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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

All set for Verdes FC's participation in Champions League
Premier League of Belize 2014/2015 champions, the Verdes FC, are preparing for their first match in the 2015/16 Scotiabank the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League. Premier League of Belize 2013/2014 champions, the Belmopan Bandits have been eliminated from the 2014/2015 Champions League due to the lack of a stadium suited for international matches. But now with a newly renovated Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Project Stadium that meets international standards, Verdes FC is ready for the tournament. Leading up to their first match, CONCACAF representative Gino Rullo, manager of Club Competition approved the FFB Stadium on Thursday, July 30th. That was the final step to ensure Verdes FC's participation in the Champions League. 24 clubs from 12 countries are participating in the Champion League in hopes of winning the championship. Participating teams were divided into eight groups with Verdes FC playing in group C along with San Francisco FC from Panama and Queretaro FC from Mexico.

The Belize Red Cross launches mobile Apps
The Belize Red Cross (BRC) has officially launched two application (Apps), which can be downloaded on either iPhones or Android phones. The Apps were designed to assist anyone in times of emergencies by providing guidance on what to do in order to save a life. One of the apps is titled "First Aid by Belize Red Cross" and deals with medical emergencies, while the other app, called "Multi Hazard Belize," give users guidance and tips concerning natural disasters. San Pedro Red Cross (SPRC) branch coordinator Shirlee Arnould, stated that the introduction of these apps is one of the many ways how Red Cross intends to assist the general public. "The apps are easy to download on your phone and come equipped with useful information for its users. Especially in times of emergencies, when there is no medical assistance on hand, the Red Cross app can actually provide an individual with information on what to do and how to administer basic medical assistance to help someone," said Arnould. "The multi hazard app is designed to provide guidance in times of natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. Following instructions from this app can greatly reduce hazardous situations from worsening and even point out evacuation routes," stated Arnould.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week - Four Lobsters is a Party in Belize
They say one is the loneliest number, two is company and three is a crowd. Well we say that four giant lobsters is a party! Sorry for the lobsters, but the party would be for those who enjoy lobster ceviche, lobster dip or lobster fritters as was suggested to Horace Bladon seen here boasting four very large lobsters during a fishing trip in the Glover's Reef Area. Who says you cannot find a decent-sized lobster in Belize anymore? They are growing big and beautiful in Belize.

Highlight Images of Costa Maya Pageant and Festival Performers.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

FESTIVAL DE LA BAHIA 2015 (Aug 14, 15, 16)
Welcome to Chetumal's first REGGAE FEST 2015 - Main feature "KY-MANI MARLEY " Live in Concert on Saturday August 15 at the "Explanada De La Bandera" on the main boulevard in Chetumal. You cannot miss this concert. FREE ENTRANCE! Be early and Enjoy. See you there!!!!! Our own Belizean Reggae artist Ras Indio who just released his latest album "Love is the Way" will be performing on Sunday. Here are the scheduled events beginning this coming Friday. Friday August 14 - "Explanada De La Bandera" Mexico Time: 7:00 P.M. Performers: DOPAZ, ELY COMBO, BLUE HOLE, LOS PERICOS Saturday August 15 - Explanada De La Bandera" Mexico Time: 7:00 P.M. Performers: KY-MANI MARLEY, THE BIKE HIERBA SANTA, ROLL CIRCUS CORPUSKLAN Sunday August 16 - Dos Mulas Beach Mexico Time: 2:30 P.M. (Day event) Performers: RAS INDIO, KORTO-CIRCUITO, EFFECTO DOPAMANIA, ALIKA, FIDEL NADAL

Wildtracks Update
We are now wrapping up the in-depth assessment of survival and success of the four years of howler monkey releases at Fireburn...and Fanny and Rudy (and we) have had a number of surprises during the fieldwork. Perhaps the biggest was re-finding Bonnie, the only released howler monkey assumed to have been eaten by a predator over the last four years. She disappeared eight months after release, and it has always been assumed that she had died. She re-appeared again last month, on one of the most recent surveys, partnered with Coco, one of the two translocation males.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Monday, August 10, 2015: 89. PICK 3: 4 4 3

Summer Art Wave 2015's String Instrument Workshop
Students from the Summer Art Wave 2015's String Instrument Workshop performed at this past Saturday's Art in the Park. It was a great experience, as the children were able to achieve their goal and present a classical piece to the community. Once again thank you to Mrs. Julie Ken, Mr. Armando Montalvo, Mrs. Nevi Chan and Mr. Brad Moore for the their instruction and kindness. A great thank you to all of our young performers for their terrific inaugural performance with string instruments!

Channel 7

Is Carnival Cruise Line Shaking Belize's Cruise Ship Cage?
What will be the future of the cruise industry in Belize City - which is the country's most bustling cruise tourism hub - and one that puts breads on thousands of tables. Mike Feinstein's Strake Bank Project can't get off the ground because the owners of the Fort Street Tourism Village, Royal Caribbean and Diamonds International say they'll sue government from here to "noh-moh, noh-moh." So, the bottom line is that for the short term, the country will not be getting a cruise port where cruise ships can actually dock. But, there may be some urgency added to the situation because there are reports tonight that Belize may be danger of losing 2.5 million Belize dollars in tourism revenues, all because there is no cruise port for the mega cruise ships to properly dock in Belize. The activist group, COLA fired off a press release today saying that they've learned that Carnival Cruise Line intends to cancel 14 visits to Belize for the coming "high season". They allege that Carnival's principals have reportedly told the BTB via email that they are, quote, "Unhappy and dissatisfied with their experience in Belize", end quote. COLA alleges that this email continues to say that the tendering process is unfavorable.

Man Found Dead In Ditch; OW Police Look For Hit And Run Driver
There's more coming up from the Prime Minister in just a bit, but first.. Police are trying to find a hit and run driver who knocked down and killed a man on the San Antonio Road over the weekend. They can't say for sure when it happened but police got the call on Sunday at around a noon that a man's body was found in a ditch three feet off the road. The officer commanding Orange Walk told our colleagues at CTV-3 more:.. Selvyn Tillett, OC, Orange Walk Formation "Where on arrival, they saw the motionless body of a Hispanic male person lying face up inside the drain on the right hand side of the road when traveling from Orange Walk to Yo Creek direction. The body was identified as one Rigoberto Tzul, 26 years old Belizean laborer of August Pine Ridge. He was seen with a broken left ankle and blood coming from his ears and nose. This appears to be an apparent hit and run."

Police Shot Alleged Copper Thief
Belize City police shot a suspected burglar this morning. Police responded to a call around 5:45 am saying that a man was near A and R Store committing a burglary. But, he wasn't breaking into any business - it appears that instead he was trying to strip copper from a building. Police responded with two strike teams from both sides of the city, as well as regular precinct police. But even with all that manpower, police say the Robert Flores, known as "Putung" was advancing towards an officer and they shot him - fortunately it was to the instep of his foot - and there was no serious injury. Flores - who is well known to police for breaking and entering - was taken to the hospital pending charges.

PM Joins The Chorus Of Disapproval Against Carlos Raul
On Friday's news, BDF Commander General David Jones agreed with the former PUP Foreign Affairs Ministers: there is no language in the Confidence Building Measures which prohibits the building of military facilities near the border. And yesterday, the Prime Minister agreed. Yesterday at the airport, he told us that, Carlos Raul Morales, misspoke when he suggested that both countries committed in the Confidence Building Measures not to increase military bases at the border: Prime Minister Dean Barrow "I completely accept that he misspoke and I think he does too. The records are there and it is a fact that there is not that kind of language. I also understood him to say though that he accepts as well that what we mean to do with the forward operating base is not to be viewed by them as any kind of a threat. This is for purposes of our internal security arrangements and indeed we invite them to coordinate with us so that the illegal fishing and other illegal activities that clearly take place in the area might be more effectively interdicted."

Another Bank Gets Yanked By BOA
We also asked the Prime Minister about the situation with Atlantic Bank International. News broke last week that Bank of America closed its correspondent banking relationship with Atlantic Bank International - same as they had done with the Belize Bank - and Belize Bank International. Now, Atlantic International is a bank with only foreign customers, or persons who do not reside in Belize. It used to offer wire transfers, USD bank drafts and foreign currency to the US through Bank of America for their American clients. But, ten days ago, Bank of America ended that relationship. Since it is the second bank in Belize that Bank of America ended corresponding relations with, we asked the Prime Minister - who is also the Minister of Finance - about the broader implications. Here's what he had to say: Prime Minister Dean Barrow "It is unfortunate, but the international banks are in fact as we said to you de-risking. That is the term that's used in the sector and its happening to small jurisdictions all over the place.

Minister of Finance Comments on FCIB Pullout
And keeping the news in the banking sector, as we have reported, First Caribbean International Bank is pulling out of Belize. They have agreed to sell all their assets to Heritage Bank - which is a headquartered in Belize. First Caribbean - and it's predecessor, Barclays Bank - had been in Belize for 67 years, and Belize will be the first country that this bank is completely pulling out of, as far as we know. We asked the Prime Minister about his thoughts on the departure: Prime Minister Dean Barrow "Well, they say that this is business decision. Clearly, they had ceased being as profitable as they used to be and there are several reasons for that. It's unfortunate that they are leaving. I am happy that Heritage Bank is purchasing their assets. When both parties have come to see me, both Heritage and First Caribbean, I was assured that certainly the vast majority of the First Caribbean staff will be absorbed by Heritage. They did not say every last single individual employed, but the vast majority will be absorbed by Heritage.

PM Mum On Miami Business
And while the Prime Minister was forthcoming on all topics that the media raised, when we asked about the nature of this weekend's business meetings in Miami, all he would tell us is that he met with some investors about a business opportunity in Belize: Prime Minister Dean Barrow "I went to talk to some investors about possibilities in Belize. At this juncture the details of the conversations must remain confidential."

UDP Draws Record Crowd To SC West Convention
"Mada fish!" - that's what Melvin Hulse might have said about the impressive turnout in yesterday's UDP convention in Stann Creek west. Of course, you wouldn't have heard him say that - at least not within hearing - because right about now after making libelous allegations against the UDP Leader and Frank Pawpa Mena - Hulse is in the background. But that didn't stop 3,153 voters from going out to yesterday's UDP Convention in Independence village to cast their vote. It's 50% more than came out for Hulse's Convention in March of 2014, and the turnout represents almost 40% of the registered voters in one of the biggest divisions in the country. We have video of the moment where the victor was declared. Alberto August, Chairman - UDP "This is the biggest convention that we have ever seen in the Stann Creek west constituency. In today's convention, a total of 3,153 ballots were cast, 3,153. Like I said the biggest convention ever in this constituency. Ivan Williams with 372 votes, Nathan Young with 1,209 and Walter Garbutt with 1,560 votes." [Crowd chanting] Ivan Williams - UDP aspirant - 372 votes "The result I believe, do not regret the hard work that we put in but Mr. Walter I want to congratulate you."

Building The Police Peace
2 weeks ago, we showed you the sports day and cookout that Sr. Superintendent Chester Williams and the police officers of the Eastern Division South held for the communities living in the Mayflower area, which is the base of the Ghost Town Gang. That event was organized to de-escalate violence and restore neighborly relations in an area that was seeing shootings daily. And yesterday, it was time for the same in the Jane Usher Boulevard area - another gang hostpot with at least three dueling groups. We stopped by and spoke with Williams about the purpose of the event and the reception by the community: Sr. Supt Chester Williams, OC - E.D. Southside "it's a continuity of the Police Peace Rally that we're holding across South Side Belize City, where we're going to different hot spots and hold family day with the young men who have been classified as criminals or those who are vulnerable to crime incidents and so forth - with an effort to try and see how best you can promote peace within them. What we want to achieve is to show these young men is that there are other avenues rather than holding a gun and shooting at someone as the case may be. So we try to bring people together through the use of sports, sporting events."

George Street Crew Not That Peaceable?
As you've seen, Williams and his meditation team have had measurable success so far in Mayflower and Jane Usher Boulevard area. But, from what we've heard, the meetings with the fractured groups of the George Street Gang have been less successful. Inside information suggested that there may have been an outright rejection of peace talks. And, all this because a member of the gang was killed, reportedly by one of his own. Williams had a more positive spin: Daniel Ortiz "We've made to understand that you are having a bit of difficulty with the George St. group of individuals. We're told that the meeting you've had so far have been less than fruitful as compared to the other ones you've had with other areas. Can you confirm and can you discuss that with us?" Sr. Supt Chester Williams, OC - E.D. Southside "I refute that statement. I have had 2 meetings with George St. and the first meeting I had with them yes, it was not what we expected but the subsequent meeting we had was very productive. We have Gerald Tillet and his brother.

Williams Pulls Back From FB Post
We also told you about a very controversial post that the new commander of Eastern Division South made on Facebook. In that narrative, he was venting; saying that certain officers outside of his formation were undermining the community outreach attempts with the usual brutality. Now, the post didn't say who did it, so, we asked him who and what he was referring to. He kind of dodged the question, saying that the situation has been dealt with: Sr. Supt Chester Williams, OC - E.D. Southside "In respect to my Facebook post, I am not going to say who it was directed to but I maintain the fact that as a Police organization it is imperative on us that we work together and if we work together we can achieve a lot more and that's what I want to achieve. I will not go too much into the post. The situation has been dealt with and I trust and hope that we can move forward from there."

Open Schooling To Close The Gap
The Commonwealth Open Schooling Association held its first regional conference today at the Biltmore. Now, Belize is relatively new to open schooling but the idea is to provide mothers, at risk youth, and drop outs - among others - a chance to complete their studies and jump start their career. Today, the main objective was to evaluate the current open school system and to find ways to enhance it. We spoke with coordinators at the conference and they told us why it is important to refine and broaden open schooling services in Belize. Dr. Cynthia Thompson, Chair, Canada Caribbean Chapter of COMOS "The movement is for us to spread open schooling in the region. currently we have open schools in Trinidad one here in Belize at the Gwen Lizarraga High School and we have as another goal which I guess the work continues after this for us to establish more open schools in the region. Our goal is 3 more open schools in 3 new countries. The open school really is the trying to reach students who are separated from their teacher in space and time really. So the idea of open and distance learning. But in an early presentation you've heard from Frances.

Masked Rapist In San Pedro
A 15 year old girl was raped in San Pedro Town by a masked man. It happened in the san Pablo area when she was sleeping on Friday morning at 3:00 am. The girl told police that she was awakened by a masked man lying on top of her and covering her mouth telling her to be quiet. She tried to push him off her but he held her down and took out what appeared to be a hand gun, placed it to her throat and threatened her. He then raped her - which was confirmed in a medical examination. Police don't have much to go on because he wore the mask, but they do know that he told the girl that he had been watching her for a long time. He was of light complexion with a beard.

They Robbed Cenie's
Tonight, 21 year-old Ernest Gladden and 18 year-old Jamai Belgrave, who police say robbed a restaurant in Belize City, are at the Central Prison. Last week Thursday, August 6, at around 1:00 p.m. Restaurant owner, Icenie Herrera says that she was in her business place, Cenie's Resturant, on Bishop Street. That's when 2 men, with their faces partially covered by shirts, stormed in. One of the men was armed, and he demanded that she hand over whatever money was in the restaurant. The other unarmed man then immediately went snatched the entire cash register, and they ran off, trying to escape with the money. Fortunately, a police mobile happened to pass by, and they were informed of the crime in progress. They immediately set chase and intercepted the robbers on Tigris Street. The retrieved the cash register, which contained $297 in cash, and both men, later identified as Gladden and Belgrave, were then arrested and charged with the crime of robbery.

Rural Police Catch Out OF Season Conch
Conch season closed AT the end of June - and will remain closed until the end of September - but this afternoon Ladyville police caught a posse of Sarteneja Fishermen and a taxi driver with 51 pieces of out of season conch. Police were on a regular patrol when they intercepted the taxi van - with the conch stuffed in a bag. We'll have more on their charges tomorrow.

Sing A New Song
A week ago, we told you about the start of the National Song Competition, the event held by the National Celebrations Commission which marks the beginning of the September festivities. For the entire week, the judges have been touring the country to see music men and women perform their original songs. In the end, for this Friday night's finals, they've chosen 9 artists to compete against each other in the National Song Senior category, 7 artists to compete in Carnival Song Senior category, and duet of young siblings to compete against another junior in the National Song junior category. In total, these musicians are competing for $32,000 in cash prizes, and so today, they were all gathered at the Bliss Institute for Performing Arts, as sort of a workshop and an opportunity to meet the press. The session started off with the organizers explaining to the artists what to expect on the night of the finals, and how this week's rehearsal and preparation will work. First, they got a bit of advice from National Song veteran, Nello Player, who will sit this one out to be a judge. Here's how that conversation went:

PG Will Have Its Sports Complex
Punta Gorda Town will have its sporting complex and it will cost 3.1 million dollars. Today the contract for the construction was signed in Belmopan by the Minister of Works Rene Montero and Daniel Arguelles of International Environments, the firm that has been selected to build the facility. The contract is funded by Belize Infrastructure Limited, a Petrocaribe funded initiative which is overseeing the design, construction and management of sporting and other multipurpose facilities.

Channel 5

Is Carnival Cancelling Arrivals to Belize City in Upcoming Season?
Is Carnival Cruise Line cancelling calls on Belize during the upcoming high season?� That's a question that was posed to Prime Minister Dean Barrow over the weekend, upon his return [...]

P.M. Barrow – "Guatemalan Foreign Minister Misspoke on Confidence Building Measures"
The issue of constructing a forward operating base near Sarstoon Island remains a controversial subject.� The matter has seemingly been exacerbated following recent comments made by Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos [...]

�More on Belize/Guatemala Border Issues
Additionally, P.M. Barrow maintains that informing Guatemala of the intent to erect a forward operating base or to increase Belize's military presence near its boundaries in the west and the [...]

Heritage Bank and FirstCaribbean Asset Acquisition is Private Commercial Transaction
The pending sale of CIBC FirstCaribbean's assets to Heritage Bank Limited remained the topic of conversation within the financial sector for the better part of last week.� While CIBC's corporate [...]

P.M. Says There's No Question of Difficulties with Belize as Banking Jurisdiction�
The arrangement between CIBC FirstCaribbean and Heritage Bank is a private transaction brought about largely by the former's shortfall in recent fiscal cycles.� As such, government is not directly involved [...]

�but Larger Jurisdictions are Determined to Destroy Offshore Sector in Smaller Countries
While CIBC FirstCaribbean and Heritage Bank are working to formalize the sale of assets, another offshore institution operating from Belize is yet to secure a correspondent bank.� As we've reported [...]

Walter Garbutt is U.D.P. Standard Bearer in Stann Creek West
Walter Garbutt is the new U.D.P. standard bearer for the Stann Creek West division. On Sunday, the United Democratic Party held its last convention in the southern constituency to elect [...]

Minor Raped While Asleep at Home on La Isla Bonita
There is a disturbing report of rape coming out of San Pedro. A fifteen year old student is claiming that on the morning of August seventh, around three o'clock, she [...]

23-year-old Clubgoer Stabbed in Cayo
A Cayo resident is tonight receiving treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was stabbed twice to the stomach on Sunday morning. Around two-thirty a.m., twenty-three year old [...]

Restaurant Robbers Remanded for Making Off with Cash Register
Eighteen-year-old Jahmy Belgrave and twenty-year-old Ernest Gladden were jointly charged with robbery when they appeared unrepresented in court today before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart. �Both men pleaded not guilty to [...]

Distance Learning – Belize and Canada Link Up
A first-of-its-kind conference is being held over a three-day period in Belize City to discuss open learning. The conference that is hosting students, teachers and other education specialists is being [...]

Eastern Division South Stages Another Ghost Town Intervention
The Eastern Division South of the Belize District Police Department held another round of community policing intervention over the weekend. It started on Friday, when at around six o'clock residents [...]

Jane Usher Boulevard Feels the Love from Police Department
But the unavailability of jobs and opportunities are among the root of the problem says Senior Superintendent Chester Williams. With initiatives like these, it is expected that several departments and [...]

Meet the Finalists in National Song Competition
The 2015 National Song Competition gets underway this Friday at the Memorial Park in Belize City. After several rounds of regional eliminations, a total of eighteen artists, novice and professionals, [...]

What Do Border Residents Think of Territorial Dispute?
The Organization of American States recently commissioned Great Belize Productions to conduct a series of interviews with residents of Benque Viejo and other neighboring communities in Guatemala.� The aim is [...]

Weekend Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The jockey for position going into the Interoffice Basketball League Championships continued Friday night with Belikin and BWS Pressure [...]


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CTV3

PM Clarifies Issue Of Military Presence Along Border Line
There were some obvious contradictory statements made by Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Carlos Raul Morales on what has been stipulated in the Confidence Building Measures in reference to the Belize/Guatemala dispute. Morales alluded that in the document, both countries agreed to not build military bases along the border lines. Former PUP Foreign Ministers, including Assad Shoman, have refuted that statement as has the commander of the BDF. In an interview with the Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, he addressed the matter with the press and basically stated that the foreign minister was wrong. "I completely accept that he mis-spoke and I think he does too, the records are there and it is a fact that there is not that kind of language, I also understood him to say though, that he accepts as well that what we mean to do with the Forward Operating Base is not to be viewed by them as any kind of a threat this is for purposed of our internal security arrangements and indeed we invite them to coordinate with us so that the illegal fishing and other illegal activities that clearly take place in the area might be more effectively interdicted, look the Americans in particular who have this overriding interest in Central American security and especially in the trafficking in drugs are very much aware of what we need to do and supportive and I believe that at the military level there is understanding on the part of the Guatemalan officials now at a political level it seems to me that there is also agreement and so we will proceed."

House goes Up In Flames In Carmelita Village
The cause of a fire that consumed and destroyed a home in Carmelita Village in Orange Walk is still being investigated, according to Orange Walk Fire officials. Authorities say they received a call of a fire around 8:25 last night and immediately dispatched a team to combat the flames. Upon arrival, firemen saw the 40 by 20 foot structure already completely consumed and their aim was to control the blaze. A neighbor and witness told us off camera that he is unsure what may have caused the blaze since the house was not powered by electricity and the occupants were not at home at the time. "This fire started about around seven o'clock last night and the person that was staying here was Curtis Wade and his common-law and while the fire they still don't appear until now we don't know where Curtis Wade is so far."

PM Talks About De-risking Strategy Pertaining To Banks
As of July 30th, Atlantic Bank broke banking relationships with the Bank of America which means then that since that date Atlantic Bank customers cannot conduct international banking transactions. It is part of a de-risking strategy forced on the United States of America banking industry by federal regulators and Atlantic is the second bank in Belize to undergo this process. On April 30th of this year, the Bank of Belize broke ties with the Bank of America. Banking services such as Wire Transfers, USD Bank Drafts and Foreign Currency will be affected for Atlantic Bank customers. In its press release issued on the bank website, the bank officials stated that they would be informing customers of option available for the movement of both incoming and outgoing wires. The issue is not only affecting Belize but several other countries in the Eastern Caribbean. In an interview with the press, Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke on the matter. "It is unfortunate but the International Banks are in fact as we said to you de-risking that is the term that is used in the sector and it is happening to small jurisdictions all over the place, again, with the termination of the relationship with respect to Atlantic it is only on the international banking side so the domestic bank certainly as of now it is not affected apart from de-risking I've said for some time now that the large jurisdictions are determined to destroy the offshore sector in small countries like Belize they say that it is harmful tax competition, that it gives their nationalist a chance to put their monies in jurisdictions like Belize and avoid paying taxes to them, that one is inevitable, I think that there is a great deal of hypocrisy on the part of the countries but I have made up my mind that that is inevitable but that is far more concern about the domestic banks and when they have their correspondent banking relationship terminated thankfully up until this point in time is it only the Belize Bank on the domestic side that has had that termination so I will continue to hope that it is contained and that it won't go beyond the Belize bank on the domestic side."

PUP Senator Remains Dissatisfied With BTL
PUP Senator Lisa Shoman is still not satisfied with the response of BTL following her open letter to the company's executives in which she expressed grave concern and condemnation of two campaign ads that were published on the company's Facebook page. Today she replied to the correspondence from BTL in which, as reported before, the Executive Chairman Anwar Barrow conceded that the two ads were in fact offensive. The board of directors met on August sixth and pledged to conduct more conscientious advertising. Shoman was partly appeased but she states in her reply to the letter that BTL still did not meet many of her other demands that were stated in her first letter to the company. According to Shoman, there was no public apology but an apology only to those offended by the ads. Shoman also states that BTL did not state explicitly that that kind of advertisement would never happen again. She also proceeds to point out that BTL did not mention in its release whether anyone or if persons would be facing repercussions for the offensive ads. She says that if BTL knows who created, approved and posted the ads on Facebook there must be consequences and if BTL does not know then an investigation to find out who did it must be carried out.

San Pedro Police Investigates allegedly Rape Of 15 Year Old Minor
San Pedro police are tonight looking for a man accused of raping a teenager. The 15 year old minor in the company of her sister visited the San Pedro Police Station and reported that on Friday about 3:00 in the morning while she was asleep in her bedroom, she was awaken by someone lying on top of her and covering her mouth. According to the minor, the individual told her to keep quiet and while she tried to push him off her, he held her down, took out what appeared to be a hand gun and placed it to her throat and threatened her. The man then proceeded to have sexual intercourse with the minor against her will. A medical examination confirmed that she 15 year old was carnally known. The accused was described as wearing a black mask over his face, of light complexion and with a beard on his chin. Police have no suspects and are investigating.

LICU Calls Special Meeting For August 22nd
In a letter sent to the Board of Directors of the La Inmaculada Credit Union and copied to Glenford Ysaguirre, the Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, on Wednesday July 29th, a group of members/owners of LICU requested that the board call a special meeting as per article nine of the credit union by-laws. The members/owners requested that during the meeting four points be discussed, the delay in the 2015 annual general meeting, report of Audit, dividends due and four the termination of Mrs. Yolanda Gomez. The board had fourteen days to respond to the demands of the members/owners who gathered more than the required signatures for a special meeting to be called. And before the fourteen days were up LICU acceded to the demands of the group.

LOVE FM

Missing Person
Tonight, twenty one year old Zen Keefauver (KEE-FAV-ER) is missing. According to family members, the young man went missing after he saw his care taker, Byron Piaz, lying in a pool of blood after he was shot in Forest Home Village. Zen was last seen behind (VO STARTS) Roots Rock Reggae Club in the bushes [�]

Prime Minister Addresses Issues In Banking Sector
About one week ago it was brought to the attention of the general public that CIBC First Caribbean International Bank would be closing its doors in Belize and that negotiations are currently underway to have the bank's assets sold to Heritage Bank. It was indeed a major revelation as dozens of men and women stand [�]

Police Says Crime Is at A Low in the George Street Area
But as we told you last week, not all gangs are opening up to the initiative brought about by the Senior Superintendent Chester Williams and his team at Eastern Police Division South. A meeting was held with members of the George Street Gang along with relatives of the murdered Denfield Bowen- who is believed to [�]

Carnival Cruise Line Takes Millions From Tourism Revenues
The group, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) has sent out a release expressing grave concern at a development in the tourism industry while urging the Government of Belize to act now to save the industry. The release reads, in part, quote, "Recent developments made known to COLA underline our urgent call for the [�]

Further Education Encouraged within the Local Military
During the passing out of the 60th intake of the Belize Defense Force last week, the National Security Minister used that opportunity to boast of several initiatives being undertaken under his portfolio. One of those was the pursuit of further education by some of the BDF soldiers. JOHN SALDIVAR "I am also happy to announce [�]

PM Says Guat Foreign Minister Mis-Spoke On Confidence Building Measures
Turning to the Belize/Guatemala issue: On Monday, July 27, a press briefing was held with the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala being at the head table to answer questions pose by the media as well as to update them on the current relations between both countries. One of the sticking points that came out [�]

Chester Lashes Out On Social Media
Senior Superintendent Chester Williams is not giving up on the police peace rally initiative and he has his share of challenges. Last week he posted on his Facebook page a lengthy rant in which he went on to describe how he feels about others who are trying to undermine his efforts. He stated quote, "It [�]

Progress Reported at Air Traffic Control Unit
Some months ago there was a sick-out staged by the air traffic control personnel that falls under the Department of Civil Aviation. The reasons behind that action taken by the men and women who work in that unit were several, including, the extended working hours, the condition of the equipment and the shortage of personnel. [�]

BNE Says Oil Is Not Running Out
The output from the oil fields has not made it on the news recently. As a matter of fact, when we do here about oil, it is usually due to organizations fighting against oil exploration or court hearings on injunctions to halt exploration activities in certain areas. Love News met up with Daniel Gutierrez, the [�]

PlusTV

Belize.Grenade Scare in Raccoon Police Station
Authorities at the Racoon Police Station, in Belize City were stupefied when they came across a grenade in their own station around 3:30 this evening. Police authorities normally don't have any use for grenades and as a result don't necessarily know how to handle one. To find one inside ...

BTV Should not Hold Sarstoon Island Rally
Last week the Belize Territorial Volunteers, BTV, sent out a press release calling on all Belizeans to come out to the Sarstoon island on Sunday August 16th where they will have a planned patriotic rally. The press release said and we quote, "The public is hereby invited to a rally at the hist...

BDF add 81 soldiers to the ranks
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) has added 81 members to its ranks. The new soldiers passed out at a formal parade at the army's headquarters in Ladyville. Commander Brigadier General David Jones spoke to the level of training they experienced en route to becoming a part of the nation's fi...

Association of Professional Engineers of Belize on Roundabouts
UPADI (Uniona Panamericana de Asosiaciones de Ingenieros), of which Belize is a member of, recognizes the 20th day of July as engineers day. A full day dedicated to those who put roofs over our heads with construction, light our homes with electrical wiring, and fit our pipes for running water. In c...

Sports Reach Christian Ministry in Belize
The Christian organization Sports Reach is teaming up with Hoop Dreams Belize, recent winners of the Copa Cancun Tournament, to provide needed experience for local basketball teams and help spread the word of God through sports. Based in Kentucky in the United States, the organization is celebrating...

Mysterious plane lands in Blue Creek
The National Security of Belize got a new helicopter, as was promised, but it is from a most unexpected donor. Well, actually, no one exactly knows where it came from and what it was doing abandoned in a feeder road in Blue Creek, Orange Walk. According to authorities, sometime around midday on Wedn...

15 year old charged with murder
A 15 year old minor has been arrested and charged for the murder of 23 year old Samir Vivas. On Tuesday, sometime around 9:00 pm, Corozal Police responded to reports of a male person, later identified as 23 year old Samir Vivas, who had been stabbed. Police visited the Corozal Hospital Morgue wher...

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Police bring community healing to Jane Usher
Coming none too soon after a shooting incident last week and months of back and forth that has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, the previously warring elements residing on and around Jane Usher Boulevard were brought together in a peace initiative organized by the Police Department. Similar [�]

Police searching for hit and run driver
Authorities in Orange Walk Town are searching for the driver of a vehicle that killed 26 year old Rigoberto Tzul, a resident of August Pine Ridge Village early Sunday morning. According to police, they received a call of body found in a ditch off the San Antonio [�]

Arson may be cause of Carmelita house fire
Fire officials in Orange Walk say they are not ruling out Arson as the cause of a fire that completely destroyed a home in Carmelita Village on Sunday night. According to authorities, they received a call of a fire around 8:25 and quickly responded to the scene. Upon [�]

Prime Minister returns from Miami trip; speaks on national issues
Prime Minister Dean Barrow spent the weekend in Miami, Florida, but it was for business and not pleasure. Specifically, he was asked to meet with certain business investors interested in investing in Belize. Sounds good, but on his return he did not have much to say either way. [�]

Cenie's Restaurant robbers remanded
21 year old Ernest Gladden and 18 year old Jamai Belgrave allegedly stole a cash register which contained $297 from Cenie's Restaurant on Bishop Street on Thursday, April 6. They were charged with robbery when they appeared today before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart and pleaded not guilty to [�]

Man stabbed by unknown assailant in Cayo
23 year old Alejandro Galvez is recovering from stab wounds inflicted at a nightclub in Cayo, but has told police that he does not know who inflict them. The resident of Clarissa Falls, Cayo District, is hospitalized at the K.H.M.H. after being first taken to the San Ignacio hospital. Officers [�]

Orange Walke�o wanted for burglary
The Belize Police Department is asking for the public's help in locate 18 year old Vladimir Mendez, a Belizean laborer of Palmar Village, Orange Walk District, who is wanted for a burglary that he committed yesterday, August 9, in Palmar Village. He is described as being 5 feet 6 inches [�]

Teen girl raped in San Pedro Town
San Pedro police are currently looking for a rapist described as having a light complexion with a bearded chin, who broke into a home on Friday, August 7, and raped a 15 year old female. The girl reported to police that around 3:00 that morning, she was awoken by someone [�]

Weather improves but showers on the way
The National Meteorological Service of Belize predicts mostly sunny skies and warm weather today with only isolated showers or thunderstorms. Tonight, skies will be cloudy at times, with showers and thunderstorms increasing over the South. Winds will be blowing from the East at 5-15 knots and the sea state will [�]

Is Belize one of the country on the brink of Bankruptcy?
Belize has been included in the "rogues' gallery" of countries on the brink of default according to the ratings of Moody's Investors' Service, as reported by USA Today and business partner 24/7 Wall St. While Moody's recently issued a report listing Belize's credit rating as stable, it raised concern that [�]

Did hit and run kill Rigoberto Tzul?
Sometime after midday on Sunday, Orange Walk police responded to a report of a male body lying inside a drain off the San Antonio Road, in the outskirts of that municipality. Unconfirmed reports are indicating that Orange Walk police might be dealing with a possible case of hit [�]

Fire strikes family's home in Carmelita
A family in the village of Carmelita in the Orange Walk District, is trying to pull together the pieces left behind after fire gutted their home between 7:30 and 8:00 on Sunday night. The flames came to the attention of neighbors who called the Fire Department. The Fire Department [�]

Blogs

Sustainable Development Analysis for Belize
Sustainable development requires an empirical means for understanding its complex relationships. Such devices as symbolism help create a certain mindset appropriate for sustainable development problem-solving. But sustainable development also requires systemic methodologies for assessment and analysis. Critical thinking and creative action implementation are two such methodologies that are invaluable to the seasoned practitioner. Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality and objectivity in a fair-minded way. People who think critically consistently attempt to live rationally and sympathetically. Critical thinking in the context of sustainable development has been described as the artful questioning of the assumptions we make about community. Bob Gibson stated that in a much more comprehensive sense this concept has been characterized as the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

The Best Travel Tips To Prepare You For A Belize Vacation
Planning a vacation to a new country can be a daunting task. Where do you begin? Where to start researching? Who do I contact first? It's easy to get overwhelmed in the beginning, especially when you are not a frequent traveler. Here we have listed some of the most important things you need to know when planning for your Belize vacation to make the preparation much easier and stress free. Have Your Passport Ready, Know the Language of Belize, Currency and Methods of Payment, Things to Bring for your Belize Vacation, What to see in Belize, Holidays in Belize, Health Information.

Nine Curious Belizean Tips
Being the geopolitical anomaly it is, the country of Belize has so much to give and show to the world. Here are a few "out there" facts about this Beautiful country of ours. 1. We sit on the North-easternmost corner of Central America. Geographically, we are a Central American state but culturally we are soooo Caribbean! We have great flavour. Its time for you to come visit us! 2. Thanks to Blue Bird busses (American school busses),we have public transportation traversing our four major highways! 3. There is absolutely no difference between the terms Dukunu and Tamalitos. They are absolutely the same "corn cakes" and they absolutely are the same delicious! Yum! 4. Tamales or Bollos! There is one small difference. When making the tamales, the corn is strained. The truth is, they are both magic to every corn-lovers palate!

Easiest Way to Grill Moist Succulent BBQ
Joe shows us the way he makes his BBQ ribs and chicken so moist and tender.

HOW TO GET A FLAT STOMACH AFTER 40
As we age, our metabolism slows down and belly fat becomes more difficult to lose. After 40, it's much easier to lose muscle mass and water weight than actual fat. For this reason, those of us over 40 have to work a little harder than someone in her 20's to get a toned stomach. It can be done, though-just ask Cameron Diaz! Here are some proven tips to get a flat stomach after 40.

GoPro lessons: Let sleeping crocs lie and don't mess with a hungry sea turtle
I've added a GoPro to my arsenal of photographic tools which, up to this point, consisted of an iPod. At the moment I'm just learning what a GoPro can do (eg. nice underwater video of turtles) and can not do (eg. night photos of a gorgeous full moon). A week ago, I tried to take photos of our neighborhood crocodile, Sophie, as she sunned herself in her private lagoon just north of the bridge from San Pedro. This was my first glimpse of Sophie. And Rose's too. She spotted Sophie while cycling home from downtown and excitedly called me on the phone. "Better hurry up and get down here before the tourists scare her away!" At my age, hurrying took 20 minutes. Fortunately, the tourists never massed and Sophie hadn't budged. And that was the problem.

Seeing Belize anew through the eyes of a child
If you want to really see Ambergris Caye through fresh eyes, try walking around with a four-year-old. Recently, my grandson, Brody, and I took a walk up to Ak'Bol, the yoga resort, a 15-minute stroll along the shore. With Brody the walk stretches to an hour-plus. We play a game called "Does it float or sink?" for which the rules are quite simple: Every few feet we stop to inspect a palm tree frond, a small coconut, a piece of plastic flotsam or jetsam, a toy race car missing three wheels, a shell, or whatever. Brody then asks, "Will this float?' "Let's see," I say. "Toss it in."

International Sourcesizz

Garifuna firestorm in St Vincent
A political firestorm sparked by a promise by the St Vincent and the Grenadines' opposition to grant honorary citizenship to the Garifuna people of Central America is being met with a mixture of indignation and outrage by a group of long-exiled Caribbean people. The Garinagu, or Black Caribs, are the genetic product of shipwrecked African slaves and Amerindians in the early 17th century and who were exiled from St Vincent by British colonial authorities following the defeat of joint French/Garinagu forces in the late 18th century. Their culture and language are referred to as "Garifuna" and St Vincent is still viewed by the Garinagu everywhere as the ancient "homeland". Left to fend for themselves on the island of Roatan off the coast of Honduras 200 years ago, the Garinagu eventually moved to the Central American mainland and from there to what was then known as British Honduras, now Belize. There are now significant Garifuna communities in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Wardlaw-Hartridge students take service trip to Central America
Last month 11 students from The Wardlaw-Hartridge School seized the opportunity to embrace a new culture during a two-week service learning trip to Guatemala and Belize. The students and two faculty members, who stayed with local families, helped out in the community by building a walkway and gate and painting steps at a village school, planting trees in a local park and providing waste containers with the Wardlaw-Hartridge logo. The trip was not all work, however; the students found time to take a hike in the Belize jungle and played games with the children in the villages they visited.

Garifuna's faithful growing fast
When 30 Garifuna believers gathered for encouragement and inspiration 25 years ago, they were the only Christians from that ethnic group that Eastern Mennonite Missions workers knew of. What a difference a quarter of a century makes. In July, the 25th annual meeting of the Garifuna Missionary Association drew more than 1,000 Garifuna believers to Corozal. "Never would I have imagined there would be this kind of growth," said Steve Shank, pioneering coach at EMM. While the meeting was for all Garifuna Christians, the majority of leaders were from Mennonite churches. "I believe every Garifuna church in the U.S. was represented," Shank said.

5 Good Places to Live in Belize
Forget Costa Rica. Too expensive. Ignore Uruguay. It's too far from home. Mexico? Not if you want to speak English 24/7. Belize is currently the hottest spot in the hemisphere for putting down permanent roots. Incentives offered by the government are so mind-boggling, you might think them rumors. They're not. Look into retiring or moving to Belize seriously before the rest of the world grabs all of the real estate. Start your search with five communities guaranteed to welcome you with open arms. Ambergris Caye: The biggest, most well-known Belize island earned the nickname "Isla Bonita" for evident reasons: It's gorgeous. Which is why it has become the capital of Ex-patland. If you can't find like-minded people who have relocated from your state, your city or maybe even your neighborhood, you're not looking hard enough! This is a "happening" place with a balance of tranquility, access to sporting and cultural activities and while real estate prices are rising, they still thrill and amaze.

Videos

  • Diving in Belize with Robbie in San Pedro Ambergris Caye, 6min. Macarena Rose, the host of Belize Talk radio talks with Robbie about paddle boarding , diving and snorkeling in San Pedro Belize, on the island of Ambergris Caye. Robbie is a Owner of Chuck and Robbie's Dive Shop

  • Food in Belize - ( Pupusas ) at the Pupuseria en San Pedro, 5min. Food in Belize is very diverse as we are blessed with so many different ethnicities. Today, Macarena Rose, the host Belize Talk Radio meets the Pupuseria en San Pedro found at https://www.facebook.com/PupuseriaSalvadorenoSanPedro and look for the pink building. Being raised San Salvadorian, this is a GO TO place when on the island of San Pedro Belize for me !

  • Powered Paraglider landing in Belize, 4min.

  • Belize Reef Diving [HD], 5min.

  • Belize 2015, 20min. Another week of serving in Belize. These are the images, sounds and video from that amazing week.

  • UNTOLD STORIES (SHOW 3), 38min.

  • Steel pan classes on Caye Caulker, 1/4min. Mr. Perrote is offering guitar and steel pan classes at the Community Center for a fee. This is what the kids learned to do today on Day 1. Go see him, guys and gals. His teaching skills are amazing. Update: The classes are now being offered at half price. Contact Sayonara Pasos for more info.

  • Treasure Found - long lost Mahogany logs from Belize, 11min. This video gives you an overview of the early logging methods once used to harvest Mahogany in Belize, (once known as British Honduras), and what is being done about all the logs that were lost to the bottoms of rivers and lagoons during 200+ years of Mahogany harvest.

  • Belize 2015, 3.5min. part of my AMAZING two-week humanitarian trip to Belize!

  • Belize 2015, 8min. Compilation of video from a week of diving in Belize.

  • Prime Minister address changes in banking sector in Belize, 6min.

  • Wildtracks Belize GoPro, 8.5min. My 2 months at Wildtracks primate and manatee sanctuary in Sarteneja, Belize. Disclaimer: none of the animals you see here are pets. They are being rehabilitated and released back into the wild where they belong. Unfortunately they need hands on contact to build their confidence up enough that they will have the social skills necessary to survive in the wild. They are victims of the illegal pet trade

  • Christmas 2012 Adventure in Belize, 5.5min. A group of DJ Community members (joined together to spend Christmas 2012 in Belize at the King's Children's Home.

  • Belize Barrier Reef Snorkel, 2.5min. Snorkeling off the coast of North Ambergis Caye at Mexico Rocks, which lies halfway between the shore and the barrier reef. It is now part of Belize's Marine Protected Area. Also, Tres Cocos, which is on the inside of the barrier reef near San Pedro.

  • Shark Encounter in Belize 2015, 1.5min. A Reef Shark takes a quick bite on my camera setup.


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