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  • Carnival Band Leaders Demand New Leadership Citing “Disrespect”

    Carnival Band Leaders Demand New Leadership Citing “Disrespect”

    In an unprecedented show of unity, Belize’s carnival band leaders have publicly denounced the Belize Carnival Association (BCA), accusing it of systemic mismanagement and chronic disrespect. During a charged press conference on February 20, 2026, representatives from major bands including Titans Mass Band, Belizean Jewels, and Soca Moca presented a comprehensive list of grievances that have been mounting for years.

    The core allegations center on a severe lack of financial transparency and accountability. Band leaders revealed that prize money distribution remains opaque, with winners receiving undifferentiated checks that provide no breakdown for specific competition categories like King, Queen, or Road March. Remarkably, the total prize pool has stagnated at $10,000 for nearly thirty years, despite individual bands now investing over $100,000 annually in their productions.

    Non-competing bands highlighted their particular marginalization, noting they pay substantial participation fees yet receive minimal support in security, logistical guidance, or recognition of their contributions to the festival’s success. ‘We deploy three to four trucks and make significant investments that fundamentally shape the carnival experience,’ one leader stated. ‘Yet our right to understand the distinction between competing and non-competing status remains ignored.’

    The criticism extends beyond financial matters to encompass fundamental governance failures. Multiple leaders reported never participating in association elections despite years of involvement, with one representative noting active participation since 2016 without ever casting a vote. Others described arbitrary disqualifications, broken promises regarding prizes, and consistently poor communication from association leadership.

    In a significant escalation, the coalition disclosed they have sought legal counsel and drafted a formal letter declaring no confidence in the current BCA leadership. This demand for new representation was reportedly dismissed as invalid by the association. The press conference concluded with a unified call for the entire committee to step aside, making way for leadership that can restore transparency, respect, and proper governance to Belize’s premier cultural celebration.

    News 5 has initiated contact with the Belize Carnival Association seeking their official response to these allegations.

  • Prime Minister Friday to attend 50th CARICOM Summit in St. Kitts

    Prime Minister Friday to attend 50th CARICOM Summit in St. Kitts

    Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday is scheduled to undertake a significant diplomatic mission to St. Kitts and Nevis next week, where he will participate in the historic 50th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference. The high-level gathering, scheduled from February 24-27, 2026, represents a milestone moment for regional cooperation and governance in the Caribbean basin.

    The upcoming summit will be convened under the distinguished chairmanship of St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, who will host fellow regional leaders at this quadrennial event. The conference agenda is expected to address pressing regional concerns including climate resilience, economic integration, security cooperation, and sustainable development initiatives unique to Caribbean nations.

    In preliminary statements, Prime Minister Friday emphasized the critical importance of this diplomatic engagement, noting that the summit provides an essential platform for collaborative problem-solving among member states. ‘I anticipate substantive dialogues with my regional counterparts on matters of mutual importance to CARICOM’s continued development and prosperity,’ Friday stated, highlighting the conference’s role in shaping the region’s strategic direction.

    The 50th anniversary summit marks a significant evolution in CARICOM’s institutional development since its establishment in 1973, representing one of the developing world’s most enduring regional integration movements. This gathering occurs amid global economic uncertainties and evolving geopolitical dynamics that particularly affect small island developing states.

  • Flow Upgrades Mobile Network at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre

    Flow Upgrades Mobile Network at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre

    In a significant technological advancement for Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare sector, telecommunications provider Flow has successfully implemented a comprehensive mobile network enhancement at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. The upgrade, finalized on February 19th, 2026, substantially improves indoor connectivity throughout the medical facility, directly supporting critical clinical operations while enhancing communication capabilities for medical staff, patients, and visitors alike.

    Executed through Liberty Business, the enterprise division of Liberty Caribbean, this infrastructure project introduces business-grade technology to one of the nation’s most vital institutions. The initiative underscores Flow’s expanding role in reinforcing essential national infrastructure through digital transformation.

    A formal commissioning ceremony gathered key stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Health, hospital administration, and Flow’s project team. Demonstrating additional corporate support, the Liberty Caribbean Foundation contributed US$5,000 to assist with patient care and facility requirements, recognizing the hospital’s ongoing service to the community.

    Senator Michael Joseph, Minister of State within the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment, emphasized the strategic importance of this investment: ‘This significant contribution by Flow and Liberty Caribbean highlights the indispensable role of modern technology in fortifying our healthcare infrastructure. The enhanced IT capabilities at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre will improve operational efficiency, provide healthcare professionals with essential tools, and ultimately elevate patient care standards.’

    Shelton Flash, Director of B2B for Liberty Caribbean’s North Caribbean region, addressed the operational necessity of reliable connectivity: ‘In healthcare environments, robust indoor connectivity has transitioned from convenience to operational imperative. This upgrade facilitates clinical coordination, enables timely decision-making, and improves experiences for all hospital users.’

    Wayne Hull, Country Manager for Flow Antigua and Barbuda, expressed national pride in the project: ‘We take immense pride in delivering this infrastructure enhancement for our nation. By strengthening connectivity at SLBMC, we support the systems enabling quality healthcare, improve coordination, enhance patient care, and ensure medical teams have reliable tools to perform optimally.’

    Beyond immediate operational improvements, this network upgrade exemplifies Flow’s enduring commitment to social responsibility, collaborative partnership, and community service. The project represents a concrete step toward establishing safer, better-connected healthcare infrastructure throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Government of Grenada — The UWI Economic Cost Bursary Scholarships

    Government of Grenada — The UWI Economic Cost Bursary Scholarships

    The Grenadian government has partnered with the University of the West Indies to launch an ambitious scholarship initiative for citizens pursuing undergraduate education across multiple Caribbean campuses. This Economic Cost Bursary Scholarship program represents a significant investment in national human resource development, offering substantial financial support for tuition expenses at three prestigious regional institutions.

    Eligible Grenadian nationals can receive tuition coverage at varying percentages depending on their chosen campus: 80% support at both the St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Mona Campus in Jamaica, while the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados offers 66% tuition coverage. The program explicitly excludes medical degree programs from scholarship eligibility.

    Prospective applicants must meet specific citizenship requirements and follow a structured application process. Candidates must first secure formal acceptance from their chosen University of the West Indies campus before applying for the scholarship assistance. The application package requires comprehensive documentation including a completed scholarship form, two reference letters, certified copies of birth certificates and academic credentials, an official transcript, campus acceptance letter, passport-sized photograph, and a detailed personal essay outlining career objectives and their potential contribution to Grenada’s development.

    All application materials must be submitted as a complete package to the Human Resource Development Division at Grenada’s Ministry of Education by the June 15, 2026 deadline. The ministry has provided multiple contact channels including telephone numbers (473) 440-2737/2738 or (473) 417-9762 and email address hrd@moe.gd for additional information and assistance with the certification process available through the Examination Unit.

  • US Supreme Court rules Trump’s extensive tariff impositions illegal

    US Supreme Court rules Trump’s extensive tariff impositions illegal

    In a landmark constitutional ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has declared that former President Donald Trump’s expansive global tariff regime exceeds presidential authority and requires Congressional approval. The 6-3 decision represents the most significant judicial rebuke of Trump’s executive actions during his presidency.

    Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, a Trump appointee, authored a comprehensive 46-page concurring opinion emphasizing that “the Constitution lodges the Nation’s lawmaking powers in Congress alone.” The ruling specifically addressed Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the Court found never explicitly granted tariff-imposing authority to the executive branch.

    The decision invalidates two major categories of tariffs: country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs ranging from 34% for China to a 10% baseline for other nations, and a separate 25% levy on certain imports from Canada, China, and Mexico allegedly related to fentanyl control failures. However, tariffs imposed under different legal authorities, including those on steel and aluminum, remain unaffected.

    Economic data reveals these contested tariffs generated approximately $130 billion in revenue through mid-December, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Trump had controversially claimed the figure reached $3 trillion when including trade deal arrangements negotiated during his administration.

    The ruling culminates legal challenges from small business owners who argued the tariffs caused severe economic harm, increased consumer prices, and damaged manufacturing employment through higher imported component costs. Lower courts had previously ruled against the administration’s legal position, maintaining tariffs only during appeal proceedings.

    Responding to the decision, Trump promised to pursue alternative mechanisms to maintain trade pressures, stating: “Other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the court incorrectly rejected. We have alternatives. Great alternatives. Could be more money.”

  • Eastern Caribbean Central Bank: Career opportunities

    Eastern Caribbean Central Bank: Career opportunities

    The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), the premier financial institution serving the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), has officially opened applications for several high-level positions at its Basseterre, St. Kitts headquarters. This recruitment drive targets exceptionally qualified citizens from ECCU member nations seeking to advance their careers within the region’s central banking system.

    Available positions include a Currency Assistant within the Currency Management Department, an Information Security Analyst II in the Management Information Systems Department, and two Senior Accounting Officer roles—one in the Financial Applications and Accounting Unit and another in the Budget and Payment Unit, both under the Accounting Department.

    The ECCB offers an initial two-year contractual engagement for the successful candidates, presenting a pathway to permanent employment contingent upon outstanding performance. All applications must be processed through the official ECCB Employment Application Form, accessible exclusively through the bank’s careers portal.

    Prospective applicants must prepare a comprehensive submission package including a completed online form, detailed curriculum vitae, two recent original letters of reference, certified copies of all academic certificates, an official university transcript, and a recent criminal record or police certificate of character. The deadline for applications is set for Friday, February 27, 2026.

    Supporting documentation should be uploaded directly through the application platform or alternatively submitted to the Human Resource Department via the designated email address. The ECCB maintains rigorous standards in its selection process, reflecting its critical role in maintaining monetary and financial stability across the Eastern Caribbean region.

  • Motorist Escapes Serious Injury After Lexus Overturns in Five Islands

    Motorist Escapes Serious Injury After Lexus Overturns in Five Islands

    A motorist experienced a remarkable escape from grave injury during the early hours of Tuesday following a severe single-vehicle collision in Five Islands. The incident involved a bright lime green Lexus IS sedan that completely overturned, ultimately landing roof-down adjacent to a tree.

    Emergency responders arriving at the scene discovered the luxury vehicle positioned on its roof along a grassy embankment, exhibiting substantial structural damage concentrated along the driver’s side section. Preliminary reconstruction evidence suggests the automobile first deviated from the roadway before colliding with a tree, which triggered the subsequent rollover sequence.

    Remarkably, despite the extensive vehicle deformation and the violent nature of the accident, the solitary occupant sustained only minor injuries and required no hospitalization. Local law enforcement authorities have initiated a standard crash investigation procedure, examining multiple potential contributing elements including excessive speed, contemporary road conditions, and the possibility of human operational error. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the precise causation factors behind this alarming vehicular incident.

  • Picket Planned as Mother Seeks Accountability in Vondè Bowers Case

    Picket Planned as Mother Seeks Accountability in Vondè Bowers Case

    Mounting public demands for judicial transparency have emerged following the controversial handling of proceedings related to Vondè Bowers’ tragic killing. A organized demonstration is scheduled outside the High Court as the victim’s mother intensifies her campaign for institutional accountability regarding case management decisions.

    The escalating controversy centers on the unexpected transfer of the juvenile suspect from the 1735 detention facility to the Denis Bowers Rehabilitation Center. This administrative move has drawn sharp criticism from Bowers’ family, who challenge its legal validity given that the original facility reportedly lacks authorization to accommodate juvenile detainees. The mother has highlighted apparent inconsistencies by noting that other minors remain housed at the 1735 location despite this transfer.

    Through viral social media advocacy, the family has demanded immediate reversal of the transfer arrangement while raising substantive concerns about equitable application of justice protocols. Their public appeal additionally calls for legislative reforms to the Juvenile Act and presses investigators to address lingering questions about potential accomplices in the stabbing incident. The family has expressed particular frustration with the absence of recent official communications regarding case developments.

    This planned peaceful gathering represents a coordinated effort by relatives and community supporters to demand three fundamental objectives: complete transparency throughout the judicial process, uniform implementation of legal statutes, and ultimately achieving justice for Vondè Bowers through proper legal channels.

  • Belize Says Goodbye to Taiwan’s Ambassador Lily Hsu With Top Honour

    Belize Says Goodbye to Taiwan’s Ambassador Lily Hsu With Top Honour

    In a significant diplomatic ceremony, Belize has bestowed one of its highest national honors upon Taiwanese Ambassador Lily Li-Wen Hsu as she concludes her three-year mission in the Central American nation. Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam presented the Order of Distinction to Ambassador Hsu during a formal recognition event held on February 20, 2026.

    The prestigious award acknowledges Ambassador Hsu’s exceptional contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing Belize’s national development agenda. Governor General Tzalam emphasized the evolving nature of international cooperation, stating, ‘We live in a time where physical boundaries are no longer limitations to nation-building,’ while praising the ambassador’s dedication to supporting the Belizean people.

    Ambassador Hsu expressed profound gratitude for the honor, describing her service as ‘a great privilege’ to both represent Taiwan and collaborate with Belizean partners. ‘I’m deeply grateful and humbled to receive this significant recognition,’ she remarked during the emotional ceremony. The ambassador specifically highlighted Belize’s consistent diplomatic support for Taiwan’s international participation, noting the personal and governmental significance of this solidarity.

    In a poignant revelation, Ambassador Hsu announced her earlier-than-anticipated departure following the recent passing of her mother. She requested continued support for her successor, who will be undertaking a third diplomatic tour in Belize. The Order of Distinction represents Belize’s formal mechanism for recognizing exceptional service to the nation, including by foreign nationals who have significantly contributed to the country’s development and international partnerships.

  • UK supporting Grenada tackle plastic pollution

    UK supporting Grenada tackle plastic pollution

    The United Kingdom has launched a significant environmental initiative through its Sustainable Blue Economies Programme, targeting plastic pollution reduction across five Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In collaboration with nonprofit organization Common Seas, the UK has funded the development of comprehensive policy strategies for Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, and St Lucia to address marine plastic contamination over the next decade.

    This environmental partnership represents a crucial component of the UK government’s broader commitment to enhancing economic and climate resilience in vulnerable island nations. In Grenada specifically, Common Seas worked extensively with the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy through multi-stakeholder engagement to produce a detailed recommendations report.

    The methodology involved establishing a plastic pollution baseline by building upon existing initiatives, conducting literature reviews, additional research, targeted interviews, and market data analysis. Common Seas employed their UN-endorsed Plastic Drawdown tool to project plastic pollution growth over the coming ten years and model the most effective policy interventions.

    Key recommendations for Grenada outline strategies that could achieve up to 79% reduction in plastic pollution (equivalent to 352 tonnes annually). These include:

    – Implementing measures targeting plastic water bottles through enhanced Deposit Return Schemes, increased water refill infrastructure, and phased bans on single-use plastic bottles
    – Addressing other single-use plastics through taxation of plastic bags and food packaging, alongside developing refill systems for food takeaway containers
    – Establishing source segregation systems for plastic waste separation
    – Enhancing on-the-go waste collection and combating littering through increased enforcement and improved recycling infrastructure
    – Upgrading solid waste management and wastewater systems with improved household collections and enhanced standards for waste transportation, storage, and handling

    Tim Hemmings, UK Special Envoy for Small Island Developing States, emphasized: “The UK is proud to stand with Small Island Developing States as they work to protect their ocean environments and build resilient, sustainable blue economies. We are committed to supporting SIDS in strengthening ocean protection and safeguarding the natural resources vital to their prosperity.”

    Thais Vojvodic, Director of Partnerships at Common Seas, added: “We have co-developed ambitious policy reports that enable our partners to radically reduce plastic pollution. By developing a deep understanding of the challenge in each country and identifying practical solutions, SIDS can turn the tide on plastic pollution and drive blue economy resilience.”