Forty-eight million U.S. dollars settles the BCB award. PM was also clear that B.T.L. will eventually take responsibility for the payment. The government will make the initially payment and some nineteen million dollars will come from the Petrocaribe to do so. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “It is now forty-eight million U.S. The Dunkeld […]
Now, as it relates to the actual compensation for the nationalization of B.T.L., the PM agreed to rely on the NERA valuation of a dollar and forty-four cents per share which represents sixty five point three million dollars. But an Arbitration Tribunal is to determine the final amount of the award and government will then […]
Government gets to pay some one hundred and sixty two million dollars but how much has it spent on legal fees? There has always been speculation on that figure and at this afternoon’s press conference at the Biltmore Plaza, where cabinet also met prior to the announcement, the PM turned to the Financial Secretary, for […]
A sustained campaign led by COLA continued today with new demands announced at a press conference held at the Radisson. This time, the grassroots organization has partnered with the Belize Territorial Volunteers who are bringing to bear additional pressure on the Government over a road linking Guatemala to Belize which was built after the establishment […]
COLA brought out a large number of supporters to the Santa Rita Room of the Radisson where President Geovanni Brackett once again demanded a boycott of trade and services with Guatemala. He also reiterated the call for Foreign Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington’s immediate removal. Geovanni Brackett, President, COLA “There’s no more reason why we […]
On Friday, employees of First Caribbean International Bank, those belonging to the Christian Workers Union, staged a mass sickout disrupting the flow of business across various branches. In Belize City, the BelCan branch, as well as Orange Walk and Belmopan were closed for the day, while the Albert Street and Dangriga branches ran on skeleton […]
P.M. Barrow, during his press conference this afternoon, explained government’s legal role in facilitating the sale of FCIB’s assets to Heritage Bank. To circumvent the passage of the Vesting Act, he says, would mean that the process would be unnecessarily lengthened to include each individual shareholder. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “All government is doing […]
At least sixty employees of five First Caribbean International Bank branches in Belize today contracted some mysterious malady which caused them to call in sick. Actually, it’s more likely what is called a sick-out, and it is in response to the looming departure of CIBC-FCIB which is selling out to Heritage Bank. The very ill […]
And that brings us to the mysterious illness which resulted in the closure of three FCIB branches – Belize City BelCan, Orange Walk and Belmopan, while two more on Albert Street and Dangriga operated with a skeleton staff. Matura-Shepherd says that the circumstances would be enough to sicken anybody, so the mass absence is completely […]
So what’s the next move? That wasn’t spelled out in the clearest of terms but let’s just say that it doesn’t seem that the employees who were suddenly taken sick today are going to be better by Monday…or even by Tuesday, when Government intends to push through the Vesting Act which will enable to transition […]
Three fishermen from Belize City – Giovanni Murillo, Donovan Usher and Jerome Bowen – left to go on a one day fishing trip to Turneffe two weeks ago and never came home. They are presumed dead by their families, who have made serious claims of Coast Guard involvement in the demise of the three men. […]
Bennett reiterates that they are assisting the Police in the investigation, and have also conducted their own internal investigation to parallel that by the Police. The five men have been returned to active duty. And so have three Coast Guard officers who have been charged for extortion in the Corozal District, though it is expected […]
The Guatemalan claim to fifty percent of Belizean territory has surfaced as an issue in the Guatemalan elections. On Thursday, an interview with Guatemalan presidential candidate, Jimmy Morales, spread like wildfire on social media drawing comments from many Belizeans. Now, Morales is the winner of the first round of elections held just this past Sunday […]
On Wednesday, we reported about the voluntary recall on individually-wrapped American cheese slices, following a notice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority stated in a release that the Kraft Heinz Food Company product was being recalled. The reason is because there is a high probability that a fine ribbon […]
The historic Battle of St. George’s Caye was commemorated on Thursday with Tenth of September activities being held across the country. In Belize City, an official ceremony was held at the Fort George Memorial Park where a host of dignitaries, including Mayor Darrell Bradley and Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia were in attendance. Before a […]
This morning, stevedores protested outside the Port of Belize compound, again. This time it wasn’t about the quality of water served to gangs offloading sugar barges. It’s about more than that – the entire Collective Bargaining Agreement, in fact. The negotiation and signing off on that agreement has been stalled for more than a year. […]
But in Canada, the outcome of the game was overshadowed by Lodrick Sheppard and Clarence Shepherd, the duo known as Mad Bull and Maestro. Even before the game concluded on Tuesday night, Facebook and twitter were blowing up with reviews about their commentary. The two sportscasters for Channel Five became overnight sensations in Canada and […]
September time is party time in Belize, and party time means drinking – at home, house parties, clubs, and most certainly in public. Now public drinking is prohibited, and recently that has been strictly enforced by Police. But don’t panic just yet. Senior Superintendent Chester Williams says they’re willing to give public drinkers a pass […]
The mysterious disappearance of three Belize City fishermen who set out on a fishing expedition three weeks ago has raised more questions than answers. News Five can confirm tonight that five coastguard officers have been held in police custody pending an investigation into their alleged involvement in the matter. An official search and rescue effort […]
A voluntary recall on individually-wrapped American cheese slices is presently in effect, following a notice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The request to return the Kraft Heinz Food Company product is due to the likelihood that a fine ribbon of individual packaging film may be stuck to the slice after the wrapping has […]
The expo, hosted by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has become a staple in the September Celebrations calendar. This year, the number of visitors was less than last year, but new booths made up for the shortfall. The nineteenth annual Expo Belize Market Place was at the ITVET Compound in Belize City. Duane […]
The Sarstoon sovereignty issue remains on the front-burner in Belize, and seems likely to be situated there for the foreseeable future. Even as Guatemala moves through a turbulent time amid impeachment and election scenarios, there is growing tension along the Sarstoon where suddenly it appears our B.D.F. are encountering increasingly aggressive Guatemalan military. In addition, […]
And that campaign to get a base built at the mouth of the Sarstoon is even more critical now, says Brackett, because government’s actions have given the impression that our border is porous, or perhaps even non-existent. Geovanni Brackett, President, COLA “When we look at the behaviour of our government representatives we at COLA […]
Last week, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was a tad bit condescending of COLA’s Build a Base campaign when the media asked him about it. That’s not surprising because anybody in the know…would know that any movement which doesn’t have the numbers won’t get the attention of the establishment. That’s just the way it works. But […]
There was only standing room available at Roger’s Stadium on Saturday for revelers of the anticipated King and Queen Competition. After long hours of judging, the results were finally in for the winners in the senior and junior bands who had impressed a panel of international judges. Duane Moody has a report on how the […]
