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The increments for public officers and teachers have been frozen since the COVID-19 pandemic began three years ago. Increments are governed by Public Service Regulations, and the joint unions’ negotiating team has been clamouring for their reinstatement. And with the budget presentation fast approaching, the unions are making their demands known. It is one of […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Will Increments of Public Officers Remain Frozen?
Those conditions include the need for a conversation on pension reform, an issue that P.S.U. President Dean Flowers says has been kicked down the road by multiple administrations. But, the unions agree it has to be addressed as it is unsustainable. A meeting is set for February fifteenth. So what is the new structure, and […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Pension Reform is Coming; G.O.B. & Union to Discuss
Will the February fifteenth meeting between negotiators from the government and the unions alter the union’s position? This morning on Open Your Eyes, the Union leaders were asked – what’s next? Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union “There is a lot that needs to be discussed with this administration and a lot that will […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on JUNT: What Happens Next for Negotiations?
On Friday, the Ministry of Education met with the leadership of the Belize National Teachers Union. This was to discuss a collective bargaining agreement that had not been settled for fourteen years. During that meeting, several issues, including proposal twenty-two, which looks at pensions for teachers were also addressed. But is there a resolution on […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on M.O.E. Meets with B.N.T.U.; Is a Resolution on the Horizon?
It’s been almost three years since the COVID-19 pandemic shattered the tourism industry. Thousands of people lost jobs, and some small properties had to close down. However, since the restrictions were lifted and the borders reopened, tourism stakeholders have been monitoring the recovery. Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations Anthony Mahler gave us a breakdown […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
Foreign Affairs,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Minister Mahler: 2023 Expected to be a Bumper Year for Tourism
As of December 2022, the statistical institute of Belize reported that consumer prices were up 6.7 percent overall. The breakdown released by the S.I.B. showed that prices for ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ saw an increase of 13.8 percent for December 2022, the highest on record for that category in fourteen years; furthermore, the ‘Food’ subcategory […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Inflation – Biggest Issue Facing the Agriculture Industry
The banana industry is also facing challenges. Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai confirmed that a disease has been affecting the production of the plants, hampering their exportation. That is compounded by the high cost of fertilizers used during production. He says production is expected to reduce between six hundred thousand and a million boxes. A […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Agriculture,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on No Shortage, but Accessing Bananas is Expensive
Two weeks ago, a concerned father sent an email to the media with a list of documents and timelines of a disturbing report of predatory behaviour by a teacher at Canaan Seven Day Adventist High School; and what he saw as the inefficiencies in the school’s management to adequately remedy the situation. The story has […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Education,
People & Places |
Comments Off on A Restructuring of Process for Allegations of Inappropriate Behaviour of Teachers
Retired Major Herman Gilbert Swazo is the new Ombudsman. The former Ports Commissioner was appointed as Ombudsman in December of 2022 to succeed Lionel Arzu, who held the post for eight years, from 2013 to 2021. Swazo was officially sworn in on Friday for three years, effective January first, 2023.
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on Retired Major Gilbert Swazo Sworn in as New Ombudsman
What do you serve the Cuban President and his delegation on an official state visit to Belize? Well, the government turned to Chefs Sean Kuylen and Einer Marin for a Belizean inspired cuisine to excite the palate of the Cuban President and his delegation, Belizean parliamentarians and other all invited guests. News Five was able […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on What’s on the Menu for Cuban Presidential Visit?
On Saturday, the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations officially launched the Reef Recording Studio as a space for Belizean artists to record their songs and improve their craft. The creation of the recording studio was made possible through a partnership between several ministries and the Inter-American Development Bank. News Five’s Duane Moody reports on […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Art & Culture,
Entertainment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Tourism Ministry Launches Music Studio for Access by Belizean Artists
Cyclist Marlon Castillo continues to recover from an unfortunate mishap at his butchery that caused him to lose his right hand. And tonight, his family is making a public appeal for support to purchase a bionic arm for Castillo. They have established a Go Fund Me Page with the title, Marlon ‘The Diesel’ Castillo, to […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Marlon ‘The Diesel’ Castillo Go Fund Me Page to Assist With Medical Needs
A man lost his life in a traffic accident early this morning on the Philip Goldson Highway. Beside him, police found a mangled motorcycle that the victim was driving. Police believe he may have died on impact. A.S.P. Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department “Police responded to reports of a lifeless body between […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Auto Accidents,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Man Dies in Fatal Road Accident
Goodnight, and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday; I am your host Paul Lopez. Here’s wishing you a great start to the week. It was an exciting weekend in sports for Belize, locally and internationally. Let us kick off tonight’s sports coverage right here at home where the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association’s […]
Written on February 13, 2023 | Posted in
Environment,
People & Places,
Sports |
Comments Off on Excelsior High School Football Drought Ends After Two Decades; Belizean Karate Athletes Shine in Costa Rica
His Excellency Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party and President of the Republic of Cuba will arrive in Belize on Sunday, February 12th. The President will arrive on Sunday morning for a one-day visit and participate in bilateral meetings, sign agreements with the Belize government, and participate in a special […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
Foreign Affairs,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Foreign Minister Takes Jab at Leader of the Opposition
Not all U.D.P. party members agree with the Opposition Leaders’ position on the Cuban President’s visit. This morning, Hugo Patt, the Area Representative for Corozal North, took to social media to express support for the Cuban President and the Republic’s strong ties with Belize. Patt told us that he and many of his colleagues within […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Majority U.D.P. Supports Visit of Cuban President, Says Hugo Patt
As for the details of the official visit…Although President Miguel Diaz-Canel will only be in the country for a few hours, the bilateral signals a commitment to cooperation between Belize and Cuba. Minister Courtenay outlines what will take place on Sunday and the significance of the relationship between both countries. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Foreign Minister Breaks Down Official Visit by Cuban Prez
In a one-on-one interview with Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Courtenay, News Five asked about the concerns that the Opposition and some Belizeans have expressed about former Guantanamo Bay detainee Majid Khan. Khan had served twenty years in detention after pleading guilty to his involvement in terrorist activities. Belize’s decision to accept the U.S. Government’s […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
Foreign Affairs,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Foreign Minister on Khan; Belize Rejected 2 Other Requests
Over the weekend, reports surfaced once again of Haitian nationals arriving at the Philip Goldson International Airport. And while a visit to Belize doesn’t always warrant news attention. It is when there is an allegation of extortion by immigration officers. Information shared with News Five is that inside the passports were monies in exchange for […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
Foreign Affairs,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Investigation into Allegations Involving Haitians/Immigration Officers at P.G.I.A.
A Lord’s Bank Village resident was chopped to death on Old Well Road in that community just after midnight this morning. Twenty-eight-year-old Alburn Rivero’s body was found in some bushes on the road, about a quarter mile from the Phillip Goldson Highway. A purple and brown beach cruiser bicycle was near the body. Darlene Fuller, Rivero’s […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Lord’s Bank Resident Found Hacked to Death on Old Well Road
Corporal Elmer Nah was back in court along with his wife and brother-in-law, and they all will have a case to answer to for two counts of kept unlicensed ammunition for one hundred and thirty-nine live rounds of ammunition. Senior Magistrate Baja Shoman today read Nah four more new charges, one for the murder of […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places,
Trials |
Comments Off on Elmer Nah Read Charge For Vivian Ramnarace Murder
The father of an aggrieved former Canaan Seventh Day High School student who claims one of the teachers at the high school had sent her indecent messages has met with officials of the Ministry of Education. The father informed News Five today that he met on Thursday with the ministry officials to discuss the allegation […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Father of Former Canaan High School Student Responds to B.N.T.U. Release; Meets with M.O.E. Officials
An eight million U.S. dollar trade and investment loan from the International Development Bank was brought to the Senate for debate today. As was mentioned during our coverage of last week’s House meeting, the government is seeking the ratification of the loan motion to develop a single investment window in Belize. As the Opposition did […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Senate Debates $8 Million U.S Loan
Senator for the Government, Christopher Coye, addressed recent criticisms about governments’ borrowing habits. It’s been a recurring theme in the national assembly, public debt, and loan motions. Opposition parties usually criticize the government of the day for raising the country’s debt. In today’s Senate meeting, Senator Coye sought to defend his government’s performance where domestic […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Coye Lays Out Central Bank Facts on Borrowing
Belize is highly susceptible to the disproportionate effects of climate change. It is scored as number eight, by the World Bank, in terms of vulnerability to climate change. C.E.O. in the Ministry of Economic Development, Doctor Osmond Martinez, describes the villagers of Monkey River are the first refugees of climate change. The Belize Green Climate […]
Written on February 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Belize Launches Its Green Climate Fund Country Program
