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Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English |
Belize Coast Guard and BDF Hold the Line in Wednesday Sarstoon Showdown
Tonight, the Belize National Coast Guard and the Belize Defence Force are feeling perhaps slightly emboldened and empowered after they were emasculated and bullied on Belize's side of the Sarstoon on Saturday.
PM Says He Is Willing to Visit the Sarstoon
This afternoon in Orange Walk, the Prime Minister commented on the encounter. He said he would be willing to go to the Sarstoon:
Will Government Face State of Emergency Lawsuits and Liability?
We note that Guatemala could also be provoking trouble on the Sarstoon because of crime issues there. Reports in today's Prensa Libre say the government is considering implementing a State of Emergency in the province of Zacapa.
PM Explains 25% Ministry Budget Cuts Amid Global Conflicts
On Friday, we reported that on November 1st, government budgets were cut by 25% across all ministries until the end of the fiscal year in April 2027.
PM Concedes Budget Cuts Require Walking a Fiscal Tightrope
And so while those budget cuts are threatening to cripple the operational aspects of many government departments, the PM conceded that it is a balancing act—a kind of fiscal tightrope.
PM Insists Social Programs Are Safe Despite Cuts, Says His Own Office Faces Cuts
And the PM claims that social outreach programs will not be touched—although we have heard otherwise. Still, he says even his office will get the cut:
PM Writes Mexican President Over Energy Costs, Pushes Solar Power
While discussing the budget cuts, the PM also spoke about the crushing world price of diesel and how that's affecting the energy sector.
PM Addresses U.S. Scrutiny and Cartel Smuggling Pressure at Corozal Free Zone
While the energy crisis is unfolding slowly like a long national nightmare, the Corozal Free Zone is its own horror show.
PM Says Cabinet Crowded as Jose Mai Remains Out In The Cold
One minister who may have lost his Cabinet seat due to his proximity to the zone is former Minister of Enterprise with responsibility for the Free Zone, Jose Mai.
Cops May Have Cracked Crime Ring, 20-Year-Old Remanded on Firearm Charges Following Post Office Burglary
Police may have one of the players in a recent crime ring terrorizing businesses across the country.
CWU and Port of Belize Finally Reach Collective Bargaining Agreement
The Christian Workers Union held a press conference today and started by announcing good news: after years of struggle with the Port of Belize—spanning the terms of multiple union presidents—they have finally reached an agreement on a Collective Bargaining Agreement. That agreement has now been sent to the Labour Department, and the CWU expects the matter to conclude shortly. Union President Leonora Flowers attributes part of this breakthrough to a change in PBL's administration.
CWU Accuses Belmopan City Council of Stalling CBA and Refusing Salary Talks
While one battle has been won, the CWU is still fighting others on behalf of its members. One of those battles is with the Belmopan City Council. Flowers explained that they have been waiting three years for the council to sign off on a CBA, and even though municipal elections are coming up again, they are no closer to an agreement. She also explained that the council refuses to negotiate a salary increase for the workers.
CWU Weighs Next Steps as Belmopan City Council Standoff Continues
So what will the CWU members at the Belmopan City Council do? Is industrial action on the horizon? The CWU executives explained that it's not so simple:
NTUCB Explains Absence From Senator Dennison’s Solo Pop-Up Protests
We also asked the CWU's Vice President—who doubles as the NTUCB President—about Senator Glenfield Dennison's pop-up protests, or as he calls it, his public education campaign. He's still rolling basically solo, and she explained that as a union, they can't join without the mandate of their members. She then told us that the NTUCB will be a part of Friday's protest in Belmopan:
NTUCB Outlines Expectations Ahead of Friday’s Belmopan Protest
While that protest is scheduled for Friday in Belmopan, it will be a little too late to disrupt the House Meeting, since the sitting will be held on Thursday. Also missing is the kind of momentum we saw earlier this year when the Speednet acquisition was still on the table. So what is the NTUCB's expectation for Friday? We asked Waight:
PM Says Government Supports Senate Special Select Inquiry Into Energy Sector
Last week, the Senate voted unanimously to launch a Special Select Committee to investigate the energy sector.
PM Reacts to U.S. Visa Revocation of Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith
On Monday, we told you that Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith's visa had been revoked by the U.S. Embassy. He concluded that this action was taken because he has been actively recruiting influential figures to visit China on educational tours.
PM Doubles Down on Proposed San Pedro Airport Despite Islander Pushback
The media also asked the PM about the proposed airport in San Pedro. He has said previously that tourism numbers are projected to increase and the current airport may be running out of space. Islanders dispute this, and many—including the BTIA—say the John Greif II Airport is sufficient. However, the PM doubled down today, saying they are planning for the future:
Olo Caye Proposal Launches Publicly as Race for Belize Cruise Port Heats Up
For more than two decades, we've been reporting on the multiple, related failed attempts to develop a cruise port with berthing piers in the Belize District. All best and worst efforts have failed. Now, Belize risks losing calls by mega cruise ships tired of tendering. So which development will rise to the occasion: the government-backed Port of Belize, or Olo Caye, which the receiver has brought in to take over Stake Bank? They held a public launch today, and we were there:
BHA President Weighs In on Olo Caye Cruise Port Project
While there was no BTB representative at today's event, the Belize Hotel Association was there. That group represents overnight—not cruise—interests, so we asked Malik what his interest was in Olo Caye:
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