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Amandala
Jose Santos, 67, charged for Paraiso double murder
A Salvadoran national who stands accused of the horrific double murder of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend was arraigned and remanded to the Belize Central Prison today.
At around 11:00 a.m., Corozal police marched Jose Antonio Santos, 67, to the courtroom of Magistrate Hurl Hamilton at the Corozal Magistrate's Court, where he was arraigned for two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Heidi Teresita Chable, 22, and Fernando Rivas, 49, a Salvadoran cane cutter, who were both chopped to death in at a farmhouse in Paraiso, Corozal District, in what is believed to be a cruel crime of passion.
In court today, no plea was taken, since the matter is scheduled to be heard before the Supreme Court.
Santos was remanded to prison until March 24, 2015 when he is due to reappear in court.
Skeletal remains found in Ladyville
Six days before Christmas, a mother's worst nightmare was confirmed - the skeletal remains of her son were found in the Mile 12 area of Ladyville and she was taken there to officially identify him. A Social Security card found in the pocket of the clothes the man was wearing identified him as Marvin Rafael Bol, 23, of Aracari Street, Ladyville.
Police went to pick up Bol's mother at her workplace at the Philip Goldson International Airport and took her to the area in Ladyville, where she identified the clothes her son was wearing and positively identified the deceased person as her son, Marvin Rafael Bol.
The bones were then placed in a bag and take to the National Forensic Unit for an autopsy to be performed on the remains to possibly certify the cause of Bol's death.
Belize and Guatemala sign 13 agreements
Thirteen new bilateral accords between Belize and Guatemala were inked on the Placencia Peninsula on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 - accords which have stirred controversy amid assertions from the Opposition People's United Party (PUP) that the Barrow administration proceeded with finalizing those undisclosed agreements before consulting with the Belizean people, as had been promised.
As we go to press, the texts of those agreements have not been made public by the Government, and the Opposition is calling for consultations to at least ensure that two more pending agreements which Belize plans to sign with Guatemala are disclosed before signing.
Did wrong diagnosis cause death of 19-year-old?
A 19-year-old 4th form student of Gwen Lizarraga High School, Flory Palacio, died in September, allegedly after her medical condition was misdiagnosed as tuberculosis. Juanita Paulino, Flory's mother, said that after Flory died, they received a death certificate which indicated that she had actually died from Hodgkin's Lymphoma - which is a rare type of cancer which originates from the white blood cells, or lymphocytes.
We met Paulino and a very dear friend and supporter of hers, Nzinga Barkley-Waite, protesting in front of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for a second day today, because the hospital has still not met the family's demand for her medical records. The family told us that when the hospital produced the girl's medical file, all her records since July 2014 were missing from the file.
An "oily" story that has no answers, yet!
Inquiring minds have been questioning why there has been no official statement on the visit of a delegation of officials from a Mexican fuel powerhouse-Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), a state-owned company-to Belize over the weekend, amid reports that the executives came to Belize to assist with the search for crude oil in northern Belize.
A report carried by Por Esto (Quintana Roo) on Monday, December 15, 2014, said that 6 private Pemex helicopters had landed at the Chetumal International Airport with 25 persons, including company engineers, most of whom made their way by road to Belize, since they had no permit to enter Belize's airspace.
However, there have been claims by Belizeans that the Pemex choppers had been spotted at the Philip Goldson International Airport.
Burglary on the rise during Christmas season
Over $90,000 in cash and properties have been stolen by thieves from property owners since the beginning of the police response to the anticipated crimes of the Christmas season.
The expected crimes are burglaries robberies and theft, with burglaries being the most frequent.
Despite the efforts of police, burglary, theft and robberies have increased. Thieves have gotten away with over $90,000 in 10 reported burglaries.
The most recent burglary occurred at about 3:50 yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, in Maya Beach on the Placencia Peninsula in the Stann Creek District:
4 thieves escape after police high-speed chase
A Mazda 4-door car has been impounded by Orange Walk police after it was abandoned by four robbers during a high-speed chase by police. They got out of the car, ran into the surrounding area and escaped.
Police contend that the car was the getaway vehicle that had been used by the thieves after they robbed a store on San Lorenzo Road in Orange Walk Town and got away with an undisclosed amount of money from the store's cash drawer.
After police were alerted of the robbery about 1:00 this afternoon, they responded quickly and intercepted the vehicle, and the chase began. The chase came to an end on Oak Street in the Louisiana area of Orange Walk Town when the thieves exited the car and escaped, and police have since launched a manhunt to capture the robbers.
Epileptic charged with attempted murder for Mahogany Heights shooting
A Mahogany Heights man who suffers from epilepsy was remanded to the Belize Central Prison when he was arraigned on charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm upon Joel Winston Seawell, another Mahogany Heights man who sustained gunshot wounds on Thursday, December 11.
The police charge against Erwin Ramsey, however, did not sit well with Magistrate Herbert Panton, who said in open court, "This is totally unjust. What is here is not enough to deprive this man of his freedom."
Panton added: "Police recovered one blue hoodie. This is ridiculous. I don't feel proper to be compliant in something like this. If the police want to do their 'hanky-panky', don't involve magistrates in that."
Boy, 4, killed while running across the highway after getting off bus
Kiwan Awardo, 4, of Sittee River, was killed on the Southern Highway at about 4:45 Saturday evening as he was crossing the road. He was knocked down by a cargo truck that was travelling from Independence to Dangriga.
Awardo was taken to the Southern Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the truck, Ronald Heron, 22, of Independence, was detained, after which he was issued with a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP).
Police said that on their arrival at the junction of the Southern Highway and Sittee River Road, at about 5:30 Saturday, they saw the lifeless body of the boy lying on the road, with a large wound to the right side of the head.
Man busted with .38 Special revolver on Sibun Street
Jose David Funez, 33, of a Sibun Street address, has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 12, 2015, on charges of keeping an unlicensed firearm and keeping ammunition without a gun license.
Police reported that that at about 9:00 Wednesday night, they were on mobile patrol on Sibun Street when they saw a man throw a shiny object in the bushes when he saw them coming.
They immediately stopped, detained the man and recovered the object, which was a .38 Special revolver, loaded with 4 live rounds.
When the gun was recovered and shown to Funez, he objected strongly, saying that the gun was not his, and that he did not know anything about it.
SMART Test Race results
On Sunday, December 14, the Cycling Federation of Belize, in collaboration with SMART, held an Open Elite Test race from the Smart building near Mile 2 on the Philip Goldson (Northern) Highway to Carmelita Village and back to Smart. Most of the big name cyclists and teams participated, as they prepare for the start of the new season. Below are the top 10 finishers and station prize winners. Station prizes going were won by Mark Staine at Ladyville ($50.00 gift card); Mark Staine at Sandhill (1 Dongle); Delawn Abraham at Crooked Tree junction ($50.00 gift card); and Philip Leslie at Green House at the beginning of Carmelita (1 cell phone). And coming back, station prizes were taken by Philip Leslie at Crooked Tree junction (1 Dongle); Gregory Lovell at Biscayne ($50.00 gift card); Giovanni Lovell at Boom Junction ($50.00 gift card); and Giovanni Lovell at the Jane Usher residence (1 cell phone).
Wally Usher returns from New York's Ted Corbitt 15K
He has been a marathon champion from his Wesley College high school days back in the early seventies, and Ezekiel "Wally" Usher remains the most active veteran Belizean distance runner on the international scene, making regular trips to some of the prestigious marathons and half-marathons on the American circuit.
In his most recent endeavor, Wally left Belize last Wednesday, December 10, and returned on Monday, December 15, after participating in the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Ted Corbitt 15K (9.3 miles), which started at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, in Manhattan, New York, under a blistering cold 36 degrees temperature. This particular race is named after Ted Corbitt, who died in 2007 at age 88, and, according to the NYRR web site, is "the first African American to run the Olympic marathon (Helsinki, 1952)" and "won countless awards during his lifetime. He was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame earlier this month."
Top goals scorers will see action in PLB playoffs, starting this weekend
As the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Top 4 playoffs get under way this weekend, football fans in Belmopan will be lucky to see half the games, since two of the playoff teams, Police United and Belmopan Bandits, use the Isidoro Beaton Stadium as their home field.
Fans will also be on the lookout for the goal scoring stars who will see action with their playoff teams. Of course, they will have to wait till next season to see those from teams that failed to make the playoffs.
In the table below, we have listed the names of the top goal scorers in regular season, their team, and the number of games in which they scored. We think the number of goal scoring games is an important statistic, because it shows the level of consistency of a striker. Sometimes it takes 1 goal to win a game, and it is noteworthy when a player can register his name in the scoring column on a regular basis.
History in Washington; history in Placencia
History was made in Washington, D.C., late Wednesday morning, to be followed within hours early the Wednesday afternoon by history being made in Placencia, a seacoast fishing village turned modern resort in South Stann Creek.
In Washington Wednesday morning, President Barack Obama announced executive measures to change the relationship between the United States and Cuba, which freed and exchanged some high-profile prisoners as a gesture of goodwill towards each other. The United States will open an embassy in Havana after 53 years of diplomatic disengagement.
In Placencia Wednesday afternoon, Guatemala President Otto Perez Molina signed a 13-point agreement with Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow for cooperation in important areas such as security, mineral exploration, tourism, trade, business, and the environment. With Jose Insulza, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS) in prominent presence, it did appear that what took place in Placencia at the executive level was, ultimately, a rebirth of the practically forgotten International Court of Justice (ICJ) initiative.
Citrus industry sees brighter days
While the local ca�eros and the sugar millers, Belize Sugar Industries (BSI)/American Sugar Refineries (ASR), are presently trying to stabilize the northern-based sugar industry, the stakeholders within the southern citrus sector, which had its own share of difficulties amongst its shareholders up until February of this year when a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was penned between the principals, have been able to further progress in moving that particular industry forward when they decided to formally bury the proverbial hatchet earlier this month.
The Belize Citrus Growers Association Investment Company Limited (BCGAICL), which is owned by the well-established Citrus Growers Association (CGA) - a company that represents 90% of the citrus farmers - and which had been the majority shareholder in Citrus Products of Belize Limited (CPBL), the company which buys citrus products from the farms, was embroiled in a protracted legal battle with Banks Holdings Limited (BHL), a Barbados-based multinational beverage giant and minority shareholder, over past due audit reports, among other things, but according to what we understand, all that is history now because BHL, which owns 46% of CPBL, has reached an out-of-court settlement with BCGAICL.
PUP, UDP say they are confident of Cayo North by-election seat
The ruling United Democratic Party and the Opposition People's United Party led throngs of jubilant political supporters today to the Administration Building in San Ignacio to nominate their candidates for the Cayo North by-election, which was forced by the sudden resignation of the PUP's Joseph Mahmud and is set to take place in exactly three weeks, on Monday, January 5, paving the way for the 2015 municipal elections.
Both parties are hoping for good political tides which they hope would give a foretaste of positive outcomes in the municipals.
"This is the first domino that will fall and we will deliver this seat of January 5th," said the PUP's man, Richard Harrison, who was nominated this morning.
Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca said the PUP will be ready on January 5.
Dr. Errol Elrington's license suspended by Michigan authorities
he allegation that Dr. Errol G. Elrington-US "fugitive at large" who is the brother of Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington and former minister of government, Hubert Elrington-hired an unlicensed African doctor to operate out of his clinic, Elrington Medical Center, in Redford, Michigan, has triggered the suspension of Elrington's medical license by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), according to an announcement made via press release today.
LARA said that on December 5, 2014, LARA executed an order summarily suspending Elrington's license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the summary suspension of a health professional's license when it is found that the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.
Supreme Court grants Gary Seawell leave to appeal extradition order
Gary Seawell, a Belizean who has been indicted by the U.S. and for whom an extradition order was granted by Belize's Chief Magistrate and was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court, was granted a stay of execution and leave to appeal his extradition order.
Supreme Court Justice, Michelle Arana, who had ruled against Seawell's appeal of the Chief Magistrate's decision to extradite him to the United States to stand trial on narcotics and money laundering charges, granted him leave to take his case to the Court of Appeal.
Seawell's attorney, Anthony Sylvestre, successfully steered the application for leave to appeal the extradition order yesterday, Wednesday, when the parties appeared before Justice Arana.
Sylvestre told Amandala today, Thursday, that in order for the application for leave to appeal, to succeed, the court had to be satisfied that perhaps an error of law was made.
Ca�eros to BSCFA: "Roll the Fairtrade money!"
Although there might have been a breakthrough resolution in an effort to get the sugar industry back on its feet during a crucial meeting between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and a fraction of its general membership last Sunday, December 14, there is still some cause for concern for members of the association because a majority of the farmers approved a motion to extract $2.5 million worth of Fairtrade funds to share equally amongst themselves.
After the meeting, the BSCFA executives expressed dire misgivings about the move, not only because the regulations of the Fairtrade program do not permit that kind of wanton spending, but more importantly, because the association only recently received the news that they are being reinstated by Fairtrade after a six-month suspension.
The Reporter
GOB must pay over $40 million for old BTL loan
The government of Belize, according to a decision by arbitrators in the case between GOB and British Caribbean Bank (BCB), must pay US$41,773,096.04 for a loan Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) took out in 2007.
The decision was made by a three member panel of international arbitrators on Friday. GOB, meanwhile, has since sought legal advice and has decided to mount a challenge to the decision.
According to GOB, when they acquired the shares in BTL owned by various Lord Ashcroft-related companies in 2009, BCB demanded payment of the loan and threatened to wind up Telemedia. In reaction, GOB acquired the loan from BCB, which meant that GOB now owned the loan, preventing BCB from undermining the acquisition and winding up Telemedia. In turn, it meant that GOB now became liable to pay BCB, and that Telemedia now became liable to pay GOB.
Go Wireless – pioneers in local technological gadgets!
It has been around since 2002,�initially in the business of wholesaling imports and distribution of Samsung, LG, Motorolla and Nokia phones, with accompanying growing pains, but Go Wireless Direct has redirected its efforts to produce its own gadgets and dares anyone shopping for cellular […]
Did salacious letters about forbidden sex lead to dismissal of six BWS workers? Supreme Court will decide
Supreme Court Justice, Michelle Arana is to decide on the claim of Mark Menzies, Don Gillett, Michael Novelo, Journett McKoy, Charlette Barnett and Colin Morrison sometime next year after receiving written submissions from their attorneys, Senior Counsel, Said Musa for Menzies and Tricia Pitts-Anderson for […]
BEL wants to cut power rates from 43.47 to 42 cents a KwH
Belize Electricity Limited has announced that it wants to cut electricity rates to consumers in Belize by about 1 1/2 cents a kilowatt hour. But first the company needs the approval of the regulatory body, the Public Utiities Commission. . Derek Davis, director of the […]
Village effort provides new house for fire victims
A family of five will spend this Christmas in a spanking new home that has come courtesy the Hattieville Resource Centre (HRC) after a fire destroyed their dwelling place in July. Eloise Hyde, a Justice of the Peace of Hattieville Village, received the key […]
5 cents a pound dip in butane prices
There is another dip in the price of butane gas in Belize and the Bureau of Standards says it is caused by the high volume of production recently. As of Saturday, prices fell by roughly 5 cents per pound. If you buy butane from […]
"No thank you", Espat says to GOB We'll do this on our own!
PUP Cayo South area representative Julius Espat revealed Monday that he has declined the UDP government's offer of $35,000 for Christmas cheer from the Petro Caribe funds for his constituency of Cayo South. Espat, who is leading the charge for more transparency in the […]
Pleased with Belize: Foreign Minister David Lin
The Hon. David L.Lin, Foreign Minister of the Republic of China on Taiwan, in Belize this week to attend a regional meeting of SICA, said he was very much satisfied with the support Taiwan was receiving from Belize in international forums. He expressed the view that this friendship between Belize […]
Canefarmers want Fair Trade funds for Christmas while wiser counsels are shot down!
Cane farmers of the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association have passed a resolution instructing that the association withdraw $2.5 million from its FairTrade fund for distribution to canefarmers for Christmas spending. The motion, which received widespread support from the canefarmers present at Sunday's meeting, stipulates that […]
Opposition says GOB should have consulted the public before making any agreement with Guatemala
The opposition People's United Party, criticized the government this week for entering into as many as 13 agreements with the Government of Guatemala without consulting the Belizean public. Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca, said that the agreements, signed at the 44th summit of the heads of […]
Jealous rage leads to brutal double homicide in Paraiso!
Corozal police today arrested and charged Salvadoran, Jose Santos, 67, for the vicious murders of Heidi Teresita Chable, 21, and Fernando Rivas, 49, which occurred early Sunday morning in Paraiso Village, Corozal. Neighbours discovered the bodies of Chable and Rivas, who lived together in a small cement house, around 6:00 […]
Human remains found near mile 11 on Philip Goldson Highway
Police say that the remains of a man found on Thursday morning are those of 23 year-old Marvin Rafael Bol, a resident of Ladyville who was the prime suspect of a series of burglaries that had been occurring in the community. The remains were discovered around 9:00 a.m., scattered in […]
Editorial
Two remarkably good things happened in Belize this week. Thanks to the timely intervention of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the canefarmers of Orange Walk and Corozal decided to end their standoff with the sugar factory by accepting a payment of 51 cents a ton for their bagasse by-product and ending […]
Hachet buried? SICA produces monumental pledge: "Guatemala will never be a threat to Belize!"
SICA'S meeting in Placencia, where Belize formally handed over the presidency to Guatemala, produced a monumental moment in history when the Prime Minister of Belize and the President of Guatemala embraced like old friends. Although it was the first time that the two men met formally as heads of government […]
Police warn public to be vigilant during the holidays
The Belize Police Department has cautioned citizens to be vigilant and remain aware of their surroundings while getting around the City during the holiday season, as thieves are opportunistic during this time of the year. Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, deputy OC Easter Division said […]
COLA demonstrates to push for Stake Bank
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), along with the Federation of Cruise Tourism Association of Belize (FECTAB),�held a demonstration on Fort Street Wednesday morning to protest the Tourism Village's exclusive contract and to push for the Stake Bank project to be completed. COLA […]
Last minute hiccup delays BSCFA signing But general agreement is on track
Despite the much heralded agreement between the Belize Cane Farmers Association and Belize Sugar Industries, the apparent breakthrough is not a done deal and will not become a done deal until the agreement has been signed and a firm date set for start-up. In a […]
The Belize Times
CHANGE BEGINS NOW!! - Yolanda Schakron & PUP Belize CitCo Team Launched
Before a packed hall of supporters, the People's United Party launched its winning Belize City Council team on Wednesday, December 17th, 2014. The team made up of young, dynamic and experienced community activists and professionals, is led by businesswoman/outspoken activist Yolanda Schakron. Schakron's slate includes Micah Goodin, a firebrand youth leader who is pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice; Lennox Young, a businessman for over ten years; educator Sharette Yearwood; entrepreneur Michael Novelo; community activist Delroy Herrera; businessman and IT professional David Gonzalez; businesswoman and educator-in-training Delthrude Hylton; sports leader and community organiser Sanja Pitts; young businessman Jermyn Galvez and professional Natasha Pipersburgh. The news that the PUP slate would be launched this week was received early by the Darrell Bradley-led City Council. The Mayor, we are told, began to pack up his belongings in preparation for the hard boot that the residents of Belize City will be giving him and his failed Councillors on March 4th 2015.
A Man with No Plan! - Omar Figueroa says "a Plan" for Cayo North makes "No Sense"
UDP candidate Omar Figueroa has shown little regard or respect for the people of Cayo North. So low is his view of the constituents that he apparently believes that he can campaign simply on the coat tails of his Party and not on addressing the real issues.
Figueroa has implicitly rejected the idea of a debate of the issues in Cayo North. The PUP's impressive candidate Richard Harrison, who by comparison outmatches and out-performs the UDP's pawn, challenged Figueroa to a debate two weeks ago. Figueroa has pretended not to have heard this challenge, but individuals in his campaign team have reported that he has no interest in a debate because he doesn't want to be put to shame.
Where Petro-Caribe is NOT Rolling!!
The Barrow Administration was hugely embarrassed by PUP supporters on Monday, December 15, 2014 when it was revealed that while the Government is rolling in "millions and millions" as boasted many times by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, San Ignacio lacks simple and basic needs like a Belizean flag for its Police Station or functioning ambulance for emergency response for its residents.
The San Ignacio Police Station has been lacking, of all things, a Belizean flag. For over two months, the Police precinct has been requesting from the Government a flag to fly outside the building. There has been no response, even though the Government has been spending millions on political gimmicks.
Karen's Circus at BTB
"Tourism is a business" - these were the words that Director Karen Bevans said in her speech at BTIA's recent Annual General Meeting. Well what it has turned out to be under the UDP is a real circus. We just don't know who is the circus clown as it seems to change on a weekly basis.
The UDP unceremoniously kicked out the former PM's daughter, Laura Esquivel, who, at least, had a tourism background, and replaced her with their very loyal BTL stalwart, Karen Bevans who is totally green to tourism but very much in tuned with travelling, cocktails and the glitz and glamour of the job.
Just like her mentor Dean Barrow, Ms. Bevans is all glitter, but no substance. This, of course, after the BTB paid handsomely for a full page self-promoting piece of the Prime Minister's wife (a dear friend of the Director of Tourism) which had less to do with Belize as the tourism destination but more with Mrs. Barrow as a wanna-be fashion model. In the 6 years of government, the UDP has not improved tourism - not for the hoteliers, not for tour operators, not for the guides, the artisans nor the tourism destinations.
Think About It
GIVING AWAY MONEY
For the past two weeks, the National Bank in Belmopan has seen a huge increase in the number of persons lining up to collect money.
The so-called National Bank is a UDP political gimmick. There is nothing nationalistic about it. Everyone who gets money from the so-called National Bank knows that they don't have to repay those monies and there is nothing nationalistic about it.
CANE FARMERS DEFEATED
The cane farmers of Orange Walk are facing defeat. Their noble stand for fairness and justice has been crushed by A.S.R./B.S.I.
The cane delivery and factory grinding season was to start on 8th December. It didn't happen because ASR used the desperation of the ca�eros to grind them to the ground. To teach them a lesson and to hurt and humiliate them in the process.
These strong men and women of Orange Walk had resisted the blandishments of the ASR which had sought to go around the Cane Farmers Association and sign up individual ca�eros to deliver cane and to undermine the Association. Unity and moral courage kept the ca�eros together.
Playing "Chicken" in the Sugar Industry
The game of chicken is played with two different sides in an activity that will result in serious harm unless one or the other backs down. The original version of this game was played with motor vehicles whereby both participants drive a vehicle of some sort in a straight line towards each other. The first to swerve loses the game and is considered a "chicken," or a coward. While that version of the game was played primarily amongst adolescents or aggressive young men, there have been instances where this same game has been played at very high levels by very big people with major consequences at stake.
It was welcome a relief to hear earlier this week that some sort of compromise had been reached and that the cane trucks of our northern districts would once again be rolling. Had the cane farmers not decided to be "chicken" and give in to the demands of those bullies from ASR, it would have devastated that industry. Politically speaking, that would have, without a doubt, accelerated the demise of this current UDP administration. As it is, many farmers are proceeding reluctantly and when the pain of the "bukut" finally sinks in, there will be hell to pay. Right now the farmers are only concerned about getting their cane harvested before they lose their investment. After all, the real investors in this industry are the farmers who spend the entire season expending resources for fertilizers, pesticides and caring for their crops. Cane farming is hard work and requires long hours of tedious labor.
INSULTING El CAYO
The UDP is insulting the people of San Ignacio, Santa Elena and El Cayo. This insult is open, up in their faces, typical arrogance of the leader of that party. The insult is straightforward: we have millions of dollars and we will bribing every voter who is desperate for money.
These days desperation is everywhere and growing. For the month of December, the desperation has doubled and tripled. In addition to the usual stress and pressures of fighting the cost of living, there is the pressures of Christmas and the re-opening of school in early January.
The Prime Minister has set the bye-election for Cayo North for 5th January 2015. This early date allows him to use the Christmas give-aways as part of his election bribery tactics. This way he does not have to give voters anything as he will be forced to do if the bye-elections were held in February. So while he is pretending to be generous he is as means and heartless as ever.
The idea that Mr. Barrow can reappear in Cayo and ignore what his prot�g� Penner had done and what Castro, King and a string of his inner circle colleagues are accused of smacks of disdain for the people of Cayo.
Yasmin Shoman - Delivering for the People of Collet
PUP Standard Bearer for the Collet Division Yasmin Shoman is delivering hardwork and real care to the people of the constituency.
Shoman has demonstrated much needed leadership in the area where residents have been suffered neglect for too long under the UDP elected representative who has abandoned the people.
On Sunday December 14, 2014, the young people participated in the All About Sports Basketball Bash held at the ABS Collet Community Park on Iguana St. Finals included ABS and Penn Road with Penn Road emerging as the champions with a score of 39-32.
The basketball competition was sponsored by Collet Standard Bearer, Yasmin Shoman, and Planned by "Hard Rock".
UDP/Barrow signs secret documents with Guatemala PUP demands responsible governance
The People's United Party (PUP) advises Belizeans that on behalf of the Nation, the Government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow has signed 13 Bilateral Agreements with Guatemala, today in Placentia in the presence of the Secretary General of the OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza.
The Agreements are on Prisoner Exchange and the Serving of Penal Sentence, Operating Hours At Legal Terrestrial Entry Points; Program on Seasonal Workers; Protection, the Recovery And Return of Items of Cultural And Natural Patrimony, Visa Waiver for Students, Deportation, Electric Power Trade, Transmission Interconnection And Grid Connectivity; Mutual Recognition of Driver's Licenses; Movement of Students via land entry points; Protection Of the Environment and the Sustainable Use of Resources; Degree Equivalence and Recognition of Education documents; Sustainable Tourism; and Stolen Vehicles.
The Representative of the Leader of the Opposition, participated in the bilateral discussion and negotiation of these Agreements in early November of 2014, on the clear basis that any Agreement signed by Belize with Guatemala, first needed to be consulted with the people of Belize, prior to any such Agreement being signed.
Christmas Message 2014 by Hon. Francis W. Fonseca
My fellow Belizeans,
Christmas offers us the opportunity to come together as friends, neighbors, families, and communities.
The spirit and energy of Christmas invites us to re-kindle our hope and faith in humanity and in each other.
This Christmas let us extend our hands and hearts to those in need, the poor, the sick, those with special needs, those who have lost a loved one, those out of work, those who have lost hope and faith.
Christmas is a time for Love!
As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we shout and proclaim the words of 1ST CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 13:
"LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. IT DOES NOT ENVY. IT DOES NOT BOAST. IT IS NOT PROUD. IT IS NOT RUDE. IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING. IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED. IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS. LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES. LOVE NEVER FAILS!!"
Christmas message by Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV
Dear Friends in Christ,
We have come once again to the joyful season of Christmas. It is a time for families to gather and for the Church to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The Son of God became human in humble circumstances to bring the Good News of God's love for all humanity. Jesus was not born in a palace or any other sort of elegant home. He came into the world in the humblest of places, in a manger, a home for animals, because there was no room at the inn.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family were pilgrims, away from home. According to Matthew's Gospel, they could not even stay in their own country of Israel, as King Herod wanted to kill the child, so they fled into Egypt. They spent a number of years there until they heard of Herod's death, and returned to Israel. The Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem then to Egypt, seeking safety, unites them with refugees around the world who have to flee their homes to seek safety or employment.
2014 Christmas Message By Bishop Philip Wright M.A., OBE
This chosen passage of scripture might not readily sound like one that belongs to the Season of Christmas given the almost romantic attachment we have to the scene of the manger, the shepherds in the field, the choral angels, and the star in the East, thanks to popular Christmas card covers. However, in actual fact, this passage contains the very essence of the Christmas Message; the Good News - the Gospel.
In much of the Christian world, what is commemorated every December 25th is a decisive moment in earth's history when God entered that history like never before; to usher in, like never before, His act of redemption. The birth of the Christ Child, the Incarnation of the God-man, was to ultimately lead to that awesome scene on Calvary's Hill when it appeared that heaven and earth had violently met, and the forces of evil staged their greatest attempt to undermine the purposes of God.
Patrick Jones
BelCaribe Communications shares Christmas spirit
Media content provider Bel-Caribe Communications today found another way to make Belize City residents lives sunny, just in time for Christmas. Staff members were in action all over Belize City's Southside, handing out thousands of dollars in groceries and toys, even ham and turkey, to neediest families pre-selected [�]
Traffic accident injures BELTRAIDE worker
A traffic accident near Mile 29 on the George Price Highway this morning around 9:30, not far from the RF&G Insurance sign marking the site of another infamous accident, narrowly avoided fatalities. We were informed at the scene that an Isuzu D-Max traveling east toward Belize City, property [�]
Mental Health Resource Center hosts Christmas party
Christmas is for everyone, even those suffering from mental disabilities. That is the message of the Mental Health Resource Center in Belize City, which hosted 59 clients to a Christmas celebration today. We spoke with the Center's Administrator, Joyce Ellis who says the Center held the activity to [�]
Footballer out on bail for carnal knowledge charge
Verdes FC and national football team player Cristobal Gilharry has been accused of sexual intercourse with a 15 year old girl. The 34 year old was remanded to the Belize Central Prison earlier this week after arraignment at the Belmopan Magistrate's Court. Today, attorney Richard 'Dickie' Bradley successfully [�]
Arbitration Tribunal decides in favor of British Caribbean Bank, Ltd
The government of Belize has vowed to put up a challenged to a decision handed down today by a panel of international arbitrators in the ongoing dispute between the Barrow administration and the British Caribbean Bank Limited. The tribunal's declaration is that government must BCB the sum of US$41,773,096.04. [�]
Professional Gardeners graduate
The last group of professional gardeners to train under the European Union funded Professional Gardeners' Training Program graduated this morning in Cayo. With family, friends and invited guests in attendance at the Belize Botanic Gardens, sixteen young men and women received their certification as professional gardeners after [�]
Visiting a Dream House on An Absolutely Dreamy Day On Ambergris Caye
A few minutes later I was at Wataview.
A sprawling 5 bedroom home on the most beautiful stretch of beach.
And here's the Wataview - or Water View. But I do like that the creole sounds more like What A View! It just comes out of your mouth when you are standing on the gorgeous back pool deck.
The huge amazing kitchen�and this house comes with a chef, kitchen assistant, housekeepers�you don't need to do a thing! Well�other than pay your bill.
Belize Recipes: Carne asada al Chimichurri
Belizean cuisine is influenced by so many ethnicities and their respective foods that it is one of the more misunderstood and underappreciated cuisines. With influences including Maya and Mestizo, Creole (Kriol), Garifuna, Mexican, and more, Belizean cuisine is varied and pays homage to a variety of historical favorites.
Unlike some places, many Belizean specialties can be found throughout the entire country. As a unique departure from some other popular destinations, many recommended "tourist restaurants" are frequented by locals, often times proving to be some of the best spots to sample Belizean cuisine.
Our Head Chef, Mario Mendez, shares with us a scrumptious CARNE ASADA AL CHIMICHURRI Recipe, which is a mix Maya, Mestizo & Mexican flavors. We trust you will enjoy this as much as we do!
"Cruel to Be Kind" in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Now where was I? Oh yes, telling you how cold (cold is relative you know) it has been recently.
Well the weather has shown a general improvement and there's been no rain to speak of. The temperature though - and,more saliently, it's affect on me - has been subject to the occasional chill. Some early mornings out on the veranda (c'mon you know which one by now) even with my mug of black, unsweetened, instant coffee I've been cold. Not freezing, but not comfortable.
Wearing of the windcheater (windbreaker for you Wes) has been a more than necessary, and very welcome, addition to my normal attire of T shirt and shorts. This feeling a drop in temperature might be the result of me finally becoming acclimatised. Or -perish the thought- another sign of the effects of advancing age. They (whoever they are?) do say, don't they, that as you get older you feel the cold more. Me? I'm firmly of the opinion that it's the mercury falling in the thermometer. Well I would, wouldn't I!
THE DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES AND STATES OF MESOAMERICA
The archaeology works that have been ongoing from the middle of the 19th century in mesoamerica has offered the world a kaleidoscope of beautiful rituals, wars, agriculture, art and peoples lives in prehistory. The ancient Maya for example, like many other ancient cultures from around the world were not creating their culture in isolation in America. The Nahuatl speaking people of Teotihuacan organised their culture in the Mexican valley and they grew from a group of cultures such as the Tarrasacans and even the Oaxacans of Monte Alban (who archaeologists believed were even earlier than the Teotihuacans to building a city state.
It is a beautiful story of humans creating spaces on our planet that suited their world views. For the Mexicans Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent was a deity in their pantheon who reigned supreme, and for the ancient Maya, Hunab Ku was corporeal. The sun remained a constant god as was the rain, lightning and the moon. They organised agricultural cycles based on the elements who were offered to them by the gods and the rulers used their science to embolden their religion and certainly to empower their political management of a people.
Basking in Retirement on Belize's Southern Coast
Eighteen years ago Penny Sue Leonard visited Belize for the first time, on an assignment to teach nursing practices at hospitals. She was so impressed that a year later she left Orlando, Florida, and permanently moved to Punta Gorda in the south of Belize. "Something drew me in. The fact that it is so far off the beaten path. I fell for this part of Belize. I already loved the whole country, but Punta Gorda just pulled at me." While she was initially attracted by Belize's beauty and the warm waters of the Caribbean, another big draw for Penny was that English is the primary language. And the lifestyle in Punta Gorda is affordable. "It is so much less expensive to live here than in the U.S.," she says.
International Sources
Why Your Next Vacation or Retirement Haven Will Be in Belize
The Daily Beast has compiled a list of the world's top places to visit in 2015 and Belize comes highly recommended.
With a little bit of everything rolled into a country the size of Massachusetts, Belize is Central America's darling destination. While the beaches and atolls are an undeniable draw of holidaymakers, it's the interior that's next year's main attraction.
Dramatic Mayan ruins dot the western rainforest between rambling coffee plantations that are stepping up their distribution and giving Costa Rica's beans a run for their money.
Deep Ancestry: A source of inspiration by Michael Harris
In 2010, I was selected to work on a field course in conservation genetics in Belize. Not quite human population genetics, but I wasn't going to turn down this opportunity! And while I was up to my chest in a rainforest pond at two in the morning gathering data, I just had to think to myself with a smile, "Well, this is what you wanted�" To me this is the embodiment of science; it's about discovery and adventure, and that constant desire for knowledge and understanding, something that I think Deep Ancestry captures beautifully. Wells enthusiastically recounts stories of accomplishments in the Genographic Project and conveys the true spirit of scientific research. This is something that I continue to strive for, whether I'm in the field studying 100-year-old mahogany trees or at the microscope watching fluorescent proteins being tracked through the cytoplasm of a cell. I can't help but feel a constant sense of awe and wonder at the natural world in everything that I do.
DIVE INTO THE WORLD OF UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Alptekin Baloğlu has been photographing the mysterious depths of the ocean since 1994. For 20 years, the expert diver/photographer has been diving into oceans and seas all over the World and capturing the mesmerizing moments with his camera. He has received over 60 prizes in both national and international contests and published many books about his expeditions.
He has taken over 80.000 photographs in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sudan, Egypt, The Maldives, The Galapagos Islands, Indonesia, Philippines, France, Spain, Papua New Guinea, Burma, Belize and Turkey. Alptekin's works have received great recognition all over the world.
Bahamas Is Caribbean's Top Tourist Market Share Loser
The Bahamas has lost the greatest tourism market share of any Caribbean nation in the post-recession years, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report has revealed, with this nation ranked as the region's most expensive.
#An IMF working paper, 'Revisiting tourism flows to the Caribbean: What is driving arrivals', discloses that the Bahamas' share of the tourism market declined by 3 per cent between 2007 and 2013 - the biggest drop in the Caribbean.
"However, within the Caribbean there are some notable exceptions, namely Belize, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, where performance has been resilient. As a result, there has been a shift in market share within the Caribbean."
Belize participe � la conf�rence sur le changement climatique � Lima
Belize a coordonn� la participation des pays du SICA (Syst�me d'int�gration d'Am�rique centrale) � la Conf�rence des parties de cette ann�e (COP20) qui a eu lieu � Lima du 1er au 12 d�cembre. La Conf�rence des Parties est l'organe supr�me de la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (CCNUCC) et elle vise � r�duire les concentrations de gaz � effet de serre dans l'atmosph�re. La Convention est entr�e en vigueur en 1994 avec 195 pays layant ratifi�e.
Ces pays se rencontrent une fois par an, pendant deux semaines, afin d'�valuer l'application de la Convention et de d�velopper le processus de n�gociation entre les parties face � des nouveaux engagements.
Crossing The Digital Divide To Protect The Environment
A growing suite of digital tools is emerging to better manage the world's natural resources. Development Alert! maps where new infrastructure projects overlap with environmentally sensitive areas in Jamaica. Global Forest Watch uses satellite and crowd-sourced data to track deforestation around the world in near-real time. The Sarawak Geoportal collects geographic as well as deforestation, infrastructure, land use, and other data on the Malaysian state of Sarawak to increase transparency around environmental and policy issues in the area. And the EIA Resource and Response Centre monitors environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes in India and serves as an independent resource and database for EIA reports.
In southern Belize, the Toledo Maya Cultural Council and the Toledo Alcades Association worked closely with indigenous Maya communities to document their lands in a Maya Atlas. Forty-one communities participated in mapping their lands, boundaries, vegetation, rivers, land use, and more through drawings overlaid on geographical maps.
The 1997 Maya Atlas not only serves as documentation of Maya land, but incorporates histories, stories, photos, and artwork from village leaders and community members. By uniting geographical maps with cultural detail from village members, the atlas is a powerful way of asserting Maya life and heritage.
Videos
BELIZE, MOTHER NATURES BEST KEPT SECRET, 3min. Belize is an amazing country with amazing people. It is Thirst Missions pleasure and passion to try to make a difference throughout the country by bringing amazing groups from around North America to serve, encourage, and share Jesus Christ's message and love. We pray that as you experience Belize for yourselves you'll fall in love with the people, the land, and the beauty of this incredible Central American country for yourself. Here is short video clip on Belize and its Beauty.
Snorkeling in Belize, 1min. Footage from Wildland Adventures Marketing Director Jonathan Burnham's recent trip to Belize. Snorkeling in Belize is an absolute MUST DO! Jonathan only got to snorkel for about an hour and even in that short amount of time he experienced an incredible amount of marine life. From barracuda to green sea turtles, the diversity of aquatic life is extremely impressive in Belize. Not to mention everyone loves swimming in warm crystal clear water!
Blue Ventures Bird & Manatee Conservation, 2hr31min. Blue Ventures Bird & Manatee Conservation Blue Ventures are an award winning marine conservation organisation running expeditions in Belize and Madagascar.
Belize Beach & Jungle Adventure, 28min. Explore Belize's beaches featuring Chabil Mar Resort and jungles with trips into the Mayan underworld via cabe tubing with Cave Tubing R Us, trips up Monkey River, meet Carl the local Garifuna drummer from Seine Bight, try local foods, explore Placencia, scuba dive the barrier reef and more in Travel With Kids Belize!