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The San Pedro Sun
Captain Conch debuts in San Pedro visiting island schools to promote proper garbage disposal
The San Pedro Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (SP BTIA), clean-up campaign super-hero mascot Captain Conch, who encourages islanders of all ages to "Keep San Pedro Clean" came to reality in San Pedro Town on Friday, November 23rd. Captain Conch and his friend Baby Shark appearance at the different island schools was part of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) Children's Week activities and their new Child-Friendly Secretariat as well as to promote proper garbage disposal and keep the island clean.
Throughout the entire morning, Captain Conch, along with the help of guests visited most of the primary schools on the island. At the schools, the students would get an introduction by Jorge Aldana from the SPTC, followed by a short message from Mayor Daniel Guerrero of the importance of keeping the environment clean.
San Pedro Pirates win 2-1 against Wagiya F.C, advancing to the PLB Semifinals
The San Pedro Pirates F.C ended the 2018 regular season of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB) with a bang! The island team managed a 2-1 win in their last match of the regular season against Dangriga Wagiya F.C at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town on Saturday, November 24th. With this victory, the Pirates gained three additional points in the PLB standings, taking the third place position overall, and advancing to the semifinals. Head Coach of the San Pedro Pirates F.C Renan Couoh, is happy with their great accomplishment and the team is looking forward to making it all the way to the end of this season. "We are going into the semifinals with confidence. We are already practicing and preparing ourselves to give our best in the semifinals, and hopefully make it to the finals," said Couoh.
All islanders are invited to come out and support the home team in their first round of semifinals at the Ambergris Stadium on Saturday, December 1st, when they face Verdes F.C. The game is scheduled to start at 7PM. Food and drinks will be on sale during the match.
Children's Week 2018: San Pedro celebrates our next generation
Tuesday, November 20th to Friday, November 23rd celebrated the 2018 Children's Week. Throughout the week, schools across Belize held several activities aimed at promoting the importance of caring for a child's wellbeing. Schools in San Pedro celebrated by hosting cultural fairs, sports days, storytelling and even crazy hair day. To end the week, the largest school on the island, San Pedro Roman Catholic School, held a fun parade through the main street sending the important message to the community that children are to be celebrated.
Belizean journalists meet with experts in international law to learn the procedures of the ICJ
A total of eight Belizean journalists along with a cameraman are in The Hague, Netherlands to learn more about the United Nations' (UN) judiciary organ, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and report to Belizeans on its procedures regarding the solution of territorial disputes. Belize has a long-standing territorial dispute with Guatemala and is bound to hold a referendum next year in April of 2019, on whether to go to the ICJ. The Belizean media visit is part of a two-phase educational program called 'From Fear to Facts: Demystifying the ICJ' and sponsored by the United States Embassy in Belize. For the remaining of the week, the group will meet with diplomats, experts on the topic and will even visit the Peace Palace where the ICJ is headquartered.
Ambergris Today
First Caribbean Make - Up Line Launches In Belize
On December 1st, 2018 at BCCI's Christmas Expo Extravaganza, Fine Things Ltd., located in Corozal and owned by Belizean, Melissa Vargas, will proudly launch Sacha Cosmetics in the country of Belize for users and those seeking entrepreneurial opportunities. Sacha is a Trinidad and Tobago born brand of makeup specially formulated for exotic skin types, but especially made for the Caribbean Climate.
Belize Receives $4Mil US Grant From The Republic Of China Taiwan
Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Continues to Contribute to the Infrastructure Development of Belize Belmopan. November 26, 2018. Today in Belize City, His Excellency Remus Li-Kuo Chen, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, presented a bilateral cooperation grant to the Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Belize. The grant is in the sum of US$4 million.
Misc Belizean Sources
Castillo's Hardware Sale in San Pedro
This Friday at Castillo's Hardware Co. Ltd.!!
World AIDS Day 2018 Activities
World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st every year and this year's theme is "Know Your Status". According to UNAIDS data, at the end of 2017 there were approximately 36.9 million people globally who were living with HIV, with 1.8 million people being newly infected with HIV in 2017.
While significant progress has been made in AIDS response over the years, there are still hurdles to overcome, including reaching those persons who do not know their status, and linking people living with HIV to care and treatment.
Unfortunately, there still exists, barriers to both HIV testing and treatment adherence and many persons still only seek testing services after becoming sick.
First National Stakeholder Workshop for Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies in Belize
Belize is participating as a pilot country in a three-year project entitled: "Supporting developing countries in analysing and implementing evidence-based and policy coherent Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies (OETS)". The project is being implemented by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in cooperation with the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) during the period of January 2018 to June 2021.
The project is being implemented in three phases: i) Assessment and Formulation, ii) Validation and Implementation, and iii) Dissemination. The project aims at strengthening capacities of coastal developing countries, such as Belize in elaborating, adopting and implementing evidence-based and policy coherent Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies. These strategies will promote sustainable trade of products and services in ocean-based economic sectors within the United National Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) framework.
Prime Minister Barrow to Remain in Office Until 2020
Cabinet at its meeting today, November 27th, discussed the United Democratic Party's (UDP) current trajectory heading towards the 2020 general elections.
Ministers expressed great satisfaction at the evidence of support for the UDP, as measured by the large voter turnout at the UDP contested standard bearer conventions taking place every weekend since November 4th. Cabinet took note of the fact that these contests have been as fierce as the turnouts have been huge. In that context, Cabinet felt that once the standard bearer conventions conclude in mid-December, there should be a break in the remaining convention schedule to allow for healing and an organizational reset to take place at the individual constituency level. That remaining schedule, as originally contemplated, would have seen contested delegates' conventions begin right after the start of the New Year, finish by March, and be followed by the UDP leadership convention a month or two thereafter. However, Cabinet revisited this proposed timetable in view of its conviction that it would be too rushed in the circumstances.
San Pedro Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
It's that time of the year again! Come out this Saturday, December 1st, and help us light up the Christmas Tree at the Central Park, Starting at 6:00 p.m.
We will have presentations from all the schools as well as Belizean Performer, Marlyn Vansen and the popular Pandemonium Steel Band serenading us with Christmas songs!
Bring the whole family! Take pictures around the tree and enjoy some refreshments! It's gonna be a jolly good time you don't want to miss this!
Dumping area in Corozal
This area is located on the stretch of road off Consejo Road heading to Jah Mundo on Finca Solana. It was only late last year that the entire area was cleaned up through the efforts of concerned citizens. Today, it is being used again as another clandestine dump site and eye sore. The dumping is spread in three separate areas on the same stretch of road. Why can't people just drive two and a half more miles where the community dump site is located. Finca Solana is a residential area and this gives it a very bad image and quite frankly, unhealthy for residents living in the immediate area. The area may well be just outside the limits of the town boundaries, falling short of the Corozal Town Council's responsibility, so we ask the Ministry of Health, Department of Health and Department of Environment to take note of this current health hazard and eye sore.
Belizean media is here, inside the Great Hall of Justice at the ICJ!
It does not get more real than this...
2nd Annual Caribbean Coconut Cup
Come cheer on the local San Pedro Buccaneers as they go head to head against Canada's Tropical Knights in the Caribbean Cup. This year we have split into 2 local teams with 2 teams flying in from Canada to participate in the tournament.
Games are at the High School Auditorium Friday evening and all day Saturday. Admission is free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Nov 30 - Dec 1, San Pedro High School.
Cabinet Approves Belize's First National Trade Policy
Today, November 27th, 2018, members of the Cabinet approved Belize's first National Trade Policy. The Policy, an outcome of the July 2016 National Trade Policy Framework, has been developed following an extensive nationwide stakeholder consultative process. Coordinated by the Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT) in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, the Policy has been developed with technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat under its flagship program the Hub and Spokes Program, aimed at Enhancing Trade Capacity Development in the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (ACP). Through this programme, Belize has benefitted from the expertise of a Trade Advisor who provided integral support throughout the process of developing the Policy.
Belize Motor Vehicle Registration and License System (BMVRALS)
Project Achievements Exhibition
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) would like to invite you to a half-day Achievements Exhibition to be held in the Radisson Fort George Hotel on November 28th 2018. The Achievements Exhibition is being organized under the Government of Belize and the Government of Taiwan with the achievements of Belize Motor Vehicle Registration and License System (BMVRALS).
The BMVRALS Project seeks to address the decentralized transport governance in Belize. At present, the Department of Transport and 9 municipalities work independent of each other and operate on isolated electronic databases and manual systems, hence resulting in inefficient and inaccessible record management and data sharing. From 2017 to 2020, this project will establish an "integrated and centralized Transport System" for the entire country by reforming and digitalizing the transport processes and services and introducing necessary audit mechanisms.
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND INSTITUTE (CZMAI) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM'S NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE DEPLOYS AUTONOMOUS VESSEL TO CONDUCT OCEANOGRAPHIC SURVEYS IN BELIZE
The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) is hosting a team of Scientists and Engineers (15 persons) from the United Kingdom's National Oceanography Centre (NOC) from October 27- November 30, 2018 to conduct research activities along the Belize river and within the central Belize region.
On October 29, 2018, Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) began a multidisciplinary
program of fieldwork in Belize that aims to help characterize the impacts of changes in land-use management on coastal environments. This is a collaborative research program through the UK Government funded Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme which has resulted in NOC scientists working alongside those in the Coastal Zone Management
Authority and Institute (CZMAI), the University of Belize, and the Centre for Environment,Fisheries and Aquiculture Science (Cefas) in the UK.
CHILDREN'S WEEK 2018 COMES TO A CLOSE
Under the theme: "2018:Children are taking over and turning the world Blue." San Pedro along with all the municipalities participated in various activities during the week of November 20th to the 23rd for Children's Week.
Children's week was all about celebrating the joy of being a child but also learning about the rights of being one. Activities included, crazy hair day, crazy hat day, dress up as a community worker and other activities that involved parents going over to the school and help their children with different activities.
To culminate Children's Week, the SPTC along with the Belize Tourism Industry Association and other volunteers visited the different schools to promote cleanliness and others had the exciting job to read to the children some very interesting stories.
Report from Aquatica Submarines
We finally made it to Lighthouse reef and are currently sitting right outside The Great Blue Hole! Can't wait to find out what's down there! Tune in December 2nd, 4-6pm EST on Discovery as we live stream our dive with special guests Richard Branson and F Cousteau
BTIA Cayo Chapter 2018 AGM
The Cayo BTIA is having their AGM next Monday, December 3rd, at 6:30pm, at the Cahal Pech Village Resort. Everyone is invited to come out and learn more about the function of the BTIA. They'll have a discount on memberships.
"The BTIA Cayo Chapter will hold its AGM This December 3rd at the Cahal Pech Village Resort, San Ignacio Belize from 6:30pm sharp until 8pm where we will select our new board, discuss the past year and our future 2019 plans. Please join us to learn more of what we have in store for Cayo."
Women at the Vaca plateau have identified productive alternative activities
The list included: cohune oil, processing of breadnut, soap, handcrafts and food preservation.
US Embassy Winter Bazaar
Join us for the Winter Bazaar on Friday, December 7 at the Embassy's parking lot.
Make it a date! Fine art, jewelry, handmade crafts, home decor and many more christmas gifts!
Tree Tuesday: Malley Apple tree
It is #TreeTuesday; and, we are highlighting the Malley Apple tree (Syzygium malaccense)!
Malley Apple, or Malay Aapple, belongs in the Myrtaceae family along with allspice and guava. Unlike those trees, Malley Apple is not native to Belize but appears to have arrived to the region in the early 1900s. Though it originated in Malaysia, Malley Apple is now cultivated in the tropics worldwide for its edible fruit and its usefulness as a windbreak or shade tree.
Channel 7
Orange Walk Mother Slain in the South
An Orange Walk family's worst fear was realized this morning. Before midday, police found Marta Gonzalez's partially decomposed body in Pomona on the Stann Creek Valley Road. According to the family, Gonzalez left her San Felipe home early Friday morning to sell cheese and other goods in Pomona. She would normally travel on the 15th and ending of every month so she could also collect from buyers who owed her. This has been her routine for years but something went terribly wrong on this trip when she went to collect from a customer. She was killed. Information is that her body was wrapped in a grey tarp and dumped in a pit latrine at the back of a yard. When we got to the scene this afternoon, the family was there waiting patiently for police to move her body. Gonzalez's son in law spoke with us off camera and explained how their search led them to this yard in Pomona.
Santa Cruz Parents Lose Second Child to Strange Sickness
And also down south, in Santa Cruz a baby girl died in her mother's arms at their home. It happened yesterday afternoon. Little Ofelia's mother says she just started with a terrible fever and cough and then she was dead. Courtney Weatherburne has the story.
1 year old baby girl Ofelia Na suddenly fell ill and died inside her parents thatch house in Santa Cruz.
Baby Ofelia's mom, Hilaria Na was home alone with her baby when she died. Na says her baby had high fever from Sunday night.
8 Mile Couple Survive another Home Attack
The 8 mile couple's home was shot up again this morning around 2:30. Fortunately this time, no one was injured. When we went to investigate again today, Vilma Robinson explained that she was awakened by the gun blasts. She said this time the shooter or shooters called out for one of her family members. And that was the end to another terrifying night in their home.
As we have reported, in yesterday's incident, Robinson related that she and her husband were asleep when a gunman sprayed their house with a barrage of bullets. Both Robinson and McLarly were injured to their legs. She also said one of those bullets almost caught her daughter who was sleeping on the other side of the house.
Orel Leslie: Prisoner Sues Prison
5 months ago, we told you about Orel Leslie's lawsuit against the Belize Central Prison. He was one of the 3 men who were jointly charged for the November 2012 murder of James Noralez.
Leslie and his co-defendants, Tyrone Meighan and Brandon Baptist were acquitted of Noralez's murder in a Supreme Court trial in 2015, but DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal appealed the outcome at the Court of Appeal. She successfully convinced the panel of judges in 2017 of setting the acquittal aside, and ordering a retrial. That meant that Leslie, who had been out for about 2 years, had to go back on remand at the Prison while he awaited his retrial.
During that time, he alleges that the prison treated him inhumanely, and that when the wardens accused him of misbehaving and breaking prison rules, they didn't afford him natural justice, and an opportunity to prove his innocence.
PM Barrow a Keeper: Cabinet Elaborates on UDP's Strategic Move
7News broke the story from Friday - that a majority of Cabinet ministers are asking Prime Minister Barrow to stay right up until just before the 2020 election.
This was confirmed today in a mighty odd Cabinet press release. The release makes it clear the politics - as much as matters of state - dominate conversations at the highest executive level. The release says, quote, "Cabinet… today…discussed the UDP's current trajectory heading towards the 2020 general elections." End quote.
And from that opening, this official release blurs the line between party and government completely and starts to read more like something that the UDP would send from its party headquarters.
Rocky Road Blaze Destroys Apartment
Two Belize City families are homeless tonight after fire engulfed their two-story apartment complex. It happened just after 8:30 this morning at the corner of Plues Street and Rocky Road. The fire, which started in the downstairs portion, is believed to have been caused by an overloaded faulty surge protector to which several appliances were connected. Family members would not speak to us on camera but one said the fire spread too quickly to be contained. Tonight, Assistant Fire Chief Benisford Matura has a warning for families in similar situations.
Benisford Matura, Assist. Fire Chief:
"The owner of the building was Mr. Floyd Robinson. It was basically an apartment structure where they had several tenants both upstairs and downstairs. The first floor you had Miss Ingrid Williams, Jahir Rivero, Kiani Sterling and Dejah Parham. The lower flat was Denise Tun, Brian Neal, Briana Neal and Shahira Neal. So basically 8 persons got affected by this fire."
Farewell Fire Chief: Ted Smith Moves On
We also asked Matura about Fire Chief Ted Smith. It has been awhile since we have seen him out on fire scenes. Matura says Smith is on pre-retirement leave and the search is on for his replacement. Matura told us more.
Reporter
"We understand that Mr. Ted Smith is on pre-retirement leave."
Benisford Matura, Assist. Fire Chief
"Right now I am not sure of that. I'm just acting as the fire chief presently until his retirement. Like you said he is on retirement leave. When his leave is up then we will see where we move from there."
Belize Barrier Reef Gets Spotlight Too
Belize's Barrier Reef which is the second-longest in the world, needs no introduction. But its many attractions provide their own thrills and on Sunday, one of those attractions will get its turn on stage for the world to see. The Discovery Channel and local stations will be airing a special, featuring a visit to the bottom by explorers Richard Branson and Fabien Cousteau. It is an education/research and entertainment trip. Executive Director of the Belize Audubon Society Amanda Burgos-Acosta, explains how these types of expeditions benefit the Jewel.
Amanda Burgos-Acosta, Executive Director - Belize Audubon Society:
"So there's been maps done of the Blue Hole, similar to many of the caves in Belize where it's basically there is a rough drawing. However, as technology improves, our data sets and our knowledge can improve.
Sharing the Love for Elderly across Borders
Today marks the start of a three-day conference of Helpage International's Latin American and Caribbean regional membership. It was held at the Ramada Princess Hotel. Belize has been recognized as a key influencer in the Inter-American Convention on Rights of Older Persons, forming the first framework for its development years ago. But it still has to take the final step in actually signing and ratifying the convention, joining Costa Rica and El Salvador. Helpage Belize hosted its partners to find the best route to doing that and according to regional coordinator Marcela Bustamante, it can be seen as an investment in keeping older persons around even longer.
Belize's First Trade Policy to Transform Business Sector
The Government of Belize is reporting tonight that the country will have its first national Trade Policy.
It was approved today by the Cabinet, and a government press release says that this policy, which was born out of the July 2016 National Trade Policy Framework, was developed following extensive consultations with stakeholders countrywide. The policy is coordinated by the Director General of Foreign Trade, and it was developed with the technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Government says that the Trade Policy seeks to achieve 5 main objectives. First, they want to reduce the cost of doing business, enhance competitiveness and develop efficient production of systems and capacities.
Man Knocks Down Wife after Quarrel
There is another domestic dispute to report tonight, this time in Maya Mopan, Belmopan. Fortunately no one was killed. A couple, Darrel Usher and Yessica Sagastume had a dispute early this morning at their home. Sagastume decided to leave and while walking on the road with other relatives, Usher got into his vehicle and knocked them down. Sagastume and her family were taken to the hospital, all in stable condition.
A Glimpse inside the ICJ
We all know Belizeans are going to vote in April on whether or not we should take our territorial dispute with Guatemala to the ICJ. And we all know that the ICJ is the International Court of Justice. But, what and where is that? For all that most of us know, it could be on the moon! Well, it's not; and we know because Jules Vasquez and a bunch of Belizean journalists went to The Hague to find the ICJ. Today in the Netherlands, they got a surprising level of access to the ICJ courtroom and the Peace Palace where it is headquartered. Jules Vasquez reports:
Belize and Netherlands: Two Peas in a Pod�Well Sort of
And while you see The Hague from the airy room of the Peace Palace and the ICJ - that city, and the country of the Netherlands has more in common with Belize than you might have thought. Like Belize City, The Hague is a coastal city - and it is at sea level. And, unlike Belize, the Netherlands has had progressive marijuana laws for decades - allowing the use and sale of marijuana at licensed retailers.
We asked a seasoned city tour guide about those features today:…
PAHO Ending Cervical Cancer One Girl at a Time
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says that every year, 34,000 women in the Americas die from cervical cancer, which is among the leading causes of cancer deaths in women from 23 countries in the region.
That's why they have launched a communication campaign designed to inform health providers and empower women and girls with the proper information on how they can prevent the disease.
The PAHO initiative is called "It's Time to End Cervical Cancer", and the campaign provides information in the form of posters and videos, and stories about the vaccine against the human papilloma-virus - or HPV for short, the cause of cervical cancer, and about the proper cancer screening methods.
Channel 5
San Felipe Woman Found Dead Inside Pit Latrine in Pomona
An elderly vendor from the village of San Felipe, Orange Walk, has been found murdered in the Stann Creek District. She had been missing since last Friday; today the body [...]
Belizean Man Fatally Stabbed in U.S. by Girlfriend
Twenty-one-year-old Belizean Rakeem Francis was murdered on Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles, U.S.A. Francis was reportedly stabbed to death by his seventeen-year-old girlfriend following a heat's argument in an alley [...]
PM Barrow Cancels Early Retirement, A Monkey Wrench in U.D.P. Leadership Succession?
There is a major shift in the power play in the United Democratic Party in regards to the retirement of Prime Minister Dean Barrow. The PM has decided to stay [...]
Choice Bank Pension Holders Demand Money From Sagicor
Twenty-five former employees of Choice Bank Limited are demanding that Sagicor Life Insurance return their money. Choice Bank went belly up after it announced liquidity issues in April of this [...]
Pension Holders Say They Willing to Sue, Protest
The disgruntled and frustrated former Choice Bank employees say that if Sagicor continues to give them the round-a-around they will resort to legal action. Adrian Arana, Former Chief Compliance [...]
Fire Guts Plues Street House; 12 Persons Left Homeless
Christmas is less than a month away, but for two families in Belize City, there is not much to celebrate this season. The Williams and Neal families were displaced today [...]
Inside the International Court of Justice
A pool of local media personalities continues with a tour of the seat of the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Marleni Cuellar is among the journalists on assignment [...]
Orel Leslie Takes Belize Central Prison and Kolbe to Court
Orel Leslie has beaten a murder rap twice and since then he has been released from the Belize Central Prison. But today, he was back at the Supreme Court for [...]
Barrow & Williams LLP Pulls Out of 'Sanctuary Bay' Lawsuit
U.S. citizen Coleen Strom launched a lawsuit against Sittee River Wildlife Reserve in relation to the multimillion dollars Sanctuary Bay real estate scam. The architect of the scam, Andris Pukke, [...]
Health Minister Marin Says NHI Being Rolled Out
On Friday, during the Sitting of the House of Representatives, Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat took on Health Minister Pablo Marin. Espat challenged Marin over the lack of medical [...]
Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme
For the past five weeks, a group of environmentalists have been participating in the Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme. The team from the National Oceanography Centre is in Belize taking samples [...]
HelpAge International Latin America and Caribbean Sub-Regional Conference
For the first time, the HelpAge International Latin America and Caribbean Sub-Regional conference is being hosted in Belize. The meeting brought together experts from across both regions to discuss the [...]
A Call for Stiffer Penalties for Perpetrators Who Attack Older Persons
But while Belize was lauded for its work in safeguarding older persons, Patroness Maria Elena Sylvestre says that there is a lot to be done. In the past, we have [...]
CARICOM Unified on COP24 Expectations
The twenty-fourth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate, known as COP24, will take place in Poland from December second to the fourteenth. The key [...]
IPCC Report Front and Center of CARICOM's Approach to COP24
And so if you're wondering what exactly the IPCC Report means for the small island developing states; the news is grim. For coral reefs and other vulnerable ecosystems it may [...]
The First International Friendly Rugby Match Between Belize and Guatemala
Rugby may not be as popular a sport in Belize as soccer or basketball, but it is picking up traction among certain pockets of sports enthusiasts. Over the weekend, the [...]
LOVE FM
Seven Artists featured in art exhibit at Mexican Cultural Institute
"Art Alchemists" is an art exhibit that will open later this week at the Mexican Cultural Institute as activities continue in observation of the institute's 25th anniversary. The exhibit opens Thursday November 29th, at 7:30 PM at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Belize City and features the art work of seven artists, six of them �
Missing Woman was murdered
68-year-old Marta Gonzalez was reported missing by her son 37-year-old Romario Ixpec. Gonzalez lived in San Felipe Village in Orange Walk and apparently traveled to the Stann Creek District to sell cheese. Ixpec told police that she typically sells cheese in that district. However, the last time he saw his mother was on November 23rd, �
Scientist study Belize's land use and marine environment
A group of marine ecologists and scientists are finalizing over six weeks of research in Belize. They are part of the Commonwealth Marine Economies Program, which was launched in 2016 by the United Kingdom government. It is being implemented in seventeen Commonwealth Small Island Developing States, SIDS, including Belize. The program aims to identify the �
More Media ICJ Education from the Hague
LOVE News continues a series of in-depth reports on the International Court of Justice from its headquarters at the Hague in the Netherlands. Love News' Renee Trujillo reports on the education of the Belize media contingent which will help to inform the public when making their decision at next year's referendum. Rene Trujillo: "Belize and �
Fire leaves over ten persons homeless
This morning a two-storey structure located at the Corner of Plues Street and Rocky Road was destroyed by fire leaving as many as twelve persons homeless. The National Fire Service was dispatched to the location where they were able to extinguish the fire, but not before it completely gutted the structure. Bennisford Matura, the Assistant �
Inebriated man knocked down and driver flees the scene
A Belmopan resident who was allegedly inebriated was knocked down in the Capital. Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Myvett, the Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch says the driver did not stop to render aid to Geronimo Valle. ACP Joseph Myvette, Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: "Belmopan Police was called to an area �
Orel Leslie sues Kolbe Foundation
Orel Leslie is suing Kolbe Foundation since he claims that he was treated inhumanely while he was incarcerated at the institution. The case commenced today before Justice Courtney Abel where Leslie appeared with his attorney, Audrey Matura while Senior Counsel Philip Zuniga and Crown Counsel Agassi Finnegan appeared on behalf of the defendant, the Kolbe �
A domestic dispute ends with several injured family members
A domestic dispute has led to a traffic incident where four persons were injured. Correspondent Fem Cruz filed this report during which several persons including children were knocked down allegedly on purpose. Fem Cruz, Love FM: Sometime around 1:30am 37 year old Jessica Sagastume, the Financial Officer for the Ministry of Health Western Region along �
Teachers at ITVET Orange Walk receive salaries
Teachers at ITVET in Orange Walk Town have received their salaries and it is business as usual at the institution. The teachers had staged a sit out from November thirteenth to the fifteenth because they protested issues surrounding their salaries and other grievances with the school administration. Deputy Chief Education Officer, Cecelia Smith along with �
A rediscovery of the Blue Hole
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, investor, author and philanthropist. He founded the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies. His net worth is 5.1 billion US dollars, and he and Fabian Costeau, the grandchild of renowned marine conservationist Jacques Costeau who dove in Belize in the 70's will make �
Women's Department targets men during 16 Days of Activism
Organizers of the Sixteen Days of Activism target men. In the West, the Women's Department will be holding a forum for men, who are key in addressing gender based violence against women and girls. Eileen Serrano, the Women's Development Officer for the Women's Department told us more.
Eliminating child labour
Eliminating child labour is difficult in countries where poverty and opportunity are worlds apart. And while education is the main thrust of eradicating both issues, agencies like the Clear 2 Project engages countries and assists them to reduce child Labour. Love News spoke to Leidy Urbina, the Country Coordinator for the Clear 2 Project who says that this week's "Training of Trainers for Labour Inspection" workshop is aimed at reducing child labour in Belize.
Prime Minister to stay in office until Term Expires
Cabinet at its meeting today discussed the United Democratic Party's (UDP) current trajectory heading towards the 2020 general elections. Cabinet agreed to recommend to the UDP National Party Council a revised calendar that would adhere to the Party's Constitution, which states that the next UDP leadership convention cannot occur before January of 2020.
Belize now has a National Trade Policy
Cabinet has approved of a National Trade Policy, the first for the country. It follows a nationwide consultation and has five objectives all of which surround the reduction of the cost of doing business, improving trade performance and services, trade growth, building trade relations and effective institutional and legal framework for trade development.
NADO- Belize reinstated to take athletic sport samples
After the recent suspension of NADO-Belize, the Government of Belize, through the National Sports Council in consultation with the National Olympic Committee immediately formed a task group to plan and execute the necessary steps to have the suspension lifted.
HelpAge International says Belize needs to Ratify Convention
HelpAge International is a global network of organizations promoting the right of all older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. The organization has a strong, value-based position which puts the experience of older women and men at the center of its work. Several member organizations are in Belize for a Sub Regional Network conference.
World Aids Day
World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st every year and this year's theme is "Know Your Status". According to UNAIDS data, at the end of 2017 there were approximately 36.9 million people globally who were living with HIV, with 1.8 million people being newly infected with HIV in 2017.
Harris acquitted of causing death by careless conduct
40-year-old Lyle Harris was acquitted of causing death by careless conduct of 4 year old Elisha Gilharry. A jury of nine voted seven to two to acquit Harris. The Crown, represented by Crown Counsel Janelle Shorter-Thomas, called 8 witnesses, including the father of the child, to prove its case.
Amandala
Property owners greedy, says PM
On Friday, in the House of Representatives, the deputy leader of the People's United Party, Hon. Cordel Hyde, questioned a bill the government put forward for the borrowing of some BZ$14 million from the Inter-American Development Bank, for the purpose of supplementing a BZ$54 million loan which the government had acquired for the purpose of rehabilitating the George Price Highway, between Roaring Creek Village and Santa Elena Town.
Hyde said the request for more funds did not "look right" to him. "I am wondering how we got our early calculations so wrong where this project is concerned," Hyde said. "You are talking about thirty percent off base�Who is advising the government? What is happening here? It does not look right to me because we have seen this before too," he remarked.
Hon. Cordel Hyde says, "Take back our Boledo"
At Friday's House of Representatives meeting, Hon. Cordel Hyde, area representative for Lake Independence, in addressing a matter of public interest on the adjournment, urged the Barrow government to rescind the contract for the Boledo franchise that was given to Brads and Company almost 10 years ago. Hon. Hyde told the House, "I want to put the government on notice. They need to do the right thing here."
Hon. Hyde said that with all the public officers we have, the government should be able to find a couple officers to administrate the Boledo enterprise.
Belize honors Castro on anniversary of his death
On January 1, 1959, Fidel Castro and his revolutionary fighters marched triumphantly into Havana, the capital of Cuba, and the world hasn't been the same since.
At a meeting of the House of Representatives this morning, representatives of Belize's two main political parties, the governing United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Opposition, People's United Party (PUP), paid tribute to Fidel Castro on the second anniversary of the death of this giant revolutionary of the Caribbean, whose revolution has enriched the lives of peoples far beyond our region.
Cheese vendor missing
Martha Gonzalez, 68, a domestic of San Felipe, departed her home at about 8:00 Friday morning to go to Dangriga to sell cheese she had made, but subsequently disappeared. She has not been seen or heard from since.
Her son, Romario Ixpec, reported her missing, and police have begun an investigation to find her. Anyone who sees or knows the whereabouts of Martha Gonzalez is urged to contact the nearest police station, or call 0800-922-TIPS, or 911.
Watch out for romaine and Jennie-O!
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) issued two press releases on Friday, November 23, warning Belizeans against consuming romaine lettuce as well as Jennie-O raw ground turkey products.
The alert against the romaine lettuce came from the US as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) linked the vegetable with an outbreak in that country of E. coli bacteria. So far, 32 persons in 11 U.S. states have been infected with the outbreak of the strain of E.coli, and 13 of those persons had to be hospitalized.
Eighteen persons in Ontario and Quebec, in Canada, have also been affected by the outbreak.
Going to the ICJ - Some Procedures
Being host to multiple international courts and over 150 international organizations, The Hague - or in Spanish, La Haya - in the Netherlands is known as the "International City of Peace and Justice." Its fame in diplomacy dates back to the 17th Century and it remains an international conferences center to this day. In 1946, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) became the first international tribunal to be established in The Hague at the Peace Palace.
Scheduled to visit the Court on Tuesday November 27 is a team of Belizean journalists currently in The Hague at the invitation of the United States Embassy in Belize. Their project is titled "From Fear to Facts: Demystifying the ICJ." A first day of meetings included visits with experts who have interacted with the Court. They discussed, among others things, court procedure.
Dangriga 19th Weekend Pool Tournament
Over the weekend in Dangriga Town, Aba Isieni Cool Spot hosted a Two-Man Pool Tournament, with players from across the Stann Creek District, Punta Gorda, Belize City, Belmopan, Caye Caulker and Corozal Town partaking in a very intense two-day competition. This was a clash of titans, as some of the best players in the country matched up for this event.
The winners were: Charles "Squaw" Rivas & Edwin Vargas - 1st place; Horace Arnold & Marvin - 2nd place; and Luis Valdez & Hector Riverol - 3rd place.
SSBA Becol/Diginet basketball weekend stats
The San Ignacio/Santa Elena Basketball Association's (SSBA) Basketball Tournament, sponsored by Diginet and Becol, continued over the weekend with 3 games played on Friday night and 4 games on Sunday at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium, San Ignacio Town.
In game 1 on Friday, November 23, (U-13) Misfits won, 34-13, over Verdes. (Misfits - Christian Baiza 10 pts, Eli Anderson 8 pts, Marlon Peters 6 pts; Verdes - Rodolfo Hyde 11 pts). Game 2 saw (U-17) Red Hawks with the 40-33 win over Misfits. (Red Hawks - Umelo "Goodness" Henderson 16 pts, Jarrel "Beggy" Smith 8 pts, Aiden Brooks 6 pts...
CYDP Peace Cup reg. season ends; playoff quarterfinals begin on Saturday
The regular season of the 2018-2019 CYDP Peace Cup football tournament concluded on Saturday, November 24, with 3 games played at the MCC Grounds.
In game 1 on Saturday, Coast Guard FC defeated Lake-I FC, 3-nil, with goals from Arthur Garbutt (50'), Jamie Wade (67') and Jason Cuevas (86').
In game 2, FC Elite defeated Starz Academy, 3-2, with goals from Stephan "World" Diego (23'), Marlon Gutierrez (31') and Naim "Nemo" Wilson (40'); while Starz' goals were by Dion Cacho (25') and Travis Eiley (75').
Weekend Warriors Sunday Race results - November 25, 2018
Here are the results from the Weekend Warriors (WW) Sunday Race held yesterday for the Open A/B category. The race started at 8:40 a.m. and went from Leslie's Imports to Northern Highway via Boom Road and back to finish at Old Belize, for 44 miles. Some 22 riders started the race, of which 18 completed the ride.
Editorial: Migrants, Mars, and military
We thought it was interesting, and somewhat ironic, that just the day after the United States closed its border with Tijuana after tear gassing several hundred migrants from Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who were storming the U.S. border with Mexico on Sunday, November 25, seeking asylum in the U.S., the Insight Mars Lander, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft built by Lockheed Martin, will try to land on Mars on Monday, November 26, after a journey from earth of nearly 300 million miles, lasting more than six months.
We say "try to land," because landing on Mars is a very dangerous and tricky operation, mainly because the atmosphere on Mars, unlike earth's atmosphere, is extremely thin, perhaps one-hundreth the density of earth's.
A tale of two mysteries
Belize originally should have been politically independent in the mid 1960's; at least that was what the UK hoped during the government of Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home. The Prime Minister wanted to join the European Common Market and his chances would have been improved without the encumbrance of colonial territories. However, Alec Douglas-Home was Prime Minister for less than a year, so his successor, PM Harold Wilson, had to continue the task which was first offered to Colonial Secretary, Anthony Greenwood (he came to Belize in October of 1965 to inaugurate the city of Belmopan). Greenwood refused the offer and threatened to resign if his hand was forced.
No apology for Albert
The apology to Mr. Alberto August in the Belize Times, page six of the November 18 issue, is absolutely damnable. Take a deep breath, please, so you don't fall off your stool. Ouch, "Please accept our apology as a means of a public retraction for an article that appeared in the Belize Times (about re-registration controversy)�in which Mr. Alberto August was erroneously named as Chairman of Elections and Boundaries Commission. We are sorry for any distress and anguish�"
Yes, the newspaper apologized, was made to apologize to August for naming him as the head of the Election and Boundaries Commission, which naming brought incredible distress and anguish into the life of the poor brother.
A TALE OF TWO MYSTERIES: The date chosen for Belize's Independence and the origin of the name "Belize"
Belize originally should have been politically independent in the mid 1960's; at least that was what the UK hoped during the government of Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home. The Prime Minister wanted to join the European Common Market and his chances would have been improved without the encumbrance of colonial territories. However, Alec Douglas-Home was Prime Minister for less than a year, so his successor, PM Harold Wilson, had to continue the task which was first offered to Colonial Secretary, Anthony Greenwood (he came to Belize in October of 1965 to inaugurate the city of Belmopan). Greenwood refused the offer and threatened to resign if his hand was forced. He was moved to Ministry of Overseas Development and Duncan Sandys accepted the post of Colonial Secretary and was able to get rid of eleven colonies. Belize would have been #12 but for the territorial dispute with the Republic of Guatemala.
CCJ award prompts government to amend GST law retroactively
Last month, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), after reviewing an appeal brought by David Gegg's tour company, Cruise Solutions, ruled that the General Sales Tax (GST) which the Belize government had charged the company should not have been paid, since the services for which the company had been charged are actually zero-rated. The CCJ ordered the government to refund around $400,000 GST that Cruise Solutions had paid. The ruling opened the door for other companies in the tourism sector to demand refunds of the GST tax that had been wrongfully collected by the government.
Belize's Sex Offenders Registry will not be available for public access
Four years ago, in 2014, parliament passed an amendment to the Criminal Code chapter 10 which would allow the Ministry of National Security to track persons who were convicted of sexual offences with a database that would register each sex offender.
On Tuesday, November 20, a sensitization session was held for the introduction of this registry. The registry was funded by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and it was developed under a project titled "Evidence-based Information Management on Citizen Security in Central America" or "InfoSegura."
In Los Angeles, Belizean man, 21, stabbed to death by girlfriend, 17
The Thanksgiving holiday in the United States is usually a joyous time for families and friends, but for one Belizean family, this year's holiday was marred by a tragic loss, as a result of the murder of their 21-year-old relative, who lost his life at the hands of his 17-year-old girlfriend, who, allegedly stabbed him to death.
News reports out of an area known as Baldwin Hills, located in South Los Angeles, have indicated that the incident occurred sometime shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, Thursday, November 22. Neighbors told a reporter from the local television station, KTLA 5 News, that they heard two people arguing in an alleyway behind an apartment complex of the 4000 block of Nicolet Avenue.
Keidi Ramirez's sister charged for her death
On Friday, November 23, 23-year-old Isela Cano, a Honduran national of San Juan village, was charged with manslaughter for the death of her sister, 26-year-old Keidi Ramirez, who died in Independence village after her feet and hands were bound in an effort to restrain her.
Ramirez's parents had also been detained, but were later released; only Cano, her sister, was charged. After taking statements from the family, the police submitted those statements to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who advised them to charge Cano with manslaughter and not murder, as there was not enough evidence to support a murder charge.
