Today, the United Democratic Party issued a release saying this is the worst time to play politics with the health care system and accuses the Briceño administration of making moves to destroy the DHS Office. The U.D.P. says that “Politics above professionalism is the clear rational and purpose behind the announced intention of the Briceño […]
As we reported on Thursday, new legislation governing the juvenile justice system will be introduced at next week’s House Meeting by the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. The Minister who holds the portfolio on that matter, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia explained to News Five what the changes will mean. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister […]
Balderamos Garcia explained that the law provides for a proactive rather than a reactive approach when dealing with children with vulnerabilities. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development “We want to change the paradigm from criminalizing young people’s behaviour and looking to where there are indeed vulnerabilities and the need for child protection, you […]
Twenty-four-year-old Dane Gillett is set to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday where he is expected to be arraigned for the murder of fifteen-year-old Dwayne Gabourel. The suspected killer was charged and arraigned for a separate offense of aggravated assault on October first. Moments later, the Majestic Alley resident tested positive for COVID-19, delaying […]
Oceana Belize is piloting its “Fish Right, Eat Right” initiative in San Pedro. The technology allows for restaurateurs to track their fish purchase, from catch to kitchen. It is Oceana’s intent to encourage fishers to practice more sustainable ways of fishing. Currently, ten fisher folk are using the application, with some twenty five restaurants on […]
Oceana in Belize released its 2020 report on the state of Belize’s fisheries on Thursday. It’s a hundred and seventy-two page document that lays out the challenges of the country’s marine sector, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihoods of fisher folk and other industry stakeholders. With a steady decline […]
According to Noble-Carnegie, the purpose of the report is to consolidate information on the fisheries sector, making it easier to access data for research. Alyssa Noble-Carnegie, Communications Director, Oceana “Any information that’s provided on any of these fisheries we feel is absolutely helpful because as much as we can make decisions and our management […]
Questions have been raised since the Prime Minister announced that his latest trip to Mexico entailed a discussion with Mexican authorities about the possibility of building a bridge to link Ambergris Caye with Mexico. Some conservationists are concerned over the impact such a project could potentially have on the Bachalar Chico Marine Reserve, located at […]
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is quickly approaching, and OCEANA Belize is looking forward to the event. The event is scheduled for the thirty first of October to the twelfth of November. We asked Carnegie what OCEANA expects will be the priority issues for Belize. Alyssa Carnegie, Communications […]
There’s good news coming out of Florida today for the under-seventeen female national team who went on to beat the national team from Barbados two to one in the CONCACAF U-Seventeen Women’s Tournament. Earlier this week, the team lost to Curacao; they regrouped and today, with renewed motivation, the team won. Team captain Khalydia Velasquez, […]
On Sunday afternoon, a Belizean contingent travels to Sacramento, California for the “Into the Lion’s Den” criterion hosted by Belize National Champion, Justin Williams and his team, Legion of Los Angeles. Joining Kaya Cattouse are Giovanni Lovell, Oscar Quiroz, Byron Pope, Jafari Castro and Joslyn Chavarria Junior. The team is taken care of financially by […]
Today the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) released new information about vaccine safety and efficacy. Dr. Alba Maria Ropero shared that there’s also a new recommendation for booster shots for people with immune-compromised systems. Dr. Alba Ropero, Reg. Advisor on Immunization, PAHO “The strategic advisory group from WHO reviewed the recommendations, based on new […]
PAHO’s Dr. Ropero explained that the third dose for the elderly and severely ill people is not to be confused with the booster shot, which is recommended for healthy people after their vaccines have become inactive over time. WHO also does not recommend mixing and matching different brands of vaccines because there are still studies […]
Like a number of other public buildings recently, the National Assembly in Belmopan closed today at midday for sanitization of all the offices. This was due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19. A notice from the Clerk’s Office says services to the public will resume on Tuesday the twenty-sixth of October. The Special […]
The Caribbean Court of Justice Academy for Law has published a new book, “Pioneering Caribbean Women Jurists.” It features thirty-four outstanding legal women from across the region, including Belize’s own Ambassador Lois Young. This morning, Justice Winston Anderson of the CCJ Academy for Law was a guest on Channel Five’s Open Your Eyes. He noted […]
The island of Barbados elected its first president today as they transition towards becoming a republic. Dame Sandra Mason secured two-thirds of the votes in the Barbadian Parliament. In September 2020 Mason had said in a speech “the time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind.” That same month Barbados announced they would […]
It is to go before parliament at the next sitting of the House of Representatives, but earlier this week, Cabinet approved recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to amend the Public Health Act. This will allow the creation of two new posts – a Director of Public Health and Wellness and a Director […]
Public officers remain on a ten percent salary cut and increment freeze, which was implemented earlier this year. With current financial constraints, can the Briceño administration afford two new directors? Here’s how Minister Henry Charles Usher responded. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform “In terms of the efficiencies that […]
The National Evangelical Association of Belize has written to Prime Minister John Briceno objecting to the vaccine mandate imposed on churches. The letter dated October 15 states that NEAB was surprised to learn about the stipulation being placed on churches when it was, quote, “not discussed or agreed upon,” in a meeting NEAB says it […]
Today, News Five also asked the Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher about the issue of COVID among public officers, specifically those frontline workers who are at higher risk of exposure. The minister says that they continue to promote vaccination and that the statistics so far as good, but there is room for improvement. […]
CEMO has been activated and continues to monitor the flood conditions going into tonight as it is expected that the rains will continue. On Wednesday and again today, CEMO Liaison Officer at the Belize City Council Melony Dawson, the City Engineer, and a field officer went into flood prone areas after receiving multiple calls of […]
This morning, a panel of four presenters, including Cristina Coc, spokesperson for the Maya Leaders Alliance, convened a lengthy discussion on recognizing the importance of Garifuna land rights. The issue is once again at the forefront of public discourse in light of what has been taking place in Garifuna communities across the country. Coc, who […]
The economic value of land, particularly in the context of the sale of prime properties in coastal communities such as Hopkins and Seine Bight, was also part of the panel discussion. Dr. Philip Castillo, a development economist, weighed in on the issue from the perspective of the National Garifuna Council assisting elder land owners, those […]
Perhaps what is interesting to note is that registered Garifuna farmers only make up twelve percent of the total number of farmers in the Stann Creek District. That’s according to the records kept in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Belize Agricultural Management Information System. Dr. Peitra Arana, on the other hand, issues a call to action […]
It’s been almost a year since the P.U.P. took office in central government and the Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform was asked where his ministry is in terms of short-term and long-term goals. More specifically, Minister Henry Charles Usher was asked to give a report card on his ministry. He says that […]
