Pre-pandemic, only ten percent of the University’s courses were online. Today, the University operates its programs almost one hundred percent virtually. The upside is the pandemic has forced the University to build its online capacity which is paving the way for future in online learning at the tertiary institution. But, how have their students taken […]
Given these challenges and shortcomings, many students may welcome the phasing back into the face- to- face learning. The University may, however, receive some pushback over its vaccination mandate. The National Students Union has yet to form an opinion on the mandate. News Five was told today the Union Executive will meet soon to discuss […]
The impasse between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the Belize Sugar Industries Ltd continues to intensify. On Thursday, BSI issued a release saying it, “views with great concern the latest release… issued by the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association.” In the release BSI questioned whether BSCFA is demonstrating good faith by its “rapidly […]
Sexual Assault – it is something that most victims do not care to talk about and perpetrators don’t want to be identified with. And the laws concerning this can be complex and difficult to understand. But today, on International Human Rights Day, with financial backing from the British High Commission, the Building People’s Movement published […]
Attorney Leslie Mendez was contracted to review the current laws that govern sexual offences in Belize. She told us that while there are various pieces of legislation, there were gaps that could be plugged. In other instances, identifying the applicable portions of law or understanding the highly-technical language in which they are written was the […]
According to CEO of Counseling and Psychological Services, Deshane Gutierrez-Lopez, victims of sexual assault live in a constant state of threat and need talk to someone who is trustworthy in order to get rid of the psychological effects they carry with them. Deshane Gutierrez-Lopez, CEO, Founder, Counseling & Psychological Services “That person is always […]
The Chiquibul Forest Reserve and other dense jungle spaces in Belize have been areas of contention for Belizean law enforcement authorities and Guatemalan encroachers from time to time. Often enough, Friends for Conservation and Development, accompanied by Belize Defense Force and Immigration personnel apprehend illegal loggers, poachers, gold-panners and cattle ranchers. Now there a proposal […]
But to have better management of a much broader area, there needs to be a clear definition of the responsibilities for each agency involved. Manzanero says that part of the plan is still in the making. Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, FCD “Certainly, Marion, all of these areas are already under protection and so it […]
In Regional News, Nicaragua has become the latest country to side with China over Taiwan, cutting all diplomatic ties with the island nation. According to international news outlets, Taiwan said it is “deeply saddened” that Nicaragua had disregarded many years of friendship.” Beijing continues to see Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with […]
Devoted Channel Five viewers know that all this week, like every year around this time, has been our nightly Gimme Five Show. Tonight is the last night, with your hosts William Neal and Sabreena Daly. To get you in the mood for the fabulous prizes tonight here are some highlights from this week’s shows and […]
Public Officers worried about the pending deadline to show their vaccination cards when they report to work on December fifteenth have gotten a reprieve. This evening a joint release from Government of Belize and the Public Service Union announced that deadline has been postponed indefinitely. The Minister of the Public Service Henry Charles Usher, Minister […]
Twenty-five bails of cocaine went up in flames today. The drugs were seized by law enforcement two weeks ago, after a narco-plane crash landed in the Mountain Pine Ridge Area. Since then, the cocaine was being held at a secure location under police guard. But today, that pay load was transported to an undisclosed location […]
There are reports that an aircraft was flying low over the Belize on Wednesday night. ACP Grinage confirmed that authorities were tracking an aircraft that eventually made its way into Guatemalan airspace. ACP Alford Grinage, Operations Commander, Belize Police Department “As usual, we always have sleepless nights trying to deal with narco trafficking. Yes, […]
ACP Grinage was also asked about the selection process for officers to respond to reports of suspected drug plane landings. With the recent incidents involving police officers, the question lingers: who can be trusted? ACP Alford Grinage, Operations Commander, Belize Police Department “Police selection will always be the same. Like what Commissioner had always […]
The manslaughter case against Canadian national Jasmine Hartin was adjourned to February sixteenth, 2022. While that is when Hartin will be receiving complete disclosure in the case, it is also the date for her appearance in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court for charges of possession of an illegal drug and common assault. Today, a News […]
While our News Five team was in La Isla Bonita, San Pedro today we decided to check in with Mayor Wally Nunez as the island town was buzzing with tourism activity. While the numbers are not as high as they were in 2019, the mayor says the prime tourist destination is rebounding. Wally Nunez, […]
When Mayor Wally Nunez took over at the San Pedro Town Council earlier this year, it wasn’t without controversy. The accounts were dried up and the financial state of council was grim, with debts in the hundreds of thousands. Some employees were terminated, but as the mayor’s strategic plan took shape, the revenue stream started […]
If you take a drive around the island, you would notice a lot of infrastructural activity on San Pedro. That is because for weeks now, the council has embarked on several projects to bring relief to residents who have been clamoring for upgrades to major thoroughfares. As News Five found out today, thirty-five percent of works […]
Affixed to the ongoing road rehabilitation project is the construction of a new bridge linking the north and south sides of the island. The town council has invested about half a million dollars into the current bridge which had deteriorated and was in need of repairs. Construction is due to begin at the end of […]
Even as the prime tourist destination is seeing a rebound, sargassum continues to be an eyesore incurring costs for the council and hoteliers. Mitigating the natural phenomenon continues to be a new mandate of the council. Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro Town “The town council is always working with the sargassum; this is a […]
Coastal communities and islands across the country have been experiencing erosion as one of the many effects of climate n. In San Pedro, it is no different. Beaches have been washed away and the sea has gradually inched closer to some properties. Mayor Wally Nunez says that the council is planning to carry out a […]
While the number of persons who turned out for their COVID vaccinations has risen sharply over previous months, the overall number of persons who have gotten the jab is still fewer than fifty percent. Up to Tuesday when Cabinet was briefed by the Minister of Health, forty-eight point seven percent of the population had received […]
With just days now before Christmas, you may want to get your booster shot to protect yourself and your loved ones during the holidays. The Ministry of Health and Wellness began offer COVID booster shots in the latter part of October. Since it was opened up to everyone, a little over ten thousand persons have […]
The Belize Nature Conservation Foundation has awarded two conservation organizations grants amounting to seventy four thousand dollars. The handing over ceremony was held this morning at the Guanacaste National Park in Belmopan. News Five’s Paul Lopez filed the following report. Paul Lopez, Reporting Two environmental conservation agencies received grants from the Belize Nature Conservation […]
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is joining the international observance of International Anti-Corruption Day. This year’s theme is “Your right, your role: Say no to corruption”. To mark the day in Belize, the NTUCB is calling on the Briceno administration to take concrete action towards implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which […]
