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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

Legal Declaration of the North-eastern Biological Corridor through Statutory Instrument
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration signed into law an order to declare the North-eastern Biological Corridor which comes into effect on January 22, 2020. The enactment of this order carries out Cabinet's decision to protect important forests situated in the sugar cane belt in order to protect the biological connectivity of protected areas and safeguard the ecosystem services provided by these forests, including watershed preservation and rain formation.

San Pedro Co-Ed Softball Tournament rolls into playoffs
On Sunday, January 19th, another round of games took place at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex as the San Pedro Co-Ed Softball Tournament is hosting its playoffs. Team Extreme nabbed another win, securing a leading command in the competition, while Beer League, became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament. The tournament continues on Sunday, January 26th with the following games: Extreme vs Rusties, SPHS vs RCGO. Organizers invite everyone to come out and support the tournament, which is nearing its finals.

Two arrested and charged for stealing golf cart; police following on other theft reports
San Pedro Police are investigating a series of reports of the theft of golf carts on the island. Their efforts led to the arrest and charging of Hubert Palacio and Evaristo Sanker, who was arraigned at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on Wednesday, January 15th. They were offered bail, but could not meet it and therefore were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 2, 2020.

New Fisheries Law in Belize Protects Both Marine Species and Livelihoods
The Senate of Belize passed a new Fisheries Resources Bill today that will help make the country's small-scale fisheries more sustainable for both marine life and people Approved by majority of the Senate, the new and comprehensive Bill replaces previous legislation in place for almost seven decades and aims to modernize and transform Belize's small-scale fishing industry.

Ambergris Today

Man Claiming Tupac Shakur Is 'Alive And Well In Belize'
Various online articles have surfaced of a man claiming that Tupac is alive and living in Belize. A private investigator named Jimmy Poole has claimed that there is proof that rapper Tupac Shakur is living in Belize'. Jimmy Poole has been looking into Tupac's death to see if there is any truth that he is still alive, especially seeing that Las Vegas police still have his file open, despite being shot before dying on September 13, 1996.

2020 BVA Male National Volleyball Championship To Be Held At Belize City
The Belize Volleyball Association will be hosting the Male National Volleyball Championship at the Belize City Civic Center on January 25 and 26, 2020. The general public is invited to come out and experience the excitement as the top male volleyball teams from all over the country compete to become Belize's National Volleyball Champion 2020.

Various Belizean Sources

mzz

Belize Hotel Association Networking Event on Caye Caulker
An opportunity for hotel owners to build working relationships within the association.

San Ignacio Rotary Looking for Mopan River Cleaning Help
Keeping the Mopan River clean has been a great task. With our second Bio-barrier to be installed soon, the task of cleaning will be even greater. For this reason we ask individuals or organizations that can help to come forward. We need two canoes to facilitate the removal of plastic from the river, we have been depending on the good will of individuals. To assist you can get in touch with any Benque Rotarian or inbox us. We will greatly appreciate your contribution.

Green Climate Fund Project Inception Workshop - National Designated Authority and Belize National Climate Change Committee (Sub-Committees) Capacity Building
Since 2015, Belize has engaged with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to improve access to international funds and to encourage investment in projects and programmes that will help the country prevent and cope with climate change and its impacts.

LEAP - Literacy & Empowerment Adult
The MOE is proud to announce LEAP - Literacy & Empowerment Adult Programme! Spread the word! Get involved! Volunteers are welcomed! Each one, teach one!

Fraudulent Social Media Profile for the Attorney General
It has come to the attention of Senator Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General, that there is a fraudulent Facebook account with his name. The public is informed that Hon. Peyrefitte does not have any social media accounts.

Official note from the Office of Director of Health Services on the new strain of Coronavirus
The Ministry of Health is aware and is monitoring the international alerts in relation to a new strain of coronavirus that has been linked to severe cases of respiratory tract infections. The virus which has seemingly originated in central China and which has now spread to at least 3 other countries, is now being transmitted through human to human contact. As with all new viruses and infections, we will be guided by the international alerts and in line with International Health Regulations. For now, we remain in close communication with our regional partners and we will be updating any information as may be required.

Corozal Town Council Municipal Bazaar
Friday January 31. 8am-5pm. Once more, the Corozal Town Council invites all business houses, entrepreneurs and vendors to join us at this years first Municipal Bazaar to be held on January 31st, 2020 in front of the Corozal Town Hall. Everyone is invited to come and take advantage of the great deals and discounts. Come out and support our local vendors and contribute to the continuous economic development of our community.

River of Art Flows Everywhere Launch
The Benque House of Culture will be launching their newest exhibit on Friday, February 7th, at 7:00pm. It will feature the art of Yaoling Lee, and is entitled, 'The River of Art Flows Everywhere.' "Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness! It gives us great joy and glee to welcome the fine work of Solo Artist, Yaoling Lee, " The River of Art Flows Everywhere"

Auditions for "Porgy and Bess"
Singers, here is a chance to use your voices. The Metropolitan Opera of New York's, Mrs. KS Tichina Vaughan, is in Belize and looking for talented and aspiring Singers to be in the cast of "Porgy and Bess". Come show your talent at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts on WEDNESDAY, January 22nd starting at 3:00 PM. Come share and show your talent!

CHAYA! DINNER WITH THE MAYA
Exploring Solutions past in partnership with The Mexican Cultural Institute - Belize, Museum of Belize, Institute of Archaeology, and the National Institute of Culture and History, cordially invite the general public of Belize to closing event: CHAYA! DINNER WITH THE MAYA, curated by Dr. Anabel Ford, to be held on January 27, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mexican Cultural Institute - Belize located at the corner Newtown Barracks and Wilson Streets, Belize City. Dr. Anabel Ford is the Director of the Mesoamerican Research Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara, as well as President of the non-profit organization Exploring Solutions Past (ESP~Maya). She is a distinguished Maya archaeologist who has decoded the ancient Maya landscape. When she encountered El Pilar, a major Maya city linking Belize and Guatemala, she envisioned a place where discovery of the monuments would be appreciated in the context of the traditional knowledge of the people living in the region today.

Turneffe Atoll Trust Established
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration and the Ministry of Natural Resources embarked upon a joint initiative to protect important mangrove ecosystems covering approximately 17,000 acres of national lands remaining on the Turneffe Atoll. The lands have now been set aside for conservation under the 'Turneffe Land Trust' signed between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Turneffe Atoll Trust, a registered not-for-profit entity residing on Northern Bogue, Turneffe Atoll. The lands will be held in trust for conservation for and on behalf of the beneficiaries which are the people and Government of Belize.

Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia officially opens the registration for the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship, known as Beasiswa Seni dan Budaya Indonesia. This program offers the chance to foreign youths age 21-27 to study Indonesian cultural heritage as well as immerse oneself with the local art communities in Bali, West Sumatra, East Kalimantan, East Java, Sulawesi or Jogjakarta.

GOB Controlled Pump Prices (Belize City)
Effective Wednesday, 22nd January 2020, Premium goes up.

The Belize Tourism Board's 2020 National Hot Sauce Day Sweepstakes Is Fire
It's time to heat up the year with a free getaway to a tropical destination. The Belize Tourism Board's National Hot Sauce Day Sweepstakes could win you an epic vacation. Here's how you can enter the exciting giveaway. The Belize Tourism Board is partnering with two Belize-based hot sauce brands - Marie Sharp's and Hot Mama's - to celebrate National Hot Sauce Day, which is on Wed, Jan. 22. You could win an incredible vacay for you and guest. The winner will spend five days and four nights in Belize City, Belize, one of the world's largest producers of habanero peppers.

Changes in the Pump Price of Premium Gasoline
The Ministry of Finance announces that effective Wednesday, January 22, 2020, the pump price for Premium Gasoline will increase by 27 cents from $10.72 to $10.99 per gallon. The prices for Regular Gasoline, Kerosene and Diesel will remain unchanged at $10.28, $7.77 and $10.29 per gallon, respectively.

Estel's 9th Annual BBQ Cookoff
We are one week away from the big day!!!! It's gonna be an amazing event with proceeds going to 2 great charities.

Illegal Harvesting of Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus)
A joint operation between the Belize Fisheries Department and Dangriga Police on January 20th, 2020 in the Dangriga area resulted in the confiscation over 400 pounds of Nassau Grouper, including fillet and whole fish. The Department hereby reminds the PUBLIC that in accordance with the Fisheries Regulation Statutory Instrument No. 49 of 2009: a. No person shall take from the waters of Belize, buy, sell or have in possession any Nassau Grouper between the 1st December and the 31st March inclusive in any year.

Q'eqchi' Maya women: part of the sustainable development of communities in the Maya Golden Landscape
Proud Q'eqchi' Maya women are part of the sustainable development of communities in the Maya Golden Landscape. For instance, these women have built a microenterprise to support their families, promote culture and help advocate for forest conservation. The microenterprise offers authentic cultural experiences that are directly dependent on sustainable forest management.

KUKULKAN: THE MESOAMERICAN MESSIAH
K'uk'ulkan was born in May 18,895 Under the name of Ce Acatl Topiltzin in MesoAmerica . His birth was full of tradegy because his parents where murder but also full miracle as he survive various attempts of murder while he was a baby . He assumed lordship over the Toltecs and migrated his people to Tollan. Reigning in peace and prosperity he contributed much to the lifestyle of the Toltecs with basic ideas such as civilization. He was generally considered a god upon earth by his followers with similar powers to those of his namesake. Kukulkan dispelled the traditions of the past and ended all human sacrifice during his reign.

Channel 7

Tourist Still Missing: Recovery, Not Rescue Says Coast Guard
US tourist Alison Mackenzie has now been missing for over 72 hours - and there are grave concerns for her wellbeing tonight. You'll remember that MacKenzie along with her boyfriend were on a three-day cruise with Ragamuffin tours. They had stopped to camp for an overnight at Rendezvous Caye when she mysteriously disappeared sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. Since then, the tour company, police, and the Belize Coast Guard have launched widespread searches to find her.

Pedro's Inn Owner Says Cops Owe 100k Plus!
Last week, we reported twice on the situation with Pedro's Inn on San Pedro. That's the hotel where police reinforcements have been staying since June of last year after a tourist was murdered on the island. But, Commissioner Chester Williams balked at paying the 6 figure hotel bill when he saw it earlier this month. He stated categorically that he won't pay one hundred thousand dollars - and suggested that the BTB and the BTIA will have to help cover the costs. And while he has said this to the press, he still has not spoken to the owner of Pedro's Inn, Peter Lawrence. In June of last year, Lawrence agreed to open up 11 rooms for 22 police officers - and, tonight, 6 of them are still there.

San Pedro Man Charged For City Home Invasion
Police have charged one of the men who they say is responsible for a home invasion at a King's Park home in December. 24 year old Demas Zelaya, a woodcarver from San Pedro, was charged with aggravated burglary for entering the home of businessman Kishore Lulwani. When he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson. Zelaya pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was denied bail and he was remanded because the offence was committed with a firearm. His next court date is March 25.

Out Of Season Grouper In Griga
Just a few weeks ago, we showed you a special feature on the spawning aggregations of the Nassau Grouper, which is a critically endangered species. As the marine biologists we spoke to noted, the prized fish is dwindling in numbers even at well known aggregation sites like Gladden Spit and the Silk Cayes. And, a part of that is because of illegal fishing practices. The closed season for the Nassau Grouper is between 1st December and 31st March - but the meaty fish is always in demand. And they're easiest to catch during at this time of year, when Nassau groupers congregate en masse at the spawn banks throughout the country.

Grouper Populations Declining
There were 21 whole fish in the catch. When the season opens in April, the size of the catch is limited to between 20 and 30 inches. Additionally, there are only 85 fishers licensed to catch the fish. But, with all this, the numbers are dwindling as Courtney Weatherburne found out in her story which aired on January 8th One of the species of fish that has shown a tremendous downturn is the Nassau Grouper which is now critically endangered.

Medical Waste: Red-Bagged and Burned
Last night you saw the first part of the Ministry of Health's response to the situation San Antonio village where residents complain the red bagged medical waste is being burned din the open too close to their homes. They say it's a biohazard - while the Ministry Of Health says it's not ideal, but incineration does meet World Health standards. Today, here's the second part of our conversation with the Principal Public Health Officer over what constitutes a real community health risk and what the ministry plans to do about it:..

BNTU in A Feisty Mood with GOB
"We've been patient long enough. If taking action is what will be needed, then nobody has to teach us to take action", those were the words of Senator Elena Smith today. She was explaining why the teachers are keeping up with their Green Friday's. On January 20, a memo from the BNTU Council of Management went out to teachers reminding them of the decision taken to continue countrywide the Green Day activism. The most powerful workers union in the country has remained on high alert pending decisions from the Ministry of Education on critical matters. Today we spoke to the Union president at the BNTU headquarters in Belize City she reminded us why the Union is still not satisfied.

Chinese Grocer Accused of Beating Boy With Pipe
Tonight a Chinese Grocer has been found guilty of using unjustified force in harming a boy who he claims trespassed in his yard. In December of 2019, a boy claimed that he was whipped with a plastic pipe by his neighbour to the point of urinating on himself. The boy and his cousin had been playing with a ball when it went over a fence into the yard of Zho Luo also known as "Andy". The Children asked Andy to retrieve the ball but he refused.

Stepfather Charged For Beating Stepson
And while that businessman was way, way out of line in beating someone else's child, a stepfather might argue that he did have that right. But, police say he went too far. Still, the court has accused a a Belize Defence Force soldier of hammering his stepson.

Equal Opportunities Bill: Putting Discrimination On Notice
The Equal Opportunities Bill has been in the headlines all month and this morning the National Aids committee in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy held a breakfast meeting to sensitize the media to the draft of the bill. They claim will improve the lives of all Belizeans, but public opinion is polarized. As we've told you the bill was created to address the social ills that result from 19 different forms of discrimination. But the National Aids Commission says that it was very much inspired by the stigma long experienced by Belizeans with positive HIV statuses.

Fisheries Resource Bill Is Law, Finally
And while that is in the draft stage, another important bill that spent almost a decade languishing at the draft stage has passed the house and senate. It's the Fisheries Resources Bill and its passage is being hailed as a victory for the environmental and fishing communities after years of consultations, lobbying and law drafting. One that is hoped to translate into the real dividends for fisher folks, the environment and in the long term for Belize's sustainable management of fisheries resources. With unanimous support in the House and Senate,, the new and comprehensive Bill replaces a seven decade old law with one that comes with trumpets blaring of sweepingly modernizing Belize's small-scale fishing industry.

Ambush and Holdup In South
A duo of butane gas delivery men was ambushed, robbed and assaulted in San Isidro Village in Southern Belize. It happened shortly after noon on Monday when 20-year-old Juan Alberto Sanchez received a call requesting a gas delivery. Sanchez told police that he and his sideman, 21-year-old Kevin Panagua, headed to Banana Farm 4 but before they could get there, they found their path to a wooden bridge blocked by large stones spread across the road.

Coastal Caretaker Roughed Up
Last night another set of masked men robbed, restrained, and roughed up a caretaker on the Coastal Road. 53-year-old Jorgitio Romero says that at noon 2 dark skin men approached the gate of the farm he manages and asked if they could go to the river. Romero opened the gate for them and then turned to re-enter the house. That's when the men, whose faces were covered with red and white rags used a firearm to hit him to the side of the head.

Channel 5

Herman Longsworth is Fired
There is a report tonight that the Consul General in New York, Herman Longsworth is heading back home abruptly and has been fired. Longsworth, as you know was named in [...]

3 Days Later - Alison MacKenzie is Still Missing!
Where is Alison MacKenzie? The forty-three-year-old tourist from the United States remains missing tonight after she vanished during an overnight tour on Rendezvous Caye.� What should have been a short, [...]

Dredging in Hol Chan near Secret Beach, Ambergris Caye
Illegal dredging activities are threatening the coral reefs of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which lies between San Pedro and Caye Caulker.� News Five has received a number of documents [...]

Fisheries Make 400-Pound Nassau Grouper Bust
In another illegal activity, the Belize Fisheries Department and Police carried out a joint operation in Dangriga that led to a bust of over four hundred pounds of out-of-season Nassau [...]

Nassau Grouper Critically Endangered; Fish Has Protection in Belize
In the past, as recent as last year, we've reported on the Nassau Grouper and why Belize has taken steps to protect this species.� The fish is facing an extremely [...]

Caller Suffers Massive Heart Attack On-Air
It was not unusual for sixty-seven-year-old Keith Swift to call in and participate in the Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes on Krem Radio.� On Monday morning, the Mosul Street resident [...]

Darell Duran is Shot on Arlington Drive
Twenty-five-year-old Darell Duran was targeted by a lone gunman on Monday night as he walked along Arlington Drive in Belize City.� Sometime before eight o'clock, police were called to the [...]

Premium Gas Price Goes Up
There is another jump in the prices of fuel. At midnight, the price per gallon of premium fuel will sell at ten dollars and ninety-nine cents, just under the eleven [...]

Criminal Charges Forthcoming Following Revelations in Auditor General's Reports?
As much as half a million dollars was found to be embezzled at the National Sports Council between April first, 2015 to March thirty-first, 2016.� A report by the Auditor [...]

The Pickle that is Julian Cho Tech
The Julian Cho Technical High School also finds itself in is a quagmire as the secondary institution continues to operate without a principal.� To make matters worse, former principal Dr. [...]

$1.3M to Build Substandard Classrooms at Julian Cho Tech
According to Reque�a, a teacher was awarded a contract for one point three million dollars to build classrooms at Julian Cho.� The quality of work, he says, was well below [...]

Kareem Michael Returns to Central Bank; New Liquidator for CBL Appointed, Again!
Julian Murillo is the new liquidator for Choice Bank Limited beginning today and remains as the liquidator of Atlantic International Bank Limited. The announcement was made by the Central Bank [...]

What the Equal Opportunities Bill is NOT About
Public consultations have taken place countrywide on the controversial Equal Opportunities Bill.� This morning, the media gathered at the Radisson Fort George in Belize City, at the invitation of the [...]

Bill Removes System Barriers to Prevent Discrimination
While the Bill makes reference to the LGBT community, it is only one of nineteen vulnerable groups identified in the proposed anti-discrimination law. The Bill speaks to four categories: conduct, [...]

But What About Political Discrimination?
But what does the bill contemplate about cases of political victimization or discrimination? According to section thirty-eight of the proposed legislation, (Quote) "discrimination on the basis of political opinion shall [...]

Equal Opportunities Bill Proposes to Allow HIV Testing from Age 16
The proposed legislation also deals with HIV prevention and care. The 2018 statistics from the Ministry of Health show that there were two hundred and fifty-four new infected persons with [...]

Belize Monitoring Coronavirus Outbreak
The Ministry of Health here in Belize is monitoring the outbreak of new Chinese corona virus. The virus has infected hundreds since the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December. [...]

M.O.H. Minister Meets with Nursing Task Force
The Nursing Task Force says that no agreement was reached on critical issues during a meeting with Ministry of Health officials on Monday. Health Minister Pablo Marin, along with C.E.O. [...]

Caribbean Leaders Meet in Kingston, Jamaica
In a matter that has regional importance, the prime ministers of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are not participating in a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. [...]

Belize Ascends to Caribbean Agriculture Health and Food Safety Agency
Turning to Monday's senate sitting; aside from debate on the new Contractor General and the Caracol road expansion, two resolutions were passed.� The first authorizes the accession by Belize to [...]

Belize Has No National Accreditation Agency
The second resolution that was passed dealt with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The Senate ratified the agreement establishing the Caribbean Community Accreditation Agency for Education and Training. [...]

The National Screening Tour of Belize's First Animated Movie
The national screening tour for Tecuani and Duende, Belize's first animated movie comes to the Mexican Cultural Institute in Belize City tonight. It is one of the last stops for [...]

Amandala

Belize Counsel General to New York, Herman Longsworth terminated!
Herman Longsworth, the former United Democratic Party area representative for the Albert constituency, who served in the cabinet of Prime Minister Dean Barrow as Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports, was reportedly fired from his post as Counsel General at the Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations.

US tourist disappears off Rendezvous Caye
Alison MacKenzie, 43, an American national who went on a Raggamuffin catamaran tour from Caye Caulker to Rendezvous Caye, Belize District, which should have been a two-night, 3-day tour, from Friday to Sunday, disappeared on Saturday morning. An intense search has been launched by the Belize Coast Guard and the police to find her, and tonight, police confirmed to Amandala that she has not yet been found.

Sports Council Audit Report needs to go to the police, Barrow tells House
Audit reports on the National Sports Council and Julian Cho Technical High School were tabled in the House of Representatives this morning by Prime Minister Dean Barrow. Both audit reports paint a disturbing picture of apparent mishandling of public funds at the two government-controlled institutions. The audit report on the National Sports Council, which covers the period April 2015 to March 2016, catalogues a litany of irregularities in how public funds were handled at the National Sports Council, and it has uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars that cannot be accounted for - to be exact, $416,228.25.

New Guat president wants renewed ties with Belize
Alejandro Giammattei, the new Guatemalan president, was sworn in last Tuesday, January 14. Belize's Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber, attended the swearing-in ceremony in Guatemala City. Giammattei asked for a meeting with Belize Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow. Guatemala's new president has expressed his wish to re-establish ties with Belize in the areas of tourism and trade. A meeting between Prime Minister Barrow and Giammattei is reportedly being planned.

On air, WUB caller died of an apparent cardiac arrest
A caller died with a phone in his hand while talking to a talk show host, something that to our knowledge, has never happened before in Belize. Around 33 minutes into the Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (WUB) show, the caller gained access to the WUB airwaves and he raised the issue of the Coronavirus that was recently discovered in China, and said that Belize health authorities should begin screening Asians coming into the country.

Hon. Edmond Castro involved in non-fatal traffic accident
The Hon. Edmond "Clear the Land" Castro, Minister of Transport and NEMO, was involved in a non-fatal traffic accident this afternoon at Mile 4 on the George Price Highway. The minister was driving from Belize City to Belmopan when on his arrival at Mile 4, he was overtaking a vehicle when another vehicle that was coming from the opposite direction collided head-on with his vehicle.

Vehicle runs off bridge in St. Margaret and falls into creek
At about 7:30 Friday evening, a vehicle in which a couple and their two daughters were traveling from Belize City to Placencia, missed the bridge at St. Margaret on the Hummingbird Highway, overturned and fell into the creek below. Luckily, the driver of a vehicle that was traveling behind them saw what happened, and rushed to their rescue, and took them out of their vehicle.

Bus collides with pickup on George Price Goldson Highway
A Westline bus traveling to Belize City from Belmopan collided with a pickup that was traveling from the opposite direction, from Belize City to Belmopan.

Chief Justice files defense in Bar Association lawsuit
In the fixed date claim brought against the Hon. Kenneth Benjamin, the Chief Justice of Belize, by the Bar Association of Belize, the Chief Justice has filed a first affidavit, which he swore to, on January 7, 2020. The Bar Association of Belize has filed a civil lawsuit in which the Chief Justice of Belize has been named as the 1st defendant, the Solicitor General as a member of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission is named as the 2nd defendant...

$100.00 counterfeit USD found in Corozal Town
Operations conducted in Corozal Town this morning resulted in the discovery of a parcel containing $100.00 counterfeit USD, buried in an abandoned lot in Skeleton Town.

Belize City discusses the Equal Opportunities Bill
The conversation concerning the Equal Opportunities Bill made its way to Belize City on Thursday, January 16, at the St. John's College Gymnasium. As previously stated by the Anti-Discrimination Steering Committee, the bill has been drafted utilizing over twenty years of data collected from all sectors of Belize with the intent to reduce discrimination for all people living in the country.

Government appoints Omar Mitchell as Contractor General
An agreement was signed this morning between the Belize Civil Aviation Authority (COCESNA), and another company, INDRA, for the procurement of a new primary radar at a cost of BZ$12 million, which will be a great step up from the secondary radar, which is being used as a primary radar. Among its many benefits, the primary radar will enable Belize law enforcement officials to more effectively track drug planes.

Belize signs agreement for much-needed primary radar
An agreement was signed this morning between the Belize Civil Aviation Authority (COCESNA), and another company, INDRA, for the procurement of a new primary radar at a cost of BZ$12 million, which will be a great step up from the secondary radar, which is being used as a primary radar. Among its many benefits, the primary radar will enable Belize law enforcement officials to more effectively track drug planes.

Editorial: UDP insists PUP more corrupt. Really?
At every press conference and sitting of the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, vociferously declares that his United Democratic Party (UDP) government is not as dishonest as the People's United Party (PUP) under Musa (former Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Said Musa). It's a bad joke to many. Fantastically enough, Mr. Barrow is dead serious in his opinion.

Defending champs, Tiger Sharks defeat Defenders in NEBL 2020 season opener
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tipped off its 2020 opening season on Saturday night in San Pedro Town, as the defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks hosted Belize City Defenders. Both teams got off to a good start, as the score was knotted at 26 apiece at the end of the first quarter. However, in the second quarter, the home team was able to open a 14-point lead, and held a 10-point lead, 50 - 40, going into the half.

San Pedro Town Council Co-ed Softball Tournament reg. season ends; playoffs start Sunday
The regular season was completed with 2 games played yesterday, Sunday, January 19 at the Louis "Cuz" Sylvester Sports Complex in the San Pedro Town Council Co-ed Softball Tournament 2019-2020, which commenced back on November 10, 2019.

Tight contests in Week 2 of PLB 2019-2020 Closing Season
Except for an 11-0 aberration in the Bandits FC blow-out of Placencia Assassins FC in Week 1 of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2019-2020 Closing Season, it has been tight races in games so far in the two completed weeks of competition. There were two draw games in Week 1, 0-0 between Altitude FC and defending champs, Verdes FC; and 1-1 between Wagiya SC and San Pedro Pirates FC.

Let's call it by its name!
As a scientist, who is tired of this parrotization, and with the advent of a controversial bill proposal challenging Belize's sociocultural and constitutional values and in exercise of my constitutional rights, I am hereby obliged to share my knowledge and opinions of this issue, which stems from erroneous conceptualization nationally and internationally of the term sex and the coining of the word "homosexuality" or "homosexualism".

A thousand is good, but the franchise is better
I hate to interfere with anyone's windfall, because I don't like to cut in on people's winnings and I don't like for people to hate me -no, Sir, I don't -but sometimes things have to be said. Mr. Lee Mark Chang deserves praise for stepping up and contributing so handsomely to the feeding program of Brother Dara and his wife, Sister Melonie. I understand that Brother Chang is not in need of anything material, so he can afford to not get mad with me if my say helps to put a little dent in his cash flow.

An old-fashioned Easter holiday at caye! Jerome and Jewel are special guests!
One day in early April not long after Little One's passing, I hailed Jewel as she went by my work station on her way to the Maternity Ward, being curious about the sober expression she was wearing; and asked what could be on her mind on this beautiful day to cause her to look like that? She had immediately changed to her close-mouthed smile and replied that nothing was out of the ordinary. However, being by now familiar with her ways, I had left her alone and waited for her to speak if and when she was ready, as I felt sure there was something about which she was not happy.

We want a referendum on the anti-freedom "Equal Opportunities Bill"
Dear Editor, The government wants to pass a piece of legislation called the "Equal Opportunities Bill", which is supposed to eliminate discrimination in Belize. Based on what it contains, I think a better name would be the "Anti-Freedom Bill," because I foresee people of conscience being brought to penury and some even being sent to jail. At the Thursday night consultations held in Belize City last week, the CEO of the Ministry of Human Development said, "Nobody should be discriminated against, and the government has a duty to ensure that this is so".

Romel Cuello on the new plastics law
Dear Editor, The Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) 2020 legislation has been signed into effect on January 15, and many people are happy. But some are sad, especially the food vendors who supply the lower-income consumers. Biodegradable articles will raise their expenses by at least 20% minimum, much higher on some items. Consumers on fixed income will really feel the pinch, especially those who commute and have to eat from the food vendors.

Kwabena Boadu, from Ghana, writes
Dear Editor, I'm Kwabena Boadu from Ghana. I got your email address from sister Barbara Norales, who is my connection on LinkedIn. My attention was drawn when l realised she was from Belize, a nation of my heart, due to my political mentor, Brother Whelhem Buller, also known as Odinga Lumumba. I introduced him to our former president, H. E. Jerry John Rawlings, before he became president, and he became friends with him during his presidency, and after.

New China virus: Fourth person dies as human-to-human transfer confirmed
A fourth person in China has died from a new virus that has spread rapidly across the country, as authorities confirmed that it can be passed from person-to-person. A 89-year-old man was the latest victim of the new strain of coronavirus, which causes a type of pneumonia. He was living in Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak.

The Reporter

Teacher Punched In The Face By Parent: Teeth Knocked-Out
The Reporter has confirmed that a woman is in Police custody after she attacked and punched a teacher in the face this morning.

Darrell Duran Shot On Arlington Dr. In Belize City
A man is listed in stable condition at the KHMH after he was shot last night. At 7:40pm Police were called to the KHMH where they saw Darrell Duran, 25, with a gunshot wound to the hand.

'Who or What' Is Harming The Pelicans
Twice yesterday we received calls about pelicans with horribly broken wings. Both birds had their right wings broken with the bones completely exposed, and although they had close to identical injuries.

Violators Of Nassau Grouper Regulation Will Face Hefty Fines
A joint operation between Dangriga Police and the Fisheries Department has led to the discovery of over 400 pounds of Nassau grouper. The bust was made on a property in Dangriga.

LOVE FM

Beyond the Horizon initative comes back to Belize
The US humanitarian initiative, Beyond the Horizon, is coming back to Belize this year. The last time, this initiative took place was in 2017 in southern Belize.

Missing Person responds
It has been four days since 16-year-old Jareth Herrera, of Orange Town, was reported missing. Herrera was last seen about 7:30 am on Friday when she left home to go to school at ITVET in Orange Walk Town.

Search expanded for missing American woman
The Belize Coast Guard has expanded the area of their search for American national, Alison MacKenzie who remains missing tonight. Love News understands that the search efforts are now in the vicinity of Alligator Caye; an estimated seven miles northwest of Rendezvous Caye.

US Embassy not briefed on Lev Dermen trial
Last week Love News broke the story of the Lev Dermen scandal. Since then Belizeans have been closely following its development and the papers coming out of the US District Court. The trial is set to begin in six days, and it is the hope of many that the two Government personnel who took bribes will be officially named.

Search continues for a Chief of Nurse
The hiring for a Deputy Director of Health Services who also serves as the Chief Nurse, continues. Yesterday we told you that the Nursing taskforce met with the Minister of Health as well as Director of Health Services.

Ministry of Health monitoring Coronavirus
Nearly 300 persons on Mainland China have been infected with a virus dubbed the Wuhan Coronavirus; six of whom have passed away. The outbreak reportedly started in a seafood and poultry market back in December.

Norm or Harm?
A woman has taken her boyfriend to court for disciplining her six-year-old son. The child's mother reported to police that her partner, Kenneth Arzu used a belt to lash the little boy because he wasn't getting his spelling assignments correct.

Questionable actions and transactions reported at LICU
Tonight, there may be somewhat of a d�j� vu occurring at La Inmaculada Credit Union in Orange Walk. Our newsroom has been working at getting the details but no one is spilling the beans just yet.

Gas price increase
As of midnight tonight, fuel prices at the pumps will be adjusted. Premium will increase by 27 cents and will go from 10.72 to 10.99 per gallon. All other fuel prices will remain the same. Regular Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel will remain unchanged at $10.28, $7.77 and $10.29 per gallon, respectively.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Premium to increase by 27 cents
The Ministry of Finance announced that effective midnight, the pump price for Premium Gasoline will [�]

National AIDS Commission moving forward with consultations on Equal Opportunities Bill
Following the conclusion of its countrywide tour of public consultations on the proposed Equal Opportunities [�]

Trinidad, Barbados plan to boycott meeting with US Secretary of State
Two Caribbean countries, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have announced their decision to boycott a [�]

Green Climate Fund Project hosts Inception Workshop
Since 2015, Belize has engaged with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to improve access [�]

Team CORE takes annual Boom to Manatee Canoe race
The three-man canoe team "CORE" are the first place winners of the 12th Annual Boom [�]

Belize City man shot on Arlington Drive
Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night. Darell Duran, 25, was walking [�]

First case of China coronavirus identified in Washington
International media reports indicate that a man in Washington, USA has been diagnosed with [�]

New Fisheries Bill approved by Senate, on its way to Governor-General
This week, the Senate approved Belize's new Fisheries Resources Bill, which will see much-needed changes [�]

Fake social media page of Attorney General reported
The Government of Belize informs that there is a fraudulent Facebook account with the name [�]

Medical schools downplay Medical Council de-listing
The tandem of Columbus Central University and Washington University of Health Sciences insist their recent [�]

Ministry of Health monitors international alerts regarding coronavirus
The Ministry of Health has issued a statement informing all Belizeans that it is aware [�]

Ministry of Health meets with Nursing Task Force
On Monday, January 20 the Minister of Health, Pablo Marin met with the nursing task [�]

Blogs

Activities for Cruise Ship Visitors in Belize
As you arrive in the port, you need not worry; tendering is speedy; twenty minutes, and you will arrive at your first stop, The Tourist Village. Expect a typical tourist atmosphere of eateries, International shopping sites, coffee shops, duty-free and bars, and music. This is your starting point for all excursions. There are several landmarks of Historic interest within walking distance from the port. There is the Baron Bliss Lighthouse overlooking the Harbor in the most typically colonial neighborhood left, near the decades-old Fort George area. You can walk along the streets along the riverside and browse the shops.

Top 5 Things for Kids to do in Belize
When planning a family vacation, it tends to become stressful when trying to decide on activities that everyone will enjoy. Especially if there are small children involved; you need to find activities that will also be suitable and age-appropriate for them. Luckily, we've got you covered with a list of exciting but safe, child-friendly activities here in Belize.

International Sourcesizz

Latin America News Business Awards 2019
Congratulations to Hidden Valley Inn, Table Rock Lodge, and Thatch Caye Resort on winning awards from Latin America News Business Awards 2019! Hidden Valley took home Best Nature Reserve & Jungle Resort Lodge, with Table Rock and Thatch Caye being awarded Best Boutique & Rainforest Lodge and Best Tropical Island Award respectively.

Videos

  • Beverly Wade Belize Fisheries Administrator, 2min.

  • Belize; Lamanai, 8min. Feat. An Emblem Glyph, a Boat Ride, Dr. Stuart, Fancy Stairs, Tippy-Top-of-a-Temple Views, and Palm Trees.

  • US Embassy of Belize - Beyond the Horizon 2020, 30min.

  • 2020 Male Volleyball Championship, 21min.

  • Update on National Reports / The Impact on Business & Economy, 34min.

  • Wake up Belize Jan 21 2020, 2hr.

  • ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT on missing Prescott, Arizona resident, Alison Mackenzie, 1min. Alison went missing after a tour on the tiny island of Rendezvous Caye, Belize.

  • Belize 2020, 3min.

  • Conga Line at Palapa Bar and Grill, Belize, 12sec.