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Re: Today's Belize News: August 15, 2015 Marty #506695 08/15/15 05:39 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	The Guardian Dickie Bradley gets tongue lashing from Francis Fonseca Something is really wrong in the PUP . Monday night Said Musa was the guest on the Dickie Bradley show. Well Dickie was in very good form, I don't know if his form was as a result of his boss being in town, but he went over and beyond this time. He set his trap and got Musa to follow him up a dark alley and then slam the trap shut on him. Dickie gutted the aging Musa. First Dickie made it clear that he was not a PUP and Said agreed with him, saying that more and more Dickie was becoming a truly non-aligned Independent person. Dickie told Said that there was no longer a PUP and that what was left of the party picked the worst time to start to quarrel with each other , "they are doing it at a time when the UDP is so strong". He went as far as comparing PM Barrow to the super villain ULTRON. Saying if he were Barrow he would chance them an call elections before the 21st September and smash up the PUP for good. Said did the PUP rehearsed song and dance routine on this one. It seem like the PUP has a prepared script which all PUP are made to study and parrot on command. We are having a family dispute is what is scripted for them to say. 60 million dollars for infrastructure upgrades to ministry of national security Public Officers working in the National Security Ministry will be delighted to know that Minister John Saldivar and the Government of Belize will be getting 30 million US dollars (60 million Belize dollars) to do some major upgrading to edifices and structures which belong to the different law enforcement agencies. The funds are being disbursed from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). From time to time, readers may have watched the evening news recently, have seen different complaints being broadcast against the rundown status of several police buildings and so forth. Well, a portion of this loan will go toward the repair and construction of 100 buildings for the Belize Police Department. This is a much needed relief for public officers who have to endure sub-standard working conditions. A new forensic laboratory will also be constructed using money from this loan. For the Belize Defense Force, the National Security Ministry will be acquiring troop lifting vehicles to replace the aging four-tonne trucks that the military now has. For the Coast Guard, 2 patrol crafts will be purchased so that they can have increased capacity to patrol the exclusive economic zones. Record Numbers for Stann Creek West Convention Three impressive candidates worked together for just over a month to deliver one of the largest convention turnouts in Belize electoral politics history. Voters of the Stann Creek West Constituency made their way out early to the Independence Primary School on Sunday, August 9, to vote for the candidate they believe is most suited to reclaim the division for the United Democratic Party. The choices were career educator, Walter Garbutt; career public servant and current Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams, and technocrat and long time community organizer Nathan Young. Before the polls opened at 9 a.m., UDP Chairman, Alberto August, held a meeting with all three candidates and their campaign team. August explained the rules of the convention as it relates to rights and responsibilities of campaigners, "runners", scrutineers, candidates, electoral officers and the Secretariat. The candidates were then given an opportunity to raise final concerns. The only clarification requested was in relation to newly registered voters who were not on the list. It was explained that they would be allowed to vote but only if they presented the registration receipt along with a photo identification card. All three candidates then shook each other's hands and exchanged well wishes. They made a pledge, in the words of Ivan Williams, "whatever happens we will leave from here united." The convention was then declared open by the Party Chairman and Secretary General, Pearl Stuart. "Honourable" Marco Tulio Mendez is Back in Court Marco Tulio Mendez, Area Representative for Orange Walk East, has been assigned a new court date for sexual assault charges stemming from allegations made by a pair of young girls. Mendez has been arraigned in the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court for six charges and was scheduled to appear for trial on Tuesday, August 11. However, there was no Magistrate available in the jurisdiction on Tuesday and as a result he was given a new date to appear in court, Monday, August 17. Mendez is facing charges that include aggravated sexual assault of an indecent nature and common assault. The Director of Public Prosecutions has reviewed the files and has gone on the record to say that the charges should be upgraded. According to the DPP, she reviewed the file and found that there is evidence by one of the girls which suggests Mendez tried to have sexual intercourse with her. Therefore, the charge must be upgraded to attempting to commit Carnal knowledge, which is an indictable offense that must be heard before the Supreme Court. 81 soldiers join the ranks of the BDF After 17 tough weeks of training, 81 soldiers from recruit intake squad number 60 of the Belize Defense Force, have graduated and became fully recognized soldiers in the country's military. They now make up a portion of the planned expansion of the BDF which was authorized by The Ministry of National Security. The finished product will ensure that a total of 200 new soldiers will be brought in. These 81 new soldiers are well trained in first aid, tactics, field craft, weapon handling, minor tactics, offensive and defensive operations, unarmed combat, fighting in built-up areas, crowd control, and various military drills and signals that their veteran counterparts may utilize in the field. To ensure that only the most disciplined recruits make it to the end, recruit squad #60 was put through the usual tests of discipline and fitness, where they were expected to wake up at 4:30 in the mornings. They would then engage in chores around the camp, and then they are taken for a 45 minute run on the road. After that, they would be allowed to have breakfast, and then it is into the military class rooms where they were expected to learn the theory of whatever military discipline was being offered for that day. Obituary - Mr. Charles Brown Mr. Charles F. Brown, also known as CFS was born on March 9, 1917 in Belize City, Belize to Wilfred Brown and Alice Craig. Mr. Brown attended Esther Wright Elementary School and was a very brilliant man with photographic memory. Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 71 years, Nona who he referred to as his gracious gift. Even though they did not have children of their own, they were surrogates to a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. he is predeceased by his siblings, Gladys, Elsie, Ann, Charlie and Harold. In Belize, Mr. Brown was Pastmaster for the Steadfast Lodge and he was also involved with sports. He was a great athlete who played cricket, soccer and softball and later became the very first sportscaster announcing boxing, horse racing, cricket and soccer matches. Mr. Brown was also instrumental in bringing Muhammad Ali, when he was Cassius Clay to Belize in the late 60's for an exhibition bout through his connection with Angelo Dundee. Mr. Brown was also well known in Belize for his affiliations with Habit, Guy Nords and Brodies stores managing their warehouse and was also chief steward at The Belize Club at Barracks. Biting Season Closed on COLA Dogs can't tell when your plate is clean. If you are eating in front of them they will stay long after the food is finished. They will stare you in the face, bark, wag their tails and execute several other cute tricks. They will not quit, unless you get up and take the empty plate away. Someone needs to tell COLA's President that the Stake Bank plate is empty. There are no more bones to be thrown out and no more pats on the head to be had. The Stake Bank Project is now the subject of litigation and no amount of public pressure can move it forward. There was a time in this administration when the Stake Bank project was on the table waiting for approval. Some argued that it was buried way deep, under a lot of files, and would never make it to the surface. This was a time when those with an interest in the project would reach out to noise makers in an effort to shake things up. There were treats to be had for those who can build enough public pressure to force Government to move the project to the center of the table. Senior biters stepped up to the plate even though it meant going against their most precious campaigns. Tom Greenwood was first on board even though the docking facility and private island associated with the project would have direct negative impact on the members of his tour operators associated with FECTAB. Is Matura registered to pay GST? Since June 2014, the Guardian Newspaper has been monitoring the GST website to see if Audrey Matura-Sheperd appears on the list of registered agents. Based on complaints of exorbitant fees by at least two unsatisfied clients officers of the Department referred us to the list at the website once more. Again we have checked and Matura does not appear on the list. Based on information provided to us, it appears as if Matura is not charging GST, and based on her charges it is our opinion that she should be registered. If she should be registered and is not, as an officer of the court, such actions are reprehensible. This would make her action very much consistent with the scolding bestowed on her by Justice Abel. Rehabilitation of the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex to commence Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL), a public sector agency of the Government of Belize (GOB), is undertaking the design, construction and management of capital projects in Belize with particular emphasis on sporting and other multipurpose facilities. The Design phase for the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex has been completed and BIL is pleased to announce that the contract for the Construction phase was signed today. The contract was awarded to Mr. Daniel and Carlo Arguelles of International Environments Ltd from Belize City for $3,190,063.47. Better detection of illegal weapons training underway for police and customs officers In Belize, as well as in other Central American countries such as Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, gun violence has been a problem that continues to plague the different governments and police departments. The problem is, nobody can clearly say where the guns are coming from, and how to stop them from entering a jurisdiction. Well, to better equip Belize's Police Department and the Customs Department, specialists from the Central American Program on Small Arms and Light Weapons Control (CASAC) is holding a special training at the Custom's Department's Office in Port Loyola, Belize City. It will last for 3 days from August 11th to the 14th, and CASAC, which is an entity under Central American Integration System (SICA), will teach these officers, who work at border entry points about how to detect the smuggling of weapons into the Country. It is expected that 60 public officers from these two law enforcement agencies will be under the tutelage of Rafael Donis a technician of CASAC, and his team of representatives, which include officers of the national police of Nicaragua, Colombia and other specialized technicians of the CASAC. LET US READ��..BETWEEN THE LINES Julius Espat: WE ARE WARRIORS, WE ARE WORKERS�.hhmmm! As a layman, the first thought was: ONLY the followers of the Peoples United Party are warriors and workers???? Not so anyone else!!!???? I am sure that the citizenry, no matter what political likes, are warriors and workers in this country! So why say "we are warriors"? Does he really want to say something else? Mr. Michel Chebat : "�TIME TO TAKE BACK BELIZE�". �As a layman, sounds like children's marble game; one gets mad and he/she wants to TAKE BACK HIS / HER marbles!! Then it dawned on me�!! They actually believe that BELIZE belongs to them and they feel cheated, they want it back!!! It belongs to them!!! Michel Chebat: "Take Belize on the right path�! Rodwel, will sleep well in retirement after Wally beats him Sunday 8, August 2015 is a day that Rodwell "Sleepy" Ferguson won't ever forget . See it marks the end of his political career. Rodwell's political career was already on life support. His party had declared his career brain dead about 3 years ago shortly after the 2012 elections (some people declared him and not only his career brain dead). He is not the sharpest knife in the PUP draw. Francis his leader also falls in the dullest knife category and he does not like competition, so Rodwell had to go. Rodwell thought he was safe because he was used as the first wave of attack to take out Macca, but that was only because he was being set up for his own fall. Back to Sunday, the UDP Stann Creek West (SCW) convention turnout struck a hard blow to the PUP's dwindling fortunes in the South. PUP is poised to lose all 4 seats they won there in 2012. That downward spiral has already started with the flogging they took in the March Municipal Elections and was continued with the pounding they took in losing the bye-election in July exactly a month ago. After those 2 beatings they took, their stronghold on 17 of the 18 elected positions is now down to 3. The skies are dark over PUP land and every PUP is heading for cover. They know and fear what is ahead, so they are trying to dump excess baggage. Rodwell is a part of that baggage and he is about to be thrown overboard. Mike and Chapparito will soon suffer the same faith because they are also dead men walking. PUP is drowning and drowning people will hold onto straws, but straws are not LIFE JACKETS . Whatever changes PUP makes won't save them as those bundles of straws are water soaked, so they will sink to water bottom. Caught smuggling weed into prison Anna Marie Garbutt, 28, an unemployed mother of two infant children, is out on bail after she was charged with drug trafficking for allegedly trying to smuggle weed into the Belize Central Prison. According to reports, on Thursday, August 6, Garbutt went to visit Patrick Jones who was recently remanded for the robbery of First Caribbean Bank. When she entered the search area, prison officials did a routine check on a styrofoam container which was used to store food for Jones. Inside the container was another styrofoam plate and under that plate the officer found a black plastic bag containing weed. Garbutt was detained and police were called to the prison. She was later handed over to Hattieville Police who arrested and charged her with drug trafficking. The weed amounted to 5 grams, which is under the amount associated with trafficking, but because she was attempting to smuggle it into the prison the charge imposed is drug trafficking. Youngsters accused of robbing Cenie's Jahmy Belgrave, 18, and Ernest Gladden, 20, are at the Belize Central Prison on remand after they were arraigned for the Thursday, August 6, robbery of Cenie's Restaurant on Bishop Street, Belize City. The armed robbery took place at around 1 p.m. on Thursday, when two armed men walked into the establishment and demanded money. One of the men walked up to the counter and pulled out the cash register. Both then ran out of the building with the register and what was inside - $297.00. Police were called immediately after. Quick response led to the apprehension of Belgrave and Gladden hours after the robbery. They were arrested and charged with robbery. Belgrave and Gladden appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart on Monday, August 10, where they were read a single charge of robbery. They pleaded not guilty to the charge but due to the nature of the offense bail could not be granted. They were ordered to be remanded at the Belize Central Prison until September 15, 2015. Arrested for undersized conch On Monday afternoon, August 10, Ladyville police caught a group of Sarteneja Fishermen and a taxi driver with 51 pieces of out of season conch. Police were on a regular patrol when they intercepted the taxi van - with the conch stuffed in a bag. On Tuesday, they were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrates Court for the offense. Taximan Carlos Turcios, 49, Fonciano Copo Sr., 55, his son Fonciano Copo Jr., 27, Ronald Escobar, 33, Julian Cob, 43, and Demy Nah, 33, appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers to answer to a charge of possession of undersized conch. The men were all unrepresented but one of them took the rap. Nah pleaded guilty to the charge telling the Magistrate that he was taking the conch home for his wife. He was fined $500 plus a $5 cost of court. He was also charged $20 per undersized conch, which is a total of $940. He must pay the fine by October 9, 2015 or face jail time. Alleged copper thief shot and charged by police Police say that Robert Flores, 38, was caught stealing copper wire from the compound of A & R's Enterprise in Belize City on Monday, August 10, and in response he was shot and apprehended. Police say that Flores caused damages to over $1,500 worth of electrical wire. He was arrested and charged with damage to property. Flores hopped into the Belize City Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 11, where he appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. He was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to a charge of damage to property. He said to Magistrate Rogers, "They shot me in my two feet. Once in my toe and then under my foot." Flores stated further, "I meh done give up meh self when they shot meh twice." Flores was shot once in the left foot and once in his right foot near the toes. Magistrate Rogers offered bail in the sum of $800 plus one surety of the same amount. Charged for gambling in public On Friday, August 7, police caught four people gambling on the street side at the corner of Fairweather and Queen Charlotte Street. As a result, Shawn Bradley Stevens, Tyrone Sheffield, Anthony Smith and a minor, 16, were arrested and charged with the offense of "assembling to gamble in a public space". The four accused appeared in the Belize City Magistrates Court on Monday, August 10, to face the single charge. In court, the accused individuals appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart. Stevens pleaded guilty to the offense, while the others pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Stewart fined him $100 plus $5 cost of court for the offense. The others were offered bail in the sum of $300 plus one surety of the same amount. They are due to return to court on September 15, 2015. C-Ray Youth Summer Races continue The C-Ray Cycling Club camp continued with a one day race on Sunday 9th August at 1:30 pm on Princess Margaret Drive (in front of Marion Jones). Participants took part in 8 different categories and the results are as follows: Tiny Mites (3-5yrs MALE) Tiny Mites (3-5yrs FEMALE) 1st - Jayden Tillett 1st - Kaylee Garcia Tiny Mites (6-8yrs) Female (under 10yrs) 1st - Raymond Singh III 1st - Mya Bennett 2nd - Devin Major 3rd - Kofi Smith 4th - Damine Myles 5th - Shandee Franklin Double Head Cabbage and UB Jaguars maintain lead in Rural Softball The Belize Rural Softball Association 2015 Senior Female competition continued on Sunday 9 August with three games on the schedule. In the first game played, UB Jaguars continued on its winning path when it defeated Country Rose by the score of 17-6. The winning pitcher was Amber Wade and the losing pitcher was Angie Tucker. In game two, Lord's Bank Sunrise won handily over Easy Does It by the score of 16-9. The winning pitcher was Karen Hilton and the losing pitcher was Margaret Hendy. In the third and final game of the day, Double Head Cabbage blanked Willows Bank by the score of 12-0. The winning pitcher was Herlette Clarke and the losing pitcher was Shauna Avilez. The competition will continue on Sunday 16 August with three more games on the schedule out at Willows Bank. Dickie Bradley says there is no PUP Dickie Bradley: "That man can call elections before the 21st of September and win easily, and win easily. I don't know why Dean Barrow, Prime Minister no call the general elections. He can call the general elections and smash up the PUP right now. He is like Ultron from the fantastic... anyway I won't go there... he can call elections and win, which means that the PUP really as opposition, deh haftu get deh act together and low and behold the PUP pick that time to almost split down the middle and start to quarrel and we no know weh deh di quarrel fah. We no know weh deh wah, deh di fight fi power, Johnny Briceno wah tek over the party again? What is going on? People don't even know... what is left of the party can't even say to us out here that the problem is A and B... is it that they want to have a national convention? When fish come from river battom and tell you that alligator no wah consult and no wah have national executive meeting or national something is also wrong. Avian Influenza causes egg shortage The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) has conducted tests of the poultry flocks in Spanish Lookout and the last test which proved positive for the Avian Influenza Virus was on June 5th. This means that the worst is now over for the poultry industry which seems to have contained the virus' outbreak. There are at least three more tests that need to be done for the quarantine to be lifted however and that is expected to be done in September 7 if there is no more detection. While that is the good news, there is some not so good news as a result of the virus outbreak. Over the past month, the country has been experiencing an egg shortage leading to prices of eggs going up to as high as $5.00 a dozen. The shortage was as a result of the recent outbreak of avian influenza which affected the poultry industry with thousands of both broilers and layers having had to be put down. That significantly affected the production capacity of eggs from the Spanish Lookout community and while there was some compensation from the northern part of the country who stepped up the production by increasing the number of layers it was still not enough to fully compensate for the shortfall. Back in love As predicted those PUP who flirted with trying to change the way of doing business inside the party are now throwing all that progress they made by just daring to challenge the OLD GUARD out the window. Even before they staged the boycott a would-be New PUP was captured by the OLD GUARD and made to read a prepared statement at the infamous Stand By Your Man charade. One only needs to remember how Doctora struggled in reading that script. The problem was that she does not speak or understand much English. Whoever wrote the script for her should have written it in Spanish which would have made it easier on her but then again, some people have said maybe that would not have helped her either. We know writing the script for Dorla in English did not help her. The next to be captured were the Major and the Doctor. They made the grave mistake of going into the Old-Lion's den only to be captured and held down. One can only marvel at the way the other former commissioned officer hugged the Doctor in a Bear-hug as if either to prevent him from maybe hitting Francis or to hold him in place for the photo opportunity. As for the Major he too was made to stand there and smile for the camera. There was no fear of him attacking his leader because he is not known to have ever attacked and kicked men. We were told that would not be the case if the leader was a woman. Helicopter abandoned in Belize to be taken up by BDF Right now, the Belize Defence Force Air Wing facility is the current impound area of a helicopter which currently has a very strange, and somewhat alarming, background. The aircraft, which normally values at between 1 or 2 million US dollars, was simply left in the Orange Walk District, near the Belize Mexico Border, unattended. On Wednesday, August 5, the Anti Drug Unit found the helicopter on a feeder road near Blue Creek Village in Orange Walk, at the extreme northwestern edge of the district. It was in perfect working condition. They checked on the aircraft, and what they eventually found was that it was a BELL-407 helicopter, which was painted grey with tinted windows. It clearly had been landed in this area, which had a clearing to accommodate the helicopter. There was no one in the area, and so the ADU officers made contact with the Belize Defence Force and inquired if there were any pilots at the BDF who could fly it to a safer location. It just so happens that the chopper pilots at the BDF are trained to fly this exact type of aircraft, and it was later removed from the location. Rehabilitation of the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex to commence Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL), a public sector agency of the Government of Belize (GOB), is undertaking the design, construction and management of capital projects in Belize with particular emphasis on sporting and other multipurpose facilities. The Design phase for the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex has been completed and BIL is pleased to announce that the contract for the Construction phase was signed today. The contract was awarded to Mr. Daniel and Carlo Arguelles of International Environments Ltd from Belize City for $3,190,063.47. Groundbreaking for the commencement of the project will take place at 2p.m. on Friday August 14 at the project site and work in earnest is expected to start shortly thereafter. According to UDP standard Bearer in the Toledo East Constituency, Peter Eden Martinez, the project promises to provide much needed jobs to the residents of Punta Gorda. He adds that already the old dilapidated structure has been taken down and that too provided employment for residents in PG. Strengthening the shrimp industry in Belize through better metrology Stakeholders in the Shrimp Industry met last Friday at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan, after an additional two days of workshops in an effort to improve the value chain for increased exports. During the three days, producers, sellers and buyers of shrimps were introduced to the innovative CALIDENA methodology, which shows the importance of quality infrastructure or the pillars of metrology. Metrology is the scientific study of measurement and its application. Metrology ensures fair trade and protects consumers from being deceived by inaccurate measurements through mandatory verification of measuring instruments. As from Wednesday of last week, the participants were introduced to the CALIDENA approach and that continued on Thursday, where by Friday an action plan for the Belizean shrimp industry was devised. The plan now is for that action plan to be completed by December of this year and by then the Belize Bureau of Standards will be able to map out with stakeholders a course of action that will close the gaps that have been identified by participants during the three days of workshop last week. Tax Information Exchange Agreement signed in London The Belize High Commission is pleased to announce that the Government of Belize and the Swiss Federal Council signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) on Monday, August 10th, 2015 at the Embassy of Switzerland in London. The Agreement was signed by H.E. Ms. Perla Perdomo, High Commissioner of Belize to the United Kingdom and Mr. Frank Gruetter, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in London. The Agreement will allow for the exchange of information that is relevant to the determination, assessment and collection of such taxes, the recovery and enforcement of tax claims or the investigation or prosecution of tax matters. The taxes for Belize covered by this Agreement include: (i) the income tax, including surtax or surcharge; ii) the business tax; and iii) the general sales tax. Asking for Trouble? The Belizean Territorial Volunteers are at it once more. The have a "huge" expedition planned for Sunday August 15 to visit the Sarstoon Island which is situated in the southernmost tip of Belize. The question on the minds on all right thinking Belizean is what is the purpose? Are the volunteers seeking to resolve a territorial dispute that has festered for over 150 years overnight? There is no doubt that their intentions are noble, but at this juncture it is very ill-advised to visit this particular island because of its location and the current state of affairs. It is no secret that there is a border dispute at this point in time. Two weeks ago the OAS held a press conference and a peace forum where it was clearly shown that this dispute has the attention of both Belizean and Guatemalan governments. The issue is being dealt with through diplomatic channels as it should be. The volunteers are now seeking to visit this particular island for what? Are they looking for trouble? Do they want the Guatemalans to do something about their presence there and then have our security forces respond? Can they not see the gravity of their actions? The information suggests that even children will be taken along. What is the point that they are trying to prove? The only thing that they are doing is putting our military and the rest of the country at risk. We are in no position military or otherwise to stand up against the Guatemalan military and all those who shout let's go to war will be the first to disappear when the first shot is fired. Vector control program beefed up to prevent Malaria, dengue and Chikungunya An update on Belize's Vector Control Program was given on Thursday of last week at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Belmopan. Belize's top experts, mainly Kim Bautista, Chief of Operation within the National Vector Control Unit as well as Dr. Francis Morey from the Epidemiology Unit briefed reporters on the status of Dengue, Malaria and Chikingunya and the need for public participation in the control of these constant malaises that require an alert and cooperating public. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC based in the United States, more than one-third of the world's population live in areas at risk for infection, from the dengue virus; a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics. As many as 400 million people are infected yearly. Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus and the most effective protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites. When someone is infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment can substantially lower the risk of medical complications and death. Wil Maheia will provoke an incident with the Guatemalans Failed politician Wil Maheia and the De La Fuente clan from Orange Walk continue to create situations where things can really go wrong at the Border with our Guatemalan neighbors. The last time they went down the Sarstoon River, over 30 Belizeans were detained and escorted to Guatemala for an overnight stay. Now, they want to go to the Sarstoon Island, where even the Coast Guard got into a confrontation with the aggressive Guatemalan Navy. National Security Minister John Saldivar and Brigadier General David Jones, the commander of the Belize Defence Force, have both commented publicly, that it is a bad idea because it can cause a border incident. The Government is advising caution, but as Maheia and his associates have been trying to dismiss that idle talk, suggesting that this as is somehow an example that the Government is not showing any spine. Alleged copper thief shot and charged by police Police say that Robert Flores, 38, was caught stealing copper wire from the compound of A & R's Enterprise in Belize City on Monday, August 10, and in response he was shot and apprehended. Police say that Flores caused damages to over $1,500 worth of electrical wire. He was arrested and charged with damage to property. Flores hopped into the Belize City Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 11, where he appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. He was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to a charge of damage to property. He said to Magistrate Rogers, "They shot me in my two feet. Once in my toe and then under my foot." Flores stated further, "I meh done give up meh self when they shot meh twice." Flores was shot once in the left foot and once in his right foot near the toes. Magistrate Rogers offered bail in the sum of $800 plus one surety of the same amount. Tyrone King Sold Out by Hair Colour Electrician Tyrone King, 21, of Gwen Lizarraga Street in Belize City is out on bail after he was charged for the offense of theft. According to police reports, King stole a water pump value of $2,200 from M&R's Construction on August 3, 2015. Police say that he was seen on a surveillance camera and it was the colour of his hair that made him easily identifiable. King's hair has a blondish colour. The accused thief appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers on Wednesday, August 12, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was offered bail in the sum of $1,000 plus one surety of the same amount. King is due back in court on October 6, 2015. Belize participating in UNCAF Pre-Olympic Tournament Belize's National U-23 Football team is currently in Guatemala City, Guatemala, where it is participating in the UNCAF Pre-Olympic Tournament. The Belize Team is made up of the following players: John Fitzgerald King, Dorwin Logan, Osmar Duran, Jermain Jones, Kyle Flowers, Rugerri Orvin Trejo, Luis Alonzo Torres, Hasaan Edward Lucas, Asrel Kimani Sutherland, David Michael Madrid, Tevin Wilford Gamboa, Norman Anderson, Denmark Casey, Highking Roberts, Jordy Polanco, Makonnan Clare, Felix Miranda and Edmond Pandy Jr. The officials on the team are: Edmond Pandy - Head Coach, Peter Jones - Assistant Coach, Dennis Belisle - Physiotherapist, Shinya Nabata - Physical Trainer and Herbert Trapp Jr. - Equipment Manager. Team Belize played its first game of the qualifying tournament on Tuesday 11 August, against the Honduran National U-23 selection. The game was won by the Honduran National U-23 Selection over the Belizean Team by the score of 5-0. Heritage Bank seeded one into Firms competition playoffs The Belize District Basketball Association Firms' competition regular season came to an end on Saturday 8 August, 2015 with three games on the schedule. In the first game played, Heritage Bank edged out the BWS Pressure by the score of 59-57 to earned the top seed into the playoff round. The top scorers for Heritage Bank were Winston Pratt with 19 points, 12 rebounds,3 assists and 2 steals; Sean Reneau with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and a steal and Marvin Skeet who also scored 9 points with 6 rebounds and a steal. For the BWS Pressure, the top scorers were Akeem Trapp with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals; Luis Barcelona with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals and Zhayne Morris with 8 points, 6 rebounds and a steal. In game two, Atlantic Bank upended the competition's favourites the Belize Bank Bulldogs by the score of 61-51. The top scorers for the Atlantic Bank team were Ian Lennon with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals; Herman Ramos who also scored 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals and Justin Wade who contributed 13 points towards the win, he also had 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Vega Cup Tournament 2015 opens The Annual Vega Cup Tournament which is played in the Orange Walk North Constituency and is sponsored by the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister of Belize opened its regular competition on Sunday 9 August, with four games on the schedule out at the Trial Farm Football Field. In the first game played, Real San Luis edged out T.F. Venom by the score of 4-3. The goals for Real San Luis were scored by Samuel Chi in the 34th minute of play, Lorenzo Teck in the 35th and 81st minutes of play and Alejandro Marin in the 48th minute of play. For T.F. Venom, the goals were scored by Randy Augustine in the 8th and 46th minutes of play and then an auto goal in the 36th minute of play. In game two, Awe V. United won over White Eagles by the score of 6-2. The goals for Awe V. United were scored by Eliazar Itza in the 49th, 73rd, 77th, 79th, and the 85th minutes of play and by George Torres in the 75th minute of play. Verdes FC to defend National Football Title The Premier League of Belize 2015-2016 Opening Season is scheduled to commence on Saturday 15 August, with two games on the schedule. At the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town at 7:30 pm, the Placencia Assassins will face the defending National Football champions of Belize Verdes FC. Out at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village also at 7:30 pm, the Belize Defence Force will march against Wagiya. The competition will then continue on Sunday 16 August at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town at 4:00 pm with a single game between the Belmopan Bandits and Police United. Not in a Good Place During the past week or so we have seen both Hon.Espat and Hon. Musa attempt to trivialize the serious rift that is ripping the People's United Party almost right down the middle. These two senior officials in the PUP refer to the group of twelve as disgruntled family members, and "like in any family there will always be an argument from time to time". Even though I may attract the wrath of the schoolmarm, Hon. Ms. Balderamos, who is on record in saying that what happens at Independence Hall stays in Independence Hall, I will still offer an opinion of what is happening within the upper ranks of the PUP. The twelve or so dissenters who met in Cayo must have noticed that the gap is widening between the two political Parties after each of the three recent elections. If this trend continues, the historic defeat suffered by the PUP in 2008 will just be a footnote compared to the loss in the upcoming Generals. The twelve must have also realized that chances are slim to none of the PUP winning any election with Musa and Fonseca at the helm of the Party. And the latter, along with his group of faithfuls, is determined to hang on to the office of Party Leader no matter who thinks or says otherwise. Fonseca has gone further and threatened that if the 31 PUP candidates do not show up to the rally in PG next week, they will have to answer to him. We will see how that plays out. Wrong headed policies of the anti-good government The people are the true owners of any given country; indeed the word 'politics' literally means - of the people. It does NOT mean of the leaders - Price was totally wrong when he said to the People: "Leave politics to the politicians." He turned things backwards - but then, he was�. 'different.' Democracy demands participation of the citizens. Even in countries headed by dictators, there is a need for some degree of citizens' compliance. In most western countries the leadership is civilian; including the head of the military. In Belize it is the Governor General who is the Commander In Chief. On Friday August 07, 2015 Daniel Ortiz said to Brig. Gen. David Jones: "Sir, but the way you describe it, it makes it sound as though Foreign Affairs is the lead agency in a military type situation where you all are the most equipped, the most experienced individuals to make the best decisions." The learned and wise general responded: "�when it comes to a dispute between bordering countries, our Foreign Affairs has to take that lead�" Amandala Senator Lisa exposes GOB's "lack of backbone" Former PUP Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lisa Shoman, who is a senator in the National Assembly and a member of the Negotiating Team on the Bipartisan Committee on the unfounded Guatemalan claim to Belize, has written to Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington and the Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Manuel Roldan Barillas, informing them that she will be accompanying The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) on their expedition to Sarstoon Island on Sunday, August 16. In her letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Senator Shoman said that her visit to Sarstoon Island is�"in my capacity as a Senator and Member of the National Assembly of Belize, as well as the Representative of the Leader of the Opposition on the Ministry team dealing with the unfounded Guatemalan claim to Belize, and as a Belizean." The letter added, "I am concerned that the Minister of National Security, as well as others, your ministerial colleagues, do not seem to understand that Belizeans must be safeguarded against acts of aggression, internal or external, on every portion of Belizean national sovereign territory, including our maritime areas." Guatemalan bullying continues around Sarstoon Island Wil Maheia, founder and leader of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), will lead an expedition of citizens to Sarstoon Island on Sunday, where they plan to have a patriotic day to demonstrate that Sarstoon Island is a part of Belize's national territory, even though they are undertaking the mission without the support of the Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs, which have cautioned against the expedition out of fear of provoking Guatemala's military, and who say they will not send security personnel to protect the Belizeans in their endeavor. Today, however, Maheia and Orlando De La Fuente, leader of the Northern Territorial Volunteers (NTV), headed out to Sarstoon Island to do a reconnaissance of the area where they plan to stage a gathering of the more than 100 nationalistic Belizeans who are planning to make Sunday's expedition. Upon arrival in the area, the BTV leaders were met by a Guatemalan gunboat, and the personnel onboard questioned what they were doing in the area and where they were heading. EXH to DOB et alii With reference to the wild threats uttered on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 instant by UDP Junior Minister Mark King, J. P. (2005), may I remind the Honorable Prime Minister and his happy Cabinet colleagues that there exists such a thing as "collective responsibility"? I wish also to inform the Honorable Prime Minister, if he does not know, that in the streets of Belize City such words as those uttered by the Honorable Justice of the Peace constitute capital threats. Brian Hyde charged with triple killing in Florida The family of Russell Hyde of Roaring Creek and Belmopan was in complete shock when the initial news came out of Florida, USA, that three of their family members had been found dead inside their home, on Tuesday, and US authorities had detained another family member for questioning in connection with the gruesome discovery. That family member, Brian Hyde, has been charged in connection with the murders, and he goes to court tomorrow, Friday. Media reports coming out of Florida yesterday are that the bodies of Dorla Pitts, 37; her daughter Starlette Pitts, 17, who was 6 months pregnant; and Pitts' boyfriend, Michael Kelly, Jr., 19, were discovered in their home, at 21st Street, Southwest, Lehigh Acres, Florida. Private sector "very, very concerned" about loss of correspondent banking relations The recent wave of reports that certain banks licensed to operate in Belize have lost or are about to lose their correspondent banking relations with Bank of America, a top bank in the US, is cause for concern within the private sector, which relies on those services to transfer US currency into and out of Belize, and sometimes to settle foreign bills. The issue is, more widely, one of great national concern and one which was inevitably raised today at the Public-Private Sector Business Forum 2015, held at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. Kay Menzies, the private sector leader who co-chairs the Economic Development Council (EDC), told Amandala, when we asked about the issue, that, "The folks in the room are very, very concerned - understandably. "The Central Bank works to keep our dollar rate stable, but if we lose correspondent banking relations, that is a big concern, because if you can't access the dollars or send them out to pay your bills, you have a serious problem that a stable dollar doesn't help." Mike Singh, the government representative who chairs the Council, told Amandala that Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, Christine Vellos, also addressed the issue in her presentation this afternoon. BTB denies COLA's assertion of trouble in the cruise tourism industry over docking facility The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) called a press conference this afternoon at their Regent Street headquarters in response to a press release issued yesterday, Monday, by the community activist group Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA). COLA's press release highlighted that Carnival Cruise Line had cancelled 14 of its cruise ship calls to Belize, which will result in an estimated $2.5 million in lost revenue for the cruise tourism industry. Citing an e-mail sent to BTB from Carnival officials, the COLA release says Carnival is "unhappy and dissatisfied with their experience in Belize," and that it considered the tendering process unfavorable. COLA's press release added, "In his New Year's message, P.M. Barrow had assured Belizeans that his administration, this year, will move forward with a cruise port - a promise welcomed by many Belizeans including COLA�.COLA once again calls on the government to move forward with the approval for a port facility." Who cares about the MCC? What will it take for the Government Ministers in Belize City to see that it is in the interest of the whole of Belize City, that some form of lighting be put back immediately at the MCC Grounds so that our young men can put in the training they need to do to prepare for the upcoming PLB Premier League Opening Season, which gets under way this weekend? It was bad enough that the playing surface is a mess; but a couple weeks ago, somebody big gave the order to take down all the lights from the light poles at the MCC, so that the field is in complete darkness after 7:00 p.m., and earlier each day as the days get shorter. And despite the pleas from all quarters, including this sports column, up to press time that somebody has not seen it fit to put back any of the lights. C-Ray Cycling Club Youth Summer Races 2015 results The C-Ray Cycling Club camp continued with a one-day race on Sunday, August 9, at 1:30 p.m. on Princess Margaret Drive (in front of Marion Jones Sports Complex). Participants took part in 8 different categories, and the results are as follows: Tiny Mites (3-5yrs Male -1st Jayden Tillett. Tiny Mites (3-5yrs Female) -1st Kaylee Garcia. Tiny Mites (6-8yrs) - 1st Raymond Singh; 2nd Devin Major; 3rd Kofi Smith; 4th Damien Myles; 5th Shandee Franklin. Finals of Adventures S.C. Female Football Tournament 2015 Rising Starz was crowned champion in the Adventures Sports Club Female Football Tournament 2015, defeating Real West Strikers, 2 to 1, in the 2nd game of the final series. Goals for Rising Starz were by Shantel Robinson (6') and Reymi Augustine (17'); while Vicky Ponce (90') scored for Real Strikers. Rising Starz, won by aggregate score of 6 goals to 1. 3rd place was won by Lucky Strikers, 3-0, over UB Jaguars with goals by Gisel Baeza (53' & 90') and Kimberly Perez (63'). Team and individual awards were presented by Raul Gamas, Technical Director, Adventures Sports Club; Hon. Omar Figueroa; Jose Menjivar of Cayo F.A.; Sergio Chuc, FFB Executive Member; and Cruz Gamez, President, Adventures Sports Club. Dangriga sports stats: home team Wagiya vs BDF Pomona Valley football competition: The North Stann Creek Valley Sporting Association is inviting all captains and coaches of teams wishing to take part in this year's football competition 2015 in Pomona, to attend a special meeting this Saturday, August 15, at the Macaroni View Hotel at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The rules and by-laws will be reviewed, and other matters will be discussed. Premier League football: Home team Wagiya will defend their home turf in Independence, since the Carl Ramos Stadium is under renovation. Wagiya Football Club has been preparing over 8 weeks for the PLB 2015-2016 Opening Season. It's a young, running-gunning team with almost all the young players that were playing in the last season. These young guys have already accepted the fact that Michael Ashcroft Stadium will be their home turf, but they will treat all their games as if they were road games. So, this Saturday night at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium at 7:30 p.m., home team Wagiya vs BDF. General admission is only $7.00. Editorial: The real Guatemalan deal To a great extent, the reason Belize managed to achieve political independence in 1981 was because the hostile republic of Guatemala was a pariah state on the world map. In 1981 Guatemala was engaged in a Central American version of the Holocaust with Guatemala's majority Indigenous citizens as the victims, the Guatemalan military as the murderers, and the wealthy neo-European Guatemalan elite as the interested, approving observers. A civil war had begun in Guatemala in 1960 (some scholars say 1966). It was a one-sided war, because the United States was on the side of the Guatemalan military and Guatemala's ruling elite. The situation had become so outrageous in Guatemala that a progressive United States president, Jimmy Carter, decided in 1977 to suspend American arms shipments to the Guatemalan military. (The arms void was immediately filled by Israel, Taiwan, and Argentina.) Perhaps Jimmy Carter's 1977 decision gave the Panamanian leader, General Omar Torrijos, his cue, but it was around that time that Torrijos declared his support for Belize's independence. Torrijos, in so doing, broke ranks with the other Central American nations, which had always supported Guatemala's territorial claim to Belize. The People's United Party (PUP) government of Premier George Price had been sending Senator Assad Shoman and Deputy Premier C. L. B. Rogers on various diplomatic missions worldwide to drum up support for Belize's independence, especially from nations referred to as Non-Aligned. Torrijos' support provided significant impetus for this so-called "internationalization" campaign on the part of Belize. From the Publisher The initiative by the Belize Territorial Volunteers and the Northern Territorial Volunteers to travel to Sarstoon Island this coming Sunday morning is one which is being disapproved of by some very powerful people both at home and abroad. This is because this bold initiative flies in the face of all the skillful, coordinated attempts to frighten the Belizean people into the embrace of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). These are skillful, orchestrated attempts financed and organized by the said very powerful people at home and abroad. In this matter, I must be studied in my discourse. I respect the constitutional mandate given to this United Democratic Party (UDP) government in free and fair elections. In matters so grave as the Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory, it is the Government of Belize which speaks for the people of Belize at the relevant, regional forum called the Organization of American States (OAS). When this newspaper began 46 years ago, I wrote nothing which I was not prepared to defend and promote in the streets of Belize. Looking back, I would say that only the exuberance of youth could have excused some of our personal and organizational excesses in those days of UBAD. Distance yourself, PM Dear Editor Amandala, If you allow me space in your publication, I sincerely hope that by the time you print these comments the Prime Minister of Belize, the Honorable Dean O. Barrow, would have distanced himself and the United Democratic Party from area representative Mark King. In my mind, failure to do so means that the Prime Minister and the UDP agree with and condone the comments made yesterday by Mr. King that he wants to "get rid of'"' not only his political rival Cordel Hyde, but also his brother, father and the entire Kremandala media business. The questions that hit me immediately on reading the 7 News online news transcript of King's remarks were: Is Mark King speaking for himself, or the UDP? What really does "get rid of" mean? "Bout time parents get a break!" This is the time of the year when parents who have multiple children in school experience a major financial crunch in trying to acquire everything their children need, especially mandatory items such as school uniforms. This year, Proto Foundation, in association with TEO Co. Ltd., 3R Tutoring Services and Arun Hotchandani, Honorary Consul for India in Belize, is undertaking its first annual back-to-school uniform program, which allows deserving parents to save at least 25% and up to 40% on new school uniforms for their primary and secondary school students. Mark Usher, founder of Proto Foundation, told us that they opened the program to the public on Monday, June 22, at the Proto Bargain Center, located at booth #4 at the Pound Yard Shopping Complex in Belize City. However, since parents don't usually have the funds to buy uniforms early in the summer, the demand has only recently picked up. GOB and private sector tackle roadblocks to economic growth While it is the business of both the private and the public sector to grow the Belizean economy, the two sides are often at odds in the way things are done, and one common area of schism between these two sectors is taxation. Mike Singh, chair of the Economic Development Council, told journalists today at the conclusion of the Private-Public Sector Business Forum 2015, that while the dialogue on both sides has been very rich, there is a sharp difference of opinion on taxation, with the private sector feeling that it is overtaxed but the public sector believing that businesses are underpaying. As a result of this dialogue, which began back in 2011, the parties have since teamed up to look at the best tax reform mechanism that can work for both sides-one that is efficient but also more conducive to business. Belize educators and students discuss open learning The Commonwealth Open Schooling Association (COMOSA), Canada/Caribbean Chapter, is presently holding a 3-day conference on open learning for Belizean educators and students at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City. Organizers hope that the participants will embrace this method of learning, which would lead to more schools implementing the program. Today was day 2 of the Belize City conference. Among the presenters at this morning's session were Mrs. Frances Ferreira of Commonwealth of Learning (COL); Mrs. Beverly Faber of the University of Belize (UB); Dr. Lorna McKay of Gwen Lizarraga High School's Open Learning program; and Ms. Lystra Sampson of Trinidad & Tobago Open School. 20 Sneaky Names Nasty MSG Goes By Food manufacturers just love it when you can't stop with a single serving. For them, it's the sound of cash registers ringing. But what does this mean to us? It means that somehow the food is now in control. Somehow it has been manipulated to cause you to overeat. Monosodium glutamate is the go-to add-in to create this desired effect. So much so that this menacing flavor enhancer is found in almost all processed and packaged foods in the United States. MSG-induced obesity is such an accepted concept in scientific circles that when studies require obese animals, the first thing they're given is MSG. In fact, scientists in Spain found that giving laboratory rats MSG increased food intake by 40%. MSG works as an obesogen in three distinct obesity-inducing ways. The most obvious way is that it intensifies the tastiness of any treat, and this makes you desire it even more. Second, MSG has been shown to make us resistant to leptin (leptin is the hormone that makes you feel full). Why would you ever put down a snack if your brain never gets the message to stop eating it? Finally, MSG causes the secretion of insulin, your fat-storage hormone, which drops your blood sugar and makes you hungrier faster. Will Senator Ray Davis be sacked? Senator Ray Davis' status as the parliamentarian representing the unions and civil society in the Senate is up for review, after ranking members of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) began to call for his replacement following Davis' abstention from voting on the controversial Petrocaribe Loans Act earlier this year. Furthermore, when Parliament met to review amendments to that bill, Davis was absent. It had been alleged that Davis left the country without bothering to inform the NTUCB; however, Davis has confirmed that he had sent e-mail notifications to both the NTUCB's president, Marvin Mora, and general secretary, Rebecca Swaso. Davis was recently called before the NTUCB's general council, where he was taken to task over the allegations, as well as the assertion that he did not follow the protocol of writing the NTUCB, based on its constitution, at its official e-mail address - and not the personal e-mails of executive members - to inform of his absence from the country.

Re: Today's Belize News: August 15, 2015 Marty #506696 08/15/15 05:40 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	The Reporter Breaking News: Two dead, five injured in traffic accident Two persons are dead and five are injured following a traffic accident. Sketchy details are that the incident occurred at around 5:15 p.m. on Friday and that the injured are being transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. The Reporter will have the […] Patrick Andrews presents credentials to OAS Patrick Andrews presented his credentials on Friday as the Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. Andrews, who was selected for the post in May, presented the credentials to Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the OAS. He was […] KHMH resumes business as usual The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA), this week resumed normal operations, after briefly suspending elective surgeries. According to the KHMHA, the numerous trauma cases, which halted procedures due to no availability of patient beds, has been dealt with according to the hospitals predicted schedule. […] Give what you can: Belize volunteer club holds food drive The Belize Volunteer's Club and the organization Together We Can Solve Hunger, are teaming up for a food drive in Belize City. The drive, which started in late July at participating stores in Belize City, will culminate for its biggest event at the Battle Field […] Fine jewellery from lionfish? Fourteen women from coastal communities completed a workshop this week on making jewellery using lionfish parts. The three-day workshop, sponsored by the conservation NGO, Blue Ventures, concluded with a ceremony at the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at mile 31 � on the George Price highway. […] Miss World Belize Ltd. / Miss United Continents 2015 Shamira Imani Neal will represent Belize at the Miss World Belize/ Miss United Continents 2015. On September 12th Neal will compete in the prestigious international contest in Ecuador against other countries such as USA, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, Australia, Guatemala and others. Neal, a 22-year-old, resident of Belize City, has […] PM says Guatemalan foreign minister misspoke Prime Minister Dean Barrow, this week, acknowledged that Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales, misrepresented the clauses of the Special Agreement to Belizeans. Barrow affirmed that there was no clause in the agreements prohibiting Belize from constructing military bases along the border line, and that […] Online survey indicates fewer "undecided", more UDP voters An online survey conducted by the Belize Independent Development Research Group (BIDRG) indicates that if general elections were to be held today, more people would vote for Dean Barrow and the United Democratic Party (UDP), and the 52 percent of people who abstained in […] Open school offers school leavers a second chance Belize's first Open School, the Gwen Lizarraga Evening Division, offers young Belizeans a second chance of a high school education. Its teachers had a chance to learn about best practices and new software platforms from educators from Trinidad, Canada, New Zealand and Africa at a […] Police partner with community to clean up "Jungle" The Belize Police Department Eastern Division North, this week partnered with the Belize City Council, CISCO Construction and residents from the Pickstock constituency to clean up the area of the City infamously known as the "Jungle" in an effort to boost community morale. The […] Belizean family killed in Florida; Belizean relative charged A triple homicide in Lehigh, Florida, involving four members of a Belizean family – three of whom were killed, and one who has been charged with their murders – has rocked that quiet residential area of Lehigh Acres. The victims are: Dorla Hyde-Pitts, 37, the sister of Roaring Creek resident, […] BTB clarifies cruise ship schedules The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) clarified reports from Citizens Organized for Liberty Through Action (COLA), confirming that Belize had indeed lost 14 port calls from Carnival Cruise Line (CCL). But, he said, the fewer calls represent a change in scheduling and doesn't necessarily mean […] Police strike team seizes guns, ammunition and drugs A police strike team operation carried out by the Eastern Division South Command on Monday and Tuesday has resulted in the seizure of three illegal guns, 24 rounds of ammunition and 600 grams of marijuana. According to police, the operation was carried out over […] Workman knocked down and killed; driver on the loose A man is dead – the victim of a hit and run incident – a driver remains on the loose, and Orange Walk police have little to go on to make an arrest. The victim, Jose Rigoberto Tzul, 26, a worker of August Pine […] BDF/police conduct operation where abandoned chopper was found Members of the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Police Department are conducting an operation in the area where an abandoned BELL-407 helicopter, said to be worth $4 million, was discovered last week Wednesday afternoon, on a feeder road near Blue Creek Village, Orange […] Fire guts house in Carmelita, Orange Walk Orange Walk police are sifting through the rubble of a fire in Carmelita Village to determine whether it was intentionally set. That area of Carmelita does not have an electricity supply. Police say the 30 by 40-foot wooden building was reported to be burning […] Belize at 4th among seven countries nearing bankruptcy Belize is placed at fourth on a list of seven countries currently nearing bankruptcy and economic collapse, according to a list compiled by on-line financial advisers 24/7 WallStreet. On the list, Belize is topped only by Venezuela at third, Greece at second and Ukraine […] Customs crocodile tears The recent revelation that staff within the Customs Department are complaining that they will now lose overtime work because of the newly updated Asycuda System, is one of the most laughable things I have heard of in recent times. It is an open secret that the Customs […] Another government vehicle stolen Another government vehicle, a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, has been stolen from off a government compound, this time from the Ministry of Natural Resources. According to police, a Solid Waste Officer from the Solid Waste Management Department reported to them that on June 26th, […] Editorial In a little more than three weeks, Belize will celebrate the 217th. anniversary of the historic Battle of St. George's Caye. .The aggressor in this conflict was Spain, bent on rooting out an enclave of British and Scottish squatters who had occupied the land just south of the Rio Hondo […] Forecast: More "choppy seas" ahead! Stakeholders in the cruise tourism sector, particularly those in the business of "live-aboard" charters, and those responsible for policy and the overall managing of the industry, met this week to hammer out what the stakeholders consider to be tax discrepancies in the business. The meeting […] Tourism destinations under seige by sargassum seaweed Beaches on islands in Belize, from the reef to near the mainland, are literally covered with unsightly, smelly muddy-brown seaweed. It's a seasonal phenomenon where Sargassum seaweed, originating from the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic, makes its way into the warmer waters of the region. But while in the […] Drought destroys millions in crops Corn and soybean farmers in communities in Southern Orange Walk say that minimal rain since June may land them in the poorhouse if help is not forthcoming. According to Indian Creek Cooperative farmer, Jacob Harms, the 141 farmers in his group desperately need GOB's intervention, or all farming in that […] Breaking Belize News Security Council demands end to BTV trip "Ill-advised and downright dangerous," is the assessment given by the National Security Council following its meeting today to consider the merits of the Belize Territorial Volunteers' planned expedition to Sarstoon Island this Sunday. The NSC argues that the military has asserted sovereignty on our side of the Sarstoon [�] O.W. family searching for suspected burglars The family of the late Leonel Guerra in Orange Walk want to know who broke into their family home this week. According to the family's report to police, while Guerra's wife was out staying at another family member's residence and between the last check of the house by [�] Verdes ready for Champions League The Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League will kick off on Saturday, August 15th, continuing throughout the week with game one of a series between Mexico's Queretaro and our Verdes F.C. at the F.F.B. Stadium being played on Tuesday, August 18. This will mark the first time in 7 years that Belize [�] H.E. Patrick Andrews Presents Credentials to the Organization of American States His Excellency Patrick Andrews is the Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. following formal presentation of credentials to Secretary General Luis Almagro today. H.E. Almagro commented that the organization was honored that Belize has selected such a distinguished ambassador who [�] Brian Hyde charged in Florida triple murder of relatives 19 year old Brian Hyde, a resident of Roaring Creek, Cayo District has been charged with three counts of second degree murder and one count of death of an unborn child, after killing his three relatives, one of whom was his pregnant cousin, Starlette Pitts. Hyde was living with the victims at their Florida home where for an unknown reason, he committed the murders that authorities have described as violent and "most unimaginable". The 3 victims, 37 year old Dorla Pitts, 17 year old Starlette Pitts and her 21 year old boyfriend, Michael Kelly, died of repeated sharp force trauma and police said that the evidence show they fought for their lives. Corn price threatened after drought kills crops in Orange Walk The area has been experiencing droughts since 2012, but with this year's record breaking heat levels, thousands of acres of corn and soybean is being ruined. And with no rain in site, farmers from the Indian Creek Cooperative are facing a dilemma. The shortage of the corn crop will have ripple effects to the economy since farmers are expecting the price of corn to go up. What used to be $0.22 to $0.25 cents per pound, farmers say will hike up to $0.37 a pound. Blogs Honduras looking at Ambergris Caye as Inspiration to save Guanaja Island I received the interesting email below from Miguel De Leon asking for my thoughts and help on cars. He wanted to know if Ambergris Caye is experiencing an influx of cars when golf carts are more than sufficient, would I share my thoughts on to why his island should avoid the same pitfall and try to stay car free all together. I've started an online petition for the island of Guanaja, of the Bay Islands of Honduras, to move towards being a car-free island. The island's warm, clear waters support an extensive coral reef that is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and second only to the Great Barrier Reef off the coasts of Australia. Unfortunately, our island is in danger of sacrificing the very things that sets it apart from other over-developed Caribbean islands. For over 100 years, the island community survived without any land motor vehicles. Only in the past couple of decades, have vehicles begun to appear on the island ever since 1 major road was constructed. Animal Round-Up in San Pedro, Belize No not a round-up like at a rodeo�a round-up, as in a summary of facts or events. Don't worry! We've got lots of cats and dogs on the island of Ambergris Caye. And if you've visited before, you've probably had a potlicker (a stray dog in Belize) buddy up to you. Maybe you've even taken one home. Many do� Here's a summary of what's going on this month when it comes to our island's pets. Many have visited the SAGA headquarters building where the vet sees his patients and where the cats and many of the puppies are housed. But just a block behind them is Fort Dog. Where all the grown dogs are housed�while they wait for homes. The Guatemalan Claim Pt. 5 Part four of this important historical record left us with the sides - Guatemalan and British - are getting cocky and upstart with one another. This Article 7 seems to be the crux of the mischief. Please continue with the timeline below. 24th March 1937 The United Kingdom rejects the two proposals pointing out that the 50,000 pounds contained in the 1863 supplementary Convention was not for compensation for cession of land or breach contract, but a desire to to effect an amicable settlement of the controversy that had arisen over Article 7 of the 1859 Convention If the Guatemalans now found this unacceptable, the United Kingdom would proceed to treat the boundary, unilaterally demarcated by British engineers, as being in every respect the correct boundary in accordance with the 1859 Convention 25 Celebrities Who Have Vacationed at Belize's Chaa Creek Belize has rapidly become a celebrity vacation destination. With its breathtaking beaches, stunning waterfalls, impressive Maya Ruins, large coral reefs, and fantastic snorkeling and diving who wouldn't want to visit this tiny country in Central America. And if you want to get pampered and treated like royalty in between climbing Maya ruins or exploring the lush jungle of Belize, the Lodge at Chaa Creek is the place for you. Even Prince Harry and Bill Gates think so, as they both stopped by during visits to Belize. In addition to them, we have had the pleasure of hosting many more well known celebrities at The Lodge at Chaa Creek. Here we have listed a few of them: International Finance A list of videos that explain many things about international finance. Not specific to Belize but it allows you to get a good idea of how things work; well, at least how they should work. Have fun learning. Bacalar Chico Reserve: A Legacy of Conservation Compared with the other reserves found in Belize, Bacalar Chico Reserve has only just started a legacy of conservation. On August 23, 1996, the park was officially opened, after the village leaders in Sartenaja started to lobby for a reserve in an area that they can easily access. A site visit by ITCF and NYZS in 1991 established the conservation value of the area. Today, Bacalar Chico is made up of 15,000 acres of marine reserve and 12,000 acres of terrestrial reserve and has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located at the northern tip of the Ambergris Caye overlooking the Bay of Mexico and Chetumal. Bacalar Chico covers 130 square kilometers of the pristine Belize Barrier Reef and Rocky and Robles Points, which is the only place on the mainland where the barrier reef touches the coastline. The beach front of the reef, which includes extensive mangrove lagooons, serves the main Belizean nesting area for Green and Loggerhead turtles, an indispensible nursery for many reef fish, and breeding grounds for coastal and marine birds. The Bacalar Chico channel functions as the northern boundary of the part, narrowly separating Belize from neighboring Mexico. Because of the close proximity of Bacalar Chico to Mexico, a trans-national reserve encompassing Quintana Roof can develop in the future. Blackened Fish Tacos with Cabbage Mango Slaw Combine all the slaw ingredients and refrigerate. Mix the dried spices and seasoning together in a small bowl, squeeze the lime on the fish then rub the seasoning onto fish. Heat a cast iron skillet on grill or stove on high heat till really hot. Spray with nonstick oil spray. Cook until opaque in the center and well browned on the outside, about 5 minutes on each side. Heat the corn tortillas on the grill until they slightly char, about 1 to 2 minutes. Cut the fish into 8 pieces (or you can flake it if it's easier). Divide the fish equally between 4 tortilla and top each with 1/2 cup slaw. Serve with lime wedges. Videos Protect the Manatees, 3.5min. During my stay in the country of Belize, my team and I met up with Jamal, a manatee research biologist, and we took a trip to see the dangers the local manatees faced. Tourists flock to Belize and ride boats up and down the shallow rivers and accidentally hit the manatee population there. It's been a growing issue and we are here to try and spread the word to help save these majestic creatures to slow down while traveling through where they congregate. Caution and most importantly respect to the manatees who call the water their home. George Price - The Father of Belize, 29min. The Right Honorable George Cadle Price, P.C. (15 January 1919 - 19 September 2011), was a Belizean statesman who served twice as the head of government of Belize from 1961-84 and 1989-93. He served as First Minister and Premier under British rule until independence in 1981 and was the nation's first prime minister after independence that year. He is considered to have been one of the principal architects of Belizean independence. Today he is referred to by many as the "Father of the Nation." Price effectively dominated Belizean politics from the early 1960s until his 1996 retirement from party leadership, serving as the nation's head of government under various titles for most of that period. Born in Belize City in what was then British Honduras, to William and Irene (n�e Escalante) Price, he entered politics in 1947 with his election to the Belize City Council. In 1949, with the devaluation of the British Honduran dollar he, together with a group of citizens formed the People's Committee. It was the start of the "peaceful, constructive Belizean revolution". On 29 September 1950, he co-founded the People's United Party, which he led for four decades and which was devoted to the political and economic independence of the British colony, then known as British Honduras. Giant Cave, Belize, 8min. Cave diving, Giant Cave Belize, Expedition team to explore this amazing cave located in Caye Caulker Island BELIZE San Ignacio, 5min. Snorkeling at Bread & Butter Cayes in Belize, 3.5min. GoPro footage of the coral and fishes seen while snorkeling around Bread & Butter Cayes in Belize on 13 August 2015. Snorkeling at Bread & Butter Cayes in Belize 2, 3min. Snorkeling at Bread & Butter Cayes in Belize 3, 1min. Mariniers Versus Jebroer (Tim Kimman) in de jungle van Belize, 10min. In 'Mariniers Versus' gaat JayJay Boske met een team mariniers een extreme uitdaging aan. In deze aflevering nemen zij het in de jungle van Belize op tegen Tim (rapper Jebroer) en survival specialist Mykel Hawke, ex-Green Beret. Wie bereikt het eerst de helikopter in het hart van de jungle? How was your day today?, 1min. Waters off Caye Caulker Croc on the prowl..., 1/2min. Look who stopped by to visit? NYFA Takes Belize, 3min. There comes a time when you do a job that is just beyond amazing. My recent trip to Belize opened up my eyes again to the wonders of the world and solidified my reason of being a documentary filmmaker. This video is a quick collection of the wonders and amazing experiences my team and I had as well as a small snippet to the individual documentary stories we will be telling. I have to admit, New York Film Academy did something right by sending a team over for this experience and it is something I will always remember. I can't wait for the next trip! Fishing Belize, 6min. Alicia Thompson Belize female cross country race, 4min. Belize Internaitonal Field Experience, 4min. Strange cricket type thing in the Belize jungle, 2min.