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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.


The San Pedro Sun

Caye Caulker experiencing water and electricity outages
Residents on the island of Caye Caulker are experiencing a shortage of water and electricity, affecting thousands of residents and the business sector. At this time of posting, most of La Isla Cari�osa is in darkness with low pressure or no running water and many tourists are leaving the island. The problem with the water supply worsened after Belize Water Services' (BWS) Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant shut down on Sunday, December 29th due to a broken main drive shaft. The island had 150,000-gallon water storage, but by Monday, December 30th, the reserve was depleted. To address the emergency, BWS dispatched 12,000 gallons of water via water trucks on barges from its headquarters in Belize City. This limited supply of water is expected to be rationed to customers in coordination with the Caye Caulker Village Council.

Ambergris Today

More Guns Off The Streets Of San Pedro
In keeping its word of having a safer community, San Pedro Police have been conducting more patrols throughout the island and have successfully been catching up with individuals who have firearms without proper licenses. On Saturday, December 28th, 2019, at about 2:55 p.m., while Police were conducting mobile patrol on Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro Town, their attention was drawn to a male person who was riding a red beach cruiser bicycle and acting suspiciously.

Caye Caulker In Water Crisis; Rationing Water; Tourists Leaving
Our neighbors in Caye Caulker Village are currently experiencing a water crisis as the island's water supply plants has broken down. There are reports that guests are leaving hotels and the water shortage is gravely impacting everyone from restaurants, hotels, all businesses and consumers. Belize Water Services issued a press release stating that on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at about 11 am, the Caye Caulker Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant experienced a shut down due to a broken main drive shaft. This shaft had just been replaced on December 24, 2019, with the previous drive shaft having performed for 8 years before wearing out.

Various Belizean Sources

mzz

San Pedro NY Eve Countdown
The San Pedro Town Council and Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. invites everyone to come out to the Central Park, tomorrow, December 31st to bring in the New Year 2020! All the way from M�rida, M�xico, Grupo Montana M�rida will be performing your favorite hits to dance the night away! We will be having free party favors and a spectacular fireworks display! The event is free and everyone is invited. We would like to thank Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. for his sponsorship towards this event, as well as Hyper Soundz and LED Belize, who are providing the Sound and Lighting for the event. THANK YOU!

Court Ruling on Section 53 Case Appeal
The official Press release from earlier today of the Court ruling on the Section 53 case appeal. Belize Court of Appeal does not disturb 2016 ruling in Orozco case that section 53 is unconstitutional December 30, 2019 On Monday morning, December 30, 2019, the Belize Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Chief Justice in 2016 that section 53 contravenes sections 3, 6, 12, 14 and 16 of the Belize Constitution which are the rights to dignity, equality before the law, freedom of expression, privacy and non-discrimination. In 2016, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ruled in favour of Caleb Orozco, Executive Director of UNIBAM, and declared that section 53 of the Criminal Code, which criminalized "carnal intercourse against the order of nature", violates these constitutional rights.

Leading Causes of Death in Belize
Leading causes of death in Belize according to the Director of Health Services.

Caye Caulker water interruption for an extended period
On Sunday, December 29, 2019, at about 11:00am, the Caye Caulker Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant experienced a shut down due a broken mad drive shaft. This shaft had just been replaced on December 24, 2019, with the previous drive shaft having performed for 8 years before wearing out. Unfortunately, the BWS team realized, at that time, that the replacement shaft was slightly out of alignment and prone to failure. Replacement shafts were immediately ordered, and are due for shipment out of the U.S. later this week. Unfortunately, by today, December 30, 2019, the 150,000 gallon water storage for the island has now been depleted. BWS is dispatching 12,000 gallons of water via water trucks on barges to help provide customers on the island with water.

BTIA Press Release on Caye Caulker Water Problems
THE BELIZE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION makes this urgent appeal to the government to rectify what appears to be negligence of legally mandated suppliers of electricity and water on the island of Caye Caulker. Potable water is a basic necessity for Belizeans and for the productivity of the economy. Belizeans and their livelihood deserve this basic resource and a reliable electrical supply. The patience of the Caye Caulker community is now at an end as the problem with these utilities is a chronic problem which has been worsening over this past year. The island has been left without water and electricity on an ongoing basis and, especially, at peak times of 2018 and 2019 including Christmases, Easters and Lobsterfests.

BEL Addresses Generation Issues on Caye Caulker
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) is working to resolve power supply issues in Caye Caulker following failure of one of the generation units that supply ekctricity to customers on the island. Over the past five days, the Company has had to conduct load shedding during the evening peak hours to compensate for the loss in generation capacity.As a result, some customers on the island have been experiencing intermittent power outages when the demand for electricity is highest.

Coastal Xpress NYEve Schedule
This makes things easier if you are heading into town tomorrow night: From Coastal Xpress Water Taxi - New Year's Eve Special Runs!!!! We will be shuttling people from Fido's Dock to all areas north up to Sapphire Beach. Boats leave from 12:30-1:30am. ALL tickets are $10US. Passes accepted.

Water purification tablets available on Caye Caulker
Please feel free to pick up water purification tablets at the CCVC office or the health center to use in your vats and wells. Thank you

Balames - Nukux Tat
The Balames(Balamo'ob) are also known as Nukux Tat,Tata Duende , Tata Balam or El due�o del monte. Between the Yucatec Maya they are worshiped before you start planting and therefore they are considered a deity , but do not appear in the Maya pantheon. They are beings whose appearance resembles that of an elderly man, with a long beard . They are the guardians of the earth from the four cardinal points.

Huay Balam
For the ancient Maya, the Maya word "Huay" was used to refer to an animal - real or chimeric - that shared its essence with each person; a kind of "accompanying spirit." In its original meaning, the way could also be an object or phenomenon (star, fire, comet, rainbow) or a combination of all the previous elements. For example, a Ceibal Ajaw had a "Water Jaguar". Linguistically, the "way" particle seems to have a root related to sleep or mystical transfiguration, since its meaning persists among the various Maya languages.

Channel 7

17 Year Old Shot 7 Times Succumbs
On the 24th of November, 17-year-old Chanteuse Martinez was shot 7 times in an act of senseless violence that caught the young woman and her boyfriend completely off guard. You'll remember that Chanteuse's boyfriend Mervin and his 1-year-old baby niece Melanie were also shot during the incident. They were treated and released, but Chanteuse remained critically injured. Her youth may have given her the strength to make it through a month with very serious injuries, but, she couldn't hold on any longer and died this weekend. She succumbed to her injuries on Saturday evening. Cherisse Halsall spoke to her family today:

Police Haven't Upgraded Charges on Chanteuse's Teenaged Shooter
Last month, Police arrested and charged a 16-year old for three counts of attempted murder, three counts of use of deadly means of harm, 2 counts of dangerous harm, and one count of wounding in the shooting that has ultimately led to Chanteuse Martinez's death. While you might expect to be upgraded to murder, Superintendent Alejandro Cowo told us first they need to see the result of the postmortem examination of Chanteuse Martinez's body.

Rake Of The Year: "2020", Belizeans Hit the Jackpot En Mass
It's a superstition and a cultural practice in Belize: The numbers to buy in the Sunday Jackpot before the new year are: the year to come, and the year that's ending, and maybe even those numbers in reverse. Well, Yesterday that superstition paid off, like never before, and buyers came up bigtime. Cherisse Halsall went out to talk to the people that had the rake, and Brad's who has to pay all those winnings which amount to millions of dollars:

Is Police Checkpoint Directive Unconstitutional?
Social media was raging this weekend after a police directive about vehicular checkpoints was leaked out. Dated 27th December, it directs all commanders that, quote, "whenever they stop and search vehicles in which a group of persons are traveling, a full description and photograph of the vehicle is taken and documents; likewise all particulars and photographs of occupants in the vehicle gotten." For many, that sounded sinister, and smacked of a violation of constitutional rights of privacy and freedom of movement. Today, in Belmopan the commissioner first said that directive had an error, which was corrected, but defended enhanced surveillance at police checkpoints. He citied a number of crimes that were committed with criminals using the highways, and said it must be stopped:

COMPOL Says Privacy Is An Illusion
Of course, it's unclear what exactly constitutes reasonable cause, but Commissioner Williams stressed his belief that privacy is an illusion: Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police "May I say on the checkpoints, for the most part what I see police officers doing is that they are taking pictures of your driver's licensed and not you the individual. Now, the question is: is your driver's licensed private? The answer is no, because whenever you are asked to produce, you must produce it. Police take pictures of your vehicle, the question is: is your vehicle private? The answer is no. Some of the people I see complaining about privacy and picture taking - I see them post some compromising pictures of themselves on Facebook every day. Some of the pictures they post should be private, but they put it on social media. I don't know if they are aware that Facebook have a policy that whatever you post on Facebook that the company can use it in whatever way they wish and you can't do them nothing. So at the end of the day when you move around in the public a camera is always watching you either a video camera or someone with a phone, so there is no privacy in public and I've always said to my attorney friends, my colleagues at the bar, if you all believe that what the police is doing is wrong, then take us to court and let the court make a pronouncement on it. If the court says that we are wrong then we have to adjust our measures." Williams added that the police and the BDF will be launching composite patrols on January 15th on the highways.

Court of Appeal Upholds Section 53
The Court of Appeal has handed down a judgment re-affirming that consensual same-sex acts between adults is now legal. This is the second court that has vindicated the position of the local gay rights activist, Caleb Orozco. You'll remember that he successfully convinced Chief Justice Kenneth to rule in August 2016 that Section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code was unconstitutional and that it violated his rights to human dignity and privacy. Before Chief Justice's ruling just over 3 years ago, Section 53 made it illegal for same-sex couples to engage in sexual acts. The law said that "every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years." The Chief Justice found that this did violate Orozco's constitutional rights and ruled that the sentence, "This section shall not apply to consensual sexual acts between adults in private" should be added.

Caye Caulker Without Water Or Electricity
Caye Caulker residents and visitors are taking a lick tonight - they have been without running water for most of the day - and the outage continues at this hour. BWS says a drive shaft on the village's reverse osmosis plant broke unexpectedly; it had just been replaced on Christmas eve. The previous one lasted 8 years, but BWS says this one was "out of alignment and prone to failure." A replacement is due for shipment out of the U.S. later this week. In the meantime, BWS is improvising with what it calls a customized shaft in an effort to get the plant operational today.

Another Vehicle Stolen in Bze Found in Guat
A week ago, we told you about the recovery of the Toyota Hilux Pickup truck, which belongs to Alvaro Gongora, the deputy mayor of Benque Viejo Town. That vehicle, which was stolen in the remote areas of the Hydro Road, was seen racing into Arenal, Guatemala. Well, police are reporting tonight that another of Gongora's stolen vehicles was discovered in Guatemala by the police authorities on that side. This one is a red Ford explorer, and it was also discovered intact. Here's what police had to say this morning about this discovery, and the steps being taken to hand it over to them:

Homeowner Finds Burglary in Progress
There was a burglary at a residence in Corozal Town on Friday night, and - when her neighbors called her to see what was happening - Nancy Chable rushed home only to find thieves inside. Police told her how her common law husband started firing warning shots to scare the thieves out of the house: ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch "She entered and observed three dark complexion male persons inside her home ransacking her house. As a result, she shouted for help and in so doing, her common-law husband came around and observed those persons and fired several warning shots into the air in order to alert those persons that they were home. As a result, those persons fled the scene, making good their escape..."

Did Cops Use Justifiable Force in Shooting Alleged Teen Robbers?
Police have also arrested the knife-wielding teens who they encountered on the upper flat of Nina's store on Christmas Day. But there are questions about the use of excessive force by police in shooting of the minors. The 16 and 17 year old allegedly had knives, the cops had guns.

COMPOL: Alcohol Abuse Drove Crime in 2019
Today, police commissioner Chester Williams discussed the downturn in major crimes overall for 2019 - even though the decrease in murders will be negligible. He also spoke about the main drivers of crime this year - alcohol being chief among them:...

COMPOL Not Joking with Jumoke
And, one new type of crime that Williams is trying to find a way to prosecute is cyberbullying, specifically in the case of Jumoke Castro. The ugly text of his menacing tirade against Luis Wade and his wife Shasta are now well known, but the Commissioner told us that making a threat of rape is not an offence.

Retired UDP Politician Passes
Today, an official funeral was held for Onesimo Pech, the former one term UDP Area Representative for Orange Walk South. The former schoolteacher served as a member and deputy speaker of the house between 1984 and 1989. An official funeral was held for him today at St. John's Cathedral in Belize City where the official remembrance was given by acting Prime Minister Patrick Faber.

He Won A Wingle
A businessman from Santa Cruz in south Stann Creek won a Wingle 7 pickup this weekend. It was a raffle sponsored by Digi - and since November thew 12th. Hundreds of thousands of entries were made. That's why Ma told us he wasn't expecting any call:

Chopping In Bullett Tree Involved Alcohol
Tonight, San Ignacio Police are trying to get to the bottom of a chopping incident that has left 2 men from Bullet Tree Falls injured. At this time, it appears that they were attacked by fellow villagers with whom they have had prior disagreements. According to police, 32-years-old Henario Martinez and 36-year-old Patricio Kuylen were enjoying their Saturday night at a party.

88 Year Old Man Drowns After Family Feud
And from that chopping in Cayo, we turn now to the apparent drowning of an 88-year-old man from the Toledo village of San Antonio. Police say that at around 3:00 on Saturday afternoon, they discovered the body of Ponciano Coy, who was found dead near a creek in the village. He was last seen alive on Friday night, and according to police, reports are that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

PM On Leave
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country on Saturday. A government press release says that he is on personal leave with his family. He will return to Belize on January 4th.

Channel 5

Court of Appeal Upholds Chief Justice's Decision on Section 53
The Court of Appeal today handed down a ruling, upholding the Chief Justice's 2016 ruling on Section Fifty-Three.� Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ruled that Section Fifty-Three of the Belize Criminal [...]

UNIBAM Exec. Dir. Says 'Sex' Does Include 'Sexual Orientation'
According to Orozco, Section Fifty-Three of the Criminal Code is a law which discriminates on the basis of sex and is void to that extent. He says that the ruling [...]

What's Next? Marriage Equality? Gender Identity?
With Section Fifty-Three being struck down by the Supreme Court and with the Court of Appeals reaffirming the Chief Justice's ruling, what other LGBT issues are there? Well, there is [...]

Trial Begins for Sensational Drug Bust Back in September 2018 involving a Top Cop
Trial finally began today for the group of men accused of participating in the September ninth, 2018 landing of a drug plane in Tres Leguas, near Blue Creek in the [...]

Shooting Victim Chantuse Martinez Succumbs
Sixteen-year-old Chantuse Martinez died on Saturday night after being hospitalized for more than a month for gunshot injuries. Martinez and her boyfriend Mervin Martin were shot while near the entrance [...]

The Police Department Introducing New Measures for Vehicle Checkpoints
Social media was abuzz over the weekend, following a leaked memo from within the Belize Police Department.� It prompted commentary from various sectors that the department was ramping up its [...]

New Measures at Police Checkpoints to Catch Transient Criminals
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that it's a strategy being implemented by the department in the wake of a number of missing persons being abducted and taken to isolated [...]

Law-Abiding Citizens Should Not Be Affected by New VCP Measures
ComPol Chester Williams says that law-abiding citizens do not have to concern themselves with the procedure because the department knows who the transient criminals are.   Chester Williams, Commissioner of [...]

2020 Sunday Lottery Draw Expected to Break the Bank
A new decade begins on January first, and while many are preparing to bid 2019 adieu, many more are looking ahead to the start of a new year.� On Sunday [...]

An Unexpected Gift from Brads to Belize
While the exact number of winners and total payout are still being calculated, it is not likely that any tax will be applied to individual earnings, unless, of course, you've [...]

Water Shortage on La Isla Cari�osa, BWS Explains Why
Residents of Caye Caulker continue to experience an extended water shortage, following a shutdown of the island's reverse osmosis water treatment plant on Sunday morning.� As a result, the hundred [...]

Sandhill Man to Welcome New Year in Broken Down House
While many of you are rejoicing with Sunday's lottery draw, there is one man who is struggling to keep a smile on his face. Tonight, we bring you the story [...]

Are Charges Pending for Jumoke Castro?
Will charges be levied against Jumoke Castro, the son of Transport Minister Edmond Castro, for a vile social media post made against the News Director of Plus TV in Belmopan?� [...]

Belize City Teens Arraigned for Xmas Day Burglary
Police have arrested and charged a pair of minors for the crime of burglary; one was additionally charged with aggravated assault against a police officer.� Both teenagers were shot on [...]

A Pair of Friends is Attacked and Chopped in Bullet Tree
A pair of friends is recovering at the San Ignacio Community Hospital from multiple chop wounds they received on Sunday morning as they left a bar in Bullet Tree Village. [...]

A Belize City Resident & a Hattieville Minor are Charged for Home Invasion in Corozal
Two of three alleged burglars, including a minor from Hattieville Village, have been charged in connection with the burglary of a house in Santa Rita Layout, Corozal District.� Police say [...]

San Mateo Resident is Caught with Gun and Bullets
Two San Pedro Town residents are in trouble with the law tonight after they were caught in possession of drugs, as well as firearm and ammunition. On Saturday afternoon, a [...]

San Pedro Resident Charged for Drug Trafficking Offense
A San Juan resident has also been charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply to another. Carlos Castillo was taken into custody and searched; on him [...]

Elderly Man Drowns in San Antonio, Toledo
An elderly man lost his life over the weekend in San Antonio Village in the Toledo District. Police do not suspect foul play in the death eighty-eight-year-old Ponciano Coy, who [...]

Several Stolen Vehicles from Benque are Recovered in Guatemala
The police have been cracking down on the number of vehicles which have been stolen and taken across the western border into Guatemala. While there has been progress, today, Assistant [...]

PM Barrow Departs on Personal Leave
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country on Saturday on personal leave with his family. He is expected to return on Saturday January fourth 2010. In his absence, Deputy Prime [...]

Santa Cruz Businessman Drives Off in Brand New 2020 Wingle
Businessman Kenny Ma is the lucky winner of a 2020 Great Wall Wingle pickup after participating in a Christmas raffle organized and promoted by Digi and Caribbean Tire Limited.� With [...]

James Adderly with the Final Sportscast for 2019
Good evening, I’m James Adderly and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend in sports...]

The Reporter

Court Of Appeals Uphold Ruling: Says 'Law Targeting Gays' Unconstitutional
The Belize Court of Appeal today upheld a 2016 decision made by Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin, who found that Section 53 of the Criminal Code violates Sections 3, 6, 12, 14 and 16 of the Belize Constitution which promotes people's rights to dignity, equality before the law, freedom of expression, privacy and non-discrimination.

B.W.S Water Problem On Caye Caulker: May Be Fixed By Morning
Although no-one from the company would go on record, the technicians have privately said that they will have the water problem fixed by the morning of December 31st.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

The Orozco Appeal: Identity, marriage, and equality - the next frontier?
From the moment Caleb Orozco filed his case in 2013, he and his attorneys have [�]

BEL: Tonight is the final power outage for Caye Caulker
Over the past five days, residents in Caye Caulker have been suffering from a string [�]

Belize bids farewell to Onesimo Pech
Today, the nation bid farewell to former area representative, Onesimo Pech. Pech served the people [�]

Water crisis in Caye Caulker affects tourism sector
The village of Caye Caulker is currently experiencing a water crisis. The Belize Water Services [�]

THE OROZCO APPEAL: Judgment of the Court of Appeal
Justices of Appeal Samuel Awich, Murrio Ducille, and Lennox Campbell confirmed that the August 2016 decision [�]

Burglars caught in the act up north!
On Friday night before 9 o'clock, Nancy Chable and her common-law husband encountered three men [�]

Police: Elderly citizen inebriated hours before death
On Saturday afternoon we reported that a senior citizen was found dead in a creek [�]

"Heart disease killed more people in 2018 than violence," says Ministry of Health
Today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) released the cause of death statistics for the year 2018, [�]

Appeal Court upholds expansion of discrimination in Constitution to include sexual orientation
A Court of Appeal panel has upheld the August 2016 ruling of Chief Justice Kenneth [�]

One Love; UDP aspirants united at Castro's end of year event
"One Love, one heart, let's get together and feel alright�." Bob Marley This weekend, Belize [�]

Caye Caulker Village experiences extended water interruption
Belize Water Services (BWS) today issued a statement saying that on Sunday, December 29, at about 11:00 a.m. the Caye Caulker Reverse Osmosis Water ...

Minors remanded for Belize City burglary
Two minors have been remanded to the Wagner's Youth Facility at the Belize Central Prison.

Shyne Barrow hosts New Year's Day Football Youth Cup in Mesopotamia
The UDP Mesopotamia Sports Council upgrade project is what lead Shyne to launch the 1st annual New Year's Day Youth Cup for U18 & U12 teams in Mesopotamia.

Police strategy 2020: More checkpoints
In commenting on his new crime-fighting strategy, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams shared a bit of what we can expect from the Belize ...

Chester Williams: Criminals shouldn't feel comfortable
Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, today provided details of a leaked memo indicating that persons driving on the country's highways would be stopped and photographed...

UNIBAM/ UWI Rights Advocacy Project issues statement
The United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) and the University of the West Indies' (UWI) Rights Advocacy Project issued a statement ...

Belize Territorial Volunteers present 2019 report
Today, Will Maheia, founder of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), gave his overview of 2019 and the organization's efforts to advocate for ...

Belize ranks 135 on World Bank Doing Business 2020 report
Belize has ranked 135 out of a total 190 on the World Bank's 'Doing Business 2020' report, which assesses the regulations that enhance business ...

Cancer warrior Ian Skeen needs your help to stay in the fight
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so through Belize bank account 130622010220000 to Stephanie A Milan on behalf of Ian Skeen, or through the ...

Carlos Castillo busted with cocaine
Carlos Castillo, 31, has been caught by the long arm of the law...

Appeal Court delivers decision on Section 53
A Court of Appeal panel has given its decision on the appeal of the August [�]

Cuban media shows love to the late great Andy Palacio
Today the Havana Times, an independent Cuban blog and online magazine, featured "Amunegu" (In Times [�]

Belize's Karime Rosado is new Miss Culture International Maya Ambassador
Seventeen-year-old Belizean beauty ambassador, Karime Rosado has garnered the title of new ambassador of the [�]

Gymnast Simone Biles named 2019 Female Athlete of the Year
Star athlete, Simone Biles, has been named the 2019 Female Athlete of the Year. The [�]

Chopping incident in Bullet Tree leaves 2 men injured
Authorities are investigating a chopping incident that occurred on Sunday morning in Bullet Tree, Cayo. [�]

Blogs

A Fisherman's Perspective
There is a growing movement in the fishing community in Placencia. Fishers, for the most part, have abandoned unsustainable fishing practices. They've had to unlearn a lot of what they knew about fishing. That's because for decades they have overfished; used destructive fishing gear and engaged in other bad fishing practices. And in the last ten to fifteen years they have been feeling the effects of those practices. So, they have had to learn to fish in ways that ensure Belizeans will have fish to eat for years to come and they will always be able to provide for their families doing what they love - fishing. Lowell 'Japs' Godfrey has been fishing for more than forty years in the waters of Placencia but a few years ago he transitioned some of his strong traditional fishing habits into sustainable fishing practices. This is his take on fishing in Belize.

Discovering a hidden sense of adventure
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a sea/caye person. Give me the sea, the sun and little spot to relax, and I'm the happiest person in this world. As such, a Waterfall Cave Expedition via Ian Anderson's Cave Branch Jungle Lodge was definitely something out of my comfort zone. However, I don't regret it one bit! After almost 45 minutes of trekking, it was time to get wet! Our hike took us up, up, and all the way to the top of various waterfalls where the true fun began. Our hike included plunging into refreshing pools, and the higher we went, the more breathtaking the stalactites and stalagmites were. Their sparkle motivated me even more to continue, as I wanted to see what was next.

Camping Half Moon Caye: Luxe vs. Less
The island houses a gift shop, ranger quarters, bathrooms, campground showers, newly-renovated pavilion, shared campground kitchen, bbq pit, and picnic tables; all amenities are environmentally low-impact with solar-power, compost toilets, and a strict trash in-trash out policy. Waking up to the sound of the ebb and flow of Half Moon Caye's coral-ridden shoreline is a priceless experience found no place else. Co-managed by the non-profit NGO Belize Audubon Society, your soon-to-be camping trip to this protected area supports the day-to-day operations and sustainable management of the site, including infrastructure, enforcement, research, outreach, and education.

Black Dinna, A Belizean Favorite!
The most popular dish to consume on New Year's Eve or Day is the traditional Black Relleno. Black Relleno, also known as "black dinna", is a famous dish originated by the Mestizos which is a savory black soup that features chicken, pork balls, boiled eggs, and of course� spices! What makes the soup stand out is its color. The distinctive black color comes from the use of the black recado, a paste made of local chili peppers that are roasted until they are black. This soup is enjoyed by all in Belize, and we hope you'll enjoy it too. Don't judge it until you've tried it

International Sourcesizz

7 Caribbean Countries Are Banning Single-Use Plastic Starting Jan. 1
Slowly but surely, more and more cities, states, and countries are enacting bans on single-use plastic and polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) all around the world. And beginning Jan. 1, 2020, there will be a ban on the use and import of single-use plastic and polystyrene in seven Caribbean countries: the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, the Yucatan Times reported. Each of those countries are coastal, located all around the Caribbean sea. Ocean plastic is a mounting issue, negatively impacting marine life, underwater ecosystems, the climate, and more - so these nations reducing single-use plastic could make a significant difference on ocean pollution.

World Bank says Caribbean economies lagging in reforms
The World Bank says economies in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to lag in terms of reforms as it relates to doing business in the region. In its flagship publication 'Doing Business 2020', in which the World Bank Group assesses the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it, it noted that of the 294 regulatory reforms implemented between May 2018 and May 2019 worldwide, 115 economies made it easier to do business. "Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean continue to lag in terms of reforms. Only two Sub-Saharan African economies rank in the top 50 on the ease of doing business; no Latin American economies rank in this group," the World Bank noted.

Videos

  • Blue Hole - Belize, 12min.

  • Birds watching in Hopkins, Belize-Travel To carribean Side, 3.5min. Flight from Belize Airport to the close airport near Hopkins, Belize.

  • Porcupinefish Night Belize, 1/2min. An adorable little Porcupinefish (Diodon Holocanthus) just swimming in lazy circles during a night dive.

  • CAYE CAULKER OUT IN THE DARK AND WITHOUT WATER, 1min. Tonight, the situation on the island of Caye Caulker is that of total desperation after they were plunged into complete darkness and without water. Separate press releases from the two utility companies outlined the dilemma they are facing in trying to get the much-needed services up and running. As it relates to water supply from Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), water could take days to be restored due to a part that is being shipped from abroad.

  • 501 Genesis Belize Album launch 2019, 69min.

  • INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER OF TOURISM, 12min. Speaking with Honourable Manuel Heredia via phone call in regards to the water and power crisis.