If calls to the morning talk shows are any indication, there is still a fair amount of confusion over exactly what rates Belizeans will now pay for telecommunication services. After talking to sources in both B.T.L. and the government, we can safely report the following: All telephone usage in January will now be billed at […]
The statistics may not be as closely followed as those on AIDS, but that doesn’t mean domestic violence is not occurring all around us. The latest numbers indicate the disturbing practice is actually on the increase nation-wide, with the highest number of incidents being reported in the Belize District. Within that context, the Human Rights […]
He was a link to a time in Belize’s history when mahogany was king, chicle was queen and the power of a boat on the Belize River was measured, not by the size of its outboard engine, but by the strength of a man’s arms. By that measure– and many others– Thomas Green was a […]
Tonight, the Government of Belize is claiming victory after the Supreme Court ruled in its favour in the ongoing B.T.L. saga. Late Friday night in a surprise move, G.O.B.’s lawyers: Denys Barrow, Eamon Courtenay and Elson Kaseke, informed Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh that the stop order had been incorporated into a statutory instrument and would […]
It is hard to have sympathy for a billionaire…and following his first ever meeting with Belize’s press corps, it is doubtful that many journalists have suddenly become converts to Michael Ashcroft’s cause. However, what did emerge from the forty-five minute chat held today at B.T.L. headquarters, was that while Ashcroft may have been out-lawyered in […]
While some may argue that the best way to deal with criminals is to lock them up and throw away the key, others will tell you that there’s always hope for the convicted. Today, the Department of Corrections took special interest in a place that has brought comfort to more than one inmate. News 5’s […]
Tonight lawyers for the Belize Telecommunications Limited are still at the Supreme Court fighting for the suspension of a government imposed stop order. Late this afternoon, attorney for B.T.L., Lois Young Barrow filed an application before Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh asking that the stop order, slated to take effect tomorrow, be deferred until a later […]
It seems logical enough…don’t pay me, I won’t work. Well that’s just what employees of the Belize Water Services Limited did this morning, after they didn’t get paid on Thursday. B.W.S.L. field crews congested the parking lot of the corporate headquarters with their vehicles as part of a go-slow designed to send a message to […]
A bunch of lawyers in a room might make most people nervous, but we are assured this time that’s not the case. Earlier today, the Council for Legal Education, which provides professional training for people wishing to qualify as lawyers throughout the region, held it’s executive meeting at the Radisson. Dennis Morrison who has served […]
Every year too many Belizeans die in totally unnecessary traffic accidents. Whether it’s our refusal to adhere to the laws or a lack of enforcement, with the public’s safety in mind the Belize City Council has resurrected a law that might just save a few lives. Janelle Chanona reports. Janelle Chanona, Reporting In a matter […]
Meanwhile, police do not suspect foul play in the sudden death of a B.D.F. solider. Police say on Wednesday morning, twenty-eight year old Corporal Michael Loredo was with another solider on Mahogany Street when he collapsed, landing face first in a pool of water. The solider rushed to render assistance and managed to stop a […]
Tower Hill is not the only bridge in the news today. This morning in Belmopan Prime Minister Said Musa and representatives of the European Union signed an agreement under which the E.U. will contribute over three point five million Belize dollars toward the construction of a new bridge over the Sibun River. The new two […]
With hot button issues like the impeachment of a Supreme Court Justice and the imposition of burdensome new telephone rates dominating the nightly news, the perennial headline grabber–Guatemala’s claim to Belize–has virtually disappeared from journalistic radar screens. Today it reappeared like F-15’s over Kandahar. It seems that with the end of the latest chapter in […]
While a police committee is looking for ways to improve the working relationship between cops and the community, people in the twin towns of Cayo have been taking some concrete action. On Monday, the Citizens Committee of San Ignacio and Santa Elena presented four bicycles and one motorcycle to the local police detachment to help […]
Middle income families who have traditionally turned to the Development Finance Corporation for reasonably priced housing loans will soon be asked to look elsewhere. That’s the word from Cabinet, which has directed the D.F.C. to turn its attention to low income customers. The government owned corporation will now accept housing loan applications for a maximum […]
Since Hurricane Iris ravaged parts of the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts in October, News 5’s teams have headed south on numerous occasions, first to assess the damage and later to monitor the recovery. on Tuesday, Reporter Jacqueline Woods and cameraman George Tillett once again headed south…and have returned with the following report. Jacqueline Woods, […]
Allegations of police brutality and corruption are about as common as potholes on Belize City streets, and are just a few reasons why relations between the public and the law are a little off. Realizing that perception strongly influences reality, the department is trying to patch things up and has formed a committee to address […]
Every year, it’s a highlight of the judicial calendar as the ladies and gentlemen of the bench and bar present themselves in the official opening ceremonies of the Belize Supreme Court. While today’s proceedings stuck to tradition, the lingering cloud of the Meerabux case cast a dark shadow over the legal community. But first to […]
During today’s official ceremony, members of the legal community observed a minute silence in memory of one of their own. On Friday, Alexander “Andy” Johnson, a former Chief Magistrate, died after battling a series of illnesses. He was fifty-nine years old. After retiring from the courtroom, Johnson became clerk of the National Assembly, but was […]
After enjoying a highly profitable but controversial existence, tonight the sale of Belizean passports is no longer legal. As of January fifteenth, amendments to the constitution repealed the provisions relating to the economic citizenship program. According to government officials, it will take some time for the BECIP Unit to finalise the programme. Applications already in […]
As residents of the south affected by Hurricane Iris continue to struggle for a sense of normalcy, relief aid is still coming in from abroad. Today, the Colombian government is the latest international friend to step up with supplies. News 5’s Janelle Chanona reports. Janelle Chanona, Reporting This morning Colombian Naval vessel the A.R.C. Providencia […]
It’s been no secret that the Belize Ports Authority would be the next major government asset to be put on the privatisation block. And although negotiations with various potential buyers have been ongoing, it was only today that the formal prospectus was released to the public. Selling price for the package, consisting of the Belize […]
Preparations are beginning to intensify for next month’s hosting of the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting and concurrent joint summit with the presidents of Central America. Arriving today for meetings with the Foreign Ministry was Secretary General of SICA, the Central American Integration System, Oscar Santamaria, along with a team of SICA and Nicaraguan officials. […]
Today, the Belize Customs Department got “Power”, and guess what, it comes on four legs. That’s right, today the United States Ambassador to Belize, Russell Freeman handed over the first canine for the Customs Department to comptroller Omar Sabido. Power’s speciality is narcotics detection and for the past six weeks, has been bonding with his […]
If you’re one of those people who’ve been feeling like every time something is done to the streets of Belize City, along comes another group of people who dig them right back up again, trust us, you’re not alone. Well today, one of our news teams has an explanation for at least some of the […]
