The Belize Enterprise Empowerment Project (BEEP) has awarded seed funding to 29 promising micro and small businesses. Launched in August 2024 by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), this initiative provides financial support and expert guidance
In September 2024, the Social Security Board (SSB) issued a public notice regarding its proposal to lend $7 million to Caribbean Tire Wholesale Limited. The loan, intended for capital expenditure and cash flow replacement, would have a term of 15 years with an annual interest
Questions still remain about ongoing support for those affected by COVID-19 by the Social Security Board (SSB). Today, News 5 reached out to Dr. Leroy Almendarz, CEO of the SSB, to find out if the board has ceased providing sickness benefits for persons who have
Google announced it will rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for U.S. users on its mapping platform, following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The change will be implemented once updated in the U.S. government’s Geographic Names Information
The digitalisation, or digital transformation, of companies and businesses in Belize has been setting the pace over the last few years across many sectors, and the Social Security Board (SSB) is no exception. Today, SSB's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leroy Almendarez, told News 5 that
US stock markets faced a sharp downturn on Monday after Chinese AI startup DeepSeek unveiled a groundbreaking AI model, R1, which operates at a fraction of the cost of existing US models. This announcement shook investor confidence in the US tech sector, sending the tech-heavy
A British Army sergeant is accused of raping a female colleague after a night out in Belize, a court martial has heard. Sergeant Tauhakau Viavialevu, a member of the Welsh Guards, is accused of assaulting the woman in a hotel room with a single double bed,
Leader of the Opposition, Moses "Shyne" Barrow, has strongly criticised the Briceño Administration, accusing it of using distractions and subversion to shift focus away from critical policies. During a press conference this morning, Barrow said that the government has resorted to tactics that prioritise personalities
According to the 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition, Belize is among the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean most affected by rising food insecurity and the inability to afford a healthy diet. From 2021 to 2023, over 40% of Belize’s population faced
A father of six has been sentenced to nearly 27 years in prison for sexually abusing a minor girl over several years. Robert Usher, 34, was convicted of raping the victim on three occasions, in addition to charges of aggravated and sexual assault. The abuse reportedly
