This week, Minister Gaspar Vega resigned from cabinet after evidence surfaced that his son was superbly compensated for land sold to him which was held privately. Prime Minister Barrow had to reshuffle the cabinet in light of Vega’s departure. Minister John Saldivar was sent home for a week pending investigation into his business relationship with […]
With all the talk of a salary deduction, there are serious concerns about the legality of such a decision. In fact, the question of whether or not government has the right to withhold wages is front and center of B.N.T.U.’s latest round of discussions. But what does it all mean for the political aspirations of […]
With all these national issues on the front burner, there is another of interest. A baby was delivered at the Western Regional Hospital in darkness on Wednesday night. While the name of the mother is not going to be revealed, we can say that the baby and the mother are in good health. Just before […]
House Speaker Michael Peyrefitte filed suit against both the Attorney General Vanessa Retreage and the Auditor General Dorothy Bradley on Thursday. The suit arises from a three volume special audit into widespread scandals at the Immigration and Nationality Department. Peyrefitte wants the court to quash the decision of the Auditor General in publishing in the […]
Last week the Opposition People’s United Party declared Belize’s foreign reserves to be in “crisis” mode following the payment of sixty-seven point three million U.S. dollars as the first of two payments to Dunkeld International Investments and B.T.L. Employees’ Trust in satisfaction of the settlement agreement made by the Permanent Court of International Arbitration and […]
Western Union and MoneyGram enjoy much usage in Belize as a means of sending and receiving money quickly and reliably and even cheaper. Of late there have been persistent reports that Belizeans have found a way to get around the issue of a shortage of US dollars. Some seeking U.S. currency are bypassing using local […]
Before taking up her position as Governor of the Central Bank, former Senator and Ambassador Joy Grant was Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit. Today, the Governor General confirmed the appointment of her replacement, Kent Clare. He takes office as of October eleventh, 2016. Clare was most recently Commissioner of the Income Tax Department. That […]
Marlon Castillo is the twenty-nine year old former cyclist who admitted earlier this week to causing the death of his long-time cycling buddy Ariel Rosado. It happened during a traffic accident five years ago on the Philip Goldson Highway. Today a remorseful Castillo was assessed fines totalling thirteen thousand dollars – and it could have […]
Once the second most powerful man in the country for two consecutive terms, the fall from grace for Orange Walk North Area Representative Gaspar Vega has been steep and sudden. That downward spiral began when he was stripped of the Ministry of Natural Resources where it was long suspected that there were shady land transactions […]
And what about Vega? Well, Minister of Health Pablo Marin was rather tightlipped on what he thought of his fellow minister’s departure from Cabinet. But he did say that he missed him because they were good friends. So, now that Vega is gone, who will fill those big shoes in the north? The most senior […]
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that Minister of Defense John Saldivar had been placed on one week’s leave of absence pending legal advice on a matter involving Saldivar’s business ties to William ‘Danny’ Mason. According to the PM, counsel is being sought to determine whether Saldivar acted sufficiently in terminating his relationship with […]
So is John Saldivar in or out? Well, we don’t know that quite yet. Until next week we’ll find out what happens to the long time Belmopan Minister. But how did all this news sit with his fellow cabinet minister Pablo Marin? Marin said he did have questions when the allegations surfaced, but he feels […]
As you know, PM Barrow has taken up the mantle as the new Minister of Police. Tonight there are pressing issues within the Belize Police Department to be addressed. Officers stationed in Caye Caulker are faced with substandard living conditions while working on the island. Despite an inspection by public health authorities, as well as […]
We’ve often reported on allegations of police brutality and how officers attached to the Gang Suppression Unit are accused of using excessive force—breaking into homes and beating up on residents. Well tonight, a nineteen year old resident of Burrell Boom is claiming that on Thursday morning, he was the victim of an attack by the […]
There were fires reported overnight in Belize City and Valley of Peace, Cayo District. The first took place on the George Price Highway after eleven in the evening and destroyed a bungalow house occupied by two persons who were not at home. However, a candle was left lit inside the house. We hear more from […]
The second incident took place in the early hours of Friday morning and there is very little information as to what caused a house to be set afire in Valley of Peace. Orin Smith tells us more. Orin Smith, Station Officer, National Fire Service “On arrival on the scene, a thirty by thirty-three wooden […]
Faster collection of your pay? Quicker cheque-cashing and depositing? Shorter stay at the bank, or not having to go at all? If you think it’s all a dream, then wake up and open your eyes, because it’s here and it’s happening as we speak. As correspondent Aaron Humes reports, today the Central Bank has introduced […]
Belize continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with its Central American and Caribbean neighbours on tackling the issue of de-risking that is affecting the economies. There has, however, been little progress made despite long months of lobbying. We got an update from Central Bank Governor Joy Grant this morning. Joy Grant, Governor, Central Bank […]
While early versions have existed since antiquity, the first modern cheque was introduced in 1659. And while it continues to be an important source of handling money, it is rapidly being phased out in many countries. Could Belize be next? With the advent of the Automated Payment and Securities Settlement System, the Deputy Governor of […]
Belize, through Ministry of Health and local tourism agencies, officially launched the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s tourism health and safety program to ensure the health and safety of visitors. It is a part of planning for tourism based illnesses which can have major negative economic impact on the region’s tourism dependent economies. The new system […]
Senior Counsel Michael Young will be laid to rest on Monday, following a funeral service at Wesley Methodist Church. While many are still grieving the sudden death of the respected lawyer, others are celebrating his professional achievements, as well as his contributions to Belizean society. Young was instrumental as chair of the Crime Control Committee […]
Today, the Belize Cancer Society hosted cancer survivors at a luncheon to celebrate their milestone being cancer free. The participants, from various backgrounds, shared their personal stories and the significance of this celebration. News Five stopped in at the Cancer Center for today’s event: Heather Reneau, Senior Administrator, Belize Cancer Society “Today we are […]
Tonight, a family from Punta Gorda is asking the public for assistance to save the life of popular James Bus Line driver, Tyron Coleman. According to Lovinia Coleman, and her sister Dorla Williams, her husband was diagnosed with multi-vessel coronary artery disease. Forty-four year old Tyron is currently in a critical condition at the Karl […]
