Home » April, 2021
You are currently browsing entries posted in: April, 2021
At midday today, public officers across the country walked out of their respective government buildings and took to the streets in the various municipalities in anticipation of strike action that is to take effect next Tuesday. News Five’s Duane Moody was out on Freetown Road where teachers joined public officers and paraded through the streets […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Public Officers Take to the Streets
The Joint Unions Negotiating Team met in a marathon session on Thursday evening to devise a strategy going forward, as public officers are set to commence a strike on May fourth. According to P.S.U. President Gerald Henry, the imminent industrial action will see the operations of some government departments grinding to a halt in the […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Strike Action is Imminent!
While the Public Service Union will be leading the charge this time, Henry says that the P.S.U. enjoys the full support of the Belize National Teachers Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers. On the Phone: Gerald Henry, President, Public Service Union “Certainly, I can safely say that they are in full […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on P.S.U. is Backed by B.N.T.U. and A.P.S.S.M.
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its hundred and first annual general meeting on Thursday night to a virtual audience. Despite the physical presence of its membership, the meeting was spirited and a number of issues were raised. According to Chief Executive Officer Kim Aikman, a full recap of 2020 was provided by […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured |
Comments Off on 101st A.G.M. for Chamber of Commerce
Since 2020, Belize’s economy has been in a precarious situation which has been made worse by the pandemic. According to Aikman, the uncertainty of what is to come is worrying for the Chamber membership so they were eager to hear from the Prime Minister. Kim Aikman, C.E.O., B.C.C.I. “We’ve taken some shocks from the […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured |
Comments Off on Concerns over Belize’s Economic State
During Monday’s Senate Budget Debate, Senator Eamon Courtenay raised the issue of the U.D.P. administration’s waiving taxes on land purchased by the Nature Conservancy for a period of fifty years. According to Courtenay, this would have yielded over three hundred million dollars in revenue to the government of Belize. He referred to the arrangement as […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Opposition Responds to Senator Courtenay on T.N.C.
During today’s U.D.P. press conference, Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber also responded to reports that under his leadership, funds were used from the National Institute of Culture and History to pay off a Social Security debt for a staunch U.D.P. supporter. Faber confirmed that one hundred thousand dollars from NICH’s account was used to […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Faber Makes No Apology for Payment of S.S.B. Loan for U.D.P. Supporter
Was the former Minister of Education Patrick Faber double dipping from public funds while operating in the capacity as Deputy Prime Minster? Last week in the House of Representatives, the Minister of Education Francis Fonseca, accused the former administration of entering a two year rent contract valued at three thousand dollars monthly to house the […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Was Faber Double Dipping on Rent and Housing as D.P.M.?
Embattled former Minister of Works, Rene Montero will find out soon what charges, if any, the state will bring against him in connection to allegations of corruption made against him. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lynn Vidal has indicated that she is in receipt of additional material that she had requested of the police so […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on D.P.P. Continues to Gather Information in Case Involving Former U.D.P. Minister of Works
This week, Cabinet gave its approval for the Ministry of Labour to proceed with the development of a national child labour plan. The last one was developed back in 2009, but was never implemented. This time around, the ministry says they have done the necessary ground work and created achievable targets to push Belize towards […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on A National Child Labour Policy for Belize
ASR/B.S.I. has responded to the decision taken by G.O.B. for Santander Sugar Company to mill sugar cane from the north. According to a release issued to stakeholders in the northern sugar industry, the B.S.I. is clarifying that there was no prior consultation with the millers in Tower Hill on the company’s ability to mill the […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Agriculture |
Comments Off on ASR/B.S.I. Responds to G.O.B.’s Decision to Use Santander
The Ministry of Sports will be requiring that professional athletes be tested for COVID-19 before practice. Minister Kevin Bernard explains how often these tests must be carried out, and how the government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan comes into play. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Youth, Sports and E-Governance “One of the requirements for professional athletes […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Sports |
Comments Off on Mandatory COVID-19 Testing for Professional Athletes
They have been asking for it, and this weekend, many Belizean athletes will be able to resume their training for competitions. But no tournaments can be held just yet, there are certain restrictions, and the new regulations do not cover recreational sports. But it is a positive development after so long. New Five’s Paul Lopez […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Sports |
Comments Off on Athletes May Resume Training in Some Disciplines
Sir Colville Young officially left the Office of the Governor General today at an official ceremony held to honor his life of service to the people of Belize. The Governor General handed in his resignation last month after almost three decades as the representative of Queen Elizabeth the second. Andrea Polanco, Reporting As he […]
Written on April 30, 2021 | Posted in
Foreign Affairs,
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on G.G. Colville Young Retires!
The Joint Unions Negotiating Team met this afternoon in an extended virtual session, following the passage of the 2021 Budget in the upper house on Wednesday. The way forward for the Belize National Teachers Union, the Association of Public Service Senior Managers and the Public Service Union is uncertain. Wednesday’s vote in the Senate has […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Joint Unions Plot Way Forward After Senate Passes Budget
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is refuting claims made by former Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte during an interview with News Five on Wednesday. Peyrefitte said the unions are partly to blame for the failure of the previous administration to enact the recommendations of the final country review by the United Nations on UNCAC. […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on N.T.U.C.B. Responds to Former Attorney General
Wednesday’s Senate debate on the 2021/2022 General Revenue Appropriation Bill ended in a division vote. All six P.U.P. senators voted in favor of the Bill, as did the Senator for the Business Community, Kevin Herrera and Senator for the Churches, Bishop Alvin Benguche. All three U.D.P. senators voted against the Bill, as did Senator for […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Senate Vote Divided, but Senator Coye Calls for Belizean Unity
Principal Karema Arnold has broken her silence on the salary cut and increment freeze for teachers and public officers. Today, the staff over at Stella Maris School wore their green shirts, in solidarity with the Belize National Teachers Union. Arnold told the media that the decision taken by G.O.B. is an affront to all those […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Education,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Principal Arnold: Salary Cut is a Slap in the Face
As you know by now, about fifty schools reopened for in-person learning earlier this month, with another group set to start their phased-in approach on May tenth. At the Stella Maris School in Belize City, preparations are underway for their re-opening in a couple of weeks. But even before then, teachers have been out doing […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Education,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Stella Maris to Reopen May 10th
Inside the Senate on Wednesday, Senator for Government Business Eamon Courtenay went into details about the land agreement between the Government of Belize and the Nature Conservancy. In his presentation, Senator Courtenay referred to the transaction as a “scandal” and estimated that inclusive of stamp duty write-offs, land tax write-offs, and speculation tax write offs, […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Senator Courtenay Calls Nature Conservancy Transaction a “Nefarious Deal”
While the Government and the Opposition clash over the Nature Conservancy transaction, at least one conservationist believes it is a boon for the people of Belize. He spoke to News Five about how these protected areas are purchased, the tourism revenue they generate, and the management of such areas. Wil Maheia, Conservationist “The way […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Environment,
Featured |
Comments Off on Wil Maheia Supports Nature Conservancy Transaction
Maheia is calling on N.G.O.’s, and former N.G.O. employees who are now government officials, to stand in support of The Nature Conservancy. Maheia told News Five that while he does not endorse the way the former administration went about the agreement; it is not a bad deal. Wil Maheia, Conservationist “N.G.O.’s need to stick […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Environment,
Featured |
Comments Off on Maheia Calls on N.G.O.s to back T.N.C.
During the Senate budget debate, Government Business Senator Eamon Courtenay raised a questionable transaction made by the National Institute of Culture and History under the previous administration. Eamon Courtenay, Senator for Government Business “We have found out a sick and sordid transaction that took place at the National Institute of Culture and History. A […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Senator Courtenay Questions Transaction at NICH
A winemaker lost his life in a highway accident on Wednesday night. Chester Requeña’s family always feared for his safety because he spent a lot of time traversing the stretch of highway where he was killed and last night their worst fears came true. Today, his family says that this is the third time he […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Auto Accidents |
Comments Off on Winemaker Knocked Down and Killed on the George Price Highway
The S.I.B. released its latest monthly figures on Wednesday indicated that Belize exported more than it imported in March. The cost of living also inched its way upward as food and butane prices increased. With a comprehensive look at the latest statistics here’s Isani Cayetano. Isani Cayetano, Reporting In March, a total of one […]
Written on April 29, 2021 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on Looking Back at the Cost of Living in March
