January 29, 2016

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Specials and Events

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

SPTC to revive Traffic Board
Guerrero admits that had proper planning been in place, traffic congestion could have been avoided. There were no preparations for what is happening now. “No one had a clue that this island would grow so fast,” he added. The SPTC will be issuing moratoriums when it comes to traffic conditions based on ideas and plans from the Town Board. The Mayor is willing to work with any institution that wants to contribute to the alleviation of the problem, as long as it is clear to them that the final decision is done by the SPTC. “We are an elected body, elected by the people to run their affairs. At the same time we appreciate everyone’s input towards the solution of a problem. But not because we welcome their recommendations does it means that we have to do what they are requesting. I agree with the BTIA in putting moratoriums on the golf cart rental businesses to not bring anymore carts to the island, on the luxurious vehicles and not issuing anymore permits for larger vehicles for taxi, I totally agree with that. But when it comes to personal golf carts, that will not stop, permits for personal golf carts I will never stop it,” stated Guerrero.

Belize and Guatemala Foreign Ministers Meet with OAS to Reactivate Joint Commission
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala along with the Special Representative of the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General met at the OAS office at the Adjacency Zone on Friday, 22 January 2016 to discuss the status of the bilateral agenda and reactivate the Belize – Guatemala Joint Commission as established under the Framework Agreement on Confidence Building Measures of 2005. The Ministers agreed that the work of the Joint Commission is important in promoting efforts at building confidence and enhancing relations between the two countries, even as the two countries strive to bring to an early and definitive end the dispute over Guatemalan claims in accordance with the Special Agreement between the two countries.

PC Oscar Ramirez freed of Extortion charge
A police constable formerly attached to the San Pedro Police Department has been freed of ‘Extortion’ charges well over a year after interdiction. 28-year-old PC #1139 Oscar Ramirez was charged for the crime of ‘Extortion’ on September 30, 2014, but charges were dropped in his latest court hearing on Wednesday, January 20th. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser dismissed the case after the complainant indicated that she did not want any further court action. While Ramirez may have been freed from the court proceeding, he will still face disciplinary measures from the Belize Police Department.

PM Barrow visits the USA to address issues within the banking sector
Prime Minister of Belize and Minister of Finance, Honorable Dean Barrow departed for Washington, DC, USA on Saturday, January 23rd to attended meetings with key senior officials of the United States Federal Government and of the US banking monitoring systems on the problems being faced by the Belizean banking sector. For over a year now, the Belize banking sector has been feeling the effects of the USA’s ‘de-risking’ strategy which has resulted in the loss of correspondent banking relationships. Even though the banking sector has not yet reached the crisis point, if a solution to this issue is not found soon, Belize’s economy will suffer from a break in financial transactions with the USA.

PUP Leadership debate canceled
After due consideration the planning and coordination committee has decided to cease all efforts to organize a debate between the three aspirants for the post of Party Leader, Peoples United Party. Two of the candidates failed to respond to formally inform the committee of their intention to appear as scheduled by the close of business late yesterday. The committee thanks the Hon. Francis Fonseca for his prompt and forthright declaration of his intention to participate.

Oceana launches ‘Fish Right, Eat Right’ program brand
On Tuesday, January 27th Oceana Belize launched a national program to highlight local establishments who are responsibly sourcing seafood. Government officials and private sector representatives convened in Belize City to launch a program brand and certification mark entitled ‘Fish Right, Eat Right.’ The program will be backed by an educational campaign providing incentives for fishers, retailers, restaurants, and consumers to promote and support the harvest, trade and consumption of sustainably and legally caught seafood. The main purpose of the initiative is to curb illegal fishing and promote best practices in fisheries by providing marketing incentives throughout the supply chain via the promotion of responsible seafood consumption. The program emphasized that those establishments that demonstrate knowledge of a compliance with the Fisheries Regulations will receive special recognition, and responsible fishers who comply with the Regulations will also have preferential access to these reliable markets.

Misc Belizean Sources

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Week of January 17th –23rd, 2016
A very solid week of fishing for everyone at the lodge. A group of doctors from Wilderness Medical joined us for a retreat/business trip. Good tarpon fishing this week with many guests encountering the sliver king. Anywhere from 10 to 60 pounds!! Congrats to John, Champ and Todd for getting theirs to the boat. If your tarpon happened to get off not so close to the boat – come back again, it will happen!

New Scuba Diving Standards for Belize
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is proud to announce that Belize now has a “Belize Standard Code of Practice for Recreational Scuba Diving Practices.” Effective January 20th, a three-month period commenced for tour operators, tour guides and any other party offering scuba diving tours to familiarize themselves with the standards and make any necessary changes in accordance with the minimum standard. Compliance of the same is expected once the standard is declared “COMPULSORY” in April, 2016. Drafting the minimum standards for scuba diving in Belize began in late 2013, in collaboration with technical committees, which comprised of key stakeholders. Under the Bureau of Standards, all processes mandated by the Standards Act were followed, along with consultations with key scuba destinations, including San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Punta Gorda in 2014. The Public Comments stage had 28 pages of comments that were received and reviewed in order to enhance the final draft.

Reef Week 2016
Every year the Belizean conservation community celebrates the significant economic and cultural benefits of the Belize Barrier Reef to the country with a week-long calendar of national events. Reef Week 2016 is being organized under the theme, "Not just my reef, it's our way of life!" The activities, set to take place between March 6th through to March 13th, include the Healthy Reef for Healthy People's swim across the English Caye Channel, Oceana's "Ride to the Reef" from the capital city to the coast, as well as educational and awareness events by organizations including the Belize Audubon Society, TIDE, FAMRACC, BTIA, Blue Ventures, the Turneffe Atoll SA, WWF, KREM, Wildtracks, the Wildlife Conservation Society, UB's Environmental Research Institute and the Southern Enforcement Association. Partner entities for Reef Week 2016 also include the Belize Tourism Board, the Fisheries Department, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute and the Belize City Council.

Belize Chairs Meeting with Caricom High Commissioners and Secretary General Designate of the Commonwealth

Belize and Guatemala Foreign Ministers Meet with OAS to Reactivate Joint Commission
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala along with the Special Representative of the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General met at the OAS office at the Adjacency Zone on Friday, 22 January 2016 to discuss the status of the bilateral agenda and reactivate the Belize – Guatemala Joint Commission as established under the Framework Agreement on Confidence Building Measures of 2005. The Ministers agreed that the work of the Joint Commission is important in promoting efforts at building confidence and enhancing relations between the two countries, even as the two countries strive to bring to an early and definitive end the dispute over Guatemalan claims in accordance with the Special Agreement between the two countries.

Santa Rita Maya Re-enactment Wedding
Corozal Invites! What is the Santa Rita Maya Re-enactment Wedding. Historical information documents the Santa Rita Archaeological Park as the only place where a marriage took place between a Spanish Conquistador and a Mayan Princess. Hence, it is believed that the enhancement of this site will bring back the unique historical, cultural, social and the economic potential of this site. The revival of this centre as an official Maya Wedding Garden will honour our culture and heritage and will greatly benefit our present and future generations. It is said that Guerrero became a great ally to the Maya in the struggle against the Spanish conquistadors in Belize. Historians generally accept the view that in the 16th century he served as a political and military advisor to Nachancan, the ruler of Old Chetumal (Chactemal) .(Santa Rita, Corozal was probably part of ancient Chactemal, the Maya capital of the area at the time of the first Spanish attempt to conquer the Yucatec Mayas in the early 16th century). Date: Saturday February 6th, 2016

Vacancy at Belize Electricity Limited
A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited for the post of Data Centre Technician I or II in the Information & Communication Systems Department.

Women in Art Fair 2016
Save the date. For Registration please contact SISE House of Culture, telephone 824 0783. Cayo Welcome Center. March 12, 2016. 9am - 3pm.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
99 Homes, You Can't Re-Gift Family, Regression, Macbeth

Chef Juan's Kitchen & Pastries
New Take-Out restaurant in Caye Caulker, Belize serving local and american food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. GRAND OPENING, Monday, FEB 1st. 64 Crocodile Street Caye Caulker

San Pedro Liquor License Holders
A reminder to all Liquor License Holders: If you have paid for your license, kindly pick up your certificate at the San Pedro Town Council office as all 2015 licenses expire on the 1st of February of this year.

CDB launches education sector reform programme in Belize
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on Wednesday launched in Belize a programme that will build 35 new schools, benefitting 5,300 students at the pre-primary, primary and secondary education levels. The Belize education sector reform programme focuses on providing children across the country with equitable access to a quality basic education, with a goal of increasing enrolment in post-secondary and tertiary education. It is grounded in the government of Belize’s Basic Education Sector Strategy (2011-2016) and aligns with CDB’s strategic objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, as outlined in its 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. “This programme exhibits the government of Belize’s understanding of the critical role of basic education in driving economic growth and development. CDB is pleased to partner with Belize as it embarks on this transformational journey,” said Deidre Clarendon, division chief, Social Sector Division, CDB, who delivered remarks at the launch event.

BELIZEAN BEAUTY QUEEN AMBASSADORS IN RETROSPECT (PART ONE)!
In our Belizean Legends documentary series this year 2016, we will be featuring the remarkable Belizean Beauty Queens that represented Belize abroad as ambassadors, and chronicling the stories that brought them to accomplish this most popular Belizean cultural title that continues to present the best qualities and intelligence in Belizean women today, and how it has advanced them to face the challenges of the western world in which they represented Belize. Today we commence our series with Christine M. Gibson. The 38th. Belize Queen of The Bay. The “Queen of the Bay” Pageant, the oldest and most prestigious contest in Belize, Central America, started in 1946 during the September Celebrations. Historically, the pageant was held at Edwards Park, now known as Rogers Stadium, and serves to commemorate our National Day – September 10th, the day our forefathers’ fought to preserve our heritage and delivered a victory over the Spaniards, during the Battle of St. George’s Caye in 1798.

Channel 7

Three Charged For Home Invasion/Murder At Doctor's House
3 men have been charged in connection with yesterday's home invasion in the city. They are 18-year-old Windell Thurton of Freetown Road, 21-year-old Max Orosco of New Road and 19-year-old Byron Flowers of Consuelo Street. All 3 men have been charged with Murder, Aggravated Burglary, Attempt Murder, Dangerous Harm and Use of Deadly Means of Harm. As we told you, 44 year old Dr. Marcos Rugama was at his home on Simon Lamb Street with his friend 32 year old Ian Blair. Rugama went outside to pick in clothes around 1:40 yesterday morning and when he returned, he saw 2 men attacking Blair - one of them had a knife. Rugama intervened and there was a struggle. Both Rugama and Blair were stabbed but Blair didn't make it. All 3 men appear in court tomorrow morning.

More Problems For Paumen
American tour operator Bradley Paumen was taken back to court today, this time in Belmopan Magistrate's court where he was charged for the perversion of justice and the conspiracy to pervert justice. Three persons were charged along with him. They are mechanic Lisburn Anderson, who was charged previously, and two new faces. They are businessman Jahan Abadi of Belmopan, and Korean American Hyang Choing Park. She is the former common law wife of Michael Modiri - and she is now accused of being part of the wider plot to set up her ex. All four of them appeared in Belmopan Magistrate's Court today where Paumen and Anderson were charged for planting a .22 rifle and 150 live rounds in Michael Modiri's vehicle in April, 2015. Park was charged with enlisting policeman Solomon Mas in February of 2015 - who was allegedly hired as the hitman. Abadi is also accused of facilitating a key to get into Modiri's vehicle so the weapon could be planted. Court finished just an hour ago - and here's what the Paumen's attorney Hebert Panton:

Alleged Indian Church Killer Caught
Ten days ago, we told you about the murder of 51 year-old Guatemalan Francisco Arevalo, the Vice Chairman of the remote Orange Walk Village of Indian Church, who's nude body was found near an unfinished concrete house. Police had been been looking for their main suspect, 58 year-old Salvadoran Juan Carlos Lopez Gutierrez, who they suspected had fled the country. Well, Lopez Gutierrez, who is better known as "Chile", is wanted no more. He was caught in a joint operation by Belize and Mexican law enforcement authorities in a Mexican community known as Allende in Quintana Roo. This town is located along the Rio Hondo River, and authorities say that's where he was hiding out. We understand that he is currently in the custody of the Mexicans in Chetumal, and papers are being processed so that he can be handed over to Belize police as early as tomorrow. If police have gathered the evidence required, he could be facing a murder charge.

Piper Plane Has Problems In PG
There was an incident at the Punta Gorda airstrip this afternoon around 3:30. We do not have all the details at this time but what we know is that a Piper PA32 experienced mechanical difficulties while landing. There are varying reports as to what caused the mechanical failure but authorities are still investigating and could not confirm what went wrong at this point. Reports so far are that no one was injured. We will have more details on this incident tomorrow.

Confusion with Charges For Paumen's Mechanic
At the top of the news we told you about Bradley Paumen - the American tour operator who could get his bail revoked because he's facing new charges in connection with the Michael Modiri case. Paumen was charged earlier this month for abetment to murder for allegedly hiring a hit on Modiri - so he was on bail for that. But his mechanic Lisburn Anderson is charged along with him. Anderson is alleged to have conspired with Paumen to plant an unlicensed .22 rifle and 150 live rounds in Modiri's car - so that he would get stopped at a police checkpoint, and arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm. That was in in April of 2015. That is why today he was charged for the perversion of justice and conspiring to pervert justice. But the charge was read before one magistrate this afternoon where he pleaded not guilty - and that's when the Prosecutor indicated that he would like the matter tried on indictment. That's when things got topsy turvy and the matter ended up before another magistrate this afternoon - who read him the charges all over again. Here's how his attorney Rachel Montejo explained what she said is a fatal procedural error:..

GOB: Don't Close Door On Open Vote Workers
Today, the Government of Belize had to appear in court to defend against a lawsuit brought against them by the one of their former employees. Melissa Tucker, worked for the Ministry of Education for 17 years from 1995 to 2013. That's when her supervisors at the Ministry sent her home for what she claims was a frivolous complaint. She gave much of her adult life to the service of the Government, but with the stroke of the pen, she was sent home with a letter of termination and without any opportunity to offer a defense of her actions while on duty. The problem is that she didn't have security of tenure because she was an open vote worker, so she wasn't appointed to her post by the Public Services Commission. That's the body which hears all complaints against appointed Government employees, and has to give all of them due process. Bottom line? It's very, very hard to get an established public officer fired.

Judge Deliberates In Murder Trial Without Jury
Justice Adolph Lucas has reserved judgment in the case where accused murderer Daniel Anderson stood trial without jury. He is accused of killing 19 year-old Joycelyn Mitchell back on June 17, 2010. Crown Counsel Shanice Lovell prosecuted the case in which evidence was presented that the victim, Mitchell, was shot and killed shortly after 6 that evening. This happened while she was sitting on the trunk of her sister's car, which was parked in front of their home on Sibun Street. A lone gunman rode up on a bicycle from the direction of Vernon Street Bridge and fired several shots at a group of persons that were in front of Mitchell's house. One bullet entered one side of Mitchell's head and exited through the other side, killing her instantly.

Weighing The Weed
Yesterday, we reported on the 4 parcels of marijuana that a joint law enforcement patrol seized near the Village of Consejo in the Corozal District. According to the BDF Commander, it's a hotspot for the trans-shipment of drugs, and today, the Coast Guard High Command briefed the media about this and other drug seizures that they made this month in their step-up joint patrols. Here's Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis, the commander of the Coast Guard's First Fleet, discussing the details of the successful operations: Lt. Gregory Soberanis - Commander, 1st Fleet: "There were 3 marijuana seizures throughout the month of January 2016; the first was in San Pedro, where Coast Guard patrol was conducting a stake out, when they observed a small vessel behaving in a suspicious manner. The patrol proceeded to intercept the vessel which sped off throwing a small package overboard.

Not Handling The Candle Caused Fire
There was a fire last night on Freedom Street which destroyed a man's home and all of his possessions. Allan Lucario, a resident of #3722 Freedom Street, was sleeping in the upper flat of his house when he woke up with fire all around him. He told 7News that he fell asleep with a candle burning, and when he woke up he found the couch he was sleeping in on fire. He burnt his hands trying to shove it through his front door to prevent the fire from spreading. Lucario told us that the sofa was just too heavy for him to get out of the house in time.

Knock Head Or Gunshot in Bus?
Police have released the official version of that incident in Esperanza Village in which a bus passenger may have either shot another passenger, or, more likely, clubbed him over the head with the gun with 60 other passengers on the bus. Around 2:30 yesterday, police received information of someone being shot on a West Line Bus heading from San Ignacio to Belmopan. They responded and met Conrad Thomas unconscious and being helped by a woman. They saw that he was suffering from a small cut wound to the upper right side of his head. Thomas and his wife were traveling to Camalote and in San Ignacio he exchanged words with a man who was seated two seats in front of them. The bus continued on its way and in Esperanza village, his wife saw the same man coming from the back.

Cyclist Recovering
Yesterday we told you about the bus which knocked down a cyclist near mile 6 on the George Price Highway. We've since learnt that he's a junior cyclist by the name of Shaquir Tillett, and our information is that he's recovering at the KHMH. As we reported, it happened sometime after 10 yesterday morning. A bus was heading in to Benque when the driver suddenly came upon the 2 cyclists. There were vehicles coming the opposite direction, and so, he couldn't swerve into the left lane to avoid them. Shaquir Tillett was struck by the bus and then flung into his companion's lane where they had an ugly spill. The Cycling Federation of Belize is urging motorists to be mindful that the Belize to Hattieville stretch of the George Price Highway will be busy with cyclists who are training for the major races which are upcoming.

A Good Day To Go To Dark Night
For weeks we've been trying to get a comment from NICH on their partnership with Dark Night Tours, owned by Bradley Paumen. And while the NICH President shunned us, she and Director of Archeology John Morris did appear yesterday on Channel 5's "Open Your Eyes" where they did discuss Dark Night. And they NICH President Diane Haylock did indicate that the Dark Night caves are accessible to the general public. Today we decided to try our luck. Emanuel Pech reports. CHUKKA's country manager affirms that they have approached personnel from NICH requesting more boots on the ground to further level the playing field. However she concedes that there does not seem to be much movement on the part of the authorities in this regard.

Man Pleads Guilty To School Burglary
Yesterday we told you about the burglary of the Edward P. Yorke HIGH where someone helped themselves to the cafeteria's snacks and school supplies. Well, Julian Cowling told the Magistrate's Court that he committed the crime ON JANUARY 27TH. The items that were stolen included school supplies, food and beverages and they amounted to $957 dollars in value. Police charged Julian Cowling with burglary and handling stolen goods. He was arraigned before Magistrate Deborah Rogers where he wasted no time and pleaded guilty to Burglary, but not handling stolen goods. The Magistrate handed him a fine of $800 which he must pay the court by April 15, or he will face 4 months in jail. He was additionally ordered to pay E. P. Yorke compensation of $305.

A Strategy For Keeping Wildlife Safe
Protecting Belize's wildlife: that was the main message at today's Forestry workshop in Belmopan. Organizers say the public needs to recognize the importance of Belize's resources and why it must be preserved. Today the Chief Forest Officer Wilber Sabido told the media about a new strategy that will engage the public in this process and address some major pressures affecting wildlife. 17 organizations from across the country participated in today's workshop.

Bze-Guat Meet OAS In The A-Z
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reporting tonight that a delegation of Belizean and Guatemalan Government officials met with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States at the OAS office in the Adjacency zone on last week Friday. Wilfred Elrington, was accompanied by Lawrence Sylvester, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Alexis Rosado, Ambassador to Guatemala and Belize's Commissioner on the Belize - Guatemala Joint Commission; Stuart Leslie, of Referendum Commission; Said Guerra and Alfonso Gahona, Director of International Affairs; and Luis Verde, Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They met with their counterparts and an agreement was reached that the work of the Joint Commission is important in promoting efforts at building confidence and enhancing relations between the two country.

Prepaid BTL Di Bav?
BTL is admitting a major fail tonight, and it's not like everyone didn't know already. A release says, quote, "On Sunday, January 24, the systems which allow its DigiCell customers to check their PrePaid balances and purchase PrePaid services - known as the PrePaid Short Codes - began experiencing service degradation due to issues with both the system's primary and backup servers." The bad news is, quote, "Despite the best efforts of BTL technicians, the company anticipates that it may take up to three to four weeks before a full solution can be put in place to address the issues." And so to make up, "DigiCell has temporarily lowered the local text rates from 25 cents to 4 cents per text plus tax to help out customers who cannot purchase text bundles via the short codes."

Rover In River
Today a Suzuki XL-7 took a dip in the canal near Partridge Street. It happened sometime around 8:00 am. No one was hurt.

New Labour Senator Sworn
And finally tonight, we note that Elena Smith has been sworn in as the new senator for labour and civil society. She was sworn in yesterday at the senate meeting.

Channel 5

Paumen & Alleged Accomplices Back in Court
As we said…Today, in an amazingly protracted and confounding Courtroom drama, it took two Magistrates, the D.P.P., a Police prosecutor and five defense attorneys eight hours and two separate courtrooms [...]

Paumen and Anderson Denied Bail
Businessman Jahan Abadi and Haung Chong Park were arraigned for conspiracy to the crime of perverting the course of justice. They allegedly solicited the services of Solomon Moss to plant [...]

Coast Guard Seize High Grade Weed Near Consejo
A joint law enforcement operation in the vicinity of Consejo, in the Corozal District, has resulted in the seizure of a quantity of high-grade marijuana believed to have been smuggled [...]

Enforcement Arms Plan Multi-Agency Anti-Narcotics Approach
The area of Consejo has been designated by the Belize Defense Force and the National Coast Guard as a hotspot for the transshipment of drugs and other contraband.  Despite ramping [...]

3 Charged for the Murder of Ian Blair
Late this evening the Eastern Division North Police levied charges against a trio of men for the stabbing murder of thirty-seven year old Ian Blair. Eighteen-year-old Windell Thurton of Freetown [...]

Suspect in Gruesome Chopping Murder Captured in Mexico
The hunt for fifty-nine year old Juan Carlos Gutierrez has come to an end. The Salvadoran national, who was wanted by Orange Walk Police for the cold-blooded murder of Indian [...]

Belize Bank Awaits Positive News on Correspondent Banking Relationships
And from crime to the financial sector…Prime Minister Dean Barrow is away on an official visit to Washington where he is attending a series of high-level meetings with officials from [...]

Southside Resident Loses Everything in Fire
A candle is believed to have sparked a fire in the upper flat of a house in the south side of Belize City. The fire victim, Allan Locario lived alone [...]

Investigation into Free Zone Fire Ongoing
Meanwhile, fire officials continue to investigate the cause of a fire up north, inside the Commercial Free Zone in Corozal. Around three p.m. on Tuesday, a seventy-five by seventy-five foot [...]

Looking for Signs of Depression
Suicides are not reported in our newscasts as a matter of policy, except in rare cases. Recently, there have been two cases of a pair of young girls in the [...]

Sentencing Deferred in Anderson Murder Trial
After more than a week, the murder case of Belize City Daniel Anderson, accused with the 2011 murder of Joyce Mitchell came to an end. Mitchell was gunned down in [...]

Edward P. Yorke Cafeteria Burglar Identified
Tonight, the man accused of burglarizing the Cafeteria at Edward P. Yorke High School has been identified as Julian Edward Cowling.  Cowling, a resident of Belize City was arraigned this [...]

Belize Bank Opens New Branch Offices in San Ignacio
The Belize Bank inaugurated its new branch offices in San Ignacio on Wednesday night offering its customers a more spacious and comfortable location to conduct banking business.  The need for [...]

Annual B.D.F. Day Will Be Bigger and Better This Year
This Saturday at Price Barracks in Ladyville, the Belize Defense Force will host its annual B.D.F. Day in celebration of its thirty-eighth anniversary. The event allows for the public, as [...]

Belize Kidney Association Releases Latest Stats
According to data from the Belize Kidney Association, they have recorded to date that one hundred and twenty-two persons have passed away due to kidney failure. There are currently one [...]

First Sound Clash Kicks Off This Weekend
You’ve heard about the Forty-five shootout and now a battle of international disc jockeys will take place for the first time in Belize. It’s all happening this weekend at the [...]

B.T.L. Explains Network Difficulties
And this news, if you have been experiencing problems with the B.T.L. service, the company confirmed today that its prepaid short code system is facing significant issues. B.T.L. says the [...]

Healthy Living Looks at Mental Health
Two cases this week have highlighted the plight of persons with mental health problems. In both, the persons were kept within their environment, but were they receiving appropriate treatment?  Family [...]

CTV3

Juan Carlos Lopez Gutierrez Captured In Quintana Roo, Mexico
Juan Carlos Lopez Gutierrez, 59 year old Salvadoran National wanted for the murder of 55 year old Francisco Arevalo, Guatemalan National from the Village of Indian Church in the Orange Walk District, was captured this afternoon in the community of Allende in Quintana Roo, Mexico, during a joint operation carried out by Mexican and Belizean Authorities. Gutierrez is accused of killing Arevalo sometime in the night of Saturday January 16th. Arevalo’s nude mutilated body was found early in the morning of January 17th, beside an unfinished concert house located in the outskirts of Indian Church. Investigations reveled that Arevalo was at home in the company of two visitors when he received a phone call at around 9:00p.m. All indications are that the person on the other side of the line, believed to be a woman, lured him to the area where his body was found. After investigations police detained a woman with whom Arevalo had a relationship with in the past. She was found in possession of Arevalo’s phone and it is believed that the man she was living with killed Arevalo.

Corozal Police Detains Two Persons In Massam Murder Case
Corozal Police have detained two persons believed to be able to assist in the murder of Corozal resident Paul Massam. The two individuals were detained based on information gathered by the Crime Investigation Branch. Their names however, are being retained since the investigator is still in its early stage. As mentioned last night, at around 8:30 yesterday morning Massam became the first murder victim for 2016 for the Corozal District. The 28 year old was sitting on the stairs of his girlfriend’s house located in the Skelton Town Area of Corozal when he was approached by a lone gunman who shot him three times at close range. Massam became the 12th murder victim for 2016.

IDB Donates Grant For Caribbean Countries To Fight Zika Virus
And sticking to the subject of the Zika Virus, The Inter-American Development Bank, (IDB), has decided to grant a total of $800.000 to six different countries within the Caribbean in order for them to develop and implement a system of health information and response at regional level aimed at strengthening the tourism sector. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago issued a statement earlier today assuring that they, along with Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica will all benefit from this grant that will allow them the opportunity to adopt sanitary as well as environmental practices. The Government stated that the Caribbean region is the most dependent when it comes to tourism and that the recent epidemics that the Caribbean has seen throughout the years such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2000, the Influenza A H1N1 in 2009, Chikingunya in 2013 and now the Zika virus, have all increased the need for close observation and response to these pandemics that are obtained due to travelling.

ZIKA Sends WHO Into Emergency Meeting
The World Health Organization called an emergency meeting to discuss the explosive spread of the Zika Virus and its possible link to thousands of birth defects in Latin America. Today at the committee meeting, the WHO Director General, Margret Chan, expressed the organizations high level of concern and outlined four main reasons for alarm when it comes to the Zika VIRUS. Since the arrival of the virus has been associated with a steep increase in the birth of babies with Microcephaly, or born with abnormally small heads, it has prompted governments across the world to advise pregnant women against going to the areas where the virus has been detected. Also discussed at the meeting was the possible increase in the populations of vector carrying mosquitos due weather patterns that are expected to be warmer.

PlusTV

Wings of Hope Pilot Dodges Dog and Crash Lands
Two persons escaped safely from a BERT air ambulance that had an accident this afternoon while landing at the Punta Gorda airstrip. PAUL MAHUNG “Reports here indicated that the BERT air ambulance was landing at about 2:50 am on the air strip when the accident happened as explained by pilot (James Mallet)” PILOT “I was […]

San Ignacio Police Updates on Bus Shooting
Last night we reported that one Conrad Thomas had been shot at, with the bullet grazing the side of his head. Today, San Ignacio police sent out the official police report in which it states that Thomas was in fact hit to the head with a firearm. He is in a stable condition. Deputy Commander […]

Wanted Man Captured in Southern Belize
Independence Police have captured a man who was wanted in connection with a murder in Bella Vista Village. Correspondent Harry Arzu reports. HARRY ARZU “24-year-old, Maria Garcia, a Honduran national who was living in Bella Vista Village in the Toledo District was murdered on Monday January 18th while she and her companion Earlyn McGuire were […]

Belize/Guatemala Joint Commission to Be Reactivated
Last week Friday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, met with Guatemala’s Foreign Affairs Minister, along with a Special Representative of the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General at the OAS office at the Adjacency Zone. According to a government press release, the meeting was to discuss the status of the bilateral agenda and […]

Jack Charles’ Rice is Gone
The controversial seventy five tons of Guyanese Rice is out of the country. Love News has confirmed with Xtra House Importer, Jack Charles that the rice was exported out of the country on Tuesday night from the Port of Big Creek in Independence Village to Santo Thomas in Guatemala. From there, the rejected Guyanese rice […]

3 Drug Seizures by BCG for January 2016
The Belize Coast Guard has been a part of several joint operations involving the Belize Police Department, Customs Department and Fisheries Department among other agencies. As we approach the end of January, the Belize Coast Guard has made three marijuana seizures in various areas of the country. At a briefing this morning at the Coast […]

500 Pounds of Contraband Flour Confiscated
Almost two sacks of contraband flour were intercepted by the Belize Coast Guard and the Customs Department. Lieutenant Greg Soberanis tells us more. GREG SOBERANIS “Early this morning, another joint patrol with the Customs unit in Consejo yielded a discovery of uncustomed goods of twenty 20-pound bags of flour and one 100 bag of flour. […]

Package Destined for San Pedro Had High Grade Weed
A package taken to a water taxi in Belize City was found to be compressed marijuana. Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis of the Belize Coast Guard told us of the find. GREGORY SOBERANIS “Yesterday Coast Guard Marine Patrol, this is a joint patrol with the Police and the Port Authority inspected a small package that was delivered […]

Fire Destroys Upper Flat on Freedom Street
Sometime around ten o’clock last night a fire destroyed the home of Allan Locario of 3722 Freedom Street. His home is situated upstairs of a closed meat shop. Locario was inside his home when the blaze started. He said a candle started the fire when he fell asleep after reading. He spoke to Love News […]

Cause of Fire at the Zone Still Undetermined
On Tuesday we told you about the fire at the Corozal Free Zone. The building was reported to be a warehouse. It began at around three thirty on Tuesday afternoon. Fire Chief, Ted Smith gave an update of the fire and says they have not determined a cause of the fire as yet. The P […]

Senate passes bills and motions after much debate
The Senate’s first session of 2016 considered, debated, and approved four bills brought from Friday’s session of the House of Representatives, as well as three motions. The motions concerned a line of credit for 8 million euros from the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the re-appointm...

Elena Smith is new Unions Senator, but for how long?
Educator and long-standing union activist Elena Smith was this morning sworn in as the twelfth member of the Senate, representing the trade unions and civil society. Here was the moment she took the oath at the start of today’s meeting in Belmopan. Smith’s appointment eases, but does not end a stand...

Lifeline donates to 6 organizations to benefit children
The Lifeline Foundation today handed over $42,600 in donations to boost the efforts of several institutions working for the benefit of Belize’s Children. The grants were made possible through funds raised through the Lebanese Night Gala hosted by the Lifeline Foundation and the Shakespeare’s Globe T...

The Guardian

The Custom's department foiled an attempt to import into Belize a large quantity of t-shirts bearing the image of Johnny Briceno who is an aspirant who wants to be leader of the People's United Party. Our information suggests that the Customs department was alerted to a vehicle which was parked near to one of the casinos in the Commercial Free Zone area in Corozal sometime around 11:30 last night. This is of course outside of all regular working hours and the information suggests that the vehicle was sitting there with a driver well before 5 p.m. and no attempt was made to cross the border at the customs check point during normal working hours. Having waited out for over six and a half hours, officers of the department moved in on the vehicle and conducted a search of it where they found 1,258 t-shirts bearing the image of John Briceno. Ordinarily this volume of shirts would be deemed to be cargo and would only be processed at the cargo section of the border. Why the vehicle did not do so is anyone's guess.

500 New lots for Dangrigans
Land reforms, especially assets for those without land, are fundamental to poverty alleviation. Which is why Dangriga Representative the Honorable Frank “Papa” Mena, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities is taking on the daunting task of trying to make poverty an obsolete matter in his constituency. While public debate decries corruption and all sorts of malfeasance to make the ruling UDP Government appear to be mired in wrong doing, that’s the furthest thing from the truth here in Dangriga. Belize has 8,867 square miles and of those square miles, in the past it seemed as if though only the “haves” were getting and the “have nots” were being left behind. That may soon become an issue of the very distant past for Grigalizeans. In his campaign for political office, Dangriga Representative Hon. Frank “Papa” Mena, said “Poverty is the biggest injustice to anyone. Is it a bad thing to own a piece of land?”

Guyanese rice out of Belize
We are not certain what the final destination will be but we are reliably informed that the Guyanese rice which was sitting at the Big Creek port in Independence Village was loaded on to barges with destination to Puerto Santo Tomas in Guatemala. The rice left Belizean shores on Wednesday morning but the final destination is still unknown. The rice was originally intended to enter the Belizean market however it was brought into the country without first getting permits and the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegally in Belize. The government of Belize since then went into negotiations with the importer which finally came to an agreement that the rice would be shipped out of Belize as soon as possible. Jack Charles had stated that the 75 tonnes of rice were to have been retailing for 69 cents per pound in direct competition with locally grown and produced rice in Belize which would have had the local rice industry at a disadvantage which has a controlled price of rice at 90 cents per pound.

Debunk the debate
No sooner had we heard of the plans for a PUP Leadership Debate than we became convinced that it was not going to happen. The idea of a debate amongst persons vying for high office is a great one, but the concept and organization of such debates must come from and be done by persons with visible credibility and not by persons whose credibility may be called into question. For avoidance of any doubt we will present the resumes of the persons who were in charge of the now scuttled debate. Alberto Vellos who writes that rag called Belize Times, was the person whose idea was to have the debate. We know of the outlandish things that the Belize Times has published since he has been it’s Editor. The organizers were Glenn Tillett who is friendly with Jack Daniels. Glenn was the very same person who came up with the poll that showed PUP winning the last General Election. He was joined by another friend of Jack Daniels, he is Jose Coye who is known as the Land Hog. That is a name he earned during the Put Put land scandal and was conferred when his name came up in the UB Land scandal. Another organizer is Carolyn Trench-Sandiford. She is the person who promised to build us a Satellite City but instead gave us a village at the cost of almost 100 million dollars. The final organizer was Major Lloyd Jones, who was once a member of the G-11 but later on he changed sides. In the military such a person is declared a TRAITOR, right Major? Readers you can draw your own conclusion on the characters of those persons.

MCC in a state of play
The MCC is almost ready for the playing of football on it to be possible, this after the Minister responsible for Youth Sports and Culture, Hon. Elodio Aragon responded to complaints that there was a trench that had been dug around it made play on the field hazardous to players. The response was immediate after he received the complaint and on Monday January 25 work crews were on the ground to alleviate the conditions. According to Ritchel Dominguez who is now the director of the National Sports Council and under who’s responsibility the upkeep of the grounds falls, work is being done on the field. Dominguez says that the work is being done in collaboration with the Belize Defence Force which provided the manpower and expertise to lay pipes in the trenches that were around the field. The partnership is as a result of a request by the BDF who wanted to use the field for practice and they offered to assist in making it safe for play.

Tourism Association meets in Cayo
Tourism is a major source of revenue for many in the Cayo District and as such members from this industry meet regularly to chart a way forward. As a result, the Cayo Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association BTIA hosted a meeting at the Cahal Pech Resort in San Ignacio last Thursday, where much was achieved during the meeting. President of the Cayo Chapter of the BTIA Judy DuPlooy gave the welcome address. She was joined by special guest, Javier Paredez, Registrar from the Belize Tourism Board, who gave a PowerPoint on the laws and regulations relating to resorts, hotels, guest houses and tour guides. According to Judy DuPlooys the Cayo Chapter (BTIA) intends to meet on the third Thursday of every month at the Cahal Petch Resort in San Ignacio Town. DuPlooy believes that as a group, the Cayo Chapter (BTIA) will have more lobbying strength and as such invites anyone associated with tourism to become part of her group.

Belize City plans to be a child friendly municipality
After Mayor Darrell Bradley signed unto the Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipalities Initiative back in 2013 that initiative has seen many positive changes for Belize City. In mid last year, Mayor Bradley tasked the Councilor with responsibility for Women and Children Councilor Hyacinth Latchman-Cuellar to chair the Technical steering Committee of the Child Care Friendly Initiative for Belize City. Since then Councilor Cuellar has met with the Child Advisory Body also known as (CAB) which consist of youngsters from Primary and High schools throughout Belize City. Councilor Cuellar reiterated in an interview that “It is very important for us as leaders to hear our children as they too have voices and they will be tomorrow’s future leaders.” She added: I am astounded when I sit along with members of CAB and our Technical Steering Committee and hear our city’s children speak so resonant on issues affecting their city and about their future plans for Belize City.”

Plan to build 35 new schools highlights launch of Education Sector Reform Project
A highlight of phase two is the execution of plans to increasing access to education across the country. The Government of Belize has entered into a loan agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank for the construction of 35 new school buildings across the country. The loan is for a total of US$35 million and was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, explained that the Ministry has looked at communities across the country where the population has grown significantly to determine necessary locations for new schools. There will be 22 new schools for early childhood education (preschools). These schools will be built in Valley of Peace, Buena Vista, Billy White, Duck Run, St. Margaret’s, San Pablo (O.W.), San Jose (O.W.), Douglas, San Juan (O.W.), San Antonio (O.W.), Santa Cruz (O.W.), Trial Farm, Cowpen, Caye Caulker, Belmopan, Bella Vista, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Independence, Pomona, Punta Gorda, San Pedro, Corozal Town and Dangriga. There will also be five new 8-classroom buildings for primary schools; including one in the Gungulung area of Lake Independence, and eight for secondary schools. In total, 5,300 extra spaces for students will be created in 148 new classrooms. Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, says the Government is now in the process of identifying property where they can build these schools.

Ministry of Education responds to suicides in teens in Cayo
Over the past two weeks there have been two suicides and one attempt in the Cayo district. These have claimed the life of two teenaged girls and affected a third. As a result of this seeming spike in these actions that claim the life of young girls, the Ministry of Education is responding to prevent further loss of lives. Dr. Candy Armstrong, director Education Support Services within the Ministry of Education says that the problem of suicides among female teenaged populations in schools is not new but the issue of trying to harmonize the collaboration between counseling arms in the ministry and in schools is. She says that the ministry is working to partner with counselors in primary and secondary schools to support with intervention plans as well as capacity building for teachers. Additionally the ministry offers training for counselors to be able to identify at-risk behavior in students. They are also helping students come up with their own systems to manage issues in teens as well as work with the ministry of health with referral of cases where problems that present themselves and counselors at the school level cannot be handled are referred to higher specialists in the ministry of health.

Mobility for Sports Coordinators countrywide
Ever since taking the position of Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr. has been actively seeking ways in which he can improve on the infrastructure and the well being of those within his ministry. Another clear indication of this came on Wednesday January 27 when he along with the substantive Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Patrick Faber handed over the keys to 7 new motorcycles to sports coordinators across the country. The value of the cycles is 17,500 which was financed by the Ministry of Sports. Speaking to the Guardian, Hon. Aragon says he has been on a quest to improve the conditions of the sports council and the entire Ministry of Sports. The motorcycles are one way in which that can be achieved in improving the mobility capacity of the sports coordinators in the districts. These personnel are at the forefront of implementing sporting goals and their ability to move within the district they work in is crucial says Aragon.

Oceana starts branding campaign, what about the small fisherfolk
Oceana Belize has partnered with numerous conservation groups and tourism industry stakeholders to launch a best practice initiative for fishers and seafood sellers called “Fish Right, Eat Right”. The initiative is aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the fisheries industry for generations to come. It is applauded by all players in the sector but small fishers have raised concern about the prospect of being disenfranchised. Alyssa Carnegie, Director of Communications at Oceana Belize, says, “[Fish Right, Eat Right] is a concept that came up in terms of having local chefs, local cooks, local restaurants express their concerns over the type of seafood that they were being sold. And also from fishermen who have been asking for increased or stronger regulations and laws that would pertain and that would ensure sustainability of fisheries for generations to come.” She says, “You should think that seafood has been sustainably caught, meaning using means that limits bycatch. Some people still use gillnets even though it is a regulated type of fishing in Belize and many times you have charismatic species like dolphins, turtles, sharks that are caught in gillnets. Our protected species like bonefish and tarpon that are just basically left for dead because nobody really consumes those. So looking at fish that has been sustainably caught, that’s in accordance with the law, that follows seasons; it is not a juvenile.”

U.S. De-risking moves threatens Belize’s and region’s economic security
The United States has thrown stones and is now hiding its hand after the missile has struck Belize squarely in the head. The Belizean economy is in deep trouble now that banks in the US are terrified of engaging in correspondent relations with financial institutions of this jurisdiction. While the US government says it is discouraging their institutions from ending relations with Belize and other countries in the region, their actions make it irresponsible for any profit based enterprise to continue such practice. Prime Minister Dean Barrow has raised the issue both with President Barrack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden. The two most senior official of the current administration have assured Prime Minister Barrow that they will address the matter. Knowing how slow things move in Washington and the urgency of the situation, Prime Minister Barrow organized an A Team of financial experts attached to the Ministry of Finance for a mission to hold meetings with financial regulatory agencies in Washington D.C. The conversation with those agencies will not be one new to them but it will be one with the greatest urgency since adopting a much more stringent policy towards international financial institutions under the Obama Administration. Numerous CARICOM Heads of State have raised concern to President Obama and other senior officials. Bruce Zagaris, international criminal law and tax controversy expert, detailed a history of this crisis in an October 25 publication of the Cayman Financial Review. Zagaris pointed out that despite the fact that Belize significantly improved its Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework Bank of America still ended correspondent relations with the country’s largest bank, Belize Bank, in 2015.

No more repackaging of rice at the grocery store
Belizeans have become accustomed to purchasing rice at their neighborhood grocery story which had been repackaged by the grocer at their establishment. That practice has opened for all manner of advantages to be taken of the consumer; not least among them were giving the consumer less rice than they paid for and also having them pay a higher price for a lower grade rice. That practice is now ending. As of last week, a statutory instrument which was passed in December came into effect. That instrument basically states that all packaging of rice would be done strictly by the producer. That means that the distribution of rice in hundred pound bags has come to an end. The producers are now only allowed to sell rice in a maximum weight of 20 pound bags. They are also to package rice in bags of one pound to five pounds. These packages should be clearly marked as to the weight and the grade of the rice.

No charges yet on woman who killed son in law
Ladyville police are waiting for instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether or not they should take criminal action against 62 year-old Biscayne Resident Moszetta Reyes. She fatally injured her daughter’s boyfriend, 54 year-old Arthur Wade, with a machete, which she claims happened in self-defence. The incident happened on Friday, January 22, at around 9:35 p.m., and Reyes has since recounted her version of the incident to the press. She said that she was at home with her daughter, Alva Reyes, who is an adult suffering from an acute mental illness for which she started showing signs later in her life. Moszetta said that her daughter’s illness was in full swing, and as she and her family always does, they locked her away to protect her and others from any danger she might inflict others.

Young man in Cotton Tree injured
A young man has been injured in Cotton Tree Village. Jordana Frusto, 34, Belizean Director of Vista Del Mar, Ladyville Village, Belize District, recently reported that her son Jonathan Zetina ,18, Belizean Laborer of the same address had gone missing. But whilst giving the report, her son exited a blue pickup truck, which was driven at the time by John Olivera, who reported that he had picked up Jonathan in Cotton Tree Village.

Father,45, pleads guilty to beating his daughter, 16
Alexander Garcia, 45, is lucky to be a free man after he pleaded guilty to beating up his 16-year-old daughter in a drunken rage. Allegations made by the minor is that around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, she was at home in bed sleeping when her father came and woke her up to ask the whereabouts of her mother who was not at home. The child said she told her father that she didn’t know where her mother was and that was when he slapped her to the right side of her face with two books he had in his hand. The father then grabbed her by the neck and began to choke her. The minor’s uncle intervened and encouraged her to report the matter to police. Garcia was arrested and charged for his actions.

Glenfield Dennison recovers, needs financial assistance
On Thursday January 21, 31 year old Belizean law student, Glenfield Dennison was shot in Guyana. Reports are that he had just dropped off his girlfriend in an area on the East Coast of Demerara when he was approached by a gunman as he was about to ride off. The assailant shot at him three times hitting him once to the stomach and his left arm. The gunshots punctured his lungs and injured his liver and he was rushed to the Georgetown hospital where he was treated and is now recuperating.

Gun violence claims man’s life in Corozal
Paul Massam, a 28 year-old resident of Corozal Town, was gunned down and killed on Wednesday, January 30. Police don’t have a motive for this crime at this time, but Massam had a number of run-in with the law before the last 12 months. At around 8:30 a.m., officers responded to a home in area of Corozal called Skeleton Town, where they found signs of the crime in the form of blood on a verandah. The officers were told that Massam was rushed to the Corozal Community Hospital. They deployed to that location and they found Massam’s lifeless body; he had been pronounced dead on arrival. Police observed that he had suffered 3 gunshot wounds, one to the right side of the head, one to the lower cheek, and one to his palm.

The Railers
It seems that some people believe that in Belize the only way to get across a point is to do the pantomime while railing up on TV. The masters of these regular theatrics are Y. Rosado, Gabb, Matura, Brackett and Greenwood. I tell you, these guys (and girl) are good. Traffic Torres and the Silva make up a distant second; this is because their voices are nauseating, and they turn people off when they yak off endlessly over the airwaves. Before I continue, and if you probably haven’t deduced by now, let me tell you that I have been a supporter of the United Democratic Party for umpteen years. Not only because of the Party’s open frown on corruption, but also because I think that the UDP’s commitment to develop our country has always been on the forefront. When they have resources available, they apply these resources, for the most part, into making Belize and its citizens better off.

Two fifteen year olds from San Ignacio Town commit suicide within two weeks
Experts from the Ministry of Health consider it purely coincidental that two female students from San Ignacio Town have committed suicide in exactly two weeks from each other. Investigators are still perplexed, but sometime early on Monday of this week, 15 year old Meisy Amada Polanco, a third form student from Sacred Heart College decided to take her own life. Her mother 35 year old Andrea Claudia Polanco had woken up and did not find her inside the room, so she and her son began to make checks inside the house located in the Cahal Pech area. The last time that Andrea Polanco had seen her daughter alive was at 1:40 am when she had gotten up to use the bathroom. After continuous search, to their shock they discovered her hanging on the branch of an avocado tree about seven feet from off the ground. Both mother and her 12 year old son immediately brought down the body of Meisy Polanco, but she had already passed away. A search in the immediate area by investigators, led them to a fragmented note that had to be pieced together to obtain coherence. Andrea Polanco had suspected Meisy to have had a relationship, but was unaware on whether the relationship was rocky. Andrea Polanco had slapped and scolded Meisy Polanco on January 8, 2016.

Uprising Strikers FC champions of the Peace Cup Competition
The Conscious Youth Development Programme Peace Cup Football competition came to an end on Sunday 24th January, 2016, at the MCC Grounds with the third place game and the championship game played. In the championship game between Uprising Strikers FC and the previously unbeaten Kraal Road FC ended 0-0 in regulation time and as a result had to go into overtime to determined the winner. In the overtime, Uprising Strikers proved to be the better team when Germaine Foster scored the only goal of the game that gave his team the 1-0 victory and the championship. In the third place game played between Tut Bay FC and Kelly Street FC that game also went into overtime in which Kelly Street FC prevailed over Tut Bay FC by the score of 4-3. The goals for Kelly Street FC were scored by Steven Baizar, Wilfred Fisher and Francis Andrews (2). For Tut Bay FC, the goals were scored by Brian Martinez, Kevin Alvarez and Delroy Flores.

St. Martin De Porres girls and boys win in primary school basketball competition
The Belize City Primary Schools Basketball competition continues at Bird’s Isle here in the city. On Tuesday 26th January, in the first of two games played in the girls’ competition, Bethel Primary School won over Holy Redeemer School by the score of 4-1. The top scorers for Bethel Primary were Jaysha Jones and Sherria Barrow with 2 points each. In the second game, Belize Elementary School won over Wesley Upper School by the score of 8-4. The top scorers for Belize Elementary School were Aaliyah Herbert with 3 points, while Kelly Liu and Michaelen Hyde scored 2 points each. For Wesley Upper School, the top scorer was Jada Gillett with 4 points each. In the first of three games played in the boys’ competition, Holy Redeemer School won over Bethel Primary by the score of 40-10. The top scorers for Holy Redeemer School were Izid Lopez with 18 points, Lyzel Thompson with 8 points and Carlisle Clark and Anthony Usher with 4 points each. For Bethel Primary, the top scorers were Delhart Dominguez with 6 points and D’Andre Palacio with 4 points.

Belize to host CADICA Championship in February
The Belize Athletics Association informs the general public that the Belize Athletics Association will be hosting the 10th Central American Cross Country Championship in Athletics. The championship is being sponsored by the Central American Track and Field Organisation (CADICA). The championship is scheduled for Saturday 20th February, 2016, at the Roaring River Golf Course in Roaring Creek Village, Cayo District. It is anticipated that the championship will bring together some 125 cross country athletes and officials from all seven Central American countries. The Belize Athletics Association will be holding a national competition on Saturday 30th January 2016 to select the athletes that will represent the country. The Competition will be held at the Roaring River Golf Course in Roaring Creek Village.

Bridging the gap between law and technology
A new attorney has been called to the Bar in Belize. Rene Amin Montero was admitted to the Belize Bar on Friday of last week, before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. A petition for admission was made on behalf of Montero by Senior Counsel Michael Young, and supported by attorneys at law Senator Aldo Salazar and Agnes Segura-Gillett. Montero graduated from Norman Manley Law School in September 2015 where he was awarded the Pitts and Elrington Award. He also graduated from the University of the West Indies in July of 2013 with Upper Second Class Honors. Montero has always demonstrated discipline and excellence as he also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Physics from Texas Southern University where he graduated with Honors, along with a Master’s Degree in Management and Information System from the University of Manchester where he graduated with Merit. The Bar Association of Belize is comprised of Attorneys-at-Law, judges and magistrates who have been admitted and licensed to practice law within the boundaries of Belize. In his address to Montero, the Chief justice stated that given his merits in Information Technology he will be sought to bridge the gap between information technology and law.

Road to Hopkins is officially open
Driving on the old road to Hopkins Village was not a pleasurable journey but thousands of visitors did so each year. The warm greetings, polite service, delicious food and peaceful atmosphere would soon distant any memory of the terrible drive into the village. Hopkins’ reputation as the most relaxing vacation spot in beautiful Belize has spread wildly over the last decade. It is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Belize and that will increase exponentially with the opening of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Harvest Caye site. Therefore, a road worthy for a trip to paradise was needed and on April 12, 2013, the Government of Belize and the European Union launched the Hopkins Road Upgrade Project under the Belize Rural Development Project II.

Lifeline donates to five schools and Pandemonium Steel Band
The Lifeline Foundation today handed over $42,600 in donations to boost the efforts of several institutions working for the benefit of Belize’s Children. The grants were made possible through funds raised through the Lebanese Night Gala hosted by the Lifeline Foundation and the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre presentation of Hamlet, which was held in collaboration with the British High Commission. Representatives from 5 Schools, and 1 Music Program received the donations on behalf of Wesley College – $6,000; Grace Primary School - $6,000; St. Luke Methodist School - $6,000, St. John’s Anglican School Feeding Program - $10,628.57; St. Agnes Anglican School Feeding Program - $7,971.43 and Pandemonium Steel Band - $6,000.

Marcel Cardona’s accuser sent to jail
A European man, who claims that his name is Martin Musikant, was jailed by the Orange Walk Magistrate until Belizean law enforcement can determine if he is or isn’t an international fugitive who is wanted by Interpol and by the USA. If indeed he is a fugitive, it may end up being beneficial to attorney Marcel Cardona, since the very embarrassing ethical complaint against him to the General Legal Council involved this man. Orange Walk police reportedly picked him up on the Belize Corozal Road after he was acting suspicious. The officers immediately tried to find out who he was, and because of his unusual accent, they reportedly asked him to produce his passport or any other immigration documents. When he couldn’t they detained him, and police and the Immigration Department started to investigate him.

5 Million more to complete Marion Jones Stadium says sports minister
Minister with responsibility for Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr. has pledged that under his watch he will see the completion of the Marion Jones sports complex in Belize City. The Work on the complex began in August of 2009 with the construction of the perimeter fence, since then there has been ongoing work on the facility, ever so slowly it has been taking shape and now it is looking more and more like it will be completed. Hon. Aragon explains that he has done a walk through of the facility and has been appraised of the work that has already been done and what needs to be done to complete the works. He says that at this point to complete the work it will cost in the region of 5 million dollars. “It is a priority for us to complete it,” he stated.

No more repackaging of rice at the grocery store
Belizeans have become accustomed to purchasing rice at their neighborhood grocery story which had been repackaged by the grocer at their establishment. That practice has opened for all manner of advantages to be taken of the consumer; not least among them were giving the consumer less rice than they paid for and also having them pay a higher price for a lower grade rice. That practice is now ending. As of last week, a statutory instrument which was passed in December came into effect. That instrument basically states that all packaging of rice would be done strictly by the producer. That means that the distribution of rice in hundred pound bags has come to an end. The producers are now only allowed to sell rice in a maximum weight of 20 pound bags. They are also to package rice in bags of one pound to five pounds. These packages should be clearly marked as to the weight and the grade of the rice.

La llorona Yhonny
People have begun to dub, Yhonny Rosado as la Llorona. Any Belizean who knows the folkloric figure of la Llorona knows that this is a woman who is found at night crying near a body of water, her actions follow after she had drowned her children and is supposedly mourning their loss. The mythical figure's call to fame is that she is always crying after having done wrong hence the name La Llorona which translated from Spanish means the crying woman. Well that is an appropriate description for Yhonny. There have been at least two occasions on television where he has been recorded on local news crying his eyes out. On every occasion it has been because he was complaining about some of his competitors and how he was being unfairly treated. Instead of taking care of his business, Rosado minds other people's business and then when his business is unsuccessful he calls on the media and complains and cries- la Llorona. Here is where La Llorona finds himself again, last week he was again attacking his competitor, Dark Night tours which operates a cave tubing operation similar to what Rosado operates. In fairness he did not cry when he appeared on the news this time around when he ranted and raged about Dark Night. Rosado instead of taking care of his business and seeing that everything was in order chose to mind the operations of Dark Night and carried on and on about how the business should not be allowed to operate. Low and behold on Tuesday, of this week, special constables, the enforcement arm of the Belize City Council visited another of Rosado's businesses on the Phillip Goldson highway at mile 2 and a half miles where they informed Rosado that Econo Tires was operating illegally.

Doctor’s home invaded by thieves- one man is killed
Dr. Marcos Christopher Rugama Miranda, a 44 year-old Urologist who works for the Private Hospital, Belize Medical Associates, is recovering at the KHMH from stab wounds he suffered in a home invasion. His friend, 37 year-old Ian Robert Blair, was not so fortunate, and he was killed in that crime. It happened on Wednesday morning, January 27, at Rugama Miranda’s home on Simon Lamb Street. Initial police investigation is that at around 1:40 a.m., the doctor was outside on his back verandah, picking in freshly laundered clothes. He returned inside, and that’s when he found 2 dark-skinned men, one armed with gun, the other with a knife, and they were assaulting his friend. The doctor reportedly grabbed a piece of furniture and other appliances, and he started to throw it at both men, in an attempt to rescue his friend. Blair managed to use the distraction to his advantage, and he ran into the bedroom.

Arson leaves family of 7 homeless
A family of 7 from Scotland Halfmoon Village became homeless after a fire which was believed to have been set by a man certified to be mentally ill. 33 year-old Denise Lodge told investigators that on Saturday, January 23, at around 6:45 p.m., she left her home, a wooden bungalow house, to go visit her sister-in-law, who lives in the same village. She returned less than half hour later and found her home completely engulfed in flames. The Fire Department did everything they could to put the fire out, but by that time, the house was in the free-burn stage. When the fire was gotten completely under control, Lodge’s family of 7, including her 4 children, had lost everything in the blaze.

Ex-BDF soldier charged for pushing woman into the sea
Former Belize Defense Force soldier, Rennick Baizer, 32, is out on bail after he was accused of pushing his ex-common-law-wife into the sea on Newton Barracks. The fall caused the woman to sustain injuries to her body which a doctor classified as wounding. In a report to police, Shawna Gillett, 28, said that she was sitting by the sea side with some friends in front of Elements Night Club on Sunday, January 24, when Rennick Baizer approached her and the two got into an argument. The quarrel escalated and Baizer pushed her over the sea wall and she fell into the water. She suffered from abrasions to her left hand and other parts of the body. Gillett reported the matter to police and Baizer was arrested and charged.

Belmopan Quick Response Team finds gun
The Belmopan Quick Response Team conducted operations in Roaring Creek village in the Cayo District last Friday, and upon arrival on the Christian Refuge road conducted a search at the outskirt of the feeder road. At that location they discovered a 12 gauge pump action shot gun without serial numbers, hidden under some bushes. The pump action weapon was observed to have a wooden handle wrapped with a black rubber and a corroded metal barrel with five (5) twelve gauge cartridges. The potentially lethal weapon was deposited by police as found property.

Central prison inmates busted with weed
Sergio Martinez, 25, is at the Belize Central Prison serving a ten year sentence for burglary and Jarold Lamb Arthurs, 28, is on remand for murder but now both men have received time added to their sentence for drug charges. A prison officer reported to Hattieville Police that while he was conducting routine patrol in Tango 11 of the prison at around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, he saw Sergio Martinez throw a small black plastic bag over a fence to Jarold Lamb Arthurs who quickly picked it up and tried to conceal it. The prison officer said that he quickly grabbed the bag from Arthurs and opened it. He saw that it contained some green leaf like substance suspected to be cannabis. Martinez and Arthurs were therefore charged for drug trafficking.

Drugs found in San Ignacio
Members of the Special Branch Tactical Response Squad conducted anti-drug operations in San Ignacio Town last Friday where they came upon drugs hidden in a bushy lot. This special squad went to an abandoned lot on Dalia Street, which resulted in the discovery of a black plastic bag hidden under dry coconut palms among garbage containing loose green leafy vegetable substances suspect to be cannabis. The drugs were weighed, which amounted to 139 grams. No one was found in the immediate area. It was labeled and handed in as found property.

Wesley Junior College students charged with gun theft from police
Wesley Junior College students Stradni Alvert Cassasola, 19, and his classmate Demrey Emaury Lewis, 19, are out on bail after spending three nights on remand for offenses of keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunition which turned out to have been stolen from the Belize Police Department. The Fabers Road Extension residents were granted Supreme Court bail by Justice Antoinette Moore on Friday, January 22. The men first appeared in court on Tuesday, January 19, before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer and were denied bail due to the nature of the offenses. Police claim that on Monday, Janaury 18, they met the duo inside a vehicle on Gibson Street and conducted a search on them and the vehicle. Inside a bag they found a loaded Taurus brand 9 millimeter pistol. Cassasola told the court that he is working with the police department as an employee of the Ministry of National Security and he took the gun home by mistake.

Teenagers remanded for jacking boy’s Nike slippers
It is one of the most prevelant crimes of this era and two teenagers are now behind bars on remand for taking away a little boy’s name brand slippers. Ulide Allen, 18, and Norton Lorenzo Tun are on remand at the Belize Central Prison for a charge of robbery. A fourteen-year-old boy reported to police that sometime around 9 p.m. on Friday, January 22, he was getting a ride on a bicycle with a friend on Vernon Street when they were approached by three males riding on separate bicycles. One of the men, who he knows well and identified as Allen, rode beside them and said, “Mek ah get that slippers.” The boy told him, “You can’t get this.” This was when the others used their bicycles to crash into him and his friend. This caused them to fall to the ground. While he was on the ground, Allen and his friends held him down and removed his slippers from his feet. The men then rode off.

Two Mennonites and two Americans busted with weed
A group of four persons from Spanish Lookout, two Americans and two Mennonites, were busted with marijuana on Sunday, January 24, at the junction of Burrell Boom Road and the Phillip Goldson Highway. According to police report, at about 12 noon on Sunday a grey Toyota 4 Runner truck approached a vehicular checkpoint set up by officers of the Mobile Interdiction Team at the junction of the Burrell Boom Road and the Phillip Goldson Highway. Four persons were inside and the driver was asked for his license. When the he lowered his glass the officer smelt marijuana inside the vehicle. He immediately informed the driver that a search would be done on them and the vehicle for illegal firearms, ammunitions and drugs. During the search, nothing incrimination was found on the occupants of the vehicle; however, a black school bag containing a glass jar with green leaf like substance was found inside the vehicle. All four persons were detained and escorted to the Ladyville Police Station where they were charged with possession of 12.4 grams of marijuana.

Premier League of Belize Football Closing Season opens
The Premier League of Belize Football Competition Closing Season for 2016 officially opened on Saturday 23 January, 2016, with one game on the schedule. In the only game that was played between the Belmopan Bandits and the defending national football champions the Police United at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The host team the Belmopan Bandits was the first to get onto the scoreboard when Elroy Smith scored the only goal for his team in the 28th minute of play via a penalty. The first half of the game ended in favour of the Belmopan Bandits.

San Pedro Tigersharks begins defence of back-to-back basketball title
The National Elite Basketball League competition continued last weekend with three games on the schedule. On Saturday 23rd January, at the Independence High School Auditorium in Independence Village, the Belize City No Limit Team won its 2nd game of this year’s senior campaign when it edged out the new entrant in the league the Independence Thunderbolts by the score of 74-73. The top scorers for the Belize City No Limit team were Gregory Rudon with 19points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals; Earl Johnson with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals and Lennox Bowman with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. For the Independence Thunderbolts, the top scorers were Hyram Augustine with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 6 steals; Alroy Foreman with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals and Zane Burgess with 12 points, 16 rebounds and 2 steals.

Wesley College boys maintains lead in high school football competition
The Central Region Secondary Schools Football Competition continues at the MCC Grounds with a number of games played over this week and the last one. On Tuesday 26 January in the male competition game played, St. John’s College and Ladyville Technical High School played to a 0-0 draw. On Monday 25 January, Anglican Cathedral College males defeated Gwen Lizarraga High School by the score of 2-1. The goals for Anglican Cathedral College were scored by Christian Ancona and Akeem Sutherland. Meanwhile, the only goal of the game for Gwen Lizarraga High School was scored by Hakeem Smith. Naim Wilson of Gwen Lizarraga High School was issued with a red card. The competition continued on Saturday 23 January with three games on the schedule and all in the male competition.

Breaking Belize News

Zika can affect up to four million people; vaccine in development
Health officials continue to monitor Zika in the Americas as the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that about four million people can be infected with the virus. The situation has prompted the need for swift action by WHO and the US National Institute of Health […]

More charges for Paumen; now accused of planting firearm in enemy’s vehicle
Businessman Bradley Paumen returned today to Belmopan Magistrate’s Court on more charges related to his ongoing battle with Michael Modiri. Paumen, already accused of abetment to commit murder, is now accused of planting a firearm in Modiri’s vehicle. In May of 2015, police were tipped […]

Man pleads guilty to handling stolen goods in school burglary
Julian Cowling, an employee of Cisco Construction who allegedly entered the cafeteria of Edward P. Yorke High School as a trespasser and stole several items, was charged with burglary and handling stolen goods when he appeared today before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. Cowling pled not guilty […]

Murder trial of Daniel Anderson concludes
At the conclusion of the murder trial of Daniel Anderson today, Justice Adolph Lucas, who was both judge and jury, announced that he will give his decision on Tuesday, February 2. Anderson is charged with the murder of 19 year old Joyce Mitchell, who was shot […]

Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) records lower exports and prices, higher imports for 2015
It was a down year for Belize’s trade balance, which according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) widened as Belize imported more and exported less. Meanwhile, Belizeans continue to pay slightly less for the cost of living as at the end of 2015. Merchandise […]

Ex-MOE “open vote worker” sues GOB for termination
The Supreme Court today began hearing a case that could have impact on the employment of so-called “open vote workers”, those who do work for Government, but not under formal contract. The official definition, according to the Government (Open Vote) Workers Regulations (1992), Statutory Instrument […]

Mental Health Association comments on recent incidents
This week we have been reporting on two matters involving persons with reported mental health issues. According to the Mental Health Association, the public needs to be aware that there is assistance available through the Ministry of Health. In the case of Arthur Wade, shot […]

Placencia Police Meet and Greet Seine Bight Villagers
Led by their Commanding Officer, Inspector Dennis Miles, members of Placencia’s Police Formation set out on their “Meet and Greet” in Seine Bight Village where they visited homes to hear concerns from the general public earlier today. This was part of a relatively new […]

T.A.L.K to a Teacher
Over the past two weeks we have been mourning the deaths of our children. Children who have barely even tasted of the greatness this life has to offer. They had reasons some of us may never understand but we can no longer sit back relax […]

Small aircraft experiences mechanical failure in Punta Gorda
A small aircraft known as the “Wings of Hope” which is use to transport patients in critical medical conditions from small treatment centers around the country to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, almost had a terrible crash landing at the Punta […]

Paul Massam killed in Corozal
The sounds of gunshot broke the silence in Corozal Town on Wednesday morning in the vicinity of V Street North. As a result, 29-year-old Paul Vincent Massam was fatally injured as he sat on a verandah at the house he was at. According to […]

Cold front to cross country this evening
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly cloudy skies and cool weather with a few light showers or periods of rain mainly inland and north at first, then spreading to southern coastal areas this evening and early tonight. Winds will be blowing […]

Police detain Belize Defense Force soldier for West Line bus incident
San Ignacio Police have detained a Belize Defense Force (BDF) officer and a second person for questioning regarding the incident on a West Line bus yesterday afternoon, which was initially reported as a shooting on a bus in Esperanza Village, Cayo District. Around 2:30 […]

Second Melchor resident missing in Belize
Another Melchor resident was reported missing in Belize00 a.m. on Sunday, en route to sell Avon products in the Cayo District and never returned. 35-year-old Guatemalan National, Clementa […]

Understanding the ‘de-risking’ crisis
For much of the past year there has been much talk of corresponding ties and ‘de-risking’, however, the problem is that many Belizeans don’t understand the situation and as a result don’t feel it has any direct impact on their daily lives. Of course, […]

Blogs

The Great House Rises at Mahogany Bay Village, Ambergris Caye
Mahogany Bay Village is Ambergris Caye’s largest development. Almost 2 miles south of San Pedro town and tucked back behind a gate from the road, it is being built at break neck speed by a huge crew. During different phases there will be a hotel of 200ish rooms (Phase One, open this year and managed by Scout Hotels), residences, a village, a dive shop, concierge service, a gorgeous Miami style pool and a long beautiful beach club (in a location not yet announced to the public.) This is a serious undertaking. We were there to look at the Great House. Which is 3 floors, 22,000 square feet, will have an elevator, two bar (Shaken and Stirred) and now…a planned “speak-easy” or special club like area on the top floor. Amanda was there to take a look at the space and see how the design would go…

Green Spaghetti a la Mexicana
Boil the spaghetti in water with a little salt and a few drops of oil (to prevent sticking)- Once the pasta is cooked, put it in a colander to drain. Place poblano peppers on the fire to toast for a bit and put into a plastic bag so that you can peel them once they have soften. Once they are completely peeled and deveined you put them in the blender with cream and garlic and a little water (not much) and liquefy all together. Next place a frying pan on the fire and add butter to melt, then add the pasta and stir it to mix with the butter and add the liquefied miture without removing from the fire and add salt to taste. Once it is well blended remove it from the fire.

International Sources

Antigua-Barbuda PM warns of correspondent banking crisis
During a plenary debate on Wednesday at the fourth summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Ecuador, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne highlighted to his colleague heads of government the clear and present danger associated with the decline in correspondent banking relations among Caribbean countries. “The system is pernicious, destructive and callous,” Browne said. “If Caribbean financial institutions lose correspondent banking relations, the following will take place: first, remittances from our diaspora, which are important to the foreign exchange earnings and the welfare of the poor in our society, will be adversely affected. Second, businesses will not be able to pay for goods and services they import, which are necessary for human existence. And third, the tourism industry, upon which we depend, will be fatally injured when payments cannot be made and revenues received.” “Participation in CELAC puts us in a group that has international weight and influence,” he said, “and it is therefore an excellent vehicle for bringing our concerns and issues to the attention of global decision-makers.”

Regional fisheries bodies sign MOU to improve coordination for sustainable fisheries
Three regional fisheries bodies (RFBs): the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM); the Organization of the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA); and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations - Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (FAO-WECAFC) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate, support and strengthen the coordination of actions among the three RFBs to increase the sustainability of fisheries. This initiative to improve coordination for sustainable fisheries is supported through the UNDP/GEF-Catalysing Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of shared Living Marine Resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) Project. This five-year regional project seeks to support the implementation of a 10-year politically endorsed Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Shared Living Marine Resources of the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+ SAP); through the full implementation of ecosystem based management/an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EBM/EAF) within the CLME+ region.

Caribbean tourism sector to be enhanced by better health systems
Trinidad and Tobago is one of six Caribbean countries to benefit from a US$800,000 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) grant to develop and implement a regional tourism health information, monitoring and response system. The other Caribbean nations that are beneficiaries of the IDB grant, as disclosed at Wednesday morning’s grant signing ceremony, are The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica. The Caribbean region is the most tourism dependent region in the world and the recent pandemics – SARS in 2000, HINI in 2009, chikungunya in 2013 and now the zika virus – have accelerated the need to monitor and respond to travel related illnesses and support the tourism sector to adopt comprehensive and effective health and environmental sanitation practices. In welcoming this three-year regional tourism health initiative, Shamfa Cudjoe pledged the support of the ministry of tourism as “strengthening the public health system will strengthen our tourism product”.

Winners of the Central American eBirder of the Year Awards 2015
Belize: Roni Martínez, Jan Meerman, Dominique Lizama. As we announced last September, we will award outstanding eBirders in Central America with prizes such as two Zeiss binoculars and several eBird hats, to recognize their contributions to eBird during 2015. At eBird, we value all your observations, but we especially value observations from areas with few eBird checklists. We designed a competition last year to motivate visits to such under-birded areas: submit checklists from more departments or provinces in your country than other birders. But for a department to count, you would need to be in the top 10 list of eBirders (by checklists) for that department. Of course it was more difficult to get into the top 10 for areas that already have many eBirders submitting data, but for under-birded areas, it was not too difficult—sometimes just a few checklists from those data-deficient areas were enough!

Adventure twins in Belize: Mom and boys find fun in Caribbean paradise
My stomach roiled as the boat rocked and rolled along the Caribbean waves, and our two-hour journey stretched into three. The patchwork of emerald and azure waters was barely visible through the small windows of the boat’s interior cabin. The fresh sea air was not reaching us below deck. Our destination was an idyllic island off the coast of Belize, which would be delightful, I was sure. I was anxious. Not only was I on an adventure tour in this remote corner of the Caribbean, but I was travelling solo with my four-year-old twin sons. No dad, no grandparents, no babysitter — just me and my ever-lovable, energetic, opinionated, unpredictable, exhausting twins. So far, at least, the boys were holding up. Shay looked as queasy as I felt, but he was lying quietly on the cushioned bench. Van, by contrast, was standing up on the bench so he could see out the window, peering through his red plastic binoculars. “I already spotted three flying fish,” he boasted to anyone who would listen. Finally, he announced that he could see the island. And shortly thereafter, we were clamouring off the boat, breathing the salty air, and taking off our shoes so we could feel the sand between our toes. We had arrived, and it was indeed paradise.

Matthiew Klinck's mother wants to open film school in his honour
Matthiew Klinck was living his dream as filmmaker in Belize when he was brutally killed at his home earlier this month — and now his mother hopes to open a film school for youth in his honour. "He was an extraordinary being," his mother Louise Dallaire, who lives in Gatineau, told Radio-Canada. "He always wanted to help youth realize their dreams. That was really him, completely." It was his desire to teach youth the art of film that led him to move to Belize four years ago, after meeting an aspiring teen filmmaker in a village while on vacation, Dallaire said. She said she hopes to raise enough money to open a film school in Canada in his name — and later in Belize, if possible. "He wanted to help young people who didn't have any hope," Dallaire said.

Commentary: De-risking or destruction? Neither is fair
“If there were any scheme designed to destroy the economies of several countries without a military war, then this is such a scheme. It is erroneous; it is pernicious; and it is vicious”. That was how Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne described the way in which US banks, under pressure from US regulatory agencies, are cutting off correspondent relations with Caribbean indigenous and offshore banks unilaterally and with very little notice. No wonder then that the Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow, who restricts travelling to the minimum because of spinal challenges, was in Washington DC for much of the week beginning January 25th to meet senior representatives of the US government and regulatory agencies. Of all the Caribbean countries, Belize has been the hardest hit by US banks terminating correspondent relations. But, other Caribbean countries are also feeling the squeeze of what is obscurely called “de-risking”. Indeed, the problem is so acute that no foot-dragging on the issue could be excused. The matter should be the highest priority for regional governments, diplomats and the entire private sector, not only banks for whom the issue has become one of immediacy.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Pope Francis meet
Pope Francis received Leonardo DiCaprio at the Vatican on Thursday in a private audience. Like Pope Francis, the Hollywood film star is a passionate campaigner for environmental causes. He's also a UN Ambassador for Peace with a special emphasis on climate change. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told CBS News that DiCaprio had requested the meeting because he recognized the "great moral and religious authority which the Holy Father has in this field," after the publication of his encyclical on the environment, "Laudato Sii." The controversial 190-page teaching document, published in June 2015 , said the Earth was "beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth." In it, Pope Francis supported evidence of global warming, and criticized those who were "delaying the important decisions and pretending that nothing will happen." He called on all individuals and world leaders -- especially those from rich countries -- to act immediately and emphatically to protect "our common home."

The World’s First Tropical Mermaid Retreat Will Take Place in Belize in February 2016
Sirenalia, an Austin, Texas based mermaid production company, is throwing a tropical mermaid retreat in Caye Caulker, Belize on February 4-9 of 2016. The all-inclusive, five-day retreat will feature professional underwater photography at the Belize Barrier Reef; mermaid-themed yoga classes and several nighttime mermaid events. Participants will be given the chance to visit with the local elementary school. All profits from the event will be donated to the Ocean Academy, a local nonprofit dedicated to assuring education to the island’s children. “Our company has been visiting Caye Caulker for several years now, and I’m so excited to open the trip up to everyone who wants to participate,” said Maria Russo, owner of Sirenalia. “I love the thought of swimming the Barrier Reef with other mermaids and mermaid performers!”

Japan and UNDP kick start US$15 million Caribbean climate change project
The government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the US$15 million Japan-Caribbean climate change partnership (J-CCCP) on Thursday, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The launch follows a two-day meeting with more than 40 representatives from eight Caribbean countries, including government officials, technical advisors, NGO and UN partners to set out a roadmap to mitigate and adapt to climate change, in line with countries’ long-term strategies. The new initiative will help put in practice Caribbean countries’ actions and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, such as nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) and national adaptation plans (NAPs). It will also boost access to sustainable energy and help reduce fossil fuel imports and dependence, setting the region on a low-emission development path, while addressing critical balance of payments constraints.

Zika: Brazil to deploy army in fight against virus
Brazil's government says it will deploy 220,000 soldiers in its fight against mosquitoes spreading the Zika virus. The soldiers will go from home to home handing out leaflets on how to avoid the spread of Zika, which has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.

Videos

January 28, 2016

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Specials and Events

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

Record breaking overnight tourist arrivals for 2015
The 2015 tourism numbers are in and they show an increase of 6.2% in comparison to 2014. According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the overnight tourism industry experienced record breaking numbers in 2015, leading to exponential growth in the industry. This substantial growth is being accounted to the addition of international flight routes to the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). Here on Ambergris Caye, tourism stakeholders have also marked 2015 as a productive year, with a year-round influx of visitors boosting the island’s economy. BTB indicated that despite an unsteady first and second quarter, Belize had seven straight months of arrival increases, with the highest increase figures occurring in the last four months of the year. “September to December of 2015 showed record improvements, with overnight arrivals increasing every month in comparison to last year’s figures. September had an increase of 19.3%, October 22.1%, November 33% and December 22.5% increase. November’s 33% increase is the largest ever recorded for this month, which rarely goes above a 10% increase,” explained BTB in a press release.

Isla Bonita students educate community on social issues
Education is a pillar in the proper development of a child. Topics such as Rights of a Child, Child Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are key in ensuring children are equipped for the future. As such, Isla Bonita Elementary School (IBES) organizes an annual open house where upper division students display their knowledge on these pressing social issues. This year’s open house was held on Friday, January 22nd from 1PM to 3:30PM. Community members and students from other island schools were invited to attend the event and learn about social issues that exist in our society. Overseeing the open house was Teacher Sharon Hazel, home room teacher for the standard six division, and subject teacher for Language Arts, Social Studies and Health and Family Life. “The open house is a form to judge the students on topics they have learned in class,” said Hazel. The students have three weeks to prepare for the open house, but learn about the topics from the commencement of the school year...

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week - Bird's Eye View Central Park
With the street vendors and the large palapa out of Central Park, everything looks more spacious and brighter. There is more open space, beach area and available park benches for everybody to enjoy. We love how Central Park looks now; we bring you a bird's eye view of the park in downtown San Pedro for you to enjoy.

25 Years Ago - Good Old Days…Children Growing Up in Fishing Village
Back in the GOOD OLD DAYS you did not see children walking about the streets during school hours; you found all the children in school doing school work. Back in the GOOD OLD DAYS when we asked for five cents from our parents it was enough money for a gala time. I love the good old days because they made me who I am. Monday to Fridays from 8a.m. to 3:30p.m. you see young children walking about aimlessly down the streets or you see them performing adult chores like chopping and cleaning yards or selling souvenirs. Not so back in the GOOD OLD DAYS and for more than one good reason. First of all our parents did not allow us to miss classes for no good reason. A child got a whipping if he insisted in staying home.

National Program Launched to Highlight Local Establishments Sourcing Seafood Responsibly
Fishers, NGO’s, Government Officials and Private Sector representatives gathered on Tuesday, Januray 26, 2016, to launch the program brand and certification mark of “Fish Right, Eat Right”, a market-based program backed by an education campaign that will provide incentives for fishers, retailers, restaurants, and consumers to promote and support the harvest, trade and consumption of sustainably and legally caught seafood. The goal of this certification program is to curb illegal fishing and promote best practices in fisheries by providing marketing incentives throughout the supply chain via the promotion of responsible seafood consumption. Those establishments that demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with the Fisheries Regulations will receive special recognition, and responsible fishers who comply with the Regulations will have preferential access to these reliable markets.

Chef Jennie Staines Tops Estel’s BBQ Ribs Cook-off in First Try
In her first appearance the Estel’s BBQ Ribs Cook-off, Executive Chef of Elvi’s Kitchen Jennie Staines, pulled a double ‘whammy’ by taking both first place medals from the judges pick and the people’s choice. The grilling and finger-licking took place on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, beachside at Estel’s Dine by the Sea. The grilling competition now in its 5th year is proving to be a huge tourist attraction as the diner is overfilled with customers enjoying cold beer, cocktails and the delicious food of Estel’s. The main attraction of the event is of course the tender ribs that are grilled by local chefs and repeat grill masters who have a passion for barbequing.

Misc Belizean Sources

December 2015 External Trade & Consumer Price Index
Belize’s total imports for the month of December 2015 were valued at $179.7 million. This was a decrease of 2.5 percent or $4.6 million over imports for December 2014, which totaled $184.2 million. During the month, imports destined for the ‘Commercial Free Zones’ and ‘Export Processing Zones’ both declined by $6 million, as fewer cigarettes, clothing, shrimp feed and steel structures were purchased, when compared to the same month in 2014. Additionally, lower world fuel prices resulted in $3 million less being spent on ‘Mineral Fuel and Lubricants’, although the quantities of premium, regular and diesel fuels imported were higher than in December 2014.
The Statistical Institute of Belize’s latest statistics on consumer prices showed that for December 2015, the All-Items Consumer Price Index stood at 102.7, a decline of 0.7 percent from 103.5 recorded in December 2014. For the year 2015, the average national inflation rate was negative 0.9 percent.

Call for Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Papers
The Mona School of Business & Management, UWI will be hosting its second Business and Management Conference themed “Connecting the Dots: Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development.” The conference will be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica November 9-11, 2016 and will also feature a vibrant social programme. Publication opportunities and awards include the A-Ranked (ABDC) journal Entrepreneurship and Regional Development and for the best paper. A Doctoral Consortium will also feature in the programme.

San Pedro Carnaval Photographic Exhibition
Join us for the opening of the Carnaval Photographic Exhibition on Friday, February 5th at 7:00 pm

Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn launches a brand new wine room
Turtle Inn, Francis Ford Coppola’s stunning 25-room seafront resort in Belize, has added a 1,200 bottle wine room designed by Laurent Deroo to delight guests with wines from around the world and in particular wines from Coppola’s own vineyards in California. The wine cellar, one of the largest and most sophisticated in Belize, is designed to store the wines at the optimal 13 degrees Celsius, similar to the temperature of the original caves wine would have been stored in, to prevent them from ageing prematurely and spoiling the complex flavours. This is a particularly important issue in the tropics where the temperatures can fluctuate significantly and ruin the wines. The in-house sommeliers will guide guests through the wine room, offering tastings of the award winning Coppola wines from both the Francis Coppola Winery in Sonoma and the Inglenook Estate in Napa along with many other vintages from Chile, Argentina, Italy, France and the USA. Now guests in Belize can enjoy the finest wines whilst relaxing in paradise.

Validation Workshop of the National Report Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Government of Belize Press Office

Carnaval is almost here!
Check out the schedule of events!

Construction of the municipal public parking in San Pedro
Works for the construction of the municipal public parking opposite the Hon Louis “Cuz” Slyvestre Sports Complex has commenced. The project is undertaken by Councilor Severo Guerrero who is responsible for Transport, Civic & Infrastructural Development, Public Events and Community Beautification & upkeep. The project is part of the San Pedro Town Council’s revitalization initiative as part of the Local Economic Development plans for the downtown area of the community. Upon completion, the municipal parking will provide parking space for 80 vehicles/carts as well as a section for motorcycles. It will complement the recently completed San Pedro Artisan Market in which 29 artisans were recently relocated. It is the hope of the San Pedro Town Council to complete the municipal parking lot within two weeks. Once open, the community that uses Barrier Reef and Pescador Drives for long-hours parking during the day time, will be encouraged to use the municipal parking lot to reduce traffic congestion in the downtown area.

Poets Corner: Bromance!
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. Men are socialized wrongly To only associate sex as intimacy I encourage every male to join the army A football team or a dance company Homophobia is stifling our masculinity Men are afraid of showing intimacy Thinking it’s not manly To show their vulnerability This society confused with it identity Liken male intimacy with homosexuality Causing problems with their identity Can a man be emotionally intense? Without committing the sexual offence Can’t men have friendships that are unusual? Without the stigma of being called a homosexual Can’t men experience this high level of intimacy? There is a new terminology That has emerged since the 21st century Called Bromance mi bally We’ve had this culture in our societies for centuries But the culture is transforming with globalized ideologies and nuances

Caye Caulker Healthy Dog Sheet
There have been a number of alarming and upsetting dog illnesses and deaths around the caye lately and, while we have not figured out the cause of all of them we do know there has been a recent increase in sickness and death from preventable diseases. Right now we are seeing a lot of Hook Worms in dogs on the island. Hook Worms suck a dog’s blood and if untreated can cause them to become weak and die. Symptoms are the dog being extra tired, not wanting to eat, pale gums and tongue, diarrhea and sometimes coughing. If your dog shows any of these signs please bring them right in to the clinic here on the caye or to a vet in San Pedro or Belize City. We have prepared an easy to follow HEALTH SHEET for you to print off, refer back to and keep safe for your pets.

CHIQUIBUL GRISONS - Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge
The Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) is proud to present its team "Chiquibul Grisons". The objective of the race is to create awareness of the Chiquibul Forest and its importance. Our FCD team needs your moral and financial support!!! February 20 - February 24. Show Map Chiquibul National Park

Channel 7

A Dr. Stabbed, His House Guest Killed In Home Invasion/Burglary
2 friends were stabbed during a home invasion in the city. It happened around 1:45 this morning on Simon Lamb Street. 44 year old Dr. Marcos Rugama was at his home with his friend 32 year old Ian Blair. Rugama went outside to pick in clothes and when he returned, he saw 2 men attacking Blair - one of them had a knife. Rugama intervened and there was a struggle where Rugama was stabbed once to the chest and Blair was stabbed 3 times – twice to the shoulder and once to the rib cage. Blair didn’t make it. Today we spoke to Ian Blair’s mother and older brother and they told us they were in complete shock when they heard the news. Maria Heredia - Mother of Ian Blair: "Last night da the last time and after when I see Ian and he tell me; ma I going. He gives me a cup of ice cream and he hugs my mom and he hugs me up and he gone, say bye." Courtney Weatherburne: "Around what time was this ma'am?" Maria Heredia - Mother of Ian Blair: "That happen 8 o'clock he left we last night, from that I no see Ian. When they come tell me about 2 o'clock they call me, they stab Ian, he is in bad condition."

Morning Murder In Corozal
Also this morning, 28 year-old Corozal resident, Paul Massam, who has had a number of run-ins with police, was shot and killed execution style in Corozal Town. It’s the first murder in that town for the year, and today, we spoke with the Deputy Commander from the Corozal Police about the incident: Inspector Peter Serrano – Deputy OC, Corozal Town: "Sometime after 8:30 AM on today's date, information was received of shots fired in the skeleton area, Corozal town. As a result police visited the area and on arrival at the area, we were told that a male person was shot and was transported to the Corozal hospital. A team immediately proceeded to the hospital. On arrival at the hospital, the lifeless body of said male person was seen with what appears to be 3 gunshot wounds; one to the right side of the head, and the other one just about the lower cheek and one on his palm. That person was later identified as Paul Massam, 28 years old. Initial investigation reveals that Paul Massam was at this house when he was approached by a lone gunman who fired 3 shots at him, fatally wounding him. He was pronounced dead on arrival. The scene was processed by the scenes of crime technician. At this point in time, we are looking for 3 persons who we know could assist us in this investigation. This investigation continues."

Alleged Shooting In A Bus With 60 Passengers
So, while police in Corozal and Belize City are busy trying to solve those two murders, Cayo Police are investigating what looks to be a shooting which happened on a Westline Bus which was carrying 60 passengers. It happened sometime before 3:00 this afternoon, when the bus was on the George Price Highway heading toward Belize City. Initial reports went out that one passenger shot another in the head, but San Ignacio Investigators aren’t so sure about that. They think that if he was indeed shot, he was only grazed in the right side of the head, but it could have been that he was clubbed in the head with the gun. This evening, the Deputy Commander of San Ignacio Police spoke with us via phone, and he told us what they know at this time: ASP. Reymundo Reyes - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police: "Information was received something around 2:30 PM that a passenger inside a West line bus that was travelling towards Belize City has been shot in his head. As a result immediate police response was sent to the area on arrival where one Conward Thomas was seeing bleeding from the upper right side of his head. He was immediately transported to the San Ignacio Town Hospital where he was been treated for the said injury..."

Customs Catches Consejo Weed - Coming From Mex. Side
Two weeks ago on the news – you heard the BDF Commander talking about the area of Consejo on the Belize side of the Rio Hondo. He said it’s a hotspot for the transshipment of drugs – and today that proved accurate when a joint Customs, BDF and Coast Guard patrol came across 4 parcels of marijuana. The weed was found in the “Estero” area along the river, which is across from “Ramonal” on the Mexico side. It had been concealed in the bushes and law enforcement found two men in the area – but they were too far away from the drugs to establish a connection – so they were not arrested. The river operation on the Customs vessel named “Fearless” started at 6:00 am and the bust was made at around 11:30 am.

Bus Knocks Down Cyclist
There was an accident on the George Price Highway near mile 6 and a half this morning where a bus knocked down a cyclist. Police have not released the details, but we understand that the bus was heading from Belize City to Benque Viejo Town, and just after a curve, the driver was unable to steer the bus away from the cyclists who were heading in the same direction. That’s because there were vehicles coming in the opposite direction at the same time, and the cyclist was hit. We understand that he was flung in the direction of his companion, and they had an ugly spill. We’ve been unable to confirm the extent of their injuries, but the Ambulance had to rush them to the KHMH.

61 Year Old Beaten In PG
A family from the village of Jacinto Ville PG are today holding on to hope after their 61 year old uncle was badly beaten. The incident occurred on Saturday and the beating left 61 year old Orle Savala in the intensive care unit at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital. Yesterday the story was that the old man was clinically dead and was going to be taken off of life support. But today Savala made a miraculous turn around. We spoke to the family today who explained situation starting with the beating of the old man. Elida Savala - Wife: "This young boy gone to my house, we know it's somebody that always make trouble in the village. So we don't want him in our yard. I said Jimmy, come out of my yard, please come out of my yard; I said I don't want you in here. I said I don't want to argue with you just come out of my yard please. He said "Alright, alright" and he walk off a good lee ways from the yard and he still stand up. I told him Jimmy come out because if my husband come and find you in here, he won't want you in here. He say, "Where he deh?" I said I no business to tell you where he deh. And right away he gone, he gone. And later on I the wait because my husband gone before gone buy this fried chicken and now I the wait for my husband to come back with this fried chicken. But I the wait and wait, I don't see him come back; no have no thinking that if something happen because I know no wa happen because he no have no enemy, I no the think about that none at all, absolutely I the wait for this fried chicken. Later on when I hear they call me and tell me your husband is at the hospital, Jimmy beat him up. I say oh my god, why he do that for."

18 Million, 35 New Classrooms, 5300 Students
Phase 2 of The Belize Education Sector Reform Project was launched today. While phase one focused on sharpening the policy direction in the ministry – phase 2 is all about building new schools – 35 of them for 5300 students to get more equitable access to education. That includes 22 new pre-schools, five primary schools, and eight secondary schools. It’s a huge 18.3 million dollar education sector reform project funded by the Caribbean Development Bank. At the launching today at the Biltmore in Belize City, education Minister Patrick Faber explained how they decided where to put the new schools: Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "The location of these schools have been determined scientifically, it is based on a school mapping model that considers the current supply of school spaces as against current and projected demand as determined by population projections. People look at it and say how you determine that you will build that school there; breaking it down for some people. Why is it that you are putting a school there, why can't I get a school here? That has been the problem in this country as it relates to the school; everybody wants their own school in their own village to do their own thing. My friends we cannot continue in that way."

Ministry Responds To Benque Suicide Situation
But before they build those schools, the ministry has to respond to what’s been happening in high schools in the west. Last night we told you about the suicide of a 15 year old early on Monday morning in San Ignacio – and there was another teen suicide in Benque shortly before that. Faber says his ministry is responding:… Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "I sympathize with the families; I believe that they're two such deaths, one in Benque and one in San Ignacio. So I do sympathize. The ministry continues to do all it can do at the secondary level, all of those high schools have counselling systems, the ministry and the association of secondary school counsellors; they work tirelessly to try to ensure that there is that kind of support for our students at the secondary level. I emphasize that it is not a job for the counsellor alone or the ministry to push alone. These things that happen to our children are reflections of what is happening in the larger society. So it is everybody's business as we say to be there to support our children." Jules Vasquez: "But 2 suicides and attempted suicide as well at Mopan Tech, one in the history of that area Benque Viejo in particular; one has the sense that there might be, I don't want to say epidemic but a situation that requires urgent crisis style intervention. Is that something your ministry is looking at?"

EP Yorke Burglarized
Keeping it on education, Edward P. York High School’s cafeteria was burglarized yesterday. Someone broke into the Belize City High School between 3:00 yesterday afternoon and 6:00 this morning. They stole money and assorted food items. But, police were able to catch the thief. Today Assistant Commissioner of Police Desiree Phillips explained: Desiree Phillips - Assistant Commissioner of Police: "What I can tell you so far is that a burglary was reported at the cafeteria at EP York sometime between 3 P.M yesterday evening and 6 o'clock this morning a number of items were stolen, mostly cash and chocolates, small little items; snacks. Again we are happy to say that we have been able to detain one person and at least 90% of the stolen items have been recovered." Courtney Weatherburne: "And you believe only one person was responsible for this?" Desiree Phillips - Assistant Commissioner of Police: "Yes, that's what we can say with certainty so far."

Diplomat Says His Household Is Recovering
We have reported extensively on the Sarkis Abou – Nehra home invasion and burglary in Burrell Boom. A group of armed thieves cleaned out his house, viciously assaulted the caretaker and raped the caretaker’s wife. It happened on December 4 th while Abou-Nehra was out of the country. Well, we caught up with the Lebanese Diplomat at another event today and we asked him how he and his caretakers are managing after the vicious attack. Sarkis Bou-Nahra - Lebanese Diplomat: "I wish I was here to welcome those guests I have had in my absence at my house. However this is an act of cowardice which I ask the lord to forgive them for, providing they return my stolen items and guns." As we told you 19 people have been charged in connection with this incident. Those charges range from rape, to conspiracy to commit rape and aggravated burglary to abetment to rape and handling stolen goods.

Police Allow Prisoner To Give Them The Slip
An illegal immigrant detainee escaped from the custody of Benque Viejo Police, and tonight the department is reporting that negligence by an on-duty allowed him to give police the slip. At around 11 yesterday morning, officers went to the cell block area to take food for prisoner, 36 year-old Denis Alberto Nunez Gamez, a resident of Sonaguera Colon, Honduras. That’s when they discovered that he had escaped from cell #3. They don’t know exactly how he managed it, but they discovered that the padlock on the door was unlocked. The most likely explanation was the officer on duty left it unlocked, and so, that officer will be facing an internal investigation. Police are prepared to take disciplinary action against this officer for neglect of duty.

BTB And Bradley, A Special Arrangement?
Today the Belize Tourism Board invited the media to a long overdue press briefing. Over the past two weeks we have been reporting about the situation with major tour operator Bradley Paumen who has been hauled before the courts for allegedly plotting a murder hit on his neighbour in Frank’s Eddy. His situation was further compromised when it became known that Paumen’s tour company, Dark Night had been operating for almost three weeks in early January without a valid tour operator’s license. As had been previously reported, in December, Paumen was issued two notices informing him that his tour license was about to expire. Then in January he was served with two other notices telling him to cease and desist. But he just kept on going. On the 19 th he fulfilled his requirements and his license was renewed. No harm no foul right? Well the local tour guides we had spoken to didn’t think so. So today we asked BTB's Director of Business Development- what’s with all the special treatment when dealing with Dark Night? Here is what he told us. Javier Paredes - Director of Business Development, BTB: "Belize is a country based on the rule of law. There is due process, it's a police matter at this point in time, and it will come before the courts. We will be guided by that; that still remains to be settled and I assume that is a very lengthy process that will transpire there. For us when he comes before the committee all that will be heard at that point in time will be his illegal operation or his breaking of the law and any disciplinary actions, penalties, fines will be imposed as per the decision of the committee."

Are Tourism Regs Being Applied Across The Board
While on the Topic of the Bradley Paumen situation we asked BTB about another matter, which the local tourism sector has been riled up about for quite some time. That has to do with the strict regulations that are being enforced on them but allegedly not on Dark Night and other foreign private tour operators. Director of Business Development Paredes, told us that he believes in applying regulations across the board. So why do all reports say they are not? Javier Paredes - Director of Business Development, BTB: "We always believe that whatever standards are implemented should be across the board. There should be a level playing field in terms of standards and that's what we strive towards." Emanuel Pech: "Are you there?" Javier Paredes - Director of Business Development, BTB: "No we are moving in that direction. Actually we are still in the process of developing standards for the past 3 years we have been looking closely at hotel standards, that's been the past 3 years. I think in 2016 we're going to be able to pass some legislation in terms of hotel standards. This year 2016 we have earmarked to look at tour operators in terms of tour operators standards..."

The Sports Cycle
Two nights ago we told you about the new Director of the National Sports Council who’s trying to bring new life to the government body, which is in charge of all primary and high schools sport tournaments, plus the management of all public sporting facilities. Today, the new minister of state handed over a fleet of small motorbikes for all the district sports directors. He says they have to get out there, and get kids motivated:… Hon. Elodio Aragon - Minister of State, Youth and Sports: "In each district we have sports coordinators who have responsibility for the facilities, sporting facilities. Also they have responsibility to run certain programmes for us when it comes to sports such as dealing with the primary schools sports tournament that is ongoing now, also there to coordinate and being to plan sporting programmes for the district. A cycle is important for them because it will give them a bit of mobility to move about."

Hon. Aragon Needs 2.5 M USD To Complete the Mother Of All White Elephants
And while we had Aragon we asked him about the Marion Jones sporting complex – which is one of those facilities managed by the Sports Council. Before the break we called it the mother of all white elephants – not so much because so much money has been wasted on it – fat is, no one knows for sure how many millions have been spent…but it’s the mother of all because it was first launched in 2005 with 5 million US dollars from the Taiwanese, and 11 years, and many PUDP millions later, Marion Jones is still not usable! It is a public monument to incompetence, and who knows what else. But new minister Elodio Aragon says he can fix it – he just needs 5 million US more:… Hon. Elodio Aragon - Minister of State, Youth and Sports: "And I will tell you Marion Jones stadium needs to be finished and we are working on that to get it finished. I am hoping as soon as possible we will get that going. Now in terms of Marion Jones, one of the things I had a meeting with the supervising element of the Marion Jones Stadium and I'll tell you that I've learned a lot in terms of how Marion Jones Stadium came about, what was the plan and how monies were being allocated to it. Understanding that and where we are in terms of the work has given me a great insight in knowing how we will now move forward in terms of getting it done. The priority for me is getting Marion Jones Stadium up and finished."

Hon. Faber Wants To Lead
And while Aragon is trying to deliver those sports complexes, the benefits will surely accrue to his ministerial senior, Patrick Faber who is the substantive Minister of Sports. Faber told us today why he wants to be leader of the UDP and what he’s going to do to get there:.. Jules Vasquez: "Are you actively positioning yourself to be the next leader of the UDP?" Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "You know that I have, I have never hidden that. I have indicated a long time ago that I have intentions of seeking the leadership of the United Democratic Party. This is really my life's work, I have said to people time and time again that I work hard in my ministry; I work hard in executing things and making sure that things are successful because one of these days I do intend to ask the people of the nation. Right now it might be the people of my party to support my ambitions because if you're not successful at the smaller things that are given to you, how then can you expect them to give you that opportunity to serve? This is as my colleague Mr. Saldivar said, the will and the desire of the people and of course we leave it all up to them entirely. Yes, I will at that time not in this convention that is coming up on March 20th, I will not aspire for any of the offices there. I believe in saving the gun powder for when the big dance comes to town which is going to be in early 2020."

Police Public Relations Means Community Policing
Teaching police officers to be more community friendly: that was the focus of police training today. 30 officers from the north side were trained in public relations and community policing among other areas. Public relations Officer Fitzroy Yearwood told us why it’s important to engage officers in these training sessions. Officers from precinct 3 and 4 including San Pedro and Caye Caulker will also participate in this Police PR training.

Police Make The Community Rounds
Community policing is a major part of these training sessions and a group of officers put it to practice this afternoon during another meet and greet session. Officers from the North side met with residents from the Coral Grove area to find out what their concerns are. Well Assistant Commissioner Phillips told us this area is a relatively safe and peaceful community. About 20 officers were spread out in the Coral Grove Area.

Getting Behind the BTB Numbers
2016 began a little rough for the tourism sector, what with the slaying of Canadian Matthiew Clinck and American tourist Anne Swaney – followed by the arrest and charge of the American owner of one of the biggest tour operators in Belize for allegedly plotting a murder hit. But in terms of tourist arrivals, 2015 was a record year. At today’s press briefing the Belize Tourism Board revisited their those figures which showed several increases towards the last quarter of the year. There biggest success was in December which displayed close to 40 thousand overnight visitors. The only downturn was in the cruise line sector which showed a very small decrease of 1 percent when compared to 2014. Javier Paredes, the Director of Business Development of BTB, gave us a more in depth look at what these figures mean. For this year BTB says it is monitoring the numbers very closely as there is a legitimate concern about how much the negative press they have received during this month will affect their numbers.

Meeting Needs For Needy Programs
5 city schools and 1 steel band were each given over $6,000 dollars to enhance their music and feeding programs. A handing over ceremony was held this morning at the office of the Special Envoy for Women and children on Coney drive. The music instructors from the schools told us how impactful this donation will be. Wesley College, Grace Primary and St. Luke Methodist all received $6,000 each while St. John’s Anglican School got $10,628 for its feeding program. St. Agnes Anglican School got $7,971 for their feeding program and the Pandemonium Steel Band got $6,000. The donations were given by the Lifeline Foundation in collaboration with Lebanese Diplomat Sarkis Ahbou-Nehra.

Channel 5

2 Men Stabbed, 1 Fatally in Brutal Home Invasion
There was a deadly home invasion at about one-thirty this morning in Belize City. Ian Robert Blair of a Lizarraga Street address was visiting with Doctor Marcos Christopher Rugama Miranda [...]

Paul Massam Gunned Down in Corozal
Murder victim number twelve is from Corozal Town where the second murder for today took place in broad daylight. Around eight-thirty this morning several shots rang out in the Skeleton [...]

Cayo Resident Attacked on a Bus
There was chaos on a Westline Bus this afternoon as a passenger was attacked. Early reports to News Five indicate that San Ignacio resident Conrad Thomas boarded the two-thirty-bus at [...]

Police Investigate Bus Incident
As we’ve told you, there is some confusion coming out of the crowded bus, and Police are being kept busy finding out exactly what happened. Several persons have allegedly claimed [...]

Royal Caribbean Pulls Plug on Bradley Paumen’s Dark Night
There is a major development today in respect of the allegation against investor Bradley Paumen, the owner of Dark Night, who is accused of ordering hits against four people. And [...]

Bradley Paumen Issued License, Despite Accusations of Abetment to Murder
After his arraignment, Paumen was successful in renewing his tour operator’s license despite being served notice by B.T.B. that they were aware that Dark Night was operating without a valid [...]

B.T.B. Explains Considerations in Granting Licenses
And did B.T.B. have a role in the acquisition by Paumen of the controversial piece of land or the co-management agreement presently in place with the National Institute of Culture [...]

Bad Press Following Anne Swaney’s Murder Affecting Belize’s Image
The unsolved murder of ABC producer Anne Swaney, an American tourist who was killed while vacationing in Belize on January fifteenth, is another black eye for the country.  Not only [...]

2015 Was a Stellar Year in Tourism
While crime has been tainting Belize as a tourist destination, 2015 was a stellar year for tourism in Belize, as the number of visitors in both the cruise and overnight [...]

Patrick Faber Still Interested in Leadership…But Will Wait for 2020
The United Democratic Party will be holding a national convention this March. Some executive positions such as Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Deputy Leader and Leader will be up for election. And [...]

Faber Says P.U.P.’s Woes Are Hilarious
The leadership convention for the People’s United Party is this Sunday in Belmopan. And while campaigns are often negative, many onlookers conclude that the tone and tenor of this particular [...]

Reynolds Fined for Handling Stolen Goods
In March of 2015, the Belize Traffic Department was burglarized and twenty decal license stickers were stolen. A surveillance camera picked up a security guard entering the building on Youth [...]

Cousins Charged for Burglary Are Freed
In a similar case, a pair of cousins, who were accused of burglarizing Quality Used Tires which is owned by businessman Rene Gordon, walked free. Thirty-five year old Kenrick Pitts, [...]

Ministry of Education Rolls Out Phase 2 of the BESRP
After two years of consultations the Ministry of Education is ready to roll out Phase two of the Belize Education Sector Reform Project. The construction of thirty-five schools is planned [...]

35 New Schools Will Be Created
Over the years, the Ministry of Education has amalgamated several schools across the country, but now it is moving toward the construction of thirty-five new schools. And with that, also [...]

Will the Marion Jones Sporting Complex Finally Be Completed?
The Marion Jones Sporting Complex…for years now we’re been carrying the story of this monstrous ugly duckling which never seems to change into a swan. Nobody’s been able to say [...]

New Sports Minister Says He Must Source $5 Million for Marion Jones Complex
According to Aragon, to complete the Marion Jones Sporting Complex his ministry will need to source an additional five million dollars. That’s what we were told many times before by [...]

NSC Donates 7 Motorcycles
The National Sports Council in past years has been an organization which we know is there, but we’d be hard pressed to say what it’s done for sporting in the [...]

City Schools Receive Musical Instruments
The Lifeline Foundation, along with Honorary Consul to Lebanon, Sarkis Abou Nehra, made several significant donations today to a number of music and feeding programs across the country.  This morning, [...]

CTV3

Fire In The Free Zone Still Being Assessed
Yesterday we told you about a massive fire in the Corozal Commercial Free Zone which destroyed a 3 storey concrete structure used as a warehouse. The structure, which measured 75 x 75 square feet was extensively damaged and belonged to P & P enterprises and is owned by 35 year old Orange Walk Businessman Amid Moriani. As we mentioned yesterday, Corozal Police and fire brigade were dispatched at the scene at about 3:00 p.m just as the fire had started. Despite the fact that the fire was brought under control just before midnight by members of the Corozal Fire Department along with and the Mexican Fire Brigade we understand that up until news time tonight they are still trying to fully extinguish the blaze. An investigation to access the damage and to determine the origin of the fire is currently ongoing. Reports are that the building was insured.

Import/Exports Down In December 2015
When it comes to Imports and Exports, the report from SIB shows that both were down for 2015. We start off with the Imports. Belize’s total imports for the month of December 2015 were valued at $179.7 million. This was a decrease of 2.5 percent or $4.6 million over imports for December 2014, which totaled $184.2 million. During the month, imports destined for the ‘Commercial Free Zones’ and ‘Export Processing Zones’ both declined by $6 million, as fewer cigarettes, clothing, shrimp feed and steel structures were purchased, when compared to the same month in 2014. Imports of ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment’ rose by $2.6 million, owing to increased purchases of telecommunication parts during the month. And due to the Christmas Season, a spike in turkey imports led to a $2 million growth in the category of ‘Food and Live Animals.

Mexico Looks In Ways To Attract More Tourist From Belize
On Tuesday January 26th, Mexican newspaper Novedades, Quintana Roo, reported that the tourism sector representatives in Chetumal issued a proposal to the Chamber of Delegates and the Servicio de Atención Tributaria (SAT) to remove the fee charged to Belizeans travelling by boat from San Pedro to Chetumal. According to the report, the president of the Commission of Tourism and Environment of Chetumal, Jose Hadad Estefano, confirmed that a few days ago the members of the Committee of Tourism in Belize reached an agreement to make the request in order to lower or eliminate the tax. On the route from San Pedro to Chetumal the SAT charges the boat 700 thousand pesos per day, previously it was only 25 thousand pesos per boat. Boats are also charged 360 pesos per passenger, while other cruises that have mass numbers of tourists on board are charged equally hence the Committee of Tourism believes that it is unfair that a small country like Belize whose boats carrying 60 people would be charged this amount.

Cubans Incarcerated At Hattieville Prison Demand Date Be Set For Their Release
Last week the Minister of Immigration, Godwin Hulse, mentioned in an interview with the media that on Friday January 15th, a document was to be signed in order to free the thirty two Cubans who were incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville since august of last year. Today we can tell you that this news has gone international and according to El Nuevo Herald, the prisoners are unaware of the plan and the decision made with regards to their liberation as they remain locked away in prison. According to the report, one of the inmate who goes by the name Yorday Leon Perdomo, told the newspaper that absolutely no authorities from Belize have contacted the Cubans to speak to them about their freedom. Perdomo further stated that when he called the Immigration Office concerning the issue, he was told that officials are presently working in getting the process done; however, there is still a delay.

Joint Operation Results In Interception Of Drug Trafficking From Mexico Into Belize
In a joint operation between the customs, coast guard and the BDF four parcels of suspected cannabis were intercepted this morning. The drugs were allegedly coming into Belize from Mexico. At around 6:00 am while on patrol in a contraband hotspot between the areas of Ramonal on the Mexican side and Estereo on the Belizean side of the Rio Hondo, authorities intercepted the parcels of what they suspect to be marijuana. While they believe that the drugs belong to two individuals that were in the immediate vicinity of where the drugs were found, they could not detained the men since the parcels were not found in their possession but rather in some bushes. The exact amount of the drugs is not yet known as it needs to be handed over to police for official weighing.

Consumer Price Index Declines For The Month Of December 2015
The Statistical Institute of Belize today published its latest statistics on prices and external trade for the country of Belize. When it comes to the Consumer Price Index, the report shows that during the month of December 2015, consumer prices declined, on average, by 0.7% from 103.5 recorded in December 2014. For the year 2015, the average national inflation rate was negative 0.9 percent. During the month of December 2015, the average price per gallon of all three types of fuels remained lower than they were in December 2014. The price of premium gasoline was down by about 10 percent, while that of regular gasoline was 16 percent lower. Diesel fuel was more than 24 percent lower than it was in the same month of 2014. These decreases, combined with a drop of more than one third in international airfares, resulted in an overall decline of more than 8 percent in the “Transport” category when compared to December 2014. As for food prices, statistics show that when compared to December 2014 there was no change. Although price increases were seen across all types of meats, says SIB, these were offset by lower prices for Red Kidney Beans and various fresh vegetables, including carrots and onions.

LOVE FM

Doctor Escapes Death While Friend Succumbs in Home Invasion
The family of 37-year-old Ian Robert Blair is in mourning over his death which came in the wee hours of this morning at a friend’s home on Simon Lamb Street in Belize City. It is a story that started out as an apparent home invasion but turned into a homicide with Blair dead and a […]

Corozal’s First Murder for 2016
The first murder in the Corozal District for the New Year was recorded this morning. Love News got the details from second in command, Corozal Police, Inspector Peter Serrano. PETER SERRANO “Sometime about 8:30 am today information was received of gunshots fired from the Skeleton area of Corozal Town. As a result police visited the […]

How Badly Was Tourism Affected by News of Swaney’s Murder
Anne Swaney, the Executive Producer of online operations at ABC7 was murdered in Belize about two weeks ago. Swaney was found dead floating in the Macal River partially nude. She was staying at the Nabitunich Farm Resort when she went missing and her body was recovered the next day. Love News spoke to Javier Paredez […]

BTB’s Comments on the Paumen Saga
Owner of Dark Knight Cave Tubing, Bradley Paumen was recently charged with abetment to murder. Officials believe that Paumen paid to have four persons including his neighbor killed. Two other men were recently charged, who Paumen allegedly paid to get the job done. Dark Knight Cave tubing is still running today, and Love News spoke […]

Was Attempted Murder Over Land?
Investigators suspect that a land dispute is the reason Bradley Paumen allegedly plotted the murders of Michael Modiri, two of his workers and his attorney. Paumen wants control of a piece of land that Modiri owns in order for him to get easy access to caves which are essential to his Dark Knight Cave Adventures […]

Immigration Minister Speaks on Muzikant (Czech National)
The mystery of Martin Muzikant keeps unraveling and tonight we air the comments of the Substantive Minister in the Ministry of Immigration. As we told you last night, Muzikant was arrested in Orange Walk Town and yesterday Magistrate Merlene Moody remanded him to prison. He will spend six months behind bars and it is expected […]

Hulse Disputes Espat’s Comments on Farmers’ Lands
As Minister of Natural Resources, Godwin Hulse, also has to deal with the situation involving farmers of Valley of Peace Village. As you may recall the farmers took Santander Sugar to court after their crops were affected by aerial spraying. The matter was resolved and the farmers received land and financial compensation. What they did […]

Lands Minister Says Harmonyville Papers are Processing
Squatters are still occupying areas of the Harmonyville Agricultural Subdivision along the George Price Highway. As you may recall those who first squatted in the area got together to form BGYEA and the matter was taken to court. After mediation, it was agreed that Government would assist in solving the issue once and for all. […]

Senators Debate Ombudsman’s Contract Renewal
The Senate met today in Belmopan. One of the matters debated was the reappointment of Lionel Arzu as the Ombudsman. Arzu is being reappointed for a period of one year beginning January 1, 2016. The Government is satisfied with Arzu’s performance however the opposition is not. Today PUP Senator, Lisa Shoman share her views. LISA […]

Teachers’ Union and Civil Society Get Representation in the Senate
At the Senate meeting today, Elena Smith, was sworn in as the Senator representing the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and Civil Society. It has been months that both the NTUCB and Civil Society were at odds over who to appoint as senator. However this is just a temporary solution as Smith will be […]

PlusTV

Woman kills son- in -law, claims self defense
A sixty-two-year-old resident of Biscayne mortally injured her son- in- law allegedly in self defense. On Friday the 22th of January, 62 year old Moszetta Reyes was at home with her mentally disabled daughter, Alva Reyes who is a mother of four. While at home, Alva’s boyfriend, Arthur Wade, ca...

Belizean student shot in Guyana recovering
Belizean student studying in Guyana, Garfield Dennison, is said to be recovering. from gunshot wounds he received last week in Guyana. Dennison was shot twice as he was standing outside of his premises in Cummingslodge. 30 year old Dennison had just dropped off his new girlfriend and was about to r...

Yohnny Rosado and son forced to close business
This evening Yohnny Rosado and his son Yohnny Jr. are out of work. While the elder Rosado is a well-known tour operator, about eight months ago the father and son started a tire selling business called Econo Tires on the Philip Goldson Highway. Today, however, representatives of the Belize City Coun...

Conservation organizations to promote sustainable fishing
Seafood is a major source of income for Belizeans, from those who catch it to those who cook and sell it. But worried about the level of illegal masking of fisheries products under different guises and wishing to reward individual fishermen and businesses who do the right thing, a coalition of touri...

Benque Resident charged with drug trafficking
Benque Viejo Resident Javier Itza was arrested and charged for Drug Trafficking. On Sunday 24th January , Benque Viejo Police were conducting mobile patrol in the San Jose Succotz Village, Cayo District. While doing their patrol, their attention was drawn to Javier Itza who was acting suspiciously....

PUP debate called off
The PUP debate between those three men seeking leadership of the blue party has been called off. The debate was to be held on January 28, a few days before the national convention to chose the PUP leader. Organizer of the debate, Glenn Tillett, issued a press release today saying quote “After due co...

Ombudsman and Commissioner of Police sign MOU
The recently reappointed Ombudsman of Belize, Lionel Arzu and the Commissioner of Police. Allen Whylie, today Tuesday 26 January 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Racoon Street Police Station in Belize City. The purpose of the MOU is to strengthen cooperation between the offices...

The Reporter

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Belize to hold 2nd Annual Convention
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Belize will be gathering on Saturday January 30th for the annual convention, in which they plan to address current issues such as integration and terrorist risks. According to Organizer of the Convention, Naveed Mangla, the convention will bring together new members to meet the Muslims already in Belize. Non-muslims are invited to attend the convention and interact with the Muslim people in Belize to get to know what Islam is about. The community that was established in November 2013 has existed for almost three years and has over a hundred members, mostly from Belize City and surrounding villages. The mosque is located in Buttonwood Bay. Mangla said the social climate of Belize is welcoming to Muslim people, unlike other western countries in which followers of the Islamic faith face much discrimination and xenophobia. Belizeans are very open minded, Mangla said, and have a high level of acceptance of different communities.

Breaking Belize News

Toledo Community College holds Career Day Expo
As part of career week at the Toledo Community College (TCC) in Punta Gorda Town, a Career Day Expo was held to showcase prominent job choices that would appeal to students after completion of their studies, featuring presentations from various government departments, military branches […]

Cubans released after over seven months in prison
Twenty eight Cubans who were imprisoned for entering the country illegally are being released. The group will be released into the community, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington after their release order was signed yesterday January 26th. The Minister said the group […]

Minister of Natural Resources and Immigration addresses controversies
Today, Minister of Natural Resources and Immigration Senator Godwin Hulse addressed a number of recent controversies erupting in those two ministries. Ministry of Natural Resources addressing Harmonyvile and Valley of Peace On either side of Belmopan on the George Price Highway are two festering land […]

No evidence sets cousins free from burglary
A pair of cousins, were accused of burglarizing Quality Used Tires on Central American Boulevard, owned by Rene Gordon; but in court today the police could not prove the charge and the two men walked. 35 year old Kenrick Pitts, aka “Snake”, along with his […]

Traffic officer pleads guilty to handling stolen goods
The Belize City Traffic Department was robbed of decal license stickers valued $325 in March of 2015. The finger of blame was pointed at a now-former security guard, Glenroy Reynolds, who was charged with burglary and handling stolen goods after he brought back seven of […]

Senate meets in Belmopan
At its first session for 2016 and second in the third term of Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s administration, the Senate considered, debated, and approved four bills brought from Friday’s session of the House of Representatives, as well as three motions. The motions concerned a line of credit […]

Statistical Institute of Belize releases 2015 fourth quarter stats
A release from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) earlier today, showed that in the month of December 2015, prices fell for all three types of fuel compared to December of 2014, with Premium gas down by 10 percent, Regular gas down by 16 […]

Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina awarded prestigious “3 Green Key” award
The Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina, this week, was honored with an environmental certification from Green Key Global, a certification body geared specifically toward the lodging industry. The Radisson was awarded the prestigious “3 Green Key” award. The Green Key Eco rating program is […]

Bus passenger shoots another on bus in Esperanza Village
Reports reaching our newsroom indicate that a passenger inside a bus was shot in the head while travelling to Belize in the village of Esperanza, Cayo District. Information is still sketchy but BMG was made to understand that the trigger man was also a […]

Police say burglary was motive for attack on Simon Lamb Street
Police say they recovered a flat screen television stolen from the residence of Dr. Marcos Christopher Rugama Miranda on Simon Lamb Street and have detained three persons as part of their investigations. However, Dr. Rugama is in stable condition after being stabbed in the chest […]

Fire officials investigating Free Zone fire
Fire Officials and police in Corozal are still investigating the cause of a mid-afternoon fire in the Corozal Commercial Free Zone on Tuesday. The alert was set off shortly after three in the afternoon as the Corozal Free Zone fire unit was dispatched to the […]

Elena Smith joins Senate
Educator and long-standing union activist Elena Smith was this morning sworn in as the twelfth member of the Senate, representing the trade unions and civil society. Smith’s appointment ends a several-months’ long stand-off between the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and the Civil […]

First murder in Corozal for 2016
According to reports from Corozal, that municipality has registered its first murder of the year. Information reaching our newsroom is that a little after 8:30 this morning a man was shot and killed in the vicinity of Skeleton town. The shooting incident claimed the […]

Officer accountable for prisoner’s escape
An internal investigation has been launched at the Benque Viejo Police station to hold an officer accountable for neglect of duty after it was discovered that a prisoner escaped from his holding cell yesterday morning. At around 11:00 a.m., checks were made at holding cell number […]

Minor charged for carrying weed
During a routine patrol on Arenal Road in Benque Viejo town, Cayo district yesterday evening around 5:00, police intercepted two male persons on a motorcycle who were acting suspiciously and found one of them, a 17-year-old male minor, with 82 grams of cannabis. Upon sight of […]

Blogs

How to Make Your New House Sustainable
The concept of sustainability (meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations) has been around for a number of years now. However, its application to housing has been slow. Those projects that have been undertaken tend to focus largely on producing ultra-green housing that is extremely hard to reproduce as mass development projects. People might falsely believe that when they are building a house incorporating any sustainable solutions will require additional costs and effort. It is actually the opposite. Sustainable housing has the potential to produce good quality housing at a price that is affordable both in the short and long term. Some of the sustainable solutions require very little if any additional financing with comparison to the costs that need to be incurred anyways in a newly constructed building. Moreover, while an initial cost might be a bit higher as for purchasing, for example a sustainable heating system, there is a fast return on investment as utility bills are much lower with sustainable heating than a standard one. It is possible to save around 30% on the use of energy and water in a sustainable house. A truly sustainable housing project should incorporate economic, social and environmental issues in the planning and design stages with the aim of providing a building that is affordable, accessible and environmentally sound. It goes without saying that compromises will have to be made, but the result is a project that can be applied to the mass housing market, where the greatest environmental impact lies.

Estel’s 5th Annual Ribs Cook-Off
Texas singer/songerwriter Jerry Jeff Walker in town and his huge crew for sold-out Camp Belize (his yearly two week concert set in San Pedro.) And 6 grills going filled with delicious pork ribs. 6 grillmasters. 3 from San Pedro, 3 from the states. At least 10 musicians. This year there were two female chefs. Jennie Staines from Elvi’s Kitchen and Amy Knox from Wild Mango’s. Two FAVORITE restaurants in town. Part of the ticket price – and the raffles – were all for the Sunshine Foundation. Which raises money for scholarships for kids on Ambergris Caye.

Island BBQ Grilling Competition Becomes Major Attraction
Close to 1,000 ribs are prepared to feed the masses that gathers every year to sample finger licking good BBQ ribs at Estel's annual Cook-off and that is nearly not enough to supply the demand of the hundreds that attend the event. The cookoff is gaining momentum and people are looking forward to the lively event that takes place at the popular island eatery that has established itself as one of the best on Ambergris Caye. Charles Worthington and family host the event at Estel's Dine by the Sea with live music, plenty of beer and cocktails and delectable food. With its growing popularity, the BBQ ribs don't seem to be enough as tickets run out with latecomers wanting to sample the ribs that are no more. Grill masters start setting up as early as 9a.m. prepping their grills, smokers and seasoning their racks of ribs. Anybody wishing to see them in action can become spectators outside the restaurant in the ally where the tents are set up for the chefs.

We Went on Vacation…And Now Live Full-Time in Paradise
Many people say that you cannot possibly come to Belize and not have some kind of a big adventure. I have to agree. My first visit to Belize was in 1995. I vacationed for a week of scuba diving off Glover’s Reef. I met my Belizean husband, Marcos, during that trip, and he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico with me in 1996. I was a practicing psychotherapist and my husband launched a small business. We enjoyed living in Santa Fe, but were intensely busy virtually all of the time. We traveled to Belize every year and explored the country in depth over the next 17 years. We knew our hearts belonged to this small nation, with its laidback lifestyle and friendly people. The breakneck speed at which life had to be lived in the U.S., raising two kids and running two businesses while maintaining a house eventually took its toll. In 2013, we made a permanent move to San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye. The beauty of the crystalline turquoise water, gorgeous weather, and active and thriving English-speaking community is something I still appreciate.

Belizean Rice Pudding
Put water into a saucepan and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Add rice. Turn on medium heat and cook till the water boils. Reduce the heat of the stove to low flame. Cover the saucepan with its lid and let it simmer until the water evaporates. Remove from heat. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix well 2 1/2 cups of the cooked rice, sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and raisins. Pour the mixture into a 9 x 9 baking dish. Bake the mixture in the preheated oven until the top is golden. This could take 30 - 60 minutes. Cool on stovetop. Serve hot or cold.

Chimole
Season chicken with salt and pepper and brown in a hot pot with little oil. Once browned add enough water to cover the chicken and then add onions and garlic. Simmer for 30 minutes. Dissolve recado and tomato paste and add to the chicken. Add the diced tomatoes and apazote leaves. Add more water if necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Served hot with boiled eggs and corn tortillas

International Sources

Two U.S. airlines offer refunds to travelers to destinations with Zika virus outbreaks
Two major U.S. airlines are offering refunds to passengers worried about the Zika virus outbreak in many tropical countries. United Airlines says customers booked to fly to areas affected by the virus can reschedule or get refunds. American Airlines says it will give refunds to pregnant women who were planning to travel to parts of Central America. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned pregnant women to take precautions against mosquito bites when traveling to areas in Latin America and the Caribbean where there have been Zika outbreaks. The CDC says the mosquito-borne illness could be linked to a birth defect of the brain. The United Airlines offer began Tuesday and includes any country covered by a CDC travel notice, an airline spokesman said. American Airlines began refunds Monday for pregnant passengers holding tickets to El Salvador, Honduras, Panama or Guatemala, according to a spokesman. A spokesman for Delta Air Lines said the carrier was monitoring the situation but not yet offering waivers. JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines were not immediately able to say whether they were offering refunds. Southwest Airlines said it was sticking to its normal policy, which lets customers who cancel ahead of time reuse the value of their tickets. All of those airlines fly to at least some affected locations.

Passport Expiring Soon? Renew It Now, State Dept. Says
If you have a United States passport expiring any time in 2016, the State Department has a message for you: Renew it now. The department anticipates a surge in passport demand throughout this year, and officials hope to avoid a crush that could leave some Americans fuming in frustration with no passport in hand on the day they planned to travel outside the country. Officials are expecting a flood of renewals of 10-year passports issued in 2006 and 2007. The latter was the year when the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect, for the first time requiring passports for Americans returning by air from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. As millions of citizens scrambled to apply for their first passports, backlogs swelled and many were stranded. “We were overwhelmed then, and we are not going to be overwhelmed again,” said Michele Bond, the assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, who oversees passports. She has been on a campaign to cajole Americans into renewing early.

Think Manatees are Recovered? Look Farther South
Manatees in Belize face increasing threats from development—and potentially from the U.S. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made headlines around the world earlier this month when it proposed that the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and its relative the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus) no longer be listed as “endangered.” Instead, the agency said, the famed sea cows should be considered merely “threatened,” a designation that means they’re no longer immediately threatened with extinction. That may be true in Florida, but manatees face much greater threats elsewhere. In fact, some conservationists fear that this announcement could be the thing that pushes some populations of Antillean manatee—the subspecies that ranges through the Caribbean and down through about half of the east coast of South American—into extinction. “The FWS is painting it as if things are good,” says Jamal Galvez, a research biologist with the Sea to Shore Alliance who has been working on manatee conservation in his native Belize for more than 15 years. “Their assessment doesn’t take into account what is happening down here in Belize.”

Aurelio is the standard-bearer for Honduran Garifuna roots music
As Aurelio Martinez knows well, music is much more than another commodity to be bought and sold. The Honduras-based troubadour with the stage name Aurelio understands its role in helping bring together and bind whole communities, and has dedicated his life to his people, the Garifuna of Central America’s Caribbean coast. Through his liltingly melodic and highly rhythmic songs, he bolsters their identity, while spreading awareness of their little-known black culture. The Garifuna descend from African slaves shipwrecked off St. Vincent and the indigenous Caribs of that island. They survived deportation, starvation, and disease to spread out along the shoreline of four nations—Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras, where Aurelio grew up in the village of Plaplaya. “My mother is a Garifuna singer-songwriter, but she never left the community,” he says, reached on the road in Honduras. “She often arranges songs for me. My father played guitar. When I was three, he left and went to the U.S. He did homemade recordings and sent them to us. I learned to play that way, without any teachers.” Aurelio first made his mark on other instruments, however. “I was the percussionist for the entire community during celebrations. That way, I learned many of the traditional dances and ancestral songs. After I left home at 14 for the city, I studied and worked at the same time, playing with various cultural groups and commercial bands. In time I became a member of Los Gatos Bravos, one of the leading Honduran bands, and toured Japan, where we recorded Sonidos Garífunas Del Mundo.”

U.S. Expects to Collect $1.36 Billion From Swiss Banks
The Justice Department said it expects to collect more than $1.36 billion from 80 Swiss banks and other financial firms that acknowledged encouraging U.S. taxpayers to hide money abroad. Currently the Justice Department is investigating whether banks and financial advisers in Israel and the Caribbean, especially Belize and the Cayman Islands, also encouraged U.S. tax evasion, according to Jeffrey Neiman, a former Justice Department attorney who is now with Marcus Neiman Rashbaum in Miami. A Justice Department spokeswoman said offshore tax evasion remains a priority but declined to comment further. The U.S. campaign against secret offshore accounts intensified in 2009 after Swiss banking giant UBS Group AG admitted that it helped U.S. taxpayers hide money abroad. Since then, the U.S. has collected more than $13 billion from individuals and financial firms in connection with secret offshore accounts.

Caribbean tourism sector to be enhanced by better health systems
Trinidad and Tobago is one of six Caribbean countries to benefit from a US$800,000 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) grant to develop and implement a regional tourism health information, monitoring and response system. The other Caribbean nations that are beneficiaries of the IDB grant, as disclosed at Wednesday morning’s grant signing ceremony, are The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica. The Caribbean region is the most tourism dependent region in the world and the recent pandemics – SARS in 2000, HINI in 2009, chikungunya in 2013 and now the zika virus – have accelerated the need to monitor and respond to travel related illnesses and support the tourism sector to adopt comprehensive and effective health and environmental sanitation practices. In welcoming this three-year regional tourism health initiative, Shamfa Cudjoe pledged the support of the ministry of tourism as “strengthening the public health system will strengthen our tourism product”.

One Fish Two Fish, No Fish: Rebuilding of Fish Stocks Urgently Needed
A major new study has revealed that the global seafood catch is much larger and declining much faster than previously known. The study, by the University of British Columbia near Vancouver, reconstructed the global catch between 1950 and 2010 and found that it was 30 per cent higher than what countries have been reporting to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome since 1950. In the Caribbean islands, the catch was more than twice as large as previously reported and declining at a rate 60 per cent faster than the official rate, the Canadian study found. “This trend needs to be reversed urgently, or else a lot of people who depend on the sea for affordable protein are going to suffer,” said Daniel Pauly, a fisheries scientist who led the study. “And climate change is just going to make things worse.” Called the “Sea Around Us” and funded by the Pew Environment Group, the study involved more than 400 collaborators over more than a decade.

Videos

January 27, 2016

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

Jennie Staines grills the competition at Estel’s 5th BBQ Cook-off!
On Tuesday, January 26th, Estel’s Dine by the Sea Restaurant hosted their fifth annual BBQ Ribs Cook-off! It was a great competition for the BBQ lovers on the island and tickets sold-out early. The fun-filled event saw proceeds benefiting the Sunshine Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational scholarships for island children. Competing for the title of grill-master were Charles Worthington, Rick Saager, Jim Gochenour, Jennie Staines, Amy Knox and last year’s champion, Ali Rush. Up next was the anticipated Estel’s BBQ 2016 cook-off Judges’ Choice awards. Four prizes were issued in this category, beginning with the ‘dead- ass’ last place title which went to Jim Gochenour. Amy Knox was awarded with third place followed by Charles Worthington, who once again came in second place. And the winner of this year’s BBQ Cook-off went to none other than the People’s Choice champion, Jennie Staines. Staines, who is the Executive Chef at Elvi’s Kitchen, thanked everyone who showed up for the cook-off and supported such a worthy cause. She also invited everyone to next year’s cook-off, and to continue supporting similar charitable events.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks take first win of the season
In the second week of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tournament, two-time defending champions, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks claimed their first win of the season. They defeated the Belmopan Bandits in a home game on Sunday, January 24th. The weekend of games begun on Friday, January 22nd in Belize City, continued on Saturday, January 23rd in Independence Village, and ended on Sunday, January 24th in San Pedro Town. The winners of the three exciting matches are now one step ahead of the league, with hopes of claiming the title of NEBL Champions. The next round of games will start on Friday, January 29th with the San Pedro Tiger Sharks travelling to San Ignacio Town to face the Cayo Western Ballaz at the Sacred Heart College auditorium at 9PM. Also facing off on Friday is Belize City No Limit, who will take on the Orange Walk Running Rebels at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex at 9PM. Games will continue Saturday, January 30th with Belmopan Bandits hosting the Dangriga Warriors at the University of Belize gymnasium in Belmopan City at 8PM. The final game of the weekend will be between Smart Belize Hurricanes and Independence Thunderbolts at the Belize Elementary School Gymnasium in Belize City on Saturday at 9PM.

Melida Pereria crowned Miss Carnaval
The third annual Miss Carnaval Pageant brought much laughter and culture to the stage of the Angel Nuñez Auditorium on Saturday, January 23rd. Organized by Flora Ancona’s Comparsa group, the pageant opens the island’s annual ‘El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro’ celebrations. This year’s pageant saw the participation of five lovely ladies: Lurbin Ruiz, Arabella Hernandez, Blanca Wagner, Angie Puerto and Melida Periera. But like in any other pageant, only one of the participants could walk away with the title and crown, and that was Melida Periera, who charmed the judges to become the 2016-2017 Miss Carnaval. During the final segment, the five contestants sashayed on stage in their elegant and sparkling evening gowns. The crowd cheered loudly for the ladies, who demonstrated beauty and poise, while the judges submitted their final scores. With the scores submitted to tabulators, the ladies were left waiting for the final decision, and outgoing Miss Carnaval, Sylvia Patricia Lopez delivered her final words and took a last walk on stage. After several moments of anticipation, the winner was announced. Taking the crown and title of 2016-2017 Miss Carnaval was Melida Pereira. “I am so happy. I am truly honored to have participated in this pageant and won. This is part of our culture and I’m glad I can be part of it,” said Perreria.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize - Commercial Bank De-Risking and Karma
by Belize Progressive Party. The local commercial bankers in Belize colluded with the regulators of the financial sector...convincing themselves that the world financial crisis of 2008 would not have negative impact on Belize...they said as much publicly within Belize, even as they understood and recognized the negative implications privately and at international forums. BUT the realities were very different... Many businesses that felt the impact through lower sales, higher costs and lower profits ran into difficulties meeting their banking obligations....most of them had been meeting those obligations, while expanding, for over 10-30 years. The commercial banks and financial regulators, instead of following the example of the developed countries of the world....who did everything possible to preserve value...remember QUANTITATIVE EASING?...facilitating companies and individuals to refinance at much lower rates (at or near zero) and longer terms....here they tightened the noose on Belize-based investors....aggressively closing off their financing and dumping their hard-earned assets through mass auctions and receiverships (still ongoing)....flooding the market with properties....destroying value by selling of these assets at 50-70 cents on the dollar.

Destination Belize in Cayo
Destination Belize is coming to Cayo today to talk about the new look for the 2016 issue. They'll be at Cahal Pech starting at 6:00pm. "We're heading out West! McNab Design Ltd. and Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) are stopping in San Ignacio as we make our way across country making sales presentations for The New Destination Belize. Hope to see you there!"

Toucan Talk Vol. 8
The Belize Tourism Board has posted the latest Toucan Talk. Did you know that Belize won 2 World Travel Awards? Cayo is in there. The renovation of Columbus Park is mentioned too.

2015 Belize ourism numbers
The BTB released the 2015 Tourism numbers.

Canadian Road Show 2016 - Vancouver
Belize Tourism Board

CALLING ALL WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS IN BELIZE!!!!
Apply today for the VV Grow Fellowship to gain valuable business skills and assistance with growing your business. DEADLINE - January 31, 2016!!!!!! The VV GROW Fellowship is a highly competitive one-year accelerator program for women owners of small and medium businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. The program includes customized business skills training, technical assistance, leadership development, and access to networks to grow their businesses and increase their leadership impact. Through global and regional online and in-person trainings, fellows focus on strategy and long-term business value paired with action-oriented plans. They amplify their role as leaders in their businesses and their communities to create jobs, stimulate long-term economic growth and produce wider social benefits.

Traffic Flow in San Pedro
The Traffic Wardens are going to be working hard to improve the traffic flow in the town. They will be more active in controlling traffic at various locations in town. We are asking everyone to please respect and support the wardens who have a very difficult and sometimes unappreciated job.

Belize YoGert and all local tenants of food & beverage establishments booted from Belize Tourist Village
Belize YoGert and all local tenants of food & beverage establishments were given 30 days notice on September 15, 2015 to pick up and leave Belize Tourist Village. A foriegn Israeli company owned by Max Vaknin and his brother Koby Vaknin (owners of Jungle Gift Shop) were brought in by their silent partner Elad Aharon (GM of Belize Tourist Village) to take over all F&B.; There is no hard evidence of Elad Aharon taking a bribe, nor part of this foreign company but it is known amongst locals and friends that he is involved. It is also rumored that GM Elad Aharon is the silent partner of "Easy Tours", a new tour company in Belize Tourist Village and "Port Wifi company".

Splashers
you guys ready for this week? bring your baby wipes rags and your bright smiles! Week 3 "jelly fish" just click the "sign up" button on the Paint N Splash page. This week we are continuing our Reef Fish series. Come join us this week at Crazy Canucks. Everything you need is provided step by step direction, paint, brushes, smocks, canvas and maybe even a stencilled canvas if you need it (shhhh). $25u.s for first time artists and visitors. $20u.s for our members. Bring a Rag if you can help save paper.

Chicago Travel and Adventure Show Chicago, Illinois
The Belize Hotel Association, represented by Directors Julie Kee and Rebecca Rath, were at the 12th Annual Chicago Travel and Adventure Show this past weekend on January 23 and January 24, 2016 in Rosemont, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. The Travel and Adventure Show series is recognized as the premier Consumer Marketing platform in the travel industry. It is the ONLY travel show in the Chicago Area and it is the place where travelers flock annually to dream, plan and book their next vacation. Initial reports from BHA director, Ms. Kee, state that the show was very well attended and visitors to the BHA booth showed genuine interest in visiting Belize in the near future.

St. Francis Xavier Credit Union in Corozal terminating all Moneygram Services
Jan 26 - MONEYGRAM - Notice of Termination. St. Francis Xavier Credit Union in Corozal informs all its customers that effective February 24th, 2016 it will be terminating all Moneygram Services indefinitely. For any questions please visit our office or contact us below; St Francis Xavier Credit Union 79 5th Avenue Phone: 422-2892

Ballaz Host Tiger Sharks
The Western Ballaz are hosting the Tiger Sharks on Friday. This is their first match up of the 2 teams that have fought for the prize both years. "This is the game that CANNOT BE MISSED!!! Bring out the entire family in their WB t-shirts to enjoy the FINALS REMATCH between your Western Ballaz team and San Pedro Tiger Sharks this Friday at SHC's Auditorium. We are going to pack the audi for this game!!! Let's go Ballaz, Let's go Ballaz, Let's go Ballaz....let's go!!!"

BELIZEAN BEAUTY QUEEN AMBASSADORS IN RETROSPECT (PART ONE)!
In our Belizean Legends doccumentary series this year 2016, we will be featuring the remarkable Belizean Beauty Queens that represented Belize abroad as ambassadors, and chronicling the stories that brought them to accomplish this most popular Belizean cultural title that continues to present the best qualities and intelligence in Belizean women today, and how it has advanced them to face the challenges of the western world in which they represented Belize. Today we commence our series with Chistine M. Gibson. The 38th. Belize Queen of The Bay. The “Queen of the Bay” Pageant, the oldest and most prestigious contest in Belize, Central America, started in 1946 during the September Celebrations. Historically, the pageant was held at Edwards Park, now known as Rogers Stadium, and serves to commemorate our National Day – September 10th, the day our forefathers’ fought to preserve our heritage and delivered a victory over the Spaniards, during the Battle of St. George’s Caye in 1798.

All of the 13 yellowheads released into Payne's Creek last year are alive and well
The yellow-headed parrots that were released by TIDE's ranger team, along with Belize Bird Rescue, are doing well in their new home at Payne's Creek National Park! Threatened by deforestation and poaching, these parrots were given a second chance at life in the wild last October and have adjusted wonderfully! (Read their full story here) Earlier this month the rangers, with the help of Ridge to Reef Expeditions volunteers, set up new nesting boxes in the park to further help this population thrive.

Dangriga Screen on the Green
Belize Screen on the Green hits the road and will be in Dangriga this week!!! Please join the U.S. Embassy as we launch the extension of our Belize Screen on the Green program in Dangriga. This Thursday we will be screening the movie, "The Great Debaters" and announcing the new monthly movie schedule for Dangriga. As always, the event will be free to the public and free popcorn will be served while supplies last. Hope to see everyone there! clock Thursday, January 28 at 7 PM, Slaughter House, Dangriga Market Square, 001501 Dangriga Town, Stann Creek, Belize

Channel 7

Muzikant Faces The Music... in Jail!
Last night we told you about Martin Muzikant - the mystery European man who turned up in Belize recently after being expelled from the country in 2013. Well, today he was hauled over to Orange Walk Magistrate's Court - and charged for immigration offences. Magistrate Merlene Moody says he failed to produce travel documents, and failed to present himself to an immigration officer - meaning he came into the country through an illegal border crossing. Muzikant pleaded guilty to both charges and his lawyer Yohannseh Cave asked for a fine to be imposed and then for him to be released so that he can travel to Mexico and so that he can visit the Embassy of the Czech Republic. But the Immigration Office said he has a lot to answer to in Belize - namely how he got into the country. They asked the court to remand him until an investigation is carried out since there are suggestions that he is wanted by Interpol and by the USA. Still, his lawyer tried to spring him free and asked for a larger fine to be imposed. But the Magistrate did not agree and sentenced him to six months in prison for each charge with the sentences to run concurrently.

No Charges For Moszetta, Machete Wielding Mother
Last night, we told you about Biscayne resident Moszetta Reyes, the woman who killed her son-in-law, allegedly in self defence, last week Friday night. Well, she remains at home after being released from questioning by Ladyville police, and at this time, there is no evidence before the DPP's Office to suggest that she intentionally harmed 54 year-old Arthur Wade. This evening, we spoke with DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal she told us that no final decision has been made on what her office's directive to the investigators will be. She told us yesterday that the evidence in her office's possession thus far does is not enough for police to lay any criminal charges against Reyes. The investigators are expected to provide the DPP's Office with other pieces of evidence that they may come across which would assist in reaching the final decision.

PUP Leadership Debate Flops
The PUP Leadership Debate…won't happen. The announcement was made today that the debate had been, quote, "suspended." That's because, according to a press release, "Two of the candidates failed to respond to formally inform the committee of their intention to appear as scheduled by the close of business late yesterday." Our information is that only Francis Fonseca had indicated his readiness to participate, while the representatives Cordel Hyde and John Briceno didn't. Today we asked the lead organizer Glenn Tillett how he feels about his best laid plans falling through:... Glenn Tillett, Debate Organizer: "We could not get a formal commitment from two of the proposed participants and we were running out of time. There are some logistical and infrastructural details that matters we have to take care of and we felt with 72 hours to go and not having a firm commitment, it was best that we abandoned the idea."

A Teen Suicide In San Ignacio
There is another distressing suicide to report in the West: A 15 year old girl hung herself in San Ignacio. Yesterday morning around 7:00, the mother found her 15-year-old daughter hanging from a branch of an avocado tree in their yard. Police say they found a note at the scene in which the 15 year old girl expressed affection for a boy. Her mother told police that she suspected her daughter was having a relationship but she was not aware if there were difficulties in the relationship. She told police she had slapped and scolded her daughter on January 8th. Police are still investigating to see what exactly happened and what led her to take her own life. She was last seen at around 1:40 yesterday morning when she went to use the bathroom. She was a 3rd form student at Sacred Heart College. We will not reveal the identity of the child given the highly sensitive nature of these cases.

Fish Right, Eat Right
Last week, we told you about the Fisheries Pride Campaign at the Fisheries Department has been conducting to ensure that fisher folk are doing business in a sustainable manner. Well, Oceana Belize, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Fisheries Department, and the BTB, want to ensure that they are rewarded for their efforts in following the fisheries laws. Today, they launched a program brand called "Fish Right, Eat Right", and 7News was there to find out exactly what it is. Daniel Ortiz has that story: "Fish Right, Eat Right" - it's a new brand that Oceana Belize and its partners are hoping that with time you'll come to associate with high quality sea food which was caught through sustainable fishing practices. Julie Robinson - Fisheries Lead, The Nature Conservancy: "This is a local brand that we will be promoting over the next 6 months - over the next year and developing with everybody that we see here in the room with the private sector, with the cooperatives, with fisheries and authorities, in order to develop a locally caught sustainable sea food supply chain. It will highlight establishments and fishers that abide by the regulations - that look to source their sea food sustainably."

NICH's Secret Dark Night Agreement Faces Harsh Scrutiny Of Daylight
For two weeks now we've been reporting on Bradley Paumen - he's the major tour operator implicated in a murder plot. The alleged hit he put on his neighbor Michael Modiri is based on a property dispute at Frank's Eddy. Paumen partnered with NICH to get use of the caves for his visitors - but he needed to cut across Modiri's land to get to the caves. And that's where the Minister of Natural Resources unlawfully acquired Modiri's land to give to Paumen. The court quashed that, but the trespass continued - making NICH - who is Paumen's partner - possibly complicit in that violation. 7News has obtained the agreement between NICH and Paumen and its shows that NICH is obliged to quote, "do anything necessary for the administration of these sites." The agreement also shows that it is for three years, not 25 as some had been alleging. NICH is contracted to get ten dollars per head for every visit to the site, and the agreement says, quote, "The Institute will have personnel at the site to ensure compliance." When we went to the Dark Night last week, we saw no NICH personnel supervising.

Woman Fears For Her Safety From Threatening Ex
This evening, Belize City resident Deniesia Tillett came to our office in distress, asking us to allow her to make a public plea to the police department. She claims that her ex-boyfriend has been threatening her for the last 12 months, and he continues to breach a protection order from the courts. Now, these aren't the kinds of stories which regularly make the news, but she told us that there appears to be a disconnect between the police and the courts in the enforcement of this restraining order for which her ex ought to have been prosecuted. She told us that he sent her a death threat over the phone yesterday: Deniesia Tillett, Claims Harassment from her Ex: "I am in distress because I have my ex can't seem to leave me alone and always harassing me and threatening me, saying that he will kill me and I just want the police to find him and do their job and ask the judge when they charge those kind of persons not to just give them bail. Because that is what they do and then they come right back out doing the same thing and harass until they murder one of us."

Kings Park Consternation Over Apartment
Peace and quiet: that's what several residents from the Kings Park residential area are demanding. Over the years, there have been road upgrades and construction of businesses in the area of "A" Street and the residents say the heavy traffic, the noise and congestion has robbed them of their serenity. They say they have been advocating for years to try and restore and maintain the tranquility in their community and now things are coming to a head with the construction of a towering apartment mega complex right in their neighborhood. Today the Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley and his council members met with a few residents and they discussed solutions and recommendations. We spoke with one concerned Kings Park resident and Mayor Bradley and they told us how they are moving forward. Laura Smith, Resident of King's Park: "The zoning is the main proirity. Many of the residents have enjoyed a peaceful neighborhood for quite a long time. It was the inital intention of the government planning where there were covenents involved - that it would be primarily residential and single family. So the zoning has been toss around for a while the different administrations and so its finaly come to the point where it looks like we may finally get our zoning approved, which will just preserve the character and the integrity of the neighborhood."

Yohnny Shut Down By CITCO
And that type of municipal regulation may also be affecting Yohnny Rosado in a new business venture. If you watch the news with any regularity, you'll know Rosado as a stanch and outspoken defender of local tour operators. Well, tonight he is back in the news but this time he is wearing a different hat. Rosado has a tire shop on the Northern Highway which he owns and operates along with his son. The business just opened last year but today, personnel from the City Council swooped in and told them to close business or else. Yohnny explained: Yohny Rosado Jr - Econo Tires Shop "Basically, they came in as though we are criminals. We are not criminals. I was right there standing up by the shop, and they came and asked me who the owner is. I told them that the owner went to do a little errand. They then told me that they needed to talk to him. I told them that wasn't a problem, and I sent him a text message saying that he needed to come this side because it looked like they wanted problems. So, he ended up calling, and I told him the situation. After that, they started to tell us that we needed to close this, we don't have that, a lot of thing with them.

Canines With a Keen Nose For Cannabis
Two canines with a keen nose for cannabis helped police catch over 3 pounds of weed. The dogs named "Toonje" and "Touche" found the bag of weed in some farmland bushes in steadfast Village - which is in the Stann Creek District. The weed weighed in at 1.5 kilos or 3.3 pounds. No one was around, so it was labeled as found property.

Weed In the 'Ville
Tonight, 29 year-old Estrada Davis, Phillip Roberts, and 26 year-old Christian Smith are in the custody of Hattieville Police, after they were allegedly caught with marijuana and marijuana plants. According to police, they were picked up in a pre-dawn raid which was conducted by the Special Patrol Unit along with Hattieville Police. They visited Davis' home at 16 and a half miles on the George Price Highway. All 3 were present at the time when the police discovered 81 grams of cannabis, and 6 cannabis plants. They have been jointly charged with drug trafficking and marijuana cultivation. They will be arraigned in the Magistrate's Court at the earliest convenience.

Teenagers Stole Nike Slippers, Sent To Jail
A pair of 18 year olds were sent to jail today - after a 14 year old accused them of jacking his 80 dollar Nike slippers. But, the families of Ulide Allen, and Norton Daniel Lorenzo Tun may only be finding out their plight on the news because the teenagers say police did not allow them to make a call. They told the court that they got no phone call to their parents to tell them where they were. The robbery allegedly happened on Friday night on Partridge Street where duo by use of force stole wrestled the slippers off the boy's feet. The 14 year old said he was on a friends bike when they came on another bike and rammed into him. When he fell to the ground, he claims Allen grabbed the slippers from off his feet and they all ran off. In court they both pleaded not guilty to a single charge of robbery. The police prosecutor asked for bail to be denied because the victim is known to the accused as the police are concerned that if they are granted bail, they will try to interfere with him.

BELTRAIDE, The Road Much Travelled
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service BELTRAIDE held a one hour meeting with the press today to discuss all things BELTRAIDE. The statutory body that falls directly under the purview of Minister Erwin Contreras has been in existence since 1998 under the name TIPS. In 2000 it changed its name to BELTRAIDE. Since then it has established five different arms, Belize Invest, Belize Export, BTEC and the oldest unit of them SBDC. SBDC, acts as a small business advisor for potential business owners, new business owners and established business owners. The general manager of the Enterprise and Innovation Unit explained to us how this works. But has the involvement of BELTRAIDE through SBDC made any difference? According to the General Manager, in 2015 SBDC engaged 600 people. Their records also show that their involvement has created an average increase of sales of at least 127% more than the targeted increase of $100,000 dollars.

Making At Risk Youths Employable
One of BELTRAIDE's most recent ventures, "Working it out," is a pilot project to assist imprisoned youths to become more employable when they are finished serving time. BELTRAIDE has partnered with the Wagner's Youth Facility and has taken 42 youths into the program. But training these youths is one thing, sensitizing possible employers to accept the youths even with the stigma of being a former inmate is quite another. General Manager Lejia Gideon spoke to us about the program and the perceived challenges ahead. The program which is being carried out under Belize Training and Employment Center, an arm of BELTRAIDE, begins in the first week of February and will.

Ombudsman Signs With Cops
After being officially reappointed as the Ombudsman of Belize at the House of Representatives last week, Lionel Arzu today signed a memorandum of understand with the commissioner of Police Allen Whylie at the Racoon Street Police Station in Belize City. The purpose for the MOU is to strengthen cooperation between both offices in the areas of protection and promotion of Human Rights and on the principles of rule of law, mutual equality and reciprocity. During the signing, the commissioner of police reiterated his commitment to the process and pledged his support for the collaboration noting that this is just one of the many avenues that the police department is pursuing in pursuit of "justice for all."

Channel 5

City Council Closes Down Yhony Rosado’s Business
Tour operator Yhony Rosado was in the news on Monday, criticizing government at a press conference called by the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize. These small operators feel [...]

Yhony Rosado Says It Is Pure Political Victimization
Rosado told us this afternoon that he will stay closed until he gets his trade license, whenever that is. He’ll do it, but he’s not happy about the situation and [...]

Czech National Martin Muzikant on Lockdown
Czech national Martin Muzikant is on lock down tonight after appearing in the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court on a string of immigration offences.  He was busted on Sunday afternoon in [...]

COLA Fears Another Nanes Schnitzer Debacle
COLA’s fear, according to President Geovanni Brackett, is that in the wake of the Nanes Schnitzer debacle and the recent murder of Anne Swaney, Belize will only be getting another [...]

Melonie Coye to Get $3 Million from G.O.B.
The Government of Belize has been dealt another blow, on the heels of a recent loss in the Supreme Court where Justice Courtenay Abel ruled in favor of Titan International [...]

Former AG Says Lawsuits Against G.O.B. Cost Taxpayers
Prime Minister Dean Barrow was visibly angry when we asked him about another judgment against G.O.B. recently. That one concerns Titan Securities. Government has been ordered to pay almost nine [...]

Are Big Foreign Tour Operators Getting Better Deal Over Local Tour Operators?
And our question for tonight is: Do you believe big foreign tour operators are getting the better deal over local tour operators? Send your comments and responses using your SMART [...]

28 Cubans Freed from Belize Central Prison
Twenty-eight Cubans who have been incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison are free. The order was signed today and the directive sent to Prison officials. It is expected that the [...]

Wilfred Elrington Not Surprised by Guatemalan Settlement in Belizean Territory
We also asked Elrington about a settlement which has been discovered on the Belize side of the border with Guatemala. The revelation was made by Commander of the B.D.F. Brigadier [...]

Belize & Guatemala Foreign Ministers Meet in Belize
And on the subject of Belize – Guatemala relations, Elrington updated us on a Mixed Commission meeting held last Friday. That high-level session was attended by both Foreign Ministers, Elrington [...]

2 Teenagers Remanded for Stealing Nike Slippers
Two teenagers were in court today for allegedly stealing a pair of Nike slippers from a fourteen year old boy; an allegation for which they are now behind bars.  Ulide [...]

Inmates Caught Smuggling Weed
Magistrate Mendoza also dealt with the case of two inmates who were caught attempting to smuggle weed inside the Tango Eleven area of the Hattieville prison. Twenty-five year old Sergio [...]

P.U.P. Leadership Debate Called Off
With less than seventy-two hours before what would have been the first leadership debate in the history of the People’s United Party, organizers of the event have not surprisingly suspended [...]

Organizer Claims Debate Was a Non-Partisan Effort
Even though the planning committee are members of the People’s United Party, the debate was not sanctioned by the party.  The organizers believe that it is time for Belizeans to [...]

Fire Guts Storehouse in Corozal Free Zone
A mid-afternoon fire in the Corozal Free Zone has eviscerated a three-storey concrete warehouse.  The seventy-five by seventy-five foot structure, property of Orange Walk businessman Amit Moriani, went up in [...]

Ombudsman and Commissioner of Police Sign MOU
Last week in the House, the Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca complained about the inactivity and ineffectiveness of Ombudsman Lionel Arzu saying he did not enjoy the confidence of [...]

Hattieville Police Make Weed Bust
Officers of the Rural Eastern Division continue to conduct anti-narcotic and anti-firearm operations within their two thousand square mile jurisdiction. Hattieville Police, in collaboration with the Special Patrol Unit, this [...]

OCEANA Examines Blackadore Caye Project
Almost two weeks ago, on January fourteenth, a first round of consultations was held with residents and stakeholders in San Pedro over the Blackadore Caye Tourism Project. The mega eco-tourism [...]

OCEANA Launches Fish Right Eat Right Initiative
A forum was held this morning in Belize City entitled Fish Right, Eat Right to promote the sustainable harvesting and consumption of seafood. As the name suggests, the program aims [...]

CTV3

Three Storey Building Goes Up In Flames In The Corozal Free Zone
A massive fire engulfed a 3 storey concrete warehouse in the Corozal Commercial Free Zone today. According to reports, Corozal Police and fire brigade left for the scene at about 3:00p.m and upon arrival saw the 3 storey concrete structure warehouse belonging to 35 year old Orange Walk Businessman Amid Moriani swallowed by flames. While our reporter headed to the area we were not allowed inside the zone. We will have more on this story in tomorrow’s newscast.

Jack Charles To Re-export Containers Of Rice To Guyana
Xtra-House owner, Jack Charles confirmed to our colleagues at KREM News today that he has processed all the necessary documentation to re-export three containers of Guyanese rice back to Guyana. As you may remember Charles brought in over 75 tons of rice in December of 2015 but the court found that it was improperly done since Charles did not have the required documentations to allow the rice to enter the country. After finding that the three containers of rice did not have a BAHA permit the Magistrate court ordered the rice forfeited to the Customs and Excise Department to be destroyed. Charles later obtained an injunction at the Supreme Court to stop the destruction of the rice, But that hearing was called off after an agreement was reached between Charles and GOB under Customs and Excise law and he was given until January 28th to re-export the rice.

San Ignacio Resident Charged For Drug Trafficking
While conducting a mobile patrol in the village of San Jose Succotz in the Cayo District on Sunday, Benque Viejo Police observed twenty seven year old Javier Itza, Belizean labourer of Maya Street acting in a suspicious manner. After Itza realized that authorities were in the area, he began to walk in the opposite direction; however, police had stopped Itza and informed him that a search will be conducted on him to search for any illegal drug or firearm. Itza immediately threw away a bag that was in his possession and ran.Authorities caught up with him and after the bag was retrieved, Itza was escorted to the Benque Viejo Police Station. The bag that was recovered contained a total of 81 grams of Cannabis. Itza was arrested and charged for drug trafficking.

International Reports Suggests That OAS Is Facing Financial Problems
The first meeting of the Permanent council for 2016 for the Organization of American States (OAS) was held last week at the OAS headquarters in Washington DC.According to Caribbean 360, a news webpage, at the meeting the new chairman of the Council, Sir Ronald Sanders said that the institution is facing a serious existential threat with its funds almost empty.The Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador, who was chairing the meeting, expressed his concern at this major problem by saying Quote “we are deeply concerned about the financial health of the organization profoundly anxious about its capacity to continue to operate and to serve the interests of the people of our 34 member states”. End Quote

COLA Demands Case Of Muzikan To Be Investigated
And keeping with the story of Martin Muzikant, it is not yet known what identity he used to re-enter the country but what it brings to light is the apparent loopholes in the Immigration system says Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA). Yesterday the organization called on Government to crack down on the “international rogues” who use Belize for their own protection from criminal probes; and to fully investigate Muzikan.Additionally Cola called on all Belizeans to assist authorities with any information they may have on the alleged fugitive, saying that it takes the cooperation of all to stop crime and corruption in Belize.

Zika Virus Expects To Spread Rapidly Says PAHO
Caribbean authorities have begun preparations by launching campaigns in order to raise public awareness about the quick spreading of the Zika virus. Their main aim at this point in time is to educate the public about the virus itself, how it can be detected, and the necessary treatment needed if infected with the virus. During a press conference via a webcast, Joy St. John, director of the Unit of Vigilance, Prevention and Control of diseases from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, stated that there is a high probability of the zika virus’ arrival in majority of the countries located within the Caribbean region due to the rate at which it is being spread throughout the region. St. John also stated that reported cases of the virus has been confirmed in Guyana, Barbados, Suriname and Haiti, and emphasized that it is the obligation of the Caribbean to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus by informing their citizens of any reported cases and alert them to follow proper methods so as to minimize the spreading of the virus.

LOVE FM

The Future of Belize’s Banking Sector – Part 2
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is expected back in the country on Sunday. He is in Washington to discuss the issue of correspondent banking with authorities in the US. As promised in yesterday’s newscast, here is the continuation to our feature on the banking sector in Belize. RENEE TRUJILLO REPORTING “In part one of our […]

BELTRAIDE: Foreign Investors Concerned over Banking Industry in Belize
An online news outlet from Mexico is reporting that Belize Bank branch in the Corozal Free Zone has been closed for quite some time. PorEsto.net asserts that the branch is close due to several reasons which have not been confirmed and we were unable to confirm today. However, investors are complaining that it situation is […]

Fire in the Free Zone
A fire at the Corozal Free Zone destroyed a warehouse this afternoon. It began at around three thirty and up to five thirty this evening fire fighters were still dousing off all flames. CEO of the Free Zone Raul Rosado, gave us some details. RAUL ROSADO “At around 3pm the Corozal Free Zone fire unit […]

Mental Health Nurse Speaks on Cases of Reyes and Dawson
Yesterday we reported on two stories involving two mentally ill individuals. In the first case, the family of Alva Reyes has her child confined in a small make shift wooden structure attached to the main house in Biscayne Village. Reyes has been mentally challenged for quite some time but when she does receive her medication, […]

No Debate for PUP Leader Candidates
The idea to have a debate among the three men vying for the leadership of the People’s United Party came about some weeks ago but had not been given much thought until early last week when the three candidates, Francis Fonseca, Cordel Hyde and John Briceno agreed to take part. Subsequent to that, a planning […]

Oceana Says Fish Right and Eat Right
Today Oceana Belize launched its “Fish right, Eat right” campaign. It is a sustainable seafood imitative seeking to reduce irresponsible fishing. The education campaign is expected to provide incentives for fishers, retailers, restaurants, and consumers to promote and support the harvest, trade and consumption of sustainably and legally caught seafood. OCEANA’s Communications Director, Alyssa Carnegie, […]

Belizean Student in Guyana Slowly Recovers from Shooting Incident
Last Friday, we told you of 30-year-old, Garfield Dennison, a Belizean man who is currently a student at the University of Guyana in Georgetown, Guyana. He was shot just after taking his girlfriend home and was in a critical condition at the Georgetown Hospital. Dennison had received a shot to the chest and one to […]

Muzikant Gives the Slip; COLA Wants Answers
A man using the name Martin Muzikant was arraigned earlier today in the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court. Muzikant had previously been living in Belize when he was charged for using a fake identity with a Czech Republic Passport, which had been reported lost or stolen by its proper owner in the Czech Republic. In April […]

PlusTV

Three Roaring Creek Men arrested for brutal chopping of teen
Three persons have been arrested and charged in connection to the brutal chopping of 18 year old Jonathon Zetina which occurred last week in the Cayo District. They are 18 year old Oswald Orson Twist, 20 year old Orlando Smith Jr. and 20 year old Joseph Cadle, all of Roaring Creek Village. All three...

15 year old boy stabs man to head
There was a stabbing incident in Blackman Eddy Village this weekend. 24 year old Michael Gordon was reportedly stabbed to the left side of his head. According to police, Gordon and a 15 year old minor were engaged in a fight over a female when the minor pulled stabbed him to the side of the head. Go...

17 year old stabs man in Teakettle Village
Then, there was a stabbing in Teakettle Village on Sunday January 24. 24 year old Theriel Brown of Teakettle village was stabbed to the right side of the abdomen. He was socializing with some friends when he was approached by a 17 year old who punched him to the face and then took out an ice pick an...

Fatal Road Traffic Accident in the Stann Creek District
One person is dead following a motorcycle accident on Sunday, 24th January, 2016. It happened on the Placencia Road about half mile from the junction of Riversdale and the road leading to the Sagitun Banana Farm, sometime around 2 o’clock that morning. 21-year-old Herlin Geovanni Rhodas of Santa ...

Belize City man shot while trying to shoot another
27 year old Kareem Smith is under Police guard in hospital after being shot on Sunday afternoon at the corner of Pitts Alley and Castle Street. But police say he is not entirely innocent, as they believe he was trying to shoot someone else in the area. According to police, Smith chased his alleged t...

Arson leaves 7 people homeless
A suspected case of Arson leaves seven people homeless. 33-year-old Denise Lodge of Scotland Half-moon Village reported that on Saturday the 23rd of January at about 6:45 p.m., she left home and went to her sister-in law’s house. When she returned home about half an hour later, she saw her wooden st...

FECTAB hits out on status of cruise industry
The Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize (FECTAB), hosted a press briefing today to express their concerns about the regulatory authorities in the cruise sector failing to rein in foreign-owned competitors while over regulating local interests . Today, Yoni Rosado and fellow outspoken...

Amandala

Mother kills mentally challenged daughter’s boyfriend
A man who has been described as an alcoholic was fatally chopped in an apparent act of self-defense after he attacked the mother of his mentally challenged girlfriend at their home in Biscayne, Belize District, on Friday, January 22. He died from his injuries yesterday, Sunday. The daughter, who is in her late thirties and is the mother of two children (not fathered by the deceased) is sometimes locked up in a plywood room whenever she becomes uncontrollable, and it was during one of those uncontrollable bouts, which led to the daughter being locked up by her mother, that her boyfriend became confrontational with the woman’s mother. This morning, Ladyville police briefed the media on the chopping incident that occurred in Biscayne at around 9:35 p.m. on Friday. Police said that when they arrived at the scene, they saw a brown-skinned man with a large cut wound to the back of his neck and another cut wound to the right upper arm. He was bleeding profusely on the front steps of an upstairs plywood structure, the police said.

Battered mother of 4 fears for her life
A former Belize Defensc Force soldier was released on a $1,000 bail this afternoon after he was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on a charge of wounding against his ex-common-law wife. One of the conditions of his bail was that he should stay away from the complainant, but hours after being granted bail, he allegedly violated the court order by passing around the complainant’s house, allegedly making threats that he would kill her and their children. Rennick Baizar, 32, pleaded not guilty to wounding Shawna Gillett, 28, his ex-common-law wife and the mother of their four children. Baizar is scheduled to return to court on March 23. This latest incident for which Baizar was arrested and charged occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 23, when he ran into Gillett, who had gone out with some friends and was sitting on the seawall in the Newtown Barracks area in front of Elements nightclub.

David Gibson discusses “… to Old Sarstoon”
Dear Editor, We take note of the concerns expressed in your 23rd January 2016 weekend editorial entitled “… to Old Sarstoon…” on Guatemala’ s current and future posture with respect to its bi-lateral relations with Belize. We offer the following for consideration: The reappointment of Lic. Carlos Raul Morales as Guatemala’s Foreign Minister by newly inaugurated President Jimmy Morales is a signal for continuity in the conduct by Guatemala of its foreign policy towards Belize. This means the continuation of activity to normalize relations in conformity with recent agreements for cooperation reached between the countries within the framework of the Agreements on Confidence Building Measures under the aegis of the Organization of American States OAS. It can also be expected that the countries will endeavor to accomplish the necessary steps required to implement the 2008 Special Agreement to refer the territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice ICJ. In the case of Belize, the conducting of a referendum is projected by Prime Minister Barrow to occur in 2017. After the politicization of the issue in the recent general elections, there is some doubt whether there can be a restoration of the bi-partisan approach to the issue which would achieve the necessary 60% voter turnout, much less a majority “Yes” vote.

Banking crisis sends Barrow to Washington
As February approaches, the intense nervousness over deteriorating relations between Belize banks and US banks which have been facilitating money transfers and international transactions, such as credit card payments, has forced Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow to lead another delegation to the US to try and resolve what Barrow has described as “an existential threat.” After chit-chatting recently with US vice president Joe Biden in Guatemala City about the issue, Barrow had indicated that he had secured meetings with key US officials, including regulators, in Washington, USA. The matter is said to be urgent because the smaller banks which were engaged after Bank of America opted out of doing business with Belize banks last year are also planning on severing relations next month with two banks for which they provide credit card settlement services. One bank has said that it may be forced to revert to a manual process, rather than the existing electronic process, for credit card settlements.

Another San Ignacio teen girl commits suicide
The family of a female student, 15, of San Ignacio Town, is struggling to understand why she committed suicide behind their house this morning. Reports to Amandala are that at about 7:00 this morning, her mother went into her room to wake her for school, but she was not there, and they then began to search for her. The horrified family found her behind the house, hanging by the neck from a rope that was attached to a beam. The girl was quickly cut down and rushed to the San Ignacio Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Police said that there were no signs of violence on the body, and foul play has been ruled out. The motive for the suicide is not known. The death of this teenager is the second suicide to have occurred in less than two weeks. On Tuesday, January 13, another teenager, 15, also of San Ignacio, took her life in her family’s house. She was found hanging by the neck in her room with a rope that was attached to a beam in her room.

The Titanic’s Leonardo DiCaprio seeks environmental clearance for Blackadore Caye resort
Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio—best known for his leading role in the 1997 movie, The Titanic—is seeking environmental clearance from Belizean authorities for a multi-million-dollar resort island development at Blackadore Caye, near San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, which is being dubbed a restorative resort. The National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) met last week and decided to go back to the developers for more answers, after concerns were raised at a recent public consultation held on the island of San Pedro by the fishing community over the effects the project could have on their access to traditional fishing grounds. It has been reported that DiCaprio—who was designated UN Ambassador for Peace with a special focus on climate change in September 2014—bought the 104-acre island 12 years ago for roughly US$2 million, and last April, the New York Times announced his intent to develop an eco-resort on the island, which includes the creation of conservation areas for hosting research conferences.

88th Baron Bliss Regatta
Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta Committee hereby confirms Sunday, March 6, 2016 for the 88th Baron Bliss Regatta. The regatta will be staged in the Belize City Harbour in front of the BTL Park, New Town Barracks, the first race commencing at 9:00 a.m. The regatta is open to all sail boat classes on the traditional triangular course. Race brief will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, at the Belize Ex-Services Headquarters. Representatives of clubs and boat owners are invited to attend. At the request of the Belize Sailing Association, there will be a series of “one design” class races, commencing at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, on the International Optimist Trapezoid Course. The Committee for the 88th Regatta will meet every Monday in February at 5:30 p.m. at the Bliss Institute, Belize City, to finalize planning. All boat owners/enthusiasts are invited to attend. Registration to confirm a prize or trophy closes on February 12.

Uprising Stars are CYDP Peace Cup Championship
It was a real football extravaganza yesterday afternoon at the MCC Grounds, where football fans turned out in huge numbers, no doubt comforted by the heavy security provided by the Belize Police Department, and they were treated to two exciting football games to climax the CYDP Peace Cup Football Tournament 2015-2016. In the third place opener, after regulation ended tied at 3-3, Kelly Street got the winning goal from Francis “Franco” Andrews in the second overtime period, to claim the 4-3 victory over Tut Bay. Goal scorers for Kelly Street were Stephen “Breds” Baizer, Wilfred Fisher and Francis Andrews (2); while for Tut Bay, Brian Martinez, Kevin “Motto” Alvarez and Delroy Flores got 1 apiece. And in the championship final, it was scoreless in regulation, with the game winner for Uprising Stars coming from Jermaine Foster in the first overtime period for the 1-nil victory over, previously undefeated Kraal Road. Foster collected the rebound from a diving save by Kraal Road keeper Elias Hercules after a long blast by Uprising midfielder Jael Ottley. Foster’s left footed rocked, from well inside the eighteen on the left side, was unstoppable. (In the regular season, Uprising Stars was also undefeated in Group A, but had drawn one game, while Kraal Road had a perfect 7-0 record in Group B.)

San Pedro Tiger Sharks and Belize City teams undefeated in NEBL season
Smart Belize Hurricanes dampened Western Ballaz trip to the city On Friday night, Smart Belize Hurricanes (2-0) hosted Winston Pratt and Cayo Western Ballaz (1-1) at the Belize Elementary School gym in Belize City for another showdown of two of the top teams in the league. The game was extremely intense, with great fan turnout, as both sides were able to respond to their opponent’s offensive output. The home team had a three-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but they were able to extend the lead and seal the 96-87 victory down the stretch. Smart Belize Hurricanes was led by Brian White, who had a huge double-double, with 21 points and the game high 18 rebounds. Sharp-shooter Jacob Leslie finished the night with 20 pts, including 4 three-pointers, and Darwin “Puppy” Leslie tallied 18 pts with 5 assists and 3 rebs. Cayo Western Ballaz was led by Winston Pratt, who had the game high with 29 pts, 6 steals, 5 rebs and 3 assists, including 4 three-point makes. Brandon Flowers had 18 pts and 7 boards, while Elvis Usher scored 12 pts, to go with 5 assists and 4 steals, and Jamal Harris scored 10 pts and grabbed 9 rebs. Smart Hurricanes dominated the paint, outscoring Cayo Western Ballaz, 50-30, while also out-rebounding Ballaz, 51-37. The game had 18 lead changes and 11 ties, while Smart Hurricanes also led in second chance points, 21-7, and also in fast-break points, 18-4.

Too big to fail
Because of United Democratic Party (UDP) Leader Dean Barrow’s dominance in the visible politics of the UDP, a lot of attention has not been paid to the operations and ambitions of the aspirants for his position, which appear to be Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega (Orange Walk North), National Security Minister John Saldivar (Belmopan), and Education Minister Patrick Faber (Collet). This third term as Prime Minister being, by constitutional decree, Mr. Barrow’s third and last, he is expected to step down as UDP Leader in time to allow a new leader time to prepare to lead the party into the next general elections, scheduled for 2020. On the ground, DPM Vega has proven himself to be more powerful than both Saldivar and Faber in national conventions of the party. With the UDP scheduled to hold a national convention on March 20, and with Vega, the former Minister of Natural Resources, trying hard to stay clear of a very messy murder conspiracy trial involving an American tourist resort owner who was materially assisted by Hon. Vega’s Natural Resources Ministry in illegally obtaining a strategic piece of land from a landowner the American is now accused of conspiring to murder, a lot of interest will begin to surround the UDP’s national convention once the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) get through with their intense leadership convention this Sunday, January 31, in Belmopan.

From the Publisher
In my growing up in Belize, there were several public occasions on which I received awards and accolades for academic achievement. After my high school graduation speech, I was even praised on the government monopoly radio station. This was December of 1963. On my return from school abroad, I announced at an indoor public meeting that I had become “African conscious.” Within the next two years, I became unemployed, ran in the streets, and was arrested and tried in the Supreme Court on two different occasions. The human being, nevertheless, is nothing less than an emotionally resilient creature. As I write, there must be hundreds of millions of human beings who are suffering from some form of lost or unrequited love. In Belize, this is sometimes referred to as “macobi.” In America, they call it “the blues.” However described, it features a most unpleasant and undesirable combination of emotions. But, the vast, vast majority of people survive macobi blues and go on to live pretty normal lives. In fact, some people make a lot of money writing and singing about macobi blues, it being the most common subject of popular music.

Belize Coast Guard talks about 2015 and about plans for 2016
The Belize Coast Guard is shaping up to be “a force to be reckoned with” in the effort to combat “transnational organized crime and to extend its support to Central America and the Caribbean”, Admiral John Borland of the Belize Coast Guard said at a press briefing held today where he gave an overview of 2015. The Coast Guard is tasked with defending our maritime areas and in 2015 celebrated their 10th anniversary, Borland said. Borland further remarked that the Coast Guard has come a long way since its inception in 2005 from 50 strong to 320 in 2015 and that it is aiming to have 700 officers by 2020. One of the key achievements of 2015 was the amendment of the Coast Guard Act in December 2015; as a result the Coast Guard is now a military organization with law enforcement authority and with the capability to make arrests in its effort to enforce maritime laws at sea, noted Borland.

Belize may already have Zika virus – but no cases yet confirmed: DHS
Director of Health Services (DHS), Dr. Marvin Manzanero, told News 5 earlier this week that Belize may already have the Zika virus (Zik-V), although Belize is not currently listed among the countries to which the emerging disease, originating in Africa, has spread. Speaking with our newspaper today, Dr. Manzanero explained that although no cases have been confirmed in Belize, because a Zika infection may only cause mild symptoms in some persons, such as a mild fever and rash, it may go unreported and undiagnosed—particularly since there is no facility to test it in Belize. Information published by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in an infographic, indicates that “1 in 4 people with Zika infection develops symptoms”—signalling that most people won’t know that they have it. According to the DHS, samples from anyone suspected of having the Zika virus would likely be sent to the US for testing, and it may take 10 to 14 days to get the results. By that time, he said, the symptoms would have already disappeared.

A snake in my clothes closet!
There are as many as 62 species of snakes in Belize; however, only eight of those are venomous, according to the Belize Zoo. One medical website states that an estimated five million people worldwide are bitten by snakes every year. Of these, as many as 125,000 bites are fatal. The Belize Zoo’s advice “is not to attempt to restrain, subdue or pick up any snake found in the wild, especially venomous ones. However, the reality is that sometimes snakes are not only in the wild; they have found their way into populated areas and can be found in your yard and even in your home.” I live on Fabers Road, and had an unfortunate encounter with one just last Friday. A snake was the last thing I expected to see when I opened my clothes closet. I was scared, and I am sure that there are other persons whose living space has been invaded by snakes.

Game changer aims to secure Belize’s multi-million-dollar fishing industry
An estimated 15,000 Belizeans depend on fishing for their livelihoods and the Belize economy earns US$10.7 million annually in revenue from seafood exports, according to information published by Fish Forever—an initiative which includes Belize among select countries for programs aimed at ensuring that our territorial waters continue to have healthy stocks of wild fish. Today, the Belize Fisheries Department and its partners held graduation ceremonies for three persons who have been leading on-the-ground work as a part of the Pride Campaign, aimed at building the support of the fishing communities across Belize for a new fisheries regime, being implemented this year—essential because the new regime changes the way fishers have been used to doing business over the years. “It is about changing how we have approached fisheries traditionally, from the beginning of time—which is from an open access standpoint, to now actually having a more structured approach to how fishers access the resource,” said Fisheries Administrator Beverly Wade.

Belize legislators move to finalize extradition treaty with Mexico
In late 2015, Mexico had sought the extradition of David Nanes Schnitzer, 47, an international fugitive, wanted for his alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. The warrant was handed down months before Schnitzer, who was living in Belize as David Banes, managed to get bail for a traffic offence, but it was never executed. Belizean officials had claimed that they could not hand Schnitzer over because the extradition treaty with Mexico had not yet been incorporated into domestic legislation. Parliament is now moving to rectify that with an amendment to Belize’s Extradition Act, which already covers extraditions to the US and to Guatemala. Schnitzer, who was stripped of his Belizean citizenship after his arrest, for allegedly obtaining it through fraud, disappeared after he was released on bail on November 20, 2015; and although that proverbial horse is already out of the gate, a bill was tabled in Parliament on Friday to finally formalize Belize’s extradition treaty with Mexico. This would mean that once it becomes law, the Government of Belize would have the executive authority to implement extradition warrants from Mexico.

Opposition objects to reappointment of Ombudsman
Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca objected this morning to the reappointment of Lionel Arzu as Ombudsman, citing reports of “inactivity and ineffectiveness” in recent years. Fonseca spoke after Prime Minister Dean Barrow, United Democratic Party member for Queen’s Square, introduced a motion for Arzu’s reappointment for a year, effective January 1, 2016. Arzu was first appointed back in January 2013, and Barrow said that he is eligible for reappointment and continues to possess the relevant qualifications. As a result, he asked Parliament to recommend him to the Governor-General for reappointment for a further year. However, Fonseca said that the motion is not one that the Opposition could support. “I wish to place on record that over the past few years that Lionel Arzu has served as Ombudsman, we have received and many of my colleagues have reported concerns about the level of inactivity and ineffectiveness…” Fonseca said.

Police destroy weed worth over a million dollars
Police confiscated 22 pounds of marijuana in the Toledo and Cayo Districts during anti-drug operations on Wednesday and Friday. The high-grade weed they found in Cayo reportedly has an estimated street value of $33,000; it is sold on the local market at $1,500 per pound. At the time when the drug was found no one was in the area, and so no arrests have been made in connection with the discovery. At 4:00 this morning, Punta Gorda police went to an area 3 miles off the Columbia Famers Road, west of Colombia, where they found a marijuana plantation containing 1,250 marijuana plants ranging from 6 inches to 3 feet in height. No one was found in the area and the plants were uprooted and destroyed by fire.

Another San Ignacio teen girl commits suicide
The family of a female student, 15, of San Ignacio Town, is struggling to understand why she committed suicide behind their house this morning. Reports to Amandala are that at about 7:00 this morning, her mother went into her room to wake her for school, but she was not there, and they then began to search for her. The horrified family found her behind the house, hanging by the neck from a rope that was attached to a beam. The girl was quickly cut down and rushed to the San Ignacio Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Police said that there were no signs of violence on the body, and foul play has been ruled out. The motive for the suicide is not known.

The Reporter

Veteran journalist prepares for life-saving surgery; needs assistance
Veteran journalist, Patrick Jones, known more recently for his breaking news postings on Facebook, and previously for his career in radio and television news, is preparing to undergo a life-saving surgery for Acute Pancreatitis, this week. Jones’ family and friends have raised $5,000 – the cost of the surgery at La Loma Luz Adventist hospital in Santa Elena, but he still needs roughly $3,000 more for after-care, which will take another couple weeks before he can return to work. Together they are planning to have a bar-b-que sale in San Ignacio town on Saturday, January 30th, in order to raise money, but are asking the public to assist by making monetary contributions. Jones told the Reporter he was diagnosed with a severely inflamed pancreas late last month, when he was rushed to La Loma Luz hospital, barely able to move. He had been going there for months before, with severe pain that he said would start in the abdomen, and extend to the lower back, sides and upper back. He said each time the doctors would run tests, but find nothing, and prescribe pain medication.

Breaking Belize News

WHO warns of Zika spreading, threat to unborn babies
There is a new worldwide health concern as the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that the Zika virus may spread to every country in the Americas. While the virus is not necessarily life threatening to adults, there is a growing suspicion that the virus […]

Yohnny Rosado and son forced to close business
This evening Yohnny Rosado and his son Yohnny Jr. are out of work. While the elder Rosado is a well-known tour operator, about eight months ago the father and son started a tire selling business called Econo Tires on the Philip Goldson Highway. Today, however, […]

Conservation organizations to promote sustainable fishing
Seafood is a major source of income for Belizeans, from those who catch it to those who cook and sell it. But worried about the level of illegal masking of fisheries products under different guises and wishing to reward individual fishermen and businesses who do the […]

Fishery stakeholders want you to “Fish Right, Eat Right”
Earlier today, stakeholders in conservation and fisheries met to launch “Fish right, Eat right”, which is a certification program that will promote sustainable and legal trade of seafood, backed by an educational campaign. This program aims to reduce instances of illegal fishing while promoting […]

PUP debate cancelled
The debate, in which the three People’s United Party (PUP) candidates were supposed to square off flexing brain muscle, has been canceled because two of the three did not answer a request to participate. According to the organizers of the debate, Francis Fonseca was the only candidate […]

Stann Creek police find over 3 pounds of weed
An operation conducted by police’s Mobile Interdiction Team and K9 Unit in Steadfast Village, Stann Creek District yesterday afternoon, resulted in more than 3 pounds of cannabis being found and seized. The team searched a farmland in the village around 1:30 p.m., where in […]

Details of minor’s suicide emerge
Saddening reports from San Ignacio Police confirm that 15-year-old Sacred Heart College student, Meisy Amanda Polanco, was found hanging from an avocado tree yesterday morning. At 7:00 a.m., the girl’s mother, 35-year-old Andrea Claudia Polanco woke up and noticed that her teen daughter was […]

PUP, UDP selecting new leaders; securing futures
The dust has barely even settled on last November’s general elections, and already both parties are looking to install new leaders to take the reins and usher in a new era in Belize’s political landscape. For the People’s United Party (PUP), after a dramatic defeat […]

Dry Southeasterly airflow prevailing
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly sunny skies today and partly cloudy skies tonight with little or no rain. Winds will be blowing from the East-Southeast at 10-20 knots and the sea state will be moderate. High temperatures today are expected […]

Blogs

A Carnaval Like No Other in Ambergris Caye
San Pedro Carnaval is like no other in Belize, close to being a 90-year-old event on the island of Ambergris Caye, the cultural celebration sets itself apart as one of the most unique in the world. There are no parades, jump-up music or elaborate feathered-costumes like most Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean, South America or Africa, but there is street dancing and people covered in paint running through the streets trying to catch the next unsuspecting islander. Men dressing up in drag and dancing through the streets of downtown San Pedro - there is nothing odd with that, once it is Carnaval time. The street dancing groups, called Comparsas, are always a highlight. They have become more than just groups of people dancing on the streets. Today they are well-choreographed performances with bigger, brighter and elaborate costumes, props and music. The men’s group, whose members dress in drag, comes out in full force and is always there to give spectators a great laugh. Other groups dance to themed presentations collecting donations along the way that go towards a charity or non-profit organization. San Pedro Carnaval is kicked off by cultural presentations, dances and exhibits at an opening ceremony that is followed by the three days of street dancing and painting. The celebrations fall yearly three days before Ash Wednesday and the commencement of Lent. Caranval kicks off the religious celebratory aspect of Easter in the Catholic community of San Pedro.

Meditation, the Most Gorgeous Dock and Then Ice Cream: Sunday Morning at Ak’Bol Retreat
A few weeks ago, a meditation invitation was put out to…everyone…by an organization called Peace Revolution. Very Gandhi…and I am on my way to India – I accepted. Plus, I have wanted to meditate for some time. The idea of being able to calm a whirring brain on command is very appealing. The organization was doing sessions in Placencia, in Belize City and on Ambergris Caye. And here on the caye, it was taking place on one of the most gorgeous docks to do just about anything…yoga…lounging about…swimming. Ak’Bol Eco-Resort, about 1 mile north. And though there was a chilly northerly breeze…WHAT A DAY! The resort is so beautiful…so fitting for the location. We grabbed mats and blankets…it was CHILLY! About 25 of us in all…and after a little talk and some questions…we settled in for 30 minutes of meditating. Usually I am antsy after about 2…but this leader was fantastic. Super calming voice…leading all the way. There is a TON of free information on the website if you are interested. Otherwise, I will cut this short for those rolling their eyes and get back to the photos.

Stew Conch
Pound conch with a mallet, cut into 1 1/2" pieces. Place conch in a bowl with vinegar. Add water, and set aside for 2 hrs then drain thoroughly. Cook onion and garlic in oil for 2-3 minutes Combine remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat. Conch is cooked when it is tender (about 45 minutes) for 45-50 minutes, stirring constantly until conch is tender.

Belizean Meat Pies
Combine flour and salt in to bowl. Rub shortening lightly into flour. Add baking powder and crumble until mixtures resemble fine bread crumbs. Mix to form a stiff dough with cold water (do not knead) Roll with the rolling pin and cut into small pieces. Line muffin tins with dough and add meat and cover with round pieces of dough. Use pastry crumpler to decorate each pie top. Put in oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

International Sources

The Neurologist Who Hacked His Brain - And Almost Lost His Mind
THE BRAIN SURGERY lasted 11 and a half hours, beginning on the afternoon of June 21, 2014, and stretching into the Caribbean predawn of the next day. In the afternoon, after the anesthesia had worn off, the neurosurgeon came in, removed his wire-frame glasses, and held them up for his bandaged patient to examine. “What are these called?” he asked. Phil Kennedy stared at the glasses for a moment. Then his gaze drifted up to the ceiling and over to the television. “Uh … uh … ai … aiee,” he stammered after a while, “… aiee … aiee … aiee.” When Kennedy had arrived at the airport in Belize City a few days earlier, he had been lucid and precise, a 66-year-old with the stiff, authoritative good looks of a TV doctor. There had been nothing wrong with him, no medical need for Cervantes to open his skull. But Kennedy wanted brain surgery, and he was willing to pay $30,000 to have it done. Kennedy was himself once a famous neurologist. In the late 1990s he made global headlines for implanting several wire electrodes in the brain of a paralyzed man and then teaching the locked-in patient to control a computer cursor with his mind. Kennedy called his patient the world’s “first cyborg,” and the press hailed his feat as the first time a person had ever communicated through a brain-computer interface. From then on, Kennedy dedicated his life to the dream of building more and better cyborgs and developing a way to fully digitize a person’s thoughts.

Belize plans to free jailed Cuban immigrants
Authorities in Belize announced that the 32 Cuban immigrants detained for entering the country without documentation will soon be released, but the Cubans are unaware of the details of their liberation and are still in jail. Director of Immigration Godwin Hulse told Seven News Channel in Belize that on Friday he would sign a document releasing the Cubans from jail. But according to statements Tuesday from Yorday Leon Perdomo, who is in Hattieville’s Central Prison, authorities in Belize have yet to inform the immigrants when they will be released. “We just called the immigration office and they told us that they were working arduously to process us out but that there’s still a while more to wait,” said Leon Perdomo, adding that none of the incarcerated immigrants was given further details. He also noted that Belize authorities had not officially communicated the news of their liberation to them. “No one has come to tell us anything despite the fact that the media in Belize reported that we would be released from jail immediately,” he said.

NCL unveils $400m upgrade programme
Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new two-year $400 million programme aimed at upgrading the fleet. The Norwegian Edge is mostly focused on an “extensive” ship refurbishment of nine of the ships in the fleet, a process which began in October 2015 with a refresh of Norwegian Epic including many of its restaurants. This was followed by Norwegian Gem and now a further seven ships are being lined up for a dry-docking with both guest-facing and technical enhancements scheduled. Norwegian’s fleet has also updated its culinary offering while specialty menus are also being introduced. The cruise line is also implementing plans to improve its privately-owned destinations including the development of a resort-style port of call Harvest Caye, Belize, and private Bahamian island Great Stirrup Cay.

Study answers question: how do boa constrictors kill their prey?
It was widely believed that when a boa kills its prey, the snake squeezes the air out of its victim’s lungs. In a recent study scientists disproved this myth. “Our results suggest that boas are subduing and killing their prey during constriction by significantly affecting the prey’s cardiovascular system,” reported the researchers. Constriction quickly leads to changes in blood chemistry, with elevated blood potassium and acidosis. “Organs such as the liver, brain and heart would be the first to succumb to rapid tissue hypoxia,” the deficiency of oxygen reaching body tissues. There was also “direct evidence that the cardiac muscle is indeed affected by such ischemia,” the decrease in blood supply — surprisingly occurring within the first 30 seconds of constriction. “As soon as the snake was applying pressure, the blood pressure just immediately started going down, and going down really rapidly; and as fast as that blood [pressure] was going down, there was a nearly immediate change in the cardiac electrical activity,” said Boback. “This stuff happened so fast.” Dr. Boback told Mongabay that the research team’s objective was “to measure internal physiological parameters of the prey in order to try to figure out what are the consequences of having a snake wrapped around you.”

Open Letter from the Garifuna Nation and affiliated Garifuna organizations
Subject: The Unjustifiable Killing of Joel Palacios Lino and Elvis Armando Garcia. Dear President of Honduras Orlando Hernandez, United Nations Human Rights Commission, OAS Commission on Human Rights, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Amnesty International other International Human Rights Agencies, OFRANEH, AAGANIC, NGC, ONEGUA and all Garinagu Organizations: The Garifuna Nation is an international Garifuna organization with Representatives from the countries of Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize and the United States of America. The main purpose of this organization is to look after the social, political, economic and cultural interest of the Garifuna people in all these countries that are outlined in this memorandum. Also, to take appropriate actions to resolve any problems that our people may face from time to time.

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January 26, 2016

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