The Guardian
Civil War in PUP for Port
What can only be described as a civil war is brewing in the PUP for the Port Loyola constituency. Cordel Hyde’s favorite, Candice Pitts, one month elected to the Belize City Council has been set up to run in the division. She is taking on the old-time standard bearer Gilroy Usher. It is quite the spectacle as the Usher camp is crying foul after he has put in so much effort in the division. Apparently however, the Hyde camp is saying that Usher is no good for Port and have opted to support the special friend, Candice Pitts.
Facebook has come alive with the ongoing feud as the war of words has intensified over the past few days with Usher bawling bloody murder and Pitts pressing on. We see images of Pitts all decked out as she is going house to house to the PUP faithful in the hope of getting their support in a convention that we understand is just a few days away.
Guatemala votes YES to ICJ
Guatemalans have voted decisively in their national referendum to take the territorial claim to Belize to the International Court of Justice.
After months a national education campaign, reportedly costing the Guatemalan Government over 10 million quetzales, Guatemalan’s citizens from all over the country spent the entire day on Sunday, April 15, casting their vote on whether or not to take their claim to the ICJ.
The exact question put to the Guatemalan Citizens in the referendum was, “Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize relating to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to these territories should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement and that it determines finally the boundaries of the respective territories and areas of the parties?”
City Administrator Sues Mayor Bernard Wagner
Belize City Administrator, Candice Miller is suing the Belize City’s Mayor Bernard Wagner. Miller was put on suspension with pay from April 5th of this year and remains on suspension. She received a letter in which she was placed on suspension for “authorizing of payment for expenses incurred by an employee while not engaged in the business of the Council.” The Mayor referred to the Belize City Council Standing Rule and Orders number 32. In that rule it states that the “Mayor may at any time suspend from office any officer who in his opinion is guilty of misconduct or neglect and may temporarily appoint another person in his place. The Mayor shall report the matter at the next meeting of the Council.”
19 year old arrested for killing Marcia Downs
Belize City Police have arrested and charged 19 year-old Antwan Rivero, a construction worker of Handyside Street, for the murder of 37 year-old Marcia Downs. The cops believe that he went to Downs’ grandmother’s house and shot her to death last week Wednesday night.
Police say that on Wednesday, April 11, at around 8 p.m. Downs was at her grandmother’s house on Handyside Street, her second home when she is not staying at her boyfriend’s house.
Friends and family say that she went down to the front gate, and reports are that her intention was to lock it. Those closest to her says that she received a text message, and while on the way into her yard, someone shouted for her. This person, believed to be Rivero, had a brief conversation with her, after which the man pulled out a handgun and fired 2 shots at her.
Work continues to improve Southside policing
Sr. Spt. Howell Gillett and his team continue on the ground working on requests being made. After becoming the Eastern Division South Commander, Sr. Spt. Gillett met with his police personnel, most of whom were concerned with tents being used as checkpoints. In response to those requests, Sr. Spt. Gillett made a promise to replace the tents with functional booths with which the police officers at these checkpoints can be more efficient and effective.
That promise was made on national television and Oscar Lopez of Triple L Construction Supplies saw the interview and contacted ACP Broaster who made the connection with the superintendent. The officers will now be operating under better conditions. Thus far, the checkpoint at the corner of West Canal and Rocky Road has received a checkpoint booth.
Civic Center hosts high school basketball
Students from at least 10 high schools across Belize City streamed into the Belize City Center on Tuesday April 17 as the first spectators to fill the seats in the brand new state of the art auditorium. The event was a pre-opening of the facility which easily accommodated the young people as they sat and saw the ACC female basketall team take on the EP Yorke team. There was also a match up between the ACC male team and the Sadie Vernon team.
The hum of activity and the roar of the cheering youngsters in the arena made it plain for anyone to understand that the city now has a true venue for sporting and other activities.
Belize at the 8th Summit of the Americas
A delegation led by Foreign Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington is currently in Lima, Peru representing Belize at the 8th Summit of the Americas. The delegation also includes UNCAC Focal Point, Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, and Belize’s Ambassador to the United States and OAS, H.E. Daniel Gutierrez.
The Summit, which is held every three years, offers the opportunity for the leaders to jointly define a hemispheric agenda at the highest level that addresses urgent challenges and promotes positive change. The Heads of State and Government of the Americas will address the central theme of the Summit, “Democratic Governance against Corruption.” Representatives from CARICOM have since met with Prime Minister of Canada, Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, to discuss trade.
BTB Scholarship Opportunities for 2018
The Belize Tourism Board is offering scholarship opportunities to interested applicants for Tourism Programs commencing August 2018. These opportunities are being offered to full-time students for an Associate Degree in Tourism, a Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management, the Jean Shaw Scholarship, and a scholarship for culinary studies.
For the Associate Degree in Tourism, which is a two-year tuition scholarship, applicants must submit a certified copy of their high school diploma, an official transcript, two BTB recommendation forms, a page which describes their career goals and aspirations, proof of Belizean Citizenship, and a copy of the acceptance letter into the Tourism Program for 2018 at one of the Junior Colleges or Universities offering the Tourism Program.
Caye Caulker Municipal Airport Project Picks Up Momentum
The Belize Airports Authority (BAA), the local body responsible for the security, maintenance, and expansion of municipal and international airports in Belize, is pleased to report that the renovation of the Caye Caulker Municipal Airport has picked up momentum. As such, they are moving briskly to meet its completion by June 2018.
So far, substantial work has already been done to the airstrip. Those works have been done with the focus being the expansion of the runway’s shoulders as well as the laying of thousands of yards of geogrid which is being used to provide greater earth stability. More work is expected in the coming weeks. Following work on the airstrip shoulders will be the actual preparation of the runway for the installation of hot mix.
Corozal Mayor can’t even get speed bumps and signs right
There is uproar on Facebook against newly elected mayor of Corozal town Rigo Vellos after he has gone speed-bump happy in the municipality. It seems that the mayor has decided to put speed bumps all across the town without having reason to do so. While that may be one thing, another is that residents are complaining that as he puts them in he removes them and puts them back in again. One such example is in Altamira where on one stretch of road the mayor has put no less than 6 speed bumps.
Honorable Edmond Castro tours Toledo
Hon. Edmond Castro was on a working tour of the Toledo District which lasted from April 12 to 13. During his tour Hon. Castro had the opportunity to check on road maintenance work in villages such as Santa Teresa. These works are being executed through the Ministry of Works, making much of the generally fair weather conditions. Villagers conveyed their appreciation to the Government of Belize for the valuable work being done. Hon. Castro, for his part, expressed thanks to the workmen for the excellent job being executed.
During that tour, minister Castro also stopped in the village of Blue Creek where he took the opportunity to check on the progress of drilling being executed.
Fire prevention in Pine Ridge
February 15th to June 15th is considered the Fire Season in Belize. The increased possibilities of fires, due to warmer temperatures and less rainfall, have led to preventative measures being taken by the Forest Department and the National Emergency Management.
In the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in the Cayo District, prescribed burning is carried out on a regular basis to reduce the severity of forest fires.
“The objective of these burns [is] to reduce fuel loads, there’s too much fuel, the competition with pine is too high and we are managing this area for pine,” said Oscar Ulloa, Forest Officer, Forest Department. “When we look at Mountain Pine Ridge, pine is a seated fire. We have to put mechanisms in place to protect the pine forest.”
Gilroy Usher chased from under the PUP tent
Readers may recall that just about a month ago, the PUP were singing the song “Who’s Your Daddy?“ One man who was being called someone’s daddy was Gilroy Usher Sr. He was being called Anthony “Boots” Martinez’s daddy. Apparently he was being bestowed the title because the PUP was so grateful to him for delivering Port Loyola to the PUP in the recently held Belize City Council Election. Well like everything else, Accolades and PRAISES don’t mean a thing, and they don’t last long. The tune has now changed to “Hit The Road Jack.” Usher who has been the face of the PUP in Port Loyola since 2008, after Oscar Rosado walked away from the PUP, after he was defeated by Boots Martinez. Gilroy Usher stood as the PUP’s candidate in Port Loyola twice and lost to Boots, but that did not discourage him from working for his party and spending his own money to finance his party’s campaign in Port Loyola.
Belize to Conduct Internal Review of Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management System
A workshop to train locally nominated experts to become reviewers for future green house gas inventory reports is ongoing at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. The full week of training is being sponsored by the United Nations Framework for Climate Change Secretariat and involves key personnel from different Ministries and Sectors, both Government and Non-Government. On Monday representatives from the various sectors such as energy, agriculture, land and forestry gave local presentations to give an idea of Belize’s previous inventory reports.
IOM Launches a Migration Information Center and MigrantApp
The United Nations Agency for Migration (IOM) launched two of its most innovative solutions to provide information to migrants in Belize. The Migration Information Center, in collaboration with the Child Development Foundation, and the MigrantApp, the first regional application to provide free and reliable information to migrants to promote regular and safe migration in Mesoamerica, are those solutions.
The first provides information and referral services to migrants on a variety of migratory procedures. It raises awareness in key communities about the risks of irregular migration and trafficking in persons. The Information Hub will be located at the Child Development Foundation Offices in Belmopan and will be the 27th Information Hub that will be opened by IOM in the Mesoamerican region.
Ministry of National Security hosts the BNTU for First National Consultation
The Minister of National Security, Honorable John Saldivar, began a series of national consultations on citizen security and crime prevention with the Trade Unions of Belize on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Minister Saldivar met with the Council of Management of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) in this first session.
Present for the meeting were the Chief Executive Officers in the Ministry of National Security, Ret. Col. George Lovell and Felix Enriquez, Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, Deputy Commissioners Chester Williams and Robert Mariano, Officer Commanding Southside Belize City, Senior Superintendent, Howell Gillett, and other senior police officials. The Council of Management team was headed by President of the BNTU, Senator Elena Smith, First Vice President, Luke Palacio, and several other senior officers of the BNTU’s Council of Management.
NEMO Educates Primary School Students on Disaster Management
An educational presentation on Disaster Management was made to upper division students at the Pancotto Primary School in Sand Hill, Belize District on Friday, April 13, 2018. The presentation focused on the role and responsibilities of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and also highlighted what members of the public can do to assist as well as to preserve their own life and property.
The presentation was led by NEMO Belize District (Rural) Coordinator Alphius Gillett. The exercise was organized through the efforts of Anna Reyes, principal of Pancotto Primary School, and Tanya Sutherland, teacher.
At the end of the presentation, students were quizzed on what they had learnt, and prizes were awarded to those who answered correctly.
Hon. Pablo Marin returns from working trip in Taiwan
Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, was invited by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for a working visit to Taiwan. The visit lasted from April 2 to 6, 2018. While in Taiwan, Minister Marin engaged in meetings and discussions with the Minister of Health and Welfare, Hon. Shih-chung Chen, and other key personnel in the ministry.
The Ministers discussed ways in which Taiwan and Belize can continue to collaborate to foster the health and wellness of the peoples of both countries. Among the topics discussed were Belize’s model Health Information System (BHIS), which other countries, including Taiwan, can learn from. The Ministers also conversed about Belize’s continued and unwavering support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly. During the discussions, Minister Marin also made a request for scholarships for medical specialists.
PUP’s Fight for OW East
Municipal Elections are over but in some constituencies the war has just began for the PUP. Some of the elected municipal officers are taking their win as a summons to Central Government. They are flexing their tender political muscles and gunning for positions which are already occupied. Port Loyola, for example is seeing political neophyte Candice Pitts going after seasoned politician Gilroy Usher who has represented and held fort for the PUP in that constituency since 2008.
Another area which will be contested is the Orange Walk East constituency. In 2013 when the disgraced PUP area representative Marco Tulio Mendez was put to political pasture, a young “hotrod” came into the scene. Young and full of energy Josue Carballo entered the fray with a vengeance and a hunger to win which saw him campaign hard in the area.
Reducing child labour in Belize
The Ministry of Labour, Local Government, and Rural Development along with Winrock International hosted a ceremony to launch the Country Level Engagement and Assistance to Reduce Child Labour (CLEAR II) Project. The ceremony was held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City.
Country Level Engagement and Assistance to Reduce Child Labour II (CLEAR II) is a global, four-year, United States Department of Labour (USDOL)-funded project that provides technical assistance to support a global reduction in child labour. Belize has been identified among six other countries to partner with CLEAR II.
Santa Cruz/San Jose Bypass under Construction
While on a working tour in the Toledo district on April 12 to 13, Hon. Edmond Castro, Minister of Transport and NEMO, visited a government project which is underway. This project, to upgrade the Bypass Road from Santa Cruz to San Jose, will have a significant impact on travelling time to and from those villages. Currently the work entails upgrading the road and more importantly the installation of a small bridge to allow for residents to traverse the area during the rainy season. Residents say that an hour and fifteen minute journey will be cut down to a 15 minute ride when the bypass is completed.
The project will also have a considerable effect in respect to flood mitigation and disaster and emergency response. Hon. Castro was accompanied by Hon. Macario Coy and NEMO District Coordinator, Kenton Parham. At the site they were joined by San Jose Village Leader Albert Peck.
Squatters in Belmopan given Eviction Notice
Persons who were found living in a water catchment area in Belmopan were given a 14-days’ notice to leave the area. As many as eight families are living and farming in the area. The notice was given after a field search was done of the area near the reserve which, besides being property of the Belmopan City Council, is within the designated area of the creek where any form of development is prohibited.
There are as many as eight existing structures, and several others under construction, for which parcels of land were cleared out and are continued being cleared out for farming.
Whooping Cough a concern for Belize
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has notified the Ministry of Health of a confirmed case of Pertussis from a US visitor who travelled to Belize during the third week of March 2018. Since that alert on April 13, the Ministry has activated an investigative team to inform and follow-up with as many persons the infected person may have interacted with.
Based on information received from the CDC, the visitor was considered infectious during his travel to Belize. Public authorities are concerned since that visitor was all over Belize and is likely to have come in contact with many Belizeans. According to Dr. Ethan Gough, Ministry of Health Epidemiologist, “They were very mobile, so they were in several parts of the country and potentially came into contact with potential large number of people. So far what we’ve been able to find out is that they spent some time in San Pedro, San Ignacio and Placencia.” Fortunately, the Ministry has no confirmed case yet detected in Belize; however, the Ministry continues to monitor the situation.
Belizean Youth Ambassadors return from Washington, D.C.
Nine Belizean Youth Ambassadors from various districts, along with their mentor Dr. Golda Mejia, have returned from their three-week long visit to the United States. While there, the young ambassadors met with their colleagues from El Salvador and Honduras and visited Washington D.C., Idaho, and Alabama where they were immersed in three very different cultural experiences. According to the young ambassadors, for most of them it was their first time in the United States and while it was a new experience, the combination of work and fun made the experience a worthwhile one.
Charged for handling stolen fishing rods
Ariel Laureth Hernandez, an 18-year-old Honduran national living in Belama, was arraigned before Magistrate Khadeen Palmer on April 18, 2018 to answer to a single charge of handling stolen goods. He is being accused of handling two stolen fishing rods, of a $900 value each, which were stolen from inside a parked vehicle on Sunday, April 15, 2018. The rods are the property of Rudolph Williams, a Custom’s Officer and resident of the same area where the accused lives.
Robbery at A and Eight Store in Cayo
A Chinese family owned store, A and eight Store, in the darkened area of Bradley’s Bank was robbed on Thursday night of last week. Store owner Yan Ru Shao reported to police that three men barged into her store at around 7:00 p.m. All of the men wore masks and one of them was armed with a point thirty-eight handgun.
The men began rummaging the store and stole about one thousand, two hundred dollars in cash and three cell phones. The total value of all the items stolen is three thousand, seven hundred dollars. Police are investigating the matter
Double murder at Caye Largos
Two Ladyville families, that of 48 year-old Mark Sewell, and 42 year-old Gabriel Escalante are mourning after they were murdered while they were on their jobs at a fishing camp on Caye Largos.
On Friday, April 13, 2018 at around 3:00 a.m., police responded to a report of a double murder on Caye Largos, located four miles south of Caye Caulker Village. Upon arrival, officers observed the motionless body of a Hispanic male person apparently dead with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. That body was found on the lower flat of a three story building. Further checks at the building resulted in the discovery of a second deceased person, a male person of a brown complexion, apparently dead with 1 apparent gunshot wound to the left side of the neck and 1 to the upper back. The second body was found on the verandah on the third floor of that building.
Police bust drugs, guns, and other ammunition
On Thursday, April 12, 2018 at about 4:00 a.m., police conducted a search in an open lot located on G Street in Corozal Town. That search led to the discovery of a red Adidas tennis which contained 25 9mm live rounds, 2 Winchester 12-gauge cartridges, 5 Fiocchi 12-gauge cartridges, and 3 Aguila 12-gauge cartridges. Further search led to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing 109 grams cannabis. All ammunition and cannabis were labeled as found property.
Later that morning at about 9:45 a.m., police received some information and proceeded to the Thunder Bolt Dock on Nurse Shark Street in San Pedro Town. There they observed a brown box that had arrived on the Thunder Bolt Boat from Corozal. The box was sealed with yellow tape and had the name “Pipow”.
Loving father killed on lovely lane
Jason James Belencio, a 30 year-old resident of Barrack Road in Belize City, was murdered in front of his mother-in-law’s house on Lovely Lane. A gunman waylaid him and shot him in the head. His is a killing that has those close to him wondering why this father of 3 was targeted.
Just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, police had to respond to reports of a shooting at #18 Lovely Lane. When they arrived the found the motionless body of Belencio on the corner of the street in front of the house. Someone shot him 5 times, including several to the head, and shortly after, those injuries claimed his life.
Four Hattieville residents granted bail in Northern border drug bust
On Friday, April 6, four persons were arrested and charged for the importation of drugs, drug trafficking, and the possession of unlicensed ammunition. These four persons, Blancaneaux Maudel, Michelle Benguche, Kenyon Lewis, and Phylmore King, were charged with these crimes in relation to the incident at the Northern border.
At about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, Corozal police intercepted 2 vehicles at the Northern border. The passengers in the vehicles were travelling from Chetumal to Belize when they were intercepted. Searches were conducted in both vehicles and led to the discovery of over 30 kilograms of suspected cannabis as well as 28-380 Aguila rounds of ammunition.
Man killed while stopping a robbery
Ivan Emmanuel Sosa, a 38 year-old resident of Ranchito Village, Corozal, was gunned down by a would-be thief because he intervened and stopped this gunman from robbing a female business woman.
Police say that at around 12:05 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, they responded to a report of a shooting incident at Pasadina Bar, which is located in Ranchito Village. When they arrived they found the motionless body of a man later identified as Emmanuel Sosa. He was lying on the ground suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right shoulder.
Police investigations have so far revealed that at around midnight, the female owner of the bar was locking up for the evening. Sosa was reportedly her last customer to stay behind, and while the woman was securing the establishment’s entrance, a masked man, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, approached her.
Valley of Peace man shot by police
On Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at about 2:00 p.m., police conducted an operation in the Valley of Peace village in Cayo. As a result of the operation, the officers were about to conduct a search at the residence of Kevin Avetar, a 21-year-old Belizean, when he ran into the nearby bushes. Avetar was pursued and eventually caught by an officer. A struggle ensued between Avetar and the officer where Avetar attempted to take away the officer’s firearm. Several shots were fired that resulted in Avetar receiving a flesh wound to the left leg. He was taken to the Western Regional Hospital for treatment. Police are investigating.
Belize’s National U-15 basketball team capture bronze medal at COCABA Tournament
The 2018 COCABA U-15 boys’ Basketball Championship took place in San Salvador, El Salvador, from April 11-15, 2018.
On Sunday 15th April, in the Bronze Medal game played, Belize won over the host country El Salvador by the score of 82-72 to capture the Bronze Medal in the championship.
The top scorer for Team Belize was Izid Lopez with 26 points while the top scorers for El Salvador were Justin Alexander and Martinez Alfaro with 19 points each.
Earlier in the day, Costa Rica advanced to the Gold Medal Game when it defeated the Belize team by the score of 62-50. Costa Rica later fell to the Panamanian Team in the Gold Medal game.
Belize Rural Central basketball tournament continues in Ladyville
The 2018 Hon. Beverly Williams Belize Rural Central Basketball Tournament continued over the weekend with four games played at the Ladyville Basketball Court.
On Saturday 14th April, in the first game played, DigiNet Assassins won over the Airport T Squad by the score of 82-75.
The top scorers for the DigiNet Assassins were Kadeem Olivera with 25 points and Orland Ferguson with 20 points. For the Airport T Squad the top scorers were Charles Cantun with 32 points and Carlos Alvardo with 14 points.
Pepsi National Elite Basketball League playoffs taking shape
The regular season for the Pepsi National Elite Basketball competition is fast winding down. The competition will continue this coming weekend with three games on the schedule.
During last week’s play, the Orange Walk Running Rebels won its first game of this year’s senior campaign when it defeated the defending champions the Belmopan Bandits by the score of 79-76.
The competition will continue on Friday 20th April with 2 games on the schedule. At the Belize Elementary School Auditorium at 9:00 pm Belmopan Bandits will go up against the Smart Belize Hurricanes. And at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town also at 9:00 pm the Orange Walk Running Rebels will go up against Verdes.
And on Saturday 21st April at 9:00 pm at the San Pedro High School Auditorium in San Pedro Town, the Digicell Belize City Defenders will go up against the San Pedro Tiger Sharks.
Unitedville Rebels United wins again in Cayo Softball competition
The Cayo Softball Association Senior Women’s Competition continued on Sunday 15th April, at the Joan Garbutt Stadium in Esperanza Village.
In the first game of the day played, defending champions Unitedville Rebels United defeated the Esperanza Wolverines by the score of 16-0. The winning pitcher was Francince Salazar and the losing pitcher was Kimberlyn Ortega.
In the second game of the day, Belmopan Bandits edged out the former champion Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy by the score of 7-6. The winning pitcher was Kenisha Sutherland and the losing pitcher was Leandra Guy.
Verdes FC blast the Police United FC in last regular season encounter
The Premier League of Belize Closing Season competition continued last Sunday 15th April with three of the four games on the schedule played.
At the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, the defending champions Verdes FC, will go into the playoff round as the number two seed and on a winning high, after it blasted the Police United FC by the score of 7-1.
The host team was the first onto the scoreboard when Nahjib Guerra scored the 1st goal of the game in the 5th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. The lead was extended when Roberto Silva scored the 2nd goal of the game in the 22nd minute of play for a 2-0 lead. The first half of the game ended in favour of the Verdes FC.
Curriculum change at the University of Belize
There has been a curriculum change at Belize’s leading University, the University of Belize, in keeping with National development priorities. Most of these changes are occurring to enhance Belize’s scientific readiness.
As defined by Florence Nightingale, Curriculum is a systematic arrangement of the sum total of selected experiences planned by a school for a defined group of students to attain the aims of a particular educational programme. At the University of Belize these new changes were brought about after consultation with both National and International stakeholders.
Wilser Echeverria to learn his fate in the murder of Panamanian Ambassador
On his visit to Belize in 2014, Panamanian diplomat Ambassador Jose Rodrigo de la Rosa Stanford was murdered. His throat was sliced. Arrested for that crime was Wilser Echeverria and his trial without jury started again in the Belmopan Supreme Court before Justice Antoinette Moore on Tuesday, April 10. The case was delayed on several occasions after Echeverria claimed that he acted in self-defense; he alleged that the 64-year-old ambassador allegedly made sexual advances to him, forcing him to draw for the blade which he used to slice the ambassador’s throat.
WORDS OF LIFE with Barry Fraser
When someone is suffering, we do not know what they are going through. We do not have their personal experiences, level of faith, or their support system. Our limited ability to know the suffering of others is what makes Second Corinthians chapter 7, verse 6, so precious. Here, Missionary and prolific letter writer Paul describes our Heavenly Father as: “God, who comforts the downcast.”
Jesus knows us fully. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, our family history, our biological makeup, our worldview. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And he also knows suffering on an intense, personal level. Jesus was a man of sorrows. He was mocked, betrayed, and humiliated. As he hung on the cross he was cut off from the Father. Jesus knew excruciating, overwhelming, crushing sorrow.
“...it is very clear that half of that river belongs to Belize.”
It is very unfortunate that the activities of the People’s United Party and of some sections of the media (PUP leaning) continue to disrespect and disadvantage us, the citizens of the Jewel. The definition of the noun politics is simple to understand: the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. Additionally, it is undoubted that there is a non-physical territorial conflict between Guatemala (the aggressor) and Belize (owner of the Jewel). All activities must therefore be examined very carefully under the microscope! The activities of the PUP and of some sections of the media have been and continue to be damaging to Belize.
Is it ICJ or WAR???
There is a question more concerning than the one which will be featured on ballot papers for Belize’s pending ICJ referendum. This one is not as simple as a yea or nay. This question that Belizeans must ask themselves before they participate in the referendum is what other option is on the table to solve this two hundred year old dispute. There are only three ways historically through which nations settle territorial disputes: through diplomacy, judicially or militarily.
Throughout the history of the Belize-Guatemala dispute, Guatemala has always flexed its military muscle in an effort to intimidate Belize. Even in the days of the British “security guarantee” the Guatemalan authorities often advanced troops on the edge of the border. It is obvious which option Guatemala would prefer and Belize would be no match for their army.
SDG 6: Protecting Belize’s Groundwater
Sustainable development goal 6 target 6 is to protect and restore water related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes. Aquifers are the natural groundwater storage systems. Groundwater is the source for many of Belize Water Services systems, most of the rural water systems and for private rural domestic supply. Most irrigation and aquaculture processing water is from aquifers.
In an effort to advance the progress of SDG 6 The Rural Development Department (RDD) and the National Hydrological Service (NHS) are holding a workshop for well Drillers. The Workshop began on Tuesday 17, April with Technical lectures and presentation by Mr. Terry Watkins and Officers from the RDD.
Millennial Hustle
Today’s young adults, myself included, have been nurtured to value happiness and personal satisfaction a great deal. Young people today more than ever are pursuing lifestyles that are authentic to their personal ideals. There is a hyper-awareness to “Living in The Moment” and “Living One’s Best Life” which pushes us to go after the things that are immediately gratifying. We feel a certain pressure to be happy at all times, which is perhaps the number one reason we are so often dissatisfied with life in general.
Throughout workplaces for example, millennials are likely to be discontent with their full-time job, even after landing the job that was personally sought after. This has led to a culture of young employees who seek out a side-hustle.
10 Reasons Millennials are The Best Generation
When you think of the word “Millennial”, you’re likely familiar with the panic that consumes the older generations about how entitled or lazy we are. Hopefully you’re not buying into the terrible stereotypes, though, because Millennials are killing it. Given that we’re the future leaders of tomorrow and we’ll one day be the same age as those who despair at the mere thought of us, it’s time to set a few things straight. In fact, Millennials might be the best generation yet, and here’s proof:
1. WE’RE STRAIGHT UP ENTREPRENEURS.
Other generations like to make us seem lazy, but it’s not that we don’t want to work – we just don’t want to work for others. Due to us being so literate in technology, we’re more interested in running companies and starting our own brands.
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Lisa Shoman says NO to the ICJ until..
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Belize Scapes Plant Nursery: Beautiful Plants for Your Home & Yard
I love highlighting new businesses. I especially love highlighting new businesses that are doing new things. As this town and island grow exponentially and people from all over the world come to visit and live, businesses that may not have worked 10 years ago – like specialty shops and services (a French bakery or Farmers’ Market for example) – are now opening…and thriving.
Enter Thomasita and Belize Scapes. Just a few years ago, she was raising beautiful plants and selling them on the road side in her spare time, now she has turned a property in the DFC neighborhood into a plant nursery. And she isn’t just doing trees and shrubs for your yard – but she is smartly targeting the growing number of condo and apartment dwellers on Ambergris Caye.
Cayo, Belize Ranked as One of the Top Birding Destinations Around the World
Birding has always been a popular activity—but legend has always believed that birding is sought-after only by the older folks and retirees since the younger crowds find this activity to be tedious and slow. But legends always change. According to Matador Network, millennials have realized that birding can be VERY interesting and adventurous—and we can thank this change to the increased awareness of conservation and education efforts about our aerial friends.
Whether you enjoy birding as meditation, to socialize, or as a romantic getaway with your loved one, Matador Network says Cayo, Belize “is really into its birds… Professional birding guides in Belize are typically young, adventurous, and extremely enthusiastic about birds, making for a relatively high energy bird-watching experience (at least in the context of being quiet enough to not scare away animals).”
International Sources
Marriott Hotels to debut in Belize with a 203-key oceanfront property
ECI Development today announced plans to introduce the Marriott Hotels’ namesake brand to Belize with a project designed for customers seeking a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle. The hotel will grace Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island known for its world-class scuba diving, fishing, water sports and white sandy beaches.
“We are thrilled to bring the Marriott Hotels’ brand to Ambergris Caye, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful island destinations with famed access to the Belize Barrier Reef and dive sites,” said Michael K. Cobb, Chairman and CEO of ECI Development. “Known for developing inspired residences for adventurous souls across Latin America for more than two decades, we are particularly excited about the opportunity to deliver top-quality lodging and residences in this special place with a beloved global brand.”
The hotel, along with the Marriott Hotels-branded residential component, will fuse old-world British charm and modern amenities while keeping an eye towards the heritage and history of Belize. ECI plans as many as 70 branded residences as a part of this 203-key oceanfront resort.
What is the Commonwealth of Nations, which countries are in it?
The Commonwealth of Nations is made up of 53 countries of which a majority are former territories of Britain.
Countries from across the globe, including Asia, Africa and Europe, all sign up to the same values and principles, acknowledging the shared history they have together.
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the Commonwealth Nations, regardless of the different countries' constitutions.
The member states were established as "free and equal".
A central part of the Commonwealth is the Commonwealth Secretariat - the organisation helps to support member countries to gain democracy, development and peace.
Videos
Recovering Big Emma from the Sibun River in Belize, 1min. Big Emma (VW van) has taken an involuntary, very muddy bath. This is how we got her back out.
BSI ASR WEEKLY CROP REVIEW 2018 - WEEK 18, 3min.
Talk Ah Di Town April 19, 2018, 40min.
The Belize Book Industry Association & NICH - Book Week, 33min. Open Your Eyes
Kisses and Bites, 24min. Open Your Eyes
RF&G Life Insurance Company Ltd. is hosting a Health and Wellness Expo 2018, 24min. Open Your Eyes
Bullet Tree Falls, 1.5min. DanDan put together an amazing video about Bullet Tree Falls. Great drone footage is featured.
San Pedro Belize fishing from a dock part 2, 3.5min. Hope you guys enjoy this video of me fishing from a dock in am a local from San Pedro that loves going fishing
Belize, benque road, 8.5min.
Mavic Air in Belize, 4min. Placencia and Laughing Bird Caye April 2018
Promoting the Maya language in San Narciso RC school- Corozal, 2.5min. The San Narciso RC school(Corozal) is promoting Culture and language in their school .
Video courtesy of San Narciso RC School.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
