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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Students across the country sit P.S.E.
On Monday March 18th, standard six students from across the country sat Part One of the Primary School Examination (P.S.E.).P.S.E. is an important examination since it is a determining factor for admission to many high schools across the country and students prepare for this exam through eight years of their primary school education.The main purpose of the P.S.E. is to measure the achievement levels of students who have completed their primary education in Belize.The P.S.E. consists of four study areas, Science, English, Mathematics and Social Studies. The first part of the examination consisted of Science and English papers. 197 students from both San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village registered for the exams, which were sat at The San Pedro High School (SPHS), the assigned examination center for the area. According toMiriam Pott Codd,the Education Officer for San Pedro Town, of the 197 registered students, 192 sat the exam. There were no private candidates registered this year for the area. Each primary institution from the two cayes sent candidates to sit the exams and among the 192 students that sat the exam, five were special needs candidates.

Taiwan donates two Garbage compactors to San Pedro Town
Once a small fishing village, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye has grown to be a popular tourism destination in with approximately 20 thousand inhabitants (at the peak of tourism season). With the ever growing number of people on the island, garbage disposal has become a major concern. Large resorts and many restaurants that cater to the added thousands of visitors that flock the island annually, generate large amounts of garbage that, if not properly disposed, can become hazardous to our Caribbean waters and marine life, not to mention our already fragile reef system. For these reasons The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has made solid waste management a key focus for the council. On Friday March 15th, SPTC got a major boost in their efforts to control garbage on the island. Two brand new garbage compactors were donated to the town of San Pedro by Taiwan (The Republic of China). Obtaining the compactors begun under the council of the previous mayor Elsa Paz and with continued efforts of current mayor Daniel Guerrero, the mission became a reality. For many years, Taiwan has been providing assistance to Belize, including a previous donation of a garbage compactor to the Corozal Free Zone, which has benefited that town tremendously.

Inter-Institutional Training Course in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives completed
44 participants from various law enforcement departments and agencies in Belize have received certificates after completing a two-weeks training course in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives, sponsored by the United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament & Development in Latin America & the Caribbean (UNLIREC). The course, which ran from February 25 to March 8, 2013, covered a wide range of topics including the basics on firearms, legal framework, stock-pile management and disarmament. In her remarks at the Graduation ceremony, UNRILEC Director Melanie Regimbal stated, “Our goal over the last two weeks was not only to impart knowledge on the various firearm activities and how to conduct investigations, or how to look at classification of weapons, or crime scene management, or weapon destruction and practical disarmament measures. These are all issues that are fundamental and are the reason behind the course. But I hope that what you will have gotten out of the last ten days is really an insight as to what your other colleagues are doing to combat illicit firearms trafficking.”

Ambergris Today

The Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch Elects Board of Directors
Our lovely island of San Pedro now counts with an active Belize Red Cross group. The local branch of the Belize Red Cross elected its Board of Directors on March 14, 2013, under the presence of the Director General of the Belize Red Cross, Lily Bowman. Taking the reigns of the Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch is Mr. Eiden Salazar who was elected as the Chairperson. His board of directors include Anthony Anderson as Vice-Chairperson, Carolyn Human - Treasurer, Phillip Ramsey - Secretary, Swuine Diego - Youth representative and Sandro Cob, Frank Panton and Cheryl Bowen as ordinary members.

25 Years Ago: Four Strange Home Remedies used in the Village Of San Pedro
Whenever we get a large wound like a gash with a sharp conch shell, or a deep cut with a sharp knife or machete, if there is severe bleeding apply direct pressure or tourniquet but that is because we have some knowledge of First Aid. Not so Years Ago in San Pedro. To stop a profuse bleeding we used to apply kerosene (some people call it gas) directly on the wound. This would start coagulating the blood and the bleeding would immediately commence to slow down. Another thing that would help in stopping a severe bleeding was coffee. Yes simply apply some granules of coffee directly on the wound and stuff some into the cut. Like good caulking preventing any leakage, this coffee serves like a caulk and stops the bleeding considerably fast. Now the injury you got earlier in the day is beginning to cause quite some pain. So what do you do? You immediately go to the doctor and an injection of some pain killer (analgesic) will have you smiling again shortly. Not so Years Ago in San Pedro. What we did was try to catch a scorpion in the debris in the yard. Fry the scorpion and smash it to a fine paste. Apply this paste like an ointment directly on the wound that is causing the pain, and in minutes the pain diminishes and vanishes. Magic? No, but it works; my dad applied it several times on my adventurous feet that loved to be meander about in the bush, the seaside, the garbage dump site, and other “child attractive places”.

Pic of the Week: Spring Break Conference Call in San Pedro, Belize
It's Spring Break in Belize and the conference call is around the pool at the Victoria House Resort in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. It is not quite the massive Spring Break parties you will find in Cancun or South Beach, but vacationers to Belize during the Spring/Easter holidays find our laid back and tranqul paradise a bit more fun; mind you there are big parties in town for those who come to celebrate and have a different kind of fun. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye provides the best of both worlds to vacationers.

SP Lions Plan Second Annual Pancake Brunch with the Easter Bunny
With last year’s Pancake Brunch with the Easter Bunny a hopping success, the San Pedro Lions Club is excited to announce their second annual Pancake Brunch with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 30th at the Lions Den. The holiday event will run from 9:30AM until 12:30PM. Guests will enjoy a delicious pancake meal with sausage, fruit, fun pancake toppings and juice. Children’s activities will include coloring, bobbing for Easter eggs, face painting, jumping tent for small children and lots of fun games, There will also be Easter baskets available for parents to purchase in a variety of sizes and prices. A new activity this year is the Coco-Bunny craft, where children can decorate a painted coconut as the Easter Bunny. The activity will cost $1 per coco-bunny and of course all proceeds help the Lions with their community projects. Parents are invited to bring their camera and snap a photo of their child with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are available at the door and are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 12 and under, and toddlers under the age of two are free. Come out and enjoy the family, a bunny-good time will be had by all!

Moving Forward with Great Diet and Exercise
Q: I was wondering if you can submit a diet plan for me; something simple but effective. I workout everyday but I still manage to eat things I shouldn't. A: Last week I mentioned the importance of knowing your BMR…it is critical to have this baseline knowledge if you want to manipulate your weight effectively. I’ll use my MBR as an example to answer the question. My BMR is approximately 1,300 calories per day; I am 34 yrs old, 5’ 3” and currently weight 125 lbs. To maintain my weight, I can consume 1,300 calories per day and do no exercises. Most of us want to lose weight, therefore we need to create a caloric deficit somewhere…that’s where exercising can speed up the process! If I work out 5 times per week and burn 300 calories in each workout, that’s a total of 1,500 calories burnt per week…equals to half a pound of fat lost!

Misc Belizean Sources

Female Self Defense Classes in Cayo
Renee Wentz will be offering some more free female self defense classes today, March 20th, in Central Farm, and March 23rd, at the University of Belize. Call 630-5571 for more information. Thanks, Renee, for offering this valuable training again.

Swigs Party at the SIRH
Now that's an awesome ticket!!! The Hands for Life club is having a fund raiser on Friday, April 12th, at the Bedran Hall. Cloud 9 will be there, and there will also be a DJ competition. See you there!

Heels On Party Pictures
Danny Chung captured the spirit of the Heels On Party. Island Time Beverages sponsored the dance, and Cloud 9 was there mixing the night away.

Women's Month Ride Pictures
The Women's Month Bike Ride was a success. The Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association along with the women's group and others held the event last weekend. "Community Policing and CNWA teamed up with the Women's Group for a ride in Town. After that we went on an extended ride with those that wanted to join us. A group of 7 riders plus ATV with camera person."

Rotary Inaugurates Facilities at St. Andrews
Feelgood news of the day. The Rotary Club of San Ignacio inaugurated the new bathroom facilities at St. Andrews Primary School this morning. Rotary has been instrumental in building facilities all over Cayo lately, and this is the first of 2 that will be inaugurated this week. Thursday, they'll inaugurate the new facilities at Eden SDA in Santa Elena. Thanks, Rotary, for making our children's world a better place!

Channel 7

Cold Killing On City Street - Was Working Man Randomly Targeted?
There was another broad daylight killing in Belize City today - and the victim was a working man - who was on the job. According to his family, he was randomly targeted by a gunman hunting down another man. If they are right, the randomness of the crime almost defies comprehension. 7news was on the scene today and Monica Bodden spoke with the family of the deceased. Monica Bodden Reporting The body of another young black man lay lifeless in the city streets once again today. The broad daylight murder happened just before 11:30 this morning on Caesar Ridge Road. 27 year old Ardon Belgrave - a maintenance worker for the Belize City Council was in the area working - when he was cold bloodedly gunned down in front of his co-workers. Wallace Belgrave - Father of Deceased "His cousin and I were sitting down there. He stopped in the shop and said that Belgrave was dead, but when he said it; I didn't even think about it. So I told my cousin, the guy is talking to you, so again he said, 'Belgrave is dead, then he called me one side and said that Belgrave died. I kept asking him to explain it because it was surprising to me." Belgrave was shot to the head - According to those on the scene, he was not the intended target - witnesses say that the gunman was chasing his target - but when the target got away, he turned around and opened fire on Belgrave.

Human Trafficking Suspect Still In Custody
43 year old Salvadorean Irma Hilda Alaz Azmitia remains in Police custody tonight pending criminal charges for human trafficking. Reports say she's already been assessed for an immigration charge - which will allow the major crimes unit to hold her longer as they prepare the human trafficking charges. As we reported, Alaz Azmitia is believed to have been the handler for four minors and an 18 year old who were supposed to be trafficked to the USA on a USAIR Flight on Sunday. But, a police source picked up intelligence that led to her arrest and the interception of the 4 minors and an 18 year old. The five persons comprise two females, aged 18 and 14 and the three males -boys aged, 9, 10, and 13. They are all Salvadorean and arrived in the country last week. They stayed at an inexpensive hotel in Belize City - false Guatemalan passports affixed with bogus US Visas were prepared for them. All five are in the custody of social services for safe-keeping, while Alaz Azmitia is expected to be arraigned tomorrow.

FFB Field to Be Used For Bandfest – President Justifies Decision
This weekend, Belize's National Football Selection will play a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago's selection, the "Soca Boys". Both teams are preparing for the Gold Cup - so it's considered an important match for each team to test its strengths. But, the game won't be played on the only FIFA approved field in the country, which is at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan; instead, it will be played in Belize City at the MCC Grounds. And the reason it won't be played in Belmopan? Well, that's because the field will be in use for the LOVE FM Bandfest. Now, that's got many observers throwing their hands up because the FFB President Ruperto Vicente aggressively campaigned and protested against concerts played at the MCC. And now he has an all-day Bandfest on Belize's only FIFA Approved football field? Sounds like a case of "do-soh no like do-soh" - and today, we asked him to explain the rationale in allowing this football pitch to be subjected to possible damage after they protested the use of the MCC Grounds for NICH's Indige-NOW and the Digicell 4G Beenie Man concerts. He told us that standards are important, but so is funding for the National Team as they get ready to send them to Gold Cup in July:

No Decision Yet On Referendum
Belize's Cabinet has still not decided on the proposal by the Guatemalan government to postpone the referendum originally scheduled for October 6, 2013. That's because Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington has not yet returned from Washington DC with the formal proposal for Cabinet to consider. But, in somewhat related news, the a senior official from the British Ministry of Defence will be visiting Belize later this week. He is Dr Andrew Murrisson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Security Strategy at the Defence Ministry. But don't expect a security blanket, Murrisson will be presenting vehicles to BATSUB and visit the Belize Defence Force.

He Allegedly Assaulted A 15 Year Old Girl, Indecently
Tonight, 39 year-old Marlon Mangar, a resident of mile 2 and a half on the George Price Highway, is out on bail after he was taken to court for indecent assault against a 15 year-old minor. According to police, the minor alleged that on March 10, 2013, Mangar touched her inappropriately on her private parts. As a result, police arrested and charged him with aggravated assault of an indecent nature. He was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith, without the presence of the media or any of his family members, and he was granted him bail of $1,500, five hundred of which he had to pay upfront. He was able to meet bail this afternoon, but he must return to court on March 15, 2013.

Bar President Courtenay Braces A-G Elrington
Last week you heard Attorney General Wilfred Elrington and Prime Minister Dean Barrow talk about the Bar Association. They both said it's unconstitutional because compulsory membership in any organization violates the freedom of association guaranteed by the constitution. So, end of story right? Well, not so fast. The bar association met last night and today President Eamon Courtenay told us that freedom of association is not always that simple: Eamon Courtenay - President, Bar Association of Belize "Since this matter has been raised, some of our members have done some research, and have already found cases where this specific matter has come up, and it has been found not to be unconstitutional. If we have persons performing legal, and they are not going to be regulated by an association, by an independent body, it is not going to be beneficial to Belize. It is not going to be beneficial to clients; it is not going to be beneficial to the Judiciary. The Bar was very disappointed in some of the things that have been said, some of the criticisms that have been leveled at the Bar. And we believe that the best way to deal with this is to seek to engage the Attorney General, seek to engage the Government on some their concerns." Jules Vasquez "One of the criticisms has leveled at the Bar - and I saw Mr. Smith write about it it as well - is that the Bar does not a). serve its members, or b). serve the public. It does not serve its members with continuing education - according to the Attorney General - and Mr. Smith, he proffered in a written piece it should offer some kind of help - some kind of website that maybe the public can access to help them through legal quagmires, land papers and that sort of thing. Is there any spirit in the Bar Asssociation to reform its ways."

Special Report From Key West, FL: What US Southcom Sees In Belize
Almost 200 years ago, the Monroe Doctrine was put forth by the United States. In simplest terms it stated that all of South, Central and North America should remain under the prevailing influence of the United States, and not the European powers that had colonized it. The term was used by American leaders as recently as 30 years ago - and while it has fallen out of vogue recently as the Superpower's attention has shifted to the Muslim world, the US remains very interested in the political and security affairs of Central and South America. And the clearest expression of that is the US Army Southern Command, known as SOUTHCOM. According to its charter, it is responsible for "providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation for Central America, South America and the Caribbean." Last week, Janelle Chanona and other Belizean journalists were invited to SOUTHCOM's Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South in Key west Florida. That's where the US Army tracks drugs moving north to the United States. It's a rare opportunity to see inside a tremendous military machine - and working with Jesse Mendoza from PLUS TV, Janelle put together this report on the US Army's perspective on security risks in our region:

New Police Recruits Pass Out
Yesterday, we told you about the Police Department's new Precinct system for Belize City. As we also showed you, the Commissioner of Police plans to inject the majority of recruit intake #88, which graduated today, into this new system. Since they will be very active in Belize City, we thought it fair to acquaint ourselves with them as they participated in the graduation ceremony in Belmopan this evening. Here's what the Commander of the Police Training Academy told us about his confidence in their abilities: Superintendent Linden Flowers - Commandant, Police Training Academy "Today sees the end of a process that began the 7th of July 2012, where over 850 Belizeans, young men and women, high school graduates sat the entrance exam - sat an entrance exam to the Police Department. The 130 recruits that will be passing out today started on the 11th of November after their medical and other activities took place. And when these persons came here from the 11th of a November 2012, myself and my team of officers mainly; assistant Superintendent Rosado, Inspector Jones and several sergeants and constables including members from the Human Rights Commission, we did a part of our training where, we invited attorneys to come in and address these participants on the role and functions of police, as it relates to the constitution and the human rights aspect of policing.

Tanya Carter Making "Authentic Reggae" In Jamaica
Tanya Carter has a smooth new reggae single and a slick music video, but the news is that she's hooked up with a Jamaican production outfit. A release from Kingston says she'll be working "closely with Christopher Birch of Birchill Records, who produced and co-wrote her newest single: Ex-boyfriend." Producer Christopher Birch is quoted as saying that he thinks she can make it in the very competitive reggae industry. They are working on a new track. Until then, you can find her video for "Ex-boyfriend" through a link at 7newsbelize.com.

Belizeans Are Reef People
We've got all kinds of awareness weeks in Belize, but now the protectors of our Marine environment want you to celebrate reef week. It was officially declared open last night, and OCEANA's Audrey Matura Shepherd told us why Belizeans are people of the reef: Audrey Matura-Shepherd - VP, Oceana Belize "Reef Week is connected to everything, controversial and non-controversial issues. But really, it is an opportunity for people to put any differences aside, and let's accept what the reality is. We have one of the most beautiful reefs. It serves us many purposes. It helps us earn money; it's a tourist attraction, and for fishing. That brings in money. It also protects money because everytime it shields us from hurricanes and any kind of storms, it's helping us not to have to go and build a house every minute, like the ants, who get their homes destroyed every minute. And definitely, it adds value to our lives." Hon. Lisel Alamilla - Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development "I think that it is important that we as Belizeans continue to ensure that our children and that our populace at large understand that Belize has 80% of the Meso-American Barrier Reef Complex. The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest portion."

Trini's Soca Boys In Belize
As we told you earlier in the newscast, Belize's National Football Selection is hosting the Soca Boys of Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly on Saturday at the MCC Grounds. The Soca Boys made it to the world cup in 2006 - and now they are going to the Gold Cup along with Belize. It's a team that is rebuilding and reloading to make another World Cup Run and we spoke with the Captain and the Coach when they arrived today: Hutson Charles - Coach, "Soca Warriors" "You know, Belize is a young improving team on the upcoming tournaments, and we expect to get a good fight from them. Seeing that they're home, we see it fit to play a game at this meet here, so as to enhance our preparation for the goal cup." Denzil Theobald - Captain, "Soca Warriors" "Every game we go to represent our country, we go to win and it's a part of preparations for the Gold Cup, which is the ideal goal we have in mind, to go there and do well. We have some players from England, we have some players from the MLS; we also have players from other parts of Europe as well, joining together with the base goal, from Trinidad and Tobago that plays in the professional league of Trinidad."

National Team Called to Workout
And while elements of the Trinidad National Team continue to arrive in Belize for the Friendly match over the next few days, today was the first day of official National Team training for the Belize Selection at the FFB Headquarters in Belmopan. It is also the first practice for the team without their Head Coach, Leroy Sherrier. We've seen the response from the officials about Sherrier's departure, and so today, we took the opportunity to ask the members of the team about their plan for the next few months leading up to the Gold Cup without Sherrier. Here's what they told us, about that and their preparations for Saturday's friendly match, and the Gold Cup: Dalton Eiley - Captain, Belize National Football Team "Most of our opinions on the coach leaving are one of shock and disappointment, because he took us so far and we were expecting and hoping that he would take us to the next level. It didn't work out, we have to hang -hold our head high, work together, go to the goal cup and just try to do good for him and for our country. I've mentioned this to a couple people before and like every time we get a tournament, we always get the host nation first, this is one of the biggest, I mean USA. Well, my thing is we just go out and play with the same mentality that we played in Costa Rica, just come out, keep a strong back line, and just attack when we get the break and take the opportunities as we get them. The major weakness, I think was; we had a defensive team from the midfield back to the defense line; there was no attacking mid fielder who we had. I think that's what the coaches are looking into, and to see that was one of our major weaknesses as you point it out. I think that was the main thing. We brought guys - players for that specific role, to play attacking midfield. We have a sound defensive back line and some defenses middle, just at this point we have to implement one attacking midfielder in this to deliver to Deon Mcauley and Caful Roaches on top."

Belizean Footballers Try Out For MLS
And while the players look toward the biggest tournament in Belize's History, they also turned heads for their performance in the Copa Centroamericana. And as a result, 2 players of the National Team, Deon McCauley and Woodrow West were invited to participate in try-outs for football clubs in the USA's Major League Soccer, or "MLS" as it is known. It's a major opportunity for these Belizean athletes, so today, we asked them about how those tryouts went. Here's what they told us: Woodrow West - Goalkeeper, Belize National Football Team "Yes I've been - I went out and tried out with a few teams and I came back to Belize because what I went for was just a tryout; it was not to catch any club right away, so I'll leave the door open. I have a place in New York; hopefully I get to play in New York. It depends on my games in the Gold Cup, on my performance, then I can go far, but it all depends on the Gold Cup." Deon McCauley - Forward, Belize National Football Team "I was - actually I had 2 tryouts, one whit Chicago fur and the other with Portland Timbers. It was a very good experience for me, I've learnt a lot for the experience and it was a good one."

Can You Spell Belmopan With A "Y"?
For over 50 years, the YWCA has been based mainly in Belize City, but the organization also offers services to women in rural areas. But getting to the city can be half the problem, so today the "Y" opened its new branch in theother city, Belmopan. 7News spoke to the President about the importance of this milestone for the Organization. Sheree Smiling - Craig - President, YWCA Belize "We're opening our Belmopan branch, which is a historical event for the YWCA. We have always, for 57 years, actually been in the Belize City area. Although we catered to rural women, this branch in Belmopan is just showing our support - our greater support to the rural women projects so that women from the Belmopan community and the wider Belize community can come into Belmopan and be trained in marketing, in creating new skills, and having an outlet for their produces. A lot of the rural women are encouraged through their programs with the Y to actually create new produces that they can market, so that they become self-sustained in their own lives." Daniel Ortiz "Why do you and the YWCA feel as if though it is important, was there issue of accessibility?"

Channel 5

Salvadoran national trafficking minors through Belize
  There are few convictions for human trafficking even though there is a well established network but tonight the face of human trafficking is that of a fifty two year old Salvadoran national, Hilda Alas Azmitia.  On Sunday, at nine forty-five a.m., Azmitia was escorting children at the Philip Goldson International Airport where they intended [...]

Random killing on Caesar Ridge Road
Just after eleven this morning shots rang out on Caesar Ridge Road in the Port Loyola area. Witnesses say that at least eight shots were heard and when the gunfire subsided, a Belize City youth lay lifeless on the pavement. Minutes earlier he was standing under a tree along with others, when the shooter rode [...]

Bar Association strikes back at Attorney General
Attorney-General Wilfred Elrington is taking aim at the Bar Association and it is not the first time. This time though, he is using legislation that could result in a further splintering of the Bar.  Last week, through a letter from Solicitor-General Cheryl Krusen to the Chief Justice and the Bar Association, the AG made known [...]

Bar brings down the gavel on AG’s criticisms
And while those recommendations will be forwarded to Attorney General Wilfred Elrington and Solicitor General Cheryl Krusen, President of the Bar Eamon Courtenay also dealt with the very pointed criticisms that have been heaped on the Association by Elrington. The AG has stated very clearly that he believes that the Bar Association does absolutely nothing [...]

Should there be an October 6th referendum within Guatemala?
With the debate focusing now on the referendum, our last question was if viewers thought that government was soft on Guatemala. An overwhelming ninety-two percent voted yes while the rest said no: Turning to tonight’s question: Should Belize proceed to hold a referendum on October 6, if Guatemala does not? Send your comments and responses [...]

Is the bar Association P.U.P.?
Earlier in the newscast we showed you the response from Bar Association President Eamon Courtenay to criticism that the Bar is inactive, a waste of time, and does nothing for its members or for the community. But there is also that other matter which comes up time and time again, and always from U.D.P. politicians [...]

Bar says amendment means no regulation and no oversight
And putting aside the criticisms, founded or unfounded, and removing the government perception of a politically skewed Association, Courtenay says the move just doesn’t make much sense, period. If the amendment is passed as proposed, attorneys would be able to practice free of association with any legal body, which translates to no regulation and no [...]

Bar Association worries about formation of General Legal Council
To round out his openly critical response to the Attorney-General’s very blatant and apologetic targeting of the Bar Association, Eamon Courtenay touched on a very sensitive topic, the General Legal Council. Currently that oversight body is appointed by the Bar Association, but if the amendment goes through, it will be appointed by the Attorney General. [...]

Arsonist fined instead of prison time
A Belize City man was spared jail time after being convicted on March fourteenth of arson on the house of the mother of his ex. Thirty-five year old Brian Barrella appeared on Monday evening before Justice Adolph Lucas for sentencing.  During the mitigation plea, family members and friends spoke on Barrella’s behalf asking for leniency. [...]

To kill or not to kill? Death penalty is still in the books
The death penalty is still in Belize’s constitution even though the last person to have been executed was over twenty-five years ago when Kent Bowers was hung for the murder of Robert Codd. There are eight persons on death row but only one person has served over fifty years in prison and cannot be executed [...]

On patrol with the US Southern Command
Belize is considered a main transit point for drugs that make their way to the United States by land, sea and air. In the fight against drug trafficking, the US has established a major anti-drug operation center in Florida and because of its sensitive nature; it is off limits to the public. Last year alone, [...]

Belize vs. Trinidad for football goal!
The Belize Jaguars are preparing for play against the Soca Warriors of Trinidad and Tobago in anticipation of the Gold Cup in which Belize will be going up against the United States, Cuba and Costa Rica. Members of the visiting team began arriving today for the match which takes place this Saturday. But instead of [...]

Tanya Carter’s new song, Ex-boyfriend
Belizean singer, Tanya Carter  has opened for Etana, Luciano, Lexxus and Morgan Heritage, so it’s not unusual that she has flown to Jamaica, the home of reggae music to work with some of the best producers on the island. She has collaborated with Christopher Birch of Birchill Records, who produced and co-wrote her newest single, [...]

LOVE FM

Daylight Shooting Proves Fatal
Shortly before midday today, blood tainted the street on Cesar Ridge Road not too far from its corner with Reggae Street, where a man was shot to death. Love News understands that the victim was employed under the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project and was working on the const...

Guatemalan National Detained Pending Firearm Charges
A woman from the Cayo District was detained after a search of her home resulted in the discovery of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Correspondent Fem Cruz reports. FEM CRUZ "On Monday, March 18 sometime around 5pm, Belmopan C.I.B personnel conducted a search at th...

United World Colleges Offer Scholarship Opportunity
The United World Colleges, UWC is offering scholarship opportunity and placement for a Belizean student for the academic term 2013 to 2015. Correspondent Paul Mahung has more in this report. PAUL MAHUNG " The United World Colleges (UWC) is offering a scholarship oppo...

Child Stimulation Month Activities Continue
The month of March has been set aside as child stimulation month and a number of activities have been going on with pre-schoolers. Today is cultural day and Love News stopped by the Anglican Diocesan Preschool which is located behind St. Mary’s Anglican School. ...

Belize Police Commissioner Presents New Plan of Action
The Police High Command, headed by newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, has presented a new plan of action to fight crime on a local level. It has come about since his taking over command of the Police Department on January ninth of this year and following a numb...

Belizean Laborer Accused of Sexual Assault on Minor
Thirty-nine year old Marlon Mangar, a laborer who allegedly committed a sexual assault on a 15 year old girl, was charged with aggravated assault when he appeared in Court today. Mangar pled not guilty to the charge. Chief Magistrate Anne Marie smith offered him a bail $2,000.00 and st...

Convicted Murderer Loses Appeal Case
An appeal by 27 year old Darrell Grant, convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, was dismissed today by Belize court of Appeal. Grant’s conviction and sentence were affirmed. Grant was convicted of the murder of Sandra Ruiz, a housewife who was bludgeoned to death ...

San Ignacio Police Seeks Escaped Convict
A prisoner escaped from custody in San Ignacio. Correspondent Elaine Berry reports. ELAINE BERRY "On Monday, March 18 at about 2:55pm, San Ignacio Police was in the process of cleaning the cell block where prisoners were kept, it was then that a convicted priso...

CTV3

Suicide By Poison
A Corozal resident committed suicide yesterday. Reports are that at around 2:00pm yesterday 32 year old Omar Martinez, Belizean cane cutter of San Narciso Village Corozal, entered his mother’s residence and informed her that he had drunk poison. Martinez then went outside, sat on a chair and threw away a white plastic bottle as he began vomiting. The 32 year old was transported to the Corozal Community Hospital where he died at 4:00pm. Police retrieved the white bottle from the area for examination and investigations continue.

Forest Dep. Officially Lodges Report Of Illegal Hunting Of Howler Monkey
The Forest Department has lodged an official complaint at the Orange Walk Police Station against four students and one male teacher of the Belize High School of Agriculture. CTV3 News understands that today representatives of the Forest Department visited the station where they handed over their investigative file to Superintendent Joseph Myvett. Based on the Forest Department’s investigation, the prosecution will now seek to have all four boys and teacher found guilty of illegal hunting after charges are levied against them. However, we understand that none of the individuals, accused of brutally attacking a black male howler monkey on March 5th, were detained today. As we have stated before, the monkey died two days after the incident while being treated at the Wild Tracks Rehabilitation Center in Sarteneja.

Yes Or No To The ICJ? Referendum Unit Educates Teachers And Students
A Referendum Unit was formed and launched early this year with the task of educating Belizeans on the pros, cons, and risks of taking Guatemala’s long standing claim over Belize to the International Court of Justice. The referendum unit has been travelling to all parts of the country, meeting with different groups and community members. Today, the team was at Muffles High School discussing the education process for the Belize/Guatemala Referendum with teachers from various high schools and fourth form and third form students of Muffles High School. We stopped by to take a look at how the awareness campaign is going so far. Hipolito Novelo Reporting… Ask yourself this: how much do you know about the Guatemalan claim over Belize? Probably it’s only the bits of information that was thought to you in primary and high school. The referendum on whether or not to take the long standing dispute to the International Court of Justice is schedule for October 6th. The responsibility to inform Belizeans about the pros, cons, and all the risk we’ll be taking if we do take the matter to the ICJ has been tasked to the Referendum Unit which was officially launched on January 23rd 2013. Stuart Leslie, Ambassador, Referendum Unit “Since then the referendum commission which is made up from all civil society in support of the process in giving Belize an awareness of the pros, cons and the risk in presenting Belize’s case before the ICJ. One of the issues that we are picking up out there is fear when it comes to Belize and Guatemala. We try to deal it with by providing people with information. So it is an awareness campaign that is giving people the facts.”

After 47 Days Hilmer Ical Still Missing
Today makes 47 days that 15 year old Hilmer Ical has been missing. Yesterday when we spoke to Ical’s aunt, 45 year old Olympia Bull, she told us that since the boy left home on January 31st he has not been seen or heard from. The last the family heard is that Ical is in bad company hence why they are pleading for him to come home. Ical is described as being of Mestizo descent, brown complexion; 5 feet in height, medium built and weighs about 85 lbs. He was last seen in Corozal Town on January 31st selling Creole bread. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Ical is asked to call 911 or the nearest police station.

Orange Walk's Rodrigo Leiva Wins Elite Race In Mexico
Yesterday we told you about Grisel Carballo, the proud Orange Walkena who represented Belize in the Diosa Maya Internacional 2013 Pageant in Merida, Yucatan and for the first time won the crown. Tonight another Orange Walk resident is making headlines in Mexico after winning a cycle race in Chetumal Quintana Roo. Belizean Elite Rodrigo Leiva won the 60 kilometers Class Elite race, while second place went to Juan Cuellar and third place went to Jairo Campos also from the Orange Walk District. Congratulations to both young cyclists.

Referendum Is Standing On Shaky Grounds
And while students of Muffles College were educated on the Belize/Guatemala Referendum, the Referendum itself is standing on shaky ground. On Saturday, a Belize delegation, headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington, travelled to Washington DC to meet with Guatemala’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando Carrera and OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza. The main topic of discussion was to be Guatemala’s proposed change of date for the October 6th Referendum or for Belize to change its Referendum Law to provide for a simple majority to decide if Guatemala’s long standing claim will be taken to the International Court of Justice. But word tonight is that instead of taking part in Sunday’s meeting, Minister Fernando Carrera sent his Vice Minister to represent him with the excuse that he had had a family emergency. The meeting; however, proceeded without the presence Belize’s Foreign Minister since it was conducted at a Vice Ministerial Level due to Carrera’s absence. Leading the Belize delegation was CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexis Rosado who late yesterday evening received Guatemala’s Official Proposal for a change in the Referendum date. The proposal, we understand, will now be presented to Cabinet for discussion after which a decision will be made. Of note is that the opposition will also be consulted in reference to Guatemala’s proposal.

Neighborhood Watch Group Forms After Too Much Burglaries
For the past three months, the village of Yo Creek has been plagued by a number of burglaries and last two weeks more than 200 residents gathered at the community centre to discuss the matter. With the assistance of Constable in Charge of Community Policing at the Orange Walk Police Department, Zenubio Coc, the villagers formed a neighborhood watch committee headed by Oscar Barrera. Barrera explained the problems villagers have been facing over the past few months. Oscar Barrera, Chairman Yo Creek Village Neighborhood Watch Group “Up to date we have approximately 15 to 20 robberies that have been committed in our community; from tractor batteries that have been stolen to pumps and herbicide and up to house break in. So we decided that nothing is being done by a competent authority and so it was time for us to stand up. We are not trying to lower our police department but this is our way of doing our part and try to avoid what is going on.” So far the group has 40 members who have organized a network of communication in order to keep a watchful eye over the community. Oscar Barrera, Chairman Yo Creek Village Neighborhood Watch Group “We patrol for the past two weeks from early in the night and almost four in the morning that that is the time span that we think these criminal activities are going on. Any person that is walking around, riding around in our village that is not from her is stopped and question. Anybody that is a suspect, it’s not that we are telling people not to come in our village but it is a precaution method. But now that the group is formed, financing is needed in order for members to carry out their various roles.

Preschool Festival of Arts
Child Stimulation month is being observed in preschools across the country this month under the theme ““Molding Today’s Learners into Tomorrow’s Leaders”. One major event that involves the participation of all preschools in the districts is the preschools’ Festival of Arts. Today, Orange Walk’s youngest students representing the district’s twenty four preschools took part in the Preschool Festival of Arts at the Multi Purpose Complex. From what we were able to observe preschoolers put up quiet a show. Here are some highlights of the event.

Trinidad Gets Resource Center
In this day and era, keeping up with technology is a must, that is, if you want to be at par with the changing global community. But for rural communities like Trinidad, keeping up with technology has proven to be a difficult task, until today. The village now counts with a fully operating resource centre located at the Trinidad Government School compound. Nikki’s Library is comprised of mainly 6 desktops, library books and toys courtesy of Rotaract International. The centre is also connected to the internet thanks to SMART. All these factors were made available thanks to the hard work of the Resource Centre Committee headed by Yasser Sosa. Yasser Sosa, Resource Centre Committee “With this library, we chose the location here at the school because we want the school to benefit with the library and the community and also working together with the community because here we don’t have a lab for the community. But we are working towards it because we had a library but it was not developed and now we have a well developed library. Right now I am working with one of my colleagues in installing the computer and we are trying to get the donations for the internet. Thanks for Rotaract International we get six computers, the library, one television with VCR and some toys for the kids.”

PlusTV

Ardon Belgrave shot dead in Belize City
Police have confirmed that there was a murder by shooting around 11:25 this morning on Caesar Ridge Road in Belize City. While not releasing a name, police say the individual was found on the street apparently already dead with a gunshot wound to the head. PLUS News has learned...

Brandon Smith captured by police and charged for attempted murder of four officers
Last night we told you about a shootout between two men and Police. In that incident, one of the culprits, 28 year Alrick Smith who was shot to the abdomen, was captured by police and taken to the KHMH in a critical condition. But the other man, 27 year...

Bar association on ICJ issue
As the date for the October 6 ICJ referendum draws closer, explanations about its importance and relevance become bigger in the minds of the public. One organization prepared to help is the Bar Association. President Eamon Courtenay said today that the Bar is preparing to open its discussions. Eamon...

Bar Association concerned about planned amendment to the Legal Profession Act
The planned amendment to the Legal Profession Act encouraging multiple legal associations has divided opinion among members of the Belize Bar in recent weeks. The organization which it most affects, the Bar Association, met on Monday night to develop its response. Approximately 50 members attended and together reached consensus,...

Changes made to Organizational Structure of the Belize Police Department
Allen Whylie has been Commissioner of police since January 9 of this year. He spent much of his first month battling to get the situation under control after spate of crime resulted in 26 murders in 12 weeks. Yesterday, Compol Whylie finally got a chance to present his plans...

130 new police officers to hit the streets
A record breaking number of police trainees graduated from the Police Training Academy this afternoon. After months of intensive physical and mental preparation, recruit squad number 88 stood proudly at their passing out ceremony. Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar addressed the graduates this afternoon. He said that...

Lloyd Alexander King’s charge is expected to be upgraded to murder
Almost two weeks ago, 28 year old Ronald Rivers was shot to the face in front of the UNO Gas Station while fixing a vehicle. After a long battle, his kidneys failed and he suffered strokes and heart attacks. He was being kept on life support for some days...

Customs Department make big contraband bust
The Customs Department made a big contraband bust over the weekend. On Saturday, over 1300 cases of Modern Silver Elephant cigarettes were confiscated in Jalacte, after BDF alerted customs of the movement of suspect cargo. It has been reported that the cigarettes were legally purchased in the Corozal Free...

US Embassy representative comments on human trafficking incident
A Salvadoran woman was detained by police in connection to a human trafficking incident that occurred over the weekend. 43 year old Salvadorean Irma Hilda Alaz Azmitia was reportedly trafficking three boys ages nine, ten and thirteen, and two females ages fourteen and eighteen. According to reports they are...

Belize City divided into four Police Precincts
An eleven-zone plan had been established by the police Department at the end of 2012 to fight crime on the ground. That plan, which included the acquiring of one police patrol vehicle for each zone, has now given way to a plan of numbered precincts, which correspond roughly geographically...

Reef Week celebrated March 18 to 24
“Belizeans: People of the Reef” is the theme for the first ever Reef Week being celebrated from March 18 to 24. Formal launch took place last night and Minister of Fisheries Lisel Alamilla gave full government support to the initiative. Lisel Alamilla – Minister of Fisheries: I thought...

US releases annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
The United States Department of State has released its annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report. The report, released earlier this month, seeks to track the War on illicit Drugs. Some 22 countries made the list, including Belize. And while we did not make the most spurned category OF Countries...

Trinidad and Tobago to play Belize’s National Football Team
Belize’s national football team is preparing for a tough outing in July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States, playing in Group C against the host nation as well as Costa Rica and Cuba. They will play Trinidad and Tobago, former World Cup finalists and eight-time Caribbean champions on...

YWCA open National Resource Center in Belmopan
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) celebrated 57 years of existence this past Sunday. A week of activities has been planned to commemorate the anniversary. One of those activities was the opening of a National Resource Center in Belmopan. The building, which was inaugurated this afternoon, is located on...

Gospel Artist Dennis G launches second album
Gospel song writer and performer Dennis G launched his second album this weekend at the Gospel Expo. The name of the album is “A Better Place.” Dennis G stopped by our studios yesterday to promote his latest work. Dennis Requena – Christian Musician: The new CD, I officially release...

Thirteen year old Kissia Martinez missing from Armenia Village
A family in Armenia Village is tonight looking for thirteen year old Kissia Martinez, who has not been seen after she left home to pick up her younger sister. Kissia’s mother told police that yesterday, shortly after 6:30pm, she sent her daughter to the Armenia Government School to pick...

Amandala

AMID CONTROVERSIAL AUDIT, MINISTER OF EDUCATION DEFENDS UB BOARD OF TRUSTEES
“…they have not concluded that there exists any instance of missing funds.” At Friday’s Sitting of the House of Representatives, Minister of Education Patrick Faber, who is also the United Democratic Party area representative for Collet, rose to defend the integrity of the board of trustees of the University of Belize (UB), chaired by Imani Fairweather-Morrison, saying that they have his unwavering support. Since last year, there have been reports of possible irregularities in the university’s payroll, and a special audit is being undertaken by Castillo Sanchez and Burrell, independent auditors. The board of trustees, said Faber, is “not perfect, but they are not into fleecing and robbery as others would like you to believe.” He said that Morrison has given selflessly to the University of Belize: “For two years, she did not take the stipend given to board chairmen,” Faber said, indicating that there were others on the board who also did not take the stipend. “She donated over $10,000 cash of her personal money to UB. She did it without fanfare, because that is how she is.”

THREE SHOT IN LADYVILLE DRIVE-BY SHOOTING
The victims are aged 13, 16 and 25. Three persons were shot in Ladyville at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at about Mile 8 on the Philip Goldson Highway. A female student, 13, of Ladyville, who is a first form student of Wesley College, was shot in the upper right leg; a male student, 16, of Belize City, was shot in the right side of the chest and left shoulder, and Errol Andrews, 25, of Belize City, was shot in the right hip. The victims were all taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment, The victims were waiting for a bus at the bus stop in front of Lowe’s Superstore in Ladyville to come to Belize City, when a heavily tinted car drove up and a gunman from the car fired at them, before speeding away. Police said that they carried out an area search to locate the car, but it was nowhere to be found. The motive of the attack on the three persons is not yet known.

LEON “BUN” HUMES, 23, DIES AFTER BEING SHOT ON MAHOGANY
Another city youth has been gunned down. Leon “Bun” Humes, 23, a construction worker of Jasmine Street, was shot on the sidewalk of Mahogany Street after a gunman approached and fired a shot into his face at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15, in front of a Chinese store on Mahogany Street, near its junction with Jasmine Street. The bullet reportedly exited Humes’ head. The family told Amandala that around 11:00 p.m. on Friday, Leon and others were playing boxing in front of his house on Jasmine Street when police, on patrol, approached them, broke up the game and dispersed the friends. Humes then indicated that he was going to buy food at a Chinese store at the corner of Jasmine and Mahogany Streets and headed toward the store. Shortly after, a man walked up behind him and when he turned around, the man shot him in the face and then escaped. Marie White, his mother, said that they were at home when one of his friends ran to the house and told them that Humes had been shot. She and others rushed to the area, where he was still lying on the ground. An ambulance came shortly after and took him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he fought for his life for about three hours, before dying at about 2:30 the following Saturday morning.

GUAT FOREIGN MINISTER A “NO SHOW” AT OAS
Guat president presses for change in Belize law and referendum date. Belize and Guatemala held an important bilateral meeting at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington, DC, USA, on Sunday, March 17—not today as an official had previously told us—but the man expected to head the Guatemalan delegation, Foreign Relations Minister Fernando Carrera Castro, did not show up at the meeting, and no final decisions were taken on proposals by Guatemala to defer the October 6, 2013, simultaneous referenda to settle the territorial differendum at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The latest development leading up to the meeting is a formal declaration by Guatemala president Otto Perez Molina that they would seek an agreement from both Belize and the OAS for a one-year delay of the referenda. President Molina reaffirmed that plan to the Guatemala media this past Saturday, March 16, the day before the OAS meeting. Official reports out of Washington say that Foreign Minister Carrera wasn’t able to attend the OAS meeting because of a personal emergency. With Carrera absent, the Washington meeting could not proceed at the ministerial level, and the second-in-command for the foreign ministries on both sides of the border proceeded to hold bilateral talks.

BELIZE MAJOR DRUG TRANSIT AND MONEY LAUNDERING STATE – US
MILLIONS IN COCAINE SEIZURES, SAYS REPORT Seizures: • 19.1 metric tons (MT) of marijuana • 156 MT of precursor chemicals • Over 100 kilos of cocaine “Drug trafficking and drug-related violence continue to rise in 2012, threatening the security of Belizean citizens and the integrity of the country’s borders. These threats will continue if more serious measures are not taken by Belize’s government.” The 2013 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report released this month by the US State Department, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law, ranks Belize among the major countries listed for narco-trafficking and money laundering. The listing follows a September 14, 2012, presidential determination issued by the White House in Washington, which stated that “…countries listed as major drug transit and/or major illicit drug producing countries is not necessarily an adverse reflection of its government’s counternarcotics efforts or level of cooperation with the United States, but reflects the combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to transit or be produced, even if a government has carried out the most assiduous narcotics control law enforcement measures.” Belize appeared on the list of major narco-trafficking countries along with Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

KEVIN LEE, 68, CONVICTED OF INDECENT ASSAULT
Lee was accused of touching a client’s breasts and legs... Today, after months of adjournments during the trial, Kevin Lee, a well-known acupuncturist in Belize, was found guilty of aggravated assault of an indecent nature. In a report to police, a 20-year-old female told police that she had visited Lee’s clinic twice – once in March 2011 and again on April 6, 2011. But it was on her second visit that the alleged assault occurred. She said that Lee fondled her breasts and legs, and attempted to touch her vagina. In his testimony, Lee, who was represented by attorney Alifah Elrington Hyde, told the court that the woman had indeed visited his clinic on two separate occasions. However, on the date that she indicated that the incident occurred, he was busy with a lot of customers and because her injury seemed to have healed, he opted to have her get a machine massage. Lee also presented the court with two receipts, allegedly showing the dates that the woman had come to his clinic, and the payments she made based on the prices of the massages.

MAN AND GOD Editorial
When, in 1492, Columbus, representing the Spanish monarchy, discovered the New World, he set in train the long and bitter international rivalry over colonial possessions for which, after four and a half centuries, no solution has yet been found. Portugal, which had initiated the movement of international expansion, claimed the new territories on the ground that they fell within the scope of a papal bull of 1455 authorizing her to reduce to servitude all infidel people. The two powers (Spain and Portugal), to avoid controversy, sought arbitration and, as Catholics, turned to the Pope – a natural and logical step in an age when the universal claims of the Papacy were still unchallenged by individuals and governments. After carefully sifting the rival claims, the Pope issued, in 1493, a series of papal bulls which established a line of demarcation between the colonial possessions of the states: The East went to Portugal and the West went to Spain. - Dr. Eric Williams in Capitalism and Slavery, quoted by John Henrik Clarke in 1972 in his introduction to J. A. Rogers’ World’s Great Men of Color. All the children of Belize go to primary school. Half of them go to high school. A small percentage go on to tertiary level institutions. Since politics is about numbers, then the most important schools in Belize are the primary schools, because they affect the most Belizean minds. All of the primary schools in Belize are run by religions, of which the most powerful are the Roman and Anglican religions. In the primary schools, Belizean children are taught to differentiate between right and wrong, according to the teachings of the respective religions.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
RAFAEL CARRERA (1814-1865) – The population of Guatemala under Carrera was about 512,000, most of whom were Indians, very slightly mixed with white. Negroes did not number over 1,000, half of whom were unmixed blacks who called themselves Caribs, and still do. As for Carrera, he is sometimes called a mulatto and sometimes a zambo, that is half-Negro, half-Indian. Enciclopedia Ilustrada says that his father was a Negro and his mother an Indian. (See “Carrera,” Vol. XI, pg. 1325.) Encyclopedia Americana, in its sketch of him, says the same. On the other hand, C. L. Jones, in his authoritative work, Guatemala, Past and Present, pg. 42 (1940), says that Carrera’s parents were listed in the parish register as mulattoes. He adds, “One of his few apologists deduces from the available records that the boy (Carrera) inherited at the most 17 and a half percent of Negro blood. The rest he estimates at 10 and a half Indian and 72 percent white.” The American diplomat Stephens, evidently thinking that it was less humiliating to deal with an Indian than with a Negro ruler, said of Carrera, “His friends, in compliment, call him a mulatto; I, for the same reason, call him an Indian, considering that the better blood of the two.” (Incidents of Travel in Central America, Vol. I, pg. 224.) The character El Supremo in C. S. Forrester’s popular novel Captain Horatio Hornblower is undoubtedly Carrera.

WHERE’S THE MAP? Letters
Dear Editor, I read with great interest, in the Amandala of Wednesday, March 6, 2013, the essay by Mr. Henry Gordon regarding the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Eamon Courtenay, and was moved to call him. I asked him about the maps [1] &[2] he mentioned under exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf of Belize and Honduras. He could recall seeing it, probably in 2003, as the results of the conference were published, but could not now locate a copy. Since then, I have called several government departments to see where a copy of this map is located, and can be seen.

MARLON HARRIS, EX-COP, HAS EXTORTION APPEAL DISMISSED
Harris, 37, was ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 when he was convicted In March of 2010, PC Marlon Harris was convicted of extortion by a jury of 9 after they heard evidence of his alleged participation in the matter. When he was sentenced, instead of a custodial sentence, he was ordered to pay $10,000 by the end of September of that year. According to the report to police, on November 30, 2008, Ayetekin Kelat was driving a vehicle with an expired insurance when he arrived at a checkpoint where Harris was posted at the time. Kelat was summoned to appear at court on December 1, 2008. But later on November 30, Harris arrived at Celebrity Restaurant where Kelat was the manager, and told him that he could make the matter “go away” if Kelat paid him $100. Before handing over the money, Kelat called David Henderson, the Assistant ComPol at the time, who arrived at the restaurant and was able to retrieve the money from Harris.

JANAE MATUTE’S CASE AGAINST DR. RAJU TO BE HEARD AT CCJ
Amandala has confirmed that the $2.13 million lawsuit won last year by Georgia Matute on behalf of her daughter Janae Matute, 12, against former government practitioner Dr. Raju Meenavali, is being appealed again—this time at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), based in Trinidad and Tobago. The allegation is that the doctor had miscalculated the age of the mother’s pregnancy, and so Janae was delivered at 36 weeks via C-section. The child was born with lung problems and developed a lifelong disability known as cerebral palsy. Her mom had told us in 2012 that although Janae goes to school, she has to personally do a lot for her: She has to be fed, clothed and bathed. As we reported last April, the Belize Court of Appeal had upheld a ruling in favor of Janae, awarding her $2.13 million in damages, a reduction in the $2.5 million that the Supreme Court had awarded back in 2010. Beyond making a case that the award in damages is excessive, Meenavali’s case before the CCJ flatly denies the allegation of medical malpractice. Godfrey Smith, SC, is the attorney for Dr. Raju. He told Amandala today that, “We are going right to the heart of the matter and saying there was no negligence on his part.” Smith said that although they were given leave to appeal in the Belize Court of Appeal, so far, the CCJ has not issued a date for the hearing.

Blogs

Medical Safety Update and Kelly McGuire
Was up at 5:00am getting ready for the first aid course today. Between packing my kit, answering emails, sending out lat minute updates, doing laundry, blogging and texting Leisa my hands were full. I will be so glad to come home and fall into a nice clean bed later on, likely after a a celebration drink on the way home. It is going to be a great day. I am super excited about the sponsorship part of the Belize Red Cross Medical Safety program and how well received it has been, I could not have dreamed it any better. All those days I spent walking up and down the island with my music player imagining how the story would write itself and putting it out there that the right people line up. Yesterday I made it to the bridge and back contemplating the program and what was needed before today’s course.I had to get Our New president, Eiden a Red Cross shirt and update on all the business that are pledging to make San Pedro Safe so he could have them for the morning show. The other top things on my list were – getting an answer from Lydia or Linda at Holy Cross in regards to the El Divno Sponsorhip, finding an organized office co-coordinator and dynamic first aid instructors. On my way home I saw the razor parked at Banana Beach so I stopped to visit Cowboy Doug and Leisa, we chatted for a bit over an Arnold Palmer while they finished lunch. I told her that I would give Mr Ack from the post office his lunch money as the post office approved to accept their 2 sponsorships, she gave me Josh’s and then my time was up. I was off to check in on laptop, meet up with Dick, do Caye bank, a parcel pick up at the post office and my Red Cross Errands. On my first check in I got an email from Lydia giving me the Principal Grace’s cell number to line someone up. I could not get an answer and wrote back asking if she or her husband would be willing to do training – unfortunately they were both busy.

Grand Belizean Estates, Ambergris Caye: An Afternoon at the Beach Or…What’s Really There?
For a few years, the Grand Belizean Estates was a development on Ambergris Caye that we heard tons about. A HUGE subdivision on land (though that term has been much disputed) a bit off the beaten path. Here is a picture I found on mlsinbelize.com to show the location. The black dotted line shows the 9 plus mile drive up there. The thin area on the right (along the ocean side) is where almost all of us cluster. I’m not exactly sure why this is the best map that I can locate. The GBE team used to have a booth in town, at fairs and festivals, promotions in the paper and in the news…you could buy a plot of land on THIS ISLAND for a few hundred dollars a month. But now it seems like it has been radio silence. What’s going on with this massive project? (I won’t even ask the questions like “where did the money come from?” or “when are utilities coming?”…it’s just too overwhelming.) According to the website, most of the units have been sold. Maybe that is why things have been quiet? Rumors abound. I took up a trip up there with friends to check out the lovely beach on the west side of Ambergris Caye (NOT part of the subdivision) and to take a look around, It was my first trip there.

Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Training
ICT classroom training sessions, which are being held at BELTRAIDE Belmopan office, are being held through a participatory methodology and a practical approach. Training for Consultants in ICT Directed at Business and Entrepreneurial Women through the MSME Service Center in Central America and Dominican Republic, with Joaquin Magdalena Perez, ICT Advisor.

Small Business Development Centres to Open Across the Region
Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in partnership with the International Trade Centre at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and the Organisation of American States (OAS) announced today that the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce will complete its four-part Small Business

Caribbean Export Week
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), as part of its mandate to promote export led growth for the Caribbean region and to facilitate increased exports to regional and international markets, is pleased to launch for the first time a Caribbean Export Week. The week of activities aimed at raising the level of awareness about Caribbean Export in particular on the work being under-taken as part of the 10th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme, commences with an Ecumenical Service on March 17 and has a two day Caribbean Exporters’ Colloquium in the week, where industry leaders will discuss key issues relating to exporting from the Caribbean to the international market. Speakers at the Caribbean Exporters‘ Colloquium being held at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Barbados on March 20-21, 2013 include Dr. The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who will give a keynote address on the first day of the event. Those attending the two day event will be challenged to take an indepth look at the report of the West Indian Commission – Time for Action, followed by an analysis of the regions exports. Panelist including The Honourable Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce for Jamaica, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Former Chairman, The West Indian Commission, The Honourable Ryan Pinder, Minister of Financial Services, The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Prof Victor Bulmer-Thomas of London University and UCL Institute of the Americas, London will discuss the issues raised in the report and assess the region’s current export performance in light of developments taking place at the global level.

Design Caribbean 2013 Goes to the Bahamas
On January 11, 2013 the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas signed an agreement to hold Design Caribbean 2013 from June 20-23, 2013 at the Grand Lucayan Resort, Freeport Grand Bahama. The Hon. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama in his remarks at the signing event expressed his delight to host Design Caribbean as it “will expose local artisans and manufacturers to overseas buyers in retail, hospitality, design, music, film and fashion; thus providing them with opportunities to exhibit their talents, market and sell their products and services.” DESIGN CARIBBEAN is the rebranded evolution of the Caribbean Gift and Craft show (CGCS) aimed at taking the promotion of the creative industries, in particular the design sector in the region, to new levels of excellence. The Design Caribbean showcase provides a platform for only the best Caribbean artisans and designers to show, market and sell their products locally, regionally and internationally.

Belize faces review of Human Rights Committee
Last Friday, Belize faced its first review by the Human Rights Committee in Geneva since its accession to the Convention. We are among one hundred and sixty-seven state parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is one of the primary international human rights treaties. A total of eleven topics ranging from constitutional and legal framework to non-discrimination, were discussed. But there was no representation from Belize and the committee’s expressed disappointment for the absence which impeded dialogue on important human rights issues. The session opened with the airing of the content of an-email sent by Belize and from there it continued downhill. “The reasons they gave are purely finance, that’s what they say here. It’s just an email where they say on the fourth of March after numerous email exchanges; where also in which they were saying that they would transmit the replies to list of issues; that they were making some kind of an effort to engage with the committee to send their replies.

Angel in Ambergris Caye
Well and truly back in to the swing of things after only one night’s sleep back home here on Ambergris Caye. Up just after 5 am with my mug of coffee and on-line subscription to The Times on the veranda Rose and I spent the morning carrying out post holiday chores. Me with the ironing (we had put a wash on within an hour or so of returning home on Monday) and Rose taking care of the ‘condo clean-up’. In between the chores we had breakfast and lunch. Where does the time go when you are having fun? I then devoted a little bit of time to administrative stuff with one of the things being to ‘chase up’ the pension statement I need to provide to the Belize Tourism Board for my application to enter the “QRP” (Qualified Retirement Program). With luck I should have this by Thursday and then,hopefully, my application will be processed fairly quickly. By now we were feeling slightly ‘stir crazy’ and were really pleased that it was time to head off to see what was going on at our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. On arrival at the site it was really good to be able to park the golf cart in front of the house.

International Sources

False-positive mammograms take mental toll, study finds
Women may suffer psychologically long after the scare of a false-positive mammogram, Danish researchers report. Long after learning that a troubling reading on a screening mammogram was just a false alarm, women continued suffering negative psychological effects, researchers in Denmark have reported. Six months after hearing they did not have breast cancer, women with these false positives experienced changes in "existential values" and "inner calmness" as great as for women who had cancer. They reported having more anxiety, feeling more pessimistic and having more problems with their sleep and sex lives — as well as other negative outcomes — than women who had normal mammograms. The effects moderated over time but were still apparent three years after the initial screening. The findings suggest that healthcare providers need to pay closer attention to the harmful effects of screening programs, said University of Copenhagen physician-researcher Dr. John Brodersen, lead author of a study detailing the work published Monday in the journal Annals of Family Medicine. "When I became a doctor and I took the Hippocratic Oath, I said, 'Do no harm,'" he said. "But this is harm."

Whisnant recognized by for work in Belize
Dr. Paul Whisnant received an Official Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Embassy in Belize in appreciation for his 15 years helping Americans in need in Belize. This work is in addition to, and separate from, his full time service, 22 years as a missionary to Belize. “I want to take this opportunity to thank you, my friends, who pray, give and volunteer to help me as I serve with International Servants in Belize,” he said.

TANYA CARTER CALLS ON BIRCH FOR EX-BOYFRIEND
The sultry voice from Belize meets authentic Reggae Kingston, Jamaica:- After more than two dozen performances across the world, Belizean songstress, Tanya Carter, has decided to spread her wings to Jamaica. Excited about crossing over to Reggae, she has been working closely with Christopher Birch of Birchill Records, who produced and co-wrote her newest single: Ex-boyfriend. Singing since the age of 5, Tanya takes her inspiration from Jamaican greats: Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Burning Spear; and discovered at an early age her passion for Reggae and Jamaica culture. The Belizean is no stranger to Jamaicans, having opened for Etana, Luciano, Lexxus and Morgan Heritage and decided to come to the home of Reggae music to get a better understanding of the culture around the genre she loves, and to work with some of the best producers in the business. With several years of performing under her belt, she is currently working on her second album, which contains Reggae, Jazz, Electro, Pop, Dancehall and R&B; infusions. Her versatility knows no bounds and her passion for music has resulted in a number of accolades. The greatest of which is being named “Best Female Vocalist of the Year” at the Belize Music Awards three years in a row (2010, 2011 and 2012). Tanya’s debut album Daydreaming was named the best album in Belize upon its release in 2011 and tunes from the album graced the airwaves in Jamaica, Los Angeles, Africa, Mexico and even climbed to number 3 on the Lithuanian music charts.

OAS-Backed Small Business Training Program in Jamaica Successfully Concludes
The Organization of American States (OAS), in partnership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Caribbean Export Development Agency and the University of Texas at San Antonio announced this week the completion of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Kingston, Jamaica. The Project, launched in 2012 in Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia, seeks to contribute to the development of institutions to support micro, small and medium-sized (MSME) enterprises in the CARICOM region and to improve the competitiveness of small companies, especially those headed by women. Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams; the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, Raymond Brown; and the OAS Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Albert Ramdin, spoke at the ceremony for graduates of the Certificate Training program held on Monday, March 18.

Lord Ashcroft moans about missing the boat on tax exemption
Lord Ashcroft, the billionaire peer who made his fortune in Belize and elsewhere and who almost single-handedly kept the Conservative Party financially afloat during the lean years after Labour’s 1997 landslide, seems to be very cross that there is no escape from the House of Lords. He was put up for a peerage in 1999 by William Hague but the political honours scrutiny committee at first blocked his nomination, then laid down the condition he should make the UK his home. This was understood by others to imply that he should become a UK taxpayer, but having refused to discuss his tax arrangement for 10 years, Ashcroft finally revealed, just before the 2010 election, that he was a non-dom, paying UK tax on only part of his income. That same year the new government passed a law, which included a Section 41, which laid down that any MP or peer would in future be deemed to be a UK resident for tax purposes, regardless of where they made or kept their money. MPs who wanted to stash their cash abroad could always escape this clause by quitting Parliament, but a peer is a peer for life. So peers were given a one-off chance to resign, which a handful did.

Is it bye-bye Lord Ashcroft as the peer starts asking awkward questions?
As a businessman resident in Belize, Michael Ashcroft donated millions to the Tories, eventually being rewarded with a peerage by William Hague in 2000 and becoming a vice-chairman of the party. But the question of whether he paid tax in this country continued to embarrass Hague throughout his time as party leader and afterwards. Now Lord Ashcroft has been asking a series of written questions which suggest he would like to give up his seat in the Lords and resume his non-dom status. Since 2010 all peers are automatically registered as fully domiciled for tax purposes. When the legislation was brought in there was a three-month window for peers to quit the House for good. Four people took this up, including Lord McAlpine and Norman Foster, but Ashcroft, following the controversy and confusion over his tax affairs, decided to remain. However, there is now no escape for peers, as the Government has ruled out any small bits of Lords reform legislation that would expel peers with criminal convictions and allow others to retire.

Flexxing with TANYA CARTER
“My inspiration for music came from my father. He introduced me to Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, and I just fell in love with reggae from there on.” MOST would be surprised to know that these words were not said by a Jamaican artiste, but that of Belizean songstress Tanya Carter. She told teenAGE, for our Flexxing With that “Belize is very much in love with Jamaica, their culture and their music.” The Belize City native is currently making a splash locally with her Christopher Birch-produced single My Ex-Boyfriend. Before testing the waters in Jamaica, Carter has become a household name in her homeland, winning a plethora of awards, including the “Best Female Vocalist of the Year” Award at the Belize Music Awards for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. “My breakout song was Hero. I wrote it about my parents at a time when I wanted to quit music, because I felt I wasn’t getting anywhere. It became a real huge success to the point I was opening up for Etana, Luciano, and Morgan Heritage because of it,” said Carter. Her follow-up hit was the patriotic, I Am Belize. The song would go on to be a promotional favourite to use by the Belizean government that commissioned a songwriting contest, in which it won.

Belize: Beachfront At The Jaguar Reef Lodge & Spa
Belize is a beautiful place to visit. The tropical waters and exquisite beaches are a compliment to the already beautiful land and greenery. In order to enjoy this destination to the fullest, you need to visit the Jaguar Reef Lodge and Spa. The Jaguar Reef Lodge is a luxury retreat a mile south of Hopkins Village. The Caribbean shore provides miles of beach and surf and on the other side is the thick, jungle layout. The resort Cabanas and suites are spacious and private. Allowing all guests access to the sandy pathways that lead to all areas of the establishment. The rooms are equipped with private porches or balconies, purified water dispensers and air conditioning. The modern amenities are aplenty as WiFi, T.V. and DVD players are in all of the suites. The decor of the rooms provide for a relaxing atmosphere. Between the beachfront swimming pools, crystal clear Caribbean waters and snorkeling, windsurfing and hammock lounging, this destination is perfect for ultimate relaxation.

VIDEO: El Eden Cenote
This beautiful Cenote also know as Ponderosa is located 25km south of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. It offers an amazing swimming/snorkel area in the middle of the dense Mexican jungle. It is a divers dream world with sensational rays of light beaming down through the water before mid day. Most of the dive is accompanied by views of the jungle above the cenote. The halocline is located around 10m and makes for an optical illusion when the fresh and salt waters mix. El Eden also offers cave diving interconnecting with some of the nearby Cenotes. All and all another one of the amazing cavern dives in the Mayan Riviera.

Central American Immigrants in the United States
Since 1990, the number of Central American immigrants in the United States has nearly tripled. This immigrant population grew faster than any other region-of-origin population from Latin America between 2000 and 2010. Central American immigrants' share of the total immigrant population in the United States has also grown steadily for the past five decades, from less than 1 percent in 1960 to almost 8 percent in 2011. Compared to other immigrant groups in the United States, Central American immigrants were less likely to enter as refugees; more likely to obtain lawful permanent residence (LPR) status through family relationships; reported having lower levels of English proficiency and education; were more likely to live in poverty; and were more likely to be of working age. About 1.5 million children under the age of 18 resided in households with at least one Central-American born parent, representing 9 percent of all children of immigrants. This article focuses on a wide range of characteristics of Central American immigrants residing in the United States, including the population's size, geographic distribution, admission categories, and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

March 19, 2013

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The Spring 2013 issue of The TOLEDO HOWLER is online HERE

The new issue of the Toledo Howler has news and information about the Chocolate Festival of Belize in May as well as regular features by Lee Jones on birding in Toledo and Arzu Mountain Spirit who turns her attention to the health benefits of cacao.

Use our BTIA member lists to find accommodation or make meal reservations for the Chcoclate Festival weekend 24-26 May. Happy reading.

This Issue's Stories:

• Chocolate Festival of Belize:
  Cacao is native to the Americas and the seeds, or “beans”, are used to make cocoa products and, of course, chocolate. Cacao is a major export crop in Toledo - prized for its quality and distinctive flavour - and Belize produces some notable chocolate products of its own. Every Commonwealth Day holiday weekend the Toledo District of southern Belize holds a festival to celebrate this marvellous food, and many devoted followers return each year to find out what’s new in the world of chocolate making. This will be the seventh Festival, and the first in its new guise as the Chocolate Festival of Belize. The name change from Toledo CacaoFest is a reflection of growing awareness of the exceptional quality of Belizean chocolate and designed to capture a bigger international audience. Once again the festival will be organized jointly by the Toledo Cacao Growers’ Association and the Toledo Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) with support and sponsorship from the Belize Tourism Board and NICH.
• Nim Li Punit Archaeological Site:
  Nim li Punit was the second major site to be settled in Toledo District. Like Uxbenka, it was first occupied during the Early Classic period. At present we have dated the early occupation of Nim li Punit only from the stylistic analysis of pottery. This demonstrates that the first inhabitants settled at the site sometime in the early fifth century A.D., about 400 years after Uxbenka was settled and about 150 years before Pusilha—the largest city in southern Belize by far—was founded about A.D. 570. Like Uxbenka, Nim li Punit is a small place. It is better to think of it not as a city, but as a rural manor site founded by one or more elite families. From its founding ca. AD 400-450, however, Nim li Punit did serve as a regional administrative center. Structure 8, a long platform located along the western edge of the “Plaza of the Tombs,” was built around this time and served as a popol nah or council house. Over the course of 400 years, the building was enlarged and rebuilt four times, but it always kept the same form and function. Maya council houses are not common in Belize or Guatemala, but are much more typical of sites in Yucatan. They suggest decentralized rule, where different lineages, families, or factions made joint decisions under a king with relatively weak authority.
• Asha’s Culture Kitchen:
  The Howler recently visited Asha’s Culture Kitchen in Punta Gorda. This seaside restaurant is located on Front Street south of the market and specializes in fresh Creole seafood, vegetarian and BBQ. They are also one of Toledo BTIA’s newest members. Owner Ashton Martin opened Asha’s Culture Kitchen in July 2011. The restaurant was originally located on Middle Main Street before moving to its present seaside location. Asha’s Culture Kitchen is actually built out over the water so there is a delightful sense of being surrounded by the sea. This place arguably has the best views in PG, looking out across the Gulf of Honduras towards Guatemala and points south. The owner says the stars at night are equally impressive from the verandah. Ashton’s wife, Stacy, is in charge of marketing and decorating. Ashton, originally from Punta Negra in northern Toledo, is in charge of the mouth watering menu. He has a passion for cooking and says his main ingredient is love - although he also uses coconut, cilantro, fresh vegetables and herbs. The seafood is fresh daily so the menu changes according to availability and season but usually includes a variety of fish, wild shrimp and lobster dishes. One of the most surprising items on Asha’s menu is lionfish. Most of us know that lionfish have become a problem in the Caribbean in recent years. They were probably introduced by aquarium owners who released them into the wild and didn’t realize that the invasive lionfish reproduce at a much higher rate than the local species.
• Dreamlight Internet Café:
  Dreamlight internet café is something of an Aladdin’s cave! Located on Main Street the modern white cement building beckons tourists and locals alike to make use of their internet facilities, but, walking through the doorway reveals a much wider array of goods and service than you might at first expect! Dreamlight was opened by Timothy Dami in May 2007, when he saw a need for additional internet facilities in town, primarily through his work as a teacher and running computer classes at the local leducation centre. One of his students was Kenrick Coleman (of Coeman’s Café fame in Big Falls village) and, having successfully completed the course and seeing his affinity with computers, he was offered a job by Mr Tim. Kenrick is one of seven local employees at Dreamlight, and between them they have over 35 years’ professional experience. We spoke to Kenrick about Dreamlight’s many and varied services.
• The Road to the Border:
  Everyone living in the Toledo District knows the government is in the process of paving the highway to the Guatemalan border. There have been mixed feelings about this development but we at the Toledo Howler believe it will be a good thing all around. Once the road is paved, getting into PG will be faster and easier for those living in remote villages. A smooth, all-weather surface will reduce wear and tear on village buses and vehicles generally as well as reducing fuel consumption. For tourism, the new road will mean easier access to some of the most beautiful destinations in the district, such as Blue Creek and Rio Blanco National Park and falls. Travelling times to these beauty spots have already been greatly reduced. The project also includes improved signage along the road which will help visitors with their own vehicles to find their way around more easily. We are told the present phase of the project is due to be completed in April 2014—weather permitting of course! Completion of this phase will mean 20 miles of paved highway from the junction known as Dump to Treetops, the BDF’s outpost near the border. There will eventually be a formal border crossing point although we understand the exact location has not yet been confirmed.
• Map of Front Street, Punta Gorda, Chocolate Festival Weekend 24th—26th May:
• Bug Corner:
  The strange habits of the Sapho (heliconius sapho) So, as well as the “wettest district” (read “most lush”) the bug question often occurs when talking about Toledo. The reality is that we do have some mosquitoes (although fewer than some other areas in Belize), but also a whole host of weird and wonderful creatures. The Sapho butterfly is often seen flitting around the Toledo District. Nim Li Punit, with its plethora of favoured butterfly plants, is a great place to see butterflies on the wing. The Sapho is one of the heliconius species, and is very similar in appearance to the Cydno. Sometimes called the “Holstein” butterfly for its black and white markings it will actually appear a beautiful dark metallic blue under the right lighting conditions. The heliconius butterflies have two unique, derived ecological traits – feeding and mating behaviour!
• Wine, Chocolate and Belikin: Where can I get my tickets?:
  Tickets available from the Toledo Tourism Information Centre on Front Street in PG, BTIA office on North Park Street in Belize City and the BTB office on Regent Street, Kakaw Chocolate in San Pedro, Goss Chocolate in Seine Bight and .the BTIA Office in Placencia. Wine, Chocolate, and Belikin – Friday 24th May (tickets BZ$50 in advance, BZ$60 at the door) Lubaantun finale - Sunday 26th May (adults BZ$10, high school students BZ$5, primary school students BZ$2) Tickets at the entrance; no advanced ticket sales
• Southern Voices: Kamela Palma:
  Kamela Palma is a resident of Punta Gorda in Toledo. She has had a varied career, at one time having been Principal of St Peter Claver College in Punta Gorda Town and Lecturer at the Belize Teachers’ Training College, CEO in the Ministry of Human Development, then Deputy Ambassador at the Belize Mission in Guatemala City and most recently she has returned from a posting as Belize’s High Commissioner in London. Have you always lived in Toledo, Kamela? My grandfather, Guillermo Palma, came to Belize with his family from Santa Rosa de Copan in Honduras where the famous Mayan site of Copan is located just a mile across the border from Guatemala. He came to work as a manual labourer on a farm known as El Dorado close to Forest Home and the present day dolomite quarry. Though uneducated he was obviously someone with a vision, for after a few years he was able to acquire property in the area of what is now Big Falls village. He called his place, a mile square, Missouri and it is located east of the bridge downstream from the present day village. He was the first ‘local’ to plant sugar cane and to produce brown sugar for commercial purposes. Eventually all his brothers arrived to work with him. He married Angelina Pattico and their only daughter was Isabel Palma, my mother. This is the same Isabel Palma whom the new clinic in San Antonio is named after. She worked throughout the country as a Rural Health Nurse and she was posted for many years in San Antonio village to serve all the villages of Toledo West. My Father was Carlton Fairweather, a distinguished gentleman who had served the Motherland by travelling to the United Kingdom to join the World War 2 effort and who returned to serve in the Government Service of his beloved Belize.
• Restaurant Guide: Wat’s Cookin?:
  Twisted Creole Lobster Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 7 minutes Serves 4 INGREDIENTS ¼ cup chopped cilantro ¼ cup chopped onion ¼ cup grated carrot 1 medium green pepper finely chopped 1 tbs minced garlic ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp Complete Seasoning ½ tsp butter 1 lb lobster diced into 1” cubes
• Golden Stream Spice Farm:
  The Howler staff had passed by the farm in Golden Stream dozens of times, idly wondering who might live there and what they were up to. About a year ago signs went up along the highway advertising the Golden Stream Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens. Then the Spice Farm became one of BTIA’s newest members and the Howler decided it was time to go and take a look. The farm belongs to Dr Thomas and Mrs Tessie Matthew who have been here in southern Belize since 1989-90 dividing their time between Washington DC, where Dr Matthew practises as an anesthesiologist. They own an area of 500 acres that includes a wellestablished citrus plantation but their true love lies in all the other things that they are growing there. They include both indigenous species like vanilla and exotics like cinnamon and nutmeg. The first species on our tour of the spice farm was cardamom, another exotic, native to the Indian subcontinent. I love using it in making curries in particular but have always bought it on trips outside Belize. Now I can find it nine miles up the road! And I was very surprised to discover it growing at the base of a plant that looked similar to a ginger. The plants grow in semishade in rows. The intention is to develop this as a commercial crop. The cardamom pods are harvested and dried between February and May.
• 13th Annual Christmas Bird Count:
  The 13th annual Punta Gorda Christmas Bird Count was held on 5 January. We had an excellent turnout with 33 participants organized into 7 teams. We recorded 5221 birds representing 240 species. Despite the large turnout, we fell short of our yearly average of 248 species and 5958 individuals, but the results may have been affected by the weather. The day started out bright and sunny start, but it began to rain around mid-morning and did not let up until mid-afternoon. The lower-thanaverage total was also affected by our inability to get into Aguacaliente Lagoon this year. This cost us at least half a dozen species. The boardwalk is now in such disrepair that it can no longer be used. The water was also higher than it has been in several years, and much of the trail was under water. It is a pity that all the hard work that went into constructing the boardwalk has come to naught for lack of maintenance, leaving one of the country’s birdiest wildlife sanctuaries essentially inaccessible to the public. Count highlights were Crested Caracara, Aplomado Falcon, and Rufousbrowed Peppershrike, all of which were new for the count, and Common Gallinule and Olive-sided Flycatcher, which were seen for only the second time in thirteen years.
• The Belize Bird Records Committee:
  Segueing to another aspect of birding, Belize now has a bird records committee. Formed in December 2011 and now in its second year, the Belize Bird Records Committee, or BBRC, is comprised of eight members. Chaired by Punta Gorda resident Lee Jones, the committee also has one other member from Toledo, Steven Choco, the bird guide at The Lodge at Big Falls. The BBRC maintains the official list of birds recorded in Belize. It resolves the problem of what to do with reports of birds rarely seen in Belize, including those being reported for the first time. Since birding, unlike scientific collecting, relies heavily on sight records, the seven BBRC voting members (the secretary does not vote) decide which reported species to accept as valid records and which to reject as unsupported. The BBRC still has a number of older records to vote on before it can come up with a sanctioned list of Belize birds, but it is likely to be close to 590 species. With one or two species being added each year, it will not be long before Belize reaches the 600 species milestone. The latest species new to Belize have mostly been ducks: Redhead, Gadwall, and Ruddy Duck, plus a few other odds and ends such as Hermit Thrush and Black Swift.
• Arzu on Medicinal Plants: Theobroma Cacao:
  Theobroma Cacao - The cacao is a true botanical team player by design, and insistently dependent on the rain forest for its odd environmental requirements. It is one of the easiest rain forest dwellers to identify. Native cacao varieties are mostly found growing in association with taller shade trees like the aptly named "madre cacao" in order to protect young saplings from direct sunlight. The cacao is not among the taller trees of the rainforest, and only grows from 10 to 20m at the most. The tree’s bark and branches are covered with grayish brown mossy patches of colored lichen and fungi. Young cacao trees seldom drop their leaves. They are not deciduous and you can see large old glossy green leaves and new limp red leaves growing on the tree at the same time, and on the same stems. But after the trees are well established, they form a forest canopy of their own, and the forest floor beneath them becomes thick with a mat of fallen leaves that return nutrients to the soil. Those leaves, together with the shade from the canopy, inhibit the growth of weeds under the trees, something that we cacao farmers obviously welcome! The pollen of the cacao is another oddity, it is too thick and heavy for the wind to carry. The plant is incapable of pollinating itself, and requires the help and cooperation of other species and microscopic insects of the rain forest to produce and reproduce.
• Restaurant Guide
• Calendar of Events
• Toledo District map
• BTIA member directory
• Transportation schedules, including new village bus schedule
• PG Town map

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Town Council reflects on first year in office
On March 7th, The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) completed one year since being elected to office. Since the election of the new council, which includes six members from the United Democratic Party and one from the People’s United Party, there have been several changes in the municipality. The Mayor of San Pedro Town, Daniel “Danny” Guerrero took the opportunity to elaborate on the accomplishments and the shortfalls of the council under his leadership. A reflective Mayor Guerrero said that during the first year in office, a lot has been accomplished since all councilmen have been pulling their weight. “We have been working with all government institutions very closely. We have also bridged the gap in helping the education system by working along with all schools. We have been helping every school. For example, we have managed – with the help of Canary Coves – to build three new classrooms at the RC school and we are working with an anonymous donor for a similar project at the Adventist school. We are also working, again with Canary Coves, this summer at the Anglican School. We have maintained an open door policy and have been informing the people on a weekly basis what we are doing. We go on the morning shows and we have been open to the media on whatever they want to question us about. We embarked on an ambitious street upgrade project and even started working on the streets in San Mateo. We have been working with the Police and other civil groups and we will continue to do so during our term in office. We have also been working with Saga to address the concerns about stray animals, and I know there is some more work that needs to be done. We are also working to revive the cultural events on the island and San Mateo Street Work Continues (12)improve the tourism industry on the island,” said Guerrero.

Island teachers attend valuable education workshop
Being a teacher is a very important profession that requires much effort and dedication. Parents entrust their children in the hands of teachers for education that will help them become model citizens. The education, moral and values instilled in children by teachers last a lifetime. On March 12th and 13th teachers from all schools in San Pedro were invited to attend seminars on several issues that children are facing in our modern society. Instructors from The University of Mississippi in the USA traveled to Ambergris Caye to present the seminars. The workshops were held at the Holy Cross Anglican School after school hours. Topics that were discussed at the seminars varied from child neglect to suicide. The teachers were taught ways in which to identify whether a child is suffering mental, emotional or psychological abuse and neglect. Teachers were provided with useful handouts and pamphlets on how to deal with these problems that the children may be facing. It is important for teachers to learn how to detect bullying; some ways include children making fun of another child’s clothing, hygiene or social status. At many times teachers believe that these kinds of abuse and neglect stem from home, but it can also start in the school. When it comes to any form of abuse, teachers are responsible to address the problem if noted and inform the relevant authorities in order to safeguard the student.

SPHS Boys are repeat National High School Softball Champions!
The San Pedro High School (SPHS) male softball team retains championship for the second consecutive year after competing in the National Secondary School Softball Tournament over the weekend in Belize City. The games were played at the Rogers Stadium on March 15th and 16th, where the SPHS male team represented the Northern Zone alongside the female team of Belize Rural High School. SPHS won the finals against Belize Comprehensive High School (BCHS). Each of the four zones, north, central, west and south submitted a male and female team after eliminations earlier this year. In the first game played on Friday March 15th, SPHS faced Independence High School (IHS), taking the lead at the top of the second inning with a four to one score. The game was unchanged, until the fifth inning when SPHS managed to push forward five additional runs, ending the game at eight to one runs in favor of SPHS. That gave SPHS a ticket to the finals which was played late on the evening of Saturday March 16th.

VIDEO: SPHS Boys celebrate 2013 National Softball Championship
SPHS boys celebrate their win for the ATLIB softball nationals

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Town Council Starts Street Widening Campaign
The San Pedro Town Council has embarked on a street widening campaign from Costa Maya Reef Resort in the Mexico Rocks Sub-Division (North Ambergris Caye) to the South End of Ambergris Caye in the Boca Ciega Area. Ambergris Today met with Councilor Severo Guerrero whose portfolio includes Civic and Infrastructural Development, who explained to us a bit more about the project. “The project is well underway and one of the main reasons why this project is taking place is for safety reasons,” stated Councilor Guerrero. “We have to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors who use that stretch of road. By clearing up the bushes and having a wider road it ensures that no one hides in the bushes attempting an attack and of course it helps with proper vehicular flow.”

Taiwan Donates Two Garbage Compactors to San Pedro
From the moment Mayor Daniel Guerrero and his councilors took office they have been arduously working in keeping our Isla Bonita clean and beautiful. Cleanup campaigns are constantly being held and the town has received donations of trucks which have been used as dump trucks. On Friday, March 15, 2013, the Government of Taiwan officially handed over two large garbage compactors to the town of San Pedro Town. Master of Ceremony, Mr. Angel Nuñez, welcomed all in attendance to the ceremony and after the National Anthem of both Taiwan and Belize were played, Councilor Kenrick Brackett shared the invocation prayer followed by the welcome address by Mayor Daniel Guerrero.

Alexis Del Valle Selected New Miss Lion’s Queen
On Saturday, March 16, 2013, island residents gathered at the San Pedro Lion’s Den to witness four lovely girls, Cecibel Cortez, Lina Mazariegos, Alexis Del Valle and Linda Quintanilla, compete for the crown of Miss Lion’s Queen. The contestants entertained the crowd with their opening dance, sportswear and evening wear segments. Ambergris Today’s Gerry Badillo and Leo’s member Solanie Graniel hosted the pageant which featured many beautiful performances by the lovely contestants and the San Pedro Dance Academy. Congratulations to all the contestants and the new Miss Lion’s Queen, Alexis Del Valle for a job well done.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Ignacio United Victory
The SI United were victorious over FC Belize at home this week. Garret Bermudez scored, and that was enough to secure the win and give them 3rd place in the league. Congratulations, SI United! "The Boys put in a great performance at the Broaster, Some great pics of the game."

Cayo Welcome Center Museum Pictures
The SISE Town Council had a great Cayo Family Day. The new museum there where the artifacts discovered under Burns Avenue are on display got a lot of traffic. Looking good downtown! "The Cayo Family Day was enjoyed by all. Heineken was there, and there was music, and a dance competition."

Rotaract's Cover With Care Project
The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio had their Cover With Care initiative last week for World Rotaract Week. They had a clothing drive, and then donated the clothes to Mary Open Doors. Great work, Rotaract! "Cover with Care is Global Rotaract Project whereby clothing is distributed to deserving families during World Rotaract Week. This week our Club collected used clothes in good conditions and donated it to Mary Open Doors on March 17, 2013 as our closing activity for World Rotaract Week 2013."

Santa Elena Preschool Visits SIPL
Feelgood news of the day. The amazing staff at the San Ignacio Public Library are really doing a lot of storytelling for Children's Month. We applaud their efforts towards getting the future leaders of Belize, and the world, to appreciate reading and learning. They hosted the kids from the Santa Elena Community Preschool this morning. "'Molding Today's learner's into tomorrow's leaders.' Child Stimulation Month concluded today at the SIPL with Stories and activities."

Pallottine Sisters Centennial in Benque
The Pallottine Sisters passed through Benque during their centennial celebrations. In related news, the Benque House of Culture is having a new exhibit starting Wednesday, called Ecce Homo, which illustrates the passion and life of Christ. "Today the Cayo District welcomed many faithful visitors and the Pallottine sisters for their Centennial Celebrations and re-enactment of their arrival. The Centennial and arrival of four German sisters in Belize on March 17th,1913 is being celebrated under the theme 'Grateful for the Past Hopeful for the Future.' Presently there are 21 Pallottine Sisters in the country who will be paying tribute to their work with a number of activities taking place country wide. Image courtesy of Mr. Subratra Basu P.C. Volunteer/Artist & CACHE Member"

Oil in Belize Exhibit at SISE HoC
The SISE House of Culture has a new exhibit open entitled 'Oil in Belize.' It will run until the 19th of April. Pictures will be coming soon. "Now Open at our San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture (NICH). For large groups please send us a message on facebook or call us at 824-0783."

Belizean Hash Corn Beef
In my family, we only ate corn beef as a last resort. We hashed it with onions and butter, but never cabbage. It is normally served over white rice with plantains.

Channel 7

Guat Foreign Minister A No-Show, Snubs Hon. Elrington
Tonight the October 6th referendum is on thin ice - as the Guatemalans have formally proposed a change in the date - and now it's left to be seen if Belize's Cabinet will agree. This is the news coming out of two days of meetings at the OAS Headquarters in Washington DC between diplomats on both sides. But, the really big news coming from Washington is that Guatemala's Foreign Minister Fernando Carrera did not attend - he sent his Vice Minister, the equivalent of a CEO. Seasoned observers say that's a major disrespect - and it forced Belize's Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington to leave the meetings - since it is not considered appropriate for a Minister to participate in a meeting led by someone without ministerial rank. But the meetings did carry on with Belize's CEO Alexis Rosado leading the Belize delegation - and sessions which started yesterday evening reportedly continued until late this evening.

Police Bust Human Trafficking Move At Airport
Tonight, 4 minors and an 18 year old are in the care of the Department of Social Services after police - acting on intelligence from a well-connected field officer - busted a human trafficking move that was going down yesterday at the Phillip Goldosn International. Details are sketchy at this time, but 7news has learned that this woman 43 year old Salvadorean Irma Hilda Alaz Azmitia is in police custody as she was reportedly the handler for the two females, aged 18 and 14 and the three males - just boys really, aged, 9, 10, and 13. According to reports they are all Salvadorean and arrived in the country a week earlier. They stayed at an inexpensive hotel in Belzie City - and papers were arranged for them to give them false Guatemalan passports affixed with well made but bogus US Visas. Our reports say that yesterday, the five were supposed to board a US Air flight to North Carolina - while their handler would have returned to Salvador. Police intercepted them - and all five were turned over to social services for safe-keeping, while Alaz Azmitia is detained.

First City Murder In 12 Days
Tonight, after a brief lull in homicides, the city has a murder to report, the first since March sixth. The victim is Leon "Bunn" Humes, and his death followed an all too familiar formula: he was out late on Saturday night buying food when a gunman pulled up and shot him in the head. Monica Bodden spoke to his family today: Monica Bodden Reporting 23 year old Leon Humes was gunned down here in front of Fay-Way Store on Mahogany Street. The shooting happened about 11:25 on Friday night. Humes was standing outside the store buying food - when a man wearing a mask came from the direction of Jasmine Street and opened fire in his direction. One of the shots caught Humes to the left side of the cheek and exitted through the right side of his head. Anna White - Sister of Deceased "We were at home here getting ready for a little dance that they have through the neighborhood on weekend, when a young man ran by and shouted that "Bun" got shot out there, and that we must go check him. That's how everyone ran out there to deal with him and everything." Monica Bodden "When you got out there what was it like on the scene?"

Three Shot At Ladyville Bus Stop, Including 13 Year Old Girl
And while police were processing that crime scene, they saw a heavily tinted car speeding past the corner of Poinsettia and Black Orchid Streets. Police raced after the vehicle until it plunged into a drain. 27 year-old Brandon "Battery" Smith, who is well known to police, allegedly exited the car with a handgun and started firing at the officers. The officers returned fire, and shot the driver, 28 year-old Alrick Smith - critically wounding him with a gunshot to the abdomen area. Brandon Smith ran off and escaped, leaving police behind to rush Alrick Smith to the KHMH. Police did eventually catch up with Brandon Smith and charged him with 4 counts of attempted murder, which he allegedly committed against Police Constables Abner Pasqual, Terry Reyes, Mark Tzul, and Wayne Trapp.

Monstrous Cases of Child Abuse Reported
There is a very ugly report of child abuse coming out of San Pedro town - where two boys, aged 6 and 9 are accusing their male neighbor of molesting them. According to police, they are form the San Pedrito area and they visited the station with their mother on Saturday. The 9 year old reported that on that same day, a Honduran man who lives with them had sex with him. He added that it was not the first time. The 6 year old told police that the man had touched his private parts. The 24 year old Unemployed of San Pedrito Area was immediately detained and has been charged for aggravated assault of an indecent nature. In another hideous case, a mother from Benque Viejo Town took her 5 year old daughter to police where she reported that on Saturday morning her daughter was downstairs in her bed at their house where her grandfather took off her pants and underwear and touched her private part.

Customs Makes Major Contraband Cigarette Bust At Jalacte
On Saturday, the customs Department confiscated 1300 cases of cigarettes valued at $143,000 US Dollars. It was intercepted by customs at Jalacate after the BDF observed some dodgy movements and called in customs. The strange thing is that the cigarettes were legitimately purchased in the Corozal free zone on Thursday, 14th March, and designated for export to Puerto Barrios in Guatemala. The exporter, Guatemalan Jose Antonio Rodriguez processed the customs entries and got Cusotms to escort the ciagarettes to the PG Cusotms station where they were leoaded on a boat called the Punta Palam bound for Barrios. That was all standard legitimate procedure, and should have bene the end of it. But it seems something went wrong with that plan, and the cigarettes next emerged at the Jalcate border crossing on Saturday morning. That made the cigarettes, which are "Modern" and "Elephant" brand, uncustomed goods and they were all confiscated. Customs has the cigarettes at the Queen's bond warehouse in Belize city and are seeking the boat captain and the truck driver, both Guatemalans.

Ronald Rivers Loses Battle
He was shot on March 6th and after a long struggle 28 year old Ronald Rivers passed away on Saturday morning at 9:15am at the KHMH. Rivers was shot in the face 12 days and while at first, he was showing a remarkably good response, he took a sharp turn for the worse. The 28 year old basketball player was only kept alive by a machineafter his kidneys shut down and he suffered a massive heart attack. His brother Raymond Rivers told 7news that he will be organizing a basketball Tournament in his brother's memory. Ronald Rivers was a PLAYER IN the national basketball programme...

Salvadorian Succumbs; Was Run Over by Drunk, Unlicensed Driver
Salvadorian German Ubaldo Velasquez came to Belize to buy a vehicle, but he will leave in a casket after he succumbed to his injuries early this morning. As we reported, he was knocked down in Bella Vista Village on the weekend of March 10th as he rode a bicycle and sustained serious head injury and was on life support. Well, it seems he lost his life due to a drunk driver - who also had no license and insurance. Police inform us that the motorcyle driver Mario Orellana, was charged with 4 counts: Drove motor vehicle without due care and attention, Negligent Grievous Harm - which will be upgraded to manslaughter, Drove a motor vehicle above the prescribed limit and Drove a motor vehicle without License and Insurance. He is currently out on bail and will now be re-arrested for manslaughter.

Big-Leaguer Gives Ballistics Training For Belize
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean has been active in Belize recently, assisting with equipment for firearm destruction and training for the detection of illicit weapons. It's part of their effort to reduce illicit armed trafficking and armed violence in the region and now they're offering training in Forensic Ballistics. That one day session entitled 'Overview of Forensic Ballistics for Decision-Makers and Policy-Makers' opened today and we found out more: William Godnick - Public Security Programme Coordinator, UNLIREC "They requested of the Government in the United Kingdom High Commission. They asked us to help on works in the forensic ballistics, and for that reason, we contracted one of the premier world experts in the subject matter." Phillip Boyce - Forensic Scientist "What I'm actually providing is general standard operating procedures, to give people an idea of all the procedures that they have to cover, in order that they don't miss any examination, and that they can actually cover all the evidence."

Police Take A Precinct Approach
Since Allen Whylie took command of the Police Department on January 9, 2013, he has not made any public appearances to give updates as to the changes he's been making to the command structure of the department. But as we showed you, there was a paradigm shift 6 days later in which the different police departments had to meet performance targets. It is a strategy in which the officers from different stations around the country must actively work to decrease crimes in their jurisdiction. The most effective formation commanders are recognized and awarded with cash prizes at monthly intervals. Also, there is an ongoing restructuring of the Special Branch as part of the department's initiative to try to improve information efficiency. Today, the new Commissioner broke the silence and announced a new strategy for policing in Belize City. Daniel Ortiz has that report. Daniel Ortiz Reporting Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie took command of the Police Department in January of this year. Based upon his assessment over the past few weeks, he has come to the conclusion that as the Department currently is organized, it is ineffective at performing its duties and obligations to the public.

Donde Esta Abbas?
Abbas Khan, he's a Corozal resident who vanished from Orange Walk Police 12 days ago and now police have finally circulated a photo of him. He was caught with five Indian passports which he could not account for on March third. The 38 year old was first picked up by Orange Walk Police for a commitment warrant which was issued for money he owed. Kahn was scheduled to appear before the Belize City Supreme Court for the commitment warrant on Monday March 4th. But during his detention at the Orange Walk Police Department, he was picked up by Belmopan Police who took him to Corozal and searched his residence. After the passports were found Khan was informed that he had committed the offence of unlawful possession of passports and would be charged by the Corozal Police Department after his hearing at the Belize City Supreme Court. With that, Khan was transferred to the Orange Walk Police Station where he was detained in a holding area and not a cell as is customary. And it was at around 2:15 on Monday the 11th that Khan absconded from police. Presently Khan is still on the run and could be in Mexico.

A Hattieville Home Invasion
A Hattieville family is tonight trying to recover from a frightening home invasion that happened early Sunday morning. According to Audrey Reyes, around 5:30am on Sunday morning while her entire family was still asleep, an intruder entered her home through one of her windows. The man made his way to her bedroom where she came face to face with him. The intruder pointed an object at her and demanded that she keep quiet - while he left off with her handbag. Today 7news travelled to Hattieville where Reyes gave us an account of her horrifying experience. Voice Of: Audrey Reyes - Home Invasion Victim "Well they were to go ride a race for women's month, in the group that we're in. I laid down in my bed, pull my phone and checked the time. I saw it was like after 5, a quarter pass 5 or something like that and I sat down my phone on the bed on my purse and I laid down back. So when I laid down back, a little bit after I felt something heavy over me, but I know that my child likes to come in my room and get my purse and if he wants anything out of it. he will say 'ma, I'm getting something out of your purse.'

Exporting Tourism Services?
As we've reported, Belize is in the process of hammering out a partial scope trade agreement with El Salvador and we already enjoys a robust trade agreement with Mexico. But that trade is mostly for goods….so what about services? Well, today BELTRAIDE held a meeting with the tourism sector to get them up to speed with the services that can be covered under these trade arrangements. We found out more: Yashin Dujon - Director of Foreign Trade "What we've done is we've invited the members and the representatives from the entire sector here today, to share with us in finding out what areas they wish to explore in Mexico, and what services they wish to share and actually export as a part of their sector." Abel Casteneda - Acting Chief Tourism Officer, Min Of Tourism "We decided that what we needed to do was to do a preliminary introductory workshop - training workshop for the tourism sector, to introduce them to what is a trade negotiation, what the different types of agreement that exist are, and what Belize would want to participate in."

The Best High School Softballers Are...
The National High School Softball championships were held this weekend. Regional Champions from North, Central, West and South converged at the mecca of softball, the Rogers Stadium in Belize City for a paige system playoff. In the final, for the boys San Pedro bested Belmopan Comprehensive 6-5, and for the Nazarene crushed Belize Rural 17-2. We spoke with the winners: Conrad Gonzalez - Pitcher, San Pedro High School "To me personally, it means the world, you know. People I look up to always tell me am going to face big obstacles and you guys looked at it today, a lot of obstacles and people that wants you to do bad but we overcame it., we became victorious." Reporter "What came through your mind as the pitcher? A lot of pressure was on you going into the fifth ending, and you saw the score board 3- 3." Conrad Gonzalez "Yeah well, opening the fifth ending, before they played ball, I looked back at the score and I knew I had to make it quick, no runners on base. Then we got a runner on base, but we still managed to get the 3 outs, and that's about it." Alex Roches - Shortstop, San Pedro High School "I made 2 errors in the fifth - last ending, and I told myself that I wanted to help get back my team, so I brought in my 2 runs. Then, I did that last hit to bring in my center fielder, Damon." Reporter "What does this mean for you?" Alex Roches "Well, it means partying."

Channel 5

Guatemala a ‘No Show’ at OAS meeting with Belize
A high-level Foreign Ministry delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred “Sedi’’ Elrington travelled to OAS headquarters in Washington DC on Saturday to meet Guatemalan counterparts and OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza. While officials balked at referring to the encounter as an emergency gathering, it was held on a Sunday coming at a [...]

Guatemala sent email to OAS about absence
Because of the absence of Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Fernando Carrera, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington returned to his hotel room to wait for a de-briefing of the Vice-Ministerial meeting. Even though Elrington was disrespected, he said that notwithstanding the absence of his counterpart he considered the meeting to be a good one. And [...]

Will P.U.P. also lobby for YES vote in 2013 referendum?
Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca was a guest on OYE this morning, just in time to be apprised of the latest developments coming out of the meeting at the OAS in Washington. At a recent press conference Fonseca had committed to putting forward an official party position by early next month after carrying out [...]

Why kill Leon Humes?
The weekend’s murder victim is Leon Humes; he was shot on Friday night when he was purchasing food in the Mahogany Street area of the city. A single bullet landed on his head and Humes died within hours during emergency surgery at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The grieving family says his life could have [...]

Shot in Ladyville
While Leon Humes was fatally shot, less than twenty-four hours later three persons in Ladyville survived a barrage of bullets that headed their way when they stood across a popular supermarket on the highway. A thirteen-year old female student from Nazarene High School, another minor and Errol Andrews were waiting for a bus when someone [...]

Smoking out clues to contraband cigarettes
In the south, the Customs Department seized a large quantity of contraband cigarettes. The bust took place on Saturday when customs personnel were alerted by the Belize Defense Force of the movement of the cargo in Jalacte. News Five was reliably informed that a business in the Corozal Free Zone sold two shipments of cigarettes [...]

Contraband sugar may have origins in Belize
While cigarettes were seized in the south, the smuggling of sugar across the border is a lucrative business.  According to an article published in Novedades Quintana Roo on Sunday, the local sugar continues to find its way across the Mexican border. The Rio Hondo has become the illegal crossing point for sugar into Quintana Roo. [...]

Structural changes and regional police commanders
Changes in the hierarchy of the police command were announced today as was the zoning of the city. The changes, the police say, will provide for better policing and give the community more accessibility to the police in their anti-crime efforts. News Five’s Jose Sanchez.   Jose Sanchez, Reporting There were several changes made to [...]

Day 1 of P.S.E. 2013
It was Day One of the Primary School Examinations and more than seven thousand five hundred students sat the exams across the country; about three hundred and eighty more than last year. The students were fairly confident of their performances in the English and Science tests. Of note is that last year, science passes averaged [...]

Belize faces review of Human Rights Committee…
Last Friday, Belize faced its first review by the Human Rights Committee in Geneva since its accession to the Convention. We are among one hundred and sixty-seven state parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is one of the primary international human rights treaties. A total of eleven topics ranging from [...]

…First item reviewed: Mayan Land Rights
One of the first items for review was over Mayan land rights. On August seventh 1998, a petition was presented by the Indian Law Resource Center and the Toledo Maya Cultural Council against Belize stating that the government is responsible for violating rights under the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. The [...]

The arrival of the Pallottine nuns reenacted
One hundred years ago, on March seventeenth, 1913 four nuns made their way to Belize, and from there up the Belize River by boat to Cayo, then by horse and buggy to Benque where they settled. That was the birth of the Pallottine movement in Belize, and their achievements to this day, especially in the [...]

Honduran detained for unnatural crime
Three children of very young ages are complaining that they have been sexually abused. In San Pedro, a twenty-four year old Honduran national is detained by police following allegations by two minors of indecent crimes. A nine year old boy reported to police that on Saturday the Honduran national allegedly kissed him on the mouth [...]

Man charged for the attempted murder of 4 cops
  This morning, twenty-seven year old Brandon Smith, a resident of Port Loyola Area of Belize City was escorted in hand cuffs to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court to face Attempted Murder charges. He appeared before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith where he was read four offenses of Attempted Murder upon four police officers, namely, [...]

Matching ballistics information in criminal investigations
A one week training course on forensic violence got underway today in Belize City. Participating are forensic technicians and scientists as well as the judiciary and other specialized personnel. The course is being organized through the Ministry of National Security and is focusing on ways to curve the illicit trafficking of small arms and reducing [...]

Belizean wins Miss Diosa Maya Internacional
A Belizean is the winner of an international pageant. Miss Diosa Maya Internacional took place at the Olimpo Cultural Center, in Merida where Grisel Rosseli Carballo represented Belize. Grisel also captured the award for best costume, designed by Gabriel Garcia. On Saturday Carballo was crowned Miss Diosa Maya Internacional 2013.

Goaaal! Football highlights with James Adderley
  Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   We take you immediately to the Isidoro Beaton Stadium where on Saturday night, the defending champions, the Belmopan bandits hosted an always dangerous Placencia as week 6 rolled on in the Premier League of Belize. we’re only eight minutes in when this defensive [...]

LOVE FM

Weekend Murder; Several Injured In Shootings
One man is dead and several injured following shooting incidents this past weekend. Reporter Marion Ali has the details. MARION ALI “The first shooting happened at around eleven last Friday night on Mahogany Street near its junction with Jasmine Street and claimed t...

Students Countrywide Take Primary School Examination - Part One
Standard six students across the country today sat the first part of the Primary School Examinations. The exam, according to Principal Education Officer who is in charge of Examinations, Dr. Ivonne Davis had no changes this year. She added that other than good scores, the P...

Medical Team From Rochester Visits Belize
A visiting medical team is on a weeklong working visit to Dangriga. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the details. HARRY ARZU “Residents from Dangriga and by extension the people of Stann Creek District are receiving free medical health care at the Southern Regional Hosp...

Reef Week Observed In Belize
Reef Week is being observed this week and there is a host of activities line up to celebrate. OCEANA in an effort to continue awareness on the importance of our Natural Resources specifically the reef, ventured into this project by inviting other organizations and the community.&...

UNLIREC Hosts Training Course In Belize
The United Nations Regional center for Peace Disarmament and Development in Latin America UNLIREC is hosting a one week training course for stakeholders of different government agencies and private enterprises. An opening ceremony to for the course took place this morning and the...

Customs Department Confiscates Over A Thousand Cartons of Cigarettes
This weekend there were reports that a large bust of contraband cigarettes was conducted in Jalacte Village in the Toledo District. Earlier today Love News spoke with Assistant Comptroller of Customs Colin Griffith who said the matter is still under investigation. He said t...

Convicted Arsonist Escapes Prison Sentence
Thirty-five year old Brian Barela, who was convicted of arson last week, was spared a prison sentence when he was brought to court for sentencing. Instead of giving Barela a custodial sentence, Justice Adolph Lucas fined him $3,500.00 and gave him until September 30 to pay. If he defaults on paym...

CTV3

Forest Department Ready To File Criminal Charges Against Students And Teacher
The case of animal cruelty upon a male adult howler monkey has caught the attention of people from all walks of life and today the latest reports indicate that the Forest Department will file charges against four students and one teacher of the Belize High School of Agriculture. Today when we spoke to Rasheeda Garcia, Wild Life Officer at the Forest Department, she told us that the investigation has been closed and all that’s left is for police to levy charges against the four students and male teacher of the high school, who, based on the departments investigation, are responsible for the death of the monkey who was badly injured on March 5th and died two days later at the Wild Tracks Rehabilitation Center in Sarteneja. Garcia told CTV3 News that if charges are not levied today, the individuals will be charged tomorrow at the Orange Walk Police Station. If the accused are found guilty they will have to pay a fine of $1000 or spend 6 months in jail. We will follow up this story in tomorrow’s newscast.

Disturbing Case Of Unnatural Crime In San Pedro
Tonight there is a very disturbing report coming out of San Pedro Town involving two young boys who were allegedly sexually assaulted by a grown man. Reports indicate that the 6 year old and 9 year old students visited the San Pedro Police Station on March 16th around 7:00pm where the nine year old reported to police that a 24 year old man of Honduran Nationality had sexual intercourse with him. The nine year old further reported that it is not the first time the act of crime is committed against him. As for the six year old, he reported to police that the same individual touched on his private area. Both boys identified their alleged abuser who was immediately detained by police pending investigations. Police are treating the report as an act of unnatural crime.

Sweet Belizean Sugar Sold In The Black Market
For quite sometime now we have been hearing about Belize’s Sugar being sold into the black market. In fact, in 2011, it was reported that stores were rationing the amount of sugar sold to consumers since there was a scarcity of sugar, despite the fact that the Belize Sugar Industries Limited was producing more sugar that needed for local consumption. At that time, it was highly suspected that Belize’s sugar was being exported illegally across the borders of Mexico and Guatemala where the product is more expensive. From all indications, the selling of Belize’s sugar into the black market has become a lucrative business for distributors, wholesalers or retailers of the product. News coming out of Mexico is that over the weekend authorities discovered a large amount of sugar contraband from Belize along the banks of the Rio Hondo River. Mexican Producers have stated that this type of smuggling is putting a dent on their sales and is affecting the supply of sugar to the domestic market due to problems with the price that the sweetener has had in recent days.

17 Year Old Teenager Reported Missing
A 17 year old girl from the Orange Walk District has been reported missing be her mother. Rosa Maria, mother of 17 year old Lishawn Williams, reported to police that at about 9:00am on Saturday she noticed that her daughter was not in her room. Upon making checks the woman discovered that Lishawn’s clothing along with her school bag was missing. Williams was last seen wearing a brown short pants and a blue T-Shirt. She is described as being of Mestizo decent, fair complexion, has long black straight hair, dark brown eyes, weighs approximately 100lbs and is 5 feet 3 inches in height. The 17 year old also has a rose tattoo on her left shoulder. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Lishawn is asked to contact the Orange Walk Police Department at 322-2022.

Abbas Khan Still On The Run
Meet 38 year old Abbas Khan, the naturalized Belizean businessman of number #18 3rd Street Corozal Town, who absconded from Orange Walk Police after five passports for the Republic of India were discovered at is residence in Corozal by Belmopan Police. Despite the fact that the Commissioner of Police has launched and Investigation into Khan’s escape, he is yet to be found by authorities. As previously mentioned, on March 3rd 2013 Belmopan Police picked up Abbas khan from the Orange Walk Police Station where he was being held for a commitment warrant issued for money he owned. When police searched Khan’s residence they found the five passports belonging to Tajinder Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Parminder Singh Baryar, Gurdeep Singh and Surjit Singh. When questioned by police, Khan stated that none of the individuals were in Belize; however, he could not give a proper account as to why the passports were in his possession. Khan was to be charged for unlawful possession of passports after appearing in court for the commitment warrant. But before that could happen, the 38 year old escaped from police custody while detained in a holding area at the Orange Walk Police Station around 2:30am on March 4th. Sources tell us that Khan was not placed in a cell since he was suffering from some type of sickness. The Police Department is yet to explain how Khan managed to escape custody.

Annual Women's Month Bike Rally
On Saturday morning the Women’s Department kicked off its yearly bike rally across the country. While organizers stressed that the rally is not a race of any kind, there were loads of prizes awarded to participants. Here in Orange Walk the ride left the roundabout by the Establo Restaurant at 6:00am and finished at the Orange Walk Central Park. Hipolito Novelo Reports. Hipolito Novelo Reporting… Despite the chilly weather, more than 60 Orange Walkenos got out of bed early on Saturday to take part in the annual Women’s Month bike rally. At 6:00 in the morning, the crowd, comprised of men women and children gathered at the round-about near El Establo Restaurant ready to ride in honour of women across the country. Cindey Rivero, Banquitas House of Culture “Every year we come and ride. So this year was no difference for us. I must say that I was a little disappointed of the amount of people that came out. I wished that we had much more support from our community. But definitely we look forward for it every year and we enjoy doing it. It’s all to support our different departments in our community.”

Belize Wins Crown In Diosa Maya Internacional Pageant 2013
Belize is one of the five Central American Countries that make up the Mundo Maya World and as such was represented in this year’s La Diosa Maya Internacional 2013 Pageant in Merida, Yucatan Mexico. Belize was represented by Orange Walk’s very own Grisel Carballo who brought back the crown and made Belizeans proud. Carballo competed against Messie Lopez representing Guatemala and Carla Vasquez representing Mexico. At the last minute representatives of El Salvador and Honduras did not take part in the competition due to unforeseen circumstances. But nevertheless, the competition went through and Carballo “wowed” the crowd and judges with her natural beauty and talent. We spoke to the ecstatic Miss Diosa Maya Internacional 2013 this afternoon who told us how proud she is of being the first Belizean to win the competition. Grisel Carballo, Diosa Maya International 2013 “It was something different. I necessarily didn’t know what to expect. The only training, like I told you previously was the Miss Orange Walk. Being in an international pageant, I had to prepare myself knowing that I am an ambassador of my country, going to represent my country. I had to be very knowledgeable, very polite, and friendly and I am overall thankful for this experience. We had several events to attend. We had interviews mostly for publicity and for us to get each other the girls first. Secondly to know about each other culture and our country as well as getting to know Merida as a whole which is, by the way, very beautiful. I really loved it. The first day we went for a dinner which was the formal or the invitation dinner. The second day we went out, visited the community, the country and Yucatan itself. That day we also went to San Felipe and Rio de Grario as well. What we did first was a choreography followed by an introduction of whom you are and who you are representing. I started my introduction with a little bit of Maya because the root of the pageant is not only to promote beauty but also intelligence. The second item on the agenda was the evening dress. My evening dress was sponsored by Mr. Dani Torres which was the same guy who did the marvelous dress that I wore for the Miss Orange Walk Pageant 2011. With our evening grown we had to do a speech and this speech was entitled for us to sell our country, represent our country, sell our culture and let all the viewers know who I am, what I represent and what Belize is. I represented it of course with a passion which such grace, such confidence. I was extremely proud being there on stage representing my culture, my heritage and Mundo Maya.”

7556 Students Sat The PSE This Year
Today hundreds of standard six students countrywide sat the first phase of the Primary School Examinations which included English and Science exams. According to Ivonne Davis, Principal Education Officer for Examinations, a total of 7,556 students, including 23 registered private candidates, were expected to sit today’s PSE exam representing a 6% increase over 2012. Yvonne Davis, Principal Education Officer for Examinations “For the Corozal District we have 858 persons sitting the exam this year, Orange Walk 946. As you are aware the English exam has two papers; a paper one which is 50 multiple choice questions and a paper 2 which is the composition paper where they are required to write-to compose two pieces, a letter and a short story which is a narrative.” This year the Ministry of Education also made accommodations for students with special needs to take the exam. Yvonne Davis - Principal Education Officer for Examinations “In the total that I have given you, overall we have 143 students who are classified as students with special needs and of this number special arrangements were made for 83 of them. They are spread across the country. In Corozal we have a total of 4 special needs candidate. Orange Walk has 42, Belize District with 45, the Cayo District with 31 and there are 13 in the Toledo District. So that is a total of 143. However special arrangements were recommended for 83 of these persons.”

PlusTV

Leon Humes Murdered in Belize City
There were a number of shootings over this weekend in Belize City and one person is dead as a result. 23 year old construction worker Leon Humes was gunned down on Mahogany Street on Friday night, not far from his home on Jasmine Street. He was buying food, police...

Shoot out between cops and outlaws ends in one of the culprits being shot
While police were processing the shooting scene of Leon Humes around 12:30 Saturday morning, a blue 4 door Mercury car drove up suddenly at the corner of Poinsettia and Black Orchid Street. The vehicle was immediately pursued by a marked Police vehicle and a motorcycle patrol team when the...

Police seek Abbas Ahmed Khan immigration offences
Last week we told you about a Belizean businessman who was under investigation for unlawful possession of five passports. That business man is Abbas Ahmed Khan. Police found five passports for the Republic of India in the 38 year old’s Corozal home. Khan told police that the owners of...

Police hold workshop for forensic analysts
With all the reports of crime, it is some good news to report on any progress in the fight against crime. And perhaps the most needed element to crime fighting in Belize is Forensics. The gun is the preferred weapon of choice for criminals to end the lives of...

First half of PSE held across the country
The first half of the Primary School Examination was held today. After years of preparation, students from all over the country sat the Mathematics and Science portions of the high school entrance exam. And you’d think nerves were running high today, but the students we spoke to were quite...

Pallotine Sisters celebrate 100th year of service to Belize
The Pallotine Sisters celebrate its 100th year of service to Belize. In 1912, four German sisters had plans to travel on the Titanic, but they missed the trip. They then boarded another ship which took them to America and soon after they headed to Belize. The sisters arrived in...

Medical Team offer free service in Dangriga
A medical team is currently in Dangriga offering free services to that community. Dangriga correspondent Harry Arzu reports. Harry Arzu – Dangriga Correspondent: A team of medical practitioners are currently providing free medical health care services for the residents of Dangriga and the rural communities of the Stann Creek...

Drive by shooting at a bus stop leaves several injured
There was a drive by shooting in Ladyville on Saturday night. When the bullet spraying seized, two teenagers and a 25 year old man were shot. The incident happened just before 8 o’clock on Saturday night at miles 8 ¼ on the Phillip Goldson Highway. That’s in Ladyville Village...

Altercation in San Ignacio leaves one man hospitalized
A squabble in San Ignacio has left one man hospitalized. On Saturday night, 22 year old Kent Rivera was at a Chinese restaurant in the San Ignacio area when he got into an altercation with another man, whom he knows. It is during that altercation that Rivera received a...

Police investigate numerous accusations of child predation
Authorities are tonight investigating numerous accusations of child predation. In the first incident, a Benque Viejo man is under investigation after he was accused of sexually assaulting his 5 year old granddaughter. The little girl alleges that on Saturday morning, while in her bed, her grandfather took off her...

Marijuana plants found in couple’s yard in Blackman Eddy
Police have arrested a man and his common law wife after marijuana plants were found in their yard. Early Saturday morning, Police conducted a search at a home in Blackman Eddy, and while nothing illegal was found inside the house, in the yard, three cannabis plants were discovered. At...

Police recover parts of a home-made firearm
A woman handed over what appeared to be parts of a home-made firearm after she claims she found the weapon while cleaning under her van. The woman told police that at the time her vehicle was parked in her opened lot yard. Also found under the van were two...

Blogs

Island Drums with Tanya and Zac at Crazy Canucks
If you like live music and you enjoy the sound of island drums. you will love Tanya and Zac. Recent changes at Crazy Canucks beach bar have them playing there again this Monday evening, March 18th and if they are well received it may become a regular gig. Please come out and support them so we can have a place in town for our friends to hear the only Steel Drum music on Ambergris Caye Tanya and Zac have been playing together for about 4 years doing mostly destination weddings and special occasions. It is rare to see them perform at a bar although it happens. Tanya’s steel drum plays the high frequency melodies and Zac’s African Djembe holds the rhythm and provides the bottom end. They play a mix of popular classic rock and Caribbean songs with a few oddities thrown in for fun. Last week folks were singing along to the Beatles’ Obladi Oblada and Van Morrison’s Moondance and lots of bodies were moving to the rhythm of Shake Senora and I Just Called (to say I love you). Tanya and Zac are available for your wedding or special event and you can check them out on their website at Tanya and Zac Music or reach them by phone: Zac 604-7029 Tanya 627-7216

Kelly McGuire Sings For SAGA This Evening at Fido’s Plus Some AMAZING Donated Prizes
Ambergris Caye’s favorite, Kelly McGuire returns to San Pedro tomorrow night. AND his very first (of three shows) is a benefit for the SAGA Humane Society of San Pedro. Lucky lucky lucky us. We are going to be holding a raffle AND an auction to raise as much money as we can for SAGA. We have received so many amazing donations so far…from Black Orchid Restaurant to Feliz Bar. And, for the auction, we have some pretty cool stuff to get you in the “giving to San Pedro mood”. All Belizean made…fun…unique items. Like these two of these SUPER cute sandal/hooks donated by Graniel’s Dreamland (here’s my scoop on them.)

New Article Highlights Health Benefits of Belize Vacation
Are vacations actually good for your health? A new Huffington Post article reaffirms the health benefits of reducing stress levels by relaxing in a natural setting, and, according to manager of a popular Belizean spafeatured in the article as one of the top ten best in the world, this enjoyable therapy is in reach of most US and Canadian households. Bryony Fleming Bradley, who manages the Hilltop Spa at Belize’s Chaa Creek eco resort, said that the March 16 2013 Huffington Post article confirms that the health benefits of a tranquil vacation are now well documented. “It may seem obvious to those of us working in this field, but taking a break from the stresses of day to day life and getting back in touch with nature can have a very profound, positive effect on people’s health, both mental and physical. We’ve seen amazing changes in people after just a few days, and our repeat guests report that the benefits can last for a long while after they return home.

Getting effective online marketing
As a small or medium sized business, your online visibility is paramount to your success. You need people who are looking for what you offer to be able to find you online in order to maximise your conversions. This is why the right online marketing agency will be a great return on your investment. Make sure that you are appealing to the ways that people use the internet to show what you have to offer. These days most web traffic is directed by search engines, so you need to be a strong presence in the search results of the popular engines. The best way to achieve this is through a search engine optimisation (SEO) agency such as Optimising.

How to brainstorm effectively
Brainstorming is one of the most powerful tools or methods used to create and manifest ideas. Brainstorming is so powerful that the best inventions and ideas came about with the use of this method. Scientists use it, designers use it and even doctors sometimes use it too. The reality is that everybody brainstorms everyday without realizing it. Although brainstorming sounds like the hardest thing to do, it is as easy as preparing a cup of coffee. Now that we know know a little about brainstorming I would love to show you how to brainstorm effectively.

Mennonite Gurls A'ken Cook: Cokunut Curry Gingr Squarsh Soup
2 squarsh, it doesn##Q##t mattr whut kine 1 large onion, chopped 2-3 large carrots, sliced 3 celery stalks, chopped 4 cloves uf minced garlic 1-2 tablespoons grated fresh gingr 2 tablespoon uf red curry paste er curry powdr 2 apples with t'skin on, chopped 1 tablespoon olif', er cokunut earl (I used cokunut) 8 cups chicke broth 1 14 ounce a'ken uf lite cokunut milk salt and peppr t'aste Sambal er Sriracha Chili paste optyunal

International Sources

Angler of the Year: Chris Hayes
The owner of Turneffe Flats Lodge is an environmental powerhouse in the Caribbean. On arrival for my first visit to Belize’s Turneffe Atoll, I stepped off the boat a little dazed, partially from a long day of travel from the West Coast, and partly from the six or so Belikin beers I’d consumed en route. After fishing my laptop out of the drink (a result of those aforementioned Belikins), I shamefacedly shambled toward the main lodge where I was greeted by a short, trim gringo with a soft voice and even quieter demeanor—Craig Hayes, Turneffe Flats’ proprietor. Hearing of the miscue, Hayes had already procured rice and advised that I cake my computer in it. The procedure worked, and I had my first look at how efficiently Hayes solves problems. After giving the lodge overview, Hayes informed all anglers that the lodge strongly supported catch-and-release, and that we could show our own support by adding a modestly priced conservation tag to our tab. “It’s not mandatory,” he made it clear, “but it would be great if you did.” All of us did, which was another small victory for Hayes’ quiet persistence, a perseverance that was rewarded in fall 2012 when the Belize government declared Turneffe Atoll a marine reserve, bringing special protection to 325,000 acres that the Oceanic Society has described as “the largest and most biologically diverse coral atoll in the Western Hemisphere.” And that’s just one of the reasons why we chose Craig Hayes as Fly Rod & Reel’s 2013 Angler Of The Year.

U.S. 4th Fleet operation: Southern Partnership Station Confronts Transnational Crime
Working with three Central American counterparts to help them build capability to counter transnational criminals, participants in Southern Partnership Station 2013 are supporting U.S. Southern Command’s outreach to the region, and by extension, U.S. national security, a Southcom official told American Forces Press Service. After completing the first stop of their visit, to Belize, participants arrived last week in Guatemala, where they will remain through the month’s end, reported Navy Cmdr. Robert Skinner, maritime plans chief for Southcom’s future operations directorate. They then will continue on for bilateral engagements in Honduras before wrapping up the overall mission in late May. Throughout the U.S. 4th Fleet operation, the focus is on building partner-nation capacity to help regional nations better stand up to challenges than transcend their national borders, Skinner said. In Belize, Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 built an open-bay structure to support Belize Defense Force operations while members of Riverine Squadron 2 helped their Belizean counterparts improve skills in interdiction and security team inserts and extractions on the water. Meanwhile, agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s Security Training Assistance and Assessment Team Atlantic spent almost three weeks sharing law enforcement techniques with Belizean coast guard and police forces.

March 18, 2013

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The March 17th, 2013 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

• Police Kill Two Robbers:
  Preparations are being made for the burial of two young men who were reportedly shot by police as they fled the scene of a robbery in San Ignacio shortly after 12 noon on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. San Ignacio police reported receiving an emergency call via the 911 line of a robbery in progress at Roses Chinese Restaurant & Store located between miles 67 and 68 on the George Price Highway on the western outskirts of San Ignacio town. It is reported that a team of policemen rushed to the scene where in the area they came upon two male persons, one of whom was seen with a blue rag concealing his face while the other wore a black stocking over his face and toting a sawed-off shot gun.
• Fully Equipped Resource Center For Arenal Village:
  A spanking new resource center will soon be constructed in the western village of Arenal, Cayo. The fully furnished 30 x 60 feet building will be constructed at a cost of $250,000. The furnishings will include computer equipment and furniture. The building will be located in a spacious new area of the village alongside a new football field. Daniel Cano, Executive Director of the Social Investment Fund, informed that the design for the new building will be completed within the next two months. He told the gathered villagers that bids for construction will be invited thereafter. The building is expected to be completed before the end of this year.
• Cayo’s Oscar Quiroz Is The Cyclist To Watch On Holy Saturday:
  Oscar Quiroz, the junior cyclist who has recently graduated into the major leagues will be the cyclist to watch in the March 30, Annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. The rising young cycling star who participated in the Smart Belmopan Cycling Classic on March 10, shocked the crowd when he captured the top prize in the junior league category by crossing the finish line one minute and forty seconds ahead of the second place finisher. Quiroz has dominated the junior league since exploding onto the scene back in March 2010 when he competed in the Junior Cross Country Cycling Classic placing 9th in this prestigious race, an excellent feat by any standards for a first time rider.
• A New Basketball Court For St. Andrews Anglican Primary School:
  Thirteen students from Toronto District Christian High School in Canada arrived in Belize on March 5, 2013; sleeves raised and ready to work on constructing a new basketball court for St. Andrews Anglican Primary School in San Ignacio Town. Country coordinators Richard Zul and Lucille Sosa explained that works on the basketball court took a total of four days, which included preparation of the building site, laying stone ground work, and pouring of the concrete slab. During their spare time, members of the visiting team visited classrooms, entertained students, painted hopscotch on the cemented courtyard, leveled out the school grounds and prepared new garden beds.
• D’bi.Young Anitafrika performing live at the Bliss:
  The Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) and the Winsom Foundation in collaboration with Women’s month presents for the first time in Belize, African-Jamaican- Canadian dubpoet, playwright, monodramatist and educator D’bi.Young Anitafrika. She is internationally celebrated as a visionary storyteller, a passionate humanist and a leader in the development of arts education. She will be performing one of her eight plays ‘Blood Claat’, specializing in what she terms biomyth monodrama, D’bi. writes one-person theatre plays comprised of music, poetry, dance, and drama that chronicle the stories of global peoples and our quests for self-actualization. She has recently completing her third global tour, performing and teaching, D’bi. has shared the stage with many renowned names such as legendary American poet Saul Williams, and world renowned singers Alicia Keys, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, and Sarah Maglachan.
• Pope Francis Warns Church Could Become 'Compassionate NGO':
  Pope Francis has warned the Catholic Church would become "a compassionate NGO" without spiritual renewal. In a Sistine Chapel Mass with cardinals on his first day as Church leader, the pontiff said: "If we do not confess to Christ, what would we be? "We would end up a compassionate NGO. What would happen would be like when children make sand castles and then it all falls down." Francis is the first Latin American - and the first Jesuit - Pope. The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says the 76-year-old has already been swift to stamp his style on the papacy. Pope Francis is regarded as a doctrinal conservative, but he is also seen as a potential force for reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, analysts say.
• Early HIV Drugs 'Functionally Cure About One In Ten':
  Rapid treatment after HIV infection may be enough to "functionally cure" about a 10th of those diagnosed early, say researchers in France. They have been analysing 14 people who stopped therapy, but have since shown no signs of the virus resurging. It follows reports of a baby girl being effectively cured after very early treatment in the US. However, most people infected with HIV do not find out until the virus has fully infiltrated the body. The group of patients, known as the Visconti cohort, all started treatment within 10 weeks of being infected.
• China Confirms Li Keqiang As Premier:
  China's leaders have named Li Keqiang premier, placing him at the helm of the world's second-largest economy. Mr Li, who already holds the number two spot in the Communist Party, takes over from Wen Jiabao. Mr Li was elected for a five-year term but, like his predecessor, would be expected to spend a decade in office. On Thursday, Xi Jinping was confirmed by legislators as the new president, completing the transition of power from Hu Jintao. Li Keqiang's widely-signalled elevation was confirmed by 3,000 legislators at the National People's Congress, the annual parliament session, in Beijing, by 2,940 votes of 2,949 cast.
• Brazil Outrage Over Sao Paulo Cyclist's Lost Arm:
  A road collision in Brazil has caused outrage after police said a motorist drove off with a cyclist's severed arm attached to his vehicle. The driver, who later turned himself in, told Sao Paulo police that he had dumped the limb in a stream. The arm has not been recovered but doctors believe it could have been reattached, police told local media. The cyclist - a window-cleaner on his way to work - is said to be in a stable condition in hospital. The accident that saw the cyclist's arm torn off took place on Sunday morning on Avenida Paulista, one of Sao Paulo's busiest streets.
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The San Pedro Sun

New facility at ATM Archeological site inaugurated
The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture inaugurated a new facility at the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) archaeological site located on the outskirts of Teakettle Village in the Cayo District. The inauguration ceremony took place on the morning of Thursday, March 7th and was spearheaded by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) through the Belize Sustainable Tourism Project (STP). Located in heart of the Tapir Mountain Forest Reserve, the archeological site is co-managed by the Belize Audubon Society and National Institute for Culture and History (NICH). Actun Tunichil Muknal, also referred to as the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre, is approximately 45 minutes from San Ignacio Town and is considered one of the most spectacular subterranean Maya archaeological sites in the region. The caves at the archeological site is characterized by a series of chambers (some requiring swimming access) housing substantial remains of sacrificial ceremonies that includes pottery and human remains.

Wolfe’s Woofers: Ghosts
A preacher is surprised when his congregation reveals they believe in ghosts, and in fact, have seen them, touched them, even engaged in relationships with them...or did they?

Editorial: Social stigma hurts those who suffer from mental disorders
When someone is ill with a debilitating disease, let’ say cancer, do we blame them for their affliction? Do we scorn their illness and expect them to just “get over it”? No! We know they are suffering from something beyond their control and we realize that only proper medical treatment will hopefully cure them. So why is it when someone suffers mental illness such as depression, or an addiction, we feel no compassion, and blame the person for not getting their act together, claiming “they need to straighten up”. Can a person sick with an illness just cure themselves with a change in attitude? Of course no matter how severe an illness is a good attitude can only help, but it sure isn’t going to kill the deadly disease that has invaded their body.

Doctor Love: Devious Phone Calls
When a husband gets a strange call from his wife's devious 'friend' while the wife is gone - what is the best course of action?

Celebrating St. Patricks Day Island Style 2013
Who says islanders don't know how to celebrate St. Patricks Day? The green was out in full force, and what a great party it was!

Misc Belizean Sources

Commentary: What will happen if Belizeans vote against going to the ICJ?
If the people of Belize vote “NO” to take the Guatemalan dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), then the agreement signed between Guatemala and Belize will be fulfilled. This will also happen if the people of Guatemala vote “NO” in their referendum, which is scheduled to take place simultaneously in both countries on October 6, 2013. I have read the Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty signed between Great Britain and Guatemala in 1859 carefully and, based on that, I am fully confident that the court will rule in Belize’s favour. In this treaty the country of Guatemala accepted and acknowledged the boundaries of Belize, which exist up to this day. If the government of Guatemala did not like anything that was contained in that document then they should not have signed it. Guatemala had more than enough time to bring Great Britain to the International Court of Justice to seek redress so that they could comply with the terms of the treaty. Yet, Guatemala failed to act and has engaged in all type of propaganda and threats to frighten Belizeans to take over the entire country of Belize. I hereby encourage Belizeans to read the 1859 Treaty to reduce their fears and stop listening to gossip and rumours.

Benque Health Fair Today
The Benque Health Fair is today at the Mopan Polyclinic, between 8am and 4pm. Get free glucose and blood pressure testing.

PHOTOS: Centennial Celebration of the Pallottine Sisters in Benque Viejo
Today the Cayo District welcomed many faithful visitors and the Pallotine sisters for their Centennial Celebrations and re-enactment of their arrival. The Centennial and arrival of four German sisters in Belize on March 17th,1913 is being celebrated under the theme “Grateful for the Past Hopeful for the Future". Presently there are 21 Pallotine Sisters in the country who will be paying tribute to their work with a number of activities taking place country wide.

West Cayo Chess Tournament Pictures
The West Cayo Chess Tournament was this weekend at Hode's, which sponsored the event. It's great to see the kids embracing a game that requires skill and strategic thinking. Thanks, BNYCF and Hode's!

Belize Wins La Diosa Maya Pageant
Grisel Carballo won the La Diosa Maya International pageant. The pageant was held in Merida, Mexico. Congratulations, Grisel!

PM Barrow: ‘Superbond Two’ almost a done deal!
The restructuring of the U.S.$530 million “superbond” is almost over, and Belize—over the next ten years—will see cash-flow savings of almost $500 million, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said at Wednesday’s press conference, held at Biltmore Plaza Hotel. Barrow, flanked by members of the Debt Restructuring Team, said that they expect the bond exchange offerings—which began in mid February—to close sometime between Friday and next Monday, thereby bringing to an end the year-long process. Barrow said that as of last Friday, more than 86 percent of the bondholders accepted the new terms, which, in accordance with the bond’s collective action clause’s 75 percent threshold, effectively signals that the entire 2029 bonds will be exchanged for the new bonds due in 2038. According to a statement from GOB, “Belize’s offer required tenders to be submitted to Citibank, in its capacity as the Exchange Agent for the transaction,” by 5:00pm on Friday, March 8. Barrow also lauded the quantum of the savings that the restructuring has secured through the modified coupon (interest) rates: “In 2012 it’s $22 million, 2013 – $66 million, 2013 to 2017 – $236 million, and 2013 to 2022 -$494.” The new terms have also saved the country almost $80 million that had accumulated between last August and February this year.

Proposed Amendment to the Legal Profession Act
The Attorney General Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington has drafted a proposed law to amend the mandatory requirement for attorneys practising law in Belize to be members of the Belize Bar Association. Elrington told The Reporter on Thursday that he is proposing the amendment to make it consistent with that of other Caribbean countries. As it now stands, the provision of the Legal Profession Act to require all attorneys to be members of the Bar Association is unconstitutional, because it flies in the face of the freedom of association that the Belize Constitution guarantees. “Belize is the only country to mandate membership of its Bar Association,” Elrington revealed. Elrington explained that Belize wants to make her Legal Profession Act more consistent with the rest of the region. “This is something that should have been done a long time ago”, he added. The amendment will also expand the functions General Legal Counsel, to make it responsible for admitting attorneys into the profession. Under the present structure, a Senior Counsel drafts an affidavit and a special call to the Bar session of the Supreme Court is convened for new attorneys. Under the new law, that responsibility will now be the function of the General Legal Counsel, which presently is tasked with investigating complaints against attorneys.

Rivers on life support
Shooting victim Ronald Rivers, 28, is on life support at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. His family says it has now come down to a decision of how long to keep him on the machine that’s keeping him alive. Ronald’s brother, 34-year-old Raymond Rivers told The Reporter on Thursday his brother is in a really “critical condition”.

The best and worst for your pearly whites
By now, we all know the basic recipe for healthy pearly whites, including regular brushing and flossing, and a diet rich in teeth-healthy foods. What we might not realize is how some food choices can contribute to the wear and tear of teeth. So what makes a food bad for your smile? Matt Messina, D.D.S., consumer adviser for the American Dental Association and a dentist in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio, explains that bacteria living in the mouth burn sugars in order to live. The byproduct of this burning is acid – which dissolves tooth enamel and causes cavities.

Study claims bee venom kills HIV
A new study has shown that bee venom can kill the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated that a toxin called melittin found in bee venom can destroy HIV by poking holes in the envelope surrounding the virus, according to a news release sent out by Washington University.

CDB funds $7.25M road safety project
Belize, which had the highest traffic fatality rate among Caribbean Development Bank member states in 2006, has received a $14.5 million CDB loan to finance a Road Safety Project, designed to decrease the number of traffic fatalities that occur in the country. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will execute the project, which was launched at the George Price Centre for Peace and Development in Belmopan on Thursday, March 14, 2013. In 2006, Belize recorded 68 traffic fatalities, which gives a ratio of 31.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The project will address problem spots along the Western Highway to its junction with the Hummingbird Highway and around the Belmopan Ring Road with improvements to road safety. It will also encourage motorists to alter their driving habits for greater safety through education and awareness campaigns.

Creativity pays off at Kite Festival
Almost 40 kite-builders of all ages came away winners at the second annual Coca Cola Kite Festival held in conjunction with Ben the Builder on the Newtown Promenade on Sunday, March 10. Prizes were awarded in 13 categories: five junior and eight senior categories. Among the juniors, first prize was $100, second was $50 and third prize was $25. Young Shakir Gabourel won the $100 first prize for the Best Moonie kite, while Ernest Good claimed the $50 second prize and Charles Coote took home the $25 third prize. Ryan Davis also won the first prize for Best singer, while Rodwell Geban won the second prize and Clayshaun Lewis of Holy Redeemer RC School won third prize. Kenyon Plunket won the first prize for Best Starry kite, while Nelson Tablada took second prize and Stephan Diego claimed the third prize. Deneil Martinez won the first prize for the Most Creative design, while Steven Silvestre took second prize and Jermaine Garnett won third. Freddy Carrera had won a prize last year, and he returned to capture the first prize for the best “Ben the Builder” kite, while Cardinal Beaton took home the second prize.

Part IV: the 1860 letter from Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Pedro de Aycinena, explains rationale for 1859 Treaty
Parts One to Three of this Road to Referendum series have been focusing on two pivotal treaties in Belize’s case: the 1859 Anglo-Guatemala Treaty and the 1931 Exchange of Notes. The former informed the establishment of latter, which reported on the erecting of the concrete monuments at Gracias a Dios and Garbutts’ Falls—the two boundary markers that establishes Belize’s southern borders with Guatemala. Under the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s statues, we’ve looked at the “autonomous nature of borders” as established in a boundary treaty. In Part One of this series, we explored the reasons as to why the 1859 treaty, based on its preamble and the strength of international law, is a boundary treaty and not a treaty of cession as argued by Guatemala. As was stated in previous editions, this distinction is significant, because under international law, the frontiers that parties agree to in a boundary treaty remain fixed and permanent even if there is a breach to other sections of the convention. But the preamble is not the only evidence to the purposive state of mind of the parties when the Anglo-Guatemala Treaty was ratified.

Belize Bank wins 15th annual Belikin Ruta Maya River Challenge
The defending Ruta maya champions Armin Lopez, Daniel Cruz and Amado Cruz of the Belize Bank Bulldogs won the 15th annual Belikin Ruta Maya River Challenge in a grueling four-day paddle over 140 miles of the Belize River, from the Hawksworth Bridge in San Ignacio to the Belcan Bridge in Belize on Monday, March 11. At the end of the third leg from Bemucian Landing to Burrell Boom, the Bulldogs had a 53-second lead over Jerry Rhaburn, Jeremy and Jermaine Sanchez in the Ziprider canoe sponsored by Cruise Solutions. The Ziprider team outsprinted the Bulldogs to win the fourth leg in 2:42:24, with Oscar Cordon, Efrain and Felix Cruz in the N.I.C.H. canoe only a second behind The Bulldogs finished three seconds behind the N.I.C.H. team for the best overall time of 18:31:21. The NICH team had a cumulative time of 18:31:24 to win second prize, while the Ziprider’s cumulative time of 18:31:10 won them third prize. Jerry Cante, Erwin Cruz and Henner Cruz in the Westrac canoe finished two minutes behind Ziprider, with a cumulative time of 18:38:32, while Roberto and Andres Cabb and Roy Cano of the BTL Cobb’s Arm team finished three minutes behind the leaders with a cumulative of time of 18:39:24 to place fifth. The BTL canoers also won the Perseverance Award.

Independence Primary girls win national softball championship
The undefeated girls of Independence Primary School, the Stann Creek district champions, won the National Primary Schools Softball Championship organized by the National Sports Council at the Rogers’ Stadium on Friday, March 8. Independence pitcher Thalia Interiano struck out six batters as she led her teammates to their fourth victory: 7-3 over the Belize district champions, the girls of Biscayne Government School.

St Jude RC Primary boys win National Softball Championship
The boys of St. Jude R.C. School of Camalote Village, in the Cayo district won the national primary schools softball championships organized by the National Sports Council at Rogers’ Stadium on Friday, March 8. Camalote’s MVP pitcher, Shemar Tablada struck out five batters as he led the St Jude’s boys to a 12-3 victory over the Stann Creek district champions, the boys of Independence Primary School in the finals. Independence’s Manito Montes struck out two batters in the top of the first, but could not stop Alrick Vasquez, Tablada, and Tyrone Matute from scoring St. Jude’s first three runs. Emil Rivers, Michael Gutierrez and Eric Tucker scored for Independence in the bottom of the first to tie the score 3-3. Vasquez and Tablada scored twice in the top of the second, as Matute, Daniel Pollard, Mikel Jones, Edwin Serano and Trevan Neal also scored.

President Obama: There Is No Debt Crisis
There has been no shortage of dire warnings about the mounting US national debt, but President Obama is now offering a different assessment: no big deal. “We don’t have an immediate crisis in terms of debt,” President Obama said in an exclusive interview with George Stephanopoulos for “Good Morning America.” “In fact, for the next 10 years, it’s gonna be in a sustainable place.” It’s an assessment that will throw cold water on the latest attempt to achieve a so-called grand bargain to reduce the deficit. After all, a grand bargain would require excruciatingly difficult decisions for both sides – for Republicans, it would mean raising taxes, and for Democrats, cutting future spending on cherished programs like Social Security and Medicare. If there is no crisis, why would either side do it?

Doctor used silicone fingers to sign in for colleagues
A Brazilian doctor faces charges of fraud after being caught on camera using silicone fingers to sign in for work for absent colleagues, police say. Thaune Nunes Ferreira, 29, was arrested on Sunday for using prosthetic fingers to fool the biometric employee attendance device used at the hospital where she works near Sao Paulo.

New Pontiff is Pope Francis of Argentina
The new leader of the Catholic Church is the Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio who has taken the name of Pope Francis. Bergoglio, 76, is a Jesuit from Buenos Aires and is the first pope from South America. He is also the first pope to take the name of Francis.

Blogs

All over the map and six degrees of separation between Belize and Montana
It has been a busy past couple of days. My here there and everywhere started Friday morning at 7:00am morning show with Eiden Salazar and Anthony Anderson to announce our new San Pedro Branch board and promote the Red Cross Belize Medical Safety program. Afterward I was collecting money for Tuesdays certified first aid course and taking pictures for Jessie from BRC. She emailed me and said that she needed pictures of San Pedro for the cover of VCA and could I send some from San Pablo, San Pedro Town, San Pedrito, San Juan and San Mateo, I threw in Boca Del Rio beach side and road as well. I struck out in town collecting as it was just two early after the morning show. Thankfully the post office let me in a few minutes early to drop off a letter inviting them to send staff for first aid training and that their spaces are paid for. Thanks to Cowboy’s Pool bar and grill and Leisa Mercer, I can now tell them when I check back on Monday that their lunches are also paid for. I nominated Mr Ack to be the first one for training, since he was at the end of season NEMO thank you party. I am looking for 2 more sponsored spots so we can get all of the post office lined up for training.

Isla Bonita Drummers & Twirlers March Down the Home Stretch To Band Fest 2013 in Belmopan
Imagine you are Ambergris Caye’s Isla Bonita Elementary School Marching band and since mid-2012, you have been trying to raise over $25,000BZD so you could participate in the prestigious Belize national Band Fest. This year, it will be held in Belmopan. You need to cover travelling expenses including a chartered boat and bus, food and accomodations and the most expensive part…uniforms for your drummers and majorettes. Basically, you need to drum and dance and twirl your little hearts out. And they have done just that. They have held multiple fundraisers, dollar drives and marched in every single parade (and that’s saying something in San Pedro.) These kids will come out and perform for $20 or $1000. They practice almost every night in Boca Del Rio – the residents of the area know every beat by heart. They are in the home stretch…they are SO close to their goal and they are SO proud and SO EXCITED. Two nights away from home!…one little girl gushed to me. She can’t wait. I mean look at this little drummer…so so cute.

International Sources

Dominican Republic and Central America need to boost logistics coordination, studies show
To cope with the larger vessels that will transit through the Panama Canal when its expansion is complete in 2015, Central American countries must dramatically improve their intermodal road and port network infrastructure, the quality of their trucking services and strengthen their institutional coordination, two studies issued by the Inter-American Development Bank show. The first study, Assessment of Port Performance and Port Connectivity Study in Belize, Central America and the Dominican Republic, evaluates port performance and the connectivity of 18 ports in Belize, Central America and the Dominican Republic. The second report, Trucking services in Belize, Central America and the Dominican Republic: performance analysis and policy recommendations, assesses the trucking industry and makes recommendations going forward. The reports were released at a seminar on logistics at the IDB’s Annual Meeting in Panama City. The IDB called for countries to establish national logistics agendas to improve policy coordination and tackle bottlenecks that hurt the region’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. Efficient logistics performance requires the public sector to act at the regional, national and local levels, under a coordinated agenda, with shared priorities and objectives, based on consistent information that aids in defining public policies and allows continuous monitoring.

Good Cookin’: Stewed Chicken (How I Learned to Eat and Cook Like a Belizean)
Just hearing the words “stew chicken with rice and beans” makes my mouth water and my stomach rumble. When the smell of sweet coconut milk and simmering garlic hits my nostrils, I have no choice but to crack open a cold Belikin beer and wait until lunch is ready. Belizean Creole food goes beyond nourishing the body – it feeds the soul, and Creole cooks always make enough to share. A plate piled high with tender golden chicken, coconut-scented rice, and red beans spiced with chiles… the national dish of Belize is served. I challenge you to find a single restaurant in Belize that doesn’t offer some version of this traditional Creole recipe. When I first arrived in Belize, I enjoyed stew chicken as much as the next traveler. I ate it politely, daintily, making sure my meat and rice never touched each other on the plate, finishing the potato salad first so the mayonnaise wouldn’t melt and pool over onto the rice, wrestling with the large piece of juicy chicken and getting my first taste of the succulent meat. Though I didn’t want to be rude, I found myself unable to finish the truck-driver-sized portions on my plate.

March 17, 2013

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

La Sonora Dinamita brings a taste of Colombia to San Pedro
Hundreds of islanders packed the R. A. Nuñez Auditorium in San Pedro Town on Saturday March 9th to enjoy the Latin music of the Colombian band La Sonora Dinamita. The show was promoted in Belize by LRS Promotions of San Pedro Town. Those in attendance had the opportunity to interact with the band members on stage and even behind the stage following the nearly three-hour show. Prepping the crowd before the appearance of La Sonora Dinamita was San Pedro’s very own Rompe Raja. From early during the night, the audience took to the dance floor to enjoy the musical performance of Sonora Dinamita-1the local band. Once La Sonora Dinamita was announced, everyone moved closer to the stage to welcome the popular South American band well known for its salsa, merengue and cumbia music.

Letter to the Editor: From JOY International
As I drove back to the place I’m staying at, I made a decision. I said, “If I have to buy new sandals today, I’m going to end my barefoot journey after 1,000 days (April 15). If I get my sandals back I’ll keep going barefoot indefinitely.” When I got back to my place I was ready to write and put this episode behind me. Lo and behold, about 9 hours later my phone rang. A woman introduced herself as Marleny, the Director of the Tourism Board of San Pedro Island. She asked if I was Dr. Jeff Brodsky. I said I was and she said she had my sandals and I could come and get them. I was so excited! I asked where her office was located and it was directly above the exact spot where my sandals were taken. When I got there she said she heard about what happened (from the street vendor). She immediately put her personal “tourism police” into action. They were the ones who found the man and got my sandals back. I was elated to say the least. When she asked me what I was doing on the island it gave me an opportunity to share about the work of JOY and the book I was writing. She asked if I was going to write anything bad about the island because of what happened. I assured her I would only be sharing it with a few friends and family and that I would most definitely write something nice in the book about completing it in San Pedro. She was ecstatic… but I was even more so, as I brought the sandals home.

$4.3 million-dollar Cayo Welcome Center inaugurated
Cayo Welcome Center-5The Cayo District now boasts a brand new Welcome Center situated in San Ignacio Town. Constructed as part of the Belize Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), the new facility was inaugurated on Thursday March 7th at a total cost of $4.3 million dollars; $3 million was through a loan while the remainder was the price tagged to the property by the local municipality. At hand to inaugurate the building were several dignitaries, including the Minister of Tourism and Culture Manuel Heredia Jr. and Mayor of the twin towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio, John August. Cayo Welcome Center-6The Cayo Welcome Center is located in downtown, along Savannah and Burns avenues and lies in the historic Cahal Pech – once a large Maya city. According to Mayor August, the facility will support the economy of the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, and even the entire district. “The Cayo Welcome Centre will not only display the ancient and rich culture of our area from time to time, but will become a place for showing the cultural products, artifacts, artistic craftsmanship and drawings of the artists of this area. Through this centre, visitors will also have a clearer understanding of our values, of our traditions and of the cultural and natural resources of the Cayo district. Furthermore this centre will become the tourist information centre that plays a significant role in providing factual information to our national, local and international tourists about security, safety and services of the various tourism sites as well as providing advice related to the development of tourism in the Cayo district now and in the future. It will play a major role in promoting the tourism sector of the entire district,” said Mayor August. The $3 million dollar contribution towards the building of the welcome center came from the Government of Belize through a larger loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as part of the STP. Mayor August explained that the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council provided the land which has a market value of over $1.3 million. “The Cayo Welcome Center will improve the esthetic of the town. We have been doing other major works as it relates to the streets in the main downtown area. When our tourists come into our community, they will be able to feel warmly welcomed and can appreciate the cleanliness of this municipality and district,” added August.

Sunbreeze welcomes guests with a snazzy new look
For years Sunbreeze hotel and Suites have been serving weary travelers with their trademark hospitality and charm. In keeping up with the times, while maintaining said charm and welcoming air, Sunbreeze recently underwent several changes. The most noticeable change of course, is the introduction of their brand new, maize-colored staff camp shirt uniforms. It is quite the change from their signature aqua and cream shirts of yore.It was been 17 years since the Sunbreeze has seen such a significant change. “Everyone feels energized with the new upgrades and the change in uniform,” said General Manager Julia Edwards as she walked The San Pedro Sun staff to view the changes across the award- winning hotel. Along with the vibrant new uniforms, the 43 rooms also saw upgrades to best suit the need of clients. Every single room received a little TLC.

San Pedro Lions Queen 2013
Congratulations Alexis DelValle crowned San Pedro Lions Queen 2013 tonight at the Lion’s Den. Ms DelValle was sponsored by Fido’s Courtyard and The San Pedro Sun!

SPHS wins second straight national title
San Pedro High School retains their national title as nation secondary school softball champions after defeating Belmopan Comprehensive High School in a score of 3 to 5. Congratulations teams!

Misc Belizean Sources

VIDEO: It's Loggerhead Mating Season in Belize
Each year around March many divers report seeing more male loggerheads in their search of a female loggerhead as they have done for 100s of years. Loggerhead turtles can easily be distinguished by their large head. They can weigh up to 450 pounds and their shell can be up to 3.5 feet in length Thanks for watching our short film on the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

VIDEO: The Sharks at Half Moon Wall, Lighthouse Reef, Belize
First PADI Advanced Open Water Dive for a couple of divers. Our cast today featuring "Barry" The Barracuda, Lionfish and The Sharks at Half Moon Wall. This is dive two of a Great Blue Hole Day Trip from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize Central America. Produced by Michael Davis

LOVE FM

President of Village Councils Respond to Allegations
President of the National Association of Village Councils Orlando Dawson has responded to allegations made by several members of the NAVCO board. In a release signed by eight members of the Board, they accuse Dawson of running a one man show. ORLANDO DAWSON “Am certainly ...

Renovation On Dangriga Town Market Faces Delay In Progress
On Thursday Dangriga correspondent Harry Arzu reported that there are concerns over the pace of the renovation of the town market. He said the renovation work stopped two weeks ago and residents of the municipality have made numerous complaints to the Town Council. Vendors ...

Dangriga Police Investigate Several Burglaries
A number of burglaries have been reported in Dangriga. Correspondent Harry Arzu reports on those and other incidents. HARRY ARZU “Police here in Dangriga have recovered three laptops and a digital camera that was stolen from a house here in the New Site Area of this...

YWCA Celebrates 57 Years
The Young Women’s Christian Association in Belize is celebrating its 57TH anniversary next week. As a result, YWCA week will be observed commencing with breakfast after the Women’s Month Bike Rally, but it will be officially launched on Sunday. First Vice Presid...

Women's Department Plans Activities for Women's Month
The Women’s Month Annual Bike Rally is scheduled to kick off tomorrow morning at the corner of Western Avenue and the George Price Highway. According to the Acting Director of the Women’s Department, Cynthia Williams, the activity looks to bring families together and ...

CTV3

Belize Delegation Heads To Washington To Discuss Guatemala's Recent Referendum Move
A Belize delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington will be travelling to Washington over the weekend where they will meet with representatives of the OAS to discuss Guatemala’s recent move to postpone the October 6th Referendum to 2014 or that Belize change its referendum act to a simple majority vote. As we reported last night, the announcement was made by Guatemala’s President Otto Perez Molina on Wednesday stating that the postponement of the referendum or the amendment of Belize’s Referendum Law will prevent the consultation from becoming invalid. Of note is that CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexis Rosado, has stated that Belize intends to stand its ground for the referendum to take place on October 6th 2013. And while there is no telling what will be the outcome of that meeting, which will also see the participation of Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Fernando Carrera, the financial support to hold the Referendum keeps rolling in. Uruguay recently announced its adherence to the Group of Friends of Guatemala-Belize to provide political, technical and financial support for the referendum in which residents of both countries will decide if the Guatemalan claim will be taken to the International Court of Justice. The South American country joins Canada, USA, Mexico, Spain and the UK as the bloc of countries interested in finding a solution to the territorial dispute between the two nations.

MJC Has Talent
On Saturday night the Orange Walk Multi Purpose Complex Building will come alive as students of Muffles Junior College expose their many talents as they take part in the annual Talent Night Show. The event is set to commence at 7:00pm and according to Victoria Urbina, Treasurer of the Student Body, its one activity that you can’t afford to miss. Victoria Urbina “You should be there. I am sure you and your family will enjoy this event. As they were mentioning this morning on Despierta Belice that this show is very important because the students are portraying their originality because they are making up their own dance steps and their own scripts of the music. There will be a variety of shows for you to enjoy with your family so you should come out and support us. We are doing it for the public and this is also for giving the students opportunity so that they can portray what they have. It gives the public and opportunity to see what MJC has to offer for them. It is for a fundraiser because every year we leave behind like a building that benefits the school and these funds will help us to raise something that we can leave behind. Entrance fee is five dollars for kids and eight dollars adults.

Super Bond Now Belize Bond 2038
Yesterday Prime Minister Dean Barrow along with the Debt Superbond Renegotiation Committee held a press conference at the Biltmore Plaza to lay down the details of the now Belize Bond 2038. According to PM Barrow, Belize will see a debt relief of 494 million dollars between 2013 and 2022. With the new bond in place Belize’s debt GDP ratio is also expected to fall to 60% in 2017, that is, if the country is as successful as last year. Of note is that Belize did not make good on its coupon payment that was due on August 2012 and the coupon payment that would have become due in February. But PM Barrow says those payments were rolled up into a new bond in which Belize saved $76.4 million by way of cash payments. If Belize would have made the payments, Barrow noted that the $76.4 million would have then been added to the $84 million financial gap for the present fiscal year which would have in turn sent the country over the fiscal cliff. After successfully restructuring the US$530 million super bond and transforming it to 2039 Belize Bond, Prime Minister Barrow also announced that a Debt Management Committee is in the making. The committee, which will more than likely be headed by Ambassador Mark Espat, will be in charge of monitoring the bond to ensure that it keeps afloat. As for the cost of restructuring the bond, Barrow was not able to present the exact figure but did admit that in terms of Belizean dollars it is astronomical.

BTIA OW Denounce Attack On Howler Monkey
The story of the Male Howler Monkey who was badly beaten allegedly by four male students of the Belize High School of Agriculture is taking new heights. The monkey’s attack is described as animal cruelty and as such the case has attracted much attention. At the center of the turmoil are four students and a male teacher of BHSA who reportedly instructed the group to kill the monkey after the animal urinated and not defecated on him as was first reported. As mentioned last night by some students of the institution who witnessed the entire incident, the accused teacher has a lot to do with the act of cruelty that was carried out by the male students. From the onset, this statement has been refuted by the Principal of the High School Cecilio Pech. While all sorts of reports are coming out of the high school, the Forest Department, based on their investigations, is yet to file criminal charges against those found responsible of committing the act. And while the Forest Department prepares to make the next move, BTIA Orange Walk Chapter also expressed their outrage towards the incident. According to BTIA Orange Walk, Howler Monkeys are endangered species and are some of the charismatic wildlife species that Belize uses to market its tourism product and killing them is wrong. The organization also makes mention that animal cruelty is a very serious offence, which should not go unpunished.

ITVET OW and University Of Texas Collaborate To Create Great Business Minds
For the past three years the Orange Walk Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, (ITVET), has been partnering with the University of Texas in a student exchange program. The Business Service Project Program, is one in which 15 students of the university interact with the students of ITVET, by teaching them more about the business sector. The project also looks at educating ITVET students on how to convert business ideas into reality. Stephanie Hinojosa-Galvan, Director, Student Life “The project consists of a collaboration between ITVET and the University of Texas in which our students come and teach some basic business skills like resume writing and personal pitches as well as help some of the students who have a business idea turn that into a business plan and then they present in front of the Belize Youth Business Trust. Hopefully they get some mentorship through that so that they can present at the national competition. This is my second time year but the students have fallen in love with Belize. We have visited many business and talk to many business owners, people in education, in politics and we have gotten a real feel about what goes on in Belize and gain a real appreciation for your country.” Hipolito Novelo, Reporter “Was the appreciation showed by the students were a part of the project?” Stephanie Hinojosa-Galvan, Director, Student Life “The students at ITVET have been really appreciative of what we have been able to do for them. I think it is really special that you can have interaction with someone close to your age that can help you and mentor you to get your resume up to a high standard.”

Arte Con Voz De Mujer In Corozal
ARTE CON VOZ DE MUJER is an exhibit showcasing the talent of many women from across the jewel. On March 8th the exhibit was opened at the Corozal House of Culture in commemoration of Women’s Month. Today reporter Elmer Cornejo stopped by the house of culture and found more about the 10 talented women featured during the exhibit. Debra Wilkes Grey- Director of Corozal House of Culture “It is a wide range, diverse range of medium. We have sculpture, text tiles, fashion, and acrylic paintings. We have the tradition Maya basket weaving. We also have natural copper jewelries which are very beautiful and organic jewelries using natural seed with material found here in Belize. As well we sort of stretch it out- we are showcasing poetry, song and music.” From photographs to the world of painting, the exhibition exposes the many talents that exist in Belize. Debra Wilkes Grey- Director of Corozal House of Culture “The fantasy costume is really interesting in the idea that the theme is an orchid theme but in the design is a mural that was painted on the dress. The whole idea bringing back this festival and the pageant which is something that used to happened here in Corozal decades ago and pretty much died of. So they are bringing it back and we are able to showcase that piece and it is very tremendous.”

Join In The Ride In Corozal For Women's Month
The annual Women’s Month bike rally is scheduled for tomorrow, nationwide. It’s an event that has had increasing support and participation over the years based on the strong message that is sent across the board and the support that is shown for gender issues. In Corozal, the bike rally is set to take off at 5:30am and if you have not signed up, there is still time to do so. Consuelo Hernandez-Women Development Officer Corozal “We have the women’s month bike rally-this is an annual event that we have and this is taking place this Saturday at 6am. Actually we have registration at 5:30, everybody must register and it is free. Let me mention that it is not a competing. We are not competing against each other. It is a normal bike rally but we do have awards.” The bike rally will move from in front of the Corozal Central Park. Here in Orange Walk the event will also kick off at 5:30am tomorrow. Participants are asked to gather at the roundabout by the Establo Restaurant.

BAC+7th Day Adventist Church=Library
The Belize Adventist Junior College is a tertiary educational institution that has been in operation since 1999. A few weeks ago the institution inaugurated their new Science Laboratory after going without one for more than a decade. But while students can now boast of a new Science Lab, they also need a library and from all indications the construction of one is already under way. The building, measuring thirty feet by ninety feet is being constructed by volunteers of the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh Day Adventist Church hailing from Colorado in the USA. All volunteers paid for their trip to Belize and provided all the material and equipment needed for the construction of the library. The group of forty eight volunteers is headed by Pastor Joe Mark who elaborated on the mission. Joe Mark-Head of Volunteer Group “In this trip we have been laying down the foundation for the library. What is interesting is that we have people back in America and they know that they couldn’t make the trip but they wanted to contribute and many people have been giving donation to lay down the foundation of the library which was our goal and put up as many walls that we can in six and a half days. This is a unique trip because it was a first time that we engage the young people with the college students and they worked together. It was neat seeing the young people working together for the common goal of getting this collage ready got the young people.”

Lindy Jeffrey On Reproductive Health For Elderly Women
Around the world, including Belize, discussion of human sexuality and reproductive health and rights has often been considered too socially and politically sensitive or too personal for serious exploration or public debate. At the same time, governments implement laws and programs that have direct or unanticipated impacts on these human freedoms with little or no input from those most affected. As a result, healthy development, autonomy and personal agency in these areas have often been compromised. With the aim of strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights, and encouraging comprehensive sexuality education and evidence-based public discourse on sexuality, the Corozal Women’s Department with the assistance of Lindy Jeffrey, Executive Director of the National Council on Aging, held a Sexual and Reproductive Health Education and Rights Workshop for women from the Corozal District. During the workshop a number of topics were discussed including reproductive health and aging. Lindy Jeffrey, Executive Director of National Council on Aging “I was invited by the women’s officer for Corozal to come and do a talk about women’s health and I chose to do on reproductive health and aging. That doesn’t always mean that we are always looking for things for old people but we are very interest of the life cycle. We want all the women here to be active and healthy in their old age. So being more aware of their body and how it works was very important to us.”

BHOC Promotes Women's Talents
Today the Banquitas House of Culture hosted a special expo in honor of Women’s Month celebrated under theme “Gender Agenda Gaining Momentum”. Women from across the Orange Walk District took part in the expo by exposing the many talents they possess. Our news team dropped by the expo this afternoon and filed the following report. Hipolito Novelo Reporting… In commemoration of Women’s Month, the Banquitas House of Culture invited several women to take part in the expo thus showing off their skills and talents. Yvette Torres, Coordinator BHOC “First of all in the gallery we have painting from Nelita Sambula and Terry Lee Crawford from Carmelita Village. Also, we have some embroidery and some beading from Felicita Cantun. Out here in the different booths we have the different artisans and they all have the handy craft works. So they are out there to show their talent and for us to start to stimulate appreciation to the positive work that these women are doing.” Many items were on display this afternoon including handmade jewelleries and accessories dedicated to the Rastafarian Movement.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Caye Caulker Coalition for Change. Leadership With A Passion. Help Us Help You.
Our Agenda for taking Caye Caulker forward. -Inclusivity: Bring all the major groups on the island to the table with us and join in our decision and execution process. This includes: Tour guide assoc., Tour operators assoc., Golf taxi assoc., Business assoc., Police department, both water taxi Companies. Both high, primary and pre-school. Develop a direct link between the council, residents and the office of the Ombudsman in Belize City. Benefits: Information becomes more available, accessible and help the residents plan their futures, investments, and know their rights. Create a welcoming center for our guests. Benefits: Eliminate the confusion happening today relative to schedules, prices and hustling issues that face our arriving guests today. Convince both water taxi’s as to the benefits of operating out of 1 location. Cost savings, island security etc, etc. Benefits: Everyone wins Acquiring a dredge: Creating our own income for our island is of utmost importance. We cannot continue to sit back and depend on Central Government for handouts. We need to get the council and our residents back the RESPECT WE DESERVE. Another stream of revenue will be to convince the powers to be that a Local Resident created the Shark and Ray Alley. Caye Caulker will insist on collecting the revenue generated from this site.

The Belize Times

Fuel Prices go sky high! – Diesel up by 60 cents
There is terrible news for commuters. With no warning or public announcement, the Government approved increases to the price of fuel at the pumps countrywide. The increases are significant. Premium gas went up by 27 cents to $12.20 per gallon. Regular gas went up by 33 cents ...

Barrow says Superbond cost is “astronomical”
On February 12th the Prime Minister disclosed that Belize will be paying $3 million to bondholders to offset the expenses they incurred during the renegotiation of the Superbond. Today, a month after, Barrow returned to the ...

PM rejects Union’s Counter Proposal! – No discussion over salaries until after Budget debates, says Barrow
Prime Minister Dean Barrow wants to pull a fast one on the Joint Unions Negotiations Team by delaying any possible meeting to discuss a counter proposal over a salary adjustment for teachers and Public Officers until ...

THINK ABOUT IT
THE REFERENDUM COMMISSION The Government appointed a Referendum Commission. Its purpose was to prepare Belizeans for the upcoming referendum, on 6 October this year, on whether we should vote yes or no to taking Guatemala’s claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). On the same day the commission was launched, the ...

Despots Exposed
By G. Michael Reid “But the poor person does not exist as an inescapable fact of destiny. His or her existence is not politically neutral, and it is not ethically innocent. The poor are a by-product of the system in which we live and for which we are responsible. They are ...

ABSOLUTION AND RESOLUTION
The surrendering body of Ronald Rivers, who was in Belize City street calculation, an established basketball star, should never be lost on us. Rivers’ star power was a quiet and skilled aura, which he carried with a relaxed confidence. To the masses of Belizeans, Rivers’ shocking demise may simply be ...

All eyes on National Softball Championship
The high school softball championships will be hosted by Wesley College at the Rogers’ Stadium on Friday and Saturday, March 15-16. The Nazarene High School boys won the high school softball championships: 17-7 ...

Marlon Castillo wins SMART/Belmopan Cycling Classic
Team Santino’s Marlon Castillo won the 34th annual SMART Belmopan Cycling Classic on Sunday, outsprinting the defending champ, Ron Vasquez of Team Belikin Western Spirits on the 100-mile ride from Belize City to Belmopan and back. Castillo ...

Armin, Daniel and Amado Did It Again! – Belize Bank Bulldogs win Belikin Ruta Maya River Challenge
Defending Ruta Maya champs Belize Bank Bulldogs: Armin Lopez, Daniel Cruz and Amado Cruz won the 15th annual Belikin Ruta Maya River Challenge in Belize City on Monday, March 11. The Bulldogs were 3rd across the finish line on Day 4, but they still had the best overall time: 18:31:21 to win the 1st prize and the Kinich Ahau trophy. The overall results are as follows: ...

Go walk your dog, Sedi!
Belize has a serious problem with Sedi with the things he says and what his words really mean. Sedi seems to have a problem with himself too in that right or wrong, he is far removed from reality and could care less what the Belizean man or woman thinks of him, even when he blunders saying things like Belize’s border is “artificial”. That statement alone stirred up so much anti-sentiment against the Foreign Minister that almost everyone wanted him gone and Barrow had to resist the pressure. ...

HEAD-U-cation Part 2
By Yasser Musa “All for Plato, screech I’m out here balling, I know y’all hear my sneaks Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy he laid beats Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out your seats, preach...” - Kanye West and Jay Z, No Church In The Wild, Watch The Throne TOO MUCH ...

AMAZING GRACE: La Ruta Maya and God
It has been an eventful weekend. One of the biggest races in our country has been completed. It is such a huge race that it’s cut into three pieces. There are three humans who sit in a canoe, and their main instrument is the paddle. They paddle for hours and ...

Moratorium on taxi license: sign of the times
By Richard Harrison I understand that various municipal governments have decided to enter into a moratorium on issuance of taxi licenses, under pressure from existing taxi operators, i.e. they are no longer issuing licenses to new applicants who want to operate a taxi. Taxi service in Belice is a business that allows ...

CitCo’s Denial of Service Bad for Business
By Gilroy Usher, Sr. Shortly after it was elected to office, the Belize City Council led by Darrel Bradley put a stop to the licensing of vehicles or the processing of driver’s licenses for anyone who has an outstanding bill with the council. The denial of any of the vital services ...

Guatemala’s claim to Belize
A political red herring that will never go away, the ICJ is in-appropriate. It will resolve nothing. After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the United States’ covert war against Nicaragua was in violation of international Law, the United ...

An Imminent National Social Uprising?
Without dreams of hope and pride a man will die Though his flesh still moves his heart sleeps in the grave Without land man never dreams ‘cause he’s not free All men need a place to live with dignity. (Chuck Mangione ...

Faber gets new luxury ride
These times are the hardest for Belizeans. People are barely putting food on their tables, and the Government is refusing to give public officers and teachers a small salary raise. But it appears the Government has an open access to cash – public funds – to ...

‘Krucifying’ the Bar!
Embattled Foreign Minister and Attorney General Wilfred Sedi Elrington has deepened suspicions that the Barrow Administration’s plot to destroy the Bar Association has more to do with a personal and political vendetta than anything close to enhancing the administration of justice. Last week, the BELIZE TIMES broke ...

Questions to Ministers
Can the Minister of Health explain to Punta Gorda residents why it took the UDP Government one whole year to get the X-Ray machine operational at the hospital, while his Ministry has been wasting thousands of dollars on over-priced pharmaceuticals? Will the Minister of National Security update the country on the ...

Has Minister of Health Pablo Marin lost faith in northern public hospital?
Dear Editor, Some months ago we heard several stories via the media of mothers who went to deliver their babies at the Northern Regional Hospital and of the horrible outcomes for them and their babies. In some cases the mothers and fathers told their stories with hope that some action would ...

Belize No Longer a Democracy
Dear Editor, I listened to Minister Louis Farrakhan talk about the situation in Belize in regard to its so called “democracy”. What came to mind were his words that Belizeans should be able to participate in the process here and his questions whether Belizeans are allowed to participate. I was reminded ...

VEGAS COME UP AGAIN!
A shocking revelation was exposed today at Dean Barrow’s press conference and it had nothing to do with the costly restructuring of the Superbond. As with all other acts of corruption and misfeasance under Barrow’s stewardship, the land grab turned get-rich quick program by Gapi Vega and his friends and family was just a sideshow to the main event. A few months Gapi Vega’s demonstrated his scorn for a majority of Belizeans, when he publicly declared that he and his family were not normal and that he was supervising a full-on land bonanza, ensuring that his family and friends benefit from prime Belizean land. No apologies. No remorse. Straight like that. But just when we thought the land grab couldn’t get any worse, Dean Barrow announced today that Cabinet is endorsing handsome compensations to Gapi’s friends and relatives with tax payers’ dollars for land transactions that were wrongful from the very onset. Dominique Gomez, who is the girlfriend of Gapi Vega’s son Andre Vega, received title from her father-in-law to acres of land within a designated reserve in the Placencia lagoon. The area is home to a number of crocodile and birds. Other close associates of Gapi Vega such as Dorian Pakeman who is employed at the Government Press Office, Bertram Young and Douglas Usher also were awarded land in the same area. The land grab within this protected area infuriated residents and environmentalists along the Peninsula.

Ministry of Housing is a FRAUD!
Since the Barrow Administration got into office five years ago, it has budgeted a whopping $39,321,226 for the Ministry of Housing. In the upcoming fiscal year, GOB is budgeting $2,079,977 more for the Housing Ministry. Three core objectives of the Ministry of Housing are to: 1. To facilitate low income earners with low interest housing loans 2. To provide grants to low income earners for home repairs 3. To develop special programmes whereby Teachers, BDF, Police, Nurses and Public Officers can benefit through incentives officered for long services With a total of $41 million from 2008-2013, the Government could have constructed over 8,000 homes for needy Belizeans. But where are the houses? Where are the housing loans? Where are the housing projects? The only housing projects visible throughout the country – whether it is Cohune Walk in Belmopan, Mahogany Heights and 8 Miles on the George Price Highway, Los Lagos on the Phillip Goldson Highway, San Lorenzo Housing Site in Orange Walk Town, or Chula Vista, Joseito, or Dominguez Layout in Corozal – were all accomplished by the former PUP administration OVER EIGHT YEARS AGO. Squandering Funds So if there have been no housing projects and no housing loans available, where have all the millions allocated to the Ministry of Housing gone?

Blogs

A Polish Bi-Plane Lands at Caye Caulker Air Strip
…is a sentence you don’t see often. Yesterday I spent the afternoon in Caye Caulker…a very nice change of pace from the “big city” of San Pedro. Only 20 minutes by water taxi, it is a trip I should be (and will be) making much more frequently. What is not to love about a place that greets me so colorfully and warmly? I received a tip earlier in the week that a peculiar plane was parked at the small air strip towards the south end of the island. Why not take a pleasant beach walk down there to check it out? Pretty cool…I was thinking this huge “Orange Baron” must be from World War II…

Huff Post Travel Selects Chaa Creek as One of the World’s 10 Most Relaxing Destinations For Sustainable Tourism
The Huffington Post has selected The Lodge at Chaa Creek as one of the world’s 10 most relaxing destinations for sustainable tourism. In an article entitled “Eco-Resorts: The World’s 10 Most Relaxing Destinations For Sustainable Tourism” written by Carolyn Gregoire and published today March 16th 2013 on the travel section of the Huffington Post, Carolyn writes ” the health benefits of spending time in nature are well-documented, as are the stress-relieving benefits of taking a vacation. Travelers looking to really get away from it all, and help conserve some of the world’s most pristine natural habitats, should consider de-stressing at a relaxing and secluded eco-resort”. “Good for your stress levels and for the environment, these destinations are both tranquil and invigorating, often featuring spa services and complimentary yoga classes alongside rainforest tours and water sports. And it’s a vacation you can feel good about: From a private island and reserve off the coast of Zanzibar equipped with the latest eco-technology to a sustainable lodge celebrating Pueblo culture in Taos, New Mexico, all are committed to preserving the surrounding land, benefiting native communities and employing local staff” asserts the article.

Happy St Patrick’s Day from Belize!
Once again, the staff and management of Chaa Creek wish all of our friends, Irish and those just wearing a bit of the green for today, a very Happy St Patrick’s Day. Yes, in the heady multicultural mix that is Belize, the Irish are well represented. From the early days of the Baymen and buccaneers, many of whom hailed from the Emerald Isles, to present day Belize, Celtic surnames and even the odd lilt of a brogue are common. Irish priests have always been an integral part of Belize’s religious and educational life, and the Royal Irish Rangers were stationed here for years. Today there is a thriving expat community of people from Ireland, and while Guinness is freely available throughout The Jewel, many revellers will be toasting their favourite saint with the rather excellent local Belikin stout.

International Sources

Editor's Diary: Meet Kim Barrow
When we featured a cheerful portrait of Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize alongside his chic First Lady Kim Barrow in the Island Issue, I couldn’t wait to find out more. Introduced through Travel photographer Lebawit Girma, I was regrettably informed that she was diagnoised with Breast Cancer earlier that month. We exchanged emails and after expressing how much she loved Complexd I knew instantly that I wanted to make her the next Complexd Cover woman. Suitably, the issue was themed ‘Woman of Strength’. In the days and months that followed in preparation for the next issue, Mrs. Barrow displayed the type of strength I wished to express in the issue. When I deliberated about the cover, she sent me an email saying she wanted to show women the effects of cancer by not hiding behind a wig in her cover shot. I felt honoured when I found out she made that extra effort when all her strength was being drained by this life-threatening illness. Through Kim, I have seen first-hand how the power of love and support can fight off the deadliest disease. I am so happy to be publishing these portraits below because on her face is an ever-present glow and appreciation for life that she talks about in our latest interview. Enjoy reading. Editor: Was recovery as hard as the diagnosis? Kim: I took my recovery one day at a time. I did a total of six chemotherapy sessions and a mastectomy. I was scheduled for 30 fractions of radiations, but suffered heart failure after 15. I was in the intensive care unit for a week when the doctors finally agreed to terminate radiation. After resting for almost three months, I went for a second opinion on my heart condition at MD Anderson Cancer Centre, while also seeking the advice of a Radiologist. I completed 20 additional fractions of radiation on September 19th 2012. There really is no magic that can get you through the process – it’s about believing, having faith and always being positive.

Shipwreck survivor recounts drama on high seas
Quen Cultra sailed around the world in a self-built boat in his 20s. Forty years later, the real estate manager decided to conquer the high seas once more. He and two friends set sail in August 2007 for the around-the-world journey. Two tropical storms abruptly ended their journey off the coast of southeastern Africa.

Acro Knights near goal for mission trip to Belize
The Walla Walla Valley Academy Acro Knights continue to raise funds for a mission trip to Belize all the way up to their Tuesday departure. #The acrobatic team will be stationed at Liberty Orphanage in Ladyville, where the group will help with a variety of projects and perform for schools in the area. #The trip costs more than $70,000, and the Acro Knights are just shy of their goal, according to an announcement. #Donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be sent to Walla Walla Valley Academy, payable to Acro Belize, 300 S.W. Academy Way, College Place, WA 99324. For more details, call 525-1050.

Eco-Resorts: The World's 10 Most Relaxing Destinations For Sustainable Tourism
Belize has become a mecca for geotourism, and The Lodge at Chaa Creek leads the pack as one of the country's best ecolodges. Visitors enjoy a true rainforest experience at the foot of the Maya Mountains. The resort has been named the Best Eco Resort & Hotel in the Caribbean for four years in a row by Caribbean Travel & Life. Enjoy a variety of adventure activities, explore the surrounding natural beauty, and unwind at the full-service spa. Double-occupancy rooms start at $165 per person/night.

Kid-Friendly Butterfly Farm Adults Will Enjoy In Belize
If you ever visit Belize, to Cayo District in the west, the question isn’t what are we to do since it is so far from the ocean? It’s how can we fit so many activities in a day and still enjoy the tranquil, green and vastly untouched land the Mayans and people of all cultures and color called home? After all, this is the region where award winning eco-lodge and Green Globe Certified, The Lodge at Chaa Creek in Belize sits at 365 acres of rolling hills, lush tropical trees and plants, thousands of native animals dwell and where the River Macal runs through. A ten-minute walk on a walkway will bring you to the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm. You can’t tell what is inside this caged space until you walk a little closer. Once you open the door, you see fluttering creatures going about their business for the day. Some are sitting on ant plant leaves, also known as granadillo in Spanish. Another batch feasting on cut rotting tropical fruits like watermelon. They are actually drinking the juice and sap from the fruits with its proboscis, long protruding mouth. Some are hanging on the top of the caged area.

March 16, 2013

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

San Mateo Empowerment Project draws to a successful end
San-Mateo-Empowerment-Project-3After three full years in progress the San Mateo Empowerment Project came to an end on March 14th, 2013. The culmination of the project took place during a short ceremony at the entrance of the San Mateo Subdivision in northern San Pedro Town. The San Mateo Empowerment Project was the vision of Professor Kim Shackelford and the many students of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), who aimed to replace London bridges (long stretches of old wood planks over swamp) with roads for the people of San Mateo. Residents, students and teachers of the area attended the ceremony to show their appreciation towards the effort made by Ole Miss students and professors who have touched the lives of the needy people of the island. “Kim Shackelford is a blessing to us. San Mateo Empowerment Project is a blessing to the residents of San Mateo and we will forever be thankful,” said Grace Williams the Principal of Holy Cross Anglican School, and a resident living in San Mateo. End of San Mateo Road Project-4“San Mateo is the eyesore of the island,” said the Mayor of San Pedro Town Daniel Guerrero in his remarks indicating that the subdivision should have never taken place. San Mateo subdivision was built on swamp land that lacks adequate infrastructure such as roads, electricity, sewage system and most importantly, potable water. “But slowly we are turning the wheels and improving the lives of the people of this area,” continued Guerrero in his remarks. A change that Guerrero said, started with the San Mateo Empowerment Project.

“Woman at the End of the World” to feature ACES’s Cherie Chenot-Rose
Cherie-Chenot-Rose-ACESAs the world celebrates International Women’s Month, a Polish TV Production team travelled to Ambergris Caye, Belize to film a portion of their documentary series about extraordinary women throughout the world. The series, called “Woman at the End of the World”, takes viewers in a journey across the globe showcasing the life, culture and achievement of various incredible women. The series has been in production for three seasons and has become a great success in Europe, featuring exotic locations in Africa, Asia, South America and North America. Hosting the program is Martyna Wojciechowska, a Polish television presenter, journalist, traveler and writer. Wojciechowska is an exemplary woman herself, having conquered the Seven Summits in 2010. The Seven Summits is the name given to the highest mountain peaks in the seven continents of the world. Only about 200 people have climbed the Seven Summits since 2008. The Seven Summits are Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus, Mount Vinson and Carstensz Pyramid.

San Pedro Chapter of the Belize Red Cross elects new Executive Committee
The local chapter of the Belize Red Cross (BRC) held elections for their Board of Directors on March 14, 2013. The elections were held during a breakfast meeting held at Estel’s commencing at 10:45 am. Present at the meeting was director general of the Belize Red Cross, Lily Bowman. SP-Red-Cross-BODElected to the board are: Chairperson – Eiden Salazar; Vice-Chairperson – Antony Anderson; Treasurer – Carolyn Kumar; Ordinary member – Cheryl Bowen; Ordinary member – Sandro Cob; Ordinary member – Frank Panton; Youth representative – Swuine Diego and Secretary – Philip Ramsey. Lily-BowmanThe committee is still in need of an office coordinator; who will initially be offered a $250 monthly stipend to open the office three times per week and coordinate BRC activities. With the establishment of the San Pedro branch, this marks seven branches around the country of Belize. Bowman spoke about the meeting and what was accomplished. “This all comes in our attempt and efforts to reactivate our Belize Red Cross branch of San Pedro. Many, many years ago we had a very active branch out here and for whatever reason it went dormant.

Ambergris Today

Video Pick: Miss Costa Maya 2010 in Music Video
In 2010 the San Pedro community saw a very talented Costa Maya contestant crowned Miss Costa Maya, her name - Gabriela Asturias. On the island and in Guatemala she is known as a triple treat with her skills in pagentry, dancing and hosting of events. Three years after being Costa Maya Festival, Asturias has been very busy making headlines in her home town of Guatemala City with her television show "Que Chilero" at Azteca Guatemala and with her all female dance group "Divash" who tours the entire country performing at special events. In January 2013, Divash got the opportunity to debut in Guatamalan Artist Ale Mendoza's music video featuring well renowned Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Dyland y Lenny. Ambergris Today, San Pedro and the International Costa Maya Festival Committee extend a huge congratulations to Gabriela and Divash on their successful truimphs!

Belizeans Graduate from Training Course in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives
Forty four Belizeans participants from various law enforcement departments and agencies in Belize have received certificates after completing a two-weeks training course in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives, sponsored by the United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament & Development in Latin America & the Caribbean (UNLIREC). The course, which ran from February 25 to March 8, 2013, covered a wide range of topics including the basics on firearms, legal framework, stock-pile management and disarmament. In her remarks at the Graduation ceremony, UNRILEC Director Melanie Regimbal stated, “Our goal over the last two weeks was not only to impart knowledge on the various firearm activities and how to conduct investigations, or how to look at classification of weapons, or crime scene management, or weapon destruction and practical disarmament measures. These are all issues that are fundamental and are the reason behind the course. But I hope that what you will have gotten out of the last ten days is really an insight as to what your other colleagues are doing to combat illicit firearms trafficking.”

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize Starts Project to Improve Traffic Security
The Belize government starts today a traffic security plan aimed at reducing the high rate of mortal traffic accidents registered here, informed Minister of State, Santino Castillo. Authorities are alarmed, as the country has the highest rate of deaths from traffic accidents in Latin America during the last years, reaching 21.6 per 100 thousand inhabitants, he said. Deaths from those incidents are the fourth cause of mortality in the country, added Castillo. The initiative valued in several millions of dollars, aims at improving the most critical places in roads and highways, strict application of traffic laws, contribute to traffic education and to the efficient response of the Western Regional Hospital, he said. The first stage will start by repairing the capital's most important highway, works that will last at least three years, specified to a local television network, Castillo who is also Minister of Economic and Financial Development.

Abraxas at Midas Tonight
Abraxas plays tonight at Midas Resort. In Bloom will open. It's great to finally see great live music in Cayo every weekend.

SIPL Hosts Hope Preschool
The San Ignacio Public Library hosted Hope Preschool for Children's Month. Reading at a young age is a great idea. "'Valuing literacy: Fostering change and shaping minds'. Children had a blast of fun with stories and activities at the San Ignacio Public Library."

La Ruta Maya 2013 Statistics
The La Ruta Maya statistics have all been posted online. Congratulations once again to the Belize Bank Bulldogs, NICH, and Ziprider for taking first, second, and third places. Team Natius placed first in the Intramural division, and the Oceana Wavemakers placed first in the Masters division. See the rest on their Google spreadsheet online. In related news, Danny Chung's picture of the LRM will be published internationally soon. "This shot will be featured in an international magazine as a two page spread. (Will let you know when it is published.)"

Channel 7

Masseuse Who Used Spycam On Clients Goes To Jail
68 year-old Kevin Lee, the acupuncturist who made local and international news when he was arrested and deported to Belize for deviant sexual behavior is in jail tonight, after he was convicted his criminal trial today. Viewers may remember that in October of 2011, he was detained in Los Angeles when reports emerged in Belize that he secretly made hundreds of videos of his clients - men and women included - as they undressed in his clinic. But Belizean privacy laws do not encompass clandestine videotaping, so nothing could come from all those recordings. The DPP's office relied instead on a 20 year-old woman who came forward and made a report of aggravated assault of an indecent nature against him. This woman came to Magistrate's Court and testified in the trial which started last year that on April 6, 2011, she went to his clinic to get a back massage. She said that during this supposed massage; Lee fondled her, which caused her to be annoyed because he was abusing her trust. She said that she paid Lee $60 and left quickly that day, very upset by the inappropriate behavior.

No Bail, Meighan Family Remains Remanded
Tonight the entire Meighan family from Banak Street - including mother, daughter and two sons continue to be on remand at the Hattieville Prison after their Supreme Court bail application failed today. Their attorney Richard Dickie Bradley tried to secure bail, but according to the family's information the DPP's office did not sign the waiver, so it could not be processed. But on a check with the DPP, she said that no application was on her desk and as far as she knows nothing came into her office as yet. With that, the entire family remains on remand until their next court date April 17th. They can try to apply again next week Friday. As we reported, the GSU found two live and very shiny nine-millimeter rounds in their house on March 6th - and because no one wanted to own up to it, the entire family was imprisoned. The family claims a police unit planted the rounds on a previous search.

Bze Foreign Minister Says Belize May Go Ahead With It's Own Referendum
Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington and a delegation of senior Belizean diplomats leave Belize tomorrow for Washington DC. They are heading to an emergency Sunday night meeting with their Guatemalan counterparts and the Secretary General of the OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza. The subject is the Guatemalan government publicly pushing the panic button on the October sixth referendum. On Wednesday, President Otto Perez Molina told the Guatemalan media that his country might want to postpone the referendum until next year. That's not the kind of thing casually said in public - and today, Belizean Foreign Minister Elrington discussed the implications of this extraordinary pronouncement by President Perez Molina: Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs "I was certainly surprised that he would have been talking about it in the press. We have been discussing with his foreign minister, and we thought that we would have kept it at the level where, we would make any public announcement until after we have met with the people at the OAS,. So that was a surprise to me. I get the sense that he is getting pressured in his own country, and he has to speak to his constituencies, so that they can allay any fears that they may have and I think that might be one of the reasons why he would have been moved to do that."

Elrington Issues Another Caution To Territorial Volunteers
And we also got Minister Elrington and his CEO Alexis Rosado to speak about the ongoing efforts by the Belize Territorial Volunteers. That's the Wil Maheia group that's going back to clear other parts of the border on April 6thand 7th. Wil Maheia will go to the area of Gracias a Dios in Southwestern Belize, Nancy Marin will go to the area of Garbutt Falls in Western Belize, and Orlando De la Fuente will head to Aguas Turbias in Northwestern Belize. Today, Elrington again cautioned them about the hazards of border clearing, while his CEO was more moderate: Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs "A part from that, those areas are covered in thick jungles. We can't go cut that with machetes; that's thick jungle. So you've been there, you've shown over and over, but I do appreciate that some people believe - genuinely believe - that it is an act of nationalism. I could understand people being nationalistic they are, but I think it's a dangerous way of showing their nationalism, dangerous for yourself, for the nation, and to that extent we advise against it."

Superbond 2.0: The High Cost Of Doing Business, Internationally
We've reported plenty of times on the savings that the Government of Belize realized by re-negotiating Superbond 2.0 -almost 500 million Belize dollars in the first 9 years. It's impressive, but to get that kind of a deal, it's also expensive - principally because Government had to hire international lawyers and financial advisors. How expensive? Well, Government has released the cost of renegotiating the Superbond - and we can see why the Prime Minister called it "astronomical". The cost incurred so far is only $1.4 million US dollars, but after the bond offering formally closes sometime next week - that's when the other costs kick in. Those total up to another $6.5 million US dollars, which is being spent on legal and financial advisors, information agents, contribution to creditor committee costs, and other services. In total, it's about $8 million US dollars. And while that's plenty, the Prime Minister told the media on Wednesday that it pales against the savings that were realized: Prime Minister Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "The cost is, in Belizean terms, astronomical, but when you look at the savings then we realized, it's a price we had to pay. In the larger scheme of things, of course, it's well worth it. On a net basis, we're way ahead of the game, so we're very pleased - we're happy with - look, the legal service came from Cleary Gottlieb Steen. I've now come to realize that the partner, who handled our reconstructing legally Lee Buchheit, is the Dean of restructurings, of sovereign restructurings internationally. Could we have gone for some quasar bush legal and paid less, yeah, but this thing was so critical that we clearly needed the best. I think we've also been well served by our financial adviser, White Oak Advisory."

Loose Lips Sink Murder Trials? Juror’s Loose Comment Causes Case To Collapse
Over 3 years ago, on August 18, 2009, the body of Alberto Travis Allen was found at the dumpsite on the George Price Highway. He had gunshot wound to the neck, his throat was cut, and an object had been rammed down his throat. Yesterday a mistrial was declared against the men accused of killing him, 24 year-old Cordel Flores and 21 year-old Warren Lewis. The trail started two weeks ago but yesterday morning it took a turn when one of the jurors reportedly commented in the presence of a police officer that both defendants had a winning case. The officer reported this to Crown Counsel Sheneiza Smith who then applied to discharge the jury. Her reasoning was that this comment reflects that the jurors are pre-judging the defendants before all the evidence is presented to the court. She continued that this was a miscarriage of justice because the men are not being given a chance at a fair trial.

Work Underway On The Western
Last night we told you about the launch of the Road Safety project - and today - work on the Western Highway was underway. It's re-surfacing work on a particularly deadly stretch of road at mile 31 where many lives have been lost. Works Minister Rene Montero explained: Hon. Rene Montero - Minister of Works "We're concerned about the number of accidents that are happening in this road, and we're trying to minimize that, to insure that the public has a safe road and a well worthy road. We intend to expand this from Belmopan to the boarder - to the Benque Border. So right now, we're going to do a 3-phase project and then eventually we're going to do the whole Highway, the whole George Price Highway, from Belize City to Belmopan - to the Western Boarder. We have on the table right now, in the pipe line, to pave this Highway. To pave the Coastal Road, we're seeking funding for that, and also we're seeking funding for the Caracol Road, because that's a major tourist destination. But this Coastal Road has a lot of potential."

Facing Down Stage-4 Cancer
And while road traffic accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the country, various cancers account for 11 of the top 50 causes of death in Belize. And while the numbers are alarming, coming face to face with a terminal cancer diagnosis is even more disturbing. Yesterday, Monica Bodden spoke to a 58-year-old woman facing stage four cancer. She also visited the cancer society that has to deal with many such cases. Here's her report: Monica Bodden Reporting And while road traffic accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the country, various cancers account for 11 of the top 50 causes of death in Belize. And while the numbers are alarming, coming face to face with a terminal cancer diagnosis is even more disturbing. Yesterday, Monica Bodden spoke to a 58-year-old woman facing stage four cancer. She also visited the cancer society that has to deal with many such cases. Here's her report: Statistics show that over the past 10 years cancer has been one of the ten leading causes in deaths and illness in the country and that there is an increase occurring. Ivorine Bulwer - Clinical Director, Belize Cancer Society "Cancer, it's in one of the 10 leading causes of death and illness in Belize, if you look at the statistics over the past 10 years. The numbers are increasing. I think the numbers are increasing with the number of awareness. Part of the rule of the Belize Cancer Society is to educate and provide information to individuals and the public at large on cancer. And I think that over the years, with that consistency of the Society to inform and educate the public, has created some change in behavior where people are getting check. I think, also, our First Lady, Mrs. Kim Simpliss - Barrow, with her diagnosis 2 years ago, that interest has been increased. People are getting screened. The only unfortunate situation is that quite a number of persons are getting screened, but their diagnosis are often in the late stage."

Cop Conviction Upheld
Marlon Harris, the ex-police officer who was convicted of extortion in March of 2010, will have to pay the $10,000 fine ordered by the Supreme Court, because the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction and dismissed his appeal today. Harris' attorney, Said Musa presented the Judges of the Appeal Court with 6 grounds on which they were basing the appeal on. Those included an unreasonable verdict given the evidence presented in the original trial and 5 grounds of jury misdirection by the trial judge. After hearing the appeal to completion, which included having the Director of Public Prosecutions respond to those grounds, the panel of judges ruled that the appeal was dismissed and the conviction and sentence must stand. On March 23, 2010, Harris was convicted before Justice Troadio Gonzalez of extorting $100 from a private citizen on December 1, 2008, while at a police checkpoint.

Retrial For Alleged Rapist
And while Harris' appeal was dismissed, 21 year-old Isaac Chan will get a new rape trial in the next session of the Supreme Court. He was convicted and sentenced to 8 years where he allegedly assaulted a 16 year-old female minor on September 17, 2010. According to the victim, she got a lift from Chan while Honey Camp Road in Orange Walk. According to her, instead of taking her home, he took her to a separate area and raped her. He was convicted in the Northern Session of the Supreme Court on May 9, 2012, but his attorney Anthony Sylvester presented the Appeal Court with 4 grounds of jury misdirection by the trial judge.

Real Work By Restore Belize
3 weeks ago, we showed you Belizean trainers diligently at work imparting the conflict mediation training they received from the US State Department's Conflict and Stabilization Operations. It's part of Restore Belize's continued effort to provide peaceful advocacy training to members of the different organizations who must mediate in all sectors of society where disputes are expected to occur regularly. Those areas includes the Government departments involved in the second chance programs, at risk youth programs and the rehabilitation centers. It's now being adapted in the education sector, and in the rural communities. Today, Restore Belize held a small ceremony in honor of the participants who were trained by the Belizean trainers as they complete the course. We found out that these newly trained mediators are passionate about the measurable results they see with mediation and its potential. According to the Director of Restore Belize it's because the training is based on basic human reasoning and science, and is not just another talk-shop.

D'.Bi Dubs In Belize
If you're familiar with the work of Jamaican Reggae artist Mutabaruka, then you'll know what dub poetry is - basically it's spoken word usually over reggae rhythms. That's what a visiting Jamaican artist specializes in. Her name is D'bi and tomorrow night, she promises to set lyrical fire to the stage at the Bliss Center. We found out more about here today: Jules Vasquez Reporting Her name is D.Bi. She's a dub poet who has touched stages all over the world - but she's also a playwright and a storyteller D.be. Young Anitafrika - Dub Poet "I tell stories, you know." And the stories she tells are about difficult social realities, from child abuse to imperialism: D.be. Young Anitafrika "I feel like growing up in Jamaica and having growing up in a working class neighborhood, having gone to other prestigious high school in another part of Jamaica, moving to Canada, and moving around the world, what I've realize in all of these environments is that as people, we are people. So, the social issues that we're facing in Jamaica, the issues around incest, molestation, the issues around not having equal access because of how you are in society, where your position on the class line, or even if I go to Sweden and see people sleeping on the streets who has similar issues around access to resources. The issues that were drawing me in Jamaica were not just about Jamaica, and the ones that were drawing me in Canada were not just about Canada, we're talking about global realities for all human beings."

Belize Ballers Lose Games + Big Man
The men's senior national basketball team is presently in Costa Rica competing in the Central American Games. The tournament started on Sunday and so far Belize has played its first two games against Honduras and Nicaragua - both of which we lost. But there is more bad news to report. In Last night's game against Nicaragua, one of our star players got his knee blown out. Belizean American Englebert Cherrington, who is the tallest player on the team, is unable to continue playing in the games due to his injury. So what does this mean for our men's national team? We asked Charles Ellis, who is the Vice President of the Basketball Federation. Charles Ellis - Vice-President, Belize Basketball Federation "Our only big man, about 6'7 - 6'8 Inglebert Cherrington,the Belizean American we flew in from Atlanta, he got his knee blown out last night in the game against Nicaragua."

The Annual Women’s Ride
And the festivities continue in the month of March as the Women Department celebrates Women's Month. Tomorrow the department will be hosting its annual Bike Rally and is inviting Belizeans to come out and support the event. The acting Director of the Department told 7news today that the event is about promoting healthy living: Cynthia Williams - Acting Director, Women's Department "We'll be having our annual bike rally tomorrow. This has become a national event because all the bike rallies that are being organized by the Women's Department in each of the districts will be occurring tomorrow March 16th, and so we are inviting the general public to be a part of it. If you can't come to Belize City you will definitely be able to go to the major town in that district that you are living. It's really an opportunity for the department to promote healthy living, to promote unity and teamwork. It is an opportunity for people to just participate in a fun filled activity, along with your family or along with your staff. We're inviting all business to be a part of - Police is one of the organizations that really come out in full with their police officers, we are also very happy to see Collet and other organizations. We have several of the banks, who throughout the years have also invited their staff to participate in this even.

Channel 5

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington shocked that Guatemala wants to change referendum date
A special agreement signed between Belize and Guatemala specifies that the referendum on taking the territorial claim to Belize should be held on the same day, October sixth. But Guatemala is now seeking to change that and had been sending signals for some time. A bulletin straight from the office of President Otto Perez Molina, [...]

Another border line clearing by Wil Maheia and his Territorial Volunteers
Despite dire predictions and warnings by officials of government and the B.D.F., Toledo activist Wil Maheia, his Belize Territorial Volunteers and about one hundred and twenty-five Belizeans travelled near the Belize-Guatemala border without incident on March second. Emboldened by what it says was the successful symbolic gesture, the group is at it again. This time [...]

Sedi Elrington says the Bar Association is horrible
A proposal to change the Legal Profession Act is being hotly debated among legal minds.  That issue blew up earlier this week and today the Attorney General Wilfred Elrington indicated that he will be moving very soon to push through the amendment which will remove compulsory membership in the Bar Association. The move came to [...]

Restructured bond means no payment to former owners of utility companies
No press conference held by Prime Minister Dean Barrow on any matter related to the economy would be complete without an attack on Lord Michael Ashcroft. The Prime Minister on Wednesday announced the terms of the restructured debt of the Belize bond 2038 and again Ashcroft’s name came up. According to the PM the restructured [...]

Kevin Lee guilty of aggravated assault of an indecent nature
  Sixty-eight year old businessman Kevin Lee, a well-known massage therapist, is tonight beginning a year-long sentence at the Belize Central Prison.  Lee, who has been embroiled in an outrageous scandal involving the unauthorized videotaping of dozens of his former clients, was found guilty and convicted of aggravated assault of an indecent nature.  In April [...]

B.T.I.A. Orange Walk Chapter condemns students’ beating of monkey to death
As we reported in our previous newscasts, residents of Orange Walk, as well as various conservation organizations, have expressed outrage over an act of extreme animal cruelty, which led to the death of a howler monkey at the hands of a group of teenagers.  The incident occurred at the Belize High School of Agriculture in [...]

$150,000 paid to DPM’s cronies involved in Placencia land grab
On Wednesday eyebrows were raised when Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed on national television that market value would be paid to four persons after land was given to them with title, and then taken away. It’s a practice which seems to have become the biggest land game in town. It goes something like this – [...]

2013 Human Development Report; where does Belize stand?
The 2013 Human Development Report was launched in Mexico City on Thursday. The study which extended to one hundred and eighty- seven countries looked at the levels of longevity, education and income. Narrowing it down to our region, the report found that by 2030 Latin America and the Caribbean will be home to one in [...]

N.T.U.C.B. lashes out at Kolbe Foundation for firing of employees
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is lashing out at the Kolbe Foundation over a reported number of terminations and suspensions of Kolbe employees.  The N.T.U.C.B. cites the recent termination of the Casimiro brothers and is calling on Kolbe to reinstate them and to explain why specifically they were terminated. The Congress also cautions [...]

Belizean ballers injured in Costa Rica
A contingent of Belizean athletes is participating in thirteen sporting events in the Central American Games being held in San Jose, Costa Rica. So far the country has won medals in four disciplines including female softball, athletics, heptathlon and triple jump. But in basketball, the team, captained by veteran baller, Keith Acosta, has not been [...]

The Second Annual Primary School Table Tennis Tournament
In other sporting news, for the second year, students cleaned up their tennis paddles and headed to the Belize Elementary School where the Primary School Table Tennis Tournament was held today. Although the tournament is relatively new, the number of participants has grown with new entrants joining returning athletes.  Duane Moody reports.   Duane Moody, [...]

Preschoolers unleash their talent in the 2013 Preschool Festival of Arts
Since Tuesday, the annual pre-school Festival of Arts has been taking place here in Belize City. Over one hundred performances by students from some thirty-six preschools throughout the Belize District will, by the end of the week, take to the Bliss Stage to showcase their talents in drama, music and dance. The festival is being [...]

Career Fair held at Canaan High School
But over here on Coney Drive, high school students from Canaan have throughout this week taken time to consider their future career paths. A Career Fair was held on Thursday where the young minds heard presentations from numerous organizations providing them with valuable information on career options.   News Five’s Carla Bradley reports.   Carla Bradley, [...]

CTV3

Business Establishment Gets Trade Licence Revoked By OWTC After False Pretenses
Yesterday afternoon our newsroom was flooded with calls from concerned citizens requesting information on a number of gaming machines being unloaded off a container parked in front of the D Star Victoria Hotel located on the Belize Corozal Road. Now, when we hear about gaming machines, and we are not talking about one or two, the first thing that comes to mind is (casino). With rumors going around that a casino will be opened in Orange Walk sometime in the near future, we contacted Mayor Kevin Bernard and asked him if the Town Council had issued a Trade License for the operation of a casino recently. His answer was, quote unquote “definitely not”. But what about the more than 40 gaming machines that was taken into the lower flat of the D Victoria Hotel? Well, according to the Mayor, someone is trying to defy the Town Councils decision. Kevin Bernard- Mayor Orange Walk Town “I too received that same concern and that call and what we did is that I immediately sent out my evaluation team to go and inspect the building which is located downstairs of D-Star Victory Hotel and from my records that I have, there is this one Jian Xing Cheng that had applied for a sports bar to operate on that location. Now when we heard that there was an amount of about 40 plus machines that were taken into that establishment which immediately raise alarm. So our evaluators went there and took pictures, got evidence that there are gaming machines in that quantity and from what I am looking at, these individuals never did apply to operate any gaming establishments. They applied to operate a sports bar. And so we have issued, today, a revocation of their trade license application and the chairman liquor license and myself as the secondary signature, have also issued a revocation of their liquor licenses application. And thus a stop order has also been issued for them to cease and desist from any alteration to that establishment that they are doing.”

Students Speak Out About What Really Happened To Howler Monkey
Last night we aired the video footage showing 4 male students of the Belize High School of Agriculture assaulting the black howler monkey that was found badly injured on the grounds of the Belize High School of Agriculture on March 5th. So far, except for the Principal of the high school, no one else has come forward to explain exactly what happen, that is until tonight. There have been a number of speculations, including, that a teacher of the high school ordered a group of students to kill the monkey after it defecated on him while he was sleeping in some bushes located behind the school, a report which Principal Cecilio Pech has denied. However, according to students of the high school, one of their male teachers has a lot do with what transpired on March 5th. According to the students, the male teacher instructed the group to capture the monkey after the animal urinated on him. In order to protect the identity of the students their voice has been altered.

PlusTV

Minister of Foreign Affairs speaks about Belize/ Guatemala Emergency meeting this weekend
Today Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington outlined the plans for the Belize delegation to attend an emergency meeting in Washington, D.C. this weekend called after Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina told the press this week that Guatemala is seeking a postponement of the October 2013 referendum on its...

NTUCB accuses Kolbe foundation of “astounding atrocities”
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize issued a press release today, warning the Kolbe Foundation to refrain from intimidating and infringing on Kolbe employees constitutional rights to organize and associate. According the press release, there have been a number of terminations and suspensions of Kolbe Foundation employees –...

Video-taping masseuse Kevin Lee sentenced to prison.
Acupuncturist and massage Therapist Kun Lin Lee, aka “Kevin Lee” was convicted of aggravated assault of an indecent nature today. A $60 dollar massage is costing the masseuse a year in prison. Today after he was found guilty, Lee stated, and we quote, “Jesus Understands me.” – end quote. ...

Minister of Foreign Affairs discourages Belize Territorial Volunteers from another border visit
The Belize Territorial Volunteers are planning another trek for the week after Easter but Government’s concerns remain the same: errors in determining where the border is to be cleared and possible exposure to Guatemalan forces among others. The Minister of Foreign Affairs says that while he understands the patriotism...

Medical Missionary Team visits Twin Towns
A group of medical practitioners were in San Ignacio and Santa Elena today to offer free medical assessment and treatment to residents in the area. Every year, the team from Florida hosts day clinics in various remote areas of the country. Renee Ester is one the medical mission team....

Police conclude empowerment programme at St. Martin’s Government School
It’s never too early to start equipping children with positive life skills, and the Police Department has partnered up with the US Embassy to do just that. Yesterday the Police Department wrapped up a six week program on gang resistance education and conflict resolution at the St. Martin’s Government...

Bar Association of Belize prepares to debate an amendment
As the Bar Association of Belize prepares to debate an amendment that some argue could imperil its very existence, attorneys have come out for and against changes to the Legal Profession Act that would allow separate associations other than the Bar. Richard “Dickie” Bradley claimed that Attorney General Wilfred...

PM confirms land returned for reserve in Placencia
Controversy erupted in Placencia over a set of land sold to persons aligned with the Barrow administration, which residents say should be set aside for a reserve. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed their return. Dean Barrow – Prime Minister: There was a complaint made to me...

JP Association to train Saturday
The national Association of Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of the Supreme Court is the association with the function of looking after those two important classes of legal officials. There are over 3,000 Justices and Commissioners in the country, most politically appointed, of which about 600 are members...

Gospel Expo at Belmopan Showground this weekend
The National Agriculture and Show Grounds is getting a quick revamping for a weekend event. No it’s not an early Agric Show, but a Gospel Expo. The fair which kicks off tomorrow morning, will see a full day of entertainment and presentations. There will also be display booths, a...

Executive director of The Word At Work, Tim Tam, is home from rehab
We have an update on Executive director of The Word At Work, Tim Tam and his wife. The Word at work is an organisation that has many projects in Belize and Tim Tam and his wife Lisa were involved in a traffic accident near San Juan, New Mexico, on...

Rozel Arana is new Deputy Mayor of Orange Walk Town
The Orange Walk Town Council has announced its new Deputy Mayor. The current council had previously vowed to select a new deputy mayor yearly and this year that person is Councilor Rozel Arana. The council has additionally made other changes which includes shifts in councilors’ portfolios.

Men accused of murder of Alberto Travis may get a retrial
It was three weeks into a murder trial being heard in the Supreme Court, when a juror’s comment brought the trial to a sudden halt. 24 year old Cordel Flores and 21 year old Warren Lewis were being tried for the 2009 murder of Alberto Allen, when an unexpected...

Two Chinese-owned businesses targeted by robbers
Two Chinese-owned businesses were targeted by robbers. The first happened on Tuesday in Belize City. Tommy Zhu reported to Police that he was with his wife inside Sunny Li when two men entered the establishment, one armed with a handgun and demanded money. The men made off with an...

Amandala

OMBUDSMAN’S REPORTS, 2009-2011, HIGHLIGHT INJUSTICES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
85% of the 790 cases remain open or unresolved. Ombudsman Lionel Arzu, appointed this January after the office had been vacant for about a year, has his work cut out for him. Apart from having to catch up with the backlog of work at the office, he will have to appear at the meeting of the Ombudsman Report Committee, slated for Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Also present at the meeting will be former Ombudsman Cynthia Pitts, who prepared the 2009, 2010, and 2011 reports, which were tabled at the last Sitting of the House of Representatives. There has been a marked downturn in the number of complaints taken to the Office of the Ombudsman: The office processed 332 complaints in 2009, 275 cases in 2010, and 183 cases in 2011. Of those 790 cases lodged over the three-year period, 85% of the cases remain open or unresolved. Pitts told us that the bulk of the complaints she had to process alleged abuses by the police. Next in line were complaints involving lands, such as problems getting land titles or complaints that private lands had been sold off without the knowledge or consent of owners.

IDEAS AND OPINIONS – OUR CAPITAL IS BELMOPAN
Paris is the capital of France, of England it is London, of Spain, Madrid, and of Italy, Rome. Capitals of all countries are cities, but the word city is not included in their names, unless the name of the country and its capital is the same. Mexico City is the capital of Mexico, Guatemala City of Guatemala and Panama City of Panama, for the obvious reasons that there would be confusion, if they were not distinguished in this way. Belize City was named the capital of our country for the same reason. If this piece is sounding like a lecture for school children, that is exactly what is intended. It is also intended as a reminder to television broadcasters and talk show hosts who have been referring to our capital over the airways as Belmopan City. I have to admit that it may have a certain ring to it which the name by itself may not have. Also it sounds more imposing. Perhaps the citizens of Belmopan may even like it better, being self-conscious of their present small population. But, Belmopan is the official name of our capital city and, we have a duty to respect that fact. There is another reason why we should treat the name of our capital with respect, even reverence. It has a unique history, beginning with the famous poem, “We Unite to Build a Nation,” written by our National Hero, George Price, when he was Premier. He had a vision of Belize becoming a great nation, when he wrote these lines, Look west, Belizean builders, see the shining mountain and the Jeweled City of Mopan, radiating Light and Love and Peace and Joy. He must already have had in mind, a capital city, built in the interior, on a high hill, away from stormy winds.

46 ILLEGAL CLEARINGS AND 9 ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS REPORTED IN CHIQUIBUL
“Clearing of forest this year is more aggressive… By the end of March this could have doubled…” FCD Exec Director, Rafael Manzanero said. Executive Director of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), Rafael Manzanero, has informed Amandala that 2 aerial flights conducted with the help of LightHawk and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) on February 15 and March 5, 2013, indicate increasing incursions, and particularly clearings by Guatemalans for farming and settlements. Manzanero said that “…clearing of forest this year is more aggressive and we anticipate that forest fires in the Chiquibul this year will be high. In the next six months this will all be crops and it will be difficult to extract people.” The image accompanying this article shows a composite map from the two flyovers along the Belize-Guatemala border, which indicate new developments for 2013. Forty-six new clearings were reported along with nine illegal settlements—this excluding the residence of Guatemalan Rigoberto Gutierrez, who has been residing within the protected area for over two decades.

NAZARENE HIGH SCORES DOUBLE – MALE AND FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP IN CSSSA SOFTBALL
The Finals of the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) high schools softball tournament were played on Saturday at Rogers Stadium, and for the first time ever, Nazarene High School has won both the male and female championships, and will be representing the Central Zone this weekend in the Nationals to be held in Belize City. We have not yet receive the scores from the CSSSA, but it is confirmed that Nazarene’s female ace of CODICADER fame Ashley Lucas pitched the girls to victory over E.P. Yorke High; while Jerome Carr was the pitcher of record for the Nazarene boys who defeated a game SJC for the male championship. Both Nazarene female and male teams will represent the Central Zone in tomorrow’s high school Nationals at Rogers Stadium.

BDF ON TOP AT WEEK 5 OF PLB CLOSING SEASON
Week 6 clash of security forces: Police vs BDF at MCC... Already Week 5 is history, and the race is hotter than ever in the 2012-2013 Closing Season of the Premier League of Belize, as, for the first time this season, defending champion Belmopan Bandits have been knocked out of their top position in the standings. Belize Defence Force (BDF), who drew twice with 1-1 scores against the Bandits in the Opening Season, handed the Bandits their only defeat a week ago, 2-nil, in this Closing Season, and now trail the Bandits by only 1 point in the aggregate race for the coveted Champions League berth. (See standings at bottom.) No team is undefeated so far in this Closing Season, and all have made their mark in the win column. Some teams may have been affected more than others in Week 4 and Week 5 games because of the absences of their U-20 National Team players who left on Sunday, March 3, to represent Belize at the Central American Games in Costa Rica. Perhaps, most affected were F.C. Belize (John King, Avian Crawford and Khambrel Blease) and Belmopan Bandits (Denmark Casey, Jr., David Madrid and Edmund Pandy, Jr.), but they should all be back in time for hostilities this weekend.

RECORD HOLDER MARLON CASTILLO WINS SMART BELMOPAN CYCLING CLASSIC; CROSS COUNTRY IS NEXT
Thanks to the sponsorship of SMART, the 32nd Annual SMART Belmopan Cycling Classic went off without a hitch, and it was record holder from 2008 Marlon Castillo emerging victorious from a field of close to 60 cyclists on Sunday, March 10, in a race that, for the first time, started and finished in front of the SMART headquarters building at Mile 2 ½ on the Philip Goldson (Northern) Highway. An exciting twist at the finish was the extra “lap” around the two roundabouts that gave fans more opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the cyclists as they neared the finish. The Open/Elite and Masters rode together to Belmopan and back; while the Juniors/Youth and Women race went to La Democracia and back. The Belmopan Classic, approximately 100 miles for the Elite race, as it comes so near to the Holy Saturday Cross Country, is traditionally viewed as a primer, a tune-up for the cyclists, and a preview for fans who are keen to assess the relative “condition” of the various contenders for the Big One. And sure enough, all the big names were there at the finish, with defending champion from 2012, Ron Vasquez, proving that last year’s showing was no accident, as he battled eventual winner Marlon Castillo to the final sprint, despite being hampered by a leg injury from a fall sustained earlier in the race.

NATIONALISM OVER ALL Editorial
“Despite pleas from Iran, the Shiites of Iraq did not rally to Iran. Religion was not able to overcome nationalism and state control. On the other side, the ethnic Arabs living in the areas of Iran adjacent to Iraq did not rally to the Iraqi case. Ethnic identity, like religion, proved weaker than nationalism and state police control.” - pg. 82, WAR, PEACE, AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS, David W. Ziegler, Addison-Wesley Longman, 2000 “From the 1490s on, an additional factor was added to this potent mix: the experience of the Discovery and Conquest. The result was an ideology of empire that made the Discovery and Conquest not only noble and justified endeavors but also the duty of the faithful. This ideology consisted not just of abstract ideas concocted for the benefit of the crown; it was supported by official statements that came both from the papacy and the Spanish monarchy. In the wake of Columbus’s first voyage, the pope presided over a Castilian-Portuguese treaty that divided the Americas, still a largely imagined region, between the two kingdoms. Thus, in effect, Spaniards were the recipients of a divine grant of lands and peoples they had yet to find and see, let alone subdue. This permitted claims of possession to be seen as synonymous with possession itself. Through the simple acts of arrival and declaration, Spaniards placed lands ‘under the lordship’ of the Spanish crown. Everything that followed, the entire business of Conquest and colonization was the consolidation of that possession.” - pg. 68, SEVEN MYTHS OF THE SPANISH CONQUEST, Matthew Restall, Oxford University Press, 2003 It only took the Honorable Louis Farrakhan a day in Belize on his third visit to realize that an extraordinary institution existed here which he intended to acknowledge and endorse publicly. Minister Farrakhan acknowledged and endorsed Kremandala in his keynote address to the Belizean nation last Friday night at Bird’s Isle.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
The leadership of Kremandala held a series of inspiring meetings with Minister Louis Farrakhan and his inner circle between Thursday and Saturday mornings last week. In 1975, I had briefly met the Minister on his first visit to Belize. I did not meet him on his second visit here in 1986. So, this was the very first time we had sat down to talk privately. Minister Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam is a religious organization, while Kremandala is a secular one. The Minister’s NOI is also a business organization, and a powerful one, while Kremandala grew out of a black activist organization which was significantly influenced by Islamic leaders between 1969 and 1972. A commonality between the NOI and Kremandala derives from a serious concern about people of African descent in this part of the world. Several months ago I referred in this column to black Americans as the financial and technological elite of the black world. During one of his speeches last week, Minister Farrakhan said that if one were to measure the gross domestic product of black America by the standards of a nation-state, black America would be the seventh or ninth largest nation in the world. As it is, of course, black America is an integral part of the United States of America, so the separate GDP measurement would only be a teaching tool. I did not hear all of the Minister’s speeches last week, but he never dove deep down into the matter of the Guatemalan claim to Belize. I have been told that the Minister did suggest, at the end of his Bird’s Isle presentation, that Belize meet Guatemala halfway, so to speak, where the matter of our southern sea is concerned. The Minister and I did not hold any in-depth discussions about the claim.

GUATEMALA GOVERNMENT INDOCTRINATING ITS YOUNG CITIZENS Letters
Dear Editor, While perusing the Guatemalan newspaper La Prensa Libre, I came across this article that the Guatemalan Ministry of Education is instructing schools to use – a map of that country showing the country of Belize as a part of Guatemala. If you notice, all the other countries have solid lines defining the borders, but Belize has a dotted line reinforcing the point that we are a part of Guatemala. They have included a caption stating that “the territorial dispute is pending resolution” . While we are here talking about education on this Guatemala issue, our neighbors are busy indoctrinating another generation with the concept, “Belice es nuestro”. Where is this indoctrination in our schools? Truth be told, patriotism is a function of indoctrination, and I would have to say Guatemala is way ahead of us in that department. “If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.” Sun Tzu in The Art of War.

FROM PAUL TO NURI Letters
Dear Nuri, A proposal for the GRANDEST ALLIANCE EVER. Sorry I missed meeting Minister Farrakhan in person, but I watched his three main speeches on television. He was magnificent! I am now convinced that what needs to be done is for the three great monotheistic religions to unite to combat radical secularism, radical individualism, radical subjectivism and radical sexualism. Almighty God promised Abraham that he would have children as numerous as the stars. Has not that prophecy been fulfilled? Jews, Christians and Muslims number about 4 billion. That’s more than half of the world’s population. But, we must increase our cooperation to combat the real evils of this world. The first step is for all Jews, Christians and Muslims to increase our awareness that we are all children of the same father – Almighty God or Allah, or Yahweh! There is no other God but Him! Not money! Nor race! Not religiosity! Not sex! We have allowed ourselves to hate one another because of differences in doctrines and beliefs. How curious that we have all been ignoring the very core of the teachings of Moses, Jesus and Prophet Mohamed. The greatest commandment is Love! of God and of my neighbor! Like Gandhi, we must remind ourselves daily that we are all children of God, the merciful, God, the greatest good!

GMOS AND YOUR HEALTH Letters
Dear Editor Thank you for providing a forum for Belizeans to discuss the growing controversy over the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into our country. Some of your readers will recall that I was very fortunate to have been an apprentice for 13 years to Don Elijio Panti, Belize’s most celebrated Maya healer. Don Elijio was recognised worldwide, made a Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II and received numerous awards, such as “Distinguished Contribution to Science” (The New York Botanical Garden) for his work. Since 1977 I have been working to preserve, use and further the knowledge of Belize’s vast cornucopia of medicinal plants as developed by the Maya over thousands of years and still used successfully throughout Belize. I only mention this to explain my rather unique perspective and why I am so opposed to the introduction of GMOs into Belize’s wonderfully rich yet fragile ecology. Don Elijio passed on to me a deep respect for how the Maya, over thousands of years, thrived using Belize’s countless species of plants for food, shelter, clothing and healing. It is a beautiful relationship that involves a profound reverence for nature and her plants, and especially with maize, or corn.

GOB RELIEVED: 86.17 % ACCEPTED NEW SUPERBOND TERMS
GOB says it needed at least 75 %... Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow held a press conference today, Wednesday, where he officially announced that the Government of Belize has completed the debt restructuring process. At least 75 percent of the bondholders had to accept the terms of the new bond offering in order to trigger a collective action clause. The offer has resulted in 86.17 percent of bondholders tendering their bonds due in 2029, in exchange for new bonds due in 2038, reported a pleased Prime Minister. The PM said that the fact that this happened is testament to how successful the Debt Restructuring Team had been during the restructuring process. The team was lead by Ambassador Mark Espat and the members were Minister of Labor, Local Government, Rural Development and National Emergency Management Hon. Godwin Hulse, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, Governor of Central Bank of Belize Glenford Ysaguirre, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Finance Allan Slusher, Deputy Advisor to the Ministry of Finance Yvette Alvarez, CEO for the Ministry of Economic Development Yvonne Hyde, and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Belize Christine Vellos. Superbond holders had to decide within the period from February 15, 2013, to March 8, 2013, whether they would tender old bonds for the new bonds. The 86.17 percent excludes the bondholders of Venezuela, who did not meet the deadline, but were to participate.

DOCTORS GIVE UP ON RONALD RIVERS AT THE KHMH
He is no longer breathing, and nothing more can be done for him After fighting for his life at the Intensive Care Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for 10 days, Ronald Rivers, 28, has been given up by doctors. He will be declared dead as soon as he is disconnected from the Intensive Care Machine that is breathing for him, and that is expected to be any day now. His family says that nothing more can be done for him. His two lungs and kidneys have collapsed, half of his skull taken away to release the swelling in his brain: he suffered two massive strokes, he is suffering from pneumonia, he remains in a coma, and he is no longer breathing. The announcement was made today by his brother. His brother told Amandala that he is being kept on the machine to prepare the family for the reality of his death when he is disconnected. Doctors caution that people don’t survive such conditions, and if they do, they would not be the same and would be paralyzed. Rivers was a member of the Belize National Basketball Team, but he was shot in his face at the Uno Gas Station at the corner of Vernon Street and Youth For the Future Drive by a gunman who rode up on a bicycle at about 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 4. Rivers was repairing his vehicle at the time.

GUAT PREZ WANTS TO POSTPONE ICJ TO 2014
BOX: Belize law was in force before ICJ agreement, which affirms that the parties would observe their internal laws in executing the agreement, says CEO Rosado. Belize and Guatemala to meet at OAS on Monday, March 18. Belizean and Guatemalan officials are due to meet in Washington, D.C., USA, next Monday, March 18, 2013, to discuss, among other things, a recent call by Guatemala president Otto Pérez Molina to seek a one-year postponement of the simultaneous referenda on the settlement of the Belize-Guatemala territorial differendum, currently programmed for Sunday, October 6, 2013. In Guatemala on Wednesday, Pérez Molina announced that his administration would formally seek the postponement because of changes Belize had made to its Referendum Act back in 2008—changes which he argues would invalidate the referenda. The June 2008 amendment to the Referendum Act means that beyond just a simple majority being necessary to decide in the referendum, a 60% voter turnout is also required on the Belize side to ensure its validity; however, Belizean officials have indicated that voter turnout has historically been higher than the set threshold. Meanwhile, Belizean officials have underscored that the change in the law was made well before the special agreement or compromis to seek the ICJ resolution was inked by both parties in December 2008. Speaking with Amandala today, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexis Rosado, said the Referendum Act ought not to be an issue, since the special agreement acknowledges that both Belize and Guatemala must follow their respective laws in executing the agreement.

POLICE SHOOT TWO THIEVING BROTHERS DEAD
The brothers, 18 and 21, had just run out of a store they held up in San Ignacio Police have shot dead two thieves who had just escaped after carrying out an armed robbery of a store at about 1:00 p.m. yesterday, Tuesday, at Rose’s Chinese Store on the Benque Viejo Road in San Ignacio. When police confronted them, the thieves opened fire at police and police returned fire, killing the two of them almost immediately on the spot. Police say that they were on patrol on the Benque Road when they were alerted about an armed robbery in progress at the Rose’s Store on the same road. They immediately responded, and on their arrival saw two men who were wearing masks on their face and one of whom had a shotgun, running out of the store. Police said they shouted “stop” to the men, but the gunman instead fired a shotgun blast at them. Police immediately returned fire, hitting the men, who were taken to the San Ignacio Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

PRISON TROUBLE – NTUCB SEEKS AUDIENCE WITH PM BARROW
President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), Dylan Reneau, told Amandala tonight that they plan to respond urgently to reports of staff firings at the Belize Central Prison, under the management of the Kolbe Foundation. Reneau went further to say, however, that the NTUCB would also be challenging the continued privatization of the prison, as it is an important factor that appears to be impacting the crime situation in Belize. Amandala was told that on Tuesday, March 12, right after the holiday weekend, a couple who had been employed as security staff at the prison were terminated. Collive and Carol Casimiro had been working at the prison for 7 and 9 years, respectively. “We have to look keenly at the case of Mister and Misses Casimiro to see how we can try and reverse that situation,” Reneau told Amandala tonight. Whereas Casimiro told us they were fired, a prison official told us that they resigned. On the issue of the privatization, though, Reneau said, “We’ve been concerned about the privatization and its impact for some years.”

Blogs

It is fricken freezing today, so cold that tacoboy had to go get the aloe vera for my home spa time or I would have chickened out of eventually getting wet. My mind is drawn back to the last warm day we had before this cold front hit, Monday and and our trip up north to X’tan Ha Waterfront Resort. Pronounced Ishtan Ha and meaning the waterfront, it is a stylish, colorful, tropical beach resort that 7.2 miles north of town. Always trust a Penland to turn things a round and give a proper style makeover from head to tow. After 6 months of being boarded up it took 25 men 5 months to repair, replace and repaint. Doug Penland took a tired worn place and gave it the tlc it needed, created a colorful tropical getaway and something special. Tom Sather an Eye Doctor from Montana and Michelle also had a big hand in executing the vision. Oliver and Della who run the resort also need a mention. They are friendly welcoming folks who are pitting their heart and soul into making X’tan Ha Resort a great place and it shows. While there we saw people eating at the restaurant, enjoying the great stretch of beach, using the paddle boat and having fun on the water trampoline. Next time I go I want to try standup paddle boarding and see if I can do it without falling over. Whether you are just popping up to the beach bar for a fun days adventure or looking for a full out Island style getaway, X’tan Ha is a must do on your North Ambergris Caye to do list.

The Cute, The Quirky and the Ugly: The Signs of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker
I am a giant GIANT fan of hand-painted, colorful signs for businesses, private houses…for just about anything. Neon? Flashing lights? Gaudy pre-printed signs? Not a fan. So as I look through thousands and thousands of my pictures from the past few years, I thought I’d post just a handful. I’ll let you categorize them as cute or bizarre. Who I am to pass judgement? Here are my faves…let me know if I missed any of yours. And just to be clear what type of sign I DON’T like…here is an example. Let’s start in Caye Caulker, an island which just oozes cuteness. Drinking is fun. Simple, appeals to all ages and straight to the point. Though take my word for it, drinking green stripe is NOT fun.

US Magazine Picks Western Belize as Retirement Choice
And now, according to the March 11, 2013 article in US News and World Report , western Belize is attracting a new demographic . “As recently as a few years ago, the numbers of foreign retirees living in Belize’s Cayo District numbered only a few dozen. Today, small but ever-expanding communities of expats and retirees seeking a back to basics lifestyle have established themselves in this pristine land of rivers, waterfalls, and rain forest. “Many people, reaching this stage of life, are reminded of what’s really important. This realization is spurring a new generation of folks looking for opportunities around the globe to embrace a self-sufficient, resilient lifestyle. In this context, Belize stands out,” the article advises. Ms Fleming said that Chaa Creek has been assisting people relocating to Belize for years now. “Over the years we’d find that people would come here on holiday or on one of our all-inclusive Belize vacation packages, fall in love with the country and people, and ask our advice on how to relocate here. We’re familiar with the Government of Belize’s retirement incentives, which are really quite generous, and can point people in the right direction as far as finding land, workers and navigating their way through the legalities and practicalities of moving here.

Hiking Trails in Belize
There are several ideal hiking spots in Belize, a few with clearly marked trails, often located within a jungle lodge’s property, at a national park, or in the surrounding jungle of a Mayan archeological site. It’s best to have a guide or a knowledgeable local with you on hikes that take you deep into the rainforest, while others, in national parks, are easily done without. Still, be careful where you wander off to, it’s a real jungle out there! Here are a few of my favorite hiking spots in Belize: Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: A few of the best spots to hike in Belize are located in the southern Stann Creek District, approximately two hours from Belize. One of these, Cockscomb, is also the world’s first ever jaguar preserve and beyond that, one of the most biodiverse protected areas in Belize. There are waterfalls, mountains, abundant bird and wildlife, and more. There are marked trails at Cockscomb, some of which you can do on your own, and others more steep, for which I recommend a guide. Mayan sites: Most of the Maya archeological sites are located amid rainforest, and make for excellent spots to hike and spot wildlife along the way, as you explore sites. These include Lamanai, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich. Blue Hole National Park: One of my favorite parks in Belize, there are marked trails at the Blue Hole National Park, and you can either spelunk at the onsite St. Herman’s Cave or cool off in the inland “Blue Hole”–a gorgeous emerald sinkhole–after your hike. The Blue Hole National Park is located in Western Belize, off the scenic Hummingbird Highway. Billy Barquedier National Park: The waterfall entrance to the park has a separate trail and path, with a rope to hang on to, leading to a beautiful stream and small waterfall.

International Sources

PDF Publications
What a great resource. PDF editions of selected books, reports and guidelines published by the Getty Conservation Institute.

Sharks, rays win new trade protections
Five species of sharks and two types of manta rays won new safeguards Monday, as delegates to a global wildlife summit voted to limit the trade of species that have been overharvested for decades. Historically, many nations have been reluctant to protect marine species that are in high demand for health remedies and culinary delicacies, primarily in Asia. But faced with scientific evidence that these species risk becoming extinct, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) voted in Bangkok to place trade limits on shark species for the first time in nearly a decade. Sonja Fordham, president of Shark Advocates International, said she was “delighted” that countries will now have to prove that any catch of porbeagle, oceanic whitetip and three species of hammerhead sharks is sustainable and legal before allowing for export. In 2010, delegates rejected attempts to protect the five shark species, including scalloped, great and smooth hammerheads.

Texas honours Garifuna Chief Chatoyer
The state of Texas became the first US state to honour Garifuna Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer by proclaiming March 14 as “Chief Joseph Chatoyer Hero Day in Texas”. A petition put forth by the Greater Houston Garifuna-American Partnership, Texas House of Representatives was led by Texas House Member Dr. Alma Allen and State Senator Rodney Ellis from the Texas State Senate. “This is a historic moment for fellow Texans, Garifunas, Vincentians and the Caribbean,” said Jerry Castro-Cayetano from the Partnership. “This effort not only showcases the depth of diversity in the state, but will allow fellow Texans to learn about the different communities.” Joseph Chatoyer (died March 14, 1795) was a Garifuna (Carib) chief who led a revolt against the British colonial government of Saint Vincent in 1795. He is now considered a national hero of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, also Belize and other Carib countries he fought for during the war. Camillo Gonsalves, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, described him in 2011 as his country's "sole national hero". In addition, Chief Chatoyer is the highest figure among the Garifuna in the Central American Caribbean coast and the United States. During National Garifuna Settlement, Education and Awareness Month (November 12 – December 12) in 2010, the Partnership petitioned for congressional recognition for another Vincentian, William Henry Brown, who is known to be the “Father of Black Theater” for his innovation and by being the first producer of the first black theater play in America, “The Drama of King Shatoway” (1832), an eyewitness account of the rise of the Caribs against British colonization.

Bingo! Henny the Hen Just Made Her 'Mark' on No. 16
This sport is known in polite company as chicken-poop bingo. Along with its cousin, cow-chip bingo, this twist on the church-hall pastime has proved that an age-old game of chance can cause quite a stir when it is centered on an animal. At least a few decades old, the chicken antics have become a popular staple at fairs, festivals and fundraisers in small-town America, and beyond. A few countries away, as many as 500 tourists and locals crowd into a local bar in San Pedro, Belize, on Thursdays for "The World Famous Chicken Drop." Noele Sutherland-McLain, co-owner of Wahoo's Lounge, credits two expats from New Orleans with coming up with the idea 24 years ago. She said it has become quite a spectacle, with street vendors and tree-climbing contortionists setting up camp outside. The bingo itself is run by two guys wearing "Chicken Security" shirts. Those who attend such events enjoy this game of chance and nature, but the idea has irked some animal-rights groups, including the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Belize’s New Agritourism Lodge
Set within the vast rain forest between the Maya Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Belize’s Belcampo Lodge is taking agritourism to a thrilling new level. My first night at Belcampo Lodge is punctuated by what sounds like Ozzy Osbourne being strangled in the pitch dark. The cottage is suspended in a dense canopy of hanging vines and gumbo-limbo trees, providing natural privacy, so I’ve traded my bed for a hammock on the screened porch to feel closer to this forest primeval. A breeze rattles palm fronds as a rain shower sweeps through, carrying the scent of jasmine. Nuts hit the corrugated zinc roof and roll to the ground far below. Suddenly, just before dawn, the Ozzy-like roar of a troop of howler monkeys bolts me upright—and it’s resoundingly clear that I’m bivouacking beyond my comfort zone. By first light, their screeching has faded, giving way to the soft clicks of keel-billed toucans. Soon I’m seated on the lodge’s veranda with a pair of binoculars, keeping an eye on the cotton tree where these colorful birds hop from branch to branch, until breakfast arrives: a plate of “fry jacks” (puffy tortillas), sour-orange marmalade, nutty granola sweetened with coconut, and cinnamon-bark-smoked bacon. I could linger long into the morning, watching the toucans play, but I want to see where baby chocolate bars are born. At the end of a steep driveway lined with torch ginger and flowering trumpet vine, the landscape opens up to a broad valley that the Belcampo farm team has planted with cassava and banana cover crops. Inside the nursery I meet head forager Kenny Ramos, a tall, shy man with a passion for vanilla orchids and rare varieties of cacao.

March 15, 2013

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The March 17th, 2013 issue of The Capital Weekly is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

• Economy on the Rise! Navigating the Ship of State through Turbulent Waters:
  One year into the second term of his tenure as Prime Minister, the Honourable Dean Barrow last week read his Government’s 2013-2014 Budget Proposal. While it was presented without much pomp and circumstance, the 5.3 % GDP rate of growth for the closing fiscal year reported in this Budget is absolutely phenomenal, particularly when considered within the context of the region and the World. Our 5.3% GDP Growth rate is measurably much higher than the overall Global growth of 3.2% for 2012, which represented further slippage from the overall Global Growth rate of 3.9% recorded the previous year, 2011. As, the Prime Minister noted in his Budget Speech, Japan slipped into recession, the Euro area’s turmoil intensified, China’s economic pace decelerated, and in the ‘great’ United States of America, the measly 2.3% growth rate they recorded in 2012 had even exceeded expectations. It is amid this broad-based sluggishness in advanced economies that our Belize Economy registered a phenomenal growth rate of 5.3%.
• National Security Challenged But Determined! Reviewing the Progress in 2012-2013:
  over command of the Ministry of National Security one year ago, it was with the full knowledge that this is the most challenging Ministry in these times. He, nevertheless, embraced it with the same enthusiasm he has always approached every mission. One year later, in the face of mounting challenges, we review the progress made, with the complete awareness that the mission is anything but complete. In fact, it has only just begun! 1. Successive annual increases in budgetary allocations for the Ministry of National Security to step up operations, purchase equipment and vehicles, last fiscal year and the new fiscal year. 2. Minister of National Security, Honourable John Saldivar completes his countrywide tour of all Police formations formations in the Country finishing in Stann Creek District where he visited the Intermediate Southern Formation (ISF) led from Independence, the Placencia Sub-Formation which handles the Peninsula Area, and the Dangriga Formation which is the Headquarters for the entire District.
• One Month in Charge Commander Discusses State of BDF:
  Local Press: What kind of challenges has the BDF been having since your taking over command? Brigadier General Jones: Today has marked exactly a month, because I took over the 1st, today is the 28th, the shortest month in the year. And what I have been doing so far is making checks on exactly what resources the BDF has, making checks on exactly what are the resources that we need, and looking at the structure of what the BDF currently has, and then revising, starting to revise towards creating the structure that we need. Because, with the current threats that we have, we don’t believe that we are structured the best way. So we are going to revise our structure and then look at either increasing the size of the force, or structuring it differently so that we can actually meet the threats that we are now facing. Local Press: But, in relation to budgetary confinement, sometimes the BDF officers don’t have the necessary equipment they need because of budgetary cuts. How do you address that? Brigadier General Jones: At the moment, with the budget exercise we went through, it seems that they (the Government) are NOT going to be really unkind to us this year. I think we might get even a little increase; there is always a need for more equipment. As you know the government and the country is not in the financial situation that we would like. We need to make the best of the budget that we get, and make the best of the resources that we have.
• From the Desk of the Chairman: Whither Goeth Thou? by Delroy Cuthkelvin:
  Amid the g o o d news of the Belize Economy making its way steadily across stormy regional and international seas, our communities remain in relative social turmoil, not too clear, it seems, about where we want to go. The Prime Minister and his Government were elected to reverse economic crisis and erosion of confidence in the management of our Nation’s affairs, a macro situation that was affecting every aspect of our lives and threatening our very existence as an independent state. The 2013-2014 Natonal Budget, recording a growth rate of 5.3 percent in the closing fiscal year, projecting continued growth in the year ahead, and keeping all national and human development programs intact, without adding any new taxes, is proof positive that the Prime Minister and his Government are delivering well on that mandate. That our Economy and the overall management of our Nation’s affairs are back on track and heading in the right direction, is a given. Where the waters remain murky is on the social front. In so many ways, over so many years, we seemed have lost our way as a people, having come loose of our moorings. No amount of Government policies and programs can completely fix that.
• Crime Rate Goes Down in the South, Minister Presents February Awards:
  On Wednesday, March 13, 2013, Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar presented certificates of award to officers commanding the Intermediate Southern Formation and Toledo Formation for their performance during the month of February in reducing major crimes within their respective jurisdictions. Comparative Crime Statistics for the month of February, 2013, show that both these formations, which are part of the Southern Zone, saw a 50% reduction in major crimes, as compared to the figures for the previous month. The awards, which are now a monthly feature, consist of a certificate of appreciation to the outstanding formation and a cash reward of $1,000 to the winning zone for the month in question, funds which are used as the Officer Commanding that zone and his team determine as they continue to step up efforts to provide better safety and security in their respective jurisdiction.
• Potable Water Coming to Indian Church and San Carlos:
  Over 105 families in the northern villages of Indian Church and San Carlos in the Orange Walk District will soon bid farewell to old water hand pumps and hand-dug wells thanks to a Social Investment Fund project, which will supply quality, potable water to both villages. The project was officially launched last Friday, March 8th at 10 am in the village of Indian Church. Both Indian Church and San Carlos Villages are poor communities with 37% of their population living below the poverty level. The villagers have been relying on wells, hand pumps and the New River Lagoon as their main sources of water for over three decades. These water sources, however, are untreated and have continuously posed health treats for waterborne diseases to the residents. The SIF project, which will be financed by the Government of Belize at approximately $996,000 from a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), will address the water needs of both villages.
• Faith Lift By Zelda Hill : Money & Power … Handle with Wisdom!:
  Mo n e y a n d Power are two resources that most people seem to be working up insatiable appetites for more… and more… and more of these days. Their pursuit is often disguised and promoted by the label - ‘ambition’, thus provoking feelings of discontent in a person who may be apathetic towards the desire to pursue wealth and power. This desire is legitimate when motivated by a genuine concern to satisfy needs, ease suffering and improve the standard of living of self and humanity. It is when the desire for money and power are aroused by selfish and vile motives that no measure of skillful caution can limit the resulting havoc. Even when the noblest of intentions abound, a person who obtains or is entrusted with wealth and absolute power to be used at his disposal can make grave blunders and become corrupted. Ironically, the possessor also becomes a casualty when money and power are not handled with wisdom.
• Adding Flesh to the Word A Budget Belizeans Can “Feel”:
  This is, by my recollection, the sixth Budget I have had the honour of presenting to this Honourable House. It has always been a privilege to do so. But this one is occasion for a particular sense of accomplishment. And this is so not least because it comes almost exactly one year after the United Democratic Party won its historic consecutive second term as the national Government of our beloved Belize. Now, the details of our stewardship in this first twelve months of the new Administration will be set out in the body of the speech. But it is as well to strike two high notes right at the start. We have pretty much done what the sceptics said was impossible. The Superbond— that bane of our existence, that monster of our nightmare— has been tackled and tamed. Not vanquished, mind you, but put on a leash and confined to its lair. And as a direct consequence, but also as a result of adroit stewardship and unshakeable commitment to the welfare of this nation, this Budget will see absolutely no new taxes and no overall spending cuts.
• Police Change Of Command:
  National Police Training Academy, Belmopan, January 9, 2013, Price Barracks, Ladyville, Friday, February 1, 2013
• Training The Team TO Tackle The Trade, Of Illegal Firearm, Ammunition and Explosives:
  UN Sponsored Course Graduates 44 Belizean Law-Enforcers. A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of representing Belize at a conference that was organized by the Latin American and Caribbean group of friends to look at a draft of arms trade treaty that was submitted by the president of the UN conference on the arms trade treaty, Ambassador Peter Walcott. The group of friends included representatives from Peru, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Australia Canada, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize. It was a two day conference that I attended and during those two days, there were several proposals that were made to refine a strategic plan and some terms of reference that was to be submitted to the next UN Conference some time later in this month in New York. There was a high degree of confidence among the various participants of that group. The intervention that we had over those two days will place a strong text at the UN conference on arms trade treaty that I spoke to earlier.
• La Ruta Maya 2013: Gateway to Experiencing the Awesome Beauty of Belize’s Untold Natural Wealth:
  It was an early start to a long holiday weekend last Friday when the 15th paddling of the La Ruta Maya River Challenge got underway under the Hawksworth Bridge in the middle of the beautiful Twin-Town of San Ignacio/ Santa Elena. While every race is primarily, or ultimately, about winning (depending on whether you’re fast-forwarding or rewinding), La Ruta Maya is perhaps one of those sports that defies all the rules of the game. While everyone certainly would like to win, the paddling of the Ruta Maya and all the holiday activity (or lazy hangout) has, in itself, become such a thrilling (and relaxing) thing for those in the canoes and on the river-bank, it hardly matters at the end of the day (or any of the four days) who arrives first or who pulls up last. But before we continue, lest we be accused of disrespecting the winners, let us acknowledge that it was the Belize Bank Bull Dogs who came in first, for the second year consecutively, thereby winning their 9th title since the event originated fifteen year ago in 1998. We are speaking here, of course, only about the Elite Class; and there are so many other categories, including one that is most candidly dubbed the Pleasure Category, won this year by the Police, whose daytime (or nighttime) job is anything but pleasure. Yes, Belize Bank won overall this year again, although this time they were not the first to cross the finish line at the Belcan Bridge in the Old Capital of Belize City. That distinction belongs to Zip Rider, who incidentally was also the first to establish a commanding lead at an important juncture (Iguana Creek Bridge), where we first saw the race (although they were later overtook that same day by Belize Bank who finished first in the first leg ending at Banana Bank) As it eventually turned out, Zip Rider, favored from the start, along with Belize Bank, to be one of the two rival teams with a clear shot at the 2013 Championship, did not even finish second overall, but third.
• Belmopan Kids and Youth Cup 2013:
  Dmitri Fabro & Eddy Valencia of Valencia YWAM Roaring Creek (1) Ronald Orellana & Jairo Lopez of Celtic Las Flores

The San Pedro Sun

Mito Paz new Deputy Mayor
As of Thursday March 7th The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has a new Deputy Mayor. Councilor Mito Paz has been electedas Deputy Mayor by the other council members. According to Mito Paz the decision for electing a new deputy was in order to grant another council member some insight into the experience of a deputy to the Mayor. During the SPTC’s first year of office, the major priorities were infrastructure in particular streets and proper garbage disposal to promote healthy living under the portfolio of the previous deputy Severo Guerrero Jr. Since Town Council elections in 2012, major changes have been enacted in the areas of traffic, garbage disposal and infrastructure.

The San Pedro Sun turns 22; Editor Tamara Sniffin reflects on the last nine years
On March 14, 1991 the first issue of The San Pedro Sun was printed. Founded by Bruce and Victoria Collins, the paper was created on a word processor and pages were cut and pasted together before being sent over to the mainland for printing. In 1996 the paper was purchased by Dan and Eileen Jamison who now own the popular DandE’s Frozen Custard Shop on Pescador Drive. Ron and Tamara Sniffin later purchased the paper from the Jamison’s in 2004 and according to The San Pedro Sun’s editor Tamara Sniffin, the paper has seen many changes over the years. In celebrating the 22nd birthday of The Sun this week, Sniffin took the time to reflect on the last nine years and the growth the paper has seen. “It’s hard to believe that when we first bought the paper we were still using a light-table to cut and paste the page layouts,” Sniffin recalls.

2013 Inter-Office Basketball Tournament
The Inter-Office Basketball Tournament is a competition between teams from local businesses of San Pedro and Caye Caulker, San Pedro High School (SPHS) and San Pedro Junior College (SPJC). The tournament, organized by Renison Crawford and Focion Riverol; takes place on Saturdays and Sundays at the R.A.Nuñez Auditorium showcasing the islands’ best ballers. A total of nine teams are competing for this year’s Inter-Office Basketball Championship. The tournament will see eleven games, and team’s scores will be tallied at the end of the tournament to decide the winners. The competition kicked off on Saturday March 2nd and saw a matchup of Latitudes Café vs. the Jaguars in game one and SPHS vs. SPJC in game two. It was an exciting night as many islanders made their way out to the games which started at 8PM. At the end of the first match, it was a tight 56-58 win for the Jaguars. SPJC took the second game against SPHS with a whopping 93-54 win.

Games of the World returns to San Pedro
Mike Spiller of “Games of the World” and the Physician of Phun is once again in Ambergris Caye. Spiller is a game enthusiast who travels through various countries seeking innovative and stimulating games from within the native cultures to implement in his summer camp programs in the United States of America (USA). Games of the World originated in Hawaii in 1984 when Spiller encouraged his campers to share games from their native countries. The campers that attended the summer camp were originally from the Philippines, Samoa and Hawaii. After this, Spiller’s interest in games from other countries grew and today he has traveled 42 countries in his quest for games. Spiller’s first visit to Belize was in 1993 where he met the students from the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School in San Pedro Town and presented ten books containing international games to the school. He made a follow up visit in 2003, where he brought more of his acquired games from across the globe to the students of San Pedro. It has been ten years since Spiller’s last visit to the island, and he is back visiting the various islands’ primary schools. Scheduled to be on the island until March 20th, Spiller will be teaching the students various circus tricks while exchanging knowledge about games within the children’s communities. “Some of my best memories of my travels around the world (42 countries so far) have been right there in San Pedro Town before the bridge was there and I had to wade the river to come into some schools,” said Spiller in an interview with The San Pedro Sun.

Ambergris Today

Belize Rejoices in Selection of New Pope Francis I
Belize, who boasts a Catholic majority population, joins and rejoices with millions the world over with the selection of the new pope who is now the maximum leader of the Catholic community. There are 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide and Belize counts with a 40 % Catholic population or 131,000 Roman Catholics of a population of 327,719. Belize also enjoys a Hispanic majority population. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the first non-European Pope in more than 1,000 years. He is from South America, making him a historic first Hispanic Cardinal to be elected as pope. Described as a conservative with "great compassion," the 76-year-old will be known as His Holiness Pope Francis I. He commands the Spanish language but of course speaks several other languages including Latin and Italian. He will be installed at the Vatican on Tuesday.

Belize To Face USA, Costa Rica and Cuba at Gold Cup
The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup schedule was announced on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, with the Belize’s National Football Team placed in the group alongside USA, Costa Rica and Cuba. Team Belize will face the Americans at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland on July 9 after which they will be traveling to Salt Lake City to take on Costa Rica on July 13 and they face Cuba on July 16 in East Hartford, Connecticut. The quarterfinals will take place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and M&T; Bank Arena in Baltimore on July 21, while the semifinals will be held at Cowboys Stadium on July 24. The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup final will be held at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 28. Here are the groups for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup: GROUP A: Mexico, Panama, Canada, Martinique GROUP B: Honduras, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti GROUP C: USA, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba

Clean Up Campaign For San Pedrito Area
Once again the San Pedro Town Council has teamed up with UNICEF (United Nations International Children Education Fund) to conduct a cleanup campaign for another area of our beautiful island. The cleanup campaign will take place at the San Pedrito Area on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Representative of UNICEF Dennise Robateau and Volunteer Heather Lesie were on the island to promote the cleanup campaign and invite the entire community to participate in this activity. An official opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, and the cleanup will follow immediately after the official ceremonies. Representatives of UNICEF will be on hand to do demonstrations and training on water sanitation.

Guat’s Up Today, Gerry? Guatemala
Guatemala a gorgeous city full of culture, spectacular views and talented people. I had always wanted to visit this country; 2013 was the year to do it. Here is a short story on why I wanted to go to Guatemala City. In 2010 I met a great friend by the name of Gabriela Asturias; she represented Guatemala at the International Miss Costa Maya Festival and won. In 2011 she came back to San Pedro to crown the new Miss Costa Maya and in 2012 she returned with her girl group called Divash. They entertained the crowd dancing to popular songs and showcasing their sexy dance moves. I had the honor giving Gabriela and her friends a great tour of my beautiful Isla Bonita and believe me, they fell in love.

Misc Belizean Sources

BTB's Customer Service and Museum Interpretation Training
We would like to extend an invitation to our upcoming training – Customer Service and Museum Interpretation – which will be facilitated by BTB trainer, Ms. Luz Hunter. This training was specifically organized for personnel working in the Museums, House of Cultures and Art Galleries and will incorporate key elements such as: - Customer Service Essentials - Attitude and Professionalism - Effective Communication - Handling Complaints - Teamwork - Museum Interpretation

SAGA & Kelly McGuire...Together Again
Kelly McGuire will be performing at Fido's Courtyard on March 19th to raise money for SAGA Humane Society. We are super excited. There will be an auction and a raffle with some really great prizes. Hope to see you all there dancing and enjoying some great music for a great cause.

SP Lions Host Annual Pancake Brunch with the Easter Bunny
With last years' Pancake Brunch a hopping success, the San Pedro Lions Club is excited to announce their second annual Pancake Brunch with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 30th at the Lions Den.

Belize ‘super bond’ saga soon at end
With the Belize debt default debacle almost behind him, Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow is projecting greater economic growth prospects with a lower debt burden going forward. At a press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Barrow revealed that the restructured so-called ‘super bond’ has been 100% subscribed, and the bond offering will close either tomorrow (March 15) or next Monday Barrow projected that with some BZ $494 million less in debt servicing over the next 10 years, there was a possibility that, with the continuing level of growth recorded last year, Belize's debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio could fall to 60% by 2017. “Remember that we didn't pay the coupon payment that had become due in august. We didn't pay the coupon payment that would have become due in February, and so that, all together, these are rolled up into the new bond and we thereby saved $76.4 million by way of these cash payments foregone,” said Barrow.

St. Andrews Visits the SIPL
Feelgood news of the day. The San Ignacio Public Library hosted the Standard 1 students of St. Andrews primary school for Children's Month. "Saint andrews Standard I Visits SIPL 13th March 2013"

Rotaract Club of San Ignacio Unveils Logo
The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio has their logo ready, just in time for World Rotartact Week. In it are the Rotaract symbol, Xunantunich, and the Hawkesworth Bridge. Frankie Montero did a great job. Rotaract turned 45 this week, and the San Ignacio club is having activities throughout the week. They're going to focus on Rotaract's Cover with Care program, so they'll be doing a clothing drive this weekend. Read more about it on their page.

Cayo Welcome Center Inauguration Video
Telenova has a video out from the inauguration of the Cayo Welcome Center. Orquidea Negra has a good deal of time in the spotlight on the video. "The residents of San Ignacio & Santa Elena can now enjoy the Cayo Welcome center which has been inaugurated."

Channel 7

Guatemalans Press "Panic", Want Out Of October Referendum
October 6, 2013 - we all have it marked on our calendars as the date for the referendum on whether or not Belizeans will choose to go to the ICJ to settle our territorial dispute with Guatemala. But tonight, it looks like it may not happen - not on October the sixth, at least. And that's because the Guatemalans want to postpone it. According to a bulletin sent out yesterday from the office of the Guatemalan President, Otto Perez Molina, Guatemala proposes to change the date for the referendum. Now, this is no simple undertaking; it is a big deal, a very big deal - and it has forced an emergency meeting with the Secretary General of the OAS in Washington on Monday. That's because - according to the President, the Guatemalans don't want to unilaterally change the date, they want a joint decision. But, that's not going to be easy to get because the Belize side hasn't blinked, meaning it remains firmly committed to the process for October of this year. Half an hour ago, the CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexis Rosado gave us his reaction:

Belize Rosewood Listed On CITES
And moving unto another matter with regional implications, last night we told you about the CITES (Site-ease) meeting in Thailand - that's The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. News from the meeting says that Siam rosewood, Brazilian rosewood, and other rosewood species native to Central America were granted protection at the meeting. But it wasn't clear if that includes Belize. Today, we had the opportunity to ask the Minister of Forestry - as she was receiving a donation of equipment. She said that Belize's Rosewood is now included under CITES regulations: Hon. Lisell Alamilla - Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development "Yes, it includes the rosewood found in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. It is something that is important for the region, because what has been happening in regards to rosewood is happening in Nicaragua. It's happening in Mexico; Guatemala faced it a few years ago, and we, as you know, have been facing it in the past few years. This is an issue that is happening globally. That is why all the rose wood species; really across the world have been listed on appendix 2, because the demands especially from China for this valuable resources is contributing to high deforestation rates."

Alamilla Says Monkey Business At OW Agricultural Gives Belize Bad Image
And we also asked Minister Alamilla to comment on the recent incident with the howler monkey that was savagely beaten on the grounds of the Orange Walk Agricultural High School. As we've reported, the Monday was beaten on Monday and died on Friday after receiving major head trauma. A teacher and four students are under investigation and charges for illegal hunting could be brought by the Forestry Department by the end of this week. Minister Alamilla says that it's an incident which reflects poorly on Belize: Hon. Lisel Alamilla - Minister of Forestry "As a country; we really have to be concerned about acts that are inhumane. There's nothing wrong with hunting, but what transpired with the monkey in Orange Walk, as has been reported so far, is really not a good reflection on our society. That wasn't hunting; that was just incredible violence against an animal that poses no threat to society. Any kind of hunting requires a permit, and any commercialization of these species for example; Hicatee or any bush mate, if you're going to be trading in it or selling it at a restaurant, you really require to apply for a permit. They cost $2000." Under Belize's laws it is illegal to hunt Howler and Spider monkeys as well as crocodiles, manatees, tapirs, jaguars, and about 15 other animals.

Hideous Complaint Of Sex Abuse
Tonight, a 38 year-old Guatemalan national is at prison, and his common-law wife is detained by police after they received an awful report of sexual abuse of the wife's 8 year-old daughter. According to police, the 8-year-old child in the presence of her aunt, reported that on March 9, she started experiencing pain in the area of her genitals. When the aunt questioned her further, the child revealed that on February 23, and on that same date, her step-father had intercourse with her. As a result, police arrested and charged step-father with 2 counts of carnal knowledge, and one count of aggravated assault of an indecent nature. To protect the child, we can't give you a name, or show you perpetrator's face, but he was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith where no plea was taken, and bail was denied. He was remanded to prison until May 3, 2013.

Accident Victim Critical
45 year old Salvadorean German Ubaldo Velasquez remains in a critical condition tonight at the KHMH. AS we reported he was knocked down on Saturday and suffered head injuries. Velasquez was only visiting Belize to buy a vehicle. He continues to have swelling and hemorrhaging in his brain.

Micah Tillet’s Attorney Says "Not So"
On Tuesday's Newscast, we told you about 18 year-old Micah Tillett, the man who police say was caught with money believed to be the proceeds of a robbery in Ladyville, which happened last week Friday. According to police, 3 armed men robbed a delivery man and his companion in Ladyville and fled in a vehicle, which they pursued all the way to Chetumal Street in Belize City. Again, according to police, when they finally cornered the vehicle, several men fled the vehicle and escaped, but they allegedly caught Tillett inside allegedly with some of the stolen money. Tillett was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, and he was arraigned on Tuesday. Tillett has kept his silence on the matter, but yesterday, his attorney spoke to 7News and told us that he wants to clear up a few things that he says the police are reporting erroneously. Here's what he had to say: Bryan Neal - Attorney for Micah Tillett "Well first of all he is a 6th form student, and I am instructed to say that he was not found with proceeds from any crime. In fact, he was found with $13 dollars - one, three, a 10 dollar and 3 dollar coins - in his pocket; there were no - there was no robbery money in his vehicle when he was found by the police. What he has said to me is that he was on the Northern Highway testing out his vehicle from a mechanic, when he was pulled over by the police.

Bill Lindo's Lavish Land Dealings
Last night, you heard the Prime Minister speak about the sweet deal that Bill Lindo came up on - when government was recently ordered to compensate him over 800 thousand dollars for land that he had bought not too many years ago for just 44 thousand dollars. That's about 20 times the original value. It's land where the Coast Guard is now headquarters which the then PUP Government acquired from Lindo. Now, Bill Lindo has been in the news before his lavish land holdings. In 2010, the Auditor General gave him special mention for a bunch of public land transactions finalized in the run-up to the 2008 election. We spoke to him at the time and he was unapologetic. For context into this latest compensation "come-up", we revisit sections of that story: Jules Vasquez Reporting These names fill three pages. Particularly outstanding is William Lindo, known as Bill Lindo, his companies and his children.

Fisheries Gets Connected
The Fisheries Department has to patrol the waters from Bacalar Chico on Northern Ambergris Caye at the border with Mexico right down to the Sapodilla Caye Range. It's a vast area where all kinds of red lights are being run day and night. And that's why the donation of a radio communication system by the OAK Foundation should prove beneficial. Fisheries Minister Lisel Alamilla accepted: Hon. Lisel Alamilla - Minister of Fisheries "It will greatly enhance our work in enforcement. As I mentioned earlier we have a huge area - marine area, that we need to patrol and to effectively manage. So, this equipment is very valuable for the Ministry in achieving its mission of ensuring wise use of our natural resources. We manage, as you know, from Baccalar Chico as far up North to the Southern point, the Sapadilla Cayes, and so this will be used across to the different protected areas, and the different world heritage sites that income passes our marine protected areas system."

Social Security Bosses Meet In Belize
An organization named CISSCAD is having its 34th ordinary meeting in Belize. If you're wondering, CISSCAD is the membership body for all Social security Institutions in the region. Belize currently holds the rotating presidency and this country's CEO explained that it's all about sharing experiences and best practices: Richard Flowers - CEO, Belize Social Security "The theme this year is advancing social security for all through in