There was a time back in the 70’s and 80’s when the only mystery in government’s annual budget was how much the stamp tax and import duties were going to go up. These days it’s a different story and the budget speech is an opportunity for an activist administration to outline its strategy for development. […]
Over fifty Central American writers will join their local counterparts next week in Belize City. The occasion is the ninth International Congress of Central American Literature scheduled to take place at the Princess Hotel from February twenty-eighth to March second. According to planning committee chairman Dr. Roy Young, the congress also affords scholars an opportunity […]
A family fun day featuring children’s games, sporting activities, information booths and a concert gets underway at the BTL Park on Sunday. The day begins with a family fun run at 8:30 from the Pallotti Junction, goes along Princess Margaret Drive and ends at the park. According to YMCA’s Executive Director Carolyn Gentle, the fun […]
The Water and Sewerage Authority is being privatised and a prospectus has been released for interested investors. While Belizeans are being encouraged to purchase shares in the new entity, majority ownership is reserved for what is called a “strategic investor”, a company with a proven track record in the field of utility management. On last […]
The political convention season continues to blossom and this weekend the focus will be on the Caribbean Shores division. After knocking off Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel in 1998, one would have thought that incumbent representative and Minister of Health Joe Coye would have clear sailing. But no less than three challengers have decided to take […]
One look on the crowded streets and highways is proof positive that Belize’s love affair with the automobile– particularly the pickup truck and SUV–is as hot as ever. Today News 5’s Jose Sanchez made the rounds of new car dealers for a look under the hood of the upcoming auto show. Jose Sanchez, Reporting If […]
The sun has set on another day and to absolutely nobody’s surprise, over three hundred illegal Guatemalan settlers who should have left a week ago, are still firmly planted on Belizean soil. As suspicion grows that the delays are more deliberate than accidental, News 5 went to Belmopan to get the official spin. A subdued […]
Outside St. Ignatius Church a community came out in large numbers to express its sympathy as funeral services for all seven children who perished in Monday night’s fire were held. Three coffins carried the remains of thirteen year-old Leticia Vasquez, ten year-old Maria, Marika eight, Christina six, Keisha four, Loretta two and nine-month old baby […]
The constitutional motion brought on behalf of Justice George Meerabux entered its third day of hearings in the courtroom of Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh. Lawyers for Meerabux continued their arguments that the actions by the Governor General to have him removed from the bench constituted a violation of his rights, while the Attorney General maintains […]
Holy Redeemer Parish Hall comes alive Friday night at 7:00 p.m. with the biennial Miss E.P. Yorke Pageant. Seven contestants representing the four forms at the high school will compete in the talent section, evening gowns and a question and answer segment. Pageant coordinator Carmita Velasquez says the event builds school spirit. Carmita Velasquez, Pageant […]
It has traditionally been said that as long as there are coconuts on the trees and fish in the sea Belizeans would always be well fed. Of course that was before lethal yellowing killed the coconut trees and our fishermen became tour guides. But kidding aside, feeding its population is a high priority for any […]
With access to its ancient temples limited to those with the ability to cross Corozal Bay, the ancient Maya site of Cerros has remained well off the beaten path for tourists and Belizeans alike. But officials are betting that new improvements for visitors will open the attraction to wider exposure. Jose Sanchez took the trip […]
Only a few weeks ago in the wake of a favourable border survey by the OAS, there was no shortage of government spokesmen, all too ready to profess cautious optimism of a new era in Belize-Guatemala relations. Today, with illegal Guatemalan settlers still firmly planted on Belizean territory, official information is as scarce as a […]
The police high command today launched their five-year Belize Policing Plan at a press conference at the Raccoon Street station. The plan lays out a course of action to improve road safety, reduce drunk driving, fight crime, target drug traffickers and improve criminal investigations. Although the media had no time to peruse the document, as […]
If you’re a cashier who takes cheques or purchase orders, you might want to give Messer Belize Limited a call if someone shows up with a piece of paper with their stamp on it. Manager Andre King says someone obtained a blank Belize Bank cheque book, made a Messer stamp and went on a shopping […]
The discovery of a dead manatee along the coast of Belize is not an unusual occurrence, but it is a rare occasion when researchers can pinpoint the time and cause of death. On Saturday the remains of a manatee were found in Ladyville and the killer turned out to be a water intake pump at […]
The competition was spirited and the judging was close, but in the end a single contestant emerged victorious in last night’s debut of Karaoke Television here on Channel 5. William Neal, Host, Karaoke TV “I’ve been told the winner for tonight is Mister Joseph Carr.” (Applause) (Joseph Carr singing “My, My, My” by Johnny Gill) […]
In news from Cabinet, that body has approved an initiative to promote soybeans as a major new crop for Belizean farmers. The ten point five million dollar project, eighty-five percent of which will take the form of loans from the Government of Brazil, will establish processing facilities and finance field production. Currently twelve hundred acres […]
In the wake of Monday night’s tragic fire in which seven children lost their lives, the community is taking a hard look at the issue of safety: how to prevent fires from occurring and how to survive them once they start. Fire Chief Henry Baizar says that the key is to think ahead and make […]
If push ever came to shove at the border they would be the first Belizeans to be sent into harm’s way. But that, in the final analysis, is what being a soldier is all about. Ann-Marie Williams reports on what it takes to make the grade in the BDF. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting Sixty-seven male recruits […]
It was the most tragic fire since a mother and six daughters died on Racecourse Street way back in 1964. But Monday night’s deadly blaze did not take place in the crowded confines of the old capital’s ancient neighbourhoods. This disaster struck in the upwardly mobile suburb of Belama. News 5 was on the scene […]
They say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place… but for the second time in as many weeks there has been a major theft from the Police Department in Belmopan. The latest embarrassment occurred Monday evening when the security of the police exhibit room was breached and a number of items stolen. Among […]
Even while they are busy looking for criminals within their own ranks, the police high command has released statistics showing a significant drop in major crimes. Figures comparing the last month of 2000 and the first of 2001 with the same months a year earlier, show a twelve percent drop in December and a twenty-four […]
This latest robbery in Belize City will no doubt be reflected in the February crime statistics. Around nine Monday night three men wearing masks and carrying guns held up Sen Sen Grocery on Daly Street. Proprietor Wu Sio Yai handed over two hundred dollars and the robbers escaped. In other crime news, two brothers, Juan […]
The illegal Guatemalan settlers in three communities on Belizean soil have still not returned home and Belizean officials are beginning to voice their concerns. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, David Gibson, told News 5 that while the International Organisation for Migration has completed its work, the Guatemalan government has still not carried […]
