2021 has been a record year for drug plane landings in Belize. The past twelve months have also seen a number of foiled operations where narco-traffickers are either busted or the illicit cargo they are attempting to smuggle across the northern border is confiscated. But it is also a year during which several police officers […]
The Krooman Lagoon – it is the location where over two hundred families have been squatting for the years and just last week, where an internal brawl among group members of the MS-13 gang operatives led to a an assault upon a family and a suspected arson upon their house on Sunday night. Today, Commissioner […]
The Government of Belize has embarked on a plan to work with young men, primarily those caught up in the criminal justice system, through its leadership intervention program. It is the brainchild several people, including Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa, William Dawson from the Wagner’s Youth Facility at the Central Prison and Doctor Richard […]
Today, we found the men cleaning up on Croton Lane. They are doing different communities every week and Minister Musa says that there is already collaboration with City Hall. Now the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industries has also expressed interest. But who’s fronting the bill? The Minister of Home Affairs was asked whether G.O.B. […]
This morning, the Statistical Institute of Belize and the International Organization for Migration held a press conference to present the findings of a Migration Study using data from 2010. Although this is over a decade old, it was never analyzed. It will serve as a baseline for the upcoming census. Among the findings: over forty-one […]
As noted, this data from the migration study will serve as a baseline for the information that will come out of the 2022 Housing and Population Census. C.E.O. in the Ministry of Immigration, Doctor Gilroy Middleton, says he hopes the information also helps to demystifying migration. Dr. Gilroy Middleton, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration “It […]
The Ministry of Immigration is encouraging migrants across Belize to participate in the 2022 Population and Housing Census. The data collected is used to better guide policies and services created for migrants, so, the more accurate the data, the more effective the response. But, how has the landscape changed since data was gathered over a […]
Today in San Pedro Town, the Hope Haven Domestic Violence outreach centre was officially opened in the San Mateo area on Ambergris Caye. The centre will be offering services to both women and men who are experiencing domestic violence. With assistance from our correspondent on the island, News Five’s Duane Moody files this report. […]
When the academic year resumes in January, students across the country will be returning to hybrid learning, a system that is currently in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier today, Chief Executive Officer Dian Maheia made the announcement that the new year will be a continuation of what is already in practice. This, she says, […]
Viewers may recall in our Tuesday broadcast that Minister Orlando Habet spoke to the one-hundred-dollar bonus for public officers. He also emphasized that neither ministers nor C.E.O.’s will be eligible. Today, there was official confirmation for those working at government-aided and grant-aided schools that they would be receiving their hundred dollars. This will apply to […]
It’s been a decade-long tradition of the Bowen and Bowen Group to assist families with a complete Christmas meal through its Jingle Box program. With another COVID Christmas, many families are struggling to meet day-to-day needs. So the donation, in the spirit of the season, is especially important. Bowen and Bowen once again has partnered […]
As far as the COVID restrictions are concerned, the Commissioner of Police also had some sobering advice for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, is one that every Belizean should take seriously and with a population of over four hundred thousand people to just over two thousand police officers it will take responsible behaviour on […]
While the Christmas season is usually joyous, it can result in misfortune for people who become vulnerable to thieves. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says there will be more patrols to try to control the level of criminal activity that happens at this time of year. But aside from that, there are some do’s and […]
Some people will be permitted to hold their social holiday events, as the Commissioner indicated, but the hosts will have to have strict protocols in place. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “The regulations do have provisions that (state) if you want to hold a social event, you can apply to the Ministry of Health […]
Belize Camping Experiences is once again carrying out its largest fundraiser for the year. The Apple for Kids end of the year project garners the funds BCE needs to engage Belizean children in life changing spiritual and life skills activities. We stopped by Caribbean Chicken in Belize City today to find out more and how […]
The Manuel Esquivel overpass has suddenly become an unexpected highlight of Christmas decorations in Belize City. Located near the Flag Roundabout, the overpass now boasts an illumination display erected by the Belize City Council. Pedestrians will find themselves walking through what feels like an enchanted tunnel above the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers swirling […]
News Five has confirmed that A.C.P. Marco Vidal has been suspended for sixty days with pay. Information is that the Security Services Commission, chaired by Charles Gibson, met and approved a course of action going forward involving the embattled senior cop. A suspension letter was issued – copied to the Minister of Home Affairs Kareem […]
The Briceño Administration is also trying to spread the cheer of Christmas to public officers. Minister Orlando Habet confirmed that public officers will be getting a one hundred dollars Christmas bonus. And, while he admits it is not nearly enough to match what has been lost as a result of the ten percent pay, he […]
As we inch closer to Christmas, some area representatives have already mobilized their Christmas assistance machineries within their communities. Today, we asked Area Representative for Cayo North East about how he plans to bring a “Blu Christmas” to his constituents. Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo North East “For my constituency, I think that we […]
Social Security contributions will increase in 2022, by one percentage point from nine to ten percent. But the wage ceiling is also going up four hundred and eighty dollars to five hundred and twenty. According to the Social Security Board, these increases were deferred in 2019, but have been approved by Cabinet now. S.S.B. says […]
Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, says his ministry is concerned about the allegation of bribery being made against members of the National Environmental Appraisal Committee. In a letter dated November twenty- fourth addressed to the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited alleged that members of Committee (NEAC) approached them […]
There are reports that the NEAC has already deliberated and made a decision on Waterloo’s bulk handling facility and cruise ship port. Unconfirmed reports suggest that NEAC has objected to the project. But when we asked Minister Habet for confirmation today, he only revealed that instructions have been given to NEAC to write Waterloo about […]
In their letter, Waterloo Investment Holding requested a meeting with C.E.O. Williams to further discuss their concerns in an effort to reach an expeditious resolution. We asked Minister Habet if they will take up that request. Here is how he responded. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development “I believe that any investor, especially for […]
A visit to Belize City this morning by a Seine Bight resident has ended with big cash. Thelma Palacio arrived with her granddaughter, who has been her lucky charm. As they alighted the bus at the terminal, Palacio headed to a nearby shop to purchase three scratch-and-win tickets. One of those three-dollar tickets had a […]
More than twenty-five diabetics who suffer from glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy have gone totally blind during COVID. That is the shocking news from Executive Director of the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (B.C.V.I). Musa told News Five today that because of the patients’ fear of potentially catching COVID-19, they did not venture out to […]
