A survey is currently underway within the refugee population in Belize. The survey is being commissioned by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in partnership with the Belize Red Cross. The purpose of the survey is to collect and study data and use that information in order to assist refugees to better integrate into society […]
Cabinet has approved S.S.B.’s proposal to reform its contributions and pension scheme. The Social Security Board embarked on a countrywide consultation process two years ago to seek support for its proposal. As it stands now, the fund is approaching the ‘period of equilibrium’ where total income equals total expenditure. So in order for the fund […]
So what about S.S.B.’s loans and portfolios? Well according to C.E.O. Doctor Colin Young, S.S.B.’s 2018 audited financials are near completion. Doctor Young says that in 2017, the fund’s rate of return on its investments portfolio was five point five percent. He says that in the last ten years, the rate of return was fewer […]
An investigation following the death of eight-week-old Thevane Banner has been concluded by the Ministry of Health. The newborn died from battered child syndrome and his father, twenty-eight-year-old Troy Banner, has since been arrested and charged with manslaughter. Despite a subsequent arraignment, Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero reveals that the Ministry of Health […]
The near-fatal attack on Matron Augustina Elijio last Tuesday at the Port Loyola Health Center has prompted the Ministry of Health to revisit existing procedures for patients accessing services at public facilities. While there are already protocols in place, a recent incident during which the retired nurse was stabbed multiple times by a mental patient […]
In the tragic case of Nestor Vasquez Junior, who lost his life over the weekend after being badly beaten by a fellow inmate inside a holding cell at the Queen Street Police Station, questions are being raised about the competence of officers in dealing with mentally challenged persons. According to Doctor Manzanero, notwithstanding the unfortunate […]
Today at the Biltmore Hotel, the Ministry of Health and UNICEF launched an initiative which aims to measure mental health among adolescents, as well as a project called Helping Adolescents Thrive. The launch comes at a time when the issue of mental health is much talked about. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has more. Isani […]
Many communities and villages that rely on reservoirs to provide water to their homes have been experiencing issues as a result of the extended drought. Over the past few months, some residents would go a day or two without water and it has raised the ire of residents in Georgeville, Cayo. Over the weekend, our […]
There are a number of short-term and long-term actions that must be taken to fix the perennial water problem in the village. Water Board Chairman Al Westby says that there will be remedial work done to the water tank and there is a meeting with the Belize Social Investment Fund, as well as NEMO, to […]
Belize City police broke up a protest this morning that unfolded along the Philip Goldson Highway. Residents of Belama Phase Four showed up in front of Fen Lan Company Limited which is owned by Alex Chang. Chang is also the so-called owner of one point six-six acres of Belama land. In January, Chang served the […]
U.D.P. Standard Bearer Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington, who was involved in negotiations at the early stage, says that residents refused to take Chang’s proposals. According to Elrington, Chang was willing to lease the property to the Belizeans at a cost of one dollar a month for three years. Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Freetown […]
According to Elrington, a land registry report shows that the land was privately acquired on October twenty-fourth, 1991. It was on October twenty-sixth, 2018 that the power of attorney was granted to Alex Chang. Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Freetown “For those who might not know in 1991 it was P.U.P. government. Not […]
Unsafe foods kill four hundred and twenty thousand persons every year around the world. These are deaths that are preventable. When we consume unsafe foods it puts our health at risk, a strain on our resources including the health care system and it also affects economy, tourism, trade and development. Today, BAHA and the Belize […]
In part two of his Chaa Creek experience, News Five’s reporter Hipolito Novelo takes a look at what it takes to run an internationally recognized, award-winning resort. It all started with founders Mick and Lucy Fleming who strove to coexist with nature while creating a true jungle experience. Since its inception, Chaa Creek has steadily […]
The Belmopan City Council is under fire tonight for failing to pay social security contributions for one of its employees. In a letter dated May thirty-first, the Social Security Board tells the Belmopan City Council employee that the sickness benefit claim has been disallowed since the conditions were not satisfied. For the employee to have […]
The S.J.C. History Department launched a book on the historical significance of the Black Cross Nurses in Belize. Back in 2013, the high school adopted a student-centered approach of teaching history through its African and Mayan history studies. The aim is to have students learn about different perspectives outside of colonialism and how those movements […]
Established in 1981, Chaa Creek: Belize Luxury Resort started off with a single hut. Fast forward more than three decades later; it is one of the world’s most eco-friendly resorts. The resort sits on a four hundred acre nature reserve along the majestic Macal River. The atmosphere is relaxing, but very much alive with activities. […]
The U.S. Government is making major changes as it relates to its process of visa applications by foreigners. Under a new State Department policy, visa applicants to the U.S. will need to submit their social media usernames, email addresses, and phone numbers. The policy took effect on Friday, and almost 15 million visa applicants are […]
Earlier this week, Romanian Ambassador Daniela Gitman visited Belize and met with the Prime Minister and other government officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education. The visit was to discuss bilateral cooperation between both countries. It’s been twenty-six years since diplomatic ties were established between Romania and Belize and the government is looking […]
Call for entries for the annual September Celebrations Theme, as well as the National Song Competition, are opened and the folks over at the National Institute of Culture and History are ready for the many submissions. Junior and senior songwriters and singers in both Belize and Carnival Song categories are asked to log on to […]
Meanwhile the deadline for the submission for the September celebrations theme is July twenty-first. All Belizeans, even those living overseas, have an opportunity to submit a theme – something dear to their hearts, patriotic, but ten words or less. Neil Hall, Communications Officer, NICH “The criteria is very simple. Be a Belizean either at […]
You’ve seen countless calls in this very same newscast. You’ve seen a multitude of messages online. It’s a recurrent request that not enough people oblige. It’s a call for blood. Why does it seem like Belizeans are always desperate for donors? We get some answers in tonight’s Healthy Living. Marleni Cuellar It’s commonly called […]
It took effect last week Tuesday, Doctor Angel Campos is Junior Minister for Health no more; in fact, he is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation. Political pundits have had their spin on the shift, saying that Campos and his former senior Minister Pablo Marin […]
Minister of Health Pablo Marin is taking legal action against several employees of Brints Security Limited for defamation of character. News Five understands that the suit stems from a social media post alleging corruption by the minister. Brints Security Limited, which belongs to former U.D.P. colleague Mark King, is claiming that it is being coerced […]
Under his leadership, Henry says that the P.S.U. will focus its efforts on tackling several issues within the public service that are negatively impacting the lives of many public officers. One of those issues is the unfair distribution of allowances. On the Phone: Gerald Henry, President, P.S.U. “We have a host of different issues […]
