Belize Rejects US Travel Advisory as Tourism Minister Defends Nation’s Safety

Travel

Tonight, the government is rejecting the US Government’s recent travel advisory on Belize and whether it truly reflects the country’s current state. On December 30, the US Department of State issued a travel advisory on Belize, putting the country’s security risk at level 2 and urging its citizens to “exercise increased caution in Belize due to crime.” The advisory states that violent crimes such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during the day and in tourist areas. Additionally, the US warns its citizens that local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious crimes, advising them to avoid traveling to Belize City. However, while the advisory paints a stark picture of the country’s crime situation, Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler says it won’t affect the tourism industry. Today, he appeared on “The Morning Show” and gave his opinion on the recent advisory. 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism: “Because the numbers go up every month, most of that is ________. And I don’t care who vex but it’s foolishness. How will you tell me all the major crimes are going down and it’s just when they want to give us a little trouble or we say something wrong or the Israel/Gaza situation comes up that alright let’s touch up Belize a little bit and put out Belize on a travel advisory. During COVID they weren’t even looking at the numbers again to see how our numbers went down and that how we were curtailing this “Oh be careful how you go to Belize.” Some lazy public servant in the US government just put out those things. Because if they really look then they will say the issue is south side Belize and now that has gone down drastically. So there’s no reason to put Belize on any watch list, better you put New York. Better you put Miami, better you put all of them. Last year they had state of emergency in South Beach because people were shooting one another but they’re still telling you to come to South Beach and come to Miami.”

Rene Villanueva Sr., Host, The Morning Show: Well incidents happen all over the world really. There’s no way you can prevent that and stop that 100%. 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:  “Most of it is political games, not anything real.”

Rene Villanueva Sr., Host, The Morning Show: But it has not impacted our arrivals at all as far as you know ? Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:  “Well I must say that when I look at the numbers and I drill down into the numbers the number of Israelis coming into Belize have gone down whether through the airport or through the border.”

And in a more rational response, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa stated that doesn’t believe the advisory reflects the current crime situation. Musa explained that he discussed the issue with US officials despite the ranking not affecting Belize’s tourism numbers. 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “I often times in my discussions with the US Embassy raise my concerns especially over the last two or three years where we have seen a downturn in the number of homicides each year and I think we’re actually beating fifteen or so states in the homicide rate so it could be argued that Belize should be issuing a travel advisory to those fifteen states but we are very close partners with the US Embassy and it is something that I flag each year that it doesn’t, it certainly doesn’t make sense in my opinion why it is that these travel advisories are issued when in fact there is that downturn. But no doubt I think travelers on their own have seen the beauty and charm of Belize. They don’t find it as a violent destination and so we see that increase. I think by 60,000 overnight passengers in just 2024 we have increased so remarkable numbers coming out of the Ministry of Tourism and certainly it doesn’t seem that that travel advisory is having any kind of negative effect.” 

The advisory stated that a significant portion of the country’s violent crimes are gang-related.

Entertainment News | ‘Succession’ Creator Jesse Armstrong Working on Movie for HBO Films

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Los Angeles, Jan 14 (PTI) Jesse Armstrong, the creator of HBO’s critically-acclaimed series “Succession”, is developing a movie, set during a financial crisis. According to entertainment news outlet Variety, the movie is based on an original idea and backed by HBO Films. Also Read | Jessica Simpson Opens Up About Her Separation From Eric Johnson After 10 Years of Marriage, Says ‘Navigating a Painful Situation’. For the project, Armstrong is re-teaming with Frank Rich, the executive producer of “Succession”. Both Armstrong and Rich have overall deals at HBO. Armstrong is still writing the script, which revolves around four friends who meet up during the turmoil of an ongoing international financial crisis. The movie is expected to start production later this year. Also Read | Boney Kapoor Shares Heartfelt Throwback Photo With Late Wife Sridevi, Says ‘True Love Cannot Be Hidden’ (View Pic). The project comes two years after “Succession” concluded its run on HBO. The satirical drama, which won 19 Emmys over the course of four seasons, was about the wealthy and dysfunctional Roy family, who control the global media conglomerate Waystar Royco. The show received praise from critics for its sharp writing, dark humour, and compelling performances. PTI(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

News24 Business | SA economy set to forge upward path after misfiring for over a decade

Business News

South Africa’s economy is set to forge an upward path this year after misfiring for more than a decade, boosted by steps to address growth constraints and higher consumer spending, according to top-ranked analysts. (Getty Images/Elif Bayraktar)

Top-ranked economics expect South Africa to escape a decade of growth inertia.Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect growth of 1.7% for 2025.South Africa will need the coalition government to hold and continue with the reforms it’s started instituting.For more
financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.South Africa’s economy is set to forge an upward path this year after misfiring for more than a decade, boosted by steps to address growth constraints and higher consumer spending, according to top-ranked analysts. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect growth of 1.7% this year, compared with 0.7% estimated for 2024 and less than 1% on average in the prior 10 years. The economy has “a credible prospect of stabilisation” after many years of deterioration, said Elna Moolman, head of South Africa macroeconomic research at Standard Bank Group.Factors conducive to growth include political cooperation through a coalition government formed by the ANC after it lost its outright majority in elections last year. Lower interest rates, higher levels of fixed investment and the ongoing improved performance of the country’s electricity, transport and logistics sectors will also have a positive impact, said Kenneth Creamer, an economist at Wits University in Johannesburg. Economists expect the central bank to lower interest rates by 50 basis points to 7.25% in the first quarter with inflation seen remaining below the 4.5% midpoint of its target range. That would total 100 basis points of cuts since its easing cycle started in September, and could add 30 basis points to economic growth as consumer spending increases, said Reezwana Sumad, a senior research analyst at Nedbank CIB.Still, expansion of 1.7% won’t be enough to reduce one of the world’s highest poverty and unemployment rates. The figure is slightly above population growth of 1.3% and almost equivalent to the labor market expansion rate. Pivotal yearThis year will be pivotal to South Africa achieving faster growth, Moolman said. “We’ll get a sense of whether we are too optimistic in thinking that we are working toward a higher growth rate or not.”South Africa will need the coalition government to hold and continue with the reforms it’s started instituting for that to happen.”We need continued electricity reform, continued electricity supply certainty and we need water infrastructure to be upgraded,” said Sumad. The snarl ups at the ports and rail authority Transnet need to be fixed and there needs to be policy reform, such as the country had with visas last year, she said.In October, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs announced major changes to work-permit regulations to attract more professionals to its skills-starved economy and grow the tourism industry.”If we implement all of the reforms and we get a proper private sector response, then we can start thinking about growth rates that are enough to properly reduce unemployment and reduce government debt,” said Moolman. South Africa faces several risks to accelerating growth. Domestically, they include the parlous state of local government finances, which are constraining planning and investment processes in many areas, low state capacity and procurement corruption, said Creamer. Internationally, challenges exist in weak growth in China, South Africa’s biggest trading partner, the Federal Reserve’s go-slow approach to further rate cuts and US President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to introduce inflationary policies such as tariff increases.”We must make no mistake about how big of an impact US elections have been and will be in terms of Trump’s first year,” said Sumad. It may result in large businesses in South Africa and other parts of the world holding back on investment to see what type of agenda the US is going to be bring, she said. Still, “we are cautiously optimistic for this year,” Sumad said.

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Prime focus spectrograph on Subaru Telescope ready for science operations

Science and Health

Prime focus spectrograph on Subaru Telescope ready for science operations by Riko Seibo Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Jan 13, 2025 Researchers have completed the installation of a revolutionary “compound eye” instrument on the Subaru Telescope after years of meticulous effort. This cutting-edge device, known as the Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS), incorporates approximately 2,400 prisms strategically arranged…

Abbottabad traffic police accused of harassing tourists

Travel

ABBOTTABAD: Tourists have alleged that personnel of traffic police harass them by imposing heavy fines on them for incomplete documents of vehicles without violation of any traffic rule.They said that traffic wardens, standing in groups on Karakoram Highway and Abbottabad-Muree road, stopped each and every vehicle coming from other cities and checked documents of vehicle without noticing that no traffic rules was violated by the visitors.

“Traffic police even do not care that tourists are females, children or senior citizens but they are bent upon to fine each and every one. Tourists beg for mercy and sometimes exchange harsh words with them,” said Saleem, a visitor from Sialkot who was going to upper parts of Hazara including Naran and Shogran along with his family.

He alleged that he was harassed unnecessarily and fined heavily by traffic police. This situation is not only causing inconvenience to visitors but also adversely affecting tourism industry of Abbottabad.

SSP says no one will be spared if found guilty

Abbottabad is a scenic city and a large number of tourists visit it. The government has established special unit of police with the title of ‘tourism police’ to facilitate visitors but all such efforts to promote tourism are being ruined by traffic police.

SSP Traffic Tariq Khan, when contacted, acknowledged it and said that strict disciplinary action was already taken against such officials. He said that no one would be spared if found guilty of rude behaviour with tourists.

He said that Hazara police set unique example of professionalism and all the time gave priority to facilitate tourists as well as locals.

MEETING: A meeting regarding improvement of facilities in Shimla Hill Park and bird peasantry was held here on Monday with Deputy Commissioner Sanaullah Khan in the chair.

The meeting was meant to modernise facilities in the park, install new swings for children and improve quality of bird peasantry. The tehsil municipal officer, Shakeel Hayat, the divisional forest officer of Wildlife, assistant director of local government and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

The participants of the meeting presented suggestions for development of park and stressed the need for taking practical steps in that regard, keeping in mind needs of people.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025

Disney+’s Goosebumps Just Changed 1 Iconic Monster Design from the Books

Arts & Culture, Books

The new season of Goosebumps, properly called The Vanishing, adapts the classic book Monster Blood—but changes its iconic look entirely.The new episodes of Disney+’s anthology horror series follow an entirely new cast of characters in Brooklyn, New York. Here, audiences will be able to watch a plot unfold that weaves together elements from classic Goosebumps books Stay Out of the Basement, Monster Blood, The Haunted Car, Camp Nightmare, and more.However, as Season 1 showed before, these well-known stories go through some major changes before making it onto the screen for a season-wide story.
Goosebumps: The VanishingThe Direct’s Russ Milheim spoke with Goosebumps: The Vanishing’s executive producers, Rob Letterman and Hilary Winston, to talk about the changes made for Season 2 and how the show has evolved.Why Goosebumps: The Vanishing Changed Monster Blood
GoosebumpsThere’s a Couple of Reasons Why Monster Blood Wasn’t It’s Classic Green ColorThe Direct: “You guys adapted ‘Monster Blood’ this season, and I just wanted to ask: When you guys were designing it––You know, in the books, it does have a very classic green look. And this time around, it doesn’t. You guys opted for kind of a darker it, has some like, yellow orange hues in there. What was the process behind making those changes to the classic look and making it feel unique to the season?”Rob Letterman: I mean, there’s a couple of things. In Season 1, we didn’t have Monster Blood, but we had this kind of exploding goo that was colored similar to Monster Blood, and we just didn’t want to do anything––we didn’t want to repeat ourselves, first of all. But you’ve seen the first six episodes; there’s a unifying theme to the color of things in it that we had to keep consistent with all the monster storylines. And it’ll make total sense when you get into Episode 7, which we’re not going to spoil, but that’ll answer everything for everyone. But we’re also an aged-up show, and we wanted to give it a scarier, more intense, darker, grittier vibe.
Goosebumps: The VanishingThe Direct: “With the books that you did adapt in Season 2, which do you think was the hardest to get where you wanted it to be within the story? The ones that you could talk about, obviously.”Letterman: Look, ‘Monster Blood’ was challenging because, you know, we don’t have a lot of time. And we aim very high in our show for production value and for all kinds of things, and that’s some tricky stuff. And we leaned on Weta quite a bit for visual effects, for help. And that was just one of those incredible efforts. People worked so hard to bring our show to life. I can’t even tell you, like the amount of people–They just killed themselves for the show. It was amazing. The crew, everyone in post, because that was a whole nother round of work. It’s really impressive to see it all come together when you know we’re talking hundreds and hundreds of people putting their heart and soul into it.How Goosebumps Season 2 Has Evolved From Season 1
Goosebumps: The Vanishing”Let’s Just Do Something Totally Crazy and Different.”The Direct: “With Season 2, how have you guys taken what you accomplished with Season 1 and kind of evolved it with this new story?”Hilary Winston: So I think that doing an anthology and starting off with new characters and new books felt so true to ‘Goosebumps’ and the world of ‘Goosebumps’ and so for us, it was really nice to be like, okay, let’s just make a complete departure from Fort Lawrence. Like, what is as far away as we can get? Let’s just do something totally crazy and different. And it’s for us, this was like outer borough Brooklyn. This was not the New York that everybody sees and thinks of. This is a totally different vibe. And we really love the idea where we had seen kind of like a more suburban experience in Season 1 of just what is like, kind of an urban, suburban experience, which is still the same idea of, our teams kind of off on their own with the time and ability to do different things.But what if they can jump on a subway, you know? What if they can have the world at their fingertips? What are they able to do? And so that was kind of our jumping off point, of like, let’s just make this a complete departure from Season 1.Rob Letterman then commented on why they chose to do a seasonal anthology format for the series instead of an episodic anthology, where every episode is a different story:Rob Letterman: Doing an anthology where each episode of its own story, like ‘Black Mirror,’ is a very tough sell. For us, doing Season 1, and this season as well, we want to be able to explore those characters and live with them over the course of multiple episodes. Leaning Into Body Horror for Goosebumps: The Vanishing
Goosebumps: The Vanishing”We Just Kind of Fell Down the Body Horror Rabbit Hole.”The Direct: “I did notice, watching the episodes, that there’s a lot more body horror in Season 2 than there is in Season 1. What was the what was the choice to kind of lean more into that aspect of the horror this time around?”Rob Letterman: I don’t know if it was a choice… I’m starting to just realize that there is, now that people ask us questions. It just never occurred [to me]. There’s a big one, obviously, in Episode 2 with [David] Schwimmer that we planned and we love. But yeah, you’re right. We just kind of fell down the body horror rabbit hole. I don’t know why, but there is a lot of it. Hilary Winston: We had a great special effects department who had done all the ‘American Horror Story’ and stuff. So we did have somebody available to us that could bring a lot of stuff to life. So that also helps when your creativity is set when you know that they can deliver, and so that was fun. And then also it just was different than Season 1. I think we just wanted to try different things. And that just felt like a different genre.They’re Favorite Dynamics to Play With In Season 2
Goosebumps: The VanishingRob Letterman Is Happy to Put David Schwimmer Through the PacesThe Direct: “Now, this new season introduces, obviously, a whole new cast of characters. I wanted to ask you guys, what were some of your favorite dynamics to play with?”Rob Letterman: Okay, well, in retrospect, body horror… I think just working with [David] Schwimmer was awesome this time around. It was really, really fun. He really understood things at a, not just a great actor level, but he’s directed before. He just brought a lot to it. We put Justin Long through the paces last season, we do the same with him. It’s really fun to watch. And the whole cast is great. They’re very relatable and authentic people and it shows up in the characters. And what makes the show work for us is when you have grounded real characters in a supernatural horror situation. It’s really fun, it’s funny, it’s extra scary, it’s interesting. It’s kind of a fresh thing. It’s universal fears. It all comes together in a great way.Hilary Winston: One of the things I really loved is, talking about just kind of dynamics that we had in Season 1 we also have in Season 2, is the different generations. And so in this season, when we’re dealing with David Schwimmer’s character and what happened to his brother and how that impacts him. We have Anna Ortiz, and her character, and how the loss of her friends affected her. And then we see how that trickles down and how that affects a different generation, and that everybody needs to deal with everything to be able to move on. I think that is so relatable to people. I think that in a four-quadrant show, you need something to be able to work on a lot of different levels. And I think that an adult watching this could really relate to that bad experience, and then we have that in Season 1. So it allows for lots of different people to be able to watch our show and get something different out of it. So I love writing to that stuff.Goosebumps: The Vanishing is now streaming on Disney+.

The Government is on shaky ground when it comes to business confidence

Business News

Seldom has a new Government had such a short honeymoon as the one the current Labour administration has. It inherited an unenviable situation with an economy on its knees and a country with its social fabric torn.But Labour knew what it was coming into before the General Election last year. It has spent enough time telling the nation of the various wrongs that needed to be put right.However, the latest intervention from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) shows that it has made major mistakes since Sir Keir Starmer moved into Downing Street.Its chairman says the Chancellor has “bruised” business confidence by expecting companies to help fill the hole in public finances.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking at University College London (UCL) East in east London. PIC: Henry Nicholls/PA WireRupert Soames says business leaders are less likely to employ people in the current climate. Just when businesses need to flourish they find themselves crippled by additional challenges.The impact is already being felt here in Yorkshire with some hospitality businesses pulling down the shutters for the last time.Mr Soames says Labour has created “a hole in the confidence and trust that business has in the Government”.This is dangerous territory for the Government. Boris Johnson’s Tory party abandoned businesses and subsequently the Conservatives paid the price. If Sir Keir is serious about being more than a one-term Prime Minister, then his Government needs to win back the confidence of business leaders.These are the wealth creators who will deliver that fabled growth that Labour claims to want.The pressure is mounting on the Government with the rate that it can borrow money at rising again, after it spiralled earlier in January.Ultimately, there is no quick fix for the economy but without the backing of business, there is no fix at all.

Travel Sunglasses: Best Picks for 2025

Travel

—Finding the best travel sunglasses for your next adventure can be a game-changer. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, strolling through vibrant city streets, or lounging on a tropical beach, the right pair of shades will keep you stylish, comfortable, and protected.
We’ve rounded up the top picks for 2025 to suit every type of traveler. From frames that handle the wear and tear of adventure to those that add a touch of glamour to your travel photos, these sunglasses tick all the boxes.
To create this list, we focused on the features that matter most when traveling:

UV protection: To shield your eyes from harmful rays, especially during long hours in the sun.
Durability: Travel sunglasses need to withstand drops, bumps, and being stuffed into a carry-on.
Style and versatility: From sporty to chic, your sunglasses should suit every occasion.
Comfort: Nobody wants to deal with glasses that pinch or slide off your nose during a busy day.
Specialized options: Whether you need prescription sunglasses or blue-light glasses for screen-heavy trips, these picks have you covered.

Sporty and rugged: Oakley Sutro
For active travelers who crave performance and durability, Oakley Sutro is a top choice. These sunglasses feature wrap-around lenses that provide exceptional UV protection and shield your eyes from dust and wind, making them ideal for hiking, biking, or exploring rugged terrains. Their lightweight frame ensures all-day comfort, and the bold design guarantees you’ll stand out in all your travel selfies.
Sustainable chic: Karün
Eco-conscious travelers will love Karün sunglasses. Made from recycled and natural materials, these stylish frames are both durable and sustainable. Karün’s polarized lenses reduce glare, making them perfect for exploring sunny beaches or snow-covered peaks. Their ergonomic design keeps them secure, even during intense activities. Plus, if you’re looking for prescription sunglasses, Karün offers customization to fit your vision needs without compromising style.
Urban elegance: Ray-Ban Erika
For city adventurers, Ray-Ban Erika is a versatile pick that blends style and practicality. With a lightweight frame and gradient lenses, these sunglasses are comfortable for long days of sightseeing. Their timeless design complements any outfit, whether you’re sipping coffee at a Parisian café or snapping photos at an iconic landmark. They’re also available as prescription sunglasses, ensuring clear vision on every step of your journey.
Digital nomad essential: Gunnar blue-light glasses
For travelers who spend time working on laptops or scrolling through photos, Gunnar’s blue-light glasses are a must-have. Designed to reduce eye strain from digital screens, they’re a lifesaver for red-eye flights or long nights editing travel videos. While not a traditional sunglass option, they’re a perfect travel companion for digital nomads who want to balance work and exploration.
Glamorous getaway: Le Specs Air Heart
If your travel plans include glamorous evenings or trendy hotspots, Le Specs Air Heart sunglasses deliver the perfect dose of drama. With oversized frames and a bold design, they’ll elevate your look instantly. Their sturdy build and high-quality lenses ensure they’re more than just a pretty accessory, offering excellent UV protection for sun-soaked adventures.
Adventure-ready: Smith Guides Choice
For those chasing adventure in extreme environments, Smith Guides Choice sunglasses are built to perform. Their polarized lenses provide unparalleled clarity and glare reduction, making them perfect for fishing, skiing, or trekking. The wrap-around design and anti-slip nose pads keep them secure, no matter how intense your activity gets. Available with prescription options, these glasses ensure clear vision in even the toughest conditions.
Sunglasses for every traveler
Traveling in 2025 calls for sunglasses that do more than block the sun. From eco-friendly frames to high-performance designs, there’s a pair for every style and need. And with options like prescription sunglasses and blue-light glasses now widely available, you don’t have to choose between practicality and fashion.
Explore our top picks and find the perfect shades to match your next adventure. Whether you’re scaling mountains, wandering city streets, or simply relaxing by the pool, the right sunglasses will keep you looking and feeling your best.
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This content is brought to you by Hyder Ali
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