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

Ambergris Today

Enter Lobster Fest T-Shirt Competition

Misc Belizean Sources

VIDEO: Belikin - Under The Crown Commercial
Rosie Syme in a Belikin commercial

The Ancient Maya Ruins of Tikal
The first time you hear them, your heart skips a beat. As black shadows move effortlessly through the trees above you, their ferocious howl can be heard up to 20 miles (32 km). Howler Monkeys are just one of the many flora and fauna that you’ll experience at the ancient ruins of Tikal in northern Guatemala. Tikal Background Tikal is one of the oldest sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It was also one of the biggest, housing as many as 90,000 Maya inhabitants. Agricultural evidence found in the area dates back to 1,000 BC; however, construction of the ruins didn’t begin until 400 to 300 BC, and didn’t finish until 810 AD. Tikal covers 220 square miles (570 sq km) and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Scarlet Macaws in Early Morning Light
Scarlet macaws flying over the Mountain Pine Ridge of Belize.

VIDEO: Dive Belize Lionfish Awareness, Ambergris Caye
Working a local dive site in an effort to preserve reef fish habitat. The Lionfish consumes massive quanaties of small reef fish each day. A single lionfish can lay up to 30,000 eggs per month. They are venomous and if you are pinched the pain is unbearable. Although venomous, they are safe for human consumption and very good to eat.

2012: Kurse a di Xtabai trailer
They've named the movie that was shot all around Cayo, and locally at SHJC. 2012: Kurse a di Xtabai. Here's the trailer. "First feature-length supernatural thriller produced entirely in Belize in Kriol! Make-Belize Films. Stay tuned for more..."

Labour Day Memorabilia pictures
Happy Labour Day! The Benque House of Culture has posted some really cool pictures from the good old days of the Mahogany industry. "Reminisce on images of the Golden Years of our Mahogany and lumber industry in Belize"

CTV3

Internet Cafe In Orange Walk Burglarized
Interplanet Cafe situated on Progress Street was broken into and burglarized for the second time since they opened for business six years ago. The incident happened in the wee hours of this morning and the thief or thieves got away with a number of items all amounting to a total value of over four thousand dollars. The owner of Interplanet Cafe, Michael Magana, told us that the burglars gained entry through the front door. Between the hours of 12 midnight and 5:00 this morning Interplanet Cafe located on Progress Street fell victim to the hands of criminals as it was burglarized. According to the owner of the establishment, Michael Magana, the discovery was made by his father who noticed that the shutters of the cafe were slightly open upon leaving the family’s residence located right across the internet cafe. Michael Magana, Owner Interplanet Cafe “Around 5:30 he was getting ready to go to work and den when he crossed here the shutters were half open so he stopped and when he opened the door he saw that the place had been burglarized. Two sets of computers were missing and some games so from that moment he went home and told me that the place had been robbed.”

Two Corozal Residents Including Stepfather of 15 Year Old Minor Charged For Rape
Tonight two Corozal residents including the stepfather of a 15 year old minor are behind bars after they were accused of rape. Both men appeared before the Corozal Magistrates Court today where they were formally arraigned for the charge and remanded to prison until their next court date scheduled for July 5th of this year. On Thursday April 26th, the 15 year old minor, accompanied by her mother, reported to police that sometime in the month of April 2011 she was sexually assaulted by her stepfather while her mother was not at home. According to the child the man entered her room, took off her clothing and raped her. But the incident did not happen once or twice, it happened three times, according to the 15 year old. The second man that was sent to prison is Ryan Skeen, accused of raping a 22 year old woman. The woman claims that around 7:00pm on April 26th she was walking along the San Andres Area in Corozal Town when she noticed that she was being followed by Skeen.

Is Foul Play Involved In Disappearance Of Three Fishermen
Today makes it nine days that 49 year old Silverio Tepaz, his brother 50 year old Teobaldo Tepaz and his nephew 21 year old Mijarie Tepaz have been last at sea. On Friday the search for the three fishermen from the Village of Sarteneja was discontinued by the Coast Guard after they searched almost 100 miles, covering from English Caye Channel to Gladden Spit and finding nothing. That was on Friday and tonight news is that there are some new revelations in the case. Reports are that family members have found what appeared to be signs of blood on a piece of tarp found inside the vessel which was found submerged near Glovers Reef. The family we understand has handed over the evidence to police. Some holes were also found on the deck of the vessel. Based on the finding it is believed that foul play is involved in the men’s disappearance. We will have more on this story in Wednesday’s Newscast.

Honey Camp Lagoon Hosts 3rd Regatta Competition
On Sunday April 29th the Belize Sailing Association held their annual Honey Camp Lagoon Regatta which is the third of a seven part regatta circuit, establishing a National Rating System necessary for Belizean sailors to engage in international sailing events. The Optimist program, which implements the vision for advanced sailing in Belize and promotes a recreational use of Belizean waters, brings to light an international class of sailing dinghy designed for children ages 9 to 14. On Sunday as 30 Optimist dinghies set sail to the finish line, our camera captured all the exciting moments from start to finish. Reporter Janine Ayuso and Cameraman Kenric Simpson filed the following report. Eight miles east of Orange Walk Town is the Honey Camp Lagoon, a favorable swimming destination not familiar with boats or vessels. But on Sunday afternoon the kidney shaped lagoon was trafficked with over 30 Optimist sailing Dinghies. As the glistening sail boats navigated the crystal clear waters of the lagoon putting off a spectacle for observers, the unusual activity was a sight on its own as a team of 60 young sailors steered their way through the Optimist Championship organized by the Belize Sailing Association.

Agric Show Sees Two Murders
Belize City recorded four murders last week including that of Shelton Pinkey Tillett and this past weekend the National Agriculture Show Grounds was stained with blood as two persons were murdered including a male individual from the village of Saint Mathews. Yesterday around 2:00pm police visited the main road within the show grounds in Belmopan where they found 22 year old Javier Larios, a labourer of Saint Mathews Village suffering from a large cut wound to the right forearm and a stab wound to the centre of the chest. Larios was rushed to the Western Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. Approximately an hour after Larios’ body was discovered; police visited another area of the show grounds, not too far away from where Larios was found. Underneath a truck police discovered the motionless body of 23 year old Moses Orellano, a resident of mile 26 on the Hummingbird Highway with a stab wound to the left side of the chest. Investigations have revealed that the victims are cousins. The men are believed to have been involved in an altercation with a group of men. So far police have made no arrests on these latest murders.

Belizeans And Guatemalans Will Go To The Polls On October 16th 2013
On October 16th 2013, Belizeans and Guatemalans will head out to the poll to vote whether or not Guatemala’s Territorial Claim to Belize should be heard at the International Court of Justice. Minister of Foreign affairs, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, left Belize en route to Washington DC on Wednesday April 25th accompanied by a delegation of negotiators including Senator Lisa Shoman. Elrington, along with the delegation, met with Foreign Minister of Guatemala Harold Caballeros at the request of the OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza in order to determine a date for the simultaneous referendum which will be on October 16th 2013 as previously mentioned. The purpose of the simultaneous referendum is to present Guatemala’s Territorial, Insular and Maritime claim to the International Court of Justice.

The Reporter

Three Police Bullets Kill Arthur Young
A postmortem examination of the body of Arthur Young, 37, the notorious leader of the Taylor´s Alley Gang, on Wednesday, April 25th,...

Legal Advice Center Relocates
The Belize Legal Advice Center, formerly located in the government-owned building on Gabourel Lane, which has also housed the Vital...

Gang Warfare!
The inter-gang rivalry that flared up over the weekend has resulted in the death of two of the city´s most feared gang leaders. Arthur...

Sarteneja Trio Lost At Sea
By Dalton Gonzales A search and rescue mission is on for three fishermen who have been reported missing at sea since Tuesday, April...

Emerson Eagan, guilty of murder
Emmerson Eagan, 22, convicted of the murder of Dennis Nembhard, 35, is to be sentenced in the Supreme Court of Justice Adolph Lucas on...

Despite Bar’s Protest, Justice Awich is promoted to the Court of Appeal
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Lungole Awich has become the newest judge on the Belize Court of Appeal. Governor General Sir Colville Young...

UB Black Jaguars win C.A. basketball Gold
The University of Belize Black Jaguars remained undefeated as they won the Central American universities´ basketball championship,...

Lady Jaguars & Jaguars men win in Belize City volleyball
The defending national women´s volleyball champions, the Lady Jaguars and the Jaguars men´s team both enjoyed victories when the newly...

Tips to take your business idea to the next level
In today´s competitive and diverse business environment, one of the most important things in building up growth, stability and...

IMF says Caribbean economies to grow in 2012 and 2013
Caribbean economies are expected to grow in this year and next year, according to the Washington-based International Monetary Fund...

Editorial
Belize started off with two gangs, the Crips and the Bloods, some 30 years ago. They have since grown to more than a dozen. The functioning gangs in the city include (in alphabetical order) the Back-a-Town Gang, the George Street Gang, the Gill Street Bloods, the Ghost Town Crips, the Krall Road Crips, the Kelly Street Crips, the Majestic Alley Crips, the Supall Street Gang, the Taylor´s Alley Bloods and the Victoria Street Bloods. These gangs have sprung up, each in its own depressed neighbourhood, and so far as we can tell, each appears to be an independent entity, a fraternity of homies who find companionship and camaraderie in its neighbourhood niche. Each one of these gangs guards its territory with eagle eyes, and no member of a rival gang is allowed to enter the demarcated territory. Each gang has its loyalty code to members of the same gang, but to no one else.

Another Truce?
I cannot see where Aaron Levenstein´s quote `Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is...

Mexico-US migration down after 40 years of growth
The rate of Mexican immigration to the US has stalled or maybe even gone into reverse, an analysis shows, ending a four-decade-long...

Ariel Rosado Ride raises scholarship funds
The Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation is holding its first bicycle ride from Santa Elena-San Ignacio to Belize City via the Boom...

Ice Cream Headaches may offer clues to migranes
That “brain freeze” headache you experience when eating ice cream or other cold foods may be caused by a sudden change in brain...

Blogs

Bird-watching paradise found in Crooked Tree, Belize - Day 3 & more bird pics
The only bus that runs directly from the village of Crooked Tree to Belize City, the Jex bus, comes through at 6:30 am, so we knew it was going to be an early morning by necessity. Fortunately, as I mentioned before, it's easy to get up early at the lodge, and I managed to pop out of bed just in time to catch the stunning sunrise over the lagoon. Barry just missed it! We quickly dressed and packed our backpacks for the trek back to Ambergris Caye. I was at the lodge a little before 6 am and caught Angie coming in from a walk. The coffee was fresh and hot, and we were able to grab a cup (and a banana each for the road) while saying our goodbyes to Angie and Mick and checking out. Mick offered us a lift down to the bus stop, but our backpacks weren't that heavy, and it was a beautiful morning for a walk, so we declined.

Labor day and breakfast beach walk
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Labor Day. Labor day is a public and bank holiday which takes place annually on May 1st. It is about celebrating the achievements of workers and honoring them for their hard work. What does this mean for people on Ambergris Caye today? Most shops, bars and restaurants are open. Banks, government offices, post office closed and some businesses that choose to close. Thankfully we got our mothers day cards in the mail yesterday.

Part 2: The Food, Games, Rides, Shopping, Music and Beers at the 2012 Belize Agriculture and Trade Show
The Agriculture and Trade Show of Belize isn't just trade and agriculture, it isn't just animals and plants. There is so much going on. The fair grounds are HUGE and open at 6am...the schedule is jam packed from early morning until the grounds close at 6pm. Yesterday's post: Animals, Plants, The Rodeo and San Pedranos. Let's start with the things for sale...I am not even showing you a tiny portion. There were probably well over 200 booths as well as countless vendors walking around. This enterprising gentleman was selling clothes to wipe your sweat with. $1bzd. Critical. It was HOT and extremely dusty. It would have been nice to have some iced water to dip them in.

International Sources

Tsunami: If we fail to prepare, then we prepare to fail
While the governments and the people of the Caribbean have considerable experience in coping with hurricanes, we have not, in living memory, had to deal with a tsunami. Such an occurrence would be especially devastating because we are "coastal societies", ie most of the population, economic activity, buildings, and infrastructure are on the waterfront or in very close proximity. Particularly exposed are cities like Guyana's capital Georgetown, and Belize City in Belize, which are below sea level protected by low-lying sea walls. Also, most of The Bahamas and much of Barbados are below 100 feet above sea level. A tsunami would obliterate the tourism industry and severely damage housing, commercial enterprises and government building. It would affect ports, roads and some airports, in particular the Norman Manley International Airport. Although partially insulated by the narrow strip of land extending to Port Royal, the city of Kingston would suffer damage to housing, especially in Portmore, the cement factory, the flour mill, the oil refinery, the asylum, the General Penitentiary, the industries on Marcus Garvey Drive, the Bank of Jamaica, and sites in historic Port Royal.

Placencia, Belize: Tiny Beach Town Grows Up
Palencia, Belize, used to be a day’s drive from Belize City on a long, rutted road that few dared to travel, and a plane ride ended in a cloud of dust on a dirt strip. Now, the outpost for the world’s second-largest barrier boasts both a paved road and airstrip along with many more luxury amenities that are attracting travelers looking for a slice of Caribbean paradise. Boutique hotels and shops now line the streets, and visitors can find most anything they want in terms of accommodation and cuisine. Even so, Palencia remains an isolated oasis and a beautiful place to live thanks to a cost of living that hasn’t risen with the accessibility.

A Visit to the Belize Zoo
There are some great pictures of the animals of the Belize Zoo, including Junior Buddy, in this article. “The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center was started in 1983, as a last ditch effort to provide a home for a collection of wild animals which had been used in making documentary films about tropical forests. Today, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center is settled upon 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 150 animals, representing over 45 species, all native to Belize. The zoo keeps animals which were orphaned, rescued, born at the zoo, rehabilitated animals, or sent to The Belize Zoo as donations from other zoological institutions.”

A Day In The Life Of A Travel Writer
Cayo is all over this video that Joshua Berman, who researches and writes the Moon Guide for Belize, put together on the Huffington Post. He goes up the Macal River to check out the sites. Barton Creek is also on there, although not mentioned.