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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

Team Papaya Power presented with their Sagicor Visionary Challenge prizes
Since they began participating, San Pedro High School students have excelled in the annual Sagicor Visionary Challenge. In March of 2016, team Papaya Power took the runner up prize with their Papaya Leaf Tea. On Thursday, September 22nd, representatives of Sagicor presented SPHS with their second place prize. During a short ceremony at the school's auditorium, Sagicor marketing manager Marlene Chin of Trinidad and Tobago handed over the prize to the winners. Among the gifts was a $2,000USD check for the school, and $8000BZ worth of lab equipment, including a set of vernier caulipers with 18 apps, one physics kit and chemistry and biology kits. Chin commended the school and students, as they have been showing remarkable success in the past three years. Vice Principal Conchita Flota thanked Sagicor for the opportunity to participate in the challenge, and congratulated the participating teams that have exalted the name of the school in the educational competition. SPHS is ready to represent in the upcoming challenge, with three teams taking part to try and bring the first prize to La Isla Bonita!

Statement by Foreign Minister at the 71st UNGA
Mr. President, Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as President of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly and to assure you of Belize's fullest support. Thirty-five years ago this week Belize became a UN member state. Membership confirmed our independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and place amongst equals in this community of nations. Regretfully, however, membership did not resolve the territorial claim laid to our country some eighty years ago by Guatemala. Our track record since our independence confirms that Belize holds sacrosanct the dignity of the human person, the principles of justice, equality, inclusivity, and the rule of law. Belizeans are inherently altruistic and compassionate. In the nascent years of our independence when civil war ravaged our Central American region, Belize was the beacon of hope and sanctuary of choice for thousands of refugees including Guatemalans desperately seeking to escape the scourge of war, poverty and oppression. In the process Belize welcomed thousands of refugees amounting to well in excess of thirty percent of our then population. Indeed even to this day the flow of migrants into our country continues unabated. Belize is a nation of migrants all living in unity, peace and harmony.

Ambergris Today

First Woman in Belize Rural South to Receive George Price People Award
On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the PUP National Party Council met to celebrate the 66th birthday of the People's United Party at the Belize Elementary School auditorium in Belize City. Party Leader John Briceno delivered an inspiring message reaffirming the Party's commitment to the country of Belize. All PUP Village Council Chairpersons across the country were given a special congratulatory award on their victory in the recent Village Council Elections and 31 deserving and long-serving PUP's received the George Price Service to the People Award. One of those receiving the awards was Patricia Marin of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. She is the first woman to receive the George Price Service to the People Award in the Belize Rural South constituency.

Misc Belizean Sources

Light The Night for Kids
Awareness walk for children living with Special Needs and Fair. Friday, September 30 at 6 PM - 11 PM. Memorial Park, Belize City

Foreign Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington's Address at the United Nations General Assembly
Mr. President, Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as President of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly and to assure you of Belize's fullest support. Thirty-five years ago this week Belize became a UN member state. Membership confirmed our independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and place amongst equals in this community of nations. Regretfully, however, membership did not resolve the territorial claim laid to our country some eighty years ago by Guatemala. Our track record since our independence confirms that Belize holds sacrosanct the dignity of the human person, the principles of justice, equality, inclusivity, and the rule of law.

Launch of BelizeInfo - a National Policy Monitoring Tool
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation (MHDSTPA) will be hosting a media breakfast on Tuesday, 27th of September, 2016 at 7:15am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercy Centre in Belize City to launch BelizeInfo - a national policy monitoring tool. MHDSTPA has invested heavily in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) for Social Protection over recent years, especially through the Community Action for Public Safety Project (CAPS). This includes designing and implementing an online case management tool, FAMCare, which is being used for the Ministry's core responsibilities such as child protection and juvenile justice, as well as broader GOB aims such as a Belize Active Labour Market Information System (BALMIS)1. In addition, through CAPS and with ongoing support from the InfoSegura project2, has developed BelizeInfo - a national policy monitoring tool to strengthen monitoring and evaluation in the country at all levels - project, sector, thematic, national strategic plans (e.g. Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy), and against international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

35th INDEPENDENCE PARADE 2016
150+ photos

35 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND FRIENDSHIP MEXICO-BELIZE
The Embassy of Mexico cordially invites you to join us this Friday September 30th at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts at 1pm for a special presentation of the: CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR OF THE MEXICAN NAVY FREE.... call for or pick up your tickets from the Bliss - 227-2110

Multiple Parties
Fascist dictatorship is the same as monarchy Throughout history Replacing that with a democracy Choice flexibility In the type of government you provide Communism, capitalism or socialism It requires adherence to the principles Congruent with those forms of democracies Otherwise you create a morph system like in China Deh constitution seh one party- Soh they should be communist Have introduced a market signifies they're more socialist

BELTRAIDE STAFF DONATES COMPUTERS TO NEEDY CHILDREN IN REMOTE VILLAGES OF BELIZE
Some members of Beltraide staff took a break from their arduous work on Friday, 23 September and headed down south to the remote areas of Belize. Their mission: to donate four brand new computers to schools in that part of the country. The computers along with printers and battery backups are valued at over $8,000 Bz dollars and were acquired through the Beltraide staff fund, which is designed to assist needy children and schools with limited resources as well as to carry out charity work throughout Belize. The schools benefiting from such generous donation included: Santa Cruz RC School, Pueblo Viejo RC School, Jalacte RC School and Blue Creek RC School. All of these villages are located in the deep forests of Belize, just a stone throw from the Guatemalan border. The team was comprised of personnel from our Finance, IT, Project and Marketing and Information Units. The group began their journey very early in the morning as the first hues of red and deep orange of the rising sun hit the capital city of Belmopan. But as the team traveled through the winding and picturesque Hummingbird Highway it became clear from the looming dark clouds and rain that the day would be a very challenging one. But that did not dampen their spirit, and they moved on. The intention was to present the computers quickly and return home as soon as possible. But that was not to be.

Department of Immigration and Nationality Services Responds to False Claims of Passport Sales
In a Facebook post titled "Second Passport, Citizenship & Residency in Belize" dated 24th September, 2016 by a website "ICP Belize", the company claims to be able to provide a Belize passport for sale at US $8,900.00 each. The Government of Belize through the Department of Immigration and Nationality Services categorically state that there is no such programme nor is there any intent to offer Belize passports for sale through any Economic Citizenship Programme or any other programme or agent. The Constitution of Belize was amended via Act 39 of 2001, Gazetted 2nd January 2002, to remove the Economic Citizenship Program from the Constitution and by extension the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161 of the Laws of Belize. The only method of obtaining Belizean Nationality by Registration or Descent is in accordance with Chapter 161 of the Belize Nationality Act.

Caribbean Youth Leaders' Summit
Have you heard about the Caribbean Youth Leaders' Summit? Well, you ought to because Belize will be hosting the 4th Caribbean Youth Leader's Summit and reps from Department of Youth Services will be on Open Your Eyes Tuesday morning at 7:30 am to tell you all about it!

Press Conference on the Zika situation in Belize
Please note that the Ministry of Health will be hosting a Press Conference on the Zika situation in Belize Tuesday at 10am that will be carried live on radio, please tune in.

"Pic" "Pepitos" passes away
The body of the late Santos Lopez, also known as "Pic" "Pepitos" "Peanuts" will leave the Corozal Hospital at 11:00 A.M. tomorrow September 26th, followed by a procession to the Finca Solana Cemetery where a religious ceremony will celebrate his life. Anyone wishing to attend can greet the family at the Corozal Hospital and join. R.I.P "PIC"

"Choo Choo Kiddies Express"
You saw this trolley at the Corozal September Town Parade. "Choo Choo Kiddies Express" will make its official launch this weekend Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st at the Rotary Park near the Thunderbolt Dock. Time will be 5;00 p.m. sharp until 9:00 pm. If its your birthday you get a FREE ride!!! Kids only pay $3.00 adults $5.00. We are also working on promoting positive entertainment for our community so we're going to start having free movie nights on Saturdays as soon as we get the electricity installed at the park!!!

Happy Independence Day 2016!
Here are photos from Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 by Will Moreno Photography

Minister Omar Figueroa in the Chiquibul
Minister Omar Figueroa visited the Chiquibul National Park and Las Cuevas Research Station to observe the many activities undertaken by FCD. Thank you Minister for your support to the protection of biodiversity in the Chiquibul Forest.

1st Traditional Global Cuisine
My feature culture at the 1st Traditional Global Cuisine was the Garifuna with a special focus on the versatility of the cassava. On display were cassava flour, cassava starch for 'Sahau', farina, green banana flour, dehydrated green plantain 'Gungudeh', cassava bread and the cassava fiber used for the fermented drink called 'Hiu'. The dishes were coconut milk Sere lasus with mashed plantain hudut and salt fish in coconut oil on cassava chip. Additional props included the Hibessa, ruguma, calabash maracas and mini Garifuna drums, Marie Sharp's pepper and a variety of our rums. This display is just one of the many cultures and food that make up our Belizean Cuisine.

Channel 7

Teachers Reject PM's Proposals; Prepare For a Monday Strike, PM Strikes First
Next week Monday, the teachers will strike again, which more-than-likely means that classes will be canceled. That's the outcome of last Thursday's four and a half hour meeting between the Prime Minister and the leadership of the Belize National Teachers Union. 18 hours after it was done, the teachers wrote back to the PM saying, "no deal!" In a letter dated, Friday, September 23, BNTU President Luke Palacio wrote, quote "...We find that most of what you brought to the table is inconsistent with our demands to ensure good governance and respect for workers." End quote. Palacio's letter directly addresses the Prime Minister's offerings on all 8 of their demands. They say that the Prime Minister's counter-offer to put one less Government's representative on the Senate Select Committee is "not favorable". And on their request to remove Godwin Hulse as Police Minister, the BNTU says the Prime Minister's response is "too vague". They also say that the Prime Minister's response to the union's request for an international investigation into the William "Danny" Mason case is an "unreasonable suggestion".

Bigger Than School? The Teachers' Union Frames Its Larger Social Obligation
So, on social media, and on their own UDP media house, the Government's agents are on a full-court offensive against Luke Palacio, and the BNTU's Council of Management. They're insisting that Palacio and those branch leaders are pursuing a PUP agenda. Perhaps preparing for the backlash, Palacio launched his own offensive when he appeared on the labour-friendly KREM TV's "Wake Up Belize" Morning talk show. He was there to make BNTU's case to the listeners and viewers, explaining why theirs a morally righteous fight on behalf of the Belizean public. When he came off the air, he also told us why losing classroom hours is not a case of the union trying to be unfair to you or your children.

PM and Pres. Palacio Spar
As you would remember, we tried last week Thursday night to find out from both sides why the meeting lasted for over 4 hours. Neither side was willing to do that, but when the Prime Minister received their letter announcing that they intend "to pursue all necessary action", it was like the gloves came off. In his almost 10-minute address, the Prime Minister was not restrained when he disclosed how at times in the extended meeting, he became frustrated by the teachers, who refused to give any ground. We also got an opportunity to ask Palacio about a few of those criticisms. Here again are both sides of this subject: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize: "Their first demand was for a Senate Inquiry, but they were not satisfied when Government agreed to this. Rather, they started quarrelling with the composition of the Senate Select Committee that Government was support. In order to accommodate them even further, I accepted that Government would have 2 rather than 3 Senators, on that committee."

From Tranquil Talk On Thursday to Sharp Exchanges On Monday
So, how did we get to this place of hard words and strike actions? Well, it is unclear, but with the up until last week, it appeared outwardly, that the teachers and the Prime Minister were trying their very best to play nice with each other. Here's a small recap of all that cordial speech from both leaders, from last Thursday night. That's when we were trying to probe for more than they were willing to give at the time: File: September 22, 2016 Luke Palacio - BNTU, President: "We are now prepared to go back and discussed those responses and then determine what happens next." Daniel Ortiz, 7News: "Is the council of management satisfied with those responses?" Luke Palacio - BNTU, President: "You didn't understand what I said just now? I said we are going back to discuss the responses, so we cannot tell you that we are satisfied and neither are we saying that we are not satisfied, but we have a process and we keep on saying to the media, the BNTU has a process that it follows and you'll have to allow us to make that process work."

Hon. Elrington Talks Hard At UN
Last Friday, we showed you how Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales made mischief at the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations. He used his debut speech to his fellow world leaders to attack Belize's credibility as a peaceful, responsible neighbor. Well, today when he addressed the Assembly, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington did not let it slide. As we showed you, Morales told the UN General Assembly that Belize was at fault for the death of 14 year-old Guatemalan Julio Ruano. He persisted in complete disregard for the results of the OAS Independent Investigation Team, whose inquiry has completely vindicated Belizean lawmen in that shooting. Well, it's as though that was the final affront which pushed the usually reserved Elrington over the edge. He's become well known in Belize for his passive stance on Belize/Guatemala relations, often choosing to stay out of open confrontation with the Guatemalan officials. But, today when Elrington took the world stage he laid a diplomatic smackdown on Guatemala's Morales.

Father of Three Killed In Capital
The decomposed body of 33-year-old BWS worker Rudolph Selgado was found yesterday morning after 12:00. Selgado went missing on Independence Day and his family along with his co-workers went searching for him. They went as far as they could go but couldn't find him until Sunday morning when they got a call that his mutilated body had been found on valley of Peace Road. Courtney Weatherburne has the story. Rudolph Williams Sr., Father: "It's very hard, it's hard, very hard to explain, it's a shock." Courtney Weatherburne reporting: Rudolph Williams Sr. and his daughter stare at their loved one's grave site in disbelief. A heap of loose dirt and a cinder block vase is all the family has left at the cemetery.

Arraignment For Man Who Stole Police Minister's Wife's SUV
On Friday we told you how the police minister's son was carjacked when thieves stole his mother's SUV. Well, today police arraigned the man accused of doing it. Twenty-four year old Lyndon Hinds, a construction worker of 57 Iguana Street Extension was charged with robbery when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Hinds pleaded not guilty. He was remanded until November 11. Hinds was identified in an ID parade as one of the culprits.

PUP Names Shadow Cabinet
"A shadow cabinet" - the term might sound like some kind of political intrigue akin to the G7 - but it's not. A shadow cabinet is a standard feature of the British Parliament - and other Commonwealth countries - where opposition representatives, are assigned to mark, or shadow Minister of government in the ruling party. They usually act as spokespersons on subjects of public interest within specific ministries - offering an alternative or critical view to what the government is doing in those ministries. Dean Barrow was the first to name a shadow cabinet in 2003, and now the John Briceno led opposition has done the same. The PUP's National Party Council met on Saturday to approve Briceno's proposals for 14 members of the National assembly to act as Shadow Ministers. So here's the list: John Brice�o is the shadow minister Finance and Governance, Cordel Hyde is the shadow minister for Natural Resources, Petroleum and Poverty Alleviation, Jose Mai takes Agriculture and Fisheries, while Julius Espat is in shadowing National Development; Economic Development and Investments.

Man Got Burnt Out While In Hospital
On Saturday night Marlon Usher's house burned down while he was in the hospital. He came out to find his life in a shambles. And today he asked for help in putting his life back together:... Marlon Usher, House Burn Down: "Well I'm only asking for a little assistance to start over, because you can see everything is destroyed. Only what I got on I got, you dig? That's all I'm asking for." Alex Courtenay, 7News: "So you think this was not an accident? You think that somebody set your house...?" Marlon Usher, House Burn Down: "It's not an accident, somebody set this on fire, big man. Some people who don't like to see me rising up in life, you know."

Woman Makes Claims Against Seine Bight Cops
We first met Laverne Arzu of Seine Bight village in 2013 when she alleged that that police confiscated her pick up for 4 months without authority. Since then, Arzu claims that her troubles with the police have not gone away. This time, Arzu claims that one of the wheels from her truck were unjustly taken by the police. But there are two sides to every story. First, here's what Laverne Arzu had to say. "I am here because on the 8th of September the police from Placencia came to my house and take off my wheel from my truck. When I asked the policeman what happened, Inspector Miles, he said "Oh, it's Denmark, it's Augustin. He got a report from the chairman stating that he lend somebody a wheel and I have the wheel. I told him I don't have any dealing with you because nobody gave me any wheel. And then they go on and take off the wheel off my truck."

Man Arraigned for Stabbing
On July 26th Michael Herrera was stabbed in the chest by Cecil Gill in front of Wong Gok Restaurant on 6th Street in the King's Park area of Belize City. According to Herrera, he and his friends were buying food outside the restaurant when Gill pulled up in a car. They got into an argument and it ended when Gill pulled out a knife and stabbed Herrera in the chest. Gill was charged with attempted murder in the Magistrate's Court today along with dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. Herrera was able to ride off to the hospital.

Belize Loses To Guat on Home court in Volleyball Tourney
The FIVB Men's World Championship Qualification Tournament officially began on Saturday in Belize City at the SCA Multipurpose Center. Team Belize, along with six others from Central America and the Caribbean started the long journey to earning a spot in the 2018 Volleyball World Championships. 7News was there for Belize's matches; and Alex Courtenay has the report: In its opening match, Belize faced off against El Salvador. After a sound defeat in the first set, El Salvador was able to regain its composure, take the second set, and kept the match competitive by forcing Belize into a fifth set. Belize scored early and often commanding spikes and excellent receptions of the opposing team's attacks.

"Rigo" Is The Buffest Body, Again
The Mr. Belize 2016 bodybuilding competition was held on Saturday night at the Bliss Center. After a few hours of flexing, perennial champion Rigo Vellos won his fifth title, while second place went to Clayton Greenidge, and third place went to David Requena. In the undercard which is the Women's bikini competition, former beauty Queen Annlyn Apolonio showed that she had the muscle for both beauty and brawn. Past winner Gina Lovell was second and Wendy Lizarraga was third.

Cops Fuel Peace Through Hoops
In other sporting news, the police wrapped up its Eastern Division South Cup which started way back in May. The final was played on Saturday night on the Samuel Haynes Basketball Court where Lakeland boys emerged victorious against Unruly Boyz. The top team won one thousand dollars, which second got 750 dollars and third got 500 dollars along with trophies and medals. The Unruly Boyz still had a victory in the tournament's MVP and leading scorer Francis Arana. Awards were also given for best sportsmanship.

IPC Is A Passport Scam
On Saturday a post titled "Second Passport Citizenship and Residency in Belize" made its rounds on FaceBook. According to the post, a company called "IPC Belize" was able to provide Belizean passports for $8,900 US dollars. Over the weekend, the Department of Immigration responded to the post in a press release denying the authenticity of such a service. The release says that any possibility of the sale of Belizean passports through an Economic Citizenship Programme was removed after a constitutional amendment in 2001. Currently, the only way of obtaining Belizean Nationality is through registration or descent. The release also mentions that searches were conducted in the Companies Registry of Belize, and there is no company registered in Belize under the name "IPC Belize". Bottom line, it's bogus, and a scam - but that doesn't mean that people aren't being taken in by it.

Channel 5

War of Words between B.N.T.U. and Government; Strike Action Declared
Eleven years ago, in 2005, the Belize National Teachers Union went on a week-long strike joining other organizations in a sustained campaign against government on the economic issues including proposed [...]

B.N.T.U. Plans Meetings with Other Trade Unions
Today, President Luke Palacio said they intended to meet with the other unions to tell their side. He also addressed the warning he gave last week about intending to sue [...]

Can the "Dead" Occupational Safety and Health Bill Be Revived?
In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave specific examples of Government's attempts to compromise with the Belize National Teachers' Union. One is the Occupational Safety and [...]

Teachers' Union Bears Down for Strike Action
Palacio confirmed that the strike action is not indefinite. Despite the Union's own financial issues, he says the teachers are quite willing to make the sacrifices necessary to cut the [...]

P.U.P. Reiterates Support for Teachers and Condemnation of Government
The Prime Minister conceded that he was prepared to increase to two the Opposition representatives on the Senate Select Committee to investigate the Special Audit on the Immigration Department. Today, [...]

Finally! Foreign Affairs Minister Takes On Guatemala At United Nations
Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the United Nations in a spirited speech touching principally on the Belize-Guatemala dispute. In his address to the seventy-first General Assembly, it was the [...]

Minister Elrington Stands Behind Independent Report On Julio Alvarado Death
Elrington dedicated much time to respond to the Guatemalan President's statement last week on the shooting incident involving the minor in the Chiquibul. And he didn't hold back about what [...]

Murder In Cayo: What Happened to Rudolph Selgado on Valley of Peace Road?
The gruesome discovery of a decomposing body in the Valley Peace, Cayo, has shocked the community in the area. Roaring Creek resident, Rudolph Selgado, an employee of BWSL, had been [...]

A Look at the "Dangerous Life of John Mcafee"
Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee aired on Saturday night. The Showtime documentary chronicles the activities of software tech John McAfee while he lived in Belize. The sensational documentary [...]

People's United Party Unveils Shadow Cabinet at Party Council Meeting
Saturday's National Party Council meeting of the People's United Party in Belize City was more of a celebration of the party's sixty-sixth anniversary of formation in 1950.� But there was [...]

John Brice�o Calls B.T.L. Deal "Worst Ever" by a Government
The People's United Party has been hammering Government on the B.T.L. deal, stating that Belizeans must find five hundred and fifty seven million dollars for a company worth about one [...]

Colombian Company Employs Guatemalans to Fix B.T.L. Network Issues
While on the issue of B.T.L. the state-run company has confirmed that it has contracted the services of Ingetelca to assist with their recovery process following the damages to its [...]

Guatemalans Everywhere - C.O.L.A. Says Beware And Begone!
There is also an online report alleging that one George Orellana, a member of the Board of the National Institute of Culture and History, has Guatemalan origin and close ties [...]

COLA Throws Support Behind Teachers' Union
The Belize National Teachers' Union continues to have support from its grassroots partners, including COLA. President Geovannie Brackett says the Union's demands are just the same as their own, and [...]

P.U.P. to Unveil Good Governance Policy on Party's 66th Birthday
As we reported earlier, the sixty-sixth anniversary of the formation of the People's United Party comes up later this week, on Thursday. The Opposition Party will dedicate this day to [...]

Man Appeals For Help After Fire Destroys House
A fire in Belize City destroyed a man's home and personal belongings. Marlon Usher of Arlington Drive said he was hospitalized so he wasn't at home when his house was [...]

Man Charged for Robbery of Son of Home Affairs Minister
In court today, a suspect in the robbery of Kyrston Hulse, the son of the Minister of Home Affairs, was robbed at gunpoint on September twenty-second on Marine Parade Boulevard, [...]

Bodybuilding Headlines Sports Monday
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.    

CTV3

BNTU Puts The Prime Minister On Notice, Teachers Will Go on Strike
There is major political trouble tonight for Prime Minister Dean Barrow and his administration, as the Belize National Teacher's Union National President Luke Palacio announced today that his over 5,400 members - all teachers - will be going on strike on Monday, October 03rd. While appearing on the Krem Wake Up Belize morning show today, Palacio made the grand announcement. After the show, he spoke to the media and explained why the Union sees it necessary to take action. President Luke Palacio - Belize National Teacher's Union: "We are seeking for good governance for all of us, all Belizeans, for our children, we are seeking good governance for the future of this country and we are not going to back down because the Prime Minister has insisted that we back down we have indicated that we are asking our teachers to stay out of class on Monday 3rd of October and that is the action that we are pursuing..."

Sixteen Years Old Goes Missing
The family of sixteen year old Cinay Vallecillo from the village of San Estevan here in the Orange Walk District is tonight very concerned as the teenager went missing from her home on the morning of Thursday September 22nd at around 7:30 and has not been seen or heard from since. The girl's mother, thirty two year old Cristina Vallecillo reported to authorities that her daughter was last seen wearing a white tank top blouse along with a short pants and a pair of slippers, purple and pink in color. Cinay is of Hispanic descent, has dark brown eyes and has long dark straight hair. She measures about 5 feet eight inches in height and weighs about one hundred forty pounds. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the sixteen year old is asked to kindly contact the family or the nearest police station.

Corozal Police Discovers Lifeless Body
Corozal Police are investigating the discovery of the lifeless body of a man on Friday evening. Police were called out to the Finca Solana area, in the outskirts of Corozal Town, where the body of a male Caucasian was seen along the sea shore. Police say the body was in an advanced state of decomposition and a post mortem was attempted on the spot, but the forensic pathologist could not continue because of the body's advanced decomposition. No signs of violence were seen on the body and Police are not suspecting foul play. But the case is not so clear cut. No ID was found on the body therefore the identity of the individual has not been ascertained.

San Victor Residents Will Now Enjoy Potable Water
Approximately one thousand residents from the village of San Victor located in the Corozal District will now benefit from improved access to safe potable water in order to meet their daily demands as the solar water system is currently being upgraded within the village. The Solar Water Project is being carried out by the Social Investment Fund in collaboration with the Government of Belize through a grant issued by the Caribbean Development Bank under the 'Water and Sanitation System Enhancement Sector of the Basic Needs Trust Fund Programme. The long list of tasks entails the construction of a new steel-frame elevated thirty thousand gallons water tank with all required piping and accessories; installation of a submersible solar water pump and chlorinator, installation of solar panel array to provide electricity to the pump house and controls, provision of pipes and fittings for the transmission and distribution lines, including two hundred meters for house connections and is being constructed at the highest point in the village which measures fifty seven feet above sea level.

LOVE FM

Foreign Minister Calls Out Guatemala on Their Games
The seventy first session of the United Nations General Assembly ended earlier today in New York City. One of the speakers was Belize's Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington who took the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by Belize in its relations with Guatemala. WILFRED ELRINGTON "Continuous illegal entry by armed trespassers from Guatemala persisted despite [�]

Guatemalans Says They Listened In Disbelief at Foreign Minister's Address at the UN
Just a few hours after Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington delivered his address at the UN's General Debate, the Permanent representative of Guatemala to the United Nations furnished a report of which Love News was given an excerpt of. It noted, quote, "With regard to this 150 year old conflict, we listened carefully but also with [�]

IMF Says Economic Outlook Has Worsened
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded its Article IV Consultations with Belize on September 21, 2016. It is a report whose executive summary speaks of a weakened fiscal position and the country's public debt going higher. It also speaks of multiple challenges being faced in the country and a worsened economic outlook since their last [�]

PM Expresses Concern at Rapid Response from Union
The Council of Management of the Belize National Teacher's Union has been accused of not consulting with its membership on its latest Stand Up for Belize move. In his address on the matter, Prime Minister Dean Barrow seemed surprised that in just eighteen hours after his meeting BNTU's Council of Management, he received a letter [�]

Palacio Says Senate Inquiry is at the Centre of Their Concerns
According to the President of the Belize National Teacher's Union, Luke Palacio, their Stand Up for Belize Campaign is for more than the three percent salary adjustment, it is for country. It is also about a Senate Inquiry into the findings of the Auditor General's Special report on passport and immigration. In that report, several [�]

PM Says Senator Hulse Will Not Go
One of the eight demands that the Belize National Teacher's Union had submitted to the Government of Belize is for the removal of Senator Godwin Hulse as Minister of Police. Hulse was named in the Auditor General Special Report. The BNTU is asking that Hulse has absolutely nothing to do with the Senate Inquiry into [�]

OSH Bill Needs Urgent Attention Says BNTU
The Belize National Teacher's Union is also demanding that Government pass and implement the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. When this particular demand was first made in writing by the BNTU Prime Minister, Dean Barrow advised the union that the bill had received great opposition from the business sector. This was again discussed during last [�]

PUP Shadows Cabinet
The People's United Party held its National Party Council meeting on Saturday at the auditorium of the Belize Elementary School in Belize City. Among the issues tabled at the event was the formulation of a shadow Cabinet that would be geared at monitoring national issues with an aim to ensure that the Government of Belize [�]

PUP Accuses Senator Hulse of Deliberately Attempting to Mislead Belizeans
Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration was a guest on The Morning Show on September 15, 2016. He spoke primarily of the Audit Reports released from the Office of the Auditor General and the appearance of his signature particularly as it relates to the documents for the Prime Minister's brother-in-law, Peter William [�]

COLA Calls Government's Action, Union Busting
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) has issued a release accusing the Government of undermining the trade unions of Belize. Their 5-paragraph release was issued today and has condemned the actions of the Government and expressed great concern at what they have perceived as the Prime Minister attempting to create division within the Belize [�]

Breaking Belize News

PUP says Hulse must recuse himself from Senate Inquiry proceedings
Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration on Love FM's morning show on September 15, spoke of the Auditor General's report. He explained the appearance of his signature regarding the documents of the Prime Minister's brother in law, Peter William Dahlstrom. The [�]

El Pilar: Preserving the Maya Legacy to air this Saturday
A film on El Pilar is scheduled to screen this Saturday, October 1st from 9-11 a.m. at the ACC Theatre in California, USA. It is entitled El Pilar: Preserving the Maya Legacy. Archaeologist Anabel Ford rediscovered the ancient Maya city of El Pilar 30 [�]

Before a Belmopan Municipal Bond is considered
We will never borrow ourselves into prosperity. Belmopan needs to attract and incentivise local and international diversified investors to build prosperity for all in Belmopan. The first thing a true leader needs to do is a full audit of our financial situation [�]

DFC Expo to be held on October 1st
The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) of Belize is hosting an expo this Saturday at the ITVET compound in Belize city. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the keynote address from Daniel Guitterez from the Prime Minister's office. DFC's General Manager, Natalie Goff [�]

Belize must have the teachers' back
With all the unrest in Belize and slow shift in political momentum, the teachers have stepped in at a critical time in the nation's development. The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), no doubt the country's most powerful union, has given Prime Minister Dean Barrow [�]

BNTU's message to GOB is relevant and purposeful
I find the message from the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) extremely relevant and purposeful�. The politicians of this country have run roughshod over the people for too long. They live large, travel the world at our expense and grow rich while oppressing [�]

Police issues statement on the murder of Rudolph Selgado
Police have issued an official statement on the murder of Rudolph Selgado, whose body was found in an advanced state of decomposition in the vicinity of the Global Outreach Votech on the Valley of Peace Road, Belmopan. According to police reports, on Sunday, September [�]

Belize finally calls out Guatemala at United Nation General Assembly
As anticipated, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington made mention of Guatemala's hostile behavior towards Belize in his speech after Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales told the UN that Belize wasn't cooperating as a good neighbor. "Our diversity, national identity and pride has long been a source [�]

Fair weather expected to continue
The 24-hour forecast is for sunny skies with cloudy spells today and partly cloudy tonight. Showers or thunderstorms will be generally isolated across the country, except in the south where a few more showers or thunderstorms are likely to occur tonight and tomorrow morning. [�]

COLA condemns GOB for Union busting
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), in a release issued this morning, condemned the actions of the Government, calling it overt and saying that behind closed doors GOb has tried to undermine the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). In their release, COLA says [�]

COLA condemns GOB's Duplicity
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) issued a release today with regards to a press release issued by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) in which it informs the public that Guatemalan George Anibal Orellana remains a member of the NICH [�]

Ministry of Human Development to launch BelizeInfo
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation (MHDSTPA) will be hosting a media breakfast on Tuesday, 27th of September, at 7:15 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercy Centre in Belize City to launch Belize Info, a national policy monitoring tool. [�]

BNTU to strike on October 3
The Belize National Teachers Union has confirmed to BBN that strike action will begin on Monday, October 3. BNTU is continuing with its countrywide annual meetings to discuss negotiations with the Prime Minister. The San Ignacio branch will meet on Tuesday and the Benque [�]

Blogs

An undiscovered Belize: Ancient Maya secrets yet to be revealed
Throughout the years, more and more discoveries are being made by archaeologists studying the ancient Maya civilization in Belize. Even though Belize has hundreds of archaeological sites throughout the country, only a few have been explored, with excavation still ongoing at many. One such site is Nim Li Punit, located in the Toledo District. Also known as "The Big Hat", this archaeological reserve sits on 121.32 acres of land and is considered one of the smallest sites in the country. I have been to Nim Li Punit three times, and on my most recent visit I learned that less than 50% of the entire reserve has been excavated! The site has already produced significant discoveries and some findings haven't been fully analyzed - I can only imagine what lies hidden beneath the remaining layers of soil!

Reasons That YOU Should be in Belize in October
September celebrations are over. Sigh. And it is officially FALL - or so says the calendar. September, October and November are typically the "low season" in Belize. It's hurricane season. I understand. Everyone is getting back to school, summer is over and it's time to buckle down� It may seem like an odd time to travel but there are TONS of reasons to visit Ambergris Caye in the month of October.

Milo Cake
I use Milo, a product that's like Ovaltine to make a unique cake.

Victoria House in Ambergris Caye: The Belize Resort Fit for a Queen
When Queen Elizabeth II made an official visit to Belize in 1994, had she not been offered a government residence during her stay, we're pretty sure she would have been delighted to stay at Victoria House for reasons that have nothing to do with her grandmother's name. This accommodation was one of Belize's first-ever upscale resorts, established long before Ambergris Caye became the world class Belize destination that draws vacationers from around the world. When noted travel authority "Fodor's" reviews a resort property, editors take more than a cursory look-see at landscaping. They know that first impressions are critical to a guest's sensibilities when they vacation. Reviewers discovered no shortage of tropical magnificence at Victoria House, where lush expanses of botanicals and trees--including more rainbow-colored bougainvillea and hibiscus than the eye can take in--stop first-time visitors in their tracks. Steps away, pristine beaches await guests. Though located near the bustling town of San Pedro, civilization may as well be 100 miles away because the resort is an epicenter of peace and tranquility. Given the architectural grandeur of this colonial-styled building, you might expect a huge, complex warren of accommodations designed to host crowds, but in fact, there are only 42 lodgings under roof, so even the smallest rooms impress savvy travelers with their size, amenities and one-of-a-kind touches like furnishings carved from locally-grown trees. Beachside accommodations are particularly grand and include two-bedroom villas that host larger parties while suites are known for private roaming space for couples eager for an intimate respite from the world. From standard rooms to a five-bedroom manse, you can bring all of your ladies-in-waiting and footmen along if you're planning the ultimate family vacation.

International Sources

Belize sailors feature in Bart's Bash
Provisional results of the Bart's Bash world wide sailing race are up. Venues could choose to race on Saturday or on Sunday, September 17 or 18. The event organizers in San Pedro chose Sunday to hold the race for Belize's field of 22 boats. All the well-established and known-to-be-organized clubs have now reported in. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, here, still unofficially, but quite encouragingly, is how the Belize sailors fared.

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2016 Article IV Consultation with Belize
The economy of Belize is facing multiple challenges. GDP growth slowed to 1 percent in 2015 due to falling oil production and reduced output in the primary commodity sectors, and turned to negative 1.5 percent in the first half of 2016 relative to the same period in 2015. The decline in oil and other commodity prices led to deflation in 2015, but the inflation rate turned positive in early 2016 owing to higher food prices and the hike in the fuel tax. The effective exchange rate appreciated sharply both in nominal and real terms, driven mostly by the strengthening of the US dollar to which the currency is pegged, reducing competitiveness. The shocks in the export sector have widened the current account deficit to 9.8 percent of GDP in 2015. Further decline in exports in the first half of 2016, combined with settling liabilities related to the two nationalized companies, reduced international reserves to 4.4 months of imports in late August 2016. Hurricane Earl, which hit Belize in early August, compounded the challenging economic environment. On the positive side, the performance of the tourism sector in the first half of 2016 has been strong, and the unemployment rate declined from 10.1 percent in April 2015 to 8 percent in April 2016.

New Showtime Documentary on John McAfee Makes Explosive Charges, Creates Huge Fallout
Software magnate and former Libertarian presidential candidate John McAfee is facing fallout after Showtime aired a documentary about his life Saturday night. The film, Gringo: the Dangerous Life of John McAfee, charts the billionaire's course through Belize as he fights charges that he murdered an American expat. The director, Nanette Burstein, premiered the documentary at the Toronto Film Festival, after years of work interviewing not only McAfee, but officials, gangsters and others in Belize who claim McAfee is guilty of two murders and a rape. The "witnesses" have strange stories to tell about the man's bizarre and often volatile behavior. The documentary makes some severe allegations. McAfee, it claims, who moved to Belize in 2008 and fled the country in 2012, did as he pleased, paying off government officials, employing an army of young women to satisfy his bizarre feces-related sexual proclivities, and plotting to overthrow Belize's official government from his heavily armored personal compound. Burstein ends by theorizing exactly how McAfee used his hit men and bodyguards to commit the brutal murder McAfee made headlines for. And that's where the story gets even more bizarre.

Infamous rapper surprises audience at Diddy concert
One surprise guest at Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Family Reunion concert in Newark, NJ, on Sunday was infamous rapper Shyne. But the appearance was taped. He was deported to Belize after his release from prison in 2009 stemming from the infamous 1999 Club New York shooting where Combs was arrested for fleeing the scene with then-�girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, but was acquitted. A fan said, "The stadium was in shock to see the taped performance." Combs' son Christian, 18, also performed along with Mase, Lil' Kim and DMX.

Caribbean leaders, at UN Assembly, decry new financial rules; stress UN role in development
Declaring that Caribbean countries are being treated "as if they are hell on earth" due to new financial rules against tax havens, Bahamian Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell mounted the podium of the United Nations General Assembly today to denounce the "immoral" withdrawal of normal banking services that inflict hardship on ordinary citizens. "This problem must be solved by those who imposed the regulations. It is a moral imperative," he told the Assembly's annual general debate, reprising a theme already highlighted by fellow leaders from the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) last week. He noted that banks in the developed world, principally the United States, are refusing to cash the cheques of some Caribbean banks because they say the risk of policing the CARICOM banks on compliance to the new rules is too high and the business they get is too low, stripping the services from across the Caribbean.

More Caribbean countries decry new financial rules
The developed states argue that the fact that Caribbean countries are bankers for those seeking to take advantage of tax competition is somehow immoral because it robs the developed world of legitimate revenue, but this is not true since evidence shows that wealth accumulated offshore goes back to the developed nations, he said. "We would argue that another moral argument is that if the societies of the Caribbean collapse because of the over regulation, then the result of the destruction of millions of families would be the greater moral wrong," he added. Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington of Belize endorsed other CARICOM delegations in their pleas for "urgent relief from the deleterious consequences of the decisions of global banks to withdraw banking services.

Belizean students excel at Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica
Payal Ghanwani of Corozal, received the distinction as the Most Outstanding Student Over Two Years (2014-2016) and Adler Waight of Belize City, was awarded as Most Outstanding Year 1 Student (2015-2016) The students were awarded at the school's graduation this past Saturday.

Miss Costa Maya Guatemala 2017
Last night (Sep 25th) during the Miss Guatemala Pageant, Fernanda Flores, was crowned Miss Costa Maya Guatemala 2017. Congratulations! Pics from Miss Guatemala FB page.

2016 Central America Regional Security Initiative
Seven organizations will receive grants totaling US $1.6 million dollars under the 2016 Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), Economic Support Funds (ESF) program! This year the grants will focus on job creation and providing alternative activities and better education for youth at higher risk of gang affiliation and/or engaging in criminal activity. On Tuesday September 27th, the organizations will officially sign for the grant at a signing ceremony in Belmopan.

Videos

The Sights and Sounds of the 2016 J'ouvert, 4min.

BBC | Stephen Fry: Out There | Episode 1, 60min. Eye opening, a must see if you are at all interested in the rights and plights of gay people around the world. Very informative. Quite an eye-opener as it relates to the views of other countries,also that 50 percent of the 84 countries with these archaic anti-gays rules and views still in place were once British colonial ruled!.

My BOdy is Precious book, 4min. In 2013, the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow and Director of Community Rehabilitation Department, under the Ministry of Human Development, Ms. Starla Bradley co-authored the my body is precious book which provids parents and teachers alike with an avenue to discuss the sensitive topic of sexual abuse. After promoting the my body is precious book for more than a year, the Office of the Special Envoy, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), produced a series of animated films in Maya, English and Garifuna.

Belize - Minister for Foreign Affairs Addresses General Debate, 71st Session, 4.5min. 26 Sep 2016 - Wilfred Elrington, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belize, addresses the general debate of the 71st Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 20-26 September 2016).

BNTU response to GOB teachers proposal, 1min. The BNTU has been accused of being too hasty in their response to GOB's proposals following the more than four hour long meeting on Thursday, September 22. Here's BNTU's president, Luke Palacio's, response to that allegation.

Bonefishing Turneffe Island Flats, 11min. This was a trip in January 2016 to Turneffe Island Flats. 1 permit and a ton of bones made for a great time.

Nurse shark feeding Belize 2014, 12min.

Belize Day 5: The Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye, 4min. Chris and Leah adventure to the Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye. They then return to San Pedro to hang out at the Dive Bar, where they're officially initiated into the Dirty Banana Squad!

Belize Independence Day Parade in San Pedro 2016, 4min. Belizean's spirit of celebration, energy, natural charm and friendliness make for an awesome 'Jump Up Parade'. And it seems that everybody LOVES to dance! Highlights of Belize Independence Day Parade in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

BELIZE - 2015, 8.5min. Joe and I went on a fantastic adventure to Belize. Join us as we explore ancient ruins, snorkel with sharks, and enjoy living life!

Belize-2016, 9min.

Carnival Road March 2016 - Belize City, 7.5min. 2016 Carnival Road March Location: Central Boulevard - Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize Date: 17 September,2016 1:00 p.m..

Rigo Vellos 2016 Belize Body Building, 5.5min.

Fishermen's cleaning station, Silk Cayes, Belize, 1/2min.

Interesting Facts about Belize's National Bird The Keel-billed Toucan, 7min. The Keel-billed Toucan is Belize's National Bird. Here are a few interesting facts. Presentation takes a fun approach to bird watching, in this case, the Keel-billed Toucan. Primary / Elementary school teachers are welcome to use freely.

Mordu de la peche Belize city, 45min.