Full Coverage: Belize

11/11/2005 Every Indian is looking at Bihar with a hope that it will have a stable government and will work in a de-politicised manner, which is requirement of the hour to change the image of Bihar. Today the word ‘Bihar’ conjures an image of poverty, backwardness, violence and failed governance, weak infrastructure, low literacy rates and a large population. A recent article is trying to dig the reality out. Click here to view the article

05/13/2005 UNESCO will launch two regional poverty projects in Belize on May 18 at a ceremony that will take place at the Parish Hall in Punta Gorda, Toledo District.

03/15/2004 Plans for a potentially devastating dam in Belize are going ahead, after a split vote by the UK Privy Council (still the highest authority for the island). The three-judge majority acknowledged that the proposed dam would flood an area scientists say is '”one of the most biologically rich and diverse regions remaining in Central America”.

02/04/2004 Belize's highest court - the British Privy Council - last week narrowly decided not to halt construction of a controversial hydro dam that could ravage one of Central America's last undisturbed rainforest valleys. A coalition of environmental groups had challenged the government's hasty approval of the project backed by Canada's Fortis, Inc. In the 3/2 split decision, the dissenting Lords said they differed "respectfully but profoundly" with the majority.

12/07/2003 Canadian power company Fortis Inc. wants to build a dam in Belize that would ravage one of Central America's last undisturbed rainforest valleys. Fortis is facing a legal challenge that has now reached Belize's highest court of appeal. Meanwhile, you can keep the pressure coming from all sides - by telling Fortis directors what you think of the project.

12/03/2003 Belize's highest court begins a historic hearing today that will determine the future of a Canadian-backed dam in Belize. A subsidiary of Fortis, a Canadian multinational, has already received approval for the power-generating mega-project. Opponents are challenging that approval, saying the dam will damage sensitive ecosystems and destroy key archeological sites.

08/18/2003 Belize's highest court has stopped short of blocking construction on a Canadian-backed rainforest dam pending a December hearing on its environmental approval. In its decision, the Court underscored the unusually cozy relationship between Belize's government and Newfoundland's Fortis Inc. Critics warn that the 50-meter-high Chalillo hydroelectric dam will threaten downstream communities and endangered species.

07/24/2003 A new marine protected area has been created in southern Belize that will help to protect the world's only predictable gathering site of the whale shark, the planet's largest fish, Conservation International announced.

07/18/2003 Whale sharks, the world's biggest fish, will now enjoy a vast protected area off Belize, thanks to an agreement between the government and Conservation International.

05/15/2003 Environmentalists yesterday stepped up their challenge to plans by power company Fortis Inc to build a hydro dam in Belize’s rainforest by questioning directors about the project.

05/01/2003 A dam-building Canada-based multinational is set to flood more than 1,000 hectares of Belizean rainforest. Further north, a Canadian-led archaeological dig has spent years struggling to preserve the nation's ancient Maya legacy.

05/01/2003 While a Canadian dam-building multinational is set to flood more than 1,000 hectares of Belizean rainforest, further north a Canadian-led archaeological dig has spent years struggling to preserve the nation's ancient Maya legacy, reports Gráinne Ryder.

12/19/2002 The Supreme Court of Belize is set to rule Thursday on a case challenging government approval of a Canadian-backed dam that would flood one of the last undisturbed river valleys in Central America. The lawsuit argues that Fortis Inc. failed to get proper environmental clearance for a US$30-million hydroelectric dam it plans to build in Belize's Macal River.

12/19/2002 The Supreme Court of Belize is set to rule today on a challenge to the government's approval of a Canadian-backed dam that would flood one of the last undisturbed river valleys in Central America.

11/21/2002 The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has agreed to locate its soon to be established Regional Climate Change Centre in Belize. CARICOM's choice of Belize as host to the Climate Change Centre was announced by Prime Minister Said Musa, who returned to Belize today, from Barbados, after attendance Monday at the Fifteenth meeting of the CARICOM Bureau of the Heads of Government.

11/15/2002 In Belize, electricity prices are going up again. Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), the country's only commercial provider, says that's because costs are rising. But something's wrong with this picture. BEL is owned by Fortis, a Canada-based multinational. And Fortis has just announced rising profits and earnings from BEL - admitting that Belize is proportionately its best profit-maker and income-earner.

11/15/2002 Belize is to house the Caribbean Community's Regional Climate Change Centre, Prime Minister Said Musa announced this week.

09/16/2002 Fortis, a Newfoundland-based power and real estate company, wants to flood Belize's Macal River Valley, one of the wildest places left in Central America. Sharon Matola is the woman leading an international fight against the scheme. She is in Toronto this week to meet with environmentalists.

08/12/2002 In a dramatic Supreme Court turnaround, the Belize government has denied ever giving Canadian power company Fortis Inc. permission to build a controversial hydro dam. The dam would flood 22 miles of pristine tropical rainforest that hosts rare species and ancient Mayan monuments.

08/09/2002 A denial by the Belize government that it had authorised Canadian power company Fortis to build a controversial hydro dam in one of Central America's last undisturbed rainforests may prompt the company to re-think its participation in the project, local and North American environmentalists said yesterday.