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Genetically Modified Organisms or No GMO
Farmer Juan Canto, 51 years, who continues to use Non-GMOs at his 40 acre farm bordering the Elijio National Park in the Cayo District. The recent discovery of genetically modified soy bean in the North of Belize has placed a dent in the discussion on whether to accept or reject genetically modified organisms. As part of the new reality of GMO, a Biosafety Committee has been established to examine such matters for which the Ministry of Agriculture currently has a prominent role in working with other entities.

Minister of Health and Ambassador of Cuba to Belize Sign Cooperation Agreement
In a brief gathering on Friday July, 9th, at the Ministry of Health Conference Room, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the Ministry of Health of Belize and the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba.

Justices of the Peace meet In Cayo
The Cayo Chapter of the Justices of the Peace met at the San Ignacio Police Station this past Sunday evening. Much was achieved at this Justices of the Peace meeting, including an initiative to reach out to other members.

Two Men and a Woman charged for Immigration Offences
On Tuesday, July 9th, 3 illegal immigrants: two Hondurans, and a Salvadoran appeared before the court to answer to separate offenses. Esvely Ramos Castro, 26, a Honduran national appeared in court after she overstayed her visitor's permit. She entered the country on December 17, 2012 and was granted stay until April 14, 2013, however, she overstayed her welcome. In court, Castro wasted no time and pleaded guilty to the offense. In mitigation she asked to be fined since she is a first time offender. With that Magistrate Leslie Hamilton fined her $1,000 plus $5.00 cost of court. The fine was to be paid immediately, which she did, avoiding the alternate which was 6 months in prison. While she paid, she was not freed as she owes the Immigration Department $150 for 3 months worth of back fees for overstaying her time. After Castro pays her fines her stay in Belize will be legalized.

Missing Youth Found Dead
On Wednesday, July 3rd, Diana Bainton reported to police that her 20-year-old son, Alvin Pascasio, had been missing since Monday, July 1st. Her worst fear was realized on Thursday morning, July 4th, when police called her out to Javier Berbier Garcia Boulevard to identify the lifeless body of her son. Bainton said she received a call from an individual on Tuesday, July 2nd, and the person asked if she had heard what happened to her son. She said no and that was when she was told that he had been killed. Bainton went to his girlfriend's house who told her that she too heard that "Vinny" was killed. Bainton said she knows her son was close to members of the "Pregnant Alley" gang and said that he told her a week ago that some guys wanted to kill him. Bainton said she has no idea who killed her son but "Who killed him and why they killed him will have to answer to God". She says that she is comforted by the fact that at least they found his body. Alvin Pascasio had three gunshot wounds to the back of the head and his throat was slit. Police detained one man for questioning but have not announced any charges thus far. There were speculations that 20-year-old Jareth Bainton of the Ladyville area was also killed since he went missing around the same time as Pascasio. However, he returned home safely on Sunday, July 7th.

Nolle Prosequi in Rape Charge
Back in October 2009, the home of an elderly couple, aged 61 and 81 of the Freetown Sibun area was invaded, burglarized and the wife was raped in the presence of her husband as the culprits cleaned out their house. On Tuesday, July 9th, one of the accused men, the only person charged in connection with the home invasion walked free from charges of rape and aggravated burglary. Freetown Sibun resident, 24-year-old Cannon Augustine Obispo, appeared in the Supreme Court before Justice Troadio Gonzalez. In court, his trial ended in a nolle prosequi when Prosecutor Leroy Banner informed the court that his main witness, a 61-year-old woman could not make it to the trial. Banner told us that it was not because the elderly rape victim could not be located or that she did not want to testify but that she could not make it to Belize in time for the trial due to a short notice of the trial commencement. Banner told us that the victim expressed to her that at this time she cannot just leave her home in Canada to come to Belize in such short notice but that she can do so at a later date.

Body Found in Macal River near San Ignacio
A body was discovered on Monday July 1, by the Macal River near the Hawkesworth Bridge in San Ignacio. The body has since been identified to be that of twenty eight year old Mark Robateau. Mark Robateau had recently been released from prison and was not unknown to the Law. Police are investigating to determine if foul play was involved in Robateau's death. This is the second time within a short period that a body has been retrieved from the Macal River near the Hawkesworth Bridge.

Team USA bested Belize in Gold Cup game
The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Tournament in Group C play commenced on Tuesday July 9, 2013, at the JEN-WELD Stadium in Portland, Oregon, USA. Team Belize making its first appearance at a true international tournament was pitted against Team USA had won the Gold Cup Tournament on four different occasions. Team Belize looked very good and impressive for the first 10+ minutes of the first half of the game when it held Team USA scoreless. However, in the 12th minute of play Chris Wondolowski scored the 1st goal of the game to give Team USA an early lead. The lead was extended when Wondolowski scored Team USA's 2nd goal in the 37th minute of play for a 2-0 lead. However, Team Belize got unto the scoreboard when Ian Gaynair scored Belize's only goal of the game in the 40th minute of play to cut the deficit in half. But that did not lasttoo long as Chris Wondolowski scored his 3rd goal of the game in the 41st minute of play to give Team USA a 3-1 lead going into half time. In the second half of the game, Team USA continued with its onslaught of the Belize Team when it tallied three more goals. The first goal in the second half was scored by Stuart Holden and that was followed by Orozco and then the final goal was scored by Landon Donovan via penalty kick that was questionable. At the sound of the long whistle, it was indeed a 6-1 victory for Team USA over Team Belize. (Photo - Getty )

Tuff "E" Nuff Interoffice Basketball League champs again
The Belize City Interoffice Basketball League championship came to an end on Friday, July 7, 2013, at Bird's Isle with Tuff "E" Nuff retaining its championship when it won handily over Oceana No Limit by the score of 91-80. Tuff "E"Nuff captured the best of five series in three games and it proved to be the best team in the competition. The top scorers for the Tuff "E" Nuff were Farron Louriano with 25 points, 4 rebounds and an assist; Tyrone Edwards with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists; Ashton Edwards with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists; and Winston Pratt and Raul Roches with 10 points each. Pratt also grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and had a steal. For Oceana No Limit, the top scorers were Brandon Rogers with 21 points, 11 rebounds and an assist; Kurt Burgess with 20 points, 12 rebounds and an assist; and Jacob Leslie with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. We say congratulations to the Tuff "E"Nuff Team for winning the championship.

Interim Cycling Committee to proceed with National Elections
The Injunction that was brought against the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association and the Interim Cycling Committee by Emil Moreno was thrown out of the courts. As a result, the Interim Cycling Committee and the Electoral Committee of the Belize Olympic Association can now proceed to hold national elections for the Executive Officers of the Belize Cycling Association. Just before Emil Moreno had filed his Injunction, the Interim Cycling Committee and the Electoral Committee of the Belize Olympic Association had conducted the completed the election process at the Regional level of the Association. It will be for the first time in cycling history in Belize that a national election will involve the regional associates.

Michael Arthurs: Cycling Commissaire
Michael Arthurs of the Belize Cycling Association has successfully completed the UCI National Elite Commissaire Course that was held in Panama City, in the Republic of Panama from June 18-21, 2013. The UCI National Elite Commissaire Course was conducted by Martin Swinkels in English and by Josep Bochaca in Spanish. Michael Arthurs is now certified by UCI as a cycling Commissaire.

Camalote United maintains lead in Miley Garcia Tournament
The Miley Garcia Cayo Softball Competition continued on Sunday, July 7, 2013, out at the Mae Gordon Sports field in Belmopan with two games on the schedule. In the first game played, the undefeated defending champions Camalote United continued on its winning path when it defeated the Ontario Rebels by the score of 10-3. The winning pitcher was Francine Hoare and the losing pitcher was Indira Ireland. In the second game, it was Esperanza Wolverines winning over Belmopan Capital City Emeralds by the score of 23-10. During the game Wolverines' Melinda Blancaneaux drilled a Dana Mae King pitch for a solo home run. The winning pitcher was Shareeni Soberanis and the losing pitcher was Dana Mae King. The competition will continue on Sunday, July 14, out at the Las Flores Football Field in Belmopan with three games on the schedule. In the first game at 11:00 am, Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy will go up against Esperanza Wolverines. In game two, it will be Belmopan Capital City Emeralds against Camalote United and in the final game of the day, it will be Las Flores Shooting Stars against the Ontario Rebels.

Easy Does It of Flowers Bank wins again in Rural Softball
In the first game of the day, Rancho Dolores defeated Bermudian Landing by the score of 15-14. The winning pitcher was Angie Smith and the losing pitcher was Christine Brackett. In game two, the league's leading Easy Does It of Flowers Bank won again over Double Head Cabbage by the score of 9-2. The veteran Margaret Hendy bested Annie McFadzean. In the third game of the day, Lord's Bank Sunrise won handily over Butter Cup by the score of 12-5. The winning pitcher was Stacy Smith and the losing pitcher was Sherlee Smith. And in the final game of the day, Ladyville won over St. Paul's Bank via the default route. The competition will continue this coming Sunday.

Belize City Volleyball Competition continues at Belize Elementary
The Belize Volleyball Association 2013 campaign continues at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium here in Belize City. On Sunday, July 7, there were a total of three games on the schedule. In the first game of the day in the female competition, Moen Stars defeated U-16 Females in three sets by the score of 25-7, 25-10 and 25-10. In the Firms competition, Belize Bank won over Simon Quan in two sets by the score of 25-15, and 25-20. And in the final game of the afternoon in the male competition, Rebels defeated SQ Dragons in four sets by the score of 25-22, 25-21,20-25 and 33-31. The competition then continued on Saturday, July 6, with four more games on the schedule. In the female competition, Moen Stars defeated Lady Warriors by the score of 25-8, 25-23 and 25-22. In the first of two Firms competition, Scotia Bank won over Simon Quan by the score of 25-23, 15-25 and 15-8. In the second game, BEL defeated First Caribbean Bank in two sets by the score of 25-16 and 25-21. In the male game played, it was the Scorpions winning over SQ Dragons by the score of 23-25, 25-17, 25-19 and 29-27.

British High Commissioner bids Farewell
After a 5-year posting in the country, British High Commissioner to Belize, H.E. Pat Ashworth will be leaving the country on August 2nd. The Guardian caught up with the outgoing diplomat who shared his impressions of Belize. Ashworth told us that his stint in Belize has been probably the longest any High Commissioner has done here and explained that it has been a lot of work. He added that he is glad to have been here when Belize has been rising up in the agenda in the U.K. and is satisfied that Belize is on the minds of ministers in the U.K., "not least because they support the principle of self determination in the Falklands and being the only country in the region to say so." This, he said, means a lot to the British Government and people of the Falklands. H.E. Ashworth stated that he has been in Belize at bad times when BATSUB downsized its numbers from 60 to 6 but is glad to be leaving at a time when the numbers are expected to be ramped up. "I think the relations between the U.K. and Belize are on the up and up," he stated. Asked what the highlights of his tenure were, he pointed out that being able to contribute to the Belize Defence Force equipment like the most recent one where 17 4-ton trucks were handed over as well as going on training exercises with the BDF and BATSUB which at times ended with him being covered with fleas and ticks. All in all he stated that he enjoyed his tour in Belize. H.E. Ashworth will be replaced by Peter Hughes, who has last been posted in North Korea and who Ashworth says could not have been a better choice.

Blogs

Belize is proud of the Jaguar's noble Gold Cup effort
Victory may have eluded the Belize Jaguars, the first team in Belize's history to play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament, but the lads are returning home with heads held high amid warm greetings from their many fans. And they should be proud. When you consider that this plucky team from a little developing country of fewer than 350,000 inhabitants had the skill and courage to take on the highly trained and richly resourced team from the United States, with a population of well over 300 million, you get an idea of what determination means. Under Coach Andrew Mork the boys trained hard in the lead up to the match and played their hearts out, and in doing so made the entire country proud. It's no mean feat qualifying to take on the best in the world in front of a live crowd of some 18,724 soccer fans and many more viewers. It was a noteworthy day in Belize sports history indeed.

Belizean Icing
I have the left overs in the fridge and it is still holding up well. When my mom's friend makes a cake for me with this icing it stays hard for over a week. I still have the 3 cupcakes I iced and the icing in still hard on the top. I made this video 4 days ago.

Groups distance themselves from UNIBAM effigy
Three of the participants in the pro-Constitution March, BelizeCan, Belize Action and Rise and Shine, have issued a statement regarding photographs purporting to show the hanging in effigy of UNIBAM, the United Belize Advocacy Movement. The statement titled: "Distasteful Image in Toledo Constitution March" says that while they - BelizeCan, Belize Action and Rise and Shine - did not see the effigy themelves, they heard about it and instructed its removal. "We strongly condemn and discourage the use of such placards or images which can be perceived as sending the wrong message. We encourage Belizeans to exercise their right to rally in a respectful, responsible, and God-fearing manner," said the statement. Louis Wade, the owner of Plus TV and host of the Rise and Shine morning talk show, this evening told West Vision that "in 3 marches we have had a total over 7000 people with thousands of plackards. We refuse to let one plackard which we asked to be taken down, to define our peaceful people movement."

Minister Lisel Alamilla expresses grave concerns
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Senator Lisel Alamilla has written a public essay expressing grave concerns about what she perceives could be the promotion of hate crimes against gay men and women in Belize. Minister Alamilla posted the short essay on her Facebook page, prefacing her missive by stating that "I do not oppose persons having different views or religious beliefs, but it concerns me immensely when those are being communicated by misinformation, manipulation and fear with could result in hate crime." Senator Alamilla used a couple of photographs taken during the pro-Constitution demonstration in Toledo (southern Belize) last week, depicting the hanging in effigy of the United Belize Advocacy Movement, UNIBAM.

Urgent Disease Warning!!!!
News has reached twocanview.com of a dangerous and highly contagious disease afflicting Belizeans. The disease is said to cause delusions, fear of fire and confusion. Reports keep pouring in of numerous victims who have lost their abilities to think, reason and read independently; many victims are reportedly showing signs of anger, self hate, guilt, loss of compassion. Many are said to promote hate and violence. Some victims are said to become fixated on issues like sex and the personal lives of others while ignoring their own lives. Some are said to become domineering and scary. Lying, distortion and twisting of information are not far-fetched and have been identified in many victims. Some are said to act like robots and keep quoting selective biblical lines�

International Sources

CONCACAF acts swiftly as Belize players report bribery attempt
Football's global match-fixing scourge, regarded as the biggest threat to the integrity of the sport, has now struck at the heart of CONCACAF with the confederation confirming that two Belize players were offered bribes to throw their opening match of the Gold Cup, the region's blue riband event, against the United States. The host nation comfortably won Tuesday's encounter 6-1 after which reports emerged that Belize players Woodrow West and Ian Gaynair had been approached prior to the fixture in Portland, Oregon. Both turned down the bribe and notified officials ahead of the match. CONCACAF say they have already discovered the identity of the individual responsible, in association with FIFA.

Belize collective brings diverse musical mix to Canada
While the entire Western Hemisphere can be described as diverse, Belize boasts an ethnocultural mix unlike any on the planet. The Central American nation may be the only country where a black minority -- the Kriol, who make up about one-fifth of the population -- serves as the dominant political group. The Mestizo, who speak Spanish, make up slightly more than half the population. Maya make up another 10 per cent, the Asian community makes up five and German-speaking Mennonites -- many of whom left Manitoba in the 1950s -- comprise another four per cent of the population. And as if that wasn't unusual enough, Belize is also home to about 15,000 Garifuna, an Afro-Amerindian group of mixed Carib, Arawak and West African heritage, once dubbed the Black Carib by their former British colonial masters. Within Belize, the Garifuna are renowned for their music, which is tied as much to Africa and the Caribbean as it is to Central America. Fifteen years ago, this sound caught the ear of Ontario singer-songwriter Danny Michel, who was vacationing in Belize and afterwards spent more and more time in the Central American nation.

A Lunch Break at Tropical Paradise Restarurant in Caye Caulker
After a long morning of snorkeling the reef we made our way to Caye Caulker to relax and enjoy a lunch break on the beach. The Tropical Paradise Restaurant fit the bill perfectly! Located on the beach near the water taxi dock, the Tropical Paradise Restaurant is part of the islands first original beach resort. We wasted no time finding a table in the open air seating with a fantastic view of Front Street and the Caribbean Sea. The menu was large with a variety of dishes including traditional Belizean dishes and a variety of hamburgers. Being that I travel to experience culture, I ordered a traditional dish and some Belize beer! I will say, the food was amazing. It was fresh and cooked to order. All meals were served with fresh salsa that was bursting with the flavor of hand diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro. Not to mention the guacamole- perfectly spiced and generously served. The perfect accompaniment was a bucket of Belikin beer, 'The Beer of Belize'.