We begin our newscast tonight with a decision that was handed down in the High Court earlier today by Justice Ricardo O‘Neil Sandcroft. Three former law enforcement officers have been sentenced to fifteen years in prison after they were convicted of manslaughter in the beating death of a bartender in San Pedro in March 2016. […]
Well-known street figure Jervis Diamond Valencia was the target of a gunman earlier today when shots were fired in the vicinity of Logwood Street in Belize City. According to police in the area, officers were on foot patrol near Ebony Street when they heard reports of gunfire. When they arrived at the scene they observed […]
Two bills were passed through the Senate today that will provide greater access to legal aid for persons unable to afford the service. The authority to assign attorneys for legal aid purposes falls under the Senior Courts Act. An amendment is now being made to that act that will see such powers removed from the […]
Union Senator, Elena Smith, also made contributions to the debate on the amendments being made to the Senior Court Act and the passage of the Legal Aid Bill. The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is concerned that these legal aid services will be exploited by persons who are positioned to pay for their own […]
Tonight, we are premiering our latest news product, a bi-weekly segment that we have dubbed “The Five Point Breakdown”. It is a comprehensive analysis of complex social, political, and economic issues that are presented in an easy to understand format. Tonight’s explainer journalism feature looks at the population census and its impact on economic development. […]
It is estimated that more than thirty-five thousand persons in Belize live with some form of disability. Over the years, efforts have been made to raise awareness about persons living with disabilities in Belize. There have also been initiatives geared at creating greater inclusivity in the workplace and in public spaces. But, as Kenrick Theus, […]
Last night we told you about the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s evaluation exercise in Belize and how important this is for the nation’s corresponding banking relationships. Through the exercise, CFATF is assessing Belize’s legislative compliance in combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The taskforce is […]
The Non-Profit Organization (N.P.O.) Bill is one among a raft of legislations that the Briceño Administration is pushing through the House and the Senate to comply with recommendations being made by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. Social partners flagged a number of issues with the bill, when it was first tabled on March tenth. […]
The N.P.O. Bill does however contain far-reaching implications for the churches, as they will now be required to register as N.P.O.’s under the new law. Church Senator Bishop Alvin Moses Benguche argues that the N.P.O. Bill does not give consideration to the church. According to Bishop Benguche, the church is willing to assist the government […]
Senator Elena Smith added to the concerns of Senator Moses Benguche, who represents the churches. She questioned the impact that the N.P.O. Bill will have on schools managed by religious organizations. She explained that a number of these schools rely on fundraisers as a means of accessing the necessary finances for their daily operations. […]
Each year, the Ministry of Agriculture names a Woman Farmer of the Year to complement its new senior and junior winners. This year’s Woman Farmer of the Year, fifty-year-old Esmeralda Stanley, showed us today that she is not only deserving of the recognition, but that she is certainly self-sufficient. She lives by the mantra that […]
Belize District is often referred to as the vegetable basket for the urban market. Thousands of pounds of edible plants that are consumed daily are produced by many cooperatives just off the Old Northern Highway. Today, a News Five team travelled to Bomba – a farming community outside of Maskall Village. The Bomba United Farmers […]
Earlier today, News Five caught up with Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai in Bomba Village and we asked for an update on the situation between Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industry. As we’ve been reporting, the parties have been at odds over an unresolved commercial agreement and today, News […]
But what law exists that determines that the miller must compensate all farmers after selling sugar to Fairtrade at a premium price? Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai says that at this time there is none. It’s a matter that came up in cabinet on Tuesday. Jose Abelardo Mai, Ministry of Agriculture “The problem that […]
At this time, the opening ceremony of the Second Central American Commission for Environment and Development Regional Environmental Congress is concluding at the Princess Ramada Hotel in Belize City. It is being held under the theme, “Interregional Unity: Enhancing Human Security and Environmental Resilience.” As pro-tempore president of C.C.A.D., Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and […]
Belize’s Constitution, as it is, speaks about human security and environmental protection and in a national context, the country has a national climate change policy and strategic plan which looks at thirteen sectors that have direct links to the environment. Minister Orlando Habet says that the congress looks at targets embedded within the sustainable development […]
