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Channel 5
Taxi-man Burned in Car; Cause of Death Undetermined
Hugo Moreno's remains were so charred that the cause of death could not be determined. The body of the taxi driver was found in the trunk of his dodge car [...]
MLA Meets With Leaders from Mayan Communities
The Maya Leaders Alliance has issued its first statement on the customary land rights case, since the Court of Appeal handed down a split decision in the matter last Thursday.� [...]
MLA's Cristina Coc Speaks on Mayan Dissenters
While the membership of the Maya Leaders Alliance was not represented in court on Monday, former chairman Ligorio Coy led a contingent of past Alcaldes from Dolores, Otoxha, Santa Ana [...]
Belize on High Alert after Regional Dengue Outbreaks
The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent statement cautioning the public on dengue. The release is a result of severe outbreaks in the region including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El [...]
Should G.O.B. strike a deal with NCL even though only pocket tourism is recommended for southern Belize?
And our question for tonight is: Should G.O.B. strike a deal with NCL even though only pocket tourism is recommended for southern Belize? Send your comments and responses using your [...]
Missing Siblings Found in Honduras
There are reports reaching our newsroom tonight that missing siblings Fanny and Jairo Romero have been located in Copan, Honduras and will soon be reunited with their family. The children, [...]
Multi-Million Dollar Sanitary Landfill Inaugurated
On Tuesday's newscast, News Five showed you the brand spanking new transfer facility which makes the old garbage dump look like�well, garbage. These transfer stations have been constructed in San [...]
P.U.P. calls for Change in Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives is the body tasked with examining and reporting on the monies spent by government. That's a big job and an important [...]
Cable Technician Guilty of Carnal Knowledge
The trial of a Belize City cable technician who is accused of sexually abusing a young woman since the age of nine concluded today.� At eleven thirty this morning, the [...]
Minor Narrowly Escapes Sodomy Attempt
While there is a conviction against Niccanor Fermin for carnal knowledge, there is another disturbing report from an eleven year old student of Sunset Park area, located at mile eight [...]
Santana Resident Remanded for Homemade Shotgun
Fifty-three year old Walter Logan, a resident of Santana Village, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being caught with a homemade shotgun on Saturday.� Shortly after four [...]
Dara's Concert and Ride for Hunger This Weekend�
There are two events in the City this weekend to support a noble cause. A concert and a ride for hunger are being organized to assist Dara Robinson's feeding program. [...]
Parking Woes in Belize City
Progress brings problems is as clich�d as it is true, and Belize City residents have been pushed up close to that truth with the ongoing works on streets. But while [...]
Superstar performances at the Bliss
The Bliss was overflowing last night with fans and supporters of Be the Next Superstar. The show started with eight hopefuls, but wound down to six following a tight elimination [...]
LOVE FM
Regional Study Underway in Belize on Diabetes
A regional study on type two Diabetes is currently taking place in Belize with a view to helping patients better manage their illness through diet, timeliness of self-medicating, and general behavioral practices. It is part of a regional study in the Caribbean and Project Manager, Doctor Cl...
Kolbe Foundation Responds to Labour Commissioner's Report
On Monday we reported that Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams, had released his findings on a series of allegations that had come under investigations by his office following complaints made by six former members of the Kolbe Foundation. The investigations looked at a number of alleged infr...
Past Standard Bearer Candidate for Opposition Party Wants Back in Party
The People's United Party announced today that community activist Nancy Marin has applied for membership in the Party and has pledged her full support to the party and party leader Francis Fonseca. The PUP release goes on to say over the past few years Nancy has proved to a strong, independ...
Former BDF Soldier Found Guilty of Engaging Sexually with 9-Year-Old
Forty-one year old ex-BDF soldier Niccanor Fermin, charged with six counts of carnal knowledge of a female child, was found guilty of all counts today in the court of Justice John Gonzalez. The jury of five men and four women deliberated for less than three hours before it arrived at its verdict,...
Residents of Belize Placed on Alert for Dengue Outbreaks in Neighboring Countries
The Ministry of Health has issued an alert following several dengue advisories issued by neighboring countries in Central America. The region has experienced severe outbreaks and several deaths this year. Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El Salvador have all issued formal alerts and travelers ...
Police Investigate Murder of Taxi Driver in Northern Belize
Police have confirmed that the body found yesterday was that of a missing taxi driver. Reporter Arturo Cantun has the details. ARTURO CANTUN "The charred remains of a human being found yesterday on the outskirts of Carmelita Village in the Orange Walk District have been identi...
Wednesday, July 31 -------- Missing Siblings Found in Honduras
A father's determination to locate his children resulted in success this morning. The two children from southern Belize who were reported missing more than ten days ago have now been reunited with their father. Eight year old Nehemiah Romero and his big sister Nine year old Fanny Romero...
Police Officer Makes Contact Following Missing Report
Police Corporal Martin Bustillos has responded to the call and made contact with his family and his workplace. The twenty seven year old officer attached to the Corozal Police Formation had reportedly left his parents' house in San Estevan Village in the Orange Walk District on July 22nd an...
International Registries Have New Senior Deputy Registrar
Last month the Government of Belize assumed control of the International Business Companies (IBC) Registry and the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE). News today is that Annette Garel was appointed as senior deputy registrar for IMMARBE. An online article quotes Garel as s...
CTV3
Corozal House Of Culture Teaches Charcoal Drawing
Drawing pencils are often considered sturdy, reliable and precise. Charcoal, on the other hand, is a wild counterpart: it's bold, daring and dramatic. It's much darker than any pencil and has...
Sugar City Summer Program Comes To An End
The Sugar City Summer Program 2013 started a few weeks ago at the closing of the school year here in Orange Walk Town. The program was held at the St....
APAMO Says Co-managers Pressured Into Signing Agreement
At the top of the newscast we told you about the protected areas co-management agreements which are causing quite a stir among GOB and NGO's including SATIIM and APAMO, who...
Dengue Outbreak In The Region Puts Belize On High Alert
The Government of Honduras has declared a state of emergency after an outbreak of dengue fever which has killed 16 people so far this year. More than 12,000 people have...
BSCFA Holds Workshop For Branch Chairmen
After being audited by representatives of FLOCERT a few months ago, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association was found to be in breach of 11 Fair Trade Standards, in other...
APAMO Refuses To Sign Co-management Agreement
With so many litigations going around, one would think that the issue of co-management agreements between the Government of Belize and non governmental organizations would go away. But that is...
Hugo Moreno Becomes O/W First Murdered Victim
In the Orange Walk District, not a single murder case had been recorded since October 2012. But the statistic changed when the charred body of 42 year old taxi...
PlusTV
Missing Orange Walk Taxi Driver found dead
Tuesday July 30: In Orange Walk, the family of a cab driver is searching for their loved one. 42 year old Ernesto Moreno left his home on Saturday to do taxi runs. His wife says they spoke on Sunday, but has not heard from him since. Moreno was last...
Corozal Policeman missing since last week Tuesday
Tonight, authorities are asking for your help in locating one of their own. Police Constable Martin Bustillos, attached to the Corozal formation, has been missing since last week Tuesday. His parents say the last time they saw their son was the day he went missing. The 27 year old...
Indian tourist to be deported after he was caught with a fake visa
An Indian national is getting a free ride out of Belize after he was caught attempting to use a fake visa permit in the country. He is 22-year-old Lovepreet Singh Dhaliwal, a Indian national student and tourist of Bilaspur District, Rampur, India. Yesterday, Immigration personnel caught the Indian national...
Man in court after being caught burglarizing house
A man who was caught red handed burglarizing a Maxboro's house was today before the court to answer to two criminal offenses. He is 47-year-old Valentine Sanchez, a Mason of the Sand Hill area. But this is in no way a simple case, as it has its share of...
Belmopan City Council hosts Sports Camp
Since the summer vacation kicked off, the Belmopan City Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the area rep. the Hon. John Saldivar has been hosting quite a number of initiatives to keep children and young people constructively occupied, the latest being a...
Belmopan youth find Chess interesting and fun
While the first segment of the Belmopan summer camp program has culminated, the second part is just beginning. The sport activities in this segment include of volleyball, basketball and chess, which many people consider a sport. Chess is a game of strategic skills which is played on a checkered...
Football players rewarded for their integrity
When players Woodrow West and Ian Gaynair rejected a match fixing offer of some $10,000 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, they gained widespread recognition from not only CONCACAF, but also from the international media. This weekend, they were rewarded once more...
Belmopan children get basketball training from a professional
We now bring you coverage of the basketball summer camp. As we mentioned, this second cycle of the program got off the ground on Monday. This morning we stopped by their training facility at the UB gymnasium to check out what the young ballers have been...
Five hopefuls compete for Queen of the Bay, Belmopan
It's pageant season in Belize and one of the longest-standing and most esteemed pageants is The Queen of the Bay. That is slated for September and so municipalities across the country are in the process of selecting their delegates. This coming Friday, five hopefuls from the Belmopan area will...
Caye Caulker Chronicles
Director, Tina Auxillou, on the BIFF red carpet
Director of the Belize International Film Festival short documentary submission about our beloved Chocolate, Tina Auxillou, walks the red carpet at the Festival Gala.
Congratulations on breaking yet another record for Caye Caulker. The film's submission is a first for the island.
RED CARPET WITH THE FAMOUS: Actor/Author Robert Townsend (Hollywood Schuffle; A Soldiers Story etc.) Calypso Rose (Calypso/SOCA Queen of the World);Shawn Waight (Belizean Queen); Tina Auxillou, Michael Desabrais (Producer "Roots In The Sea");Barbara Desabrais (Producer's Wife Extraordinaire); Tyler Loeper (my son)
PHOTO: Courtesy NICH
An American Family Finds Neverland on Caye Caulker
In a blog entry at obsessedwithconformity.com, an American family slows down on Caye Caulker and Belize, and discovers the mythical paradise called called Neverland of the Peter Pan book.
The 2013 Costa Maya Beauties Pose for Pets at Fido's Courtyard
It's Costa Maya Festival time again in San Pedro. This huge yearly event was started in the early 90s and attracts visitors from around Central America and Belize to the island. My favorite part is always the build up�the week before the all weekend party. The international beauty pageant contestants�the delegates, the beauty ambassadors�one representing each of the Central American countries and Mexico, circulate around the island doing restaurant visits, bar promotions, beach photo shoots, fashion shows, radio and tv interviews and just schmoozing with their fans. Always in 6 inch heels and full make-up.
I love a retro tuxedo t-shirt�especially with no sleeves. If I've seen it once, I've seen it a thousand times. Sun's out�guns out.
The night was a success! And all money raised by the photos, the auction, the raffle and donated by Fido's will go to spaying and neutering animals in town. Remember that it is HIP TO SNIP and that only $50bzd can fix an animal and help control the pet population on Ambergris Caye. Super important.
An Off-the-Beaten Path Perfect Picnic in Belize
While there are so many spectacular things to do in Belize, it's often the easy day trips that really make a lasting impression. Even the humble picnic can take on a whole new aspect - if you know where to go. For example, there's the:
Rio On Pools - Mountain Pine Ridge
This has always been one of my favourite picnics spots in all of Belize. Even on the warmest days Mountain Pine Ridge is always refreshing and is one of those places that may seem like a bit of a drive, but once there you think, "That wasn't far. Why don't we come here more often?" About fifteen miles from San Ignacio, it's on the sort of road you take your time driving on, but the views are so pretty you don't mind.
And it's truly a "something for everyone" sort of place. For the elderly, those with mobility issues or just feeling lazy that day, you can simply drive up to the picnic area, park, secure a spot at one of the tables or spread a blanket and just take in the view.
And what a view it is. Surrounded by 300 square miles of forest reserve featuring those beautiful pines that give the Mountain Pine Ridge its name are a series of ponds formed by cascading waterfalls. With so many different sizes, depth and levels of accessibility, you can take an entire day just getting to know the pools and deciding which are your favourite. Bigger ones with laughing and splashing people for when you feel sociable, and more remote, intimate ones for when you want a bit more seclusion.
No Churn Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
In this video, I use the Dulce de Leche I made last video to make "no churn" ice cream. This flavor has long been my favorite ice cream so I absolutely loved this recipe. I used the whole can of boiled milk, but the ice cream would have been just as great with only half the can.
International Sources
The gay-rights proxy wars in Russia, Uganda and Belize
"I do not pretend to understand the moral universe," wrote abolitionist minister Theodore Parker in 1853. "The arc is a long one. My eye reaches but little ways. I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by experience of sight. I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends toward justice."
More than a century later, Martin Luther King Jr. paraphrased and popularized that idea. It is often quoted now for its inspirational power and the first part of Parker's metaphor gets forgotten: the reminder that while freedom might be winning the war, it will not win every battle.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, which is based in Montgomery, Alabama and began its life by bringing cases against the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, published a report in July about this phenomenon. Called Dangerous Liaisons: The American Religious Right and the Criminalization of Homosexuality in Belize, it connects recent victories for tolerance in the U.S., such as the gradual shift toward legal same-sex marriage, with setbacks elsewhere. In some cases, the report suggests, these setbacks are not happening despite the victories in the U.S. but, in part, because of them. Anti-gay groups in the U.S. are spending their considerable resources to support their comrades in places where a critical mass of politicians supports their goals.
Belize Selects FAMCare Human Services Software to Help Track Information and Improve Outcomes for Vulnerable Citizens
The Belize Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, (MHDSTPA) has partnered with Global Vision Technologies, Inc. (GVT) to implement FAMCare human services software for their case management needs. MHDSTPA is the lead entity of the Government of Belize in the development of people, enabling them to realize their full potential and play a meaningful role in their communities.
FAMCare, Rapid Case Management Software - is GVT's flagship software platform designed to streamline human services data management. FAMCare will enhance all of the data collection, information management, and reporting tools needed to deliver the best care to the vulnerable population living in Belize.
"What we are about to accomplish in the next few months is a feat that I know many of our sister Caribbean states have been trying to accomplish. We are definitely blazing trails here and it seems we could not have asked for a better partner in GVT," said Judith Alpuche, CEO MHDSTPA.
Berks students study ethnobotany in Belize
Students enrolled in the Rainforest Ethnobotany Experiential Learning Adventure to Belize at Penn State Berks traveled to Belize from May 5 to 15 with Aisha Jaffri, instructor in biology, to learn how plants from the rainforest can be used to treat a variety of illnesses.
Six seniors participated in the trip, including Kristine Feick, Rebecca James, Abdullah Naeem, Andrew Salamak, Dewilka Simons and Nathaniel Tschudy.
"The standard classroom lecture format is not an ideal environment for teaching medicinal plant application," explained Jaffri. "The students gained firsthand knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants in the rainforests and biodiversity regions of Belize. This demonstrated a tremendous value to our students as they explored the history, culture and geography of the areas visited."
The class teamed up with pharmacy, medical and naturopathic students through the Student Rainforest Fund, a nonprofit, educational organization that raises funds to help underwrite expeditions to the world's rainforests for college students who are studying the health professions. The students learn about medicinal plants, herbs and botanicals in the world's greatest pharmacy -- the rainforest. They also work closely with indigenous healers in the field, learn about the ecology of the country and the need for fostering environmental stewardship, and get a more holistic approach to healing and medicine that could never be taught in the classroom.
New expedition to investigate Caribbean endangered coral reef ecosystems
The Catlin Seaview Survey, sponsored by international insurer Catlin Group Limited, has announced a massive expansion of its study of coral reefs with a new campaign in the Caribbean and Bermuda. The program - which will significantly widen opportunities for ocean, coral and climate scientists to understand the changes that are occurring within the region - starts in Belize and moves on to Mexico, Bermuda, Anguilla, St Vincent, Guadeloupe, Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas.
Coral reefs in the Caribbean, like elsewhere, are under growing environmental stress. Being highly sensitive to environmental change, corals are considered the "canary in the coal mine" when it comes to impacts of climate change and ocean acidification. Exploitation, pollution, warming waters and increased storms linked with climate change has caused the massive loss of corals across the Caribbean Sea over the last 50 years.
Losing coral reefs in this fashion has long-term implications for Caribbean economies given their dependence on coral reefs and other marine ecosystems for goods, services and economic welfare. According to the World Resources Institute, the value of shoreline protection services provided by Caribbean reefs is between $700 million and $2.2 billion per year. Within the next 50 years, continuing coral degradation and death could lead to losses totaling $140 million to $420 million annually.
The Simple Life: Exploring the Best of Belize, From Chocolate to Caves
A tiny country with an even tinier population, Belize is one of the few places on earth where you will find undisturbed jungle, long stretches of placid beach, plenty of organic farms and a healthy handful of people who go without modern conveniences such as electricity and plumbing, yet live contently and peacefully off the fertile land.
It is also a place known for one of its more touristy islands, Ambergris Caye, which still, in many ways, is laid back (golf carts are the preferred method of transportation here) and brimming with great local restaurants, chocolate shops, cafes and bakeries.
Unfortunately, many people never truly experience the many places in Belize that make the country so alluring. There is much we can learn from a country that values sustainable tourism, its fascinating Mayan history and the health of its natural environment. It is a destination that offers the greatest of simple pleasures rooted in a culture that values community and Mother Nature's fruitful gifts.
Swimming with Whale Sharks
I'm in Placencia, a sleepy little town at the end of a 20 mile long peninsula in Belize's Caribbean waters. I awake early in the morning and begin preparing for the day's adventure. My tiny cabana on the beach has no A/C and I'm already dripping with sweat from the hot, humid air. Knowing that today's journey to swim with whale sharks came with not-so-great odds of success, I tried not to get too excited about what was to come. Little did I know just how exhilarating the day was destined to be.
Whale sharks are the biggest fish on the planet, however they pose little danger to people as they are slow and docile. Swimming with them is an experience sought after by people all over the world and today was going to be my chance. There are few places in the world you can get in the water with whale sharks; and Placencia is one of them. For a few months each year during the cycle of the full moon, they come to feed in Gladden Spit, an area 20+ miles off the coast.
10 Reasons to Relocate to Belize
Consider Belize
Sharing a border with Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, the tiny country of Belize has been receiving a lot of attention from expats in recent years. So what does Belize have to offer that has so many people coming back for more?
1. Scenic beauty
Only a fraction, around 20% of Belize's land is used for human purposes (agriculture and settlements) leaving the rest, natural and unspoiled. Filled with majestic landscapes, waterfalls, archaeological sites and thousands of species of plants and animals, there is always something new to experience in Belize. And because Belize has 174 miles of Caribbean coast line, you can enjoy the beach life and the exotic rainforests all in one day.
Conservation efforts are an important aspect of government policy in Belize and because of this, much of the land and animal life remains protected. Belize is even home to the only jaguar reserve in the world.
2. 2nd largest barrier reef in the world
Belize is known for its marine life, especially the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is actually the longest living barrier reef in the western hemisphere and the second largest in the world, after Australia. Belize's top tourist attraction, people come from around the world each year to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in this breathtaking, natural wonderland.
3. Slow pace of life
Nicknamed "Belize time", the pace of life in Belize is significantly slower, and for many expats, it can be a dream come true. Unlike in North America, and many other places in the world, the people in Belize don't seem to be in such a hurry. Instead, they have a more leisurely attitude towards life and work that is embraced by many expats and a bit of an adjustment for others.
And for an even bigger taste of the Belize laid-back lifestyle, visit Caye Caulker, a 5 mile island off the coast of Belize. One mile west of the barrier reef, you can take a water taxi to the tiny island and spend your time swimming, snorkelling, fishing, or simply relaxing on the beach.
The Garifuna Collective on the Road
The Garifuna Collective is on their 2 month North American tour right now, and they have started an indiegogo campaign to help raise funds for their journey. They have uploaded a video on the page from their rehearsal at the Soul Project here in Cayo. They'll spend 55 days on the road, travel 18,450 miles, and will have had 275 Hotel rooms when it's all finished.
"We have embarked on a historic two month tour of North America performing at many prestigious music festivals and venues in Canada and the United States. The tour includes some 25 cities such as Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Chicago, Washington DC, Edmonton, Portland, Calgary, Minneapolis, Winnipeg and New York. This tour coincides with the release of Ayo (Goodbye), our long anticipated album in honour of Belize's late cultural icon, Andy Palacio."
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