It was the buzz this weekend as people joined the discussion on the new marijuana businesses being proposed. The churches, by and large, church maintain unwavering positions in the ongoing marijuana discussion, saying “no” to decriminalization and certainly “no” to legalization of possession and trade. But the government of the day has a very different […]
On Friday we told you about the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill that was introduced in the House. The bill seeks to establish licensing, registration and operational requirements for the cultivation, processing, distribution and delivery of cannabis products for adult use in Belize. As a part of its provision it will also seek to expunge […]
COVID numbers are once again spiraling out of control and the Briceño administration is implementing stringent public health measures to stem the spread of the virus in other parts of the country. In the Toledo District, the lockdown of three villages, including Barranco, Midway and Conejo, has come into effect and will remain in place […]
Before it was even tabled in the House of Representatives on Friday, the Eleventh Amendment Bill was controversial. It seeks to provide additional grounds for the disqualification of an individual as a member of the National Assembly. The proposed piece of legislation has been described as “ambiguous” by former Prime Minister Dean Barrow in other […]
The Belize City Branch of the Belize National Teachers Union issued an update to its membership today informing them that the virtual court hearing on the claim filed about the ten percent salary cut is scheduled for July sixteenth. The release also noted that the union will be collaborating with the Ministry of Health to […]
There was a brazen robbery in Belize City when two men held up the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza just before midday today. Reports to News Five are that the men arrived at the establishment in a black SUV, held up several people at gunpoint, stealing over ten thousand dollars in cash, then drove off. […]
There is no evidence to suggest that they are related, but over the weekend, two armed robbers also targeted the Belize Health Care Partners, taking cell phones and an undisclosed amount of cash. Police say it was a crime of opportunity, not necessarily a reflection of hard economic times. So far, they have not made […]
Up to news time tonight, details remain sparse after a body was found this morning on the riverbank in San Ignacio. The deceased was clad only in a shirt. Reports are that his face had been bashed in, but that has not been confirmed by police. What is known is that there were multiple injuries […]
The Belize Police Department is mourning the loss of one their own over the weekend. Corporal Jose Blanco reported for duty to the Caribbean Shores Police Station just after midnight on Sunday morning, but was found dead a few hours later. It is known that he had diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension, but there was […]
And while the department is looking into Corporal Blanco’s death, members of the media asked what efforts are being made by the Belize Police Department to keep officers healthy, like the other security forces. ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department “You touched on Coast Guard, B.D.F., they are not out here patrolling […]
Thirty-eight-year-old Mayflower Street resident Jervis Valencia has not been cooperating with police after he was shot in the jaw in an alley way off Banak Street last week Friday. The person police detained for the shooting was later released. According to ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Valencia checked himself out of the K.H.M.H. this morning. ASP […]
Should the Governor General be held to a term of five years, similarly to what is being proposed in the Tenth Amendment for the constitutional appointments? That’s what Opposition member Tracy Panton says should happen. But in Section Two A of the amendment bill for the G.G.’s condition of service act, this administration wants the […]
At Friday’s House Meeting, the resolution was passed to amend the schedule of the Governor General’s conditions of service act to increase the G.G.’s salary from a little over fifty thousand dollars to seventy-five thousand annually. It also makes provisions for duty allowances to be increased from two thousand dollars to twelve thousand dollars per […]
On Friday, a number of bills were introduced that seek to encourage a more “business friendly” climate in Belize. One of these amends the Companies Act by removing fees for certifying documents and streamlining the process. PM Briceño says this bill will make it easier to start a business in Belize. Prime Minister John […]
Among the complaints raised by public officers facing salary cuts and increment freezes is that G.O.B. is not doing enough to come down on tax evasion. On Friday, a bill was introduced to amend the tax administration and procedure act. It would allow the government to publish the names of tax defaulters and make provisions […]
Just now you heard the Prime Minister discuss the three primary unpaid taxes that collectors will be going after – but added to these are people who owe back taxes on their land. According to Briceño, G.O.B. will confiscate land if necessary. Prime Minister John Briceño “As the honorable member of Lake I has […]
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development will be executing a scaled-down road works project on the Caracol Road. According to Minister Julius Espat, his Ministry has deferred phase two of the project, but after they did a review of the plans in place they were able to recuperate twenty-eight million dollars in savings. He says they […]
For years, Cemento Progreso has been imported into Belize from neighboring Guatemala. The powder for concrete has been used extensively in the infrastructure development and housing construction of the country. Following a visit to Belize, on the heels of the opening of Santander Sugar in Cayo District, however, the Chief Executive Officer of the company […]
A reef shark reportedly bit a tourist during a dive tour off the coast of Ambergris Caye on Sunday. Reports from San Pedro are that the visitor was with Chuck and Robinson Tours diving in an area known as Tackle Box. The shark is reported to have bitten his hand, ripping off flesh from his […]
About two weeks ago we showed you a group of angry fisherfolk who want G.O.B. to repeal Statutory Instrument fifty-seven of 2021 which was gazetted back in May. According to the fishermen, they were only recently made aware that the Minister of Blue Economy Andre Perez signed the new S.I. which amended the Fisheries Regulations […]
Except for 2020, she has represented the country annually for the past four years in the Intelligentsia Cup in the U.S. And next week, cyclist Kaya Cattouse travels to Chicago to compete in the ten days of cycling races. Duane Moody has more on Cattouse’s determination and training during the pandemic. Duane Moody, Reporting […]
