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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

Football Tournament: Island Pure defeats Warriors; Caribbean Depot draws with FC United
The first two games of the San Pedro Sports Council Tournament being done in collaboration with Councilor Gaby Nunez & Coordinator Ernildo Jones took place this past Sunday on November 2nd, 2013 at the Ambergris Stadium. The first game was between Island Pure and Warriors, and Island Pure would secure a 3 to 1 win. Scoring goals on behalf of the winning team were players Brandon Santos(#6), Brandon Gonzales (#7) and Moises Mejia(#9). One yellow card was given to Island Pure player, Elan Gonzales. Game two was played between Caribbean Depot and FC United, and the tight game ended in a 4-4 draw. Scoring goals for Caribbean Depot were Juan Carlos Villatoro (#2), Oscar Mendez(#6), Alberto Quintanilla(#8) , and Arby Novelo (#14). Matching those goal amounts for FC United were players Joel Banner, Ismael Figueroa, and 2-time scorer Andy Mejia. A total of three yellow cards were given in this match, one to Andy Mejia and Giovanni Reyes of FC United and the other to Ruben Pat of Caribbean Depot.

Heimgartners share icy treats with SPRCS
Paleta distribution at SPRC-2The students and staff from San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) were treated to an icy cold snack on Friday, November 1st. Long time island visitors, Debbie and Larry Heimgartner, along with a couple other smiling helpers, distributed paletas (popsicles) to over 1000 students. The delicious strawberry and chocolate treats were perfect for the hot day. The children were surely pleased with their treats and greeted the Heimgartners with smiles of gratitude and choruses of "thank you".

SPRCS' All saints Day Fair
San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) held its annual All Saints Day Fair on Saturday, November 2nd as part of the annual tradition that reveres Saints of the Catholic Doctrine. The fair was organized by the Parents- Teacher Association (PTA) in an effort to raise funds. The funds will be used to relocate the cafeteria from its current location to the rear area of the campus and use the cafeteria space as classrooms. The fair started at around 5PM as a crowd gathered to make their way into the fair grounds. Several students dressed as various Saint and Angels of the Catholic Church. But the fair was not all about the Saints; those in attendance enjoyed plenty of food, drinks, music, games and even live entertainment. There was even a fun kids disco for the older kids to dance the night away or until curfew!

SACNW Trick or Treat Social (15 photos)
Residents and friends of the South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch area celebrated Halloween with a neighborhood Trick or Treat Social. The fun began at the "Haunted" Casa Mariposa and ended at Black Orchid Restaurant where costumed-kiddies received treats and ghoulish adults enjoyed an "after party". Residents donated various cakes, cookies and goodies for everyone to savor and a good time was had by children of ALL ages!

I-Spy with my watchful eye� Large choppers circling Ambergris Caye
Many may be wondering about the two massive helicopters that were circling Ambergris Caye on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 5th. The two choppers are part of the US Embassy Military Liaison Office stationed in Belmopan and Joint Task Force-Bravo who has partnered with the Military to successfully eradicate large marijuana fields in mainland Belize. It is unclear what their flyover off Ambergris Caye entails.

Ambergris Today

Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites
The MTBCAAS Project reached another milestone in achieving its objectives and results of the Project. A contract, in the amount of $344,072 (Three hundred forty four thousand and seventy two dollars), was awarded to the consulting firm BELZEB CONSULTING of Grenada, West Indies via tendering process to provide consultancy for diversification of community based tourism products and services to National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and Belize Tourism Board (BTB). The contract involves the development and delivery of a training program in standardization, branding and certification for Belizean made arts and crafts products being sold at archaeological sites and elsewhere. The consultancy will also advise on how best to utilize the marketing resources of BTB and NICH to assist artisans in marketing their Belizean made products for international consumption. This initiative will directly impact and benefit artisans living and working in communities that are primarily near to archaeological sites.

Saga Thanks San Pedro Community
The Saga Humane Society would like to give our sincerest gratitude to everyone who helped in first of our October SNIP-a-thon clinics with Helping Paws Across Borders Oct.7-12. They were an international team of Veterinarians and Vet Tech's who held Operation SNIP clinics at Saga Clinic, DFC and Caye Caulker. Helping Paws completed over 150 FREE spay/neuters and 200 vaccinations for our communities. The animals were sterilized, treated for internal and external parasites and vaccinated against disease. All items and services were donated to Saga HS and Helping Paws (USA NGO) by individuals to benefit San Pedro. San Pedro gains economically by having these visiting Veterinary teams. By sterilizing their pets, the community will become invested in the steps needed to control over population of domestic animals in San Pedro.

Misc Belizean Sources

Andre Alamina wins 14th Personality of the Month Award
The Teens Belize Organization is honored to present its 14thPersonality of the Month Award to Mr. Andre Alamina of Belize City. Andre loves writing and maintains the perspective that a love for writing is inextricably linked with first, a love for reading. He believes one of the major issues with young people in Belize is an inherent disinterest in improving themselves academically and making a concerted effort to not just get by, but excel. He also said that the two "Student of the Year" Awards he won at his alma mater, St. John's College High School, signified the culmination and the affirmation of the great years he had at this institution. In five years, Andre hopes to receive his Law Degree and begin working in one of the city's major firms.

WANGLA
8 oz brown sugar 2 oz water 8 oz toasted sesame seeds Put sugar and water in a saucepan and cook until sugar caramelizes, turning a deep mahogany brown in color. In a separate pan, lightly toast the sesame seeds to bring out their natural oils, releasing a nutty aroma. Add the toasted sesame seeds to the caramelized sugar and pour onto a sheet tray or baking dish lined with parchment paper. Let cool for 15 minutes and cut into desired shapes. ENJOY!!

Belize - Teenage Wasteland (Baba O'Riley Remix)
On October 16th 2013 Santi G. Barros and Pablo Garc�a recorded in Ibero (Navarre) our second music video, "Teenage Wasteland", a remix of the classic The Who hit "Baba O'Riley".

Cayo Defines Ecotourism
Chaa Creek was just picked as one of the 4 best eco-lodges that is within a short flight time from the United States. The Salon.com article highlights their emphasis on ecology, preservation of biodiversity, and humanitarianism, while still being top notch. They mention glamping at their Macal River Camp too. Cayo wins again. Congratulations, Chaa Creek! "The Lodge at Chaa Creek allows guests a wide range of luxurious sleeping accommodations, from 'glamping' (glamorous camping, of course) in 10 well-appointed camp casitas on the Macal River to luxe tree-top suites with private Jacuzzis. Guests can explore 365 acres of private nature reserve on foot, horseback, and canoe. There aren't many properties where visitors can pamper themselves in the spa, eat an organic Creole inspired breakfast, then learn about indigenous healing plants from a Maya tour guide, all before noon, but Chaa Creek does just that and they've done it with personality and attention to detail since 1981."

Maya Mountain Adventure Club
The Maya Mountain Adventure Club is giving a 50% resident discount and 75% student discount for their adventures. They have some great adventures for this week, and are doing cave tubing at Jaguar Paw on Sunday. You can become a member for free by liking their page. For more information, email them at [email protected] or call them at 824-2164. "This Adventure Club has been created for all those Belizeans and students who are looking to participate in adventure activities and seeking the ultimate Belize experience. This a great opportunity especially for students to get to see all what Belize has to offer and experience first hand these amazing adventures."

CNWA Football Distribution
Feelgood news of the day. The Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association had their football distribution at Galvez Stadium, and they made a lot of kids very happy. Thanks, CNWA! "We had the football distribution this past Saturday with those schools and teams that attended. Not as many showed up as we expected but we know it was largely due to the postponement the previous week because of weather and a number of other reasons some couldn't make it this time. Still had a great time with those that could and did show up."

BWRC's Wild Spring Breaks
The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is doing 'wild' Spring Break study abroad classes for 2014. Sounds like a unique learning experience that is fun, and introduces Belizean culture at the same time. In related news, they are also offering their Wildlife Medicine & Conservation Program courses too. "Spend a Wild-Spring-Break in Belize with BWRC! Great for veterinary student groups. 2014 slots available... The Wild-Spring-Break program is an intensive program which focuses on key topics in wildlife medicine. This program also introduces wildlife rescue and rehabilitation; and wildlife conservation strategies... Students visit wildlife and conservation organizations around Belize; and guest speakers enrich the course content with perspectives drawn from the front lines of wildlife medicine and conservation. In between visiting field sites and classroom sessions, students enjoy recreational activities and are introduced to Belizean culture."

Farewell to April the Tapir
April the Tapir lived to a ripe old age, for a Tapir, at the Belize Zoo. April was 30 years old when she went to the big jungle in the sky this week. RIP, April, Tapir Town won't be the same without you. In related news, TBZ is preparing to celebrate the 10th birthday of Panama the Harpy Eagle on Friday, November 15th. "April, for three decades, has brought awareness to the nation of Belize about the special profile of her species, the Central American Tapir, our National Animal. Thousands of children grew up with April. They became well aware that our National Animal was a significant part of our Belizean heritage, and April helped establish a sense of pride, appreciation, and, even love, in visitors that met her. Her birthday parties have served as a platform for community involvement, learning, and, of course, lots of fun for the young and the old. TBZ is committed to keeping April's legacy alive for years to come."

Green Iguana Conservation Project Documentary
Matthew Valdovinos, one of the NMSU film school students that did the Belize study abroad documentary film course, has released the documentary about the Green Iguana Conservation Project. It starts out with Humberto Requena and Eddy Estrada defining what the project does. Interesting fact: the San Ignacio Resort Hotel has been able to raise the survival rate from around 6% to around 60% in the hatchery. Daniel Velazquez, one of the cofounders of the project explains how the project is sustainable, so it will stand the test of time, and shows some footage from the project in 1999. The documentary also has interviews with Miriam Roberson and the Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic's Dr. Isabelle Paquet Durand, and if you ever wanted to know how to clean an iguana, you can learn it by watching. This video is well worth the watch.

Little Miss Sacred Heart Contestants
The Little Miss Sacred Heart pageant is on November 16th, and D Russell Photography took some shots, all smiles, of the contestants at the Sacred Heart Church. "Little Miss Sacred Heart 2013-2014 preliminary photos! Scroll through to find your favorites, share with your friends and family! Pageant on 16 November, 2013."

Benque Festival of Culture
Benque is having their Festival of Culture this month, starting on Friday the 15th, and going through Sunday the 24th, guaranteeing a fun time to everyone that goes. The Photography exhibition kicks it all off at the Benque House of Culture. Panerrifix will be there on the 16th, and on the 23rd, Orquidea Negra will be performing, with tons of other great performances in between. Check out the flier for all the great events. "It is with great joy that we release our Final and Official program! Only a few changes have been made and our sponsers are official! Some of the sponser are included in this pane! Like and share to get everyone informed about the events! And tell your friends to Like our page to get more updates about the Festival... Remember its all happening at Benque Viejo del Carmen Nov 15-24"

Family Fun for the children (9 photos)
On October 31 while some people observed Halloween and others observed Dia de los muertos, for the children of the HIllview area of Santa Elena town, it was time for some good clean fun in a family setting.

Channel 7

Luke Espat Owes The Belize Bank 29.4 Million?
All the time on the news - we tell you about big cases coming out of the Supreme Court, but one that never made the news and slipped completely under the radar is making headlines tonight. It concerns well-known businessman and PUP backer turned candidate Luke Espat. It's what's called a summary judgment - meaning a civil matter in which judgment was entered without a trial. And it's bad news for the man called Lucas Magnus! It finds him personally(!) liable to the Belize Bank for 29.4 million(!) dollars! Now, just a few months ago in August Espat told us very explicitly that he didn't owe the Belize Bank anything. Here's what he said at that time:.. Jules Vasquez "How can you...you are mentioning IMF reports, you are the reason for non-performing loans at the Belize Bank." Luke Espat "Oh yes? And can you always say that I am the reason to that? Why would you say such a thing?" Jules Vasquez "Your name is the name on the paper - you have lost the amount of businesses you have lost in the past three years." Luke Espat "Why do we try to spin this thing with me and the Belize Bank? I will answer you directly - Mr. Lyndon Giuseppe made a statement on public radio that 'Luke Espat doesn't owe the Belize Bank'. Yes or no?"

Senate Meets Tomorrow To Vote On Special Select Committee
The Senate will meet tomorrow afternoon at 2:00, but it's not going to be business as usual. Yes, new pieces of legislation presented at the House last Friday like the new Immigration Laws are going to be tabled, but the main event will be the notice of motion from PUP Senator Lisa Shoman. With a motion filed a week ago, she is asking the Senate to pass a resolution to appoint a Special Select Committee to investigate the issuance of Nationality certificates, Passports and Visas at the Department of Immigration. The motion proposes that the Committee be comprised of five members, one government, one opposition and three from the social partners. One social partner that's definitely in favour of the motion is labour. Today, Sharon Fraser of the Association of Public Service Senior Managers told us why:.. Sharon Fraser, Vice President - Association of Public Service Senior Managers "The NTUCB is in fact supporting that position that in fact there is the Senate Select Committee." Jules Vasquez "As we saw with a very painstaking investigation when Mr. Hulse was a Senator, it took months upon months, hours upon hours and it amounts to zero. That's just how it is because many of the offences aren't actionable."

Unions Want GOB to Promise Minimum Wage Increase
This morning, we also got the unions to talk about their impending raise. The Prime Minister has already committed that they will get something in the next budget, but he didn't say how much. The unions area asking for 10% per year for three years, but the government has only committed to half of any incremental government revenue. Today President of the BNTU Luke Palacio says they are insisting on a minimum:.. Luke Palacio, President BNTU "The adjustment was to be able to catch up with the inflation and the other loss of value of the dollar as it relates to our purchasing power. Our issue right now what we cannot say to our members and the public is what the quantum will be." "Is it enough to appease us? The answer to that would be that we are doing our part to ensure that we can get the maximum out of whatever is being done."

PSU Says Transfers At Immig Dept Are Dubious
And the president of the Public Service Union spoke to us about the recent transfer of clerks from the Immigration Department. Rumours have said that as many as 11 were transferred, but on Friday Amandala quoted six as cited by the Industrial Relations Officer at the PSU who reported on the transfer of second class clerks, first class clerks and a data entry operator. Today the Union President told us the transfers are ill-planned and ill-advised:.. Mervin Blades, President - PSU "What are concerned about is that they are being transferred while the investigation is pending. That is one of the things that we have an issue with, also the Prime Minister mentioned that the Auditor General will be doing her investigation. I am pretty those clerks will be needed for that investigation. Why is it so important to move them now?" "The other thing that we have a concern with is that the Minister publicly states that the Cabinet approved the transfer. It is not the remit of the Cabinet to approve transfers. The Public Service Commission does that. That's not the remit for the Cabinet and so in that case what does the Cabinet know what's the best interest of a public officer."

Accuser Shies Away, Accused Presents Alibi, Jury Still Convicts
21 year-old Diondray McKoy is at prison tonight awaiting sentence after he was convicted of attempted murder in the court room of Justice Troadio Gonzalez half an hour before news time. And he was convicted even though the man he shot refused to testify against him! The victim, Everald Gray, testified that he was at home on Queen Charlotte Street on June 23, 2009. At around 8:30 p.m., he heard someone calling his name. When he went to door, he was confronted by a man who shot him in left shoulder, left armpit, and his right index finger. He ran into his bedroom, and was rushed to the KHMH for emergency surgery. When asked about identity, he told the court that he couldn't see the person very clearly because the lamp post in front of his house kept flickering. During his testimony, he told the court that he didn't want to continue with the case, and as a result, the Crown Counsel Sheneiza Smith was forced to treat him as a hostile witness.

Policeman Accused Of Sexual Assault Of "W"
Tonight, Police Constable Randalph Scott Jr. a resident of Neal's Penn Road, is out on bail after he was taken to court yesterday for allegedly sexually assaulting a fellow officer. This officer reported that on Saturday October 26, she was working station duties at Police Precinct 4 when she was approached by Scott, who made unwanted sexual advances at her. When she refused him and tried to defend herself, Scott allegedly punched her in the face bruising her lower lip. Police investigated Scott for a little over a week, and on Monday, they charged him with aggravated assault of an indecent nature. He was arraigned yesterday before Magistrate Dale Cayetano, where he pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was granted bail of $1,000 which he was able to meet.

Pulu Was Bullish At The Fort George Tourism Zone
Cruise season is in full swing - and managing the mob of service providers outside the Fort Street Tourism Village on North Front Street isn't easy. Two weeks ago, the Belize Tourism Board, which manages the Fort George Tourism Zone, implemented a rotation system, where on different cruise days, different service providers get to be up front, and after that they rotate again to the back. Well, today was one of those days at the back for the Fort Street Taxi Union - and that's when one of their 60 members, Henry Pulu Gillette picked up a bullhorn and started beckoning the cruise tourists. In no time, he was picked up by police, and we met his attorney at the Police Station shortly after:... Kareem Musa "They have been cordoning off different areas - keep pushing back and I think that the members of the union are now fighting back and Henry Gillett was just one of them that were voicing his concern. He does have a loud mouth, but there is absolutely no charge that they can bring against him today. If you go and check their cause book or record book there is no reasons why they've detain Henry Gillett this morning. You can't detain somebody for having a loud mouth or voicing his concern - that's tantamount to suppressing freedom of speech."

How Do You Pass 17 CSEC Exams? Easy, Just Ask Xiaowen
Last night, 7News told you about the top performers on the 2013 CSEC and CAPE examinations. We showed you Marilen Guerra who managed to ace 15 CSEC exams, placing second, but yesterday, we couldn't locate the first place performer. Well today, the administration of her alma mater, Edward P. Yorke High School, arranged for us to meet with this year's most outstanding high school student, Xiaowen Huang. She told us today about how she took 17 exams and managed to ace an incredible 16 of them. Here's what she told us about her push for academic excellence to out-do those who took the sat the exams in previous years: Xiaowen Huang "To put a lot of effort to study... the principal and teachers helped me a lot; they spend extra time to help me with their subjects and also I have to put my own work to it, I had to spend time to go through the syllabus and past papers to help me to get this."

Berne's Car Burnt
Rapper Berne Velasquez is famous for burning up the charts - but tonight he's making news because his car burnt up. It happened on Friday when Berne says he was 3 minutes away from the Belize Mexico border on his way to a rehearsal in Chetumal when his car, a Ford Taurus spontaneously combusted! He told Monica Bodden how his first priority was to save all his personal items in the car:..

April Forever
Last week, we told you about April the Tapir, the iconic animal who became the standard bearer for the Zoo. Indeed, she was a big girl, but also a gentle giant, who only wanted good company and good food. And it seems she left a big impression. In the 4 days since she passed the Belize Zoo has been and continues to be flooded with notes of condolenc and well-wishing. Today, we spoke with the Zoo's founding director, Sharon Matola, and she told us about finally realizing just how many people April influenced in her lifetime. We set her interview to shots of the ageless April through the years:.. Sharon Matola, Founding Director - Belize Zoo "It took me by surprise. We had over 45,000 people follow what happen with April on Facebook. We had over 1,000 response on Facebook and I had to actually turn my phone off because I just getting calls and texts."

A Cooking Competition to Teach Teamwork
It's youth week, and today Youth For The Future invited over six secondary schools to participate in a cooking competition. Sounds like a free lunch to us, but the organizer said it's about teaching the kids the merits of productive teamwork:.. Katherine Guzman, Youth Empowerment Coordinator "It's a cooking competition; they have a 3 course meal and a drink that they have to prepare." Jules Vasquez "What is the redeeming idea you are trying to teach these kids?" Katherine Guzman "Teamwork basically, these children will be judge by 8 criteria. We have 3 lovely judges and we have 6 schools that are going to participate in this event. Most of the schools have a hospitality class that's participating. Most of them have food and nutrition class that they take on a regular basis."

The Finest Fittest Female Figures
Last night, we showed you the best male body builders who competed in the 2013 Championships on Friday night. Well tonight, we show you the top female body builders who competed in the body figure category. Last year, Gina Lovell was declared the undisputed winner, but she didn't have such an easy time this year. She was edged out by Cricel Castillo, and after the competition, we spoke both competitors. Here's what they told us about competing at the national level: Earlier this year, Cricel Castillo placed first in the Figure category of the Diamond Classic which was held in Florida.

Channel 5

Inez Chan revealed as cop who provided passports to whistleblower in visa scandal
The allegations against Edmund "Clear the Land" Castro have been in the news since October twenty-third and it is a story of alleged corruption which will not blow away. A [...]

Elvin Penner says he will not resign
Former Minister of State Elvin Penner will not resign as Area Representative of Cayo Northeast. While there has been no official verification of this from either Prime Minister Dean Barrow [...]

U.D.P. Cayo Northeast Executive Committee says they not work with Penner
That money and benefits Penner is earning can give him a whole lot of comfort, but it can't buy any love for the disgraced former Minister of State. The first [...]

While Magana is no shortlisted to replace Penner, there are two persons in mind
Now that's a situation which is practically unheard of�where the executive committee of a party refuses to work with the Area Representative of that constituency. Maga�a says that the decision [...]

Chairman says Penner is trying to vindicate himself by not resigning
And with all that said�why doesn't Penner just resign and get it over with? Chairman Fermin Maga�a says he believes that Penner is trying to vindicate himself by serving his [...]

Opposition Leader wants answers on which ministers are involved to visa hustle
Later in the broadcast, Francis Fonseca, the Leader of the People's United Party addresses the nation on the immigration scandal. Fonseca says that there are more questions than answers in [...]

Is the prime minister protecting Edmund "Clear the Land" Castro?
Is the prime minister offering protection to Edmund Castro in light of the revelations against him? Yes or no. Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 [...]

N.T.U.C.B. says it will support a senate led investigation
A meeting of government's social partners, including the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, the Council of Churches, as well as the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry was held [...]

Police officer accused of assault another officer
A police officer is before the courts for criminal charges against a female cop. Thirty year old Police officer Randolph Scott is accused of aggravated assault of an indecent nature [...]

Diondray McKoy found guilty of the 2009 attempted murder of Everal Gray
A jury of nine persons, six females and three males has decided the fate of a Belize City man, twenty- one year old Diondray Mckoy accused of the June twenty-third [...]

Case of S.S.B. versus Sunshine Holdings Limited begin hearing before the CJ
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin this morning began hearing arguments on the case of Social Security Board (S.S.B.) versus Sunshine Holdings Limited, one of the many former shareholders of Belize Telemedia [...]

Cane farmers say they want in on the millions of dollars earned from bagasse
There is an impasse tonight between the Belize Sugar Industries and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. BSCFA walked out of a meeting with B.S.I. and the American Sugar Refining [...]

New executives elected for the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association
While up north, we also found out that a new committee executive was elected for the BSCFA for the year 2013-2014. Alfredo Ortega, who spoke on behalf of the association, [...]

Top scorers for 2013 CSEC and CAPE to be honored
The Nineteenth Annual CXC National Awards Ceremony is still a few weeks away but the top achievers in this year's examinations are already celebrating their individual accomplishments.� Leading the way [...]

Marilen Guerra of St. Catherine Academy takes second place in CSEC
Second place in this year's top CXC performers goes to sixteen-year-old Marilen Guerra, a graduate of St. Catherine Academy.� Guerra scored fifteen Grade Ones in Biology, Chemistry, English and Math, [...]

One couple wins a dream wedding in From Yes to I Do
In tonight's episode of our reality show, From Yes to I Do, the five couples face the ultimate challenge to determine who will make it down the aisle in this [...]

CTV3

Another US Fugitive Nabbed In Belize
Another American Fugitive has been captured in Belize this time all the way down South in Punta Gorda Town. American burglar and fugitive Timothy Ray Veasey was busted in Punta Gorda on Thursday October 31st after Police and officers of the Special Branch Unit visited the second floor of a two story building located at Alejandro Street Punta Gorda Town. According to reports, in May of 2013 Police found the 48 year old, of Baltimore, inside a Linthicum home after a resident reported a burglary-in-progress. This is after shortly after 2:00p.m., police responded to a residence on the 6500 block of Englewood Road for the reported burglary, and a woman told police she heard someone enter her home from the roof. The woman fled the house and called police from her neighbor's house. The woman said no other residents were inside the home, so police created a perimeter and entered the home. Police eventually saw Veasey open a lower floor basement door and begin to crawl up the stairs. Officers attempted to detain Veasey, but he allegedly attempted to flee and resisted arrest. That is when officers used the taser on Veasey.

BSCFA, COM Elects New Chairman
Yesterday we told you about the third and final payment that is scheduled to be paid to the Sugar Cane Farmers for the 2013 Crop Season. But before we delve into that matter, the Management Committee at the BSCFA held its annual elections and voted in a new chairman today. Outgoing Chairman Alfredo Ortega brought us up to date on the elections. Alfredo Ortega- Outgoing Chairman, BSCFA "We have Mr. Leonardo Cano as the Chairman, I as the vice-chairman and we have Mr. Eledino Escarraga as the secretary, Mr. Estevan Villanueva as the Treasurer, Mr. Marciano Novelo as member and Mr. Arturo Olivares as the other member so this six persons compose the committee of management, three from Corozal and three from Orange Walk." Ortega is confident that as a veteran cane farmer and representative of the Louisville branch, Cano has what it takes to continue carrying out the vision of the association, despite the many challenges they face.

Hot Bed Of Corruption In The Lands Deparrtment
A few days ago while in Los Angeles the Prime Minister met with the Belizean Diaspora living in L.A. During the meet the P.M came clean as he admitted that the Lands Department is another hot bed of corruption." Now this is nothing new for Belizeans, but coming from the P.M it confirms the allegations to anyone who was dubious. With scandal after scandal following this present administration certain measures have been set in place at the Lands Department including the rotation of a number of employees who it is believed were in the mix of the corruption. With these changes implemented, and more on the way, the P.M hopes to turn things around at the Lands Department. "The Ministry of Lands or the Lands Department has already taken some steps and about four, maybe six persons were moved out. They've been, there have been ongoing attempts to try to assist with processes, remember they had this land management system project funded from abroad and all that. The biggest problem, I hate to say it, the biggest problem, as I see it, is with individuals, I cited the example when I went to Santa Familia of somebody saying, "well, the land that I was working has now been given to others."

Burglars Target San Francisco Primary School
Sunday proved to be a sad for the teachers and faculty of San Francisco Roman Catholic Primary School as the institution was targeted by burglars once again. Police were on site searching for clues when our news team arrived at the school campus. Here is what we found out. Maria Novelo - Reporting Sometime after 3:00 on Saturday afternoon, when the faculty had secured and left the school campus, burglars with swift precision raided the school's computer room, preschool and snack shop. A disheartened Maria Baeza, Principal of San Francisco School, said the burglars gained entry through this computer lab window. MARIA BAEZA - Principal, San Francisco RC School "There was a big hole at the back window of the computer lab and she ask if there was somebody working there so when Teacher Blanca called me I told her no there is nobody there so I said I will finish having my breakfast and I will see and yes there was a big hole at the back window and I could see some drums so I assume that they use the garbage drum to lift up themselves to the A/C unit which has a shelf and from there gain entrance through the window and they remove two louvers from there and then they pry it open and then they gain entrance to the computer lab,...

Three Villages In The Corozal District Goes Without Water For Three Days
Imagine being without potable water for three days? Sounds awful right, frustrating even!!! Well that was the case of three villages in the Corozal District who were without potable water since Saturday. On Saturday morning residents of San Pedro, Cristo Rey and Yo Chen Village woke up only to find that no water was running through the pipes. Without potable water available in the villages residents relied on the manmade wells to continue with their daily chores. The good news tonight is that the problem was fixed this morning. When we arrived at the village of Cristo Rey work was being conducted on the water pump which according to Chairman of the Water Board Pedro Cob was the main cause of the problem.


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LOVE FM

Belize Mission Project In Belize Offers Dental Services for Children
The Belize Mission Project is presently conducting dental clinics in several areas of the country. The group, which travels to Belize at least one week a year, is comprised of 40 dentists, physicians, nurse practitioners, dental hygienists, nurses and dental technicians. Today Love News caught up with the team at Our Lady of the Way R.C. School in Ladyville. Susan Turnbull is a dental hygienist who travelled all the way from Arizona, USA to provide dental services to Belizeans. SUSAN TURNBULL "Oh my goodness we've been coming many years; probably 9 years ago. It was a cruise and then we came back and have been coming back maybe 7 of the last 10 years or so to do dentistry with Belize Mission Project. Today we are working in the school; so, it's mostly restorative of permanent teeth on children and also infected teeth that's our priority today. We are actually only going to be here for the rest of the day till about 3 when school's out. In San Pedro there is the Lion's Den that has a clinic; that will be open probably until Saturday I'm guessing from 8 to 5."

Bishop Appeals For Prayers for Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dean Barrow prepares to undergo surgery on his back which has been plaguing him for a few years now. The Prime Minister's operation will take at least a week to heal and today, Anglican Bishop, Reverend Philip Wright, appealed to citizens to remember the Prime Minister in prayer. BISHOP PHILIP WRIGHT "I was made aware of the fact that our Prime Minister will undergo his surgery tomorrow and I wanted to take this opportunity just to invite the nation to remember him and his family in prayer as someone who also suffers from some back discomfort. I know what it is to seek relief and so I just wanted us to be reminded to remember him in prayer and to hold him and his family as well in prayer at this time. I remember the last time we had an interview asking people to pray, it was the Prime Minister's wife when she was away seeking urgent medical attention and had suffered complications with her heart. Look how well she has rebounded.

Education Ministry and IDB Look At Improving Quality of Education
The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, IDB, is putting together an education quality improvement project. A part of that project entails conducting consultations with key people in the field of education and today, there is a meeting to discuss just that. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, David Leacock, told Love News what's on the agenda. David Leacock "We have already conceived of some of the components of what that project might look like and we are now having a consultation with stakeholders to get their input or feedback and hopefully their support for the project as conceived and whatever other areas they might suggest and how we might improve what is being proposed. You will note that in the audience we have stakeholders, ministry officials, managing authorities, secondary school principals, primary school principals, tertiary education institutions that offer teacher training and we also have parents and students and that for us is very important. As you know, for us, parents and students have been largely left out of the education dialogue and we believe it is very important to bring them onboard.

Police News: Wounding and Burglaries
A Belizean cashier has been charged for the crime of wounding. According to police, acting upon information received, on Monday, November 4th, at about 2:45am, C.I.B. Personnel visited the K.H.M.H. where they saw 27 year old female suffering from three stab wounds to the left upper leg and one stab wound to the right upper leg. Police say that on that day two hours prior was taken to the KHMH the female was at an entertainment establishment named Cool Spot located on Lawrence Avenue, Belize City socializing where she had an argument with 28 year old Denay Gillett inside the club. The complainant told police that after exiting the club, minutes after Gillett pulled out a knife and inflicted the said injuries. The doctor has certified her injuries as Wounding and one black handled knife was retrieved from the scene.

Woman Police Officer Says Policeman Sexually Assaulted Her
A police constable has been charged for the crimes of aggravated assault and harm. Last week Monday, October 28th, a woman police constable reported that on the previous Saturday, October 26th, while she was working station duties at Precinct Four Police Station she was approached by 30 year old PC 1149 Randolph Scott. According to the woman, PC Scott sexually assaulted her and further reported that when she refused his advances and tried to defend herself PC Scot then punched her in the mouth causing her to receive a bruise to the inner lower lip. The doctor has certified her injuries as "Harm" and yesterday PC Scoot was formally arrested and charged 30 year old Randolph Scott for Aggravated Assault and Harm.

PUC Director Freed of Charges
PUC Director of Telecom Kingsley Smith, charged with wounding and aggravated assault, was freed of the charges when they were withdrawn today. The prosecution withdrew the charges after it received a statement from the complainant in which she requested no further court action. The charges against Smith arose out of an incident which occurred on July 6. Smith was represented by attorney Michael Peyrefitte.

US Fugitive Found in Southern Belize
A fugitive of the United States of America was detained in Punta Gorda. Correspondent Paul Mahung has the details. PAUL MAHUNG "Officer second in command of the Toledo Police formation, Inspector Arnel Dominguez was available to speak of the situation." INSPECTOR ARNEL DOMINGUEZ "On Thursday, 31st October 2013 sometime after 11 am PG Police along with Special Branch personnel received information visited an Alejandro Street address where in the process they found one Timothy Veasey, 49 years, a US national who had been visiting Belize for the past few weeks. As a result the person was escorted to the PG police station where further information was received that he was a wanted fugitive in the US. From account, we also received that this person was wanted in the state of Maryland; apparently he was on some bond and he had managed to flee the country hence the reason he was a fugitive in the country of Belize. He was later escorted to Belmopan Police where they have made necessary arrangement to deal with him through the US embassy."

Honduran National Remanded For Wounding Officer
Twenty-seven year old Honduran national Nole Juarez, charged with two counts of wounding, was denied bail when he was arraigned on the charges today. Magistrate Clive Lino explained to him that bail cannot be offered to him because he does not have legal immigration status in Belize. Juarez was remanded into custody until December 19. According to the allegation, on November 3, Juarez, a construction worker of Daly Street, caused a wound to police constable Marcelino Sam and Juana Cowo.

EP Yorke Boasts Most Outstanding Candidate in CAPE Examinations
The results of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations CAPE have been released by the Ministry of Education. Aaron Stock of St. John's College Junior College is the Most Outstanding Candidate for the May-June 2013 CAPE examinations and is therefore the recipient of the Belize Scholarship for 2013. Stock obtained eight Grade I passes and also achieved first place in Belize for Caribbean Studies, Chemistry Unit 1 and Physics Unit 2. Xiaowen (Showen) Huang of Edward P. Yorke High School is the Most Outstanding Candidate in Belize for the May-June 2013 CSEC examinations. Huang obtained sixteen Grade I and one grade 2 passes at the General Proficiency Level. She also achieved first place in the Sciences and Technical Vocational Subject Group and first place in Clothing and Textiles and Integrated Science.

PlusTV

Construction worker shot on building site
There was a shooting incident this weekend. On Saturday 40yr old Victor Galliano, Belizean construction worker of Cotton Tree Village; was shot twice, once to his left leg and the other to his right leg. Initial investigation reveals that shortly after 11am that morning, Galliano was working on the 2nd flood of...

Churches considerations on Gender Policy submitted to Prime Minister
On Sunday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country for LA, where he is scheduled for back surgery. Mr Barrow will be on leave for a couple of days, but before he departed, the Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association submitted their collective recommendations for the much talked about Revised Gender...

Ruth Jones and George Hyde charged with perjury
Two persons who brought to the Belmopan Magistrate Court late Monday afternoon, on charges of perjury, they are Ruth Jones and George Hyde. What makes this case interesting is that the allegations of perjury are in connection to statements they gave Police regarding the murder of...

Motorcycle rider dies after colliding with a cow
A 24 year old has died after colliding with a cow in Spanish Lookout. A witness, Bernhard Penner who is a Mennonite Farmer of Duck Lane Spanish Lookout Community, reported to Police that shortly before 7pm on Saturday November 2nd, he was en route to his farm in Spanish...

Patrick Andrews is new PUP Standard Bearer for the Belmopan Constituency
One thousand one hundred and ninety five persons showed up for Sunday's People's United Party Convention in Belmopan. They gathered at the Belmopan Comprehensive High School, to vote for their favorite candidate running for the PUP Standard Bearer for the Belmopan Constituency. The convention dragged on...

Court of Appeal frees Dunkeld for arbitration on BTL
On Friday in the Court of Appeal, Dunkeld International Investments Limited, one of the beneficiaries of the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) shares that were acquired by the Government in 2009, and which is claiming compensation for those shares, was released from an injunction granted by the Supreme Court to stop the...

Court of Appeal orders new trial for Emmerson Eagan accused of murder
On Friday Court of Appeal ordered a new trial for Emmerson Eagan, accused of the murder of Dennis "Colored" Nembhard in June of 2009, and convicted in April of 2012. Dennis Nembhard was shot in the lower back while walking on Oleander Street toward his home on Nutmeg Street. ...

Hilberto Hernandez, guilty of manslaughter, has sentence reduced
The sentence of Hilberto Hernandez on separate charges of manslaughter was extended to 32 years from his original 12. Justice Denis Hanomansingh had sentenced him to 10 years for the killing of Javier Castillo, for which he pleaded down from murder to manslaughter. The judge ordered the sentence to run concurrently...

Caneros threaten work stoppage over bagasse agreement
At the Annual Divisional Meeting of the Orange Walk Division of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers' Association (BSCFA) held on Saturday, over 400 members were in attendance as their opinion was sought on the latest confrontation between the Association and Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI). The sugar...

Land dispute in Cotton Tree Village
There is a land dispute in the village of Cotton Tree that has been brought to the attention of the media. This latest dispute is connected to the St. Joseph R.C. School. According to a Press Release Sent out Friday morning by Nectaly Vela, a Student...

Ambulances donated to Southern Regional Hospital not yet in use
A common complaint regarding the country's health care services has been a grave shortage of mobile ambulances. Often times we hear of incidents of urgency, where regrettably, it takes a very long time for paramedics to arrive at the requested location. One population that is presently experiencing this dilemma...

Belize Bureau of Standards moves to give accreditation to Private Medical Laboratories
The Belize Bureau of Standards is working with its regional partners to see local laboratories - of all kinds - be formally accredited so that the tests conducted in them are accurate and trustworthy. We spoke to Director Jose Trejo for news of a project to that end. Dr....

Rigo Vellos won "Mr. Belize", again
"Mr. Belize" Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition was held this weekend. After much strutting and posing, Rigo Vellos won the Mr. Belize again. Reporter: "How are you feeling today?" Mr. Rigo Vellos - Body Building Champion: "Excellent, mein, the best feeling today!" Reporter: "In...

Youth Week offers many rewarding activities for participants
National Youth Week kicked off on Sunday and promises a week of rewarding activities for adolescents. This year's recognition of the youth in Belize is being held under the theme "Our Voice, Our Impact." On Sunday, an Ecumenical Mass was held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, to commence...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Vacancies in San Pedro for Tour Guides and Captains
New tour company in San Pedro is searching for TOUR GUIDES and CAPTAINS with E2-license, please apply to [email protected] or call 6217245

Amandala

LLOYD ELIJIO, 22, GETS 12 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF MARK LORD, 22
Lloyd Elijio, 22, gets 12 years for attempted murder of Mark Lord, 22 "It shows a pattern in your lifestyle - that you are prone to give trouble." - Justice Gonzalez Lloyd Elijio, 22, was sentenced this morning to 12 years in prison by Justice John "Troadio" Gonzalez after he was convicted of the attempted murder of Mark Lord, 22. Elijio was convicted of the October 2009 shooting on October 28, 2013, and was given one week to prepare his mitigation plea and find witnesses to speak on his behalf. But this morning when court resumed, there was no one to speak for him, and Justice Gonzalez continued with the proceedings. In his mitigation plea, Elijio told the court "I humbly ask the court to have mercy on me. I have a 4-year old daughter and one on the way, and I am the breadwinner. I am sorry for the wrong I have done! I send my regards to the family of Mark Lord and would like to assist them in any way I could. I ask the court to please have mercy on me, for the sake of my family".

JOHN, YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED!"
" Patrick Andrews, new PUP Belmopan standard bearer, to his opponent, Hon. John Saldivar. Almost 2,000 registered voters from the Belmopan area elected a new PUP standard bearer for their constituency today. The convention took place at the Belmopan Comprehensive School, and former Plus TV talk show host, Jason Patrick Andrews, was victorious in what could be considered one of the most spirited convention turnouts in the PUP's recent history. There were a total of four seemingly confident PUP candidates who offered themselves for Sunday's convention in a bid to challenge UDP incumbent Belmopan area representative and Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar. From 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the evening - amidst sporadic rain - hundreds of PUP supporters and residents of Belmopan turned out to cast their votes. On Friday, the four PUP hopefuls - Ruth Logan, Oscar Mira, Dr. Amin Hegar, and Patrick Andrews - were all at the PUP demonstration at the steps of the National Assembly building, and they spoke briefly to the media.

PM "CONFIDENT" THAT NEW IMMIGRATION LAWS WILL "GUARD AGAINST CORRUPTION"
PM "confident" that new immigration laws will "guard against corruption" Three new bills for changes to Belize's Immigration Act, Passport Act and Nationality Act were tabled in Parliament today, in response to recent allegations that key Government officials have been arranging for Belizean passports and visas to be issued to persons who may not be desirable citizens or visitors for their (the officials') own personal profit. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who tabled the proposed amendments, endorsed by Cabinet, said that the amendments are designed "to make the procedures as failsafe as possible." He told Parliament that he is confident that when the new legislation are passed, together with internal changes being made in the Ministry, they will have a much more effective Immigration Department - "both in terms of delivery of service to the people but most importantly in terms of guarding against corruption."

PUP SAYS FRIDAY DEMONSTRATORS WERE NOT A "RENT-A-CROWD!"
PUP says Friday demonstrators were not a "rent-a-crowd!" "They [the UDP] are shaking inside [the House] because they are hearing the power of the people �" - Hon. Francis Fonseca Today, there was an added attraction to the customary "antics" that usually take place whenever the House of Representatives convenes in Belmopan. While the representatives of both major political parties ostensibly debated current national issues inside the House, a small crowd of vocal, energetic and displeased PUP supporters gathered at the steps of Independence Plaza - just outside the National Assembly - to express their discontentment with the current state of affairs as it relates to the recent corruption scandals that have surfaced within the Barrow administration, specifically the passport and visa scandals in which Hon. Elvin Penner and Hon. Edmond Castro have been named. A conservative estimate has put the demonstrators at between 500 and 600 at the height of the show of public dissent, which marked a buildup of the initial turnout, and constituted roughly half of the 1,000 supporters the party had aimed to bring out. The demonstrators chanted for almost five hours in front of the House, with blue and white flags and numerous placards, while the sounds of beating Garifuna drums could be heard in the background. The PUP supporters demanded the recall of Hon. Elvin Penner and Hon. Edmond Castro, in addition to voicing their position on other relevant public issues currently on the "front burner."

MAYA AND GOB'S "APPEAL AND CROSS-APPEAL" GO TO CCJ
The land rights dispute between the Maya of southern Belize and the Government of Belize will be heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), following a decision by the Belize Court of Appeal on Friday to grant leave to the parties to challenge a decision granted by the Court of Appeal earlier this year. In that decision, two of three judges upheld the customary land rights of the Maya of southern Belize, but they went further to rescind orders of the lower court which mandated the Government to give effect to those rights, such as orders for the Government to work with the Maya to demarcate lands and orders which restrained the Government from unilaterally issuing oil contracts and logging concessions on what the Maya deem to be their ancestral lands. Antoinette Moore, SC, told Amandala that the Toledo Alcaldes Association (TAA), the Maya Leaders Alliance (MLA) and the villagers challenging the Court of Appeal decision have 21 days to file their claim with the CCJ.

DUNKELD FREED TO SEEK ARBITRATION OVER BTL NATIONALIZATION
Four years after the Government's appropriation of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), the legal disputes over the nationalization continue unresolved, and on Friday, the Court of Appeal lifted an injunction which previously blocked Dunkeld International Investment Limited from pursing overseas arbitration against the Government of Belize. Via a notice filed in 2009, Dunkeld, a subsidiary of the Ashcroft-affiliated Hayward Charitable Belize Trust, which claimed to be the beneficial owner of approximately 69% of BTL's shares, alleged that the Government had breached several obligations emerging out of the United Kingdom-Belize treaty for the Promotion and Protection of Investments dated 30 April 1982. More specifically, Dunkeld alleged that the Government had "unlawfully expropriated" its investment in BTL, and had "failed to treat Dunkeld fairly and equitably."

SUGAR STRUGGLE
In the late 1960's, a little village from the Corozal District by the name of San Joaquin won senior football championships in the prestigious Belize City competition. This was an almost revolutionary accomplishment, because football is a lot about socio-economics, because Belize City had dominated the colony, and because districts more accomplished than Corozal in football, namely Cayo and Stann Creek, had tried to conquer Belize City football before, and had failed. What had happened to make the San Joaquin victories possible was this. Around the time of self-government in 1964, a British company named Tate and Lyle, the world leader in sugar refining, invested in Belize. They built the modern Tower Hill sugar factory. The Libertad factory already existed, so both Corozal (Libertad) and Orange Walk (Tower Hill) then had their own factories, and sugar cane farming became a boom industry. It was the biggest thing Belize had seen. People from all over the country of Belize migrated to the sugar belt looking for work, and the areas around the factories became ethnic mixtures. Corozal and Orange Walk had been isolated from the capital city from time immemorial, because the roads were very bad. What wealth existed in the colony before sugar, had been concentrated in the capital, whose demography was dominated by black Belizeans who had developed an attitude of superiority. Not only were black Belizeans a majority in the capital and in the country, they were the primary native allies of the real rulers, the British colonial masters.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
by Evan X Hyde One of the reasons why corruption is almost a direct result of electoral politics is because there are no strict laws governing the business of campaigning, in the first instance. All the politician knows is that he or she absolutely has to win, by almost any means necessary, because the difference between winning and losing is so huge for a political party. Now, our Belizean society has become so undisciplined that even where there are strict laws governing an activity, such as the matter of traffic, Belizeans have reached the point where they do whatever they have to do, or even whatever they feel like doing: they have made up their minds to figure out some way out of trouble if the particular law they are breaking at any given point happens to be enforced by some official. Every weekday there are traffic jams in the area around the Belcan Bridge. On the southern approach to the Belcan, there is a stream of traffic coming up west from Mahogany Street and another stream flowing north from Central American Boulevard. There are traffic lights to regulate the interaction of the Boulevard traffic headed to Belcan and the Mahogany Street traffic which is trying to enter the said Boulevard in order to reach the said Belcan.

ROBERT HENRY YOUNG, 37, CHARGED WITH STEALING OVER $24,000 IN CASH AND VEHICLES
Robert Henry Young, 37, a taxi driver of #9 Vernon Street, is behind bars tonight since he was unable to meet his $20,000 bail after being charged with four counts of theft. According to police, between October of 2012 and August of 2013, Young allegedly stole a black Saturn vehicle valued at $8,000, and a white 2000 Kia valued at $10,000. They also allege that Young, on May 13, 2013, stole $1,000 in cash, and on June 26, 2013, stole $4,800 in cash, the cash and the vehicles being the properties of STAR Leasing Service Limited, where Young was employed at the time.

MOTORCYCLIST RUNS INTO COW; COW LIVES, MOTORCYCLIST DIES
Motorcyclist runs into cow; cow lives, motorcyclist dies. Raul Rhodas, 24, a Honduran resident of Duck Run in the Spanish Lookout area, Cayo District, died after his motorcycle collided with a black cow while he was travelling home to Duck Run after a day of work in Spanish Lookout, just before 7:00 Saturday night. Rhodas had been going around a curve on his motorcycle when he hit the cow, which was walking across the road at the time. Rhodas was hurled about 35 feet away from his motorcycle and onto the road, and suffered extensive head and body injuries as a result. The cow which was hit, on the other hand, received only minor injuries. Rhodas was rushed to the Belmopan Hospital, after which he was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, where he died about 10:00 yesterday morning, after fighting for his life in the intensive care unit.

VEHICLE FLIPPED AT THE LIBERTAD JUNCTION; DRIVER FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL
Vehicle flipped at the Libertad junction; driver fell asleep behind the wheel. A driver whose vehicle flipped over several times and ended up with its four wheels in the air last night at the Libertad Junction on the Philip Goldson Highway was lucky to escape with his life. According to reports, after the accident, the driver got out the vehicle and walked away. When police arrived on the scene, he was already gone. Amandala understands that the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was travelling towards Corozal from Orange Walk when he fell asleep behind the wheel. The driver later went to police and reported the accident.

NO LEADS INTO MURDER OF CANADIAN WOMAN IN CONSEJO
Police told Amandala today that they still have no leads into the murder of Canada national, Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich, 57, a resident of Consejo, Corozal, who died after she was stabbed multiple times and her throat slashed in her Consejo Shores home by a killer or killers who invaded her home between 5:30 and 6:30 Tuesday evening, October 29. Nichiporowich's neighbours told police that they heard screams for help coming from the house, and they became concerned. They began to honk their horns, but saw no one exit the house. They went to see what was happening, but the bottom of the 2-flat concrete house was properly secured with burglar bars, with the only access to the upper part of the building being a stairway, well-secured by a burglar-barred door. One of the neighbors then got a ladder and climbed onto the verandah of the upper flat, where Nichiporowich resides. The upper flat was not burglar-barred. The neighbor found her inside apparently dead, in pools of her blood. Nichiporowich, who was recognized internationally by Who's Who, an international organization, for her dedication, leadership and excellence as an Indoor Air Quality and Radon Measurement Specialist, was lying in the living room; she had been stabbed multiple times in the neck and body.

BELMOPAN BANDITS TAKE LEAD IN PLB BELIKIN CUP STANDINGS
The Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Season 2013-2014 Belikin Cup tournament returned to action this past Saturday night with 3 Week-6 games played, resulting in a shift in the standings. (Week 5 scheduled games were all postponed due to bad weather last week, and will be played later as back matches.) Belmopan Bandits now lead the standings, having displaced BDF by beating them 2-1 at the Carl Ramos Stadium, BDF's home field, on Saturday night. Vallan Symms gave BDF the 1-nil lead from a 22nd minute free kick, but the Bandits replied in second half with a spectacular shot from Denmark Casey, Jr. (47') and a header by Jeromy "Jarro" James (76') to clinch the 2-1 win. At the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo, their Verdes FC got a goal each from Norman "Tilliman" Nunez (Pipersburgh) (10') and Gilroy "Bredda" Thurton (62') to drop San Ignacio United, 2-nil. (Paradise/Freedom Fighters from Toledo were idle this past weekend.)

CENTRAL ZONE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT UNDER WAY
The Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) annual high school basketball tournament tipped off on Thursday, October 31, at Bird's Isle. There are 5 female (F) teams and 8 male (M) school teams participating in this year's tournament. In the female (F) opener on Thursday, Gwen Lizarraga High School (GLH) crushed St. Catherine Academy (SCA), 37-10, behind An Ma Chang 12 pts, Kekee Requena 10 pts, and Vivica Young 9 pts; while for SCA, Indie Dixon and Krysten Zayden each had 4 pts. The male (M) nightcap saw Nazarene High School (NHS) getting the 51-41 win over Ladyville Technical High School (LTH). Nazarene was led by Shaqueam Valerio 17 pts, Eldon August 15 pts, and Gregory Lambey and Anfernee Brooks with 7 pts apiece; while top scorers for LTH were Rashid Bethran 13 pts and Khalil Noralez 10 pts.


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CUSTOMS EVEN SERIES WITH PORTS; BDBA FIRMS FINALS GAME 3 THIS FRIDAY
There's going to be a Game 3 after all in the Belize District Basketball Association (BDBA) Firms tournament Finals. That's because on Friday night at Bird's Isle, Customs & Excise Department evened the series against Port of Belize/Airport with a tough defensive effort, coming away with a 43-39 win. Ports had won Game 1 on Friday, October 18, by a 71-61 score; and they had out-rebounded Customs, 37-22, in that one. But this past Friday night, November 1, the tables were turned, as Customs dominated the boards with a 39-24 advantage, on their way to the Game 2 victory. Customs was led by Winston Pratt with 11 pts 8 rebs 5 assts, Elsworth Felix 11 pts 5 rebs, and Marvin Skeet 10 pts 7 rebs; while Ports had Earl Johnson with 10 pts 4 rebs, Lennox Bowman 8 pts 3 rebs, Ian Augustine 7 rebs, and Charles Armstrong 7 pts.

EXPATRIATES ARE FED UP! Letters
Dear Editor, There was an article posted in Amandala two weeks ago regarding crime against expatriates - since then, there has been a violent home invasion in Hopkins (Sittee Point) and a violent murder in Consejo Shores. Both involved robberies and theft and the victims were expatriates. Looking back over the past 2 years, there have been 20-plus expat murders in the past two years - the majority of these were home invasions gone bad. Belize's expatriate population is getting very concerned and organized. We do own businesses and love Belize; however, our obligation to our visiting ex-countrymen is their (and our) safety. A well known travel writer for Fodors has started warning visitors of crime for the 2014 tour book. Tripadvisor and our home government travel warnings will be next. We do not mean to threaten; we want to work together with our communities, but our communities and friends are also frightened of the criminals.

From PUP Sec Gen
The Editor Amandala Dear Editor: Reference is made to the Amandala Editorial for today, Tuesday, October 22, 2013, entitled "Living the Life." Be informed that the PUP Leader, Hon. Francis Fonseca is not an employee of the Party and does not now or ever receive a salary from the Party. Hon. Francis Fonseca receives a salary as Leader of the Opposition and Area Representative for the Freetown Division. Sincerely, Myrtle Palacio SECRETARY GENERAL PEOPLE'S UNITED PARTY

WENDY LECTURES PAUL Letters
Dear Editor: I would like to respond to Paul Rodriguez' latest letter to the editor. In his letter, Mr. Rodriguez quoted the following: "�the wisest men of Western Civilization have always proposed modesty of dress" No, Mr. Rodriguez, it is the most UNCIVILIZED men of the world who propose "modesty of dress" for women. Civilized men are in full control of their faculties and urges and feel no need to overpower, control, or exert power over anyone, including women. Long before Christianity came to Belize, the Mayan women of this nation went about their daily business in a state of mostly undress as a natural part of their culture and the climate, and we never heard of rape.

SOME DISAGREEMENT IN COTTON TREE Letters
- by Nectaly Vela Dear Editor, The primary school land is one of the many reasons for disagreement in the village of Cotton Tree, Cayo District. The Catholic Mission would like the title of the school land to be transferred to them; in order to build a new building, beautify the campus, and secure its perimeter. Presently the land belongs to the community; the community centre and clinic are also on the same compound. Many of the villagers are of the opinion that if there is a sincere desire to develop the school, the land title is not needed. A meeting was convened on November 3, where villagers came out to speak about the issue and stated that they are against the transfer of the land title. A history of the village was given by Mrs. Hortence Anderson, daughter of one of the first settlers of Cotton Tree. She explained that three acres of land were given to the Catholic Mission for them to build a school but it was never used. The villagers then took it upon themselves to clear another piece of land and build the community centre on it. Children were being taught at the centre but soon there was a need for another building; with assistance the villagers were able to build another building. These two buildings weren't enough so, the Women's Group sought the assistance of Social Investment Fund (SIF) to build a new school building.

GION BERNARD, 28, REMANDED FOR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
Bernard allegedly threw a 9mm pistol in an open lot when he saw police. This morning, Gion Bernard, 28, a resident of #91 George Street, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after he was arraigned on firearm and ammunition charges. According to police, last night they were on patrol on Victoria Street when they saw Bernard, who is no stranger to them, with a weapon in his hand. When Bernard saw the officers advancing toward him, he reportedly threw the firearm into an open lot in an attempt to avoid being caught with the pistol.

LIFE SENTENCE FOR WOMAN CONVICTED OF MURDER SET ASIDE; NEW TRIAL
The conviction and life sentence handed down to Kim Brannon, 43, by the Supreme Court, after she was found guilty of the death of her common-law husband, Anthony " Antics " Herrera, 32, was overturned today by the Belize Court of Appeal. A retrial was ordered, the life sentence squashed, and the conviction set aside. After the retrial was ordered, Brannon was returned to her cell at the Belize Central Prison, where she will await her new trial. The Appeals Court upheld the appeal of Brannon on the grounds that the trial judge failed to properly direct the jury with regard to a confession statement that Brannon gave to the police. The judge ought to have told the jury that it should consider whether the statement was voluntarily given, and if it was true.

WORKER SHOT ON WORKSITE
A laborer of Cotton Tree Village was shot on his worksite while working on a building at the corner of Vernon Street and Central American Boulevard, in Belize City. Victor Galiano, 40, a Belizean construction worker of Cotton Tree, Cayo District, suffered gunshot wounds to both legs, and is presently recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Galiano told police that about 11:30 Saturday morning, he was working on the second floor of a building being constructed at the corner of Vernon Street and Central American Boulevard when he heard gunshots, and felt both his legs burning. He saw his legs were bleeding, and realized that he had been shot.

ROARING CREEK TAXI DRIVER MURDERED IN SALVAPAN
Another taxi driver, a father of three children, has been murdered on the job. Orlando Smith, 47, a taxi driver of Roaring Creek who operated for about 9 years in Belmopan, was found with his throat slashed at about 7:30 Thursday night on the side of the road in Salvapan, Belmopan. Police say they found Smith on Costa Rica Street Extension in a remote area. His taxi was missing, but it was later found on the George Price Highway between Miles 44 and 45. Police believe that robbery was the motive for the murder, and are looking for three persons who were seen in Smith's taxi just before he was found dead.

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Day of the Dead celebrates the life and death of our deceased ancestor
Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead is a traditional practice by the Mestizo/ Maya culture that has existed for centuries. This is a day that brings the family together in prayers and food fests to commemorate the life and death of our ancestors. Day of the Dead or "Dia de los Muertos" is celebrated on: November 1st: All Saints Day (Day for the kids that passed away) November 2nd: All Souls Day (Day for the adults that passed away) During my childhood, we would celebrate Los Finados or Day of Dead instead of the more recent and popular Trick or Treat done on All Hallows Eve (Halloween). The day of the dead was a day when our elders and our mothers would warn us about washing our hair at night and leaving the house dirty. The belief was that if we washed our hair a lady, better known as "Obeah" lady would do evil deeds to us. It was also believed that if the house remains filthy when this day arrives that the dead would come and clean it for us. We were also warned about opening our windows to see outside. The superstitious belief was that the dead would be passing by and they would give us a candle which by morning would turn into a bone. If the bone was not buried in the cemetery by midnight the next day, the dead would come for us. These were the stories that I grew up listening to from my elders. It would scare all of us children, so we made sure to follow exactly what they said. Dia de los Muertos, day of the dead, is celebrated to commemorate our deceased ancestors. On this day a sacred alter would be prepared with portraits of all our deceased loved ones. This alter would be decorated with flowers, candles, fruits, drinks, candy and their favourite Mestizo dishes (meals) such as escabeche, chimole, relleno, atole and so on. The entire family comes together on dia de los muertos, day of the dead, to prepare all the food that should be placed on the alter.

Journey through Slavery
This documentary examines the origins of the Transatlantic slave trade which took place across the Atlantic Ocean between the 16th and 19th centuries. Slavery in the New World was one of the largest forced human migration in recorded history.

"Do It Again" in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Decided to take a break from writing an edition yesterday but I will tell you that Sunday morning was a very wet one. Not so wet though that it stopped me from braving the elements and heading off to town (over the very bumpy and puddly road south) for breakfast at Estel's. I got to Estel's shortly after 08.00 hours and was surprised to find that it was packed. Not so packed though that I wasn't able to secure a table. And one near the door so that I was sheltered from the driving rain. I really enjoy eating there when it's a bright, sunny day and you can look out and watch people walking along the beach and just enjoying the views. But sitting there when it's bucketing down and you are dry and snug and you have a table (whilst others stand around waiting for one to become free) comes a very close second. Not a very nice side of me I know but it's a real bummer when you get there and find all the tables taken and you know, you just know, that people that go there do not go for a 'speed' breakfast.

45 day Countdown for Ramon's Village Celebration and my Blat
As soon as I set out for my first errand run to town yesterday morning and saw the guys unloading a boat full thatch for Ramon's Village, I decided that was a good topic to blog for today. One of my regular readers Jeanette is planning a trip back in December and had recently asked me how their progress was doing. I filled her in but decided this was a good idea to catch her up visually on the progress they are making. In addition to Ramon's I decided to snap a few more pics along the way of businesses that are preparing for high season. Banana Beach was getting a fresh coat of paint just in time for our 2 day intensive first aid training course :) Antijitos San Telmo is getting a nice new look and there is a so work being done beside Super Buy South, I am not sure what the building will be used for when it is finished.

Bucket List Trip: Catamaran Sailing the Belize Cayes with Raggamuffin Tours, Day Two & Three
Let me continue telling you about my catamaran sail from Caye Caulker to Placencia (north to south along the Belize barrier reef) with Raggamuffin Tours. Yesterday I had left off at the end of day one (here is the post)�we had pitched our tent village on Rendezvous Caye, did a bit of sunning and snorkelling on our own private island� ate a delicious meal of baked barracuda with vegetables, curried shrimp, coconut rice, potatoes and plenty of rum punch. I think I fell asleep at about 9pm and even the partying crowd didn't make it much past 10pm. Cruising, sunning, fishing, snorkelling and basically having everything completely taken care of for you is EXHAUSTING. Plus, you knew that once the sun came up at about 550am, these tents were going to be HOT.

The Next Best Thing to Being There�.
A recent Discovery.com feature on scientists identifying a new species of megamouth shark that prowled the oceans about 23 million years ago contains some fascinating reading. But for those Belize aficionados among us there's an added plus: a beautiful photo gallery of pictures on an attached link PHOTOS: Sharks, Marine Mammals Hang in Paradise. You can click on the link, or just click the arrows on the right side of the main image of the feature story, "Extinct 'Megamouth' Shark Species Identified" (Discovery.com Nov 4, 2013 by Tia Ghose)

5 Branding Tips to Supercharge Your Sales
In business, good branding creates trust and can make it easier to sell a product to customers. While the brands we choose as customers can be reflections of our beliefs and values, the right kind of branding can steer us toward products or services that we may otherwise not have been looking for. So, it makes sense that companies that have great branding can generate more sales. You can improve your own startup's branding by following these five tips: 1. Be consistent. Regardless of what your startup is about, it needs to be consistent for people to recognize it as a brand rather than a product. Especially in the earlier stages of a brand, people's trust is only established once they are confident that they understand what your brand does well and what it stands for.

Crafting a New Private Sector Advocacy Model
My good friend and colleague David Jessop, wrote in his recent column titled 'Wanted: An aggressive regional private sector voice', on an issue which has been at the forefront of recent deliberations within CARICOM and which both the Secretary General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin Larocque as well as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, the Hon Kamla Persad Bissessar have indicated are critical to driving the regional integration process. The issue of a strong, credible, vocal private sector voice at the regional level. While it is conceded that there currently exists a lacuna in the regional space, of such a private sector entity, I believe that it is a colossal leap to suggest that the "silence" is "an indicator that regional economic integration and a single direction of economic travel may no longer be achievable."

Apply for a Chevening Scholarship TODAY!
Don't miss your chance to apply for this great scholarship opportunity. You only have 4 days to apply.

STRONG WOMEN OF BELIZE
Cricel Castillo Iffb of Belize City wins the Female Body Building Figure & Bikini Fitness held at the Bliss Institute on Friday Nov 1st. It was a sold out event and combined male body building in a different category. The Corozal Daily wishes to congratulate Cricel Castillo Iffb for being a good sports Ambassador to Belize and wishes her the best of success.

Rigo Vellos of Corozal back to back WINS as Belize 's Bodybuilding Champion!
Rigo Vellos of Corozal has once again been declared as Belize's best male bodybuilder; that was outcome of the 2013 Body Building and Body Fitness Championships which was held on Friday at the Bliss Institute of Performing Arts! The audience was awed with hours of entertainment from athletes with beautifully sculpted physiques. Rigo Vellos, who was born and grew up in Corozal, Belize, started working out when he was 16. He was fascinated by body building, and loved the discipline and aesthetics of it, but always considered himself too shy to compete. This changed when he saw the movie Hercules starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in June 2009 and was inspired to start bodybuilding. After only five months, in November 2009, he entered the Mr. Belize body building competition in Belize City winning the Junior class. He was allowed to move up to the Senior class where he came in third. In November 2012 Rigo took away the top honor becoming Mr. Belize.

Second lecture in the 'Perspectives of our Past' Historical Lecture Series
The Corozal House of Culture values the importance of oral historical retrieval and is pleased to present the Second lecture in the 'Perspectives of our Past' Historical Lecture Series. The lecture series is a vital link into Corozal's distant and not so distant past. Corozal's rich history will be exposed through the words of our elders. This Friday, November 8, Mr. Omar Mitchell will speak on relations between the ancient Maya of Cerros and Chectumal (known today as Santa Rita). The final lecture on November 22, Mr. Jesus Ken will talk about his experiences on growing with the political movement. The Corozal House of Culture (NICH) is kindly requesting everyone's presence. Lectures commence at 7 p.m. at the Corozal House of Culture. Let's keep Corozal Safe & Clean!!!

Loving Belize episode 9 - What's the US army doing in PG? Barranco and the history of the Garifona.
In this heart warming episode you will be introduced to the children in the Saint Peters Claver school in Punta Gorda town where I give them and workshop in stop animation and mural art. Also in Punta Gorda I interview two US Marines, who explain about US aid in Belize and around the world. Then I take you to the beautiful town of Barranco and I am guided around the village by a charming local 'Fish' who takes me to see the village historian Carlson Tuttle, who gives us a lesson on Garifona history and culture. From Barronco back to PG where you are introduced to courageous drum maker Emmeth Young who has open a drum school 'The Maroon Creole drum school' to help get the kids off the streets of Belize and learn to build drums and earn an income. From drums made from hard wood from the jungle of Belize to dried tropical fruit, met Jack Nightingale who has an amazing life story and now has settled in Belize to start a dried fruit company called 'Fruit Full' - Nothing added but the sun. Finally you are taken to a very special place, which is very close to my heart, with people I have come love deeply. Mr and Mrs Coleman. To lovely people in their 70's, hard working and honest, pure and gentle souls. Their song will fill you with love.

Loving Belize episode 10 Education in Belize, Punta Gorda, Belize City, San Pedro Columbia
This is a special episode dedicated to showing you just what Belize has to offer it's children. As Joseph Stamp Romero says in the beginning credits "You see a lot of negative things some times high-lighted about our young people, we also take a lot of time to focus on their positive side." In this episode you are introduced to some of the things Belize has to offer it's children - Belize's education system, talent competitions, a couple passionate about educating the youths in their town who are straggling to open a high school in San Pedro Columbia, and even Belize's first Flash Mob at the Cacao festival organized by a fabulous young dancer Prem Pop. I interview Us Capital energy, a company exploring for oil in Belize, who is one of the biggest supporters of education in Belize, donating computers, repainting schools, building roads and libraries. I interviewed Joseph Arzu head gardener at Belcampo who teaches High school students about organic farming and who shows you the amazing farm and lodge at the luxurious resort. I also interviewed people from San Pedro Columbia to illustrate just would difficult it is for, most families, to send their children to secondary school, the extra work they all have to do to offer their children an education. With an interview from Dr Carmen Lopez from the ministry of education who explains the subsidies the minister of education Patrick Faber put into place in 2010 to help send children to high school. This is an interesting episode full of information, and talented and beautiful Belizean children. Sit back and enjoy the show.

Loving Belize episode 11 - Lubaantun Mayan site, Lobster fest Placencia, El Pilar Mayan site
In this episode of Loving Belize you are taken to Lubaantun a Maya site in the south of Belize with an interview from a local man who has looked after the site for 30 odd years. Then you are whisked away to Placencia for the lobster, where you see the local fishermen diving for lobster and learn some of the local recipes. You travel with the 'Black pearl' Biker group from Placencia to San Ignacio along the beautiful Humming bird highway. Lastly you are taken to El Pilar Mayan site and shown around by the archeologist who found the site 30 years ago Anabel Ford.

Loving Belize Episode 12 - Oil drilling Belize, Hopkins, Caye Caulker, Bush doctors, Boxing
Welcome to last episode of Loving Belize, this one is a whirlwind tour of Belize. - In this episode you are taken to the Archeology symposium in San Ignacio, with interviews from leading archeologists. - Then you are taken to Benque Viejo del Carmen a town 3 km from the Guatemalan border for the festival of the virgin Carmen, lebrates the day of Benque's patron saint Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nuestra Se�ora de Monte Carmelo) with traditional marimba bands. - From there we go to Spanish Lookout, where we get a look into the oil drilling business in Belize. - From there we travel across the country to the island of Caye Caulker where you'll met the organizer for the Poor and Famous Boys club. - Then we visit the village of Hopkins where you'll be enchanted by the Garifona community. - Across the country again and right down south to San Perdo Columbia where a poetry and rap festival to promote the Rainforest Academy will bring a smile to your face. - Back to San Ignacio to it's lively market, and it's sister village Santa Elena where I give a work shop in stop animation in the local Library to the children. - Then you are taken on a very educational journey through the jungle of Belize with a Maya Bush Doctor. - Then you are taken to a village which was split in half when the border of Belize was laid down, the village of Arenal on the border of Belize and Guatemala, divides a football pitch in the heart of the village. - Finally We go back to San Ignacio for an out door box match between Belize and Guatemala.

International Sources

BEAUTIFUL AND BIRD-FILLED BELIZE
A TRIP TO THIS CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRY REVEALS OTHERWORLDLY VISTAS AND EVEN THE REMOTE CHANCE OF SEEING A JAGUAR. WHAT'S GUARANTEED, HOWEVER, IS SPECTACULAR BIRDLIFE. "The only place you can get the jabiru closer than this is in the zoo." Guide Leonard Gillett shuts off our boat's motor and slowly poles us into a stalking, squawking flock of wading birds, where the massive stork, standing nearly five feet high, towers over great egrets and wood storks like a basketball center trying out for the soccer team. We are very close, indeed: I can practically count the wispy white feathers that crown the jabiru's otherwise naked black head. Despite this morning's off-and-on drizzle, the dry season is well under way in Belize, a compact Central American country slightly smaller than New Hampshire. The lagoon at the heart of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary has been steadily shrinking for weeks, concentrating hundreds of waders-egrets, herons, storks, white ibises, roseate spoonbills, and more-into smaller and smaller feeding areas.

Sarasota multimillionaire sailing on to Belize
Harvey Vengroff, a self-made multimillionaire who moved to Southwest Florida 23 years ago so he could go sailing every day, is sailing on - to Belize. Vengroff, the 72-year-old founder of one of the world's largest collection agencies, plans to sell a $75 million Southwest Florida property portfolio that he amassed after arriving in 1990. He is also making it possible for his real estate employees to acquire another $20 million worth of apartments on favorable terms. Since he got here, Vengroff has been a colorful character who prefers casual clothes, rails against government bureaucrats and tends to do things his own way. In the late 1990s, Barry Seidel of American Property Group of Sarasota sold Vengroff a vacant 400-seat restaurant on the North Tamiami Trail called Brenton Reef.

Archeologist to Theorize on Mayan Artifacts
As the ancient Mayan civilization slowly collapsed in Central America some thousand years ago, perhaps in the face of a quickly changing environment, its survivors retreated with their most precious artifacts into caves. Jaime J. Awe, a noted archeologist in Belize, will discuss what the ancient treasure troves have revealed to researchers about a remarkable civilization, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at SUNY Cortland. Awe, who directs the Institute of Archaeology for the National Institute of Culture and History at Galen University in San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize, will lecture on "Cave Archaeology in Western Belize and its Implications for Understanding Ancient Maya Response to Environmental Change" at 4:30 p.m. in Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge. His lecture is free and open to the public. Belize, a small Central American country with a scattered population roughly the size of Buffalo, N.Y., is a relatively untapped archeologist's goldmine. The rain forests have swallowed most artifacts of a once-thriving civilization, but the remnants of their wondrous cultural gatherings can be found in the shards of ceramic ware left behind. Awe, an associate professor at Galen University, is a Belizean archaeologist with 22 years of field experience in Mayan archaeology.

A new legal order: the CCJ as guardian of legal rights
The unanimous landmark judgment delivered by the Caribbean Court of Justice ("CCJ") on 4th October 2013 in the case of Myrie v Barbados applies to St Kitts and Nevis as much as it does to Barbados and Jamaica. Movement of our nationals to other CARICOM countries, and of CARICOM nationals into St. Kitts and Nevis, are governed by the principles set out in the judgment. This is because we, and the other eleven signatory countries (the "Contracting Parties") to the Treaty establishing the CCJ, have accepted the "original" jurisdiction of the CCJ, although only three of the twelve countries have accepted the appellate jurisdiction. Those three are Barbados, Belize and Guyana, who no longer allow appeals to the Privy Council. Guyana ended appeals to the Privy Council decades ago, but Barbados and Belize only did so since the CCJ was created. All twelve countries have already paid for the complete CCJ, but only three are fully utilizing the Court. The CCJ's original jurisdiction mandates the CCJ to authoritatively adjudicate disputes concerning the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas ("RTC"). The parties to original jurisdiction cases may be two or more CARICOM Member States, or a company or an individual versus a CARICOM Member State, or may include other legal entities within CARICOM.

Raaka, the Brooklyn-Based Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Maker
If it seems early for us to be hawking "perfect holiday presents," keep in mind that the Christmas commercials are already airing, department stores are telling us that the shoes we want for ourselves are actually great gifts for other people, and here in New York, the Winter Village at Bryant Park, packed with more than 125 boutique-style pop-up shops, opened last week. So even though we haven't even hit Thanksgiving, the holiday season is here, whether you're ready for it or not. And if you're walking through that Winter Village, feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the sheepskin gloves and crafty jewelry, consider going with a gift (or, um, indulgence for yourself) that few will find fault with: chocolate. Raaka goes out of its way -- and out of its pocket -- to support a better system of global trade in chocolate. According to co-founder Ryan Cheney, Raaka supports in-country growth and development by giving cocoa farmers around the world an effective 20 percent raise for their beans. The impact of this kind of capital influx goes far beyond the farmers themselves. "For example," Cheney says, "Maya Mountain Cacao in the Moho River Valley of Belize has seen an increase from 45 percent to 85 percent of children of cocoa farmers in school since they became a cooperative which only supports fair-trade purchases."

US-Caribbean: the Silent Invasion
Havana (Prensa Latina) The fight against drug trafficking became in recent decades one of the cornerstones of the United States for military and political penetration in the Caribbean, a key region due to its strategic position and natural resources. Traditionally, Washington has tried to keep that area under his cloak, given the need to obtain vital raw materials and to control several major transportation routes in the world. This strategy is favored by extension of the Caribbean Sea and the limited resources available to most of the nations of the area. Drug trafficking in the Caribbean increased by 9% in recent years, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the fight against drugs, William Brownfield. "This problem is in process of moving to the Caribbean region and that's a danger," said the official, an argument used by the White House to increase military presence in the area. Similar comment was made by U.S. Vice President, Joseph Biden, during his recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago. I am very concerned about Caribbean vulnerability to the flow of narcotics, said in December 2012 U.S. General John F. Nelly during the Caribbean Nations Security Conference, held in Miami, Florida.

OAS Urges Governments of the Americas to Create Opportunities for Youth
The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, today concluded the Second Conference of Youth in the Americas with an appeal to the governments of the region to make a special effort to create opportunities for new generations. The meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the Organization in Washington DC, opened a discussion forum for the youth of the Hemisphere on issues that affect this segment of society, including politics and new technologies. The senior OAS official warned that "if we do not act as States, then we are running the risk of creating a major problem for the future." In every single country of our region, the majority of our people are young, under 35 years of age. Imagine a scenario where these young people do not have a job, but they still need to live, they still need a house, need transportation," he continued.

Better Know a Country by Its YouTube Stats: Belize
When 6% of a nation's population visits your videos on YouTube in a month, you take notice. Enter Belize! 8,800 square miles of tropical paradise filled with jungle and reefs which exports petroleum and plantains, two things which start with P. In October, 80,000 views of content from The Orchard came via Belize. While I'm not sure what's stressing our Belizean friends out, I know it must be something, because our most popular content there is lengthy chillout and relaxation mixes. Another thing the folks from Belize love also starts with a P: Nigerian Hip Hop duo P-Square. Their new release "Personally" was our top content for the territory last month. The largely older male audience is really into rhymes from the continent across the Atlantic. Quite a lot of them are watching on mobile phones, though the computer still offers the lion's share of views. People in Belize are also generally very friendly, liking videos 20 times more than disliking them. As many as 50 favorites were added and almost 100 shares, mostly for P-Square.



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