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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Teenage astrologer may have discovered Maya 'lost city'
15-year William Gadoury from Quebec, Canada, has made an astounding discovery after making a connection between the Maya's astronomical charts and the possible location of their cities. His studies into the Maya's ancient astrological beliefs coupled with the help of satellite photos and Google Earth, lead William to discover a long forgotten city in the Yucatan jungle. Totally mind blowing - the Yucatan jungle is just a skip and hop away from Belize after all!
The 'lost city' has since been name K'aak Chi (Mouth of Fire). But that's not all - satellite images suggest this may be the largest city built by the ancient Maya between 300 to 700 AD.
Wondering who a 15-year-old could make such a discovery? Well, it all started with his curious mind. William wondered why the ancient Mayas built cities far away from rivers, that's why lead him to believe that they were not chasing water but the stars! He came up with a theory that the Maya built their cities so that they lined up with star constellations and after putting his theory to the test, he realized it was indeed true.
Veterinary Ventures offers free SNIP service
In an effort to decrease the population of stray dogs and cats on the island, the San Pedro Saga Humane Society partnered with Veterinary Ventures, a group from the United States, to host their biggest spay/neuter campaign since 2012. Over the course of ten days starting on May 4th, Saga members, volunteers, veterinarians, and technicians visited local neighborhoods including DFC, San Pedrito, and San Mateo to offer free spay/neuter services, check-ups, consultations, and other medical surgeries to pet owners with limited means. Also partaking in the campaign was local veterinarian from the Hopkins Belize and Belmopan Humane Society, Dr. Orlando Baptist. His love for animals and their well-being brought him to assist the crew in performing surgeries. So far, there has been a positive and great turn out from the campaign. Thanks to the team of experts, many dogs and cats now have a better quality life. At the end of the campaign, the crew will be heading to Belmopan to complete the second phase of their mission in Belize.
Belizean anglers show off fishing skills at Mahahual's Copa Gobernador
Belizean anglers and boat captains performed excellently at the 25th Annual Copa Gobernador Fishing Tournament, even managing to claim four of the top ranked spots. Held on Saturday, May 7th and Sunday, May 8th in Mahahual, Quintana Roo Mexico, the tournament saw the participation of 13 Belizean teams among the Mexican competitors. And even though no Belizean team captured the first place prize, San Pedro's 'Aaliyah Marly' captained by Enrique Marin, won second place. The 'Aaliyah Marly' took the lead of the tournament on the first day after successfully catching an 85.6-pound Marlin. Unfortunately for the Belizean team, their Mexican competitors 'Bad Boys' captained by Alejandro Rodriguez Ortiz managed to pull in an impressive catch on the second day. Bad Boys' haul of a 43-pound white marlin, a 261.20-pound blue marlin, two dorados and a wahoo earned them 16,104 points and the top prize of a new truck. 'Aaliyah Marly' settled for the second place with 4,280 points taking home a compact car.
SPTC celebrates our island mothers
The annual Mother's Day Extravaganza organized by the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), along with sponsors and volunteers, celebrated island mommies in style, treating them to a full night of fun on Saturday, May 7th. The event took place at the Honorable Louise Sylvester Complex, where gates opened at 7PM. For a $20 admission fee, mothers got to enjoy a variety of entertainment, gourmet food, drinks, prizes and lot of surprises. With the field packed with over two hundred mothers of all ages, they certainly received the royal treatment. Games and contests were put in place to add to the excitement, which included dancing contests, karaoke, musical chairs, and strategic games like the "green banana". Prizes ranged from toasters, blenders, pressure cookers, TV's, microwaves, various $100 gift certificates, restaurant vouchers and gift bags. The moms brave enough to go onstage lucked out with some fantastic prizes. This year, Estela Worthington won the title of "Mother of the Year 2016-2017". Estela was joined onstage by Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Honorable Manuel Heredia, Miss San Pedro 2015-2016, Iris Saleguero, and outgoing Mother of the Year, Mrs. Graciela Vasquez, to be presented with a crown, sash, bouquet of flowers, and an abundance of gifts.
Ambergris Today
Announcing Miss Chiquitita Pageant 2016 Set for June
San Pedro Pre-School announces the day of the San Pedro Miss Chiquitita 2016 to take place on Saturday, June 4th, at the R. Angel Nu�ez Auditorium, San Pedro High School. The pageant is set to start at 7p.m. sharp, with five beautiful young girls ready contesting the title of Miss Chiquitita and entertainment by the San Pedro Dance Academy, Las Primas Dance Group, Rompe Raja and more. Tickets go for $5 for Children, $10 for Adults and $15 Reserved Seating. The contestants are Zulmy Ruiz,
Sandy Flores,
Lindsy Williams,
Lacey Salinas,
and Evelin Pichola.
Government Explains Refugee Situation in Belize
Help for Progress, a nongovernmental organization, represents the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and has the responsibility to receive applications from potential asylum seekers and conduct an initial interview. Those applicants who meet the criteria for refugee status are referred to the Immigration Department, where a second interview is done and the successful applicants are then given an appointment for a more in depth interview. The asylum seeker is then given a Special Permit which is valid until the time of the in-depth interview in order to allow him legal status in Belize. It is only after the in-depth interview that the applicants' documents are forwarded to the Refugee Eligibility Committee for consideration and, thereafter, those recommended for refugee status are submitted to the Minister of Immigration for approval.
Misc Belizean Sources
Domestic Cooperation Strengthened
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today by the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) H.E. Ambassador A. Joy Grant and the Commissioner of Police Mr. Allen Whylie.
According to the FIU, the MOU will strengthen the cooperation that currently exists and facilitate the analysis and investigation of suspected money laundering, associated predicate offences, and the financing of terrorism and proliferation. Implementation of the MOU will increase the potential sources of information available to both the FIU and the police to fight crime and remove the profit from criminal activities. It also provides the framework for joint operations where the strengths of each party may complement the other and add value to the process.
This is the second several MOUs that are being negotiated between various stakeholders within the Government of Belize and the FIU.
Vendor Authorization Forms
The Accountant General hereby notifies the general public that effective June 1, 2016, all persons and businesses must complete a Vendor Authorization Form in order to receive payments for goods and services from any Government of Belize Ministry or Department.
These forms are:
- Vendor Authorization Form - Businesses.
- Vendor Authorization Form - Persons.
Copies of the forms are available at any Treasury office, Government Ministry or Department, or online at http://www.belize.gov.bz/�/publica�/viewcategory/12-treasury
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today by the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) H.E. Ambassador A. Joy Grant and the Commissioner of Police Mr. Allen Whylie
According to the FIU, the MOU will strengthen the cooperation that currently exists and facilitate the analysis and investigation of suspected money laundering, associated predicate offences, and the financing of terrorism and proliferation. Implementation of the MOU will increase the potential sources of information available to both the FIU and the police to fight crime and remove the profit from criminal activities. It also provides the framework for joint operations where the strengths of each party may complement the other and add value to the process.
This is the second several MOUs that are being negotiated between various stakeholders within the Government of Belize and the FIU.
The Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project
As part of the Eco-Museum that will be established in our Downtown area, we hope to create an area where residents of downtown will be able place their antiques on display. Uploaded is a photo of an old stove found at the Pacheco's residence on Cockburn Street located behind Anglican Cathedral. Some research was conducted online and found one that is still in relatively good condition. See what it looked like in mint condition. If you know anyone that has antiques let us know. We surely would like to see it and maybe even display it in a special area in our future Eco-Museum. Maybe if we get enough pieces, we can have a display at Battle Field Park in the future.
BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of May 1st - May 8th, 2016
Great fishing here at the lodge, with decent weather and good spirits found everywhere. 2 Grand Slams this week plus the lesser but still noble soft slam. Our Grand Slam wall of fame got a little bigger this week with Susan and A.J.'s names added for their success with the big three. Stephen (a returning guest from the UK) recorded a "Soft Slam" All three species in one trip rather than one day.
The Growing Numbers of Tourists Boost the Real Estate Development of Belize
These days, tourism is considered as the next big thing in the real estate industry of Belize. According to the released quarterly report from BTB, the number of tourist visiting the country continues to rise. The report states that the sky rocket amount of tourists indulging in the beautiful country of Belize had increased in the months of January, February and March compared to the same months in 2015.
March of this year becomes an extraordinary month for tourism in Belize because of the 43 thousand and more visitors they documented as overnight visitors. Due to the massive numbers of visitors coming in, they have reached a breathtaking 16.9% increase on their record of tourist arrivals making Belize the fastest rising destination in the Caribbean this 2016.
One of the highlight of Belize is its Cruise Ship tourism. The cruise arrivals for the month of February and March have increased, from 3.7% to 4.1%. The tourism industry and their people are hoping that the number of cruise arrivals will continue to grow during the remaining time of the year and hope to reach the 1 million mark for 2016. The growth of tourism in Belize is a dream come true for tourism planners of the country.
BTL Acquisition Award not yet Finalized
The Permanent Court of Arbitration Tribunal has not yet issued its final award on the acquisition of BTL shares by the Government of Belize (GOB). The draft decision from the Court was released to the parties in confidence and GOB had been awaiting the final ruling before publicizing the details. However, since some details of the draft decision have been circulated to the media, GOB feels obliged to put out a statement.
What has been issued is a draft of the Court's findings on the valuation of the 45,199,961 BTL shares which were nationalized by the Government in August 2009. Under the draft findings, they have determined the value to be BZ$5.60 per share. This compares to the $10.23 being claimed by the former shareholders and the $1.44 which GOB had originally offered.
Just prior to Last General Elections GOB agreed with the previous shareholders that it would pay the amount it proposed of BZ$1.44 per share (approx. BZ$65 million) towards the acquisition of shares. It was further agreed that if there was a settlement liability on the Accommodation Agreements, that will be used in Belize on projects to be agreed upon by the previous shareholders/GOB.
Corozal Student Job Connection
s many of you know, school fees are a huge expense for many local families. Between paying for admission, uniforms, books, supplies, etc,. it takes a huge toll on a family's income. And if there are several children in a family trying to make a better life through education, the burden becomes heavier. However, a number of students are interested in finding temporary, paying jobs to assist their families with their school expenses.
To aid in this effort, there is a new Facebook group -- The Corozal Student Job Connection (https://www.facebook.com/groups/165135737221145/)-- which is designed to connect students, age 13 and older, with local individuals and businesses who can offer temporary, paying jobs.
For individuals, students can help you with any number of projects around your home. Want to clean out the garage? Tackle a landscaping project? Need pet sitting/feeding services? House need painting? Have sewing projects or need some extra hands in the kitchen to prep for a party? Students can help make these and other projects happen.
National Tapir Day 2016
The Belize Zoo celebrated National Tapir Day in style yet again. Happy birthday, Fuego!
"We had an amazing day celebrating National Tapir Day 2016 with over 200 special guests! The day was action packed with tapir talks, music, games, and aerial antics! A big congratulations to the students of Franks Eddy, St. Therese R.C. and Pilgrim Fellowship schools who won the very competitive tapir slogan competition. Fuego the tapir had high class company with these brilliant students attending his 3rd birthday party. A big PAWS UP to all our other friends, supporters and our very own TBZ staff who helped make the biggest event on the Belize Zoo's calendar a great success!"
El Pilar Open Day
The SISE House of Culture will be having a special El Pilar Open Day next Wednesday, May 18th, to celebrate International Museum Day. Cynthia Ellis and Dr. Anabel Ford will be their to talk about El Pilar, and its significance in the area.
"Come and Join us for International Museum Day at SISE House of Culture (NICH)."
International Museum Day
Angel Nunez Auditorium, May 18th, 9am - 4pm. Exhibition of Historical Buildings in Belize
Channel 7
The Face Of Guat Intimidation On The Sarstoon
Two days ago the government sent out a press release saying, quote, "the BDF�continues to go up (the Sarstoon) river to effectuate the rotation at Cadenas, as was done last Tuesday."
Well the news tonight is that it's not quite that simple; in fact, the soldiers had to try to go down the river two times - because on the first attempt, two Guatemalan Navy Vessels blocked them! Now, this sort of low grade military to military harassment has been happening for some years, but tonight there is video evidence of the encounter - and it is disturbing.
7News has obtained a video of the Guatemalans blocking the BDF and Daniel Ortiz looked more closely at it:..
The cell phone footage picks up with the BDF slowing down their vessel, obviously responding to a signal from the soldiers on board the Guatemalan vessel. Right here, they're on the southern Side of the Sarstoon Island, still in Belizean territory, but approaching the deepest navigable channel of the River. But, the Guatemalan Vessel's occupants couldn't be less bothered.
PM Says GAF Confrontation Did Factor Into Talks
And the first official acknowledgement came today when the Prime Minister returned from receiving treatment for his back in Atlanta. 7News met him at the airport and we asked him about that tense encounter. He says it happened on the same day that talks were being held in Washington DC - and his report of the event to the OAS Secretary General did factor into the talks:�
Rt. Hon Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize:
"An encounter did take place on the very day that the meeting was taking place in Washington."
"Because of that encounter I called Secretary General Almagro before the meeting to make the point, listen, this is absolute bad faith this thing has got to be solved and it was on that sort of a basis that we came out of that meeting with what I certainly understood to be a commitment on the part of the Guatemalans to come to the table to negotiate an agreed protocol over the Sarstoon. Ultimately there was that encounter the Wednesday, by Wednesday evening the BDF had gone back out into the river, and was able to in fact go around the Sarstoon Island without any attempted interference by the Guatemalans."
PM Says S.I. Still Needed
But, dates aside, those kinds of Guatemalan antics on the Sarstoon are what - for the Prime Minister - reinforces the need for the Sarstoon S.I prohibiting Belizeans from entering the river.
The Guatemalan military maneuvers were highlighted in Monday'sedition of the Prensa Libre, which reported that the Guatemalan military was conducting operations on the Sarstoon, quote, "in defence of (Guatemala's) sovereignty".
The PM says that sort of thing is too dangerous for civilians to confront:�
Rt. Hon Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize:
"I've seen the report the maneuvers if true that should make clearer why I felt that the SI - the regulation was necessary - it's one thing when our military encounters the Guatemalan military in the sort of climate that prevails when they are doing these maneuvers -it's quite another when civilians are involved - it's difficult enough for the military to take care of itself without having to worry about civilians."
PM Can't Wait Forever For Guatemala To Show Good Faith
But, on the other hand, the Prime Minister concedes that he can only go so far to try and keep peace on a river - half of which is Belizean territory. He told us the Government can only wait so long for the Guatemalans to follow through on their stated intent to work on a protocol for the river:�
Rt. Hon Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize:
"If by next week the Guatemalan don't actually act on what I take to be the commitment for us to sit down and talk, it is as I said when I first passed the regulation, then all bets are off. Look, given our situation, diplomacy is clearly the best way to go, hands down, but there's a point beyond which you can take no more. And I don't want to be premature, all I will say is, time is running out. And unless we get now hard indication of a willingness on the part of the Guatemalans to act in accordance with what I took to be the commitment to the OAS, we are going to rescind the regulation, then we will do what we have to do."
In its natural course, the Statutory Instrument will expire on May 27th.
PUP Makes Constitutional Challenge Of Sarstoon S.I.
But the PUP still went ahead and filed a constitutional challenge to the S.I. yesterday. Party Leader John Briceno is suing the Attorney General and the Governor General.
Briceno says the law is unconstitutional on two grounds. First, that it limits a citizen's freedom of movement, and second that the exercise of power was outside the scope of authority prescribed by the public safety act.
The PUP's Legal Advisor Andrew Marshalleck explained it today:�
Andrew Marshalleck, SC - PUP Legal Advisor:
"The challenge to the constitutionality of it lies in the simple contention that there was really no risk of any civil commotion threatening public safety. Now civil commotion is a legal term, there's common law defining it and what it means in the main is an insurrection of the people that's of the magnitude little greater than a riot and a little less than a civil war. We are saying that there was never any risk of that and there was no rational basis in which the power to pass a SI to restrict freedom of movement could validly and justifiably be passed."
Jules Vasquez:
"It will only be legally for about two more weeks, little more than two weeks. Constitutional motions aren't usually heard that expeditiously."
Crazy Cayo Murder Like A Wild West Shooutout
A businessman from the western village of Duck Run 3 was shot and killed at a bar last night after 11. 59 year old Jose Anibal Molina Estrada went to have a few drinks at the Pasadita Bar near Spanish Lookout. But the trouble began when his business rival, Eddy Larios and his friends 64 year old Guillermo Guerra and 52 year old Duck Run Chairman Victor Ismael Perez, walked into the bar.
Now the confrontation among these men wasn't any ordinary bar brawl - there was sort of a Wild Wild West standoff between Estrada and Larios - in which both drew their licensed 9 millimeter pistols and fired at each other. We traveled West to find out what might have led to this bizarre and deadly shootout.
These cows cooling off under the tree are only 2 of Jose Estrada's heads of cattle
The rest are scattered all about Estrada's farm land in Selena Village. Every morning after 3, Estrada and his workers would come to the farm land and milk the cows. Estrada and his team would then package the milk
And deliver them to Western Dairies in Spanish Lookout. That was Estrada's daily routine for almost all his life.
Southside Commander Denies Knowledge Of GSU Beatdown
On last week Friday's newscast, we took you into the neighbourhoods of Yabra and East Canal where officers from GSU allegedly put a beat down on several men at Wax House and the Long Barracks at the Corner of Ceasar Ridge and Faber's Roads.
That's after the Southside Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Chester Williams, promised only 2 days earlier that his strategy for dealing with the spike in crime would exclude this type of behaviour.
As we reported, the GSU Commander, Superintendent Mark Flowers, told us that he provided officers from his Unit to the Eastern Division South for an operation they were conducting. He told us that he did not know exactly what that operation was, and he also stated categorically that he does not condone this type of abusive behaviour.
So, since these GSU officers were reportedly working for Eastern Division South, what prompted these beat downs? We asked Williams about it at today's weekly meet-and-greet sessions. Here's what he had to say about it:
PM Concedes BTL Compensation "Not Cheap"
The long saga of BTL nationalization started in August of 2009, and after 8 years of costly battles in court, it's almost over. That's because the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands has just about finished its review of the takeover. As we told you last night, the arbitrators found that the value of BTL's shares was around five dollars and fifty cents, which is about halfway between the 10 Belize dollars per share the Ashcroft Alliance was claiming and the one dollar and fifty cents Belize per share government was claiming. That amounts to more than 200 million Belize dollars - which is in addition to sums already paid.
Today, the Prime minister told us that the arbitration panel has not made a final decision, but has offered an outline of their findings:�
Rt. Hon Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize:
"While it's not final it's a clear indication of what is likely to be the end result that is true they've come down in a little under the midpoint valuation which is good for us and 60% of what they are indicating the award is likely to be is going to be attributable to the accommodation agreement. So since as you know I had agreed with Lord Ashcroft any portion of the award that is attributable to their accommodation agreement will be in Belize Dollars and must be spent in this country on projects to benefit the people of Belize; that also is good news. All that will go out is 40% of the award our US dollars liability is therefore limited to that."
BTL Boss Says Arbitral Award Is A Matter For GOB
And while it's the government that has to pay all those hundreds of millions with taxpayers' dollars - what role does BTL play? True, it's government that acquired the Aschroft Alliance's 45 million shares, for which it got super majority share-holding in BTL, but it would be ideal if they could recoup what has turned out to be a very costly investment. Today, BTL's Chairman of the Executive Committee Anwar Barrow said it is a matter strictly for government:�
Anwar Barrow - Chairman, BTL Executive Committee:
"As far as the award of the arbitration tribunal, that's a government matter that is between the government and the former shareholders. So whether there is an award, how much the award is, you really have to pose the question to the government."
Jules Vasquez:
"Does the executive management of BTL feel any pressure to earn at a level or to make profits at a level which would justify the rather costly acquisition of BTL?"
Anwar Barrow - Chairman, BTL Executive Committee:
"I think that's a question for the board and not the management because the board sets policy and then the management executes it. So that's really a policy question and far as you know how much you want to push financially and that's something you have to ask the board."
BTL Reports 10% Spike In Revenue
But as the major shareholder in BTL, government does have some reason for optimism. We spoke with the younger Barrow at a BTL press conference to discuss the company's robust earnings. Now usually we just hear about that at an annual general meeting in September, but there's been record growth in revenue and BTL's senior managers wanted to tell the public about it. Here's how they explained the 10% spike in revenue and 25% growth in profits:..
Anwar Barrow - Chairman, BTL Executive Committee:
"This year I'm happy to report is going to be a banner year as to the financial performance of BTL. We had for the past 6 years either a decline as far as our revenues go or stagnation and this year we've been able to switch that trend around and we're up some 14 million dollars. Profits are also up some 5 million dollars over last year. So we are profitable as we are doing well."
"What we sought to do with BTL over the last two years is repositioning the products and services so that we can offer the Belizean customer more."
No Arrests For Island Footballer
Police in San Pedro have yet to arrest anyone for the murder of 31 year old Melvin Almendarez. It's gotten the attention of San Pedro residents because Almendarez was not known as a troublesome person. Everyone knew him for his involvement in youths and sports- particularly football. In fact, on the same weekend he was murdered, the team he used to coach was supposed to participate in an ongoing tournament on the island. But that never happened. So while the family continues to mourn the death of Almendarez, police continue their investigations. Unfortunately they are still no closer to making an arrest. As you may be aware island cops were questioning a Canadian National for the murder. So, is he off or he still a person of interest in this homicide? Today we posed that same question to Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, the public Relations officer for the Eastern Division North. Here is what he said.
Teeanger Helen Yue's Killers, Case Falls Thru
It caused national outrage in August of 2010 when 14 year old high schooler Helen Yue was gunned down inside her family story for no reason.
But, the 3 men who were charged with the murder were set free today. The 3 men: Jermaine Matura, Elbert Miller and Emmanuel Lemoth were told today in the Supreme Court that their case was thrown out. That is because there were no substantial witnesses and not enough evidence to proceed with a case against the trio. Although they were found with the weapon police believe was used in the robbery turned murder, that was still not enough to proceed with the trial.
The murder happened on August 12th, at the Yue family store on Iguana Street Extension. Armed men went in to hold up the store but Helen's father Brian grabbed his weapon to defend his family and his business. That is when the gunmen shot at Brian but Helen was caught in the middle of that cross fire. She was shot to the chest. Her father Brian was shot to the arm and stomach and survived.
Back And Forth Over Bus
For bus commuters in the city, the city bus system is an important element of everyday life. But commuters often complain that the regulations aren't strictly enforced. And tonight there is another such complaint. 45 year old Herbert Jerez claims that his wife, 44 year old Stephanie Young Jerez, fell out of a bus on Monday. He claims the bus sped off as she was getting off on Regent Street, causing her to break her wrist. Here is his story.
Herbert Jerez - Complainant:
"My wife went to Social Security to pick up her Social Security card. Coming back from Social Security she caught a bus which was the Belize In transit Bus Service. Upon getting off the bus, the driver let off two other person while my wife is trying to get off the bus, while she was getting off the bus, he start driving off. Right then and there my wife fell off the bus, hit her head, not realising she broke her wrist. Last night I was at the hospital until about 9 o'clock. This morning again I'm doing the same thing this morning. Went to Mr. Novelos, Mr. Novelos he doesn't want to hear anything about it. The bus, he no want to hear anything about it. I made a report to the police already and they are going to do something about it but I need to make the public know that the buses they need to be safer for passengers, not trying to pick up the next dollar but they need to think about the passengers getting off and on the bus because it could have been his wife, could have been his children."
BERT Opens Up To Students
Today the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT, for short), held a full open day event at their Belize City Branch on Sunrise Avenue. They were joined by students from Trident Technical College, of South Carolina, who are enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician program of that institution. 6 students and one lecturer who made the journey to Belize to assist in teaching school kids about what it is they do and inspiring the future EMT experts.
Javier Canul - Education Coordinator, BERT:
"We're having what you call an open day and basically inviting the public to see what the ambulance is all about and what it entails and unveiling what is going on inside the ambulance once you catch an ambulance. As well as hoping to catch a few people who would like to come into BERT to work as an EMT or paramedic."
Emanuel Pech:
"What is the importance of having the public know or be aware of what is going on once BERT or any emergency response team for that matter respond to an emergency for a car accident for instance?"
Japan For Climate Change
Today, the Government of Belize, the United Nations Development Program, and the Japanese Government launched a program called the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Project. It's an ambitious initiative where the Japanese Government is donating 16 billion US Dollars to 8 CARICOM Nations to try to reduce the negative effects that climate change has on agricultural and sustainable development in these countries.
Belize is one of those 8 nations, today, the Japanese Non-Resident Ambassador to Belize, who is stationed in Jamaica, flew in for the launch. We spoke with the coordinators of the initiative to find out how they're tailoring it to fit the needs of this country.
Dr. Colin Young - CEO, Ministry of Sustainable Development:
"Today we're here to do the national launch of the Japan Climate Caribbean climate change project. This is a multi-country project between the government of Japan and CARICOM countries. Belize is one of those countries. We have St. Lucia, we have Suriname, we have Guyana and its 15 million dollars US that is being shared across this project. In Belize the government of Belize has decided that the funds that are earmarked for Belize would be used to cover areas in climate change governance to help us govern the way we manage and plan climate change as well as sustainable agriculture in alternative livelihoods at the community level as well as water resources management."
Police and People
Earlier in the news, we showed you our interview with Southside Commander Chester Williams, where he addressed the allegations of police brutality coming from a group of men from Wax House and others from the Yabra area.
We caught Williams as he was conducting the weekly meet and greet sessions. Today, the Southside cops went talking to residents of Southern Foreshore, Albert Street West and the surrounding areas.
We tagged along and found out what has been police's crime reduction strategy for this part of the City:
Northside Meet and Greet Police and People
And while that was the southside, what about the Northside? That's less of a crime hotspot, but, their meet and greet sessions are just as important.
Today they visited the area of Kings Park.
Guats Make Mexican News
Earlier we told you how tensions remain high on the Sarstoon. But, while this is happening, the Guatemalan Congress has issued a travel advisory, asking their citizens not to travel to Belize. The story was broadcasted on Noticieros Televisa yesterday where they spoke to the Deputy leader of the Guatemalan congress, after the recommendation was passed. According to him the congress saw it necessary to make this move in advising their citizens about the dangers of travelling to Belize, given what they call, quote "constant violation of human rights on the part of the Belizean military." Here is that interview.
For balance we note that that Guatemalan Armed Forces has a long record of human rights abuses, dating back to the country's genocidal civil war which ended in 1996.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
