand Hol Chan to protect these resources. Now we’re back fighting the same battle.”

The coalition is demanding: an immediate independent financial and operational audit of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve administration, covering the last five years of park fee collection and spending; legal action, including criminal charges where appropriate, if mismanagement or missing public funds are uncovered; the immediate resignation of Hol Chan’s Executive Director and Chairman of the Board for alleged failure to enforce protections and uphold the public interest; a new permitting system that requires formal approval from the local community for any proposed development projects; Public disclosure of official approvals from Hol Chan and the Belize Fisheries Department for all current and future developments within the reserve, with immediate halting of any project lacking proper documentation.

The groups say, “We will not stand by while our marine reserves and national resources are sacrificed for unchecked private interests and short-term gain.”

Know Your Status, Your Way: Free, Private HIV Tests Available

Taking charge of your health has just become more accessible and private in Belize, with the free availability of the OraQuick HIV Self-Test. This innovative kit, provided by the National AIDS Commission, offers a quick, convenient, and confidential way to ascertain one’s HIV status, accessible to anyone, anywhere, and anytime.

The OraQuick HIV Self-Test is designed for user-friendliness, but understanding the results is crucial. According to information released by the National AIDS Commission, the test relies on the appearance of lines to indicate status:

Non-Reactive (Negative Result): A single line appearing next to the “C” (Control) mark, with no line appearing next to the “T” (Test) mark, indicates a non-reactive result. This means that no HIV antibodies were detected at the time of the test. However, if an individual has had a potential recent exposure to HIV within the last three months, the National AIDS Commission advises re-testing in a few weeks or consulting a healthcare provider for further guidance.

Reactive (Preliminary Positive Result): If two lines appear – one next to the “C” and another next to the “T” – the result is considered reactive, or preliminary positive. The National AIDS Commission stresses that this does not confirm an HIV-positive diagnosis. Instead, it signifies that HIV antibodies were detected, and a follow-up confirmatory test is immediately necessary at a clinic or health facility. This step is critical for accurate diagnosis and timely access to care.

Invalid Test Results: Should no line appear next to the “C” mark, regardless of whether a line appears at “T,” the test is considered invalid. The National AIDS Commission indicates this means the test did not run correctly, and a new test must be performed.

Free OraQuick HIV Self-Test kits can be picked up at the National AIDS Commission Office, located at 3803 Durgeon Drive, Coral Grove, Belize City.

Iran Launches Missile Strikes Against U.S. Bases in Qatar

Iran has launched an operation targeting a U.S. military base in Qatar, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the Islamic Republic and the United States. Iranian state television confirmed the attack on Monday, while U.S. officials have reported tracking multiple missiles fired from Iran toward American military installations in both Qatar and Iraq.

According to two officials familiar with the situation, American defence systems are actively monitoring and attempting to intercept the incoming projectiles. There is no immediate information on casualties or damage sustained at U.S. facilities.

Iran’s missile offensive is widely seen as a direct response to U.S. airstrikes over the weekend on several of Iran’s nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility. Iranian military commanders and parliamentarians had vowed retaliation, warning that Washington would “pay a price” for what they called an act of aggression against Iran’s sovereignty and nuclear ambitions.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered the strikes, hinted at the possibility of regime change in Iran in a social media post on Sunday. While Iran’s political and military leadership has responded vocally, there has been no official statement yet from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

U.S. Issues Worldwide Security Alert

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Worldwide Caution alert urging American citizens to exercise increased vigilance abroad amid rising tensions and war between Israel and Iran. The alert warns of travel disruptions and possible demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests worldwide.

The State Department has also released detailed information for U.S. citizens seeking to depart Israel, the West Bank, and Iran.

Iran airspace remains closed due to hostilities. U.S. citizens are advised to leave Iran overland via Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Türkiye if conditions are safe.

Meanwhile, the heightened tensions in the Middle East have led Qatar to close its airspace today after reports of a “credible threat” against the U.S. military base at al Udeid.

The move comes just hours after the United States and the United Kingdom issued urgent shelter-in-place warnings to their citizens in Qatar.

Iran is actively seeking diplomatic and military support from Russia. Iranian officials met today with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, reportedly requesting assistance in the face of what Tehran has described as “unprovoked aggression” by the United States. At the same time, Israel has continued its own military campaign against Iran, with strikes ongoing.

Iranian leaders have vowed revenge in response to the U.S. operation, which targeted nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. While Iran insists its nuclear program remains intact, U.S. officials claim the strikes dealt significant damage.

Belize, World Bank Group Forge New Path for Investment and Sustainable Growth

The Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET) has concluded a high-level mission with the World Bank Group (WBG).

The four-day mission was led by Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Alfonso García Mora, IFC Vice President for the region. It marked the first official visit of this level between the Government of Belize and the WBG.

Key discussions focused on strengthening Belize’s logistics capacity and exploring avenues for sustainable infrastructure development. The mission also included a field visit to San Pedro Town, where delegates observed progress under the Blue Cities and Beyond Project. The visit highlighted nature-based solutions being implemented by the San Pedro Town Council to combat the growing challenge of sargassum accumulation.

The mission culminated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Belize and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The agreement outlines plans to develop a pipeline of investable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects that align with Belize’s national development priorities.