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U.D.P. Chides Briceño Administration over Refusal to Release Cabinet Docs

The opposition is chiding the Briceño administration after Cabinet denied a request from the Senate Special Select Committee. In its request, the committee sought documents pertaining to the Portico Definitive Agreement that were tabled in Cabinet.  News Five is in possession of a copy of one response from Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie to the Senate […]

U.D.P. Chairman Tells Senate Committee to Stick With Terms of Reference

But, is the Chairman of the United Democratic Party being sanctimonious in his criticisms against the Briceño Administration? On Wednesday when the former Lands Commissioner, Wilbert Vallejos, was called before the Senate Special Select Committee, he was reluctant to answer any of the questions posed to him. Vallejos served under the U.D.P. administration as lands […]

Does Questionable 2020 Public Land Transactions Warrant Investigation?

Outside the considerations of the Senate Special Select Committee, Peyrefitte was asked if he believes that the seventeen questionable government land transactions that occurred only weeks before the 2020 general elections warrant an investigation. As we reported, some eight hundred and fifty acres of public land were sold and seventeen titles were issued for them, […]

If Re-Elected, U.D.P. Chair Vows to Release Cabinet Confidential Papers

U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, also told reporters that if the U.D.P. was in office they would honor the request of the Senate Special Select Committee for Cabinet confidential papers. In fact, Peyrefitte pledged that the next U.D.P. government will provide any Cabinet paper requested. Here is how he responded when reporters asked him about a […]

OSH Bill Amendments Approved by Cabinet

The issue of occupational safety and health has been a concern for many in the private and public sectors.  On several occasions, we have reported on persons being injured or losing their lives while on the job.  The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has long been clamoring for the passage of the OSH Bill.  […]

G.O.B. Launches Plan to Transform Belize’s Investment Climate

The Government of Belize is seeking to reform the way we do business and facilitate investments as a country. That is why, this morning G.O.B. launched its Belize Investment and Business Climate Action Plan. Three public institutions have been identified to lead the charge in this initiative. They are the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, […]

Off the Beaten Path and into the Wild With Wild Tracks Belize

In tonight’s episode of Belize on Reel, we journeyed far north to Sarteneja where we visited Wild Tracks Belize.  It’s a conservation organization that was established a little over thirty-three years ago by husband and wife couple, Paul and Zoe Walker.  Together, they have worked tirelessly to rescue, protect and raise awareness about manatees and […]

Kim Simplis Barrow is New Cancer Society President

After many years serving as the head of the Belize Cancer Society, Laura Tucker-Longsworth stepped down from the role and has been succeeded by former Special-Envoy Kim Simplis-Barrow. The organization announced on Wednesday the newly-appointed members of the board. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited the Belize Cancer Society for more information.   Britney Gordon, Reporting […]

Senate Inquiry Resumes in Belmopan

The Senate Special Select Committee continues to investigate the Portico Definitive Agreement. Since its establishment, a total of four witnesses have been called to testify before the committee, including two who were called to answer questions today. The committee’s focus in this session was on government land transactions that occurred between October and November 2020, […]

Senate Committee Chair Persistent in Face of Unwilling Witness

Notwithstanding Wilbert Vallejos’s reluctance to answer most of the questions put to him by the Senate Special Select Committee, Chairperson Janelle Chanona continued to press him on certain records in the committee’s possession. One of the matters on the committee’s record pertains to the short time between the signings of the Portico Definitive Agreement and […]

Kim Simplis-Barrow is New President of Cancer Society

Former Special Envoy Kim Simplis-Barrow is the new president of the Belize Cancer Society, succeeding Laura Tucker-Longsworth who served in that capacity for many years.  The announcement was made earlier today, following an annual general meeting that saw the appointment of a new board of directors. Simplis-Barrow is joined by Vice President Sharon Young and […]

Selgado’s Abetment Trial Concludes in High Court

A decision will be rendered by High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim on March eighth, in a trial against attorney Oscar Selgado that concluded earlier today.  Closing arguments were made this morning by attorney Adolph Lucas Senior, who represents Selgado in the criminal matter.  Lucas put forward to the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions […]

High Court to Hand Down Decision in Selgado Matter

In court this morning, Lucas asked the judge to set aside the evidence presented by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and former Inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino.  He argued that admitting the secondary evidence would be prejudicial to Selgado and pointed out to the court that their recollection of the audio recording was inconsistent.  On the other […]

FSC Issues Warning Against Unlicensed Land Consultant

The Financial Services Commission has issued a notice advising Belizeans to exercise extreme caution when engaging with a land consultant under the name ER’s Land Consultancy in Orange Walk. In a warning issued today, the FSC stated that Eric Reyes of ER’s Land Consultancy is, “not licensed under the FSC Act to provide, carry on, […]

Public Service Union Reminds Members Of Their Rights

The Public Service Union says that it will not be disrespected or fall victim of harassment any longer. On Monday, the Public Service Union issued a circular to its members reminding them of the proper protocols regarding public officers transferring within ministries. According to the circular, there have been multiple instances in which the C.E.O. […]

Mayor Wagner, “Street Works and New Vehicles are not Electioneering”

Everyone who lives in Belize City and ventures out would know that there’s a whole lot of infrastructural work taking place over the past weeks. Some have said that it’s indicative of the election season, based on past trends when major street projects are carried out just prior to Election Day. Today, Belize City Mayor, […]

Mayor Wagner, “Parking Meters Are Here to Stay”

Last week when Hofius Store announced that it was going to close down later this year, the word was that the parking meter system in the downtown area was a factor in the company’s declining business. And a number of other businesses in the downtown area have also said off-record that they, too, feel as […]

CitCo to Introduce Electric Vehicles to Taxi Association

Today the Belize City Council put on display a fleet of heavy-duty equipment and two brand new electric vehicles that it will assign to the taxi stand in front of the Battlefield Park. According to Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, the council has been able to increase its vehicle fleet from one pickup truck in […]

Compactor Truck from Japan Will Be Used in Hotspots

As the mayor explained, the other garbage truck will arrive in the coming weeks and will be used to complement the Council’s sanitation efforts. Wagner explained that while the council has existing sanitation contracts in place with the Belize Waste Control Company, the compactor trucks will be used in those areas of the Old Capital […]

Coming Soon, Electric Taxis, Uber Style

As the mayor explained earlier, the electric vehicles that the City Council has purchased will be offered to the Belize City taxi associations on a lease to own basis. Today, the Council had two of the vehicles on display, with another two expected to join the fleet in the coming weeks. Mayor Wagner told reporters […]

K.H.M.H. Receives Upgrades through B.T.B. Partnership

The Belize Tourism Board and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital have struck up an unexpected partnership in order to improve healthcare facilities and support Belize’s tourism industry. Both parties signed a Memoriam of Understanding for urgent repairs of the Accident and Emergency Unit. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited the K.H.M.H. and has the following story.   […]

Mahogany Street Marketplace Brightens Up Saint Martins

St. Martin’s de Porres area just got a little bit brighter with the official launch of the Mahogany Street Marketplace. Over the last few months, over twenty booths on Mahogany Street have undergone a transformation meant to boost attractiveness and security. The project was launched by the Belize Tourism Board in 2022 and plans to […]

Some Albert Street Businesses Want Parking Meters Gone

The news last week that Hofius Store in downtown Belize City is going to close down later this year took many Belize City residents by surprise. While Hofius did not grant an interview to explain the reasons for their decision to call it quits, some of the businesses in the area have expressed a genuine […]

Fort George Gets New Digital Connect Center

The Fort George Constituency in Belize City has a new digital connect center. Established through a partnership with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Belize, the center will provide a space for students and residents to access digital devices, and high-speed internet. The official opening of the center was held over the […]

Child State Care Costing Belizeans Annually

A 2022 Inter-American Development Bank study on children in the care of the state in Belize found that sufficient data on the total number of children under care or custody order does not exist. The study did, however, find that close to five hundred children were placed under the care of the state between 2019 […]