|
Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English |
Pablo's Heartbreaking Last Run
Tonight, heartbreaking video has emerged of 6 year old Gabriel Pablo Orellano running down a city street - all alone and moving fast - in less than an hour he would be found dead about two miles away at the "hangar" area.
The images make yesterday's tragic death of the autistic child all the more painful for a father to process. Jomarie Lanza spoke to the grieving family this morning, and with all that's been on their minds, they told her that they are still waiting for answers. Here's her report.
Having more questions than answers, the family of 6 year old Pablo Orellano must now grieve, still without a clear explanation as to how their child was here one minute and then gone the next. Pablo's father says that prior to this, Pablo never wandered off The school compound before.
Voice of: Vidal Orellano, Father of deceased
"No he never, nobody would ever call me and tell me anything that my son would come out or things like that."
"The way I heard what people told me and so, is he likes to jump, he likes to play and was playing. He may have been playing, went to the front and the gate was open and so he came out, and nobody was there. He was walking, but maybe he tried to find his way back to school and he wasn't sure where he was, because of how he is autistic he can't talk or do much, but he loves to play and stuff like that."
And still the family is questioning why is it that they never got a call when he went missing, but learned of his disappearance after he was found dead:
Vidal Orellano, Father of deceased
"They didn't call me, they didn't call my mom, they told nobody. They started to call when they already found my son dead, when he had already passed away, they started calling my mom and his mom to come and identify the body."
"When they came for me after calling me I was going to work, I was about to go to sea because I am a fisherman and I was going to sea I was going for 6 days when they came for me."
"I could not believe that my little boy was there laying down there dead. I went to hug him but The police they didn't want me to hug him but I still went, I grabbed him and hugged him and laid on The ground with him and I kissed my little boy and told him I loved him, that ill miss him and he's in a better place. I miss the man a lot because he was my company and best friend he was The only one I had, I miss The man a lot because he is my best friend he goes with me everywhere, I go to The shop I go to town he is with me everywhere I am never without him."
"They should have called that's what I want to know why they didn't call right away The moment They saw him go missing, why didn't they call I heard people saying that they were calling him, They were calling The school because They saw him, and they didn't act they didn't call us why didn't they respond."
It is something Orellano says he could not wrap his mind around at first, especially given that numerous attempts could have been made to save Pablo by all the people who reportedly saw him. But Orellano concedes that it makes no sense to play the blame game now and he can only hope that this is a lesson the school won't have to learn twice.
Vidal Orellano, Father of deceased
"I can't hold those people responsible for that but I feel bad because I would appreciated if they had hold him, grabbed him and called The police I would rather him be at station giving me problems to take him out than seeing him laying down without life."
"I think they should take this as a lesson and put more security because I lost my son, I lost my baby, and I don't want it to happen to no one else because The loss of a son, it hurts, It hurts so bad. All I want is justice for my little boy and the questions I want answers what happened? And why no one was taking care of my baby why no one was at the front of the gate where was the school warden where was everybody that's all I want to know."
And up to now how Pablo left the school yard without anyone stopping him is still a mystery. In a clip sent to us from a surveillance camera in front of Chon Saan Palace at 12:47 Pablo can be seen jogging along, still all alone. The Special Education Coordinator for The ministry of education says that in runaway cases involving special needs children, things can happen in the blink of an eye.
Christy Castillo Almeida, Special Education Coordinator, MOECST
"They will find every corner, every thing to get out and slip and you have to understand, this isn't on The child, they don't get danger, elopement is an issue and not just with autism. Last year our vice chair of Autism Belize Marisela Craig who has a child with Down Syndrome, he eloped and she called me in a panic it took over and hour for them to find him This is common with our children who are easily distracted who want to see what's out there and who do not get The dangers They are not The kids that we can easily teach to look both sides before they cross the street or to walk on the sidewalk or to understand this. This wasn't a kid who said they wanted to bang hooky, that wasn't what was happening here."
"We have to create a village, so that this does not happen again, because Pablo, from the point he left the school to everybody else who saw him and watched him jump in that water, everything The village should have, we should have done better we all should have as a community."
"I think this not just for The ministry not just for Stella Maris to not just for that community but I think as a country we need to learn more about our most vulnerable population we need to be more aware, we need to be more understanding and we need to step up."
And well there is much to be said for special needs children, this family wants answers from the school they entrusted their child's care into..
Vidal Orellana had custody of his son.
The family says that they may take legal action against the school.
How Did He Slip Away? MOE Has No Answers Yet
And as for the progress of the investigation, since its become a Ministry of Education matter, the Special Education Coordinator for MOE, Christy Castillo Almeida told us that they are still putting the pieces together.
Christy Castillo Almeida, Special Education Coordinator, MOECST
"Statements are being taken, cameras and videos are being collected and that a thorough investigation is happening as we speak, I know that. And like everybody else I want to know what happened, I do. In the meantime we have to think about how we are going to support the students, the families I know. We have a counsellor right now meeting with The teachers at Stella Maris, I know more steps need to be taken and those conversations are being had about what is going to happen. But in terms of the actual investigation and the timeline, I need the police to do what they were trained to do and to let it be done without interference from us. We will support and do whatever it is they want us to do but I am not the police and I do not want to interfere. They are the experts in that area."
7News has received reports that after he left Stella Maris, Pablo went over to a nearby High School - where the students made several attempts to hold him- they did for a while but he ran off again.
Almeida said she had no knowledge of that.
City Firefighters Stage Sickout, Fire Breaks Out On Southside
Today a Southside family of five found themselves in a dire situation when their home caught on fire - on the very same day when the Belize City firefighters called in sick. While there were some personnel at the stations, it was mainly supervisors - and even the fire chief - that were on call.
The tension at the National Fire Service reached a head last Friday when the firefighters were informed that their overtime pay would have been cut. After the lead fireman at the Northside station gave an interview, the situation was cracked wide open.
On Monday the western branch of the NFS sent a letter to Minister Perez, CEO Carillo, and the Fire Chief stating that they would also enact a go-slow due to their working conditions.
A meeting was held yesterday between the ministry, the PSU, and representatives of the fire service, after which our news team interviewed Perez. This opened another can of worms and the Dangriga branch of the NFS today issued a letter stating that while they felt the discussion was fruitful, they were taken aback by the minister's comments regarding "belt-tightening" and that the firefighters should budget based on their flat salary and not rely on the overtime. The Dangriga station said that they, quote, "find these remarks contradictory to the presumed fruitful discussion." End quote.
They have now made several requests, much akin to the ones made by the other stations. They were the overtime regulations be reverted as well as additional allowances, including hazard, wet and dirty, and compensation for EMT services they now provide. They also want an increase in their housing allowance, which is only $150.
And it seems the requests are being heard. Courtney Menzies spoke with Fire Chief Colin Gillett today and he explained what the department is doing to meet these demands. Here is that story.
A house fire broke out a little after 11 this morning on Antelope Street Extension. In normal circumstances, the firefighters on shift would rush out of the station to extinguish it. Except today, there were none on duty at the north and southside stations since they reportedly staged a sickout.
It was actually three fire truck mechanics and the station's 2 supervisors that had to respond to the fire.
This sickout is the firefighters' response to a slash in their overtime pay. But today the fire chief agreed that it was 'preemptive' since the Ministry held a meeting with the PSU and the firefighters to work out these very same issues. He also explained the reason for the proposed slash in overtime payment.
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"We wrote to the cabinet and we said we need additional manpower. This is how we can pay for it. Well, how are we going to pay for it? Through the overtime. So what happened was that last week we got approved from the Ministry of Finance for eighty new recruits, which is excellent. It's going to help us in so many ways. But what does that mean? We have to start to prepare the guys that once these guys, these new recruits, come on, they won't be making as much overtime. It's as simple as it gets. But what has happened is that the new shift that we have them working would still give them some overtime, which would they would still also get holidays and those but they would not make as much. This would not kick in until the end of March."
"And I think the new shift that they would have worked would have seen them get two days off in some cases, and also up to five days, and some weeks."
Courtney Menzies:
"So do you feel that the reported sickout that's happening today is preemptive or drastic, since you say that these things are in the pipeline?"
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"Right. Because remember these meetings happened yesterday. So yesterday evening, we figured, you know, we're on the path to moving forward. The minister has already informed that they will be paying the overtime so we don't have to cut right now, so at this point, the sickout is pretty preemptive to me, but we already put things in place to make sure that the city is covered with manpower, including myself. I'm on shift right now too, so I have my kit in there and Mr. Matura."
But the plight of the firefighters is not so cut and dry. The slash in overtime is coupled with the allowances they believe they should be getting, but are not. However, Gillett assured them that they will get what is due.
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"We have also written for them to get additional allowances to make up for that. Again, what we write is a request, but they actually a compendium of allowances which we've written for them to get. So there's additional allowances like, On Call and Bush Allowance, Wet and Dirty, things like that. So it's up to the Minister of the Public Service to grant those allowances. But what I'm happy to say is that they are in communication with the union this time to see how we can get all of those allowances, then it's also for, we also have the new ambulance service. So we have EMTs and EMRs who we already wrote for them to get allowances for."
But what about the working conditions for those at the Marion Jones? Gillett says new supplies are also on the way, which is as much as they can do.
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"Remember, the Marion Jones Stadium has always been a temporary spot. So there's only so much we can do to that spot without claiming it, right? But we've already given certain things to them. Whatever they ask for, at no time have I ever said no. Right. So any request that they bring once, it's reasonable, so they want mattresses. We are we got requests for the mattresses a couple of weeks ago, but we have to get special mattresses with the leatherette feeling on it. So those have to be made. Those are not the same ones. They don't just sell it. Right. So those are in the process for us to give it to them. Right. The south side just got theirs. They will get theirs as soon as they're finished. Right. The other things like, the fridge? I don't know, but whatever else they need, as long as it's a reasonable request. We always try to help them with it."
Courtney Menzies:
"Some of the firefighters were saying they have to come in tennis to work because like 70 boots I think went missing?"
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"I have no idea about seventy boots, right? We are checking our inventory right now, but this year, they all got a full uniform set two years ago. Right? Every two years we tried to push for a full set. We've already gotten all their uniform shirts, pants. There's a delay with the boots, and as soon as we get them, then we'll send them out."
And while all that sounds good on paper, the one concrete thing that the firefighters will see today is that the new overtime regulation will be reverted:
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"I think the biggest issue was the overtime, and I think that has been fixed. So I've already drafted an email to send to all of the officers in charge of the stations that they have to switch back to the shifts that they were before so that they can make the overtime as per usual."
But whether this is enough to end the sickout will be seen at the start of the next shift.
Family Of Five Loses Home In Fire
And while the firefighters called in sick, as we told you, other personnel were called out to fight a fire on Neal Penn Road Extension. Before they could extinguish the blaze, however, the home was completely gutted. Our intern Clifford Mejia was on the ground and has this story.
Around noon today, firefighters responded to a blaze on Neal Penn Road extension. It left Evette Bernardes and her 4 Children in disbelief and distress, viewing the charred remains of what they called home. Gladstone Bucknor Station Officer of the Belize District told us more.
Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize District
"When the guys got the call there's no other house immediately in the area. As you can literally see it's a London bridge to the structure. So there's not an immediate threat to any other structure around it."
Reporter
"What can you tell us preliminarily, in terms of what you believe to be the cause of this fire?"
Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize District
"I can't tell you that at the moment, we still have to do some investigation. The guys are mopping up right now, when they are finished mopping up then we're going to go in and see what would be the cause of it."
According to Marsha Belisle, a neighbour in the area said that the wires are what caused the fire.
Marsha Belisle, Neighbour
"Back here is a lot of patched up wires, and that is causing the fires, alright we need help we need help. Back here needs to get fix up, people di struggle, you understand, I have a son in a wheelchair. I had to move in just a while ago because the smoking was affecting him. Come on. We need help with the struggle back here for years. You understand? I the call on everybody or anybody who could help us, help we get some proper streets, and electrical wire. Look up, if you look up watch the patchy wires them, you understand, it's hardworking single parents the back yah."
"All we want do dah live properly, but then we at risk, somebody go to work and come back boom they house deh up the burn down, what if somebody was in the house, you understand. That young lady lost everything and she been struggling to get her self up."
And this was the scene of the ruined remains, the owners watched as the firefighters doused the last of the fire, everything that they had was reduced to ash:
Evette Bernardes, Home owner
"Today as I got off the phone I got a call from someone that my house was on fire, I don't understand. I don't know what went wrong, I don't know, I try my best and I work its just me and my 4 kids."
"I done cry a lot, right now I feel like I just want drop down and dead, but at the end of the day, God strong he gives me the strength and courage to go on, but I know I left everything eena his hands, if dah wire problem, then no problem if somebody burn down my house and I get fih find out that I just a leave it ina God hands to."
"It's so hard, it's difficult I don't understand. I just bought some new stuff and i haven't used it as yet, and it burnt away."
Left with only the clothes on their backs, this family has tons hope that something will work out quickly for them.
PSU Demands Deserving Allowances And Audit Of NFS
As we mentioned, the PSU was a part of the meeting held yesterday with Minister Perez and today they issued a release specifying the allowances that should be paid to the firefighters. This includes hazard, danger, wet and dirty, and EMS. They reiterated the need for an increase in housing allowance as well. And they also highlighted the need for a financial and inventory audit of the National Fire Service, considering the allegations of mismanagement of funds and missing assets - in this case, 70 work boots. They're also requesting that firefighters are consulted before making policy changes and that performance appraisals be conducted in a timely manner and that outstanding increments be paid.
Today the president of the PSU explained more via Zoom.
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
"I don't think that even with the best legal advice, the government can argue that those allowances that we outlined in the letter is not deserving to those officers. Those allowances speaks clearly to the exposure of risk in its various forms."
"And the beautiful thing is, all of these allowances are already listed in the compendium of allowance. Now, an argument can be made that, well, the fire department is not listed under those allowances."
"Well, I can say that there are members within the fire department that are earning some of those allowances. And the fact that the fire department is not listed under some of them is no fault of the firefighters."
"It is the fault of their leadership to not having ensured, and I'm not only referring to the current leadership, but former leadership, previous CEOs, previous HODs, they should have ensured that given the fact that the government of Belize was prepared to pay these allowances to public officers that work under these conditions, that they would have ensured and secured proper compensation of firefighters who are some of the lowest-paid public officers in the system."
"And so that is what caused a lot of these issues when it comes to overtime. These people work hard, they expose themselves, but they're poorly compensated. And so most of the time in an effort to try to compensate for that shortfall in income to be able to pay their rent, feed their children, assist their parents, people rely on overtime."
"And sadly, Some departments have made over time, a staple in public officers salary, and this is just one such case. And so it is not necessarily the overtime that we're fighting for. It is for the fair treatment of fire service officers who are deserving of these allowances, which, as I said, already provided for in the compendium."
Trinidadian Attorney Says An Election Without Redistricting Is Invalid
There's a major disruption to the political status quo threatened tonight - and that's after notice of a new action being launched against government. Trinidadian Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan wants to compel government to conduct a re-districting exercise before the next general election.
Ramlogan is bringing the action on behalf of three registered voters: Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales and Jessica Tulcey.
In a 14 page pre-action letter addressed to the Attorney General, the Speaker of the House and the Chairman of the Election and Boundaries Commission, Ramlogan warns the government that it is about to declare the date for a general election - which he says will be illegal because the Briceno administration has refused to carry out a re-districting exercise. That exercise would re-apportion the 31 constituencies to bring them into line with the constitutional requirement that electoral divisions should be more or less equal in size. Currently, government has tabled a Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill to reflect suggested changes in the constituencies but there's been no action to pass it - thus preserving the status quo.
Ramlogan writes, "Should the next election be held based on the existing boundaries, it is liable to be declared invalid and unconstitutional because it breaches section 90."
Ramlogan scolds, "this is nothing but a clear and sinister attempt by the government to steal a march on democracy and undermine the constitution which is the supreme law of Belize. It is a deliberate attempt to distort, thwart and frustrate the democratic will of the people of Belize by a process of artificial social engineering that seeks to preserve the existing electoral status quo because it favors the ruling party. This represents a clear and present danger to democracy...It amounts to conduct by the state that is arbitrary, manifestly unfair and highly irrational. It is deliberate maladministration for an improper purpose and reeks of bad faith."
And after the drubbing, Ramlogan concludes "The continuing failure to act on the recommendations made by the Elections and Boundaries Commission could only be for an improper purpose, namely, maintain illegal boundaries to engineer an anticipated favourable outcome for the ruling party to the detriment of the constitution, the rule of law and the public interest...
The present situation is one that is plainly inconsistent with the constitutional prerequisites and it is therefore inevitable that it will result in an invalid and unconstitutional election with wasted votes."
Ramlogan says if he gets no indication That government intends to conduct a redistricting exercise, he will ask the court for a declaration that it would be illegal and unconstitutional for the Elections and Boundaries Commission and/or the State to conduct the next general elections based on the existing electoral boundaries."
The ball is now in the government's court - because Ramlogan indicates that he plans to commence a claim within weeks - depending on the response he gets from government.
Car Dealers Briefly Blocked Northern Border, Here's Why
Selling used cars in Belize is one of the most booming enterprises - but when Customs proposed a straight and narrow procedure that would limit the breaks on duty for the dealers, and increase the revenue to government, the dealers cried foul.
And so today those dealers staged a protest where they briefly blocked the northern border to protest the new regulation.
The issue is that Customs wants the duties assessed on used cars to be based on the "transaction value" and not the residual or book value, which will force them to pay more duty. That would also likely make those used car and salvage title specials more expensive.
Today one of the dealers, Albert Leslie, spoke to our colleagues at CTV3
Albert Leslie, Registered Car Dealer
"Well, what happened is that the government, they are charging us a different type of duty. They used to do a residual duty and the vehicles that we bring in. No, they don't want to do any residual duty."
"They just want to evaluate direct off the bill of sale. And the vehicles that used to pay like $3,000, $4,000 in duty now will pay $8,000 in duty. But I don't know why they are bringing pressure on the poor people like that."
"Because the poor people is the one who is going to suffer. Because now, you will can't poor people cars. Because people only have certain amount of money to buy a car, okay? So when I came into the country yesterday, I get the news that the government, they will do direct with bill of sale, no residual duty."
"So that's what some of us are concerned about. Today, they put us out the compound because they said they thought we were going to do a ruckus in there. But we are not going to do any ruckus in the compound."
"All I was telling the dealers them, so that we don't pay any duty today. So that the government understand that we need help. We can't afford to pay the duty that they're charging us. I would like them to put it back the same way it was before."
"But you know, word on the street is that the pressure is coming down from the government because of the big car dealers like Toyota and all of these big car dealers in Belize. They are complaining that they are not selling their vehicle, right?"
"So we don't have anything to do with that. We need to make our money so that we can survive. Well, we know it will not be solved today. But I am trying to get the dealers together so we can go to Belmopan and go and see the Prime Minister, see if he can do something about it for us. It's not a problem, you know, if the government want one blue title and the street of Belize, well let me explain something to you. There's a lot of blue title coming into this country that is more wreck than the salvage title."
"So the title don't have anything to do with it because in the United States, the great United States, you can take a salvage title and rebuild it and drive it on the streets of the United States."
"So it doesn't have to do with that, it's got to do with the pressure that they want to bring on poor people."
Well, the protest worked. This evening, dealers got word that - based on a Cabinet decision - the new regulation is being pulled back - for the time being at least.
After Months Of Arguments, Voir Dire Ends And Trial Of Bladen 12 Begins
The last we reported on the trial of the Bladen 12 was in September of 2024 when final dock statements were tendered into evidence for the voir dire involving the three caution statements submitted by the accused.
And yesterday after many days in court, many arguments and counter arguments, Senior magistrate Baja Shoman ruled in favor of the defence.
She concluded that the 3 accused were subjected to some level of fear and intimidation which led to them giving caution statements. It's a major point established and it took months to reach this point but Defense Attorney Dickie Bradley says that it is important to note that they have not yet entered the substantive trial.
Dickie Bradley, Attorney
"What has been taking place is we have not entered the substantive trial. That will happen tomorrow. The magistrate is using those words because what has happened is that there have been confession statements, if we could use those words, that were obtained from some of the accused persons. And myself and Lynden Jones were having a little shot crack in that we have seen the photographs. In the case of myself and the attorney, Leroy Banner, he had gone to the Queen Sheet police station."
"I had also visited these said persons. And they were bruised, battered, and beaten. You can't have bruises to your chest, to your side, to your back, to your batty, to your hand, your forehead. And that is because you were taken down by the river edge by the police, as they are claiming, oh, yes, we can't deny the man they don't have bruised, but then get it because when we were taking them by the river to look for the drugs, they fall down. What a coincidence that all the persons have fallen down. Based on the statements, the case has been severely weakened, severely. I'm going to, I hate to have to do that because you know we took a break because they accused Elmer Nah, who has his own troubles. I don't know how they do his this. I don't know if there's nobody that could look at this big thick file and say there is nothing against that man. I mean, he and I have been literally enemies because we have met in court over the years when the chance up people, when they plant thing in our view, when they do all kinds of things."
"So I'm not here trying to do anything other than."
Reporter
"You just admit that he has done other things that are against the order and law."
Dickie Bradley, Attorney
"Yes, but you can't use that to try and... that is not how this work. That man is coming from PG about two days after the plane land and the drugs already got around, but because the public was out for blood. Anybody who could charge, a pity you can't just catch them fire and so on. That is not country we want."
The substantive trial resumed at 9:00 today and should go for next two weeks.
Finally, Stake Bank's Acquisition Complete
Finally, it is accomplished, the 23.4 acres of Stake Bank island has been acquired for the public purpose.
A second notice published today in the gazette today makes it official. That notice says it is for the public purpose, "Furthering objects of the Stake Bank Cruise Docking Facility Development Act; and Promoting Cruise Tourism in Belize through the completion of the development and infrastructure works required for the development, financing, construction, management, operation, and use of a cruise ship docking facility at the island of Stake Bank, and the development of Stake Bank Island for tourism purposes."
A high court judgement last week cleared the way for the acquisition to be completed.
The Prime Minister recently said, quote, "Stake Bank was a short term to medium term investment…. we knew that this was a temporary fix and then eventually we have to build somewhere near shore." End quote.
Briceno Defamation Suit Dismissed, Shyne Will Apologize
A defamation lawsuit that started on Channel 7's Uncut has ended in a settlement.
In March of 2022, Shyne Barrow appeared on Uncut and made certain remarks about Prime Minister John Briceno. The PM - through the Courtenay Coye law firm proceeded with a defamation lawsuit against him. Almost three years later that suit has been dismissed and a settlement has been agreed to by attorneys for both parties.
The court order says that Barrow did not intend to defame the Prime Minister and gives an undertaking not to repeat certain allegations against him, "and apologizing to the Claimant for any embarrassment or hurt that his words may have caused..."
Once Barrow's undertaking and apology is accepted the Claim is dismissed; and each party is to bear their own costs.
Tracy's Attorney Reaches Out To Shyne's Attorney In Mediation Effort
In other political news, Tracy Panton's attorney has reached out to try and broach mediation with Shyne Barrow.
A letter sent today says, quote, "although there is an upcoming hearing for application for court orders by you it may prove prudent and reasonable to invite you and your clients to reconsider going to mediation.
We believe that mediation would be beneficial to the parties and alleviate the need for any further protracted litigation with costs attendant to same." End quote.
We'll see where it goes.
Rubio's Central American Tour Finds A Friend In Salvador
Tonight, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is halfway through a tour of Central America that does not include Belize.
But, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio stop in Salvador worked out well for the superpower.
According to the BBC, "El Salvador has offered to take in criminals deported from the US, including those with US citizenship, and house them in its mega-jail.
The deal was announced after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Salvadorean President Nayib Bukele during his visit to the Central American nation.
Bukele....said he had offered the US "the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system".
Rubio said the US was "profoundly grateful" to Bukele, adding that "no country's ever made an offer of friendship such as this".
Rubio told reporters: "He has offered to house in his jails dangerous American criminals in custody in our country, including those with US citizenship and legal residency."
In other news of regional note, the United States has frozen its financial contributions to a United Nations fund for a multinational security support mission in Haiti, a move that would stop $13.3 million in pending aid.
Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us
|
Email
Print