The other major issue debated by the House today is a motion to approve a Taiwan ICDF loan to Belize Telemedia Limited for its Internet program. That loan is to cover ninety-six million dollars for a national broadband program which has already been rolled out to San Pedro. But the primary objection by the Opposition […]
In reply, with assistance from Mesopotamia representative Michael Finnegan, Prime Minister Dean Barrow attempted to show how circumstances have changed. As the P.M. said, B.T.L. is majority-owned by the government and the Social Security Board, and it is a public service. He also noted that such government guarantees are par for the course, and suggested […]
Five days into the New Year, there’s news that consumers don’t want to hear. Fuel prices are going up at midnight so hurry up to the gas station. Today, the Belize Bureau of Standards posted on its website that there will be an increase on all types of fuel, except for regular gasoline, which will […]
The Police Department is under severe pressure in the investigation of one of its own, Woman Police Constable Michelle Brown for the murder of Fareed Ahmad on December twenty-eighth. In a release issued this evening, police say that their investigation, “has unearthed no evidence that [Ahmad’s] death was a “state- ordered” execution… The Commissioner of […]
Minister Wilfred Elrington has also weighed in on the Fareed Ahmad homicide investigation. He reiterates what the lead investigator for the Professional Standards Branch indicated on Tuesday, that there is no evidence to suggest that other police officers were involved in the Ahmad’s murder. As for the troubling messages that were allegedly sent to members […]
The ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court on Monday will possibly buy Andrew Bennett additional time to lawyer up and prepare a defense ahead of extradition proceedings. That is if Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington endorses paperwork compiled by the Attorney General’s office on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Bennett is wanted by U.S. authorities […]
The Public Utilities Commission today issued a paid statement opposing news reports this week on the ongoing audit of its finances. But Prime Minister Dean Barrow as Minister of Finance is aware of the allegations being made against the Commission and spoke of what he knew today. While he is yet to see a completed […]
Heavyweight boxer Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller is on a rise to the top of boxing with his name used in the same sentence as some of the greats in the past. Maybe you’ve seen one or two fights with him in recent years, but what you may not know is that he is a Belizean-American. […]
Like many who have made resolutions to lose weight this year, some couples are planning to welcome a new baby in 2018. The health of the mother is important even before pregnancy and expecting mothers are encouraged to make early bookings to ensure a healthy baby. News Five’s Duane Moody heads over to NHI on […]
On Wednesday, we reported on questionable transactions queried by certified public accountant and auditor Cedric Flowers in respect of the 2016-2017 audit of the Public Utilities Commission. He questioned among other things excessive spending on salary and payments to Commission members totaling four point five million dollars. There were also unauthorized purchases on the Commission’s […]
The Office of the Attorney General has completed the requisite paperwork and is awaiting Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington’s signature before proceeding with the extradition request for attorney Andrew Bennett, who is wanted for extradition to the United States on money laundering charges. His freedom, however, may be cut short in the days to come as […]
Tonight there is more from the family of Fareed Ahmad, whose claiming that despite Fareed’s murder, they continue to be under surveillance. As we reported on Wednesday night, the family claims it was in possession of threatening text messages, which they have already showed the police. News Five has seen text messages said to have […]
Friday morning’s meeting of the House of Representatives is a special session. It is expected to be closely followed as the motion for payment of more than ninety million dollars in principal and interest owed to the Belize Bank is debated. The Bank made a loan to the then-Universal Health Services’ principals in 2004 as […]
A fun trip to the Sarstoon River for members of a youth basketball team from Southside Belize City this morning threatened to become an international incident when members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces intervened to stop Wil Maheia’s Belize Territorial Volunteers’ boat crew from going around the Sarstoon Island, which both countries claim. The soldiers […]
An eleven-year-old student from Trial Farm Government School in Orange Walk is tonight recovering at the K.H.M.H. following a near fatal blow to the head at the hand of another resident in that northern village. On New Year’s night, Jahmar Ferguson was walking with his brother and cousins in the village when two persons rode […]
According to the family, it was not until today, when Ferguson regained consciousness that a statement was taken by investigators, even though there were witnesses to the incident. But the family is even more concerned since Jahmar may not be able to walk. Sasha Thomas, Aunt of Victim “I just want justice for my […]
In part two of our series on community policing in U.S. Cities, we take you to Boston, Massachusetts where News Five joined a team of journalists from Central America on the U.S. State Department sponsored reporting tour. The journalists went into communities of Latin American and Caribbean nationals to find out how crime and other […]
Michael Juan, chairman of Unitedville Village in the Cayo District, is in a pickle tonight. One of his villagers has complained that his land appears to be unfairly being taken away from him and squatted on while he is in the process of securing it at the Lands Department. Omar Cruz was surprised to find […]
The holiday season was probably a period when many eat too much or drank more than the usual. So shedding those extra pounds to get back in shape is a priority at the start of the New Year. Eating healthy is as important as exercising. So if you’re looking for a way to burn those […]
Tonight, there is information that tells a tale of obscene spending at the Public Utilities Commission. News Five has obtained a copy of an audited report done by certified public accountant Cedric Flowers for the year ending March thirty-first, 2017. In a letter dated August eleventh, 2017, he addresses P.U.C. chairman John Avery on several […]
Now to the vigil which is underway on Euphrates Avenue in honor of Fareed. The late-evening peace march is organized by family and friends of the Muslim brother who was shot and killed inside his vehicle in Hattieville on December twenty-seventh. Dozens of customers, friends and family members descended on King Street for the short […]
Is 2017 the deadliest year ever? The official count for homicides stood at one hundred and forty-four when 2017 came to an end. But there are three cases involving four persons for which the results of DNA are still pending. If confirmed, this would bring the total number of murders up to a staggering one […]
The tradition of the New Year’s Address is fairly recent. It gives the government an opportunity to boast about accomplishments, to replenish national resolve, or to announce new strategies and ideals. For the Opposition, it’s a chance to present their alternative view and make a case for a change in leadership or strategy. Prime Minister […]
Could Belize lose Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin later this year? It depends on happenings in his native Guyana, where today President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo met to discuss the posts of Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. Benjamin has officially been recommended for the former post, which is described as […]
Over the years, we’ve reported the Belize Department’s community policing initiatives. Locally, a number of programs are used to combat crime – but it is no secret that this softer side to policing is not fully embraced by all rank and file of the department. While a full report to show its impact is not […]
