Why would Government turn down a debt-for-nature swap programme? That is the hundred million dollar question tonight. Documents have surfaced showing that The Nature Conservancy approached Government about seven years ago with a proposal that would see funders buy out around one hundred million U.S. dollars worth of Belize’s superbond debt. The proceeds would have […]
The official handing over of a brand new fleet of vehicles for use by the police department took place today. On hand at the ITVET was the U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno whose government invested over one point six million Belize dollars to acquire the vehicles under the CARSI initiative. The Isuzu pickup trucks will be […]
While we’re on the subject of police vehicles, amateur footage of a pickup truck assigned to Eastern Division South has gone viral after it was posted on the internet a few days ago. The video shows the vehicle lodged in ditch in the Saint Martin’s area and an occupant exits shortly thereafter with what appears […]
Since the beginning of the year, a number of police officers have died of natural causes and concerns are being raised about the physical wellbeing of the men and women of law enforcement. While they all participate in a program that ensures the financial security of their loved ones in the event of tragedy, ComPol […]
The Belize Tourism Industry Association was established thirty-one years ago to represent the sector’s developers and service providers. It has presided over the explosion of the tourism industry into Belize’s leading industry, providing jobs to at least a quarter of the population and bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign exchange. But even […]
‘How di Krismus di come?’ It’s a favourite question of the press at this time of the year for consumers darting in and out of the shops looking for top deals. But if you ask the shopkeepers themselves, they’ll tell you it has been a rough 2016, and they hold little hope for what is […]
With the Senate assenting to Belize’s accession to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) on Wednesday, nothing stands in the way of Prime Minister Dean Barrow signing on December ninth. The anti-corruption fight is one happily taken on the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bolstered by the eleven-day teachers’ strike in October. But […]
The Burn Victims Mercy Fund has been operating for years now, but not much is known about how the funds are generated to assist victims in times of desperate need. The organization recently supported two minors, who were severely injured in an arson on Aloe Vera Street and had to be flown to Shriners Hospital […]
The number of new cases of persons affected with HIV annually has been on a steady downward trend according to the National Aids Commission. Today, that good news was celebrated with more awareness activities to commemorate World AIDS Day. Around the country, persons were encouraged to get tested and know their status. News Five’s Duane […]
The memorial to late President of the Cuban Republic, Fidel Castro, with the attendance of world leaders took place on Tuesday night in Havana. Today, Castro’s remains arrived in the Province of Matanzas as Cubans lined up the route as the cortege makes its way to Santiago. On Wednesday, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator […]
Norwegian Cruise Line has come under fire from local tour operators for diverting newer cruise ships south to their brand-new exclusive property at Harvest Caye in the Stann Creek District. Operators, particularly those from the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize (FECTAB), have complained of up to seventy-five percent in lost earnings from bookings […]
For the past two days, the competitive spirit among Coastguard officers has been in high levels at their headquarters on the George Price Highway. About fifty officers are participating in six obstacle courses in the annual Best Warrior Competition. On Friday, the officers will compete in the most difficult challenges and the winning team not […]
You saw earlier in this newscast the commemoration of World Aids Day in Belize. That story and the many others we’ve put together for this health segment have provided you information as to why you should know your status. In fact, the advertisements, billboards, brochures…they all tell you to not only know your status but […]
The Senate met for its latest session today at the National Assembly in Belmopan with a full agenda. Thirteen motions were tabled for debate and consideration, of which ten were particularly significant. The Upper House was asked to ratify both the original Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, formalizing the process of potentially resolving the […]
Senator Courtenay went on to attack what he called “salami sausage diplomacy” – the piecemeal offerings by the Government on the Guatemala issue, starting with the ratification of the Special Agreement and Protocol and moving on to the Referendum Act. Courtenay also bruited the possibility of Constitutional amendments and amendments to the Maritime Areas Act, […]
The Integrity Commission was finally named today. The names of Marilyn Williams for Chairman; Armead Gabourel; Lisbeth Delgado; Wilmot Simmons; Nestor Vasquez; Melissa Balderamos Mahler and Claudet Grinage have been submitted to participate in the Commission for a period of two years from December first, 2016. Quite a few of the names are well known […]
New chair Marilyn Williams is being appointed in her capacity as an attorney, as provided for by law, while Nestor Vasquez is being appointed in his capacity as an accountant by trade. But that latter appointment had most of the upper chamber agog. In addition to his many conflicts of interest, the Prime Minister, with […]
Also debated before the Senate today is the resolution authorizing the accession by Belize to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Belize is nine days away from the formal ratification of the UNCAC, but the last major hurdle is confirmation by the Senate. While the Government of Belize has indicated that it was disposed […]
A working group has been established to smooth the path to ratification. That group has planned a number of events leading up to the actual signing of the Convention on December ninth at the Prime Minister’s Belize City office. It features membership from Government and the Private Sector, but not the Opposition, which lead Senator, […]
Figures were released today by the Statistical Institute of Belize that confirm a gloomy economy picture in this fashion: exports are down, prices are up and thousands have joined the unemployment lines. According to SIB, for the third quarter of 2016, production by the main industries declined by more than twenty percent. News Five’s Isani […]
The Government of Belize wrote letters on thirty-first October, 2016 demanding from the son of former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands Gaspar Vega and attorney Sharon Pitts, the repayment of the sum of four hundred thousand dollars which was paid to each of them. These were “compensations” for land that was sold to […]
There is a new chief at the Belize Met Service. You’ve heard and seen her on the news before. Catherine Cumberbatch who has had thirty years at the Met Service and served as Deputy Chief Meteorologist has now moved up to the chief’s seat. Cumberbatch takes up the position that is left vacant after Dennis […]
A busy December in the Legislature is being planned, with a House and Senate meeting scheduled around two meetings of the Special Senate Select Committee on Immigration, all in the first fifteen days of the month before the Christmas break. Clerk of the National Assembly Eddie Webster informs that on December seventh, the Committee hosts […]
On the day that marks the end of the Hurricane Season, Crooked Tree Village was gifted with a million dollar disaster shelter. It is a fittingly appropriate gift to the people of Crooked Tree – after all, their village is always affected by hurricanes and flooding when it passes over that part of the country. […]
It’s the thirtieth of November and it is a day when a lot of people let out a sigh of relief- particularly those who live in low lying areas and along the coast. It is the end of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season- one that has been above normal and went as predicted. Belize didn’t […]
