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Today's Belize News: June 11, 2016 #514319 06/11/16 05:47 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	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 Congratulations to the Chunox Boys Team from Coroza They are the National Primary School Football Champions 2016!!! The San Pedro RC School Boys Team fell to the Chunox Boys Team 1-0 in the final game, and thus are the 2016 Sub-Champions. PSE results are in Topping the island SPRCS' class are Catherine Canul and Rachel Alamilla! CONGRATULATIONS girls!!! Land Rover Car Show - a classic blast from the past Who doesn't like classic cars? I know I do. The idea of driving a good old sturdy machine would be a privilege. Unfortunately, nowadays you don't really get the chance to see an oldie cruising around. In Belize, Land Rovers are a legendary highlight of all- terrain vehicles, but never did I think I would end up at a car show starring all these old beauties! It all began with an invitation to attend the first ever 'Land Rover Car Show' in the country, and what a better place to host it than Maracas Bar and Grill in Orange Walk Town. Organizers of the event, Land Rover enthusiasts Matt Brislawn (A.K.A Mateo), and Sharon Svec warmly welcomed me, and we breathlessly watched as different Rovers pulled in to the designated parking area. I have always wanted to climb inside one of them, and to my delight that day had come. I got the chance to experience the interiors of the classic vehicles, and it was as I dreamed it would be. While giving me a tour of a 1972 Rover, Mateo explained to me that the late Right Honourable George Cadle Price, Father of Belize's Independence, was a big fan of Land Rovers. GOB to implement environmental project to protect Key Biodiversity Areas Over the next five years the Government of Belize, with assistance from the World Bank, will be implementing a project called 'Management and Protection of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) in Belize.' The funding for the project will be facilitated by the Global Environmental Facility and will comprise of technical components covering issues from supporting forest protection and its sustainable management, to institutional strengthening, to the enhancement of environmental regulation enforcement. On Wednesday, June 8th, the management of the KBA project hosted a consultation session to discuss the current Environmental Clearance Process (ECP) or the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Belize at the Coastal Zone Management Authority Institute Training Room in Belize City. Hosting the discussion was Imanol Martin, head of the environmental firm Limia and Martin based in Spain. Martin explained how the project will work under the auspices of the Department of Environment (DOE), with aims of updating and modernizing the actual ECP in order to meet international standards. Another discussion focused on the approval of EIAs before going through the process at DOE. It was mentioned that on given occasions, this is where confusion arises, and in the end, can negatively affect both the developer and environment. According to Martin, the consultation session was a good opportunity to find out what is indeed the real issue hampering the execution of the ECP. n the coming months, there will be follow -ups to visit the plan of the project and keep steering it in the right direction. SPRCS Boys are doing quite well in the Primary School Football National Championships!! They are headed to their final game against Chunox, Corozal. They won their semi-final game 2-0 against Stann Creek. Ian Pou Jr. and Jareth Rubio both scored 1 goal apiece. An Enchanted Night at SPHS Prom 2016 Under the theme 'An Enchanted Night,' the senior students of the 2016 class of San Pedro High School (SPHS) held their annual Prom Night on Thursday, June 9th at the beautifully decorated El Patio Restaurant and Lounge. The glitz and glamour of the annual celebration drew a large crowd of onlookers near the venue, hoping for a glimpse of the elegant graduates and their dates. A section of Barrier Reef Drive was closed off to traffic, giving ample space for glamorous arrivals and the crowd of onlookers. "To the ICJ or not?" BNTU holds forum As part of their educational campaign "Stand for Belize," the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) has been holding a series of informative sessions across the country on taking the Belize-Guatemala Territorial Dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle. The educational presentations were held on May 18th and Saturday, June 4th. The first session was held in San Pedro Town at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorium, where different perspectives were presented to determine whether or not the unfounded Guatemalan claim should indeed be taken to the ICJ for a definitive resolution. Presenters at the forum included Ambassador of Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Stuart Leslie who has served as Belize's Permanent Representative at United Nations (UN) from 2000 to 2005, Robert "Bobby" Lopez from the Belize Progressive Party (BPP), and representatives of the Vision Inspired by the People Party (VIP) among other invited guests. The presenters were amazed to find out that the majority of the attendees had been born after 1981. SPHS students return from Exchange Program Students from the San Pedro High School's (SPHS) Drama Club: Marthalicia Vasquez, Jubilee Garcia, and Bessy Gongora, returned from their one-week exchange program in Los Angeles, California, USA on Sunday, June 5th. With help from coordinators Debbie and Larry Heimgartner, the group was rehearsing weekly to perfect their 30-minute dramatic skit that was performed at the Los Angeles Harbor College. The performance contained social issues that deal with depression, divorce, and suicide. Alongside exchange students from London and Mexico, the girls had an unforgettable experience at the college. According to the three SPHS students, their stay in Los Angeles was short but worthwhile. After arriving and settling, the girls introduced themselves to their classmates and socialized with students from different cultural backgrounds throughout the week. The highlight of their visit was the chance they had to perform their skit with other exchange students. The drama club was more than delighted to put on a good performance, and represent Belize in a positive manner. "When it was time for us to perform, all of the audience was left surprised at how we brought this as our story. It was our time to let the world know that teenagers are making a change," said Vasquez. Caye Caulker Village Council Elections scheduled for June 19th It has been three years since the residents of Caye Caulker elected their last Village Council, and now nominations and elections are quickly approaching once again. On Sunday, June 19th, residents of Caye Caulker will be going to the polls at Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School to elect their new village council, and chairperson. Tracie Young, Enelda Rosado, and Ralph Humes are the three official candidates running for chairperson, hoping to make Caye Caulker a better place. The community is encouraged to exercise their right to vote, and make wise decisions when casting their ballot. The San Pedro Sun contacted the three candidates, who shared their thoughts prior to the election: Enelda Rosado, Tracie Young, and Ralph Humes. Ambergris Today An Enchanted Night at San Pedro High Prom It was an evening to remember for the graduating class of San Pedro High School 2016 as the class celebrated its Prom on Thursday, June 9, 2016, at El Patio Restaurant in downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Prom is huge in San Pedro - streets are blocked, traffic is re-routed and hundreds of spectators line the side of the streets to witness the glamour and magical evening. Celebrated under the theme "An Enchanted Night", it took the senior class of SPHS about two hours to complete a 'purple carpet' walk into El Patio, with wild entrances that included a security guard, tons of confetti, floats, Belize Coast Guard escort, street dancers, a fire truck, male-carried chariot and even pyrotechnics. YUP! That's prom night in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Best Entrance - Marleni Diaz. Best Dressed Couple - Andrea Valencia and Julious Nu�ez. Best Dressed Male - Victor Ack. Best Dressed Female - Kirsty Arnott. Prom King - Edley Godoy. Prom Queen - Elladira Garcia. Misc Belizean Sources Man oh war jellyfish, Caye Caulker The rainy season is here!and also brings some good old friends,that we just have to keep away from them.pretty but dangerous.(man oh war jellyfish) just found them this morning at the beach. ATTENTION SEA FOOD LOVERS: LOBSTER FEST IN CAYE CAULKER All day events AT the Beach AFTER PARTY Is going down at WESTBAY Night Club DROPPING HITS AFTER HITS so GYAL COME WINE PAN MI CULU CULU SEE U THERE...... Ministry of Health Receives Wheelchairs from the Government of Japan The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Health received a donation of 30 wheelchairs from the Government of Japan at a symbolic handing over ceremony today in the City of Belmopan. The Ministry of Health received 30 foldable wheelchairs which were given as a donation by the Government of Japan under its Non-Project Grant Aid for provision of Industrial Products FY 2014 for Belize. The wheelchairs will be distributed as needed to hospitals and clinics across the country. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room where representatives from the Embassy of Japan and the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs were present. Hon. Angel Campos, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, received the donation on behalf of the Government of Belize. REMEMBERING MUHAMMAD ALI AND ALL HE STOOD FOR! This historic photograph comes through the courtesy of Nuri Akbar Estrada. A Belizean in the diaspora in encounter with Muhammad Ali in the 1980's. History in the making. Ochi Virginia Ku Lozano Tickets now on sale in the office of Reef Radio. Only $ 25.00. Happy Father's Day!!! Sunday June 19 Francisco Pop Surgery Fund Francisco Pop Needs Your Help. This is Francisco Pop Jr of Maya Centre, Belize. Francisco is 16 and a student at Ecumenical High School in Dangriga. Francisco also works with his father on the family farm and landscape business. His ambition is to study culinary arts in Mexico and eventually become an executive chef. Francisco has been diagnosed with meningioma, a tumor growing on his spinal cord at his third cervical vertebra. The tumor is not malignant; however, the growth is affecting Francisco's nervous system. Over the last 5 months his symptoms have gotten progressively worse: his right hand and leg are weakening and his foot is now dragging. His doctor says that he needs surgery as soon as possible, because if we wait too long, the damage caused by the tumor may be irreversible and he could suffer complete paralysis. Belizeans living in the Diaspora should have all citizenship rights By Wellington C. Ramos All Belizeans who were born in the country of Belize are citizens of Belize despite the fact that they decided to become citizens of the United States of America and other countries to qualify for dual citizenship. Currently, these Belizeans' children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren qualify for Belizean citizenship, once they can show proof that their parents and grandparents were born in Belize. After they obtain their Belizean citizenship, they qualify for all rights and privileges like the Belizeans who were born in Belize including; voting, running for elective offices and becoming the prime minister of Belize. These new Belizean citizens who acquired citizenship through descent do not and, in the case of Guatemala and some countries, cannot denounce the citizenship of their country of birth. But Belizeans who were born in Belize and became citizens of the United States and other countries must denounce the citizenship of their second country, to qualify themselves to seek elective office in their country of birth Belize. This does not make any sense at all. If a Belizean becomes a naturalized citizen of the United States and other countries, that person must not violate certain laws in those countries. If they do, their citizenship is subject to revocation by the United States and these countries and then subsequently they could be deported back to Belize their country of birth. CARICOM climate change institution wins international award The Belize-based Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) has been awarded the 2016 Energy Globe for a project submitted on Belize. CCCCC won from over 1,500 projects submitted from 170 countries and according to a statement issued here, the Energy Globe Award is a prestigious environmental prize worldwide. It distinguishes projects regionally, nationally and globally that conserve resources such as energy or utilize renewable or emission-free sources. The 2016 National Winner of the Energy Globe Award in Belize installed a mobile biogas laboratory at the University of Belize's Belmopan Campus in order to build capacity in the biogas sector. The submission for the Project "Biogas Laboratory at UB" was made by Henrik Personn, the Renewable Energy Expert at the CCCCC and was designed and implemented by the regional organization. Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities Hit a Number of 1sts The Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) participated in the First Regional Seminar for Women Leaders with Diverse Abilities from 7-10 June in Havana, Cuba. President Roxanne Marin and Manager Eva Middleton were invited to Cuba by President Mabel Ballesturos L�pez and Legal Advisor Bernardo Borges of the Cuban Association of Persons with Physical Limitations (ACLIFIM). They were also supported by the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation. BAPDA announced at the seminar that they had joined with the Belize Red Cross, the Cuban Red Cross and City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to better assist persons with diverse abilities during times of emergency. Clean Up Campaign in San Pedrito The Clean Up Campaign in San Pedrito is well underway as yesterday, June 9th, our crew was in the area cleaning out yards and taking out old items such as refrigerators, stoves and washing machines, as well as old mattresses and old unused wood. Many truckloads made their way out of San Pedrito and unto the Marina area where they were disposed at the disposal site. We want to thank the residents for being cooperative during the clean up and of course to our staff for their hard work! Bullet Tree Falls Mural Map Bullet Tree has quite a few famous artists, and they all came together to paint a mural map. It's behind the water board office, before going over the bridge. Great job! Channel 7 Jail For Bulgarian Bank Card Fraudsters For the past month, the 2 Bulgarian ATM Scammers, 28 year-old Halid Aptula, and 25 year-old Georgi Petrov, have been at the Belize Central Prison. Well, Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer has ruled that they must spend 12 more months in Jail after they admitted that they scammed a total of $14,800 dollars from Belize Bank ATM's all around Belize City. 3 weeks ago, they pleaded guilty to 18 counts each of illegally withdrawing money from the ATM's, conducting a textbook case of bank card fraud. They got the numbers from ATM's outside Belize, and then made fake credit cards, came to Belize, and used the stolen banking information to make mass withdrawals using those fake bank cards. On May 20, during their second arraignment before Senior Magistrate Frazer, both men did a surprising thing and pleaded guilty to separately stealing $8,000 and $6,800 each. The bank's surveillance systems at the City ATM branches captured them taking out $500 dollars or less, eighteen different times each between Friday, May 6 and Saturday May 7. Who Killed Lyndon Murillo and Why? A well known security guard and handy man, 55 year old Lyndon Murillo was killed in Mahogany Heights. The shooting happened last night at around 8:15 when his body was found face up on the side of the road. It was a horrific discovery for the family and the villagers who could never imagine that Murillo would meet his end in this manner. Today our news team visited Mahogany Heights to get more answers in this puzzling case. Courtney Weatherburne reporting: Lyndon Murillo lived and worked at this grocery store for about 3 years. The owners gave him a place to stay at the back of the shop and, in turn, Murillo took care of the store. But he moved out in the middle of last year and began working as a handy man in the village. But last night after he finished some repair work, he was riding home when he was murdered. Will Rivera's Death Be Vindicated? Market Vendor Miguel Rivera was killed at the Michael Finnegan Market in 2011, and today the trial against his alleged killers started in the Supreme Court. Ronlee Petillo and Matthew Smith are accused of simply walking up to Rivera and shooting him in front of other vendors - supposedly retaliation for a robbery Rivera had helped to thwart earlier that day. But the trial without jury started out on the wrong foot when the police identification parade was ruled inadmissible. So, today in court, the prosecution asked for the only eyewitness to make a dock identification of the pair, but Petillo's attorney, Anthony Sylvestre objected. So, the prosecutor withdrew its application for the dock ID but told the court that it will try again after the witness has completed his testimony. The case continues on Monday, June 13. Belize City Man Is Critical A Belize City man is in critical condition after being shot multiple times last night. At 9:30, 25-year-old Deshawn Young was on Laura Dunn street in the Antelope Street area when residents heard gunshots. They ran outside to find Young lying on the street, covered in blood. Young lives a mile away in Lake Independence. Police say he is critical in the KHMH - and no shooter has been identified. CCJ Delivers Judgment On Anti-Gay Immigration Law For the past 14 months, Jamaican Gay Rights Activist Maurice Tomlinson has been waiting for a decision from the Caribbean Court of Justice for his lawsuit against the governments of both Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. He says that the immigration laws of both countries prohibits him as a gay man from entering these jurisdictions legally, which by extension restricts his right to free-movement as a citizen of CARICOM. Today, the judges of the CCJ delivered their decision via teleconference. With video provided by the CCJ, here's Justice Rolston Nelson delivering key excerpts from the written decision: Hon. Justice Rolston Nelson - Judge. Caribbean Court of Justice: "Mr. Morris Tomlinson an attorney at law who is a homosexual approach caught with an application for special leave to bring a case against these states of Belize, Trinidad and Tobago. He claimed that these states had prejudiced him in the enjoyment of his community right to enter these countries without hassle or harassment. Tomlinson's complaint was not based on any factual refusal of entry or otherwise wrongful treatment by Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, rather, it centers on the allegation that the immigration acts of these states prohibit the entry of homosexuals. Tomlinson argues that the mere existence of these laws is sufficient to prejudice the enjoyment of his community rights." Caleb Calls Out CJ So, while the Caribbean LGBT community now gets to digest the decision of the CCJ on Tomlinson's immigration law challenge, the local gay community continues to complain about Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin, who has yet to deliver the judgment to Caleb Orozco's lawsuit. It's been 3 years now since Chief Justice Benjamin reserved judgment on the case of the gay rights activitist's challenge to Section 53 of Belize's Criminal Code. That's the law which says, "every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years." Orozco says that continues to violate his right to privacy, dignity and equality as a gay man. Today, the CCJ apologized to the parties for taking 14 months with the Tomlinson case. But the CJ's judgement is at 36 months, and so we asked attorney Lisa Shoman about the long legal gestation: 80 Years For Rape, Fidel Williams Wants Freedom So while those stories are coming out of the CCJ, and the Supreme Court, we have a story coming out of Belize's other high court, the Court of Appeal. 50 year-old Fidel Williams went before them to appeal a conviction of 10 counts of rape. He's serving an 80-year prison sentence, and he is seeking to overturn both. He was convicted back in April 2011 at the Dangriga Supreme Court. The crimes which he is convicted of committing happened between March, 2005 and November, 2006, in Dangriga. The victim was 21 years old at the time. Williams' attorney, Leeroy Banner argued that the sentence was excessive. After today's session the Appeal Court panel decided that they will hear further arguments on it. PSE Grades Not Encouraging, But Some Still Shone 7235 primary schoolers sat the PSE this year and the bad news is that - once again - more than half the students got D's and E's in English, while more than half got A's, B's and C's in Social Studies and Science. But overall, the average grades were slightly down in all four subjects. Still, hundreds of children exceled with A's across the board. But none did it better than Kenly Young from St. Andrews Anglican School in Cayo, and Angelina Urbina from LA Inmaculada in Orange Walk. They tied for first with 391 out of 400 possible points. Marcela Lozano from Bernice York in Belize City was third with 388 points. Hugo Lin from Belize Elementary School was right behind her with 386 points. According to him it wasn't that much of a surprise because, as he told us today, he made sure to put in the work. Monima, Not A Master Newly hired Regional Health Manager for the North Audibaldo Monima, does not have a master's degree. The CEO in the Ministry of Health Ramon Figueroa told us that he has a masters in Naval Command. But 7News has confirmed that all he has is a certificate from the Mexican Navy Juniour Staff College. But then the CEO also referred to his management skills. Well, we also learned from Coast Guard sources who asked to remain anonymous that he has no experience, background or education in senior level management. And more than that, reports suggest that he had a less than stellar tenure at the Coast Guard, and ultimately left due to pressure from the high command about his substandard performance. And so while he has no record of advanced training or excellence in naval command, that hardly matters since the job calls for a masters in Public Health Administration. Crooked Tree Man Accused Of First Degree Murder in Florida A man with Crooked Tree roots, is facing first degree murder charges in Osceala County, Florida. 57 year old Elvis Tillett, is accused of fatally shooting his son in law inside the family yard on Sunday. News sources from Florida report that Tillett and his 29 year old son-in-law Marquise Ephron, had a history of disagreements leading up to the fatal shooting. Here's the report presented by one of the local TV news stations who was at the scene: The latest reports from Osceola County are that on Saturday Marquise Ephron, who has a child with Tillett's daughter, Samedi, called to make plans to pick up his son. Tillett then allegedly told his daughter that, quote, "If he comes to this house it will not end well." Samedi told investigators that on Sunday, to avoid any conflict, she walked a few blocks down the street to meet her husband. But she said her father followed her in his car and hurled profanities at Ephron. Ephron then followed Tillett back to his home intending to confront his father-in-law. Something happened in the midst of that face-off, and Tillett pulled out his rifle and shot his 29 year old son-in-law, killing him. Crooked Tree Fishers Frustrated, Cops Says It's The Law Yesterday Crooked Tree residents were outraged after they were stopped from fishing in their Lagoon. For these villagers, fishing is a way of life and survival but all that came under threat yesterday when the police and personnel from the Forest Department and the Audubon Society showed up and told them they were not allowed to fish. They explained to the fishermen that although they have access and certain freedoms to use the lagoon, there are strict regulations that govern the use of the lagoon since it part of a protected area. Today Assistant Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster discussed those regulations and the work they have been doing with the forest department to stop illegal activity in specific areas. ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Eastern Division Rural "Well, what happened, we have a lot of illegal fishing being done in the lagoon area where the individuals come and set net. Now, there are specific periods in time when they give license for fishermen to go into that area and carry out fishing activity and they are supposed to catch a limited amount or a specific amount, bearing the license that they are issued. So, any activity outside of the license that have been issued to any fishermen is deemed illegal and will be dealt with." Maskall Logs Looked Suspicious And from illegal fishing in Crooked Tree to illegal logging in Maksall: This morning police intercepted a truck in Maskall stacked with 13 logs. The driver was unable to provide a permit so he along with his teenaged passenger were detained. The truck, along with the logs were also impounded. ACP Broaster told us more about this bust. ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Eastern Division Rural: "This morning our police in Maskall stopped a truck and upon checking it they found illegal logs in the truck which was brought to Ladyville police station and we have been in touch the forestry offices who will be coming to ascertain the offenses committed and levied charges against the individual Arelio Mai and a 17 year old minor." Courtney Weatherburne: "Where are these 2 people from?" ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Eastern Division Rural: "From Orange Walk." Reporter: "There were coming from Orange Walk?" ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Eastern Division Rural: "No, they were coming from within the Maskall area." No Breakthrough In Mile 9 Shooting Police are still trying to get the Mile 9 shooting victims to talk. They are still not cooperating with police but they told us that they have a few leads that will help in this investigation. One of those leads is a link between one of the suspected shooters and the blue Blazer which was involved in the shootout. Broaster told us more. ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Eastern Division Rural "We have some specific individuals that are being sought. As a matter of fact we have an individual who went and withdrew the insurance for one of the vehicle the Monday after the shooting and we are seeking that individual for questioning and we have not been able to get any of them to do those interview at this time, but we are still looking for them." Reporter: "For which vehicle?" ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Eastern Division Rural: "The Blazer." The shooting happened on May 30th in which Michael Wallace, his brother Richard and friend Edward Flowers were ambushed and shot at from 2 vehicles. Michael Wallace was shot to the head and killed. BDF Changeover Went Smoothly In the past few months, images like this one of the BDF being harrassed by the Guatemalan military on the Sarstoon River have been featured quite frequently in the news. Well, we've confirmed that for the past 2 weeks, those soldiers who must use the river to conduct weekly changeovers at the Cadenas Observation Post, have done so without the Guatemalan Navy shadowing them. Lieutenant Colonel Luis Sutherland told us today via phone that the last 2 changeovers have occurred without the Guatemalans following them, or attempting to block them while they try to traverse the river. Raising Money To Send Tamai's Body Home Corozal Resident Sosotones Tamai died in Houston Texas in a car accident earlier this week. Now, his relatives and friends are trying to raise money to get his body back to Belize for burial. They are trying to raise 7 thousand US dollars and have set up a charity food sale for tomorrow in Houston. They've also started a "gofundme" account online, and have an Atlantic Bank account, number 2-0-0-6-5-0-0-6-7. The Driver of the pickup in which he was killed, Lennox Young, known as DJ Tambran is still recovering from fractures he received, and Houston police have not announced who was at fault. Soca Vs. Dancehall The organizers of the event are calling it the Soca versus Dancehall fest. It is a mash up event between popular Soca artist Kerwin Du Bios and hit dancehall reggae artist Aiodonia. And of course local artists like Supa G and T R Shine will also be gracing the stage, so the promoters have high hopes that this will turn out to be one of the biggest events of the summer. It is happening this Saturday in Belize City at Hour Bar. One of the featured artists Kerwin Du Bios arrived in the country today. He is particularly known for some of his hit soca jams like "No apologies" and "Too Real." We met up with him at the Biltmore Plaza today and he made no apologies for choosing soca over dancehall:� Tickets for the concert are available at outlets like Pink Boutique and Cellular World. Japan Gives Wheelchairs The Government of Japan donated a set of 30 wheel chairs to the Government of Belize today. The wheelchairs were handed over at a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Belmopan. A resident representative from the Japan International Cooperation Agency handed the chairs over to Angel Campos, the Minister of State with responsibility for NHI, primary health and clinics: The wheelchairs will be distributed to hospitals and clinics in Orange Walk, Corozal and Dangriga. "The Greatest" Goes Home The man called "The Greatest", Muhammad Ali, was laid to rest today at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. That's after a very extensive motorcade bearing his remains processed through his hometown. Thousands came out to pay their respects to the man whose legend transcended the sport of boxing, extending to black and human rights activism. Today, the Government of Belize joined the rest of the world and paid tribute to his memory by flying the Belize flags at half mast on all official buildings. An official Government release from yesterday says, quote, "Ali�devoted most of his time outside of the ring, in pursuit of peace, supporting humanitarian projects, development initiatives and relief to the less fortunate in the developing world. (He) visited (British Honduras�in 1965 for a sparring competition and many Belizeans remember that historic trip. The Government and people of Belize express their sincere condolences to the family on the passing of the late, great boxing legend Muhammad Ali." End Quote

Re: Today's Belize News: June 11, 2016 Marty #514320 06/11/16 05:47 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	Channel 5 BIrd's Eye View from the studios of Channel 5 Here's a bird's eye view from our studios on Coney Drive. (Use your mobile device to look around in all directions!) Kenly Young and Angelina Urbina Top Scorers in 2016 PSE Since last week we have been chasing behind the results of the Primary School Exam. As you know, the results of the competitive examinations are highly anticipated since some high [...] CCJ Dismisses Maurice Tomlinson's Immigration Case There is a much anticipated judgment tonight from the Caribbean Court of Justice. The CCJ has set aside a claim brought by gay rights activist Maurice Tomlinson against the governments [...] Gay Rights Activist Never Set Foot on Belize While Tomlinson's case has been discharged and the government of Belize is absolved, the legal challenge is now compelling lawmakers to make the necessary revisions.� Attorney Nigel Hawke explains. [...] Attorney Lisa Shoman Provides Interpretation of CCJ Decision Senior Counsel Lisa Shoman, who has an interest in the outcome of the matter, sat in on the decision this morning.� She represents Caleb Orozco of UNIBAM who is also [...] Why is UNIBAM Challenge Still Unresolved? While the CCJ handed down an unduly delayed judgment today, a little over a year after submissions had been filed, the Supreme Court of Belize is yet to come to [...] Minister of State Discusses Monima's Appointment as Regional Health Manager Minister Pablo Marin is out of the country, but it is likely that he will return to what is amounting to a storm of controversy over the political appointment of [...] Bulgarian Duo Sentenced to One Year Jail Time for Theft Two Bulgarian nationals, who were caught stealing from the Belize Bank ATM in early May of this year, begin a prison term behind bars tonight.� Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser imposed [...] A Watchman is Murdered in Mahogany Heights A watchman, the father of five children, was executed on Thursday night soon after he exited a bus. Lyndon Murillo met his death at about nine o'clock before he could [...] Belizean/American is Charged for Murder of His Son-in-law in Florida There is another murder of a Belizean, but it happened in the U.S. Fifty-seven-year-old Elvis Tillett, originally from Crooked Tree Village, has been arrested in Osceola County, Florida for the [...] Any Updates in Michael Wallace Murder? On May twenty-nine, twenty-five year old Michael Wallace was killed on the George Price Highway near the Mile Eight community. Michael, his brother Richard Wallace and a friend Edward Flowers [...] Gunman Opens Fire on Laura Dunn Street, Deshawn Young is Critically Injured Twenty-five-year-old Deshawn Young remains hospitalized in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after being shot multiple times on Thursday night.� According to residents, an unidentified male person was [...] Illegal Logging in Maskall In the past few days, we have been reporting on the arrest of persons for illegal fishing. Well tonight, there is an arrest about illegal logging. An Orange Walk resident [...] All That Roadwork in the Garden City If you're a resident of Belmopan or the West, or even just a commuter passing through, you've definitely seen the massive program of works taking place in the Garden City, [...] Is There Really a Need for a Wide Roundabout Near Guanacaste Park? That's the roundabout by Guanacaste Park, but there's another massive roundabout being built at the junction of the Hummingbird Highway and Forest Drive. Concerns have been expressed by residents of [...] Pamela Scott Discusses Other Works in Belmopan There's another roundabout under construction near the Western Regional Hospital. There's also work being done on paths on either side of the Ring Road. The concept seemed to be for [...] Ring Road to be Repaved To round off the project, there is good news for residents of Belmopan. The entire Ring Road will be completely repaved. Scott says it's much more than infrastructure, though. [...] Japanese Government Donates Wheel Chairs to Ministry of Health This morning, the Ministry of Health received a very much needed donation of thirty foldable wheelchairs from the Government of Japan. The aid is a part of Japan's Non-Project Grant [...] Sugar City Embarks on Massive Infrastructure Project Earlier we showed you the road works in Belmopan being down through the Road Traffic Safety Project. But one other municipality is also preparing to embark on a massive infrastructure [...] Police Department Hosts Book Fair This Saturday, the police department will be having a book fair in both the north and rural eastern division jurisdictions.� The community outreach program is being done to foster reading [...] Soca Versus Dancehall, What's Your Pick? Soca versus Dancehall�it's a one of its kind concert that the promoters from Kings Promotion have put together for Belizeans this Saturday at the Hour Bar Field in Belize City. [...] LOVE FM CCJ Rules Against Gay Jamaican Activist on His Challenge of Belize's Immigration Laws The Caribbean Court of Justice has dismissed the case brought by Jamaican activist, Maurice Tomlinson. Tomlinson was challenging Belize's immigration laws, claiming the law discriminated against him, being a homosexual man. Tomlinson had challenged the Immigration law of Belize stating that it was discriminatory and that it had violated the rights of LGBT persons that [�] Orozco Case: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied With the ruling in the Tomlinson's case, it has brought back the attention to the Caleb Orozco case. Orozco is challenging section 53 of the Laws of Belize which states "Every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years". Today [�] St Andrew's Primary School Tops PSE 2016 The results for the primary School Examination (PSE) are a bit delayed this year but they are here and the administrators at the Saint Andrews Anglican Primary School can boast of topping this year's results. Seven thousand three hundred and ninety two students had registered for the PSE of which seven thousand two hundred and [�] World Bank Publishes Global Economic Prospects 2016 The World Bank has published its Global Economic Prospects dated June 2016 with a general overview that the growth prospects have weakened throughout the world economy. The 194-page document has noted that global growth for 2016 is projected at 2.4 percent, a figure unchanged from what they have dubbed, "the disappointing pace of 2015". In [�] Watchman Dies in Latest Shooting Incident in Rural Belize A shooting last night in the area of Mahogany Heights left a watchman dead. Assistant Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster shared the details. The murder weapon used in the shooting was a nine millimeter pistol. The Police recovered three expended shells from the scene. Thursday Night City Shooting Leaves Young Man Critical A man remains hospitalized following a shooting incident on Thursday night in Belize City. Police reports are that sometime around nine o'clock residents of Laura Dunn Street and Antelope Street Extension reported hearing gunshots. When they arrived on the scene they found 25-year-old Deshawn Young suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest, neck and shoulder. [�] ALDEBERAN Wraps Up 3rd Campaign for a Young, Clean and Green World In April 2015, the German non-governmental organization, ALDEBARAN, launched its third campaign under the Young, Clean and Green programme which started in 2010. Today saw the closing ceremony of this phase with presentations done by several secondary schools. Stefanie Lupp is Aldebaran's Managing Director. During this morning's ceremony, several of the students spoke of the [�] Health Ministry Looks at Childhood Trauma via Workshops Childhood Trauma is the trending topic of a three day workshop held by the Ministry of Health. A look into causes, effects and preventions are being discussed. Psychiatric nurses, psychiatrist, councilors, medical officers and psychologist are attending the workshop to enhance their knowledge on the condition. Love News spoke to Ingrid Bonnia Clare, coordinator and [�] Duo of Bulgarians Sentenced for 18 Counts of Theft Two Bulgarians, Georgi Petrov and Halid Aptula, who had pled guilty to eighteen counts of theft, will serve one year in prison. They were given jail time today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser who told their attorneys, they pled guilty and saved the court time but she believed that their actions were too deliberate and [�] Trial of Accused Murderers Begins Before Justice Lucas The trial of two men, Ronlee Petillo and Matthew Smith, began today in the court of Justice Adolph Lucas with the only eye witness testifying. Petillo and Smith are charged with the murder of Miguel Rivera, who was shot and killed on March 11, 2011, at Finnegan Market, located on West Collet Canal Street. Rivera [�] PlusTV BTL vehicle collides into cargo truck; four injured There was an accident on the George Price Highway this afternoon, Thursday June 9, sometime around 2:30 p.m. when a BTL vehicle collided into a cargo truck. The accident happened at mile 35 on the George Price Highway. The vegetable vendor, Guermo Canto, was driving his cargo truck headed to Belmop... Vehicle stolen midday from Angelus Press Parking lot A vehicle was stolen in the middle of the day from the parking lot of Angelus Press in Belmopan. It is a grey forerunner with license plate # 3536.. The owner of the vehicle, Andrew Williams, told us what happened. Andrew Williams, Victim of Car Theft: What happened is at about 12:12 this afternoo... Sedi says Guatemalan wants all of Belize but has NOT annexed the Sarstoon In our previous newscast, we aired portions of an interview the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Wilfred Elrington, held with our media colleagues on Tuesday. In that extended interview, the Minister spoke about several topics relating to Guatemala including the Speech by outgoing deputy Prime Minis... 24 year old Alston Leon Smith on remand for gunplay in Belize City A Belize City man who is accused of gun play on Mopan Street, Belize City in broad daylight yesterday evening at around 4:48 p.m., was today arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate's Court on a single charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, to wit, a firearm. He is 24 year old Alston Leo... Deportee charged with failure to report Men and women deported from "abroad" after serving time for criminal offenses are made to honor the unusual requirement of signing in with law enforcement here as a way of keeping tabs on them. After being warned previously after missing a scheduled sign-in, a second offense left 25 year old Keith F... Weed found in abandoned St. Mathew's Village lot On Wednesday June 8, 2016 about 8:30pm Belmopan Quick Response Team conducted a search in an abandoned lot in Saint Matthew's Village Cayo District which led to the discovery of a black plastic bag of weed. The cannabis was weighed and it amounted to 233 grams. No one was in the area so it was... Juan Gonzalez arrested for discharging firearm in pubic Juan Gonzalez, a 36 year old Belizean contractor of Duck Run 1 in the Cayo district, was arraigned in the San Ignacio Magistrates Court on a charge of possession of firearm whilst under the influence of alcohol and discharging firearm in public . His arrest followed an incident on Wednesday June 9, ... Mental health workers tackle children's traumas For the next three days, mental health workers will be learning about tackling traumatic experiences in children. Life for the youngest of us is not as innocent as yesteryear, with frequent exposure, inadvertent or not, to trauma ranging from sexual and other abuse to gun violence to depressive/suic... Freak storm in Teakettle Village damages homes We are nine days into the hurricane season and while there is no hurricane named as yet, Teakettle Villagers say they had a terrifying experience on Tuesday night that has certainly alerted them to the potential dangers of a storm. What is being described as a "freak storm" on Tuesday evening in Tea... Governor General to attend the Queens 90th Birthday Today Wednesday 8th June, 2016 the Governor General, His Excellency,Sir Colville Young travelled to the United Kingdom to join other Commonwealth Head of States in the Official Celebration of the Queen's historic ninetieth Birthday, While Sir Colville is out of the country the Cabinet Secretary, Mr.... The Reporter Earthquake rocks Nicaragua A magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked northwestern Nicaragua near the Honduran border on Thursday night. The U.S. Geological Survey informed that the quake's epicenter was 16 miles northeast of Chinandega and had a depth of 6.2 miles. The temblor forced the government to shut schools in the cities of Leon and Chinandega. The earthquake was felt strongly in Nicaragua's capital, Managua, some 70 miles south of the epicenter. It also shook communities in neighboring countries of El Salvador and Honduras. No information of casualties or damage has been reported. In Belize, resident report feeling slight swaying lasting for about 15 seconds, inside their homes. Vanessa Champagne dies Vanessa Champagne Paris" (born Porfilio Rodriguez Jr.), died suddenly on Friday night after having suffered an acute bout of stomach cramps she started to experienced after eating food she purchased in Dangriga. Officer of the Independence police formation, Superintendent Reymundo Reyes told the Reporter that [�] Traffic Accident in Houston leaves one Belizean dead Three Belizean men were involved in traffic accident in Houston, Texas on Tuesday. One died. Well known DJ Lennox “Tambran” Young; Sostenes Tamay, a Corozal resident and Police Coach Amin August were travelling in an SUV when it collided with another vehicle. Tamay was killed in the accident. Young suffered […] Musician killed in attempted armed robbery in Dangriga John Jay Rodriguez, 35, a well-known musician who lived in Dangriga was shot and killed in an attempted armed robbery in Dangriga last Friday night. Rodriguez was playing one of the gaming machines inside Havana Club on Havana Street when three youths entered with the […] World says goodbye to “The Greatest” As the world looks on in mourning, Louisville will lay its "favorite son" to rest on Friday. Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer who might have been one of the most famous and beloved athletes of all time, drew his final breath on June […] Caribbean to see record 30 million plus tourists in 2016, experts predict� The Caribbean is expected to see a record-breaking 30 million plus tourists to our shores by the end of this year.� This would be the first time ever that this region would receive such a large number of visitors, following a record 28.7 million arrivals […] Third named storm for the hurricane season makes history Tropical Storm Colin formed this week, making history as the earliest named “third storm” in the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Colin formed on Sunday June 5, in the Gulf of Mexico and headed for the United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explained that it is […] Meteorologists use international forum to discuss climate change impacts Meteorologist Frank Tench Sr. represented Belize at the 13th International Weather and Climate Forum last week in France, where presenters and meteorologists from around the world discussed climate change impacts and their roles to convey this important message. The two-day event was hosted by the […] PUP officials visit Sarstoon unimpeded by Guatemalans The promised People’s United Party (PUP) trip to the Sarstoon River took place over the weekend, a week and a half after the government revoked the Sarstoon Prohibition Statutory Instrument (SI) on May 24, based on an agreement between our two countries for free passage. […] CEMO holds fourth annual road safety symposium The Belize City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO), this week, held its fourth annual symposium, to discuss road safety and related issues. The two-day event was held at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza on Wednesday and Thursday, under the theme “Analyzing Road Traffic accidents and Safety strategies […] Belize and Ireland explore areas of diplomatic cooperation Belize and the Republic of Ireland discussed areas of diplomatic cooperation last week when Belize’s non-resident Ambassador to Ireland, Perla Perdomo presented her credentials to President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland at his residence. During her visit, Ambassador Perdomo held private conversations with President Higgins […] Two busted with $18,000 worth of contraband liquor Ronnell Gonzalez and Jermaine McDougal were arrested early Sunday morning at a checkpoint on the Philip Goldson Highway, after they were found with more than 50 assorted bottles of liquor. Both men pleaded not guilty and were each granted bail of $15,000, when they appeared before the Court on Monday, […] Who made Monima manager? Audibaldo Monima Jr., a former Coast Guard officer, is the new Regional Health Manager for Orange Walk and Corozal, but because he has no known training or experience for a post of that seniority, his employment has come under scrutiny. The post calls for a […] Ready Call CEO ordered to pay $141,000 in SSB employee contributions Ready Call Centre, a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company, was ordered through their CEO, Nubia Ramirez Moreno to pay $141,000 to the Social Security Board (SSB). That is a combination of SSB contributions for 50 employees for February, March and April, plus interest, plus a […] Editorial Now that the rains have come, we expect that there will be a stronger flow of water in the Haulover Creek to clear away the buildup of silt which has disfigured our coastline along Southern Foreshore. We should not however be expecting the forces of nature to do the maintenance […] $5 million land network sits unused Landfolio, a digitized program designed to eliminate duplicity, limit corrupt practices and speed up all land transactions in Belize, has been sitting at the Lands Department for years now, but is not being used, despite it's US $2.5 million price tag. This week, Minister of […] Guatemala applies pressure in Sarstoon Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, provided a new insight into the Guatemalan claim this week when he told the nation that Guatemala is occupying the Sarstoon as a strategy to enforce her claim on Belize. Elrington in an interview with the local media recalled […] New, more stringent standards for LPG industry A series of proposals will be put into practice in Belize to enhance the safety of people in the Liquid Petroleum Gas (butane) industry. This follows recommendations made during a technical training workshop between Mexican LPG experts and their local counterparts. Last week the local […] Breaking Belize News Accident on the Philip Goldson highway A traffic accident has occurred on the Philip Goldson Highway near the BSI factory in Orange Walk. Reports are that a Volkswagen collided into a cane trailer. Fire officials are at the scene and police are on the way. BBN understands that one person [�] PSE 2016 results released; grades stay average Two students - Kenly Young of St. Andrew's Anglican Primary School of San Ignacio and Angelina Urbina of La Inmaculada Roman Catholic in Orange Walk share the honor of 2016 Primary School Examination (PSE) top performer with 391 points each out of a possible [�] Jail for Bulgarians accused of ATM theft The men accused of stealing from the Belize Bank's automated teller machine were told today that they will spend twelve months in jail. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser imposed a custodial sentence on 28 year old Jeorji Petrov, and 25 year old Halid Yuksel Aptula, [�] Japan donates 30 wheelchairs to Ministry of Health A ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' conference room earlier today, served to officially hand over a donation of 30 foldable wheelchairs from the Government of Japan, to our Ministry of Health. The donation was made in Belmopan as part of the [�] Moist conditions to continue The national meteorological service of Belize is calling for conditions to become slightly moist and unstable for the next 24 hours. The 24 hour forecast is for partly cloudy skies this afternoon with isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms developing inland. It will become cloudy at [�] Shooting leaves one critical in Belize City Last night Belize City police visited the Karl Heusener Memorial Hospital, where Deshawn Young, 25, was seen suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest, neck and shoulder. Initial investigation revealed that around 9:30 p.m., residents heard gunshots in the Antelope Street Extension area and police responded [�] Watchman murdered near Mahogany Heights The body of a 51-year-old watchman, Lyndon Murillo, was found dead on a dirt road leading into Mahogany Heights Village, Belize District last night. He was found with gunshot wounds to the chest, back and left ankle. At around 8:45 p.m., officers visited the area and [�] Moist conditions to continue The national meteorological service of Belize is calling for conditions to become slightly moist and unstable for the next 24 hours. The 24 hour forecast is for partly cloudy skies this afternoon with isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms developing inland. It will become cloudy at [�] Shooting leaves one critical in Belize City Last night Belize City police visited the Karl Heusener Memorial Hospital, where Deshawn Young, 25, was seen suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest, neck and shoulder. Initial investigation revealed that around 9:30 p.m., residents heard gunshots in the Antelope Street Extension area and police responded [�] Watchman murdered near Mahogany Heights The body of a 51-year-old watchman, Lyndon Murillo, was found dead on a dirt road leading into Mahogany Heights Village, Belize District last night. He was found with gunshot wounds to the chest, back and left ankle. At around 8:45 p.m., officers visited the area and [�] British soldiers in Belize for Jungle warfare training Belize Defense Force (BDF) soldiers are currently undergoing training with British Army Troops from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, as part of the 'Mayan Warrior' training exercise. Jungle warfare techniques are being taught to soldiers from the visiting regiment's Blenheim Company, 2nd Battalion, by [�] CCJ dismisses Maurice Tomlinson immigration case The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has dismissed an application in its original jurisdiction by Jamaican Maurice Tomlinson against the immigration laws of Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. Tomlinson alleged that the existence of laws purporting to deny homosexuals and prostitutes entry discriminated against him [�] Blogs Private Party on the Upstairs Deck at Palapa Bar and Grill It all started with me asking Jodie if I could show my friends Cowboy Doug and Gary West the new addition - I had been up there twice already but neither of them had seen it yet. Of course Palapa Bar owner Jodie said she would take us up and give them a quick tour. It is close to done but not quite ready. The sinks and plumbing are getting installed this week in time for the upcoming 10 day San Pedro Lobster Festival. No sooner did we get upstairs and Cowboy decided to buy a bottle of Crown Royal and christen the new bar that he was standing behind. Let the party begin. Of course that led to a few more friends coming up, then the band came upstairs for a less crowed place to eat their meal in peace before the show. Next came a private bouncer - downstairs was busier than a one-toothed man in a corn-on-the-cob eating contest and they did not want the crowd upstairs since it is not officially opwn to the public yet. THE MOST UP-TO-DATE, COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF FAQ's ABOUT TRAVEL TO PLACENCIA, BELIZE! Let's get right to it. While I try to send a welcome email to new guests with a lot of info, it always turns out that people find something I didn't include! I thought it was time to compile TWO YEARS of questions and learning into a blog post that will hopefully help you feel informed and totally ready for your trip! If you can think of ANYTHING I left out let me know below, I'll add it :) If you read this whole post start to finish - you will be as informed as a traveler who has been here for years!! It is HIGHLY recommended you read the whole things before you come!! Not to toot my own horn but my goal is to make this the most comprehensive, "live" list of FAQs! International Sources Gay rights lawyer loses case against T&T, Belize A Jamaican gay rights activist has failed in his novel lawsuit challenging T&T's and Belize's homophobic immigration laws. Delivering a judgment at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)'s headquarters at Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, CCJ President Dennis Byron and four of his colleagues ruled that while attorney-at-law Maurice Tomlinson had raised a valid issue over the discriminatory nature of both countries' laws, his case failed as he could not prove that he had been prejudiced by them. In his lawsuit filed in 2014, Tomlinson had admitted to having visited both countries on several occasions in the past without being denied entry but said that he has refused invitations from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) organisations to return after he learnt of the laws. Due to his firm stance on the issue Tomlinson, who lives in Canada, refused to come to Trinidad to attend hearings of the case and testified via video broadcasting. Lakeland students research, study in Belize Two professors and 10 Lakeland College students recently left behind Wisconsin cornfields for the explosion of wildlife in the tropical rainforest of Belize to lay the groundwork for research projects that could potentially inform other biologists. Last month marked the fifth year the college has taken biology students into the jungle for nine nights to gain experience working in an international context. The classmates stay in bunk houses on the property of the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), which is surrounded by wildlife preserves and parks that make it an ideal area for researchers because the animals and plant life cross the borders into the foundation's land. "The wildlife is very present," said Paul Pickhardt, biology professor, who teaches the course along with fellow biology professor Greg Smith. "If you go outside, you just experience it." In fact, after long days of research, Pickhardt would take students out on evening treks where they might witness snakes of all varieties, tree frogs, tarantulas, howler monkeys engaging in some kind of territorial dispute and much more. They also learned how to carefully handle the animals that were safe to pick up. New Belize national ham radio society The IARU recently realised the reason it hadn't heard from its member Society in Belize for 23 years was because the Society no longer existed The Wireless Institute of Australia reports a new Belize Society has been formed to represent radio amateur in the country which was known as British Honduras from 1862-1973. The WIA News story says: Last week John VK4JJW brought you the story how the IARU had not heard from Belize in over 20 years, further now as you will hear in this story filed by our editor Graham VK4BB for Amateur Radio Newsline this week. Where on earth is the Belize Amateur Radio Club? Well, if you know your geography, you might answer "Central America, or old timers may remember British Honduras. But if you ask the International Amateur Radio Union, you'd be told it is nowhere -- it has gone missing for the last 23 years. Local Students Lend Hand In Beliz A Yankton native decided to take a walk on the south side. Chloe Cornemann, a South Dakota State University (SDSU) student, recently visited the country of Belize as part of a service trip offered by SDSU for Fellowship of Christian Athletes members. The group stayed in Belize City. Cornemann, who is a senior majoring in exercise science, has always wanted to go on a service trip but never had the opportunity. "I heard that the SDSU Fellowship of Christian Athletes was taking a mission trip to Belize," she said. "I've never had the chance to do one because of basketball and schedule-wise. Since I'm done with basketball, though, it was the perfect chance to do it and I'm glad I did." Another Yankton native, Jenna Grossenburg, also went on the trip, which was sponsored by Praying Pelican Missions. Climate Change Threatens These 5 Important Coral Reefs Coral reefs are considered the "rainforests of the sea" because they host such a wide variety of animals and plants, produce so much food and provide so many essential services that make life on Earth possible. They occupy only .2 percent of the ocean, notes the Earth Institute at Columbia University, yet are home to a quarter of all marine species. Crustaceans, reptiles, seaweeds, bacteria, fungi and over 4,000 species of fish live in and around coral reefs. With an annual global economic value of $375 billion, coral reefs provide food and resources for over 500 million people in 94 countries and territories. Coral reefs not only help protect land, they help create it, too. They can reduce the force of giant waves generated by storms and tsunamis and populate the remnants of volcanic islands once the lava cools and sinks below the waves. Just as we have found medicines hiding in rainforest plants, we may find compounds to fight disease on coral reefs. Only 8 percent of the Caribbean's reefs today retain coral, says the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), due to "overfishing, pollution, disease and bleaching caused by rising temperatures resulting from the burning of fossil fuels." Forty years ago, over half of the reefs in the Caribbean sported coral. But after decades of human impacts, only remote reefs in the region show coral growth up to 30 percent, still just over half that found in 1970. Ces Fran�ais qui s'installent au B�lize : reportage ce samedi apr�s-midi sur TF Reportage diffus� vers 133h0 ce samedi, apr�s le journal de 13 heures sur TF1. Coinc� entre le Mexique et le Guatemala, le B�lize, ancien Honduras britannique, ind�pendant depuis � peine trente ans, est l'un des pays les moins connus au monde. Pourtant, c'est un paradis pour les voyageurs qui veulent bien prendre la peine de s'y rendre. Seule une quarantaine de Fran�ais vivent dans ce petit pays. Pendant plusieurs semaines, les �quipes de Grands Reportages ont suivi le quotidien de cinq d'entre eux. Manon a vingt-cinq ans, elle tient la seule cr�perie du pays, en bordure de plage. Son affaire prosp�re et elle veut se lancer dans une nouvelle activit� : acheter des terrains sur des �les d�sertes. Le Belize facilite les d�marches pour les cr�ateurs d'entreprises, les formalit�s sont r�duites au strict minimum. En trois heures seulement, Manon a cr�� sa soci�t�... Elle peut partir � la d�couverte des plus belles �les encore vierges pour les proposer � ses clients. Videos Are you ready for Belize?, 2min. Promotional video created for ViVA BELiZE hotel group and tour operator. Sleeping Giant Lodge - BELIZE, 2min. Promotional video created for Sleeping Giant Lodge in Belize. St George's Caye diving, Belize 2016, 7min. Snorkeling and diving while staying at the wonderful St. George's Caye Resort in Belize, May 2016. Manatee, green turtle, nurse shark, sting ray, dolphins, jacks, lobsters, lionfish, green morays, hawksbill turtles, spotted eagle ray. Belize 2016, 2min. Little bits of everywhere I went. Graduation 2016- Ocean Academy, 10sec. Room before start Belize Underwater, 2min. Kevin & Juliette Belize Wedding Film, 5min. from Jose Luis Zapata Belize Roadtrip 2016, 6min. Belize- Kelly Family 2016, 5.5min. Ambergris Caye, Belize May 2016, 17min. Our outstanding trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize May 2016. The Lodge at Big Falls, Belize, 2min. Snorkeling og undervandsjagt pa Caye Caulker, Belize, 3min. Belize cave tubing, 13min. Belize Zipline, 5min.