Today's Belize News: August 1, 2017

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Today's Belize News: August 1, 2017 #524870 08/01/17 06:32 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,392 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. Specials and Events Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials The San Pedro Sun Fourth annual Camp Starfish ends with grand parade Featuring specially designed posters handmade with love, the fourth annual Camp Starfish grand finale parade certainly brought awareness to the San Pedro community: children with special needs are here, and we are all more alike than different. The two-week camp held at the San Pedro Lions Den on July 17th, 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th, and 28th focused on the community's special needs individuals. The two weeks of activities focused on making education fun, and based on the giggles and laughter coming out of the Den during camp days, it was a total success! With 45 children registered for camp this year (7 more than in 2016), Camp founder Dalia Alamilla and Coordinator Sarah Freudenberg tried to ensure that music and movement were incorporated in the curriculum to get the children up and moving. Traffic accident north of San Pedro Town leaves one person badly injured A collision involving a Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) vehicle and a motorcycle has left a young lady badly injured. The incident took place shortly after lunch on Monday, July 31st at an intersection on the island's northern road. The victim has been identified as a Minelly Sanchez, and she suffered a broken leg and a bruised arm. She was transported to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II where she was stabilized, and later flown to Belize City for further medical treatment. The San Pedro Police Formation and the San Pedro Transport Department (SPTD) have since launched an investigation into the accident. Taste of Belize Cuisine Festival Kicks Off in Taiwan Belize cuisine is gracing the tables at The Cafe Restaurant of Shangri La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei from 27th July through 13th August 2017. The Event, the Taste of Belize Cuisine Festival, is presented by the Embassy of Belize in Taiwan in partnership with the Central American Trade Office (CATO) and the Hotel. The Taste of Belize opened at lunch time on July 27th to a packed restaurant of specially invited guests from the Diplomatic Corp, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Taiwan, public and private sector entities, and regular customers. Vice Foreign Minister H. E. Jose Maria Liu, Shangri La's Resident Manager Alexander Paul, and Embassy of Belize's Ambassador H.E. Diane Haylock spoke at the ceremony and broke ice along with CATO's Director H.E. Ingrid Hsing, and Belize's own celebrated Chef Jennie Staines of Elvi's Kitchen on San Pedro Ambergris Caye. National Song Competition 2017 Postponed and Song Entry Deadline Extended The National Celebrations Commission informs the public that the National Song Competition 2017 has been postponed. This year's National Song Competition will be held on Saturday, August 26th in Dangriga Town. The date for the deadline of entries has also been extended to allow the artists extra time to properly record and submit their original instrumental, fully recorded song, lyrics, completed registration form and photograph to National Song Competition, Bliss Centre, Southern Foreshore, Belize City or online at www.mynationalsong.bz. Ambergris Today Is this the last we'll see of David Doehm?" Eye witnesses reported seeing him arrive at the San Pedro gas station at 6:17pm in a small water craft. He filled up his gas tank and headed south towards Belize City. The boat was fully loaded with cargo underneath a large tarp. "Are the Doehms moving out of the island? Or is David making a run for it?" Our readers express their concerns. The couple was scheduled for a mandatory check in at the Belize City Queen Street Police Station today as part of their bail requirements. Their next mandatory check in is Monday, August 7. Queen's Baton Relay To Arrive In Belize This Week The Queen's Baton has journeyed through all the African and Caribbean countries. Its next stop will be Belize, from August 2nd - 6th. The Baton will be arriving at the Philip Goldson International Airport at 12:30pm on August 2nd, 2017. Members of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (BOCGA), Honorable Beverly Williams, Mr. Jorge Espat, will welcome the team. CEO of the PGIA, and Mrs. Dian White, Chairperson of Ladyville. Immediately following a brief meet and greet with our invited guest and the media. The Cycling Federation of Belize will start the first leg of the relay that will visit, Belize City, Orange Walk and the Chiquibul National Park. Taste Of Belize Cuisine Festival Kicks Off In Taiwan Belize cuisine is gracing the tables at The Cafe Restaurant of Shangri La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei from 27th July through 13th August 2017. Chef Jennie flew into Taiwan on July 24, 2017, and immediately went to work along with the Shangri La team of chefs in getting the special Belize menu items ready. The restaurant's lunch and dinner time buffet will feature the Belize Cuisine section. A shorter version of the Taste of Belize Cuisine Festival will also be featured at Mega50 Restaurant in New Taipei City from the 1st to 3rd August, 2017. Chef Jennie will also be there. She returns to Belize on the 6th August. Misc Belizean Sources Man Charged for April murder of Guatemalan Businessman Carlos Pop Xol was murdered on April 20th, 2017 in Jalacte Village. On July 30th, Police have formally arrested and charged 27 year old Elmer Javier Carillo, a nautralized Belizean with the crime of murder. On Thursday, April 20th, 2017,a body was seen near the Jalacte junction. Police found a man with multiple stab wounds across his body. Carlos Pop Xol was heading back to Guatemala from Bella Vista village when he was attacked by two men. Xol was robbed of all his belongings." Mayor Darrell Bradley participated on the International Leaders Visitor Program (IVLP): "Accountability in Government" from July 10-28, 2017 During the program he participated in combinations of meetings, site visits, training and cultural events in different states in the U.S. The program explored the American commitment to transparency, ethics, and accountability at all levels of its government. They also examined the methods employed to prevent corruption, encourage ethical leadership and transparency, and ensure accountability to the public. Participants explored the critical role that NGOs, advocacy groups, and the media play as "watchdogs" as well as how social media is increasingly used to monitor good governance. Finally they looked at "whistleblower" issues, the impact of the Freedom of Information Act, sunshine laws and the move to provide data for public viewing. End of Ya'axch� Conservation Trust three-year strategic plan As we reach the end of our current three-year strategic plan, our team came together last week to acknowledge the remarkable achievements made thus far and envision our direction for the next three years. Thanks to our longstanding partner Fauna & Flora International for successfully facilitating the workshops. We excitedly anticipate another 3 years of empowering communities and protecting forests of the Maya Golden Landscape in southern Belize! Shooting in San Pedrito The San Pedro Police Formation are investigating a shooting incident which occurred in the San Pedrito Area of San Pedro Town about 8pm Monday night. Information reaching our news room indicate that a male person Identified as 29-year-old Floyd Martinez of a Belize City address was shot to his left leg and groin. He was transported to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II where he was stabilized and then airlifted to Belize City for further medical treatment. No arrests have been made as yet. Police continue investigating. Costa Maya Pageant Delegates having a BLAST on board the Island Dream Tours - YOLO The beauty delegates of the Miss Costs Maya Pageant enjoyed a true Beliean day in the sun. Island Dream Tours - YOLO hosted a wonderful picnic on board the YOLO catamaran. Sun, Sea, Belizean Breeze, great food-cocktails-service made for an unforgettable experience for the Central American delegates who travel to Ambergris Caye, Belize to compete for the coveted title of Miss Costa Maya 2017. International Costa Maya Festival Updating of the National Land Use Policy and Planning Framework The Ministry of Natural Resources has engaged a multi-disciplinary team from Agrer/I-MAGE Consult of Belgium to carry out an exercise to update the National Land Use Policy and the National Land Use Planning Framework for Land Development in Belize. This twelve (12) month consultancy forms part of the Technical Assistance component of the Belize Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project financed by the World Bank and implemented through the Belize Social Investment Fund. The updated National Land Use Policy and Planning Framework to be formulated is expected to articulate the country's policy for the long term sustainable use and responsible development of land according to its suitability and functionality. Schedule for the Three Days of San Joaquin's Fiesta The 51st annual San Joaquin Fiesta will be held on the Park Grounds, San Joaquin Village, Corozal. To find out more about this event click Here: https://www.facebook.com/sanjoaquin.fiesta Food, beverages, games, gambling, mechanical games, grand dance, and much more. Friday, 11th August, 10pm Dance with One Love Band. Saturday, 12th August, 10pm Dance with Gilharry 7 Band. Sunday, 13th August, 10pm Dance with Dynamics of Belize Band. Sat, 12 Aug 2017 - San Joaquin Fiesta 2017. Guatemalan Government Seeks Indigenous Support in Dispute With Belize Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Morales has begun today a working visit to three regions of the country seeking support from mayors, governors and indigenous authorities and explaining the reasons for the territorial dispute with Belize. The official support is seeking to influence positively in a people�´s consultation planned before 2018 and will determine whether or not to take an insular and maritime litigation with Belmopan to the International Criminal Court (ICC) according to press media. Nooks Beach Party August 5th SATURDAY! Only 5 days away! From noon TO MIDNIGHT Nook on the beach! Beach games, MELONIE GILLET performance, fire dancer! Great food and drink deals! $5 snagrias! Fireball sangria! Give aways! Never know what else could happen! See you Saturday! Just added! henna artist on the beach! Bandits Nation leaves for Nicaragua for their debut in the 2017 CONCACAF Champions League against Ferreti FC Bandits SC leaves today for Nicaragua for our first game. Follow us on our journey! Game will be on Univision and Fox Sports ! "Check local cable stations for channel listing" Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Bird Checklist Good sighting of young crake with pictures for you all very lucky difficult bird to fotograph. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary--Spanish Creek, Orange Walk Birding Checklist Back birdwatching in the lagoon with good friends some good good birds and good memories,here a sample for my friends. 20th Police Youth Cadet Corp Annual Summer Camp The Belize Police Department (BPD) held its 20th Police Youth Cadet Corp Annual Summer Camp hosted at the Belmopan Comprehensive High School from July 24 to 28. A total of 266 youth participated in the week-long event. The week activities included the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program lessons, camp fire, educational tours, presentations from the Meteorology Department, Hurricane preparedness lessons, talent show, pageant talent show, jungle survival training, foot drill competition, sporting activities and other sporting activities. The Cadets also visited elderly homes and donated 266 hampers. The Museum of Belize's Summer Arts Program 2017 A big thank you to our facilitators Mr. and Mrs.Flores and all our participants of the 'Ti-Tai Art' workshop (Level 1), who made this initiative possible. Here are some photos of the workshop and the final products! Ya'axch� Summer Camp: Day 1 Today marks the beginning of our 1-week summer camp. This year's theme is "Our forests, our health, our life, our future". We are hosting 28 children from the Maya Golden Landscape, who are learning about community forestry and the benefits provided by #forests. Today the focus is on the value of standing forests, and we welcomed the Belize Forest Department, who gave a presentation on their role in forestry. Channel 7 Politically Connected Man In Orange Walk Charged For Murder This weekend Orange Walk was shaken up when the 24 year old Daniel Sosa's body was found in a parking lot with a gunshot wound to the head. It caused a tremor in the town because the man he was last seen with was his good friend, 42 year old Hilmar David Alamilla. Now, if his name sounds familiar, it should. He's the one time Gaspar Vega henchman who briefly owned the controversial property that Andre Vega was compensated 400 thousand dollars for. Alamilla was the middleman in that purchase - who got the land from government, and he then flipped the property to Andre Vega - who came up big time when he was compensated. Young Man Shot Dead In Salvapan And while Orange Walk is still reeling from that very high profile murder - two other men were killed by guns this weekend. The first is a very cold murder that happened in the Salvapan area of Belmopan this morning around 7:00. 21 year old Samuel Mendez was cutting a yard on Costa Rica Street when a gunman came and just killed him. The Officer Commanding Belmopan told us more:... Watchman Shoots Trespasser - Cops Don't Know If It's Murder And while the two shooting deaths so far are being investigated as murders - the third case is not quite as clear. Just before midnight on Saturday, a 60 year old security Guard was working at the Aqua Mar Shrimp Farm when he came upon two trespassers. He says they were dressed in dark clothing and stepped towards him with a machete. He took up his shotgun - and the men fled, but the Security still fired, hitting 25 year old Wilfred Malcom in the back and head, killing him. So, the men were trespassing, but they were also fleeing - so was the use of lethal force justified? Especially since security guards were always on the lookout for copper thieves at the farm. Cops; Heroic Act, Save Kids From Drowning It seems like every week on the news - we report on some cop or the other who's gone rogue, and done something lawless and shameful. And very rarely do we hear about cops who did the right thing, or the brave thing - or even the heroic thing. But they did this weekend - and it was all captured one ell phone camera. On Saturday, three teenaged boys who were going down the Macal River in a dory got into trouble near Cristo Rey when the currents pushed the canoe into submerged tree branches and smashed it, leaving the boys hanging on for dear life. Licensed Shooter in Santa Elena Killing Still In Hospital As we reported on Friday, 37 year old Jose Nunez Castellanos was shot dead in a bar brawl in Santa Elena, Cayo. The man who allegedly shot him, was licensed firearm owner, 31 year old Nevis Bethancourt - who claims he did it in self defense, as Castellanos was chopping off his hand. Tonight, Bethancourt has not been charged or detained; he remains in the hospital recovering form the cop wound which nearly severed his hand. On Friday, police said he had been detained. Cops Make Arrest For Murder Of Guatemalan In South In April we told you about Guatemalan Carlos Pop Xol had been killed in Jalacte Village. The 44 year old businessman who is from Alta Vera Paz, Guatemala had been robbed and stabbed multiple times. On Sunday, three months later police formally arrested and charged 27 year old Elmer Javier Carillo, a naturalized Belizean with murder. The motive was robbery. More Gold Panners Caught in Chiquibul On Saturday morning 5 Friends of Conservation and Development Rangers were conducting a routine patrol in the Ceibo Chico region of the Chiquibul National Park, when they came across a make shift camp about 6km into the park. After a quick inspection they found two Guatemalan men sleeping under shelter. The men were identified as Thomas Gomez and Domingo Para, both from Dolores, Peten. The rangers also found six live 16 gauge shotgun shells, and a a bag of marijuana. No firearm was found, however several gold mining tools were found throughout the camp. Keenan Allegedly Caught With Cocaine Twenty-three year old Dangriga resident, Keenan Flores appeared in the Magistrate's Court today where he was charged with drug trafficking. According to reports, police acted on information received and searched a sky blue GMC Jimmy, which is allegedly owned by Flores. The cops found 2.2 kilos, or five pounds of cocaine in the back seat of the vehicle. When he appeared before Senor Magistrate Sharon Fraser, Flores pled not guilty. However, because of the amount of cocaine, the court was unable to offer him bail. Flores was remanded into custody until October. Selvin Caught With Safe San Ignacio police on patrol caught a teenaged burglar early on Friday morning. At 2:00 am, the cops saw Selvin Linarez from Ebony Street in Belize City lugging around a cash pan and a safe. It turns out he had gotten the cash pan from Atlantic Insurance and the safe from and environmental consultancy office beside it on the George Price highway. Both businesses had been burglarized. The cash pan and a few hundred dollars and the safe had a few thousand dollars. Linarez was charged with 2 counts of burglary. Cops Get Motorbikes Today the Belize Police Department received a donation of 6 motorcycles from businessman, Glen Wilson. Wilson, who has lived in Belize for almost 10 years, decided to donate the bikes in order to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of police patrols in rural areas. We went to the handing over ceremony where we spoke to Wilson, as well as Commander of Police Operation, ACP Edward Broaster, about the donation... Capital Cops Get Kids Into Agriculture Today, Belmopan police launched their second annual Youth engaged in Agriculture program. It's an interesting initiative which seeks to get children form Belmopan City and surrounding villages between the ages of nine and fifteen involved in agriculture as a summer job. The officer commanding Belmopan explained that it's an important time to capture these young minds - and recruitment this year zoomed from 75 to 125 participants :.. In the week long program the kids also learn about back yard gardening, tilapia and chicken rearing, corn and beans production, and ice cream processing. Bandits Leave For Champions League In Nicaragua Today the Belmopan Bandits flew out to Nicaragua to prepare for their first match in the region's Champion's League tournament. The Bandits qualified for the competition after winning this year's Premier League championship. Since then, the team has added some new talent to its roster, and has been training to compete at this international level. We met them at the airport this morning and spoke to a few of the veterans about how they're feeling heading into the match... Brendan Bain Beats UWI In Freedom Of Expression Case You may remember Jamaican Professor Brendan Bain. He made news all over the Caribbean when he was fired in May 2014 from his post at the University of the West Indies CHART Program. The University terminated him after they came under pressure from 33 lobby groups and activists organizations all over the Caribbean, for his supposed "anti-gay" testimony in the UNIBAM trial in the Belize Supreme Court. Channel 5 Hilmar Alamilla Charged for Murder of Daniel Sosa - But Was It Murder? Four men lost their lives in the past four days, although only two are counted as murder victims and police continue to investigate the two others. Twenty-four year old Daniel [...] Attorney Dickie Bradley Calls Death "Unbelievable" Hilmar Alamilla, also known as David, has retained Richard 'Dickie' Bradley as legal counsel. He appeared before Senior Magistrate Albert Hoare in the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court and was remanded [...] Dickie Bradley Says His Client is Not Guilty of Murder According to Bradley, Alamilla, on advice has not spoken to police, but Bradley seemed fairly confident that he could show reasonable doubt that he had nothing to do with the [...] In Belmopan, Young Security Guard Shot Dead over Dispute Early this morning, a resident of the Riviera Area in Belmopan was murdered as he chopped a yard. Twenty-year-old Samuel Mendez was shot several times to the body by a [...] P.G. Police Charged Accused in April Murder Guatemalan businessman, Carlos Pop Xol, was stabbed to death back in April near the remote village of Jalacte in the south. Pop's lifeless body was found by a relative not [...] Was Cayo Shooting/Chopping Confrontation Murder or Self-Defense? Police continue to investigate a fatal shooting in the west that occurred last Thursday in Santa Elena. Jose Castellanos, also known as "El Chele" was at a restaurant when he [...] Security Guard Shoots Dead Would-Be Intruder A twenty-five-year-old man lost his life on Sunday morning when he was shot and killed by a security guard on a shrimp farm in southern Belize.� The incident happened sometime [...] City Resident Charged with Double Burglary in Santa Elena A Belize City man was nabbed in Santa Elena in the west in possession of a cash pan and safe. Nineteen-year-old Selvin Linarez of Ebony Street was busted by police [...] MIT Bust Suspected Drug Trafficker in Old Capital Dangriga resident Keenan Anthony Flores pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply to another person or persons for the purpose of drug [...] Heroic Cops Hailed for Rescuing Drowning Teens Police Constables Daniel Choc and Derwin Garcia are being hailed as heroes tonight. The officers rescued three teenage boys who almost drowned in the Macal River in Cristo Rey Village [...] Gold Panners Hit with Slew of Charges Two Guatemalan nationals are in custody following their arrest over the weekend. Forty-year-old Thomas Gomez and thirty-seven-year-old Domingo Pana from Naranjon, Dolores Peten were detained on Saturday morning in the [...] Changing Strategy to Stop Gold Panners in Chiquibul According to Manzanero, the Ceibo Chico conservation post was installed three years ago and despite presence of joint B.D.F. and FCD patrols in the southernmost area of the Chiquibul, Guatemalan [...] Auditor General Scolds Would-Be Witness for Senate Hearing This past Wednesday, the final public hearing of the Senate Special Select Committee on Immigration before a one-month hiatus was abruptly canceled over lack of consensus as to the necessity [...] BERT Takes to Skies with New Air Ambulance There's a new emergency airlift that will be flying across the country in the days ahead, assisting the Belize Emergency Response Team with aerial capacity.� Wings of Hope has provided [...] Police Ride the Roads with New Motorbikes The Police Department has received six motorcycles to bolster its fight against crime, primarily in the Belize District. The generous donation came from Offshore Solutions at the request of the [...] Record Haul of Scholarships from Ariel Rosado Foundation The Ariel Rosado Foundation, established in the memory of the fallen cyclist turned legal practitioner, has increased the number of scholarships it awards to students for the fifth year in [...] All Kinds of Football on Sports Monday Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. [Highlights of weekend sporting activities....] CTV3 BSCFA Threathens To Take Legal Action Against BSI/ASR Tonight, we can report that there is more trouble in the sugar industry as a late evening press release fired off by the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association belts out a response to a notice issued by ASR/BSI twelve days ago, in which the ASR warns that if the BSCFA opts out of the current cane purchasing agreement, BSI would not be able to accept cane from their members. Guatemalas President Seeks Support To Take Maritime And Territorial Dispute To The ICJ The issue of the referendum to decide whether to take Guatemala's age-old, unfounded claim over Belizean territory to the International Court of Justice has returned to the fore in Guatemala. Their press is reporting that Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales is on a regional working tour in which he is lobbying for support for the referendum among mayors, governors and indigenous leaders. Hit And Run Accident Leaves One Person Injured A hit and run accident has left a teenager in a critical condition tonight at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Reports reaching our news room indicate that sixteen year old Monique Moray was knocked down by an unidentified vehicle sometime around 5:15 this morning on Dangriga Street� located in the Union Town area here in Orange Walk. Breaking Belize News Trailer truck crashes into an electrical post in Santa Elena, Cayo A trailer truck crashed into an electrical post in Santa Elena Town, Cayo District a short while ago causing a power outage in the area. The accident happened near the Aguada Hotel. At the moment, police along with fire fighters and a crew from BEL are at the scene. Belmopan man killed while chopping yard At about 7:30 this morning, four shots rang out in the Costa Rica area of Salva Pan Extension in Belmopan. When the shots stopped, Samuel Mendez laid dead, faced up in a pool of blood. According to reports, Mendez was contracted by his sister to cut a yard and while doing so a gun man emerged from the bushes and started firing the shots at him. First major accident at new bridge in San Ignacio/ Santa Elena A white BWS truck heading in the direction from San Ignacio to Santa Elena crashed into the rails of the new bridge a short time ago. Guatemalans charged for illegal entry Yesterday BBN reported that the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) caught two Guatemalans gold panning in the Chiquibul National Park. The men were taken to the San Ignacio Police station. Police reported that today, Domingo Pena and Thomas Gomes were charged for kept ammunition without a gun license. Poor Financing of Protected Areas Undermines Belize's Development A well-managed and ecologically representative national protected areas (PA) system is essential to the preservation of Belize's natural capital and its biodiversity assets, in order to guarantee the ecosystem services that currently underwrite national development and citizen welfare. Well-conserved ecosystems in soundly-managed PAs provide services that are key for sectoral growth in the economy and also for human wellbeing. Ecosystem goods and services provided by PAs are critical for health, nutrition, employment, food security, agricultural exports and even protection from natural disasters. Hilmar Alamilla charged for murder Yesterday morning, Daniel Sosa, 24, was found near a dumpster of a hotel in Orange Walk town lying face down with one gunshot wound to the left temple that exited the top of his head. Police had initially detained three persons pending investigations. Today [�] Guatemalan President seeking support for taking Belize dispute to ICJ Latin American news outlet, the Prensa Latina is reporting that Guatemalan President, Jimmy Morales has embarked on a working visit to three regions of his country seeking support from mayors, governors and indigenous authorities to take the long-standing territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala [�] BERT's new air ambulance touching down today The Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT), Belize's only emergency medical response service, will soon be able to transfer patients in need of emergency care even quicker with the arrival of a Piper Cherokee 6 air ambulance today. The single-engine fixed landing gear light aircraft [�] Sunny skies and warm weather on the horizon The 24-hour forecast is for mostly fair and warm weather to continue with sunny skies today and partly cloudy skies tonight. Some isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected over inland areas this afternoon and over the south tonight. The wind will blow from the [�] Cristo Rey villager found This morning BBN reported that a family Cristo Rey village was worried sick after they had not heard from their relative, Rosendo Juarez since last Wednesday. Juarez, however, was found a short while ago and was taken home safely. BBN thanks everyone for sharing. [�] Taiwan accused of 'Dollar-Diplomacy' after recent Belize visit The Republic of China (Taiwan) government has denied accusations that it is engaging in "dollar diplomacy" by offering financial assistance to diplomatic allies after the Taiwanese Foreign Minister, Dr. David Tawei Lee signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) worth US $60 Million in Belize [�] Security Guard kills intruder in Independence, police investigating A police investigation is currently underway in the Intermediate Southern Formation, after an on-duty security guard allegedly killed one of two intruders on a shrimp farm in Independence village on Saturday night. According to police reports, at around 11:48 p.m. on Saturday night 60-year-old [�] Rosendo Juarez of Cristo Rey Village missing Rosendo Juarez of Cristo Rey Village in the Cayo District is missing. The family of Juarez posted on social media that they haven't seen or heard from him since Wednesday, July 26, 2017. The public is asked to call the nearest police station if [�] Belize - Should the minimum wage be increased? By Richard Harrison: The minimum wage stipulated by law in Belize is currently at BZ$3.30 per hour, and was raised to this level in 2012�.five long years ago. Prior to that it was set at BZ$3.10 per hour in 2010, and BZ$2.50 in 2007. In 1992, minimum [�] Blogs SNACK HUNTING ON CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE Where, how, and when (hint: first thing in the morning) to get the best bites in Belize... As I was nearing the end of my trip - and the end of my budget - I made a conscious decision to forego real meals and survive instead solely on snacks. To my delight, the first snack found me. Elsworth Crawford, a native of Caye Caulker, has been baking for an impressive 28 years and sells his freshly baked treats - twice a day! - from his bicycle, which he rides across the island. Donning a chef's hat and apron, he pedals through town, bearing a permanent grin, hawking cinnamon buns the size of your head. You'll hear him coming: "FRESH BAKED CINNAMON BUNS! COCONUT BREAD! JUST SAY THE WORD, BAY-BAY! SAY THE WORD!" A cinnamon bun will set you back a whopping $2 BZD ($1 USD) and easily provide a day's worth of calories. I had one most days, and don't regret a thing. Why Visit Punta Gorda, Belize Punta Gorda is a fishing town on the Caribbean coast of southern Belize. It's a gateway to the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, lying offshore, and Guatemala. Nearby dive sites on the Belize Barrier Reef are home to turtles and whale sharks. Payne's Creek National Park has coastal wetlands and numerous bird species. Inland are the ruined Maya city of Lubaantun and waterfalls in Rio Blanco National Park. Punta Gorda, known locally as P.G., is the capital and largest town of Toledo District in southern Belize. Punta Gorda is the southernmost sizable town in the nation, with a population of about 5,000 people. Although the town bears a Spanish name, its inhabitants are mostly Kriol/English-speaking, and are primarily of Garifuna, East Indian, Kriol, and Maya descent. International Sources Central Bank of Belize adopts Swift for sanctions screening SWIFT announces today that the Central Bank of Belize has adopted its Sanctions Screening solution to combat financial crime. The industry utility enables banks to take a proactive approach in building greater trust with the international financial community and mitigating de-risking. Central Bank of Belize says, "The adoption of SWIFT's Sanctions Screening further attests our commitment to prevent financial crime. Implementing the right compliance controls within an organization is not only a regulatory responsibility, but also a priority for global security." My Way Around: Journeying the Infinite Spiral of Life How do you spiral from street musician, an island in Belize, tragedy in Mexico to spiritual channel, luminary, and author? Enjoy the adventures, challenges, lessons and incredible experiences of Wendy's spiraling journey to the successful, happy and healthy place she is today. Videos Belize Now - Episode 28 Friday, July 28, 2017, 35min. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Completes Three-day Visit to Belize, Pueblo Viejo and Conejo Get New Solar Energy Water Systems and Our Belize Now Team gets an Update on the Goldson House. These stories and more on this week's edition of Belize Now. Colt in the Cockpit, 1.5min. We took a 12-seater Cessna 208 Caravan back and forth between mainland Belize and Ambergris Caye during our trip. On the last day, Colt took the jump seat for a great view. Belize, July 2017. Battle of The Drums 2015, 1/2min. Snippet from the 2015 Battle of the drums competition in Punta Gorda Town Andrew & Tifara Belize Wedding Film, 14min. from Jose Luis Zapata Belize's Artistic Future on Display at ICA Summer Camp, 4min. KTV the Remix (July 25, 2017), 2hr15min. Over the weekend the Orange Walk district recorded its fifth murder for 2017, 6min. Over the weekend the Orange Walk district recorded its fifth murder for 2017 after a twenty four year old Orange Walkeno was brutally killed, shot once to the head and his body dumped inside the Parking lot of D-Victoria Hotel here in Orange Walk. Our news-team has been following this tragic incident, which has left an entire community in shock, since Saturday and filed the following report. Hilmar David Alamilla was detained by police at his home and later charged for murder., 8min. Approximately two hours after Daniel Sosa's body was discovered with a gunshot wound to the temple, his alleged killer, well connected UDP supporter, forty two year old Hilmar David Alamilla was detained by police at his home and later charged for murder. This morning Alamilla was escorted to the Orange Walk Magistrates court where he was arraigned for a single count of murder. Attorney General Ministry Position on Outstanding Judgements, 35min. National Women's Commission Women on Politics Conrence, 29min. NICH promotes National Song Competition, 16min. Belizean Beetle (Ball Roller), 1min. Evans Badu Live, 47min. Wildlife River Sanctuary, 5min. The Wildlife River Sanctuary combines all of the reasons we love Belize on 28 acres! The custom designed home perched within the hillside provides unobstructed views of the mountains, wildlife, jungle, and river below. From the moment you pass the gate and begin your drive up the palm-lined driveway, you'll feel at home. You'll want to visit the productive pitaya orchard and walk the property while keeping an eye out for the flora and fauna who share the space, before you take the steps carved into the hillside down to the river�.You'll be tempted to toss a line and relax in a shady spot along the 908 feet of riverfront, but there is so much more to see! A Jaguar and Her Cubs from Belize & ; Bart Harmsen 2016 Natural History Nature Documentary, 4min. Adventures in Belize - June 2017, 4min. Belize - La splendeur des Mayas. DOCUMENTAIRE MYST�RE, 45min. Depuis que les vestiges des cit�s mayas ont �t� red�couverts au XIXe si�cle, ils fascinent les chercheurs. Don Wildman revient sur l'histoire de cette civilisation Great Blue Hole Belize, 4min. Scuba Diving with Amigos del Mars at the Great Blue Hole in Belize. What Beers are Available in Belize? Here is a Preview, 2.5min. The Best Week of my Life- Pt. 1 \| Belize 2017, 17min. This is the first part of the best week of my life. I went to Belize for a week which was the best week of my lfe. Emancipation Day 2017, 4.5min. Boat Launch for the Ancestors of Slavery. As we commemorate Emancipation Day 2017, we honour the memory of those who gave their lives, as well as those whose indomitable will drove them to overcome their suffering, and eventually attain freedom. Live from Queen Square Baptist Emancipation Service, 7.5min.