Earlier this month, the Government of Belize agreed with its Mexican counterpart to close the old border crossing at Subteniente Lopez entering Chetumal. A new, larger crossing is open at Chactemal Bridge. However, the vendors who were sneaking over goods from the Commercial Free Zone are up in arms. That is tough luck for them, […]
The sugar crop season in the northern districts is close to wrapping up and there has been a distinct lack of news from the area, which for this important industry can be considered good news. In fact, reports are that the targets set for the year in terms of tons of cane brought in and […]
The prestigious Aquaculture Stewardship Council suspended certification of four Belizean shrimp farms in April. But the local Shrimp Farm Association claims that the farms – Paradise Shrimp Farm, Tex Mar Farm, Bel-Euro Aquaculture and Tropical Aquaculture Investment Farm, actually chose to opt out of the audit for the time being and that it does not […]
A few months ago, farmers in the Cayo and Orange Walk Districts had thousands of pounds of potatoes rotting in the fields. It was produce they were unable to sell because of competing imported Mexican and contraband potatoes. The Ministry of Agriculture stopped importation permits, but farmers still faced a glut of potatoes on the […]
Was Minister Hulse aware that prices for local bananas have gone up? Bananas are said to be sold at six for a dollar as opposed to eight. The answer is slightly complicated, but here is a basic primer: bananas are, on average, Belize’s third largest export after sugar and citrus in that order, and one […]
The Ministry of Agriculture has adopted the mantra of “Let’s Get Growing.” They are trying to revive a flagging export economy that has long been concentrated on raw material like sugar, citrus and bananas, and to a lesser extent, marine products and even petroleum. Belize has been exploring various options for markets for its products, […]
As children perform in dance, music and drama, female officers are taking part in the Belize Coast Guard’s second annual Wonder Woman Challenge, taking place at its headquarters on the George Price Highway. For two days, female officers of the Coastguard, Police and B.D.F. will be competing in several disciplines. Aside from encouraging sportsmanship, the […]
An anthology of intergenerational poems by two Belizean writers has been condensed into a book that was launched today at the Saint Catherine Academy Multipurpose Center. The Healing Circle, by teenager Azizi Hoy and seenager Myrna Manzanares, has caught the attention of the National Institute of Culture and History and the Ministry of Education because […]
The second annual C-Ray Cycling Club High School series held its finals today. One hundred and thirty students from ten high schools in the Belize District gathered at the Marion Jones Stadium for the final races in the male and female category, which kicked off at four this afternoon. Organizer Kaya Cattouse says the aim […]
For the first time, Belize is commemorating World E.M.S. Day. Emergency Medical Services is an integral part of health care continuum. We may never think of how important it is to have professional emergency medical technicians available until we or our loved ones require emergency care. In honor of E.M.S. week, Healthy Living features one […]
Today’s session of the senate special select committee was suspended at the eleventh hour. Ordinarily, all announcements pertaining to these matters are released through the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly. This morning, however, the decision to postpone the weekly hearing was made public via a series of text messages circulated to the […]
Following last Wednesday’s epic failure to remove the U.D.P. operatives from the gallery, Chairman Salazar went on record with a personal view that the inquiry should come to an end sooner than later. This was echoed by the Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber. That position has been met with reluctance from other members of the […]
While the outcome of last Wednesday’s meeting was unpredictable, security within the Assembly Building remains an important issue and if the chairman can maintain order during the proceedings. On one hand, senators participating in the inquiry have the absolute right to ask questions as they see fit. On the other, the sessions are completely open […]
This afternoon, the P.U.P. issued its own statement on what led to the request for a suspension. It says it is seriously concerned and appalled at the disingenuous actions of the Barrow administration to do anything possible to derail the Senate Hearings so that the truth about ministerial wrongdoings in the Immigration Department are not […]
We caught up with the United Democratic Party’s leader of Government Business in the Senate, Godwin Hulse, at another event today. Hulse is also a former chairman of a senate inquiry on the Social Security Board. That inquiry, however, was never interrupted. Hulse kept his comments about what transpired on May seventeenth limited. But he […]
“Yellow Man” Audinett’s role inside the House of Representatives may seem minor to some. But it is a solemn responsibility and his actions on May seventeenth have led to calls for his removal. Already, the press has requested that he be banned from future meetings of the Senate Special Select Committee after threatening a cameraman […]
The Opposition senators’ attempt to stand up for what happened to the press on May seventeenth, during an ordinary meeting of the Senate, did not get very far. On Friday, Senators Eamon Courtenay, Paul Thompson and temporary member Michel Chebat tried to get the Upper Chamber to universally condemn the actions of known supporters of […]
There is pressure building tonight for the removal of “Yellow Man” Audinett as Macebearer and Sergeant-At-Arms given his appalling behaviour last Wednesday, when he attacked members of the media within the confines of the National Assembly. The media has already sent a letter to the clerk of the National Assembly seeking to ban the macebearer […]
The decision-making body of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize met on Saturday at its headquarters here in Belize City. That meeting came hard on the heels of Public Service Union President Eldred Neal’s suspension from office for derogatory comments made against the Garifuna community. While the N.T.U.C.B. acknowledges the autonomy of the individual […]
According to Neal, the N.T.U.C.B. has commenced a process which will give all parties the opportunity to fully discuss the matter of race relations within the unions. Isani Cayetano “What can be done from the position of the N.T.U.C.B. in an instance like this, aside from giving them a platform to be able to […]
One more issue on the senate in tonight’s news…Senator Godwin Hulse will appear before the Senate Special Select Committee in the very near future. As Minister of Immigration and Nationality, he has direct charge over the Department that is being discussed at the inquiry. But he will sit in front of mostly junior colleagues in […]
The Belize Federation of Fishers and the Department of Fisheries are training fishermen for deep-sea fishing. The training is a part of a project being implemented over the last year that seeks to show the fishers the gears needed, as well as the practical skills to fish in deep waters. News Five’s Andrea Polanco was […]
The Museum of Belize under the National Institute of Culture and History culminated a two-day workshop entitled, Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Collections. Its objective is to empower collectors, custodians, and museum operators to be strategically prepared in the face of disaster, and to recover as quickly as possible, with minimal damage to collections. It […]
A few weeks ago, Quality Poultry Products of the Cayo District became the first company to certify to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points standard, securing a potential place in the regional market and boosting their brand’s reputation for safe, nutritious and tasty poultry. Today, northern competitors Caribbean Chicken did the same, completing an eleven-year […]
With gun violence significant low, police continue its program of community policing. Today, ACP Chester Williams was on the south side of Belize City, particularly the precinct one jurisdiction, meeting with residents to build rapport with them. Williams says the program has had success. ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South “Today we […]
