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Teenager Gunned Down on Mahogany Street
A Belize City teenager is the latest victim of gun violence, the third to be killed in as many days. 17 year old Myron Smith, aka “Saddest,” of Giles Street, was shot in the left side of the chest near the armpit and the upper right side of the...
Body Dumped in Grave?
We were witness today to a very unusual sight. Police were combing an apparent crime scene in the Lords’ Ridge Cemetery. But what is unusual is that the scene is a grave that was apparently opened – and what appeared to be human remains, apart from the person buried...
Home Invasion in Belize City
A home invasion occurred in Belize city. On June 29, just before 9 pm, �a home on Fabers Road had some unwanted�armed visitors. A 30-year-old woman reported that she was at home along with her 6 month old baby when a dark complexion, male person, with a mask on...
Dogs Kill a Man; Police Say, not Minister's Dogs
Yesterday we reported on the gruesome killing of a man in Independence. His killers were two pit bulls allegedly guarding the home of �Senator Joy Grant Minister of Energy, Science and Technology. There were several conflicting information coming out of Independence Village. �One version of the story was that...
BTL Working out Against Internet Attacks
Have you been having trouble accessing the internet on state-run telecommunications company Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)’s network? It’s because for the last two weeks they have been under attack, not from overeager consumers switching over from rivals Smart, but from international attackers going after their servers. Today they hosted...
Hundred Thousand Jamaicans Protest Against Firing of Dr. Bain
Tens of thousands of Jamaicans, and some media reports say up to one hundred thousand of them, gathered in Half-Way-Tree Square in St Andrew, this past Sunday, for a massive rally organised by the religious coalition- Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation (CAUSE). The gathering, which included members of...
Cancer Practitioners Work Together on Response
The Ministry of Health recently developed a policy on addressing non-communicable diseases including cancer. Today it hosted representatives of public and private sector organizations working on the issue of cancer at the Radisson Hotel. Dr. Ramon Figueroa is the head of the Planning, Policy and Analysis Unit at such�Ministry....
Bags of Weed in Teakettle Village
Belmopan Police made a major drug bust on Monday June 30th when they conducted search at near the residence of a well known drug trafficker in Teakettle Village. According to Belmopan Police, after thorough search of the area they discover two black plastic bags which contained suspected to be...
Minister of Education Talks About BRC Readers
A few weeks ago Plus TV broke the news that Ministry of Education funds to purchase BRC Readers from BRC Printing were receiving a hefty cut of about $500,000. BRC Reading Books have been in the school curriculum for the past 35 years, in fact most people...
Minister Faber in Traffic Mishap with Police Vehicle
That interview was of course taken on Friday at the Graduation of the Youth for Road Safety program, an initiative that works towards reducing the level of car accidents in our country by training youths to train other youths in the aspect of responsible driving. The Minister of Education...
�Oceana Hosts Video Competition
Oceana Belize is hosting a video competition under the theme “Rich in Resources” which is in line with the upcoming Belize film festival 2014. The Challenge is to create a 3 to 10 minute video that answers the question “How do you depend on Marine Resources?” Alex Ellis, videographer...
Shots fired in United Ville
Cayo Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred sometime around 9:10 before midday of Monday, June 30th. According to police information, a villager of United Ville, Cayo District reported that he was at the football field in the village along with three of his cousins when he saw...
God hears our prayers and directs us
Psalm 40:2 “And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery…And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.”�
Fatal Traffic Accident in Independence
One person lost his life during a head on collision early this morning involving a yellow passenger bus and a minivan of brand Toyota Previa. The incident happened on the Savannah Road near Independence village around 7:15 this morning.� According to Independence police, the yellow passenger bus was travelling...
Bus and Motorcycle Crash on George Price Highway
Another passenger bus accident happened Some minutes before 6:00 this morning; this one on the George Price highway near mile 47. A Valencia passenger bus express was heading to Belmopan when it skidded off the road, attempting to avoid running over a motorcyclist who was travelling in the same...
Three Vehicle Pile up in Benque
The accidents didn't end there this weekend. There was also a three vehicle collision on Sunday June 26th. � That incident left at least one man injured. The tragedy�occurred sometime after 6:00 pm on mile 71 on the George Price Highway near the village of San Jose Sucottz, Cayo....
BTIA Launches Appeal for Judicial Review of Harvest Caye EIA
The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) maintains its staunch opposition to the Norwegian Cruise Lines project at Harvest Caye which is it in its initial stages of construction. Today it took its case to the Supreme Court, where Justice Courtney Abel heard arguments for leave to apply for judicial...
West Street Man Left for Dead in Open Lot
Residents and travelers on Orange Street were greeted by an unpleasant scene just before 6:00 of Saturday�morning. Police recovered the body of Samuel Steven Miguel, 22, of a West Street address, in the parking lot across from the Raymond Parks Salvation Army Night Shelter and Lin Chi Wholesale, formerly...
Saturday Evening Murder in Old Capital
There was also a murder on Saturday evening in Belize City. 24 year old Malcom Wagner was the second murder victim of the weekend. According to police, Wagner was shot twice t the back and once to the right thigh. Wagner was standing alone at the corner of Flamboyant...
More Shots Fired, Taxi Driver Critically Injured
Shots were also fired early this morning, against 31-year-old Albert Castro, a taxi driver of �Belize City. The victim was indiscriminately shot twice to the head. �Police say that early Sunday morning, Castro was driving his green Mazda Taxi on Faber's Road from George Price Highway. Along with him...
BDF Soldier Shot While Socializing with Friends
On Saturday night, shots also rang out on Curl Thompson Street, Belize City. 23-year-old B.D.F soldier Carlton Augustine was shot once to the right side and once to the arm. Augustine was reportedly socializing in a yard on Curl Thompson Street with four other male persons, when someone entered...
Driver Charged for the Death of Jose Villanueva
On�February 25, 63 year old Orange Walk resident Jose Elmer Villanueva fell out of a moving Bluebird brown and yellow passenger bus traveling north on the Philip Goldson Highway between miles 12 and 13 near the Burrell Boom junction. He died five days later of head injuries sustained when...
Steve Moss Charged for Shooting
Police have laid charges on 20 year old Steve Moss, a construction worker of Queen Charlotte Street, for use of deadly means of harm and wounding. This is in connection to an incident which occurred two weeks ago near the Wilton Cumberbatch Field. 40 year old Walter�Beaton was riding...
Thyrell Hyde Shakedown Case Adjourned Again
Belmopan resident Thyrell Hyde has been in the news since last September when he accused several police officers of personally shaking him down for large amounts of money for no apparent reason. Mr. Hyde alleges that he and a group of friends were stopped and searched by police who...
Government Takes BGYEA Back to Court
As they promised earlier this month, the Government of Belize has renewed proceedings against the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) over the Harmonyville Agricultural Project at Mile 41, George Price Highway. It has put in a fixed date claim form alleging trespass by BGYEA, its president Nigel Petillo,...
PUP Slate for Belmopan Municipal Elections Chosen
The Peoples United Party held a convention on Sunday, June 29th to elect their candidates for the 2015 Belmopan Municipal Elections. Two teams ran for Candidacy; they were Jose Chacon and company and Jorge Flores and company. In the end Jose Chacon and all members of his team won....
Patrick Menzies promoting July as National Constitution Awareness Month
The month of July is National Constitution Awareness Month, or so decrees� Patrick Menzies. Professor Menzies has gone on a 24 hour rally at the steps of the National Assembly in Belmopan. Now Mr Menzies is embarking on another initiative to promote awareness of Beize's constitution, specifically section 69...
Amandala
Nighttime murder in the hood
At approximately 8:00 tonight, a crowd of curious onlookers gathered near the basketball court in the rear of the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building, as the body of a young man lay on the ground. The body was barely visible from the roughly 75 feet distance away, where it lay in a yard off Mahogany Street, on which a police scenes of crime vehicle, an ambulance and other police vehicles were parked.
Police searched in the low grass with flashlights for whatever evidence they could find that would assist them in solving this latest murder, the third in the city over the last 48 hours.
At press time tonight, preliminary reports to Amandala are that Myron "Saddest" Smith, 17, was shot multiple times and died where he fell in a yard immediately west of the neighborhood basketball court, which lies just a stone's throw from Smith's house.
BTL Internet under attack
The nation's premier telecommunications service provider, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), has indicated to us that for nearly two weeks now, it has been grappling with external attacks on its servers - attacks which have hampered customers' ability to browse the Internet, with problems particularly on Google and Yahoo, which means that customers have even experienced delays receiving e-mails on these platforms.
Dr. Dionne Chamberlain Miranda, General Manager of Customer Services, told us while (Digital Subscriber Line ) DSL customers have been impacted, so too have 4G customers, who also use the data service platforms, and cable companies, such as CBC, which buy Internet from BTL.
Winston Aspinall, BTL's General Manager of Network Services, said that there was another attack on the system at about 9:00 this morning, when they observed that the usage level on the Internet servers was very high, because the attacker was sending random invalid queries to the system, which slowed down things for all other users.
Pitbulls kill fisherman
The O'Brien family of Independence is mourning the death of Jeffrey O'Brien, 23, who was viciously attacked and killed by three dogs, two of whom are ferocious pitbulls, while he was riding his bicycle to his home, from the lagoon, on the public road in Independence.
Jeffrey's brother, Police Constable O'Brien (no first name given), told Amandala that at about 10:30 Saturday night, Jeffrey came in from fishing, pulled up and secured his boat by the lagoon, and was riding home on his bicycle with his fish, net and his paddle, when three dogs rushed out of the unfenced yard of Wilson Hernandez, 27, and attacked him.
O'Brien tried to defend himself, and hit the dogs with his paddle, but it broke, and the dogs - two pitbulls and a large "potlicker" - tore off his shirt and mauled him, biting his face, throat, hands, chest, and other parts of his body.
Girl lured Malcom Wagner to his death
Police say that at about 5:30 Saturday evening on Flamboyant Street, Malcom Jamal Wagner, 24, was standing near a lamppost waiting for someone when a vehicle drove up and stopped near him. A man came out of the car and began firing at him.
Wagner tried to escape, but he was hit multiple times. The killer then got back into the car, which drove away.
Wagner, shot five times in the back and chest, died within a short time.
Wagner's grieving grandmother, Evadney Welch, said that he was in their house watching the World Cup games that Saturday evening when he received a phone call from a girl, telling him to meet her by the lane. Wagner, she said, got up out of the sofa with the TV remote in his hand and walked out of the house, to the lane, to meet the person who had called him.
Monica Coc Magusson admitted to Bar
The Maya of Toledo will have their first indigenous lawyer serving in Belize. She is Monica Coc Magusson, 34, sister of Cristina Coc, who is a lead activist in the Maya land rights movement - a movement in which Magusson herself has been quietly involved for several years, having done much of the legal leg work even while training at a US law school.
Coc Magusson was today called to the Bar of Belize after Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin accepted a motion filed on her behalf by Senior Counsel Antoinette Moore, who handed over to Coc Magusson her black robe that is over 20 years old, perhaps symbolic of the role that the newcomer will now play as a part of the legal defense team for the Toledo Maya - a role which Moore has led since the first Maya land rights case in 2007, when Chief Justice Conteh ruled favorably in the first Maya land rights case filed for Conejo and Santa Cruz.
Moore told the court that Magusson is the first indigenous Maya from Toledo to have completed law school, to obtain a legal education certificate and to now be called to the Bar of Belize.
Belize takes over 3 pro tempore presidencies
Belize has assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA) at the 43rd meeting of the Heads of State and Governments of SICA, held at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
"Already, I think it is clear and a fact that is increasingly recognized by the world at large, that our Central American countries, our SICA countries, punch above their weight. It seems to me that it is indubitable that this SICA movement will grow from strength to strength," said Prime Minister Dean Barrow, after receiving the baton from Dominican Republic president, Danilo Medina, whom Barrow praised for the work during his presidency from January to June 2014.
"We recognize that there are very many challenges to face, but president Medina has conducted such a successful presidency that I am encouraged, since he has publicly and privately in the exchange of words between us just now, reiterated his commitment to give me his manual for success, and I am greatly comforted that all I have to do is to faithfully follow that manual and I will achieve the same success," Barrow commented.
American loses life on diving trip
Belize's natural wonders, such as the Blue Hole Natural Monument near Half Moon Caye, attract numerous visitors who sometimes travel thousands of miles to view those spectacles, but while engaging in that experience yesterday, one tourist sadly lost his life, apparently due to respiratory complications.
Yesterday morning, at about 6:25, a group of 19 tourists, including Larry Smith - a visitor from the United States - left from Ramon's Village dock in San Pedro en route to the Blue Hole Natural Monument, which lies within the atoll lagoon of Lighthouse Reef, about 75km east of Belize City, when tragedy struck.
According to boat captain Marcus Alamina, the dive master and tour guide, they arrived at the diving site at about 10:00 a.m., and upon arrival, he gave a briefing and then separated the divers into two groups.
BAHA - "ridiculous and costly"
BAHA is cramping the import business at the Santa Elena border. A normal order from Merida, where most of our goods come from, takes three working days. You place your order Monday, they load Tuesday, and Wednesday your goods are at the border. Belize Agricultural and Heath Authority (BAHA) wants 4 to 7 days to process a permit for shelf stable goods; imagine, table salt, which for many years before BAHA existed needed no permit.
If your goods arrive and the permit is not ready, you can import the goods but with a hefty fine of $200, plus the $25 which is charged for the permit when you apply for it, plus inspection fee $150 + $30 overtime, which is almost sure.
From The Publisher
Whenever one examines the present socio-political reality of Belize, it behooves one to consider the historical context of the settlement of Belize's birth, and the fact that it was and is an anomaly - the only English-speaking territory on the Central American mainland.
The relevant countries immediately around us - Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, were all imperial outposts of Roman Catholic Spain. Nicaragua is a bit of an exception to the first named three, because there is an English-speaking area in Nicaragua, which is called Bluefields, and the British played a significant role on Nicaragua's Atlantic coast centuries ago. The story of British collaboration with Nicaragua's Mosquito people has not been explained in sufficient detail in Belize. Britain controlled the Bay Islands - Roat�n, Utila, etc., which eventually reverted to the sovereignty of the Republic of Honduras. And Great Britain interfered in the politics of Guatemala (and Central America) during the 1820s and 1830s when Central America was in violent turmoil.
Editorial: Washington and Belize
Dr. Jerome Straughan's research establishes that Belizeans have been paying attention to the United States of America from as early as the post-Civil War period. During the course of the United States Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, President Abraham Lincoln declared Emancipation, which is to say, the African Americans who were slaves were freed. Some Belizeans (British Hondurans at the time), and Belizeans were mostly of African descent in the second half of the nineteenth century, began to venture to the United States, mostly through the port of New Orleans.
There were mahogany and other hardwood exports from Belize going to New York and Boston, but the colonial tariff structure of British Honduras made it difficult for American manufactured goods to compete with British ones in the colony.
The Prohibition era in the United States, between 1919 and 1933, meant that there was money to be made by Belizeans transporting alcohol from British Honduras, where it was legal, to the Gulf ports of the United States, where Prohibition had declared alcohol illegal. The Prohibition era was a preview of the marijuana era in the 1960s/1970s and the cocaine era, from the 1980 onwards, when the profits to be made from shipping an illegal commodity into U.S. markets were such as to tempt Belizean entrepreneurs to become gangsters.
Court of Appeal quashed Lavern "Anti-Christ" Longsworth's life sentence
A manslaughter conviction was substituted for her murder conviction, and she was sentenced to 8 years Lavern "Anti-Christ" Longsworth, 40, who was convicted of the murder of her common-law husband, David White, was sentenced to eight [...]
A baby dies suddenly in her home
Raul and Laura Pe�a of San Andres, Corozal, the parents of a baby, 20 days old, are mourning the death of their baby, who died in their home at about 2:00 Saturday morning. Laura Pe�a reported [...]
5 cops acquitted of facilitating drug plane will get a new trial
Since Belize became a drug transshipment point in the early 1980s, the biggest cocaine bust occurred in November 2010, when a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 200 plane landed on the Southern Highway, near Bladden Village, loaded [...]
Corozal bus driver charged with manslaughter by negligence
A Corozal resident, a bus driver, was charged today in the Belize City Magistrate's Court with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and driving without due care and attention, in relation to a traffic [...]
BGYEA and GOB to court over Harmonyville Buffer Zone
Case has been adjourned until July 28 The case concerning authorization for the use of the buffer zone at Mile 41 between the Harmonyville Community and the George Price Highway was heard at the Supreme Court [...]
Three-vehicle collision in Benque
Three vehicles collided on the George Price Highway at about Mile 71 near San Jose Succotz at about 6:00 yesterday evening. One of three drivers was hurt and is being treated at the Western Regional Hospital [...]
Carlos Diaz remembers the Phoenix man, Wentworth Hemmings
The news coming out of the United States that a Phoenix man, Wentworth Hemmings, 40, who once resided in Belize, was sentenced to 31 years in prison for a hostage standoff in October, 2011, came as [...]
William Anderson, 71, dies in road collision
William Alexander Anderson, 71, of Monkey River, died after suffering massive head and body injuries in a road collision today when the vehicle he was driving slammed head-on into a school bus at about 7:15 this [...]
Nat'l Primary School Basketball
Holy Redeemer girls, St. Martin's boys are Nat'l Primary School Basketball champs A total of twelve teams – 6 male and 6 female – representing the four corners of the country, took part in the 2014 [...]
World Cup times
Apologies for sports page error on World Cup game times Early on Friday morning at the Amandala base on West Canal Street, the X reminded me that Brazil vs Chile was kicking off at 10:00 a.m., [...]
Future Football Club
Future Football Club hosts 3rd Annual Summer Camp The Future Football Club, which is run by veteran footballer Edon "Yellowman" Rowley, will be hosting its 3rd Annual Summer Camp at the ITVET Football Field in Belize [...]
Young stars emerge
Young stars emerge at Annual COBY 3 on 3 Knockout Tournaments at Bird's Isle A number of new young faces emerged as promising basketball stars of the future at the annual COBY 3 on 3 Knockout [...]
Taxi driver, 31, dies after being shot in the head
Amandala understands that a taxi driver who was shot twice in the head while traveling with an unidentified female companion in the wee hours of this morning unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at the Karl Heusner [...]
Samuel Miguel, 22, bashed to death in open lot
The victim, who was scantily clad, had just collected "back-pay" As dawn broke this past Saturday, June 28, the gruesome discovery of a body was made in a parking lot situated opposite the Raymond Parks Homeless [...]
Gunman attacks off-duty BDF soldier
Sometime before 8:00 p.m. this past Saturday, a social gathering which was taking place in a yard on Curl Thompson Street in the Port Loyola area of Belize City was rudely interrupted by a daring gunman [...]
Thief busted after robbing men on Fabers Road
A thief who held up three men at gunpoint on Fabers Road is in custody pending charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, handling stolen goods, and keeping a sawed-off shotgun. The incident occurred at about 4:45 [...]
Municipal Court prosecutor Joseph Nu�ez remanded to prison on firearm charges
The Firearms Act makes no allowance for Good Samaritans; once you are found with a gun, you are deemed to be guilty until you can prove that you are innocent Joseph Nu�ez, 40, an ex-police officer [...]
Patrick Jones
Funeral held for baby who died suddenly in San Andres village
A funeral service and burial was held today in San Andres village, Corozal for a 19-day old baby girl who died suddenly on Saturday morning. As we had reported previously, the mother of the child Laura Pena had gotten up to feed the baby around 2 am on [�]
Teenager killed on Mahogany Street
Belize City teenager Myron Smith is the latest victim of gun violence, the third to be killed in as many days. 17 year old Smith, aka "Saddest," of Giles Street, was shot in the left side of the chest near the armpit and the upper right side of [�]
Cancer practitioners work together on response
The Ministry of Health recently developed a policy on addressing non-communicable diseases including cancer. Today it hosted representatives of public and private sector organizations working on the issue of cancer at the Radisson Hotel. Dr. Ramon Figueroa is the head of the Planning, Policy and Analysis Unit at [�]
Police investigate broken tomb
Police were seen combing an apparent crime scene in the Lords' Ridge Cemetery this afternoon. But what is unusual is that the scene is a grave that was apparently opened - and what appeared to be human remains, apart from the person buried there - inside. And these [�]
Area representative delivers land in Lake Independence
Lake Independence area representative Mark King has been active in distributing land to his constituents. But he sought an easier way to make existing and first-time owners avoid the hassles of the notoriously inefficient Lands Department. On Monday, the latest one hundred residents of the constituency stepped up [�]
Primary school art training program opens
23 primary schools and approximately 50 students and teachers will benefit from a six-month pilot project aimed at teaching educators the benefits of daily art education. The Primary School Art Skills Training Pilot Project (PSAST) is sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in conjunction [�]
BTL addresses network issues
For at least the past two weeks, having trouble accessing the internet on state-run telecommunications company Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)'s network? It's because for the last two weeks they have been under attack, not from overeager consumers switching over from rivals Smart, but from international attackers going after [�]
Taiwanese Belize ambassador David Wu moves on
Today's appearance at the Art Training Program opening in Belize City is among the last for Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, His Excellency David C.K. Wu. He leaves Belize in two weeks' time for a post in New Zealand, but says he will take [�]
Child's death under investigation in Orange Walk
There is another heartbreaking story of the death of an infant in the north. 19 month old Melissa Melani Cabanas died on Sunday at her home on the Palmar Road, Orange Walk and it is believed that the child ingested some kind of medication. Police say that [�]
Police release details about mauling of a man by Pitt Bull dogs
Three days after a man was mauled by Pit Bull dogs in Independence village, police have released details of what transpired. According to police press officer Raphael Martinez, 23 year old Jeffery O'Brien was attacked sometime after 11 pm on Saturday, June 28. A teenage boy heading [�]
The Debt For Education Swap Potential in Belize
Belize is classified by the World Bank as "upper-middle-income" with a GDP of US$1.493 billion (2011) and population of 324,100 (2012). "The initiation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in 1996 and its later enhancements resulted (or will result) in much of the debt of the 40 countries that qualified being forgiven. As [�]
Teamwork by Belize Bird Rescue and ACES
It has only been 2 weeks since my husband and I and our 2 children moved to Ambergris Caye; where it seems everyday is an adventure. Sunday morning was no exception.
A friend of mine had just called to ask if I wanted to go to Caye Caulker for the last day of Lobsterfest on her boat. For some reason I declined. I would get together with her next time. This is not like me, I am usually very random, spur of the moment, get up and go kind of girl. I do believe that everything happens for a reason; maybe I was meant to stay on the island today!
The morning began with my regular routine. Coffee on the patio of our condo south of town, overlooking the lagoon on the right and the pool out front; beautiful! Palm trees swaying, birds chirping and a nice breeze. So peaceful here, sometimes I have to remind myself that we have moved here; it feels like we are still on vacation.
Belizean wins first Houston Caribbean Queen Pageant: Congratulations Rheisha Shol!
The first Houston Caribbean Queen (HCQ) Pageant, billed as "a cultural, educational, and festive event that seeks to celebrate the talent and intellectual abilities of young Caribbean women" was held on June 28, 2014 and it seems only fitting to us that the very first HC Queen is a talented young Belizean, Rheisha Shol.
Rheisha was born in the national capital of Belmopan and moved to Houston, Texas with her family, where she currently attends Texas State University.
In addition to possessing poise and the other qualities judges were looking for, Rheisha is obviously one intelligent young woman, having graduated in the top 10% of her high school class, winning numerous awards and serving on the cheerleading squad and as vice president of the graduation class, according to the HCQ website, which also tells us she has been active in various school and community organisations.
Tech - I Innovation Competition
Do you have an innovative mind? Want a chance to win up to USD 70,000 in prizes (BZ $140,000)? The American Association for the Advancement of Science in collaboration with the United States Department of State is having an innovation competition called Tech - I. It connects young innovators across the globe and serves as a platform for innovative minds and entrepreneurial spirits to meet. Kindly see eligibility requirements. Deadline for submissions are July 21st, 2014. For further information, kindly contact BELTRAIDE at [email protected] or +501 822-3737/0175 or the Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities at + 501 822 3336/0160/0162 or email [email protected]
Amarabi Seasoning & Marinade "The taste of Belize"
Amarabi Seasonings and Marinde is a unique blend of traditionally used herb and spices, locally found in Belize. It is a complete seasoning, flavorful, consistent and ready to be used on poultry, beef, pork, seafood and other meats. One of the features that make Amarabi's products unique is the 100% Natural no MSG element. The business is owned and operated by Mrs. Laura Raymond, who became a client on May 3rd, 2013.
Through SBDCBelize Ms. Raymond managed to register her business name. She also received guidance in areas of product labeling-as per national standards. The Label has been approved by the Belize Bureau of Standard. Ms. Raymond has received guidance and advice on intellectual property rights- trademark, and on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs), two certifications that are critical to ensure food safety in agro-processed goods.
Mad Media Solutions "Innovative Biometric, Marketing and ID Solutions!"
Mad Media Solutions is owned and operated by Mr. Francisco Madrid. The business was registered March, 2013. It provides "innovative ID solutions", as well as Biometric systems to monitor and consistently sustain security issues in organizations.
Mr. Madrid became a client of the Centre on March 2013, and since then has actively sought advice from his primary adviser in areas of financing options, product development, business plan development, investment and market research. As a result of his proactive commitment, and focused advising from his assigned advisor at the Centre, Mr. Madrid has managed to successfully source financing for the growth and improvement of his business venture.
Bella Dees- "Offering multi-purpose natural, handmade products"
Bella Dees is a home-based business that produces multi-purpose natural, handmade, aroma therapeutic soaps, with 8 vegetable oils and fresh Belizean healing herbs. In addition to soaps, the business makes aroma therapeutic massage oils. It guarantees to provide a 100% natural, healing and aromatherapy benefits, safe for the skin; gentle for the entire family and pets; easy on the environment, and no animal testing. Experience the benefits of aroma-therapy in a practical way. Their unique formulas leave no residue on the skin. The oils used are chosen based on the special qualities they bring to the soap such as the ability to moisturize and soften skin and the type of lather they produce. Since all the soaps use only natural products and retain all the glycerine produced during the saponification process, they have a softer, creamier consistency than regular commercial, synthetic soaps.
So yummy, you may never want to leave the tub again!
CRAVINGS AND WHERE TO GO!
Ambergris Caye can cover most cravings and needs here on the island.
Most "stocked" bar is Lola's Pub. If you want it and can't find it anywhere ~ they will have it!
Snorkeling and diving with Chuck and Robbies is a great way to spend the day!
Taco Bell - go to Celi's Deli and have a burrito or granachas (like a tostada)
Want to do Crossfit see "Drew and Crew" in Boca Del Rio at the BOX
Take home some local art made by local artist - Belizean Melody's Art Gallery
Dive the Blue Hole with Amigos Del Mar
McDonald's Burger - RoadKill can make a mean Big Mac look alike.
Best tee shirt business - Toucan Gift Shops! Belize ones, funny ones, colorful ones in all shapes and sizes
International Sources
Belize Proves "Good Things Come In Small Packages"
The ex-British colony, lodged between big brother Mexico to the north, the jungles of Guatemala to the south and west, and nestled on the world's second largest barrier reef to the east, offers a wide range of exploration to satisfy all travelers. Belize may pack in more flora, fauna and diverse natural beauty per square mile, than any nation on the planet.
Roughly 60% of Belize is forested. For many visitors a trip to the Belizean rainforest is the trip of a lifetime. Bring your binoculars to the jungles of Belize as it is a bird watcher's paradise. There are over 600 different bird species, roosting high above in the majestic forest or along rivers and lagoons. If you're lucky, you just might catch a glimpse of Belize's national bird, the keel-billed toucan, or Belize's national animal, Baird's tapir. Although, many times elusive, keen eyed eco tourists, can view: spider monkeys, howler monkeys, peccaries, coatimundis, gibnuts, and other animals that never been seen or even or heard of by the tourist. On rare occasions, one can even view the nocturnal jaguar. The country is also home to 4,000 species of tropical flowers, including 250 kinds of orchids.
Murder suspect extradited from Belize, charged in 2005 killing of Polish woman living on Staten Island
When the body of a 47-year-old Polish woman living in Tompkinsville was discovered in an alleyway behind a movie theater on Coney Island Avenue in 2005, it sent chills through the Polish community on Staten Island and left behind a mystery with few answers. Several of her close friends interviewed by the Advance at the time said they wondered what happened, who did it, and why.
Now, nearly nine years later, police say they finally have a suspect in custody.
Michael Young, 39, of Brooklyn, was arrested Tuesday in New York for the 2005 murder of Zofia Rogowicka, 47, according to an NYPD spokesman (Police spelled the victim's name "Sofia Rogonicka," but multiple articles refer to her as Zofia Rogowicka).
Why Belize Is The Perfect Surf-And-Turf Vacation
The same turquoise waters that lure tourists to Caribbean destinations slosh around Belize's island chain. But tiny Belize has a major advantage in reeling in the holidaymakers - spectacular Maya ruins tucked away in lush jungle. The nation is home to more prehistoric buildings than modern-day ones, according to its Institute of Archaeology.
That ancient appeal draws in backpackers eager for adventure as well as divers ready to gawk at its bustling reefs or plunge into its famed Blue Hole. Belize has all the ingredients for a surf and turf vacation - at least for those who don't mind the odd giant cockroach or neon green frog that may invade their jungle dwellings.
CAVES, SKELETONS AND A SWIM
Evidence of human sacrifice in Maya times litters the floors of the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves, where the skeletons are welded in place by limestone sediment. Mayan pottery is also frozen in time there, with archeologists opting to leave most artifacts as they were centuries ago. To get to the caves, visitors are led down a gentle jungle trail that includes several river crossings. Next, comes an invigorating swim across a frigid pool of water at the cave's mouth (which is patrolled by a resident vine snake). Water winds throughout the cave, and visitors have to squeeze through impossible-looking openings before being rewarded with the archaeological trove. But don't expect to plaster social media with photos documenting the adventure. Clumsy tourists - including one who left a camera-sized hole in the skull of a sacrificed child - led to a ban on cameras at the site.
From the editor's desk: Fast facts about Belize
Bill and Ginny Davenport recently moved from Clovis to Belize in Central America in search of better health.
They've written a letter about their new lives and asked it be shared with their old hometown.
This is part two of four:
Let us tell you a little about the country:
They have a rainy season from June to December. One minute the sky is clear and sunny, the next sunny or cloudy and it is raining for about 15 minutes. Almost everyone carries an umbrella, either for the sun or rain. The temperature ranges from 80 to 100 degrees.
Belize City is the largest city, but also the dirtiest, and 99 percent of crime is there. Not a place you want to live.
Everywhere in the country you will see horses tied along the road eating. This is how most people feed them.
You will also see many partially finished houses. This is because they start building a house and when they run out of money, they stop and continue when they have some more money. A lot of these homes have mold coating due to the lack of maintenance, the heat and moisture.
Moody's affirms Belize's Caa2 rating
Short-term fiscal liquidity pressures have subsided following the debt restructuring. The lower coupon rate has provided the sovereign with ample breathing room and greater fiscal space. The authorities remain committed to maintaining a primary surplus of approximately 1% of GDP over the medium term, and expect that fiscal dynamics will improve as the economy recovers. Near-term fiscal pressures remain manageable, even though domestic oil production is declining rapidly.
We believe that there are downside risks to fiscal performance over the next 2-3 years related to continued uncertainty on various fronts. Importantly, elections are scheduled for March 2017 and we expect fiscal easing ahead of the vote. Fiscal revenues may not respond as forcefully as authorities expect to tax measures that are planned to be implemented in 2014- 15. The next general election coincides with the first step-up in the coupon rate on the restructured bonds. The ongoing litigation on the nationalization of the electric (BEL) and telecom (BTL) companies could result in a fiscal cost of anywhere between 6% and 30% of GDP depending on valuation estimates.
5 Amazing Experiences Every Traveler Must Try!
Snorkeling in Belize
With knockout beaches on Ambergris Caye, Caye Kaulker, and Placenia, plus inland jungles, 600 species of birds (think toucans and motmots), and Mayan ruins, Belize is paradise for landlubbers. But nothing beats exploring the blue sea and getting up-close-and-personal with the underwater residents on a snorkeling adventure. A visit to the five-square-mile Hol Chan Marine Reserve with a good outfitter will include all snorkeling gear and the chance to hobnob with colorful coral, angelfish, grunts, snappers, rays, nurse sharks (it's okay, they're harmless!), and maybe even a manatee from June to September.
Videos
Video: Choosing a Tarpon Line, 3min.
There are a lot of fly lines on the market, and choosing the right one can be a bit daunting. To make that choice easier, RIO has produced a series of "Choosing" the right line" videos, with the latest one in the series advising on how to choose the right line for fly fishing for tarpon. Filmed in Belize, this short film describes the RIO tarpon fly line options and breaks down the advantages of each one, enabling you to choose the perfect tarpon line for your next trip.
Video: Dark Night Cave | Mama Noots Bocawina Adventures & Eco-Resort (BELIZE), 3min.
Video: Belize Zoo 2014 Jaguar Encounter, 8min.
This is a video of Junior Buddy the jaguar at the Belize Zoo. This was an amazing experience. I never though I'd have my head licked by a jaguar before.
Video: Snorkeling At Hol Chan, Ambergris Caye, Belize, 11min.
Video: Belize 2014, 11min.
Winona State Biodiversity of Belize 2014.
Video: Belize Jen & Patrick, 7min.
Honeymoon June 2014.
Video: Belize whale sharks, 3min.
Video: Victoria House | Ambergris Caye Belize Beach Resort, 2min.
An award winning Belize Beach Resort. Victoria House, a luxury Belize Resort, is a 42-room retreat offering the definition of a relaxing luxury beach Belize Vacation. Victoria House is located on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye-Belize, approximately one mile from the second largest barrier reef in the world & two miles south of San Pedro Town
Video: Belize Cruise 2014, 21min.
Video: Belize Vacation, 8min.
Zip line in Belize
Video: Belize Sundancer II, 18min.
Cruise ship expedition