Since Monday, a team of experts from the UNESCO World Heritage Center has been in Belize on a technical mission. For five years, since June 2009, the Belize Barrier Reef Marine System has been under the threat of delisting as a World Heritage Site. So the team has been here to assist the government of […]
But has the government put in place measures to maintain the integrity of the ecosystem? According to Doctor Fanny Douvere, there has been some improvement, but there are three to five issues that need to be addressed over the course of the coming years. If the necessary policies are put in place in a socioeconomic, […]
It’s been some time since we’ve received an update on movements, local and illegal, within the Chiquibul. Late last year we talked about nothing but that after Special Constable Danny Conorquie was gunned down by Guatemalans at the Caracol Archaeological Site. His death galvanized stakeholders, and tonight we are happy to report that the positive […]
Like we said, Manzanero is a tireless advocate, and one of his passions is the protection of scarlet macaws, the majestic birds whose population in Belize remains at risk. In fact, next week Manzanero is heading off to Taiwan to solicit assistance for the plight of the macaws. Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, FCD “The […]
A wanted American national who was nabbed in Dangriga last Friday was handed over to U.S authorities this morning. Fifty-four year old Robert Andrew Ragin, who was wanted by U.S by Florida law enforcement agents to answer charges on twelve counts of promoting sexual performance by a child, was reportedly living in Belize for […]
The innovative minds of students at Saint Catherine Academy were in full display today. Over seven hundred students from high schools and primary schools from across the city gathered at the institution for the annual science fair. We know that fire is a dangerous thing, but we also found out that it responds to musical […]
The family of a fourteen month old infant is seeking help from the public to cover costs for much needed medical attention that the baby girl needs. Mia was diagnosed with cancer four months ago and has been traveling to Merida twice every month for chemotherapy. She needs surgery to remove the tumors in her […]
Working to assist the family is the organization, A Thousand Smiles For Cleyon – Every Child Deserves a Miracle which was founded by Michelle Rudon. Rudon and several other professionals and mothers have come together to give hope to children afflicted with the deadly disease. Cleyon Marage Junior—who the organization first assisted after doctors in […]
Reggae artist, Ras Indio, is back in the news tonight. And that’s because he has launched a new DVD called ‘Visions of Life.’ The artist, who has established himself internationally, has been collaborating with other creative minds in the industry. Today, he stopped by News Five to tell us all about this latest project, which […]
On Wednesday, the U.D.P., all hyped up and bursting with enthusiasm, announced the entry of Doctor Carla Barnett into electoral politics. Barnett is no stranger to the public service, and has also gained recognition regionally, though overt politicking is something new for her. Flanked by Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Deputy Gaspar Vega, Barnett made […]
The U.D.P. has placed great emphasis on Barnett’s integrity in public life, and Prime Minister Barrow has stated publicly that it is perhaps her strongest point. The Prime Minister is also using that claim to integrity as an attack on the P.U.P. On Wednesday, he told the gathering that indeed, Barnett’s integrity was so formidable […]
The Prime Minister has jubilantly placed Barnett against Fonseca in a political battle for Freetown, and only time will tell how that plays out. But in the meantime, Barrow is also poking fun at Fonseca at every possible turn, claiming that the P.U.P. leader’s days are numbered. Today, we asked Fonseca for a response which […]
Earlier we showed you P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca’s response to the announcement of his opponent in Freetown. He wasn’t too impressed or concerned. Fonseca has other things on his mind right now, like the municipal elections scheduled for March fourth. It is believed the results of that election will be a reliable indicator of which […]
So what’s the prediction for Belize City? It’s considered a U.D.P. stronghold with the U.D.P. holding on to eight of ten seats. Fonseca acknowledges that it will be a real challenge for his team because of that U.D.P. presence, but he says it’s definitely not an insurmountable obstacle. Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader “That’s always […]
News Five has confirmed that this morning, Chairman of the U.D.P. Alberto August was involved in a broad daylight domestic altercation in Santa Elena. We were told officially that it got so bad that officers had to be dispatched to the location. Now August is a very high profile U.D.P. personality, and police say […]
There is increased environmental chatter recently after the Geology and Petroleum Department released its draft petroleum exploration policy. According to the wording on that draft, every part of the Belizean territory, onshore and offshore, is open for oil exploration. It’s caused great consternation among those N.G.O.s who have consistently said no to offshore drilling, and […]
Earlier this week, we told you about OCEANA’s feedback on the Department of Geology’s Zoning Draft Policy. OCEANA said they were not meaningfully engaged, having only received the draft on Monday. The Ministry of Energy refuted OCEANA’s statements, saying that OCEANA is wrong because the engagement process started last year and feedback from the N.G.O. […]
B.E.L.’s Golden Citizens Electricity Bill Pay Award is growing by leaps and bounds. The initiative started with fifty persons two years ago. Today another group of senior citizens will not have to worry about paying their light bills for the rest of this year. Andrea Polanco headed to the B.E.L.’s headquarters in Belize City for […]
Linking Farmers to Tourism…the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, better known as IICA, is getting more involved in the development of the agro-productive sector in Belize. Today, at the Biltmore Plaza in Belize City, both public and private sector stakeholders came together to identify potential market linkages for agribusiness development focusing primarily on tourism. […]
Partnering with IICA are the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture and the Organization of American States. Ambassador Starret Green says that while the linkages have already been established between both the agriculture and the tourism industries, there a many challenges that have stifled its success, specifically in terms of communication. Starret Green, […]
With much pomp and ceremony, this morning the United Democratic Party announced its new choice for the Freetown constituency, replacing caretaker Lee Mark Chang. Doctor Carla Barnett has worked under both administrations, and is also regionally recognized. And now, she will abandon the boardrooms, for the moment at least, and will take her game to […]
As we mentioned, Barnett will be butting heads against a seasoned politician, a three-time winner in Freetown, a former Minister of Education and Attorney- General as well as the leader of the People’s United Party. One would say that’s a formidable opponent for a novice to tackle, and this morning Barnett was asked point-blank if […]
Currently, there are only two women in the House of Representatives on the U.D.P. side. Both of them were brought in through the Senate, and not elected. The U.D.P. doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to women running for office on their ticket. Doctor Carla Barnett has been ushered into the spotlight […]
Today, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, flanked by the executive of the Christian Workers Union, called a press conference to give a status report after one year as President. Matura-Shepherd has come under scathing criticism lately from U.D.P. functionaries who claim that she has neglected the CWU to go meddle in sugar. The firebrand attorney and CWU president […]
Matura-Shepherd provided an update on the status of collective bargaining agreements with all entities whose workers are represented by the Christian Workers Union, including the Belize Port Authority and the Belize City Council. Those two, especially, have been in the news lately. She reiterates that for the success of collective bargaining agreements, the involvement of […]
