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
Shyne Barrow is celebrating tonight after Justice Tawanda Hondora this afternoon handed down his decision on the battle for control and legitimate leadership of the UDP.
The judgement found, damningly for Panton, quote, "The 20 October 2024 meeting was not a UDP National Convention, and the decisions and resolutions adopted at that 20 October 2024 meeting are not binding on the members of the UDP in their capacity as members of that party."
So, that means that Panton's convention - which resolved to remove Shyne Barrow as party leader and install Tracy in his place - was all invalid.
But the judge also issued a split ruling, finding that the move by Shyne Barrow's executive in August 2024 to expel Panton was unlawful and in breach of the UDP's constitution.
But, very importantly, the judge, quote, "decline to declare that Mrs Panton is or remains a member of the UDP." End quote.
And, so tonight in the UDP, chaos once again prevails and Shyne Barrow is calling it a victory. He told us why at the party headquarters - where he maintains control - and holds that he is the one true leader of the UDP:
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "So the most important decision that was rendered is the fact that I remain party leader, the central executive, the National Party Council that is in place remains. All of those people that abandoned the UDP for the Alliance for Democracy, and we ran other candidates, those are our candidates, those are the NPC, the people in the central executive that they dismissed, that is the party."
"So we will meet and we will talk and see how colleagues feel about moving forward, and if there's any room for reconciliation. What I believe now is a moment of reflection for Tracy and Co. They need to atone, they need to be contrite."
"And all along, I kept saying to everyone, kept saying to the media that these people were not the United Democratic Party. They had no basis upon which to make those claims to the legitimacy of October 20th."
"And I am very grateful that Justice Hondora saw things our way. I am not interested in being petty. I am not interested in being vindictive and vicious. I am interested in rebuilding the UDP. I am interested in unity."
"But as I had said all along, it will be on our terms."
Jules Vasquez "You are in a celebratory mode. You have one-upped your opponent by your interpretation of the judgment."
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "I just can't believe how, no matter how.... you are the one that pointed out what was in paragraph 46."
"Can you say that, or are you going to share that with the public, that the judge, that the judge said he is not going to declare whether or not Tracy is a member of the UDP. So there is no power struggle."
"Now it's going to be clear who the UDP is as far as who the leaders are, who the executives are."
Jules Vasquez "And Tracy Panton is a UDP."
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "That's not what the judge said."
Jules Vasquez "The judge said that she was wrongly expelled."
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "The judge said that he will not declare whether or not she is a member."
And while Barrow is triumphalist - as we told you there is the other part of the ruling, which found that Panton had been expelled from the party in breach of the constitution.
Well, you guessed it, Barrow doesn't accept that part - in fact, he might appeal it:
Jules Vasquez "Would you accept at least based on the judgment that the August 2024 decision expelling Miss Panton from the UDP was unlawful? You and your chairman and your deputy chairman at the time, your central executive broke the rules in expelling Miss Panton and others as well."
"But let's focus on Miss Panton. Do you accept that?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "I don't accept it in full. I respect the judge's position, which is similar."
Jules Vasquez "It's not a position, sir. It's a decision that says that it was unlawful and that you breached the constitution."
"But then you can't have it both ways. You can't say the second part correct and the first one not correct. You as the leader breach the constitution. Why can't you just accept that?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "Sir, I can give you my position. You can't tell me what my position is. I haven't gotten a chance to speak to my lawyer whether or not we will appeal that part of the decision. So I don't want to prejudge my conversation with the legal minds and the party."
And while Barrow says he will be guided by the members, really should he even be at the top of the UDP hierarchy? First off, didn't he resign on March 18th? Well, he rescinded that by and was back by April 24th.
Second, doesn't a UDP leader have to be a member of parliament? Well, of course he would argue that and he did today:
Jules Vasquez "One thinks that you would have to seek a compromise. We know that according to the Constitution of the UDP and according to precedent, you have no standing as leader because you are not in the parliament, Hugo Patt, according to the Constitution, should be the leader."
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "Unless the Constitution is changed, you are right. I will not be able to run again. And if my colleagues see it fit to change the Constitution, then I will continue to serve as leader if they are so inclined to vote for me as leader."
"We may, now that the decision has been rendered. Hugo Patt is in a much better position to not be pressured by Tracy. They have no standing."
And while Barrow disputes and denounces over standing, the fact is, the effect of this judgement only creates more chaos in the already ineffective UDP and makes the path ahead even more unclear. We asked Barrow if anyone is looking out for the good of the party:
Jules Vasquez "At what point do you look at the party and say, I Shyne Barrow. I'm not elected. People did not choose me for a variety of reasons. Our party is floundering. Why don't I just try to create the most viable version of the UDP?"
"But instead, I hear you saying, no, I won and now we will decide who gets to..."
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "Yes. What's wrong with that?"
Jules Vasquez "Because how does it create an effective opposition?"
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "The same way that they said that I couldn't even come to the building. That I finance the legal claim to get the buildings back."
Jules Vasquez "So an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind."
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "No, no, no, sir. I am just telling you that saying that we are in charge, you missed the entire part where I said I'm open to unity, open to reconciliation, but it will be done on our terms."
"As I said, I'm grateful for justice. I will not get ahead of my colleagues. There is much to discuss. I repeat, I am open to presenting the strongest version of the UDP to the public. And I am guided by my colleagues."
"I am not going to be stubborn. The door is not going to be closed for anything. But now, the tables have turned. And I believe the tables were always in our favor, but this makes it unequivocally clear. They can no longer be in a two-DP."
Jules Vasquez "Would you let the delegates decide who will lead the UDP? Why don't you just do that? Settle it."
Shyne Barrow, Leader - UDP "Well, the delegates will do that at a national convention."
"I think the question you want to ask is where will Tracy stand in that? And that is to be decided."
But, Tracy Panton is still Leader of the Opposition and today she issued a release saying she's "vindicated" and calling for, quote, "Unity, Reform, and Constitutional Respect."
She defends her October 20th "Unity Convention" - saying that she and her supporters were, quote "left with no choice but to act."
The release adds, quote, "The UDP respects the authority of the Court. But we also assert that the democratic principles on which our Party was founded were eroded by a leadership that ignored petitions, suppressed internal dissent, and weaponized party organs against its own members."
The release says that Panton has been in direct contact with Hugo Patt, and, quote, "both leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving this matter in full accordance with the Party's Constitution and in the best interest of our Movement." End quote.
The shooting of Jimmy Rojas on Saturday led to three brazen daylight murders this week alone. But according to new Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado, the gang violence began escalating since the murder of Brandon Baptist back in January. He used that as the backdrop to declare that it had gotten to a critical point that necessitated an SOE. But this won't be like the other states of emergencies - its geographic footprint is the largest and it could be the longest one yet.
But how long can you legally lock up civilians without levying charges and taking them to court? Is the police department violating their human rights? And would a six month state of emergency actually help solve the problem?
We asked attorney Richard "Dickie" Bradley for his thoughts. Courtney Menzies has this story.
The geographically largest state of emergency has been enacted, encompassing parts of Belize City, areas in rural Belize, including Ladyville and other communities along the George Price Highway, and areas in the Cayo District.
But the new Commissioner of Police is lobbying for this to also be the longest state of emergency - he wants to extend it to six months.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police "I am lobbying for, I believe that one month will not suffice, two months will not suffice and we must start off at six months at the very least. But at any case there must be some drastic measures to be taken."
Under a state of emergency, police officers are given free rein to round up persons they classify as gang members and throw them in prison without any due process. The legality of this - particularly as it relates to the human rights of those locked up - have been called into question before.
According to attorney Richard "Dickie" Bradley, most Belizeans don't seem to concerned about that part of it.
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney "In Jamaica they have challenged the government's use of states of emergencies to lock up human beings and their Supreme Court has said it is unconstitutional. The government has appealed it in Jamaica. In Belize we don't seem particularly concerned about the legal niceties. And so then what you have here is, we started off with a state of emergency for one month and give them another month next time when it's getting a way, now we have gone to three months, a lot of people are suing, and this major, this is a major development in our little, young, pocotiempo democracy that the official in charge of enforcing law and order, the police law says that they are to keep us safe, they are to do their best to keep us safe, if he says that we're wasting our time with a little one month, three month, we need to start off at six, that is on the one hand, an admittance of failure to have a crime fighting plan."
He added that a six month SOE is just a bandaid solution, and can actually make the problem a lot worse.
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney "At the end of six months, we'll have some real angry people. Really really angry. These times they come out and they blow off steam and they will do this and do that but now we are declaring an illegal war against - not criminals because they haven't even been charged. Right now I think there is almost 70 people who are locked up. This is what Belize is becoming too, that we will always have this crime problem because crime is the result of what is called socioeconomic conditions."
"I am open to being convinced that any human being who is grabbed and thrown in jail for 6 months out of his life will come out and say, well I hung out with the wrong crowd and I got what I deserved. All of them won't think so. And it is another way of breeding another type of problem, one that we're helping to create."
"If the solution to crime was to just take people and lock them up, the world would be crime free. Just lock up any and all of them, you see that one, he's a criminal, just lock him up. That is clearly not a solution."
And he reminded the public the extent to which the police and the government are willing to go:
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney "When the state is saying I will just pick you up and lock you up, I don't have to give you any charge or tell you anything, I will just say you are gang members, 6 months? We had the last one where a 14 year old was locked up and they tried to keep it secret and there was also a 16 year old who was locked up and they were able to keep that away from the media, a 16 year old was in jail for 3 months and his mom told me that after 2 months or so they came back with a foolish charge and took him back to jail."
"I'm saying that to show you the extent to which the system is prepared to go to lock up people against whom there is no evidence to support the allegation."
"Really we need to do what the great George Price had done. He had appointed a crimes commission. We would need now to get people who can offer suggestions and solutions and that within 6 months they can advise the government, this is what we can come up with in the circumstances so the government has something to guide them because clearly they don't have any solutions."
Two weeks ago, six-year-old Athena swallowed a dollar coin while her mother wasn't looking-and it still hasn't passed. Concerned, her family sought help from a specialist at the Belize Specialist Hospital, and tonight they're weighing their options for how best to remove the coin. We spoke to her mother today:
Doreen Baltazar, Daughter swallowed Dollar Coin "Apparently the coins still in her stomach we went to the hospital, went back to the hospital on Monday and they told us to come to the specialist and see what they can do, instead of having open surgery they can go through the mouth enter the stomach and take out the coin."
"Every time she used the bathroom we would check her stool and there was no coin so we decided to go back just to make sure."
"I haven't talked to the doctor as to how long it will take but they say it's a fairly simple procedure. It's easier than doing the surgery."
At today's check-up, doctors told Athena's mother that the coin has moved from her stomach into the digestive tract. Now, the family is waiting to see whether she'll be able to pass it naturally-or if medical intervention will be needed.
On Friday the BNTU will be demonstrating through the streets of Belmopan. Their main demand is an 8.5% salary increase, which is half of the increases that were approved for the CEOs and the CabSec.
But the government doesn't seem like it will budge even after rallies and meetings and the threat of industrial action. While the union says thousands will come out to show support for their cause, is that enough to get GOB to meet their demands?
The president says it goes deeper than that and added that the only way to change the system is for the wider public to join the call.
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU "Our rally that was held on the 7th of February, it did yield positive results and while many believe that a demonstration should yield far greater things, it's a one-one step when unionism and it's called due process and you have to get ready for that. Now Friday, we have another mandate and you will see that the number of persons coming out tomorrow will be far greater than what you say on the 7th of February. And there is a list attached to our movement on Friday. So the Belizean public are of the opinion that we cannot get the government to bow? This is not about getting the government to bow, this is about getting the government to understand: you are our elected officials, you have a mandate from the people, and you in your very manifesto said that you will increase salaries for public officers and teachers by 20%. Where are we with that?"
Jules Vasquez: "You're talking about plan 2.0?"
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU "Yes, we're talking about 2.0. The $6 for minimum wage. So it's not about getting them to bow, it's about getting them to carry out what they promised the Belizean people."
"We have too many keyboard warriors, how many of you are willing to come forward? I love the question that Jules asked, oh you can't get them to bow, you can't get them to do anything. At the end of the day, it has to be us. Right now the workers are starting, we are starting to agitate, we are starting to point out the things we don't like. But those of you behind the keyboards, what role will you play? We just continue to criticize? Continue to attack? We need you to be out physically because your physical presence will also make a difference and that's where we are today. So anybody who says oh they're wasting time, my question to them, what have you done to help us correct the ills of this society? That's my only question I have to ask."
And BNTU's sister unions will be showing their solidarity on Friday. Both the APSSM and PSU presidents said that they are supporting the teachers and are calling on their members to come out as well.
Sharon Frazer, President, APSSM "Just like everybody else, there's disgruntlement. I've asked and given and undertaking to support. As you know, HOD's, they're the persons who supervise the members of the PSU so that the call has gone out. There are a number of HOD's who have acknowledged that yes they are supporting and they will make sure that they don't frustrate the process. So it's important to engage HOD's in this manner. In addition to that, they're the heavy lifters, they're the ones who are making those CEOs who got their increase, their raise, look good. So why should they not also be considered along with other public officers and teachers who are actually doing the work? It's not that we're not affected, everybody is affected by the decisions that have been taken, and more so them, who have to be working directly with these CEOs and know the level of work or non-work that they are putting in, depending on how you look at it. So we're in support, there is solidarity."
Dean Flowers, President, PSU "The Public Service Union has not been secretive about its call to its membership. Today we will issue a formal call and notice to the government of Belize that we're summoning all public officers and Public Service Union members out on Friday to voice the discontent about the selfish nature of the Cabinet Secretary and those that he serves and so on Friday, we're also calling on each member to bring out a family member and we're calling on the general public to come out. This is a very serious, we're at a very serious juncture in our democracy and if people care about their children and the future of their children, they will come out and support tomorrow to demonstrate to the teachers that they do not want to see them out there, they prefer to see them in the classrooms and as a result, that will yield a better future for our children and I'm saying every time the teacher has to come out of the classroom, your child suffers, Courtney, if you have one and my children suffer. And I refuse to see my children suffer because of injustices being perpetrated against the teachers. And so every Belizean parent has a duty to put on a green shirt or a yellow shirt and come out tomorrow to say to the government, you need to do better."
But the Ministry of Education has issued a memo stating that schools are to remain open on Friday despite the demonstration. Additionally, a letter from the Catholic Public Schools reminded the BNTU that a day's wage can be deducted for teachers who participate in the protest or who do not report to work. The letter also states that a record will be kept of the teachers who are protesting.
But the BNTU president advised their members not to be deterred.
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU "I'm not going to comment on the tone, I'm going to comment on the content of the letter. The ministry is well within its right to inform the general public that schools will remain open. The BNTU and its membership, we're also well within our rights to express that we're not satisfied with the manner in how we're being treated. So our teachers and I'm telling them this again, have the responsibility, so just like how the ministry is saying the schools will be open, you have the responsibility to tell the parents and tell the students and tell your school administration that you will not be present. That is all, nothing else. Because parents need to make a decision, will I send my child to school knowing fully well 90% of the teachers will not be there? They need to know that. But the ministry is doing their part and we're doing ours and we're both constitutionally correct."
And aside from the 8.5% salary increase, the unions are demanding an increase in the minimum wage to $6 dollars. And the PSU president says that even if the government can't raise it for everyone, they owe it to the public officers at least.
Dean Flowers, President, PSU "Pensioners have not seen an increase for decades, but the cost of living went up, inflation is up, so people are getting pushed down in poverty while those at the top like Stuart Leslie and his crew and those that finance these political parties, who continue to evade their tax obligations, we need tax reform. We need an increase in threshold for public officers, for laborers, for workers. We need the government to increase the minimum wage to at least $6. And if they can't do it for everybody because they're wrapped up in bed with the private sector, then do it for public sector workers."
"Don't tell me there is no money, you asked for the job, you asked to be elected, you said you can improve the lives of Belizean citizens, then do it. It is not my duty even though we have sacrificed through the cost savings enhancement committees over the last ten years to help successive administrations to improve governance, we did not get elected to do that but we've done it and so I'm saying to this administration, done away with the excuses, if you can't do your job, then get people in place that can do it."
And the demonstration is happening just before the start of the inaugural Sitting of the House of Representatives. It's a ceremonial event to launch the start of the parliamentary session - basically the first House Meeting since the March general election. So we asked the unions why they chose that day to demonstrate.
Sharon Frazer, President, APSSM "There is no better day than that day. Everybody will be in one spot so they'll understand what it is that we're saying. And remind them we are partners not they make decisions and we have to take what they say. At the end of the day, the people, the public sector workers will be speaking out and that is the best day for it to happen."
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU "We assemble at 7:30 and we have a permit that allows us to be there until 2pm. Nobody is going to quiet us down, nobody is going to shove us in any corner. And the question you asked Sister Sharon, we live in a democratic society. All of this is a part of democracy and it is for the ministers and the PM as they take their oath to remember I'm accountable to the Belizean people, I am here because of them and this group is telling me that immediately after being sworn in, I need to do my work. That is exactly what tomorrow means."
It's a 20-year plan that calls for major investment to drive sustainable and resilient development on Ambergris Caye - which has a history of haphazard development. Back in 2022, the Prime Minister formed a task force to conduct a comprehensive, multi-sectoral assessment aimed at improving quality of life on the island. That included plans for a new airport, upgraded transportation, water and sanitation systems, electricity, health services, housing, and community development. Today, the government officially launched the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development-partnering with the IDB-at Sunset Caribe Resort.
Christopher Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Chair of Task Force "Recognizing its critical importance, our Prime Minister, at the onset of his administration, felt that Ambergris Caye needed to be prioritized by this government to enhance its long-term growth trajectory."
"In his view, we risk losing one of our country's most precious resources. If we keep enjoying the riches this lovely paradise has to offer without making investments in the long-term sustainable development of the island and its residents."
"It is under this premise and set of circumstances that our Prime Minister appointed a public-private sector task force in 2022 with an aim to prioritize the smart and strategic development of Ambergris Caye taking a comprehensive approach in pursuit of its mandate, the task force requested technical and financial resources from the Inter-American Development Bank to produce what we are launching here today, a strategic plan for the sustainable development of Ambergris Caye."
Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy "This strategic plan was created with San Pedro in mind from the ground up. It reflects a deep understanding of the island's unique needs, its potential, and the collective desire of its people to shape a better tomorrow."
"Whether it's expanding access to education and training, strengthening community, development, protecting our fragile ecosystems, or fostering economic resilience, this plan provides a clear and actionable path forward."
"Importantly, this plan is grounded in values that mirror our island's character, inclusivity, sustainability, equity, and opportunity. It is a call to action that invites collaboration. across every sector from government and business to civil society and our local communities whose voices helped shape these priorities."
Rocio Medina Bolivar, IDB Representative for Belize "As one of the least leading tourist destinations the island continues to grow rapidly but with that growth comes with serious challenges that must be addressed to ensure a sustainable future. These challenges include gaps in urban services and critical infrastructure such as ports, airports, roads, as well as the increasing vulnerability of climate change and the degradation of the island's unique ecosystem."
"In response in 2022 after the pandemic the Prime Minister, the Honorable John Briceno, conveyed a task force to steer the future development of Ambergris Caye. The task force brought together key players, ministers from different areas of the government, the mayor of San Pedro and the representative of the private sector."
"And the government also invited, at the time, the IDB, the Inter-American Development Bank, to support this important initiative, and we respond that commitment, providing technical and financial resources to develop the strategic, the strategy for Ambergris Caye, one that considers the island diversity and complex challenges."
Implementation of the plan will require investments estimated at over US$300 million over the next 20 years.
If you can't get a Belikin beer this May, Bowen and Bowen says, blame BEL. The company issued a release today saying that it is experiencing a "temporary disruption" in the supply of its beer and stout products in glass bottles following recent unexpected power outages, including a major outage on May 5th.
According to the company, while backup generators were in place, the sudden outages caused stress to its incoming power infrastructure, resulting in equipment failures.The company says the primary impact has been to the line which is responsible for producing Belikin Beer and Stout in glass bottles. They warn that as a result, customers may experience shortages of these products.
He's known to tour the world as part of the Garifuna Collective but Artist and Photographer held his first photographic exhibition today.
He displayed an intimate collection of portraits both in color and black and white, telling stories to the school children who visited the exhibition today, about what inspired him to photograph each person. Jomarie Lanza was also there and here's her report.
As you move through the exhibition you'll encounter faces of all ages, different ethnicities, poses, and settings, they all have a story, one that is worthy of being captured, says Emilio.
Emilio Thomas, Artist, Photographer "This is my first exhibition, however I did realise some photo's last year at the inauguration of the Seine Bight welcome centre in Siene Bight village. Ive been practicing photography professionally since October of 2023 and hundreds of hours everyday so it sums up to years of experience."
"Photography became an interest when I became interested in film because that is the end game to go into film a lot of elders dying in my community who have very important, ancestral knowledge and it's not only the stories that they tell or the way they tell the stories and if someone else was to tell that same story it wouldn't be the same so I wanted to capture those moments before these people leave because they have been going for a while."
What exactly draws him in, though, to choose a photographic subject? Well it all depends on the moment, and the mannerisms of the person, but often it's their smile and other interesting facial features.
Emillio Thomas, Artist, Photographer "In photography I mainly focus on portraiture to capture images of people as well as, I like capturing people's expressing themselves in a way that they are doing what they are doing and I'm not taking away from that but also to let them see their world from a different perspective because they would never think that they look like this in a photograph and if I were to ask them to take that picture they would give me a pose that is unreal to me and to them that they wouldn't get the experience of what I have to offer through my eyes."
Thomas, who is also a globe trotting musician with the Garifuna Collective says he finds beauty in many unexpected places:
Emillio Thomas, Artist, Photographer "I have interacted with at least 200 indigenous tribes in the globe and one of the places that I met so many would be in Panama at a tribal gathering setting where they have many tribes from different continents. And one of the things that I liked to capture are the smiles of people because great beauty lies in the smiles of human beings that occupy a space so, and then I use these images as well to teach people that happiness is a choice and you can choose to be happy for the rest of your life you don't have to be happy for 2 days or on the weekend then unhappy for five days so 2 out of 7."
And in this exhibition there are a few smiles, but Emilio says what led him to select them for display are the stories behind the moment.
Emillio Thomas, Artist, Photographer "But I went about selecting them based on the stories that I remember because I did create a relationship with these people in seconds or minutes and during that time I captured the picture so I pretended for some of them that I was adjusting the camera but I was actually taking pictures so you would never know that I am taking a picture."
The Belize Chamber of Commerce, Western Union, and DigiWallet have teamed up to launch the country's first direct-to-wallet money transfer service. The new feature offers greater ease and accessibility for wire service users. At today's official launch, the partners shared more on how the service will work.
Monique Ford Vicente, Marketing Manager, Digi Wallet "So last year we approached the Chamber of Commerce with an interest to offer remittance to the Belizean public, and so with that, that was how the collaboration was born. You know, we met with them and they guided us through everything we needed to do, and with our innovation teams we did what we needed to do to have it available in the Digi Wallet app."
"So the app traditionally has been a payment service provider, you can pay your bills, you can purchase stuff and you can pay at merchants. We have over 1500 merchants countrywide and growing. What Digi Wallet is now venturing into is wallet adjacent services which means we are looking at offering services that provide more access, more convenience. A lot of these things our app can do is just creating the correct format for them to perform it for the public."
"So this past Monday the 5th of may, all Belizeans who have a digital wallet account now have access to the digital wallet feature to the Western Union feature. So if you open your digital wallet app you will see the western union button on your home screen once you select the button you will be presented with the Western Union form whereby you just input the regular requirements, your MTCN, the relationship of the sender to you, the purpose the amount and then you press submit. Within ten minutes, maximum 20 minutes you will receive your Western Union funds in your digital wallet account. There is no additional fee outside of this so there is no fee when you go to the physical store and there is no fee when you utilise it with the Digi wallet account."
Akmar Codd, Business Development Manager, BCCI "We have noticed that there are different ways of moving money, we are Western Union we have been moving money for quite some time it's the fastest and easiest way to move money so we have noticed new ways to move money, wallets so we have this wallet in Belize we have digital wallet and so we saw it fit to partner with them and they reached out to try to move this initiative forward, it's something that has been introduced within the region and so we in Belize we are catching up on this, it's just the way that we think we need to go it's accessibility it has the ease of doing business, it really gives our customer's options and that's one of the things we are very big on right so that is one of the key reasons for moving forward."
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Shyne Barrow is celebrating tonight after Justice Tawanda Hondora this afternoon handed down his decision on the battle for control and legitimate leadership of the UDP.
"So the most important decision that was rendered is the fact that I remain party leader, the central executive, the National Party Council that is in place remains. All of those people that abandoned the UDP for the Alliance for Democracy, and we ran other candidates, those are our candidates, those are the NPC, the people in the central executive that they dismissed, that is the party."
And while Barrow says he will be guided by the members, really should he even be at the top of the UDP hierarchy? First off, didn't he resign on March 18th? Well, he rescinded that by and was back by April 24th.
But, Tracy Panton is still Leader of the Opposition and today she issued a release saying she's "vindicated" and calling for, quote, "Unity, Reform, and Constitutional Respect."
The shooting of Jimmy Rojas on Saturday led to three brazen daylight murders this week alone. But according to new Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado, the gang violence began escalating since the murder of Brandon Baptist back in January. He used that as the backdrop to declare that it had gotten to a critical point that necessitated an SOE. But this won't be like the other states of emergencies - its geographic footprint is the largest and it could be the longest one yet.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney 
Two weeks ago, six-year-old Athena swallowed a dollar coin while her mother wasn't looking-and it still hasn't passed. Concerned, her family sought help from a specialist at the Belize Specialist Hospital, and tonight they're weighing their options for how best to remove the coin. We spoke to her mother today:
"Apparently the coins still in her stomach we went to the hospital, went back to the hospital on Monday and they told us to come to the specialist and see what they can do, instead of having open surgery they can go through the mouth enter the stomach and take out the coin."
On Friday the BNTU will be demonstrating through the streets of Belmopan. Their main demand is an 8.5% salary increase, which is half of the increases that were approved for the CEOs and the CabSec.
"Our rally that was held on the 7th of February, it did yield positive results and while many believe that a demonstration should yield far greater things, it's a one-one step when unionism and it's called due process and you have to get ready for that. Now Friday, we have another mandate and you will see that the number of persons coming out tomorrow will be far greater than what you say on the 7th of February. And there is a list attached to our movement on Friday. So the Belizean public are of the opinion that we cannot get the government to bow? This is not about getting the government to bow, this is about getting the government to understand: you are our elected officials, you have a mandate from the people, and you in your very manifesto said that you will increase salaries for public officers and teachers by 20%. Where are we with that?"
Sharon Frazer, President, APSSM 
"The Public Service Union has not been secretive about its call to its membership. Today we will issue a formal call and notice to the government of Belize that we're summoning all public officers and Public Service Union members out on Friday to voice the discontent about the selfish nature of the Cabinet Secretary and those that he serves and so on Friday, we're also calling on each member to bring out a family member and we're calling on the general public to come out. This is a very serious, we're at a very serious juncture in our democracy and if people care about their children and the future of their children, they will come out and support tomorrow to demonstrate to the teachers that they do not want to see them out there, they prefer to see them in the classrooms and as a result, that will yield a better future for our children and I'm saying every time the teacher has to come out of the classroom, your child suffers, Courtney, if you have one and my children suffer. And I refuse to see my children suffer because of injustices being perpetrated against the teachers. And so every Belizean parent has a duty to put on a green shirt or a yellow shirt and come out tomorrow to say to the government, you need to do better."
But the Ministry of Education has issued a memo stating that schools are to remain open on Friday despite the demonstration. Additionally, a letter from the Catholic Public Schools reminded the BNTU that a day's wage can be deducted for teachers who participate in the protest or who do not report to work. The letter also states that a record will be kept of the teachers who are protesting.
It's a 20-year plan that calls for major investment to drive sustainable and resilient development on Ambergris Caye - which has a history of haphazard development. Back in 2022, the Prime Minister formed a task force to conduct a comprehensive, multi-sectoral assessment aimed at improving quality of life on the island. That included plans for a new airport, upgraded transportation, water and sanitation systems, electricity, health services, housing, and community development. Today, the government officially launched the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development-partnering with the IDB-at Sunset Caribe Resort.
"Recognizing its critical importance, our Prime Minister, at the onset of his administration, felt that Ambergris Caye needed to be prioritized by this government to enhance its long-term growth trajectory."
"This strategic plan was created with San Pedro in mind from the ground up. It reflects a deep understanding of the island's unique needs, its potential, and the collective desire of its people to shape a better tomorrow."
"As one of the least leading tourist destinations the island continues to grow rapidly but with that growth comes with serious challenges that must be addressed to ensure a sustainable future. These challenges include gaps in urban services and critical infrastructure such as ports, airports, roads, as well as the increasing vulnerability of climate change and the degradation of the island's unique ecosystem."
He's known to tour the world as part of the Garifuna Collective but Artist and Photographer held his first photographic exhibition today.
"This is my first exhibition, however I did realise some photo's last year at the inauguration of the Seine Bight welcome centre in Siene Bight village. Ive been practicing photography professionally since October of 2023 and hundreds of hours everyday so it sums up to years of experience."
The Belize Chamber of Commerce, Western Union, and DigiWallet have teamed up to launch the country's first direct-to-wallet money transfer service. The new feature offers greater ease and accessibility for wire service users. At today's official launch, the partners shared more on how the service will work.
"So last year we approached the Chamber of Commerce with an interest to offer remittance to the Belizean public, and so with that, that was how the collaboration was born. You know, we met with them and they guided us through everything we needed to do, and with our innovation teams we did what we needed to do to have it available in the Digi Wallet app."
Akmar Codd, Business Development Manager, BCCI