CTV3
Senator Salas Disagrees With PM on NGO's Not Being Accountable
When the controversial PACT amendment bill was introduced by the Prime Minister on March 13, the rationale given by the PM was that the finances of the NGO community needed to be better Policed by the Government of Belize. The implied translation of this was clearly that the NGOs were not being fully accountable. That's a serious accusation and as you would expect, the NGO Senator Osmany Salas could not agree.
Fishermen Charges Hefty fine for Being In Possession Of Undersized Conchs
Nine fishermen from the Chunox, Copper Bank and Ranchito Villages located in the Corozal District were formally arrested and charged this morning after they were found in possession of one thousand one hundred sixty two undersized conchs. They are 21 year old Naigel Baptist, 24 year olds Eder Patt and Melvin Marquez, 40 year old Fidel Roberto Chulin, 62 year old Hipolito Gorosica, 35 year old Roberto De la Cruz, Alvaro De la Cruz, Hilario Teck and Jose Monzon.
More On The Budget Presentation
Since Thursday of last week when the Budget debate before the House of Representatives began, we've been covering the presentations by the area representatives as both side laid out their reasons for supporting or opposing the budget. We've ended up with hours and hours of speeches, and while we can't show it all, tonight we do have more excerpts of the presentations.
LOVE FM
The Story of Ambassador Joel Nagel Still Untold by Government
Lead Opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay also spoke of matters relating to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling out Minister Wilfred Elrington and Belize's Ambassador to Austria, Joel Nagel. Reports surfaced last week that Ambassador Negal was no longer welcomed in Austria. While the government has yet to issue an official release on the matter, former Prime [�]
CEO Says Charter Should Help in Holding Public Officers Accountable
Since the start of the Senate inquiry into the Auditor General's Report in the Immigration and Nationality Department, revelations coming out of their weekly hearings have alluded to corruption not only among senior officials but also among public officers. In speaking with the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Public Service, Dr Peter Allen, [�]
Sugar Farmers' Livelihood in Danger
The Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, SIRDI, a key stakeholder in the sugar industry conducted a study on the nutrients found in the soil across the sugar belt and presented the alarming findings to sugar cane farmers today in an all day "sugar cane nutrients symposium" at the headquarters located along the Philip Goldson [�]
20 Women Slated to Be Awarded in 2017 Event
The Women's Department is hosting its annual Women's Award ceremony tomorrow night at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. This is the twelfth such event and is being hosted by the Women's Department to highlight the efforts made by women across the country. Acting Director at the Department, Anna Williams spoke to us [�]
Seeking Savings via Renewable Energy Sources and OLADE
There is currently an undertaking by the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Public Service to develop a national information system that would aid in gathering data on energy usage in the country. There is the aim by the government to formulate a strategy that would reduce the country's dependence on imported refined fossil [�]
Shyne Pushes Copyright for Local Artists
Today at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, the Belizean Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (BSCAP) held a press conference where they discussed the rampant use of music by businesses without the expressed permission from the music owners/creators without any consent. JACKIE CASTILLO " In-house attorney, Marissa Longsworth stressed the legal importance of [�]
Compol Condemns San Ignacio Officers' Response in Case of Missing Teen
Since last week we have been telling you of the missing 17-year-old from San Ignacio who has been missing since March 11, 2017. The family of Daniel Bennett has been appealing to the media for some days now as they had not been getting any cooperation from the police in that municipality. Love News mentioned [�]
Investigation Says Female's Body Was Skinned and Limbs Severed
Police have been unable to come up with an identity of the female whose body was found in the Iguana Creek Bridge area in Blackman Eddy Village in the Cayo District. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvette provided an update on the case. JOSEPH MYVETTE "
Cristo Rey Chairman Speaks on Fatal Stabbing of Minor
Of the eight murders we reported yesterday, seven of them were men and one was that of a minor. The killing of the minor took place in Cristo Rey Village in the Cayo District identified as 16-year-old, Rosendo Pop. The village Chairman, Elmer Juarez spoke to the media on the incident. ELMER JUAREZ "
Fire Guts Home in Rural Belize
A house in Lords Bank Village was gutted by fire on Tuesday afternoon. Reports are that the fire started some time after one o'clock at a house belonging to Sherima Graham. While Graham, we understand, does not live there, someone was staying at the house. That individual was not at the house when the fire [�]
Amandala
Marcial Toledo, 47, arraigned for PC Marvin Locke's murder
Late this evening, Crimes Investigation Branch officers transported Marcial Toledo, 47, a Honduran national to the Magistrate's Court. Toledo has been accused of the vicious stabbing murder of Police Constable Marvin Locke, 49, which occurred just outside the Racoon Street Police Station yesterday, Sunday.
Toledo, a laborer and resident of 2 Hondo Street, had to be physically taken out of the police vehicle that had transported him to the court. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith.
Because he speaks very little English, the arraignment had to be done through a Spanish interpreter. Throughout the proceeding, Toledo remained unresponsive.
Majestic Alley fire leaves 51 persons homeless
Residents of well-known Majestic Alley frantically emptied their homes on Friday evening as a raging fire began to consume a number of buildings in close proximity.
The fire belched out a thick black smoke overhead which warned citizens, even from a distance, that all was not well on Belize City's north side.
At around 4 p.m., the fire began at the Youngs' residence near the alley's basketball court, but within an hour, it consumed an entire long barracks, as well as several adjoining structures.
Belize ranked 12th among the top 25 countries in which Americans have been murdered
Belize has been featured in an article by Business Insider titled, "The most dangerous countries for American tourists, ranked," which was published on Saturday.
According to the article, Belize was ranked 12th among the top 25 countries in which American nationals have been murdered.
For the period 2009 to 2016, Belize recorded the death of 16 Americans. Included in that list is the 2016 murder of Anne Swaney, 39, who had served as executive producer of digital operations at ABC-Channel 7 in Chicago, Illinois.
Of all Caribbean countries, Haiti took the top spot at 4th place with the murder of 65 Americans.
Cop stabbed to death outside Southside police station
On Sunday afternoon the unthinkable happened at the Racoon Street Police Station in Belize City. A police constable was stabbed to death by a civilian in what Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Chester Williams dubbed, "a crime of passion." Williams, however, did not go into specifics.
At around 3 p.m. Honduran national Marcial Toledo, 47, visited the station in search of PC Marvin Locke, 49. Locke had reportedly been out on patrol, but when he returned to the station, Toledo was waiting for him.
He and Toledo reportedly engaged in a conversation while inside the station, but as they walked outside the station building, Toledo took out a knife, hugged Locke like a friend, and stabbed him multiple times in the chest and abdomen.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson calls attention of the National Assembly to the plight of Kaina Martinez
The plight of Kaina Martinez, the young Garifuna woman who hails from the picturesque seaside fishing village of Seine Bight, was highlighted in Amandala three weeks ago, as she reminded this nation that natural talent is not enough to raise the profile of Belizean athletes without the requisite investment and support from those who can help to build sports in Belize.
On the occasion of the national budget debate today, Martinez's area representative, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, who has known her since childhood, called the attention of Parliament to Kaina's plight.
"She is very 'hurted' to this day that she was refused to go to the Olympics to represent the country of Belize� nobody came to her rescue. She was there alone and nobody knew for sure why she was rejected. She was rejected for a person who has never been a Belizean by birth.
Randy Green, 30, murdered after being acquitted of murder 3 months ago
After spending five years on remand at Kolbe, Randy Green, 30, was one of two men acquitted of the callous 2011 Independence Day murder of 9-year-old Joshua Abraham. Abraham, a standard two student, was gunned down in broad daylight in front of his home on Victoria Street.
Last December Green was cleared of the murder charge and released, but after less than three months of freedom, he has been killed.
According to police reports, sometime before 4 p.m. on Saturday, Green was in a carpentry shop on Freetown Road when a gunman walked into the compound and fired several shots, fatally hitting him. Green reportedly died on the scene.
Pedal by pedal - champion female cyclist Kaya Cattouse contributes to Cross Country season
Our sports desk was delighted to receive an email today from renowned female champion cyclist Kaya Cattouse, along with an article which we publish below.
Kaya said that, with the Cross Country season approaching - Juniors on April 2nd, Females on April 9th, and the Elite on April 15th, "I can do a series of cycling stories leading up to Holy Saturday." Starting with the Mount Hope Classic, she plans to follow with a story on the Junior Cross Country, the Female Cross Country, and then the Holy Saturday story. "And sometime in between, my top picks for Holy Saturday." As we approach Cross Country season, the Mount Hope Classic is always a testing meter to determine the level of our local athletes for the Big Dance. This race is only 28 miles shorter than the Annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic.
NEBL "In the Paint"
Belize City Hurricanes fans must be fuming, following their 80-71 home loss to the Tiger Sharks on Friday night, and the disappointing showing of this year's team, in their quest to defend their 2016 championship title. Some of this frustration, obviously, is now being pointed squarely at team management and ownership; and rightfully so, considering the fact that, as far as we can recall, going as far back to the glory days of semi-pro, no championship team has ever fallen so rapidly from a championship run one year, to mediocrity the following year. This, clearly, is a modern-day phenomenon. But, again, as far back as we can recall, no ownership/management of a reigning champion has ever opted not to re-sign arguably three of their best players; in the Hurricanes' case - Darwin "Puppy" Leslie, Farron Louriano and Jacob Leslie.
Still undefeated at PLB Week 10
Ten weeks of games have gone by in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2016-2017 Closing Season, and defending champions Belmopan Bandits SC are still undefeated, following their 4-nil drubbing of Belize Defence Force FC (BDF) yesterday afternoon at the MCC Grounds in Belize City. The Bandits got 2 goals in each half, from Elroy "Bibbs" Kuylen (13'), Nelson Aguero (26'), Jairo Rochez (82') and Jerome "Jarro" James (87').
With the loss, BDF drops to 4th place in the standings, because of the results in other Week 10 games yesterday. Meanwhile, according to early reports, at the Norman Broaster Stadium, home standing Police United prevailed, 2-0, over Placencia Assassins; at the Carl Ramos Stadium, Verdes grabbed the 1-nil win over home squad Wagiya, on a goal by Marlon Molina (26'); and at the Victor Sanchez Union Field in Punta Gorda, both Wilmer Garcia of P.G.'s Freedom Fighters and Ashton Lewis of visiting FC Belize scored in the 56th minute of their game, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
National Amateur Women's League Week 2 results
Week 2 games were played over the weekend in the National Amateur Women's League. In the first of 3 Saturday games, at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga, Nykemah Kuylen had a hat trick (19', 54' & 93'), to lead Griga Pumas to a 3-2 win over visiting Toledo Strikers, who got a goal each from Silvia Pan (41') and Zulma Ortega (55'). Meanwhile, at the Santa Elena Sporting Complex, it was Gentle Touch and visiting Gladiators FC playing to a 1-1 draw. Julie Ponce (3') struck first for Gentle Touch, but Karen Garcia (35') equalized for the Gladiators. And at the MCC Grounds on Saturday night, it was Belize City FC, 1-0, over visiting Calcutta Strikers, on a goal by Janelle Gentle (32').
The only Sunday game was at the FFB Stadium, where home standing Jewel Fury dropped Sagitun Strikers from Independence, 2-1, with goals from Iris Centeno (17') and Jenniha Scott (55'). Sagitun's sole tally was by Erica Vallecillo (5')
The tourism basket
Belize is putting too many of our economic eggs into the tourism basket. For sure tourism has been fast money, and tourism has appeared to be smart money for more than two decades now, but there are two fundamental problems with tourism. The first problem is that everybody else in the Caribbean is doing it, and some of the islands don't have much of a choice, because they don't have the bounty of natural resources which Belize possesses. Our Caribbean friends are completely committed to tourism, have been so for decades, and they are not only desperate to protect their product, they are more sophisticated than we are. The second problem is that tourism is an extremely fragile, delicate product: tourists can suddenly turn away from your destination because of unforeseen phenomena such as the recent ebola and zika scares.
From the Publisher
When I returned to Belize from college in June of 1968, no Belizean had ever attempted what I was setting out to do: write creatively as a profession. Zee Edgell, who became Belize's first novelist with Beka Lamb, had been trained in London as a journalist and was editing The Reporter in 1968. It was a few years afterwards, in the 1970s, that she married, moved away from Belize, and decided to write creatively. My point is that, in 1968 I was going to be a pioneer of sorts.
Family responsibilities soon forced me to take a job teaching English at Belize Technical College, but after the 1968/69 academic year, Technical and I parted ways. I was in the streets for two years before I taught at Wesley College during the 1971/72 academic year, and then I returned to the streets again, hard core.
Give lying a chance �
Dear Editor,
It occurs to me that with Donald Trump in the White House and business as usual with GOB, new life has been breathed into the old adage, "Before telling the truth, give lying a chance!"
Under the shadows of Beverly Smith-Lopez!
The outstanding Belizean artist, dramatist and playwright of Belizean artistic renaissance of the 1970s, the late Beverly Smith-Lopez, is remembered here at Belizean Legends as a true social activist of Belize's political past. When Belizean politics raged throughout a period of a monopoly-controlled radio station called "Radio Belize", and a political climate that created a mood of distrust and fear among the masses of the Belizean people, Smith-Lopez's monologues in poems like Sandra Coye's "Genesis of Destruction" and in her voice in Evan X Hyde's plays like, "Haad Time," connected the dots for the masses of the Belizean people.
The incomparable Smith-Lopez even in her immortality has reminded many of us Belizeans that it was the legendary Belizean drama group, "Square Peg Players", with whom she appeared as a revolutionary player, was one of the only sources of education besides Amandala that Belizeans got outside of the classroom. They connected Belizean grassroots society to the dynamics of Belizean politics in their explosion on The Bliss Institute stage.
THE JOY OF FOOD: HOW MANY MEALS SHOULD WE EAT PER DAY?
Hello everyone. We've been discussing the topic of obesity and weight management for a few weeks. Today, we thought we'd divert a bit to look at meals and some foods that may be an encouragement in our weight-loss program. As I stated last week, food should be celebrated and enjoyed; not looked upon as the "boogeyman" of weight control, degenerative diseases and illnesses. After all, without the nourishment that food brings us for sustenance-not to mention the deliciousness of taste when food is consumed, and the aroma of smell when food is being cooked, what joy would there be in eating meals? To say the least, eating would be a pretty boring affair. No one would want to eat-then we'd have a different problem: malnutrition. However, it is because food tastes and smells so great that some of us may tend to overeat. Some people may, as I've stated, need guidance from their doctors, to find out if they have hormonal, chemical, or physiological imbalances that would need to be addressed and corrected, medically. However, for those who don't, let's put that good home-cooked food into perspective.
BROTHER SHABAZZ, THE LEGEND!
My brother, Nuri Akbar Estrada, pulled this classic from the BREDAA archives and shared with me today in one of the most touching moments about one of the most legendary Belizeans of all time, my brother in faith, struggle and friendship, the late Ismael Omar Shabazz.
As yours truly looked deeply at the historic photo, my mind could not recall where and when it was taken, if it was not for the attached notes by Nuri who reminded me that it was taken in 1984 at the Felix Bilal Islamic Center on the historic Central Boulevard in South Central Los Angeles. The moment was not only historic in terms of this period in my life just two years after my embracing Islam and doing some dynamic work as a Belizean Muslim in the Los Angeles Muslims of Belize (LAMBS), but Central Boulevard in L.A. was an historic entertainment spot where "Angelenos" could hear the best in jazz and see some of the legendary African-American jazz musicians of the 1960s and 70s.
Social partners reject Barrow's budget - Rocke saves the day!
The Barrow administration may need to do some rethinking of the 2017-2018 national budget despite receiving majority support in Parliament on Friday and in the Senate today, when Church senator, Pastor Ashley Rocke, tipped the vote in favor of the new budget, saving the day for the ruling United Democratic Party, which now holds a minority of 6 out of 13 seats in the Senate with the installation of the 13th Senator, who gave the budget "a thumbs down" during today's budget debate.
At around 7:30 tonight, the trade unions, private sector and NGO community voted against the budget, and so did the Opposition People's United Party, for 6 votes against the budget. It was Rocke's "yes" vote-the seventh in favor-which secured the passage of the budget.
Breaking Belize News
Work set to begin on Philip Goldson highway
The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Works, today signed a construction contract with Cisco Construction Ltd.
The contract is valued at BZ $20,899,031.40, to carry out Section B of the Fifth Road Project.
BSCAP hosts copyright workshop
The Belize Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (BSCAP) held a conference today to emphasize its push to promote the enforcement of copyright laws in Belize.
BSCAP's Board of Directors, including its CEO, Shyne Barrow, gathered at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, speaking on the need for legislative amendments to foster a culture of copyright compliance in Belize.
Pickup stolen from SJC campus
The Director of Operation at St. John's College, Belize City reported that between the hours of 4:45 p.m. on Sunday the 26th of March, and 7:00 a.m. of Monday the 27th, someone stole a red two door cab-and-a-half Ford Ranger pickup truck.
Sleeping cop accidentally shot with own gun
Last night around 9:00, police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) where officers saw Police Corporal Daniel Paul Lawrence, 40, attached to Strike Team South, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Hope Creek man dies in hit and run
On Sunday March, 26 2017 at about 2:10 a.m., police responded to a fatal accident which occurred between miles 8 and 9 on the Stann Creek Valley Road.
Cops visited the Southern Regional Hospital where they saw Rogelio Perez, 61, a Guatemalan of Hope Creek Village, Stann Creek District who had died as a result of the accident.
Motorcycle driver and passenger charged for illegal gun
Last night at 9:15, police were on mobile patrol on Orchid Street, Santa Elena Town, when cops pursued a black Meilun motorcycle being driven at the time by Joel Sierra, 27, of Santa Elena Town and passenger, Kristy Westby, 24, of the same address.
Upon reaching the intersection of Orchid Street and Mariana Gonzalez street, Sierra lost control of the motor cycle hitting the edge of a culvert.
Good Samaritan fatally stabbed while trying to help
On Sunday at 10:30 p.m., police visited Santa Cruz village where on arrival at Los Amigos bar, cops saw Ostin Zavala, 23, a Belizean construction worker of Bella Vista Village, Stann Creek District on the ground in front of the establishment suffering from a cut wound to his chest.
Sexual Health and Aging workshop to be held tomorrow
In celebration of Women's month, the National Council on Ageing (NCA) with the support of the Western Health Region will be holding a one day Sexual Health and Ageing Workshop.
The workshop is aimed at women 50 years and older. The event will be held tomorrow at the George Price Center in Belmopan starting at 8:30 a.m.
Guatemalan protest Belize and OAS
A video surfaced on social media a couple days ago showing some residents of Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala gathered at a protest near the Western border.
In the video, the residents are shouting insults at Belizeans and at the Organization of American States (OAS) office in the area.
Leaked document illustrates that Guatemala will add Sarstoon to its official map
A leaked document to BBN shows that the Government of Guatemala is in the process of officially including the Sarstoon area on its official map.
BBN secured the official document from Guatemala's Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Budget passes despite 13th Senator
Despite being rejected by the Opposition and most of the Social Partner Senators, the Senate approved the 2017/2018 budget this week because the Church Senator, Ashley Rocke sided with the Government of Belize (GOB).
National Sports Council enhances field in Collet
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture through the National Sports Council (NSC), the Eastern Police Division (South) and the Collet Community teamed up to enhance the safety of youths in the Faber's road extension.
A cleanup and lighting project was held.
Lighting was installed at the basketball court and football field on Faber's Road Extension.
AG participates in ACP-EU Joint parliamentary assembly in Belgium
Attorney General of Belize, Michael Peyrefitte, represented Belize at the 45th Session of the African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) Parliamentary Assembly and the Inter-sessional meetings of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) held from the 21st to 24th March 2017 in Brussels, Belgium at the European Parliament.
Peyrefitte also represented Belize at the Caucus of CARIFORUM ...
PM Barrow to attend Summit of Heads of State and Government in Costa Rica
PM Barrow will be attending the 16th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Tuxtla Mechanism for Dialogue and Coordination in Costa Rica.
The Tuxtla Mechanism is the main forum for political dialogue at the Meso-American level with objectives such as promoting high-level political dialogue...
Minor shoots dad who is a Police Corporal by accident
A police corporal was shot by his son by accident last night in Belize City.
The victim has been identified as Police Corporal Daniel Lawrence.
According to reports, Lawrence was sleeping when he son shot him on the chest.
Visiting San Pedro Ambergris Caye While on vacation
San Pedro Ambergris Caye, Belize's is one of the largest island, well known for its water sports, scuba diving and Caribbean beaches. Off the eastern shore, the Belize Barrier Reef features famed snorkeling and dive sites such as the Hole Chan Marine Reserve, with an abundance of sea life, and the 124m-deep Great Blue Hole. The town of San Pedro is the island's gateway and center for sailing and reef exploration. The island has quite a sandy streets which are lined with wooden houses, seafood restaurants and beach bars. Hole Chan Marine Reserve is a channel in an offshore reef. It features dive sites with parrot-fish and moray eels, plus nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley. To the north, Bacalar Chico National Park protects wildlife and the Chac Balam Mayan ruins. Walking the Beach Path & Going for a Swim on a resort, or just swim on near a clean beach side.
Belizean Folklore: The Legends of Belize<
One of the best ways to get to know a local culture is through their folk tales, legends, and myths. Belize, with its unique blend of different cultures, has a truly colorful folklore history replete with many tall tales. Below are three different stories culled from Belize's rich folklore:
6 Best Bespoke Tour Operators in Belize
Even though Belize is relatively a small country, it's packed with many adventures and scuba diving tours. Belize is famous for its rainforests, Mayan ruins, Barrier Reef, and the awesome jaw dropping Blue Hole. Tourists come from all over the world for the diversification and friendliness offered by some fabulous tour companies.
Here are 6 of the best bespoke tour operators in Belize:
10 of the Best Restaurants in Placencia Belize
Placencia isn't known just for its gorgeous beaches, but it has some of the best restaurants in Belize. Placencia Village is a small village on Placencia peninsula and has become a popular vacation spot, not only because of its 12 miles of golden beaches but its exciting festivals and nightlife.
Tourists flock to Placencia because of spectacular snorkeling, diving opportunities, and touring the Maya ruins, caves, and rainforests.
You'll find a wide variety of excellent restaurants from upscale eateries to shacks right on the beach.
International Sources
5 Major Changes In 2017 Coming to Hurricane Season Forecasts
As the 2017 Hurricane Season approaches the NHC has announced 5 major changes coming in 2017, with some of the improvements having been in the works for decades!
1.) The Issuing Of Watches, Warnings and Advisories Before Storms Even Form.
The NHC will issue advisories for systems that have yet to develop but pose a threat of bringing tropical-storm-force or hurricane-force winds to land areas within 48 hours. These systems will be dubbed "potential tropical cyclones" by the NHC. Under previous longstanding NWS policy, it has not been permitted to issue a hurricane or tropical storm watch or warning until after a tropical cyclone had formed. Advances in forecasting over the past decade or so, however, now allow the confident prediction of tropical cyclone impacts while these systems are still in the developmental stage. For these land-threatening "potential tropical cyclones", NHC will now issue the full suite of text, graphical, and watch/warning products that previously has only been issued for
Food and Travel Mexico Magazine lists Belize Lionfish Hunting as one of the Best Marine Experiences in the World
Belize is in the spotlight in the current edition of the prestigious Food and Travel Mexico Magazine . The article reads" Dive into the waters of the Belize Barrier Reef to capture
a lionfish with a spear; Then bring it ashore and cook it on an outdoor campfire ...You do not need any scientific
knowledge to join the lion fish disposal project; Just a PADI diving certificate and the desire to leave a positive mark on the destination"
MCC ON SONG IN BELIZE
We're well over halfway through the MCC tour to Mexico and Belize. It's safe to say that the MCC team were oozing confidence after a productive six days on and off the field in Mexico.
A historical day trip to the Teotihuacan pyramids and a round of golf provided a welcome break from playing in the heat and altitude.
With little time to rest (3:30am start the following day!) the team set off to compete in the annual Central American T20 championships in Belize.
John McAfee the movie: Johnny Depp to play controversial cybersecurity icon in blockbuster biopic
Hollywood star Johnny Depp is apparently top pick to star as controversial cybersecurity software pioneer John McAfee in a new film about the dramatic events that occurred in Belize from 2010 to 2012.
According to entertainment news site Deadline, the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is taking on a movie script with the working title King of the Jungle. Depp is attached to the project and will be playing the lead role of "computer virus magnate-turned-accused murderer John McAfee".
Mermaid costume-wearing swimmers in Texas make a splash
Angela Lorio paid for her first tail with a summer beekeeping job.
Gold and shimmery, the new appendage was a bargain deal, a magical entree into the watery world of professional mermaiding for the Houston-area woman. Every year for about a week, a handful of dedicated merfolk fly down to Belize for a trip Russo likens to "mermaid summer camp."
The island visit, which benefits a nonprofit high school in Belize, includes mermaid-themed movies, mermaid yoga and mermaid boot camp, along with hours of swimming in tail.
"It's like a mermaid vacation on a paradise island," Russo said.
Art-inspired chefs' tasting and more: Notes from around town
Michael Touby held a tasting last week at Krankies Coffee for a line of Belizean hot sauces that he hopes to distribute in this country.
Touby is working with Marie Sharp, who has been making hot sauce in Belize for more than 30 years.
Touby has created a brand called Maya Mike that essentially would repackage Sharp's recipes under the Maya Mike label for U.S. retail distribution.
Sharp does have limited U.S. distribution under her own label now. But Touby said he wants to use his marketing expertise to widen distribution of these sauces. He also said he plans to use part of the profits to support farmer sustainability and children's education in Belize.
Videos
Educational Segment - FAQS on the Labour Laws, 36min.
Women's Month Feature - The role of Men in the Women's Empowerment, 33min.
Counting the Cost of "Worst" Majestic Alley Fire, 7min. On Friday evening, a fire destroyed four buildings in the congested Majestic Alley including the signature "long barracks," which has eight units and houses as many as thirty people. When all the numbers were tallied, eighteen families were left homeless and majority lost everything they owned. While a number of issues contributed to the fast spread of the fire, there was also criticism of the Fire Service by residents claiming a delay in putting out the fire as a result of malfunctioning equipment. Today, a total of fifty persons remain in shelters and have been provided with meals, clothing and other basic necessities until through the end of this week. News Five's Andrea Polanco has the story.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Belize, 8min.
Scuba Belize 2017, 5min. Chimney, San Pedro, BZ.
Belize Day 1 Snorkeling, 2.5min. Snorkeling off Ambergris Caye via sea kayak from Grand Caribe Resort - March 2017.
Esmeralda Canyons - Belize, 4.5min. Esmeralda Canyons, San Pedro, BZ.
Belize on the fly, 4min.
Sundancer II Belize, 21min.
Tackle Box Canyons San Pedro Belize, 3min.
Friends of Conservation & Development - Issues in the Chiquibul National Park, 45min.
"Dear Teenage Girls" - Social Media To Empower Girls, 22min.
ROC Om Shanti's Women's Health Services, 31min.
UB's Social Work Conference 2017 - Promoting Community & Environment, 25min.
These are moments we need to share, 2min. Setting the tone for a very ground breaking meeting of the Mayas of Northern Belize with the song "Coincidir" performed by Maya Pax group of Corozal.Roy Rodriguez Sr. Faustino Yam Adela Pederson and Mr Adan Palomo.
Belize - Journey to the Mayan underworld - Travel With Kids, 28min. Mayan underworlds to remote former slave ship villages. Discover Mayan pyramids deep in the jungle, try local foods, relax on small islands with go-carts for transport. Learn local language, snorkel with rays and sharks. Meet the diverse nature and people of this tiny Central American country, then hop a sail boat for Honduras. Travel with Kids Belize!
Don't stop BELIZE 'n - Belize anniversary trip - Part 3, 6.5min. This is the adventure vlog from Belize. Zip lining, tubing through caves, rappelling into caves and mayan ruins.
Belize with Laura and Maya, 26min. Glover's Atoll 2017.
Sunrise on the beach at Hopkins Village, Stann Creek, Belize, 2min.
2017 Belize Family Trip, 7min. ey guys!! I'm back from my vacation! Here's a short video showing San Pedro, Belize City, and my family.
2014 Belize, 36min. Dallas Powell & Roger Malouf traveling all of Belize. From top to bottom, by car.
U Pool K'ek'een by Yucatec Mayas for the Belize Maya expo 2016, 3min. Disfrute parte de la presentacion en la Expo-Maya 2016 Baile Cabeza de Cochino (Kich Pan Xan, Sugah City, Yo Creek Yo-Sayab)
Belizean Maya Pax by the band of San Jose(Orange Walk), 1/2min. Maya Pax "Musica Maya" is the kind of Music traditionally played in the Maya(YUcatec Maya) villages in northern Belize for the U Pool K'ek'een(HOg head dance) or any other Maya Mestizo dances.
Belize 2017, 4min. We spent 8 days in Belize through an Adventure Life trip. We started in Pook's Hill Jungle Lodge where we went spelunking through the ATM Cave, went ziplining and cave tubing, and hiked up to the Black Hole Drop through a collapsed cave in the canopy of the rainforest.
Then we headed to a small island on Glover's Reef Atoll for some awesome snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing. Our host even showed us how to open a coconut with a machete!
We ended with a night at Pelican Beach before our 12-person flight back to Belize City. This was the adventure of a lifetime!