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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

San Pedro Library highlights literacy during summer camp
The San Pedro Town Library (SPTL) started its free Literacy Camp on Monday, July 25th for children ages 7 to 13. With 29 registered children, the camp aims at getting the island's youth to become more creative, while creating better readers and spellers for tomorrow. The primary focus is on grammar, vocabulary, character building, basic anatomy, functions of the brain, and sharing useful information. The camp will culminate on Friday, August 5th, where prizes will be given out to the campers based on their achievements. Coral also mentioned that the library has extended their pilot tutoring program. Level II (over 11), can meet at the library on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30AM to 11:30 AM, and Level I (under 11) meets on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at the same time and location.

Former leader of GSU, Mark Flowers charged for unlawful sexual conduct
Former head of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), Superintendent Mark Flowers has been replaced after being arrested and charged for unlawful sexual contact with a minor. According to police investigation, Flowers has been accused of allegedly engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl as recently as May of this year. On Tuesday, July 26th, after appearing before Chief Magistrate, Ann-Marie Smith, Flowers was read his charges, being two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, then remanded to the Belize Central Prison. He is to re-appear in court on September 26th when disclosure is to be given. A case management has also been scheduled for October 6th to take place in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court. Flowers admitted having met the minor in the summer of 2015, but he strongly denies ever having any physical contact with her. He also pointed out that the report against him was done shortly after he let go of the minor's stepfather from duties at his farmland in Blackman Eddy Village.

Finn + Martini organizes first ever Reina Del La Costa Maya parade
The Mundo Maya region was represented with vibrant color and sounds on Thursday, July 28th as Finn + Martini hosted the first-ever Reina De La Costa Maya parade through San Pedro Town. To the sound of drumming and cheers of the crowd gathered to watch, elaborately decorated golf carts carried the beauty representatives from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama from Finn + Martini on Laguna Drive down Pescador Drive to the ultimate destination: Fido's Courtyard and Pier.

Experience Ballet on Ice on Ambergris Caye!
For the very first time, Belizeans will be treated to a never-before-seen performance by the Russian Ballet on Ice. The world class ice skating show is scheduled to take place in both Belize City and San Pedro Town, and even though Belize does not have a skating rink, the show will be possible through the use of an Ice Equipment Complex (IPC). Everyone is invited to attend the once-in-a-life time show and experience a magical night. The IPC is a portable artificial ice skating rink that can be installed on any solid surface and provides the similar conditions of a natural rink. The performances will be taking place on Saturday, July 30th at 8PM and Sunday, July 31st at 4PM at the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts in Belize City and on Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:30PM at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorium in San Pedro Town. For an admission fee of $65 per adult, $75 reserved and $35 for children (2 to 12 years), you can attend the show, which will feature performances such as "Swan Lake" and "Cinderella on Ice".

Venice Basketball League to host tournament in San Pedro Town
Basketball fanatics on the island will, for the first time ever, experience a one of a kind tournament organized by The Venice Basketball League (VBL). The sporting event is slated for Saturday, July 30th at the Boca Del Rio basketball court and aims to unite all basketball players on the island while teaching new skills in the sport. The all- day event will see music and lots to eat. At the end of the tournament, winning teams will be awarded with trophies. Founder of VBL Nick Ansom told The San Pedro Sun that he began the league ten years ago at Las Angeles' Venice Beach in California, USA. According to him, the beginnings of the organization were very humble, giving everyone who loves the sport the opportunity to be part of a loving community. "It began like an organized pick- up game of basketball, and we would play on the outdoors, exposing all that talent that people don't get the chance to show," said Ansom. Venice Basketball League-4He is currently on vacation on Ambergris Caye and brought 30 basketballs with the intention to give them away to players who love the sport. However, he never thought he would be spearheading a competition on the island. "Since we created this league, we have done tours all over the world. In addition we also have basketballs for sale and for every one we sell, we give one away. In the last month we sold 30, so I brought back 30 with me to give away," said Ansom. He stated that the organization follows a structured team agenda and has evolved from its humble starts to be a reputable roster compiled with the highest of standards in ethics and talent.

Ambergris Today

Costa Maya Festival Kicks Off with Parade Organized by Finn + Martini
"Last Night Finn and Martini became the cultural capital of The Americas!" boasted Findley Halliday while he took time to rest after the Costa Maya Festival Parade to the Sashing event that took place last night, July 28, 2016. Finn + Martini sponsored and hosted, along with the Costa Maya Festival, a parade that officially kicked off the Festival celebrations on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Each of the eight Costa Maya Pageant contestants had her private golf cart adorned with their national colors, flags and emblems as the beauty delegates were the highlight of the parade that lead its way to Fido's from Finn + Martini. The crowds gathered streetside as the parade came to life with music, dance and the charima of the eight lovely delegates. Joining the parade were Miss San Pedro Iris Salgero, Miss America Latina Belize Michelle Nu�ez, Miss Costa Maya 2015/Miss Honduras Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle, the Miss San Pedro 2016 contestants, the Garifuna Charikanari Group and the San Pedro Roman Catholic Marching Band.

Three Belize Athletes to Participate in Rio 2016 Olympic Games
With just over a week to go for the opening of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, The Belize National Olympic Committee says that Belize's contingent is ready to represent in two sporting disciplines (Judo and Athletics) made up of 3 athletes, 3 delegates/coaches and the Chief of Mission, Mr. Giovanni Alamilla. Athlete Renick James will compete in the Judo - 90kg category, Katy Sealy and Brandon Jones will compete in the 100m Hurdles and 200m respectively. Accompanying the athletes are Judo and Athletics delegates Franz Menzies and Deon Sutherland along with Athletics coach Denis Costello. Brandon Jones has been selected as the flag bearer for Belize at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

SBDC Workshop: Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights ddd
Presented by: Mrs. Koreen Flowers, Sr. Assistant Registrar of Intellectual Property, BELIPO. Location: Beltraide Conference Room, 14 Orchid Garden Street, Belmopan Workshop Date: August 4th, 2016. Time: 9am to 12noon. This course is designed for entrepreneurs, managers and business owners who are interested in learning more about Copyright, Patent, Trademark and Industrial Design.

Splashers
Attention North side Splashers. We will be having a paint party at Captain Morgan's every Friday at 1p.m. Today we will be painting a turtle.

Stann Creek House of Culture
We are ready. Come on out and learn more about the Stann Creek House of Culture!!!!!

IDENTITY Youth Art Exhibit
Corozal House of Culture, Aug 5 at 7pm.

Summer Art Wave 2016's Traditional Mestizo Workshop
The Summer Art Wave 2016's Traditional Mestizo Workshop ended today with preparations for tomorrow nights performance as part of the Cultural Explosion event beginning at 7pm at the Corozal Town Central Park. We must give a most gracious thank you to a kind soul, Maestra Libertad Cal, who has instilled our intangible cultural heritage into the minds, hearts and souls of our young performers. Congratulations to our performers who were able to learn three Mestizo Dances within ten hours of study. We also want to thank our sponsors Atlantic Bank - Corozal Branch for nutritious snacks and to Bowen & Bowen - Corozal for keeping everyone hydrated!

We "dig" archaeologists!
On this ‪Day of Archaeology‬, check out these photos of Antonio Beardall of Institute of Archaeology (NICH) Belize & other young excavators of the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance at Cahal Pech.

Chiquibul Forests Investment Initiative
August 4, Caracol Room, Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina Beize City. 1:30pm. Our Ministry and partners have been working very hard to make this happen! The investments will be unprecedented in scale and will definitely assist the many efforts to curb the illegal farming, hunting, gold mining, looting of Mayan artifacts, poaching of scarlet macaw, xate harvesting etc., occurring in the Chiquibul forests (from Vaca in the north to Columbia Forest Reserve in the South). Do join us to learn about and participate in this event!

White-Crowned Parrots
These adorable White-Crowned Parrots were confiscated a little over one year ago; they arrived at BBR as babies with clipped wings and worms. As you can see they are quite photogenic, as well as healthy and happy. We look forward to their release back where they belong, in the wild.

U.S. Embassy Belize OUT AND ABOUT
Earlier this week, Ambassador Moreno attended the Belmopan City Council's Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Independence Park Rehabilitation Project. The City Council plans to revitalize this once popular park into a business and entertainment hub for all residents and visitors of Belmopan.

Boat for sale on Caye Caulker
Hey you guys looking to sell this 12feet yellow and black boat. Asking price is $3,000 bze. Price is negotiable. It goes as it is. Serious inquiries only inbox me for more info.

Poets Corner: John dah no Penner!
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. John dah no Penner Is John dah wah fighter? John dah the "Big Deal" Did Deeno support Faber to get the steal? Dah murder the paper wrote Deh naah go tek back no chat Shuffle the deck Deeno ah the King a di pact Look how him bold and got bad back He have quell the people or deh vote deh gwen teck back A vote no confidence gwen bring elections jack A cabinet shuffle Has now become inevitable But Byner is in lots of trouble How please all his people Without forcing bi elections people Is this how the cookie will crumble Di pot di bubble

Costa Maya Festival Parade kicks off celebrations in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
A Parade of Mundo Maya Nations - International Costa Maya Festival kicks off with Parade featuring the eight pageant delegates of Miss Costa Maya Pageant.

Power interruption 7:00am to 10:00am, Sunday, July 31, Orange Walk
San Antonio Road, Price Avenue, San Francisco Street, Asuncion Street, portion Pasture Street, Dunn Street, Progress Street, Bakers Street, Muffles Street, Mahogany Street, Sapodilla Street, Ziricote Stree, Louisiana Road, Pineapple Street, Mayflower Street, Naranjal Street, Baytias Lane, Lover's Lane, portion Main Street, portion Riverside Street, Queen Victoria Avenue, Bautista Avenue, Otro Benque Road, Petville, San Estevan Road and San Estevan Village. BEL to replace pressure device on 2 transformers at Buena Vista Substation.

Belmopan Roundabout Landscaping
The Belmopan Roundabout is getting landscaped. Thanks, BNE! "Belmopan Roundabout landscaping underway with the support of BNE and Pandora. Drivers, be on the alert to stop when the team moving plants to the inner circle. Appreciate your patience and cooperation as we stride towards a comprehensive road safety system."

Costa Maya Delegates Have All Arrived
It's been a busy day. We started the day meeting Miss Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador at Maya Island Air. From there everyone headed to Ramon's Village to Check In and then it was time to board a boat with Seaquarious Adventures for a Snuba Adventure. Let me just say, I can't edit fast enough!!! Next it is off to Finn & Martinis for a parade over to Fido's for sashing. (Please Mother Nature, don't rain just now. Thank you for listening.)

Moments aboard YOLO with Island Dream Tours
A quick edit of some moments from last evening. Thanks to Kevin, Heather and all the crew for a wonderful evening. Now, it's almost time to meet the rest of the delegates.

Channel 7

PM Barrow: National Security Minister Saldivar Will Stay Put
The Prime Minister returned from Miami today - and instead of standing to face the press at the airport - which his back can hardly bear - he opted instead for a press briefing at the Biltmore. Of course most of the questions were about his Minister of National security John Saldivar and his relationship with William Danny Mason. Jules Vasquez led off the questioning by asking whether Saldivar would be stripped of his ministry:... Jules Vasquez "Are you able to say anything about the standing of Minister John Saldivar as the Minister of National Security when it appears that there was a very significant relationship which was a beneficial relationship for at least Mr. Saldivar's sports team? Is he in good standing in your cabinet right now as the Minister of National Security?" Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "Let me be absolutely clear, I accept that the optics of this situation is bad. Moving beyond optics though, I have not been provided with any material to suggest that any minister did anything that could be considered improper from the point of view from the bar of impropriety that would oblige the sort of action you asked about."

Supt. Mark Flowers Got Bail; Keeps Quiet
So, he won't hear anything from Mason, but would the PM listen to evidence brought to him by his old friend Superintendent Mark Flowers? He has that option now because Flowers is out on bail tonight. He was arraigned on 2 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse against a 14 year-old minor on Wednesday. Before he handed himself into police, he made the media rounds to rant against National Security Minister, accusing him of inducing the family of minor to make a malicious complaint against him. He also suggested that Saldivar meddled in Police business and got him removed as the head of the GSU, all out of personal malice. Saldivar has categorically denied all allegations, dismissing Flowers as a desperate man who will do and say anything to try to shift blame from himself. It had been rumoured all of yesterday that while he was at the Belize Central Prison, Flowers made contact with William "Danny" Mason, who supposedly gave him certain information, which he would be disclosing, specifically pointing to Mason's relationship with John Saldivar.

PM Says He'd Consider Meeting With Supt. Flowers
And now back to our original question, now that Flowers is out on bail - would the PM be willing to listen to him? The PM today agreed that he has a long relationship with Flowers going back to his days in the Esquivel Administration - and under very limited circumstances, he would consider speaking to him about supposed evidence of corruption and wrongdoing that Flowers claims to have:... Reporter: "One of the things that he said was that he had documented proof via emails and receipts and several other documents that there were cabinet officials as well as other government officials who received a lump sum of money that would parallel would constitute money laundering and he has that documented evidence." Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "Has he shown you the documentary evidence?" Reporter: "No he hasn't, because after that he was remanded to prison." Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "Well he is out now, isn't he?" Reporter: "Yes he was granted bail today."

Gapi Socialized With Mason Also
And getting back to Mason now, after some digging, the press has found out that Former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega was also a guest of William Mason. The media went north to go ask Vega about it, and after some back and forth, he admitted that he too had socialized with Mason. Here's how he put it: Hon. Gaspar Vega - Minister of Agriculture: "I don't know where they came up with that, that I introduce Mr. Mason to the Mennonite business person. I am not even aware that anyone in the ministry took part on it. I spoke to my CEO and he said that the only thing he knows is that Mason had visited the ministry once, but not even he took part in introducing Mason to the Mennonite community." Reporter: "What about Manuel Trujillo sir?" Hon. Gaspar Vega - Minister of Agriculture: "I didn't ask him, to be sincere, when they said the minister, I figured it's me and the closest to me is the CEO and that's how far I went. I don't know if Manuel Trujillo had any dealings. It's the first time that I even got anyone to mention such thing."

Ischelle Got Bail
8 days ago, we told you about the 5 persons from the Cayo District who were arraigned and remanded for the brazen robbery at the Income Tax Department in which almost 30 thousand dollars of taxpayer dollars were stolen. Well, one of those accused is Ishchelle Tablada, who is accused of being the driver of the getaway car, and tonight she is out on bail. The other persons she is charged with is 19 year-old Devon Brooks Jr. Seen here in white, 23 year-old David Cruz Jr., seen here in Green, and 33 year-old Richard Hyde, who is the other older man in white. David Cruz's mother is charged along with him and Devon Brooks for the gun that the robbers stole from the cop who was performing guard duty at the Income Tax Department.

Alleged Cayo Extortionist Jailed
10 Days ago we told you about the bomb threat that ABC store in San Ignacio received. Now bomb threats do not usually make news, but when the cops searched the store, they found a cordial note written in Spanish pleading for $2,000 dollars. Well it turns out a similar one was delivered to a store in Succotz Village earlier this week. Now, police have charged A 61 YEAR OLD SALVADORAN OF CALLA CREEK VILLAGE. He is CARLOS ROMAN DIAZ and he has been charged FOR THE CRIME OF BLACKMAIL. HE APPEARED IN SAN IGNACIO MAGISTRATE'S COURT and was REMANDED UNTILAUGUST 18, 2016. HE IS ALSO UNDER INVESTIGATION for the LETTER DROPPED AT ABC STORE in San Ignacio.

CWU and City Hall Sign Historic CBA
As we told you last night, the Christian Workers Union and the Belize City Council hammered out a collective bargaining agreement which was signed today. It's a monumental accomplishment since it was first started in 1993 by then Mayor Stephen Latchman. And today, both sides were glad that a work in progress for 23 years was finally finished:� Audrey Matura-Shepherd, President, CWU: "Today is an historic day. Of Course it was not an easy battle but it was a battle nonetheless and we are seeing the fruits of it. It's not the most perfect CBA but it's a massive step forward and of course the Mayor and I have has our toss and tassels over things but I'm glad that we can sit down today and sign this CBA."

PM Discusses US Currency Fight With Ashcroft Alliance
Today's press conference by the Prime Minister was dominated by talk of William Danny Mason and John Saldivar, but the press also got to ask about the situation with BTL. Government and the Ashcroft Alliance are back in court arguing over what portion of the judgment should be paid in US dollars and what portion in Belize dollars. The Prime Minister says it is clear enough to government:.. Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "The Central Bank is saying to government you cannot be giving 70 million dollars more in foreign currency to pay Ashcroft. The Central Bank knows why it is saying that. In any event government does not want 70 million dollars more in US currency to pay Ashcroft, because government is absolutely convinced that Ashcroft does not deserve 70 million dollars more in US currency. I need to be careful because the application is before the Caribbean Court of Justice with respect to the settlement agreement, but Ashcroft knows as I know and as God above knows that our agreement was for that award to be split, that is what we asked the tribunal, so that it would be clear how much of it was for the shares and how much of it was for the accomodation agreement and that the entirety of the accomodation agreement minus of course claims for expenses. The entirety of the accomodation agreement was to be spent on the people of Belize. That is the only way I would have agreed to any settlement. For him to come now with an interpretation that would see him not only get this additional amount in US currency, but in consequence short change the 60% of the award that is for the accomodation agreement and so shaft the people of people of this country is absolutely intolerable."

Marion Jones: Taste of Belize
The first thing that comes to mind when the Marion Jones Stadium is mentioned is sports, but how about food? And we aren't talking about the snacks and fast foods that are sold at a tournament. Nope, we are talking about Belizean cuisine. From now on, It won't be only sporting events that are held at the stadium, that is because a section of the Stadium is being transformed into a mini tourist destination in the city, where tourists can drop by on a tour and sample Belizean dishes. Today at the City Tastes of Belize tour launch we found out how this idea came about and what it means for tourism and sports in Belize. Ritchell Dominguez, Dir., National Sports Council: "We are looking for great things to come out of Marion Jones. it has been sitting here for a couple of years locked up but this is time that we can change it and change it for good in using it as a museum to generate funds for our needed sporting in Belize."

NSC Director Says MCC Parking Lot Is An Asset
While the Marion Jones Stadium is being upgraded and transformed what about the other sporting complex, the MCC Grounds? Well if you drive past Marine Parade or are a regular at the Princess Hotel and Casino, you would know that a portion of the MCC Grounds is being used to a parking lot. While it might seem like a downgrade, Director of National Sports Council Ritchell Dominguez says not at all, the parking business is actually helping to upkeep the facility. Ritchell Dominguez, Dir., National Sports Council: "The season is out, football is not playing, FFB is just getting ready, and we are working on it in getting up the lights. I think at the end of the month the minister is saying that we'll do the inauguration there because it has become dormant whereby nothing has been said about it or where it is or what we have been doing with it. We behind the scenes have been working, back and forth with the electricity board to get the lights up. There are several teams that have come forth and said they would like to use it for their home games and different stuff, but we're working at it and we keep that same money that you talk about the parking lot to be used on the field and get the facility up to where we want. Each facility has to maintain itself."

BTL Paid Curtis Swasey
And while the Prime Minister and the Government is working to pay compensation to the Ashcroft Alliance over BTL, we've learnt that BTL has paid Curtis Swasey the 25 thousand dollar award that the Supreme Court ordered them to. As viewers will remember, Justice Courtney Abel has ruled that BTL Shared the Corozal businessman's idea of lottery texting with the owners of the Mek Mi Rich Game Show, Sanjay Hotchandani and Minister Gaspar Vega's Son, Andre Vega. Justice Abel has ruled that Mek Mi Rich and Swasey's game, Super Slam Sunday, are basically the same. BTL is refusing to accept the ruling of the court because they insist that the did not breach a non-disclosure agreement to share Swasey's idea with the owners of Mek Mi Rich. There is an appeal lodged at the Court of Appeal, which hasn't been heard as yet, but Swasey and his attorney had to force BTL's hand by getting the Supreme Court to crowfoot their assets. Today, Swasey'S attorney, Kareem Musa, explained to us the extreme action that they had to resort to:

Cane Farmers Protest BSI Again; Not Happy About Bagasse Loss
Today cane farmers launched another protest against BSI. The last time they only had eight, but this they had well over 100. And the difference in numbers is probably because farmers got their second payment on Wednesday and it was less than expected because the revenue from the lost molasses had to be written off. Today Fred Ortega said the message has been sent:.. Alfredo Ortega: "We would want to see a huge number of farmers but what is most important into this is the message that is going out that we are not happy. These farmers that are here is a message that is being given that we are not happy and we are not acceptant to bare any loss because of the negligence of BSI." Reporter: "How do we see a reimbursement for this loss that has already been charged to the cane farmers in the second payment?" Alfredo Ortega: "What we are seeking right now is we want to see what will be the response of the SICB (the Sugar Industry Control Board). A letter has been sent to them for their intervention, I spoke to the chairman and he said that he has not received any response as yet..."

Belize Bank Funds Classically Trained Musicians
3 National Youth Orchestra members are heading to Trinidad next week Friday. It is the first time these kids will be visiting Trinidad, but they aren't going for sightseeing or tourism, they are going to work and train for one month. Today we spoke to the 3 talented musicians about their expectations of this trip and also to the Belize Bank's Executive Chairman about why this initiative was important to fund. The team leaves on August 5th and return on August 30th.

Shyne's $1000 Rap Contest
And Musical Ambassador Shyne Barrow is sponsoring another kind of musical expression. He hosts monthly open mic nights at BTL park to encourage lyricism and gives a nice thousand dollar prize to the crowd favourite. He told us about it last night. As you heard, the first prize is a thousand dollars, and the second prize is a cellular phone from BTL.

Shyne Touched The Stage With Barrington Levy
Shyne just returned to Belize from Jamaica where he performed with Barrington Levy at SUMFEST - which is Jamaica's premier reggae festival. He touched the main stage with the headline act and told us it is the start of what he hopes is a new stage of his career:...

Shyne Says Jamaican Newspaper Misquoted Him On Elected Office Aspirations
And while in Jamaica Shyne made many media appearances, including one in which he was asked, if he is thinking about following in his father's footsteps and running for office. He is quoted as saying, quote, "I'm going to be in Parliament in Belize very soon. I'm going to be leading my nation and contributing to my nation with all the capacity that I have. My father is the right honorable prime minister, and he's retiring and I'm succeeding him and my uncle." So Shyne's going to be leading? And succeeding his father? Did Patrick Faber get that memo? Shyne told us last night that it was a misquote:..

Gapi's Grand Summer Camp Draws Hundreds
And while Shyne is just getting into politics, Gaspar Vega says he's getting out of it. And if he's serious about his retirement, he'll surely be missed in the Orange Walk summer. That's because every year he has close to a thousand primary school kids in his summer camp. He's been doing it for ten years, and today, we got to see the closing of the camp. Here's what Vega had to say to those in Trial Farm Village who kept busy and made use of the opportunity:

Ladyville Jackers Were Caught On Camera
Last night we told you about the Santiago Castillo salesman jacked in Ladyville. Mark Lisbey was making sales in Ladyville when he was robbed of his knapsack with 3,843 dollars in cash and 4808 in cheques. Well, tonight police have surveillance images of their main suspects in the robbery. Anyone seeing these persons is asked to call police�

Channel 5

Prime Minister Admits to Corruption in Government
So no clear evidence means no repercussions for Saldivar, or any other cabinet minister, just yet. The PM admits that there is corruption in government and will always be corruption [...]

Will Barrow Meet with William Mason?
Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned to Belize today, and by this afternoon was seated in the hot seat facing a barrage of questions on a variety of very pressing issues. [...]

Will John Saldivar Face Political Repercussions?
It is believed that much of what Mason purports to have would involve Minister of National Security John Saldivar. �Saldivar, by his own admission, was very close to Mason - [...]

PM Says No Evidence on Saldivar Yet
The Prime Minister pointed out that realistically speaking, many people from every walk of life - including politicians, police officers, pastors, businesspersons and common folk - were taken in by [...]

Barrow Says He Will Act if Evidence Surfaces
The PM also maintains that if evidence surfaces which contradicts what Saldivar has said - that he cut ties with Mason in September 2015 - then all bets are off [...]

Is Police Investigation Being Conducted Properly?
Where the investigation into the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas is concerned, there have been more questions than answers. Because the public is well aware of the accused murderer's connections [...]

Mark Flowers Gets Bail in Supreme Court
Superintendent Mark Flowers, former commander of the Gang Suppression Unit, is out on bail tonight after posting a bond of seven thousand, five hundred dollars, plus one surety of the [...]

PM Claims Flowers' Fall From Grace is Regrettable
In the sensational interview prior to his arrest for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse, Flowers alleged that he had been set up by the Minister of National Security. Whether he was set [...]

So Will Flowers Get Meeting With Barrow?
The Prime Minister has stated that he will absolutely not meet with accused murderer William Mason, who says he has evidence to provide. Mark Flowers has basically made the same [...]

B.T.L. Settlement Back in Court
Following incessant and expensive litigation over B.T.L. since 2009, the PM declared the half a billion plus final payment for the utility company a vindication and a victory for the [...]

PM Barrow Explains Letter from Central Bank
That seventy U.S. million dollars in litigation has caused Central Bank to issue a dire warning to the Government of Belize, claiming that such a payout would destroy what is [...]

Barrow Says There's No Reason to Panic
The letter from the Central Bank seemed a dire forecast, even with the Ashcroft-request payment aside. There is talk of the economy contracting two percent in the first quarter of [...]

Did Gaspar Vega Know William Mason?
There's one more minister who today admitted that he had trekked up Intelco Hill to visit with William Mason. In Orange Walk Town today, we drilled the former Deputy Prime [...]

Vega Says He Did Not Receive Money from Mason
The former DPM could not say when exactly he met Mason, but was emphatic that he did not receive any monies from the accused murderer for campaign financing or other [...]

Vega Cagey When Asked about Saldivar's Relationship with Mason
But is it fair game to remove John Saldivar from cabinet because of his connections and business dealings with Mason? Saldivar's integrity is being called into question and by extension [...]

Blackmail Attempt in Calla Creek Village
There is a report tonight about a blackmail attempt in the Cayo District. Police received a report on Monday, that a Benque resident who works as a manager of three [...]

Cane Farmers Protest at B.S.I. Again
Earlier this year, a small group of caneros protested against ASR/B.S.I.; today in a second demonstration, the numbers had swollen somewhat.� The bone of contention is that the miller is [...]

CWU and CitCo Sign Collective Bargaining Agreement
The Belize City Council and the Christian Workers Union have entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement on behalf of employees at City Hall.� The contract of employment, negotiated between management [...]

Mayor Bradley Says Council Needs to Adopt New Standards
Mayor Darrell Bradley, who signed on behalf of the Belize City Council, acknowledges the need for City Hall to adapt similar standards as that of the public service, where employees [...]

Belizean Musicians Participate in Regional Workshop
Come next week, three young Belizean musicians will partake in a regional orchestra workshop in Trinidad and perform in two sold out concerts along with musical professionals in classic, pop [...]

The Biggest Summer Camp Concludes in Orange Walk
By any account, one of the biggest summer camp is held in Orange Walk. One thousand seven hundred students to be precise attended the event in the Orange Walk North [...]

Growing the Future Summer Camp Concludes
And in Belize City, another summer camp held its certificate ceremonies for the more than four hundred and fifty participants. The camp is the brainchild of Growing the Future Projects [...]

LOVE FM

Vega Seeks Intervention on Molasses Issue
As we reported, cane farmers staged their second protest for this week in Tower Hill in the Orange Walk District. The farmers are upset that they have incurred financial loss after a batch of molasses went bad at the BSI Factory. Minister of Agriculture, Gaspar Vega was asked to weigh in on the issue. He [�]

City Council Signs Collective Agreement
The Christians Workers Union and the Belize City Council signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement today. Present at the signing was the president of the CWU Audrey Matura- Shephard who spoke about the agreement and the negotiation journey towards signing it. Matura-Shephard stated that the union had to compromise some of the expectations that they initially [�]

Senior Citizen Charged with Blackmail
A villager from Calla Creek Village in the Cayo District has been charged with blackmail. Love News spoke with the Acting Officer in Charge of Benque Viejo Police, Inspector Stanley Bodden. Inspector Bodden says while it appears that Diaz may have been acting alone, their investigation continue.

GSU Ops Yield Significant Quantity of Marijuana
With gang members and drug dealers having spending power to purchase firearms and ammunition via the sale of their products, law enforcement officers particularly of the Gang Suppression Unit carried out several operations over the last few days that yielded a significant output. The operations began on Friday, July 22 in various known gang territories [�]


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Amandala

American Bradley Paumen for Supreme Court
American national Bradley Paumen and his co-accused, his mechanic Lizburn Anderson, Belmopan businessman Jahan Abadi and Korean-American Hyang Choing Park, all appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith in her Belize City courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, along with their attorney Herbert Panton for a preliminary inquiry into charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to pervert justice. After reviewing the paper evidence and statements police had gathered, the Chief Magistrate concluded that there is enough evidence for a prima facie case against the accused persons, so she committed them to stand trial in the October session of the Supreme Court.

Alfonso Castillo, 30, succumbs to stabbing injuries
Alfonso Castillo, 30, a resident of Victoria Street who was scheduled to be released from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, after recovering from being stabbed, died at about 7:00 this morning. On Thursday, Castillo became involved in an altercation with his lifelong friend, Raheem Marsden, who allegedly stabbed him. Castillo's grieving family told us this afternoon that Alfonso, also known as" Fonso," was scheduled to be taken home today to continue his recovery. His grieving aunt told us that he walked alone into the bathroom, from his bed in the ward, but a man who saw him go in noticed that he did not come out. He immediately alerted a nurse, who went into the bathroom to see what was happening, and discovered Fonso slumped over on the toilet seat. Immediate attempts were made to resuscitate him, but he was unresponsive.

16-year-old Tyrese "Tydie" Carcamo succumbs
Tyrese "Tydie" Carcamo, 16, was pronounced dead by medical officers at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) at around 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday. Carcamo had suffered severe head injuries after a taxi heading in the direction of Belize City on the George Price Highway knocked him off his bicycle on Monday evening. The taxi reportedly was attempting to overtake the cyclist, but its front bumper hit the rear end of the bicycle. The minor was thrown several feet up into the air and landed on the windshield of the taxi being driven at the time by Edward Kennedy Castellanos, 41.

Perilous times!
A demand from British billionaire Michael Ashcroft to have the Government of Belize pay US$70 million more to him in foreign currency, rather than the $134.9 million paid to him in Belize currency a couple of weeks ago, could push Belize to the brink of devaluation if the Central Bank of Belize accedes to a request from the Government of Belize to obtain the foreign currency. The dispute between the parties is going before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), for a decision, but Central Bank Governor Glenford Ysaguirre wrote Financial Secretary Joseph Waight last Friday, January 22, warning of the "catastrophic" outcome that would be visited upon the country. On Monday, July 25, Waight told Amandala that the Government of Belize paid US$29.5 million and BZD$134.9 million in compensation, plus 827,000 British pounds in legal fees and 33,000 Euros in arbitration costs. However, the Ashcroft group wants the funds that were paid in BZ dollars to be paid instead in US dollars.

Ashcroft alliance seeks enforcement of Settlement Agreement at the CCJ
After several years of litigation between the Government of Belize and a group of companies collectively referred to as the Ashcroft alliance, a Settlement Agreement was worked out last September in Miami between Lord Michael Ashcroft and Prime Minister Dean Barrow over the government payment for the nationalization of the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). This morning, however, a panel of three Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) judges convened a teleconference hearing between Trinidad and Belize and for almost one hour, the case management particulars of an application brought by the Ashcroft alliance, which is seeking enforcement of the Settlement Agreement, was hammered out and dates for submissions and a substantive hearing were agreed upon between the parties.

Cane farmers protest against ASR/BSI for loss of revenue from spoiled molasses
Orange Walk police were frantically called for security purposes after a group of ca�eros, about a dozen, descended upon the entrance to the Belize Sugar Industry's (BSI) compound at Tower Hill on Tuesday in protest. The ca�eros are up in arms after BSI, owned by American Sugar Refining (ASR), proposed that cane farmers cover 65% or almost three hundred thousand dollars' worth of the value of damaged molasses which were to be exported. Earlier this month, Amandala had reported that several tons of molasses had been spoilt in a tank at the factory because of a phenomenon known as the Maillard Reaction, which occurs when hot molasses are pumped into storage tanks without first being cooled.

Football updates from Orange Walk
The semifinals in the Andrew Chavarria Football Tournament took place on Sunday, July 24, at the Technical Field in Orange Walk Town. In the first semifinal, Sinbad came from behind to drop Crystal, 3-1, with goals from Irvin Cardenas, Raheen Eagan and Osmar Duran, after Freddy Popper had given Crystal the 1-nil lead. And in the other semifinal, it was Heart N Soul with late second-half goals by Nelson Estrada and Albert Cassanova to clip Grumpy Strikers, 2-0, and secure a spot in the championship game. The finals will be a part of Fiesta Rama Weekend at People's Stadium this Sunday.

Bus from Punta Gorda for BAA Nationals this weekend
The Belize Athletic Association (BAA) would like to announce, that for the BAA Nationals on Saturday and Sunday July 30-31, there will be a James bus coming from Punta Gorda to Belize City on Saturday, July 30; returning the same day. The bus will make a stop in Dangriga and Belmopan to pick up athletes from those areas and Cayo. The bus will leave from Punta Gorda at 4:30 in the morning.

Belize Junior Cycling Team to St. Lucia for Caribbean Championships
The Belize National Junior Cycling Team leaves Belize today en route to Saint Lucia to compete in the 2016 Caribbean Junior Cycling Championships. The Team comprises of 3 Juniors, 3 Youths and 3 Officials. We leave Belize on Thursday, arrive in St. Lucia on Friday, and depart on Tuesday, August 2. The team will participate in a 40 mile road race for Youth and a 60 mile road race for Juniors, both to be held on Sunday. Apart from that, Kaydine Pinello and Patrick Williams will take part in the Individual Time Trial on Saturday. Updates, pictures and videos for the races will be posted to the Cycling Federation's Facebook page (cycling federation of BELIZE).

Emancipation or Centenary
In West Africa, the ancestors of Belize's African population grew crops in the earth to feed themselves. They fished in the creeks, the lagoons, the rivers and the ocean to feed themselves. And they hunted birds and animals in the jungle to feed themselves. Where food was concerned, our pre-slavery ancestors were self-sufficient. Things changed dramatically when our people were brought here chained in slave ships to work in the woodcutting industry of Belize's forests. The slavemasters controlled most of the food, which was imported in the same sailing ships which, on their outward journey, carried the logs and lumber to England, and afterwards America. There was a chronic labor shortage in Belize's woodcutting industry, and slavemasters prevented black people from owning and developing land. The settlement of Belize was about forests, not farming. In fact, the situation was more complicated than that. The Spanish in the Yucatan who claimed the territory of Belize in the name of the King of Spain, signed treaties with the British Baymen which allowed the Baymen to cut down trees as long as they did not grow food crops.

From the Publisher
At what specific point Ralph Fonseca became G. Michael Reid's employer, guru, mentor, or whatever, I can't say for sure, except that it was probably sometime during the first Said Musa People's United Party (PUP) government, which lasted from August of 1998 until March of 2003. As my friends know, I have been one of G. Mike's favorite subjects, or targets. I pay attention to him, because G. Mike is an intelligent guy who is a very talented writer. I usually restrain myself when it comes to answering him, though, one reason being that he and I are perhaps too much alike in personality, and things could get rough. Sometimes when I see G. Mike and Marshall Nunez on the PUP television station, I am tempted to call in and initiate a discourse about semi-pro basketball. I can't see how G. Mike would have been in the Ralph Fonseca camp in the early part of 1998, because John Saldivar, in the promotion and exaltation of the doomed Manuel Esquivel United Democratic Party (UDP) government, was selling G. Mike a dream. Reid bought the CARICOM basketball tournament hype - hook, line, and sinker.

Letter to the Editor: Even the Vatican�
Dear Editor, Belizeans must be among the most charitable and patient people on earth for putting up with the charade that describes politics in Belize. While it's always a good idea to live in the present and not be encumbered with the past - which is gone and cannot be changed or influenced in any way - in reading the Editorial in this paper dated July 27 with its recitation of some of the more recent examples of overt GOB malfeasance, I found it impossible to ignore reaching one of two miserable conclusions, neither of which bodes well for the future of Belize. First of all, one can conclude that the Government-despite their own opinion of their individual merits - is simply incompetent and not up to the task of governing, in which case the "Honorable" members should find another profession where they would do less harm; running a lemonade stand comes to mind, can't do too much harm there, I suppose.

Belize: Nation Of God Or Nation Of Laws
We find ourselves in a dilemma in Belize today: are we a nation of God or a nation of laws? The answer is not as easy as some would believe. Belize is in a transitional time warp that can be better understood if we saw our collective consciousness in two parts: pre-independence and post-independence. If the same question was posed fifty years ago, the answer would be a resounding: we are a nation of God! While we were never a theocracy by any means, the Christian religious values which underpinned our collective value system made it no question that the majority of us acknowledge the supremacy of God in our personal and collective lives and thus it is not surprising that that God consciousness forms a part of the first principle in the preamble of our constitution. During those days none would have dared challenge the constitutionality of that fundamental principle, out of reverence, or out of fear of being ostracized by this powerful collective consciousness. Questioning God was evidence of blasphemy.

New HIV infections in Belize rank high on regional scale
Whereas the Caribbean has seen a 9% rise in the number of new HIV cases, the incidences have increased far more in Belize-by more than 20% from 2010 to 2015, according to the Prevention GAP Report (2016) recently published by UNAIDS. The report noted that Belize is in fact among the countries with the highest rate of increase, ranking 4th among 27 and well above the regional average. "Among adults in Latin America, the annual number of new HIV infections has slowly risen since 2000, reaching about 91,000 [76,000-109 000] in 2015. Increases were greatest, above 20%, between 2010 and 2015 in select countries in Central America, including Belize, Nicaragua, and Guatemala," the Prevention Gap Report said.

UEF celebrates 3rd annual observation of Emancipation Day
The UBAD Educational Foundation (UEF) is organizing its third annual observation of Emancipation Day in a thought-provoking fashion. In 2014 the UEF through its treasurer, Virginia Echols, collaborated with Belizean Egbert Hignijo to host an eighteen-member delegation of students from the San Jose Community College and San Jose Evergreen Community College in California. Those students majored in areas of African studies, ethnic studies and anthropology. The theme that year was "Understanding Enslavement in Belize 2014." In 2015 the UEF organized a lecture featuring Myrtle Palacio and Dr. Jahlani Niah.

Exports and imports down, prices up
Exports dipped by 30 percent for the month of June 2016, while imports were down by 11%, according to information just released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). Meanwhile, consumer prices continued on their overall increase, with June inflation reported at 0.9%. Citrus was Belize's top export for the month, netting BZ$12.4 million, up by 400% from $2.8 million last June. The SIB said that, "Despite the overall contraction in export earnings for June 2016, citrus sales got a welcome boost during the month. Revenues for this industry more than tripled, from under $3 million in June 2015 to $12 million in the same month of this year, due to a surge in orange concentrate sales." Meanwhile, crude petroleum, which recorded no exports during June of last year, earned Belize over $5 million in June of this year, the SIB added. "The total value of Belize's domestic exports for the month of June 2016 was $36.8 million, down 30.2 percent or $15.9 million from the $52.7 million recorded in June 2015," the SIB reported.

Ashcroft alliance seeks enforcement of Settlement Agreement at the CCJ
After several years of litigation between the Government of Belize and a group of companies collectively referred to as the Ashcroft alliance, a Settlement Agreement was worked out last September in Miami between Lord Michael Ashcroft and Prime Minister Dean Barrow over the government payment for the nationalization of the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). This morning, however, a panel of three Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) judges convened a teleconference hearing between Trinidad and Belize and for almost one hour, the case management particulars of an application brought by the Ashcroft alliance, which is seeking enforcement of the Settlement Agreement, was hammered out and dates for submissions and a substantive hearing were agreed upon between the parties.

Louis Wade launches "I want my country back" protest during Cabinet meeting
"I want my country back," chanted scores of Belizeans, joined by Pastor Louis Wade as they marched through Belmopan and converged on Independence Hill during the Government's regular Tuesday Cabinet meeting. The protest, which took place hours after a candlelight vigil organized in memory of the beheaded Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, began at around 9 a.m. and concluded peacefully at around midday. Protesters marched in front of several governmental buildings, including those of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Security and the Curl Thompson building as Belizeans took to the podium to voice their discontent with the status quo. According to Pastor Wade, the vigil held on Monday night was organized to allow Belizeans an opportunity to sympathize with the family of Pastor Lue, as he was popularly known.

Dangriga sports stats
As the Wagiya Football Club prepares for this upcoming PLB season, which will be starting on the weekend of August 13-14, Wagiya Football Club will be playing a pre-season friendly match this Saturday, July 30, at 3:00 p.m. at the Benguche Football Field against the Belize Defence Force FC. All Wagiya fans are invited to come on Saturday and see how your team is getting ready for the new PLB season. The Stann Creek Football Association (SCFA), along with its Technical Director, Dennis Serano, set up its coaching staff for the Stann Creek District U-17 tryouts and selection. Our coaching staff is led by Harrison Cafu Roches, Kareem Haylock, Kenrick Nunez, Egemeri Flores and Nelson Flores, all experienced players. We want to thank these gentlemen for coming on board with us. Our coaching staff is presently going over players list, and as soon as they are completed, the selection list will be released. Our training continues today and throughout the week at the Ecumenical football field, starting at 4:00 p.m.

Cane farmers protest against ASR/BSI for loss of revenue from spoiled molasses
Orange Walk police were frantically called for security purposes after a group of ca�eros, about a dozen, descended upon the entrance to the Belize Sugar Industry's (BSI) compound at Tower Hill on Tuesday in protest. The ca�eros are up in arms after BSI, owned by American Sugar Refining (ASR), proposed that cane farmers cover 65% or almost three hundred thousand dollars' worth of the value of damaged molasses which were to be exported. Earlier this month, Amandala had reported that several tons of molasses had been spoilt in a tank at the factory because of a phenomenon known as the Maillard Reaction, which occurs when hot molasses are pumped into storage tanks without first being cooled. According to Alfredo Ortega, Branch Manager of the Orange Walk Cane Farmers, it is ASR/ BSI that is to cover the cost of spoilt molasses because it happened under their watch. However, ASR/BSI is vehemently refusing to accept such a loss.

The Reporter

Barrow holds press conference
Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned to Belize today Friday, and immediately engaged the media in a discussion on national issues. Barrow held a press conference at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza hotel, where he spoke on the implications the ongoing case of William Mason […]

Former GSU boss out on bail
Mark Flowers, former commander of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) of the Belize Police Department, is out on bail having been charged with two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse. Flowers appeared before Justice Adolf Lucas today Friday, who granted bail in the sum of $7,500 […]

CitCo and CWU sign CBA
Today Friday, the Belize City Council and the Christian Workers Union (CWU) signed a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), marking the end of some 23 years of negotiations and attempts. The parties gathered at the office of the Labour Department for the formal signing activity. Under […]

Growing a Bright Future Program wraps up summer classes
Today Friday, the Growing a Bright Future summer program, held its closing exercise for its Belize City cohort. Director of the program, Peter Lacey, explained that the closing, held at the Radisson fort George Hotel and Marina, was one of several being conducted at various […]

Zika expected to get worse before it subsides
The Zika virus is expected to spread aggressively and get worse before it begins to subside, a new research suggests. While a recent study has predicted that Zika will be around for about three more years, the new research suggests that the situation could get […]

Largest Mayan tomb discovered at Xunantunich
Archaeologists came a step closer to unravelling the secrets of the ancient Mayas as one of the largest tomb to ever be discovered in Belize was found at the Xunantunich Maya site last Tuesday. History was made as archaeologist, Dr. Jaime Awe, excavated the first tomb to […]

CDB launches poverty assessment program
To assist borrowing member countries (BMC)s in assessing the non-economic factors associated with poverty, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) launched a new poverty assessment programme this week. The CDB launched the programme on Tuesday in Castries, St. Lucia. The initiative, valued at US $4.1 million, will run […]

Oceana and WWF fights against climate change
By Julia Arzu. Oceana, in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), presented part two of "The Energy of Nature vs. the Nature of Energy" workshop on Wednesday morning at the Radison Fort George Hotel and Marina. Belizean environmental experts, members of the Oceana school clubs and several other stakeholders congregated […]

Calypso Rose to receive WOMEX Artist Award
Calypso Rose, Trinidad and Tobago’s first female Calypso Monarch, will receive the 2016 WOMEX Artist Award in recognition for her outstanding contribution to the music and calypso industry. The award ceremony will be hosted in Spain on October 23. Rose first performed at WOMEX in 2006, where […]

GOB and Ashcroft Alliance headed to CCJ
The Government of Belize and the Ashcroft Alliance are preparing for another round in their extensive legal battle, this time, at the Caribbean Court of Justice. The alliance applied to the CCJ this month for an interpretation of the arbitration award granted by the Permanent Court of […]

BTL donates $10,000 to San Pedro fire victims
Belize Telemedia Ltd. (BTL), in collaboration with the Belize Red Cross and Angelus Press Limited, presented a cheque of $10,000 last week to assist families whose homes were destroyed in the San Pedro fire several weeks ago. Among the 27 families affected, many of them were children […]

Taiwan extends scholarships to 25 Belizeans
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is offering scholarships to 25 Belizeans to study at universities in Taiwan in a wide range of studies, through the Taiwan-International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) Scholarship Program and the Taiwan Scholarship Program. Since 2015, some 281 students from Belize […]

Verdict delayed! Nation waits for section 53 decision
The Supreme Court, this week, rescheduled the date for the decision of the controversial challenge to Belize's sodomy laws. On Tuesday, the day before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin was to give his decision in the constitutional challenge of section 53 of the Criminal Code, the CJ had […]

Lake-I fire leaves six persons homeless
A family of six, two adults and four children, is left homeless after thier home on Olivera Street was completely destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning. Around 10:31 a.m. the Fire Department received a call from the police informing them of a fire in front Western Dairies […]

Mother murdered in Garden City
A woman was found dead lying face down on a landing in front of her home in Las Flores community, Belmopan at around 7:00 a.m., Monday after she had gone partying the previous night at La Cabana night spot on the outskirts of Belmopan on […]

Minor charged for musician’s murder
Police investigations have led them to charge a 16 year-old boy with the shooting murder of musician, John Rodriquez, widely known as "John Jay", who was gunned down while in an entertainment spot last month. The youth’s age protects his identity, and police could only […]

Businessman shot dead at his bar
Nathan Underwood, owner of Nate’s Cool Spot at mile 21 on the Philip Goldson highway, was shot dead as he went about his work alone inside the kitchen of his bar on Friday night. Police say the 38-year-old father of three was shot three times […]

Editorial
The cane farmers of Corozal and Orange Walk are fully justified in expecting the Belize Sugar Industries to bear the full loss, amounting to some $432,000, for molasses which became degraded due to super hot conditions inside a storage tank. The molasses became frothy on top and then began to […]

Ashcroft wants US dollars – Belize can't pay Could face devaluation
The Ashcroft Alliance and the government of Belize are once again tangled in a legal battle over a US $70 million payment that GOB maintains would bring the country's economy crashing down if the Carribean Court of Justice (CCJ) rules in Ashcroft's favor. Attorneys for […]

The Curious Tale of William Danny Mason
"Curiouser and curiouser!" Cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English)." - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland New Revelations On Tuesday, July 26th, just hours before he would turn himself over to the police for processing and arraignment on two […]

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Cane Farmers stage second protest on Molasses issue
At least 200 cane farmers staged a second protest today at the entrance of the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) compound, refusing to incur any of the financial loss of molasses that went bad at the mill earlier this month. Since their first protest, Alfredo [�]

Gaspar Vega says he had no affiliation with Mason
"I don't know where they came up with that, that I introduced Mr. Mason to the Mennonite business person. I am not even aware that anyone in the ministry took part in it. I spoke to my CEO and he said the only thing [�]

Returning P.M. maintains confidence in Cabinet ministers
Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow, returned today from medical consultations in the U.S., hosted in Belize City members of the press. Asked whether Minister of National Security John Saldivar remains in good standing with the Cabinet and Government, the Prime Minister stated that [�]

Job Preparedness Training for 18
The Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC), a unit of BELTRAIDE, in collaboration with RESTORE Belize and the Department of Youth services, today held a certificate ceremony for a recent training program for 18 graduates. The objective of the five week training was to [�]

Mark Flowers meets bail on sex charges
Police Superintendent Mark Flowers, head of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), accused of two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, has been offered and met bail of 7 thousand 500 dollars. According to attorney Richard "Dickie" Bradley, he has been ordered to stay away from [�]

Belmopan police warns of imposters
Belmopan police are warning residents to be vigilant as there is information to suggest that there is a group of 3 to 4 men going around pretending to be staff members of BWS and BEL. According to police, the men claim that they are [�]

Fiestarama 2016 in Suga City Orange Walk
Looking for somewhere to spend the weekend with the family? Orange Walk Town is the destination for this year's Fiestarama. The annual event promises to be bigger and better. In an interview today with Mayor Kevin Bernard, he told BBN reporters that this [�]

Central Bank Governor says giving Ashcroft more US currency could crumble Belize's economy
Attorneys for the government of Belize and the Ashcroft Alliance were back in court yesterday over a dispute cause by the first half of the payment toward the BTL nationalization settlement. That payment was to be made by July 13 but attorney for the [�]

Blogs

Costa Maya Pageant Explosion at the Fabulous Finn & Martini on Ambergris Caye
The International Costa Maya Festival, perhaps San Pedro's busiest weekend, kicked off officially last night. It's a weekend that starts with a Thursday night pageant - with ladies from each country in Central America and Mexico and continues with parties, carnival rides, music, comedy and more. Beautiful Michelle Nunez, last year's Miss San Pedro, is about to head to Mexico for the Miss America Latina competition. Thursday night's pageant is a big deal. Many of the ladies go on to Miss Universe or World and Finn, of Finn & Martini had an idea. Why not have an official sashing parade? And who doesn't love a parade? Or the hustle and bustle to get ready for one. I stopped by Finn's restaurant last night to take photos of the pageant mayhem�everyone looked gorgeous. This year is going to be a tough one. Here some of my pictures (and I am typing fast! we have a scheduled maintenance power outage right now in San Pedro for another hour or two.) The marching band getting ready� The carts were ready�

Jungle Play - 4 Amazing Tours Plus 2 Unofficial Ones
Not only did we feel welcome by Caves Branch and their staff, we felt welcome by our environment. Everywhere we turned we saw something unique and interesting. Sometimes it was hard to see the same thing twice because we had a multitude of choice before us and so many different lush jungle pathways to explore. Aside from eating and lounging, Aimee and I had already decided to do some tours while there. and we were both very happy that 3 of them were onsite. The others (including our flight) were all closer than many peoples workday commute. While it is not a deal breaker for me, nearby tours is a big draw on vacation, especially if I am not going to be somewhere for long. In this case 3 days went fairly fast. When our tour consultant was signing us up, he was all smiles at my indecision between which tours to take and wanting to just relax and enjoy the jungle without going any further than the walk to the dining hall, then back to our room. Every-time we did that walk however, we took our own tour time and studied the gorgeous botanical and wildlife around us. That few minute distance could take an hour if you wanted. There is so much to see and so many cool pathways to get distracted by along the way.

Belize Animals: 6 Must See Safari Contenders (2016 Update)
Belize is famous for wildlife adventures. You can walk through the vast jungles and intense habitat that boast of an incredible variety of fauna. Belize is graced with miles of coastal forest and Maya ruins. Explore one of the most extensive barrier reef systems in its Caribbean waters. You will simply love those exploring mangrove islands and white-sand beaches or snorkeling in the aqua waters with an incredible diversity of marine life. Belize may be one of the smallest countries, but when it comes to nature, flora and fauna, it certainly is one of the richest. Read on to learn about the must see animals while you are in Belize. This is truly one of the most diverse nature travel destinations that are virtually untouched by tourism. Do not forget to carry your binoculars and camera to capture some fascinating moments of wildlife.

2 gorgeous beach weddings, and more eye candy pics from Placencia!
Caribbean Beach Cabanas was THRILLED to host TWO beach weddings in the last couple weeks...one of them being a last minute decision on the part of 2 repeat guests!!! Our managers Sue and Carlos had a blast assisting with the wedding planning, and CONGRATULATIONS to the 2 awesome couples, we hope you come back to Placencia to celebrate your future anniversaries!!! Tonya and John...they wanted to do a very simple beach wedding, just the two of them, and our awesome go-to minister Barbara! What a sweet couple :)

International Sourcesizz

A Paradoxical Position on Youths Fleeing Violence
USA citizens can make themselves available to take in "refugees" in order to give full-time effective support. US Citizens can play a more active role. When the Obama administration announced an expanded immigration initiative this week to address an escalating humanitarian crisis in Central America, it seemed almost paradoxical. On one hand, the government was broadening a program for children fleeing three violence-racked countries there, allowing for more applicants to enter the United States as refugees. At the same time, the government continued to deport young people from Central America who crossed the border and asked for protection, sending some of them back to those same countries.

Is Zika In Belize? It Reported Its First Case In April
The Zika virus outbreak in South America had international repercussions, even jeopardizing the Olympic Games in Rio. Though the number of cases in the United States is still relatively small, threat of infection impacts daily life for many. One of Zika's biggest influences for Americans is on vacation plans. Travel advisories released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention give guidance on when and how to plan trips to countries with significant Zika outbreaks, but it's difficult to keep track of every area that poses a risk to travelers. Is Zika in Belize? The country reported its first case in April. Between 2007 and April 2016, "64 countries and territories" reported Zika infections, according to the World Health Organization. Belize confirmed its first case in the same week as St. Lucia. In response, the CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for Belize, asking people spending time in the country to "Practice Enhanced Precautions." The outbreak in the country isn't overwhelmingly large, but it's still a major concern: in June, the Ministry of Health in Belize confirmed three new cases of Zika. The CDC's warning doesn't necessarily mean that prospective vacationers should cancel their trip to Belize, but it does suggest that they need to be careful to avoid infection. Since area mosquitos carry the virus, the CDC says it's particularly critical to avoid bites by utilizing insect repellant and protective clothing, using window screens and, if necessary, bed nets, and ensuring that the hotel they've chosen is equipped with working air conditioning.

Maya Tomb Discovered in Belize
Archaeologist Jaime Awe of Northern Arizona University has excavated a tomb at the Maya site of Xunantunich. According to The Reporter Newspaper, the tomb contained skeletal remains thought to have belonged to a male ruler, based upon the size and appearance of the femurs, skull, and teeth. The remains of an animal-perhaps a deer or a jaguar-were also found in the chamber, along with ceramics and pieces of jade. "What's amazing about the discovery of this tomb is that, we know that archaeologists have been working at Xunantunich since the 1890s," says Awe. "That's more than a century of continuous archaeological work at the site. And, never before have we found a tomb. Well, this tomb is also remarkable in other ways, it is one of the largest burial chambers we have ever found."

Videos

  • Camp Starfish celebrates end of summer camp with parade through downtown San Pedro, 2min.

  • Mentors in Science BELIZE Ocean First Institute Documentary Trailer, 2min.

  • Growing up in Belize: Horseback Riding with Dad, 1.5min. We live on a remote, off-grid, jungle lodge in Belize, specializing in Horseback Riding and adventure tours. Here are a few clips

  • Belize Society of Composers Aauthors Publisher ad, 1min.

  • On my trip to Placencia Belize Central America, 7min.

  • Life Inna Belize, 2.5min. Specifically speaking out against crimes and violence that is plaguing our country as artist we are the voice of the people..

  • Quest to Belize 2016, 5min.

  • Belize Yucatec Maya children singing kolonte jaranero, 1.5min. Maya children from the Village of Yo Creek (Orange Walk District) singing in Yucatec Maya for a closing event in the village.

  • Reef Guardians Belize, 5.5min. TIDE's Reef Guardians Belize project wraps up. Final thoughts from some of those involved.

  • Belize Friendcation ("Better When I'm Dancin'), 3min. Our scrapbook of Belize in all its hammock swinging, zip lining, jungle hiking, cliff jumping, fist pumping, ocean swimming, excavation venturing, rain dancing, shimmying and twirling, memory making glory.


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