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Posted By: Marty Today's Belize News: October 23, 2015 - 10/23/15 11:51 AM


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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, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro to benefit from Belize Mission Project 2015
For the next two weeks, approximately 100 dental specialists, nurses and volunteers are expected to tend to thousands of Belizeans as part of the Belize Mission Project 2015. The group arrived in Belize on Friday, October 16th and started their clinics on Monday, October 19th in San Pedro. The group is lead by Dr. Frank Whipps, who started the program over two decades ago. On Ambergris Caye, they will be conducting dental services at the Lions Den on the corner of Pelican Street and Barrier Reef Drive. The group of medical professionals includes dentists, physicians, audiologists, and dental hygienist assistants. "This is our 23rd year in Belize, and we always bring up to a 100 medical professionals to provide medical services to the Belizean people all over the country. At different times, we have around five clinics running in different areas as far north in Corozal and as far south in Seine Bight/Placencia area. Here in San Pedro, we are running the clinic from 8:30AM to 5PM. We will be here for two solid weeks from October 19th to October 30th and we expect to service over ten thousand patients, maybe more countrywide," said Dr. Whipps. In San Pedro the group is providing cavity fillings, cleanings, restorative dentistry, partial dentistry and complete dentures as well. In order to utilize the service, it is advisable to submit your name to the volunteers who issue ticket numbers for residents requiring dental assistance. The services are being provided free of cost.

Meet your Belize Rural South Standard Bearer Candidates!
Scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th, General Elections are less than two weeks away. As such, The San Pedro Sun has taken the opportunity to present the Standard Bearers candidates seeking votes from the Belize Rural South Constituency. The candidates were asked to answer a series of questions in an effort to learn more about them and their political perspective. In this issue, we feature the responses from the three candidates representing the People's United Party (PUP), United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Belize Progressive Party (BPP).

Lions International holds Leadership Development Seminar
The Belize Lions Zone 59 recently had the distinction of hosting Lions International Malcolm Kirwan and Carlos Justiniano, who were in the country conducting leadership development training seminars. The seminars took place from Sunday, October 11th to Sunday, October 18th at each of the country's four Lions Clubs, located in San Estevan Orange Walk, Belmopan, Belize City and San Pedro Town Ambergris Caye. On Thursday, October 15th Lion Kirwan and Lion Justiniano arrived to San Pedro via Tropic Air where they were met by the board of directors of the San Pedro Lions Club. From there, they were whisked to the San Pedro Lions Den for their presentations. In the first session of the training, Lion Kirwan spoke about developing leadership skills and the importance of planning for the club's sustainability. He further indicated that in order for the local clubs to expand and strengthen, there is the need to have a leadership role in membership growth. Such growth can be easily accomplished throughout the year by introducing a 'Year-Round Growth Awards Program.' This initiative recognizes Lions who might sponsor three or more members in a fiscal year, and clubs for ending the year net positive in membership.

Ambergris Today

Mooring Buoys Donated for Recreational Area at Mexico Rocks
A total of 20 mooring buoys were donated to the San Pedro Tour Guide Association to assist in the establishment of the recreational area at Mexico Rocks, which was recently annexed to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The Mooring buoys were donated by Canary Cove and presented to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on October 20, 2015 by Gil Nunez on behalf of Canary Cove and The San Pedro Tour Guide Association. Marker buoys have been installed to demarcate the no-take zones of Mexico Rocks and the mooring buoys will be installed in early November to have it ready for the 2015 start of the tourist season. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve management has also scheduled to commence management with the presence of a Park Ranger by late November. For further information please feel free to contact the Hol Chan office on Caribbena Street, San Pedro Town, phone 226 2247. Dive shop owners are encouraged to schedule a "Responsible Tour Guiding Seminar" to become updated with all the rules and regulations of the newly annexed zones of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Christine Syme Appointed Miss Earth Belize 2015
Miss Earth Belize Organization announces that Miss Christine Syme of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, has been designated the titleholder of Miss Earth Belize 2015. She will represent Belize in the international pageant of Miss Earth 2015 and join 80 other delegates from across the world in Vienna, Austria. "Miss Earth, is an environmental event founded in 2001 that channels the beauty pageant entertainment industry as an effective tool in promoting environment awareness, is celebrating its 15th year in Austria - famous for its Danube River, mountain villages, baroque city architecture, imperial history and rugged alpine terrain." - Miss Earth 2015.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

NEMO ADVISORY 12 C
The National Emergency Management Organization hereby informs that the potential for flooding along the Belize River is being monitored. SHELTERS - In Belize City the only shelter that remains open is the YWCA with 40 persons. Assessments and relief operations continues for people affected in Belize City. - In Corozal, Ranchito Community Centre remains open with 29 persons. - In Bomba the road is impassable due to flooding and is accessible only to high vehicles. Boats are available to assist people who need to evacuate and be ferried to the other side.

EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!
Come on out to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II on Saturday, October 31st, 2015 between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon to get a free PAP SMEAR Exam or Breast Examination. We will also be having a DOLLAR DRIVE on Coconut Drive - All proceeds will be donated to the San Pedro Cancer Society. Thank you to the staff of the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II, Annie's Pastries, Sweet Treats and Casa Pan Dulce Bakery for being a part of this cause.

5K Bullying Awareness Marathon

Soul Project Halloween Rave
The Soul Project is having a Halloween Rave, with Evan A. Raver mixing through the night. "October 31st - Saturday, San Ignacio . DJ Moombah-Tong dance party will be playing a unique Halloween set exclusively Moombahton music! Artists from all over the world remix cultural music with extra high and low frequency with the reggaeton beat. Original music too! Check it out, no cover!"

1st Digital Marketing Summit 2015
On behalf of the Belize Tourism Board, we want to thank EVERYONE who came out to support this 1st Digital Marketing Summit 2015

Construction of International Airport on Ambergris Caye Should Mean an Explosion in Tourism
The Belizean Prime Minister strongly believes that the plan to move forward with the construction of an international airport in Ambergris Caye could further boost the tourism in the country. Provided that the high profile Eco-Resort of Oscar-nominated actor, Leonardo DiCaprio is already in the process of development on nearby Blackadore Caye, the construction of an international airport on Ambergris Caye, is considered to be a good investment plan. The construction plan is anticipated to bring in more tourists to visit the country and an increase in investors who will be interested in the Belizean real estate market. For Prime Minister Barrow, the tourism in the country remains their largest driver, where constant communication about the plans encourages the continuous upturn of the Belizean economy. In fact, much of their attention is focused on enhancing their marketing and quality improvement efforts as well as the expansion of destination infrastructures. And to make this happen, the continuation of the North Ambergris Caye Road Project, construction of another 4 miles of road to provide land access to premier resorts and re-development of Basil Jones Airstrip into an international airport, have become the highlight of the tourism initiatives of the Prime Minister of Belize.

Check out your Voting Status
If you would like to know if you are a registered voter or didn't get your voter card you can go on this site to check out your status. Www.elections.gov.bz

Caye Caulker Humane Society 500th spay or neuter
We proudly announce our 500th spay or neuter this week. Actively de-sexing dogs and cats keep the population under control and leads to longer and healthier lives. Thank you to Dr Zeke of course, but all those helpers from around the world who support us and what we try to achieve. Shout out to you all! Call or pm to schedule an appointment for your pet. Remember we are open EVERY Saturday 9-11am for all clinic tings! Park Street - opposite Wish Willy!

Computer Love
The Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities (MESTPU) is hosting a ceremony to officially hand over computers to five education and community-based organizations across the country commencing at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan City. The ten computers were received through a generous donation from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in support of the MESTPU's mandate to increase access to information communications technologies, minimize the digital divide, in particular, to vulnerable populations while enhancing the millennium development goal and strategies across Caribbean nations. The five organizations that will be benefitting from the donations include: Stann Creek Ecumenical High School, Immaculate Conception R.C. School of Bullet Tree Falls, Belize Rural High School of Double Head Cabbage village, the National Drug Abuse Control Council and San Antonio Library in the Orange Walk District. In total, these computers will allow hundreds of children to access the internet in their communities.

World Music Expo
For the first time in 15 yrs the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) has supported Promoters and Managers of Belizean artists to attend the World Music Expo. To those who were invited but not able to join us let us work together and prepare to make a stronger presence next year. Rest assured we will be sharing all information with you upon our return.

BEL vacancy for Computer System Technician II
A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited for the post of Computer System Technician II or Senior System Computer Technician in the Information & Communication Systems Department. Application form available here.

BEL vacancy for Technician I
A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited for the post of Technician I in the Transmission & Distribution Operations Department. Application form available here.

Between Paintings Art Exhibit
The Wildfire Gallery is having their 1st art exhibit opening this Saturday at 6-ish. Art, Chocolate, and Wine is a winning combination, especially when the artists on display are Amal Assales and Daniel Velazquez. You can check out their new location, which is where The Pharmacy used to be: 24 West street, next to the Ice Cream Shoppe. "our first exhibit in our new space. come on down, enjoy a fun saturday eve."

Buck Wilson Travel Trade Show 2015

Channel 7

Broad Daylight Bridgefoot Killing
The Belize City swing bridge - it's an iconic location, and for decades in the early history of Belize, it seemed to be the center not just of the city, but of the country. And that's why today, in a city very numb to the news of gun killing, there was something like a collective gasp when news went out that there had been a killing at bridgefoot - right in the very heart of the city. That's just down the street from our studio and 7News was first on the scene - here's what we saw:... Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2 "Upon arrival they saw a male person who was recently identified as Phillip Barrera, lie on the floor apparently dead." Reporter "What do you guys understand happened? How did he got shot?" Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2 "As you said the investigation is young. We understand that he entered the business place and something transpired there between him and the proprietor, where he eventually got shot. He was with another friend."

Monchie And Family Deny Murder Claim
Last night we told you the sensational news that Ramon Monchie Cervantez had been accused of orchestrating the murder of his own father. The man making the allegation was one of those accused of killing his father, Ramon Sr in July of 2014. Things took an incredible and unexpected turn in Orange Walk Magistrate's Court for the preliminary inquiry yesterday, when Noe Daniel Gonzales told the magistrate that the man who orchestrated the murder was in the courtroom. When asked to point to that person, he pointed to Ramon Monchie Cervantez. In so doing Gonzales also admitted to being involved in the murder. Like we said�incredible�the kind of courtroom drama that you thought only happens in movies. But it happened in court yesterday in one of the most high profile murder trials ever in Belize. Today, Ramon Monchie Cervantez, his mother Vilma and his sister Marisa who were all in court had a press conference in Orange Walk to publicly reject the accusation. Here's what they said:..

The Southern Blues At Maya King
Last night, we had a small clip of our visit to Maya King Farm after 6 days of absolutely no production. The Irish company Fyffes International, abruptly terminated all business arrangements with Maya King because it wants to put distance between itself and John Zabaneh, who still has the Drug Kingpin designation. That forced an immediate, no-notice shutdown of all operations at Belize's biggest banana farm since Fyffes is the sole purchaser of all Belizean bananas for export. Apart from the demise of this lucrative company, and cutting off production from a full quarter of the country's Banana industry, the Fyffes embargo on Maya King forced the immediate termination of hundreds of workers.

700 Maya King Workers Protest Against Fyffes
So, that frustration you saw culminated with a protest this evening in front of the main office of Banana Growers Association in Independence Village. We counted some 700 Mayan King Workers, their spouses, and their children who showed up to demonstrate just how many people are being affected by the decision that Fyffes has made. Marching with them was John Zabaneh and his other family members, and he told the press why he decided to show up, even though he's not been directly involved with the company for the past 3 and a half years: John Zabaneh - Spokesperson, Mayan King Banana Farm "First of all I just want to make it very clear that I'm not out here to defend either Meridian, Mayan King - not even myself. I'm here on a compassionate support for these workers you see behind there. Most of them I know for so long. 30 or more years and I have a feeling for these people. I have compassion for these people. For me this is an emotional thing here. My family has bent over backwards, frontwards, sideways, in every way possible to try to appease Fyffes. I am not in control of this company. Meridian, My family employed when OFAC designated me.

Dialysis: A New Hope
Belize's first ever Dialysis Clinic was opened in Orange Walk Town yesterday. The clinic is equipped with 16 Dialysis machines and has a Honduran Nephrologist in house. 16 dialysis machines in one facility - that's probably more than presently exist all through the country in private and public healthcare facilities. So the opening of the new facility is a godsend, to the many Belizeans suffering from kidney disease who can't afford private dialysis, and can't get a space in the public programme. Managing Partner of "Dialisis de Belice" Carlos Perrera told us they have enough space for patients and that the treatment is very affordable. But Perrera told us that this clinic is more than just an inexpensive treatment facility - it's another chance at long and fulfilling life.

More Guatemalan Documents
Last night you heard the news about the PUP Cayo West Candidate Lesbia Guerra and the UDP Cayo South Candidate Ralph Huang - who are both seen in Guatemalan nationality documents. Both the Guatemalan born Guerra, and the Taiwanese born Huang have denied it - but not very convincingly - and tonight there are more documents pointing to their Guatemalan nationality. This is a Guatemalan Tax Registration Document which carries the name Lesbia Lissette Guerra Aguallo. It says she is a Guatemalan with residence in Melchor. The date of birth, 22nd February matches her own. Yesterday we asked her about a Guatemalan nationality document from 2011 with her name and she didn't outright deny it, she only said she would respond to that challenge in court.

King Swoops In
On Monday's news we told you about 9 year-old Earl Gentle Jr. who was trapped inside a house on Jasmine Street when it fell during the heavy rains on Saturday. Well, faster than you can say, "elections di cohn", current UDP area representative Mark King swept in with assistance for the family today. 7News was there:... Mark King, UDP Area Rep. - Lake I "So we kept our word to this family that we're going to rebuild their home and we started to drop material on the ground, giving them some cleaning supplies, some food and also some sleeping mattresses and that should start to help them to rebuild a little bit. The family is happy. They know they are seeing that we're not just promising and again if people want to say we are promising, they can see that we are delivering." Reporter "The only reason you respond so quick is because the elections are coming up." Mark King, UDP Area Rep. - Lake I "It's just sad that we had to be giving the help during the election time. But absolutely not, these people are getting the help what they need and that is what's most important."

NEMO's Update
According to NEMO, in Belize City only the YWCA shelter remains open with 40 persons. In Corozal, the Ranchito Community Centre remains open with 29 persons. NEMO also reports that the Rio Hondo River is at flood stage and rising and they are on standby to assist residents of the Albion Island and Douglas. But when we visited Douglas today, we saw the Hondo receding from its usual flood mark and was on the customary river bank.

Taiwanese Support For The KHMH
This morning the KHMH received a generous donation from the government of Taiwan. Fifty seven medical instruments were handed over through the Global Medical Instruments Support and Service Program. It included a surgery table, an obstetric diagnostic table, an endoscope set, 1 slit lamp, 2 electrocardiographs and a portable ultrasound device. The donation estimated to a little over 66 thousand US dollars. 7news was there for the handing over ceremony. The Taiwanese will also send 3 experts to KHMH from November 9 to 13 to train its medical technicians to operate the donated instruments.

PROFILE...
And tonight we have another I am Belize Profile. This one looks at a coping programme for primary schools which tries to keep at risk young boys from dropping out of school. They are difficult children, inclined to violence and fighting and disrespectful. But, you can't blame the kids, they are products of their environments - and the social work students of UB took these cases on as a challenge:�

Yes To Surgery In Corozal
Corozal has a functioning operating theater - and that was proven today when a team of doctors from Mexico performed a minor surgery. It comes just in time for health minister Pablo Marin - who is in what can surely be called a battleground seat in Corozal Bay. He told the government press office why Corozalenos should be happy:.. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health "What we are doing right now is we are working along with the Mexicans. As you can see its Mexicans working along with our people from Orange Walk operating theater team and we are doing 9 operations in total. Starting from yesterday we did 4 and today we did 5. We are doing minor operations which is hernia.

Channel 5

Cervantes Family Refutes Allegations Made By Accused Murder
On July fifth, 2014, the tortured body of seventy-one year old Ramon Cervantes Senior was found in a shallow grave on a farm off the Honey Camp Road in the [...]

Ramon Cervantes Says There is a High Lever Cover-up
The vicious murder of a prominent businessman and cane-farmer rocked the community of Orange Walk. So did allegations that Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, along with the top cop in [...]

Vilma Cervantes Calls Out for Justice
This morning as the Cervantes family refuted the allegation against their only son, matriarch Vilma Cervantes took the opportunity to speak - something she has rarely done since the tragedy [...]

Gaspar Vega Says He Had Nothing to Do With Allegation By Remanded Man
The only man who logically stands to gain from causing Ramon Cervantes Jr. misery two weeks before general elections is his opponent, Gaspar Vega. Vega is a powerhouse in Orange [...]

Youth Shot & Killed in Attempted Robbery
One of three would-be robbers was shot and killed this afternoon in the downtown area of Belize City. It happened just after two p.m. at the Kephawn Pawnshop at the [...]

Banana Workers Protest Against Fyffes for Pulling the Plug on Meridian
In the banana belt in Big Creek down south, banana workers came out in the hundreds to protest last week's termination of a contract between Irish-based Fyffes International and their [...]

U.D.P. Manifesto Covers All Bases
On Wednesday night, we brought you one aspect of the U.D.P. manifesto entitled, "The Best is Yet to Come." That segment, handled by U.D.P. leader Dean Barrow, focused on public [...]

Wilfred Elrington Blames Media for Guatemala Situation
During the manifesto launch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington was also put on the spot where the seemingly heightened Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute is concerned. Elrington, quite amazingly, blamed the [...]

Said Musa Says Fort George is a Safe Seat
On the campaign trail today, we headed to Daly Street, one of the main streets in the Fort George division, where the former two-term Prime Minister of Belize and current [...]

Musa Has Choice Words for His Opponents
Musa's hold over the Fort George Division will now be contested by two other persons-the U.D.P.'s Roger Espejo and the B.P.P.'s Rollin Powery, a newcomer to politics. The former P.M. [...]

Political Newcomer Lloyd Jones on the Campaign Trail
Next stop was Belize Rural North where Major Lloyd Jones is reporting for duty. Jones is a well-known retired major from B.D.F who is taking on U.D.P. area representative Edmund [...]

Jones Says It's All About People, Agriculture & Tourism
So how does Jones propose to uplift the constituency? He told News Five that the answer lies in his PAT program to foster economic development and tourism in the villages. [...]

Viola Pook Sentencing Deferred
Fifty-seven-year-old Viola Pook, convicted of the murder of her common law husband Orlando Vasquez, was sentenced to life in prison in July 2011.� She was found guilty of killing her [...]

K.H.M.H. Receives Medical Equipment from Taiwan
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital today received a donation of fifty-seven medical instruments through the Global Medical Instruments Support and Service Program of Taiwan. Valued at a approximately hundred and [...]

Healthy Living Looks at the Health Hazards of Flooding
The Ministry of Health has issued multiple advisories about health hazards associated with the recent floods. Although the waters have receded in most areas, there is reason to take preventative [...]

CTV3

Banana Industry In Serious Trouble
One of the world's largest Fruit importer, Fyffes has issued a deathblow to Belize's banana industry by cutting trading relations with the biggest producer in Belize namely, Mayan King because of its links to a local businessman named by US authorities as a drug kingpin. A report from the Irish Times states that and we quote, "Given recent developments where John Zabaneh appeared to speak on behalf of Meridian Farms, Fyffes immediately ceased purchase of bananas from the farms in question". It added that the Banana Growers' Association, the local body through which it buys fruit from the Central American country, had confirmed this to the Meridian group of farms. Under the country's Kingpin Act, the US treasury department in 2012 named Mr Zabaneh as a narcotics trafficker with ties to Mexican drugs baron Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman, his Sinaloa Cartel and Colombian suppliers. Therefore, the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act bans US citizens and organisations from doing business with any person or company that the authorities identify.

LOVE FM

Young Man Leaves Pawn Shop Dead
Downtown Belize City was locked off at around two this afternoon after a homicide occurred inside Kephawn's Pawn Shop located in the Commercial Center near the Swing Bridge. It is not confirmed if it was a robbery gone wrong but either way, twenty year old Phillip Barrera did not make it out the store alive. [�]

Cervantes Down But Not Out
Today Ramon Cervantes Jr. along with his mother, Vilma Cervantes and his sister, Marisa Cervantes, hosted the media at their family owned business in Orange Walk Town. Cervantes Jr. had summoned the press to give his side of what happened in the courtroom of Magistrate Merlene Moody yesterday. As we told you, the murder case [�]

Having Several Passports In Your Possession: Illegal or Not?
Minister Hulse went on to say that being found in the possession of other passports not belonging to you is not an offense. GODWIN HULSE "Our concern was the Belize passport. This one Belize passport was legitimately issued; it was issued to a Mr. Cabral, properly; it expires the 21st of November 2021. So if [�]

Immigration Minister Dispels Rumors of Additions to Voters Lists
Earlier we told you of the police report issued on the discovery of several passports in a knapsack this past Tuesday in San Ignacio Town, Cayo District. Since that incident, several politically affiliated persons including PUP Standard Bearers have expressed concerns over the matter, saying that the bag belongs to a UDP operative, Charles Cabral [�]

The Focus of Parties' Manifestos for 2015 - 2020
Mid-morning yesterday saw the two main political parties gather their standard bearers and some supporters as they launched their manifestos for the upcoming governing term, 2015 - 2020. For the main opposition party, PUP, a 4-page print document, held promises ranging from education to housing and health with perhaps the most intriguing part of the [�]

Police Confirms Charges of Rapist on Ambergris Caye
Earlier this week we told you the story of the traumatized 13-year-old girl from San Pedro who had been raped multiple times at gun point by her family's landlord. We had told you that the well-known businessman, 50-year-old, Alfonso Wiltshire has since been arraigned and remanded at the Belize Central Prison. Today, a report came out [�]

Police Issues Report on Passports Found
The Belize Police Department has issued a brief report on the passport issue in San Ignacio Town which has led dozens of PUP supporters protesting in that municipality. The incident occurred some forty eight hours ago in which the San Ignacio authorities were alerted of a bag found a business establishment, containing several passports. According [�]

Investigations Ongoing Into Missing Firearms from Police Station
A police issued weapon has gone missing whilst under the care of the Hopkins Police in the Stann Creek District. In addition to that, a privately owned nine millimeter was also stolen in the incident along with eighteen (nine millimeter) LIVE rounds of ammunition. The weapons were found missing since October 8, 2015. Love News [�]

Vigil Planned for Cancer Victims
The Cancer Society of Belize is having their Annual Cancer Awareness Candle Light Vigil. The vigil is to remember all those who have passed due to cancer and for those who are fighting cancer. The vigil is set for this evening at the Lion's Den adjacent to the KHMH. Senior Administrator Heather Reneau spoke on [�]

Blue Creek Bridge Inundated Following More Rains
The Blue Creek Bridge in Toledo remains impassable to vehicular traffic due to floods. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. PAUL MAHUNG "With rainfall last night, flood waters rose above Blue Creek bridge during the mid-morning hours. According to Ignacio Coc of Blue Creek, flood waters rose about five feet above the bridge by 10am. All indications [�]

PlusTV

Ramon Cervantes accused of his father's murder
Ramon "Munchie" Cervantes Jr., PUP standard bearer for Orange Walk North, told the media today that politics in Belize has taken a new low. That is because Cervantes is now being accused of masterminding the death of his own father, Ramon Cervantes Sr., who was kidnapped and killed in July of 2014...

BPP calls for postponement of General Elections
The Belize Progressive Party is calling on the Government to postpone the general elections. The first call of this nature came from the VIP, who in a desperate move to stop the elections, explored the legal possibilities of nullifying the results of the elections by filing a constitutional challeng...

National dance company forced out of leaking Bliss
While concerns of personal health and well-being are uppermost in the minds of ordinary Belizeans following last weekend's floods, the entertainment industry appears to have lost a key cornerstone of its infrastructure. The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, whose current incarnation was establis...

Belize's Verdes FC plays against Panama's San Francisco FC
Belize's Verdes FC plays against Panama's San Francisco FC tonight at Estadio Marcana in Panama for the second leg of the match against San Francisco. Last month, Verdes pulled off a historic win against San Francisco FC beating them 2 - 1 on home soil, their first victory of the champion's league. ...

KHMH receives donation for new PICU
US$66,182 in medical instruments and equipment raised through the Global Medical Instruments Support and Service Program of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Far East Memorial Hospital was donated today to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City. This is in advance of next wee...

What's going on with Cayo passports?
The passports found in the knapsack abandoned in a store in Cayo are still being investigated according to authorities. Police issued a brief statement on the matter today saying that the 8 passports have since been handed over to Major Crimes Unit in Belmopan for investigation assisted by OC San Ig...

"Signs" of heated General Elections
During Election Season, flags, banners and billboards of mostly red and blue adorn the streets in all corners of the country. Belmopan is no different. But today, the PUP standard Bearer for Belmopan Patrick Andrews and a handful of his supporters were up in arms against the Belmopan City Council. ...

Posted By: Marty Re: Today's Belize News: October 23, 2015 - 10/23/15 11:51 AM

The Guardian

The Best Is Yet to Come Manifesto launched
Prime Minister Dean Barrow's UDP Manifesto presentation did not go the way most Belizeans were expecting. With a Manifesto titled "The Best Is Yet To Come" it was expected that he would paint pictures of the intersection of Alice's Wonderland and Michael's Neverland. However, he spoke more like a two term Prime Minister poised for a third consecutive term in office than Party Leader selling dreams to the electorate. Even so, he was the first to admit that his presentation lacked the kind of sexy that has become the norm in Manifesto presentations; however, what the presentation lacked in sexiness was more than made up in substance. Prime Minister Barrow spoke specifically on the UDP's Reform Agenda. When re-elected, the UDP Government will introduce and pass four pieces of legislation through the National Assembly to reform the public financial management system of Belize. Those are the Public Procurement Bill, the Public Sector Investment Bill, the Public Finance Management Bill and the Public Debt Management, State Guarantees and Lending Bill.

UDP Nomination Party Insane!!!
The United Democratic Party hosted the first ever political wet fete on Friday, October 16, when thousands of supporters danced through the streets of each municipality to endorse the candidacy of 31 outstanding candidates. The downpouring from a powerful low pressure system started on Friday. Friday was set by Governor General Sir Colville Young as Nomination Day. Nomination Day is the first fight of every election. It is a day on which candidates are officially veted and registered to contest elections. Each candidate needs six constituents to endorse their candidacy. This means that 186 registered voters are needed to accompany candidates to the nomination centers for each party fielding 31 candidates. 186, that is all that is required.

Nominations in the Cayo District
Lamp posts lining the streets in Cayo have during the past weeks been immersed in a sea of red and blue political advertisements as candidates from both the People's United Party and the United Democratic Party vie to represent the various divisions therein. But on nomination day, Friday it became an ocean of red at least in Cayo Central, where a drone flight revealed photographic images of large numbers of UDP supporters coming out to show their support for the Hon. Rene Montero, who is aspiring to once again become the representative for that division. Daniel Silva, who is the contending candidate for the PUP in Cayo Central admitted on Friday. "If you drive through Santa Elena, you are going to see a lot of signs. Our opponents have us ten to one..." On Friday morning Daniel Silva followed by supporters visited the pre-school in Santa Elena to be nominated as a candidate for Cayo Central. The Hon. Rene Montero followed course on Friday evening by visiting the nomination desks and signing a document, which now makes it official that he is a candidate for Cayo Central. Both Orlando Habet for Cayo Northeast and Michel Chebat for Cayo North, who are under the PUP flag, were also nominated on Friday morning.

Audrey misinforms people again!
Imagine you were an experienced trained Journalist turned trained Lawyer moonlighting as a Journalist and you were to report that a child had been ELECTROCUTED by a live wire that was in flood waters, and only to have to come back and report that the child was not electrocuted and did not die, further to that before you were corrected, you were prepared to argue your point to prove that the child had indeed died and there was a cover up by the officials to hide the fact that this child had died .Such was the case with Audrey Matura-Shepherd This was how she reported her story on Facebook. "How come no media house reported about the child who got electrocuted on Antelope street yesterday. Reports are that wires from illegally connected electricity lines were in the water where the child was in the water. He was electrocuted and died. If the police don't release the details which were never discussed or even mentioned at yesterday's press conference then I will have to do the reporting. I kept pleading to ppl not to be in those waters and was worried when I saw adults and children swimming and playing in the water"

Kudos to the UDP and its representatives for quick flood relief
As we go to press on Wednesday October 22, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is reporting that a total of 91 persons are in shelters in Belize City, Orange Walk and Corozal. Of those persons 32 are at the ITVET and 20 are at the YWCA. In Orange Walk 10 people are sheltering at the San Estevan Community Center and in Corozal, at the Ranchito Community shelter 29 people are being sheltered. NEMO warns that in Orange Walk the Rio Hondo River is at flood stage and rising. Residents who can evacuate voluntarily are encouraged to do so. In Belize Rural the river is receding. In Gracie Rock the Sibun River is going down. In Cayo the Mopan River is 2 feet above normal and rising, the Macal River is 15 inches above normal. People living along the Macal and Mopan Rivers must remain vigilant. Challilo Dam is 28.91 feet below the spillway, Mollejon is 3.38 feet below spillway and Vaca is 4.27 feet below the spillway In Toledo San Benito Poite the water is 2 feet of water over the bridge and drivers are asked to exercise extreme caution when crossing this area. However, the hammock bridge remains passable.

Kingpin designation haunts Mayan King
Mayan King Banana Farm is currently hemorrhaging because of a decision by the Irish multinational fruit distributor, Fyffes which has decided that they will not conduct business with them. That's because the company is connected to John Zabaneh, who still has the Kingpin designation that the US Government placed on him. To understand the difficulties that the company is having, readers need to know the current management structure that the company has. Legally, the company is owned by Myrtle Sheeran, Zabaneh's octogenarian mother. She has hired Meridian Enterprises to run the company by way of a management contract. Meridian Enterprises has a director, Jose David Gonzalez, who has taken over as the general manager of Mayan King Banana Farms.

Belize to Benefit from the "Southwest Effect"
"When Southwest comes to town, we take fares down," says James Ashworth, Managing Director of Customer Support Services at Southwest Airlines. The across the board decrease in airfares associated with Southwest Airline's introduction to a market is called the Southwest effect. Belize is one of several countries expected to benefit from that effect now that the low fares giant is a player in the fast growing tourism market. The Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, Hon. Manuel Herredia Jr, was at the Phillip Goldson International Airport along with the United States' Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Carlos Moreno, and other tourism and civil aviation stakeholders to welcome the much heralded inaugural Southwest Airlines flight to Belize on Thursday, October 15.

It's the weather stupid
Over the weekend 23 inches of rain was dumped over Belize City in a downpour of just under 48 hrs. A rain which had started on Friday night, continued unto Saturday and by Sunday morning some areas of Belize City were under as much as three to four feet of water. The areas hardest hit were the Faber's Road Extension, Iguana Street Extension, parts of Port Loyola, Collet, Freetown in the Belama areas and the Gungulung Area in Lake Independence. Residents in these areas saw record levels of water pour down causing their homes to be flooded and resulting in loss of all of their personal belongings. Some homes also suffered structural damage due to the flood. Images from our neighbors in Mexico and Honduras also revealed that they had been hit with floods and suffered similar conditions to us. In certain parts of neighboring Chetumal the floods have yet to recede.

No Bail for Keyren Tzib
After almost seven weeks of back and forth in the bail hearing for accused killer Keyren Tzib, Justice Troadio "John" Gonzalez denied bail to the former Coastguard officer on Monday, October 19. Tzib is being accused of killing her common-law-husband, Thytis Blancaneaux, 30, on Saturday, July 18. Blancaneaux, a resident of the Spanish Town area of Lord's Bank Village, was found dead in his home. Initial investigations revealed that the couple was at their home when they got into a fight. The confrontation escalated and became tragic when Tzib pulled a knife and stabbed him in the shoulder. He fell to the ground, bled out, and died in a pool of his own blood. Police retrieved the knife believed to be the one used by Tzib to inflict the stab wound. Tzib claimed self defense but after consulting the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, police charged her with the crime of manslaughter. The lesser charge was levied because there are reports that Blancaneaux used violence against Tzib previously and also just before she stabbed him in the shoulder. There are also reports which suggest that the relationship of the couple had numerous instances of domestic violence.

Charged for armed robbery
Abel Amado Lara, 20, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for two counts of robbery committed with a firearm on September 19. Harvin Valentine and Ruperta Flowers were sitting in a car on Racoon Street Extension at about 9 p.m. when a fair skinned male approached them with a handgun and robbed them of their personal belongings. He took away one gold chain with a matching heart medallion valued at $2,500, one Wesley College graduation ring with initials RD valued at $500, an engagement gold ring valued at $400, a heart ruby gold ring valued at $150 and a watch valued at $40 from Ruperta Flowers. From Harvin Valentine he took away a gold chain with medal valued at $2,500 and a silver and black diamond watch valued at $1,000. The robber then ran off into the night.

Two men sent to prison for domestic abuse
Nathan Raymond McKenzie, 36, a labourer of #7310 McKenzie Lane in Belize City was sentenced to six months imprisonment for harm upon his common-law-wife, Marsha Talbert. McKenzie was arraigned for hitting Talbert on Friday, October 16. Talbert reported to police that sometime around 9:45 p.m., she was at home in bed when McKenzie arrived and began to accuse her of having an affair with another man. This caused them to get into an argument. McKenzie became upset and hit her in the face and other parts of the body with a trophy. Talbert was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial where a doctor classified her injuries as harm. As a result, police detained her common-law-husband, Nathan McKenzie, and charged him with harm.

Another expensive vehicle stolen in Cayo
Another Cayo resident has become the latest victim to robbery of his expensive vehicle. Nigel Espat 34 year old Belizean Businessman of San Ignacio Town has informed that on Saturday of this past weekend, at about 7:15 pm he and other friends exited Sunset bar situated on Savannah Avenue, San Ignacio Town, whereupon he walked to his blue in color 2007 D-max pickup L/P- SI SE C-01283 valued at $40,000.00 Belize, which was parked on the opposite side of the road. When he walked to the driver's door, he was approached by a Hispanic male person, slim built, about 5 feet 4 inches tall, dressed in a long jeans and buttoned shirt, who came from the opposite side of the road and pointed a black pistol at him demanding the key of the vehicle, otherwise he would be shot.

Supreme Court orders compensation for death
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Government of Belize will have to pay $65,000 to the family of slain police constable, Dean Yearwood Jr. who was shot and killed by PC Glenwayne Grant in September of 2013. According to police, sometime around 1:05 on Sunday morning, September 8th, 2013, they went to an area at the Corner of Nargusta Street and Central Supreme Court orders compensation for death of PC Dean Yearwood. American Boulevard where they found 24 year old PC Yearwood suffering from a gunshot wound to the back. Also found in a yard a few feet away was another man identified as 21-year-old Brian Vasquez. Vasquez was suffering from a gunshot wound also to the back. Investigations indicate that at around 1:00 a.m. PC Glenwayne Grant was riding his bicycle on Central American Boulevard when his attention was drawn to two men struggling at the corner of Nargusta and Central American Boulevard during which gunshots were fired. He pulled out his service 9 millimeter pistol and fired several shots at the men. Eleven expended shells were recovered from the scene.

Joslyn Chavaria finishes third in the Caribbean Road Championship in the U-23 category
The 15 Annual Caribbean Cycling Championship was held in Bridgetown, Barbados from October 17-18, 2015. Belize had participation in the Individual Time Trials and the Road Championship in both the female and male category. In the Men's Road Championship that was held at the Bushy Park Circuit, some 63 riders from across the entire Caribbean participated in the event. At the end of the race, it was Marloe Rodman from Jamaica that captured the Gold Medal in a time of 3:12:25. He was followed by Luis Sablon of Guadeloupe and he was followed by Yolan Silvestre of Martinique in a time of 3:12:26, and he was followed by his country man Emile Demazy in a time of 3:17:41 and he was followed by Darren Matthews of Barbados in a time of 3:17:49 to round off the top five finishers in the Road Race.

Belize Athletics Association to hold National Track and Field Championship
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts once again to be a part of a National Track and Field Championship event. The event will be hosted at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on the 14-15 November, 2015. All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events. Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email ( [email protected]) or from our Face Book page (Belize Athletics Association). Registration forms can also be obtained from and returned to the National Sports Council's offices throughout the country.

Independence Thunderbolt to compete in Elite Basketball League
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) will commence its third annual basketball tournament on Friday 15 January, 2016. Six of the seven teams who participated last season have already committed to be a part of the 2016 season. The teams that will compete in next year's season are Belize City No Limit, Belize Hurricanes, San Pedro Tiger Sharks (2 time defending champions), Cayo Western Ballaz and the Dangriga Warriors. The new franchise in the league will be the Independence Thunderbolt.

Money can't buy you love
On Fridays during a Nomination day interview PUP Leader Francis Fonseca was asked about the PUP crowd or should I say their lack of a crowd, and as usual Francis did not disappoint us. He gave one of his usual classical answers, that was filled with stupidity . The stupid meter overworks whenever this gentleman opens his mouth. Francis explained that he did not even see the size of the PUP Nomination Day Belize City crowd because he arrived at the staging point for their parade just as the parade was ready to takeoff. How silly that sounds, because their parade started at Berger field. Berger field is located at the corner of Vernon St. and Sarstoon St. so he would have either gotten to the head of the parade form Vernon Street coming from the direction of the tail of the parade because that section of Vernon Street. is a one way street heading from toward Belchina bridge.

PM and Sedi school Nuri
On Wednesday at the UDP Manifesto Launch Nuri appeared as if though he was holding brief for the PUP . When it came time for the question and answer segment, first to get up and ask questions was Jules Vazquez. PM Barrow and Jules have a history of many memorable duels when it comes to these events. Jules has a certain amount of sarcasm in the way he frames his questions and the PM being the skilled orator he is, has always been up to the task of duking it out with Jules or any other member of the media. In a way I think the PM enjoys being grilled by the media and more so he enjoys when it is Jules doing the grilling. The PM appears to be in his comfort zone during these question and answer sessions. After seeing the way the PM dealt with the questions from Jules, it should have been a warning to all other Journalist that the PM was on top of his game and he was going to deal with any questions in the same manner he had done with Jules' questions.

More equipment for the Police Department
Following up on government's commitment to continue to better equip the police, Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar, handed over 16 motorcycles to Commissioner of Police on Thursday October 15. The motorcycles will be deployed across the city and will be used to improve the department's operational capacity. The cycles are expected to improve the police's ability to respond to crimes as well as improve patrolling abilities.

THE PUP NAIL
There once was a couple named The Nail and The Hammer. The Nail affectionately loved The Hammer, but was fed up with the physical abuse. Wanting to save her relationship, The Nail decided to seek the help of an obeah woman. She explained to the obeah lady that every evening when her loving Hammer came home, that they would quarrel and that she would end up absorbing a beating. The obeah lady fixed her a potion and gave it to her. She was instructed on how to use the potion. Instructions: "Every evening when The Hammer came home, she was to take a mouth full of the potion and keep in her mouth for 5 minute and then spit out." The Nail followed this routine for a week and observed positive results. Liking the results, she inquired of the obeah lady the contents of the potion.

Sedi Vindicated
As I wrote in my article titled INCONSITERATE BUNCH, in the Sunday, October 11, 2015 edition, and as opined by USA President Obama a week later during a segment on "60 Minutes" Sedi Elrington has now been proven right for the stance he took in choosing CLIMATE CHANGE as the focus of his speech at the 2015 Opening of The United Nations General Assembly. At the time he made his speech, those JAWBONES, CAMARA HOUNDS and POLITICAL OPPORTUNISTS were quick to attack him saying he was wrong to speak about climate change. I have personally known and worked with Sedi throughout his political life from the very day he got involved with politics. There is only one instance when he ran as an Independent Candidate that I had not worked with him, but out of the respect I had for his opposing views at that time I did not work in the Pickstock Division, I worked elsewhere. I say that to underscore the point that I trust Sedi and understand that he speaks honestly. He is a man that I would go into battle with anytime. Sedi is a man of impeccable character and a high IQ. He is a straight shooter and doses not sugarcoat things just because it may score him cheap political points. If you want someone who will snow you then don't speak to him because he is not that man.

Kafele Garcia, 19, charged for Lord's Bank murder
Kafele Garcia, 19, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after he was arraigned for the murder of Ervin Osbert Franklin on Thursday, October 14. Franklin was stabbed to death on Saturday, October 10, in what police say was a possible robbery attempt and act of jealousy over a female. The incident took place in the Lord's Bank area near mile 11 on the Phillip Goldson Highway.

Karl Heusner Jr. Murdered
Karl Heusner Jr., a 30 year-old descendant of Dr. Karl Heusner, after whom the country's national referral hospital is named, was killed in a shooting which happened a on Saturday, October 17, a few hours after Michael Robinson and Jamil Betancourt were shot. According to police, they responded to a report of shots being fired at around 2 p.m. at the corner of Albert and Berkley Streets. By that time, the shooter had already fled the scene, and so, all that the officers could do was to rush him to the KHMH. There they found Heusner suffering from gunshot wounds to the face. Unfortunately, he did not survive the trip, and he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigators say that shortly before he was shot, officers were on patrol in the area, and they stopped and searched him. He's well-known to them, and he has had his number of run-ins with the law.

Minor on curfew and accomplice on bail for cellphone theft
Zane Mckoy, 20, and a 17-year-old minor are out on bail after they were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrates Court for one count of theft. Allegations being made against the duo are that on Wednesday, October 14, they stole a Samsung Galaxy S4 cellphone from Jem Smith, valued at $650. In court, both pleaded not guilty to a single charge of theft. The charge was read to the minor in the presence of a guardian and personnel of the Human Services Department. There was no objection to bail by court prosecutor, Cpl. Christopher Smith, but he asked that conditions be set for each individual's bail. The Magistrate ordered that Mckoy is to stay at least 100 yards away from the victim and report to the Queen Street Police Station every Monday of the week until the case is disposed of.

Murder old man�
Belize City Resident, 56 year-old, Edward Robinson, and 33 year-old Jamil "Lado" Betancourt became the victims of a terrible shooting incident which resulted in the death of Robinson. Police have arrested and charged 2 persons, whom they believe were targeting Betancourt. It appears, at this time, that Robinson was collateral damage in a gang-type execution attempt on Betancourt's life. Robinson's brother has told the press that on Saturday morning, October 17, at around 7:49 a.m., Robinson had left their house. He didn't go anywhere far, as he went to socialize with a group of people who were on the corner of North Creek Street. Also in the area at the time was Jamil Betancourt, and shortly after that 2 men came upon the group and started firing on them. Jamil Betancourt and Edward Robinson were the only two persons injured from the group, and by the time the gunshots ceased, the elder man, had passed away.

Juan Rubio acquitted of Pomona Village murder
Juan Rubio was accused of inflicting a fatal stab wound upon 26-year-old Karim Peters in Pomona Village on the eve of Garifuna Settlement Day, 2012, but now he is a free man after Justice Denis Hanomansingh upheld a self defense case put forward by Rubio's attorney, Dickie Bradley. Rubio's trial by judge without a jury began on September 16. Crown Counsel Sabita Maharaj called eight witnesses by September 23. Dickie Bradley called two witnesses along with his own client to testify. Rubio told the court that on the day of the incident he was hanging out with his brother when Peters came riding on a bicycle towards them. Peters seemed to be under the influence of alcohol and he without invitation jumped into their conversation. Rubio's brother told Peters to leave and he did. However, Peters later returned with a machete attached to his bicycle.

Softball coach to International Coaches Training Clinic
The Belize Softball Federation is currently being represented by Ms. Ruth Lamb, a former National Female Softball Team player and a current coach on the National Junior Female Softball Team at the Pan American Softball Confederation CONPASA International Coaches Training Clinic entitled "International Coaches Training Clinic-Learning to Coach" that is being held in Guatemala City, Guatemala from October 21-25, 2015.


The Government led by Hon. Dean Barrow has successfully settled the nationalizations of the Belize Electricity Limited and Belize Telemedia Limited in a case brought to the Caribbean Court of Justice brought by the Former owners of the company, Fortis Energy International and the Ashcroft Allied group of companies and entities. The CCJ case, which was argued extensively by the former owners and the Government, has been halted, and the settlements that the GOB publicized have been formally entered into. That was the result of a teleconference hearing which was held on Thursday, October 15, at the Supreme Court. It was officially entered at the court by an application to stay the case while the conditions of the settlement were being put into effect. The attorneys for the claimants, meaning the former owners, made the application, which was granted, after consideration by the panel of judges, which included President Justice Dennis Byron.

Accused killer says Monchie Cervantes set up his own father'
One of the accused murderers of Ramon Cervantes Sr., 71, told the court on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 that the man responsible for orchestrating the kidnapping and murder of the elder statesman is his very own son, Ramon Cervantes Jr. While undergoing a preliminary hearing at the Magistrate's court, one of the accused men told the magistrate that the man who set up the killing of Cervantez Sr. was inside the courtroom. Asked if he could point out the person, the accused called out the name of Monchie Cervantez Jr. throwing the entire court into an uproar and forcing the courtroom to be cleared leaving only the Cervantez family and the accused men in the courtroom. The 71-year-old was found in a shallow grave on an abondoned farm in July of 2014. He was reportedly found handcuffed, his eyes taped closed and with multiple broken ribs and other bones. The senior citizen was tortured mercilessly before he was shot and killed. Shortly after the death of Cervantes Sr., his son called the media to a memorial ceremony and played a tape with the voice of the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping and murder, Manuel Castillo. In the recording, Castillo said that he had nothing to do with the murder and that it was Minister Vega who was responsible.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Ten computers handed over to schools
The Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities (MESTPU) handed over computers to five education and community-based organizations across the country this morning at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan. The ten computers were received through a generous donation from the [�]

Regional meeting of Agriculture Ministers concludes
The Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2015 ended today in Cancun, Mexico, with a declaration containing eight commitments designed to improve agricultural productivity in the hemisphere, with technical support from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). The cooperation agenda that was agreed upon seeks to [�]

Accused robber shot dead in Belize City
A Belize City man was shot and killed shortly after 2:00 this afternoon at the Commercial Center in downtown Belize City. We are told the victim is one Anthony Phillip Barrera Junior, a resident of Rocky Road in Belize City. Reports suggest that Barrera Junior allegedly entered Kephawn's Pawnshop -located at [�]

Dance Company forced out of leaking Bliss Center
While concerns of personal health and well-being are uppermost in the minds of ordinary Belizeans following last weekend's floods, the entertainment industry appears to have lost a key cornerstone of its infrastructure. The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, whose current incarnation was established in 2003, has undergone some water [�]

Illegal immigrants detained in OW
Orange Walk police are reporting that they have detained eight immigrants from neighbouring countries for illegal entry into Belize. The group comprises of four salvadorans and four Hondurans of which three are minors. They are expected to be fined for illegal entry and deported to their respective [�]

United Nations Day marks seventieth anniversary
The United Nations will mark its 70th Anniversary on UN Day Saturday, 24 October, this year by reflecting on its work in service to the global community since its founding in 1945. Monuments and buildings across the world will also be illuminated in celebration of this milestone, and [�]

KHMH receives equipment for new PICU
Some 66 thousand one hundred and eighty-two US dollars in medical instruments and equipment raised through the Global Medical Instruments Support and Service Program of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Far East Memorial Hospital was donated today to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City. This [�]

BPP calls for postponement of elections
A late evening press release from the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) calls on Prime Minister Dean Barrow to, quote, "give serious consideration to the extension of the election date," give the aftermath of the recent bad weather that hit Belize. The new party, which is fielding 25 candidates [�]

Sentencing further deferred for Viola Pook
57 year old Viola Pook has admitted to throwing kerosene on, then lighting on fire, her late common-law husband Orlando Vasquez on New Year's Eve in 2007. She was originally convicted of murder, but granted a retrial. Now she has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and the sentencing phase [�]

Suspect shot, killed during attemped robbery in Belize City
Belize City police are currently puzzling the pieces of a late afternoon shooting in the old capital. According to information reaching our newsroom, Anthony Philip Barrera Junior was shot dead inside Monica's Pawn Shop inside the Commercial Centre in down town Belize City. Sources say that Philip Barrera may have [�]

Alleged killer accuses 'Monchie' of ordering hit on his own father
Yesterday morning flanked by the family attorney Marcel Cardona, Ramon Cervantes Jr. along with his mother, Vilma Cervantes, appeared at the orange Walk Magistrates court for the first preliminary inquiry since the three men were charged and remanded to prison. The preliminary inquiry was for a committal on solely the murder charge where the court would present witnesses that will be testifying in the Supreme Court in January.

Blogs

Clear Skies, Laundry Day and A Walk Around San Pedro
5 days of rain in San Pedro, Belize is a lot�add in the fact that in many places just a few of those days dumped over a foot of rain and some of the localized flooding has become world-wide news. But I am very pleased to announce that yesterday THERE WAS SUN! And the weather predictions (again, I find Belize Hydromet the most helpful) show more to come� So yesterday I took a walk in the Escalante neighborhood and a bit in the DFC area (both south of town) to find out that the sun was shining and it is LAUNDRY DAY! There are dryers available but they are expensive, and expensive electricity consuming�plus, sunshine is usually an abundant resource on the island.

3 Ways to Explore Belize Caves
As we made our way through the caves, I imagined that I was inside a giant, wandering through his veins. Everywhere you look there's another option, another turn, another dark tunnel. Caving is the ultimate maze with no real guarantee of finding a way out except retracing your path in. Luckily, my niece and I weren't left to wander aimlessly in the Belize Caves, I had a guide. And most importantly the guide had a light and knew his way around these labyrinths. Without him I would've been lost in the giant forever. Caving in Belize is a way to experience the adventure and the culture of Belize at the same time. Caves were the entrance to the Mayan underworld; the portal between the tangible human world and the invisible world of gods and spirits. The Maya performed their most sacred rituals in caves. And it seemed that they preferred to not simply go into the mouth of the cave, they went deep inside the cave - sometimes miles and miles inside. Exploring inside the caves is a way to learn about a mysterious ancient Maya civilization and the geological processes that shaped the region.

When is the best time to visit Belize
Is there really a best time to visit Belize? Anytime is a good time to visit. Lucky you-you've got your pick of vacation time slots at your office and you don't mind pulling the kids out of school if a travel adventure can teach them more than sitting in a classroom could ever do. In a sense, the world is your oyster, so figure out what's important and what's not-and get your vacation planning underway. We urge you to listen to rave reviews coming from people who have discovered the wonder that is Belize and who wouldn't think of going elsewhere because the beauty, attractions, pricing and weather are idyllic year-round.

International Sourcesizz

Climate change and the Caribbean - Opinion
This debate surrounding our climate has polarized the world into two different groups for a long time; some theorists maintain that an intrinsic characteristic of climate is that it changes while a large percent of others support the theory that global warming is anthropogenic or caused by human action. There is however, scientific consensus that the Earth's climate system is warming, with average temperature rising somewhere between 0.4 and 0.8°C over the past 100 years. Research on global warming carried out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted that average global temperatures could increase between 1.4 and 5.8°C by the year 2100. The benefits and costs of climate change on society are expected to vary widely based both on location and scale, however the net effects are likely to be strongly negative as more rapid warming takes place. Hydro-meteorological events including changing precipitation patterns, more frequent and intense weather events, storm surges and flooding as well as sea level rise are all indicators of a changing climate. The increased warming of the oceans means that we also expect to have more frequent and intense tropical cyclones. Implicit in this is the acknowledgment that the Caribbean and in particular, the Small Island Developing States of the region, will be devastatingly affected.

Caribbean Sea reef system suffering pollution, tourism damage
A new report from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cient�ficas (Superior Council for Scientific Research) has placed the Caribbean Sea reef system within the 10 most threatened in the world. The organization says that the reef system is exposed to more than 20 million tourists per year as well as almost a million more who both directly and indirectly, benefit from the system. The World Wide Federation (WWF) did a study that concluded that approximately two-thirds of the Caribbean reef system had already been affected from two main elements, which were overfishing and sewage pollution. According to the WWF, tourism is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world, with major environmental, cultural, social and economic implications. Although tourism can be an opportunity for sustainable development, poorly planned development of hotels and resorts in coastal areas can result in habitat destruction, pollution, and other negative impacts on biodiversity. In the Mesoamerican Reef, tourism-related coastal development is rapidly expanding south from Cancun into Belize and Honduras.

New World Negotiates on Belize Oil Production
After a sluggish first half, tourist arrivals to Belize are beginning to surge. The country showed a 6.9 percent increase in stayover arrivals in the third quarter of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. That was buoyed by a 19.3 percent improvement in arrivals in September, the highest increase ever recorded for the month of September for Belize. Air arrivals accounted for 74.7 percent of total overnight arrivals in the period, and US visitors showed a 28.55 percent jump. America continues to be the largest tourism source market to Belize, making up around 65 percent of arrivals.

New World gets extension in Belize
New World Oil and Gas has negotiated a 12-month extension to its production sharing agreement for its Blue Creek project in Belize until October 31 2016. While the expiry date of the PSA is extended, the approval restricts future activity to areas high-graded by New World in its extension application and areas identified as viable drilling targets by the seismic programme conducted in 2012-2013. New World chairman Christopher Einchcomb said, "We continue to analyse different drilling techniques with a view to maximizing our potential chances of success whilst at the same time reducing the net cost to the group should we decide to conduct future drilling operations"

Guatemalan comic holds big lead ahead of Sunday election: poll
Guatemalan comic Jimmy Morales should triumph easily in a second round run-off on Sunday to elect the country's next president after the arrest of the previous leader in a massive corruption scandal, a poll showed on Wednesday. Morales, a political outsider given little hope of winning until graft probes engulfed the government of ex-president Otto Perez, is forecast to win by more than 30 points over his opponent, according to a voter survey by polling firm Prodatos. The poll gave Morales, a self-proclaimed centrist with conservative leanings, 58.5 percent support, ahead of ex-first lady Sandra Torres, a center-left candidate, on 27.6 percent. The remainder expressed no preference for either. Perez resigned last month just days ahead of a first round of voting after Congress stripped him of his presidential immunity and Guatemala's attorney general accused him of involvement in a multi-million dollar customs fraud.

Videos

  • SANCAS Realty - Christie's International Real Estate, 3min. Learn more about SANCAS Realty, the exclusive Christie's International Real Estate affiliate for the tropical paradise of Belize in this brief video.

  • Nurse Shark Attack in Belize, 2min. Wife attacked by Shark in Belize....someone had been feeding this nurse shark and he was aggressive.

  • Maya of Belize Chocolate Farm with Reyes Chun, 4.5min. Ecotourism Director Reyes Chun takes us on a mlpa tour, and we have delicious creamy Maya chocolate drink (a chocolate atole or champurrado.) The creamy chocolate is made by Chun's mother with homegrown ingredients: ground cacao, corn meal, warm water, honey and pepper.

  • San Ignacio Belize Mayor Speaks about Expats in Belize, 12min. Meet John August who speaks as the Mayor of San Ignacio Belize. Mr. August is now the UDP Standard Bearer for the Cayo North East Constituency. In this segment of Belize Talk Radio he shares his thoughts about people moving to Belize as Expats.

  • Belize Mayor John August in San Ignacio Town, 8min. Belize Mayor John August ( now the UDP Standard Bearer for the Cayo North East Constituency)- talks about the NEW roads and improvements in San Ignacio Belize. Including the new sidewalk in front of Atlantic Bank on Burns Avenue.

  • RAMON MONCHIE CERVANTES JR. AND HIS FAMILY SPEAK OUT ON ACCUSATION MADE AGAINST HIM, 6min. Today Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes Jr., the PUP Standard Bearer for Orange Walk North, broke silence and spoke to the media about what actually happened in court yesterday during the preliminary inquiry into the murder of his father Ramon Cervantes Sr.

  • BWRC Introduction - Vision, mission and activities, 5.5min. The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is celebrating 3 years of being open and providing free care to the wildlife of Belize. They are getting ready for their 2nd annual Gala Fundraiser, which will be on November 21st. They have a great video out about their vision and mission which really shows how much they care about Belize's wildlife. "Our menu will feature 'Reef and Beef' including once again the serious but also scrumptious threat to our reef - lionfish. Julian Sherrard has kindly agreed to be this years MC. We continue to receive amazing donations for this years silent auction (check out clinic FB for some images). The ticket price will be 85Bz. We hope you will join us for a lovely dinner with Silent Auction and Entertainment, in support of BWRC's free medical and rehabilitation services for imperilled wildlife and conservation organisations."

  • World Culture Band in Peten, 7min. Cayo's World Culture Band playing at the Reggea Festival in Peten a few weeks ago. There's also one new track played in the video. Great job, Daniel Velazquez! "Live footage of concert in San Francisco Peten Guatemala Reggia Festival 2015, and one new track from new album."

  • Caye Caulker, Belize, 4.5min.

  • Belize, 4min.

  • Placencia, Belize diving the Pompion Wall /Reef, 3min. Scuba diving the Pompion Wall/reef near Placencia Belize on 10-8-15. Splash Dive Center. Guide: Doren.

  • that one time in Belize, 2min. just having fun in Belize.

  • that one time in Belize part 2, 4min. At the Mayan Temple of the Sun God..

  • Belize trip(Rastafarian), 2.5min. Reggae music
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