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Posted By: Marty Today's Belize News: November 16, 2014 - 11/16/14 10:12 AM


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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

Rene Reyes Jr. makes his mark at The Pantheon Games
Over the weekend of November 1st and 2nd Rene Reyes Jr. participated in the 2014 Pantheon Games held in Miami, Florida, USA. The Pantheon Games is a Crossfit competition that tests the skill and endurance levels of Crossfit athletes from all over the USA and internationally. It has only been a year and few months since he's been involved in the Crossfit lifestyle in San Pedro Town, but even then, the 22-year-old managed to place in the top 20 out of 40 total competitors. Renesito, as he's known at our "box" (gym) and around town, has been training at the San Pedro Crossfit, first as a student, then moving on and becoming a certified coach. He's actually my coach, and I've seen how passionate he is, pushing harder each and every day. Personal experience has taught me that he genuinely believes that we ALL have champions within, and when he sees interest from others, he is happy to train and offer assistance. But he's always looking ahead, seeking more, seeking better, for the box, for his students, and most importantly, for himself.

Ambergris Today

Rain Restaurant & Lounge celebrating their grand opening
At Rain Restaurant & Lounge celebrating their grand opening. Met up with Paul and Marci from Caye Coffee who are celebrating their 1 year anniversary of coffee excellence. Congratulations to both establishments.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

MISSING
Sabastiana is missing in the Cayo District. She suffers from Alzheimer's and may be disoriented. If you see her please contact her daughter Cristina Waight at 6053467. The family is obviously, very worried.So if you're in the district be on the lookout for her.

PlusTV

Possible human remains found in Ladyville
PlusNews has been informed of possible human remains found on a road in Ladyville. According to accounts, the bones were discovered on Friday and authorities were called in to access the remains. We understand that police and Dr...

BSI Gives Farmers a Deadline
BSI ASR made a move to bypass the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association in negotiations...

Good News for Tourism Sector
There is good news coming out of the Tourism Sector as the country hit the one million visitor mark over the last few weeks. To have hit this mark in October signals a record breaking year for the industry as it was expected that Belize would hit the one million mark at the end of the year...

Louis Wade says Guardian articles "Liad"
Saturday November 15th is Rise and Shine's Fundraising Telethon. Rise and Shine is one of Belize's most watched morning talk shows and has garnered much attention in its short four years of existence. It has certainly caught the attention of certain political media who are rant and rave about Ri...

Missing 15 year old found in company of interdicted cop
A father from the Cayo district had reported his 15 year old daughter missing. The father who resides in Esperanza Village, Cayo District reported that at 7:15am on Wednesday November 12,� �his daughter, a 4th form Student of Seventh Day Adventist High School in Santa Elena, left home en route to ...

Life after an accident
Life for Yanie Cu, his wife Roselia Cu, and their two small children took an unfortunate turn for the worst on August 19th., in a fatal traffic accident involving Deputy Compol Miguel Segura that left Yanie bedridden. After spending nearly 2 months in Guatemala where he underwent multiple surgeries,...

BTL says SMART was given sufficient notice to terminate links
On Wednesday, SpeedNet sent out a press release saying that it hadfiled an application for an injunction against Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) in the Supreme Court of Belize...

Police Meet and Greet Residents of Belmopan
Belmopan Police dedicated four hours of their busy schedules last week Saturday November 8th to visit residents of Maya Mopan, Las Flores, San Martin, Picini and Roaring Creek in a meet and greet session where approximately a 100 homes were visited...

Builders Celebrates 20th Anniversary Garifuna Style
On Friday Builders Hardware in Belmopan celebrated 20 long years of service to the residents of Belmopan. Plus News stopped by to talk to the general manager Shelly Usher, who told us more about the Costumer Appreciation Day and why they celebrated it in Garifuna style. Shelly Usher – General Mana...

The Reporter

Caneros give ultimatum
The General Assembly of the Belize sugarcane Farmers resolved on Saturday that they will take industrial action in five days counting from Monday if Central Government and the Sugar Industry Control Board do not intervene to end the ongoing impasse with the American Sugar Refineries owned Belize Sugar Industries. Over 800 ca�eros gathered at the Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico in Corozal, expressing their solidarity with the BSCFA on the ongoing impasse with BSI. Vice Chairman of the BSCFA, Alfredo Ortega explained that the association is calling on central government to intervene and resolve the deadlock in negotiations in light of the fast approaching deadline to start the 2014-2015 sugarcane crop.

Happening now�
Hundreds of cane farmers gathered at Escuela Mexico in Corozal to discuss a way forward after Belize Sugar Industries' latest offer to deal directly with cane farmers and circumvent the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association. More as the meeting develops.

Mexican official says Mexico faces crisis since disappearance of 43 students
Mexico is facing a "big political crisis," following the disappearance of 43 students, according to the country's Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Eduardo Medina Mora. "It is a big political crisis for Mexico. We are all outraged by these brutal events and the only feeling that we can have is to share this sorrow and pain from the parents", he said. In what was the first interview a Mexican government official has given to the international media since the students' disappearance on September 26, Medina Mora maintained that the government is facing this crisis "with every single tool at our reach in order to impede this to happen again."

Patrick JonesPJ

Pretty Days on Ambergris Caye!
Our days have been stunning lately - warm sunshine, cool breeze and calm waters perfect for snorkeling and sailing.

Mooring Buoys installed to protect northern reef
Spearheading the project is owner of White Sands Dive Shop, Elbert Greer. According to Greer, while the northern reef systems are more pristine, steps need to be taken to ensure that they remain this way for years to come. "Divers like to go to less visited sites. Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are over-visited sites, but the more north you go the more untouched the waters, marine life and the coral formations are. We are installing the buoys so that visiting boats to the area can be aware not to drop anchor as it can be very damaging to the coral formations," said Greer. This project was a community effort: The buoys utilized were donated by Carla Velasquez, who collected them from the beach as wash-ups. SPTGA donated the rope, while Juan Carlos Montejo installed them at no cost. The sites were identified by Gilberto "Gil" Nu�ez. The five sites where the buoys will be placed are Mexico Rocks, Blue Reef, Legacy, Canary Sponge and Sapphire Beach. Tour operators are reminded to be careful when operating near the reef, as the systems can be easily damaged.

Red Cross and Cancer Society join efforts for Island Blood Drive
On Saturday November 8th, the San Pedro Red Cross in coalition with the San Pedro Cancer Society and Belize Blood Donor Services teamed up to build Belize's Blood Bank through an island blood drive. The drive took place at the San Carlos Medical Center on Pescador Drive, where committee volunteers invited by passers to kindly give monetary contributions or blood. Donors were provided with refreshments and a chance to win raffle prizes contributed to the drive by Digicell. The blood collected through Saturday's drive totalled 37 units, which is stored by the Belize Blood Bank for San Pedro Town's blood pool, and is available to residents in times of need. The more blood donated via island blood drives increases the units of blood directly available to island residents.

Two PUP parliamentarians will not seek reelection
Two elected parliamentarians of the People's United Party (PUP) have thrown in the towel and will not seek re-election in 2018. PUP's Area Representative Hon. Joseph Mahmud of the Cayo North division was the first to make that decision earlier in October. On November 11th the second PUP Representative to make a similar announcement was Area Representative for Orange Walk East, Hon. Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez. Joseph Mahmud When news broke out of Mahmud's decision, it was seen as a surprise by the PUP supporters, especially since the PUP had won a stronghold seat from the UDP's Salvador Fernandez. PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca said Mahmud's decision was personal and the party had decided to respect his decision. "I did receive a letter from Mr. Mahmud indicating that for personal reasons he was no longer going to seek re-election. I have accepted that letter and we have put in place a committee of the western caucus that will lead an effort to find a new candidate, a new standard bearer for Cayo North�

Cane farmers meet to discuss BSI/ASR agreement
Over a thousand cane farmers are meeting at this hour at the Auditorium of the Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico in Corozal. The meeting was called to get consensus from the general membership of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association on the way forward. This follows moves by BSI/ASR to bypass the BSCFA and talk directly with farmers about a new contract/agreement.

Blogs

What Do You Get a Harpy Eagle for His Birthday? A Party at the Belize Zoo
My friend and I took the bus out to the zoo (and what a GORGEOUS day) for the 10am party. Two schools were there and you could feel the excitement - one school from Hattieville and one from Cotton Tree, Belize. There were games set up� And a bouncy house� Here is one of the very best parts of the party. Animal parties at the Belize Zoo OBVIOUSLY need a song. And this one, for Panama, is written to the tune of Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog". The media was there interviewing a true Belize star - Sharon Matola, the founder of the Belize Zoo.

International Sourcesizz

Russia to restart air patrols over the Caribbean
Russia said on Wednesday that its air force will recommence regular air patrols over the Caribbean, after winding down such long-range missions at the end of the Cold War, the BBC reported. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said, "Under the prevailing circumstances we need to ensure a military presence in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans, the waters of the Caribbean basin and the Gulf of Mexico." He also said he had approved "an action plan to improve the condition of our long-range aviation technology, which provides for its repair and servicing at industrial facilities". Earlier this year, Shoigu said Russia was planning military bases in a number of foreign countries, including Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Reverse Osmosis Rehabilitated Rudimentary System
Our team travelled to the northern village of Sarteneja, where a Reverse Osmosis Rehabilitated Rudimentary System was inaugurated this morning. Pictured here, a few children from the village along with Minister of Rural Development, Hon. Senator Godwin Hulse as he turns on the faucet.

Grand Re-Opening of Moondancer in San Pedro
Visit the new store now and get the latest in fashion (located on middle street)

CARICOM governments to increase quality information on CSM to nationals
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals in six member states are to benefit from a greater flow of tailored information on the CARICOM Single Market (CSM). This is under a new project that aims to connect nationals with the information they need to work, travel and do business in participating CARICOM countries. Over the next five months, the groundwork for greater information flows and channels on the CSM is being established through technical assistance to governments and training key stakeholders. In partnership with focal point ministries for the Single Market in Belize, Jamaica, Guyana, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, the project will build governments' and stakeholders' capacity to develop and sustain well packaged information on the single market to their nationals. This is expected to take place during and beyond the life of the project.

The Caribbean's case on the impact of climate change is among the most pressing in the world
In a few weeks' time in Lima, Peru, the twentieth session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place. The meeting from December 1-12, will bring together governments and other interested parties to try to agree the draft text of a new and legally binding agreement that it is hoped will be signed by government leaders in Paris in December 2015. From the overwhelming body of scientific evidence now available, the Caribbean has every reason to be deeply engaged and unified in its approach to these meetings. As recent dramatic climate events have demonstrated - from the unseasonal storms that struck the Eastern Caribbean last Christmas causing damage and the loss of life, through the drought conditions that prevailed this summer in Jamaica affecting 20,000 small farmers, to the bleaching of the region's coral reefs - climate change is real. The Caribbean's case is amongst the most pressing in the world. Although the region is a minute contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is amongst those that will be most severely impacted. In common with other small island states in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, virtually every Caribbean nation is at risk from rising sea levels as a consequence of global warming. This is because virtually all of the Caribbean's major infrastructure, its utilities, and the industries that contribute the most to employment and GDP, are located on low lying coastal plains within five miles of the sea or, in some cases, are below sea level.

CARICOM Governments to increase quality information on the Single Market to CARICOM nationals
CARICOM nationals in six Members States are to benefit from a greater flow of tailored information on the CARICOM Single Market (CSM). This is under a new project that aims to connect nationals with the information they need to work, travel and do business in participating CARICOM countries. Over the next five months, the groundwork for greater information flows and channels on the CSM is being established through technical assistance to governments and training key stakeholders. In partnership with focal point ministries for the Single Market in Belize, Jamaica, Guyana, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, the project will build governments' and stakeholders' capacity to develop and sustain well packaged information on the single market to their nationals. This is expected to take place during and beyond the life of the project. The project, which took effect in October, falls under Component 300 of the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP). Funded by the Government of Canada, the project's objective is to widen the scope of participation by stakeholders and beneficiaries in the process of decision-making, implementation and operation of the CSM.

2014 CAC Opening Ceremony Held In Mexico
The Opening Ceremony for the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico took place last night [Nov 14], and it was spectacular affair highlighted by the live performance of Latin American star Ricky Martin. Martin performed his new single "Adios" among other songs from his multi-award winning greatest hits. The Central American and Caribbean Games have become one of the most recognized sports events in Latin American and is used as a window for young, upcoming athletes to showcase their abilities in anticipation of the Pan American and the Olympic Games. Swimmer Julian Fletcher carried the Bermuda flag, leading the team of over 40 athletes set to represent the island. Bermuda athletes will be in action in the first day of competition roday, with the Bermuda women's hockey team taking on Trinidad & Tobago, while swimmers Roy Allan Burch and Lisa Blackburn hit the pool in Veracruz, while Virginia McKey will compete in dressage in Xalapa.

Videos

Video: BELIZE FLY FISHING Title 1, 5min.

Birding at Mayflower Bocawina National Park Belize, 15min.
Mayflower Bocawina national park is a superb destination for those interested in nature and birds in particular. We stayed at the local guest house for three days in April 2013. Watch out for ticks in the forest!

Video: "What Child Is This-Angels We Have Heard On High" Belize Mission Project, 4.5min.
Nov. 1-6, 2014 I was blessed to play a small part in the Belize Mission Project, along with dozens of dentists and volunteers from around the country. What an inspiring, humbling, blessed journey it was.

Video: Belize Zip Line, 13min.

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