Today's Belize News: May 17, 2018

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Today's Belize News: May 17, 2018 #530478 05/17/18 06:22 AM 05/17/18 06:22 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,241 oregon, spr Marty OP .
Marty OP	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 SPTC Mother’s Day Extravaganza entertains island mothers The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) celebrated its annual Mother’s Day Extravaganza at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex in San Pedro Town on Saturday, May 12th. For a $20 admission fee, hundreds of island mothers enjoyed a variety of musical and comedic entertainment, gourmet food, drinks, and tons of giveaways. Gates opened at 6PM, with members of the SPTC, Councilors and Miss San Pedro 2017-2018 Virginia Vasquez welcoming the mothers with a gift and escorting them to their seats. Thereafter, volunteers began to serve the mommies refreshments. At 9PM, Master of Ceremonies Eiden Salazar Jr. welcomed the guests and wished them the best on their special day before inviting Mayor Daniel Guerrero to share a few words. “Mothers are very important in our society. The love of a mother is priceless and you won’t find it anywhere,” said Mayor Guerrero. Win or go home! San Pedro Tiger Sharks one game away from NEBL championship It’s ‘do or die’ for the San Pedro Tiger Sharks on Saturday, May 19th, when they face the Digicell Belize City Defenders in the third and last game of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tournament’s playoffs. The Tiger Sharks had the lead after the first game in the best-of-three series on May 5th, however, they were not able to seal their ticket to the finals when they lost the second match against the Defenders 86-83. Now both teams are in a must-win situation in order to advance to the finals and a chance to become the next NEBL champion. Game 3 of the series will take place in San Pedro Town on Saturday, May 19th at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The Belize City Defenders will attempt to win a game on the island, while Tiger Sharks will defend their home court, and hope to advance to the NEBL Championship series. San Pedro Municipal Elections case heard at the Supreme Court After the end of the court sessions on Monday, PUP Senator and Attorney-at-law Eamon Courtenay, representing the PUP stated that returning officer Catherine Cumberbatch, along with Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai and Presiding Officer Desiree Flowers, admitted that errors were made during the reconciliation of ballots. Courtenay states that Flowers said that she wrote down 379 as the number of ballots used instead of 359, an error not witnessed by PUP scrutinee Alex Noralez before he signed off on the document. Flowers could not explain the reason of the mistake. ”This case is not about mathematics, it’s about the politics and the votes,” said Courtenay. Another argument was the claim that Tamai kept the ballots in her office. “They should be in a secure place, whatever she finds to be a secure place,” Courtenay said. “The issue is that they are not to be opened- she opened them, and counted them and did other things with them and that is absolutely prohibited by the regulations,” Courtenay added that they will be making submissions to the Chief Justice regarding the irregularities that have been identified and are not compliant with the law. Successful coastal clean-up held during Reef Week 2018 As part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Reef Week 2018, a massive coastal clean-up was held around San Pedro Town on Saturday, May 12th. The clean-up served as a way to continue raising awareness about keeping the environment clean, as well as to send a message to stop the use of non-biodegradable products. At 8AM a large crowd of residents gathered at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Dock located at the end of Caribena Street. Before the clean-up began, organizer of Reef Week 2018 activities Mariela Archer shared a few words with the present crowd. “I want to thank everyone who came out today to be a part of this activity. It is very important for us to protect our environment and marine life, as we all depend on it some way or the other,” she said. Ambergris Today SPHS Graduation Announcements – Record Breaking! Graduation season is here and there was quite a buzz at the San Pedro High School this morning as they gave graduation announcement. Students were all excited and nervous to know what the results were as we enter graduation season. Students on campus were happy to receive the great news and without fail the ever popular signing of uniforms took place. Well wishes and congratulations written all over the uniforms with bright colored markers! The San Pedro High School is proud to announce that after professing results a total of 97 students have met graduation requirements. Five students will receive two weeks of intensive training and will be retested. If they are successful, SPHS will break the record this year with a total of 102 graduates. Residents Against Over-The-Water Development At Cayo Rosario! In April 2018, residents of San Pedro and Caye Caulker received word that the highly contested Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development at Cayo Rosario had been approved. This small mangrove caye lies in the center of the newly expanded Hol Chan Marine Reserve just west of Ambergris Caye. Approval comes despite vehement objection to the construction of numerous over-the-water structures and extensive dredging within the protected area. Island residents are outraged by the approval given to the developers by the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) and on Sunday, May 13, 2018, a group of concerned residents gathered at Cayo Rosario with their boats and posters for a peaceful protest against the development of over-the-water structures. Tour guides and fly fishers, along with island residents and children gathered at Cayo Rosario in over 25 boats with posters protesting and expressing their discontent. Misc Belizean Sources Coastal Clean up 2018!!! Thanks to all the brave volunteers and partners that came out on Saturday to help clean up our coastline...ACES, Reef Angels, MJ Leslie, Belize Bank, Ambergris Divers, KellerWilliams Reality, Ocean Tide Beach Resort, Javier Romero & Kristin Marin (Projects Abroad)....we all did an awesome job!!! Belmopan Cleanup Campaign In preparation for the upcoming wet season, the Belmopan City Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will be carrying out a Cleanup Campaign of Belmopan on Saturday, 2nd June 2018. We hereby inviting volunteers to join us. Please call 822-2271 Ext. 234 for more information. Register to Vote (Re-Register) Beginning 1" July, 2018, every registered elector needs to be registered afresh, and any other person who has not yet registered to vote can apply to be registered. All applicants are encouraged to take along their documentation to the Registration Center to facilitate the process. Re-registration is to register afresh or anew, without being re-registered, YOU CANNOT VOTE IN AN ELECTION. All eligible persons are being encouraged to participate in this Re-registration of Electors Exercise. Percussion Summer Camp, Hosted by Panerrifix Steel Band Panerrifix Steelband's "Percussion Summer Camp" is the place to be this summer. Maestros Carlos Perrote and Benoit Coye will be conducting classes in Steel Pan, Marching Band, Latin Drumming and Marimba. It's open to everyone starting with children ages 5 (steelpan) and ages 7 (percussion/marimba). No previous knowledge necessary. High schoolers and other interested persons who may play in a band already as well as those who want to learn new styles and techniques are also welcomed. Francisco Puga on Ambergris Caye This May 19st for the first time on the beautiful island - Francisco Puga. Tickets for sale for only $25.00 on Reef Radio. Saturday may 19th starting at 9 pm at Paradise Theater. There we go!!!! Applications to Purchase and Obtain Titles to Lands Subject to Government- led Housing Programmes In our continued effort to clear the backlog of applications and in line with improving the efficiency and delivery of service, the Ministry of Natural Resources, through the Lands and Surveys Department, takes this opportunity to call the attention of individuals who have over the years benefited from Government Housing Projects that in instances where: Applicants will be able to apply to purchase their land directly, providing that they supply all the documentation necessary to support that the property under the Housing Project has been fully paid. World Hypertension Day Every year on May 17th, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrate World Hypertension Day. This year it is being celebrated under the theme, ‘Know your Numbers’ with the goal of increasing awareness on the dangers of high blood pressure and ways to prevent it. This year, the Ministry of Health in partnership with PAHO and the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) is organizing a forum with local chefs to promote the reduction of sodium and salt in the preparation of food. No More Petro Oil, Fuel goes up as Belize seeks US source of fuel Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s held a Press Conference in Belize City on May 16, 2018 in Belize City. He conceded it has been a while since he fielded questions from the media and he spoke about a variety of topics including the rising cost of fuel. “We are going to be in for a difficult time when it comes to fuel prices because the global price of oil in increasing at a rate that small countries such as ours, is alarming. There are several reasons to that but basically there is huge and increasing global demand as the pace of global economic growth accelerates.” Prime Minister Barrow referred to global issues stemming from OPEC and pending US sanctions on Iran for the rise in fuel acquisition costs as well as a decrease in production in Latin America. “Venezuela is also where they are down to just under one million barrels per day which is a 41 percent drop from the previous year. With the threat of additional sanctions by the U.S. by Venezuelan contribution to the global supply can plummet even more.” Paint N Splash See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday. Join us to paint this "Sexy Permit" with all the contraversy going on with the destructive development planned near Cayo Rosario we want to do our part to spread awareness. So we will be doing a series of 3 paintings starting with the Permit. Belize is one of the most famous destinations for saltwater flyfishing - and for the elusive permit. We were the first country to protect the "Grand Slam" - the permit, the bonefish and the tarpon and now we must protect their habitat AND our reef from destructive development. Join is this week and be sure to take a picture of your painting and caption it "protect the permit" "save Cayo Rosario" "To love and protect Belize." Our website is down so for the time being to sign up send us a private message on our Paint N Splash page or email us at [email protected] MOTHER'S DAY EXTRAVAGANZA 2018 On Saturday, May 12, 2018, The San Pedro Town Council along with Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. hosted its annual Mother's Day Extravaganza at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex, where the mothers were greeted and presented with a gift as they entered. The night started with a serenade by San Pedro's very own Wil & Dale featuring Mr. Fernando Trejo. They delighted the crowd with some of their favorite renditions in their Caribbean style. After Wil & Dale's performance, the official, but short, ceremonies took place, where Ms. Leticia Nuñez offered a prayer asking the Lord to bless all mothers on this very special day. The BTB Love Belize Sea Kayak Challenge Chocolate at International Airport! In honor of Chocolate Fest this weekend, travelers were greeted with the authentic taste of our local cacao! The Belize City Master Plan 2030 Belize City, home to over 80,000 people, and destination centre for many thousands of foreign visitors, has, for the past few decades, felt enormous strain by the population dynamics which has seen an approximate population increase of 67 percent between 1980 to 2009 (Data received from the Statistical Institute of Belize), and secondly by the growing concern of Climate Change impacts on the city. These two forces are creating an important strain on the City Council and on the other city authorities responsible for the day to day management and oversight of Belize City. The overwhelming impacts, as a result of these two forces, on the city’s infrastructure and services offered are now creating instances of contention against the ability for its citizens and visitors to enjoy a sustainable quality of life, and to conserve and better the appreciation of the city’s historic past and heritage. The Belize City Master Plan Project, a Technical Cooperation between the Government of Belize and the Inter-American Development Bank, set out in the September 2010, to answer these questions: Channel 7 PM Calls On Cops to Get Answers for Attack On Mayor Khalid’s Home Tonight, Belmopan Police don't have any compelling leads on who shot up Mayor Khalid Belisle's House. As we told you last night, it happened at his Valencia street home around 10:30 on Monday night. Belisle was awakened by the sound of gunshots and didn't see the damage until the next morning - where multiple bullet holes were seen in his wall and on his fiance's car. Police recovered eight shells expended from the scene. Today at a press conference, the Prime Minister called on police to find the perpetrators:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister: "For such a thing to happen to any individual, any politician, is terrible. But for it to happen to Khalid Belisle, whom we all know and I don't care what side of the political fence you are, to be an extremely bright, talented, honest, sincere, genuine hardworking individual is absolutely terrible." Four Homes Burn In Belmopan, Human Remains Founds We'll have much more from the Prime Minister's 90 minute press conference later on in the news, but, first, there's the report of another outlandish crime from the capital. 4 homes were set on fire on the outskirts of Belmopan yesterday at midday. Someone was killed in the blaze but police have not identified the body…or we should say what's left of the body. The 4 homes were in a yard on Jordan Ranch road. That's the area on the old Banana Bank Road opposite the airstrip at the entrance of Belmopan. There are still a lot of questions at this time and Courtney Weatherburne went to look for some answers today. Here's her story. Police Say They Have the Man Who Killed Guardado He is accused of killing 43 year old Mechanic Daniel Guardado and Benjamin Alexander Reid was taken to court today. The 21 year old was charged with murder and remanded to prison until August 16th. Guardado - a mechanic - was shot and killed on May 5th. He was hanging out with a friend on Partridge Street when he was targeted for no known reason. Texan Killed In a Professional Hit; San Pedro Pol Have Suspects San Pedro police have two persons detained in connection with the murder of American businessman Lamont Lipka. Sources say that the murder is being looked at as a professional hit - and the likely killer was possibly flown in from Belize City to execute it. Investigators are reviewing multiple surveillance videos and are still questioning two suspects who have already been charged for another offence. And what might the motive have been? Well, they don't know yet but - we do know that police are looking at a lawsuit where Lipka was the claimant claiming he was jilted in an investment - and had monies owing to him. Senator Valerie Thinking of Challenging Senator Paul On last Friday's newscast, we told you about the persistent reports we got that PUP Senator Valerie Woods had expressed interest in running as a standard bearer for the Albert Division. If true, she would be going up against her Senate and Party colleague, Paul Thompson, who's currently the divisional caretaker. Well today, she confirmed that she's been testing the waters in the Alberts, to see if Albert voters would support her if she went up against Thompson in a contested convention. Woods grew up on Palm Lane, which is right off Regent Street. Her family home is still on the same street, and today, she invited us for an interview at that location to discuss why she would want to become the area rep for Albert: PM & Party Leader, Mutually Exclusive Posts When the Prime Minister called a press conference today - it was his first meeting with the press since March. And some thought that he was going to announce the timeline for his departure. Well, he didn't, but he did discuss the plan for his succession. He introduced an interesting model where a new party leader will be elected in March of 2019 - but that new leader will not automatically become Prime Minister. That new leader will have to wait in the wings until he decides to step down. The PM explained that the party's run-up to electing a new leader begins in November of this year when constituency conventions will be held countrywide, followed by the selection of delegates for a leadership convention:... Government Working With PUMA To Moderate Fuel Increases, But Expect Price Shocks The Prime Minister covered as many as a dozen subjects in his press conference today - and one of the most pressing ones is the price of fuel. It budged up by a little last night - but more increases are expected - because of global pressures. And because of domestic budgetary pressures, government cannot cut back on its tax take. The PM explained:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "We're going to be in for a difficult time in terms of fuel prices. Because the acquisition costs, the global price of oil is increasing at a rate that, for small countries such as ours, is alarming." PM Powerless To Stop Rise In Cable Bills And while future price shocks are expected for fuel - your cable bill may also shock you next month. The Cable Television Operators say they are forced to increase the monthly subscription to basic cable by 33%, or fifteen dollars. So, you can expect your June cable bill to go up to $60.00 monthly, inclusive of GST. The Prime Minister who has broadcasting in his portfolio says it is to be expected, basically because when it comes to pirating signals from satellite "free paypa bun":... PM, Cabinet Say “Yes” to ICJ And from the cost of cable to the referendum on the ICJ…..the PM says he will vote "yes" to the ICJ on April 10th of next year - and, that's also the government's official position. He said when he looks to the future, there's really no other way to put away this centuries old claim:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "I am completely convinced that going to the ICJ and therefore voting yes in the referendum is absolutely the correct choice for our country." "I first of all I ask myself if we don't go to the ICJ - what is the option. And I can't come up with a satisfactory answer." "Our case at the IC is so watertight there's no way we could suffer any setback/loss in consequence of an ICJ hearing." GOB Urging Army To Hold The Line After Post Referendum Delirium in Guat Border Communities So, while the Government already has a roadmap for its ICJ education campaign and the referendum date, What will be done about the effect that the referendum had in Guatemala? As we've told you both the Friends for Conservation and Development and the BDF have confirmed that the "yes" vote in that country have caused an increase in Guatemalan incursions into the South Cebada area of the Chiquibul. The FCD says that they've seen an increase in clearings, surveyed plots and farms being set up by Guatemalans in the Chiquibul. Rogue leaders on that side of the border have been misleading residents of Guatemalan border communities, and encouraging these incursions into Belizean territory. Guatemalan Citizenship On Hold So, what's going to happen to those hundreds of Guatemalans who do come into Belize and have built a life here with Belizean children? As we've reported over the years, there is a problem with the renunciation process for such applicants to apply for Belizean citizenship. Under Belize's Constitution, Section 29.3,, quote "No person shall be entitled…to be a citizen of Belize or be granted citizenship of Belize if such person shows any allegiance to or is a citizen of a country which does not recognize the independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity of Belize …". End quote. And, basically, that's Guatemala. Why Not Repeal Maritime Areas? Keeping it on the topic of Belize/Guatemala relations, the Prime Minister was asked why it is that his Government still has not amended the Maritime Areas Act, even though it has been recommended time and again by experts on the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute. As we've told you, the persistent advice, even from Assad Shoman, Belize's foremost authority on the territorial dispute, is that the time has long passed for Belize to claim all its territorial waters and its exclusive economic zone off the southernmost banks of the Toledo District. As it stands right now, Belize is only claiming 3 of its 12 miles of territorial waters between the Sarstoon River and the Ranguana Cayes. That was done so that the two countries could hopefully negotiate a settlement of Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory. But since such negotiations are at end, and both countries are staring down the prospect of a ICJ solution, the advised position is that Belize should claim its entire 12 miles to enhance Belize's bargaining position. Sweating the Sunshine Loss And while the PM had it easy enough navigating legalistic questions about Belizean sovereignty, it didn;t go as smoothly when we asked him about his government's latest defeat at the hands of the Ashcroft Alliance. As we told you last week, the Government controlled company, Sunshine Holdings Limited, tried to convince Justice Courtney Abel to order the Ashcroft entities, Dean Boyce and the Trustees of the BTL Employees Trust to give them back part of the 114+ million dollars they collected as part of the half a billion-dollar settlement over BTL. Sunshine claimed that the Government wrongly paid compensation to the Alliance for 11 million shares in the telecoms company that were once assets of Sunshine, back when it was an Ashcroft company. Li’l Kim’s, Big Theft On April 22nd someone stole a grey metal safe with $15,500 dollars from Kim's Shop on Iguana Street Extension in Belize City. The burglar squeezed into the shop by removing three wooden louvres from a window at the store. Police investigation led them to the arrest of 18-year-old Student Robert Lamb. Lamb appeared before the Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser today. Lamb pleaded not guilty to the charge and was offered bail of $6,000 plus 2 sureties. His case was adjourned until July 10th. Failed Fire Truck Repaired At the top of the news we told you about the deadly fire in Belmopan - the fire fighters were able put out the spot fires and conduct their investigation without issue. But that wasn't the case with last week's Iguana Street fire. The fire truck had some unforeseen mechanical issues. Well, Assistant fire Chief Benisford Matura told us that the truck has been repaired. Matura says the fire trucks are inspected 3 times a day, everyday, but the part that malfunctioned is not easily accessible and isn't normally checked. The Official Word On Troubled Construction Of Youth Center For the past two days we've been reporting on the Lake Independence Resource Center, a youth facility that will also be a multipurpose center. The 4.66 million dollar building is part of the wider Youth and Community Transformation Project funded by the CDB. But construction is delayed and the contractor is having cash flow problems where he can't pay his workers. The Project falls under the Ministry of Human Development Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation - and we asked the Minister about the problems it's been experiencing. He told us he sees no problem:... Got An Airport in Placencia To Sell You... A New York investment manager has been charged in the US for a 22 million US dollar dead raise for an International airport in Placencia. Brent Borland falsely promised investors in the project a high rate of return secured by property owned by the firm. But, it seems some of the property didn't even exist, and Borland used the money he raised to live a lavish lifestyle. He was arrested on Wednesday and charged with fraudulently raising $21.9 million US. US authorities said all investors in Borland's Belize Infrastructure Fund lost money, while the 48-year-old New Yorker diverted close to $6 million for his personal use. Borland was criminally charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy counts. There's no word yet on what - if anything - this may have to do with the existing airport project in Riversdale which has been on freeze for years. Belize & Cuba, Comrades Today the Image Factory in Belize City hosted the fifth National Solidarity Encounter between Belize and Cuba. The audience was made up of people young and old from across the country that wanted show their respect and support for Cuba. We stopped by this morning and found out that it was more than just a solidarity declaration, it was also an art show honouring Cuba. Yasser Musa, SJC Teacher/Artist: "We developed a simple declaration pledging our continued support to the people of Cuba in our Quest I believe to expand and make more dynamic the solidarity efforts. What do I mean by Solidarity? The basic idea is to show friendship by building human capacity. This is an idea that Fidel Castro developed, his revolution and developed Cuba using the idea of building people. Building their capacity whether it is thru doctors, better literacy, and it has been transferred to Belize..." Making Music Week Matter It's the third annual music week - a big event for Belizean musicians - where they discuss the future of the industry, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. But, it's more than just talk - there has to be music in a week by the same name! And that's why an all-star line up of superstar performances is part of the activities. This afternoon music ambassador Shyne Barrow told the media what people can expect. Shyne Barrow, Music Ambassador of Belize: "We have 60 of the biggest and best artists. 20 of the biggest and best DJs from all around the country. We started On Monday and yesterday with music business conferences where we were discussing the digitalization of the music industry with brilliant minds such as Kenmore Simpson, Big Bang and other music executives." Choice Bank Situation Explained And our final two items tonight are also from the Prime Minister's board spectrum press conference. We asked him about the situation at Choice Bank. It's an offshore Bank which offers financial services to international clients. But, a few weeks ago, it informed customers that it's in a liquidity crisis. It told customers in an email, quote, "the Bank has taken the decision in its view as a matter of necessity, with immediate effect, to temporarily suspend all withdrawals from deposit accounts with the Bank and other outbound payment activities…until the Bank and/or its relevant regulatory authorities are satisfied that such suspension is no longer required." Update On PM's Bad Back And, finally tonight, the Prime Minister also updated the public on the condition of his ailing back. He's been seeking treatment for years - but with no success. Now, he's contemplating the possibility of surgery or stem cell therapy; he explained: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "I travelled in connection with medical consultations. I want to make clear that those consultations have always been and will continue to be about my informal back difficulties. There is as far as I know absolutely nothing else wrong with me in all other respects I am to use that colorful perhaps somewhat inappropriate expression "as healthy as a horse..."

Re: Today's Belize News: May 17, 2018 [Re: Marty] #530479 05/17/18 06:23 AM 05/17/18 06:23 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,241 oregon, spr Marty OP .
Marty OP	Channel 5 Prime Minister Returns; Says He Personally Supports I.C.J. The Prime Minister had not appeared in front of the media since his last press conference on March eighteenth, but today he did for the better part of two hours. [...] Majority of Cabinet Stands in Support of Judicial Resolution The prime minister is on record stating that it is his personal view that the ICJ is the best option for the resolution of the claim. Barrow also says that [...] Gov’t Will Not Attempt to Influence April 2019 Vote While he would not put forward what percentage of Cabinet is in favor of a yes vote, the prime minister does acknowledge that there are indeed a few members who [...] Why There is Still a Place for O.A.S.’ Adjacency Zone Office The relationship between Belize and Guatemala is at times tense, but for the sake of carrying out the education campaign successfully, the existing state of affairs between both countries must [...] Getting Out the Voters for Re-Registration Before the I.C.J. referendum is held next year, there is the matter of the re-registration exercise spearheaded by the Elections and Boundaries Department, which is set to begin on July [...] What’s Behind Fuel Price Hikes The prices of fuel at the gas pumps are up yet again. Those increases come almost two weeks after the last hike and will see the cost of premium gasoline [...] Correspondent Banking Bogey Bedevils Petrocaribe Relations News Five understands that the persistent issue of correspondent banking was also a factor in government’s decision to source fuel from the U.S. Gulf Coast. Admittedly, G.O.B. has also been [...] Arson/Murder as Body Found in Belmopan; is it Missing British-South African? Police suspect that a cluster of houses in the Banana Bank area in the outskirts of Belmopan was set on fire to disguise a murder. The fire swept through the [...] Charge in Murder of Daniel Guardado Police have arrested and charged twenty-one-year-old Benjamin Alexander Reid for the murder of Daniel Guardado. After leaving his place of work on the night of Saturday May fifth, Guardado was [...] Senator Val for Albert? While she has not yet officially put in her papers, Senator Valerie Woods is very close to making a decision on whether she will contest the Albert Division for the [...] For Women Candidates, Quality is as Important as Quantity While Woods harbours greater political aspirations, as one of the most prominent female faces in the P.U.P., what does she think of the conundrum on women candidates? Former Port Loyola [...] P.M.’s Aching Back May Need Surgery The prime minister’s personal health, more specifically, complications he has been having with his back, has forced him to take short leaves of absence while seeking medical treatment abroad. Today, [...] New U.D.P. Leader by Next May In the context of his health, Prime Minister Barrow also outlined a timetable during which the U.D.P. will go about electing a new party leader. That process begins with a [...] Free Ride on Cable is Over Your cable bill is going up as of June first, and the recent push by international content providers to regulate signal piracy is the primary reason why. A few weeks [...] U.S. Investor Charged for Fraud on Placencia Airport Brent Borland, principal of Borland Capital Group and an investment manager from New York, faces separate criminal and civil cases in the Southern District of New York and by the [...] Immigration to Produce Official Policy on Migration According to local statistics, approximately as many Belizeans – fifteen percent – are emigrants from the country as there are immigrants coming to Belize from places like Central America. To [...] The Reason for Coming Split of Department Meanwhile, a few months ago, legislation went to Parliament for a split of the Immigration and Nationality Department. At the time, the Opposition People’s United Party objected on various grounds. [...] No Word on “High-Risk” Nepalese Entrants to Belize The Ministry of Immigration and Nationality continues to investigate how two citizens of the Kingdom of Nepal were granted entry to Belize on landing at the Philip Goldson International Airport [...] San Pedranos Vent on Cayo Rosario Development On Tuesday, we told you about a developing story in San Pedro where residents and tour operators are against the Cayo Rosario development. The ten-acre mangrove caye falls within the [...] Company Promotes Integrated Firewall to Protect Key Information As connected as we all are via computers and the Internet, society is becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks on personal security and information. It can be quite a job keeping [...] Music Ambassador Kicks off Music Week Music Week kicked off on Monday and continues through to the end of the week. As a part of celebrating and empowering Belizean artists, the week features a combination of [...] LOVE FM Eight million dollars set aside for re-registration But before the ICJ referendum is held, the Government will undergo a re-registration exercise which is slated to commence on July 2. Eight million dollars have been set aside for this exercise which aims to purge the voters list. The Election and Boundaries Commission has met with both major political parties to discuss the operational … UDP sets timeline for leader convention Prime Minister Dean Barrow today announced that he will not complete his parliamentary term. He is scheduled to travel out of the country next week to see a physician for consultation for a surgery and stem cell treatment for his back problem. Barrow has long been considering whether or not he undergoes surgery and if … PM Barrow condemns Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians Former Prime Minister, Right Honourable Said Musa has called on the Government to condemn Israel for slaughtering dozens of Palestinians who were taking part in mass protests on the Gaza border. Prime Minister Dean Barrow was asked to comment on the matter. The massacre has been the highest Palestinian death toll in a single day … Belize in for some difficult times in terms of fuel prices Prime Minister Dean Barrow also addressed the recent increase in the price of fuel. At midnight, gas prices increased and according to the Government, the increase was triggered by increasing world gas prices. According to PM Barrow, as a small consumer country, Belize is in for some difficult times in terms of fuel prices because … Prime Minister hopes Sunshine Limited appeals case Last week, Supreme Court Justice, Courtenay Abel dismissed a claim brought by Sunshine Holdings Limited against the Government of Belize and the BTL Employees Trust. The claim is in relation to 11 million shares of BTL and millions of dollars. Justice Abel found that Sunshine’s claim had no merit. Essentially, what Sunshine was attempting to … PM says best option is to say ‘yes’ to the ICJ Prime Minister Dean Barrow says Belize has an airtight case if Guatemala’s claim is decided upon by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This pronouncement was made this morning at a prime ministerial press conference in Belize City. The last time the Prime Minister called a press conference was in March to address the increased … Prime Minister addresses BCCI’s concerns Guatemalans who have attained Belizean citizenship will be allowed to re-register and consequently be able to vote in the ICJ referendum next year. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) along with the Belize National Teachers Union and its umbrella union, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, have an issue with it. The … PM explains why border fence took too long to erect While the Government is able to take a pause in granting Belize citizenship to Guatemalans, it is impossible for the Government to stop all illegal entries through the porous western border. But in an effort to do so, BDF light engineers have been deployed to the Benque border crossing to improve security and efficiency at … International organization assist Mayan and Garifuna villages Self-Development of the People, a Presbyterian organization based in the United States of America has been supporting works in the south of the country. Cynthia Ellis-Topsey, Co-Facilitator, spoke about some of the works the organization has been supporting for the past eight years. Members of the Presbyterian organization visited Seine Bight Village, where they were … PlusTV BELMOPAN MAYOR TARGETED IN SHOOTING Shots were fired in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan last night and the Mayor of Belmopan appears to have been the intended target. Plus News spoke to a fearless Mayor Belisle this afternoon at his residence. He told us what transpired at the time of the incident Khalid Belisle, Mayor of Belmopan C... More squatters removed from Maya Mopan, Belmopan And in more Belmopan news, as we said, the Belmopan City Council has been exercising pressure on a squatting situation that has begun to plague the capital city. More squatters were removed today. After the squatters were removed from the reserve in the Doyle’s Delight Street area a few weeks ago, o... Mason and Co-Accused Head to Supreme Court for Kidnapping William ‘Danny’ Mason and his four co-accused are headed to the Supreme Court to face charges of Kidnapping. This morning Mason, Ashton Vanegas of Camalote Village; brothers: Keiron Fernandez and Terrence Fernandez, as well as Ernest Henry Castillo, all appeared in the Belmopan Magistrate Court to h... PUP challenging San Pedro Municipal elections In last night’s newscast we told you about the court case where PUP Mayoral candidate for San Pedro, Andre Perez, is asking the court to declare the results of the municipal elections in San Pedro as void. The trial began before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin yesterday morning and lasted until about... Police Officer Fires Shots at Car with Children Inside An off duty police officer fired over 6 shots at a Honda SUV with 5 passengers inside, including two children. A passenger of the SUV told Plus News that he along with his family were on their way from a church service in Orange Walk to the Village of Armenia on the Humming Bird Highway, where they ... Belizean Gas prices to increase as world prices do Regular gasoline Prices at the pump in Belize will continue to increase as world prices also increase. That’s according to a press release from the Ministry of Finance. In fact, as of midnight on May 16, regular gasoline in Belize City will go up by ten cents. Diesel will also go up by 11 cents. Pre... Citco and CWU Executive meet over termination of employees Today, the Belize City Council met with the Christian Workers Union Executive and their employees’ representative. As you may recall, six city council workers were terminated from employment. Among those were two members of the Christian Workers Union. Today at the meeting, both sides conveyed... No Docking of Teachers Pay- Managers Press Release Last week, BNTU President Elena Smith told the media that Managers of Schools had indicated in a meeting that they would not be paying teachers who participated in the BNTU rally against violence which took place in March of this year. However, a press release has since been... Rounding up drugs and drug peddlers on SAN PEDRO Yesterday San Pedro Police officers conducted a search at an apartment in San Pedro where they discovered 9mm live rounds of ammunition. The apartment belongs to 18 year old John Carlos who was present at the time of the discovery. Also present was 21 years old Tracey Betancourt.... Registry Employees Charged for Forgery Two men from the Belize Registry Department have been arrested and charged with forgery. Reports are that police visited the Registrar General at the Supreme Court building in Belize City where they were told that some documents had been forged.... Senior Citizens Discount Continues Belize City senior citizens will not experience any interruption in their property tax discounts. During the transition period of the new Belize City Council, Mayor Wagner indicated that the council was losing revenue due to property tax discounts... Call to All Justices of The Peace Re-Registration is scheduled to begin on July 2nd and in preparation, all Justices of the Peace are being asked to contact the Attorney General’s Ministry. According to a press release issued by the Ministry, this process is necessary in order for JP’s, including Senior Justices of the Peace, to verify their status... ANTI-BULLYING MARCH Students from the Our Lady of Guadeloupe Primary School assembled on the Ring Road in Belmopan this morning to begin their 2nd Annual Anti- Bullying March. This year the march was held under the theme H.E.R.O, ‘Helping Everyone Respect Others.’ Students marched as they held up posters and signs saying ‘NO TO BULLYING.” ... Demetrio Patt dies after 2 weeks on life support 47 year old Demetrio Patt, who was in the KHMH in critical condition after he was beaten up two weeks ago, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Patt, a father of 5, was in the passenger seat of a vehicle that was being driven by his brother when they allegedly crashed into a... Soldiers at Western Border cause alarm; no tension says Ministry of Defence There were reports of tensions at the Western Border over the weekend. According to information received, the tension was as result of an attempt made by BDF troops to clear an area in the Adjacency Zone at the Western Border. Guatemalan officers reportedly entered the area in... Government of Belize & UN Migration Agency sign MOU This morning the Government of Belize and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a National Migration and Development Policy for Belize, which is expected to guide Belize’s management of its multidimensional migration dynamics. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration Godwin Hulse signed on behalf … San Pedro Murder at Tropicana Restaurant An American businessman was shot and killed at his business establishment in San Pedro last night. According to reports, sometime around 9:30 p.m., 49 year old American Business owner Lamont Edward Lipka, owner of Tropicana Restaurant and Bar, was standing in front of the cash register when a male p... PUP challenging San Pedro Municipal elections PUP Mayoral candidate for San Pedro, Andre Perez, has taken his claim of an unfair election to court. The trial began today before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin and follows the PUP’s allegations of several discrepancies during the March 7th municipal elections on the island. PUP claims that there w... 6 Year old injured in Belize City shooting A 6 year old boy was injured in a shooting incident on Central America Boulevard over the weekend. Reports are that about 10 a.m. on Saturday, 6 year old Lemar Orellano was seated in the rear passenger seat of taxi that was parked in front of Henry’s Bar on C.A Boulevard when shots were fired in the... Ivan Hyde chopped to the neck; survives A young man was chopped to the neck on Friday while socializing in Sand Hill Village. Reports are that about 11pm on Friday, 26 year old Ivan Hyde was socializing in front of a friend’s house when an argument ensued between Hyde and 28 year old Jude Joseph Moody. As a result, Moody chopped Hyde to ... Richard Hyde arrested for Murder One man has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of 23 year old Luis Monge which occurred on Thursday night. On Saturday, Police arrested and charged 35 year old Richard Hyde, a butcher from Camalote Village in the Cayo District, for the Crime of Murder. Here is what Police had t... Missing man found dead at sea The lifeless body of a man who was lost at sea over night was found this morning. According to information received, 70 year old American/Belizean Juan Caducio went fishing in his boat sometime yesterday and did not return home last night. As a result, a concerned relative went looking for him at s... Belmopan Restaurant robbed by armed men A Belmopan Chinese Restaurant was robbed on Saturday night. According to reports, three male persons armed with fire arms walked into the Samsung Restaurant on Nim Li Punit Street at about 9:45 p.m. on Saturday night and robbed business owner, Ya Yong Ma of an undisclosed amount of cash. They also s... GOB loses another multi million dollar case The Government of Belize lost yet another case at the Supreme Court, costing the people of Belize $20 million. Sunshine Limited , a company owned by the government, sued GOB, Dean Boyce and the Belize Telemedia Employee’s Trust. ... GOB loses another multi million dollar case The Government of Belize lost yet another case at the Supreme Court, costing the people of Belize $20 million. Sunshine Limited , a company owned by the government, sued GOB, Dean Boyce and the Belize Telemedia Employee’s Trust. ... House Fires at Mile 8 and Ladyville There was a house fire over the weekend at mile 8. A cement bungalow caught fire on Sunday afternoon and was totally destroyed by the blaze. We hear more from Orin Smith, Station Manager at Belize Fire Service. Orin Smith, Station Manager, Belize Fire Service: On Sunday, 13th May at approximately 5:36pm, the National Fire Service received and responded ... Accident on Phillip Goldson Highway There was a traffic accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway sometime after twelve o’clock on Saturday morning. A video released on social media shows two vehicles off the side of the road, both with extensive damages. One of the vehicles was a red SUV and the other was a white 4 door car ... Three women arrested for Drug Trafficking A female Costumes Broker and two other women were arrested and charged on Friday Night for Drug Trafficking. Reports are that Corozal Police arrested and charged 29 year old s Custom Broker Camile Bodden, 26 year old Stephanie White, and 69 year old Blanca Bodden after a search was conducted at the residence of Camile Bodden ... Money stolen from Brodies Salesman Vehicle Over 14 thousand dollars were stolen from the vehicle of a James Brodies Company Limited Salesman in Orange Walk. Reports are that sometime between Thursday Night and Friday morning a Blue Toyata Tercell Car belonging to 30 year old Ashton August that was parked in his yard ... Another vehicle torched in Belize City Another vehicle was torched in Belize City in the span of two days. According to reports, on Thursday night around 11:30 p.m., 36 year old Melonie Staine was awakened by her tenant who informed her that her vehicle was on fire ... The Reporter Man’s charred remains reportedly found in burnt house The Reporter has received reliable information that police have found the charred remains of a man inside a house that fire destroyed. Information is still fresh at this time, but unconfirmed reports reaching the Reporter indicate that the body of the man was found inside […] Breaking Belize News Belize to Celebrate World Hypertension Day 2018 Every year on May 17, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) […] Belize celebrates Museum Day 2018 The Museum of Belize and Houses of Culture will celebrate International Museum Day on Friday, […] CARICOM concerned over Palestine- Israel conflict The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) issued a statement today saying that it is deeply concerned by the […] American charged for $21 million Belize airport fraud An American man, Brent Borland, 48, of Sag Harbor, New York, has been charged for defrauding investors of over $21 million for the construction of an airport on land in Belize […] Reflections of the night: From Palestine to Maya Mopan The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […] Children from Eastern Division Region 1 to begin agriculture program Commander of Eastern Division Region One, Howell Gillett continues to engage the children and youths of […] Belize to develop new migration policy The Government of Belize and the United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) jointly held a launching […] Police investigating shooting at Belmopan Mayor’s home Belmopan police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Monday night in the Cohune Walk area of […] PM Barrow gives timeline for departure Prime Minister Dean Barrow, during a press conference being held at the Biltmore hotel this morning, […] SSB says Belize City Council owed $77,000 During his transition report, Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner revealed that the council had not […] Music Week 2018 Belize Music Week 2018 is being held in collaboration between the Office of the Music Ambassador […] Belmopan car thieves make off in Toyota Hilux Police are investigating the robbery of a Toyota Hilux pickup truck that occurred on Monday. Juan Hernandez, […] Dr. Gonzalez gets his job back! Former two time Belize City Councilor, Dr. Alaine Gonzalez, has been reinstated at the Surgical […] inated six After an intense meeting with the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) yesterday, the Belize City Council […] Belizeans: What are we working for? The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […] Football dust settles – Semi-final football rematch between Verdes and BDF set BBN has been informed that the semi-final rematch between Verdes and the Belize Defense Force […] Blogs San Pedro Turns Out for Cayo Rosario Meeting: NO is Unanimous Yesterday I arrived early at the empty Lions Den in downtown San Pedro for the Public Meeting About the APPROVED Development at Cayo Rosario on the west side of Ambergris Caye. I watched new residents, long term business owners, kids, parents, fishing guides, resort operators, tour operation owners, real estate agents, repeat visitors, San Pedranos…hundreds file into the large room. The universal response from the crowd, reiterated by Billy Leslie, President of the SP Tour Guides Association, again and again (great post about Billy from the San Pedro Sun in 2000 – a bit of his history on the island) NO OVER THE WATER STRUCTURES IN A MARINE RESERVE AND NO DREDGING OF ANY SEA BED IN OUR PROTECTED BAJOS. I was there to listen. And report back. How To Eat Like A Local In Belize When in Belize, eating like a local has many advantages: it’s a great way to learn about Belizean food, immerse yourself in the culture, and interact with Belizeans. Here’s a quick informational guide on the local food scene to prepare you on how to eat like a local in Belize. I’m sorry for anyone who visits Belize and is addicted to McDonald’s, Wendy’s or Pizza Hut! American fast-food chains don’t exist here. When Belizeans want a fast-food fix, they head to hole-in-the-wall places and order things such as panades, salbutes, garnaches and tacos. These take-out items are cheap, filling and delicious – make sure you try them out If you’re planning on trying a local restaurant, make sure to go before you’re hungry because food orders usually take long. Restaurants in Belize are not used to large crowds, which means pre-cooking is never necessary and your meal is generally prepared from scratch. So go to dinner early, drink a few belikin beers and do some people watching as you wait for your delicious FRESH meal. What to Know About Belize’s Summertime Lobsterfest Celebrations Mid-June is a time for celebration in Belize as the official lobster season opens. It typically opens June 15th every year and closes on February 14 of the following year. To celebrate the start of the new season, there are gastronomic events in different parts of the country. If you’ve considered traveling to Belize to try Caribbean spiny lobster, try to coordinate your trip around one of these three festivals. Lobsterfest on Ambergris Caye is serious business. The week-plus long event incorporates daytime and nighttime activities throughout the island. You can even pick up a complimentary Lobster Passport that you get stamped at all the event locations. You can use this to enter a drawing for a return trip to Belize! The highlight of Ambergris Caye’s Lobsterfest celebration is the giant block party on the final Saturday night. Here you’ll find many of the island’s top chefs showcasing creative lobster creations, fun libations, and the Belizean steel drum band, Panerrifix, performing. How To Find A Long-Term Rental Property In Belize There is a common thread in the conversation that many expats have when they first move to Belize and try to find long-term rentals—it is hard to do. There are many reasons for this, and I’ve experienced them while trying to rent in two of the most popular areas of Belize, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Placencia. There are several factors that are important to know going in to your search: where the best areas are in town to live, how to find your rental, what is actually available, and what expats wished they knew before they rented. Exploring the ATM Cave, Belize’s Grand Adventure A vacation is one of the greatest opportunities to make new memories. In Belize, that can mean memories of exploring the wildlife-rich jungles, trekking to historic Maya ruins, or even lounging poolside, ice-chilled cocktail in hand. One of the most magical adventures we love sending guests to is Actun Tunichil Muknal, better known as the ATM Cave. Under an hour from Ka’ana, the cave, whose name translates to “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher,” is most famous for a series of archaeological deposits with ancient skeletons. One, “The Crystal Maiden,” is from a teenager, whose now-calcified bones sparkle like crystals after over a millennia in the dark. Was she a sacrifice victim? Nobody knows for sure, but she’s become a veritable destination in her own right. As just one of the human remains, The Crystal Maiden suggests the ATM Cave’s significance to the Maya civilization. The presence of ceramics, stoneware, and even alterations to the actual cave walls—altars, plus carvings that create silhouettes of faces and animals—further showcases that the ATM Cave was an important, sacred place of worship to the underworld gods. Belize Is a Great Birding Destination for 2018 As a warm country with an incredibly diverse ecosystem, Belize is a natural haven for birds. The Audubon Society estimates that approximately 600 different bird species have been recorded in Belize. Approximately 80% of the birds in Belize are year-round residents while approximately 20% are migrating birds from North America that spend the winter in Belize. The Audubon Society has identified seven different Important Birding Areas (IBAs) in Belize, but you can spot birds everywhere in the country, including on the offshore islands. The Perfect One Week Belize Itinerary If you've only got one week to spend in the tropical paradise that is Belize, why not visit the best of both worlds? Our all-inclusive Belize vacation packages include time on both the pristine mainland as well as a sojourn to the fabulous offshore islands and Caribbean beaches. Belize is a small country in Central America just 2-5 hours' flying time from major cities across the United States and Canada. Hiking in Belize - Great For Your Heart, Mind, and Body Belize is just a short flight away from North America, but its exotic wildlife, unparalleled natural beauty, and thriving eco-system make it truly a world away. In Belize, the sound of birds and the perfume in the air from hundreds of flowering plant species are far more common than the hustle and bustle of modern life in the United States and Canada. That's why Belize is one of the best places in the world to unplug, relax, and unwind. Although it may not sound glamorous, one of the most popular activities in Belize is hiking through the jungle. Far from any wireless internet signal, shopping mall, or noisy highway, the jungles are, instead, an oasis of natural beauty, color, and tranquility. Everywhere you look, you'll spot incredible examples of nature at its finest, ranging from elusive jaguars to tiny frogs and insect that make the jungle thrum with energy. Is Belize Safe Belize is a small country, but because it isn't well-known by outsiders, a lot of visitors want to know if it is safe to visit. Of course, no country is ever going to be completely safe from crime and other risks, but Belize is an incredibly safe country for foreign visitors. Tourism is an important part of the Belizean economy. With over one million visitors a year to a country smaller than the state of Massachusetts, the government of Belize takes visitor safety extremely seriously. As such, the vast majority of visitors to Belize enjoy a wonderful, safe, and incident-free vacation. Belize is primarily a rural country. The only relatively large urban area is Belize City. Formerly the capital, Belize City is still the largest metropolis in the country with around 75,000 inhabitants. Some areas of the outskirts of Belize City are very poor and where most of the serious crimes in the country occur. But because these are far from the normal tourist spots, these incidents rarely impact foreign visitors. Why You Will Love Birding in Belize With one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the world, it's no surprise that Belize is a popular destination for bird watchers. More than 600 species have been recorded in the country, including more than 500 indigenous bird species that include the roseate spoonbill, orange-breasted falcon, endangered Jabiru stork, the scarlet macaw, sungrebe, enormous harpy eagle, solitary eagle, the chestnut-bellied heron, and the endangered ocellated turkey. Beyond its enormous domestic variety of tropical and subtropical bird species, Belize is also the winter homefor hundreds of bird species from all across North America. With seven different Important Bird Areas managed by the Audobon Society, Belize is one of the best places to see birds in a pristine, natural landscape. Belize Summer Weather Summer is a great time to visit Belize. With abundant sunshine, warm water temperatures, and deliciously cool breezes at night, Belize has everything that families, honeymooners, couples, and adventure travelers can enjoy. Here are just a few exciting things you can do in Belize during the summer: For thousands of years, Belize was the heartland of a vast empire that stretched from Mexico down to El Salvador. Today, visitors can climb enormous pyramids, explore sacred temples, and see the bloody stones where the infamous ball game was played. Belize City - What You Need to Know Before You Visit For nearly 200 years, Belize City was the capital of the country. Today, it's still the largest urban area and transportation hub in Belize. All international flights land at the Philip Goldson Airport just nine miles away, so Belize City is often the first place that visitors see. Despite the fact that Belize City is no longer the political capital, it is still home to many government offices, and the city is the undisputed commercial hub of the country. Two of Belize's three highways begin in Belize City, and the water docks are the main transportation gateway to the offshore islands like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Since most people come to Belize to engage in sports like diving and snorkeling on the islands or to visit some of the pristine natural areas on the mainland, Belize City often gets overlooked. The city often gets a fearsome reputation, but there's a lot to do and see here for tourists. Keeping Belize’s Rivers Clean – One Bag At A Time The Macal River has a rich history – as the part of the ancient Maya superhighway it connected the highlands of Guatemala to the Caribbean coastal trade routes, as the gateway to Belize’s interior it penetrated Belize’s lush rainforests and opened them up to countless explorers and settlers. Even as recently as the early days of Mick and Lucy farming at Chaa Creek, the Macal River was the primary route in and out of San Ignacio. Today, it’s the source of adventure and delight for the countless Chaa Creek visitors who enjoy tubing and canoeing down the river into San Ignacio Town. So when Chaa Creek’s naturalist Brion Young rallied staff to join him in an ambitious clean up project, the response was, to say the least, enthusiastic. International Sources U.S. charges New York fund manager with Belize airport scam A New York investment manager was arrested on Wednesday and charged with fraudulently raising about $21.9 million that he told his investors would be used to build an international airport in Belize, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Brent Borland, a principal at Borland Capital Group, was accused of having promised double-digit rates of return on investments related to temporary “bridge” financing for the airport in Placencia, roughly 110 miles (177 km) south of Belize City, and secured by real property in Belize. Instead, authorities said all investors in Borland’s Belize Infrastructure Fund lost money, while the 48-year-old resident of Sag Harbor, New York and Delray Beach, Florida diverted close to $6 million to fund a lavish lifestyle for his family. Kampf gegen Müllberge: Belize verbietet Plastik Immer mehr Urlauber produzieren immer mehr Abfall – beliebte Reiseziele kämpfen gegen die Vermüllung von Orten, Meeren und Stränden. Die beliebte Baleareninsel Mallorca hat dem Pastik den Kampf angesagt und ein Gesetz auf den Weg gebracht, dass die Wegwerfprodukte verbieten soll. In Kenia ist seit August 2017 die Herstellung und Einfuhr von Plastiktüten verboten, bei Nichtbeachtung drohen Strafen. Großbritannien will Plastik-Strohhalme, Wattestäbchen und andere Wegwerfprodukte ab 2019 verbieten. U.S. Charges Brent Borland With $21 Million Investment Fraud The founder of a New York-based investment firm was charged with defrauding investors and using their money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including payments for a Florida mansion, multiple luxury cars and private school tuition. Borland Capital Group LLC founder Brent Borland, 48, of Sag Harbor, was charged in a complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court Wednesday with cheating investors who contributed more than $21 million for the construction of a Belize airport by falsely promising a high rate of return secured by property owned by the firm. How Britain's Colonial Legacy Still Influences LGBTQ Rights in the World Of the 72 countries that still criminalise gay sex today, at least 38 were once subject to British colonialism. At the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, British Prime Minister Theresa May urged Commonwealth nations to reform existing anti-gay legislation held over from British colonial rule. And while stopping short of a formal apology, she used her speech to explicitly acknowledge Britian’s responsibility: “As the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, I deeply regret both the fact that such laws were introduced and the legacy of discrimination, violence and death that persists today.” As we show in our newly published book, British Colonialism and the Criminalisation of Homosexuality, many laws that make homosexuality a crime today were imposed during rule by the British Empire. Videos GARIFUNA SHIPWRIGHT ART IN PUNTA GORDA BELIZE!, 2min. We here at "Belizean Legends" are proud to present the upcoming documentary short film called, "Garifuna Shipwright Art In Punta Gorda Belize", at the 7th. Annual Garifuna International & Indigenous Film Festival (GIIFF) on Sunday May 25, 2018 at the Electric Lodge Theater in Venice, California. The Belizean Community in Los Angeles are invited to come out and see this dynamic Belizean film which features the artistic work of two of Belize's most prominent Garifuna shipwright artists, Brother Leonides Sanchez of the southern town of Punta Gorda in Belize, and his late artistic father, Peter Sanchez. BEL Family Day, 1min. BEL linemen showcased their skills at Family Day on May 12 and competed to represent the Company at the 2109 CARILEC Lineman Rodeo. Congratulations: Leroy Matura, Tyrone Reynolds, Paul McCalla and Eddie Johnston. CAVE TUBING IN BELIZE \| SPRING BREAK VACATION, 20min. Belize Scuba May 2018, 8min. Fishing CROCODILE infested water and night fishing Ambergris Caye Belize, 10min. It was just another fun day fishing guys you no have to catch a lot of fish you just got to enjoy the outdoors Maya Prayers for the traditional ritual carried out in Cristo Rey, 1.5min. Faustino Yam is a Yucatec Maya of Cristo Rey,Corozal praying on Maya for the Maya ritual of the Jetz Mek. This video is courtesy of Banquetas House of Culture. Belize Ma'alob Chúumuk K'iin, 3min. Our final video from Mrs. Faustino yam is featuring the explanation and importance of the foods placed on the altar. Nojoch Mak Faustino Yam explaining to us about the Hetz Mek . The Hetz Mek also known as the "Maya Baptism" is one of the Yucatec Maya traditions still done by some families in Northern Belize . Belize Ma'alob K'iin, 1.5min. I present to you Mr. Faustino Yam from Cristo Rey Village. Mr. Yam lives and breathes culture. Take a look at this short introductory video. Mr. Yam is one of the few that speaks fluent Yucatec Maya and practice the traditional Hetz Mek and other traditional Mayan celebrations. Banquitas House of Culture bring us the third part of this video meeting Yucatec Maya man Nojoch Mak Faustino Yam . Nojoch Mak Faustino Yam talking of some of the traditions us Yucatec Maya of Belize still practice like Hanal Pixan,Cha Chaac ,Hetz Mek, Biix and others . Belize Volleyball Association - 2018 Beach Volleyball Tour, 13min. on Open Your Eyes Statistical Institute of Belize - 2018 Household Budget Survey, 4min. on Open Your Eyes EXPORT Belize - Artists Export Tool Kit, 23min. on Open Your Eyes The Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority will celebrate 20 years of conservation work in October, 38min. on Open Your Eyes The Belize Tourism Industry Association 20th edition of the Destination Belize Magazine, 15min. on Open Your Eyes TBSL is hosting the 7th Belize Esri User Conference on the 23rd - 24th May, 23min. on Open Your Eyes Music Week 2018 runs from 14th-18th May, 46min. on Open Your Eyes PETAL is celebrating its 3rd Anniversary - raising awareness for lesbian and bi-sexual women, 36min. on Open Your Eyes Talk Ah Di Town May 17, 2018, 30min. Rise & Shine Morning Show: Belmopan Crime Spike, 100min. Belize - Spice Farm, 2.5min. Belize - Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins, 3min. Haley Kalil Is A Dream Come True In This Sexy Belize Shoot \| Uncovered \| Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, 2min. Belize Carnival Caribbean Carnival, 3min. Verdes FC vs BDF FC, 2.5hr.