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Posted By: Marty Today's Belize News: August 14, 2016 - 08/14/16 11:45 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

Green turtle visits Belize during 'Tour de Turtles'
Tour de Turtles begun in 2008 by Sea Turtle Conservancy as a fun educational, journey to research sea turtle migration using satellite telemetry. This event occurs every August 1st, and the "turtle" marathon represents four different species of sea turtles: leatherback, green, loggerhead, and hawksbill. The "competitors" swim with the goal of being the first turtle to swim the furthest distance during the migration marathon. Within the annual Tour de Turtles, individual sea turtles are tracked for approximately three months, as they leave their nesting beaches and race to complete the marathon. This year, Esperanza, a migrating turtle was attracted to Belize, and just so happened to make a U-turn at Ambergris Caye. Esperanza is an adult green sea turtle from Guanahacabibes Natural Park, Cuba, and is the first turtle ever to be tracked migrating to Belize from Cuba. She is swimming to raise awareness about the threat of marine pollution, and oil spills.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge funded a new genetic breakthrough
In 2014, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media, even drawing Belizeans into the fray. It was a fundraising campaign that drew millions of people to participate by filming themselves dumping iced water on their heads and nominating three other individuals. With a contribution of $10 for taking the challenge, and $100 for those who refused, the challenge raised more than $200 million world-wide to fund research on the disease. After two years, Project MinE (a large scale genome research project) has recently discovered a new gene, NEK1, on Wednesday, July 27th, that has revolutionized the research. According to the ALS Association, the new NEK1 gene is the most common contributor to the disease. It is also associated with 3% of all ALS cases, but is present in sporadic and inherited forms of the disease. Though skeptics doubted the motives of the campaign, this new discovery proved that it was a success in bringing attention to the disease, and could lead to future discoveries and treatment.

Statistics show sharp decline in Belize's exports
The Belizean economy continues to take a hit, as the latest report on the country's exports by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) has reported a major downfall for the month of June. According to the SIB report, released on Wednesday, August 3rd, exports fell by a whopping 30%. According to the SIB's External Trade Bulletin, the total value of Belize's domestic exports for the month of June 2016 was $36.8 million, showing a reduction of $15.9 million from the $52.7 million recorded in June 2015. The sector responsible for the major decline was sugar products. The earnings from the Sugar Industry for the said month fell by $24 million, from $25 million in June 2015 to $1 million in June of 2016. The culprit in this shortage is due to the changes in the scheduling of bulk shipments in sugar earnings. The other exports in line that also showed decline were marine products and the banana industry. Marine products fell short from $6.5million to under $3 million, which accumulates to more than 50% in loss. Meanwhile, in the banana belt, exports declined by 1/3 or from $9 million to $6 million.

Arcadia University begins seminars in San Pedro
Arcadia University from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA, has arrived to San Pedro with a mission to educate! 17 volunteers, consisting of faculty and students, have hosted a series of free seminars since Saturday, August 6th. With help from Alumni Lara Goldman, the Arcadia global initiative became a reality, and the group hopes to leave their positive blueprint on Belize. Karen Swayer, Director of Global Engagement and Physical Therapy described how Arcadia made the connection with San Pedro. "I received a call from Lara, and whenever we get a country that calls us and wants us to come, that is golden. Our main goal is to come and work alongside with healthcare and educational systems," said Swayer. According to the volunteers, the participants are very friendly, and attentive in class. With one more week of scheduled seminars, the community is encouraged to take advantage of these enlightening sessions.

Get ready for a tea party at Marbucks!
Marbucks Coffee House is serving up tea for one fabulous afternoon of fun, food and excellent company. It's true�on Saturday August 20th, for the price of $50, you are invited to attend the first ever island Tea Party! Hosted by Rachel and Mar of Marbucks and Daydreamin' B&B, guests will enjoy much tea sipping, nibbles, fabulous conversation and of course, champagne while relaxing poolside at one of the prettiest locations in Tres Cocos, Ambergris Caye! While having most excellent tea party fun, you can rest assured that your contribution is going to a worthy cause. Organizers have indicated that all proceeds will be going towards completing a women's and children's shelter for San Pedro. "We can't think of anything more important than women working to empower one another and are so proud to be part of this effort," says Rachel.

San Pedro benefiting from Blue Water Grill donations
Blue Water Grill (BWG) has released their monthly donation report, and in July 2016, BWG opted to adjust their original donation proposal to help aid the June 26th fire victims. BWG and its sister business, The Phoenix, donated $20,361, with both businesses matching the first $2,500 donated. In total, $25,361 was raised; $7,500 was distributed to the San Pedro Lions Club and $5,500 was shared directly to families who were impacted by the fire. BWG will be working along with the San Pedro Lions Club to determine the most effective means of distributing the remaining funds to the fire victims.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Four Sailors from Belize at Youth Regattas in Canada
It is opening Day of the 2016 Canadian Olympic Regattas, Kingston (CORK) International Optimist Championship Regatta. Two of the four Belizean sailors here at Portsmouth Olympic Harbor are entered. They are Kevin Velasquez, 14, and Caroline Sersland, 12. Both are trained and were brought to this regatta by San Pedro's Belize Sailing School. Kevin won Belize's 2015 Optimist National Championship Regatta, and Caroline placed 3rd. Today on freshwater Lake Ontario they braved 26 to 31 Mph winds and 4 foot chop to race against an international field. 29 sailors in the contingent of 65 Kevin was part of either withdrew due to sailing conditions or could not finish. Kevin dashed to the 11th spot among the remaining 36 left for him to compete with. Caroline was in the other half of the fleet. 17 in her fleet could not complete the race. Caroline beat out 29 of those who did complete the race to finish 18th in her fleet.

Power interruption 8:00am to 8:30am, Sunday, August 14: entire San Pedro Town, and Bomba Village
BEL to conduct repairs at Maskall Substation, which requires de-energizing of power transformer.

Ascenthium Playing Jazzfest
The Belize International Jazz Festival's opening ceremony is tonight at the Cayo Welcome Center, and Ascenthium will be one of the bands performing. The plan is to have 2 stages so that while one band is playing, another can get set up. The World Culture Band will also be performing, along with many others. "This Sunday August 14th we hit the stage at the Cayo Welcome Center for the opening night of the Belize International Jazz Festival! There will be many other artists and performers! We Start around 6:30-7pm!"

Photos of the Belize National Song Competition
What a night! See the Belize National Song Competition page for full results.

Results from the Belize National Song Competition
Carnival Song: First Place: Wilson Grinage with "Soca Session" Second Place: Leslie "Mr. Bastic" Jenkins with "Represent". Belize Song: First Place: Cecil "Cocono Bwai" Jenkins with "Border to Border" Second Place: Jeanie Brooks with "Flags in the Air". Breakout Artist: Belize Song: Jeanie Brooks with "Flags in the Air" Carnival Song: Jerome Crawford "Celebration". People's Choice:(online votes) Belize Song: Eugene Gentle with "Mista Laddy Block The Boat" Carnival Song: Barbara "Missy B" Herrera with "Fayah".

The Reporter

Love Foundation and DYS team up for clothing drive
Today the Love Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services, is holding a clothing drive to assist victims of Hurricane Earl. The organizations have the drive going on at two locations simultaneously: #49 Vernon Street; and the Yabra Drop-in Center. Sabreena Daly, public relations officer for the DYS explained that the organizations choose clothes as their relief efforts, to avoid duplicating other relief efforts which are being carried out by entities such as the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the Belize Red Cross. "We see people going and giving food bags, and we understand that you can never have enough food, but a lot of these families coming are asking about clothing," Daly said. "Majority of the people that walked in complained about water damage."

The Belize Times

Ariel Rosado Foundation Approves 36 Scholarships for 2016 – 2017
The Board of Directors of The Ariel Rosado Foundation is proud to celebrate four and a half years of service to Belize and congratulates all those who made this milestone possible. The Foundation was established in January 2012 to celebrate the life of Ariel Rosado, an outstanding Belizean Role Model who died in a tragic road traffic accident at age 28. In 2012 the Foundation offered a total of fifteen (15) scholarships in its first year. In 2013 the number of scholarships was increased to twenty seven (27). In 2014 the Foundation again increased the number of scholarships to a total of thirty (30) and last year 2015 the number of scholarships was again increased to thirty three (33). The Foundation is pleased to announce that it has again increased the number of scholarships for the fourth year in succession. This year the Foundation has approved funding for a total of thirty six (36) scholarships comprised as follows:

Melissa Ferguson Charged for Conspiracy to Kidnapping
The BELIZE TIMES has confirmed that Melissa Ferguson, the wife of William Danny Mason, has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping by Belmopan Police. She handed herself into Police on Monday around 11:30am, after being a fugitive for several weeks. An international warrant for Ferguson's arrest was reportedly issued the week after Mason was arrested on July 15th. Police had also been actively seeking the Canadian woman in different locations where it is believed that she was hiding.

LESSONS FROM EARL
The old people, versed as they have been in all things 'Hurricane', have a small saying. It goes something like this: "June - Too soon; July - Stand by; August - If you must; September - Remember; October - Soon over." Last week we experienced Hurricane Earl, and he was "August If you must" indeed!! Even with experienced predictors and forecasters and with solid preparation on the part of so many, I don't think anyone expected the fury and ferocious nature of the beast Earl. It was a harrowing and terrifying ten hours or so. I live very near the sea at Mile 6, Philip Goldson Highway. My husband, younger son, myself and our handyman and his family all weathered the storm at home. Lights went out at around 8 pm, so we brought out the flashlights and candles. We had of course done our best to secure the house and all surroundings, and vehicles had been moved inland, except for one. We expected a blowing somewhat like that of Hurricane Richard, and boy, were we wrong. This was awfully worse. I am no expert, but I do feel convinced that at its most intense the storm packed winds and gusts in excess of a hundred miles per hour. The house shook, as the wind howled outside. Then the storm surge began, coming up about six feet above sea level and rushing through the yard and the downstairs level and office, and picking up the vehicle like a toy and depositing it fifty yards away.

Belize River Watershed
Look at the map below and see how big is the Belize River Watershed. The B zone is the watershed in our country and the A zone is the watershed in Guatemala. The Belize River is basically comprised of the Macal and the Mopan rivers that joins at the Branch Mouth in San Ignacio. We call this a transborder watershed because it involves 2 countries. The Mopan actually originates in the Maya Mountains in Belize and then flows west into Guatemala and then back east into Belize, just north of Arenal. Belize enjoys about 56% of the entire watershed and Guatemala some 44%.

MIT Corporal Accused of Assaulting Junior Cop
There is no word on whether charges will be brought against Mobile Interdiction Team Cpl. Jamir Cassanova. Cassanova has been accused of badly beating MIT Police Constable Derin Mariano on Thursday, August 4th. While no official details have been released, the BELIZE TIMES has been reliably informed that Cassanova was drinking when the altercation occurred, and he had to be hauled off Mariano by other members of the team. While incidents like this would normally be handled by a professional body either criminally or through an internal tribunal, we are informed that there is pressure from "higher up" to squash the incident. That pressure has been resisted by investigators, who along with the Officer Commanding Belmopan ASP Howell Gillett, are determined to bring charges against Cassanova since he has been accused of similar violations previously.

The Function of Violence with the Political Order
Belizean society, especially those in the criminogenic confines of Southside Belize, has been grappling with the senseless violence that keeps occurring. The political rhetoric on crime and violence is almost as glaring as the violence. The United States administration continues to assist the Belize Government with technical and financial support in the fight against crime and violence. The war is mainly aimed at the gang-affiliated violence. However, violence, as explained by J. Carl Freidrich in the book "Man and His Government", is vital to the political system. Violence and its functionality in the realm of politics are being considered in this essay. When the saga of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas' death unfolded, ill winds blew directly in the face of the United Democratic Party Government. Wrapped in the entangled web woven by the Guyanese/Canadian, fake Belizean William Mason and the death of the Pastor is the silent reality of the close associations of high ranking UDP officials, senior Police officials and the former leader of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) with Mason.

Two Belize City men remanded on attempted murder charge
Two Belize City men who allegedly attempted to murder another man were remanded to prison after they appeared in court this morning and were arraigned on charges of attempted murder and dangerous harm. John Burke, 32, a fisherman and resident of Lavender Street and Kareem Egan, a construction worker and resident of Hulze Street, appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, after police charged them with the attempted murder and dangerous harm of Mario Zelaya, on August 3. "Do you understand what I have just read," Magistrate Fraser asked the two accused. Both men answered that they understood the charges.

Stevedore accused of armed robbery released on bail
A Belize City stevedore who was out on Supreme Court bail found himself back in trouble with the law when a man accused him of committing an armed robbery. Eugene Bailey appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser to answer to one count of armed robbery. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was offered bail in the sum of $2,000 plus one surety in similar amount. He will return to court on September 28. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, August 7 when Jalir Rosa reported to police that he was robbed at knife point and several items were taken away from him.

Marijuana candy lands American tourist in Court
A San Francisco firefighter had a firestorm experience when he landed at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) with his family last Thursday, August 4. He had to stay in the police lockdown from Thursday August 4th to Monday August 8th, when he was taken to Court and arraigned on a drug importation charge because he brought his medically prescribed marijuana candy along with his medical certificate. After almost four years of the Barrow Administration promising to decriminalize 10 grams of marijuana, nothing has changed. Belize's courts continue to dish out harsh penalties under the antiquated Misuse of Drugs Act which imposes a $10,000 mandatory minimum fine on persons convicted with possession of 60 grams or more of marijuana.

U.S. star Olympian Simone Biles has Belizean roots!
19 year old U.S. gymnast extraordinaire Simone Biles says she wants to swim with sharks in Belize after her performances in the 2016 Olympic Games being held in Brazil come to an end. Simone has also said in interviews that Belize is one of her favourite places in the world, and that she loves coming to Belize. For us in Belize who are fans of the Olympics and who are being wowed by Biles and her teammates' aerial acrobatics, it will be a stunner to know that Simone has Belizeans roots. Simone's mother, Nellie, is a born Belizean. Her father, Roland, is a U.S. citizen. Simone has been to Belize and she has embraced her Belizean roots.

Camalote Resident Murdered in the Old Capital
Even as they try to keep a grip on the seething gang rivalries which could at any time boil out of control, Police are investigating the murder of Carl Trapp, 51. Trapp was a resident of Camalote in the Cayo District, but was found stabbed to death on the compound of Hyde's Supermarket located near the Michael Finnegan Market on West Canal Street. Trapp's body had wounds to the face, chest and arms and was found in a pool of blood by a tenant at around 5:30am Saturday morning. He was a parolee who was recently released from prison and had chosen to relocate to Belize City where he worked and stayed at Hyde's Supermarket.

Questions to Ministers!
Can the Minister of Finance or Minister of Works how much has been spent on the causeway between San Ignacio and Buena Vista Village and when the project will be completed since its due date of August 2015? Has the new Minister of Police seen the Mason tapes? Can the Minister of Police explain why the Commissioner of Police is on prolonged vacation at a time when our country has faced not one, but two national security crises?

Earl + Castro = Pain and Suffering
Hurricanes are natural hazards that, in the absence of adequate disaster preparedness and response, can severely impact a nation. There is no doubt that hurricanes are always going to be with us and, if one listens to the climate change experts hurricanes should only increase in frequency and intensity. On August 4, 2016 Hurricane Earl, a category one storm, smashed into central Belize with devastating results. It destroyed many homes, uprooted crops and severely damaged critical power infrastructure. Hurricane Earl was particularly brutal to the people of Belize Rural North. From Rancho to Boom, Sandhill to Rhaburn Ridge and from Boston to Bomba, the people of Belize Rural North took a pounding. Not to worry you say? After all the Area Representative for the division happens to be the Minister of State Responsible for NEMO right?

Hard Knocks
Couldn't let this week pass without a passing mention to a HUGE Court decision passed down this week after oh�only about three years of procrastination. Don't mind me Mr. Judge I'm only telling it like it is. So long story short, it is now lawful for individuals of the same sex to have sexual intercourse. Some people will love the decision, some people will hate it. Some people will call down God's plagues on the LGBT community and some people will be opening that closet door and peeping out. Listen let me just come right out and say it. It's been happening anyway. People from all walks of life have been doing it - you see some of those people holding up placards and praying - let me tell you a secret - some of them do it too. I noh di throw no stone. All I gotta say is can't we all just get along? We got bigger things to worry about than what people do in their bedroom.

GOB Bruk: No pay raise for teachers!
The Barrow Administration has been unable to deliver on their promise to give public officers and teachers a salary increase this year. The cash-strapped Government should have provided the workers with a 3% salary increase in July, which they agreed to three years ago, but their reckless management of the economy and wastefulness has forced them to delay the pay raise. Reports are now that the Prime Minister will be asking the workers' union leaders to sympathise with the country's economic situation and agree to defer the salary increase indefinitely. How sad for public officers and teachers, who unlike the lazy Ministers, must live off meagre wages in these hard times. While Ministers collect big money and live like high rollers, public officers and teachers are forced to struggle with little. While the cost of living has increased by 40%, salaries for workers have barely improved.

Belizeans left to suffer alone
Hurricane Earl has come and gone and while we were hit hard, we must take time to give thanks to the Creator for allowing us to get through without any loss of life or serious injury. Our families are safe, and that is the most important thing. I want to take the time to thank the Police Department, BDF and Coast Guard. Even though as a people we were not fully prepared for Earl, the commitment of those personnel and their relentless patrols made all the difference. So thanks. But no thanks to the Prime Minister. What an incredible guy that is, and not in a good way. I know people have been throwing comments about how these UDP ministers were doing the rain dance and lighting candles so the storm would come. I know they desperately needed the distraction from Mason and the economy which is in real crisis. Even if the sky isn't falling, not yet, it's sagging and the UDP knows that things aren't getting any better for us in Belize. But check this out - the PM was positively glowing at his press conference this week, cracking jokes and looking like the weight of the world was off his shoulders.

Yes for Independent Investigation into latest Corruption Scandal
An independent investigation is truly needed into this latest political scandal involving top Ministers of Government, international swindler William Mason, lots of cash, kidnapping, extortion, and the beheading of well-known pastor, Llewelyn Lucas. The minor Cabinet reshuffle in which Godwin Hulse replaced John Saldivar as Minister of Police will not silence the public cry for transparency with this huge scandal. The people need to know exactly how much cash and expensive gifts a number of Ministers and several senior police officers received from Mason, and how they thanked him for such generous donations as William Mason was untouchable for all sorts of illegal activities in Belize until Pastor Lucas was beheaded. The people also need to know the names of all ministers and high police officers, who facilitated the con-artist in obtaining fraudulent licenses for at least five firearms without the mandatory documents as well as an illegal birth paper which states that he was born in the village of Crooked Tree to Belizean parents.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

"Danny Mason" back in court, partner Melissa Ferguson arraigned
This week notorious couple William "Danny" Mason aka Rajesh Ouellet and his wife/partner, Melissa Ferguson, were in court in Belmopan. Mason returned on Wednesday to face charges of kidnapping of Canadian Lloyd Friesen and his wife Rosie. Friesen, according to 7 News a major grain producer from Spanish Lookout, [�]

Republic of China gifts Belize US $100,000 for Hurricane relief
On Friday H.E Ambassador Benjamin Ho presented a check for US $100, 000 towards hurricane relief efforts. The check was handed over to government officials in a short ceremony. H.E. Ambassador Ho expressed his "delight in seeing the resilience and solidarity of the government and people [�]

BTB is the real winner for Simone Biles vacation offer
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and Belize as a destination, more specifically, has been gaining plenty of international attention since it offered a five-day all expenses paid vacation to Olympian Simone Biles and her teammates. Biles retweeted BTB's offer and since then the offer [�]

Putting Poverty Into Perspective: The Struggle of the Young Professional Living in Belize
A much used statistic in the media these days is the stunning 40% poverty rate for the Belizean economy. But what does it actually mean when we say that such a large proportion of our population is living in poverty? The population of Belize [�]

Blogs

Through the Eyes of a 10 Year Old: Fun Things to Do in Belize with Kids
A few week ago, 10 year old Tejas, his two older brothers and his parents came to visit Ambergris Caye. Tejas was armed with his new awesome camera (Canon SX60) and a serious love of animals. Here he is with Elsie. We had just under a week to try to wow these guys with Belize�we went on the CSI: Night Crocodile Tour (loved), we went to the Belize Zoo (and watched the big cats being fed), we went to Cayo Frances Farm & Fly for fishing, lobster hunting and paddle boarding and they went snorkeling at Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley. All great things that they loved. In the end, you find that Belize does most of the work for you.

International Sourcesizz

Inside the world's most dangerous paradise
Belize, the land of the infamous Blue Hole, Caribbean beaches and a rich tapestry of cultures. Surely this small country couldn't be that dangerous? Given Belize is one of the smallest countries in Central America, and the least densely populated, we thought we'd spend a week, maybe two, chilling on the beaches and doing some diving. After the first few days we were hooked and stayed nearly a month. If we'd had time we would have stayed longer. We arrived knowing little about the place and left knowing that we most definitely will be back.

The One Thing Everyone Thinking Of Retiring To Latin America Should Do
But what if you retire to Latin America? As you know, many retirees are living the good life in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, and beyond. They're finding that not only is the weather better, but their retirement income goes two to four times as far when they head south from the U.S. or Canada. In Latin America, they speak Spanish. (Belize is the only country in Central America with English as the official language, although you'll also find it commonly spoken on the Honduras island of Roat�n and Nicaragua's Corn Islands, both in the Caribbean.) So what happens when you're awakened in your new homes in Latin America in the middle of the night by the smell of smoke ... and you see that the vacant lot down the street is on fire? Will you be able to summon the bomberos?

Commonwealth Takes Notice of Region's De-Risking Worries
Caribbean countries are not alone in worrying about how de-risking is threatening their financial stability. The Commonwealth is not only noticing it but trying to come up with solutions. Passions ran high as money transfer businesses and smaller financial institutions met this week at the Commonwealth Secretariat to address a "detrimental" decline in international banking for many businesses and individuals. The public meeting was convened to discuss the report, Disconnecting from Global Finance, which proposes solutions to the trend of financial institutions terminating or restricting so-called correspondent banking relationships (CBRs) with legitimate clients as a way of mitigating legal risks. This practice, which is a response in part to increased regulation, is known as de-risking. "Major banks are now avoiding banking customers, or categories of customers, they deem low profit or high risk. The drivers are complex and varied but global regulations that are designed to stop money laundering and the financing of terrorism have contributed to this worrying phenomenon," said Commonwealth Economic Policy expert Samantha Attridge, Head of Finance and Development Policy.

2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Update
In its updated 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, NOAA calls for a higher likelihood of a near-normal or above-normal season, and decreases the chance of a below-normal season to only 15 percent, from the initial outlook issued in May. The season is still expected to be the most active since 2012. Forecasters now expect a 70 percent chance of 12 to 17 named storms, of which 5 to 8 are expected to become hurricanes, including 2 to 4 major hurricanes. The initial outlook called for 10-16 named storms, 4 to 8 hurricanes, and 1-4 major hurricanes. The seasonal averages are 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. "We've raised the numbers because some conditions now in place are indicative of a more active hurricane season, such as El Ni�o ending, weaker vertical wind shear and weaker trade winds over the central tropical Atlantic, and a stronger west African monsoon," said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. "However, less conducive ocean temperature patterns in both the Atlantic and eastern subtropical North Pacific, combined with stronger wind shear and sinking motion in the atmosphere over the Caribbean Sea, are expected to prevent the season from becoming extremely active."

Modern Europe's Genetic History Starts in Stone Age
Scientists create the first detailed genetic history of modern Europe. DNA recovered from ancient skeletons reveals that the genetic makeup of modern Europe was established around 4,500 B.C. in the mid-Neolithic-or 6,500 years ago-and not by the first farmers who arrived in the area around 7,500 years ago or by earlier hunter-gatherer groups. (Read about Europe's oldest known town.) "The genetics show that something around that point caused the genetic signatures of previous populations to disappear," said Alan Cooper, director of the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide, where the research was performed. "However, we don't know what happened or why, and [the mid-Neolithic] has not been previously identified as [a time] of major change," he said.

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Belize is working hard to save coral reefs. These kids may be their secret weapon.
Check out TIDE in Upworthy Magazine! A story was published today on the work being done to protect the reef, and the success of the community researcher programs. Abalone Caye is a small island off the coast of Belize, and for about a week, it's home to an important group of kids. The island, located in the middle of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, is home to a small research station where five local college-age kids eat, work, and live together for a week each summer before heading back to the mainland. There's a good reason for this expedition: These kids are in training to become community reef researchers. The Community Researcher Training Program is managed by James Foley and the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), an environmental institute in Belize. TIDE manages a large swath of natural areas in southern Belize, including the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. And the students, who all come from local communities, conduct research that's vital to helping us protect our coral reefs.

Videos

  • New Belizean Dancehall, 5min. Here is the Latest work from us here at Dreamlight Studio. Huge thanks to everyone involved in making it happen

  • Visit ‪Belize‬, 1min. Check out our newest video Promoting Tourism in Belize!

  • Hurricane‬ Earl in ‪‎Dangriga - 12 hours in 1 minute, 1min The day after ‪‎Hurricane‬ Earl in ‪‎Dangriga‬. The river is in full flood, the beach berm has built up and the sky has cleared.

  • Guatemala & Belize 2016, 7.5min. Our summer trip to Guatemala and Belize 2016

  • WLS_Prepare to Go_Rough cut 8.13.16, 4min.

  • Central America 2016, 11min. Backpacking through Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico

  • WLS Collaborative Leadership Program, 4.5min.

  • Baby shark wants to be petted, 1min. Dive master, Nito (known in the dive world as "Big Sexy") is followed by an affectionate baby nurse shark as he leads his group over the coral reefs in Belize. It seems more like a lost puppy as it swims behind him. It comes face to face with him and he gives it a little back scratch before they continue along together. Nurse sharks are harmless and very curious about divers.

  • Belize Trip: Day 5 - San Pedro (Snorkeling with Sea Turtles), 3.5min. This was after the hurricane

  • Belize Permit, 3min. Permit Fishing in Belize w/ Go Fish Belize.com.

  • Lamanai in Belize, 4min. The speed boat ride and some ruins.

  • Don't Stop Belize-in', 5min. Climb Ruins. Swim with Sharks. Battle a Hurricane. These are the days we won't forget.

  • Belize Vacation 2011, 5min.

  • Belize Honeymoon, 6.5min.
  • © Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board