The official list of activities for this year’s September celebrations is yet to be released, but there are a couple of events you might want to pencil into your entertainment calendar for next month. Organisers are putting the final touches on their plans for the third annual Belize Sound Fest and this year there is […]
He is Belize’s most celebrated classical musician, a world class pianist who, between the Belizean classics “Mass in Blues” and “Celebrations”, compiled an impressive list of achievements in England, the Soviet Union and United States. Now, Francis Reneau is back in town, this time to help the next generation of Belizean artists. Patrick Jones reports. […]
That strategy will have fewer and costlier options, thanks to news out of New York that Standard & Poor’s today significantly downgraded Belize?s credit ratings. According to an S&P release the nation?s long term foreign currency rating has been lowered from “B plus” to “B”, edging into the highly speculative category, while the long term […]
Artistic endeavor is a wonderful thing…but even in the best of times financing for the arts in Belize is tight. What to do? Find performances that entertain…and fill the cash register. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting The Mythical Rainforest is the latest production to hit the stage at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. The play […]
And while on the subject of money, recall that it has been announced by the government of Taiwan that its president, Chen Shui-bian, will visit Belize, either late this month or early in September. As we reported last week, Chen will attend the inauguration of Panama?s President Torrijos on September first and will also make […]
There were hundreds of applications, but in the end only twenty five boys and girls from all over the country were chosen to receive high school scholarships from Belize Telecommunications Limited. The scholarships are part of B.T.L.?s stay in school campaign and since its inception in 1991, the company has given over two hundred and […]
After three days of deliberations, the thirty fifth annual general assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union wrapped up on Friday afternoon at the Inn at Robert?s Grove in Placencia. President of the C.B.U., Vic Fernandes, says the regional organisation will continue to build on the successes of the past twelve months in order to take […]
For C.B.U. president Vic Fernandes it was a week of many triumphs, as on Friday night, he was inducted as the latest member of the Caribbean Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The CEO of the Starcom Network in Barbados received a standing ovation as his citation was read by Belize?s Cythia Henry. Cynthia Henry, CEO, Bel […]
The death has yet to be officially announced of Government?s badly needed bond issue, but news from the international scene might just be another nail in the coffin. Belize?s international credit rating took a hit it didn?t need today, as Moody?s Investors Service downgraded our credit status on Thursday. The ceiling for bonds and notes […]
While there is no doubt that Belize is steeped in talent, there?s also no denying that local artists have very few opportunities to develop their gifts. But one young lady refused to be overwhelmed by reality and has continued to make strides in her aptitude, music. And this weekend, she is just one Belizean that […]
This morning, government representatives, diplomatic officials, and more than a hundred media personnel from throughout the region met in Placencia for the opening of the thirty-fifth Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union. The region?s industry leaders are in Belize to discuss the state and direction of the Caribbean media. News 5?s Patrick Jones […]
The specifics have yet to been worked out, but News 5 has confirmed that Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian will pay an official visit to Belize sometime in September. The Taipei Times, in its online edition on Monday reports that President Shui-bian will visit two diplomatic allies in Central America, Panama and Belize, as well as […]
More than a hundred and fifty journalists, station managers, producers, and other media officials from across the Caribbean will descend on the Placencia Peninsula this week, but no there?s no hot story, besides the sand, sun and surf of one of the country?s hottest destinations at least. Delegates began arriving on Sunday for the thirty-fifth […]
At only thirty-four years of age you?d think that the City of Belmopan would not have much of a history. Perhaps, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in enthusiasm. Patrick Jones reports from the nation?s capital. Patrick Jones, Reporting To most people the black and white photographs on the wall may […]
Budding Belizean photographers got their shot to be in front of the camera this morning as official ceremonies were held at the House of Culture for an amateur competition. Organized by the National Institute of Culture and History, the shutterbugs focussed on images of Belize?s land, sea and people. Ten photographers participated in the event […]
In diplomatic news, it looks like those long postponed ministerial talks between Belize and Guatemala will have to wait a little longer. According to the Foreign Ministry, the meeting, originally scheduled for August third and fourth at the O.A.S. in Washington, has been put off indefinitely, most likely for a month. The reason given is […]
Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luigi Enaudi, today left the country after a two-day working visit. In fact, the O.A.S. diplomat spent the last week meeting with Belizean and Guatemalan officials in an attempt to re-start the stalled facilitation process. When Guatemala rejected the set of proposals put forward by facilitators […]
If you thought that after failing to qualify in the hundred meters and then dropping out of the 200, things couldn’t get any worse for Belizean ambassador and track star Marion Jones…you were wrong. Newspapers in California today reported that C.J. Hunter, the ex-husband of Jones, told federal investigators that Marion Jones used several banned […]
There are only twenty days left before the start of the Summer Olympics in Athens. And while the men and women in our next story may not be on the same level as the athletes who will go for the gold in Greece, the competition will by no means be any less intense. Jacqueline Woods, […]
If you’ve travelled the Western Highway between Belize City and Hattieville it’s hard to miss. A thatched roof palapa, a roadside canal…and some of the strangest looking boats you’ll ever see. News 5’s Janelle Chanona has more. Janelle Chanona, Reporting From the demand for new and diverse tourist destinations in Belize, emerges this latest attraction […]
You may have seen this strange machine on television but if you?re fortunate enough to visit an exclusive island near San Pedro you can actually see it for real…and maybe even get to ride it, like I did. Janelle Chanona, Reporting Designed to look and feel like an isolated paradise, Cayo Espanto is Belize?s most […]
Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luigi Enaudi, is this week on a working visit to Belize and Guatemala. Ambassador Enaudi will hold talks with high-ranking government officials from both countries, in an effort to restart the stalled facilitation process, aimed at ending the Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory. The first leg […]
Fans hoping to see Marion Jones defend her three gold and two bronze medals in Athens may have to settle for a single effort in the long jump, as over the weekend the Belizean hero withdrew from the two hundred meter final at the U.S. qualifying meet in Sacramento. Making her decision just two hours […]
She was disappointed in her attempt to qualify for the hundred-meter sprint at next month’s Olympics…but last night Belizean Marion Jones was guaranteed a ticket to Athens. She reverted to top form by finishing first in the long jump in the U.S. qualifying meet in Sacramento, California. Here’s how she did on her best jump […]
On Sunday, the life and works of multi-talented Belizean artist George Gabb will be celebrated at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. The event is hosted by the Minister of Tourism, Investment and Culture, Mark Espat, in collaboration with the National Institute of Culture and History, the Belize Theatre Company and the Image Factory. […]
