AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News Daily news prior to today Today's Belize News: August 23, 2015

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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

San Pedro Town Council hosts first ever Think Tank Mixer event
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) held its first ever Think Tank Mixer on Tuesday, August 18th at the Rum & Bean located at Mahogany Bay Village. The event was designed for invited guest to mingle and discuss issues that are affecting the island and suggest possible solutions. Kicking off at 5:30PM in a formal ambiance with complimentary snacks and drinks, the function motivated the attendees to discuss the island's future plans. Deputy Mayor, Gary Greif briefly welcomed everyone officially opening the event. "This idea of getting together in a network with everyone has prove to be successful in other places, thus, we want to start this practice here in San Pedro. By having frequent gatherings like this one, we can discover the skills of our residents. For example if we need a graphic designer we feel that we have to go out of the island or the country to find one, when that professional we are looking for can be right here in San Pedro," Greif explained. He continued by emphasizing the aim of this initiative, which is to get together in small groups from time to time and discuss issues affecting the island and the tourism sector. "Everyone wants us to have a sustainable growth of tourism on the island which will benefit the people and likewise the tourist as well. during this event I will like to talk to everyone and get your contact information and in the next week or two weeks we will be contacting you for private meetings to discuss any ideas that came out from this event," said Greif.

Belizean Doctors to Benefit from Specialty Scholarships from the Government of El Salvador
Minister of Health Hon. Pablo Marin recently returned from an official visit to San Salvador, El Salvador on the invitation of the Minister of Health of El Salvador, Dr. Elvia Violeta Menjivar and her deputy, Dr. Julio Robles Ticas. The three-day visit from the 12th - 14th August allowed for further discussions to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding for mutual health benefits in human resource development and information sharing between both countries. While negotiations continue, the Government of El Salvador has offered to provide free services through the visit of a medical team at the end of this month and has also offered 21 scholarships in various medical specialty areas to Belizean doctors.

Verdes FC draws in first Champions League match
In a historic participation in the Scotiabank Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League (SCCL), Verdes FC tied in their first match against Queretaro FC. The match took place on Tuesday, August 18th at the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Project Stadium. Hundreds of fanatics came out to support the Premier League of Belize 2014/2015 champions as they took on Mexico's Queretaro FC in the group stage of the tournament. With this draw, Verdes ranks second in Group C of the SCCL. Queretaro is in the first position as they had previously defeated Panama's San Francisco FC on Tuesday, August 4th in a 2-0 point game. In their next match up Verdes FC will once again face Queretaro in an away game scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 17th at the Estadio Maracana in Mexico.

Misc Belizean Sources

Precipitation Outlook August - October 2015

Ocean Academy needs your help
Please donate to help keep our youths in school. OA is a privately run, non-profit high school. They don't get government funding. Dear Friends, Where would you be without a high-school education? What if you had to quit school at age 12? Ocean Academy provides an award-winning education in Belize . . . but we need your help! We have been working to find sponsors all summer . . . we still need more! School starts next week. Check out the videos of these young persons wanting to get an education. School is not free anywhere in Belize which is why only half of youth are in high school across the country. Together, we can "pass along" the gift of education! YOU + 3 of your friends @ $25 USD each = Changing a life with education! On what do you spend $25? How cool are your friends?

Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad
In a small bowl combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Let them marinate at least 5 minutes to mellow the flavor of the onion. In a large bowl combine chopped shrimp, avocado, tomato, jalape�o. Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. In a large bowl combine chopped shrimp, avocado, tomato, jalape�o. Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

The Reporter

UNICEF releases last video in "Time Out" series
This week the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) released the final video in its "Time Out" series, which focuses on ending violence against children in Belize. The final video is the culmination of the first four in the series, highlighting the different forms of violence against children: verbal, physical and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Through the video, UNICEF acknowledges the difficulties associated with parenting, and calls on Belizean parents to consider the long-term effects that violence can have on their children. Caroline Bach, communications specialist for UNICEF Belize, explained that the videos in the series were geared towards promoting positive communication and disciplinary techniques.

SIB to present latest data
The Statistical Institute of Belize is preparing to release its latest economic performance and estimate data. On Wednesday August 29, the SIB will launch the Second Quarter 2015 Gross Domestic Product estimates, July 2015 External Trade statistics (ETB), July 2015 Consumer Price Index/Inflation Rate statistics. The SIB will also present the April 2015 Labour Force Survey Preliminary Findings. The GDP estimates give a picture of how the economy has grown, the ETB quantifies the value of Belize's imports and exports for the given month, while the CPI measures the increase/decrease of local goods and services. The LFS provides employment related data, in terms of number of people employed/unemployed, or those unfit to be in the work force. The data will be presented at the Central Bank of Belize Training room.

Education Minister says Ahmadiyyah Muslims' model for peace is inspiration to Belize
Belize's Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, has said that the Ahmadiyyah Muslim community is an inspiration to Belize for its model on world peace, and thanked the community for that commendable effort. The Minister was speaking on the occasion of the 49th Annual International Conference of the Ahmadiyyah Muslim Association (Jalsa Salana) at Oak Farms, Alton area, London England on Saturday afternoon. "After learning of the ideals of the Ahmadiyyah Muslims and of the ideals of His Holiness, The Promised Messiah, I was pleased to accept the invitation to Jalsa Salana 2015 � We place on record our admiration for your work on tolerance, peace and justice." With its slogan, "Love for All, Hatred for None", the Ahmadiyyah Muslim community has been known for its promotion of peace and international brotherhood, its charitable work of building schools and health centres across the world, and for being among the first to respond in times of disaster to those who need.

Breaking Belize News

Danny churns toward Leewards, losing strength
As of noon today, Hurricane Danny was centered near 15.5 degrees North latitude, 52.4 degrees West longitude or about 635 miles East of the Leeward Islands. Danny was moving west north west at 12 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour. Elsewhere in [�]

Teen killed during robbery
Dangriga Police are investigating an apparent robbery at Polanco's Farm at Mile 26, Hummingbird Highway, during which a 15 year old identified as Briaton Tharique Polanco was apparently shot dead. According to 64 year old Bernard Usher, he was in his room at the residence around 8:30 a.m. [�]

Fire reported in Independence may be arson
Belize Media Group has received reports of a house fire in Mango Creek that reportedly damaged a teacher's home. Further reports suggest that the incident is a case of arson and the teacher knows who set her house ablaze. Independence Police confirmed the fire and told us that a team [�]

PM Barrow and Minister Santiago Castillo signed $60 million loan for security initiatives
Prime Minister Dean Barrow and his Minister of State Santiago Castillo Jr have signed for a US$30 million loan with Armando Blanco, the Legal Representative of CABEI, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration for security initiatives. The money will fund the Belize Integral Security Program which will strengthen citizen [�]

Accused in bank robbery released on bail
Four men accused of robbing First Caribbean Bank in Belize City in July and a fifth man charged with conspiracy to commit robbery along with the others were each released on bail of $8,000 each by Supreme Court Justice Antoinette Moore. Of the group, 33 year old Jermaine Belgrave, 22 [�]

Santiago Castillo goes into real estate with Christie's auction house
Santiago Castillo Group of Companies is best known as merchants of imported, usually high-end goods. But they are now partnering with the Christie's art auction house to branch into another kind of high-end sale - real estate. The new San Cas Realty-Christie's International Real Estate held a launch on San [�]

Deputy ComPol in lawsuit over accident
One year after the fatal traffic accident on the George Price Highway that claimed the life of 55 year old Yolanda Valencia, interdicted deputy commissioner of police Miguel Segura faces a lawsuit for damages filed by her mother Guadalupe Valencia, who is being represented by attorney Kareem Musa. Valencia was [�]

Former Mayor of Corozal, Cornelio Acosta Passes Away
Belize Media Group had received reports that Cornelio Acosta, the former Mayor of Corozal passed away today. Acosta served as Mayor in Corozal Town in 1997 under the People's United Party.

Ex-LICU GM attends special meeting
Former General Manager of La Inmaculada Credit Union in Orange Walk Town, Yolanda Gomez, is present at the special general meeting called by the Board of Directors today at the Muffles College Auditorium. This is contributing to a tense atmosphere among member-owners of the Union present to hear a report [�]

Another Government vehicle stolen after armed home invasion of public officer
San Ignacio Police are currently investigating a report of a home invasion at the residence of 37 year old Anthony Mai, Environmental Officer. He was at home relaxing with his family when an unknown Hispanic man barged into his residence accompanied by a armed man of dark complexion. Mai reported [�]

Blogs

In Low Season, some of our favorite bistros close down, but some surprise openings too
So, one sign of Low Season: Closed for Business signs. Venues shut down anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, riding out the tourism doldrums. Kind of a sad time for us who remain on the island, as our favorite places go on hiatus. Most places close in September and October but some have already shuttered their doors. Among them, Casa Picasso, one of the island's premier restaurants, closed last week with the traditional pouring of a tower of flaming blue-green aperitif by bartender Nikolai. Many on hand to observe this sacred moment - after the last dinner was served - were also treated by owners Jacki and Adam to what deserts remained in the kitchen. Key takeaway is that Casa Picasso reopens on Nov. 3.

International Sources

Fortis Receives C$41.83 Consensus Price Target from Analysts (TSE:FTS)
hares of Fortis (TSE:FTS) have earned an average rating of "Buy" from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$41.83. Fortis (TSE:FTS) opened at 36.31 on Wednesday. The firm's 50-day moving average is $37.15 and its 200-day moving average is $38.18. Fortis has a 12 month low of $33.12 and a 12 month high of $42.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.12 billion and a P/E ratio of 16.41.

Videos