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Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Arrive

Belize has received a batch of one hundred and thirty-two thousand Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.  The Ministry of Health and Wellness acquired them through UNICEF and an African group at a cost of one-point-six million dollars. Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat says he hopes that those who are unvaccinated will start to […]

GenExpert Machines for Central Health Region

Today at the Central Health Region compound in Belize City, the lab received a donation of two GenExpert machines, capable of testing for COVID, tuberculosis and a variety of other diseases in a quick turnaround time.  Doctor Noreen Jack, PAHO’s representative in Belize, presented the two machines to Minister of Health Michel Chebat and Head […]

Samsung Arrives in Belize; Cellular World Official Distributor, Service Center

The cellular phone industry in Belize has big news today as electronic giant Samsung announced its official presence in Belize. The worldwide brand is partnering with Cellular World as the official Samsung Distributor and Service Center for the country. But what does this mean for device users? That’s what News Five’s Duane Moody found out […]

Smart Offered Least Expensive Proposal for G.O.B. Microsoft Contract

Today, News Five sought comment from Smart on criticism over their successful bid for the renewal of the Government of Belize’s Microsoft contract. They told us a release would be issued in the coming days. As we have reported, official government documents obtained by News Five show that Smart did offer the least expensive proposal […]

The Belize Electronic Licenses & Permits System is Launched

Today, at the Bureau of Standards office in Belmopan, there was a soft launch of the Belize Electronic Licenses and Permits System, also known as BELAPS. But what does this do? The modern system integrates multiple agencies in a virtual setting, increasing coherency and improving service delivery to users. It’s a one-stop online service for […]

BELAPS – One Stop online service to Apply/Pay for Import/Export Licences and Permits

The journey has not been easy but will help to further develop the country. While it was officially launched today, the project started in 2013 with an approved total budget of approximately one point-eight million U.S. dollars and technical assistance from the Taiwanese government.   David Kuan-chou Chien, Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize “Under the ICT […]

A Waiver for Home Protector Insurance by Ministry of Finance

The Public Service Union is questioning a write-off for an outstanding amount owed by Home Protector Insurance to the Government of Belize.  In a letter written by the Minister of Finance, Prime Minister John Briceño, on August seventeenth, General Manager Norman Moore is informed that he is to pay an outstanding pro-rated annual license fee […]

“Garifuna Nation” Says G.O.B. Abusing Settled Lands

A group calling themselves the Garifuna Nation is calling out the Government of Belize for what they say is an abuse of lands the Garinagu settled prior to colonization.  Like the rights affirmed to the indigenous and tribal peoples of Belize in the Maya land rights case, the executive of the group says they have […]

P.S.U. Offers Scholarship Grants to Ten Students

Ten education grant scholarships were awarded earlier today to the children of financial members of the Public Service Union.  Those grants were distributed across the country to successful student applicants in secondary and tertiary schools.  The value of the scholarships, according to P.S.U. President Dean Flowers, amounts to seventeen thousand dollars.   Dean Flowers, President, […]

G.O.B. Reaches Out to Residents of Collapsed House

On Wednesday night we brought you the story of Margaret McDougall, the sixty-year-old grandmother whose house collapsed on Saturday night with her and her entire family inside. But today, after seeing our story, personnel from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing sent a team over to assess her situation. Although they need to determine […]

Cabinet Looks at Vaccines, Climate Change and Regional Customs

In cabinet news this week, Cabinet was updated on the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccinations for Belizeans ages twelve to seventeen which began Monday.  They also found out that as of the sixteenth of August, fourteen percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.  Cabinet endorsed the updated National Determined Contributions to be presented by […]

COVID Chronicles: Doing Business Under COVID

Tonight our new series, the COVID Chronicles continues. This week, reporter Paul Lopez went in search of some enterprising entrepreneurs who have had to make some major adjustments in the way they work and do business in Belize. But, the people you will meet tonight have all found success and have advice for others who […]

Belizean Killed in Mexico; Might be Man from Corozal

This afternoon, News Five spoke with Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico, Oscar Arnold, about the fatal shooting near Cancun on Monday. Arnold says that official details from Mexican authorities have not confirmed the identity of the victim. But here in Belize, the news spread as condolences were offered to a family in Corozal who were reporting […]

Was Another Belizean Also Killed in Cancun?

From what the Ambassador says, there may have been another Belizean death on Tuesday night, also at the entrance to Cancun. In our exclusive interview with Ambassador Oscar Arnold, he confirmed that there was a shootout between law enforcement and gunmen. One person was mortally wounded, two were injured and two others have been detained. […]

Is Killing Drug-related?

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams also confirmed that a Belizean national was indeed shot and killed in Mexico on Tuesday night.  While he did not go into much detail, the ComPol alluded to what appears to be a drug deal gone bad.   Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “We have gotten that information as well […]

No Drug Plane has been Found in Belizean Waters

Earlier today, there was talk about a suspected drug plane plunging into the waters near Saint George’s Caye on Tuesday evening.  In fact, a breaking news item was published online regarding the so-called incident.  When we followed up on the story this morning, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams informed that a team from the Belize […]

S.O.E. is Targeted, but Will Not Exempt Other Known Gang Members

A state of emergency encompassing ten hotspots in Belize City is nearing the end of its first week.  As many as forty individuals are on lockdown at the Belize Central Prison, believed to be affiliated with various gangs that have been feuding with each other over the past two months.  According to the Commissioner of […]

Minister Musa Defends Need for State of Emergency

In defending the government’s decision to proceed with a state of emergency, Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa says that it is the last resort, considering all previous efforts to bring the warring factions to a ceasefire.  Ironically, S.O.E.s were criticized by Musa when his party was in opposition a year ago.   Isani Cayetano “How […]

U.D.P. Calls for B.T.L. Chairman Lizarraga to Resign

Leader of the United Democratic Party, Patrick Faber, is calling for Chairman Lizarraga to resign from his post at B.T.L.  Faber accuses Lizarraga of walking back on his commitment to integrity and good governance.   Patrick Faber, Party Leader, U.D.P. “I want to point out that we find very disturbing, the comments of the Chairman […]

G.O.B. Docs Show Smart Won Microsoft Subscription Through Lowest Bid

And, in the continuing controversy over government communications contracts, official government documents obtained by News Five today reveal that Smart did indeed offer the least expensive proposal for its software subscriptions. The document lists Smart as an authorized reseller of Microsoft Office 365 Products and shows Smart submitted a one-year subscription proposal to G.O.B. for […]

U.D.P. Wants Contract Rescinded: G.O.B. says Payments Were Made to Avoid License Lapse

Despite the disclosure on the bidding process and Smart winning with the lowest bid, the U.D.P. is demanding that government rescind the contract and for Smart to issue a refund.   Patrick Faber, Party Leader, U.D.P. “I am told that the contract is still not yet signed, although a payment, I think someone sent me […]

S.I.B. Reports GDP Improving

The Statistical Institute of Belize is reporting that Belize’s economy is bouncing back. After a record low second quarter in 2020, GDP for 2021’s second quarter has seen a twenty-two percent increase.  The figures reported are not back to pre-COVID numbers, and S.I.B. is unable to say at this time whether this growth will continue […]

Prices Up for Goods and Services

On the other hand, prices for goods and services have actually seen an increase over the last seven months, when compared to the same time period last year. Belizeans are paying more for transportation, food, housing and personal care, according to S.I.B.   Melvin Perez, Statistician II, S.I.B. “The cumulative inflation rate for the first […]

Imports Up 50%; Exports by 12%

On external trade, imports are up by nearly fifty percent, while exports are up by twelve percent. Here the details on those numbers.   Tiffany Vasquez, Statistician II, S.I.B. “For the period January to July of 2021, Belize’s imports were valued at one point one billion dollars. This was a significant twenty-two percent growth, or […]

MOHW Approves Gathering for Wedding at Biltmore

Funerals must be limited to one hour, at the cemetery only, with no wakes or repasts allowed. Only ten people and the priest can be in attendance. These are part of the restrictions in place as a result of the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. But late this afternoon, Belizeans took to Facebook after an […]