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There has been rampant speculation since Wednesday about a predawn raid at the business place of businessman Doug Singh in the City. Speaking from Thailand by phone, the highly connected Singh, who is chair of the Social Security Board as well as Citrus Products of Belize Limited, told us absolutely not so on Wednesday. Today, […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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There is one more issue over which the B.N.T.U. has received further good news. The Union, among many others, had demanded from Government an international investigation by law enforcement authorities into the death of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, whose head was found in William “Danny” Mason’s pick-up truck. Mason and four other men are accused of […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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On Tuesday, we told you about a fire that gutted a home on the south side of Belize City. Sometime after eleven on Monday night, fire woke up residents on Iguana Street Extension. Today, we spoke with the homeowner, Shantia Gill, who says that her wooden home was set on fire. Luckily, she and her […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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But was the fire an act of arson? Gill believes that the fire stemmed from a shooting incident on Saturday, three days before her house was set ablaze. She explains how she narrowly escaped being shot in what police say was a crossfire between two individuals. Shantia Gill, Fire Victim “From since Saturday night […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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Earlier in the newscast, we heard about G.O.B.’s proposed seismic testing that has been put on hold following the tourism industry and conservation community’s uproar. On Wednesday, the Coalition told the media that the proposed seismic testing also means bad business in getting the Belize Barrier Reef System off the World Heritage Endangered list. Back […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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The P.U.P. says that they want an audit in the Department of Lands from 2008 to 2015 – the years when disgraced former Minister Gaspar Vega led the lands department. The call comes in light of the recent scandal where Vega’s son, Andre, and U.D.P. loyalist, Sharon Pitts, walked away with four hundred thousand dollars […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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And while we are on it – Briceño says bring on the audit for the Petro Caribe funds and the Belize Infrastructure Limited. He says that he believes that the monies must be accounted for and proper records for contracts and bidding should be open. This call comes in the wake of persistent speculations that […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. It means it’s time for some education on this preventable form of cancer. In tonight’s Healthy Living, we test your breast cancer awareness as we present five lesser known facts and common misconceptions about breast cancer. Marleni Cuellar, Reporting How much do you know about Breast Cancer? There has […]
Written on October 20, 2016 | Posted in
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The resignation from Cabinet of Minister of Agriculture, Gaspar Vega, has sent things in a tailspin in Belmopan. This afternoon, the Office the Prime Minister announced who succeeds Vega along with how the cabinet will now look. No surprise, the go-to Minister Godwin Hulse has been shuffled back and forth many times and has now […]
Late Tuesday evening, a memo from the Ministry of Education, titled “Withholding of Contributions towards Salaries for Teachers on Strike,” was released. According to the document, signed by Chief Education Officer Doctor Carol Babb, G.O.B. has decided to withhold salaries for teachers who went on strike from all government and grant-aided schools. The instructions issued […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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The memo from the Ministry of Education has obviously not been well received by the B.N.T.U. This afternoon, the B.N.T.U. executive met on the matter which could lead to further industrial action. President Luke Palacio said the union’s attorneys are carefully considering the legalities involved. Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U. “We are also studying […]
According to the B.N.T.U., the salary deductions for the days on strike, is another form of attack against teachers. Palacio says that it is the school management that determines the issue of deductions. In a release this afternoon, B.N.T.U. calls the move a threat and bullying tactic by G.O.B. Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U. […]
The memo requests information on the number of striking teachers to be delivered within hours earlier today. The B.N.T.U. believes that this latest missive is not an act of good faith on the part of government. Keesha Young, Executive Secretary, B.N.T.U. “We feel as if though that request is almost ridiculous. Schools were just […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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This afternoon the People’s United Party was quick to respond to the plight of the teachers. In a press conference today, Leader of the Opposition John Briceño demanded that the Government pay the teachers for the days of industrial action. Briceño says that G.O.B. has not only a legal obligation, but also a moral one […]
While the Ministry of Education and Belize National Teachers’ Union have not made up yet, the teachers were back in school in full force today. A check of schools across the Old Capital found students in their many uniforms returned to classes under the watchful eyes of their teachers. So even as the Union keeps […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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The Senate Select Committee on immigration proceeded with its sitting this morning in Belmopan. Government Senator Aldo Salazar was appointed chairman of the Senate Select Committee to investigate the immigration hustle revealed in the Auditor General’s special report. The Committee proceeds with its membership of two Government Senators – Salazar and Minister of State for […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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Senator Aldo Salazar’s appointment as chair comes after both Senator Elena Smith and Senator Ashley Rocke declined the chairmanship. Senator Rocke had previously stated that he and his family were threatened following the motion he introduced and led through the Senate at its last meeting. Senator Smith briefly explained why she dropped out of the […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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Senator Aldo Salazar has the task of shepherding the inquiry through to its conclusion. He was appointed by the Government and today he was questioned about whether he could remain sufficiently neutral as chairman to not affect the outcome of the inquiry. He responded by promising neutrality and fairness. Already, Minister of Immigration and Senator […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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When the immigration inquiry resumes, the P.U.P. will be back as part of the select senate committee. The Opposition withdrew over the composition and terms of reference of the committee. But today, they have had a change of heart. Leader of the Opposition John Briceño explains why the P.U.P. will now be in the investigation. […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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The untimely death of prominent attorney, Michael Young, continues to rattle the community. A man, highly respected and well liked, took his life on Tuesday after having lunch at his home in Bella Vista, Belize City. His wife found him dead in the bathroom and his licensed gun near his body. Speculation abounds of what […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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Minister of Defence John Saldivar has been placed on leave of absence for one week as of Tuesday. A press release issued on the same day stated that legal advice is to be obtained by the government on whether the steps Saldivar took were, “enough to effectively sever the business relationship established between the Minister and […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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But the Leader of the Opposition John Briceño says that John Saldivar should be canned! Briceño says that with the documents presented and based on the P.M.’s statement months ago, Saldivar should be fired. On Tuesday, Government announced that the Belmopan Minister is on a leave of absence pending legal opinion. According to Briceño, Saldivar […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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What does the resignation of former DPM Gaspar Vega mean for politics in the north? It is considered a blow for the U.D.P., but others see it as a gain for the P.U.P. According to Briceño, while he doesn’t relish in Vega’s misfortunes, he thinks his party will benefit from his absence. John Briceño, […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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Seismic testing in offshore Belize starts on Thursday. On Tuesday night you heard Chief Environmental Officer Martin Alegria say that the testing is a part of a regional initiative. The project started with a multi-beam survey and is now being followed up with seismic testing. G.O.B. approved the project following the D.O.E.’s recommendation that an […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Environmental Organizations Continue to Sound Alarm on Seismic Testing
But with all the back and forth between D.O.E. and the marine conservation community, seismic testing is a done deal. It is scheduled to start on Thursday. But, not so fast say the watch dogs of this project. They say they are prepared to file an injunction and take it as far as they can […]
Written on October 19, 2016 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Court Action a Possibility to Stop Testing
