News 5 has confirmed that the motorcyclist that died in Sunday’s fatal road traffic accident is Alessandro Carillo.
Regional Commander for Eastern Division ACP Hilberto Romero said the multi-vehicle crash occurred around 10:15 p.m. on the George Price Highway in San Ignacio, involving a Toyota car, a Ford SUV, and a motorcycle.
Police arrived at the scene to find the vehicles extensively damaged, with the Ford SUV engulfed in flames. Fire personnel were called in to extinguish the blaze, after which the bodies of nine individuals were recovered from the Toyota car. The victims have been identified as Ruduel Parham (driver), Shailer Lopez, Abigail Bradley, Keilin Pinelo, Jaheim Inglesias, Aimie Hernandez, Dennis Williams, Jasmine Rodriguez, and Jazelle Rodriguez. Two passengers in the SUV were critically injured, while the other two sustained minor injuries.
Also found at the scene was the lifeless body of Alessandro Carrillo, the driver of the motorcycle.
Initial investigations reveal that there were nine people travelling in the Toyota car and one person on the motorcycle.
ACP Romero confirmed that the Ford SUV was driven by Frank Burns, who was accompanied by his wife, Janelle Burns, and their two children. The family was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where Frank and Janelle remain in stable condition, while their two children were treated and released.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Toyota car collided with the Ford SUV on the highway, resulting in the fatal injuries. ACP Romero dismissed speculation that a butane tank was involved in the fire. He also confirmed that the Toyota car was a private vehicle, not a taxi.
When asked if alcohol was a factor in the crash, Romero stated that tests would be conducted, with results pending. He further revealed that the Toyota car had reportedly failed to stop at a police checkpoint shortly before the accident occurred.
Great Belize Television, popularly known as Channel 5, is marking its 33rd anniversary today. From its humble beginnings as a small television station to becoming one of Belize’s most trusted sources of news, entertainment, and public affairs programming, Channel 5 has cemented its place as a household name and a pillar of Belizean media.
Founded on December 9, 1991, Great Belize Television was envisioned as a channel that would prioritise high-quality, locally produced content. Over the years, it has evolved into a leading broadcaster known for its impartial reporting, investigative journalism, and creative local programming. As Belize’s media landscape has transformed with the rise of digital technology, so too has Channel 5, which now reaches audiences not only through traditional television but also via social media and online streaming platforms.
The Early Days: Pioneering Local Television
When Great Belize Television first launched, the local media industry was in its infancy. International channels dominated television screens, and Belizean-made content was limited. Channel 5 set out to change that. Its founders aimed to produce high-quality programming that reflected the voices, stories, and realities of Belizeans.
The station’s flagship production, News 5 Live, became its most prominent and enduring program. Known for its balanced reporting, in-depth investigations, and fearless coverage of current affairs, News 5 Live quickly earned public trust. The program set a new standard for journalistic excellence in Belize, prioritising accuracy, fairness, and accountability.
Alongside its news program, Channel 5 also ventured into entertainment and lifestyle content. Shows like Duets—a local singing competition—and Showdown—a televised talent showcase—captivated viewers and provided a platform for local artists to shine.
Flagship Programs That Defined a Generation
At the heart of Great Belize Television’s legacy is News 5 Live, the station’s flagship news program, which delivers daily updates on national, regional, and international events. Renowned for its investigative journalism, News 5 Live has played a crucial role in holding public officials accountable and informing citizens about the key issues that shape their lives. With its reputation for accuracy, depth, and bold reporting, the program remains a pillar of Belizean news media.
Mornings in Belize wouldn’t be the same without Open Your Eyes, a lively morning show launched in 2007. The show blends current affairs, lifestyle, and entertainment, offering a well-rounded start to the day. Hosted by a rotating cast of charismatic presenters, Open Your Eyes invites policymakers, entertainers, and everyday Belizeans into its studio for engaging interviews and discussions that keep the public informed and entertained.
No list of iconic Channel 5 programming would be complete without Karaoke Television (KTV) and its spinoffs. As one of Belize’s most beloved talent competitions, KTV became a platform for aspiring singers to showcase their vocal talents. With formats like KTV Duets, KTV Latino, KTV Kids, KTV The Remix, and If You Can Sing It, Bring It, these competitions captivated the nation. Audiences tuned in weekly to watch performers compete for the grand prize, with judges offering feedback that added drama, excitement, and anticipation to every episode.
Sports enthusiasts have long relied on The James Adderley Sports Report to stay updated on local and international sporting events. Covering everything from football to cycling, this iconic segment became essential viewing for fans across the country. Today, it has evolved into Sports Monday with reporter Paul Lopez, continuing the legacy of providing comprehensive sports coverage with the same passion and precision.
Channel 5 also recognises the importance of celebration and culture through its Summer Fest and Holiday Specials. These annual broadcasts capture the joy and excitement of Belizean holidays, cultural festivals, and national celebrations. Viewers get to see their communities come to life on screen, fostering a sense of national pride and unity during moments of festivity.
Entertainment extended to shows like Lauren Da Nite. Sixty Second Sermon offered a moment of reflection and spiritual guidance, while The Andy Palacio Show celebrated Belize’s rich musical heritage.
Reality TV also made its mark with From Yes to I Do, which followed couples on their journey to marriage, and The Belize Apprentice, a business-orientated competition inspired by the global hit show. For those with dreams of stardom, If You Can Sing It, Bring It, and Be the Next Superstar provided platforms for aspiring artists to showcase their talents.
Political discourse found a home in One on One with Dickie Bradley, where in-depth interviews with key figures shed light on national issues. Meanwhile, Bruk It Down, Miss Jenny offered life advice, often with a humorous but practical touch.
Regional Excellence
From hard-hitting news coverage to beloved entertainment and cultural celebrations, Great Belize Television’s programming has shaped the way Belizeans see their country, their communities, and themselves. Through every segment, competition, and special report, the station continues to uphold its commitment to inform, entertain, and inspire. Its continued recognition from the Caribbean Broadcasting Union for excellence in journalism underscores its enduring legacy of professionalism, integrity, and impact in the media industry.
Over the years, News 5 Live has received numerous accolades from the CBU across various categories, solidifying its reputation as one of the most trusted and respected news sources in the region. In 2024, Channel 5 once again distinguished itself on the regional stage. The winners were selected from a pool of 444 submissions across several categories, including print, radio, television, and digital media. Reflecting on the intensity of the competition, Channel 5’s CEO, Marleni Cuellar, highlighted the growing challenge of maintaining excellence amid increasing submissions each year. “There were over four hundred entries into this year’s CMAs, and the awards submissions just keep growing and growing. The competition keeps getting tighter and tighter,” Cuellar remarked. “The pressure is definitely there to be able to keep up to standard with what we have always been capable of achieving. I am incredibly proud of my team that secured these awards and for the extended support team at Channel 5 that works to keep the environment conducive to creating these types of awards.”
Elevating Belize’s Broadcast Standards and Adapting to Digital Change
In the digital age, Channel 5 has continued to evolve. Recognising the shift in media consumption habits, the station launched a revamped website and continues to be a leader on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Live-streaming of major news events and News 5 Live broadcasts allows Belizeans at home and abroad to stay connected to current events.
This shift has helped Channel 5 maintain its relevance in an era where traditional television viewership is on the decline. It has also allowed Belizean diasporas living abroad to access Channel 5’s programming in real time, keeping them connected to home.
Channel 5 has significantly upgraded its production capabilities, with two Forum Split consoles featuring 24 faders and 16-channel Dante modules, enabling seamless audio control for both live shows like Open Your Eyes and more complex productions. The upgrades also include an AEQ Xpeak intercom system, enhancing communication during live broadcasts, and a Systel IP system using Dante protocol for phone and audio integration, improving quality and reducing costs. Additionally, a Netbox 4MH interface has been installed in the newsroom for high-quality recordings, ensuring crystal-clear audio.
These enhancements, executed by Channel 5’s technical team, set a new benchmark for the Caribbean, positioning Belize as a leader in broadcast innovation. The upgrades ensure a richer, more engaging viewing experience for Open Your Eyes viewers, with improved technology supporting its news, entertainment, and interviews.
A Legacy of Impact and Trust
For 33 years, Great Belize Television has been more than a broadcaster—it has been a champion for press freedom, a watchdog for democracy, and a storyteller for the Belizean people. From reporting on landmark court rulings to covering the devastation of hurricanes, Channel 5 has stood by the Belizean public during moments of crisis, celebration, and change.
The station has also played a critical role in shaping public discourse. It has given a platform to policymakers, activists, and community leaders, ensuring a diversity of perspectives are heard. By bringing public interest issues to light, Channel 5 has contributed to greater government transparency and civic engagement.
As we celebrate our 33rd anniversary, Channel 5 remains focused on the future. The station has embraced digital transformation, prioritising multi-platform content delivery to reach viewers where they are. It continues to produce content that resonates with younger audiences, including social media-friendly clips, live streams, and digital news briefs.
TikTok’s future in the United States hangs in the balance after a federal appeals court upheld a law that could force the app to sell its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban by January 19, 2025. The ruling affects over 170 million American users who rely on the platform for entertainment, news, and income.
While TikTok plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, experts suggest the app faces an uphill battle. “Given the conservative makeup of the court, it’s hard to see them not siding with national security concerns,” said Josh Schiller, a legal expert.
However, President-elect Donald Trump could provide a potential lifeline. Although Trump initially sought to ban TikTok, he recently stated in June—in a video posted to the platform itself—that he would “never ban TikTok.” Once he takes office in January, Trump may have the power to delay the ban, either by directing the Attorney General not to enforce the law or by declaring TikTok’s divestiture complete, potentially bypassing legal challenges.
For now, TikTok users are scrambling for alternatives to transfer. “TikTok is a huge part of my income,” said content creator Carrie Berk. Others are less concerned, with some believing that the app’s ban won’t happen due to its importance to small businesses.
The case could take months to unfold, but TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain until January 19.
Twenty-six participants have successfully completed Belize’s first-ever “Introductory Course to Agricultural Drone Pilotage,” a 42-hour training program aimed at modernising the country’s agriculture sector.
The training, conducted by Mexico-based DRTX Drones from Quintana Roo, sought to enhance the use of agricultural drones in Belizean farming. The course focused on increasing yields, cutting operational costs, and reducing pilot errors that could damage valuable resources. By equipping Belizean farmers with drone pilotage skills, officials hope to boost efficiency, improve profitability, and modernise the agricultural sector, particularly in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts.
Participants included local farmers, representatives from the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the Pesticides Control Board (PCB), the Ministry of Agriculture, and educators from secondary and tertiary institutions in the Corozal District.
They were trained in key areas such as drone operation, crop monitoring, mapping, air safety, and pesticide application.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Investment through its Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU), was carried out in collaboration with the Corozal Think Tank, DRTX Drones, the Ministry of Agriculture, Corozal ITVET, the Pesticides Control Board, the Department of Civil Aviation, and the Corozal Town Council.
The Briceño Administration is introducing the first-ever General Sales Tax (GST) Christmas Waiver this year. A release from the government says that this aims to provide financial relief to Belizean shoppers while boosting local businesses. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works and how you can benefit.
What is the GST Christmas Waiver?
On December 14, 15, 21, and 22, 2024, shoppers across Belize will be able to buy ALL standard-rated goods at local retail stores without paying the 12.5% GST. This means lower prices at checkout for a wide range of everyday items.
In addition, for the entire month of December, certain holiday favorites — picnic shoulder hams, smoked ham legs, and imported turkeys — will be zero-rated, meaning no GST will apply to these products for the entire month.
How Does It Work for Shoppers?
If you’re shopping on the designated GST-free days (December 14, 15, 21, and 22), here’s what you need to know:
No GST added on immediate local retail purchases of standard-rated goods.
This applies only to purchases made and paid for on the spot. Items bought on credit, layaway, hire purchase, or consignment are NOT included.
Check your receipt! Make sure GST is not applied at checkout. If you spot any errors, report them to the Belize Tax Services Department.
What’s NOT included? Some items are not eligible for the waiver, including motor vehicles, gasoline, LPG, diesel, firearms, ammunition, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the waiver does not apply to services, only to physical goods.
How Does It Work for Businesses?
For GST-registered businesses, the process is simple and requires minimal adjustment. Here’s how to comply:
For POS systems and programmable cash registers, apply a 12.5% discount at checkout instead of reprogramming the system.
For basic cash registers, simply exclude GST from the final sales price on the eligible dates.
Businesses must still pay GST on imported goods at Customs, and GST continues to apply to wholesale purchases.
When filing GST returns for December 2024, zero-rated sales must be reported on line 110 of the return form, with supporting details on the sales made during the GST-free days.
Businesses can still recover input tax as usual for eligible purchases.
What Items Are Excluded from the GST Waiver?
Certain products are not covered by the GST waiver. These include:
Motor vehicles
Gasoline, diesel, and LPG
Firearms and ammunition
Alcoholic beverages
Cigarettes
Additionally, the waiver does not apply to services, such as professional fees, utilities, or other service-based transactions.
Why Is the Government Doing This?
The press release says this initiative is part of the Government of Belize’s broader effort to combat global inflation and provide direct relief to Belizeans facing the rising cost of living. At the same time, it aims to support local businesses by encouraging higher sales during the holiday season.
Need Help or Have a Complaint?
Shoppers and businesses alike are encouraged to contact the Belize Tax Services Department if they encounter any issues or have concerns about GST being improperly charged.
Thousands of Syrians, many of them refugees who fled the brutal civil war, took to the streets of European cities on Sunday to celebrate the collapse of the Assad family’s half-century rule.
In Berlin, the heart of Europe’s largest Syrian diaspora, over 5,000 people gathered in the Kreuzberg district, waving opposition flags, chanting “Free Syria,” and singing in celebration. The air was filled with the sounds of car horns honking in support, and the crowd’s cries of “Allahu Akbar!” (God is Greatest) echoed through the streets. Children’s faces were painted in the colors of the Syrian national flag, adding a sense of hope and innocence to the occasion.
“Finally, we are free!” declared Bassam Al-Hamada, 39, beaming with joy amid the sea of revelers. Al-Hamada, a social worker who fled to Germany in 2016, described the moment as a long-awaited victory for Syrian exiles like himself.
“We’re happy. The dictatorship is over. Assad has gone,” said Ahmed, 39, a Syrian refugee in Berlin, who fled from Aleppo in 2015. His words were echoed by Ahmad al-Hallabi, 27, a mechanic from Aleppo, who recalled the horrors of war he witnessed before escaping to Germany. “Assad is the worst terrorist imaginable. I hope there’ll be peace now and that everything Assad and his men destroyed will be rebuilt,” al-Hallabi said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled his country and arrived in Russia, according to Russian state media and two Iranian officials. The dramatic development follows a swift and decisive offensive by rebel forces who seized control of Damascus on Sunday, marking a stunning downfall for the leader who ruled Syria with an iron grip for over two decades.
The collapse of Assad’s regime signals a seismic shift in Syria’s political landscape. Since the 1970s, the al-Assad family has maintained an authoritarian hold on the nation, crushing opposition with brute force. After more than a decade of civil war, it took only a matter of days for rebel forces to achieve what years of conflict had not: the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
Celebrations erupted in parts of Syria as news of Assad’s departure spread. “Our hearts are dancing with joy,” said Walaa Salameh, a 35-year-old resident of the Damascus area. “We can’t predict the future and anything is possible, but the most important thing is we got rid of this oppressive regime.”
The repercussions of Assad’s ousting have already spread beyond Syria’s borders. Israel’s military announced it had entered a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights to safeguard its border amid the rapidly changing situation. Iraq also closed its Al-Qaim border crossing with Syria, citing national security concerns.
As Syria faces an uncertain future, its neighbors are bracing for potential aftershocks. The region has already seen how the collapse of authoritarian regimes can create power vacuums that extremist groups rush to fill. The world is now watching to see what kind of leadership emerges in Syria — and what that means for the broader Middle East.
Jay-Z, the Grammy-winning rapper and entrepreneur whose real name is Shawn Carter, has been named in a civil lawsuit alongside music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing them of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000.
The accuser, identified only as “Jane Doe,” alleges the assault occurred at a party following the MTV Video Music Awards in New York. The federal lawsuit, originally filed in October against Combs, was refiled Sunday to include Carter as a defendant.
According to the suit, Jane Doe claims she was driven to the party by a limousine driver who said she “fit what Diddy was looking for.” After being transported to a house with a U-shaped driveway, the teen was required to sign a document she believed was a nondisclosure agreement. She was not given a copy, the lawsuit states.
Once inside, she alleges, she witnessed partygoers using marijuana and cocaine. At some point, she says she was offered a drink that made her feel “woozy, lightheaded, and felt [like] she needed to lie down.” She went to a room to rest, according to the suit.
Shortly after, Combs and Carter allegedly entered the room, with Combs reportedly stating, “You are ready to party!” The suit claims Carter then forcibly removed her clothes and raped her as Combs and an unnamed female celebrity watched. Combs allegedly raped her as well while Carter and the woman observed.
In a statement issued Sunday, Jay-Z vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “idiotic” and accusing the accuser’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, of misconduct.
“These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?” Carter said in a statement to NBC News. “These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.”
He further criticised the approach taken by the accuser’s legal team, claiming that he was being unfairly targeted. “You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all ‘celebrities’ are the same,” Carter added. “I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the projects of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children.”
He noted that before the lawsuit was refiled, he received a letter from the plaintiff’s attorneys requesting a mediation to resolve the matter. Instead of engaging in mediation, Carter responded by filing a lawsuit against the attorneys, according to the court filing.
It was announced on Open Your Eyes this morning the government’s intent to designate two weekends in December as GST-free.
Henry Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, and Michelle Longsworth, Director General at the Belize Tax Service, announced that certain items will be tax-free on specific days this December.
“It’s the season of giving, and it’s about giving back,” said Longsworth. She added, “We are now announcing that we will have GST tax-free days in December. This coming weekend, which is the 14th and 15th, Saturday and Sunday, and next weekend, the 21st and the 22nd. Weekends that are high spending in this month, these days will be GST free.”
Longsworth advises citizens to “ask for the receipts” to verify that the tax-free offer is being applied at the register. She added that this will take effect across Belize.
“In short, it’s local retail immediate and final sales, sales that you will pay for and take home with you,” Longsworth said. “The entire month of December, not only these GST tax-free days, from today you go out and buy your imported turkey and imported ham; those are tax free,” Longsworth added.
“This is a targeted initiative… a targeted relief efforts for the consumers, for the Belizean citizens,” Usher said.
Certain products will not be included in the tax exemption, such as cigarettes, alcohol, fuel, firearms, and vehicles.
This initiative is valid from December 9 through to the 31st.
