This coming Monday, the government will be going back to the House with legislation to renationalize Belize Telemedia. That legislation has not been seen by most members of the National Assembly but will be introduced, fiercely debated, passed and then signed off on – all in a matter of hours. The speed at which it […]
As we come to the close of the work week, there is a sense of uncertainty and insecurity that prevails in many sectors on the quick “fix” to legislation for the government’s reacquisition of Telemedia. In so doing, many legal minds say that the government is usurping the rule of law and that’s a dangerous […]
On Monday the Football Federation of Belize was ordered by Supreme Court Justice Minnet Hafiz to withdraw a claim made against the National Sports Council following the issuance of a letter by Minister John Saldivar to FIFA informing them that government would not be providing security for game two a World Cup pre-qualifier against Montserrat. […]
Not only are there summer camps, but there are summer competitions for youths. The Belize Audio Video Industry Association (BAVIA) in partnership with the Belize International Film Festival and SMART have joined forces and designed a video competition for high school students. This morning participants in the SHOW ME video program began the first day […]
It’s lobster season and while having one of the delectable crustaceans on your plate may be all you need to keep your belly full, the proper management of fishing grounds and fisheries is what really keeps all marine life available for local consumption and for export. With growing demands for seafood, the once open licensing […]
A group of taekwondo students are heading to Mexico City for the Copa Del Mundo de Taekwondo this weekend. The group is a mix of children, from as young as five years old to over twenty. They’ve practiced their skills and expectations are high as they take on their counterparts from Mexico. News Five’s Jose […]
The dust has not settled at Belize Telemedia Limited. There are two boards, two C.E.O.s, and two Chairmen since last week’s ruling by the Court of Appeal that has triggered even more legal challenges for the government. The Prime Minister is now going to the House and Senate on Monday to re-nationalize the company. But […]
As the legal battles mount, earlier today a communiqué was sent out from the National Assembly notifying of the special sitting of the House and Senate this coming Monday in Belmopan regarding the re-nationalization of Telemedia. From what we gather parliamentarians have received the notice of the sittings to consider the Bill for an act […]
The weak economy has been wreaking havoc among businesses across the country. Belize Healthcare Partners Limited, we are told, is experiencing cash flow problems and this month a number of persons were sent home as part of a restructuring to cut back costs. The latest group of at least six employees was sent home today, […]
Oceana Belize’s two day conference under the theme Too Precious to Drill: The Marine Biodiversity of Belize wrapped up today. Twenty scientists shared their cumulative knowledge from years of research conducted in the country. The event wrapped up with an awards night. The awardees included Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Rene Montero received the […]
A new radio station began broadcasting today from Lord’s Bank on 106.3 FM. It’s called Mood FM and it is owned by a former Radio Belize DJ Kenneth Moody. Mood FM will be on air twenty-four hours a day pumping country music, R & B, soul, reggae, disco and hip hop tunes. News Five’s Andrea […]
Attorneys for the government are busy re-drafting legislation for the re-acquisition of the telephone company. It’s an astounding and contentious decision taken by Cabinet on Tuesday because only last Friday, the Court of Appeal declared that the 2009 acquisition is unconstitutional, null and void. And if all goes according to the government’s plan, the repossession […]
Immediately after the interview, the Prime Minister met with the staff of Belize Telemedia along with members of the Board at the Princess Hotel. The meeting lasted for close to two hours and from what we gather, the PM sold his case to the staff on the re-acquisition of one of the largest companies in […]
As you know by now, the Prime Minister says the government will re-nationalize Belize Telemedia on Monday. That’s because its re-nationalization in 2009 has been found by the Court of Appeal to be unconstitutional, null and void. The government has not given back the company to its owners saying the ruling was of a declaratory […]
The weeklong standoff between stevedores and the management of Port of Belize Ltd. ended this evening following a lengthy meeting mediated by Labor Commissioner Ivan Williams. While both parties are yet to begin negotiating the terms for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, they were able to make progress in the area of incorporating substitute stevedores […]
In this newscast from time to time, we have shared the story of the courageous Christopher Bowman. For fourteen years he battled a tumor on his chest that progressively spread to his side and back that paralyzed him. About a month and a half ago, he was optimistic with a round of surgery in the […]
The big story so far is now the renationalization of Telemedia. We have been getting the views from both sides and earlier you heard from Prime Minister Dean Barrow as well the former Minister, Hubert Elrington. Elrington was joined on the couch of Open your Eyes this morning by Attorney Arthur Saldivar, who zeroed in […]
While on the legalities, Hubert Elrington, referred to the current attorney general his former law partner B.Q. Pitts, who has not been heard from since the ruling of the Court of Appeal last Friday. He finds Pitts’ silence lacking. Hubert Elrington, Attorney “We have in Belize an attorney general. The attorney general is the head […]
According to Attorney Arthur Saldivar, there appears to be another flaw in the government’s plan to re-nationalize the company. In a quick history lesson, Saldivar explains BTL’s roots as well as why taking the company, which is private property, and selling the shares to private individuals, is not nationalization. Arthur Saldivar, Attorney “We remember that […]
Last week’s nationalization of B.E.L. is being closely monitored internationally. Standard and Poor’s was the first to send out distress signals threatening to lower Belize’s credit rating. Today, we came across a report from one of the largest global investment banking and securities firms, Nomura, which is also predicting ominous prospects for Belize. The article […]
Moses Sulph was fired earlier this year after his organization, the Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), staged a campout protest in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in the Capital. Amongst his supporters, the Public Service Union has called for his reinstatement. But that hasn’t happened, and his name has been smeared with […]
The crisis over Telemedia is far from over; in fact it will be long-drawn-out and is likely to create more instability and uncertainty in the telecoms sector at home; while abroad huge consequences for foreign investment are expected. On Monday night Prime Minister Dean Barrow took to the airwaves and gave a chilling address to […]
One organization that has come out against nationalization is the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For that position taken in respect of the acquisition of Belize Electricity Limited, it was subjected to political blows from the government. It is now on the side of the rule of law, following Friday’s decision of the Court […]
The opposition, People’s United Party, meanwhile, says that in the paramount national interest of Belize, it urges both sides to arrive at a reasonable settlement to this “crippling dispute and the endless series of lawsuits and countersuits with the utmost urgency.” According to the P.U.P. in a release, the spill-off of this on-going conflict over […]
The government has been reacting with different interpretations to the ruling that declared that the acquisition of Telemedia was unconstitutional. On Monday the Prime Minister told News Five that the ruling could mean that the owners of Telemedia are entitled to compensation, instead of getting back the company. But according to Executive Chairman, Dean Boyce’s […]
