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  • Bloodshed in Malick: Two killed, three injured

    Bloodshed in Malick: Two killed, three injured

    A violent shooting incident on Friday afternoon in Malick has left two people dead and three more hospitalized with gunshot wounds, sending shockwaves through the local residential neighborhood. According to witness accounts, residents along Seventh Avenue began hearing repeated blasts, similar to the sound of explosions, just after 1:00 p.m. Alarmed by the noise, local residents rushed to investigate and made a grim discovery: five men lying motionless on the ground outside a pink residential property positioned along the street.

    Every person found at the scene had sustained at least one gunshot injury, with two of the men hit multiple times at close range. Emergency services were immediately contacted by bystanders, who waited with the victims for first responders to arrive. Within minutes, local law enforcement officers and emergency medical teams were dispatched to the Seventh Avenue location, and all five injured men were quickly transported to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex for urgent care. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, two of the victims did not survive their injuries, and they were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

    As of the latest updates, police have not made any immediate public disclosures of the identities of the two deceased men, to allow time for next of kin to be notified. Investigative teams from the Northern Division alongside specialist homicide investigators have already processed the crime scene and opened a full formal investigation into the attack. At this early stage of the probe, detectives have not confirmed any clear motive for the mass shooting, and they are appealing to any members of the public who were in the area at the time of the incident to come forward with any information that could help advance the inquiry.

  • Women benefit from Egi and JMMB International Masterclass

    Women benefit from Egi and JMMB International Masterclass

    A transformative initiative focused on closing the gender wealth gap in the Caribbean has marked another major milestone, as the third iteration of the Women & Wealth Masterclass, hosted by women’s empowerment network Egi Women in partnership with regional financial services leader JMMB International, wrapped up to enthusiastic acclaim in Barbados.

    The in-person event, which capped its registration at 50 spots to ensure personalized, high-quality engagement, drew a full house of participants from across the island, bringing together women of diverse professional and personal backgrounds for a deep dive into actionable strategies for financial wellness, intentional investing, and long-term intergenerational wealth building. This masterclass is a core component of Egi Women’s ongoing mission to dismantle systemic barriers to financial literacy for women, by equipping them with the accessible knowledge, practical tools, and confidence needed to make autonomous, informed financial choices that benefit both themselves and their households.

    Gina Cummins, founder and CEO of Egi Lifestyle Inc. — the parent organization of Egi Women — emphasized that the initiative could not be timelier. As women increasingly take on leadership roles across every sector of the Barbadian economy, from small business ownership to household management and corporate governance, closing the gap in financial empowerment has become an urgent priority. “Financial empowerment remains one of the most critical conversations we can have with women today,” Cummins explained. “This masterclass aligns directly with our mission to help women build on the assets and resources they already hold, so they can thrive and secure a higher quality of life for their families. Collaborations like our partnership with JMMB International let us deliver meaningful, hands-on experiences that translate knowledge into real action.”

    Michael Jordan, executive director of JMMB International, echoed that sentiment, noting that the masterclass aligned seamlessly with his organization’s longstanding vision of expanding financial literacy and inclusive market access across the Caribbean region. Jordan stressed that expanding investment education is central to JMMB International’s commitment to reducing economic inequality, making the collaboration with Egi Women an obvious priority. “This is just the first of many partnerships we plan to advance investment education across the region,” he said. “Our goal isn’t just to share knowledge — it’s to open doors to both regional and global investment markets for people who have historically been locked out of those spaces.”

    The day’s sessions were led by C. Natasha Small, group chief financial officer of Goddard Enterprises Limited, a respected veteran finance executive with decades of experience in the Caribbean market. Small guided attendees through a transformative curriculum that focused on shifting deep-seated, limiting mindsets around money, aligning personal financial strategies with core life goals, building sustainable and flexible budgeting habits, and reframing investing not as a luxury for the wealthy, but as an essential tool for building long-term wealth. She provided attendees with tangible, actionable tools that could be implemented immediately after the event, rather than leaving participants with abstract theory that is difficult to put into practice.

    Following Small’s session, Leigh-Ann Norville, an investment advisor at JMMB International, walked attendees through JMMB’s client-centered approach to financial partnership, emphasizing that investing is not an exclusive opportunity reserved for high-net-worth individuals. “At JMMB International, our commitment is to walk alongside our clients every step of their journey,” Norville said. “My goal is to make investing approachable, answer questions openly, and help people take that confident first step toward reaching their financial goals. When people have the right knowledge and support, sustainable financial growth becomes possible for anyone.”

    Feedback from attendees reflected the tangible impact of the event, with many describing the session as empowering and life-changing, and reporting that they left feeling prepared and confident to begin their wealth-building journeys. Multiple attendees shared that they left motivated to explore new investment opportunities, and several moved forward immediately to create accounts on JMMB International’s investment platform following the conclusion of the masterclass.

    Looking ahead, the Egi Women team has plans to extend the impact of the event through ongoing follow-up engagement with participants, and to roll out expanded learning opportunities to the wider network of women connected to the Egi community across the Caribbean. Organizers also signaled that future iterations of the Women & Wealth Masterclass are already in planning, as demand for this kind of women-centered financial education continues to grow across the region.

  • Why is Belize at a Big Environmental Meeting in Uzbekistan?

    Why is Belize at a Big Environmental Meeting in Uzbekistan?

    On June 5, 2026, two senior Belizean government officials traveled halfway across the globe to Uzbekistan to participate in one of the world’s most influential high-stakes environmental gatherings, a decision that carries far-reaching implications for the Central American nation’s key economic sectors from southern agricultural regions to coastal fishing communities on the Cayes.

    The delegation, led by Judene Tingling-Linares from Belize’s Ministry of Sustainable Development and Leroy Martinez, director of the country’s Climate Finance Unit, is in attendance for the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) — a quadrennial summit for the world’s largest multilateral environmental funding body. The gathering brings together cabinet ministers, climate policy leaders, and conservation advocates from every region of the world to set the trajectory for global environmental action for the coming four years.

    For context, the GEF functions as a collective global financing pool, designed to support low- and middle-income countries address pressing transboundary environmental challenges that no single nation can resolve alone, from curbing the worst impacts of climate change to safeguarding threatened forest ecosystems and marine biodiversity. Belize has maintained a long-standing partnership with the organization, drawing GEF support for more than three decades to advance a wide range of local environmental initiatives, spanning from professional management of protected natural areas to community-led conservation programs rooted in local livelihoods.

    Government data from Belize confirms that past GEF-funded projects have delivered tangible benefits across the country: they have injected critical resources into rural community development, laid the groundwork for sustainable income streams that do not rely on exploiting natural resources, and boosted national efforts to protect vulnerable ecosystems including old-growth forests, the Belize Barrier Reef, and critical watershed systems that supply clean water to communities across the nation.

    During the summit in Uzbekistan, the Belizean delegation is not only participating in high-level plenary discussions but also engaging in technical negotiations focused on the GEF’s upcoming four-year funding cycle, labeled GEF-9. This cycle will determine the total amount of global financing available and set the institutional priorities that will guide funding allocation for the next four years, making early positioning a critical strategic step for Belize to secure the resources it needs.

    Beyond advancing its own national priorities, Belize is aligning with a broader coalition of Small Island and Coastal Developing States (SIDS) to push for more equitable funding distribution. The coalition emphasizes that nations like Belize face disproportionate climate and environmental vulnerability despite contributing very little to global carbon emissions, and they must not be sidelined or overlooked when global environmental financing is allocated.

  • 66-Year-Old Woman Held at Gunpoint Stepping Out of Her Vehicle

    66-Year-Old Woman Held at Gunpoint Stepping Out of Her Vehicle

    An alarming armed burglary in western Belize left a 66-year-old woman traumatized on Thursday morning, ending with one suspect in police custody and a second man still evading capture as authorities urge local residents to remain vigilant.

    The violent incident unfolded in Cristo Rey Village, a small community located in Belize’s Cayo District. According to official statements from Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, local law enforcement received an emergency 911 call at approximately 9:30 AM, reporting that an aggravated break-in was actively underway at a home on the village’s rural outskirts.

    Witnesses told police the two attackers ambushed the elderly homeowner moments after she exited her private vehicle. The pair held her at gunpoint and forced her back into her residence, where they immediately began ransacking the property in search of valuables. Their robbery attempt was cut short when an unexpected vehicle approached the home, prompting the pair to flee the scene with only a single piece of the victim’s jewelry before law enforcement arrived.

    When San Ignacio Police officers pulled up to the residence, they spotted the two men running from the property. A short foot pursuit ensued, leading to the arrest of one suspect. Officers also recovered critical evidence from the area: a loaded .22 caliber pistol, unused live ammunition, and the stolen piece of jewelry that was taken during the attack, which has since been returned to the homeowner.

    In the wake of the incident, Smith emphasized that the quick response from law enforcement would not have been possible without sharp-eyed community members. “It is because of the community’s recognition of strange persons within their area that a call was made and police were able to intercede,” Smith explained. She went on to advise residents across the district to stay alert for emerging patterns of residential burglary, and to immediately report any unfamiliar people or suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to local law enforcement.

    As of the latest update, the second suspected attacker remains at large. Police have not released additional details about the identities of the suspects or the ongoing manhunt as the investigation continues.

  • All Saints Man Killed; Two Held for Questioning

    All Saints Man Killed; Two Held for Questioning

    A violent and deadly confrontation in the Mack Pond Squatter area on Thursday has claimed the life of a resident from All Saints, while law enforcement officials have taken two individuals into custody in connection with the killing. The deceased has been publicly identified as Sheldon Diaz, who was found to have suffered multiple penetrating injuries during the altercation that unfolded within the residential neighborhood, according to initial on-scene reports.

    Local accounts from residents who witnessed the aftermath of the attack paint a grim picture: Diaz desperately attempted to flee his attackers to safety, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and collapsed in a private residential yard just a short distance from the site of the original confrontation. Responding law enforcement officers launched an immediate investigation following the incident, and within the investigation’s early stages, they took a man and a woman into custody for questioning.

    As of the latest official updates, investigating authorities have not released any details regarding a potential motive for the deadly attack. The case remains active and ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to collect physical evidence from the crime scene and interview witnesses to piece together a full account of what led to Diaz’s death.

  • Sterke groei in China-Latijns-Amerika handel en samenwerking

    Sterke groei in China-Latijns-Amerika handel en samenwerking

    This month marks the first anniversary of the landmark Five Initiatives for Building a China-Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Community with a Shared Future, a strategic cooperation framework first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in May 2025. Over the past 12 months, despite a turbulent and fragmented global geopolitical and economic landscape, China and LAC member states have maintained close coordination and advanced the partnership to deliver impressive, tangible outcomes across multiple sectors.

    Trade ties, the backbone of the bilateral relationship, have hit new milestones. Total bilateral trade volume hit a record high of $549 billion in 2025, a figure that underscores the deep economic complementarity between the two regions. This upward momentum has continued into 2026, with preliminary data for the first four months of the year showing an 18.5% year-on-year expansion in trade volume, outpacing many other global trade corridors.

    People-to-people exchanges have also seen unprecedented growth, driven by widespread visa liberalization measures on both sides. China has implemented visa-free entry policies for citizens of major LAC economies including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, while multiple LAC nations have reciprocated by easing travel restrictions for Chinese visitors. These policy shifts have unlocked rapid growth in cross-border tourism, student exchanges and cultural cooperation, bringing populations on both sides closer together.

    Infrastructure development, a core focus of bilateral cooperation, has delivered widespread, tangible benefits to local communities across the LAC region. Backed by Chinese investment and advanced engineering technology, major projects have upgraded critical connectivity and public services: the Belo Monte transmission project in Brazil now delivers reliable power access to more than 22 million people; renovation work on the Mexico City Metro line has improved commuter safety and efficiency; and the new Bogotá Metro line continues to make steady progress toward completion. Beyond improving quality of life, these large-scale infrastructure projects have created thousands of local jobs and laid stronger foundations for long-term economic growth.

    Cooperation has also expanded into manufacturing and service sectors, generating new employment opportunities and strengthening local supply chains. When Western automakers divested from their production facilities in Brazil, Chinese automotive firms acquired the sites, restarted operations, restored thousands of jobs and revitalized local automotive supply networks. In the service sector, major Chinese consumer brands such as Meituan have expanded their regional footprint, creating new local jobs and spurring innovation in the digital service space.
    Beyond economic and infrastructure ties, the partnership has deepened in education and cultural exchange. China now offers hundreds of annual scholarships to LAC students pursuing higher education in China, and has launched new Confucius Institutes across the region to expand Chinese language learning. High-profile cultural initiatives, including the 2025-2026 China-Brazil Cultural Year, have brought art, performance and cultural exchanges to audiences across both regions, strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people connections.

    While analysts note that shifting political landscapes and domestic policy changes across some LAC nations create long-term considerations for the partnership, Chinese authorities have repeatedly reaffirmed that their policy toward the region remains consistent and stable, regardless of changes in national governments across LAC. The bilateral relationship is rooted in principles of mutual respect for territorial sovereignty and a focus on shared long-term development interests, creating a resilient foundation for cooperation.

    International policy experts emphasize that the deepening China-LAC partnership is driven by aligned development goals, shared experiences of developing economies, and a common vision for a more balanced global order. In an era marked by rising geopolitical tension, economic fragmentation and global uncertainty, the partnership offers both sides much-needed stability, mutual solidarity and new inclusive growth opportunities.

    Looking ahead, the future of China-LAC relations remains highly promising. Both sides have committed to deepening cooperation across trade, infrastructure, people-to-people ties, innovation and technology, with a shared goal of advancing sustainable, inclusive growth that delivers benefits to all communities across both regions. Over the coming years, continued deepening of the China-LAC partnership is not only expected to boost shared economic prosperity, but also contribute to the development of a more multipolar, fair and equitable global international order.

  • Got a Shockingly High Light Bill? PUC Says File a Complaint

    Got a Shockingly High Light Bill? PUC Says File a Complaint

    As summer temperatures climb across Belize, thousands of residential electricity customers are facing a different kind of heat: skyrocketing utility bills that have nearly doubled for many households in recent months, sparking widespread public frustration that has now prompted regulatory intervention. Local outlet News 5 has been closely monitoring the growing public anger, with many consumers pushing back against the official explanation provided by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), the country’s primary electricity provider.

    BEL has attributed the sudden sharp spike in monthly bills to increased energy consumption as households run air conditioning and other cooling systems more frequently during warmer summer weather, and has urged customers to voluntarily cut back on electricity use to lower their costs. But this explanation has failed to convince hundreds of affected consumers, many of whom report that their daily routines and energy usage habits have not changed at all from previous years, yet their bills have jumped dramatically.

    Now the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Belize’s independent regulatory body for public utility services, has stepped in to address consumer concerns, issuing an official public notice on Thursday outlining clear steps for customers who believe their bills are inaccurate. The commission is urging all residential consumers to regularly check their physical electricity meter readings, and cross-reference those numbers with the consumption totals listed on their monthly billing statements.

    The PUC emphasized that any customer who spots sudden unexplained increases in their bill, consumption totals that do not align with their household’s actual energy use, or a significant gap between their on-meter reading and the amount billed should take immediate action to resolve the issue.

    Under the PUC’s formal two-step complaint framework, customers must first reach out directly to BEL’s Customer Care Department to request clarification on their bill. If BEL’s response does not resolve the consumer’s concern, the matter can then be escalated to the PUC’s own Communications and Consumer Affairs Office for independent review.

    The first tier of review is an informal complaint process, where consumers submit a description of their issue alongside supporting documentation such as copies of their billing statements, receipts, or photos of their meter readings. PUC staff will then review the submission and contact BEL directly to negotiate a resolution between the utility and the customer.

    If the informal process fails to deliver a satisfactory outcome, consumers can advance their claim to the formal complaint stage. At this level, both the consumer and BEL will participate in a formal mediation process overseen by the PUC, which is required to be completed within a 30-day window. If mediation also does not resolve the dispute, the complaint will be brought before the full PUC commission for a final binding ruling.

    The PUC notes that complaints can be filed for a wide range of utility-related issues beyond just incorrect billing. These include faulty meter readings, unexpected or wrongful service disconnections, unplanned service interruptions, problems with new electricity installation, property damages related to utility work, public safety hazards related to electricity infrastructure, and any other unfair or improper utility practices.

    Consumers can file their complaints through multiple convenient channels: they can send an email to the PUC’s dedicated consumer inquiry inbox at info@puc.bz, or reach the commission’s consumer affairs team by phone at 501.223.4938.

  • Commonwealth observers urge electoral boundary reform in Antigua & Barbuda

    Commonwealth observers urge electoral boundary reform in Antigua & Barbuda

    The Commonwealth Observer Group has issued a final assessment of Antigua and Barbuda’s April 30, 2026 general elections, calling for urgent and independent reforms to the nation’s electoral constituency boundaries while commending the overall peaceful and credible conduct of the polls. The mission was formally invited by the Antigua and Barbuda government to conduct an independent evaluation of the electoral process, and was convened by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, led by former Botswana Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson.

    A core finding of the report centers on long-standing issues with constituency boundary delimitation that have not been addressed in decades. The observer group noted that the current boundaries have remained almost entirely unmodified since 1984, despite dramatic population shifts across the islands over the intervening 42 years. This stagnation has created substantial gaps in the number of registered voters across different constituencies, which the group warns poses a direct threat to the foundational democratic principle of equal representation. If left unaddressed, the imbalance could gradually erode public trust in the entire electoral system, the report added.

    Another key challenge identified during the 2026 election cycle was the compressed timeline for the entire process. Following the dissolution of the country’s parliament on April 1, 2026, the general election was announced just six days later, leaving electoral management bodies with a far shorter window than standard to prepare for voting. This accelerated schedule forced rapid adjustments to every stage of voter operations, from registration updates and voter transfers to identity verification and processing public claims and objections. While the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) earned praise for its targeted voter outreach efforts, particularly its campaign to replace expired voter identification cards, the rushed timeline created uncertainty over whether all eligible voters had enough time to confirm their registration status and participate smoothly.

    To address the boundary issue, the observer group has formally recommended that the national government grant the independent Boundaries Commission full authority to conduct a comprehensive review and redraw constituency boundaries using population data collected in the 2022–2025 national census. The report repeatedly stressed that this entire review process must be protected from any political interference, to ensure outcomes are fair and uphold the fundamental democratic principle of one person, one vote.

    Despite the flagged concerns, the mission delivered a largely positive assessment of the on-the-ground conduct of the 2026 polls. Observers confirmed the elections unfolded in a peaceful, orderly, and transparent environment. They extended commendation to election administrators, the voting public, competing political parties, national law enforcement, and independent media, all of which contributed to holding a credible democratic exercise.

    Commonwealth Secretary-General Botchwey emphasized that the independent assessment provides a valuable roadmap for strengthening democratic governance in Antigua and Barbuda. She added that the findings will inform ongoing collaborative engagement with local stakeholders as the country prepares to host the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the near future.

  • Dr Bonilla Murder Case: Two Accused to Return for Disclosure in 3 Months

    Dr Bonilla Murder Case: Two Accused to Return for Disclosure in 3 Months

    In the quiet capital city of Belmopan, a brutal murder tied to a bitter business dispute has left a prominent local medical professional dead and his family grappling with overwhelming grief, as two accused defendants head toward the next phase of a high-profile criminal case. On Wednesday, 26-year-old Hannah Rebekah Foreman and 37-year-old Edwin Albert Bethran Jr were ordered held without bail at Belize’s central prison after being formally charged with the May 29 killing of 36-year-old Dr. Naun Bonilla. The case is scheduled to return to court for mandatory evidence disclosure on September 1, 2026.

    Outside the courtroom following the hearing, Angel Bonilla, the victim’s older brother, spoke publicly about the family’s devastating loss and their quest for justice. “Nothing is worth a life. There is nothing that can replace the huge void that has been left in our family,” he told reporters. If he had known the dispute would end in violence, he added, he would have pressured his brother to abandon the business conflict entirely. The family is not just seeking a formal arraignment, he emphasized—they are pushing for a full conviction to hold those responsible accountable.

    Court documents and case filings reveal that Foreman was no stranger to Dr. Bonilla: the two were once close business partners who launched two joint medical ventures in November 2023—Insights Medical Clinic and Belmopan Medical Laboratory Services—each holding an equal 50% stake in the operations. The partnership operated without major conflict for more than two years, but tensions boiled over after the company secured a lucrative National Health Insurance laboratory services contract in January 2026.

    What began as a disagreement over ownership and operational control quickly escalated into a bitter legal battle. Foreman has claimed that Dr. Bonilla forced her out of the business by locking her out of the shared clinic and lab facility, revoking her access to company administrative systems, and placing her on an unlawful unpaid suspension. For his part, Dr. Bonilla filed counter-claims alleging that Foreman had diverted thousands of dollars in patient payments into her personal bank accounts, destroyed critical company records, and attempted to re-register the entire business under her sole ownership using a forged copy of his signature. A full civil trial on these ownership allegations was already scheduled when Dr. Bonilla was fatally shot last month.

    Law enforcement investigators took Foreman into custody within hours of the shooting, and subsequent probe has led authorities to conclude that Foreman contracted Bethran, the second defendant, to carry out the fatal attack.

    For the Bonilla family, the loss is compounded by the knowledge that Dr. Bonilla dedicated more than a decade of his life to training to serve his home community. After graduating high school in Belize, he spent 14 years completing his medical education abroad before returning to open his practices, building a business he was deeply proud of. Angel Bonilla called the circumstances of his death unfathomable: “He was killed for his own work. For the proceeds of his work. What he was so proud of. It is beyond anyone’s wildest dream.”

    He added that the family had been aware of the escalating tension with Foreman for months, noting the conflict had been “brewing, unfortunately, for a little too long.” Now, he carries deep regret for not pushing his brother to walk away from the partnership before violence erupted. “I feel that I failed him by not warning him,” he said. “You know, like the parable says, a thief is a killer.”

    As the case moves forward, the Bonilla family waits for the legal process to unfold, with the next court hearing set to open the door for full disclosure of evidence in the coming months.

  • Burglars Steal Cash and Electronics From Vivian Richards Street Home

    Burglars Steal Cash and Electronics From Vivian Richards Street Home

    A residential burglary on Vivian Richards Street has left a local homeowner facing losses of cash and multiple personal electronic devices, after intruders gained unauthorized access to the property during overnight hours, law enforcement officials confirmed this week.

    Authorities have outlined that the criminal act took place within an extended window between the end of Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday, giving investigators a broad timeline to piece together how the suspects entered the home and what evidence may have been left behind.

    As of the latest update, local police departments have not released additional details about the potential value of the stolen items, whether any forced entry was detected at the property, or if there are any persons of interest connected to the break-in. Law enforcement teams confirmed that active investigations are still moving forward to identify the perpetrators and recover the stolen property, with officers reviewing nearby security camera footage and interviewing neighbors for any clues that could advance the case.