2017 has been a case of the chickens coming home to roost for the Barrow government in two particular cases. In the span of two weeks in November, the Caribbean Court of Justice delivered two separate but damaging blows to the government in the matter of the settlement of Belize Telemedia Limited and Belize Bank […]
The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage is leading the congratulations for the National Assembly, whose members have adopted the Petroleum Operations (Maritime Zone Moratorium) Bill 2017. It now goes to the Governor General for his consent. But among all the plaudits are two outstanding concerns. One is how would the legislature handle a […]
As noted on Wednesday, both Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte and Leader of Government Business and former Natural Resources Minister Godwin Hulse indicate that no offshore oil licenses exist, and the government has no plans, according to Hulse and current minister Carla Barnett, to issue any. The Coalition’s press release indicates some confusion, therefore, about why […]
HelpAge Belize, in partnership with B.E.L., recognized eighty-nine-year-old Gwendolyn Sanchez of Benbow Street with the first ever “Caregiver Achievement Award.” The senior citizen and her husband raised her children, including two with special needs, for decades. The Help Age says that many of these caregivers go unnoticed and at times unsupported, as they take on […]
The Belize City Council was out and about the City spreading some more Christmas cheer. The twelve days of Christmas continued at Saint John Vianney Primary School. The Public Relations Unit of the City Council went over to hand out gifts and goody bags. City Councilor Hyacinth Latchman-Cuellar tells us more about today’s initiative and […]
No one wants to be sick during the holidays. Unfortunately, influenzas and stomach viruses are especially typical around this time of year. Tonight in Healthy Living, we look at why this is so and also what you can do to prevent it. Marleni Cuellar, Reporting If you’re a parent or teacher, you’ve probably noticed […]
There are serious questions being asked tonight about a deadly explosion which caused the loss of one life, injured many others and left properties extensively damaged. A dynamite was exploded at a quarry in Santa Elena in the proximity of a residential area, killing Canadian consultant Ronald Sutherland. According to preliminary reports, a heavier load […]
While Belize Roadway Construction is not accepting liability for damages caused by the explosion, the company is reaching out to residents of the Santa Cruz community in an effort to mitigate the financial impact of the tragedy. Through the services of attorney Rachel Juan, victims of the massive blast are being asked to assess damages […]
The Senate met for its final session for 2017 this morning in Belmopan. On the agenda were four bills and two motions brought from the House of Representatives along with a few ratifications of international treaty commitments. But the big story coming out of the Upper Chamber tonight is the Opposition People’s United Party’s attempt […]
From the inception of its plan to present the Bill, the P.U.P. went on the move to lobby the social partner senators, who often prove to be the deciding factor in legislative passage in the Senate as opposed to the House. And while Senators Mark Lizarraga, Elena Smith and Osmany Salas spoke in favor of […]
After the Senate meeting, a disappointed Eamon Courtenay lamented the chance wasted by what he called ‘petty politics.’ Meanwhile, Michael Peyrefitte expanded on the suggested ‘incompetence’ of his former House colleagues, while also clarifying remarks he made in the meeting, but what he called ‘off-record.’ During the debate he seemed to suggest sotto voce that […]
A new state of the art Civic Center on Central American Boulevard was opened today for the first tour by the public. The impressive facility is said to cost the government thirty-three million dollars, complete with a FIBA certified basketball court. But with all the trappings there is one thing lacking. How will it be […]
Has the time come for repayment of ninety million-plus Belize dollars to the Belize Bank Limited in respect of the Government’s sovereign guarantee of a defaulted loan by Universal Health Services Limited? Under the Interpretation Act, the twenty-one day limit before the Bank applies for certificate to enforce the judgment expires today, Wednesday. The Bank, […]
The House of Representatives is on recess as of Friday, so even if the certificate is obtained in the coming days, its enforcement cannot be pursued until the House next meets, likely in special session. In the Senate, the Chamber of Commerce came under attack from one of its own, Senator Aldo Salazar, for its […]
There will be a Commission of Inquiry into the Universal Health Services fiasco, as agreed between the National Trade Union Congress of Belize’s executive and Prime Minister Dean Barrow during a meeting in Belize City. According to an N.T.U.C.B. press release, the Commission will cover, (Quote) “all the transactions and circumstances of the acquisition of […]
Godwin Arzu has been in the role of Contractor General since 2009 and his current two-year term expires at the end of 2017. The government has been seeking to renew his term for another two years, but the Opposition has raised objection. While the motion was passed in the House despite the intervention of Lake […]
There was rare bipartisan agreement on the Petroleum Operations (Maritime Zone Moratorium) Bill, 2017, which establishes a moratorium on exploration, exploitation and other operations within the Belize Barrier Reef system, including those sections of the World Heritage Site. Several Senators agreed that today was a moment of celebration and recognition of those Belizeans who fought […]
San Ignacio and Santa Elena Towns have a brand new town hall. The one point seven million dollar spanking new building was inaugurated today and replaces the old town hall that had fallen to ruins and caused the town council to relocate to a temporary office space. The grand, multi-level building boasts elevators and spacious […]
Some needy families were all smiles today in anticipation of the Christmas holidays. Inside a Jingle Box, the families found an assortment of groceries that will make their Christmas happier. Bowen and Bowen partnered with World Pediatric Project for the gifting of the hampers. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports. Isani Cayetano, Reporting The spirit […]
Still looking for a Christmas gift for your children? Why not give the gift of reading and contribute to a good cause by gifting a copy of “Story Time”?The National Council on Ageing launched the brand new Belizean storybook today. The publication aims to bring older and younger persons together, as well as to raise […]
The Youth Apprenticeship Program held another graduation today where more than thirty apprentices of the tenth intake graduated. According to the coordinators of the program, over one hundred of the graduates have gone on to find full-time employment and pursue formal academic studies. It started back in 2010 and targets at risk youths preparing them […]
There were two explosions today in Belize City and in the Cayo District. We go first to Santa Elena where this afternoon dynamites were set off to break a boulder of rocks at a quarry. Word to News Five is that up to fifteen houses were damaged in proximity of the blast, but there is […]
In the city…a fire, this morning at an apartment complex on Iguana Street gave way to an explosion that rocked the community. As a loud bang was heard and plumes of smoke were seen, neighbors rushed out of their homes and unto the street. A family of five had completed their routine morning devotion when […]
Belize Electricity Limited has managed to keep electricity rates steady for the past few years, and consumers can go into 2018 expecting no changes in the base cost of electricity. The company made its bi-annual submission to the Public Utilities Commission as part of the annual tariff review on Friday. It asked to keep the […]
The new Civic Center on Central American Boulevard is scheduled to be launched this Wednesday, two years and three months after the old facility was broken down to make way for the new state-of-the-art facility. The government says that the price tag is thirty-two million dollars, but in other sectors, it is said that that […]
