In cabinet news this week, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Michel Chebat reported that to date, forty thousand Belizeans have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is in line with government’s plan to ensure that seventy percent of Belizeans, who wish to be vaccinated, are vaccinated by September. Cabinet gave its […]
Today, a short handing over ceremony was held at Stella Maris School in Belize City. Two non-verbal students, who were diagnosed with Hunter’s Syndrome, were gifted a tablet with an app that will help them to communicate at home and school. News Five’s Duane Moody reports. Christy Castillo Almeida, Founder/Executive Chair, Autism Belize “Everyone […]
With COVID restrictions, particularly mask wearing still in place, many Belizeans just sort of consider it all the new normal. But what about those who have mental challenges, are homeless or elderly people without a support system? How are they coping during these difficult times? Tonight News Five brings you a report by Open Your […]
Today marks three consecutive days of strike action by the Belize National Teachers Union. Once again, teachers took to the National Assembly steps, as they did during last week’s House of Representatives budget debate. Only this time, there was an even larger turnout as teachers were bused in from all ten branches across the country. […]
Inside the House, the Senate debated the 2021/2022 General Revenue Allocation Bill. The budget reflects an eighty-million-dollar cut for the public service, as well as decreases in allocations for a few additional line items. But, with a one hundred and thirty-five percent G.D.P. to debt ratio, the Briceño Administration is hoping that the austerity measures […]
The joint unions have clearly expressed their intent to continue striking until they are convinced that the Briceño Administration is serious about good governance. But were the unions asleep at the wheel under the Barrow Administration? According to former attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, he had personally met with the unions in his capacity as A.G. […]
And while the former Attorney General is pointing fingers at the unions, because UNCAC tackles several major aspects of corruption, from preventative measures to asset recovery, and even criminalization and law enforcement measures, News Five’s Paul Lopez as him if there was any fear among former government leaders that they might be prosecuted under UNCAC […]
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has called on the joint unions and the Government of Belize to go back to the negotiation table. But, since G.O.B. has already taken the position that it will fix the salaries of public servants and teachers, we asked Martinez if those discussions, should they resume, would now […]
When asked if the N.T.U.C.B. would continue to participate in the Commission of Inquiry proceedings which ended abruptly days ago when the live feed was cut in the middle of his speech, Martinez called on the Director of Press Office to resign. As for the N.T.U.C.B.’s continued participation, Martinez says the union congress has a […]
Union Senator Elena Smith also called on the Government of Belize to come back to the table for further discussions. Smith says that while the ten percent cut and increment freezes appear to be a foregone conclusion, further discussion between the unions and government can focus on issues of good governance. Elena Smith, Senator […]
The Department of Environment continues with its restoration efforts for the New River that runs through Orange Walk. The crisis on the stagnation of the river, and the associated public health and environmental hazards, first came to light back in 2019 and while there was some relief, the issue has resurfaced, along with the stench […]
Last night we brought you the story of concerned residents and farmers in Pomona who are concerned about the continued degradation of a riverbank that abuts the village. Tonight, Isani Cayetano has more from both the community residents and the company which says it is not doing anything differently than before. In fact, they say […]
Founder of Tropical Vision Limited and former B.T.L. Chairman Nestor Vasquez was laid to rest on Tuesday. A host of close family and close friends gathered to honor him during a virtual ceremony. Among the attendees were Prime Minister Briceño and former Prime Ministers Manuel Esquivel and Dean Barrow. Eulogies were given by his son […]
Since 2009, senior appliance technician Orlando Castillo has submitted a number of architectural plans for approval to the Local Building Authority in Dangriga. On each occasion those designs have been rejected for failure to satisfy specific requirements that would allow him to erect a structure on Ecumenical Drive. Yet Castillo has been persistent in his […]
The Local Building Authority responded to Castillo in writing on April twenty-second, outline all the adjustments that need to be made for the plan to get a stamp of approval. Earlier today, an employee of the Dangriga Town Council who works out of the office of the Local Building Authority reiterated the point that Castillo […]
Have police nabbed one of the men involved in last Friday’s murder of Lionel Olivera Senior in Santa Elena? On Tuesday afternoon, Democracia resident James Rudon was wanted by police for his alleged involvement in the murder and he was found in possession of Olivera’s stolen firearm. He was caught during a search of a […]
The first phase of a five-year project to build the adaptive capacity of sugarcane farmers in northern Belize was virtually launched on Tuesday. In its first year, the Belize Sugar Industry Limited (B.S.I.) and the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) will be carrying out research on cane varieties and its resistance to climate […]
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize convened a virtual meeting with the media this afternoon to discuss concerns and discontent over the airing of political ads taken out against the Belize National Teachers Union and the Public Service Union by the People’s United Party. The ads are a first-of-its-kind offensive being taken against the […]
It’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work and there is a call around the globe for countries to put in place sound and resilient occupational safety and health systems. Locally, the OSH Bill has languished on the back burners – stuck at a consultation stage- since it was first read in the House […]
This week it was the teachers. Next week it will be the Public Service. News Five has confirmed that P.S.U. members will begin their strike action on Monday, May third. Their concerns are similar to those of the N.T.U.C.B. which has expressed its solidarity with the joint unions. In a release, the National Trade Union […]
P.S.U. Vice President Dean Flowers confirms that all consultations between the government and the joint unions have ended. Dean Flowers, Vice President, P.S.U. “In our view the consultations that the government was having with the Joint Unions have come to an end. As you are aware on the twelfth of April the Public Service […]
Members of the Belize National Teachers Union were once again absent from the classroom. Today, day two of the teachers’ strike action, saw teachers walking from the Battlefield Park in downtown Belize City to the House of Culture where cabinet was meeting inside. We spoke to Branch President for the Belize District Branch, Tanya Flowers-Gillett […]
Teachers were also actively striking in San Pedro on Monday. Today, those teachers engaged in an educational campaign to bring awareness among the general public of their purpose for strike action. One union member confirmed with News five that the union will follow through with its strike for the remainder of the week. Helen […]
The last time the teachers went on strike was back in October 2016; it lasted eleven days. Their salaries were cut and that matter was taken before the courts. As you heard from the B.N.T.U.’s Belize District Branch president, the teachers expect that deductions will be made. So today, we asked Education C.E.O., Dian Maheia […]
Since Monday, at eleven-thirty a.m., teachers effected strike action by walking out of the classrooms. It comes just days after some students returned for in-person classes, after a year of distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet now, they are once again out of school. Education C.E.O. Dian Maheia gave News Five a one-on-one […]
