Sixty-seven million U.S. dollars – that’s how much money the Government of Belize must find to satisfy the first payment of the Belize Telemedia Limited Arbitration Award handed down on June twenty-eighth. The Government originally made partial payment in Belize dollars, to which Dunkeld International Investments and the B.T.L. Employees’ Trust, the former owners of […]
The discovery of a shift in the ratio of the award may imperil the Government’s stated intent to use a portion of the award for capital projects in Belize with the approval of Dunkeld. But both sides believe the compromise that was originally worked out can still be adhered to. Denys Barrow, Attorney for […]
So, what’s Government’s reaction to this latest decision? This afternoon, G.O.B. issued a statement officially expressing its disappointment in the C.C.J. decision. It points out that, “The overall quantum of the Arbitral Award has not been increased in any wise altered; however G.O.B. now has to pay ten percent more of that award in U.S. […]
The media caught up with the Leader of the Opposition today at a separate P.U.P. event. John Briceño has repeatedly shared his discontent with the B.T.L. settlement and has even called the agreement, “the worst decision by a Government in modern Belizean history.” So following today’s ruling by the CCJ, we sought his reaction. […]
This morning the media received a press release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize and Belmopan. The release expressed similar views as we saw in the Independence Day prayer delivered by Bishop Christopher Glancy. Sources tell us that this morning’s release came directly from Bishop Dorrick Wright himself. It states that the Roman Catholic […]
According to the release from the Roman Catholic Diocese, with managing authority for Catholic schools, “We believe that the safety of upwards of fifty thousand students in our care will be at risk, without the adequate supervision of our teachers.” But is there division between the church and its management? We ask this because Sister […]
As we have previously reported, the Belize National Teachers’ Union has threatened to take the Government to court over allegations of union busting. The Union has accused the Government of deliberately interfering with union members to prevent or retard various actions including Monday’s planned strike. Just yesterday, two senior members of Government were seen personally […]
The Leader of the Opposition also believes that the actions of government are union busting. He says, “Something is seriously wrong with this government.” Now, there are some who claim that the actions of the B.N.T.U. are politically motivated. So has the Opposition Leader met with the teachers’ union? He says he’s been very deliberate […]
The Government of Belize has announced that on Friday, September thirtieth, there will be a meeting of the Senate at the National Assembly in Belmopan. The sole order of business is expected to be the establishment and composition of the Senate Select Committee to investigate the Immigration and Nationality Special Audits on the table of […]
If the motion for the Senate Select Committee is approved on Friday, the composition of that committee is crucial. Prime Minister Dean Barrow has repeatedly stated that the committee should have a government majority, but will the P.U.P. agree to this? John Briceño, P.U.P. Leader “I think this is something where our senators will […]
As we said, the special meeting of the senate is expected to debate the two fresh motions expected with regard to this important national issue. But will they cancel each other out or will peace and harmony prevail? Today, News Five asked former Senator Richard “Dickie” Bradley for a preview of what could happen in […]
Today, the People’s United Party launched a “Policy Paper,” titled Good Governance – A Shared Responsibility. The paper contains eleven points that the P.U.P. say will form the basis of their consultations and reflect what the public expects from good governance. The eleven points of the paper that the P.U.P. seeks to address are categorized […]
More than eighteen persons face charges in connection with the Sarkis Abou-Nehra home invasion which occurred almost a year ago, in December 2015, in Burrell Boom where the diplomat’s maid was raped as she worked at her boss’s house. The intruders also ransacked the diplomat’s house and stole a number of items including liquors and […]
Former murder suspect Bartholomew Lucas has been charged with use of deadly means of harm, grievous harm and aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with a shooting in Pink’s Alley on Sunday, September twenty-fourth. Michael Usher was standing in front of a house in the area when he saw Lucas, well-known to him, walking […]
On Wednesday, we showed you Mayor Darrell Bradley and the Belize City Council parading through the streets of the Old Capital bringing awareness of a brand for the city. Well today, a soft launch of the new brand, developed in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, was held at the Biltmore Plaza this afternoon. The […]
According to Councilor for Economic Development, Trade Investment & Small Business, Michael Theus, the business community is integral to the branding initiative. Michael Theus, Councilor for Economic Development, Trade Investment & Small Business “We need the intervention along with the business community to getting out their products to market their products as a product […]
The Belize National Teachers Union has said that the government of Belize, through the Ministry of Education, has been making an attempt at union-busting as it relates to the upcoming strike by teachers on Monday. Since Thursday, even before the ministry met with school management at the ITVET in Belize City, reports spread like wildfire […]
In the case of any industrial action by teachers, parents are left to make special arrangements for their children. We’re less than a month into the first school year and the second time parents are facing this situation. How much do they support the teachers’ actions? News Five took to the streets today to poll […]
He was a competitive body builder in Belize in the sixties and now at the age of sixty-seven, exercise and healthy living is still a priority for the athlete. Now, he’s trying to get other elderly persons active and in shape at his gym at the Bernice Yorke Activity Center located in the HelpAge compound […]
The Ministry of Education today said it is putting in place contingency plans in the event of a prolong strike by the Belize National Teachers Union. A statutory instrument will be signed by the Minister of Education to amend the Education Act and Rules with regard to issuing of teachers’ licenses but according to the […]
This evening we reached president of the Belize National Teachers’ Union, Luke Palacio, in Benque Viejo where the Union’s branch there was having its annual general meeting. Firstly, while he is awaiting confirmation of the plans to sign the Statutory Instrument, Palacio told us that if the Ministry goes through with its plans they will […]
Earlier today, Education Minister Patrick Faber had a strong response with regard to questions of union-busting in light of the statutory instrument that will be signed. He insisted that the teachers have turned the course away from a labour dispute over the proposed deferral of salary adjustment to a discussion of national issues and therefore […]
While the contingency plans that we previously reported on are not yet ready, Minister Faber says he hopes that it will not get that drastic. But there is already interest in a roster of replacements. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education “We do have teachers who meet this bill; we do have people who are […]
One of the indelible memories of protests that gripped Belize between January and May of 2005 came on April twenty-eighth, when then first-time area representative and vice-principal of Anglican Cathedral College, Patrick Faber, challenged police in order to enter a public forum being hosted by the then Prime Minister Said Musa at the University of […]
Following a meeting last Thursday PM Barrow said he had asked the B.N.T.U. for another meeting. On Sunday in a statement to the nation, he said the union needs to return to the negotiating table. That statement was followed by a letter to the Joint Unions Negotiating Team this Tuesday. Barrow notes that eleven days […]
