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There was a fire on Tuesday night on the corner of George Frazer Street and Iguana Saint Extension in Belize City. The home of Lisa Lauriano went up in a blaze. And, if that name sounds familiar, that is because Lauriano was in police custody earlier this week for the stabbing death of her ex-common […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
Disasters |
Comments Off on Fire Destroys Home of Woman Charged for Death of Albert Broaster
Three new COVID-related deaths were recorded on Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths to three hundred and forty-seven. There were also ninety-eight positive samples identified so there are now seven hundred and seventy-one active cases in the country. Fifteen persons are hospitalised, four of whom are admitted to Intensive Care Units. A lockdown is […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
Health |
Comments Off on COVID Numbers Soar to 771; 3 New Deaths
With the increasing number COVID-19 cases, Minister Chebat was also asked if there will be any amendments to the quarantine regulations as set out in statutory instrument number seventy-four of 2021. There will be no changes in the curfew which is currently from nine p.m. to four a.m. daily, but other groups have been identified […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on COVID-19 Protocol/Curfew Remains Unchanged
While we were with the Minister of Health and Wellness, we asked about the constitutional claim that has reportedly been filed by nine individuals in relation to statutory instrument seventy-four against Minister Michel Chebat, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Attorney General Magali Marin-Young. Here’s how Chebat responded. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Health Minister Has Not Been Served!
The Human Rights Commission of Belize has spoken out on what it calls constant police abuse of power. While it says it acknowledges the efforts of the leadership of the Belize Police Department in taking swift action against the most recent case, the Commission feels that police abuse is now a trend and that needs […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Human Rights Commission on Recent Cases of Police Abuse
Pitts also weighed in on the matter of mandatory vaccination when a pandemic threatens human life en masse. Pitts says the constitution gives the government authority to make such a decision but within a certain context. Voice of: Cynthia Pitts, Vice President, Human Rights Commission of Belize “That is the Constitution that we have […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Human Rights Commission Comments on Mandatory Vaccine Proposal
The Board of Directors of the organization “Our Circle” has issued a statement after their managing director, Derricia Castillo Salazar, was charged with stabbing a woman in the face in San Pedro last weekend. Our Circle’s President, Danae Fairweather, expressed disappointment that this occurred during Pride Island Getaway, an initiative spearheaded by Our Circle during […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
Crime,
People & Places |
Comments Off on “Our Circle” Responds to San Pedro Stabbing
The first cruise ship docked at Harvest Caye today. The Norwegian Gem has over one thousand four hundred passengers and passed all necessary COVID and other safety guidelines. John Bodden, Principal Public Health Inspector, Ministry of Health & Wellness “On Monday, we had visited that location to verify the protocols that are in place […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
People & Places,
Travel |
Comments Off on Norwegian Gem Cruise Ship Adheres to All Safety Protocols
Government’s vaccine rollout continues to see Belizeans across the country getting their COVID jabs. The ongoing effort, as well as a recent increase in the number of infections, has seen hospital staff, including nurses, working overtime. To help out, the Rotary Club of Belize has launched an initiative to fund the salaries of several nurses […]
Written on August 18, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Rotary’s Adopt-a-Nurse Campaign Begins
The abrupt and unceremonious departure of Central Bank Governor Gustavo Manuel Vasquez on August thirteenth raises many questions about whether due process was followed in terminating his appointment as chief financial regulator. On Friday, Vasquez informed members of staff that he was being removed from the post which he has held since being selected to […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on U.D.P. Questions Sudden Termination of Central Bank Governor
Vasquez’s letter to staff, which was read in its entirety this morning, speaks to protecting his integrity, his reputation, as well as that of the Central Bank. The big question, raised by the U.D.P. today is whether the independence of the regulatory body is being preserved under the current administration. The reason for the governor’s […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on What’s the Real Reason for Vasquez Being Fired?
The recent announcement that the Government of Belize has contracted the services of Smart as a telecoms provider for various ministries, including foreign affairs and rural development, has been met with strong objections from various quarters. The president of the Public Service Union is on record stating his dismay with government’s decision to transition from […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Government’s Deal with Speednet, is it Nepotistic?
The United Democratic Party is calling on former senator Mark Lizarraga who has since taken up the post as chairman of B.T.L., to address the issue. According to Panton, Chief Executive Officer Ivan Tesucum has also spoken about the fact that there was no discussion with B.T.L. on the transition prior to the decision being […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on U.D.P. Says B.T.L. Chairman is Silent on Smart and G.O.B.’s Contracts
The National Meteorological Services of Belize and NEMO issued an advisory today for Tropical storm Grace which was due west of Corozal Town this afternoon. The storm is expected to continue its northward motion, making landfall in Mexico between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum late Wednesday and early Thursday as a category one hurricane. The […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Disasters,
Featured |
Comments Off on Advisory Issued for Tropical Storm Grace
After a one-year break due to the pandemic, the Caribbean Media Awards resumed this year with television and radio stations from across the region submitted stories produced and aired in 2019 and 2020. The award show is the culminating event of the fifty-second Annual General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, held this year under […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Featured,
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Great Belize Television Dominates C.B.U. Awards
Another youth lies critically wounded as a result of a mid-afternoon attack on Magazine Road in Belize City. But contrary to other media reports, his father says his son was not involved in any gang-related activity. The family says Cassman Gill loves school. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with the story. Marion Ali, Reporting […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured |
Comments Off on 15-year-old Student Fighting for his Life
The crime situation, particularly in Belize City, is spiraling out of control, notwithstanding a nightly curfew and other measures put in place amid the pandemic. Former law enforcement officer, Elodio Aragon Junior, was also the Minister of State for Home Affairs during the U.D.P.’s term of office. According to Aragon, there is no plan in […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured |
Comments Off on Aragon Says There’s No Plan to Tackle Crime and Violence
In some sad news from southern Belize, a Canadian woman has apparently drowned at her resort in Hopkins. Jeannette Barkman, the eighty-four-year-old owner of Jungle Jeannie’s by the Sea, went walking along the seashore early this morning. When she did not return, an employee became concerned and began to search. Her body was found in […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Crime |
Comments Off on Hotelier’s Body Found in Hopkins
Early this morning, News Five received images of tires burning on the Caesar Ridge Road in Belize City. Questions immediately arose about whether this incident is related to the Christian Workers Union’s notice of intended strike action against the Port of Belize Limited. We asked the President of the Christian Workers Union, Mose Hyde, if […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Tires Burned on Caesar Ridge Road
Nine individuals have filed a constitutional claim in court against the Minister of Health, the Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney General in relation to Statutory Instrument seventy four. The claimants are frontline workers and private sector employees, including three police officers. Among a list of twelve reliefs, the Claimants are seeking, is for the […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Constitutional Claim Filed Against S.I. 74
A fix-date claim form was filed in the Supreme Court of Belize on Monday. The claimants are now waiting for a date from the court for the matter to be heard. But, how does the court claim separate the argument of fundamental rights from what some may view as actions by an antivaxxer movement? The […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Antivaxxer Movement Behind Court Claim
COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc across Belize’s healthcare system with the number of active cases increasing daily as we continue to experience a third wave of infections. When the pandemic began in 2020, the United Democratic Party government, led by former Prime Minister Dean Barrow, was at the helm. Since taking over, the Briceño administration […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Health |
Comments Off on U.D.P. Supports Government’s Vaccination Effort
Students, parents and teachers were readying themselves for a safe return for face-to-face learning, but their return to campus has been pushed back indefinitely as the COVID-19 numbers continue to rise. Today, a News Five team stopped by Saint Catherine Academy as they were issuing laptops for virtual learning, as prescribed by the Ministry of […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Education |
Comments Off on Back-to-Virtual School: Disappointment, but Adjustment
A recent survey has shown that a large number of students at all levels have dropped out of school due to the changes in learning instituted during the pandemic. Principal Salome Tillett also sits on the COVID-19 Taskforce and is a member of the Belize Association of Principals of Secondary Schools. She spoke to News […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Education |
Comments Off on Young People Losing Out and Dropping Out
Scratch and Win has launched several new games ranging from one dollar to ten dollars with prizes up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollar. Scratch and Win says it has raised payouts over eighty percent, making more opportunities for winners, like Antonio. He bought his three-dollar ticket from a store in Corozal and won […]
Written on August 17, 2021 | Posted in
Entertainment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Scratch and Win Winner Takes Home $50K
