Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,398
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline


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, and other specials


The San Pedro Sun

Super Bond Committee rejects Belize's bond restructuring offer
The proposed term changes to Belize's US$530 million super bond have been rejected. On Tuesday, January 17th, a recently appointed Bondholder Committee confirmed the news through an official statement. According to the Committee, the changes suggested by the Government of Belize would not just reduce the net present value of the bond by almost 50%, but they were also considered premature. Belize launched a consent solicitation on Thursday, January 12th, attempting to convince bondholders to amend the amortization schedule and lower the coupon on the note, which Belize has declared unable to pay. The Committee indicated that Belize is asking for a further 40% reduction on top of the cumulative 50% reduction already given in two previous restructurings. Adviser to the Committee Charles Blitzer told Belizean media that bondholders will not abide repeated restructuring. "In the view of the bondholders, this is the third time that Belize has asked for debt relief with the same underlying obligations, which is unusual," said Blitzer.

Seven members sworn-in to reactivate Integrity Commission of Belize
After eight years of inactivity, the Integrity Commission of Belize was officially sworn-in by the Government of Belize (GOB) on Friday, January 13th. The pressure to enact this commission was a demand for good governance and to fight against corruption within many organizations, including the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). Seven were appointed at the National Assembly Building in Belmopan: Chairperson Attorney Marilyn Williams, along with members Armead Gabourel, Wilmot Simmons, Lisbeth Delgado, Melissa Balderamos Mahler, Claudet Grinage and Nestor Vasquez. Established under the 2007 Prevention of Corruption Act, the Integrity Commission is intended to investigate complaints or any other declaration regarding non-compliance under the act. The commission also has rights to investigate matters pertaining to corruption and is required to make scheduled reports to the Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow. Another duty of the commission is to examine the declared statements of assets and liabilities of persons who are government officials. The current deadline for elected officials to submit their declarations is December 31, 2017 with an extension up to March 2018.

Christopher Newport University Student-Teachers collaborate with island educators
A group of seven students from the Christopher Newport University (CNU) in the State of Virginia, USA were on Ambergris Caye collaborating with local teachers for two weeks. These students are in their final semester in their Teacher's Education Master's Degree program, and the trip to the island is part of their program's requirement to engage in teaching activities at both primary and secondary school levels. Led by CNU professors Doctor Judy Pantelidis and Rita Kohr, the student groups have been coming to Belize for 11 years. Professor Pantelidis told The San Pedro Sun that they are pleased that their teacher- students are able to partner with Belizean teachers again. "Professor Kohr and I teach this class back at the University and at the end of the class, we come down here for two weeks, where students exchange teaching methodologies with the local teachers," said Pantelidis. "When we first started coming, we used to work with the Holy Cross Anglican School and then branched out the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School (SPRCS) and the San Pedro High School (SPHS)." She stated that this year, they are only working with SPRCS and SPHS.

Social Security holds public consultation on proposed increase in contribution wage bands
The Belize Social Security Board (SSB) has publicly denied the rumours of any increase in the contribution wage bands for 2017. However, at a public consultation on Tuesday, January 17th in San Pedro Town, the SSB engaged island residents in a discussion regarding a possible increase in the contributions for 2018. The consultation was led by General Manager of Policy and Programs at SSB, Chandra Cansino, who explained that if approved, the new increase will primarily affect persons that are making a salary between $300 to $500 dollars per week. According to her, employers will also be affected by the new norm once the increase is approved. "The contributions that the employers make will be affected to some extent, however, in order to finalize by how much, we need to have more conversations with employers, and unions as to how the distribution will be in regards to that," said Cansino.

The Belize Police Department registers a decrease in crime for 2016
The official crime statistics for 2016 have been released by the Belize Police Department (BPD). The report shows a 3.6% decrease in crimes, compared to 2015. In total, 2,137 crimes were reported to the police department across the country, with theft registering highest in 2016. 2016 saw a total of 138 murders in the country, 19 more than in 2015, with San Pedro Town registering eight fatalities for 2016, the same number as 2015. Police also indicated that less than 50% or the murder cases saw and arrest made with only 65 arrests made. Unlawful Sexual Intercourse and Robbery also saw an increase around the country, while rape and theft incidents decreased. San Pedro Town saw an increase of 17.5% in robbery and unlawful sexual intercourse. Robbery was once again attributed to the influx of people during the tourism high season.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

OPERATIONS AT SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATIONS AND LANDFILL, WESTERN CORRIDOR
The Ministry Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) hereby informs the general public and the municipalities that the transfer of solid waste from the San Ignacio/Santa Elena - Benque Viejo, Belize City, Burrell Boom and San Pedro Ambergris Caye transfer stations to the Mile 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill is ongoing. We are in the process of sourcing a barge for the servicing of Caye Caulker transfer station, and indications are, that barging will commence on Saturday, January 21st, 2017. The Ministry and BSWaMA will ensure that solid waste continues to be received at the aforementioned transfer stations between normal working hours, which are: 08:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday and 08:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays, while the situation with PASA Belize Limited is being sorted out.

BelizeINVEST, BELTRAIDE participates in Live & Invest Overseas Conference 2017
As part of its investment promotion endeavors, BelizeINVEST, a unit of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), participated in the 2017 edition of the Live and Invest Overseas Conference held on Friday January 20, 2017 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina, Belize City. The event hosted over 60 attendees from the U.S and Canada interested in learning more about Belize as a retirement destination and its investment opportunities, inclusive of government incentives available. As a three day conference, the event also encompassed key presentations from various public and private sector representatives on the business and lifestyle facets in Belize.

Free Theatre Workshop on Caye Caulker
Calling all creative children ages 7-12! Meet this Saturday Jan.21st, 1-2pm, in the Village Council upstairs room. Dora Carroll is the Associate Artistic Director of Bravura Theatre. She will share fun theatre games and masks with island children, followed by a theatre club for Ocean Academy students interested in performing Shakespeare's plays...in Kriol.

Skydiving Belize
Thrill seekers are an uncommon breed and all you need sometimes is 4 minutes of insane courage at 12,000 feet, falling from the sky at 125 miles per hour in 40 degrees Farenheit. January 13th was a first for me and the second I departed the plane, it felt I was hit with a bucket of ice. The G-Force was incredible. It was a rush that is hard to explain. I survived just literally 4 minutes of bravery. I promise something great will come out of it because Jah is my co-pilot. Leonardo Da Vinci once said "For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will forever lookup". I shall continue to walk with my head high because when you know your limitations, you can defy them. Everything after this experience is possible and I mean anything. I have a new positive outlook of life after this crazy but merited Sky Dive experience. I encourage you to try it. It is not a game for the weak at heart and friends, don't try it at home but try it with Sky Dive San Pedro team for a great experience.

Helping Hands Intervention and Resource Center
'A helping hand can change lives.' That's the Helping Hands Intervention and Resource Center's motto, and they are proving it to be true. They provide free homework assistance after school from 4:00 to 6:00pm. If you would like to volunteer, they'd love your help. Thanks, Helping Hands! "Helpings Hands is proud to announce that our tutoring and home work help program is up and running! We are looking to recruit passionate tutors and homework helpers. If you have some free time during after school hours (4-6pm) or anytime on the weekends, and would like to help students learn, we are looking for you.

Blues Meets Girl
The Soul Project is the place to be tonight! Steev Inglish, the famous Blues musician, will be performing his 'Blues Meets Girl' musical production.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend

Corozal - Escuela Secundaria T�cnica M�xico celebrates its 34th Anniversary
Today Deputy Primer Minister and Minister of Education Patrick Faber, joined by Minister of State of the Ministry of Health Dr. Angel Campos and Honorary Consul of Mexico Maria Luisa Espat, joined the Principal Carlos Castillo, teachers, staff, parents and students of the "Escuela Secundaria T�cnica M�xico" to celebrate its 34th Anniversary in San Roman, Corozal District. This is a great example of how Mexican cooperation efforts can be achieved to benefit young people in Belize "Agencia Mexicana de Cooperaci�n Internacional para el Desarrollo".

Access Life Expo Setup
Access-Life, Inc. and Hearts of Christ have teamed up, and are having the Access Life Expo at Sacred Heart College's auditorium today. They've brought 100's of wheelchairs and crutches, and are giving them to those in need. Saturday, January 21st, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Channel 7

Senate President Discusses Chon Saan Building Purchase
A week ago, we showed you Prime Minister Dean Barrow's response to a question in last Friday's House Meeting. It was about the proposed government purchase of Senate President Lee Mark Chang's Chon Saan building in Belmopan. The Government is seeking to buy a new building for the Immigration Department, but the Prime Minister said last week that Chang's asking price to sell to them is $300,000 more than the Government is willing to pay. Today, when we met Chang at another event, we asked him about the Prime Minister's suggestion that his price is too high, and shared an appraisal done on the building by the firm Mahung and Partners Limited. Seen here, these valuers have assessed the building and they say that it is worth 2 million dollars, or 1.8 million if Chang and his family are forced to sell it under duress. The Government has done its own independent valuation of the building, and their expert puts the value lower. So, is the Senate President and his family prepared to bring the price down to close the sale? That's what we asked him, but it appears that Chang was itching for someone to come asking about it so that he could get the opportunity to maul the media house - not us - who reported that he was asking the Government for 4 million dollars. Here's how he put it:

Golden Bay Was Hiring Illegal Workmen
The Golden Bay building on Marine Parade in Belize City - it's still under construction - but it's shaping up to be one of the largest buildings in the city. But, today we found out that the construction work is being done by illegal labour. Our 7News team was on the scene when the Police Mobile Interdiction Team descended on the construction site. But they weren't looking for illegal labour. They were looking for one of the 10 Salvadorian MS-13 gang members who escaped jail in their country on New Year's Day. Well, they didn't find him, but when the MIT Personnell asked the workers for their "papeles" it turns out that none of them had a work permit. They took all 15 of them to the Queen Street police station where they are still detained tonight pending immigration charges.

Guns In A Graveyard
The last place you might expect to find a concealed weapon is a village graveyard, but yesterday morning at 7:00, Belize rural police searched an area in the Sand Hill cemetery where they found a .22 rifle. And, in another bushy area of the village, the cops found a 9-millimeter pistol, and one magazine in a plastic bag. This was close to a stash of two ounces of weed, along with five small, marijuana trees hidden underneath buckets. No one in the area, so all items were deposited as found property.

Carl Reneau For Murder, Not The First Time
Jaheem Mahler's accused killer went to court today. As we told you, Iguana Street Extension resident 28 year old Carl Reneau has been charged with the murder of the 15 year old boy. Reneau appeared before Senior magistrate Sharon Frazer where he was read the charge. He was remanded into custody until February 24th. Mahler was shot and killed on Tuesday night on Iguana Street Extension. This is not Carl Reneau's first time before the court. In 2013, he was charged for stabbing two 15 year old's. It allegedly happened on Antelope Street - one block away from Wednesday night's murder scene on Iguana Street. Before that he was accused of murder in 2009, for allegedly killing Brian Williams - who was shot 8 times. And in 2008, he was charged for the attempted murder of Delroy Matura, who was shot 7 times. We note that he was charged, but not convicted for these offences.

Rider Remains A Mystery
Last night we showed you the images of this man on bicycle. Police say he is a prime suspect in a non fatal shooting - but they won't say which shooting at this time, so as not to trigger violent retaliation. But even though the image has been plastered on the news and on Facebook, the cops say they still have not gotten a positive identity. So if you do know who it is, you can call the police or, 0-800-922-TIPS, or you can Inbox Chester Williams on Facebook.

"Wahaca" (Oaxaca) Weed From Back-A-Botes
Customs Enforcement in the north is known for catching contraband alcohol and produce - as we showed you last night. But, today, they busted a kilo of high grade weed, which they believe was coming down from Botes. That's the Mexican village which is across from Santa Cruz in Belize. This morning, acting on intelligence, Customs set chase after four men in a silver Volkswagen car on the San Antonio Road. One of the men escaped, and three were arrested: one is from Taylor's Alley in Belize City, and two are from Carmelita village in the Orange Walk District. Customs say they men had the kilo of weed separated into two bricks, which was stuffed into hardhats, the kind used by construction workers. The three are being held, along with the vehicle and the weed by the police Narcotics Unit pending charges. Police believe they know the identity of the fourth suspect who escaped.

New House Speaker Will Take Over Regional Body
FOPREL is an abbreviation for the Forum of Presiding Officers of National Parliaments of Central America and the Caribbean basin. That's the organization in which the leaders of parliament from 10 Countries, mostly Central American, discuss shared challenges, including transnational organized crime. New House Speaker Laura Longsworth now represents Belize in that body. And, at the end of February, she'll assume the rotating presidency of FOPREL. She takes over from the leader of Guatemala's parliament. Today, a senior executive of FOPREL's Permanent Secretariat came to Belize to meet with her and Senate President Lee Mark Chang. They were discussing what it would mean when Belize assumes the presidency. Our 7News team stopped by to speak with the House Speaker, the President and the FOPREL Representative. Here's what they told us: Dr. Santiago Leclair - Permanent Secretary, FOPREL: "On this occasion, we have visited Belize since the parliament of Belize correspond to assume the pro-temporary presidency of our forum. There are 10 parliaments that we have."

Speaker Laura and The Learning Curve
So, this is just one more responsibility which Longsworth has to manage along with the very steep learning curve in parliamentary procedure and house politics. So, how is she handling it? That's what we asked today: Hon. Laura Longsworth - Speaker of the House: "It was interesting, you had the gallery there, and there I am in the middle, trying to observe and understand what's going across the floor, because what we see on TV is one thing, and there is actual interaction across the floor. So, my first day had to do with paying keen attention to the entire interaction, paying keen attention to what I need to do to maintain order, keeping in mind the Standing Orders, and wondering why people don't follow the Standing Orders." Daniel Ortiz, 7News: "Often times, a major criticism of the House is the way it's run and the way how Elected Members tend to have these meetings devolve into a back-and-forth, a name-calling, and finger pointing session. Have you observed that, and do you have ideas on how you will keep them in line?"

Senate Spars Over Taiwan Money
"Budgetary support from Taiwan" - we've been hearing about that since the 90's - basically it means a soft loan or grant to cover the budget deficit - and government always has a deficit to cover. So after about 20 years of the Taiwan Tango, governments red and blue have probably gotten something like 500 million US dollars in budgetary support from Taiwan. That's why it didn't raise many eyebrows when a loan motion for another 25 million US dollars from Taiwan went to the House last week. But in the Senate - which likes its T's crossed and its I's dotted "just so", it did generate debate. The PUP side demanded to know what "budgetary support" means exactly. Here's the back and forth: Hon. Paul Thompson. PUP Senator: "This is 25 million US dollars, that's 50 million Belize dollars. That's not a small sum, that's a hefty sum, Mr. President. I ask these questions looking for answers, but also rhetorically. Mr. President as we are painfully aware that the nation's finances are in a bad situation after years of mismanagement, after years of freelancing, after years of partying, after years of rolling it, and miss-spending, years of flying blindly without an economic plan, we are now forced to borrow to simply meet day to day expenses."

Business Community Balks At More Loans
The loan is a sovereign, non-commercial loan at libor plus 2% - which, works out to about 3.5% at current rates. That's considered concessionary terms. But, the Senator for the business sector said that the debt burden on taxpayers and the business sector is too great. Hon. Mark Lizarraga, Business Senator: "The rates are not onerous rates, but what my concern was that we continue to add this debt burden to an already overburdened business community and citizenry. I mean how much more can we bear? We're already at the point where government is consuming 30% of our GDP in tax revenue, and now we hear that the revenue needs to be increased - depends on who you listen to - between 100 million and 200 million in the next fiscal year. I don't know where they're going to get that money from."

Business Sectors Says Bondholders Have No Incentive To Renegotiate
Senator Lizarraga also expressed little or no confidence in the will of bondholders to agree to restructure the Superbond for a third time. As we've reported, the bondholders committee rejected government's offer to reduce the interest rate to 4% and defer principal payments until the year 2036. The business senator says they bondholders have no incentive to take the deal:... Hon. Mark Lizarraga, Business Senator: "We are still questioning what motivation the bondholders have to renegotiate. Why would they want to renegotiate really? Unless it was for a better deal for them. So, we will watch this very closely, and, of course, hoping that the government can achieve some cash flow reprieve, but as well some significant savings. And we really don't see the bondholders motivated to move in that direction, really. Their motivation is that it's trading at 42 cents on the dollar. 40 cents. 40 cents on the dollar, soh obviously the market knows you're holding something close to junk.

Belize's Hops All But Dashed In Copa
Belize's hopes in the Copa Centroamericana have been all but dashed after a decisive loss to Nicaragua today. The final score was three to one in favour of Nicaragua. Belize's only goal came as a free kick by Captain Elroy Smith in the 54th minute. At the time, that was the equalizer to bring the score even at one goal apiece. At that point, Belize had hopes of a draw or a win, but things fell apart in the 83rd minute. That's when goalkeeper Shane Orio saved a shot, and scrambled to gain possession but came down with the ball on the goal line. Game officials ruled that he had crossed the plane of the goal while in the air. It was a tough call, and when Nicaragua scored again in the 90th minute, that was the final nail in the coffin. On Sunday's final day, Belize meets first-place Honduras and Nicaragua will take on El Salvador. Barring some miracle in that game, Belize is currently poised to finish last.

SCA's Proud Day
St. Catherine's Academy's Mercy Center had been in the works for years and in the planning stages for possibly decades. But construction on the building has been complete for a while now, and it's been the venue to many important sporting events, including FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship Qualifier and the Central American Senior Table Tennis Championship. But the multi-purpose center was just officially opened today. SCA held a ceremony to officially inaugurate the building as well as celebrate the 134th anniversary of the school. We spoke to principal, Salome Tillet about the importance of the new center, and Sister Lisa Griffith, about some new changes SCA will be seeing... Salome Tillet, Principal, SCA: "Today is a very special day for us. We celebrate 134 years of existence and service by the sisters of Mercy to Belize, so it's a happy day for us."

Maya Leaders Looking Up
The Toledo Alcalde's Association is reporting tonight they have a new group of alcaldes who are running the 38 Mayan villages in Southern Belize. There was a ceremony held today in which Justice Antoinette Moore, representing Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin, administered the swearing in of 76 Alcaldes. They will be led by Santiago Quib, Alcalde of San Benito Poite, who was elected as the President of the Alcaldes Association. The ceremony was also witnessed by Justice o the Peace Pio Coc, Ernest Banner from the Ministry of Rural Development, the Punta Gorda Commanding Officer, Superintendent Clement Cacho, and Lawrence Bolon, the President of DAVCO-Toledo.

Drug Free, The Way To Be At Canaan SDA
There is only so much you can actively keep kids, especially teenagers, away from. Things like liquor and weed are drunk and puffed all around them and they aren't difficult to get a hold of either. But it doesn't mean parents or teachers shouldn't try. That's the focus of the Canaan Seventh Day Adventist School's "Be Drug Free" week. Today 250 Canaan school students took to the streets with their posters against drug use among youth. The march ended at the Memorial Park this morning and we spoke with the principal about the importance of this movement. Patricia Nembhard, Principal, Canaan Seventh Day Adventist: "It was an entire program for the entire week, on Monday we had Pastor Paul Casanova that came and brought awareness to the young people about drugs and on Tuesday we had a fair where we had the Coast Guard and the police department that also came and they had their booth and the young people were able to go to each booth and they were able to learn that drugs really kills and they need to stay away from drugs and on Wednesday we also had a competition , if you go to the school you can see the competition where the kids had a painting competition based on the theme : be drug free and drugs - what destroys you, yesterday we had a poem, a drama competition and also a music competition and today we end off the rally with this parade to let the community see that young people from Canaan Seventh Day Adventist School are aware that drugs destroy you and we are making sure , we are pledging we will not be a part of that."

Trump Sends Signal Of Insular Foreign Police At Inauguration
Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States today. His unlikely rise to the highest post in the world's most powerful country, has the world on edge tonight because no one really knows what to expect. But, Trump gave the indication of a far more insular foreign policy in his inaugural address where he described an America for Americans:... Donald Trump, 45th President of the USA: "We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city in every foreign capital and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it's going to be only America first, America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families." More than 200 have been arrested in protests that erupted at the same time as the inauguration.

Botes Not All That Bad
Earlier on in the news - we told you how customs made a bust of Marijuana coming form Botes, Mexico. It's one of the most popular villages for contrabandists and regular shoppers. We went there in 2008, and to give some context on this curious little place, we bring back that story tonight: Jules Vasquez Reporting, Santa Cruz Village, there's not much to see here. In fact, a government school and a hurricane shelter are the only things that tell you you've arrived. It's at the end of line - the south western edge of the Orange Walk District on the periphery of the Albion islands - sitting at the border with Mexico adjacent to the community on the other side, known as San Francisco Botes. But for the folks we met there it is the beginning of a journey back home - saddled down with plastic bags and knapsacks full of groceries. The groceries they carry are from Mexico - contrabanded into Belize.

Channel 5

Does Muslim Militant Killed in Philippines Have Belize Link?
An Islamic militant killed in the Philippines last week may have family ties in Belize and tonight there are more questions than answers in this case. The story has been [...]

Evangelical Association Petitions President Trump for Ambassador with "Biblical Values"
This afternoon, Donald Trump was officially inaugurated as the forty-fifth President of the United States of America. He succeeds Barack Obama, who appointed Carlos Moreno, former California Supreme Court judge, [...]

"Red flags" on Puerto Azul over Money Issues
Following the inaugural Sitting of the Senate on Thursday, Leader of Government Business, Senator Godwin Hulse, spoke at length with the media about the botched Puerto Azul project.� The proposed [...]

Should Ministers Have Gone on Cannes Junket for Puerto Azul?
Senator Hulse also admits that eyebrows were certainly raised when the developers mentioned the unbelievably high wages that housekeepers and landscapers would be receiving.� He says that the big money [...]

Ara Macao is Back - But in What Form?
In what can only be described as perverse fate, a week that featured news of an implosion of a mega-tourism development project, namely Puerto Azul, ends with news of a [...]

Belize City Police Lock Down Possible Undocumented Workers
A group of laborers, presumably from other countries within Central America, was rounded up by Belize City police this morning at a construction site of Golden Bay on Marine Parade. [...]

Carl Reneau to Court for Jaheem Mahler Murder
The accused gunman in the murder of Jaheem Mahler was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate's Court for arraignment this morning. Twenty-eight year old Carl Reneau appeared before Senior Magistrate [...]

New Alcaldes Sworn-In in Toledo
Seventy-six alcaldes representing thirty-eight Maya communities in Southern Belize took the oath of office earlier today during a swearing-in ceremony.� The traditional leaders were each elected by a majority of [...]

Toledo Alcaldes Also Elect New President, Plan Strategy
At the time of the swearing-in ceremony, Santiago Quib was chosen by the majority to ascend to the presidency of the TAA.� The Maya community also acknowledges the support given [...]

The Math of the Referendum Act
In wrapping up Thursday's debate on the Referendum Act, which the Government is seeking to have amended to reflect a simple majority as validating a referendum on any issue, Leader [...]

Fyffes Sell-Out to Sumitomo Should Not Affect Belize, Says Agriculture Minister
In agricultural news: it slipped under the radar, but in December 2016, Irish fruit distribution company Fyffes, well known in Belize for purchasing Belizean bananas, was bought out by Japan's [...]

Shrimp Farming Tries to Rebound, But Difficulties Remain
Among the most disappointing performers in Belize's "big five" line-up of exports - sugar, citrus, bananas, marine products and petroleum - is marine products and particularly the shrimp farming industry. [...]

Introducing Miss Belize Universe, Rebecca Rath
All this week we've been showing you snippets of Rebecca Rath's journey to the Miss Universe crown in Manila, Philippines. Rath and the other contestants are participating in a number [...]

What to Look For with Cyber Crime
Cyber bullying is a crime that occurs every split of a second on social media. But the truth it, that at least for now, there is little that can be [...]

Prestigious St. Catherine Academy Marks 134th Anniversary
You probably know or are related to someone who studies or who has passed through the halls of Saint Catherine Academy. The all-girls high school continues as a vanguard institution [...]


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,398
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

LOVE FM

Former Immigration Minister says visa recommendations by Ministers is no big deal
When the former acting director of Immigration, Maria Marin, appeared before the Senate Special Select Committee, she mentioned that a list of Government Ministers was created. According to Marin, these Ministers were red flagged because they were recommending persons they did not know for visas. What was alarming was the massive amount of visa recommendations [�]

Minister Hulse says revelations on Puerto Azul project not surprising
When the Puerto Azul project was initially pitched to investors and the Government of Belize, the so called developers Domenico Giannini, and Fabio La Rosa spoke of an eight star resort with world class services and 'out of this world' accommodations. It sounded too good to be true and it turns out that it was. [�]

No mediation session set between Ministry of Education and BNTU
The Ministry of Education and the Belize National Teachers Union have yet to reach a compromise regarding the 11day strike carried out by thousands of teachers countrywide. The Ministry decided to not pay those teachers who participated in the strike. The BNTU took the matter to court and the Chief Justice ordered that both parties [�]

Senior Counsel calls out Prime Minister over comments on arbitration ruling
Last Friday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow threatened economic war against Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited and Belize Social Development Limited if the companies attempted to collect the fifty million dollars arbitration award. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay commented on the situation. Eamon Courtenay - Senior Counsel "I think the big picture here is whether or not Belize, [�]

Opposition attempts to adjourn Senate meeting
Newly appointed Senator for the United Democratic Party Michael Peyrefitte was sworn in today at the start of the Sitting of the Senate. And while Peyrefitte was present for today's senate sitting, the Senator who is to represent the non-governmental organizations, Osmany Salas was not. Prior to today's sitting a request had been sent to [�]

Police need help to identify body retreived from river
Police were called out this morning after receiving reports that a body was seen floating in the river in the Manatee Lookout area on the Philip Goldson Highway. At this time Police have not identified the identity of the individual. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the body was buried at the Lord Ridge [�]

Bus driver issued with NIP following fatal accident
50-year-old bus driver Luciano Cabanas of Ranchito Village has been served with a notice of intended prosecution. Cabanas was driving a bus on Tuesday night when he knocked down and killed an elderly man in Buena Vista Village. Police say their investigations have revealed that the elderly man lived between Trial Farm Village and Buena [�]

Transport Minister meets with shuttle operators in the south
Minister of Transport Edmond Castro and officials from the Department of Transport were in Bella Vista Village in the Toledo District on Wednesday. The delegation met with shuttle bus operators to look at issues relating to the services they provide to the public, including the regularization and streamlining of the services. The Village Chairman, Juan [�]

Senators debate fifty million dollar loan from Taiwan
A loan motion for twenty five million US dollars from the Government of China, Taiwan, was approved today in the Senate. According to the orders of the day, the Government received an offer from Taiwan as financial support. This offer comes in the form of a long term, concessionary loan of fifty million Belize dollars. [�]

Carl Reneau charged for murder of 15-year-old boy
28-year-old Carl Reneau has been arrested and charged for the murder of 15-year-old Jaheem Mahler. The teenager was shot and killed on Tuesday night on Iguana Street Extension in Belize City.

PlusTV

Senator Lizarraga on Bondholders
In other news from Belmopan, Business senator, Mark Lizarraga weighed in on the rejection of the first proposal for a renegotiated super bond by the bondholder's committee. He said the business community is closely following the matter: Hon. Mark Lizarraga, Senator for the Business Community; We are...

Nurses telephone call on Rise and Shine
Over the last few days PlusNews has been receiving several complaints from nurses at the Western Regional hospital in Belmopan that several changes have been made in the way nurses are to carry out their responsibilities. These changes, they say, have been made without their permission as no consult...

Amandala

Bondholders say no to Belize!
In a statement issued today, bondholders announced that they have rejected the offer released by the Government of Belize last week to holders of its 2038 billion-dollar bond, in which the Government proposed a reduction in interest rates and a delay in amortization payments due to economic exigencies. The committee has also indicated that it is not convinced that the partial fiscal adjustment measures announced by the Government of Belize will avert future problems and reduce the risk of yet another debt restructuring exercise down the road. The bondholder committee is composed of Greylock Capital Management, LLC; Grantham, Mayo, van Otterloo & Co. LLC; Steadfast Insurance Company and Capital Markets Financial Services Inc. The committee has additionally retained BroadSpan Capital LLC as financial advisor, Blitzer Consulting as special advisor, and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP as legal advisor.

Jamal Mahler, 15, murdered on Iguana Street Extension
Last night at around 8:30 p.m., the life of another city youth was cut short by gun violence. Jamal Jaheem Mahler, 15, of Fabers Road, was murdered on Iguana Street Extension, in the south-side of Belize City. Police reported that Jamal and his two friends were on Iguana Street Extension when an unknown gunman approached and fired at them before escaping from the area. Mahler was hit in the face, chest, back and legs, but his friends escaped unhurt. Mahler was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Ruth Meighan "knows nothing" about Immigration Dept. scandal
Former Immigration Director, Ruth Meighan, was named in the Auditor General's Special Audit into the Passport, Visa and Nationality Department after it was revealed that she had approved 12 of 15 applications for permanent residency even though the applicants did not meet legal requirements. Those persons were approved for permanent residency status in Belize even though it had been less than a year since they were issued their visas. In one shocking case, an individual was granted permanent residency in Belize only eighteen days after being issued a visa. When she was questioned at Wednesday's Senate hearing, Meighan claimed that she simply did not see the visas when she was approving applications.

Puerto Azul "fantasy island" was a $40 mil Ponzi scheme, Italian authorities allege
A duo of Italian foreign investors who got the Government of Belize's support years ago to explore the development of what had been billed as an ultra-luxury, 8-star resort dubbed Puerto Azul, near the Great Blue Hole, have been arrested on allegations that they were using the project as a part of a "Ponzi scheme" which duped over 200 investors, including famous Hollywood actors John Travolta and Andrea Bocelli, out of over 20 million euros, or nearly 40 million Belize dollars. Travolta and Bocelli, two Hollywood actors, were famously photographed back in 2014 at the launch of the Puerto Azul project in Cannes, France. Other notable figures at the event were three Belizean officials: Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia, Investment and Trade Minister Erwin Contreras and Special Envoy for Women and Children - Kim Simplis Barrow, wife of Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

Unidentified man found floating in Belize River
An unknown man has been laid to rest by the police department after his decomposing body was fished from the Belize River early this morning. His body was discovered floating down the river near the Manatee Lookout area at around Mile 8.5 on the Philip Goldson Highway sometime before 8 a.m. by passersby. When our newspaper spoke to onlookers we were told that they had thought it was a manatee that had perhaps been struck by a boat. However, a closer look revealed that it was a man of Creole descent, apparently in his early thirties, who was wearing a white under-shirt and brown under-pants. The Ladyville police station was immediately contacted.

Friday's fiery House debate on the ICJ referendum
The Belize-Guatemala issue took center stage at Friday's special sitting of the House of Representatives, the first for 2017, with both sides of the floor diametrically opposed to a move by the Barrow administration to do away with the 60% minimum voter turnout threshold from the Referendum Act-a change which comes three years after Guatemala demanded it, on the premise that the high threshold is not conducive to a 'yes' vote on the question of whether the parties should submit the territorial differendum to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). At the end of Friday's fiery debate, 16 members of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) voted 'yes," thus carrying the vote; while 9 members of the Opposition People's United Party (PUP)-which was far more vocal in the debate-voted 'no.' There were 5 members of parliament absent and 1 suspended - that is, Cayo South area representative for the PUP, Julius Espat.

Belize line-up in 3-1 loss to El Salvador on Tuesday
Some day we hope to find out what was wrong with our Belize Jaguars at the start of Tuesday's Copa Centroamericana clash with El Salvador at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama. The Belize team looked lethargic, almost disoriented at the start of the match, and was simply overwhelmed by El Salvador's swarming attack, out-numbering our midfield and defense every step of the way with aggressive player and ball movement, so that the goals seemed almost inevitable. Thank goodness, it was only 3-1. There were a couple bright individual sparks for the Jaguars, most notably Denmark Casey's fine feed, and Deon McCaulay's clinical finish, as well as the splendid attacking thrusts by Gilroy "Bredda" Thurton following his long over-due entry into the game in late second half.

Orange Walk football games, results & schedule
The Orange Walk Football Association's (OWFA) Under 10 finals were held at Orange Walk Technical Field on Saturday, January 14. In the third-place game, Trial Farm Crocodiles won by default over San Lazaro. And in the championship final, Landy's Jrs. shut out Minions, 3-0, with 2 goals from Raul Witzil and 1 from Mark Bainton, Jr. Under 17 games: Two Under 17 games were also played at Orange Walk Technical Field on Saturday. Vibes Alive won, 4-1, over Black Water of Trial Farm; and Colombia dropped Orange Walk Central Stars, 1-0, on a goal by Andir Chi.

Why Guatemala is not at the Copa Centroamericana
Some fans, especially our brothers and sisters with connections to Guatemala, keep asking us why the Guatemalan national team is not participating in this Central American Cup, which is a qualification tournament for the CONCACAF Gold Cup later this year. All other Central American teams, including Belize, are in Panama participating in the Copa Centroamericana. We sympathize with the Guatemalan fans. Our country, Belize, has had, and continues to have serious problems with the "big people" who "run things" in Guatemala. The agenda of these "big people" who run Guatemala is indeed a threat to our very existence as a nation, "from proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon." They claim us, our homeland, our birthright. Is there any greater disregard to the dignity of an independent, sovereign people?

Dangriga sports stats
In secondary school football yesterday, Tuesday, in the Dangriga Zone, game 1 of the 5-game series between the females of Delille Academy and Ecumenical ended in a 1-1 draw. Orelle Gillett scored at the 19th minute of first half for Delille, while Veleene Tasher hit the equalizer for Ecumenical at the 19th minute of second half. In the males, Delille Academy won, 4 goals to 2, over ANRI. Wayne Ford scored 2, and Darney Garcia and Eaton Garcia got 1 apiece for Delille; while ANRI goals came from Sedeeke Zuniga and James Aranda. Tuesday's games were hosted by Delille Academy.

The Emperor of Belize
When Mexico and Central America became independent from Spain in 1821, Roman Catholic Mexico held a kind of hegemony over Roman Catholic Central America. The Anglican, English-speaking settlement of Belize, not yet an official British colony but very much linked with British Jamaica, was stuck, geopolitically speaking, in between Mexico and Central America (which did not include Panama at that time.) In 1823, the Central American republics - Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica broke away from Mexico and formed a Central American Confederation. The year of 1823, interestingly enough, was the same year the United States of America, independent from Great Britain less than a half a century at the time, declared the Monroe Doctrine, through which the Americans declared their authority over the Western Hemisphere. Soon after they broke away from Mexico, the Central American republics began fighting amongst themselves. Around 1840 or so, the one Rafael Carrera emerged as the President of Guatemala, which had defeated the army of Francisco Moraz�n, who had basically enjoyed the support of Honduras and El Salvador.

From The Publisher
When things began becoming dangerous around me in 1969 and 1970, I didn't turn to my own class of people, who may be described as the petit bourgeoisie. I turned to the lumpenproletariat of Belize. In thinking about it so long after the fact, I suppose it may really have been that, as opposed to my turning to the lumpenproletariat, that they in fact chose to come to my rescue. Whichever it was, the distinction is now merely a matter of academic exercise. In brute, street terms, what is relevant is that there was a working relationship between a university graduate and relatively uneducated, substantially unemployed core of Belizeans. Between 1965 and 1968 in New Hampshire, I had listened carefully to the experiences of the man Guy Mhone, who had been a student activist in Malawi. Malawi had been a British colony in the southern part of Africa called Nyasaland. The same British stamp on Nyasaland had been used to stamp British Honduras. The British used the same stamp on all their colonies. All over the world, wherever the British had held colonies, these colonies were becoming independent in the 1960s, and the nationalist leaders who emerged to lead the parliamentary democracies of the former colonies were pretty similar. Almost all of them had been labor union leaders before and during the anti-colonial struggle, so that the bulk of their support was comprised of native workers. So in Malawi, thus in Belize.

Where are the strong visionary leaders?
Editor Amandala Sir, Where are the strong visionary leaders like George C. Price, Eric Williams, Michael Manley, Linden F.S. Burnham, Fidel Castro, Cesar Chavez, Evo Morales, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, et al? Most of the leaders of the developing world today "suck up" to the leader of the United States of America (USA) regardless of how big or small they are. They never seem to think out of the box as did those great leaders like Fidel Castro and the Cuban people who stood up for principles. Why do we have to suffer at the hands of the USA when we could be looking at alternatives? Under the incoming US president, I don't believe anything will improve; it will just worsen. The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries as a trading bloc can make their voices heard. We need to closely and carefully analyze the geopolitical situation today. America is certainly the world's economic and military superpower, closely followed by China, Russia and India. Within a decade, the USA will no longer be the world's leader in those two areas; it will be China, India, USA and Russia as economic leaders and China, USA, Russia as military world powers in that order.

Towards ending the hocus pocus
Dear Editor, The sitting of the House of Representatives in Belize invariably attracts certain groups of people. There are those who feel compelled to tune in because of their vested interests in politics, and there are those whose interest remains strictly intellectual. However, there are those quite contrary to the aforementioned groups and who are disinterested completely in what unfolds in the House. While we are tolerant of the former two groups, we are unforgiving of the latter, and understandably so. We believe that, surely, anyone who has a sense of civic duty would have a level of care about the governance of his or her country. We may push the argument farther and suggest that anyone who lives in Belize during any period of social decay, political corruption, and economic mismanagement would have the impetus to stay attuned to the decisions, policies, and directives coming from those who reputedly lead us. Unlike others, however, I understand completely the group of Belizeans who ostensibly lack due interest in politics. I, myself, have been unimpressed by the presentations made by and the performance of some of the leaders who represent us in The House. If they do not force us to watch them attack and disrespect each other, they force us to watch them throw fits and temper tantrums, which obscure indisputably the seriousness of the issues that they should address.

Crique Sarco resident writes about terrible road condition in the village
Dear Editor, Please publish in your newspaper this letter about our road condition in Crique Sarco. Crique Sarco is one of the most remote villages in Toledo. For the past month or so, the Crique Sarco road has been in a terrible condition. Concerned citizens have made it public before, via Love FM, calling on the relevant authorities to address the situation, but it seems that no one in authority has the intention to address the problem. The Public Works Department was here a couple weeks ago, but instead of filling the huge holes with rocks, they simply scraped off the mud, leaving no rocks on the road, which, in just a couple of days, goes back to even worse condition. The condition of this road is very inconvenient for the community of Crique Sarco, especially the students who are attending Corazon Creek High School. The students are missing a lot of classes because the school bus operator makes no attempt to take them to school due to the road condition. Today is the second day in this week that students are not going to school.

New Attorney General wants to review the regime of minimum sentences
The newly-appointed Attorney General, Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, in his address to the Bench and Bar at Monday's opening of the legal year, indicated that he would want to tackle the regime of mandatory sentences. In his remarks, AG Peyrefitte referred to the attorney, Anthony Sylvestre, who had raised a successful constitutional challenge to the mandatory 5-year sentence for firearms violations. Chief Justice Hon. Kenneth Benjamin ruled that the mandatory 5-year sentence for firearms violations was unconstitutional. That Supreme Court decision established an important principle and now persons convicted of firearms offences no longer have to languish in prison for 5 years. Sylvestre explained to a reporter yesterday that under the law as it is presently constituted, there are mandatory minimum sentences which are passed upon individuals and in many instances, the sentences are disproportionate.

The Reporter

High school students protest gun violence
The students of Maude Williams High School took to the streets today, protesting the recent spike in the gun violence plaguing the country. Third form English students lined Cemetery Road, in the blistering heat with signs and posters encouraging positive conflict resolution, and asking Belizeans [�]

Trump sworn in as 45th US President
Today, Donald John Trump, swore in as the 45th President of the United States of America. Trump and his president Michael Pence, swore in at the US Capital City, Washington DC. In his inaugural speech, Trump maintained the positions on trade that he had campaigned [�]

Suspect charged for murder of 15 year-old
A 28-year-old man has been charged for the murder of 15-year-old Jaheem Mahler, which happened on Tuesday night. The accused killer, Carl Reneau, was charged on Thursday afternoon. The murder happened around 8:30 p.m on January 17. Mahler was riding his bicycle on […]

Daniel Caine held for New Year murder
Police may have cracked the case of the first murder of 2017 with the arrest of Daniel Caine, a 29 year-old resident of Pinks Alley. The victim, 22 year-old Collin Sutherland, was shot and killed near his home on New Year's Day. Sutherland was on his way home in Conch […]

“Wasn't me," says former Immigration Director, Ruth Meighan
Former Director of the Immigration and Nationality Department, Ruth Meighan, said this week that there was no internal process of any kind to oversee passport and visa approvals during her time at the Department. On Wednesday, Meighan testified before the Senate Special Select Committee which […]

New Speaker hopes to change unprincipled culture of parliamentary proceedings
New House Speak-er, Mrs. Laura Longsworth has said she will attempt to restore and uphold the standard of parliamentary proceedings that are conducted in the House. Longsworth, who is appointed and was sworn in at last Friday’s first House sitting for 2017, said that she […]

25 parcels of cocaine washed ashore in San Pedro Town
San Pedro Police confiscated 25 parcels of cocaine from the northern part of the island over the weekend before the shipment could reach its targeted destination or dealers. According to police, on Saturday around 7:45 a.m. police was tipped off about a crocos sack which appeared […]

Female raped in the Bainsville area of Hattieville
A Hattieville woman was attacked and raped by a machete wielding man on Saturday night. Official reports indicate that around 7.00 p.m, a 31-year-old woman was walking in the Bainsville area when she was approached by an unknown man. He was armed with a machete and […]

New A.G. Peyrefite - new broom sweeps clean!
The new Attorney General Michael Peyrefittehas brought a fresh wind of change to his office, as he indicated when he addressed his colleagues at the ceremonial opening of the January session of the Supreme Court on Monday. Peyrefittequoted scripture from Ecclesiastes as he encouraged his […]

Ministry of Health wants bigger fine for burying dead on private property
The Ministry of Health is preparing a proposal to submit to government, to increase the fine levied against people who bury their dead loved ones in their yard. Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero, explained that the ministry is proposing to have the fine increased from […]

Bureau of Standards explores transition to statutory body
The Belize Bureau of Standards, through a Caribbean Development Bank funded project, is looking at transitioning from a government department to a statutory body. Director of the BBS, Jose Trejo, explained this week that the project is valued at US$280,000 and has three major components: developing a […]

BCCI to hold productivity workshop
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is calling on business owners, human resource managers, and department heads of local companies to a special workshop on "Productivity Improvements for Small & Micro Enterprises." The workshop will be conducted in collaboration with the Caribbean Employers' Confederation and […]

NGO's said GOB breached their trust
The Belize Network of NGO's this week, condemned the Government of Belize for holding the first Senate meeting of 2017, without the newly-selected 13th Senator, Osmany Salas. The meeting was held on January 19, however, the commencement order which establishes the 13 Senator, did not take effect […]

Men need to be more involved in HIV response says BFLA
The Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) is calling on Belizean men to take a more active role in terms of sexual education, to aid in the national response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Executive Director of the BFLA, Joan Burke-Skeen, said that a major cultural issue is that […]

Editorial
The laws of Belize make it difficult for married couples to get a divorce. They require applicants to first get a provisional divorce before going on a final decree. The courts insist on having serious reasons for a divorce. It is not enough for one of the parties to claim […]

Body found in Belize River
The Rural Eastern Division of the Belize Police Department is asking the public's assistance in identifying the body of a man found dead in the Belize River this week. Ladyville Police found John Doe floating face down in the water between miles seven and eight […]

Supreme Court needs three more judges
Austerity measures are in the wind for the government in 2017, but Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin has warned against cutting the Judiciary's budget. Instead he called for the support of the Attorney General's ministry to hire three new judges for a fixed period to deal […]

Bondholders reject GOB's terms
The Government of Belize is inching closer to defaulting on its next Superbond payment, after the committee formed by the majority of the bondholders refused GOB's pitch at restructuring. The committee said on Tuesday, that bondholders decided to decline GOB's Consent Solicitation launched on January […]

Garbage crisis looming! Citco promises no delays in collection
As the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWMA) faces difficulties in arranging the transfer of garbage across the country to the regional sanitary landfill, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley has reassured the city that the situation is under control. Because of issues with the Mexican […]

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Carlos Garcia charged for drug trafficking
Yesterday afternoon around 1:00 p.m., while police were conducting operations in Santa Elena Cayo officers searched a black and blue bag in the possession of 20-year-old Carlos Garcia of San Ignacio Town which led to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing 508 [�]

Police find weed and guns in Sandhill
Yesterday morning around 7:00 , police conducted a search in an area within the cemetery in Sand Hill Village, Belize District which led to the discovery of a .22 riffle without serial number. No one was found in the area and the firearm was deposited [�]

Police issue official report on body found
Yesterday shortly after 8:00 a.m., police visited the Belize River bank between miles 7 and 8 on the Philip Goldson Highway where about 20 feet away from the river bank, the body of a man was seen floating in the river. The body was [�]

Jimmy Morales' brother and son detained on corruption charges
According to the Prensa Libre, a Guatemalan newspaper, yesterday a judge ordered the detention of President Jimmy Morales' son and brother for fraud. A United Nations anti-graft commission said they are suspected of submitting about $23,000 worth of false receipts in an alleged tax [�]

Transparency International points to corruption and nepotism in some countries
The global coalition against corruption, Transparency International, posted a video to its social media page yesterday listing some world leaders and problems of nepotism. On the top of the list is President-Elect of the United States of America, Donald Trump who officially assumes office [�]

The Senate held its first meeting yesterday in Belmopan for 2017
Former House Speaker and newly appointed Attorney General, Michael Peyrefitte, was officially sworn in as the government's newest Senator yesterday. Peyrefitte, a political bulldog, fiercely debated with Opposition senators who tried to end the meeting even before it was started. Lead Government Senator, Godwin [�]

Infamous Mexican drug lord extradited to the US
Yesterday, notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was extradited to the United States of America. Guzman was escorted from his cell with heavy armed security detail and a fleet of armed vehicles. He was transported in an official DEA airplane. Guzman has gained [�]

Blogs

Story time: The tale of Nook Restaurant and Cocktail Bartique!
The concept and team of Mojo was melded even more when, after only two months open, they had an electrical fire in the walls of the small building. All the esthetic work was damaged, and the village banded together to help. Mojo was up and running in only nine days again, and better than ever, with a staff who worked tirelessly - some without pay for weeks. They brought Mojo to a top TripAdvisor restaurant for the area, and although recently it's under new ownership, continues to do so� In comes Jeff Parker, a skilled and seasoned IT professional who decided to try Placencia as a work remote location to test drive the waters, so to speak! Jeff became a regular at Mojo, and friend of Erin and the staff. Eventually, Jeff was thinking of getting into the restaurant game�and Erin gave him many reasons not to! Although the restaurant industry is her passion, she knew it wasn't for everyone!

Visiting Corozal museum "Window to the Past "Khirkee Ko Guzarna" East Indian culture Museum Corozal"
Before I move on to the Museum in Corozal, I will tell you about how great the weather was today. It has been quite isolated all day with some cloudy at times. But, it didn't rain. Corozal was warm and cool today to come out and swim or walk around town. Who knows what you're day will be with no plans on your beautiful day in Corozal. Let me highlight some interesting facts about the past History of Belize. The video to the left, show's the inside part of the museum and how the people lived in Belize and what they use to used back then. Back then, in the old days' Belize was peaceful, slow and more enjoyable. Belize countrywide has a lot of History still waiting to be discovered. Surprisingly, I was so excited to come visit the Corozal museum Window to the Past "Khirkee Ko Guzarna" East Indian culture Museum in Corozal. I went to visit the Museum, and heading there it was so humid and enjoyed the wind. When I reached the Museum, I walked inside a large property, clean and very opened. From outside I saw the large sign that said the name of the museum. I knew it was hear, But I didn't know which building it was. I walked towards the first building, I noticed a group of Belizean's hanging outside. I kindly asked one of the people " where is the museum? one of the guy's answered me, "It is the second white building downstairs." So, I kept walking the direction they gave me. On the entrance of the building, I observed outside, a hand pump for water.

International Sourcesizz

Mexican anti-logging activist Isidro Baldenegro killed
A prominent Mexican environmentalist has been shot dead in his home state of Chihuahua after receiving death threats. Isidro Baldenegro had spent many years organising peaceful protests against illegal logging in the Sierra Madre mountains. In 2005 he won the prestigious Goldman environmental prize. A UK-based watchdog, Global Witness, says 33 activists were killed in Mexico in the five years up to 2015. Isidro Baldenegro was a community leader for Mexico's indigenous Tarahumara people and was one of the country's most prominent environmental activists. He had recently returned to his home village after receiving death threats against himself and his family. Mr Baldenegro was the second recipient of the Goldman Prize, given to grassroots activists, to be murdered in less than a year.

Ligados por fraude el hijo y hermano de Jimmy Morales
Jos� Manuel Morales, hijo del presidente de la Rep�blica, Jimmy Morales, se present� al Juzgado Sexto Penal, en tanto que Sammy Morales, hermano del mandatario, fue detenido a primera hora. Samuel Morales, hermano del presidente Jimmmy Morales, y Jos� Manuel Morales Marroqu�n, hijo del mandatario, detenidos por un caso de corrupci�n. (Foto Prensa Libre: Carlos Henrn�ndez Ovalle) Para fines judiciales, Morales fue arrestado en el propio juzgado, a la espera de que se celebre la audiencia judicial.

Vanuatu, Tonga, Belize, Mongolia: Top 10 poor countries you won't regret visiting
Intrigued by Belize? Curious about Costa Rica? Dreaming about Vanuatu? Now here's a really good reason to visit in 2017 - they're all on a new hot list of destinations where you can be sure your trip won't be guilt trip. Holidaying in developing countries can often raise a complex set of questions and concerns - like, "Is tourism really helping the local people?" or "Am I damaging the environment by visiting?". Thankfully, the folk at Ethical Traveler have answered these questions and come up with a list of stunning emerging destinations around the world where you can be confident you're doing the right thing by visiting. Rated among Lonely Planet's top value destinations for 2017; recognition as an ethical destination for 2017 with several world-leading examples of sustainable tourism, along with new attitudes that saw a law criminalising homosexuality overturned in 2016.

Extradited 'El Chapo' Guzman to face 17 counts in US
Drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, a legend in Mexico due to his dramatic prison escapes and years of staying just ahead of the law, will appear Friday in a federal courtroom in Brooklyn, where he will stand trial on conspiracy and drug charges at a later date. The diminutive trafficker, described by a federal official as "the most notorious criminal of modern time," was extradited from his native Mexico and arrived late Thursday in New York. "Who is Chapo Guzman?" said US Attorney Robert Capers of the Eastern District of New York. "In short, he is a man who has known no other life than one of crime, violence, death and destruction." Stringent security measures were put in place around the Manhattan jail where Guzman is to be held, a law enforcement source said. The Brooklyn Bridge will be closed while the drug lord is being transported to court.

City planning manager to help Belize capital develop its downtown
The city's Planning Initiatives Manager is headed to Belize to help the capital city of Belmopan develop their own downtown. "The project is one of economic development in a developing country," George Kuhl said. "People tend to leave the city after work and go back to (larger communities)." The city is hoping to make use of a park in the downtown area to get people to stay and take part in activities while promoting local business. "They've created an opportunity for 12 businesses to use kiosks in this park, and there will be business opportunities because of that," he said. The setup is not unlike the City of Lethbridge's downtown use of Galt Gardens. Kuhl's name was put forward by Economic Development Lethbridge because of his experience in economic development and the work done for downtown revitalization in Lethbridge. He has a blend of different experiences that was felt would be applicable to the mission in Belize.

Raising the Bar: Sir Dennis Byron charts new course for Caribbean justice
After Sir Dennis Byron was sworn in as president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in September 2011, it was no surprise that he immediately set about transforming the institution. His reputation as an innovator and court reformer by then had already been firmly established. In the late 90s, as chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, he spearheaded several technology-driven improvements in the regional justice system. During his four-year tenure as president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, he instituted judicial performance management systems still used as benchmarks to this day. Now he is at it again. Sir Dennis has led the CCJ into the adoption of a set of innovative systems for electronic filing of documents, case management and court performance measurement. Behind Sir Dennis' drive for change is an unflinching vision to enhance Caribbean citizens' access to justice and reduce the delay of litigation from start to finish. He recently weighed in on the use of technology in Caribbean courts. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

The Caracol Hieroglyphic Stairway
These inscriptions support and elaborate some existing proposals, while supplying entirely new twists to the story. What follows are a few thoughts inspired by these finds. The summer of 2016 produced discoveries of tremendous importance for understanding the political history of the Classic Maya lowlands. While excavating Structure A9 at Xunantunich, Belize, Jaime Awe and his team unearthed two inscribed monuments of rare significance, their contents revealed in detailed textual analyses by Christophe Helmke (Helmke and Awe 2016a, 2016b). These inscriptions support and elaborate some existing proposals, while supplying entirely new twists to the story. What follows are a few thoughts inspired by these finds. Xunantunich Panels 3 and 4 were immediately recognizable as parts of a hieroglyphic stairway first uncovered at the site of Naranjo (Maler 1908:91-93, Pls.24-28; Morley 1937-38.2:42-59; Graham 1978:107-110). There Teobert Maler uncovered 12 blocks bearing outlined medallions of text in two different formats, one of nine glyph-blocks and the other of four. The Xunantunich stones differ in their larger size and the inclusion of two of the smaller medallions apiece.

Videos

  • Bruk It Down Jenny Self Confidence & Esteem Building, 21min.

  • St Catherine's Academy Pageant - Miss SCA 2017, 19min.

  • Up Close: Miss Universe Belize, 1.5min. kind of a bio, she's a water baby!

  • Carnival Dream - Belize and Roatan - Belize city Carnival, 15min.

  • belize city carnival 2017 - belize city belize, 4min.

  • Fun Friday Chat on Open your Eyes, 39min. Most of the first 23 minutes a phone call with Miss Belize Universe Rebecca Rath minutes with Miss Belize Universe Rebecca Rath

  • Morning Matters Steffie Lupp, 58min.

  • Morning Matters with Bern, 60min.

  • Visiting Corozal museum "Window to the Past "Khirkee Ko Guzarna" East Indian culture Museum Corozal", 3min.

  • Placencia Players Theatre "Ebony Scrooge", 46min. Performed December 18, 2016 at the Tipsy Tuna, Placencia Village, Belize. The premier production of Placencia Players Theatre, "Ebony Scrooge", is a modern adaptation of Charles' Dickens "A Christmas Carol ". While the Dickens story is set in turn of the century London, the Placencia Players Theatre version takes place today here in Placencia. The story hinges on how greedy Ebony Scrooge who dislikes Christmas has a change of heart after she is visited by three ghosts showing her past behavior and what could happen to her in the future if she doesn't have a change in attitude.

  • Belize Barrier Reef, 2min. Compilation of videos I shot while diving at the Belize Barrier Reef

  • Ghost Hunters International S03E09 The Crystal Maiden Belize & France, 68min.


  • Link Copied to Clipboard
    April
    S M T W T F S
    1 2 3 4 5 6
    7 8 9 10 11 12 13
    14 15 16 17 18 19 20
    21 22 23 24 25 26 27
    28 29 30
    Cayo Espanto
    Click for Cayo Espanto, and have your own private island
    More Links
    Click for exciting and adventurous tours of Belize with Katie Valk!
    Who's Online Now
    0 members (), 139 guests, and 0 robots.
    Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
    Forum Statistics
    Forums44
    Topics79,202
    Posts500,025
    Members20,466
    Most Online7,413
    Nov 7th, 2021



    AmbergrisCaye.com CayeCaulker.org HELP! Visitor Center Goods & Services San Pedro Town
    BelizeSearch.com Message Board Lodging Diving Fishing Things to Do History
    BelizeNews.com Maps Phonebook Belize Business Directory
    BelizeCards.com Picture of the Day

    The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members
    and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.

    Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5