COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the country as we are experiencing a third wave of the virus. On Tuesday, the frightening data was released; three hundred and fifty new cases were confirmed alone. And despite one hundred and ninety new recoveries recorded, the number of active cases is now at two thousand one hundred and […]
In terms of survivability, eighty-seven percent of positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic in Belize have recovered. The fatality rate is at two point zero one with four hundred and eight COVID-related deaths recorded so far. Even more frightening is that up to last Friday, thirty-seven deaths were already recorded for the month […]
Among those three deaths recorded on Tuesday was Nurse Bernadette Flowers Smith of the Belize River Valley. The much respected medical professional was in charge of the health center in Double Head Cabbage for over three decades. She died after being hospitalized for several days at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. “Miss Nurse,” as she […]
We are in week-two of additional measures put in place by government to curb the rising COVID-19 numbers. The benefits of these measures will not be seen for another few weeks, but is two weeks enough? Doctor Melissa Diaz-Musa says that the longer the measures are in place, the better control of the spread. […]
There is some good news in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccinations are up. To date, one hundred and twenty-three thousand four hundred and seventy-five persons are fully vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccination report from the Ministry of Health and Wellness indicates that twenty-three thousand five hundred and fourteen children twelve to seventeen have been vaccinated. Almost […]
The planned reopening of schools for face-to-face learning does not seem like a good idea with the climbing COVID-19 numbers. While many students, ages twelve to seventeen, have been vaccinated, is it advisable that schools reopen? Word from the Ministry of Education is that schools can reopen on October fourth for hybrid learning, following the […]
Police are searching for Geoffrey Crawford, a resident of Mile thirty one the Phillip Goldson Highway. He is reported to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Police say sometime around seven a.m., a neighbor saw two men enter Crawford’s yard. That individual later assisted the men when they needed a jump start. However, as the two […]
There have still not been any arrests in the murder of Dwayne Gabourel and those persons who were detained earlier this week have since been released. But in the wake of the senseless murder, the viral videos of the killing and the subsequent footage of the crying mother climbing into the pan of a police […]
Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa appeared on Open Your Eyes today where he spoke about the need to enforce the law on gang membership. Although a gang leader could get twenty years in jail under the law, this never happens and members who plead guilty generally just get a fine. Musa says the law […]
The Belize Network of NGOs congratulates the Briceno administration on its blue bonds initiative which has been successfully negotiated with eighty-four percent of the holders of the super bond supporting the financial mechanism which was proposed by The Nature Conservancy. While BNN applauds government’s effort, it is also seeking public affirmation that the blue bonds […]
According to Salas, while the initiative is the hallmark of sustainable human development and relieves a significant portion of Belize’s crushing external debt obligations, there is still a long way to go to restoring the country’s overall fiscal balance. Osmany Salas, Belize Network of NGOs “We must support any initiative that will result in […]
The BNN is also expressing concern over the cruise ports and the concentration of facilities to be built in the Belize District. As many as five terminals would be in operation across the country if all these projects were to be green-lighted. From an environmental perspective, Salas tells News Five that it is not sustainable. […]
One hundred and fifty Belizeans are in the process of becoming home owners, as the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing launches its housing pilot program. The Briceno Administration, under Plan Belize, has committed to building ten thousand starter homes. Yes, building one hundred and fifty is a far cry from ten thousand and in […]
We also asked Alamilla about the application process for the one hundred and fifty homes the Ministry plans to have completed by March of 2022. Cabinet will then prepare a plan to move forward with constructing additional homes in the new fiscal year. Marisa Alamilla, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing “The applications, there […]
Attorney General Magali Marin-Young appeared on Open Your Eyes on Tuesday morning to discuss a number of issues, including new changes that are coming into force on October first, where additional COVID regulations are concerned. Among those changes are a requirement for individuals to present a vaccination card or a negative PCR or rapid test […]
Although he is still in Mexico City as part of G.O.B.’s official delegation, this morning Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Christopher Coye joined Channel Five’s Open Your Eyes via zoom to talk about the progress of the offering to bondholders. The Minister of State said the recent salary cuts and other fiscal […]
Minister of State Christopher Coye also discussed how Belize will benefit in the long run from the funds that will be saved under the bond buy back. Christopher Coye, Minister of State, Finance “Unlike the private sector, the role of government is not to maximize profits or maximize shareholder wealth. It is to enhance […]
Every year, OCEANA’s Ocean Hero Awards is a night of celebration where exceptional accomplishments in ocean conservation, advocacy and education are recognized. Tonight, a pair of recipients who exemplify what it means to be an Ocean Hero will be honored for their work in promoting and raising awareness about Belize’s marine resources. OCEANA’s Vice President […]
He goes by the stage name Troy DaBoy, but dance hall artist Timothy Gentle of Orange Walk wants to spread positive vibes across the country. His music video “I Will,” premiered today on YouTube. Gentle has been working the industry for a few years now, but has most recently been in studio producing singles. “I […]
