Belize City resident Richard Bennett is tonight a freeman. He was acquitted of the murders of Cynthia Conorquie and Allen Garcia. They were fatally shot while at Conorquie’s residence on Logwood Street in Belize City in March 2021. Bennett was set free after the judge upheld his attorney’s no-case submission. At the start of the trial, a voir dire was held, and it was ruled that an oral confession was inadmissible due to procedural irregularities. There was no Justice of the Peace present, nor was the proceeding recorded, leading the judge to conclude that it did not qualify as an interview. Despite the Crown’s presentation of eleven witnesses and video footage allegedly showing the shooter, both pieces of evidence were deemed inadmissible. Bennett was represented by attorney Leroy Banner.
Category: International News
NTUCB Engages the Region to Launch Campaign on OSH Bill
Martinez told us that the umbrella union has put together a work plan to launch a campaign to legislate the OSH Bill in a more organized manner. He said that a part of that plan is to include regional and international partners in the union’s attempt to expedite the process.
Via phone: Luke Martinez, President, NTUCB
“We’ve decided to reach out to our regional partners also to assist us in pushing this agenda. So for the week of the 21st, I think, to the 25th, we’ll have our regional partners from Trinidad, from the Labor College and with them, we’ll be one of the experts. And he is happy and we are excited about getting him to give a presentation to the general public. And I will be invited. The presentation, of course will be around the importance of OSH and how we could move this forward, including as advancing us in Belize as a fundamental, right. So it’s bigger than what we’re looking at right now. And so the National Trade Union Congress continues to do our part, right. The International Labor Organization is fully supporting us. They are supporting us with financing the campaign that we’re launching. Ms. Vera from the International Labor Organization will be in Belize. We’ve engaged not only regional, but also our international affiliates to help to push and promote this agenda now. Of course the aim is to ensure that we sensitize every single worker. We sensitize the working class that we synthesize, the general public, and also we – one of our target groups is high school in third form, second form, as well as at the tertiary level.”
OJ Simpson Dies at 76
O.J. Simpson, the renowned football player and Hollywood figure who was famously acquitted of charges related to the killings of his former wife and her friend, has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death was from prostate cancer.
Simpson achieved immense fame and success in football and entertainment, but his life took a dramatic turn with the tragic events of June 1994, when his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were killed. Despite being acquitted in a criminal trial, he was later found liable in a civil case and served prison time for unrelated offenses.
His arrest, especially the televised slow-speed chase, marked a stark fall from grace. Simpson’s life story seemed to transcend racial boundaries, from his days as a star athlete to his celebrity status.
The highly publicized trial, often dubbed the “trial of the century,” stirred national debates on race, domestic violence, and celebrity justice.
Despite damning evidence, including blood traces and a glove, Simpson’s defense famously argued, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
Belize’s Suspension of Diplomatic Ties with Israel Remains in Effect
The Israeli Defense Forces have completed an investigation into the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza – all innocent lives that were ended by Israeli drone strikes on Monday. The seven aid workers were on an aid convoy operated by World Central Kitchen. The Israeli military has called the incident a grave mistake and said it had dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles in the incident. The disciplinary actions were on the basis that the officers had mishandled critical information and had violated the Israeli army’s rules of engagement. The U.N. Security Council, late last month called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and the Caribbean Community expressed its deep distress at the situation in Gaza in February. Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, told us that the Belize Government’s lifting of diplomatic ties with Israel will remain in effect for now.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“It’s an absolute aggression that we see taking place in Gaza. It’s an absolute horror. What is taking place? It’s a humanitarian crisis. There’s a shortage of food shortage of water. People are being indiscriminately killed. So it’s a very, tragic situation, and we certainly welcome, as you pointed out, the latest, vote resolution passed by the U.N Security Council, calling for an immediate ceasefire, calling for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, calling for the release of all hostages. These are things that Belize has been calling for, months, for many months. We have been ahead of the U.N Security Council, if you like. So it’s an absolute travesty what is taking place there and we certainly hope that this issue can be resolved with a sense of urgency. For us in Belize, we have always maintained that a two-state solution is the only path to a sustainable, long, permanent, peaceful resolution to this matter.”
Marion Ali
“So the ban or the suspension of diplomatic ties that we placed last year, that will remain in effect indefinitely?
Francis Fonseca
“It was a suspension that was mandated by the Cabinet. If it is to be lifted, it will have to be the Cabinet that lifts it. So we’re not at that point yet and certainly, based on what is taking place now, as you pointed out, this absolute tragedy with the aid workers who were killed, the food aid workers who were killed, certainly there are no signs that, at this point, that suspension should be lifted but certainly that will be a decision for the Cabinet.”
No Belizean Injured or Displaced in Taiwan 7.4 Tremor
Taiwan suffered a seven-point-four earthquake on Wednesday morning. The tremor, which struck in Hualien County, was the most violent in the last twenty-five years to hit the island nation. Taiwan, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to frequent earthquakes. This most recent one has claimed at least ten lives, left more than a thousand injured, toppled buildings, and triggered landslides in the mountainous regions. Luckily, none of our Belizeans who are studying or working in Taiwan were hurt or displaced. Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca told News Five that immediately after the earthquake, his office contacted the Belize Embassy in Taiwan as well as Taiwan’s Embassy in Belize.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“When we heard about the earthquake, we engaged immediately with our ambassador in Taiwan, Dr Candice Pitts, as well as the Taiwanese Embassy here in Belize. I reached out personally to the ambassador here in Belize and they both provided us with updates on a regular basis. We certainly – of course, our prayers and thoughts are with the people of Taiwan. We are happy to report that none of our students were affected in any material way by the earthquake, thankfully. Of course, they were – some of them were shaken by the experience. A few of them slept through it. So we’re happy that all of our students are, doing well. Our embassy, our ambassador and her staff are doing well. They suffered in Taiwan, the country suffered some damage, structural damage, and of course any loss of life is, regrettable, but we’re happy to note that based on our reports, that their loss of life was limited to, I think, ten.”
Minister Fonseca Says Belize’s Missions Abroad Could All Do with More Staff
While we sat with him today, we asked Minister Fonseca about reports that the Belize Mission in Taiwan is acutely short-staffed. The mission is headed by Ambassador Doctor Candice Pitts, and she also travels to Japan to provide embassy services there. Today, Fonseca said that all of Belize’s missions could do with more staffing, and that will be one of the topics that will no doubt emerge when they all meet next week.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“The reality is that all of our missions, ideally, would require additional staff. That is just the reality of small developing countries like Belize. We have to operate small but effective and efficient missions across the world. We simply don’t have the budgets that bigger countries do. So that’s always an issue that we’re discussing: how can we provide more support to our mission. Of course, Taiwan is a very important mission, so that’s under discussion. Next week we will be having all of our ambassadors in Belize for our annual heads of mission meeting, so that’s going to be, obviously, a topic for discussion. All of them are interested in hearing what’s in the budget, how can we provide greater support for them to make sure that they are effectively carrying out their mandate on behalf of the Belizean people. So that’s definitely going to be something we discuss next week.”
First human case of avian flu in Texas sparks concern
Politico is reporting that the detection of avian flu in a Texas dairy worker represents the initial confirmed instance of human infection with the illness in the United States, which has already afflicted cattle across multiple states in recent weeks.
This singular case, only the second recorded instance of H5N1 in the nation, has stirred unease among public health specialists who have long warned about the potential threat of avian flu. Authorities have identified only this one case, with no indication of human-to-human transmission. The worker’s illness is mild, and recovery is anticipated.
The CDC, FDA, and USDA confirmed that the virus was detected in a Michigan dairy herd that had received cows from herds in Texas. The strain in Michigan closely resembles those in Texas and Kansas, believed to have originated from wild birds.
While initial tests haven’t indicated changes making the virus more transmissible to humans, federal agencies continue monitoring the situation closely. Stockpiles of vaccines targeting avian flu are maintained, with the possibility of increased production depending on the situation’s progression.
The emergence of avian influenza in cows underscores the necessity of heightened surveillance among farmworkers and dairy employees, as the virus continues to pose a persistent threat, echoing concerns that have persisted for over two decades.
Taiwan Continues Search for 18 Missing After Powerful Quake
Taiwan continues its search for 18 individuals still unaccounted for following Wednesday’s devasting earthquake. The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.2, struck the rugged eastern coast of the island, particularly impacting the mountainous and sparsely populated Hualien county.
Tragically, the earthquake claimed the lives of 10 individuals, with over 1,000 sustaining injuries and many left stranded due to landslides obstructing roads. As of Friday, 18 individuals remain missing, including six hikers and four foreigners.
Rescue efforts have focused on ensuring the safety of approximately 400 individuals stranded at a resort within Taroko National Park. However, the unpredictability of weather conditions, including the potential for rain exacerbating the risk of rockfalls and landslides, poses significant challenges to ongoing search and rescue operations.
Despite the devastation, tales of survival emerge. David Chen, a security manager at a hotel, expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal. Strict adherence to building codes and heightened awareness prompted over 100 residents to opt for outdoor tents over apartment dwellings amidst numerous aftershocks.
Several Belizeans living in Taiwan experienced the tremor. The Belizean embassy in Taiwan shared a statement saying “While some Belizeans are understandably shaken emotionally, there has been no report of material effects on Belizeans. The Embassy advises students to monitor the news and official disaster management agencies’ broadcasts, which will keep them informed on the areas of Taiwan confronting infrastructural and physical damages.”
Belizeans safe following 7.4 magnitude tremor in Taiwan
In a statement, the Belizean Embassy in Taiwan said it “responded immediately by liaising with Belizean students located in different regions in Taiwan, as well as universities where Belizean students are studying, to confirm that students are safe.”
The embassy said, “While some Belizeans are understandably shaken emotionally, there has been no report of material effects on Belizeans.”
In the statement, the embassy advises students to monitor the news and official disaster management agencies’ broadcasts, which will keep them informed on the areas of Taiwan confronting infrastructural and physical damages.
On X, Prime Minister John Briceño said, “Our thoughts are with the government, people and our friends of Taiwan. This morning a 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred just offshore the east coast of the island nation, and felt in its capital city Taipei and many counties. The quake experienced was the strongest in 25 years.”
Taiwan Hit by 7.4 Magnitude Tremor
At least nine fatalities and over 900 injuries were reported following Taiwan’s most powerful earthquake in 25 years on Wednesday. Amidst the chaos, 50 hotel employees remain unaccounted for as rescuers work tirelessly to bring trapped individuals to safety using ladders.
Dramatic footage aired on television depicted buildings leaning in the mountainous and thinly populated eastern region of Hualien, near the epicenter of the 7.2 magnitude quake.
Subsequent aftershocks reverberated across the island.
Fatalities primarily occurred in Hualien County, including three hikers in Taroko Gorge and a truck driver on the Suhua Highway, where rocks caused fatalities and extensive damage. Collapsed buildings, power outages affecting thousands of homes, and landslides on major highways further compound the aftermath.
Authorities have warned of potential aftershocks up to magnitude 7 throughout the week. Military personnel have been deployed for disaster relief, while schools and workplaces suspended operations.