A little over two weeks ago we told you about the go-slow at the K.H.M.H. that resulted from some six hundred employees’ disgruntlement with G.O.B.’s refusal to grant salary increases, pensions and benefits- a combined fourteen percent of their wages that other public workers have received. G.O.B.’s response was that the employees are ineligible for […]
The nation’s largest hospital was hit with a national embarrassment earlier this week when news broke that the K.H.M.H. was unable to facilitate elective surgeries and that there were no beds. C.E.O. Doctor Adrian Coye says it was a necessary decision to clear a back log of patients. It is expected that surgeries will resume […]
Earlier this week on Tuesday, Belize Telemedia came under attack for a series of suggestive and offensive ads that it had posted on its Facebook. Senator Lisa Shoman, a former chair of the company, wrote to them complaining about the nature of the ads that the government owned company was resorting to as part of […]
Since an armed standoff between the Belize National Coast Guard and the Guatemalan navy at the end of May, the Sarstoon Island has virtually been declared off-limits to civilians. In fact, the area is only traversed once a week by B.D.F. personnel on routine patrol of the region. So, when the Northern Territorial Volunteers, an […]
The Belize Territorial Volunteers, despite not having received government’s blessing, is proceeding with an expedition to Sarstoon Island. But it seems they will also be trekking to the controversial area without any protection from local law enforcement or military personnel. It is a decision that is being described as irresponsible, in light of the fact […]
In spite of Guatemala’s existing claim for ownership of Sarstoon Island, a routine B.D.F. patrol maintains military presence in the area. Commander Jones told News Five earlier today that the role of that detachment is to aid in efforts to mitigate illegal activities within the Sarstoon. Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commandant, B.D.F. “We don’t […]
The unwarranted mission to Sarstoon Island, in Jones’ opinion, can very well result in a split in the relationship that the B.D.F. and the Guatemalan army have forged. That liaison, from a military standpoint, is mutually beneficial. Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commandant, B.D.F. “North of the Sarstoon, in our mind, belongs to us. South […]
As the B.D.F. faces a number of challenges, it is also strengthening its numbers. Today, a new squad of officers joined its ranks following seventeen weeks of intense training ranging from jungle survival to conventional war tactics and leadership. Their mission is to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize. Duane Moody was there […]
According to Minister of National Security John Saldivar, government is also acquiring a loan of sixty million dollars to beef up the security of the country through national security programs. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security “Government has also committed US thirty million dollars for national security programs that will be done by way […]
Just last week, the TIP report issued by the US, downgraded Belize to a Tier Three on the Human Trafficking Watch list. The report stated that the Government hasn’t been doing enough to fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and hasn’t been doing enough with prosecution in 2014. And in […]
In the past three months, reports of accountability with water boards in different parts of the country have been reported in the media. Earlier this week, allegations surfaced that a cash pan with only two cents was handed over- from an account that had about thirteen thousand dollars- from the Maya Center Water Board in […]
It’s World Breast Feeding Week and Belize culminated its observance with an all day workshop to discuss breastfeeding and work. While there are no pieces of legislation that mandate work places to provide child friendly spaces for mothers to breastfeed, today was about changing that conversation in an effort to promote breastfeeding in the workplace. […]
The prime destination San Pedro Ambergris Caye is overflowing tonight with the local as well as international visitors. The San Pedro International Costa Maya 2015 celebrations started on Thursday night with the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant, as the big ticket event. Eight contestants from Central America and Mexico competed in the international pageant […]
The Ministry of Health is currently dealing with an outbreak of dengue fever. A rash of the disease is being confirmed in the country, a concentration of which has been noted in the Cayo District. The vector-borne illness, also known as break bone fever, is up by thirty-six cases from the same period in 2014. […]
The dengue virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which reproduces in areas where stagnant water is not properly drained. Despite an awareness campaign which remains ongoing, the ministry is appealing to the public to organize cleanup efforts in order to do away with unwanted receptacles to mitigate the spread of resultant dengue fever. […]
According to health officials, additional manpower has been brought in to assist with fumigation efforts, as well as the application of larvicides. Residents are required to do their part to keep their surroundings clean. Kim Bautista, Chief Operations Officer, VCU “Each of the districts has hired an average of between six to seven additional […]
Still on health related matters, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is faced with yet another embarrassing dilemma which has forced the national referral facility to suspend elective surgeries until Monday, August tenth. The predicament comes on the heels of a spike in admissions of trauma patients. On Wednesday, the hospital informed the public that as […]
A similar concern had been raised about the diagnostic X-ray scan. The CT scanner has been out of service for quite some time and it was only on Friday of last week that the machine was finally repaired. Dr. Coye, in offering comment on the bed crisis, briefly commented on the issue of the CT […]
A Mennonite community up north is grieving the unexpected death of one of its own. A freak accident on Wednesday associated with a tropical wave passing through the north took the life of twenty-four year old Johan Friesen of a Mennonite community fifteen miles from the Santa Martha Village on the Old Northern Highway. Heavy […]
A fifteen year old San Antonio resident of Corozal remains tonight in police custody for the murder of twenty-four year old Samir Vivas. Vivas was fatally stabbed on Tuesday night across from where he lived at the Venezuelan Site area of the town and police believe that the minor, who is a former student of […]
While Guatemala’s territorial dispute will take time to solve if it lands before the ICJ, trade relations between Belize and Guatemala are moving along. In June 2010, after years of negotiations, a partial scope agreement was signed with Guatemala. Today, discussions took place at the Belize City Ramada Princess on the functions of the Administrative […]
C.E.O. in the Ministry of Trade, Mike Singh, expressed optimism that in the next few days all the wrinkles will be ironed out in the cross-border trade. Mike Singh, C.E.O., Ministry of Trade “We do offer the Central American countries, including Guatemala, a strong opportunity to enter into the CARICOM market, which is […]
The North Side Strike team of the Police Force is reporting a huge drug bust in the south side of the city. The team along with the CIB Precinct Four embarked in anti drug operations early on Wednesday morning. Between five and seven in o’clock, the joint operation discovered seventeen parcels of cannabis in an […]
Forty-two year old Lincoln Moguel, an unemployed former taxi driver was remanded to prison today for a charge of burglary after he pleaded not guilty. On Monday, August third, Carla Cleland reported to police that Moguel entered her home in Belama with the intent to cause her bodily harm. She told police that she arrived […]
The Youth Apprenticeship Program graduated eighty students this morning. The six month course prepared the apprentices to enter and stay focused in the work force. The program has had a good rate of success and the majority of those who have passed through are today gainfully employed. Duane Moody was at the Ramada Belize City […]
