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Travel advisory to Guatemala; 27 killed/decapitated in Flores

Petén is immediately across the western border with Guatemala and many Belizeans frequently travel by road through the area either for business or vacation. Still yet, tourists to the Jewel, head across the border as part of their tour of the region’s Mayan archaeological sites. But there’s a worrisome report tonight which cautions travelers when […]

Sugar shortage in Belize because of export market

As we reported last week, though produced locally, sugar has become a scarce commodity on grocery store shelves across the country.  However, the two weeks shortage cannot be attributed to a lack of production by Belize Sugar Industries Limited. Instead, the Tower Hill factory has stepped up production considerably, churning out an additional thousand tons […]

Students take a look at Public Servants

International Public Service Day will be observed on June twenty-third, but in anticipation, government departments mounted all day exhibitions at the Charles Bartlett Hyde compound in the City today. The target audience was made up of students who were eager to take in as much as possible on what public officers and departments are all […]

Sports Monday’s Cycling Winner is Belizean

Good Evening, I am James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The 22nd Annual Women’s Cross Country Cycle Classic will be remembered for a very long time because it proved to be the most competitive female race in recent memory. At the heart of this story is Shalini Zabaneh who came in as defending champion […]

Is sugar scarce?

There is a reported shortage of locally produced sugar. The Belize Sugar Industries is producing twelve thousand tons for local consumption, that’s one thousand tons more than it did last crop.  The shortage is not caused because the nation’s appetite for sugar has increased; it’s because the primary concession holders are not supplying the local […]

Hang ‘em high; death penalty making a comeback

The House of Representatives met in Belmopan; today’s sitting was one of the shortest concluding before one o’clock. With the country’s murder toll at forty nine within five months of the year, a series of controversial measures and constitutional amendments were introduced that are sure to bring debate not only from across the floor, but […]

Legislation seeks to introduce trial without jury in murder cases

The significance of a trial by a jury of peers was etched into literary history over half a century ago in the play Twelve Angry Men and it has been part of our legal system throughout Belize’s history. But what can be considered progressive or regressive, depending on your perspective, a trial by jury particularly […]

Constitutional Amendment seeks preventative detention up to 21 days

The absence of witnesses from the stand may have a technological twist.  As part of the amendment, there is also a provision to establish a video link through which witnesses may testify.  But before there is a trial, there has to be an accused charged with a crime. The administration intends to widen the scope […]

Barrow expects opposition to Constitutional Amendments

The Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee now has ninety days to consult Belizeans before the eighth amendment can go back to the House for passage.  Prime Minister Barrow says that he expects some but that government is determined to proceed with the anti-crime initiatives. Dean Barrow “I am convinced that opposition to these measures will […]

Viewers believe in open court for minors charged with murder

We asked on earlier this week whether minors charged with murder should be tried in open court as adults. That question struck a chord with ninety percent of voters, who agree that such a serious crime warrants the same prosecution and punishment that an adult would face. Comments posted on our blog included that “The […]

Marcel Cardona moved across the aisle

Albert and Lake I representatives, Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde were back today, but there was one notable absence on the Hill in Belmopan. Orange Walk East Representative Manuel Cardona stole the show at the last House Meeting when he berated his own U.D.P. government.  Since then, the U.D.P. has considered him persona non grata […]

UNIBAM takes alternative lifestyle to Court

In February of this year we told you about a law suit concerning sexual orientation that was brought against the Attorney General’s office.  This lawsuit, which is a first of its kind for Belize, was filed by the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) challenging section fifty-three of the Criminal Code which states, “Every person who […]

Bad timing? Saldivar says unemployment rate is ‘time sensitive’

Although crime was the hot button issue at today’s House Meeting on the Hill, the census findings were also discussed. Recently, Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia said publically that he, as well as San Pedro’s Mayor, Elsa Paz, both believe that the population on the island is closer to twenty thousand and not eleven thousand as […]

Heritage bank Manager, Samantha Carlos, gets bail

In other news, Heritage Bank Manager, Samantha Carlos, was today granted bail of twenty-five thousand dollars by Justice Adolph Lucas in the Belize City Supreme Court. Carlos, a twenty-eight year old Orange Walk resident, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, following a heist at the northern branch of the bank where she is employed. […]

Major error on U.S. immigrant Visa program website

The United States Government runs a Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, through which fifty-five thousand persons are granted visas each year using a random selection process. A release from the US Embassy today explained that there has been a major error on the program’s website. According to the release, the selection results for the 2012 visas […]

International Day of the Families

International Day of the Families is observed on May fifteenth around the world, but in Belize it’s being commemorated, two days earlier, May twelfth and thirteenth.  This year, celebrated under the theme ‘Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion’, the National Committee for Families and Children aims to promote the right of children and adolescents to […]

B.E.L.’s AGM says company loses $5 Million in profits

On Thursday night Belize Electricity Limited held its Annual General Meeting for financial year ending December thirty-first, 2010, at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza. According to the utility company, its profits went down by five million dollars, from eight point nine million in 2009 to three point four million dollars. According to B.E.L., because […]

What’s Happening this weekend? Arielle’s GPS has the hot spots

The weekend is upon us and as always, your entertainment host Arielle, will make sure you know where to find the fun. The female cross country classic is coming up as well as several school fairs and a special event for poetry lovers. And that’s just a sample of what’s in store in this week’s […]

Taxi-driver viciously stabbed to death

A Belize City cab driver was viciously stabbed to death; his body was found early this morning in Ladyville while his rented van was found hours later in Biscayne Village. According to his relatives, Frank Jacobs’ was stabbed about a hundred times. Thirty-four year old Jacobs worked alongside his brother as a cab driver in […]

“Bucket” sentenced to life for killing his wife

A jealous forty year old Glenford “Bucket” Bermudez executed his wife on November twenty-second, 2007 and for taking her life, he will now spend the rest of his life behind bars. Glenford, an ex-B.D.F. soldier, was convicted on April twenty-seventh for the murder of Raquel Requeña Bermudez; the life sentence was handed down today by […]

Contract hit placed on media mogul and businessman

The media was called out today by one of its own members, who along with a well known business personality, say they have received credible reports that their lives are in danger. They claim in fact that a street figure has confirmed that someone has paid for a hit on them. Media colleague, Channel Seven’s […]

Friends of Belize working visit to Washington

As we reported on Tuesday, a delegation from the newly formed organization, Friends of Belize, is on a three-day working visit to Washington D.C.  The delegation was led by former U.S. Ambassador Robert Dieter and former British High Commissioner Philip Priestley.  In D.C. they met with several high level government officials to discuss ways in […]

Mark Seawell’s case unusual turns; where are the attorneys?

A second lawyer has withdrawn legal representation from Mark Seawell this week and his case has been postponed until he is able to secure a new defense team.  Since his arrest in February 2007 the infamous Seawell, who is wanted in the United States for drug trafficking and money laundering offences, has made numerous court […]

Karl Heusner claims police brutality

Karl Heusner was in court today; no, it’s not the hospital, it’s a twenty-five year Belize City resident. Heusner faces seven charges, but he claims that he was badly beaten by a cop without reason and that he was arrested for a bullet he knew nothing about. Heusner showed Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie his bruised […]

Fence blocking peace for four Succotz families

Tonight there are four families in Succotz Village in the west who say that come the rains, they will have no way out of their yards.  It has to do with a recently erected fence that has been built by neighbors which blocks the exit to their properties.  The four families say they have been […]