Today's Belize News: August 30, 2017

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Today's Belize News: August 30, 2017 #525509 08/30/17 06:51 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,395 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 Lyndon Flowers charged for the rape of a 14-year-old girl Ambergris Caye resident, Lyndon Dean Flowers was remanded to Belize Central Prison on Monday, August 28th on charges of the rape of a 14-year-old girl. Flowers appeared in front of Magistrate Carlon Mendoza in Belize City, where he was read the charges. Despite his attorney's attempt to get him out on bail, Flowers was locked down until his next court appearance on October 27th, 2017. According to the victim, Flowers raped her on July 3rd of this year, but she was afraid to report the matter, because he threatened to kill her if she did so. Flowers' attorney tried to avoid his remand, but the court prosecutor raised formal objections. Ambergris Today Second Whale Death Reported In Belizean Waters "Something terrible is happening at sea," posted Oceana Belize on their Facebook Page. They are reporting a second whale that has been found in Belizean waters. According to Boat Captain Jason Westby, it's a juvenile sperm whale which he found lifeless and floating near the Silk Cayes. Oceana Belize urges that an investigation needs to be launched to determine why these whales are dying. Misc Belizean Sources Power interruption 7:00am to 2:00pm, Friday, September 1, San Pedro Pescador Dr, San Pedrito, Elliot Subdivision, San Pablo, San Marcos and DFC Area. BEL to replace poles and grips carrying high voltage lines; and install high voltage mid-spans in the area. Ko'one'ex t�ant �oltik Marcus Canul (vamos a celebrar a Marcus Canul) The Northern Maya Association of Belize extends you a cordial invitation to a memorial event to Honour Maya Hero Marcos Canul. The event is first of its kind and will be held on Saturday September 2, 2017 on Queen Victoria Avenue in Orange Walk Town. Join the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) community of northern Belize as we acknowledge the struggles of our ancestors, celebrate our forgotten heroes, and strive to keep our identity alive. Following the short ceremony, treat yourself to typical Maya Mestizo food on sale, learn more about the Yucatec Maya from exhibits on site, take a tour of the grounds where the 1872 Battle of Orange Walk took place, and enjoy live performances by cultural groups. Kux'ano'on !!!!!! How did the Maya get salt? Today we look at salt and don't really stop to consider how it came to be. We just know we walk to a store if we need more. We cannot live without it though. We need salt to live, and imagine a world where salt did not exist to add flavor to our food and snacks! The ancient Maya needed salt as well, and thanks to Dr. Heather McKillop and her work in southern Belize we are quickly learning that there were salt workshops on the coast that likely supplied major sites in that area, including Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun. Casting Call for Miss Earth Belize and Miss World Belize REFURBISHMENT & LIGHTING OF CROOKED TREE SPORTS FACILITIES Inauguration ceremonies will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30, 2017, for the newly lighted Softball and Cricket Field in Crooked Tree Village, as well as the refurbished Basketball Court which has been repainted and re-fenced with new lights also installed. The project was executed by the National Sports Council through the lobbying efforts of Belize Rural North Area Representative Hon Edmond Castro. Main speakers at the ceremony will be National Sports Director Ian Jones and Area Representative Hon Edmond Castro. The ceremony will start at 10:00 AM. Ministry of Health Responds to False Reports on Pharmaceutical Trade in Belize The Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that a recent "NBZLive" Facebook post of 24th August 2017 makes utterly false, destructive and defamatory accusations regarding the ownership of a pharmaceutical company, and the trade of pharmaceuticals, by the Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin and his immediate family. In response to the allegations, the Ministry of Health advises that Allied Tech, the company referred to in the post, is registered as having its principals based in Ladyville, Belize. Additional information can be provided by the Ministry upon request. The Ministry of Health has implemented rigorous legislative measures to ensure that safe, high-quality pharmaceuticals, in the required quantities, continue to be made available for all Ministry of Health facilities and that similar quality assurance measures are extended to the private sector. Pharmaceuticals are being imported into Belize by approximately 50 importers, and recent legislation ensures an increasingly transparent process in the Ministry's regulation of pharmaceuticals, the pharmaceutical trade and the operation of pharmaceutical facilities. NOTICE from the National Sports Council of Belize To the public/users of the Marion Jones Sports Complex for recreation, track practice, etc.: Kindly be advised that the Marion Jones Sports Complex is CLOSED, 29 August 2017 through Monday, 4 September 2017. The public's cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. The Complex will re-open on Tuesday, 5 September 2017. Training in rappelling and the use of ropes for the Karst Mapping Team This training is one of several training sessions for these volunteers as they prepare for the mapping of the Chiquibul Cave System. Channel 7 Alleged Fraud and Forgery in Land Flip To Andre Vega One week ago 7News broke the story of another Vega family land scandal. Well tonight it is exposed as a case of blatant land fraud, including outright forgery. The Belmopan resident who supposedly flipped a piece of land to Andre Vega says she never even knew she was in any kind of land transaction until she saw it on 7News. Amy Forte's attorney has written to the Prime Minister - who is also the Minister of Natural Resources - asking him to cancel the conveyance because her signature was forged. Her attorney says she applied to purchase national land in Caye Caulker in 2007 but never got any title to any property. And, now, suddenly, 10 years later, her name is all over the evening news, saying she got beachfront property on northern Caye Caulker, and flipped it to Andre Vega for thirty thousand dollars. Johnny Zabs: How I Got Off The Kingpin's List On last week Tuesday's newscast, we told you how John Zabaneh was removed from the US Treasury Department's KINGPIN list. After 5 years of suffering, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) lifted the sanction they had placed on the Stann Creek businessman in August of 2012, which prevented pretty much anyone from doing business with him. All banks, suppliers, and most of his business partners had cut him off. They would not conduct business with him or his family-owned companies because of the taint of the kingpin designation. His family's fortunes were dealt a deathblow and the banana industry suffered after Fyffes ended its business relationship with his Mayan King Banana Farms, which was being managed by the company, Meridian. The Irish based fruit packing giant stopped buying their bananas because could not risk being associated with Zabaneh. Belizeans Accused of Assaulting Mexi-Taxi 2 Belizeans allegedly assaulted a Mexican taxi-man near the old Belize-Mexico bridge on Monday. According to an online news report in "El Punto", the taximan picked them up at a casino in the Free Zone and as they were heading over to Chetumal, the Belizean passengers assaulted the taximan and tried to subdue him. But he threw himself out of the vehicle. The taximan was injured to his elbow and right ankle. The Belizeans then drove off with the taxi back to the Belize side of the border. The Police in Chetumal said they could not intervene because the car ended up in the Belize Free Zone, where it has no jurisdiction. Weed and Wood In Maya Center The law to decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana may be before the House of Representatives, but growing it is still illegal. That's why Stann Creek Police are making news of the fact that they conducted an operation where they found and burnt ten mature trees at a reserve in the vicinity of the Maya Center village. The police also found several different sizes of board from timber that had been harvested without a permit. Philloughby's Lessons Learned In Convention Phillip Willoughby is a four term city councillor - and now he will be trying for a fifth term. The man we call "Philloughby" tried for the mayorship but he came 685 votes short of his colleague Dion Leslie. Now, we know for sure, he put his heart and soul into a campaign that was always an uphill struggle. So, how does he handle losing? Up until today, we just didn't know. He wasn't there during the counting on convention night - and he didn't make himself available for an interview yesterday. Today, he called the press to City Hall to congratulate his opponent - and say he learned some mighty big lessons: Another Dead Whale In Belize's Southern Waters Yesterday another sperm whale was found lifeless in Belize's waters. This one was found in the Stann Creek District near the Silk Cayes. This becomes the 3rd whale to die in Belizean waters since 2016. So what's causing the untimely deaths of these huge sea mammals? That's what we asked Oceana's Vice President Janelle Chanona today: Janelle Chanona, Vice President at Oceana Belize: "We had a humpback whale die in April 2016 and one two and a half weeks ago that was I believe a baleen whale and now a sperm whale." Sahar Vasquez, reporter: "What was the cause of death for that?" Ministry of Health Gets Hot About Facebook Post The Ministry of Health sent out a release today condemning a Facebook post by NBZLive. As seen here, it is a picture of newly-weds, Health Minister Pablo Marin and Director of the Drug Inspectorate Danini Contreras. The post reads "Pablo and Danini have given birth to Allied Tech a company that is monopolizing the importation of pharmaceuticals in the country." The Ministry of Health today fired back with a heath press release, claiming the post, quote, "makes utterly false, destructive and defamatory accusations..." The release continues by saying, quote, "Allied Tech, the company referred to in the post, is registered as having its principals based in Ladyville, Belize." RAV Driver Charged For Causing Death of Passenger Yesterday we told you about the fatal accident in Orange Walk Town which happened on Sunday. Well, tonight police are reporting that the 20 year old driver, Ramon Dominguez, was formally arrested and charged for Manslaughter by Negligence, Causing Death by Careless Conduct and Drove motor Vehicle without due care and attention. He was arraigned today and received bail of $6,000 with an adjournment date for November. The result of a blood alcohol test IS PENDING. Houston's Harvey Problem Has Resonance in Belize Tonight, the city of Houston Texas has suffered a hurricane experience unlike any other this century, with the possible exception of Hurricane KATRINA in 2006. Hurricane Harvey, that just missed Belize as a Tropical Storm, turned into a Superstorm that pounded Texas and then circled Houston for three days, dropping as much as 50 inches of rain and causing the loss of 9 lives. Now, Houston is a city that Belize has many connections to. Thousands of Belizeans live there and it's also a hub for United and Southwest Airlines - both of which have had to cancel all their flights because the airports are closed. Yesterday Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington said, Houston, we know your pain:.. President Jimmy Still Holding On Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales remains under pressure tonight. The United Nations said today that it was, quote, "disturbed" by his decision to expel the head of CICIG, a U.N.-backed anti-corruption unit investigating his campaign financing. The UN called for guarantees that judicial figures would be protected. On Sunday, President Morales declared CICIG's leader Ivan Velasquez, a persona non grata. He did so after firing his Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales, who, apparently, refused to expel Velasquez. Following Morales' announcement on Sunday, hundreds of Guatemalans took to the streets, mostly to defend Velasquez outside his offices and in the center of Guatemala City. Remembering Marcus Canul Marcus Canul is a major name in the History of Belize - but only now is he coming to true prominence as a rebel against the colonial powers. This weekend his legend will be honored in Orange Walk by a newly formed NGO named The Northern Maya Association of Belize. The chairperson and an organizer of the event stopped by today and shared some insight with us on the upcoming occasion. The Sweetness of Silk Caye In last night's news, we took you on the first day of the Familiarization Trip that the BTB sponsored for the local media. In their all-expense-paid weekend vacation, the press visited different tourist destinations in and around Hopkins Village. After that, the BTB organized a visit to the Gladden Spit and Silk Caye Marine Reserve, which is 22 miles east of Placencia. On this trip, it was all about snorkeling around the barrier reef near the reserve. Daniel Ortiz picks up the story where the charter boat pulled up: Looking Back: National Song Contest And that's all we have for you tonight. We leave you this evening with highlife of the national song competition from Dangriga on Saturday night. The event was aired live on channel 7 - and here's a look back at the top performances. Channel 5 Amy Forte calls on P.M. to clear her name in alleged land fraud and forgery There are more revelations tonight concerning the extent of the Vega family's grab for land across the country. Not only was there land swapping with seemingly willing accomplices, but new [...] P.M. on Vega land deals: "What it is, is what it is" It remains to be seen how the Prime Minister and Senator Doctor Carla Barnett, who has been put in day-to-day charge of the Ministry of Natural Resources, will react to [...] Singer Dajah shakes off trauma of robbery near cemetery For the second time in several months, a well-known Belizean artist is the victim of an armed robbery. The most recent and brazen attack occurred this morning near the Lord [...] Down, but not out: Philip Willoughby trods on The last word on Sunday's United Democratic Party municipal convention in Belize City goes to the vanquished Philip Willoughby. He lost out to the better-heeled Dion Leslie for the mayoral [...] Councilor candidate will push for more social City Council Even though Willoughby is not at the top of the ticket, his decision to focus his race on promoting a "softer social" side of a council appears to have some [...] Drugs, gangs, and the fragile truce in Belize City Following months of calm, the bloodbath in the month of August has resulted in eight murders. Not all, but it is considered that most of the killings are gang-related. So [...] Indian community disproves report that visas for visiting ballet not paid for The Chinese Disabled People Performing Arts Troupe departed the country earlier today, after spending a few days in Belize visiting with the local Chinese community.� But their brief stay in [...] Divided Football Federation seeks to heal wounds at extraordinary congress Back in June the tenth general congress of the Football Federation of Belize dissolved into uncertainty as a majority of the Federation's members decided to boycott the process, which would [...] P.R. officer let go in 'streamlining' of F.F.B. office Acting President Kuylen expects full quorum since the meeting was called for by members. Also on the agenda are the dismissals of general secretary Michael Blease and others. Blease was [...] Belize football looks to the future It has not been a good year on or off the field for Belize in football. In January, the national team was shut out of qualification for the Gold Cup, [...] Teen told to keep the peace after slapping girlfriend twice Nineteen-year-old Kadeem Augustine was remanded to the Belize Central Prison on Friday, after pleading guilty to harming his girlfriend.� The teenager, who claims to be in love with his girlfriend, [...] Impatient security guard fined for taking off in B.E.L. vehicle Twenty-one-year-old Maximiliano Morey, a security guard of Milpa Area, Ladyville, is in hot water after making off with a vehicle from Belize Electricity Limited's Magazine Road compound on Saturday.� It [...] C.C.J.'s President, Sir Dennis Byron, set to retire But the highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago announced the imminent retiring of Sir Dennis Bryon, having reached his seventh non-renewable year at the [...] Bethel primary schoolers have fees covered by organization Children First and Last Belize is a non-profit organization that supports children in education and health care. As a part of their contribution to education, today members of the organization [...] Who will reign over the Carnival? On Friday, the annual carnival motorcade throughout the streets of Belize City gets underway. This will be followed by the revered competition of the giant costumes on Saturday night at [...] Has something happened to missing teen Erwin Rodriguez? Seventeen-year-old Erwin Paulino Rodriguez of Grown Dove Street in Belize City is missing. The teen was last seen in the Jane Usher Boulevard area on Thursday sometime after three o'clock [...] Teenager "Pito" Reyes sought in vicious chopping in San Jose Police have issued a bulletin for an eighteen-year-old Orange Walkenos who is wanted for a vicious crime that occurred last Thursday in the village of San Jose in the north. [...] Prevail Combat calls junior jiu-jitsus On Monday, we reported that the Prevail Combat Club of Belize City hauled in thirteen medals, eight of which are gold, when they participated in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition held [...] KTV remixes the rhythm and blues for final four KTV, the Remix is inching closer to a successful end. The show started with fifteen performers selected from a wide pool of talent from around the country.� After many rounds [...] CTV3 Evidence Of Fraud In Vegas' Land Documents Surfaces Tonight the scandals surrounding former Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega and members of his family and their unbridled land grab have gotten deeper and much more serious. For weeks, we have been exposing leaked land documents which show the family of Gaspar Vega acquiring land all over Belize, in particular during the time Vega was the Lands Minister. Among the recently leaked documents, there are files which show that the Vegas bought land from groups of persons who accessed land at very cheap rates. The persons then sold their parcels of land to members of the Vega family. Raymond Dominguez Charged in Relation To Deadly Traffic Accident Yesterday we reported on the fatal traffic accident here in Orange Walk Town on Sunday which claimed the life of fifty one year old, Raymond Hendricks. A postmortem examination was conducted today on Hendricks's body which concluded cause of death as multiple Blunt force Traumatic injuries due to road traffic accident. Mexican National Allegedly Abducted By Belizeans A Mexican taxi driver and resident of Chetumal, Quintana Roo was allegedly assaulted by two Belizean nationals in the wee hours of yesterday morning. According to reports coming from the Mexican media, the alleged victim who was identified only as A.H.V. reported to authorities that he picked up two men of Belizean nationality sometime around 1:35 a.m. at a well-known casino in the Commercial Free Zone area, who requested his taxi service. The victim added that just before entering Mexican territory, the alleged assailants attempted to take control of the vehicle and in fear for his life, upon passing the old bridge at Subteniente Lopez, he threw himself out of the moving vehicle and as a result injured his left elbow and right ankle. LOVE FM Guatemala President Jimmy Morales fires his Foreign Affairs Minister A political crisis in neighboring Guatemala is unfolding after President Jimmy Morales attempted to expel the head of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), Iv�nVel�squez. President Morales has declared Velasquez a persona non grata after Velasquez asked the courts in Guatemala to strip Morales of his political immunity in order to proceed with charges linked [�] Despite the visa hiccup, Chinese still performed The China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe still managed to perform at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday after the government had denied a request to waive visa fees. The group of more than thirty disabled performers travelled through Panama and arrived in Belize on Saturday. Before their arrival to Belize, the [�] Police hold two for murder Police have detained two men in connection to the latest murder in Belize City. That happened shortly after eight o'clock this morning when 32 year-old Gilroy Martinez, also known as "fries", was shot and killed. He was shot in a yard located just about two blocks away from his home. Police say that he had [�] Two charged for the murder of Windell Gibson Police have charged two men for the murder of Windell Gibson and the attempted murder of Keron Santos. The accused are 21 year old Joel Benito Choco, a Belizean construction worker of Hattieville Village and 26 year-old Orlando Salazar, a Belizean delivery man of a South Creek address. As we reported last week, Windell Gibson, [�] Police implement changes to deal with the crime The recent increase in shootings and murders within the city is starting to spike up a sense of insecurity in residents. For a few months, there was a relative sense of peace within the city that has been credited to the gang intervention program. Of late however, many men have met their death at gunpoint, [�] Traffic accident leaves one dead in Orange Walk Orange Walk police report that shortly after seven o'clock on Sunday morning, they visited the corner of Cemetery Street and Belize Corozal Road in Orange Walk Town where they found a red Toyota RAV 4 with the front portion extensively damaged. They also found the body of 52 year old Raymond Hendricks of Trial Farm [�] House goes up in flames in Dangriga A late night fire destroyed a house in Dangriga. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the details. Dangriga Fire Harry Arzu reporting� "A one bedroom wooden house measuring 14 by 16 feet in length was destroyed by fire last night. About 11:25 p.m. last night personnel from the Fire Department responded to a call of a house [�] CariSecure project opens in Belize The CariSecure Ministerial Study Tour was officially opened today in Belize City. The CariSecure project was first approved by the United States Agency for International Development (US AID) in 2016. As the title suggest, the fourteen million US dollar project seeks to strengthen evidence based decision making for citizen security in the Caribbean. The CariSecure [�] Victory - how sweet it is! Dion Leslie will be contesting the mayoral seat for the 2018 municipal elections after he bested his colleague Phillip Willoughby in the United Democratic Party City Council convention on Sunday. The ballot also included sixteen councilor candidates. For the Mayoral candidacy, five thousand five hundred eighty nine persons voted. Of this Dion Leslie garnered three [�] Leslie is UDP Mayoral Candidate, Willoughby remains on UDP ticket The UDP convention is over and while Phillip Willoughby was beaten for the Mayoral Candidacy, he still remains on the UDP ticket to contest the 2018 municipal elections. We cannot forget however that Leslie enjoyed most of the support within the party, receiving an endorsement from Mayor Darrell Bradley and Minister Tracy Panton, who Willoughby [�] Amandala Curl Thompson Street execution Gilroy "Fries" Martinez, 32, a father of five, became the 7th person to be murdered in Belize City since the start of this month. He was shot twice in his head today, Monday. According to police reports, sometime before 8 o'clock this morning, as Martinez entered a yard just a short distance from his residence on Curl Thompson Street, an artery of Jane Usher Boulevard, someone opened fire, killing him on the spot. Martinez was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where medical examiners certified him dead. In a press conference held today, Senior Superintendent of Police, Marco Vidal, revealed that two men have been detained in connection with Martinez's murder, which, according to Vidal, was gang-related. Dion beats Philip by 685 votes The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) held a convention today on the sprawling compound of the ITVET compound on Freetown Road to select its Belize City Council slate for next March's municipal election. In the wake of the departure of the UDP's two-term mayor, Darrell Bradley, the stage was set for a contested mayoral convention, and incumbent councilors Dion Leslie and Philip Willoughby squared off for the coveted spot. Leslie handily dusted off Willoughby. The balloting began at 10:00 a.m. and went on until 5:00 p.m. It was not until after 6:00 p.m. however, that the lines of voters ended and the counting began. A total of 16 persons had placed their names on the ballot to fill the 10 councilor spots. Jimmy Morales sacks Carlos Ra�l Morales Guatemala president Jimmy Morales has sacked Canciller Carlos Ra�l Morales, that country's foreign minister, after he did not execute the president's order to expel Iv�n Vel�squez G�mez, the head of a United Nations-backed, independent anti-corruption commission, whom President Morales declared to be "persona non grata" in a video message released yesterday. The vice minister for Foreign Affairs, Carlos Ramiro Martinez, was also removed from office, according to reports appearing in the Guatemalan press. An official announcement issued by the Government of Guatemala yesterday said that the deposed foreign minister has been replaced by the former vice minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sandra �rica Jovel Polanco. Jovel is reportedly facing legal proceedings for irregularities in the adoption of a child. Sedi, Sedi! On July 21, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ordered Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington, to return close to a million dollars' worth of land titles owned by his former client, Progresso Heights Limited. The CCJ gave Elrington thirty days, effective August 5, to make the return, so he still has an estimated eleven days remaining to return the titles. It appears that Mr. Elrington will not comply with the court's orders. Amandala has intercepted a letter sent by him to the CCJ in which he explained that he does not have the land titles. In the letter, dated August 17, Elrington confirmed that he had read the order from the CCJ. 12 Belizean students depart for Cuba to study medicine Since the late 1990's, a number of Belizeans have been awarded scholarships to study medicine and become qualified doctors, courtesy of a scholarship program launched by the Cuban Government and its visionary revolutionary leader, the late Fidel Castro. Yesterday, Sunday, a contingent of 12 Belizean students who have been awarded scholarships to study medicine for six years in Cuba, left the country to embark on their studies. On Friday, the Cuban Embassy in Belize held a farewell reception for the twelve Belizean students. Deryck Satchwell, Deputy Director of the Tertiary and Post-Secondary Education Service, told 7News on Friday that there were 13 scholarships that were offered this year to Belize, but so far only 12 have been granted, so there is a spot for one more student. BDF on top, only undefeated team at Week 3 of PLB 2017-2018 Opening Season Well, this looks like one heck of a competition in the making in this Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Opening Season. Already, Wagiya FC is in the winning column at Week 3 of this Opening Season, after only claiming their first point at Week 7 of the previous Closing Season; in fact, all 8 teams in the present Opening Season, including newcomers San Pedro Pirates FC, have already garnered at least 2 points. (See Standings below.) Two Week 3 games over the past weekend were played on Saturday, August 26, and two on Sunday, August 27. Unitedville wins Softball Nationals at Rogers Stadium Our sources say that the Women's National Softball Championship, played this past weekend at Rogers Stadium in Belize City, was won by Unitedville of the Cayo District, with Roaring Creek taking second, and Belize City's Digicell settling for third place. More details as we receive it in our weekend issue. Editorial: The limits of party politics If you listen to the reggae and dance hall lyrics coming out of Jamaica, you will often hear direct, serious criticisms of politicians coming from Jamaican composers. To those of us who believe we understand how parliamentary democracy works, the attitude of those Jamaican composers may seem negative and defeatist. In achieving functional democracy, what else is there besides party politics and politicians? Jamaica's base situation was always more dire than Belize's during slavery and colonialism, because Jamaica is half Belize's size but has to provide for eight or nine times as many people as live in Belize. Less had to feed more in Jamaica. Rastafarianism, a set of religious beliefs which emerged in Jamaica in the early 1930s, is like all other religions in that Rastas look to a supernatural force, Jah Rastafari, for the ultimate solutions to the problems of daily life, those problems being mostly socio-economic. Rastas are very focused on the Bible, especially on the Old Testament; their belief system is a complex one. Visa waivers denied for Chinese Blind People Performing Arts Troupe Minister of State with responsibility for Immigration, Beverly Williams, told Amandala that after a Cabinet meeting last Tuesday, the longstanding practice of issuing discretionary visa waivers to certain visitors who are ordinarily required under law to pay, has been halted, as there is no provision in the Immigration law for the granting of such waivers. The Belize Chinese Association expressed its disquiet last week with a recent decision by the Immigration Department to deny their request for visa waivers for 33 members of the Chinese Blind People Performing Arts Troupe. The first-time visitors to Belize put off what Williams described as an "exceptional" performance at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts yesterday, but a BZ$2,000 fee had to be paid for each entertainer before they could be admitted into Belize. The total which the association had to raise was BZ$66,000, which they said increased their entire expenses to over BZ$100,000. Feinstein and GOB sign investment agreement for Stake Bank Cruise Docking Facility The Government of Belize and Stake Bank Enterprise Limited, a Michael Feinstein company, signed an investment agreement today, August 25, 2017, for the construction of what is described as a world-class cruise ship docking facility on Stake Bank Caye, located four nautical miles southeast of Belize City. Feinstein said at the signing ceremony that the US$50 million project should commence around December this year, and span 18 months. This means that the new facility could be completed by mid-2019. A press release from the Government of Belize said that the proposed cruise docking facility would accommodate 4 voyager class cruise vessels, including a 60-slip marina, an 80-room luxury guesthouse with supporting amenities, and a theme park with water rides, roller coaster and aquaria. Marroquin brothers charged for the murder of Scott Charles San Pedro police today transported two brothers to Belize City, where they were charged for the murder of Scott Charles, 25. Jose Marroquin and Sarbeto Marroquin appeared this afternoon in the Belize City Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza. Magistrate Mendoza read the murder charge to the two brothers, who needed a court interpreter proficient in Spanish to make them understand what was being read to them. The two brothers are accused of causing the unlawful death of Charles on August 16, in San Pedro Town. Re-registration needed in light of "alarming" stats, says Senator Salas The NGO community is not happy with the decision by the Barrow administration to defer the re-registration of electors until after the 2018 municipal elections-a long overdue exercise which has been delayed by a decade through successive amendments to the law. Speaking at the conclusion of the Senate meeting yesterday, NGO Senator Osmany Salas spoke on this issue, which, he said, is "of national importance." "This is a matter that should be of concern to every single Belizean, in particular every Belizean of voting age," said Salas. He said that when we talk about the tenets of our political democracy, we are talking about several different important matters: the right to vote, freedom of expression, the availability of choice between parties, and a free and fair election process which should result in a legislature that is representative and accountable. Breaking Belize News Man charged for village shooting Today, police arrested and charged Elvis Arevalo, a farmer of San Estevan village for the crimes of 'dangerous harm' and 'use of deadly means of harm' for injuries caused to Moises Ismael Duque. [�] Man charged for causing death by careless conduct This morning, a post mortem examination was conducted on Raymond Hendricks, who was killed in a traffic accident on Sunday. The medical officer certified his cause of death was due to multiple blunt force traumatic injuries as a result of the accident. [�] Ministry of Health responds to False Reports on Pharmaceutical Trade in Belize The Ministry of Health issued a statement today informing the public that "a recent "NBZLive" Facebook post of August 24th, 2017 makes utterly false, destructive and defamatory accusations regarding the ownership of a pharmaceutical company, and the trade of pharmaceuticals, by the Minister of Health, Pablo Marin and his immediate family." [�] Amy Forte says signature forged by family of Gaspar Vega On August 22, 2017, Channel 7 News aired a story entitled "Another Vega Family Special" which implicated Amy Forte as being involved in a land hustle scheme with certain members of the family of former minister of lands, Gaspar Vega. According to a press release issued by McKoy Torres Law Firm (Forte's lawyers), Amy never applied to purchase national land in Caye Caulker in or around the year 2007 and never received any title to property from the Government of Belize or any response whatsoever from her application. [�] Conservation Enforcement meets Technology By Jon Ramnarace, WCS:The Implementation of Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool in Belize A small weathered, pale-blue skiff sits on the Caribbean Sea. Years exposed to sun, salt and wind have taken their toll on it. As emerald blue-green waves rock it up and down, a loud crack pierces the air, and then another. Sitting in his skiff a fisherman is working on his catch, breaking the hard conch shell to remove the delicious mollusk from inside. He smiles as he works removing one after another, after another, thinking of the payment to come. [�] US backs CICIG Commissioner; Protests erupt against Morales' decision The Comision International Contra la Impunidad Guatemala (CICIG) is the comission charged by the UN for investigating high ranking government officials for corruption and is headed by Ivan Velasquez. Velasquez told the Guatemalan media that current President Jimmy Morales could not account for $800,000 worth of campaign financing. [�] Singer, Dajah Glamor, robbed at gunpoint Belizean artist, Christine Young, better known as Dajah Glamor, was robbed at gun point in Belize City today. Dajah had just entered Belize City and exited a vehicle near the Lord Ridge Cemetery near the start of the George Price highway when the armed robber accosted her. [�] CARISECURE forum held in Belize Government Ministers and Permanent Secretaries from Eastern and Southern Caribbean countries, including Barbados, Guyana and St. Lucia are in Belize this week for a Citizen Security forum as part of the CARISECURE Project.The CARISECURE Project is an initiative organized by the US government, aimed at strengthening evidence based decision making for citizen security in the Caribbean [�] Belize City teen reported missing Erwin Paulino Rodriguez, 17, was last seen on Thursday, August 24, leaving his home at 1:00 p.m. Rodriguez is of Hispanic decent, stands at about 5′ 7″, and is medium built with short brown hair[�] Two Libertad minors missing Yesterday, Elemina Fuentes, 38, a Belizean housewife of Libertad village, Corozal reported to police that on Saturday, August 26, around 3:30 p.m. her daughters left home en route to their brother's house in Orange Walk but never arrived and have not been heard from since. The two minors are Jamileth Etelmina Fuentes,12, and Rocely Lupita Fuentes,13. [�] 13 Belizeans heading to Cuba to study The Embassy of Cuba led by Ambassador H.E. Lissette B. P�rez P�rez opened its door on Friday, August 25 to students and representatives of the various ministries for a farewell ceremony for 13 young Belizeans who will be traveling to Cuba [�] Police confirm gang warfare responsible for murder spike Belize City has recorded eight murders in the month of August, a noticeable spike compared to previous months, when the city had experienced an unprecedented calm, which many have attributed to the community policing initiatives and supposed "gang-truce" introduced by former Easter Division South Commander, ACP Chester Williams [�] Blogs Finding a Peaceful Space Owner Paulette says "Science and Soul Wellness was born out of the passion and clear vision of living a joyful life and total well being". Paulette and her team firmly believe well being is our natural birthright. She believes this authentic gift should be savored and nurtured by embracing it daily and committing to self care and study - a lifelong process. The manifestation of Science and Soul Wellness Center (clickable link to reviews) at Mahogany Bay Village grew from the unique desire to create a flourishing boutique style Caribbean home-base for the yoga and wellness community. This includes practice, education, training, self care, and products. A day well Spent in Corozal Corozal Town is one of the best-kept secrets of Belize. Situated by beautiful Corozal Bay, it is peaceful and quiet. Locals enjoy swimming in the bay year round, where the water seldom gets really cold. Corozal is a drive through for tourists that enter Belize to vacation in a tranquil place. But, some may not hear about Corozal's greatest place to visit while coming down to Belize. One of my favorite things I saw on the immigration border is people from Canada and around the world travel all the way down here to Belize with bicycles, motorcycles, mobile home cars, and more just to experience how North, Central, and Southern American like. Corozal has some amazing beach starting from Mangrove beach all the way to the south end of Corozal. Sugarcane plantations surrounding Corozal Town provide livelihoods for many of Corozal Town's 10,000 residents. The town's surrounding attractions showcase the area's intimate relationship with this crop. The old Aventura Sugar Mill seven miles south of Corozal Town no longer processes sugar, but its main chimney reminds visitors of an industry still dominating the Corozal District. What's happening in Orange Walk Do you know your city better than anyone else? Places to visit, Things to do in & around your city, events to attend? What would you recommend someone who visits your city for the first time? Would you be interested in being the Top Explorer to follow from your city? Ge Explore these amazing events this weekend, and have a Happening Weekend! This Wednesday, 30th August, 11:00 am, Miss Debs At Reimers Belmopan in Belmopan: Next month, 2nd and 19th September, 05:00 pm, Miss Debs At September CELEBRATIONS in Orange Walk. 2nd Annual Tribute to DJ Che 2017: This event features some of Belize's premier DJs and performers onstage for a benefit performance. Corozal Miss Carnival Queen Pageant Saturday, Sept 1. Corozal are you ready to bring in the September with a Bang?? Then come out September 2nd to Scotty's bar and grill for the Baddest Soca Fete "Buss Head".... Live performance by: Dian Songs Musical Entertainment by: DJ Dutch, DJ Trick, Generation 2 sounds, & DJ Absolute Free Tequila shots,Beads and Whistles giveaway at the door!! It's gonna be a blast, you can't afford to miss??? International Sources Report: Israeli PM Netanyahu Wants Meeting With Caribbean Leaders on Sidelines of UN General Assembly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to arrange a meeting with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders on the sidelines of next month's UN General Assembly gathering in New York City, Caribbean News Now! reported on Monday. According to the report, Jamaica - led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who visited Israel earlier this year - is pushing to make such a summit happen. However, other Caribbean nations - including Belize, Suriname, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, St Lucia and Antigua - were said to be resistant to the idea, due to pro-Palestinian proclivities. De-Risking 'Phenomenon' Puts 700 Million Globally at Risk The current era of political unrest and uncertainty, coupled with the rise of terror and cyberattacks, means that financial institutions have had to adhere to increasingly strict policies to minimize their risk of being involved in money laundering or funding terrorism. The regulations and legislation in place work to prevent the cross-border flow of money to criminal groups, creating a more secure financial sector. However, the consequence of these policies can have far-reaching costly effect on people in poor countries and has given rise to an inadvertant practice known as "de-risking." The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental policymaking organization aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing, defines de-risking as "the phenomenon of financial institutions terminating or restricting business relationships with clients or categories of clients to avoid, rather than manage, risk in line with the FATF's risk-based approach." Chairman Royce Statement on Guatemala Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following statement on the constitutional crisis in Guatemala: "One of the bedrock principles of a constitutional system is that no one is above the law. I urge President Morales to change course, respect the Constitutional Court, and allow Ivan Velasquez to continue his important work supporting Guatemalan authorities fighting high levels of corruption. "The U.S. Congress has spoken with one voice in support of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. We will continue to stand with the Guatemalan people, and especially those in poverty, who are hurt most by corruption." NOTE: On May 17, 2017, the House unanimously passed H.Res. 145, reaffirming U.S. support for efforts to combat corruption in Central America through independent commissions. R�o Azul Mask The culture of trafficking is still alive and well. This is a sad example of culture lost because of looting, a Classic Maya funerary mask apparently looted from the Guatemalan site of R�o Azul and illicitly trafficked into the United States and then Europe. The most famous apparently-looted object from the site of R�o Azul is a mask made of fuschite[1] depicting Kinich Ahaw, the sun god. The mask seems to have been the death mask of a lord, and text on the back of the object confirms that it belonged to a R�o Azul ruler (Adams 1999: 216). Adams speculates that the mask may have come from Tomb 1, as inscriptions in that tomb claim the sun god as an ancestor. If this is true, inscriptions in the tomb would date the mask to the Early Classic Period (Adams 1999: 216). At least two other jade objects from R�o Azul have appeared in a private collection in Brussels: matching earflares that bear the R�o Azul emblem glyph (Adams 1999: 217). There is some speculation that these relate to the jade mask and may have come from the same body. Videos Women in Politics Conference, 35min. Decriminalization of marijuana has been its perceived medicinal benefits, 31min. Youth Enhancement Services (YES), 15min. 2017 TACTICAL TATTOO AND INTER-AGENCY SHOWCASE, 1min. The 2017 Tactical Tattoo and Inter-agency Event to showcase the Belize Defence Force, the Police Department and the Fire Department will be held on September 1st at the Marion Jones Sports Complex, starting at 6:00 p.m. and on September 8th at the Santa Elena Sports Complex at 6:00 p.m. Getting to Know Hopkins and Southern Belize, 5.5min. San Pedro Ambergris Caye is considered a tourist's paradise; but a visit to southern Belize shows that in the jewel you can do the sea, enjoy eco-tourism and learn so much of our cultural diversity� all in one package. Over the weekend, the local media travelled south, courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board to experience the awesomeness of the country and how gratifying it is to be a visitor here. News Five's Duane Moody hiked, rappelled and snorkeled; he files the following report. Developing Our Future, 1min. BEL employees volunteered in April, July and August to assist with educational and sporting programs for children. Grace And You Cooking Show Semi Boil Up Caricom Featuring Belize, 19min. Turtle & Ray Paradise, Scuba diving Belize, Southwater Caye, 7min. A highlight video of our 1 day adventure to Southwater Caye Marine Reserve. We saw plenty of turtles, stingrays and fish. The wall dives were amazing. This was all shot with a go pro hero 4 silver and a polar pro red filter on May 12,2017. Belize 2017, min. We went to Belize for my parent's 25th anniversary. it was a time. Butterfly Dance Performance, 16min. The Northern Maya Association of Belize honors Marcus Canul, 25min. Belize Educational Service Group (NTHU) discuss volunteer work in Belize, 12min. University of Belize and newly established Endowment Fund, 36min. BELIZE again!, 7min. Belize Cave Tubing!!!!!, 18min. Journey to the Road March Belize Carnival 2016, 31min. Catch the Carnival spirit as we journey with the bands gearing up for Last years Carnival 2016 in Belize. Experience the highs and lows, the laughter and tearsand the love and passion of the world of carnival in Belize.Be sure to support the Efforts this year On September 9th,2017 As the Road March takes over Belize City once Again. Ride into P.G. Ride Across Belize 2017, 11min. Ride Across Belize 2017 last few Miles. Police Check Point Talk Show, 53min.