A weekly summary of last week’s news in Belize brought to you every Monday by belizedragonfly.com
May 10th: Taxis to pay for trade license
The city council has determined that taxis must now pay a trade license fee of $120/year. Many drivers are concerned that this was brought on suddenly, but Deputy Mayor Dean Samuels says this initiative started in 2007.
May 11th: Regional Malaria Initiative
A two-day regional malaria initiative is being jointly sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization and USAID in San Pedro. Officials from 13 South American countries will join the conference.
May 11th: Crackdown on dark window tinting to begin on June 1st
A law on dark window tinting will start to be enforced by authorities on June 1st. This measure was taken to deter criminals from hiding behind dark tinting and is part of a slew of anti-crime initiatives in Belize.
May 11th: WIFI comes soon to rural areas
Last August the governments of Belize and Taiwan opened Belize’s first Information and Communication Technology Center. The Center’s goal is to bring wireless internet service and a mobile telephone system to rural areas of Belize.
May 12th: London’s Royal Geographic Society awards Dr. Rachel Graham
Dr. Graham saved whale sharks from extinction in Belize and 20 years of work preserving Belize’s underwater wildlife earned her the Whitley Gold Award for 2011.
May May 13th: House of Representatives met on anti-crime legislations
The House of Representatives five pieces of anti-crime legislation were discussed. These changes would legalize preventative detention, trial without jury in certain criminal cases, and admission of statements as evidence. The most controversial of these is the preventative detention.
Preventative Detention (7 News Belize) | Preventative Detention (Channel 5 Belize) | Sworn Witness Statements (7 News Belize) | Death Penalty (7 News Belize) | Death Penalty (Channel 5 Belize) | Trial Without Jury (7 News Belize) | Trial Without Jury (Channel 5 Belize) | Opposition to Anti-Crime Measures Expected (Channel 5 Belize)
May 13th: Sugar Shortage?
Sugar rationing is threatening businesses in Belize. Belize Sugar Industries has produced more than last crop but a report that the primary concession holders are smuggling a majority of the sugar across borders at escalated prices means a local shortage.
Full story 7 News Belize | Full story Channel 5 Belize
May 13th: UNIBAM (United Belize Advocacy Movement) takes case to Belize Supreme Court
“UNIBAM has filed a motion against the attorney general challenging the constitutionality of section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code, which criminalizes “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person” which is basically a law banning sodomy.”