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It has become a common scene: union members in their tee shirts protesting in Belmopan when there is a House Meeting. But things got a little tense this morning as people had to be removed from directly in front of the National Assembly by law enforcement. News Five’s Andrea Polanco was there. Andrea Polanco, […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.N.T.U. Protests in Front of National Assembly
As you saw in our story on the teachers protest this morning, police removed them from in front of the National Assembly where they went beyond the barriers. The issues were that the teachers were not social distancing and they were blaring bullhorns and didn’t stay beyond the barriers, but also they didn’t have a […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on ComPol Weighs In on Unions’ Protest
While teachers were outside demonstrating on Independence Hill, Prime Minister Briceño introduced a motion that, when passed, will see the reduction of their monthly salaries by ten percent. It will also have a similar effect on the salaries of public officers, including those that come under the Security Services Commission, as well as the Judicial […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on First Reading to Introduce 10% Salary Cut
Things got heated in the House this afternoon when Opposition Leader Patrick Faber defiantly made his point about a debate on a motion being closed before other parliamentarians had a chance to participate. It happened when Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson stood up to close a debate even after members on government’s side […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Heated Exchange; Faber Stands Up, So Does House Speaker
As previously reported, Belize was unable to meet its “superbond” payment last Thursday, resulting in a default on its commitment to bondholders. During today’s house meeting, Prime Minister John Briceño provided an update on the situation and also reiterated that Belize will not be subscribing to an IMF standby program, notwithstanding its economic constraints. […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on To Reiterate, No IMF Standby Program for Belize
Governor General Froyla Tzalam was installed as the titular head of state on Thursday, but she will not be taking up residence at the Belize House any time soon. That’s because the property in Belmopan is dilapidated and is in dire need of structural repair. Earlier this week, word of the GG’s new abode began […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on PM Says GG’s House is Dilapidated
The monthly meeting of the Mayors Association was held today at Mahogany Bay in San Pedro Town. During this session, the municipal leaders signed off on a sister city document with the intent to share best practices with tax and licensing reform, urban expansion and development among others. News Five spoke today with Mayors Sharon […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sister City Relations Forged between Local Municipalities
This week, bomb threats were called in to two government offices, forcing the workers out into the streets and delaying the provision of services to members of the public for several hours. Well today, police say they have linked a phone number to one of those threats. But the Commissioner says at this point they […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Phone Number for Bomb Threat Has Been Identified
Kim Martinez, a resident of Corozal Town, has been missing for the past six weeks. ComPol Williams says police have viewed a disturbing video taken just days before she disappeared and detained her common law husband for questioning, but he was released. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “I know the report has been made […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Six Weeks and No Sign of Kim Martinez: Family Offering Reward
As you heard earlier in our newscast, the unions have prepared their response to G.O.B.’s proposal. The document outlines the unions’ position on the good governance and other measures put forth on May twelfth and has harsh words for the Prime Minister. The three-page document criticizes the P.M.’s decision to end the “consultations” abruptly without […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Unions Reject G.O.B.’s Compensation Proposals
Unicomer Belize is opening a Courts Optical Branch in Orange Walk Town. The grand opening will be held on Monday. Managing Director at Unicomer, Javier Ponce spoke to News Five about the special deals Belizeans can expect at this grand opening. Javier Ponce, Managing Director, UNICOMER “We are really excited to be going through […]
Written on May 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Orange Walk Has a New Option for Optical Services
Today, a new chapter in Belizean history is being written as an indigenous woman takes on the role of Governor General. Froyla T’zalam, an educator and Mopan Maya originally from San Antonio Village in Toledo, gave an inspiring speech during the event live streamed to Belizeans at home and abroad. News Five’s Duane Moody attended […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Froyla T’zalam Installed as Governor General
As the officially ceremony was being streamed live, social media was abuzz with congratulatory messages for the new Governor General. Froyla T’zalam is the first indigenous woman of Maya descent to be named governor general in the Commonwealth. In her message to the new G.G., Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland spoke of T’zalam role […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Congratulatory Outpouring for GG Froyla T’zalam
Earlier this week, word got around that a number of bus runs issued to operators who were deemed to be supporters of the previous administration had been canceled. Instead, it was alleged, those runs had been given to adherents of the People’s United Party. According to Minister of Transport, Rodwell Ferguson, those claims are fake […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Rado Says Canceled Bus Runs is All Fake News
While the existing bus runs remain intact, contracts for the transportation of students to and from school at the start of the new academic year will go to supporters of the P.U.P. Ferguson confirmed that this morning when he told reporters that a change of government brings with it a change in transportation providers in […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on New Government, New Bus Contracts
While with the Health and Wellness Minister, we also asked about his driver Hamid Awe, who over the weekend was captured on amateur video in a confrontation with police officers. Awe was not wearing a mask and was recorded threatening the officers with a call to his boss, Minister Chebat. Today, Chebat confirmed to News […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Hamid Awe Has Been Terminated
The Public Service Union is hosting its annual general meeting this weekend during which a new executive will be elected. Offering himself for leadership is First Vice President Dean Flowers. He has been at the forefront of the trade dispute between the unions and government and plans to succeed outgoing president Gerald Henry on the […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Dean Flowers to Run for P.S.U. President
As far as the unions’ response to the prime minister’s last offer, the P.S.U.’s vice president says that a response should be put forward by Friday. Flowers also spoke on the docking of salaries for public officers who continue to strike against government beyond May fourteenth. Dean Flowers, 1st Vice President, P.S.U. “We haven’t […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Presidential Candidate Speaks on Docking of Pay for Public Officers
A letter written to the executive of the Public Service Union in November 2020 went into circulation earlier today, purportedly to malign the leadership of the union’s Belize City Branch. The letter follows a financial report put together by a former treasurer of the P.S.U. According to Dean Flowers, the letter, as well as the […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on False Report Aims at Disparaging Union Chair
The first Belizean to be elected to the Commonwealth Youth Council is a twenty-four-year-old young woman from south side Belize City. This week, C.Y.C. announced that Dominique Noralez was elected as the regional representative for the Caribbean and Americas. The Commonwealth Heads of Government recognizes C.Y.C. as the official voice for over one billion young […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on First Belizean Elected to Commonwealth Youth Council
Immediately following the official ceremony for the installation of Froyla T’zalam as the new Governor General of Belize this morning, a reception was held at the House of Culture. The event boasted flavourful dishes – all Maya inspired – with a unique twist from renowned chef Sean Kuylen. Duane Moody, Reporting It was a […]
Written on May 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Traditional Mayan Food with a Twist
Premium, regular and diesel gasoline remain the most sought after commodities tonight, amid a shortage of fuel that has been affecting consumers since Tuesday. An expected shipment of fuel was delayed at the port, but a fleet of tankers did cross the western border today with petrol that should hold us over. Today, News Five’s […]
Written on May 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on More Gas Problems for Motorists
Services were interrupted for about four hours today at the Belize Tax Service and Treasury Departments following separate bomb threats being made in Belize City this morning. News Five’s Duane Moody was on the ground and files this report. Duane Moody, Reporting As the work day began at the Treasury Department on Coney Drive […]
Written on May 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Bomb Threat at Government Offices in the City
On social media, many inferred that the simultaneous bomb threats at the government departments may have been part of the strike action by the unions who remain at an impasse with the government. While this cannot be confirmed or countenanced, News Five did ask Belize Tax Service Director General Michelle Longsworth for a comment. Here’s […]
Written on May 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Were Bomb Threats Part of Union Strike Action?
As you heard earlier, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams along with C.Y.D.P. Director Abdul Nunez and others participated in a mediation exercise with purported gang members in an effort to quell the gun violence of the past three weeks. Caught up in the group of alleged criminal actors was Eston Young, a resident of Majestic […]
Written on May 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Eston Young Claims Police Profiling
