The Trump administration has accepted a Boeing 747 jet from the government of Qatar, potentially to be used as the next Air Force One. The decision has ignited a wave of bipartisan criticism and raised serious concerns about national security and the appearance of foreign influence over U.S. policy.
The jet, a gift from Qatar, was offered shortly after President Trump’s visit to the Middle East, where he met with leaders in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to discuss business deals. The Pentagon confirmed the acceptance of the aircraft, noting that it complies with federal regulations. However, officials admitted that the plane is not yet fit for presidential use and would need extensive upgrades, including missile defense systems, secure communication equipment, and protection from electromagnetic attacks.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm over the optics and implications of accepting such a gift from a foreign government. Some fear that the Air Force may be pressured to expedite the conversion process, risking the thoroughness required to ensure the president’s safety. Others have questioned Qatar’s motives, suggesting the plane could be part of an effort to gain influence or even potentially contain hidden surveillance devices.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) was particularly outspoken, calling the jet part of a troubling pattern of foreign governments giving Trump money or valuable gifts in exchange for favorable treatment. “This is the definition of corruption,” he said. “Foreign governments are putting money in the president’s pocket, and the U.S. is giving away national security concessions that hurt our own security.”
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, defended the gesture, saying it was a normal act between allies and not intended to sway the U.S. government. “I don’t know why people are thinking this is bribery,” he said.
With forecasters predicting an above-average hurricane season for 2025, Belize City officials are taking no chances. The City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO), in close coordination with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), has begun inspecting shelters across the city to ensure they are ready to receive residents if a storm hits.
According to forecasts from Colorado State University, the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to bring 19 named storms, including nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
“We have done a lot of training. They have been able to do what you call shelter inspection,” said Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner. “They have worked very closely with NEMO. I can say outrightly that this is the best relationship we have had with NEMO as a group, because the structure, the organizational structure of NEMO has really been put in place by the new leadership. We feel that with the coordinated efforts of NEMO and CEMO in the city we want to be prepared.”
As for when the public can expect an official list of shelters, Wagner explained that CEMO supports the process but NEMO leads it. “That is coordinated with NEMO and NEMO identifies the shelters. We just go along with them in terms of knowing in what capacity they are in—are they available, do they need repairs. If they need repairs we assist with that, but in terms of identifying and selecting shelters that is up to NEMO,” Wagner said.
Running W Brand Meats has pulled out of this year’s National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) in Belmopan due to a national shortage of live pigs.
In a statement, the company cited “excessive exportation” as the main cause of the shortage, which has driven up prices and raised concerns about food security.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Running W said. “We believe that prioritizing a reliable supply for our consumers is the most responsible choice at this time.”
The company said it is working with local producers to maintain pork supply in stores and thanked customers for their continued support.
Mayor Bernard Wagner and his team joined sanitation workers on the ground today to clean drains in flood-prone neighborhoods across the city.
Instead of the usual City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) Symposium, the council chose to “get their hands dirty” and tackle the issue head-on.
“It’s about identifying some of the six key flood-prone areas in the city and giving an added extra hand towards the work that has already been going on for a number of months,” said Mayor Wagner. “Our sanitation, maintenance and works team have always been on the ground working to ensure that we begin, we prepare for the rainy season.”
Mayor Wagner added, “What we normally have prior to the rainy season is a symposium.”
“And so I told my CEMO liaison officer, let’s do something out of the box this year. Instead of going in a conference room and sitting and having a symposium, let’s go on the ground, get your hands dirty, right? And really put in the work for the people.”
The initiative brought together councilors, sanitation workers, public health officials, and even youth shadow councilors in a display of community spirit.
A sweeping investigation is now underway at Ministry of Transport, with potentially serious consequences for how the department has been managed over the past four years. Minister of Transport, Dr. Louis Zabaneh, has confirmed to News Five that a file detailing alleged irregularities has already been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review.
Recently Public Service Union President Dean Flowers challenged both Minister Zabaneh and Transport CEO Clyde Williams to take immediate action to address claims of corruption within the ministry. Minister Zabaneh said that the investigation began two months ago.
“When we came in we found, irregularities across the country,” Dr. Zabaneh stated. “And in fact, we have a case with the DPP… we’re investigating.”
While Dr. Zabaneh declined to disclose specific details of the case due to its ongoing nature, he saidthat the ministry is taking the matter seriously. “We feel that until we are able to, in a sense make an example of rogue employees who are there stealing the resources of our people… maybe until then, it continues business as usual,” he said. “Hopefully at that point people start to get the message that we’re serious.”
According to the minister, the issue appears to involve deep-rooted collusion within various levels of the ministry. “What we’re seeing is that there’s collusion between various levels,” he explained. “When you don’t have a system in place where you have clear terms of reference for people, who is responsible for what, then there’s always a setting where people can point fingers and say, it wasn’t me. It was that one. It was the other one.”
The State of Emergency (SOE) currently in effect in Belize City and parts of the Belize and Cayo Districts has entered its second week, drawing increasing scrutiny over the suspension of basic legal rights. While the government maintains that the SOE is a necessary response to a surge in gang-related violence, concerns are mounting over how the rule of law is being applied, particularly regarding access to legal representation.
Dozens of young men, mostly from neighborhoods like Lake Independence, remain detained at the Belize Central Prison. Among them is at least one inmate whose attorney has reportedly been denied access, raising significant legal and ethical alarms.
Under normal circumstances, every Belizean citizen has the constitutional right to legal representation. But during this SOE, that right appears to be under threat. Reports indicate that the Belize Central Prison has blocked attorneys from meeting with clients detained under the emergency measures, citing security reasons. This decision has drawn strong criticism from members of the legal community, who say it sets a troubling precedent.
Attorney-at-law Leeroy Banner expressed disbelief at the actions of prison authorities. “Just yesterday a colleague of mine shared with me an email from the prison, and I can’t believe that the prison would put this in writing,” Banner said. “One of my colleagues went to the prison to see someone who is detained under this current SOE and the prison will put in an email, ‘You can’t see your client because he is detained under the SOE.’ Like, you really would put that in writing? How can you be so bold and misguided to say to an attorney that your client cannot see an attorney and he needs a court order for him to see an attorney? That is ridiculous.”
Legal experts warn that denying detainees access to legal counsel not only undermines constitutional protections but also places the justice system at risk of long-term damage.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, is representing the country at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, where global health leaders have convened to address urgent issues such as health emergency preparedness, equitable healthcare access, and international cooperation.
In his address to the Assembly, Minister Bernard said Belize remains steadfast in its commitment to the principle that health is a fundamental human right. “We continue to advance universal health coverage, strengthen our primary healthcare system, and improve health outcomes for our population,” he said.
Bernard highlighted Belize’s focus on equity, resilience, and community engagement, stressing the country’s determination to ensure that no one is left behind. He noted recent national progress, including the expansion of digital health, improvements in mental health services, and efforts to combat non-communicable diseases. The Minister also underscored the importance of preparedness, stating, “We are improving public health surveillance and emergency preparedness, recognising that in today’s interconnected world, no country is truly safe unless all are protected.”
A key part of Belize’s strategy, he said, is investing in the health workforce through training, retention, and supportive environments. Bernard also pointed to climate change as a critical health threat, noting that “climate resilience remains a key part of our strategy, particularly as we confront the health impacts of rising temperatures and extreme water events.”
Belize’s participation in the WHA also served as a platform to stress international solidarity and multilateral cooperation. “One World for Health must mean access to health, knowledge, innovation, and cooperation for all,” Bernard said, expressing Belize’s gratitude for its partnerships with PAHO, CARPHA, and the World Health Organization.
In a strong diplomatic gesture, Belize reiterated its support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in global health governance. “We therefore support the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the World Health Assembly and all the WHO technical meetings,” Bernard stated. “Taiwan’s contributions to global health are significant, and its 23 million people deserve representation in shaping the global health agenda.”
The last known wild pillar corals at Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have now fallen victim to a deadly and fast-moving disease that has been decimating reefs across the Caribbean.
SCTLD was first documented in Florida in 2014 and has since spread across the region, killing over 90% of coral in some areas. It was first reported in Belize in 2019 and has been steadily moving south along the Belize Barrier Reef. Its arrival at Laughing Bird Caye in 2025 marks a deeply worrying development, especially after some of the park’s corals had survived bleaching events in both 2023 and 2024.
“It’s bad. It kills corals so quickly. It’s faster than any of the other diseases we’ve seen,” said Melanie McField, Executive Director of Healthy Reefs for Healthy People.
The disease is relentless, highly contagious, and affects over 26 species of hard coral—many of which are key to reef structure and marine biodiversity. Once infected, corals exhibit rapid tissue loss, revealing their white skeletons before dying entirely.
“It’s terrible. It’s really bad. It’s really awful. So it’s been devastating for the entire Caribbean,” echoed Lisa Carne, founder of Fragments of Hope.
Researchers believe SCTLD may have spread via ballast water from ships or by attaching to biofilms on ship hulls. Its origin is closely linked to environmental disturbances near the Port of Miami, including dredging, coral bleaching, and leaking sewage pipes.
Efforts to contain the disease have been exhaustive but limited by time and resources. Organizations like Fragments of Hope, Belize Audubon Society, TASA, and the University of Belize are at the frontlines, treating infected corals with an antibiotic paste made from amoxicillin.
Victor Faux, site coordinator for Fragments of Hope, has personally treated over 600 corals. “I do see that the treatment has been working to some point where it stopped the disease, but it’s not a fix… The coral can still be re-infected,” he said.
The challenge is vast. During a monitoring mission at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Gabriela Ugarte of the Belize Audubon Society reported that out of 4,000 coral colonies surveyed, 16% were infected and 11% had died completely. “We focused our treatment efforts on hotspots near Half Moon Caye and the Blue Hole—areas critical for tourism,” she noted.
The disease’s spread is a direct threat to Belize’s Blue Economy, which heavily depends on healthy marine ecosystems for tourism and fisheries. According to Minister of Blue Economy Andre Perez, “Tourism and the fishing industry are major contributors to the GDP. We must find a balance that preserves our waters for generations to come.”
Without healthy corals, the reef cannot survive. And without the reef, Belize’s shoreline, marine life, and the livelihoods of thousands are at risk.
“Only a living reef can break up wave energy,” Lisa Carne said. “Engineered shoreline protections erode over time, but living reefs grow and adapt.”
The ecological loss is also cultural. The last wild pillar corals at Laughing Bird Caye, once resilient symbols of survival, are now dying.
World Health Organization (WHO) member countries have approved a new global agreement aimed at improving how the world prepares for and responds to future pandemics. The agreement, three years in the making, was adopted without opposition during the WHO’s annual assembly in Geneva, drawing applause from delegates. The deal is seen as a major step toward strengthening international cooperation and public health systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
World leaders welcomed the agreement, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it “a shared commitment to fight future pandemics with greater cooperation while building a healthy planet.”
However, the United States, traditionally WHO’s top donor, did not participate in the final negotiations or send a delegation to the assembly. U.S. officials have criticised the WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and raised concerns over political influence, particularly from China. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called the WHO “bloated” and “inefficient,” urging countries to consider alternative institutions that are more transparent and accountable.
Meanwhile, China pledged up to $500 million in additional support to the WHO over the next five years. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong stressed the need to support WHO’s leadership in global health efforts. In another major move, WHO member states agreed to increase their mandatory contributions by 20% to ensure more reliable funding, as the organisation has historically relied on voluntary, often inconsistent, donations.
Despite its adoption, the treaty still faces challenges. Countries aim to finalise an annex to the agreement by next year that would guarantee equitable access to tests, treatments, and vaccines. Known as the Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing system, it would ensure that up to 20% of pandemic-related products are given to WHO for distribution to developing nations. While the deal marks a significant milestone in global health cooperation, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on how committed countries are to implementing its goals, especially without enforcement measures or full U.S. participation.
A Belize City café is under fire tonight after a routine payment issue spiraled into a national controversy. It all began when fifty-seven-year-old Allaire McDougal’s debit card was declined at Spoonaz Reggae Café, leaving her unable to cover a modest forty-eight-dollar bill. What followed was a chain of events that generated a strong public reaction, police involvement, a night in jail, and a court-ordered remand to the Belize Central Prison. But tonight, McDougal is free, and the café is issuing a public apology after facing a wave of backlash online. So, what really happened that Saturday afternoon? And who is Allaire McDougal? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the full story, including a look into McDougal’s complex past in the United States. Here’s that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A popular café in Belize City is doing some damage control tonight after a situation that didn’t sit well with the public. Spoonaz Reggae Café has issued a public apology after they called the police on a retired nurse who couldn’t pay her bill. It all happened on Saturday when fifty-seven-year-old Allaire McDougal stopped by the café, ordered some food and drinks, and ended up with a tab of forty-eight dollars. But when it came time to pay, her card was declined—and that’s when things took a turn.
Voice of: Allaire McDougal
Voice of: Allaire McDougal, Retired Nurse
“What I was charged with was intentionally trying to defraud a business. That sounds huge. It sounds like I was laundering money from some business, but it happened that I could not pay my twenty-four U.S. dollar bill. It was good, oxtail and rice and beans, fry plantain. I was referred there from a friend. Blueberry cheese scone, and a Mackeson. The chocolate Mackeson, I am hooked. As soon as this interview is done, I am not going to lie to you, that is what I am going to have.”
Staff at Spoonaz Reggae Café say they tried to work things out before calling the cops. According to them, Allaire McDougal’s debit card was declined not once, not twice, but three times because of insufficient funds. They say they spent about half an hour trying to sort it out with her, but when no solution came up, they decided to file a police report. McDougal, for her part, says this wasn’t the first time that day she ran into trouble. She told us she had a similar issue earlier at another restaurant in Belize City.
Allaire McDougal
Allaire McDougal
“Belize sometimes the systems are down and it is not as fluid in the states. I am kind of patient. I am patient as I can because I have lived in both places, not everything is perfect in Belize. So she says your card is declined, I said well I am going to have to do dishes. She says come back and take care of it. I go to Spoonaz, that is when they told me your card is declined for insufficient funds. When I leave there, there is a man that looks like a homeless man down the street he grabs me and he says you have to pay your bill. He has the tourism police waiting for me as I am going to Belize Bank to get the cash. She said you have to go with one of our people to get the cash. I said sure, him and I could go to Belize Bank.”
Paul Lopez
“When you went to sit down at Spoonaz, was it with the intent to pay and the understanding that you have that money on your account?”
Allaire McDougal
“Of course, of course.”
After her card was declined at Spoonaz Reggae Café, McDougal was detained by police, held overnight at the Queen Street Police Station, and later charged with obtaining services by deception. Unable to meet a five-hundred-dollar bail, she was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. But what happened next was a wave of public outrage. Social media lit up with criticism of the café’s handling of the situation, prompting Spoonaz to issue a public apology. In their statement, they expressed regret and clarified that their intention was never to criminalize hardship. With mounting pressure, the café dropped the charge, and McDougal was set free.
Allaire McDougal
“I understand from the gentlemen that she is apologetic and wants me to come to the restaurant. I don’t know if I am ready for that. As good as the oxtail was, we will have to come to the understanding that we will sit down and talk about what is this, what is going on.”
But according to McDougal, this isn’t about financial hardship. She says she gets money from the U.S. every month, but claims that whenever she goes out to eat, the funds mysteriously vanish from her account.
Paul Lopez
“How do you occur this occurrence taking place repeatedly at repeated establishments.”
Allaire McDougal
“I can’t and that is the only reason I am doing this interview. I think if I bring awareness to it more people will talk about it. I just want to thank everyone for their support, I think that in times likes these when there is a lot of confusion going on to support one another it says a lot about the human nature.”
Paul Lopez
“What do you say to people that maintain the few that you have visited these establishment with the intent to receive meals, services by deception.”
Allaire McDougal
“Let us just wait until all the investigation is done.”
McDougal, the retired nurse at the center of the Spoonaz Café controversy, has a history that’s both tragic and complex. According to a CBS News report, she once served time in a U.S. prison after attempting to drown her eight-year-old son in a swimming pool. Bystanders intervened and saved the child, and witnesses say they heard her shouting, ‘It is the end of the world, I have to let you go.’ A relative has since come forward, revealing that McDougal has been diagnosed with a mental illness and is not well. That same relative, and many others, have offered to pay her outstanding bill at Spoonaz Café, hoping to bring some peace to a situation that has clearly touched a nerve across the country. It’s a reminder that behind every headline, there’s a human story and sometimes, a cry for help. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
