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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.
The San Pedro Sun
San Pedro Chinese Community donates food packages to islanders in need
Over a thousand food packages were handed out to islanders on Wednesday, May 27th at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. The donation was made possible through a joint effort of the San Pedro Chinese Community, in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and Living Word Church, who helped in identifying those needing help. Many are jobless and have used most of their savings due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has crushed the island's main source of income, tourism.
Ambergris Today
San Pedro Chinese Community Donates Food Baskets
Hundreds of residents line up outside the sports complex of Ambergris Caye as the San Pedro Chinese Community organize today to give away hundreds of food baskets for those in need. With a majority of island residents losing their jobs, spending most of their savings and increased pressure to pay bills and purchase food, this comes as a blessing.
Various Belizean Sources
Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Thank you to Hibisca for helping us all rise and help.
Thursday, May 28th Meal pick ups.
Location: Hibisca Restaurant.
TImes
Village: 11:00am- 11:45am.
Bahia: 11:45am- 12:30 pm.
Enforcement of State of Emergency Regulations
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has issued a memo asking Police Officers to exercise their discretion in regards to regulations concerning persons not wearing masks or being out without a valid reason during non-curfew hours. He reminds officers that the intention of the regulations is not to 'make criminals out of people' or to put persons in more dire financial straits.
Artist of the Day - Desiree Pascual
Mrs. Desiree Taneal Olivas Pascual was born in the Culture Capital of Dangriga Town. She grew up in a nuclear family of six as the last child for her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Olivas. She started her educational path at Holy Ghost Primary School, attended Ecumenical High School and studied business, and later enrolled at Ecumenical Junior College where she obtained an Associate's Degree in Accounting and Business Management. Mrs. Pascual has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Belize and a Master's degree in Social Science, with a concentration in Educational Leadership and Administration from Galen University. Recently, she graduated from Ecumenical Junior College with a certificate in Leadership and presently, has enrolled at the University of the West Indies to pursue a doctoral degree in Teaching and Learning with emerging technologies with a concentration in Curriculum Quality. During her high school years, she met and later became the wife of Mr. Mark Pascual and mothered three remarkable children. Dara, Kwesi, and Amare Pascual.
Economy declines 4.5% in first quarter 2020, consumer prices virtually unchanged, and both imports and domestic exports down 30.4% and 2.7% respectively in April 2020
Today, the Statistical Institute of Belize published its latest statistics on the consumer price index, external trade, and the 1st quarter 2020 gross domestic product.
Arenal Women in Action
By Friends for Conversation and Development
The Mopan River is shared by both Belize and Guatemala. The community of Arenal is the first Belizean community where the river enters and this is the village where a reforestation project is being launched, led by 18 women from the Arenal Women's Conservation Group. The idea for the creation of a nursery with over 10,000 seedlings came about due to the forest cover being lost along the river banks and the women's enthusiasm to develop a socio-environmental service by the community. The nursery consists of mahogany, maya nut and cedar species; these are located on two yards, and are tended by members of the group on a rotational basis. The seedlings are expected to be planted before the end of the year in ten communities including Arenal, Benque, Succotz and San Ignacio. To do this, the group will partner with the Cayo Watershed Conservation Alliance, which consists of 10 communities in Belize, whose main mission is to help protect the rivers in the Cayo District.
MAYA LEGEND: ORIGINS
The Maya of the Mayab knows that before them, long before them, other men populated their land and made it beautiful and powerful.
They were holy men, full of wisdom. Each of them had known the Yuumstilo'ob. They did not come from any of the land or sea directions. Here they went, because here was made by the One whose name is said sighing. They were beautiful and brave men and they gave love and mercy. Lord Zamn�, the Father of all, was among them; his hand, the worker of the wonders of the world, rose high to lead and command them. And he cured them of the ills of their body, and gave them heat from the sun to ignite their spirits, which were thus always in the clear sky. They made the high and shining temples where men near and far come to worship the one who has no name and is above. They erected the great white houses in which the Masters taught Wisdom. They built with holy stones the Ancient Cities where the gods lived with men. They made ltzmal, Mu�tul, T'-ho and Chichen-ltz�, and around them three hundred and seven cities.
X'tabay
A legend of Xtabay tells of two women who lived in a village in the Yucat�n Peninsula. One was named Xkeban (which means "sinner", "bad woman" or "one who practices illicit love"); the other was Utz-Colel (a good, decent woman).
People said Xkeban was beautiful, but sick with lust, and gave her favors to every man who asked her. Utz-Colel was virtuous and honest, as well as beautiful and austere. Xkeban was humble; she had a good heart and kindly helped the poor, sick and homeless, and also the animals abandoned for being considered useless, by giving up the jewellery and fine clothes she got from her lovers. She was not a haughty woman, nor did she insult other villagers. Xkeban humbly received the humiliations from the people of her village. On the other hand, Utz-Colel was cold, full of pride, harsh of heart and easily disgusted by the poor.
Channel 7
GOB/Unions Settle on Forego Increment (For Now)
After weeks of back and forth negotiations, the Barrow Administration is finally in agreement with the Unions on the increment that the Government cannot pay to public officers because the country's economy is in meltdown.
After the financial Secretary proposed that public servants needed to forego their increment to meet those savings, the Public Service Union immediately resisted and insisted that the increment should be deferred instead - meaning, "pay us later."
No Charges So Far For Men on Boat in Southern Waters
Lots of eyebrows are raised in Punta Gorda town after a six men, including four Chinese businessmen were released without charges. The men - from Corozal and Punta Gorda - were intercepted yesterday morning near PG town with some contraband on board a vessel named Toshita.
But what was more concerning was that their cargo of jumbo shrimp and Corona beer had apparently come over from Guatemala. The BDF at the Sarstoon Forward Operating base spotted the transfer being made from a vessel coming over from the Guatemalan side. That vessel met the Toshita in Belizean waters, and appeared to have transferred some items.
Southwest Suspends Flights To Belize For 2020
There is increasing panic in the tourism industry - because there is still no official decision on when the airport will re-open. Unofficial reports say that one major carrier, Southwest Airlines, which flies out of Fort Lauderdale and Houston - won't wait for a decision this year.
Southwest has decided to continue to suspend flights to Belize until January of next year - hoping for a re-start in 2021.
No Rapid Tests In a Hurry
But, the government of Belize has said it won't re-open the airport until reliable rapid-tests for the coronavirus are available.
Today, the Director of Health Services - who had just come out of a meeting with the National Oversight Committee - appears don Ask the Experts and said, basically, don't hold your breath for a rapid test:
Is Belize's Deepening Economic Recession Heading For A Depression?
So, overall, the economic picture is not encouraging. Add that to the fact that there are reports that Harvest Caye has laid off 300 people - in additional to Tropic Air's 220 last week - and you have a burgeoning crisis that's looking like a full blown economic depression.
Now, by February of this year, Belize had already recorded three successive quarters of economic contraction, amounting to a recession - and then came COVID.
Human Remains Found in Bze. Rural
Human remains were found last night in Gardenia village - and police don't know who it is tonight.
Ainsworth Dawson made the discovery while cutting bush sticks at around 7:00 last night, in an area ¼ mile off the highway between miles 20 to 23.
This afternoon Ladyville police visited the scene to collect and process the remains before depositing them at the Forensic Science Service.
Third Time's A Curse For Curfew Violator
35 Year old Gregory Myvette is locked up at the Kolbe Foundation Prison tonight, and he'll be there for 6 months, after being convicted of not one, not two, but three curfew offenses within the month of May.
In mid-May, Myvette picked up his second conviction and a fine of $2,000 for breach of curfew.
A week earlier, he had appeared before Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser where he pleaded guilty to another curfew offense and was fined $2,500.
500 Belizeans Applied To Come Home
The borders opened to Belizeans for repatriation almost two weeks ago.
Today on Ask The experts, Dr. Marvin Manzanero gave an overview of how many Belizeans have applied to be repatriated:
"I think it's close to 500 people that now enlisted and we have all kinds of persons in that list students, people who were on duty travel on training, people who had to leave because of funeral or family emergency..."
Belizeans and Border Jumpers Quarantined
So while 500 have applied, and others are in Cancun and Chetumal trying to get back into their home country, how many are in quarantine at centres across the country? Today, Manzanero gave that breakdown but said many of them are border jumpers:
"How many people were on quarantine and where? The last not I got was 57 and we had people in Corozal, Orange Walk including Lamanai landing..."
Making Sense Of The Diplomatic Domestic Quarantine
And while Belizeans who came back are in quarantine centres - as we told you last week - Guatemalan diplomats who came across the Western border were allowed to quarantine at home.
Dr. Manzanero explained the legal basis for this, and also examined whether it is sound from a public health perspective:
"The Vienna Protocol, I might be wrong, but I think that's the name, that speaks to specific people who are holders of diplomatic passports and how they are allowed to travel in and out..."
Dr. Manza Says Schools May Open Early
Dr. Manzanero also discussed the advice he gave to the national task force on re-opening schools.
"What's the current advice on schools reopening? We can only provide advice. I believe for the most part this school year is consider to have virtually been done away with..."
Economy Contracts Sharply In 2020 First Qtr
And while schools may not re-open soon, what about the economy?
That topic came up today during their virtual press conference on the economy and its performance for the first quarter of 2020. As viewers will remember, the COVID-19 pandemic began to directly affect Belize in the last few weeks of March. By that time, international travel was already shutting down because of the outbreak of the deadly and highly contagious virus. Those in the tourism industry were already bracing for that hit, but today, the SIB told the press that last year's drought was already wreaking havoc on the country's gross domestic product.
Trade Affected By COVID 19
The Statistical Institute of Belize also provided insight on how the country's imports and exports performed as a result of last year's drought, and the emerging COVID-19 threat.
We start first with the presentation on the imports, and according to Statistician Tiffany Vasquez, Belize imported a lot less fuel, which contributed to a 30.4% decrease, when compared to the same period last year. Here's how she explained why the State of Emergency and the restriction of movement directly affected fuel importation:
Graduation Without Celebration in COVID Era
First they cancelled easter, and then they kinda cancelled mother's day, and by nowyou probably got the memo, graduation is also cancelled.
The move, in accordance with social distancing measures, has scrapped an annual rite of passage thought vital to celebrating achievements, being with those you shared a part of your life with, and being proud of your journey.
Cherisse Halsall spoke to three fourth formers about their disappointment at not walking across the stage next month. Here is that story.
A Break For Belize's Bananas
Amidst all the bad news about Belize's economy and our exports which you've heard so far on the news tonight, there is some good news coming out of the UK.
Most Favoured Nation Tariff preferences for Belize and the Caribbean will be upheld - it has been decided.
It's a huge relief for banana producers throughout the region where the UK had been moving to a zero production/zero tariff system which would have effectively nullified the economic partnership agreement Belize has for duty free exports to Europe. The "zero" system would have allowed other countries - who produce cheaper than Belize - to compete with duty free exports - which would wipe out Belize bananas.
Bze's COVID Testing Rate Exceeds Neighboring Countries
Going back now to COVID 19, Belize is now in its 6th week of being without a positive test for COVID 19, 44 days to be exact.
This comes at a time when cases in Mexico and Guatemala are spiking. Matter of fact, Quintana Roo reported 15 deaths from COVID 19 last night, its highest number yet.
But, Belize remains at zero new cases since Monday April 13th, like that single cube of ice, surrounded by walls of fire.
But, for the doubters who say Belize is not testing enough, Dr Manzanero today illustrated on ask the experts that Belize's testing rate is in line, or ahead of regional norms:
COVID Death Rates Increasing in Neighbouring Countries
Belize has done 1,517 tests, and next week it goes to testing 2 times per week, as opposed to three.
But, what about Belize's death rate? How does it compare to our neighbors? Here's a comparison:
"When you also do death rate per million, Belize's rate is 5 per million inhabitants. The US has a 305 rate..."
San Pedro Chinese Community Donates
Crowds gathered in San Pedro this morning, waiting in line to receive grocery bags donated through a collaboration between Island City store and the Chinese Community.
It's much-needed relief for a job market devastated by the total shutdown of international tourism. And in the midst of it, all the San Pedro Sun's Dion Vansen spoke to Island City representative Seleni Paz who says it's an honor to serve customers in bad times as well as in good.
The Cost of Living Ticking Up
And while many are lining up for free food - for those still buying, what are prices like? From the Statistical Institute, we have a snapshot of the cost of living countrywide, and where in the country it was the cheapest to live during the first quarter of this year.
According to the SIB, Orange Walk had the highest cost of living, while Punta Gorda had the lowest. Here's how Statistician Melvin Perez explained why during today's press conference:
Cuban Docs Under-utilized?
Back in March, we told you about the brigade of 58 Cuban MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS who had come to shore up Belize's medical efforts against COVID-19.
They were instrumental in saving the life of at least one COVID-19 patient, but what are they doing now? We put that question to DHS Manzanero earlier today.
Late Evening City Shooting
And finally tonight, there was a shooting in the Kings Park area of Belize City this evening. The information is that shots were fired on First Street and a man who was outside Joe Zhu Shop got 2 shots to the stomach.
Channel 5
Fake Guns! Real Gang Members?
A horrible video surfaced on the internet on Tuesday night; its contents sent chills all around. Three men are seen brandishing a high powered firearm and a handgun and then [...]
ComPol Williams on Imitated Guns
According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams; while the guns turned out to be fake, the fear instilled by the men on the public is very real.� He says that [...]
Six Men Busted with Shrimp and Corona Beer in Orange Point
Six persons, including four Asian businessmen, were taken into custody on Tuesday morning after being busted by a coastguard patrol near Orange Point, in the southern waters of Toledo.� Xueen [...]
Charges to be Brought Against Asian Businessmen
According to Soberanis, the men were in violation of a number of laws; including the fact that boat captain Leslie Williams was driving the boat with an expired license.� The [...]
Belizeans Trapped in Mexico, Not Able to Return Home
Turning to COVID-19�tonight the news is that there are still no new cases of the virus, but the repatriation of Belizeans is running into trouble as soon as it started. [...]
57 Persons in Mandatory Quarantine
So while many Belizean repatriates are trapped in neighbouring Guatemala and Mexico, fifty-seven persons who crossed into Belize in recent days are in quarantine.� The list includes the ten Belizeans [...]
FinSec Memo: Increment Forgone Until Retirement
Earlier today, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight sent out a circular reiterating government's position on the forgoing of increments for public officers.� In the bulletin which was issued to the Office [...]
Is Belize in a Recession?
COVID-19 has not only overwhelmed health systems and claimed the lives of one hundred thousand people, but it also continues to halt economies.� An IMF Blog post in April states [...]
Tourism Hit Hard by COVID-19!
The tourism industry collapsed in a matter of days as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As far as it is known, one major airline, Southwest is not scheduled to [...]
G.D.P. Declines for Fourth Consecutive Quarter
The numbers from the Statistical Institute of Belize show that the economy shrunk considerably.� It declined by four point five percent in the first quarter of this year. Prices of [...]
Skeletal Remains Found in Gardenia Village
The remains of a person were found on Wednesday in Gardenia Village in rural Belize. According to reports, the grim discovery was found by a mechanic who was cutting some [...]
An Attempted Robbery at a Paint Store in the City
Around three-thirty this afternoon there was a daring attempted robbery at a paint store at the corner of Douglas Jones and Cran Streets on north side Belize City. At least [...]
Police Have 1 Suspect for Abner Novelo's Murder
Investigators have identified one suspect in connection to the brutal murder of Abner Novelo. The victim was found with chop and gunshot wounds on a farm off the San Antonio [...]
Suspect in Custody for Fatal Hit and Run
Rudolph Rodriguez lost his life on Tuesday afternoon, following a hit and run incident on Saturday night along the Old Northern Highway.� The sixty-eight-year-old was struck by a Chevy Trailblazer [...]
Second Round of Payment for Unemployment Relief
As many as eighty-three thousand persons applied for the Unemployment Relief by the time the portal closed. A second round of now payment is being prepared for persons eligible to [...]
Financial Assistance is Slow to Come By
There have been complaints from recipients that the second tranche of payment has been slow to come by, since many received their first hundred and fifty dollar payout back in [...]
Scaling Down Random Testing for COVID-19 in Belize
The Ministry of Health is scaling down its random testing for the coronavirus now that it is in week-seven without any new cases. The ministry has been randomly swabbing and [...]
Spiking COVID-19 Cases in the Region; Mexico Records 501 Deaths in 24 Hours
In the last twenty-four hours, the U.S. is reporting five thousand four hundred and eighty new cases with two hundred and fifty-six deaths. Closer to home, neighbouring countries, such as [...]
Week 7 without COVID-19 Cases; Residents Must Remain Health Conscious
In a one-on-one interview, Director of Health Services Doctor Marvin Manzanero said that the good public health measures installed from the onset of the crisis has helped with the containment [...]
Open the Gyms!
Last Friday, Mark Neal, the owner of Body 2000 Gym, appeared in magistrate's court along with four others to answer charges related to violations of the state of emergency regulations.� [...]
ComPol on Crime and Murder Rate
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says there are challenges to policing with the state of emergency in place. And despite a national curfew in place, the murder numbers remain pretty [...]
World No Tobacco Day and COVID-19
Forty-five percent of young people are consumers of tobacco products, be that cigarettes, vapes, electronic cigars and even hookahs. And it is a concern for the World Health Organization going [...]
Average to Above Average 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season
We are a few days away from the official opening of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The outlook, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shows some thirteen to [...]
LOVE FM
Villagers Vs Custom Officials
There are reports of multiple clashes between villagers in the north and Customs officials. The clashes allegedly stem from the passing of contraband goods via the informal crossings but all that is put aside when villagers are alleging abuse at the hands of Customs officers. Reporter Alisha Valentine reports.
SIB issues their statistics for the first quarter of the year
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) has released its numbers for the first quarter of 2020. In the report they highlighted that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 4.5% in the first quarter of 2020 when compared to 2019.
Citrus farmers encouraged to diversify their produce
While the citrus industry did not take a huge hit from COVID-19, the pineapple almost suffered. According to Nikita Usher from CPBL, they began growing their pineapples in time to still be able to make their processing deadlines.
Drastic decrease in tourism numbers
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) has recorded a drastic decrease in the numbers of tourists entering Belize. This is no surprise to anyone because of COVID-19 restricting the movement of people around the globe but mostly so because of our closed borders.
Chinese and Guatemalans meet in Belize's waters
Six Chinese/Belizean men were detained by the Belize Coast Guard in the south. The detention was jointly done with the Belize Defence Force who made the call to the BCG about a Guatemalan vessel in Belize's waters.
The detriments of Tobacco
Today's edition of Ask the Experts featured Esner Vellos, Director of the National Drug Abuse Control Council, to help observe World No Tobacco Day, which will take place on May 31. Vellos discussed the different methods used by the Tobacco companies to trap persons into using more of their products.
Second wave of COVID-19 on its way says Director of Health Services
"It is not a matter of if but when" - those are the words of the Director of Health Services, Dr Marvin Manzanero. His statement refers to the second wave of Covid-19. Love News reached out to the Director to speak to us further on this second wave and why officials believe that it is unavoidable for Belize to have another bout of the virus. We also asked him how prepared Belize is for the next episode.
Citrus industry survives COVID-19
Covid-19 affected every industry in Belize, some more than others. While the agro-productive sector took a substantive hit, the citrus industry in particular is still thriving despite a few kinks in the importation of materials and the exportation of their products.
Increments deferred until retirement
Public officers and teachers will have their increments deferred until retirement. As we have noted, there is a play on words happening with the unions and the Government but as the BNTU President puts it, essentially it is a deferral although the Government prefers to view it as foregone increments.
Guatemalan students at risk of not sitting CXC exams
An estimated eighty Guatemalan students who attend school in Belize may be unable to sit the upcoming CSEC Exams in July. As we reported a few weeks back, Belize has agreed to sit a portion of the exams in July, but it seems this will pose a challenge for the foreign students. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been meeting to discuss the issue. We received an update from the Director of Health Services, Dr Marvin Manzanero.
Three men found with toy guns in southern Belize
Three men of the Toledo District have been arrested and are awaiting charges to be levied against them. The men were apprehended this morning after police had lost them in a pursuit yesterday evening. The...
Second tropical storm named
Four days away from the opening of the hurricane season and already there have been two named tropical storms. Bertha was named just this morning and hours later it made landfall with maximum sustained winds...
Breaking Belize News
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize [�]OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro assumes 2nd term until 2025
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, assumed his second [�]
CARICOM chair praises resiliency of Caribbean people
Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mia Amor Mottley in an address to the virtual [�]
"Mexico's COVID-19 deaths could be higher than official reports," says UK-based newspaper
Since early April, Mexico has seen a rapid rise in COVID-19 infections [�]
What Taiwan got right with COVID-19
Photo Credit: Euromoney Belize has been somewhat lucky with its approach and results with COVID-19, but [�]
Businessman reportedly shot in King's Park robbery attempt
Reports to BBN is that a Chinese businessman was shot in a robbery attempt on [�]
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center re-opens its doors this weekend!
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center finally opened its doors to the public last weekend. [�]
Salary cut negotiations to continue between Communications Workers Union and BTL
The Belize Communications Workers Union (BCWU) has prepared a counter-proposal for the management of Belize [�]
Chinese community hands out groceries to large crowd in San Pedro
A large group of San Pedranos turned out this morning in the downtown area of [�]
The context of the State of Emergency
His complaints of being taken out of context aside, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says he [�]
Six quarantined in South
Our colleagues at PGTV are reporting that six persons are presently in quarantine in Punta Gorda [�]
Getting too comfortable with COVID?
Belize is closing in on two months under a State of Emergency, the first in our [�]
Commissioner downplays fears of crime resurgence
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams distinguished events over the Commonwealth Day weekend amid fears of a [�]
Nathaniel Arnold Matus is Sacred Heart Primary's 2020 Valedictorian
Twelve-year-old Nathaniel Rian Arnold Matus is the Valedictorian of the 2020 graduating class of [�]
Blogs
A Timeline of COVID-19 in Belize
Since the COVID-19 coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March 2020, Belize's timeline started simultaneously. Developments happened quickly, by the day, though Belize has now gone 40 days without a new case. As such, the disruption of our daily routines and schedules may have caused us to lose track of the timeline of events that transpired since COVID-19 changed our daily lives in Belize. In a newsletter to his clients on Friday, May 22nd, David Kafka of ReMax/First Choice in Placencia shared a detailed outline of a coronavirus timeline in Belize. Belize's tourism had grown over 96% from 2011 to 2018 and was one of the fastest-growing Caribbean destinations.
International Sources
Potentially Fatal Combinations of Humidity and Heat Are Emerging Across the Globe
It seems like the dry season in Belize is becoming hotter every year.
Humans have the ability to shed heat but 35 °C is our physiological limit. A new study shows global warming is happening faster than predicted. In areas of the tropics and subtropics, where humidity is higher, have reported extreme temperatures exceeding 35˚C.
Extreme heat and humidity could be fatal to humans and brings more economic and health challenges.
The journal Science Advances, published the findings of the study conducted by Earth Institute, Columbia University that shows heat surpassing human tolerance at a global scale.
Lockdown in Latin America: When will travel restart in the world's new coronavirus epicentre?
s coronavirus cases and deaths continue to fall in the UK, mainland Europe and some US states, attention has switched to Brazil, where almost 400,000 cases have been recorded as of May 27, as well as 24,512 deaths.
The overall outlook is grim. Densely populated cities, insanitary conditions in favelas and slums, an absence of leadership, most notably by Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro, and poor management of social distancing and quarantine regimes have exacerbated the deadly impact of the virus.
UVI Grad Student Testing New Techniques for Coral Restoration
As climate change and coral disease ravage reefs in the USVI, Dan Mele, a graduate student working on a master's thesis in the marine and environmental science program at UVI, is testing a new coral planting method.
Traditionally, planting coral involves taking healthy corals from a reef and breaking them into smaller pieces, Mele said. These smaller pieces, or "fragments," are grown in a coral nursery till they've matured enough to be replanted on a reef.
"It's a great technique, and it works in most cases. The biggest downside is nurseries are expensive and it's time-consuming," Mele said.
Underwater And Under The Wire In Belize
As we flew toward Dangriga I looked west across the lush, green, mist-shrouded mountains and was beset by visions of howler monkeys, poisonous snakes that spit and will run your @$$ down leeches the size of school children, haunted Mayan ruins, heat, humidity, bugs, naked middle-aged white people tripped out on ayahuasca and tequila running naked through the jungle amidst parting flocks of fleeing wildlife� (I ran this passage by Jason - he said it was pretty close to his dream vacation!)
Below and to the east - The Sea; flat, clear, and unbearably inviting in the shelter of the barrier reef.
My mind drifted.. here in my bag is my wetsuit, mask, snorkel� Against the fuselage just behind me, my monofin (wouldn't fit in the luggage bin)� I wonder if I could just swim the rest of the way�
Body of young whale found dead at Xcalak Costa Maya
The body of a deceased whale was reported to authorities by local fishermen after they spotted it along the Caribbean coast in the town of Xcalak.
Area fishermen reported the finding Tuesday after seeing it floating near the shore in the community of Xcalak, south of Mahahual. Environmental authorities attended to the site where the whale was found in a protected natural area.
Where to see the largest flora and fauna on Earth
Some of the largest animals to roam this planet are still alive today.
Astonishingly, the blue whale grows to be bigger than any dinosaur. Travelers can voyage to far corners of the globe to come across the largest whales, water lilies, primates and more.
These are 12 of the largest flora and fauna around the world: The whale shark is the largest known fish. The endangered species can grow up to 62 feet in length.
"With mouths up to five feet wide, whale sharks gulp down entire schools of tiny fish and plankton. These gentle giants pose no threat to humans," says John Hocevar, a marine biologist at Greenpeace USA.