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The controversy over the embattled Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero has been playing out in the media for the past two weeks, with little to no word from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Today, Minister Michel Chebat confirmed to News Five’s Duane Moody that in fact as the country is in the […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Minister of Health & Wellness Breaks the Silence on DHS Debacle
As you know, Doctor Marvin Manzanero has been placed on administrative leave as an investigation on allegations of misconduct continues. But what’s been happening with the DHS has been seen by the public as an attack on his reputation and a move to frustrate him out of his substantive position. The Association of Public Service […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Health,
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Comments Off on Minister Chebat Says that Process is in Line with Public Service Regulations
There is good news for Belize because today, the allocation letter from COVAX facility letter for the first shipment of vaccines for the country. It has been confirmed that sometime in late March, or early April, Belize will receive one hundred thousand eight hundred doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and that’s very likely the Astra Zeneca […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Health |
Comments Off on Allocation Letter is Here; Belize to get 100,800 in First Shipment
CARICOM Heads of State are expressing frustration at the obstacles Caribbean nations are facing trying to access vaccines. At the end of a two-day virtual conference, Chairman Doctor Keith Rowley, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, did not mince words as CARICOM once more calls on the World Health Organization to intervene. Dr. […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Health,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on CARICOM Disappointed About Inaccessibility to COVID-19 Vaccine
The current quarantine regulations, including a curfew between ten p.m. and five a.m., expire next week. But if you thought that the declining COVID-19 numbers would translate into a relaxation of measures, think again. Over the past week, health officials have been meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs to determine the way forward. Today, […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Health |
Comments Off on No Relaxation of Quarantine Measures
But what about land borders? Given the economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Guatemalan residents have been clamouring for the reopening of the western border. Even though Mexicans are allowed to travel to the Corozal Free Zone, Belizeans have not been able to visit to neighbouring Chetumal or Melchor, Guatemala for business or […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Land Borders Will Not Be Reopened
Results are finally back from Baylor College in Houston and the UK variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Belize. It was from a batch of fifteen samples that were sent for gene sequencing. The swab belonged to a member of the British Army Training Support Unit Belize, who was asymptomatic when he arrived in […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Health |
Comments Off on BATSUB Member Tested Positive for UK Variant of COVID in Belize
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Hugo Patt, took his turn in the hot seat this morning when he appeared before the Commission of Inquiry in its second session. The Corozal North Area Representative was peppered with questions from the three-member panel about a pickup truck he had asked to purchase from […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Hugo Patt Can’t Recall Details of Transaction Involving His Ministerial Ride
Entwined in the saga involving the late model government vehicle is the purchase of multiple parcels of crown land by businessman Kelvin Li. It is believed those transactions were expedited for Li through the Ministry of Natural Resources where Hugo Patt was the political boss. Not surprisingly, monies for the purchase of the vehicle came […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Is Zhourong Li from Alaska?
Appearing with his legal representative, Zhourong Li was also quizzed about his knowledge of the former Minister of Lands and how he amassed over twenty properties across the country within the span of just a few months. Li also detailed how he got involved in the purchase of the government vehicle sold to Juvencio Herrera. […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Zhourong Li Admits to Paying for Government Vehicle
Attorney Andrew Bennett also appeared as Li’s counsel, objecting to his client being compelled to disclose the names of persons he did business with in the acquisition of the various properties. Andrew Bennett, Attorney for Zhourong “Mr. Chairman, this is an inquiry into the sale of government assets. What is Mr. Li’s business arrangements […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Can Witnesses Refuse to Answer Questions and Name Names?
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma that made its way through a labyrinth of handlers once the sale had been green lighted by the Government of Belize, ended up in the possession of Car Guys Belize Limited, an auto dealership owned by Said Perdomo. According to the well-known businessman, when he perused the paperwork for the vehicle […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Witness was Unaware of Circus Involving Hugo Patt’s Vehicle
Today, the Opposition called a press conference to sound off on issues of national importance including the Commission of Inquiry. Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber says the commission is on a witch hunt and has failed to show that there was a fire sale of government assets. He says that that three serviceable vehicles […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Politics |
Comments Off on Leader of the Opposition Says Commission of Inquiry is a Witch Hunt!
The United Democratic Party came out swinging today in support of Doctor Marvin Manzanero. The party says their position is one of principle and not a political statement. According to Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber, Doctor Manzanero is a consummate professional who is being unfairly targeted and victimized. The U.D.P. also slammed the government […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Politics |
Comments Off on The U.D.P. Calls Out G.O.B. on Dr. Manza!
The United Democratic Party is heading to court to get P.U.P.’s Mayoral candidate Bernard Wagner disqualified from the 2021 municipal race. The U.D.P., through its Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, launched a Supreme Court application which will be heard before the court on Monday afternoon. The contention is that Wagner doesn’t live in Belize City and according […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
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Politics |
Comments Off on The U.D.P. Wants Bernard Wagner Disqualified from the Municipal Race!
Justice Herbert Lord is expected to make a ruling on Monday in a voir dire that preceded the actual murder trial of Patrick Harris. Justice Lord decided this week to enter the voir dire (a hearing within the actual trial) to determine whether or not Crown Counsel, Portia Ferguson, will be allowed to enter as […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
Trials |
Comments Off on Ruling to be Made Next Monday in Murder Trial
Jury trials are being phased back in Dangriga in the Southern Judicial District. Justice Antoinette Moore presided over the first case where members of the public were empanelled to sit through a trial and to judge a man’s fate. For the past year, criminal trials have been conducted with only the Supreme Court Judges presiding over […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
Trials |
Comments Off on In-Person Jury Trials Resume
Farmers who have taken a double hit from the 2019 drought and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are about to get some relief. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise has announced it is starting to release funds, via a voucher system, for phase two of its relief for registered farmers. Eligible farmers for this […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
Agriculture |
Comments Off on Phase 2 of Farmers’ Aid Begins
If you are a young Belizean passionate about climate change, the Italian Embassy in Mexico City is looking for delegates to send to a youth climate summit in Milan this September. Successful applicants will join four hundred of their peers aged fifteen to twenty-nine from United Nations member countries. You must be able to demonstrate […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Belizean Youth Invited to Apply for Italian Conference on Climate
There is a demand for Belize’s butterflies on the other side of the pond. Just ask the operators of Belize Pupae Supply and Ya’axkin Butterfly Farm. Although the pandemic threw a wrench in the visits to their site, the interest for pupa from Belize has grown over the past year. Despite the challenges that the […]
Written on February 26, 2021 | Posted in
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Pupa Exportation – the Demand for Belize’s Butterflies!
The Commission of Inquiry into the sale of government vehicles and other equipment at the end of the United Democratic Party’s last days in government resumes on Friday. Former Deputy Prime Minister Hugo Patt will be among those appearing. He is facing scrutiny about the purchase of a 2020 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck. It was […]
Written on February 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Hugo Patt to Answer for the Fire Sale 2020 Toyota Tacoma
Belize Electricity Limited held its annual general meeting virtually this afternoon to shareholders only. It was the first AGM under the People’s United Party government, since the company’s board of directors was reconstituted back in December. Led by Chairman Andrew Marshalleck, the meeting focused on the company’s fiscal performance over the past year and presented […]
Written on February 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.E.L. Hosts Virtual A.G.M.
Digital makeovers are coming for the Belize court system. Today, the Attorney General of Belize signed a memorandum of understanding with the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, to strengthen the courts and the Office of the Attorney General. The agreement includes provisions for the immediate implementation of e-filing for the courts and a digital case […]
Written on February 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Digital Makeover for Belize Court System
Like so many things postponed due to corona virus, the national census taken every ten years is being pushed back yet again. Originally rescheduled for 2021, the Statistical Institute of Belize now says they have opted to reschedule once more. So don’t expect house-to-house census takers coming to visit you, during the COVID-19 crisis. […]
Written on February 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on National Census Must Wait until 2022!
COVID-19 has claimed another event casualty. Today it was announced that the Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge traditionally held on the extended March weekend has been cancelled. The organizing committee says that after twenty-four consecutive years of the sport, the tough decision was taken, much to the disappointment to paddlers, as well as fans […]
Written on February 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on La Ruta Maya 2021 is Cancelled
