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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
Misc Belizean Sources
Printing equipment for sale, Caye Caulker
For sale, t-shirt printing equipment, plus printer plus trader paper for $600 belize dollars.
BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of April 24th - April 30th, 2016
"Oh, it is another bonefish" with a slightly disappointed tone. Some permit had just been seen, and although the cast was good the bonefish snuck in front and ate his fly first. It brings to mind how many bonefish are in our waters that an angler whose primary goal of the trip was to catch his first bonefish, now is looking at them like they are nuisance now that he sees a permit! I guess it is a great problem to have, and I constantly remind myself how precious these bonefish are. Our furthest flung guests were Jacqui and Barry. They came all the way from the UK for 2 weeks specifically fish our bonefish and they were not disappointed.
Everyone who went out regardless of ability got some bonefish with the biggest reporting in at 6 pounds! Double digit days were common before the wind set in later in the week.
The Reporter
PUP criticizes GOB for enacting law banning Belizeans from entering Sarstoon
The People's United Party (PUP) has criticized the government's move to ban Belizeans from visiting our portion of the Sarstoon.
The PUP says it is appalled by the announcement. Leader of the Opposition John Briceno informed Prime Minister Dean Barrow during a meeting on Friday that the PUP does not support the "draconian measure."
"The PUP views this as a retrograde and highly prejudicial step for the following reasons: In the face of Guatemala's assertion of sovereignty over the entire Sarstoon River, this Regulation with the specific objective of preventing Belizeans from entering Belize's portion of it this may be viewed in law as acquiescence by Belize to Guatemala's assertion of sovereignty over the entire Sarstoon," the PUP states in a press release.
The Opposition also says that "in the face of growing Guatemalan belligerence and aggression, the regulation only serves to embolden Guatemala and harden its resolve to assert sovereignty over the entire Sarstoon."
Breaking Belize News
Double murder victims confirmed
There still hasn't been any formal report issued from the police about last night's double murder in Camalote Village, Cayo District but the names of the victims have been confirmed as Shawn Lopez and Akeem Thimbriel.
As of now, a motive for the shooting deaths of these young men has still not been determined and details of the incident are still limited.
Double murder in Camalote Village; Cayo District
Information reaching our newsroom is that there was another double murder in the Cayo District.
Reports are that 2 men were fatally shot while sitting under a tree in the village of Camalote. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Blogs
Service Vacations and Volunteering in Belize
How about working with Belizeans to provide care to the needy, medical help for the sick, and protection for fragile ecosystems?
If you think that all of these sound good, then consider volunteering during your stay. Service vacationing has boomed in popularity over the years, and with some research and good planning you can enjoy Belize's beauty while making connections with its people and environment. Below is a list of a few prominent organizations that offer short and long term opportunities. Some are free, some you will have to pay for, some are for professionals, but all are ways to experience Belize and give back as well.
Quiet Luxury on South Ambergris Caye, Belize: Pelican Reef Villas
Friday, about mid-day, I walked south to Pelican Reef Villas located in quiet, lovely South Ambergris Caye, Belize. It's a walk I haven't taken in TOO LONG - here's an outline of the 1 mile walk that ends in some coconut dragons - and it's as lovely as ever.
Mostly residential and colorful�
Don't be frightened by the name of the neighborhood. I walked through the beach-side entrance�with a quick walk out onto the dock. Perfect for lounging and swimming.
nd then into the pool area�where I was met by Michela, the concierge, with a welcome drink and MY FAVORITE�an iced cold towel. How'd they know I was DYING for one after my walk?
Lunch on my patio? That sounds perfect. I headed into my suite�2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, A WHIRLPOOL BATHTUB and a gorgeous ocean view.
International Sources
Belize, Guyana and the Iron Lady
Following the recent shooting incident on the Belize-Guatemala border and the subsequent buildup of Guatemalan troops in the area, Amandala (described as Belize's leading newspaper) published a scathing editorial, highly critical of the perceived passivity of the government in Belmopan, under the headline "A Battle for Belize". According to Amandala, when Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales began the troop buildup on the border with Belize, the nation of Belize went into shock because of the suddenness and ferocity of the Guatemalan president's threats.
The indications are that the Belize government was caught completely off guard by Morales offensive, the newspaper said.
"Last week we did not respond, either at home or abroad, to a direct threat to our national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity� If you were a Belizean nationalist/patriot over the last week, it was difficult to find cause for energy and optimism.
"The United Democratic Party (UDP) government of Belize was wide awake in a dream," the newspaper concluded.
Green Globe recertifies GA�A Riverlodge in Belize
Green Globe congratulated GA�A Riverlodge and property owner Daniel Lighter, on its recent recertification for the second consecutive year.
GA�A Riverlodge is one of Belize's most celebrated eco-tourist destinations situated in the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Inspired by the beauty of nature, the resort with its beautifully landscaped gardens filled with indigenous bushes, trees, and flowers overlooks spectacular waterfalls located right on the grounds of the property. Nigel Richards, General Manager at GA�A Riverlodge said: "Sustainability should be inherent in human behavior. If we embrace this concept as a way of life, the well-being of our natural and cultural heritage will be guaranteed for the future. It is important to protect both the tangible and intangible resources."
Would you DARE take a dip in Shark Ray Alley?
HUNDREDS of manta rays and sharks are attracting daredevil divers from across the globe.
Shark Ray Alley isn't overrun with tourists yet, but it's becoming very popular with divers and animal lovers.
Despite the dangers of shark diving, this odd little area in the Caribbean is attracting a lot of attention.
Situated off the coast of Belize's biggest island - Ambergris Caye - it's already got a name for itself as a diving hotspot, thanks to Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
It's towards the end of the reserve where you'll find Shark Ray Alley. As the name might suggest, it's full of Nurse Sharks and Southern Sting Rays.
The spot was something of a manmade accident. Local fishermen had cleaned their boats here for years and the sharks soon realised that it was becoming a brilliant spot for a free dinner.
Realising that they could get an easy feed, they started turning up in huge numbers.
The visits from the sharks and rays became so regular that the spot was turned into a diving area.
How the Maya built their pyramids, buildings
You wanted to know
"How did the Maya people make Chichen Itza if there were no vehicles to carry the rock?" asked a young patron from the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire.
These monumental structures were built without use of metal tools or wheels to transport large limestone blocks from the quarry to the building sites.
The Maya didn't have access to ores used to forge iron, so instead they devised chisels from black jadeite and obsidian used by artisans to create facade designs and to chunk out the stone blocks that supported awe-inspiring buildings and bridges.
A base-20 math system allowed architects to calculate higher level construction methods, including open span interiors using arches for support and a long-span bridge.
The Maya people of Central America did not have pack animals to carry rocks or other heavy items.
"The Maya did not use the wheel nor draft animals, so they transported the building materials using person-power from the quarries to the building site," Tulane Professor of Linguistics and Anthropology Judith Maxwell said of the Maya method for transporting heavy materials.
Large building blocks were rolled on logs. Roads, called sakbe (singular) or sakbeob (plural), were made of rock base covered in cement mixed from heated limestone. Most roads connected neighborhoods within cities and some connected the city-states. Today, many ancient Maya pyramids still stand and some sakbeob remain intact.
Jazz Fest first weekend - Around the world and home again
The Belize Pavilion became increasing popular throughout the Fest's first three days. Vocalist, harmonica player and guitarist Brad Pattico backed by the Talla Walla Vibrations, a group of conga players and vocalists, was a swaying way to kick off the festival. The ensemble began its set traditionally performing a style called sambei that is a rhythm that originated in Gales Point, now called Manatee, located on an extremely narrow peninsula in the Southern Lagoon in Central Belize. It was once explained that it was the place that runaway slaves established a community. Later, the Pattico and Talla Walla dug into the more modern brukdown style that remains popular at dances around the country.
Drummer/vocalist Shannon Powell not only put together an all-star band for his tribute to the late, great drummer Smokey Johnson but also presented a well thought out program to represent Johnson's contributions to New Orleans music. The band played tunes written by Smokey and producer/arranger Wardell Quezergue like "Did You Heard What I Saw" and, of course, their hit "It Ain't My Fault." The group with pianist/organist David Torkanowsky and horn players trumpeter Kevin Louis and saxophonist Roderick Paulin (to name a few) worked on tunes from some of the many bandleaders with whom the legendary drummer played and recorded. They included Fats Domino, guitarist/vocalist Snooks Eaglin and vocalist Jessie "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" Hill.
Building Caribbean resources to ensure safe seafood and protect and grow fisheries exports
Caribbean countries have a living bank of marine resources from which they collectively cash out hundreds of millions of dollars a year to support emerging national economies by providing good jobs, food and foreign exchange, among other benefits.
However, in order to remain active and competitive in the global marketplace, countries have had to find ways to surmount the challenges posed by stringent international standards called sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, for food safety and for protection against diseases carried animals and plants.
Under an EU-funded SPS Measures Project, the ability of Caribbean countries to effectively address those challenges is being strengthened through initiatives such as specialized training for those gatekeepers who help to ensure the safety of both imported and exported foods.
The project has reached a new milestone, as a group of professionals from CARIFORUM states -- the countries which make up the Caribbean Community, as well as the Dominican Republic -- has just concluded a sanitary and phytosanitary management course. The intensive two-week training, held at the United Nations University - Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP) in Reykjavik, Iceland, was organized under the capacity building component of the project.
PM Christie highlights UK/Caribbean bond
The Bahamas, in particular, Grand Bahama, was the chosen venue for the 9th United Kingdom (UK) - Caribbean Forum, a biennial forum which was last held in London in 2014, is held in a effort to continue the partnership between UK and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), one which has, and continues to develop ties to promote growth and development for all parties involved.
On Friday, at the Grand Lucayan Resort, the two-day forum was officially opened. Various members of CARICOM nations as well as officials of the UK assembled for the forum, under the theme, 'Building a strong partnership for sustainable growth and development.'
Moderator for the event was His Excellency Picewell Forbes, Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM. Prime Minister of the Bahamas Perry Christie offered the keynote address during the ceremony while Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and The Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK both shared opening remarks.
Presencia de 400 militares en zona de adyacencia ser� permanente
La fuerza militar que el ministerio de la Defensa despleg� en la zona de adyacencia con Belice estar� all� de forma permanente, para evitar alg�n conflicto o m�s incidentes que podr�a dejar a personas heridas o muertas.
El ministro de la Defensa, Williams Mancilla, explic� que la protecci�n se da en dos v�as: prevenir acciones contra vecinos que viven en el �rea, y evitar conflictos con las fuerzas armadas belice�as.
Adem�s, Mancilla precis� que son 400 soldados los que refuerzan la protecci�n de la soberan�a guatemalteca.
El presidente Jimmy Morales reiter� que nunca fueron tres mil militares los que se enviaron a la zona de adyacencia. "No hubo movilizaci�n, sino redoblamiento", agreg�.
