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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 Morazán, 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 News
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 […]
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 Sources
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
José Manuel Morales, hijo del presidente de la República, Jimmy Morales, se presentó 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 José Manuel Morales Marroquín, hijo del mandatario, detenidos por un caso de corrupción. (Foto Prensa Libre: Carlos Henrnández 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.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
