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VIDEO: Farrakhan speaks to UB students
La Ruta Maya kicks off
The 15th consecutive running of La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge got under way this morning at the Hawksworth Bridge in San Ignacio: 64 teams, 8 divisions, 170 miles to paddle in less than 24 hours. Plus news was there for the start and spoke firstly with President of...
Plane crashes in Corozal Lagoon
While rivers in the Cayo District were flocked with canoeing enthusiasts, a lagoon in Corozal was swarmed by Police, BDF and Civil Aviation after a suspected drug plane was found submerged in water. Details are sketchy at this time, but reports are that a Cessna plane has been located...
International Woman's Day observed
Today is being observed as International Women's Day, and around the world, women are being recognized for their contribution to national development. Here in Belize, the US Embassy named its Woman of the Year Award recipient. This year's awardee is Sylvia Flores. Sylvia Flores, under the People's United Party, ...
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez laid to rest
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was laid to rest today in a state funeral. Friends and families of the late president, along with world leaders, dignitaries and thousands of mourners, gathered in Caracas, to bid farewell to Venezuela's "El Comandante." Inside the funeral hall, presidents, including Cuba's Raul Castro and...
BSI declares 3 million dollar dividend
The Belize Sugar Industry Limited has declared a 3 million dollar dividend for 2012. The beneficiaries of the dividend are holders who had shares in the company prior to it being bought out by ASR. The dividend is approximately $0.068 cents per each of the 44 million issued shares...
Citco reports on its first year in office
Yesterday the City Council of Belize City reported to the public on its first year in office. A main highlight has been the improved infrastructure with 53 streets concreted and 90 upgraded, but behind the scenes at City Hall there have been other improvements in governance. One of the...
Minister Louis Farrakhan speaks out on the LGBT agenda
The visit of Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan to Belize is close to wrapping up. Due to time constraints he was not able to greet the Belizean press corps at his arrival Monday at the International Airport in Ladyville, but a planned press conference went on as scheduled...
FIU has amended money laundering act
The Finance Intelligence Unit of Belize - an integral part of Belize's engagement in the global fight against money laundering and other financial crimes has amended its money laundering act. The new changes require persons in real estate, jewelers and vehicle dealers to register with the FIU. Application forms...
Cyclists are getting ready for Holy Saturday Cross Cycling Classic
Cyclists are getting ready to return to the pavement in the last major race before the Holy Saturday Cross Cycling Classic at the end of March. The 32nd Smart Belmopan Cycling Classic kicks off at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 10 for elite male riders who will ride 100...
Bust of Phillip Goldson mysteriously moved
The bust of Phillip Goldson carved by Stephen Okeke has long been a source of controversy. But it was thought that earlier this year the statesman had found a permanent home in his own division - the Battlefield Park on Albert Street, albeit without much fanfare as Okeke was...
National Women's Softball Team won bronze
The Belize National Women's Softball Team won bronze in the 10th Central American Games. The national selection returned home today after defeating Panama 16-9, to snatch 3rd place. The team also beat out Costa Rica and Nicaragua, but fell short against Guatemala and El Salvador. Other Belizean sports teams...
Delivery truck robbed at gunpoin
A Mennonite delivery truck was robbed at gunpoint this morning. Police say that just before noon today, the truck was near a store complex adjacent to the Ladyville Fire Station, when a number of men, believed to be four, robbed the occupant of the truck. The men then took...
Prison Supervisor has been freed of Drug Charges
A prison supervisor has been freed of possession of a controlled drug. The charge dates back to September of 2012, when Donald Gillett was allegedly caught entering the prison with fifty grams of cannabis inside his tennis shoes. At the time, the officer who discovered the drugs was said...
Amandala
BELIZE SOFTBALL GETS BRONZE AT C.A. GAMES IN COSTA RICA
According to a press release yesterday from the Softball Federation of Belize, the National Women's Softball Team had finished the Round Robin play at the Central American Games in San Jose, Costa Rica with a 4-1 won-loss record, which assured Belize of at least a medal in the Games.
In its first game on Monday, March 5, Belize defeated hosts Costa Rica, 9-2, behind winning pitcher Kenreen Gillett. Belize then lost, 4-0, to Guatemala, with Francine Hoare picking up the loss.
On Tuesday, Belize dropped Nicaragua, 4-1, with Lanisha Jones the winning pitcher.
On Wednesday, Belize shut out El Salvador, 4-0, with Francine Hoare getting the win. Then Belize overpowered Panama, 16-9, with Francine Hoare again picking up the win, this time in relief of Kenreen Gillett.
Yesterday's press release continued:
"Belize is currently seeded two into the playoffs" and "has assured itself at least a medal in the X Central American Games.
TABLE TENNIS FLASHBACK - 1963 BRITISH HONDURAS NATIONAL CHAMPION VISITS THE JEWEL IN 2013
Mr. George Lamb, 1963 British Honduras National Table Tennis Champion, visited Belize a couple weeks ago and was joined by members of the table tennis association to share his 1963 experiences.
- See article on George on our web site @ "belizetabletennis.com"
- See more photos of George while in Belize and in 1963 at the Riverside Hall @"http://www.belizetabletennis.com/apps/photosalbum?albumid=14573587"
(Ed. Note: We located an excellent article by Peter J. Carr on that nail-biting 1963 championship match, between George Lamb and Orlando Rhamdas, on the BTTA web site, and thought we should share it with our readers. Lamb was apparently an expatriate Barclays Bank employee, and the report appeared in the Barclays Bank Staff Magazine - 1963. See story below.)
Extract from Barclays Bank Staff Magazine - 1963
Another strong contender for the Sportsman of the Year title would be George W. Lamb, just completing his first overseas tour at Belize, British Honduras. The photographs which we reproduce on page 654 were sent us by Mr. Peter J. Carr who has written a detailed description of George Lamb's becoming a national table tennis champion:
'The British Honduras National Table Tennis Tournament was played over three days - 16th, 17th and 18th April, 1963, at the Riverside Hall, Belize, in very humid conditions, and George's weight at the end of his considerable effort - he lost nearly a stone (14 lbs) - reflected best of all the results of a really energetic week of practice and competition.
COACH SHERRIER LEWIS' RESIGNATION FINAL, CHARLIE HOLDING OVER
There were reports on the evening news yesterday, and at a press conference this morning at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City, Football Federation of Belize (FFB) President Ruperto Vicente made it official, confirming that he had received a letter of resignation from Mr. LeRoy Sherrier Lewis, who coached the Belize National Team to success at the Central American Cup in Costa Rica, where Belize secured a spot for the first time ever in the prestigious Gold Cup tournament to be held in 13 American cities in July of this year.
Optimistic fans were looking forward to another fine showing for the Belize National Team under the able guidance of coach Sherrier Lewis, who has won the hearts of Belizean players and fans on both occasions when he has coached our national team.
Back in 2001, coach Lewis and Belize had almost upset Guatemala in the Central American Cup, with Guatemala equalizing the game in injury time with a controversial penalty. Then FFB President Dr. Bertie Chimilio had rewarded Lewis' performance by firing him after the tournament, ostensibly for Lewis' criticisms of the officiating after the match.
HUGO CHAVEZ, REST IN PEACE Editorial
If there was one man the Caribbean and the Americas could not afford to lose, it was Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela. Yet, as life would have it, Chavez is the man we lose this week, at the relatively young age of 58.
The reason we could not afford to lose Hugo was because he stood for poor people and for people of color, and because he controlled the fabulous petroleum resources of Venezuela. In other words, Chavez's heart was in the right place, and he had the wherewithal to help the people of countries like Belize.
In real terms, Venezuela's aid to Belize while Chavez was Venezuelan president was more significant and substantial than aid to Belize from the mighty United States of America. The American newspapers and television networks tried their best to make Hugo Chavez out to be a buffoon. The American government wanted a different kind of government in place in Venezuela, a government which would facilitate the exploitation of Venezuela's petroleum resources by American oil companies. Hugo Chavez was too nationalistic for them, and American foreign policy supported all those who were opposed to Chavez.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
From time to time over the years, I've told you that this newspaper is an aberration, an anomaly. The fact that Amandala is clearly the leading newspaper in the nation-state of Belize, has been so for more than three decades, is a reality that goes against the grain, so to speak. This extraordinary state of affairs is highlighted by the fact that in Guatemala their leading newspaper, Prensa Libre, is so manifestly the voice of the ruling oligarchy and military. When Prensa Libre speaks, the voice of the rulers of Guatemala is speaking: when Amandala speaks, it is the voice of the masses of the Belizean people which is speaking.
This unusual state of affairs in Belize allows the ruling party here to disown opinions expressed in Amandala, even if those opinions are editorial opinions. The power structure in Guatemala cannot disown editorial opinions expressed in Prensa Libre because those opinions are always the opinions of their power structure.
Before we consider how this state of affairs came to exist in Belize, let me say that it can be an uncomfortable state of affairs, both for the power structure and for our humble selves on Partridge Street. The people who are in positions of power pretend that Amandala does not exist and that they do not read it. For our part, fully conscious that we have no constitutional place or authority, we have to "hold our corner." Foreigners in the diplomatic corps must not be sure that we actually exist as living, breathing entities. But, we do.
GMO AWARENESS MONTH - WEEK #2 - GMOS AND THE ENVIRONMENT Letters
Dear Editor,
The group, Belizeans Against GMOs, is working this month to educate the public about Genetically Modified Organisms. There are different kinds of GMOs, but we are particularly concerned about Genetically Modified Food. We are eating GMOs everyday in food that is processed, packaged and imported from our main importer, the United States, who is pushing this new agri-business technology. Currently Belize imports GMOs as food and as feed, but not as Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) - not as seed.
Many of our group try hard NOT to eat GMOs in any form, but we are especially concerned about living GMOs because planting them, growing them, and harvesting them affects not only us humans; it directly affects our environment here in The Jewel - Belize. The "ecological impacts resulting from the vast introduction of genetically modified organisms are perhaps the least completely understood, though certainly the most significant, for our sustained health and well-being." (Britt Bailey)
KRIOL VERSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IS NOW AVAILABLE
The Belize Creole Project (Bileez Kriol Projek) launched its "Nyoo testament eena Bileez Kriol" [Creole version of the Bible's New Testament] today, Wednesday, at a ceremony at the St. John's Anglican Cathedral.
Several notable figures were in attendance at the launch, including Governor General Sir Colville Young, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Hon. Patrick Faber, Belizean artist Lila Vernon, and several members of the National Kriol Council, Belize Creole Project, and the church community.
The ceremony was done in Belizean Creole, including singing of the National Anthem and song presentations. Selected persons were invited to read scriptures from the "Kriol Baibl."
Supporters of the new Bible version said that it makes the word of God more powerful to Belizean readers because it is in their language and they can better relate to the messages of the word.
Governor General Sir Colville Young, who is also a linguist and writer of Creole songs performed at the launch, said that he believed that the Bible needed to be translated into Creole.
WHY IS THE GMO DEBATE SO CONFUSING?
And, what is Bt-corn?
GMO refers to any genetically modified organism; meaning a piece of DNA from one species, often from a bacterium, is spliced into the DNA of another species. This discussion focuses on a specific genetically engineered (GE) crop species, Bt-corn, with a background on the difference between traditional, conventional and sustainable cropping systems and an emphasis on environmental effects, real and potential, of Bt-crops.
Traditional cropping systems often grow multiple crops, having different canopy heights and growing seasons, and may include crop rotation and livestock versus conventional cropping systems that are often mono-cultures with short, repetitive growing seasons and high energy input (machinery, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides).
Conventional cropping systems are profit-driven (versus subsistence) so they may or may not rotate crops or use fallow periods. Sustainable cropping systems cause minimal land degradation or reduction in natural capital/resources, maintain ecological integrity, yet are still profitable to the farmer.
Many researchers evaluating these farming techniques point out that using universal indicators to assess cropping systems is necessary; not just yields but soil quality, nutrient balance, organic matter, water holding capacity, biodiversity, etc., all need to be considered to evaluate total sustainability of the system over only yields (Altieri 2002, Seufert et al 2012).
GARINAGU FOCUS ON BELIZE-GUAT REFERENDUM, GANG VIOLENCE, FUNDING AT 29TH NGC CONVENTION
The beautiful seaside village of Hopkins in Stann Creek will this weekend, March 8-10, host the 29th Annual Convention of the National Garifuna Council at the Holy Family RC School.
Organizers say that, "Garinagu from all over Belize congregate annually at this event to celebrate our culture, discuss the challenges of our communities and set the course for future course of action."
The Belize-Guatemala Referendum (to be presented by a team including Percy Lewis and Matthew Martinez); social drinking and crime and crime prevention (to be presented by Dr. Elma Augustine from the Ministry of Health); and funding opportunities for rural projects (to be presented by Romaldo Lewis and Mr. Villafranco of Ecumenical College) are among the key topics billed for discussion at the convention. Presenters are to address issues relating to gang violence, as well as other challenges confronting Garifuna in Belize and the world over.
Apart from business meetings and panel discussions, the convention will host a youth forum, featuring talks on leadership training, as well as a song workshop.
RACQUETBALL - A NEW SPORT FOR BELIZE?
Racquetball is not a sport that may be very familiar to many Belizeans, but Denise Frank, an avid racquetball player since 1976, is trying to change that.
Frank, who played the sport at a professional level in the United States, found, upon moving to Belize, that there are no resources in the country to permit the playing of the sport at a competitive level. But she makes an effort to play racquetball at least three times a week, and promotes the sport wherever she goes.
She defends the sport, not only as "the best sport in the world," but also as a sport for all ages that develops hand and eye coordination and promotes body movement and stretching.
"We're looking for more sports for the youth to get involved with. We're trying to find activities for them," she said. "It's fun at any age you play. It's a healthy, good exercise and it's fun. It's crazy good fun."
Frank, who says she prefers to remain in the background, working from behind the scenes, is trying to spark the passion in more people to push for the fast-paced game to be played in Belize.
"I want to get more people behind the desire to bring it here so that there's more push to get the Government to come up with the money to bring it," she said.
Frank said that there are already international racquetball associations interested in forming connections with teams in Belize and set up tournaments.
DWAYNE EVELYN, 23, ACQUITTED OF MURDERING PETER MYVETTE, 22
Myvette was shot and killed while washing a bus at the corner of Tigris Street and Kut Avenue.
Dwayne Evelyn, 22, a resident of Amarillo Street, was acquitted of murder this evening after a jury of 3 men and 9 women unanimously found him not guilty of killing Peter Myvette, 22.
At noon on February 17, 2010, shots rang out at the corner of Tigris Street and Kut Avenue, and when the noise stopped, the scene that residents of the area beheld was the body of Myvette under a bus, bleeding profusely from multiple gunshot injuries.
Myvette was immediately rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. He had suffered injuries to his neck, arm and rib cage.
Two days later, Evelyn was charged with the murder of Myvette in the Magistrate's Court. According to police, they had a witness who saw the shooting, and a police officer who claimed to have critical information on the murder and the person who allegedly did it.
THE 1859 BOUNDARY TREATY
Ratification exchanged at Guatemala, September 12, 1859
Whereas the boundary of Her Majesty's settlement and possessions in the Bay of Honduras, and the territories of the Republic of Guatemala, has not yet been ascertained and marked out; Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Guatemala, being desirous with aaview to improve and perpetuate the friendly relations which happily subsists between the two countries, to define the boundary aforesaid, have resolved to conclude a Convention for that purpose and have named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say:
Her majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Charles Lennox Wylie, Esquire, Her Britannic Majesty's Charg� d'Affaires to the Republic of Guatemala;
And his Excellency the President of the Republic of Guatemala, Don Pedro de Aycinena, Councillor of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs;
Who after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles:
Article I. It is agreed between her Britannic Majesty and the Republic of Guatemala that the boundary between the Republic and the British Settlement and Possessions in the Bay of Honduras, as they existed previous to and on the 1st of January 1850, and have continued to exist up to the present time, was and is as follows:
CHAVEZ DEIFIED
Eternal display in glass casket planned for embalmed Chavez.
Venezuela president Hugo Ch�vez Fr�as, 58, lost his two-year battle with cancer at 4:25 Tuesday evening and today, Friday, millions of mourners are expected to attend his state funeral in Caracas. Chavez won't be buried in the dust; neither will he be cremated. Instead, his body is to be embalmed for permanent display at the Museum of Revolution, according to his interim successor, Venezuelan vice president Nicol�s Maduro.
The decision to put Chavez on permanent display inside a glass casket reportedly sprung from his last words: "I don't want to die. Please don't let me die." Chavez, it is said, wanted to continue serving his people.
Sixteen countries, including Cuba, where Chavez had received treatment for cancer, have declared national mourning for a man described as "a Latin American giant."
A statement issued by the Embassy of Cuba in Belize said, "Official mourning [in Cuba] was declared starting from March 6, 6:00 p.m., until March 7, midnight, and National Mourning for March 8."
ANGLICANS LEAD CHARGE AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
Some businesspeople and other concerned citizens, however, urge reinstatement of death penalty.
Canon Leroy Flowers, President of the Belize Council of Churches, has confirmed to Amandala that the Anglican Diocese in Belize has conveyed to the Barrow administration the official position of the Anglican community in Belize against the application of the death penalty in Belize.
Last week, a shocking daylight murder of a young woman sparked a commitment from Antigua and Barbuda to reinstate the hangman's noose.
Canon Flowers told our newspaper that the position of the Belize Anglican church was concretized via resolution at the last October's synod-the highest governing body-against the death penalty.
We can't implement the laws, so copies were passed to the governing authority, Canon Flowers said.
At last week's sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Dean Barrow tabled a bill from the Anglican church in Belize, for a change of name from The Branch of the Church of England in Belize to the Anglican Diocese of Belize, so that the church can be correctly identified with the other dioceses in the Province of the West and the worldwide Anglican community, said Barrow.
HAND IN HAND DOES IT AGAIN - ANOTHER BELIZEAN FAMILY GETS A HOUSE
The Hand in Hand Ministries again steps up and is building and donating a moderate-sized house for a needy Belizean family, free of charge. The house is being built on a lot in the Moya Street area in Lake I for a mother and her four children.
The house is estimated to be completed on Friday, and it will be dedicated that same day, at which time the keys will be handed over to the owner.
The construction began on Monday, March 4, and 12 volunteers from the United States, in collaboration with local builders, are constructing the house, a two-bedroom one-flat unit of plywood and plycem.
Bernard Panton, the director of programs and projects of Hand in Hand Ministries, told Amandala that they have built over 200 houses for needy Belizean families, and will continue to do so. At the completion of this present house on Moya Street, construction will begin on another house on Monday, March 11.
The Belize Times
UDP gets an "F"
On Wednesday afternoon, the Opposition People's United Party held a press conference to review and grade the UDP administration which was re-elected to a second-term office one year ago on March 7th 2012. "The UDP gets a ...
Barrow kills the Bar
The UDP is plotting and while our children sleep they are building a devilish scheme to destroy democracy and Belize. Remember November 2010 when Dean Barrow humiliated the Chief Justice of Belize because Barrow was angry at the fact that the Judge refused to do his bidding? The Bar Association spoke out in an attempt to protect the integrity of the Court and legal system.
On that Friday, November 12, 2010 in the House of Representatives Dean Barrow called the Bar Association "PUP" - meaning that it is controlled by the People's United Party. For context, we remember that Barrow was calling everyone that dare oppose him "PUP".
...
THINK ABOUT IT
THEY DID IT They came from across the country. A few from Orange Walk. Some from San Ignacio. Some from battered, embattled Belize City, Dangriga and of course Punta Gorda. Their objective. To gather at the area of the Belize /Guatemala border to get a clear picture of the situation, conduct a ...
A land fall cometh?
By G. Michael Reid Nigel Petillo did not draw a very big crowd for his land reform protest in spite of much promoting and advertising. His biggest disappointment was obviously with the very people of Harmonyville, who stood to gain the most from that exercise. Welcome Nigel, to the real world. According ...
In the Kingdom of the Blind
In 2006 the then PUP Government of Belize took a proactive decision based on the best international financial expert advice to restructure Belize's commercial foreign debt. Calm and respectful discussions were held with the Caribbean Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank. Both international institutions provided policy based financing to facilitate ...
Placencia Assassins take down San Felipe Barcelona
The 2011 champs Placencia Assassins enjoyed their 2nd win: 3-1 against FC San Felipe Barcelona at the People's Stadium. Placencia's Kareem Haylock put the visitors up 1-0 when he blasted ...
Zhi Chen & Tyrone Tun win table tennis tournament
Zhi Chen won the A-Division, Tyrone Tun won the B- division, Sen Sen won the C- division and Petie Matus-Usher won the women's division when the Belize Table Tennis Association held the 2013 RF&G Bi-Annual national ...
DHC Excellence - leads SMART Harrison Parks cricket competition
The defending champions, excellence of Double head Cabbage continue to lead the SMART Harrison Parks national cricket competition walloping the Alfred Dawson Cricket Club of Gardenia Village by the score ...
Faber badmouths Dangriga residents
Patrick Faber is still licking his wounds after he was soundly defeated by Gaspar Vega's money and power, and some UDP-style backstabbing too, in the race for UDP Deputy Leader. One would have thought that the loss would have made Faber a bit humble and contrite, ...
Danger at SP Central Park
The tourism capital of Belize is San Pedro. Not only financially but the majestic barrier reef and the splendor of the brilliant colors which caresses its coast makes other countries jealous. Tourism contributes to over ...
National Basketball player shot on Youth For the Future Drive
A member of the Belize National Basketball team almost had his future taken away when he was attacked and shot by a gunman on Youth For the Future Drive. The victim, Ronald ...
Art is for the Spirit
St. John's College hosted thousands of primary and secondary students at a grand Science, Reading and Art Fair on Landivar Campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m on February 21, 2013. Students from all four forms prepared ...
AMAZING GRACE - Why is Belize So Expensive?
The cost of a gallon of gasoline today is around eleven to twelve dollars. Because of this, too many trips have been cancelled, and too much money has been spent on goods that should be far cheaper. To help with this problem, I converted my vehicle to butane a couple ...
In my perspective - Land Ownership - the Real Deal!
By Rayford Young This past weekend I had some time on my hands, was searching the web and came across a website and decided to check out my ancestry. My parents always told me that we came from a large family and would be surprised who we were related to, and ...
Belize Tourism - A look at cost competitiveness
By Richard Harrison In 2012, Belize recorded 277,135 overnight tourist visitors....and 640,734 cruise visitors. Total 917,869 visitors, with hotel occupancy below 40%. The Riviera Maya, which spreads from Cancun south to Majahual....a coastline distance of 200 miles....is comparable to the coastline distance between Corozal and Punta Gorda. They registered total 17 million ...
Of this and that�
Cement Potholes We spent 20 million on cement streets. Some of the streets lead to nowhere. The streets that are not cemented are in terrible shape. Craters. It is mashing up all the dollar vans and taxis. A bad thing is happening. The City Council is already digging up lots ...
Hush Money!
By Anthony Sylvestre Jr. Marshall Nunez is a genius. He has introduced a new phrase to Belize's already colourful political lexicon. Ah mean, it has be a brilliant mind to come up with the phrase "hush money". For it so aptly captures the practice of this UDP government. Hush money is also referred to ...
UDP gets an "F"
Friday, March 8, 2013 14:44
On Wednesday afternoon, the Opposition People's United Party held a press conference to review and grade the UDP administration which was re-elected to a second-term office one year ago on March 7th 2012. "The UDP gets a ...
DPP's Deadly Losing Streak
The current Director of Public Prosecutions, Cherylin Vidal, is on a deadly losing streak. It splashed big when she lost a historic case in Dangriga late last year. In that trial the DPP decided not to ...
Questions to Ministers
Will the Minister of Health Pablo Marin confirm or deny that he recently sent his wife to give birth to his child in the United States in fear of the neglectful health system in Belize, over which he presides? Can the Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega say how much land ...
Wasteful Spending! GOB rents Minister's building to house Vital Statistics Unit
While the Barrow Administration refuses to grant a salary increase to teachers and public officers, they continue their wasteful spending in unnecessary areas. Information to the BELIZE TIMES is that the Vital Statistics Unit, which was housed at a Government-owned building on Gabourel Lane, will now be ...
No salary increase! No tax relief! - Barrow's budget offers no ease in hard times
If you were hoping to hear about economic relief or an ease in taxes in the Barrow Administration's fifth Budget, you were left miserably disappointed. Also, if teachers and public officers were hoping that the Budget included their much-needed salary increase, they were left wanting. Barrow's Budget ...
PUP on the passing of President Hugo Chavez
Belize City, March 6, 2013 The Leader of the People's United Party the Hon. Francis Fonseca sends a message of deep sympathy and condolence to the Government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at the passing of President Hugo ...
Setting the record straight
Dear Editor, I write to set the record straight on an article appearing in the Sunday, March 3rd 2013 edition under the sub caption CitCo 2.3 mil debt inherited from Fonseca Administration 2005. Why am I not surprised that in 2013, eight years after the PUP was in office, the PUP ...
When will the madness stop?
Dear Editor, Belize is a beautiful country with extremely bad leadership. After reading your article on the Minister of Transport Edmond Castro's blatant interference in the running of the Belize Port Authority, I was appalled that this man is still serving in our country's Cabinet. I waited patiently on Friday to hear ...
What to do when your internet goes down
We came home from our trip to Belize City Wednesday and our internet was acting sluggish and then cut out completely. Usually I text tacoboy at work and see if Pedro's Hotel has net, but since he was with me that was not an option. We waited a bit and I decided to call BTL, I and got Karla who was great. I told her I had rebooted router and all but not laptop since the lights were flashing on router an specifically the DLS one so she told me she would all me back in regards to service. She was prompt at getting back to me and said that we were the morning list to be seen.
I thought about how I wanted to spend my time off aside from cleaning house and hula hooping and decided to go See Dick and Zac before they took the water taxi to the city. Zac is doing weekly tai chi classes there and since First Caribbean Bank is no longer on the island Dick has to go to another district by plane or boat to do teller banking. What a funny place we live
Return to Wild Mangos - well worth the wait
We hadn't eaten dinner at Wild Mangos, one of San Pedro's most popular restaurants, in quite awhile, only lunch. It was time to ride our bikes to town and enjoy the delicious creations of well-known Chef Amy Knox once again. Since we had reservations, we got a primo table!
We started by sharing a tasty black bean gordas appetizer. Barry enjoyed a Pantyripper (coconut rum and pineapple juice), and I went with SanPedroScoop's favorite here -- Caipirinha (not on the menu, but delish and reasonably priced at $8 BZD).
A Week Of The Most Glorious Spring Weather Gives Way to Some Morning Rain
And I don't like to toss around overblown words like "glorious" often�or at least I should try not to. On the island, it has been warm and sunny with low humidity during the day and cool, snuggle up with a blanket weather at night. I could not ask for any better.
The kids sailing team getting ready to launch at Caribbean Villas.
And some pretty beaded necklaces at a vendor's table near the beach. Agreed. They have absolutely nothing to do with the weather.
How to Make Belizean Ceviche
Traditional Belizean style ceviche made with Caribbean shrimps
Ingredients:
About half a pound of raw (uncooked) cleaned shrimp
2 cups diced ripe tomatoes
1 large onion diced
1 bunch cilantro chopped
1 habanero pepper minced
5 good limes
1 tsp salt (salt to taste)
Belize's Delegation To Chavez's Funeral
Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, has appointed the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, to lead Belize's delegation attending the funeral of the late President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez.
The Belize delegation includes the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Alexis Rosado and Ambassador Nestor Mendez, Belize's Ambassador to Washington and the Organization of American States.
Belizean Creole Bun 1/2 Recipe
I realize that some people live alone and the full recipe of the bun that's originally at the site may yield too many loaves. This recipe will yield only 2 loaves of this wonderfully delicious bread. Great for all occasions.
OFFICIAL DELEGATION TO ATTEND FUNERAL FOR HUGO CHAVEZ
Government confirmed today that Belize will send a delegation to attend the funeral of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. That state funeral is scheduled for Friday morning, though there is still uncertainty surrounding the location. Reports are that the longtime President had requested that he be buried on the plains of his home state of Barinas. Family members, however, are saying he will be buried in the military museum overlooking Caracas. Still others are saying he will be buried in a mausoleum he had ordered built for the remains of Simon Bolivar. It is expected that as many as twenty-two world leaders and hundreds of thousands of supporters will attend the funeral, and among them will be Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, C.E.O. in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexis Rosado and Belize's Ambassador to the OAS Nestor Mendez. But from diplomacy to politics, we note that in the absence of Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, has been appointed as acting Prime Minister. Traditionally, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, has acted as Prime Minister. Those in the political know tell us that the choice of Saldivar, who has been a rival of Faber and who openly supported Vega in the recent U.D.P. convention, is a slight of Faber, and a clear indication that in the wake of the convention he has still not gained favor from his boss, the P.M.
Takin' Care of Business
Could be the different bed. Or the strange surroundings. Might be that the concentration I am giving to driving a car on alien roads (well alien to me anyway) is just that little bit more tiring than dawdling around in a golf cart on Ambergris Caye! Whatever it is I am waking later in the morning. Not up this morning until 6.50 am.
A hearty breakfast at the hotel and Rose and I were ready to hit the shops again. With a fairly local Lowe's store being first on our list. And this one was only eleven miles from our hotel. Virtually next door by Dallas standards!
Some little while ago Emily (http://bebelize.weebly.com/) commented on this blog that too much choice might make things more difficult for us. I am now starting to think that she might well be right. When there is so much on offer it is sometimes nigh on impossible to choose just one! But choose we must and today Rose and I believe that we are now very close to making our choices.
With our window shopping done we went back to the hotel to download the photographs. Quickly freshened up and went out for dinner. Our choice once again was - yes, you guessed it - steak.
GUATEMALA REVIVES CLAIM
The dispute moved now to the "court phase." Guatemala proposed arbitration, and Britain suggested taking the matter to the Hague Court. Guatemala was not in favour of the dispute being examined purely on a legal basis. In July 1939, Guatemala published a White Book on her claims, and in 1940 Britain again offered arbitration in any of three ways: either to the Hague Court, or to a tribunal of international lawyers examining the matter under Chapter 4 of the Hague Convention, or to a tribunal of three international lawyers-one member to be selected by each party and one of them by the President of the United States. Guatemala rejected all three, and in 1940 Guatemala claimed that the Treaty was invalid, and therefore, for the first time, claimed the whole of British Honduras, "She also considers that the non-compliance of the obligations on the part of Great Britain has caused to the Republic, material and intangible damages because of the loss of advantages which the country would have derived from its development and from its foreign trade if the expected highway to the Atlantic Coast had been constructed. The British occupation of British Honduras cut off all maritime communications with the Department of Peten closing it off thereby orographic and political barriers that have prevented its progress and development". (69)
During the Second World War, President Ubico did not press the matter, but after his downfall in 1944 the new Guatemalan Government promulgated a constitution in 1945, declaring British Honduras to be a part of Guatemalan territory. Britain offered in 1946 to take the dispute to the International Court, but Guatemala refused unless it would be determined ex aequo et bono, acceding to the principle of equity, what is just and good. Another principle Which Guatemala adheres to is the principle of uti possidetis, which is based on the theory that "� the Central American Federation inherited the sovereign rights formerly possessed by Spain and that on its dissolution its member-states inherited the territorial jurisdiction which corresponded to them respectively as administrative divisions of the old Captaincy-General of Guatemala ." Guatemala further argues that during the colonial period, Belize formed a part of Peten or Verapaz during the period of Guatemala's membership of the Central American Federation and after the Federation had dissolved. This principle, applied by Gautemala and between other Latin American states, is a principle which is not recognized by international law and applies only to those states who have agreed to be bound by it. (70)
International Sources
Hurricane Hattie, Author: John D. Friesen
Online version of the Story of the hurricane that ripped through the British Honduras, on October 31,1961.
10th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
Smithsonian magazine's 2012 photo contest attracted more than 37,600 submissions. Those images have been whittled down to 50 finalists in the natural world, people, travel, Americana and altered images categories.
See The Comet
Starting last night, look west close to the horizon. This is the big week so many of us in the northern hemisphere have been waiting for. Comet C/2011 L4 PANSTARRS, which has put on a splendid show in the southern hemisphere, now finally comes to a sky near us northerners!
Sky watchers in Australia and southern South America report it looks like a fuzzy star a little brighter than those in the Big Dipper with a short stub of a tail visible to the naked eye. The comet should brighten further as it wings its way sunward. Closest approach to the sun happens on March 10 at a distance of 28 million miles. That's about 8 million miles closer than the orbit of Mercury.
Though very low in the western sky after sundown, the comet should be visible across much of the U.S., southern Canada and Europe beginning tonight March 8.
Belize strikes deal to restructure outstanding debt
Belize on Friday struck a deal with a majority of its creditors to renegotiate longer terms and lower interest rates, officials said Friday.
"The government of Belize today announced that the holders of 86.17 percent of dollar bonds due in 2029 have exchanged the instruments for new bonds maturing in 2038," said an official statement.
The country needed agreement from at least 75 percent of its creditors to move forward with the deal.
In addition to giving Belize an extra nine years to repay the capital, the interest rate for the first four years will be 5.0 percent, before reverting to the current rate of 8.5 percent.
Clemson students to donate scholarship money, film documentary in Belize
A Clemson University Creative Inquiry student team will travel to Belize March 17-24 to interact with a school's students and educators while filming a documentary to raise awareness about the need for educational opportunity in impoverished areas of foreign countries.
The visit to Unity Christian School and film are part of the development of "$60 Scholarships," the students' effort to award scholarships to children in the Burial Grounds community of Belize whose families aren't able to pay for their educations.
"The education system there is privatized, meaning that the government only pays half of the tuition," said Sara Grace Bailey, a $60 Scholarships team member from Lancaster. "The families are responsible for the remaining $75 and we are raising money to pay $60 of that. This way, we are helping but still holding the family responsible so that they come to appreciate their work toward education."
"Sixty dollars gives students uniforms and school supplies, as well as tuition for an entire year," said Anne Coker, a team member from Hendersonville, N.C.
Belize Debt Exchange Offer Successful
The Government of Belize announced today that holders of 86.2 percent of the country's U.S. Dollar Bonds due 2029 (the "2029 Bonds") had tendered their bonds in response to Belize's February 15, 2013 offer to exchange those instruments for new Belize U.S. Dollar Bonds due 2038 (the "2038 Bonds"). Belize's offer required tenders to be submitted to Citibank, in its capacity as the Exchange Agent for the transaction, by 5:00pm (New York time) today.
Under the terms of the 2029 Bonds and Belize's exchange offer, holders of not less than 75 percent of the 2029 Bonds have instructed the Trustee for those instruments to tender the entirety of the 2029 Bonds in exchange for 2038 Bonds in accordance with the terms of Belize's offer. The results of the tender process that ended today means that such an exchange of the entirety of the 2029 Bonds is expected to take place at a closing of the transaction later this month.
US - Belizean Cultural Heritage Effort Hailed
The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Belize is a major step forward in protecting the little Caribbean country's cultural heritage, a spokesman for the Belize Natural History Centre at Chaa Creek said today.
Brion Young said that the memorandum, announced 5 march 2013 by the US Department of State, demonstrates a commitment on the part of the two countries to end the looting of Maya temples and archaeological sites in Belize and halt the illegal trade of Maya artefacts.
The MOU also covers the illegal trafficking of Belize's African, Spanish, British and other cultural treasures.
"Over the years we have lost so much of our heritage to looters, and we salute the United States in working with the Government of Belize to put a stop to this. Just as the original Declaration of Independence and other historical artefacts are important to US citizens, we value the icons of our country's history and culture," Mr Young said.
Belize says superbond offer taken up by over 75 pct of holders
Belize's government said on Friday it had met the required threshold needed to complete a debt exchange on the country's $550 million superbond, allowing the tiny the Central American nation to restructure its debt.
In a statement, the government said that holders of 86.17 percent of Belize's U.S. dollar bonds due in 2029 had agreed to swap them for new bonds due in 2038.
The Belize government needed a 75 percent take-up rate to trigger a collective action clause, a mechanism used to restructure government bonds in a crisis.
Farrakhan addresses university students in Belize
Minister Farrakhan's Bird Isle address comes at the conclusion of his visit to the Central American nation of Belize. The Minister's visit included meetings with political, civic and social leaders and activists. In addition to radio/TV interviews, he also addressed university students and the staff and inmates of Belize Central Prison.
Trinidad to play Belize, Peru in football friendly
Trinidad and Tobago will play two Central American opponents later this month as they continue preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.
The Trinidadians will take on Belize at home March 22 and travel to Lima to face Peru three days later, reports CMC.
The March 26 encounter against Peru is a return friendly after the Caribbean side lost to them 0-2 here last month.
"We had a good opportunity to see some of the players from abroad in the last game against Peru and we also had the chance to see the local-based players in that particular game," said national head coach Hutson Charles.
"The process of seeing what the players have to offer will continue in these two matches coming up."
The match against Belize will be played at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva due to the unavailability of other venues, which are currently being upgraded.