FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

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

12 Days of Christmas – San Pedro Red Cross Remix
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a building with a palm tree?! Yes, this is indeed 12 days of Christmas, San Pedro Red Cross style of course! As part of the on-going holiday fun, members of the group got together to record their very own version of the Christmas classic 12 days of Christmas with the most appropriate Red Cross spin on the lyrics (we’re talking three pairs of crutches, four pints of blood and the list goes on). The lyrics were put together by photographer Karen Brodie, and sung by members Jane West, Shirlee Arnould, Melodie Wolfe, Sean Connors, and Brittany O’Daniel and recorded by Ralf West at Reef Radio.

NEBL to host opening marathon Belmopan
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) will commence its third annual Basketball Tournament on Saturday, January 16th. The season will tip-off with an opening marathon scheduled for Saturday, December 19th in Belmopan City. All eight registered teams will be participating in the marathon. The teams are Orange Walk Running Rebels, Belize City No Limit, Belize Hurricanes, San Pedro Tiger Sharks, Belmopan Bandits, Cayo Western Ballaz, Dangriga Warriors and new franchise Independence Thunderbolts. The marathon will start at 9AM at the University of Belize Gymnasium. In round one of the tournament each team plays one game, after which the marathon will use a knock-out format, where only winning teams advancing further into the competition. Opening game in the regular season will feature the new team, Independence Thunderbolt verses the back-to-back defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks, with the game to be held at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium in San Pedro Town on Saturday, January 16th.

Island residents hold fundraiser for Katerin Perez
On Sunday, December 13th, a group of concerned residents held a fundraising event in support of 10-year-old Katerin Perez who sustained third degree burns earlier this year. The fundraiser took place at the Lions Den with the aim to raise needed funds for Perez and her family to travel to the United States where she is undergoing treatment for her injuries. At the activity, there was a bar-b-que, rice and beans, games, clown performances and even a yard sale, with all proceeds going towards the worthy cause. Letty Hernandez, one of the event organizers, thanks the community for their unconditional and continued support to the Perez’ family. “Katerin will soon be traveling to the United States to continue undergoing her treatments. We understand that it will take time for her burn injuries to be taken care of. This can be a process of many years, given the state in which she is. We hope to raise as much funds as possible in this activity. Everything has been donated to us so we can have 100% profit and contribute towards Katerin’s upcoming trip treatment,” said Hernandez. She indicated that the outcome of the event was very successful as they managed to sell all the food and items that were on sale.

Belize Black Team Top Winners at Team Challenge competition in Merida
Over the weekend of December 12th -13th, a 4-person delegation of athletes from Ambergris Caye travelled to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico where they competed in the ‘ Team Challenge Merida ’ competition. The competitive event saw a total of 27 teams, which included the ‘Belize Black Team’ which comprised of two athletes from Crossfit San Pedro and two from WOD Zone on Ambergris Caye. The event had three categories: beginners, intermediate and RX-advance. At the end of the competitions, Belize Black Team came in first in the intermediate division, making Belizeans at home and abroad very proud and happy! Belize Black Team comprised of Rene Reyes Jr, Liliana Nuñez, Ricky Luna and Lucien Pollard. The two-day event included five workouts in total, three on the first day and two on the last day and saw the Belizean team competing in the intermediate division. The first sporting events took place indoors and featured weight lifting and gymnastics. The team pushed hard to finish at the top of each event in order to advance in the competition, and at the end of the first day, Team Belize dominated the competition by staying on top of the other teams.

Second edition of 5-a-side Football Tournament kicks off
Island Citizens Sporting Club (ICSC) and the San Pedro High School (SPHS) are back at it with their second ever 5-a-side Football Tournament. After a fun marathon that showcased the skills of the participating teams, the tournament officially started on Sunday, December 13th, with nine thrilling matches. As in the previous edition, the 5-a-side Football Tournament is divided into three categories to better accommodate all levels of athletes: little leagues, females and male seniors. Matches were held at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium from 11AM to 8PM. The second round of games will be played on Saturday, December 19th starting at 5PM, schedule is as follows: Green Hornets FC versus Real Jr. FC, Island Boys versus SPHS Boys, United FC versus Haramouch FC, Mata Chica FC versus Los Dorados, Victoria’s House FC versus We Them Boys and Pro Divers FC versus Los Catrachos FC. For more information on the tournament, contact head organizer Alex Noralez directly at 631-0711.

Belize Black Team Top Winners at Team Challenge competition in Merida

Misc Belizean Sources

Adopt a Bear
Congratulations San Pedro, all 176 bears have been adopted! I am absolutely amazed at how our community came together to make sure Santa didn't forget a single kid this year! I can't wait to see all of the presents! Friendly reminder to bring them back by the 22nd!

Rainbow Town area no trash pickup
Dec 18 - Residents of Rainbow Town area sent these photos with a note that their garbage is not being picked up by the Corozal Town Council, so here is the heads up for those in authority. Keep Corozal Safe & Clean!

Visitor Center for Friends for Conservation and Development - FCD Belize
On your next trip to Chiquibul/Caracol make sure you arrange with us a tour of our Visitor Center. You cannot possibly understand the marvels of Chiquibul without a park ranger explaining the uniqueness.

U.S. Embassy Belize equipment handover ceremony
Yesterday Ambassador Moreno joined other Embassy staff in an equipment handover ceremony with the Belize Coast Guard. This donation was part of an ongoing Embassy program to provide equipment, infrastructure and training support to build Belize’s capacity to counter national and trans-national organized criminal activities. The equipment donated yesterday included -US$ 49,819 in Zodiac boats, engines and related equipment. An additional $33,447 in additional supporting equipment e.g., life jackets, marine inflatable boats, medium range surveillance camera, chameleon synthetic ghille suit, hydra floatation module, etc. totaling $83,266.

Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) is joining the 2015 San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade!
If you don’t have plans to be on a boat yet, this is a great opportunity to support another great cause. All funds raised will benefit the school. Music, Ice Water and Snacks will be available. Please wear white or red shirts and Santa hats. Feel free to bring other snacks on board. If you’d like to join the fun please comment bellow and someone from the school will contact you. Limited seats available!!! Tickets: $30 Boarding time: 4:30-5:00pm (Belize Diving Adventures, behind Belize Yacht Club)

Christmas Raffle at Elvi's Kitchen
Tickets are free with meal purchase up to Dec. 24th. Can't beat that...Where something Good is Always Cooking.

Poets Corner: Fun
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. How did teaching become a marathon? Teachers hustling to finish a curriculum Not testing for previous knowledge 'cause student have none Students being passed because they have a Student trained to be well behaved So that their teachers can pass on ministry assessment day Student are disinterested, they go to school to play Some nonchalant 'cause the information is not relevant to their day to day Math can be learnt through nursery rhymes Jingles, stamps at times Remember when teachers had us memorizing our tables in the morning times Remember ten green bottles standing on the wall? Remember run over run over, the boy noh want no ugly gail Social games we learnt when we were small

Roots Reggae with Julian Melodyman Escobar
Saturday Night is Roots Reggae at the Sports Bar with Julian Melodyman Escobar from 6 - 9 pm! Come listen and dance to the beats of Roots reggae -- Belizan… Location : Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill, Front Stree. December 19, 2015, Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Cayo Christmas Expo
It was a great Cayo Christmas Expo at the Macal River Park on Saturday, December 12th. Many local businesses came out with their wares, and there was even a little concert too.

Channel 7

Guyanese Rice Importer Readying To Take BAHA To Court
Last night, we took you to Independence Village to show you what happened when businessman Jack Charles went to the Port of Big Creek to clear 3 containers of rice which he had imported from Guyana. The BAHA personnel at the port refused clear the containers, and seized them. They did not provide him any written reasons for doing so, and that's where things are tonight. Charles, his lawyer, and his technical advisors are all waiting for BAHA to produce its position in writing, which they intended to use to appeal this decision. Charles maintains that BAHA overstepped its authority yesterday, and took an unlawful decision. His experts say that BAHA can only choose to seize the cargo if it is a threat to human and agricultural health, which is not an issue in this instance. So, the way situation is unfolding, this dispute looks to be on its way to the Supreme Court. Late yesterday evening, at an impromptu press conference, Charles told the press in Independence Village that litigation is the very last option:

Why Was Walter Shot?
A man was shot on Magazine Road this morning - and no one knows why. 24 year old Walter Juarez was standing near the Matron Roberts Polyclinic when he was shot. An eyewitness told us that after he heard about 3 to 4 gunshots ring out, he saw 3 men running from the behind the clinic. When we spoke to Juarez's friend today she told us she has no idea who would want to harm Walter who was just waiting for a bus to go visit his dad. Voice of: Eyewitness "This happened at approximately about 8-9 I think. I was standing here and I look I saw the young boys going across the street right by the parking lot. I don't know what transpired, but something went bad." Reporter "How many shots you heard?" Voice of: Eyewitness "I think about 3-4, then the boys ran away." Voice of: Neighbor "I just heard that they just came and say that they shot the guy. We don't know anything. So I don't know."

Ellis Meighan Says GSU Taking It Personal
Two nights ago, we told you about the GSU making Christmas for senior citizens; well tonight the GSU is back in the news - but this time, the controversial unit is accused of playing Scrooge at Ellis Meighan's house on Banak Street. Meighan called us today to say that the GSU did a rough and brutal search of his home this morning. We spoke to a relative who was in the home at that time - and to Meighan himself. Here's what they said:.. Friend of Meighan, Claims Brutality "Police came here and saying that they are looking for drugs and that men are drug kingpin around here. They broke up stick on us for no reason. They didnt find anything, so they just got ignorant and started to beat us. Then he have us kneeling down and start to watch us and tell that we have on new clothes and jewelry and this and that and that we are thiefs, rapist and robbers and killers and all kind of things. They are chancing men."

PUP, Who's Running The Ship?
Who's in charge of the PUP? It matters right now because there's a three way race for leader of the party, and whichever faction controls the party machinery - has a distinct tactical advantage. On Tuesday, Chairman Henry Usher told the media that he currently holds the reigns; here's what he said:.. Reporter "Who is the leader of the People's United Party at this point?" Henry Charles Usher, PUP Chairman "Currently we have a leader of the opposition in the house. There is no leader per say. The leader stepped down after the election. The national executive is overseeing the governance of the party for now." Reporter "I just ask because in the 6 weeks leading up to convention, who controls the secretariat? Who controls Positive Vibes, who controls the Belize Times?" Henry Charles Usher, PUP Chairman "The secretariat and those organs are being managed by the national executive which is chaired by myself."

Decomposed Body Found Hanging Near San Estevan Bridge
The body of a man was found this afternoon off the San Estevan Road in the Orange Walk District. Around 3:30 pm Orange Walk police responded to reports of a body found by the San Estevan Bridge. What awaited authorities at the site was an uncharacteristic scene. Inspector Nicholas Paloma Deputy officer in command of the Orange Walk Police gave more details. Insp.Nicholas Paloma Deputy - Orange Walk Police "On the right hand side walking into the bushes about 10 yards into the bushes, police observed the body of a male person hanging from a tree from a yellow rope. The body was wearing a light blue long sleeve shirt and due to the advance stage of decomposition we have not identified who the person is. However we found that half of the torso had come off of the body. One of the hands of the person has a yellow watch, we do not know the brand yet. There on the scene we found white bag that contained a piece of machete - contained a cell phone and a black shirt and a red rag."

GOB Changes Labour Law To Stick It To Stevedores; Chamber Applauds
The shutdown at the Port of Belize last week cost importers tens of thousands of dollars in time, inventory and business lost. Well now, government has acted to make sure it doesn't happen again. The Minister of Labour today signed a statutory instrument amending the section of the law that deals with settlement of disputes in Essential Services. The amended law will now deal with Port Services specifically. A release from the government says that the effect of this is to make it so that Port Services would be required to give 21 days notice before any industrial action can be taken. According to the release, this would, quote, "allow for early intervention by government into trade disputes and reduce the likelihood of lockout or strike." President of the Christian Workers Union Audrey Matura Shepherd told us, quote, "sadly we learnt about the news this afternoon and so stevedores are being consulted for a response this Monday."

Post Office Investigating Another Case Of Embezzlement
In May of this year, we told you about over twenty thousand dollars that was embezzled from the Post Office. The misappropriation was allegedly perpetrated by a clerk in the Express Mail Service. Well, now, another staffer, this one a cashier is under scrutiny. 7News has received credible reports which tell us that over ten thousand dollars has gone missing from the EMS Service. We called the postmaster general who would only say that an internal investigation is underway - and if it finds anything, they will make a report to the police next week. In the last, confirmed case of theft in May, nothing was recovered and the suspect skipped the country.

More Than 2k Police
Three years ago, there were little more than a thousand police officers - and tonight the news is that with the passing out of intake number 92, there are now over two thousand. The 167 new recruits officially joined the ranks of the Police Department today, bringing the total number of on duty police officers to some 2,067. The ceremony was held in Belmopan at the Police Training Academy this morning and Emanuel Pech reports: 172 recruits reports for training and 167 passed out today. Out of the 167 49 are female.

Saldivar Positioning For UDP Leadership?
Every night on the news, there's some story or the other about the three way race for the leadership of the PUP. And while the PUP has a fierce 6 weeks ahead until their convention is held on January 31st., the UDP's time is coming as well. Dean Barrow - who has led the UDP since 1998 - has reached his three term limit as Prime Minister, and he has made it clear that he will be retiring from electoral politics. So, who will lead the UDP? The battle is a few years away, but the positioning ahs already started, Most within the party seem to agree that the contenders are John Saldivar, Patrick Faber and Gaspar Vega. Apart from controlling one of the most influential Ministries Saldivar has built up a strong - but clearly not invincible - UDP base in the capital as a 4 term representative. Today we asked point blank, will he vie for party leader? Hon. John Saldivar "I don't know that one can vie for a position. It's a position where someone gets chosen and so it's a matter of what the party decides whenever that time come who they decide to choose."

Big Business At Big Creek Port
Since last night, it been all over the evening news that businessman Jack Charles cannot get his 3 containers of Guyanese rice cleared. They're held at the Big Creek Port - a place that doesn't get into the headlines much. But, make no mistake, Big Creek is big business, and very quietly, they are on a rapid plan for expansion. While our news team had the opportunity, we tried to learn a bit more about the country's second major Port. Daniel Ortiz has that story: Daniel Ortiz reporting The Port of Big Creek...It's been in operation since 1990, and currently, it's the only port in Belize where cargo vessels can pull right up to the mainland of Independence and Mango Creek. Here on the edge of the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, the port's compound is sprawling, and always bustling. Yesterday, the employees gave us a tour of the facility to see some of its more prominent features. As you would expect, there were rows and rows of containers upon containers, each stacked and organized through a meticulous system to ensure inventory reliability and the best use of the facility's area. There is also a trove of heavy-duty equipment, all of which represent major investments.

Family's Christmas Hopes Dashed When House Falls
City resident Travis Myvette will have to spend Christmas crammed in his brother's house after his own collapsed early yesterday morning. Myvette told us he was at work when his girlfriend called him and told him the house had fallen. It's devastating for him and his family after they had just repaired and decorated their house for Christmas. Today Myvette told us how his only comfort is now lost. If you would like to help Myvette and his family you can contact him at 634 5428. He had been living at that house for 5 years.

Mayas Complain About Land Rights
When will the Government start to implement the judgment from the Caribbean Court of Justice on Maya Land Rights? That's what the Maya Leaders Alliance wants to know. They've now been waiting for 8 months, and the Maya want to see measurable steps being taken. On Wednesday, when we asked Cristina Coc about it, she told us that Joseph Estephan, has being going around to the 39 Mayan communities and telling Villagers that he's acting on behalf of the Government. She told us that they are seeking a clarification from GOB if indeed this is true. Here's what she had to say on the topic: "The court gave them up until January 21 to give a full report of what steps they have taken in terms of the implementation of that decision. We have not seen anything and nothing has been communicated to us on the part of the government. We have seen a lot of movement in the communities however, where we continue to see the likes of Joseph Estephan and his team go out to the communities and tell the communities that the government has hired them as the commission to deal with the Maya land rights case that they are going to actually embark on a land registration - a leasing registration using the funds that the court ordered the government to set aside and that that is what they are going to pursue in the coming month beginning January. We would like to see in the government is willing to either align themselves and identify themselves with Joseph Estephan, if he is in fact working for the government or to distance themselves from him, if he is fact not an agent of the state."

Rural Weed Torched
The Police Rural Rapid Response Team found and destroyed a marijuana plantation today. 800 plants were burnt and a camp was destroyed. No one was in the area, so no arrests were made.

Cops For The Kids
Police in Belmopan are exercising the spirit of giving, just in time for the Christmas season. Today at a small event in the Community of Maya Mopan, members of the community policing unit in Belmopan joined forces with Miracle of Life to host a Christmas party for over 80 underprivileged children. According Police Corporal Florentino Rash it is the least their department can do for these kids, many of whom have no gifts or Christmas parties to look forward to. Event organizers hope to make this an annual event for underprivileged children in Maya Mopan and the other surrounding communities of Belmopan.

Vehicles Flip On Both Highways
Last night we didn't get to show you our footage of a serious, but luckily not fatal accident on the northern highway. It happened at around 2:00 at mile 34, when a white Ford Ranger pickup truck heading towards Orange Walk lost control and flipped. The driver of the vehicle, Fernando Chan, from Ranchito Village, Corozal, said he suffered a blowout and lost control of the vehicle. Now, there were as many as ten passengers in the vehicle including children. But, no one was seriously hurt, although passengers had serious face and body injuries. They were transported in tow ambulanced to the Northern Regional Hospital and the KHMH. And today, there was another accident today in Rural Belize district, but this one on the Western Highway - and it also involved a Ford Ranger that flipped. This one happened at mile 26. Police say that Franz Schmitt was marking the highway with no road safety equipment and caused Lloyd Monroe to flip off the road unto the embankment. No one was injured.

"The Force Awakens" In Belize
If you're a science fiction fan, you'll know all about the worldwide premier of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It's the first film in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, and the 7th in the main film series. Now, for years, the Star Wars media has been a commercial success world wide where fanatics have created a their own sub-culture in honor of the story behind it. The latest film, the Force Awakens, was released today, and it is on the the way to becoming the most successful film of 2015. Well, the Princess Ramada Hotel's Cinema in Belize City is announcing that you can see your favorite Jedi locked in a lightsaber battle right here in country. The company's Marketing Manager told us this evening that tonight's first showing is already sold out:

Channel 5

Agriculture C.E.O. Jose Alpuche on Detainment of Guyanese Rice
The stalemate over the importation of rice from Guyana continues to play out and tonight importer Jack Charles is no closer to resolution. Three containers of Guyanese rice arrived on [...]

Is Guyana Dumping Rice Into Belizean Market?
C.E.O. Alpuche notes that the fairly low prices of the rice from Guyana are because subsidies to the industry there and likely because there may be a surplus since Guyana [...]

Former C.E.O. Sergio Garcia Says G.O.B. is Deliberately Blocking Rice Importation
The deadlock between importer Jack Charles and the Belize Agro-productive Sector Group, as well as the Government of Belize, has resulted in what is being called a technical barrier to [...]

Regional Trade Expert Says Surinam’s Rice is Cheaper, Guyana isn’t Dumping
While the issue, at its core, involves regulations governing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, provisions are made in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas for the use of appropriate mechanisms [...]

7 More Containers of Rice Bound for Belize Says Jack Charles
Even as there is no resolution to the three containers of rice at the Big Creek Port, according to Jack Charles, a total of seven more containers are expected into [...]

Fate of Longest-serving Inmate on Death Row Hangs in the Balance
He is Belize’s longest-serving inmate on death row at the Belize Central Prison.  And after thirteen years behind bars, Glenford Baptist, appeared in court this morning, but still does not [...]

Statutory Instrument Includes Stevedoring as Essential Services
A new piece of legislation is coming into force prohibiting stevedores and other dockhands at the Port of Belize from effecting industrial action on a whim.  Earlier today, the Ministry [...]

Port C.E.O. Says New Law is Reciprocal
According to Vasquez, the effect of the amended law is reciprocal.  While stevedores cannot just up and strike without due notice, port management can’t simply lock them out from work [...]

Trio Acquitted of Firearm Offences after Foiled Kidnapping Attempt
Three men were acquitted by Justice Adolph Lucas of three counts of firearm offenses in relation to an alleged would be kidnapping back in 2010. But two of them will [...]

3 More Suspects in Burrell Boom Home Invasion Get Bail
Also in the courts, three more men charged in connection with the home invasion of the Lebanese Honrary Consul in Burrell Boom Village were granted Supreme Court bail but with [...]

167 New Police Officers Hit the Streets Running
After months of intense training, one hundred and sixty-seven new officers joined the police force today. Their graduation took place at the National Police Training Academy in the Capital. Family [...]

Minister of National Security Comments on Crime Situation
While crime has been prevalent throughout 2015, the murder count is slightly less than 2014 so far. There were one hundred and twenty murders last year and that number this [...]

House Collapses on Neal’s Pen Road, Man and His Girlfriend Need Your Help
A Belize City resident and his girlfriend are in dire straits tonight after their home on Neal’s Pen Road collapsed on Thursday morning.  Travis Myvette was at work when he [...]

Hand in Hand & Belize Bank Handover New Home on Jane Usher Boulevard
A single mother and her three children will spend the Christmas in a more comfortable fashion. Earlier today the folks at Belize Bank along with Hand in Hand Ministries handed [...]

Bel Caribe Donates Christmas Hampers
Bel Caribe Communications Services stepped up the plate this year again to make the Christmas far more enjoyable to a hundred families. With the support of a number of corporate [...]

LOVE FM

Word at Work Brings 10,000 Toys for Belizean Children
The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God’s call to minister to those in need. The organization is here in Belize to donate over ten thousand toys to children all over Belize that are in need. To head the operation is an elderly couple Bob and Sharon Herdon […]

Big Creek Port Has Back Up Plan
While we were at the Port of Big Creek yesterday we managed to speak to the Shipping Manager, Gustavo Carrillo. Unlike what happens at the Port of the Belize Limited, with stevedores going on strike, nothing of that sort, or at least to our knowledge, happens at the Port of Big Creek in Independence Village. […]

Port Services Now Under Essential Services Act
A Statutory Instrument making the Port Services in Belize an essential service in Belize has been signed by Minister of Labor, Hugo Patt and published in today’s edition of the Government Gazette. The signing of this SI now signals that the workers at the Port of Belize will be prohibited from taking part in strikes […]

Court News: Aggravated Burglary … Firearm Offences
Three men who were charged in connection with the aggravated burglary at the home of Lebanon Honorary Consul Sarkis Abou Nehra and were remanded into custody released on bail offered to them today by Justice Herbert Lord. They are 22 year old Tyrone Meighan, 20 year old Brandon Baptist and 20 year old Jeffrey Buller. […]

Rural Police Destroys Marijuana Plantation
The Belize Rural Rapid Response team was in Biscayne Village on the Northern Highway this morning in the Belize District, conducting a search when they came across an eight hundred plant marijuana field. No one was in the area when the drugs were found therefore there were no arrests in this incident. The plants, however, […]

Road Safety Project Employee Not Practicing Road Safety
An accident occurred on the George Price Highway this afternoon sometime after midday. The accident happened around mile twenty six where thirty year old Franz Schmitt of Burrell Boom was working on the highway for the Road Safety Project and was, at the time of the incident, engaged in marking the highway. When the police […]

Graduation for Police Recruits
Police recruits graduate with official ceremony held in Belmopan, Fem Cruz reports.

Candidates for the PUP’s Party Leader Seat Won’t Speak to Media
The National Executive of the People’s United Party met this afternoon at Independence Hall in Belize City for a session that would determine the details of the upcoming Special National Convention. The media camped outside the headquarters on Queen Street for over two hours in the hopes of getting interviews primarily from the three men […]

PlusTV

Jack Charles denied importation of Guyanese rice
75 tonnes of Jack Charles’ controversial cheap Guyanese rice arrived by barge to the Big Creek Port in Independence Village Stann Creek early this morning. Our colleagues at KREM News were down south and spoke with Gustavo Carrillo, Manager of the Port, who told us when the shipment of three 20-fee...

Coast Guard receives equipment from military partners
Belize’s military partners in the United States have donated more than one million Belize dollars in equipment for maritime law enforcement to the Belize National Coast Guard, which was officially handed over today at their George Price Highway headquarters. With more on the donation here is Command...

Honduran Farmer caught with Cannabis
A Valley of Peace resident was arrested and charged with the offence of possession of a controlled drug. On Wednesday the 16th of December, a Special Operation was conducted in the Valley of Peace Village, where 47 year old Honduran Farmer Pablo Mancia Barahona’s house was searched. During the...

3 arrested for drug trafficking
Two residents of the Santa Rosa Village were arrested and charged with Drug Trafficking. On Wednesday the 16th of December, a search was conducted at the residence of 38-year-old Ramona Ack in the Santa Rosa Village. While doing the search, a discovery was made of a small rice sack containing a bott...

Man detained pending investigation
A man has been detained after allegedly having sex with a minor. On Wednesday, the 16th of December, a 12-year-old female accompanied by her mother reported that on Wednesday the 11th of November, she was taken to a house on Fairweather Street in Belize City by a male person where they had sexual in...

Ammunition found
A police search led to the discovery of ten 9mm live rounds. On Saturday, the 12th of December, police conducted a search in the Banak Street area, which led to the discovery of a black plastic bag which contained the Aguila Brand live rounds. No one was in the area at the time, so the ammunitions w...

Man escaped police leaving behind Cannabis
Five and a half pounds of Cannabis were found by police by the Mopan River. On Monday the 14th of December around 6:30 p.m., S.P.U personnel were conducting foot patrol on the banks of the Mopan River in Arenal Village when their attention was drawn to a male Hispanic person walking with a garbage b...

PUP moves toward national convention
The People’s United Party’s national executive met today in Belize City. It was decided that all positions will be contested on January 31, 2016. All the positions which are open, including leader and deputies, will be contested, but not all the positions of the national executive are cu...

The Reporter

Shooting leaves man critically wounded
A man lies critically wounded after he was shot in Belize City at around 10:25 a.m. on Friday. Police membere from Precinct 1 responded to the shooting in an alley between Magazine Road and Johnson Street, a short distance away from the Pound Yard bridge. […]

Man shot in Belize City
A man was shot about an hour ago in Belize City. The incident happened on Magazine Road and the victim was shot in the back of the head. The Reporter will have details of this incident as they become available.

Traffic accident on Phillip Goldson highway leaves 11 people injured
Eleven persons were injured, five of them critically, when the vehicle they were travelling on the Phillip Goldson highway on Thursday turned over. The white pick up truck, driven by Fernando Chan, a resident of Ranchito village, Corozal, had a right rear wheel blow-out between […]

COP21′s Paris Agreement signals beginning of the end for fossil fuel emissions
World leaders participating in the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNCCC) have declared that the world will be free of fossil fuel emissions within the century. After two weeks of negotiations hosted in France, the leaders of […]

Belize City and Chetumal sign sister-city agreement
The signing of sister-city relations between Belize City and the City of Othón P. Blanco (Chetumal) on Tuesday, formalizes the already close ties that Belizean shoppers and the business community of Quintana Roo have shared over the last three decades. Through this new agreement, […]

GOB partners with OAS and Caribbean nations for energy project
The Government of Belize this week held a three-day consultation in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS), to improve Belize’s energy sector. The Ministry of Energy and the Public Service hosted the consultation at the Belize Training and Employment Center (BTEC) on the […]

Mexico approves dengue vaccine
The Government of Mexico has approved the use of the first-ever vaccine for dengue fever. Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) approved the vaccine, Dengvaxia for use in people from 9 to 45, living in areas where dengue is endemic. Sanofi, […]

Women better educated than men in Belize, Insider Magazine states
Belize was ranked 12th of 19 countries with the highest ratio of women to men in higher education in an article by international publication, Business Insider Magazine. Belize is “another nation with a small population where women are far better educated than men. Women outnumber […]

US Coast Guard officer stabbed in San Pedro
San Pedro police are investigating an assault on a US Coast Guard officer who was stabbed twice in San Pedro last week Friday morning while on vacation. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Henry Jemmott, who heads the Police Department’s Coastal Executive Unit, Jennifer […]

ECLAC proposes debt relief for the Caribbean
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has proposed debt relief and the creation of a sub regional fund to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) deal with the effects of climate change. ECLAC presented the strategy during a side event at […]

Grocers increase sugar prices early; Consumer Protection Unit steps in
The Belize Bureau of Standards’ (BBS) Consumer Protection Unit has started to conduct inspection of grocery stores across the country that have been reported for selling sugar at the higher price of 75 cent a pound even before the January 1st date for the […]

Popular PG taxi driver stabbed to death
Punta Gorda police haven’t made any arrests but are following several leads into the stabbing murder of Elridgeville Village taxi driver, Antonio Rodriguez, 64, whose mutilated body was discovered around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday on a remote feeder road in Punta Gorda. The Reporter […]

Ex-cop remanded to prison for drug trafficking
A former police officer, convicted of wounding his ex-girlfriend in 2014, has been nabbed by police again – this time for drug trafficking. Ronald Ragan Sutherland, 30, was dismissed from the police force after a conviction for wounding in 2014. He was under surveillance by […]

Three charged with stealing a cop’s ATM card walk free
Two sisters and a boyfriend, who claim they found a cop’s ATM card on the street and then engaged in a shopping spree are free, after spending almost $1,000 from the cop’s account. All three were picked up by police after viewing the surveillance camera […]

A look at movable assets and secured transaction reforms (Pt. 1)
It is certainly no secret that one of the most talked about constraint to small business growth in Belize, as well as in several other countries, is the limited access to credit. This limitation is often linked to the nature of collateral requirements, which is more often than not based […]

Maya Leaders Alliance receives Equator Prize 2015 in Paris
For the resilience they have shown in protecting their lands and managing the natural resources they inhabit, the Maya Leaders Alliance (MLA) was awarded the Equator Prize 2015 in Paris France, last week. The MLA was selected from among 1461 nominated groups for the Equator […]

Editorial
Christmas 2015 has arrived to a world full of dissension and heartbreak, hard times and the impending threat of global warming. The Christmas spirit of Peace on Earth has been shattered by religous venom between Sunni Moslems and Shiite which has exploded to engulf the whole world. The gifts of […]

Red flags spotted in Central Bank report
The Belize Central Bank, this week, released its 2015 second-quarter report, detailing figures regarding the country’s national external debt, labor force statistics, trade imbalance and the contraction of the credit sector. Business Senator Mark Lizarraga told the Reporter on Thursday, that the report makes it clear that GOB continues to rely on borrowing. Most borrowed money is sourced from the PetroCaribe Fund. However, Belize needs to start looking for ways to sustain the economy, as that program’s future is now questionable. […]

Who will lead the PUP?
The deadline for submissions for Leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) expired at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and three persons are in the race for that position, while six are contending for the post of deputy party leader. The three vying for leader are: […]

Guyanese rice – it’s what’s for dinner – or not
A shipment of three containers with 75 tons of “Grade A” rice, imported from Guyana by businessman Jack Charles (Jitendra Chawla), to retail cheaper than local rice, arrived at the Big Creek port, Stann Creek on Thursday morning, but will remain there, at least for […]

Charge against 13 Mayas dropped
Thirteen Maya persons from Santa Cruz, Toledo, including Maya Leaders Alliance (MLA) spokesperson Cristina Coc, had the charge of “Unlawful Imprisonment” dropped after the prosecution withdrew the charge against them Wednesday. The group is happy they have one less charge to face when their case […]

Breaking Belize News

Why do Christmas turkeys cost so much?
This afternoon, we spoke with general manager of Quality Poultry Products Limited, Raymond Barkman, concerning the high prices of Christmas turkeys in this holiday season. The company was forced to import some 200,000 pounds of turkey from the United States after local turkey producers […]

Traffic accidents reported on major highways
A pair of traffic accidents were reported on both major highways in the Belize District on Thursday afternoon and earlier today. Around 1:30 in the afternoon on Thursday, the white Ford Ranger pickup being driven by Ranchito, Corozal resident Fernando Chan and carrying ten […]

Chamber approves change to essential service law for Port
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has issued a release congratulating Prime Minister Dean Barrow and his administration on the recent signing of the Statutory Instrument (SI) amending section 2 (a): Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act Chapter 298 of the […]

Battle over Baby Nina continues
Analiz Perez Gutierrez must wait until the New Year to learn if she will have custody of her baby daughter, 2 year old Nina Charlotte Perez. You may recall that in mid-November personnel from the Human Service Department forcibly removed baby Nina from her […]

Glenford Baptist still awaits fate
A sentencing hearing was scheduled today for Glenford Baptist, who earlier this year was removed from death row but still does not know how much longer he will remain behind bars if at all. Baptist has been incarcerated since 2001, convicted and sentenced to […]

Trio on bail for Abou-Nehra incident
Tonight, 3 men charged in connection with the home invasion of Consul to Lebanon Sarkis Abou-Nehra in Burrell Boom Village are out on Supreme Court bail with stringent conditions and of various amounts. Tyrone Meighan, to whom the DPP first had heavy objections to receiving […]

Police graduate 172
This morning some 172 new police officers “passed out” at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan. Addressing them was Minister of National Security John Saldivar, who said it was a priority of his Government to grow the police force, whose number now reaches 2,000 […]

Jury acquits trio of “going equipped” for kidnapping and firearm charges
A jury of nine this afternoon acquitted Tevin Abraham, Jamaal Tablada and Jarrett Usher of preparing to commit a crime, specifically kidnapping, as well as separate charges of keeping prohibited firearms and ammunition in the Supreme Court of Justice Adolph Lucas. This morning, Justice Lucas directed the jury […]

Government of Belize makes amendments to prevent abrupt stevedore strikes
A release from the Government Press Office earlier today, stated that Minister responsible for labour matters, Hugo Patt, signed a statutory instrument amending section 2 of the Laws of Belize Revised Edition 2011. The amendment deals with settlements of disputes in essential services and […]

One more arrested for burglary of Lebanese Consul’s home
A man known to the law for burglary has been added to the long list of culprits that are expected to serve jail time in connection with the break in and theft of thousands of dollars worth of cash and assorted items, including a […]

Belize Defense Force names soldiers of the year
On Wednesday, the Belize Defence Force hosted its annual Christmas Luncheon, a tradition in the national army where junior soldiers are served lunch by their superiors in honor of their commitment to the defense of Belize. A few of these good men and women […]

Jack Charles denied on Guyanese rice
75 tonnes of Jack Charles’ controversial cheap Guyanese rice arrived by barge to the Big Creek Port in Independence Village Stann Creek early this morning. Gustavo Carrillo, Manager of the Port told us the shipment of three 20-feet containers docked early Thursday morning and […]

New analysis machine for Forensics
At the headquarters of the National Forensic Science Service in Ladyville on Thursday afternoon, Ambassador Carlos Moreno handed over a machine known as the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer, GCMS for short, which is the latest model and a big boost to the substance analysis capability […]

Coast Guard’s new equipment from United States
Belize’s military partners in the United States have donated more than one million Belize dollars in equipment for maritime law enforcement to the Belize National Coast Guard, which was officially handed over today at their George Price Highway headquarters. Commandant of the Coast Guard, […]

Tremors from Mexican quake causes excitement in Belize
Around 1:50 p.m. yesterday, tremors of an earthquake that struck in Tonala, Chiapas, in southern Mexico were felt in many parts of Belize and Guatemala. The earthquake was registered at a 6.6 on the Richter scale, and it is estimated that 22.1 million people may […]

11 injured but no fatalities in Thursday afternoon accident
Yesterday afternoon around 1:30 there was a traffic accident around mile 34 and 35 of the Phillip Goldson highway near the old Intelco tower, which caused varying degrees of injuries to 11 people. According to reports, a white pickup being driven by Corozal resident Fernando […]

Blogs

Caving in Belize – Venturing into the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
Only discovered in 1989, it was open to the public eleven years later. The length of the cave is about three miles deep, with a river running through it. Mayans believed caves were the entrance to the underworld and they performed ceremonies and sacrifices within the depths of the caves. Throughout the years, they moved further into the cave to get even closer to their gods. Upon entering the main chamber, visitors have the chance to see pottery remains (some are still perfect, some are calcified), sculpted stalagmites, and the skeletons of human sacrifices. It’s a short and easy hike, with three strong river crossings to contend with. Naturally, our guide floated through the water like it was nothing. It was a little more work for the rest of us, pulling against the rope to help get to the other side. At the entrance of the cave, it was time to use the “facilitrees” and leave our water bottles behind. We donned our helmets and headlamps and started our swim at the mouth of the cave.

A Preview of A New Business On The West Side of Ambergris Caye – or ELSIE’S FIRST BOAT RIDE!
Found in Dangriga and nursed by the Hopkins Humane Society, Elsie made her trip to Ambergris Caye just over a year ago – THAT was technically her very first boat ride. At the time, she had four legs…one badly infected (though we didn’t know how bad). Yesterday, we took her on a boat ride north and west on Ambergris Caye. On a boat named after her – her Yiddish name – Ester Gittel. (She also has a native American name: Lone Running Leg, a San Pedrana name: Elsa Paws and a Spanish name: El Cee.) Her “breed” has even been identified! She is a three legged teacup Great Dane. We were visiting Jeff’s new venture – Cayo Frances Fish and Farm – about 10 miles up on the West Side of Ambergris Caye and things are coming along beautifully at this remote spot. Here’s a map of where it is…a beautiful piece of artwork done by Bill Specht. (Here is my post about the artist.)

Belizean Light Cake
cake tins. Preheat oven to 350 F/180 C. Sift flour, salt, nutmeg and baking powder (set aside). Cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat eggs one at a time until very frothy. Add to margarine and sugar. Mix well after each addition. If an electric mixer is used, mix at medium speed. Add essence. Mix well. Before adding flour, decrease speed of mixer to low. Bake for 40 minutes at 350F/180C or until a tester is inserted in cake comes out dry. Cool before moving from cake tin.

Belizean Christmas Ham Recipe
Mix all ingredients Ham preparation: Place ham fat side up in roasting pan. Spread Grace Yellow Mustard over surface of ham. Roast (covered with foil) approximately 13-17 minutes per pound. Remove ham 20 minutes before finishing. Remove any skin. Cut ham's fat surface in uniform diamond shapes and insert cloves in each diamond. Brush on glaze. Bake 10 minutes (uncovered). Reapply glaze and cook for another 10-20 minutes or until glaze brown. Ham should be 135 degrees in center to ensure that cooking is complete.

Black Fruit Cake CHRISTMAS RECIPE
Stew all the fruit with 1 lb. brown sugar and rum. Cook the mixture until the liquid becomes thick syrup. Let the fruits cool overnight. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter along with 2 lbs. brown sugar and add in eggs one at time. Then add flour, baking powder, all spice, stout and caramel coloring one at a time to the mixture. Lastly, fold the stewed fruit to the mixture. To avoid having the stewed fruit sink to the bottom of the mixture, drain them, mix with 1 beaten egg and dredge in flour before adding it to the batter.

International Sources

Change of name for BCB Holdings Limited
BCB Holdings Limited (London - AIM: BCB; Bermuda - BBHL) (the "Company" or "BCBHL") The Company announces that it intends to change its name to Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited. The Company will notify the market in due course once the new name, ticker symbol and ISIN are effective. The Board believes that the new name is better suited to the Company's strategic focus and aspirations. BCB Holdings Limited (BCBHL) is a parent holding company with no independent business operations or assets other than its investments in its subsidiaries, intercompany balances and holdings of cash and cash equivalents. BCBHL's businesses are conducted through its subsidiaries. The Belize Bank Limited (BBL) is incorporated and based in Belize and focuses on the provision of financial services and lending to domestic clients. Belize Bank International Limited is incorporated and based in Belize and focuses on the provision of financial services and lending to international clients.

BCB Holdings to change its name
Bermuda-based BCB Holdings is to change its name. The firm is to become Caribbean Investment Holdings. A spokesman said the board believed “the new name is better suited to the company’s strategic focus and aspirations.” BCB Holdings is a holding company with no independent business operations or assets other than investments in subsidiaries, intercompany balances and holdings of cash or cash equivalents. The firm owns the Belize Bank Ltd, which provides financial services and lending to domestic clients, as well as Belize Bank International Ltd, which provides the same services to international clients. Both are incorporated and based in Belize.

8 Jaw-Dropping Tax Havens of the Filthy Rich
There are roughly 80 countries that are considered tax havens. These are secrecy jurisdictions with incredibly low to no taxes. Billionaires and millionaires flock to these places to take advantage of tax loopholes that allow them to establish offshore bank accounts and shell corporations, and pay virtually nothing. By doing so, they avoid the otherwise high tax rates they would pay in their home countries, without renouncing their citizenship. Recently, the IRS announced plans to go after U.S. citizens holding offshore accounts. Still, that hasn't been a deterrent for a lot of wealthy individuals seeking to escape steep tax implications. Done correctly, offshore banking is completely legal. And you don't have to have tons of cash in order to seek out the reprieve tax havens offer. Because, in addition to the lenient tax laws, many of these nations are exotic travel destinations that offer outside investors simplified pathways to citizenship. Take a closer look. Best known for the scuba diving and its astonishing Barrier Reef, Belize is a tropical paradise in the Caribbean Sea and just the place for anyone seeking discretion. English is the country's native language, though many habitants also speak Spanish. There are two pathways to citizenship: Permanent Residence and the Qualified Retired Person (QRP) program. Permanent Residence status is applicable if you intend to earn income as an employee. Otherwise, you would be considered a QRP and all you have to do is spend four weeks of the year in Belize, while meeting a minimum yearly retirement income threshold. As a QRP, foreign income is tax-exempt and there's no tax on capital gains or inheritances.

Videos

Fly Fishing Belize, 4.5min. Fly Fishing in Belize. The footage was never intended to make a video with but hey.... here it is!

Snorkeling in San Pedro Belize, 11min. These shots were taken in Dec 2015 with my SJ 4000. The day was partly cloudy so some of the shots were under cloud cover. Lots of rays and sharks in the shots. Enjoy the waters of Belize

Welcome at Lower Dover Belize, 2min.

Drone over Hatchet Caye, 15sec.

Tropic Air Blue Hole Tour, 1min. Book your tour with Tropic Air today and see the Blue Hole of Belize the way it was meant to be seen, from the air.

A day in the life of Tropic Air, 3.5min. Time lapse of Tropic Air traffic at our main station in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

SCOROCO BELIZE 2015, 3.5min. Short video of my trip to Belize.

Belize Adventure x GoPro, 4min. Belize 2015 I Cocoa Beach Resort I Ambergris Caye

My Secret Deli, San Pedro, Belize, 1/2min. Our favourite dish was the stewed chucked. It came with potatoes, rice and beans and a fried plantain.

Living in Rural Belize, 10min.