UB Graduates 471On Saturday 471 students graduated from UB in the University's 17th Commencement exercises. The students received accreditation at the Associates, Bachelor, Certificate, and Diploma levels in Management & Social Sciences, the Education and Arts, Science and Technology, and Nursing, Allied Health & Social Work.
Their guest speaker was Godwin Hulse, the Minister of Labour, Local Government, Rural Development and National Emergency Management. He spoke to the graduates in a 32 minute Keynote address about the importance of education.
Here's an excerpt of that presentation:
Hon. Godwin Hulse - Keynote Speaker
"There's a theme I selected for my presentation today as you did not give me a theme and I think that was on purpose but it is one that I have cherished from I was a kid and that is 'education is the only forward for Belize' and I want you all to always remember it. When I was a young man, my dad never used the term 'education' - he said it was too elusive and to learn every thing you have an opportunity to learn, everything, if it's to cut the grass then he told me to learn to do it well, wash the dishes - learn to do it well, kill a mosquito - learn to do it well. So when you look at my seaming disconnected CV people said 'Lord man he couldn't make up his mind what to do' - I simply learned everything that came my way and learned to do it well. There's an Intel commercial that you may be seeing and it struck me and in addition to saying that education is the only way forward, this commercial says and it is a private sector inititave - it says 'education is our primary philantrophic endeavour' - what a wonderful thought coming from a private sector institution."
Channel 5
Tropical Depression #2 crosses the country
Forecasters predict an active hurricane season with eighteen storms of which nine are expected to develop into major hurricanes. And so it is that two weeks into June, the first [...]
Schools across country close in wake of Tropical Depression #2
The depression has affected schools in the southern, central and western districts while in Cayo District, students were sent home at three p.m. The northern districts, however, have been sparred [...]
Toledo in direct path of TD2
The path of tropical depression two takes it squarely over the Toledo District. The advisory from NEMO stated that the Boom Creek Road in Toledo was under four feet of [...]
Western Pines murder by axe
There is a murder to report tonight�it is the third for the month of June and it happened at the eight miles community of Western Pines off the George Price [...]
G.O.B. says "secret agreement," but Financial Secretary Joe Waight signature on document
Prime Minister Dean Barrow came out blazing last week, accusing former Prime Minister Said Musa and former Attorney-General Francis Fonseca of signing a secret agreement with Belize International Services Limited, [...]
Brother of Ministry's Secretary detained with Chinese Passports
A Belizean was detained in Cuba when he landed at the Jose Marti Airport in Havana with what we have been told are as many as five Chinese passports with [...]
Foreign Affairs will help lay student to rest
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with their Taiwanese counterparts and the family of Clarencio Coc to bring the body of the twenty-six year old student home from Taiwan [...]
Caught on camera: Cayo cops flip suspect on head in truck
Amateur video of a police apprehension in San Ignacio on Saturday at around four pm has made the rounds of Facebook and has resulted in somewhat mixed reactions. The video [...]
14 year old accuses teacher of carnal knowledge
There is a disturbing report coming out of the south. A fourteen year old student of the Toledo District is claiming that she had sex with her teacher. The minor [...]
Mike Menjivar's home shootout with GSU in court
The trial of attempted murder against Mike Menjivar continues in the Belmopan Supreme Court. Menjivar's house was raided in May 2011 by the Gang Suppression Unit; the raid started before [...]
Who shot Valley of Peace resident?
Belmopan Police are currently investigating two incidents which occurred over the weekend that have left several persons recovering at the Western Regional Hospital. The first incident happened at around eleven-thirty [...]
3 women argue; 2 women stabbed
And on Sunday, an altercation in Ontario Village in the Cayo District also landed three women and a minor in the Western Regional Hospital. Police are still trying to sort [...]
Pallotti School music teacher plays to higher heights
The National Institute of Culture and History and the National Youth Orchestra and Choir of Belize announce the international recognition of young Belizean violinist Courtney Gillett. Gillett, who lived her [...]
Football Telethon raises over $100 thousand�400 more needed
Jaguars have not been combing through the dense forests, but also on the playing field. The national football selection, also known as the Jaguars, has been working extremely hard to [...]
Road to the Gold Cup features Woodrow Wilson West
On the Road to the Gold Cup: The National Football team will be playing the United States, Cuba and Costa Rica in the upcoming Gold Cup games in July. Tonight [...]
Sports Monday highlights with Guru James Adderley
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports. The age old rivalry between Belize Telemedia and Mirage Lady Rebels produced another monster showdown Friday night inside Rogers Stadium [...]
LOVE FM
Belizean Violinist Returns From Intense Music Training At Julliard
Belizean Youth Musician Courtney Gillett a violinist and the principal violinist and coach in the National Youth Orchestra and Choir of Belize, began playing Suzuki violin at the age of ten. Now at the age of 26, she has a vast amount of achievements, especially in music. Gillett has ...
Venezuelan Embassy Meets With Leaders For Solidarity
On Saturday the Venezuelan Embassy hosted a meeting with several representatives of Belize's sector including leaders of the opposition party, Mayors from across the country and other social leaders. Love News was present at the function and we spoke to Venezuela Ambassador to Belize, His E...
Activist Says He Was Replaced At University Without Notice
While the country slowly floods because of a passing tropical depression, the University of Belize also slowly floods with controversy and in the center of it is UB Lecturer, Patrick Menzies, or in this case, former lecturer, since he says he headed to UB's Central Campus in Belmopan to tea...
Orange Walk Police Nabs Armed Robber
One man has been charged for a robbery at a business establishment in Orange Walk Town on Saturday. Reporter Dalila Ical has the story. DALILA ICAL "Orange Walk Police has charged one man for the robbery of the Insurance Corporation of Belize, ICB office in Orange Walk Town.&n...
Committee For September Celebrations Gears Up For Activities
September is less than three months away and that means that the September Celebrations Committee is already gearing up the preparations. Love News today spoke with the President of NICH, Diane Haylock who told us more about what's in the making DIANE HAYLOCK, President, NICH ...
Police In Southern Belize Seeks Teacher For Carnal Knowledge Investigation
Police are looking for a teacher from the Toledo District. This follows a report by a 14-year-olkd student who told police that on May 29 she went to the teacher's house in Santa Teresa Village where he had sexual intercourse with her. Medical examination was conducted on the mi...
Russian Ambassador To Belize Presents Credentials
This morning, His Excellency Eduard R. Malayan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Belize, presented his credentials to the Governor General of Belize His Excellency, Sir Colville Young. In his speech, Ambassador Malayan extended warm greetings from His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President o...
Belize's Trade Union Congress Supports GOB Move On International Registries
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Tropical Depression #2 Brings Heavy Rains and Winds To Belize
Marion Ali, Reporting The second Tropical Depression for the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane season slammed into Belize this afternoon at around 13 MPH with wind gusts of up to 41knots. The storm formed at around nine this morning, some 98 miles ENE of Punta Gorda Town and 60 miles E of Monkey ...
World Bank and SIF Raise Questions On Incomplete Construction In Dangriga
Residents of Dangriga are become uneasy because of the slack an important project in that municipality has taken, since it is a means of revenue for the municipality. Correspondent Harry Arzu has more on the issue. HARRY ARZU "The delayed work on the existing Dangriga Market i...
Residents In Southern Belize Cautioned on Possibility of Flash Floods
The Stann Creek NEMO met this afternoon to discuss the current weather situation. Correspondent Harry Arzu has more details on the meeting. HARRY ARZU "The incessant rains continue to affect the Stann Creek District as a result of the tropical depression that is passing over B...
Planned Countrywide Activities Lead Up To UN Public Service Day
Sunday will be observed as the United Nations Public Service Day and Belize will join in on observing the day. But for the entire week starting today, the Ministry of the Public Service will engage in a series of activities to celebrate those public officers who have delivered sterling serv...
CTV3
Tropical Depression Number 2 Batters Belize With Heavy Rains
This year's Hurricane forecast calls for a total of 16 named storms, 9 of which are expected to become hurricanes, including 5 major hurricanes between Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Tropical Storm Andrea was the first named storm of the Atlantic season which developed on the 5th of June 2013. It didn't raise flags for Belize since it made landfall along the Florida Big Bend region, slamming with heavy rain and wind. Andrea did not develop into a hurricane but did cause flooding and storm surge on the areas affected.
And today Tropical Depression number two formed in the Caribbean just off the coast of north-western Honduras, close to Belize causing heavy rainfall across the country. According to Chief Meteorologist at the National Meteorology Service, Dennis Gonguez, the system is expected to move west into parts of Belize and the Yucat�n Peninsula over the next 24 hours, most likely as a tropical depression. Heavy rain will be the greatest threat over these areas along with portions of Guatemala and Honduras.
ICB Orange Walk Robbed At Gunpoint
Belize Corozal Road in Orange Walk Town turned into a crime scene on Saturday as a female employee of the Insurance Corporation of Belize Orange Walk Branch was robbed at gunpoint while inside the business. The perpetrator, disguised as a customer, gained entrance to the establishment and demanded that the employee, who was alone at the time, hand over all the cash. Luckily for the victim, her colleagues in Corozal became suspicions when they called her on the company's line and her cell phone and she did not answer. Instead her cell phone was answered by the robber as he made a wrong move. CTV3 News' Reporter Victor Castillo arrived at the scene minutes after the incident and filed the following report.
Victor Castillo - Reporting
It was a busy Saturday morning but that did not stop a lone gunman from making his way into the Insurance Corporation of Belize Orange Walk Branch, located on Belize Corozal Road and robbing Customer Service Officer Ruth Martinez, who was alone at the time, at gunpoint.
At around 9:00am, a male person appearing to be an ordinary customer, showed up at the entrance door with documents in hand. The door, which can only be opened from inside was unlocked by Martinez. That is when her worst nightmare began. CTV3 News understands that as the robber entered the business, he pulled out a gun, pointed the weapon at Martinez, took away her cell phone, and demanded that she open the cash vault. Fearing for her life Martinez did as she was told.
Faber Chastises Teachers For The Second Time
In his press conference last week Thursday, the Minister of Education made a daring move as he trashed the Belize National Teacher's Union. But it's not the first that Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, uses strong language when referring to teachers. We'll get to that part of the story in a while. Faber's latest attack was due to a number of issues storming the education sector including the disappointing PSE results. In his statement the Minister categorically stated that while teachers are asking for a salary adjustment of 30% they are doing nothing to improve the PSE results. For context here are his remarks.
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"It is absolutely amazing and I'll go on a limb that teachers are saying that we want a salary adjustment of 30% when the government is saying we can't afford it but then we have the same old results and there is no denying that teachers have a tremendous effect on what these results are and correct me if I am wrong, but I don't hear the Union talking about how we can improve professionalization in the teaching service at all and I challenge them it is not a quarrel but a challenge I said before and I will do it again we want you to insist that teachers get more professional training. It is the ministry that provides the continuous professional development training in the summer time, is it not, the unions collect dues from teachers $20 dollars a month I paid for ten years, what out of that do they invest back in making sure that our teachers are trained, the ministry provided the certificate of education program paid for 95% by the ministry the other 5% by the teachers what do the Union do, but we have a Union in this country and I will get into trouble again for it that fights for teachers who are incompetent, some of them who are molesters, some of them who don't do their job in the classrooms and the Union officials know it but we fight for them they are not functioning , they are not doing the best job but the minute the principal or the management or the ministry tries to bring them up there is a champion called the Union who fights against."
Gian Ghandi Says He Knew Nothing About 10 Year Extension Granted To BISL
Following the most recent back and forth between Prime Minister Barrow and former Prime Minister Musa and former Attorney General Francis Fonseca regarding the so called secret agreement which purported to extend the contract for the management of the IBC and Ships Registries by Belize International Services Limited, the Ministry of Finance issued a press release today.
In his press conference on June 12th, the PM boasted that the takeover of the two companies was completely legal because the letter that granted the extension to BISL was indeed illegal. But former Prime Minister Said Musa and former Attorney General, Francis Fonseca, who signed the agreement back in 2005, have indicated that there was no secret agreement since the issue was brought to cabinet and that the legal counsel in the Ministry of Finance did know about the letter.
The agreement, signed on March 24th 2005 between G.O.B. and BISL, states that in consideration of a payment of one point five million dollars U.S., the Government agrees and confirms the extension of the duration of the Agreement to eleventh June 2020. Six weeks after, on May thirteenth 2005, the Ministry of Finance issued a letter asking that one point five million dollars US, payable by Belize International Services Limited, be paid to the Central Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York. The purpose was explicitly stated as follows - "for the purchase of the option to manage and operate the International Business Companies Registry and the Shipping Registry from 2003 to 2020. The letter was signed by Joseph Waight as Financial Secretary and it was copied to the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank of Belize and the Legal Counsel in the Ministry of Finance, Gian Gandhi.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation Presents Credentials To Governor General
This morning, a new Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Belize presented his credentials Governor General Sir Colville Young at the Belize House.
In his speech His Excellency Eduard R. Malayan, extended warm greetings from His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, to the Governor General and people of Belize.
He further expressed the possibility to deepen the relationship between the two countries not only in the political and diplomatic spheres, but also in trade, culture, education and technical cooperation.
Logging Season Closes
In the month of April 2013 the illegal harvesting and exportation of Rosewood, despite a moratorium set in place back in March of 2012, caused huge public outcry.
This prompted the Government of Belize to declare a 19 days amnesty for those in possession of the precious hardwood and to approve the sale and export of rosewood with government splitting the profits from sales with exporters.
While it seems that the illegal harvesting of Rosewood has died down on Saturday the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and the Forest Department declared the logging season closed. This means that between June 15th and October 14th the harvesting of trees will not be permitted.
According to the Ministry of Forestry the closure of logging activities coincides with the arrival of the rainy season which is not conducive to logging operations. Apart from an increased risk of loss of human life, logging during the rainy season often results in damage to forest soils and to public access roads.
Of note is that there will be no consideration for extension of forest permits and licenses after the closure of the season. All forest produce not removed from the license areas prior to this date, automatically becomes the property of the Government of Belize.
The logging season will re-open on the October 15th 2013. All applications for licenses for the next logging season should be submitted by November 30th, 2013 to the respective district office which will subsequently be forwarded to the Chief Forest Officer, Forest Department, Belmopan. Application forms are available at all district offices.
San Estevan Library Has A New Name And Logo
For well over 10 years, the San Estevan Library has been providing students with informative and educational literature free of cost. Students, without a doubt, have made good use of the service and most recently, now enjoy the facility of computers to further enhance their learning capacity. So as to attract more student attention, the former San Estevan Village Council along with librarian, Nancy Canche, launched a competition for students in order to find a name and a logo that will best describe the Library.
Fidelmar Hernandez, Former Chairman of San Estevan Village
"A few weeks ago we had a meeting with the librarian and the village council and we decided to give a prize to the standard II to standard XI classes whose over come up with the best logo and name for this library because for the moment we have it as San Estevan library."
Irvin Aragon - Reporter
"How many persons more or less have submitted entries for this competition?"
Fidelmar Hernandez, Former Chairman of San Estevan Village
"We have approximately about 12 to 14 logos and names."
And So Was Yummy Restaurant
Apart from ICB and Lucia's Guest House, another establishment was robbed at gunpoint but not over the weekend. This time the robbery played out on Thursday June 13th at around 6:30pm when three men entered Yummy Restaurant located on San Antonio Road Orange Walk and robbed the owner and one of the female employees at gunpoint.
According to the employee, the first individual to enter the restaurant was armed with a firearm. After he made his demands, two other men entered the restaurant and assisted the first robber in the crime.
Robbery Victim
"Solo entro el primero y parece que se arrepintió y despu�s agarro la pistola y dijo que es un asalto y entraron dos m�s y agarraron un laptop y salieron y se fueron."
Irvin Aragon - Reporter
"A qu� horas paso?"
Robbery Victim
"A las seis y media de la tarde."
Irvin Aragon - Reporter
"Llamaron a la polic�a, que fue lo que paso despu�s?"
"Belize In You, Belize In Me, Land Of The Free" September Celebrations Theme
September is a little over two months away and already the soca music can be heard playing at the distance as Carnival groups prepare for the annual road march. The patriotic month is held every year under a theme and this year is of no exception.
The National Celebrations Committee held a competition for the 215th Anniversary of the Battle of Saint George's Caye and the 32nd anniversary of Belize's Independence and this year's winner is Jeanelle Mencias from the City of Belmopan. Mencias' submission was among 125 entries received by the National Celebrations Committee which was selected as the winner. Mencia's theme is, "Belize in you, Belize in me, Land of the Free."
According to an official release by the National Celebrations Committee, the theme was selected because, and we quote, "it engenders a spirit of personal pride and nationalism about being Belize and Belizean." Jeanelle Mencias will receive a cash prize of $1,000.
Man Marries Twice, He Now Has The Law To Face
A man from the Toledo District is tonight under investigation for the crime of Bigamy. Bigamy is when one is legally married with more than one person at the same time. Yesterday morning, sixty-seven year old Faustina Coc of Punta Gorda Town reported to police that her husband, whom she had been married to for the past twenty years, was married to another woman.
According to Bol, she and Ambrocio Bol were married in April of 1997 and have lived in the Cayo district since. Last month, May of this year, her husband married Magdalena Chiquin of San Felipe Village in the Toledo District. As a result of this second marriage, we all know that Hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and scorned was the sixty-seven year old first wife.
Association Of Churches And Evangelical Ministries Oppose Gender Policy
One of the main topics on the Barrow administration's agenda is the gender policy. The Prime Minister has gone on record to say that he believes the National Revised Gender Policy 2013 is a good policy and as a result, he will not withdraw the policy as some organizations have requested. The Evangelical Church has stood against the terminologies used in the policy and believes that they are left open for wrong interpretation. The church has stated that the gender policy is a very dangerous document and puts in jeopardy the freedom of speech Belizeans on a whole enjoy today.
During his press conference on Wednesday, the Prime Minister stated that he has met with leaders of the churches but his position has not changed, however, he is open for dialogue so as to rephrase certain sections of the policy that may be subject to misinterpretation. As for withdrawing in entirety the policy, the PM says absolutely not. The Association of Churches and Evangelical Ministries is formed by approximately 75 churches country wide with each district having their own executive. Yesterday, the executive issued a press release in which it condemned the National Revised Gender Policy 2013 and urged the Prime Minister to withdraw the policy. We spoke to the president of the association, Oscar Barrera, who told us more.
New Exhibit Opens At he BHOC
52 years ago, on Tuesday, October 30th, 1961, Belize was rocked by Hurricane Hattie which caused major destruction having spent only three and a half hours over Belize. With recorded winds of 160 mph and gusts of up to 200 mph, the storm surge reached between 13 to 15 feet above sea level. Taking the brunt of the storm were the Turneffe Islands, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, followed by Belize City and the Stann Creek District. In commemoration of the aftermath of the storm, a new exhibit is on display at the Banquitas House of Culture and reporter Irvin Aragon along with Cameraman Kenric Simpson visited today and relived that historic event; here's their story.
Irvin Aragon- Reporting
"Eye of the Storm - Fifty Years since Hurricane Hattie" is the name of a new exhibit that is on display at the Banquitas House of Culture. Hurricane at Halloween, refers to a devastating hurricane which struck British Honduras some 52 years ago, just as the residents of British Honduras were starting to breathe a sigh of relief because the 1961 hurricane season would soon be ending, however, unexpectedly, a powerful Category 5 hurricane named Hattie hit Central America on Hollow's Eve.