Recent Belize News, 9/21/2016 to 9/30/2016, BelizeNews.com

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

BTL acquisition threatens the national economy
The arbitration settlement between the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Ashcroft Alliance over Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is causing drastic issues on the country’s financial sector. In order for GOB to continue making payments for the settlement of the arbitration award for the nationalization of BTL, the country must borrow money from international agencies to further complete with this obligation, which can lead to an additional debt of $150 million. According to Joseph Waight, Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, the borrowing of more funds will have a significant impact on Belize’s actual debt status. “Borrowing more increases your debt and debt service. If you have to borrow $150 million at 3% interest, you are looking at $4.5 million more in debt service, and once payments are delayed that amount adds up quickly,” said Waight. Such loan payments will likely come from the banks and the public, and he stated that the need to borrow more money is nothing new, as GOB was committed to this course and are optimistic that they would find ways of repaying the money over time.

Kent Gabourel wins National Beach Cruiser Cycling Classic
Sports Coordinator of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) Kent “Bob” Gabourel defended his National Beach Cruiser Cycling Classic Championship title on Wednesday, September 21st. The annual race took place at Punta Gorda’s Central Park and was sponsored by Punta Gorda Town Council, as well as organizer Chef Prince. Once again, Gabourel emerged victorious, with a great display of sportsmanship. Devine Velasquez of Punta Gorda came in second, and Giovanni Lovell of Belize took third place. Apart from claiming a big trophy and bragging rights, Gabourel won the grand prize of $1,300. This is Gabourel’s fourth successful year competing in this competition. “I won in 2013, 2015, and this year, 2016. I placed 2nd in 2014. All of the wins were great, but this win was more of a statement for me because some of the guys were texting me before the race, and telling that they will make sure I didn’t win. The big name cyclists also thought this was going to be a walk in the park for them, and I proved them wrong. So I must say that this is my best win. Of course, it was all in good fun, and serves as an extra motivation for all cyclists to challenge themselves,” said Gabourel.

BNTU plans to take Industrial Action
Following a mass demonstration on September 19th, and meeting with Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow on September 22nd, the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) has decided to proceed with industrial action. The purpose of the four and a half hour meeting was for BNTU members and Prime Minister Barrow to reach a compromise, but the teachers wrote back to the Prime Minister within 18 hours saying that they are planning to strike again on Monday, October 3rd, as they are not content with his response to BNTU’s eight demands. In a letter released on Friday, September 23rd, BNTU President Luke Palacio stated that the Prime Minister was inconsistent with the BNTU’s demands, which would ensure good governance and respect for workers. Palacio’s letter directly addressed the offerings of the Prime Minister, and the union rejected seven of the eight proposals offered by GOB. The BNTU then stated that they are no longer interested in negotiations. BNTU sites that the Prime Minister’s offer to put one less Government’s representative on the Senate Select Committee is “not favorable” and his response on the request to remove Godwin Hulse as Police Minister was “too vague”.

San Pablo Roman Catholic Church undergoes renovation
Over the past few days, renovations have been in progress at the Roman Catholic Church located in the San Pablo Sub-Division, south of town. The religious structure is in need of more space, and such rehabilitation is a must in order to continue operating. Taking on the task to polish the building is Alfaro’s Construction Company, who expects to finish the work in a few weeks. The project is a donation from the company, and they aim to transform the entrance of the church and expanded the seating area. The contractor in charge explained the work being done. The corridor at the entrance will be removed. “Once the outside portion of the building is annexed to the inside area, the building will be able to hold more people,” said the contractor.

Ambergris Today

Belize Public and Bank Holidays 2017
The Government of Belize Press Office has sent out a press release informing about the Public and Bank holidays for 2017. It is notified for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and the Second Schedules to the Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000 - 2003, will be observed on the following days during the year 2017 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act:-

Belize Gets Nominations for World Travel Awards VOTE NOW!
In July, Ambergris Caye was named Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards Central America Ceremony. There is now more great news to report as the Belize Tourism Board is excited to announce that Belize has received four (4) nominations in the World Travel Awards’ World Category. Voting has officially opened and will conclude on October 24, 2016. We are encouraging everyone to go to www.worldtravelawards.com, register your email address and cast your votes for Belize. Travel Industry voters may apply to upgrade their account, after which their vote is equivalent to two votes. In July, we announced that Ambergris Caye was named Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination for the second year in a row. We now have the opportunity to take home four World category wins. These are categories that have previously been won by the Maldives, Dubai, Zanzibar, and Ecuador, respectively.

Misc Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Village Council thanks contributors
We would like to extend our appreciation and huge thank you to all those individuals who cooperated and helped the Caye Caulker Village Council during our September Celebrations! Thank You!!! Thank You All!!

REPRESENTATIVES OF GUATEMALAN BUS COMPANY MEET WITH MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT TO DISCUSS TRANSIT THROUGH BELIZE
As part of their comprehensive review and restructuring of the nation’s public transportation system, Minister of Transport Hon. Edmond Castro and top officials in the Ministry and Department of Transport have been meeting with bus operators from all regions of the country. They have also been meeting with bus companies which transit Belize transporting tourists to and from neighbouring countries. One such bus company is Fronte Del Norte of Guatemala, representatives of which were called to a meeting this week with Hon. Castro and officials from the Department of Transport headed by Chief Transport Officer Tirsio Galvez. Among the issues discussed was the need for strict compliance with stipulations prohibiting such bus companies from transporting passengers from one point to another within the country of Belize. The meeting was cordial and productive.

Government of Belize Expresses Disappointment over CCJ Decision
The Government of Belize (GOB) expresses its disappointment at the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) this morning on the interpretation of the BTL Settlement Agreement. GOB does not agree with the ruling of the Court but must accept it. It is important to point out that the overall quantum of the Arbitral Award has not been increased or in any wise altered; however GOB now has to pay 10% more of that award in US currency - that is 50% rather than 40% of the total award. The CCJ has said that it is prepared to give GOB time to pay on an installment basis.

Presentation of Credentials to the Governor General of Belize
Her Excellency Nery Magaly Funes Padilla, Ambassador of Honduras, presented her credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young today, Thursday, at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan. Ambassador Padilla expressed her pleasure in being in Belize representing her country. The Ambassador shared her nation’s well wishes to Belize and intentions of continuing to work together to strengthen diplomatic relations. The Governor General cordially welcomed and received Ambassador Padilla’s credentials.

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGEING Competition
On October 1st Belize along with the rest of the world will be celebrating International Day of Older Persons. The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Taking A Stand Against Ageism.” Ageism is the discrimination of any person based on their age. Approximately 6% of Belize’s population is older persons each year this population continues to grow and it is projected that by 2040 this number will have more than doubled to 18%. Older persons in Belize remain a vulnerable population, in recent months they have been the victims of violent crime a reminder that there is need for greater protection of our older persons. Many older persons continue to be the back bone of their families contributing through child care, housekeeping and other domestic tasks that go unrecognized and unpaid. October 1st offers us an opportunity to show appreciation and recognition to older persons for their contributions and also to recognize the challenges that come with ageing.

Catholic Church carefully worded support of teachers and students
The following is commentary from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize and Belmopan September 26, 2016 "St Pope John Paul the Great stated and I quote:'The contemporary world urgently needs the service of educational institutions which up- hold and teach that truth is "that fundamental value without which freedom, justice and human dignity are extinguished" (Veritatis splendor, n. 4).These educational institutions are not the walls that make up our school buildings but our teachers, the 'beacons of light' : who infuse these principles into the consciousness and formation of our children and whose unfailing dedication, commitment and selfless service make them heroes and a key stakeholder in nation building. Today's battle for truth in governance being championed by these selfless teachers, adds to a distinguished list of battles bravely fought on behalf of this grateful nation and its children. Perhaps our teachers have been hearing most clearly and most loudly the echo of Christ's words: “If you continue in my word, you are..."

In Support of our Teachers
By Lincoln Eiley: - I rarely write my own column in this corner, because I want to let others have the opportunity to share their own stories, experiences and events but it is hard for me to keep quiet and hold back with the recent debacle between the Government of Belize and the (BNTU) Belize National Teachers Union on their call for good governance, transparency, 3% salary adjustment, accountability, anti-corruption, respect and justice for all. I think the national cogent call from the BNTU is something of great importance and something not to be taken lightly by us. The BNTU represents over 5,000 teachers. Together with the PSU and APSSM (the two other unions), they represent a total of approximately 15,000 Government employees and public officers (nurses, police, BDF, and open-vote).

Yellow Ginger Festival 2016
The annual Yellow Ginger Festival at Forest Home, Toledo, was a big success. There was an excellent performance by Dwayne Murillo, delicious takari, interesting displays, and fun games.

Second annual cultural fair in San Jose Succot
This past June, Fajina Archaeology Outreach hosted its second annual cultural fair in San Jose Succotz. One of the highlights of this event was the appearance and performance done by the Ek Balam ball players from Yo Creek in Orange Walk. Mrs. Felicita Cantun (Puksi'ik'al Maya) who lives in this village is a very passionate and proud Maya who works endlessly to recapture fading or lost aspects of her culture. This team, though young in their establishment, has represented Belize in Mexico where regional pok-ta-pok games were held, and even though a bit inexperienced and playing against teams with better training they placed very well. It would be very nice to see additional Belizean teams being formed in other Maya communities across the country, so that more Belizeans can admire the beauty and sportsmanship of this game.

The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Chauffeur
BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: - Operates assigned motor vehicle(s), including passenger vehicles and trucks, to safely transport embassy personnel, official visitors, cargo, documents, and service personnel, as directed. - Maintains all assigned vehicles in clean and serviceable condition, including thorough cleaning, routine vehicle checks, inspect vehicles for defects or mechanical problems, completes vehicle usage, fuel purchase and daily maintenance reports. - Reports any automobile accidents and prepares accident reports. - Performs messenger/courier duties such as delivery of official correspondence, pays local vendors and performs small petty cash purchases. - Conducts the daily school run on a rotating schedule.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
This Weekend! See you at the movies.. Ghostbusters Answer the Call, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Independence Day: Resurgence, 31 Rob Zombie Horror Movie.

Vivian Noralez is Miss Teen Belize Earth 2016
As the photo shows, Belize has some work to do before we’re completely green and Vivian feels she can jump start the movement to help us get there. Vivian Magdalen Noralez, a bright 18 year-old of Maya and Garifuna descent, hails from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and she is Miss Teen Earth Belize 2016. She recently graduated from San Pedro Junior College with a degree in Business Management. Vivian will be Belize’s first-ever representative at the five-year-old pageant, which will conclude at the Continental Hotel in Panama City on October 1st. Miss Teen Earth focuses on promoting ecotourism and environmentally beneficial activities include a reforestation held on site - a refuge to exotic plants and animals considered endangered. The theme for this year’s pageant is: Green Everywhere.

Billy White Community Outreach Event - their future in our hands
Thanks to a fabulous team of educators (tagged in pics) from BWRC, the Belize Forest Department and Wildtracks for participating in another follow up event for a special patient, with so many lessons to be learned (sorry lengthy post on this one). A kind human sent young Howler Monkey "Molly" to the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic - BWRC for veterinary care and to return to the wild. Molly had been rescued from poachers and briefly kept as a pet before her owner talked to us during an event in the area and decided to relinquish this illegal pet. (#1 In Belize wildlife is protected by law and requires a permit from the Belize Forest Department - check out their web and FB page for more info). Unfortunately this young monkey had been given a huge overdose of a neurotoxic antiparasitic "prescribed" by a (well meaning...) non-veterinarian, but thankfully she recovered at BWRC (#2 please always take your pets to a registered veterinarian - diagnosing disease and prescribing medications is reserved to registered veterinary surgeons in Belize - to protect your pets; For wildlife Belize has the BWRC a registered non-profit with specialized wildlife veterinarians - providing free care to imperilled wildlife in support of conservation and a 24/7 phone line at 615-5159).

Living with crocodiles
I"ve been busy dealing with "problematic croc calls" and I gave this response to the community of Placencia yesterday and have received very positive responses. So, I'd figure I would share some of the highlights with you as a reminder or maybe new information to pass on... rainy season is here and crocs are more active, so there will likely be more sightings: "I will be returning to the site tomorrow to continue to observe the croc’s behavior (although its possible he may have left). Ms. Leanne will be keeping a data log provided by us (the CRC) so that we can begin collecting data on the crocodiles movement, behavior… this type of information can provide us a wealth of knowledge that can help the local community to begin co-existing with these animals, mitigate human-crocodile conflict, and as how they say in Australia, become CrocWise (if anyone else is interested in being a CRC Citizen Scientist, please PM me).

CARSI ESF grants
For years the U.S. Government has shared support and partnership with Belize in all of its various forms. Since 2008 Belize has received USD $ 35 million dollars of Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) Funds. Through the Military Liaison Office they have also received USD$10 million via the Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP). Also the U.S. Government provided support to the victims of Hurricane Earl in the amount of USD$315,000 Post-Hurricane Assistance. We are happy to announce that on Tuesday ,September 27, seven organizations in Belize received CARSI ESF grants to provide job creation opportunities to marginalized communities as an alternative to crime and violence. As well as, activities that strengthen local capacity to prevent and/or responding to gender-based violence affecting at-risk youth in Belize.

Caribbean Youth Leaders' Summit in session
Day 2 in the motion. From Rhetoric to Action!

Covering some big holes outside of New Horizon S.D.A. School caused by the rain
Thank you to Grand Belizean Estates for helping us spread the material with their bulldozer.

The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic is having it's 3rd annual Gala on Garifuna Settlement day. They'll be having it at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, and the dinner will be Garifuna inspired, and as always, lionfish is on the menu. "Join your friends at the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic for another Wild Night Out on Garifuna Settlement Day! To reserve tickets call 615-5159 or purchase at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel front desk. RSVP by Nov. 1st. Includes Garifuna inspired Lionfish dinner, silent and live auction and music."
The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic is having it's 3rd annual Gala on Garifuna Settlement day. They'll be having it at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, and the dinner will be Garifuna inspired, and as always, lionfish is on the menu. "Join your friends at the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic for another Wild Night Out on Garifuna Settlement Day! To reserve tickets call 615-5159 or purchase at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel front desk. RSVP by Nov. 1st. Includes Garifuna inspired Lionfish dinner, silent and live auction and music."

Urban birdwatch 2016
The day after tomorrow, when Belize is under full Neotropical migration, join us on this extremely fun and free outing. No need to be a birder, just join us on this walk around town to discover your own backyard birds. Dates and locations below. I promise you will learn a thing or two.

Channel 7

Teachers Getting Ready To Escalate On Ministry of Education
Last night, we told you about the Ministry of Education's plans to pass a statutory instrument which will allow for temporary teachers to be hired to fill in for teachers who decide to strike. The "temps" will be deployed if the industrial action extends beyond 2 days. As we told you, the Ministry's emergency actions does allow - in theory - for classes to stay open, but it also undermines the BNTU's industrial leverage. We wondered if this response would cause the teachers to escalate further to try to outdo the Ministry, and reliable information reaching 7News is that it will.

Opposition Leader Calls DPM's Actions "Despicable"
And so, the battle lines are drawn, but what's unusual this time around is that the Barrow Administration is attempting to use political persuasion to muscle in in the teacher's turf - which is fueling the escalation. Today the leader of the opposition called the actions of the Minister of Education "despicable": Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition: "We find the actions of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education despicable, that pretty much what the government is trying to do is union bust. They want to try to break up the BNTU and try to intimidate the teachers by saying that if you don't come to work, we are going to find somebody to replace you. It is so ironic that when you want to see a minister, you can't see them, but right now you have all the elected representatives and ministers of the government and even their none elected representatives going to the schools right now and talking to the teachers and talking to the managers for them to be able to keep the schools open. It is like they are shooting the messenger. Instead of looking at the message that the BNTU is talking about."

PM Appeals To Unions For Urgent Negotiations on 3%
So, while there no doubt that the teacher's strike - like their slogan says - is not about the 3; it's about country, the Prime Minister trying to make sure that money doesn't become part of the fight. He wrote the Teachers Union, the Public Service Union, and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, on Tuesday noting that they have not responded to him as yet on proposal to defer the salary adjustment. In his letter he says, quote, "We met on September 16...the APSSM and the PSU reiterated their 'yes' decision in support of the deferral until April 2017, and the BNTU reiterated its 'no'. I then put forward a proposal for a compromise to try to achieve unanimity on the issue, and the BNTU president agreed to take that proposal to his membership and report their reaction to us." End quote.

Catholic Diocese "Blesses" Barrow Admin, Praises Teachers
The Catholic Diocese - self-described as "the largest stakeholder in education" - today sent out a press release praising the teachers for taking a stand against the government. The release frames the situation in dramatic language, describing the teachers as "selfless", fighting a quote, "distinguished...battle bravely fought on behalf of this grateful nation and its children." End quote. And speaking of those children, the Diocese acknowledges that it's responsible for about 50 thousand of them. And so what will happen to them on Monday? Well, the church says it, quote, "recognizes the temporary vacuum that the teachers in their fight for truth in governance will leave in their absence."

GOB Loses Big $$$ To Ashcroft Alliance In CCJ Judgment
Last week, we took you inside the teleconference hearing that the Caribbean Court of Justice held to resolve the currency fight between the Barrow Administration and the Ashcroft Alliance. The half a billion dollar settlement for BTL is supposed to end the fight over the phone company, but up until this morning, they could not agree on whether the bulk of the settlement was to be paid in Belize dollars or US dollars. Well, the Caribbean Court of Justice ruled today, and the judgment came out against the Government. The CCJ is telling GOB that it must honor the terms of the settlement agreement as they signed. That's something that the Government is disappointed to have to do because millions of dollars that would have gone to the benefit of Belizeans must now be handed over to the Alliance - in US dollars. As we've reported, the two sides agreed in principle that the settlement would have a special "carve-out." The way it was supposed to work is that the Ashcroft Alliance would be compensated for the book value of the shares that the Barrow Administration took away from them to gain control of BTL.

Who Drafted Sloppy (And Costly) Settlement?
As you saw, the judgment reflects what the Government signed and agreed to, not what the Government intended to be put into the agreement. It all comes back to the convoluted wording of the Settlement deed, which the CCJ criticized as poorly done. So today, we wondered which Government attorney fumbled on the crafting of the document, and failed to adequately ensure that what the Prime Minister agreed to by word of mouth was what was ended up in writing. The only man we could get some answers from today was Government attorney Denys Barrow. He made it plain to us that this loss of millions of dollars, locked away behind the agreement, is not his fault:

Will Paying Ashcroft Alliance Force A Crisis In Foreign Reserves?
So now, the Government has to find around 67 million US dollars to pay to the Alliance in a time when the country's foreign reserves are shrinking, and there are a number of financial pressures to contend with. Two days ago, we told you how the IMF says that the economic outlook has worsened when compared to last year. The outgoing Central Bank Governor, Glenford Ysaguirre, wrote to the Financial Secretary saying that it would be destructive for the economy of Belize if the Central Bank were to even attempt to find 70 million US dollars more to meet this demand. That was two months ago, and so, when the Financial Secretary exited from today's hearing, we asked if the country's reserves can realistically withstand the strain. He told us that it will have to:

Swapping Greenbacks for Queen Betty's
So, while the Government has to find 67 million US dollars, the Ashcroft Alliance will refund them that first payment of about 130 million Belize dollars. You'll remember it as the payment that the started this currency fight before the CCJ. They wanted that money to be in US dollars, and so they are willing to get rid of it as soon as possible. Today, Eamon Courtenay, attorney for the Alliance, told us the quicker, the better: Denys Barrow, SC- Attorney for GOB: "The Belize dollar portion has to be paid back. The contention of the Ashcroft group is that Government ought never to have paid that sum in Belize dollars. Therefore, they will accept implicitly that they are not entitled to that sum in Belize dollars. They want it in Belize dollars. They will be happy to give it back, and they have made that plain from the beginning."

Briceno: CCJ Judgment Lamentable But Preventable
Today the Leader of the opposition was careful not to jump all over the Barrow administration for the costly loss in court. He said it is lamentable, but was also preventable:... Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition: "It is unfortunate that we had that ruling. I am in no way rejoicing that the government has to pay 67 million US. Because we know that there is a shortage of US dollars. We know, that it's no other than the government's banker, the governor of the Central Bank wrote a letter I think in July to the financial secretary saying that they cannot afford to give out this US dollars, because then our 2-1 peg; $2 Belize to $1 US is going to be threatened. That there could be a devaluation."

Galvez Charged For Shooting Customs Officer
21 year old Nigel Galvez has been charged in connection with the shooting of Customs Officer Jose Acevedo. The incident happened in Orange Walk on September 14th. Acevedo arrived home at 8:00 pm that night when he was ambushed by two armed men. The report is that Galvez allegedly held a .45 caliber weapon and pulled the trigger, but the gun snapped. That is when Acevedo grabbed his licensed gun and shot Galvez in his pelvis. When police got to the scene, Galvez was on the ground with the .45 beside him. Well Galvez has recovered from that gunshot wound but instead of being taken home, he was taken to the Orange Walk police station where he was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. Galvez has been remanded to prison until November 30th.

Fatal In Independence
A motorcyclist was killed in an accident on the Southern highway. Last night around 6:30, bus driver Julio Caceres was taking a group of construction workers back home to Bella Vista in a bus. As Caceres approached the entrance to San Juan between miles 34 and 35, he saw 50 year old Mango Creek resident, Antonio Valerio on a motorcycle parked on the right side of the road. It seems Valerio had stopped too close to the highway and by the time Caceres saw him, it was too late. Caceres slammed into Valerio and he was flung from his cycle. Caceres told police that he tried to avoid Valerio by swerving unto the left lane but a James Bus was coming at the same time. Police are still looking into this case. Caceres has been served with a notice of intended prosecution.

PUP May Be Ready To Compromise On Senate
The Senate meets tomorrow to consider two motions for the appointment of a Special Select Committee to investigate irregularities at the immigration department. One is put forward by opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay - and that calls for 3 social partners, one member from the opposition and one from government. The other is put forward by the churches senator Ashley Rocke, and that calls for 3 social partners, two government representatives and one from the opposition. So both motions seek to appoint a Special Select Committee, but each proposes different compositions. Rocke seems to have the numbers on his side, since he - along with 6 government senators comprise 7 of the 12 Senators, and the PUP's 3 senators along with the other 2 social partners only count five. Today the leader of the opposition told us that they do have some flexibility:

PUP Start Long Journey On Road To Reform
Now, in a situation like that one where there is expected to be an easy majority supporting Rocke's motion, not even a 13th Senator could swing things against the government. But the 13th Senator could meaningfully tip the balance of power in the Senate, and that's why the PUP has committed to it in a Good Governance platform that it issued today to coincide with the 66th anniversary of the party's founding. Now for the PUP which usually holds events at its party headquarters - this was a big step up - they rented out the largest conference room at the Biltmore and invited a cross section of party supporters and dignitaries. It's a major platform initiative, but it comes less than a year after the most recent general election. Party Leader John Briceno explained that the vision of good governance is something his party wants to work on continuously:...

Mother Missing For A Week
The last time Julie Salazar saw her mother, Cruz Pu, known as Maria, was on Friday morning. Before she left for work, Julie said everything seemed normal, however, when she got home that night, "mom" was nowhere to be found. It's been a week and no word and today she told us why she is worried: Julie Salazar - Daughter of missing woman: "When I got home Friday evening from work I noticed that the shop was closed and she wasn't home. So I called her and no answer. The next day calling, calling and no answer none at all. I went to the police station on Saturday evening to put in a missing person report. Then on Saturday night the police called me and said that they got information that my mother crossed the border Saturday evening. And to me it's really weird because my mother never leaves home without telling anyone anything about where she would go. And I'm really worried because it's not something that she would do. She wouldn't go nowhere without leaving her kids."

Management: Port Will Not Close In solidarity With Teachers
The BNTU's 8 demands and their strike action have been dominating the headlines and as we have reported, the teachers are only getting started. So far the PUP has openly expressed support for the union in their fight - but we haven't heard much from other unions. But today, a call in to a morning show said that the stevedores also want to show solidarity by shutting down or blocking operations at the Port of Belize. The outspoken stevedore advised the public to stack up on supplies for a week because the stevedores will not be unloading any cargo ships in solidarity with the teachers. Today we asked the Port's CEO Arturo "Tux" Vasquez about this and he told us he hasn't gotten any official position or notice from the stevedores about this proposed strike. But if the stevedores plan on going through with it, Vasquez says it really isn't be the best way to show support to the teachers.

Belize Fights For Dominance In Volleyball
Heading into their fifth match of the FIVB International Men's Volleyball tournament, both Belize, and the Dominican Republic had a lot on the line. Both teams lost to the undefeated Guatemala but were still on track to earn one of the top two spots in the tournament, which would grant them entry to the North American tournament. Whoever lost would be out of contention, while the winner would have the opportunity to represent their country, and get a chance at a spot in the World Championship. High stakes - and here's how team Belize fared off:.. Last night at the FIVB Men's Volleyball tournament, Team Belize lost to the Dominican Republic after 5 sets of intense action. After a slow start in the first set, Belize managed to bring themselves back from a double-digit deficit and stay in play until the end of the set. Despite struggling early, Team Belize ended the set with the momentum and carried it over to the second and won.

Fire Leaves Older Woman Homeless
A 70 year old woman is homeless after her Corozal house was burnt down on Tuesday night. Virginia Guy left her son sleeping and went to visit a neighbor. Guy rushed back home after she found out her house was on fire but there was nothing she could do, the fire had already spread throughout the entire house, destroying everything. Police believe it was arson. They will continue to investigate Sources indicate that one of Guy's sons was detained by authorities for questioning, but she defended her son, saying he was blameless.

Questions About Environmental Impact of Marine Multibeam
A marine multibeam - it may sound like some science fiction device, but it's actually a real tool that's going to be used to conduct what's called a "sea seep" survey in the marine territory of Belize east of the barrier reef and in the Exclusive Economic Zone, excluding all marine protected areas. A release says the survey will be done "in deep water only and away from any major tourist activity, fishing areas or spawning sites." It's part of a larger regional geophysical survey currently being done by the United States Government and the Mexican Government in the US Gulf of Mexico, the Mexican Gulf of Mexico and east of the Yucatan Peninsula supposedly to gather new regional data to advance the knowledge of the geology and hydrocarbon systems of these geological provinces. A multibeam survey is usually done to obtain water depth maps and seafloor maps of the world's oceans and harbors for navigation and scientific information.

Channel 5

G.O.B. Must Find US $67 Million for Dunkeld
Sixty-seven million U.S. dollars – that’s how much money the Government of Belize must find to satisfy the first payment of the Belize Telemedia Limited Arbitration Award handed down on [...]

Can Accommodation Agreement Plans Hold Up After Judgment?
The discovery of a shift in the ratio of the award may imperil the Government’s stated intent to use a portion of the award for capital projects in Belize with [...]

G.O.B. “Disappointed,” Promises No Shock to Economy
So, what’s Government’s reaction to this latest decision? This afternoon, G.O.B. issued a statement officially expressing its disappointment in the C.C.J. decision. It points out that, “The overall quantum of [...]

P.U.P. Not Rejoicing After C.C.J. Decision
The media caught up with the Leader of the Opposition today at a separate P.U.P. event. John Briceño has repeatedly shared his discontent with the B.T.L. settlement and has even [...]

“Unofficial” Press Release by Catholic Bishop Supports Teachers
This morning the media received a press release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize and Belmopan. The release expressed similar views as we saw in the Independence Day prayer [...]

Will Catholic Schools Support Strike or Keep Schools Open?
According to the release from the Roman Catholic Diocese, with managing authority for Catholic schools, “We believe that the safety of upwards of fifty thousand students in our care will [...]

Dickie Bradley Warns Teachers to Have Their Own Back Amid Union-Busting Claims
As we have previously reported, the Belize National Teachers’ Union has threatened to take the Government to court over allegations of union busting. The Union has accused the Government of [...]

P.U.P. Decries Government Ministers’ Direct Appeals to Teachers
The Leader of the Opposition also believes that the actions of government are union busting. He says, “Something is seriously wrong with this government.” Now, there are some who claim [...]

Senate Meets on Friday to Consider Select Committee on Immigration
The Government of Belize has announced that on Friday, September thirtieth, there will be a meeting of the Senate at the National Assembly in Belmopan. The sole order of business [...]

P.U.P. Will Not Agree to Government Majority on Committee
If the motion for the Senate Select Committee is approved on Friday, the composition of that committee is crucial. Prime Minister Dean Barrow has repeatedly stated that the committee should [...]

What Can We Expect During Senate Meeting?
As we said, the special meeting of the senate is expected to debate the two fresh motions expected with regard to this important national issue. But will they cancel each [...]

P.U.P. Says Good Governance is a Shared Responsibility
Today, the People’s United Party launched a “Policy Paper,” titled Good Governance – A Shared Responsibility. The paper contains eleven points that the P.U.P. say will form the basis of [...]

Is There Trouble with Sarkis Abou-Nehra Case?
More than eighteen persons face charges in connection with the Sarkis Abou-Nehra home invasion which occurred almost a year ago, in December 2015, in Burrell Boom where the diplomat’s maid [...]

Former Murder Suspect Charged with Double Shooting Incident
Former murder suspect Bartholomew Lucas has been charged with use of deadly means of harm, grievous harm and aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with a shooting in Pink’s [...]

Belize City’s New Brand is Launched
On Wednesday, we showed you Mayor Darrell Bradley and the Belize City Council parading through the streets of the Old Capital bringing awareness of a brand for the city. Well [...]

City Council Calls On All in Old Capital to Get Involved
According to Councilor for Economic Development, Trade Investment & Small Business, Michael Theus, the business community is integral to the branding initiative. Michael Theus, Councilor for Economic Development, Trade [...]

Were A.C.C. Teachers Intimidated at Staff Meeting?
The Belize National Teachers Union has said that the government of Belize, through the Ministry of Education, has been making an attempt at union-busting as it relates to the upcoming [...]

Do Belizeans Support Teachers’ Strike?
In the case of any industrial action by teachers, parents are left to make special arrangements for their children. We’re less than a month into the first school year and [...]

Healthy Living: Exercise is Valuable Across the Lifespan
He was a competitive body builder in Belize in the sixties and now at the age of sixty-seven, exercise and healthy living is still a priority for the athlete. Now, [...]

CTV3

Customs Officer Attacker Remanded To Prison
Tonight, 21 year old Nigel Galvez of Toucan Street in Belmopan is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for the attempted robbery against 34 year old Custom Officer, Jose Luis Acevedo. On September 14th while walking towards the main gate of his property, Acevedo reported that he encountered two male persons standing inside his yard, one of who was in possession of a firearm and pointing it towards him. Acevedo then reportedly shot at the robbers and caught Galvez on the hip while the other individual fled the scene. Since the incident, Galvez had been under police guard at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital recuperating from injuries sustained but was released yesterday. Following his release Galvez was transported to the Orange Walk Police where he was formally arrested and charged for the crime of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Prohibited firearm and Possession of Prohibited Ammunition.

CCJ Rules Against Belize, Orders GOB To Pay Ashcroft Millions Of Dollars
Attorneys for GOB and Dunkeld Investments and the BTL Employees Trust were today again before the Caribbean Court of Justice where a decision was handed down over the latest disagreement between both parties on how the final award should be paid. After hearing from both parties Justices Jacob Wit, Rolston Nelson, and Winston Anderson ordered GOB to pay 67 million dollars in US currency to Dunkeld International Investments and the employees Trust forthwith. Here is a section of the hearing when the ruling was handed down. Denise Barrow – Attorney for Government Of Belize: “The courts orders the financial secretary to pay to Dunkeld US$50,798,613.44 in US dollars and to the trust US$16,521,510.54.”

PUP Presents First Template Of Good Governance
Good Governance has become two of the most discussed words in our nation’s current political dialogue. The idea has been the subject for many debates, passionate speeches at rallies and House meetings, and even the purported rationale for civil disobedience and protests. Everyone agrees it’s an important ingredient in a good democracy, but what is it exactly and does our system of governance allow for adequate Good Governance? Those questions were put squarely on the forefront by the People’s United Party today when it launched its first template for a Good Governance agenda at the Biltmore Hotel in Belize City.

Freddy Heredia Captures Police Officer Of The Month
Today Corporal Freddy Heredia of the Orange Walk Police Formation became the honored recipient of the department’s monthly award known as police of the month award. As a result of his continuous perseverance and hard-work within the department and throughout the community for the entire month of September, Heredia received a certificate of appreciation and a monitory contribution among other items as his reward. Freddy Heredia – Police of the month, September: “I feel happy in a way but I need to also congratulate my coworkers because this achievement cannot be accomplished without the person who worked along with me, they are the ones who always push me to work towards that.”

Ambassador Of Honduras Presents Credentials To GG
Her Excellency Nery Magaly Funes Padilla, Ambassador of Honduras, presented her credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young today, at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan. During the ceremony Ambassador Padilla expressed her pleasure of being in Belize representing her country and shared her nation’s well wishes to Belize and intentions of continuing to work together to strengthen diplomatic relations. The Governor General cordially welcomed and received Ambassador Padilla’s credentials.

UDP Rep. Dissuading Teachers From Participating In Strike Actions
And while the Belize National Teachers union remains strong in their mandate for strike action scheduled for Monday, the Education Ministry and UDP politicians are going to extraordinary lengths to keep schools open. It has been reported to BNTU that Cabinet tasked area representatives to visit schools in the constituencies and make direct appeals to the teachers and principals not to participate in a strike. Today National President of the BNTU, Luke Palacio spoke on the actions taken by the UDP government calling it a sad day for our country and pleaded to all teachers and parents to remain strong and not to fall in the intimidation tactics of this ruling party who wishes to change the laws of our country with the strike of a pen.

LOVE FM

CCJ Rules Against the Government on BTL Arbitration
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) handed down its ruling this morning in the BTL Arbitration matter. The ruling will put a strain on the country’s foreign reserves as it has stated that the estimated sixty seven million US dollars is to be paid forthwith to Dunkeld International Investments and the BTL Employees Trust. Senior […]

Government Expresses Disappointment at the BTL Arbitration Ruling
Early this afternoon, the Government of Belize issued a release expressing their disappointment at the ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice where they were ordered to pay over sixty seven million US dollars to Dunkeld Investments and the BTL Employees Trust. The release noted, quote, “GOB does not agree with the ruling of the […]

Opposition Leader Says CCJ Ruling Is a Loss for All Belizeans
The People’s United Party has weighed in on the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice regarding the BTL Arbitration Award. Opposition Leader, John Briceno turned the tables on Prime Minister Dean Barrow as he cited the meeting held with Lord Michael Ashcroft in Miami, Florida last September in which an arrangement was made in […]

PUP Predicted IMF Conclusions
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund presented the Government with a list of proposed action to be taken in order to attempt at fixing the current economic situation which the report has described as being weakened. Today, the Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno spoke on the IMF Report. Briceno says that the […]

Church Release Was Not Offical
“It’s not official”- this is what the management of Catholic Public Schools told Love News this afternoon at a press conference held to speak on a release supposedly sent out by the Roman Catholic Diocese in Belize. The release, like the ones sent before, looks authentic and it may very well be authentic but one […]

BNTU Not Driven by Politics, Says Opposition Leader
Several agencies have rendered solidarity and support to the Belize National Teachers Union in their plans to take industrial action in the coming days. The People’s United Party is one of those organizations. Despite that support, however, Opposition Leader, John Briceno says they have not met with the BNTU as they do not want to […]

BTL Cooking Books? Allegations Float
Tonight, the Belize Telemedia Limited will be holding its Annual General Meeting where it will be presenting its figures to shareholders for their fiscal period 2015/2016. There are reports coming to our news desk that the numbers presented in the report tonight are not accurate and that the shareholders are being lied to. Kareem Musa […]

Commodities See Price Spike in 2016
Prices of goods and services increased by point four percent in August 2016 when compared to August 2015. This is according to the Statistical Institute of Belize, SIB. For the first eight months of 2016, an inflation rate of point five percent was recorded. All municipalities recorded increases in consumer prices during the month of […]

The Role of CARICOM on Regional Challenges Among Youth
The Caribbean Youth Summit is into its second day. We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Hilary Brown,Program Manager for Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, about issues that are prevalent in the regional youth community and how CARICOM is addressing them. Brown mentioned that sixty percent of the Caribbean’s population is […]

Caribbean Community Cooperates to Scourge Crime
Dr. Hilary Brown also spoke about the prevalence of crime throughout the Caribbean Region. She mentioned that the exponential growth in crime is a recent development. DR HILARY BROWN “The crime issue as we know is one that we are very concerned about and which seems to be getting worse before it is getting better. […]

The Guardian

Teachers paid despite Monday’s Strike - Monday October 3 - a normal school day parents send children to school
The Belize National Teachers Union is going to strike on Monday, October 3 and there are indications that it could be extended beyond that one day. In an effort to keep the schools opened, Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber, who is the Minister of Education, will take emergency measures to ensure that schools countrywide will remain open. The Ministry will make it possible for school managers to hire temporary teachers to fill in for those teachers who decide to heed the call of their union for them to strike. That will be possible by way of a Statutory Instrument which will amend the education rules to allow for suitably qualified persons currently not hired, to be retained on a temporary basis. Those persons will then be able to legally enter the classes and act as caretakers to fill in for those teachers who do not show up for work next week. The Deputy Prime Minister will have to follow a process within the Education Act which will allow for consultation with other professionals within the Education sector. BNTU’s National President Luke Palacio is a member of those organizations which the DPM will have to consult with, and so he will have his opportunity to make his case on behalf of those teachers who will undoubtedly dislike the actions of the Ministry.

40 Million dollars for paving of Coastal Road
Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced in his Independence Day Address (see page 9) that the government will be the recipient of a 40 million dollar grant from the U.K. which will be used to pave the Coastal Road. PM Borrow stated that "approval has already been secured for the paving and aligning of the Coastal Road together with new bridges. This comes out of a 40 million dollar UK grant, the balance of which will go for improvements in the North to the Philip Goldson Highway between Orange Walk and Corozal. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Works, Erroll Gentle told the Guardian that the project will be a long term one. The finances will be channeled through the Caribbean Development Bank. Next week principals with the bank will be coming to Belize to work out the details of the financing arrangement. He added that before any actual work begins on the road there needs to be social and environmental feasibility studies carried out after which a final design and costing for the road will be determined.

Belize battles Zika
Belize, like a number of countries in Latin America, is currently locked in a war against the spread of the Zika virus. There have been 46 confirmed cases so far, and there are 581 suspected case, which means that it could very well be forty-six and counting. 305 of those cases have been screened where the medical professionals have sent blood samples for testing abroad. 262 of those suspect cases are out of the Belize District, and there have been 21 positive cases. In the Cayo District, there are 125 suspected cases, and 13 of them have been tested positive. In Toledo, there are 7 confirmed cases. The most worrying statistic is that there are 6 confirmed cases in pregnant women, 5 of them are from Cayo, and 1 of them is from Belize City. 3 of these women have already given birth, and close monitoring from the Health professionals has so far indicated that the babies don’t show any signs of the debilitating disease known as microcephaly, other brain defects, or physiological abnormalities.

Independence Day Address by the Honorable Dean Barrow, Prime
Your Excellency, the Governor-General, Sir Colville Young, and Lady Young, My Lord Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin and Mrs Benjamin, and other Justices of the Supreme Court, Hon Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, and Mrs Briceño, Hon Ministers of Government and Members of the National Assembly, Your Worship the Mayor of Belmopan, Mr. Khalid Belisle, My Lords the Bishops of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches of Belize, Bishop of the Methodist Belize/Honduras District, President of the Evangelical Association of Churches, Other members of the Clergy, Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of the Consular Corps, Special guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Belizeans.

BNTU stonewalls PM request to settle 3% salary increase
Prime Minister Dean Barrow sent a letter to the BNTU stating the following: "We last met on September 16, 2016 to further discuss the matter of the 3% salary adjustment. The APSSM and the PSU reiterated their 'yes' decision in support of Government's request for a deferral until April 2017, and the BNTU reiterated its 'no' decision against the deferral. I then put forward a proposal for a compromise to try to achieve unanimity on the issue and the BNTU President agreed to take that proposal to his membership and report their reaction to us. But eleven days have now passed without any BNTU response. Time is clearly of the essence and I therefore write to ask for a meeting at your early convenience so that we might try to progress this long outstanding matter. Government earnestly wishes to finalize our joint consideration of the salary adjustment payment and so I ask for a reply soonest to this letter."

Mayor Khalid Belisle Independence Day Address
It is once again my privilege to welcome you to our nation’s capital, this City of Promise, as we officially celebrate the now 35th anniversary of our young nation attaining Independence. Although it has only been a year since we last came together like this, we have had significant events unfold that have altered the landscape and course of our country. We have once more gone through the traditionally peaceful process of free and fair general elections, been visited by what is considered a minor hurricane but whose effects are still being felt a month and a half later and had the age old dispute with our neighbor once again brought to the fore of the national discourse in a very real and tangible way. It is why despite the many submissions I am certain they received, I’m not sure that the National Celebrations Commission could have chosen a more fitting theme for this year: “Sovereign and Strong – Together as One!”

Belizean passports not for sale
In a Facebook post titled “Second Passport, Citizenship & Residency in Belize” dated 24th September, 2016 by a website “IPC Belize”, the company claims to be able to provide a Belize passport for sale at US $8,900.00 each. The Government of Belize through the Department of Immigration and Nationality Services categorically state that there is no such programme nor is there any intent to offer Belize passports for sale through any Economic Citizenship Programme or any other programme or agent. The Constitution of Belize was amended via Act 39 of 2001, Gazetted 2nd January 2002, to remove the Economic Citizenship Program from the Constitution and by extension the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161 of the Laws of Belize. The only method of obtaining Belizean Nationality by Registration or Descent is in accordance with Chapter 161 of the Belize Nationality Act.

BNTU prefers the PUP over social partners to lead Senate Select Committee
While there is now an impasse between the BNTU and the government with teachers now threatening to strike on Monday October 3, what is interesting is the fact that the strike has nothing to do with industrial relations between the government and the teachers. The BNTU’s leadership is leading a cause that seems more appropriate to be led by the opposition. Nonetheless the Prime Minister met with them on Thursday September 22 and after 4 and a half hours of negotiations nothing was resolved. What needs to be highlighted of the meeting is that the BNTU leadership seems disorganized in their approach. In his statement the PM Barrow cited that, “their first demand was for a Senate Inquiry. But they were not satisfied that Government agreed to this. Rather, they started quarreling with the composition of the Select Committee that Government was supporting. In order to accommodate them even further, I accepted that Government would have two rather than three Senators on the Committee.

Belize City now branded
The Belize City Council has introduced a new logo for the name of this beloved old capital. It is something which City Hall hopes will become a source of pride for residents of this, the largest population center in the country. That New logo reads “Belize City: Savor the Flavor, Feel the Energy”. The rebranding effort is the product of a collaboration between the City Council and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The objective behind it is to capture all the elements of this City which makes it important socially, culturally, historically, and geographically to the entire country. It is, of course, the namesake of the country, “Belize”, and with that comes it’s cultural and historical significance.

Bridges being improved in the West
To alleviate the current traffic conditions, bridges in Belize’s West are being improved. A release from the Government of Belize’s Press Office informs that the Ministry of Works was going to be closing the Hawkesworth Bridge in San Ignacio at ten minute intervals, commencing at 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm as from last Friday. This has become necessary to enable maintenance work to be done on the Hawkesworth Bridge. The Bridge has been inspected by Ministry of Works Engineers and the public is reassured that the Bridge is safe for use by the motoring public states the release. While maintenance is being done at the Hawskeworth, work continues rapidly apace on the low lying wooden bridge that will connect Santa Elena with San Ignacio. In his Independence Day Address, the Honorable Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize had reported that the Caribbean Development Bank had already given an initial grant to undertake the replacement of the low-lying bridge, which had been washed away by the passage of Hurricane Earl.

2016 Central America Regional Security Initiative, Economic Support Fund Grant Signing Ceremony
The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the latest grant awards valued at $1.6 million USD. Seven organizations will receive funding today under the 2016 Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), Economic Support Funds (ESF) program. The U.S. Government has provided over $35 million in programs and grants to Belize through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) since 2008. These grants will support U.S. Government objectives to strengthen citizen security by focusing on job creation, providing alternative activities, and improving education methodologies for youth at higher risk of gang affiliation and/or engaging in criminal activity. CARSI grant applicants this year were asked to address one of the following objectives: • Provide job creation opportunities for youth between the ages of 14 and 25 and marginalized communities as an alternative to crime and violence. • Provide at-risk youth between the ages of 8 and 25 and marginalized communities with productive alternative activities that increase education and leadership opportunities. ..

Minister of State for Transport Hon. Edmond Castro meets with shuttle bus operators in the Belmopan hub
Minister of State with responsibility for Transport Hon. Edmond Castro held a meeting on September 27, 2016 with Shuttle Bus Operators in Belmopan and surrounding areas. The meeting is part of a comprehensive countrywide assessment and restructuring of the Public Transportation System. Issues discussed included the streamlining of shuttle bus services to conform to their originally intended purpose, and to ensure that they do not conflict with traditional runs by the larger bus operators. The Minister of State was accompanied by Chief Transport Officer Tirso Galvez and other officials from the Department of Transport.

STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE WILFRED P. ELRINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Mr. President, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Once again I am privileged to address this Assembly on behalf of the Government and people of my country, Belize. And, it is with great delight that I congratulate you, His Excellency John Ashe, upon his elevation to the Presidency of this 68th session of the General Assembly. His election is a testament to all the peoples of the Caribbean and the world, of the height to which each of us can attain when industry and character are fused into one. I assure His Excellency that he will have the unqualified support of Belize throughout his term in office. I take this opportunity as well to thank his predecessor for his service as President of the 67th session of the General Assembly.

Government of Belize and Ashcroft Alliance in court again over BTL payments
The Barrow Government and the Ashcroft Alliance are back to arguing before the Caribbean Court of Justice over BTL. The Government is trying to ensure that none of the money belonging to the deserving Belizean people goes into the pockets to the former owners of BTL. That is money being fought over because of that abusive and arm-bending Accommodation Agreement deal that the heartless Musa Administration signed in 2005 when they were in Government. It has been described as a “currency fight”, but to appreciate what is at stake, the readers need to understand how the BTL settlement came about. A good starting point is a brief explanation of what the infamous Accommodation Agreement is and how it allowed for you to be taken advantage of. The PUP Government, of which Said Musa and John Briceño were high-ranking members, gave the Ashcroft Alliance a guarantee of 15% return on their investment in BTL. If they did not make that money, the Government would allow them to meet the shortfall by not collecting Government revenues from them in the form of taxes and fees that were due to the Public Utilities Commission. They were trying to cover their terrible mistake of guaranteeing the Intelco Properties, which the Musa Government did using 19.2 million dollars from the Social Security fund.

Micah Goodin interrupts meeting between the Ministry of Education and Education Stakeholders
The MOE Senior Management Team this morning met with the General Managers Association, the Belize Association of Principals of Secondary Schools and the Chairpersons of Secondary School Boards along with District Education Managers to discuss putting in place measures to keep schools opened in the wake of the proposed industrial action on the part of the BNTU. Under the Education and Training Act of 2010 and its accompanying rules, the managing authorities ( The GM’s and Boards of Governors) have an obligation to keep schools open and to ensure that teachers who turn up to work are safe and that students who turn up to school are taught and kept safe. While this meeting was going on inside the ITVET, the media gathered outside and there were attempts by Amandala’s Micah Gooding to eavesdrop and record the discussions of the meeting. He was asked to desist and became unruly and disrespectful and was joined by other media houses to demand entrance into the meeting that was not a press conference.

Sharing government’s side of the story
Mesopotamia and Albert Representatives Michael Finnegan and Tracy Panton must be commended for their proactive effort to visit schools and dialogue with teachers in Belize City, sharing with them the Government’s position on issues relating to the proposed strike by the Belize National Teachers Union. As Finnegan explained to the media, Government’s side of the story must be fully and accurately communicated to the teachers, as certainly BNTU leaders seem intent on toppling the Government and are therefore misinforming their membership. As elected parliamentarians and members of a responsible and accountable administration, Finnegan and Panton are thereby discharging their sworn duty, and we applaud them for doing so. Other Cabinet Members and Constituency Representatives in the UDP should do likewise.

Johnny lacking Ideas implements old strategies
It was recently reported in the media that the PUP announced plans to form a “shadow cabinet”. According to the PUP Leader, John Briceno, “A shadow cabinet is a practice widely used in the Caribbean and in other democracies so we believe that here in Belize it is time for us to give it a try.” He further claimed that, “It is the first time that any party has formally adopted a shadow cabinet.” This claim is truly amazing because it is totally untrue and represents just another blatant attempt by Johnny Briceno to mislead the people of Belize. It either means that Johnny is yet again deliberately trying to deceive the Belizean public or that he is totally out of touch, two things that immediately disqualifies him to lead this country. Everyone can recall that back in 2003 when the UDP was in opposition, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, when he was Leader of the Opposition, had established a Shadow Cabinet.

Johnny says He nor the PUP have Moral Authority to speak on corruption!
On Wednesday 21st September we listened carefully to the speeches first from the Leader of the Opposition and then the Prime Minister. This year we were very much interested in what the Leader of the Opposition had to say, because a few weeks earlier he and his party had embarked on what we saw, as their bid to unseat the present government. We thought that whatever he had to say would be interesting and provocative enough, that people would get a sense of what a PUP government would be doing different to make people take them seriously and want to vote for them, if elections were called anytime soon. Well as usual we were disappointed. His speech came and went but we did not hear anything that would attract us to this so-called new PUP.

Giving Children a Voice:
The notion that ‘children should be seen and not heard’ is one that has been interwoven into the tapestry of Belizean locomotion for centuries. Whilst this notion might have been acceptable for the entirety of the eighteenth throughout twentieth centuries; in modern societies, that notion no longer holds substantiation in certain circumstances. As underlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, to which Belize is a signatory; children are entitled to an opinion in maters which pose some significant effect on their lives. Exemplification can be excerpted from custodial mitigations amidst separated parents. Children who are deemed mentally matured are often posed with indicating with which parent they would prefer to reside permanently with and are also asked to provide premises for their answers.

PUP Shadows
The Shadow Cabinet is a feature of the Westminster System of government. It consists of a senior group of the brightest minds, in the opposition, who act as spokespeople, under the guidance of the Leader of the Opposition, as a form of an alternative cabinet to that of the government, and whose members SHADOW or mark each individual member of the Cabinet. Members of a shadow cabinet are often but not always appointed to a Cabinet post if and when their party gets into government. It is the Shadow Cabinet’s responsibility to criticize the policies and actions of the government, as well as offering an alternative program. In Belize, there is a newly appointed Shadow Cabinet, the problems is that the only thing it can do is to cast a very heavy shadow on itself. Most of the members of this Shadow Cabinet all have very shadowy pasts. Then there are those who definitely won’t fit in the category of being the brightest minds. There are also persons like Raddo who should have been disqualified in both instances. Another thing that caught our attention was that the Immediate Past Leader Francis was not appointed. We have to wonder if it was because he did not want anything to do with Johnny or was it that Johnny did not want anything to do with him? Better yet could it be that he is the Shadow Leader and needs to be free to shadow all of them?

Deputy Prime Minister leads delegation at inauguration of new governor of Quintana Roo
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber led a delegation of Belizean diplomats and Mayors as well as councilors to neighboring Chetumal over the weekend where the New governor of Quintana Roo was officially inaugurated. On Facebook DPM Faber noted that, “it was an honor and pleasure to lead the delegation of my colleagues to Chetumal, Quintana Roo to witness the historic inauguration of the new Governor of our neighboring Mexico’s closest state! We have found in H.E. Carlos Joaquin a friend and we will explore the possibilities to expand that friendship for the mutual benefit of our people.” Among the invited guests were Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, Hon. Elodio Aragon, Mayor of Belize City, Darrel Bradley, Mayor Danny Guerrero among other councilors and Belizeans.

Statement by the Honorable Prime Minister on the Proposed Strike by the BNTU
We have reached a stalemate with the leadership of the Belize National Teachers’ Union and now they are threatening to close down the schools, leaving children without classes and parents desperate. How did things come to this? I want to make clear that their decision has nothing to do with the deferral of the 3% salary increase until April, 2017. In fact, that was not even tabled by them at the meeting I had with their Council of Management last Thursday. And, indeed, the deferral is supported by the other two Unions representing all who are paid from the Government purse. So at the Thursday meeting the BNTU’s agenda consisted exclusively of the demands they had earlier made of Government, and those demands did not include the 3%.

Street works continue in Belize City
The Belize City Council continues on its campaign to pave as many streets as possible in Belize City. Mayor Darrell Bradley announced a few months ago that the street paving program will continue in Belize City stating that the council would be investing an additional 2 million dollars in street works. So far the council through contractor RJB has been able to pave and upgrade the Cinderella Plaza area, complete Baymen Avenue as well as St. Joseph Street. This week the work crews moved over to West Canal where work has commenced to remove material as well as place forms for the start of the concreting of the street. The entire stretch of road from Regent Street West to South Street is expected to be completed by November of this year.

Why are teachers striking before consulting?
Immediately following the Thursday meeting between the Prime Minster of Belize and the leadership of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), union president Mr. Luke Palacio said, “…we now go back to our respective councils of management to discuss the matters that were presented this evening.” That pronouncement however, was short lived , because a letter was penned to the Prime Minister within a few hours of the meeting, expressing a rejection of seven of the eight concessions/proposals offered by GOB and suggesting that they are no longer interested in negotiations. We have since learned that there is a growing fracture within the BNTU executive - as some members have welcomed the concessions offered by the Government, while on the other hand, and by that we mean the Leadership proceeded with issuing a rejection letter without official direction from the general membership.

Teachers contribute $600,000 a year to BNTU
The President of the Belize National Teacher’s Union, Luke Palacio, was on Plus TV on Wednesday morning pleading their 8 point case to the public. While they pleaded their case they were also asking for monetary support from the general public to finance their cause. The entire thing appeared strange since the BNTU is supposed to be one of the better financed unions in the country. The teachers, about 2,500 of them who are part of the BNTU contribute $20 per month to it. We are looking at contributions adding up to a handsome $600,000 a year. While teachers are asking for their 3% increase another thing they should also ask of their union is for them to account for the $600,000 they pay to their union per year. They should also ask why, with so much finance available to the union why the president is resorting to begging on TV?

Caribbean Youth Leaders meet in Belize
Belize is this week hosting the 4th Annual Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit which will see youth leaders from throughout the Caribbean come together for two full days of workshops. Celebrated under the theme, Agenda 2030 – Framing Caribbean Youth Development: From Rhetoric to Action this summit is aimed at improving participation, representation and enhance advocacy techniques. This forum will identify mechanisms including monitoring and accountability techniques for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the measurement of youth participation throughout the SDGs. “The medium provided will foster the strengthening of youth networks by the facilitation and development of opportunities for young people. Here they will meet, exchange ideas and share best practices. They will engage in dialogues with stakeholders including the United Nations, Commonwealth, CARICOM, the civil society including youth-led organizations and the respective Governments to actively participate in the realization and implementation of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).” remarked Minister of Youth Hon. Patrick Faber at the opening ceremony held on Tuesday at the Radisson Hotel in Belize City.

Remanded for attempted murder and robbery
A Hattieville resident must call prison his home for a while after he was accused of attacking a man whilst armed with a firearm and robbing him and almost taking his life. 23 year old Carlton Belisle, a Mechanic/Welder of 16 ½ Miles Hattieville Village was remanded to the Belize Central Prison on Monday September 19 after being charged with four criminal offenses including, attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, dangerous harm and robbery with a machete. Belisle was arraigned before Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser in Court #2 where he was unrepresented and was read the four charges.

Sent to jail for holding gun for a friend
On Friday September 23, brothers 24 year old Steven Bradley, a resident of #14 Sittee Street, Belize City and his brother 21 year old Kadeem Bradley appeared in Magistrate’s court before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza where they were jointly charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm. A team of GSU officers conducted a search at the home of Steven and Kadeem Bradley on Thursday September 22 where they found a .38 pistol. The brothers appeared unrepresented in court where the older brother immediately took the rap for the gun and pleaded guilty. While Kadeem maintained a not guilty plea his brother explained that he had to plead guilty to the charge of keeping an unlicensed firearm without being granted a gun license. He told the court, “I meh the hold the gun for a friend.” He further explained that, “we allow people to come into our house. We don’t know who is who but because of being so trustworthy. I am disappointed that it had to happen like this. I deserve the punishment. I am surprised but I don’t want my brother to go to jail for this. We are cool people and they took advantage of us.”

Eden Primary in Santa Elena, Cayo burglarized
Predators continue to wreak havoc at the Eden Seventh Day Adventist Primary School in Santa Elena, Cayo. Burglars broke into the school last Monday night, gaining access through the burglar barred Vice Principal’s office and then entering the Principal’s office to steal valuables. At the time of the burglary, the main door of the Principal’s office had on eight locks; deterring the thieves from entering. But it was the upper beaver board partition between the Principal and Vice Principals office that proved to be the vulnerable point and the thieves seemed to have known exactly where to go. Stolen from Eden Primary Administrators were a brand new LCD Epson Projector. The thieves also went away with a Hewlett Packard lap top which held accounting records as well as a Dell laptop all to a value of $5,000.

Fishermen sent to jail for repeat offenses
On Wednesday September 28 the huge rap sheet of two fishermen, brothers, 25 year old Ergil and 24 year old Marvin Patt came back to haunt them and they were sent to jail for repeated fisheries offenses. The two men along with their friend, 27 year old Medardo Rivero appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith to answer to charges of illegal fishing inside a Natural Monument, the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument. The first to be arraigned was Medardo Rivero, 27 year old Fisherman of Chunox Village. He wasted no time and pleaded guilty to the two charges he was read and Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith imposed two non-custodial sentences where she fined him $1,000 each plus a $5.00 cost of court fine which he was given until October 31, 2016 and December 31, 2016 to pay in default 6 months each.

Cecil Gill is remanded for attempted murder
On Monday September 26, Graphic Designer, 35 year old Cecil Gill, a resident of #28 Faber’s Road, Belize City was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being charged with attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm in the stabbing of Michael Herrera Gill along with his attorney Oscar Selgado appeared before Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser where he was read the charges. No plea was taken from Gill. The victim appeared in court to ask for no further court action but the charges could not be withdrawn since he was informed that the case is now between the police and the DPP. For him to request such action, he must first give another statement to the police requesting no further court action and then the matter will be forwarded to the DPP’s office for her to direct the court in the matter.

Shop assistant robbed business manager
Leroy Haulze, 20, a resident of #27 Taylor’s Alley in Belize City was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after he appeared before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza where he was read a charged for a single count of robbery. Allegations are that on Friday, September 16, 2016 whilst armed with a firearm, he stole from business Manager, Rocky Chugani, of Sonu Beauty Store located on Cemetery Road. Chugani was robbed of his $1,000 Samsung cell phone and $400 in cash. In a report to police, Chugani told police that at 8:00 p.m., on Friday night, September 16, whilst inside his business place, Sonu Beauty Centre, he was approached by Haulze and another male person who held him at gun point and demanded that he have over his money. Fearing for his life, Chugani handed over to the robbers, his cell phone and $400 in cash along with a Flip cellular Smart Top Agent Phone value unknown, all to a total of $1,400.00.’

Son of Minister of police and Immigration robbed at gun point
Minister of Police and Immigration, Godwin Hulse’s son was the latest victim of a robbery which occurred on Thursday, September 22, 2016 whilst on Marine Parade Boulevard. Kyrston Hulse, 24, was in the company of his girlfriend celebrating his 24th birthday, which was on Saturday, September 24, 2016, when he was robbed at gun point. His mother’s $30,000 red 4 Runner SUV vehicle was taken. On Friday night September 23, police picked up one of three suspects, identified as 24 year old Lyndon Hinds, a Construction Worker of #57 Iguana Street Extension, Belize City. Hinds was detained by CIB police at an apartment on Matura Street, in Belize City where he was charged with robbery. He was arraigned before Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser on Monday September 26 where he was read a single charge of robbery.

Murder case ends in Nolle Prosequi
Erasmo Lino,31, who was charged back in March 2011 for killing his Roaring Creek neighbour, then 24 year old Laurencio Ho Jr., walked away from the Belize City Supreme Court free of charges after the DPP’s office entered a Nolle Prosequi. On Tuesday September 28, Lino who was represented in court by attorney Tricia Pitts Anderson saw his murder case entered into a case of nolle prosequi. With that Justice Troadio Gonzalez told him he was free to go for now. No reason or reasons were given in court for the decision. While for the moment he is free, charges can be brought back against him. On Sunday, March 6, 2011 when Laurencio Ho Jr. was killed, there were conflicting reports as to who made the first move causing Ho’s death. Reports were that Lino had threaten to kill Ho the night before. Police had also gotten reports that it was Ho, who first inflicted a chop wound to Lino as a result, Lino pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

Man stabbed to death in drunken brawl in Cayo
A man lost his life on Independence day in San Ignacio Town. Police visited the San Ignacio Polyclinic where they observed a Hispanic male suffering from 3 apparent stab wounds to the upper body. That person has been identified as Jesus Mai, a 27 year old construction worker from a San Pedro Town address. While the incident occurred sometime around 2:45 am, he succumbed to his injury about 5:00 am last Wednesday. Jesus Mai was socializing at the Blue Angels Night Club on Hudson Street and on his exit from the night club engaged in a misunderstanding with another male, who inflicted the stab wounds. Jesus Mai subsequently ran and collapsed on King Street near the San Ignacio Police Station, whereupon he was transported to the San Ignacio Hospital. Police are looking for one suspect. Police believe that intoxicating liquor was a contributing factor to the demise of Jesus Mai. He was the father of two young children.

Mutilated body found in Valley of Peace
A former employee of the Belize Water Services Limited BWSL was found mutilated in a patch of corn field in the Valley of Peace Area in the early morning hours of Sunday. The 33 year old Rudolf Selgado was found with wounds to the neck, chest and a bag over the head. He had last been seen on September 21st in Belmopan enjoying the celebrations. Kayla Spencer, common law wife of Rudolf Selgado or Cito had been in a desperate search along with friends for him since last Friday. Their joint search near the Agripino Cawich Bridge and More Tomorrow had proved unsuccessful. Rudolf Selgado had been an employee at BWSL for the last 10 years and had been a faithful worker. From his earnings he would diligently take care of his family.

Former murder suspect remanded on firearm and ammunition offenses
Ernest Staine who beat a murder charge in 2015 was back in court on September 20th after more than a year a free man. Staine, 26, of Belize City was arraigned before Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser in Court #2 on two charges of keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunition without being granted a gun license. Allegations are that on Saturday, September 17, 2016, Carnival Day, whilst on Giles Street, Belize City he was caught in possession of a 9 mm caliber pistol, with an unknown serial number. He was also found in possession of 10 rounds of ammunition, 7 gold in colour Lugar brand ammunition and 3 S&B; brand hallow point ammunition. In court, Staine was unrepresented and he pleaded not guilty to the charges but due to the nature of the offenses, he was denied bail and remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until October 2016.

Belize opens with tie-break win AFECAVOL round WCQT
Belize opened the AFECAVOL Men’s FIVB World Championship qualification tournament defeating El Salvador in tie-break 3-2 (25-13, 18-25, 27-25, 18-25, 16-14) at St. Catherine Academy Center. The crowd went frantic as the home team downed El Salvador in a thrilling five setter. In set one, El Salvador lost their composure with Belize high flying ability over the net. Missed communications in Belize team, combined with El Salvador’s spiking efforts, tied the actions while El Salvador pocketed set two. Belize performed with solid kills and monster blocking stopping El Salvador good rhythm in set three. Belize was totally lost in set four, while El Salvador held enormous advantage to decide the match in tie-break. On Sunday, El Salvador (0-1) faces Panama (0-1) and Belize (1-0) meets Guatemala. Karym Coleman, captain of Belize: “We performed just how we practiced. We worked hard to come from behind and taking the win. Our libero, Riden, is doing well. I don’t like to think about a specific feature from our opponents, we just face them one at a time. In facing Guatemala, we must minimize our errors, every time we do that we blow out other teams”.

Jumanji leads Sugar City Hoops Basketball Senior Competition
The 2016 Sugar City Hoops Competition continued over the weekend with games in all categories at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex in Orange Walk Town. On Saturday 24th September, 2016, in the U- 17 competition, East Coast Ballerz defeated Muffles Bobcats by the score of 46-37. The scorers for the East Coast Ballerz were Kristan Puerto with 16 points, Javier Rosado Jr. with 11 points and Carlos Umana with 8 points. For the Muffles Bobcats, the top scorers were CJ Vasquez with 17 points, Kristian Cabrera with 10 points and Dickerson Li with 6 points. In the U-25 competition, One Love won handily over Devils by the score of 77-57. The top scorers for One Love were Randy Usher with 15 points, Jerry Vasquez also with 15 points and Ronald Sutherland with 7 points. For the Devils, the top scorers were Leonard Jones with 26 points, Vicente Avila with 19 points and Abimael Godoy with 6 points.

CYDP Football Competition rolls on at the MCC Grounds
The Conscious Youth Development Programme Football competition continued at the MCC with six games over the weekend. On Sunday 25th September, in the first game played, Ebony Lake defeated Heights by the score of 2-1. The goals for Ebony Lake were scored by Kevin Najera and Travyon Martinez. For Heights, the only goal was scored by Wingfield Dennison. In the second game of the day, Ladyville defeated Kings Park Strikers by the score of 7-0. The goals for Ladyville were scored by Shawn Young (2), Tyrone Parchue (2), Joel Ottley, Alex Bainton and Michael Hernandez. On Saturday 24th September, in the first of four games played, Yabra defeated Hattieville United by the score of 2-1. The goals for Yabra were scored by Delroy Andrews and Orlando Valasquez, while the lone goal of the game for Hattieville was scored by Marcus Lewis.

Belmopan Bandits maintain lead in Premier League Opening Season competition
The Premier League of Belize 2016-2017 Opening Season Competition continued over the last week with a number of games across the country. On Sunday 25th September, 2016, out at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, the host team Verdes FC edged out Orange Walk United by the score of 3-1. The host team Verdes FC was the first to make it onto the scoreboard when Jarret Davis scored the first of two goals in the 49th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. The lead was extended when Gilroy Thurton scored in the 67th minute of play for a 2-0 lead. The visiting Orange Walk United finally got onto the scoreboard when Alexsis Hernandez scored his team’s only goal of the game in the 90th minute of play to cut the deficit to one goal. However, Jarret Davis assured Verdes FC a win when he scored his 2nd and final goal of the game in the 90?minute of the game for the 3-1 victory.

Belize Bank Bulldogs to defend national softball title
The Belize Softball Federation will be hosting the XXVI National Women’s Softball Championship from September 30 – October 2, 2016, at Rogers Stadium the home of softball in Belize. The National Softball Championship is played between the champions and sub-champions of the Affiliated Associations that make up the Belize Softball Federation. The teams that have qualified to compete in the XXVI National Women’s Softball Championship includes: Belize Rural Association (Easy Does It from Flowers Bank and Burrell Boom Orchid Girls), Cayo Softball Association (Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy and Unitedville Rebels United) from the Stann Creek Association (Independence United and Silk Grass Royale Girlz) and from the Belize City Association (Belize Bank Bulldogs and BTL). The Tournament Director for the XXVI National Women’s Softball Championship is Jude Lizama and the chief scorer and statistician is Gilroy Middleton.

Belize strong spikes defeat Panama in AFECAVOL Men’s FIVB World Championship qualifier
Belize strong spikes defeated Panama 3-1 (25-21, 25-12, 20-25, 25-17) on day three of actions of the AFECAVOL Men’s FIVB World Championship qualification tournament at St. Catherine Academy Center in Belize City. Belize brought out their killing spikes while stopping Panama. In set two they held an early 5-0 lead, finishing the set quickly, however their lack of consistency cost them set three and the first set won by Panama in the event. Their strong attack appeared once again as they held an extended advantage in set four, earning their second victory for a 2-1 record. On the other hand, Panama stands with 0-3 record. The 6-2 advantage in serves and 38 opponents’ unforced errors gave Belize the necessary boost to prevail. While in the other skills, the numbers weren’t that significant with Belize leading 43-42 in spikes and scoring the same 8 points than Panama thru blocking. Belize committed 23 errors.

Breaking Belize News

U.S. Government gives $1.6 million in grants to 7 organizations in Belize
The U.S. Government has shared their support and partnership with Belize in many forms. Since 2008, Belize has received USD $35 million dollars through the CARSI funds (Central America Regional Security Initiative).Through the Military Liaison Office, Belize has also received USD$10 million via the Humanitarian […]

Hurricane Matthew is 5th Hurricane of 2016
.Tropical storm Matthew is now a hurricane in the Caribbean Sea. It became the fifth hurricane of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season today at 2pm. This afternoon, Matthew was located 190 miles northeast of Curaçao. Over the next couple of days, Matthew should continue to […]

General Manager of Government Primary Schools asks that schools remain open on Monday
Marvin Kellyman, the General Manager of the Government Primary Schools has sent a letter to Principals around the country asking that schools remain open on Monday, October 3, 2016. Kellyman also asks that the Principals submit to the Ministry of Education a list of […]

Ambassador of Honduras presents credentials to Governor General of Belize
.Her Excellency, Nery Magaly Funes Padilla, Ambassador of Honduras, presented her credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young today, Thursday, at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan. According to a Government of Belize press release, Ambassador Padilla expressed her […]

Guatemalan bus company meet with Ministry of Transport to discuss transit through Belize
The Minister of Transport, Hon. Edmond Castro and top officials in the Ministry and Department of Transport have been meeting with bus operators from all regions of the country. The meetings have been part of their comprehensive review and restructuring of the nation’s public […]

Government of Belize expresses disappointment over CCJ decision
The Government of Belize (GOB) has issued a press release expressing its disappointment at the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) this morning on the interpretation of the BTL Settlement Agreement. According to the press release, GOB does not agree with the […]

Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize asks parents to be vigilant about Monday’s strike
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize has issued a press release about Monday’s strike by the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). “Today’s battle for truth in governance being championed by these selfless teachers, adds to a distinguished list of battles bravely fought on behalf […]

Teenage girl missing; police needs your help in finding her
Police in Cotton Tree Village need your help in finding a teenage girl that went missing on September 28, 2016. According to reports, Irene Buddan, 43, of Cotton Tree Village and an employee of Kings Children Home located at mile 41 on the George […]

Police arrest two persons in San Pedro for keeping unlicensed ammunition and marijuana
Police have arrested two persons for keeping unlicensed ammunition and cannabis in San Pedro Town. According to police reports, on Tuesday, September,27, 2016 around 6:00 a.m. police conducted a search on an unpainted two storage board house in the San Mateo Area of San […]

CCJ rules against GOB
The Caribbean Court of Justice has ruled against the Government of Belize and has ordered the payment of over U.S. 67 million dollars owed to Dunkeld International Investments and the BTL employees Trust forthwith. Because the language of the agreement did not make clear […]

Why it is important to support the BNTU
The lack of economic growth in Belize, due to GRAND CORRUPTION, leads to the stunted growth of upward mobility and social justice. In other words, more and more people can’t make a proper living because they can’t find quality jobs, but that’s not all. […]

Blogs

Belize in October
The leaves might be turning and the weather getting chilly in North America during the month of October, but there’s plenty of sunshine, warmth, and adventures to be had in Belize during October. The weather does actually cool down in Belize during October, but that’s a good thing! The weather will be perfect for sailing, snorkeling, swimming, or enjoying one of the many festivals and fun events that take place in October. Below are some of the top things to see and do in Belize in October: Halloween is an imported holiday from the United States, but bars and other entertainment venues go all out for this ghoulish holiday. Locals and visitors alike get a chance to dress up and compete for prizes at one of the many Halloween parties. Whether you want to stay in a tiny B&B; on a remote island or a luxury resort on the mainland, October is a great time to take advantage of low season prices in Belize. You’ll never have to wait at a restaurant, museum, Maya ruin, or adventure tour when you visit Belize in October. Some places close for renovations and repairs during September, but just about everything in Belize is open and uncrowded in October.

Checking out Two New Island Bars: Dive Bar & Paco’s Tiki Bar
Yesterday I checked out two new spots that have avoided my scrutiny for at least a few months. Both are located north of the bridge, both have great views of the sea and both are serving food. Best to show you in photos. Dive Bar: About 1/2 Mile North, Ambergris Caye. We ordered some very tasty fish tacos. They have a good sized menu for both lunch and dinner. Paco’s Tiki Bar: Down a short road, there’s a good sized bar on the water. With some seriously long hours! Just opened for 4 months… A very nice way to spend a September afternoon…

tacogirl Soul Food Guide for all Relationships
After hearing a new friend Nurse Jennifer, recently compliment an old one Gary Bowline, in saying he is a good soul Sunday afternoon, I started began contemplating what that really meant. Immediately I started thinking of short phrases with the word Soul in them – see below. For me, there was a common thread among the definitions I picked, something along the lines of living in lightness and fulfillment. We are all traveling on a road in which our lives are shaped by the choices we make and as a result the people and events we attract. I strongly believe in cultivating relationships with people who shine a positive light in your life. This will add substance and character to your world and help you stay on the right path as you fulfill your dreams.

A hidden surprise with great food: Coleman’s Cafe
In Belize, you can find all kinds of eateries: from upscale restaurants to a lady selling tamales out of a bucket in the side of the street. It’s often the hole-in-the-wall type of diners that encompass this country’s melting pot of cultures, and these are the places where you find the true tastes of Belize. On a trip down south, I found such unique restaurant; a small café off the beaten path serving up real good food. Coleman’s Café is not your ordinary restaurant. Located at the entrance to Rice Mill, Big Falls in the Toledo District, Coleman’s offers home cooked meals, drinks and second to none hospitality to everyone, from local residents to missionaries and even tourists visiting nearby attractions. Founded in 1995, Coleman’s is the oldest establishment in Toledo. With great reviews from locals and visitors alike, Coleman’s is sort of an institution for those who find themselves in southern Belize. I myself was truly impressed, not only by the food, but by, the hospitality and warm smiles from owner, Perlene Coleman.

International Sources

Furniture that destroys forests: crackdown on 'rampant' trade in rosewood
The fight to end Illegal Rosewood got a boost from Cites. Cites summit moves to protect the world’s most trafficked wild product by placing all 300 species of the tree under trade restrictions. The Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) summit on Thursday placed all 300 species of rosewood under trade restrictions, meaning criminals can no longer pass off illegally logged species as legitimate.

John McAfee fights back against rape & murder allegations made in Showtime doc
John McAfee's plummeting stocks are the least of his worries — a documentary links him to two murders. Anti-virus software pioneer John McAfee has been making headlines this week because the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission subpoenaed information from his company, MGT Capital Investments, resulting in its stocks plummeting. But aside from his stock issues, McAfee has also been the subject of some incredibly damaging allegations. According to Huffington Post, McAfee is the subject of a Showtime documentary titled Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee, which, among other things, links him to the murders of two men in Belize. The documentary is helmed by Nanette Burstein and takes a look into what happened in Belize — a country from which McAfee allegedly fled in 2012 after police wanted to question him in connection with the death of his neighbor. Burstein spent three months in the country, investigating and interviewing many of McAfee's former confidants, bodyguards and even his ex-girlfriends, who make him seem like a very dangerous man.

Study suggests commercial fishing depletes key nutrients in coral reefs
Many of the ecosystems most impacted by human activities, such as tropical forests and coral reefs, are also among the most biodiverse in the world. But a recent study determined that conserving biodiversity may not be enough to ensure coral reefs rebound from the impacts of exploitation by mankind. In coral reef ecosystems, fish typically constitute a substantial portion of living biomass and thus represent an important reservoir of nutrients. So it makes sense that the removal of biomass via fishing impacts the nutrient capacity of coral reefs. And because nutrient inputs from outside reef systems are scarce, the replacement of nutrients removed by fishing occurs at a slow rate — “a dynamic that is analogous to the disruption of nutrient cycles in tropical rainforests following intensive timber harvest,” according to an article published in the journal Nature Communications last month.

Videos

Miss America Latina del Mundo 2016 Preliminar Traje de Baño, 2 min. Belize could not be prouder of Michelle Nunez who is doing an amazing job at the Miss America Latina Del Mundo 2016 Pageant! Don't forget the main event of the pageant takes place tomorrow, September 30th. El 27 de Septiembre del 2016 se llevó a cabo la competencia preliminar en traje de baño dentro del certamen Miss América Latina del Mundo que se lleva a cabo dentro del Hotel Occidental Xcaret en la Riviera Maya mexicana.

Are Police Compromised in Gregory Faull Murder Investigation?, 1.5min. Is there any intention on the part of the police to investigate the murders? The documentary, for many, revealed deficiencies in the investigating process into the murders. The feature revealed that in the murder of Faull, former-caretaker Cassian Chavarria was never interviewed by police in connection with the homicide. McAfee also said in an interview that he was protected by police officers who lived on his Tower Hill property. The media asked ACP Williams today if the police department had been compromised.

FBC At Word Of Life Belize Camp 2016, 4min. Check out what one of our FBC missions team did in Belize this summer!

Belize Boat Party, 1min. Come and party on a boat to the music of top DJ´s and Live Acts. Open bar (first hour) including beer, wine, sangria and soft drinks. A unique and fun experience.

Government Offices in Punta Gorda, Belize C.A., 1/2min. The Mayors office, among others are located in this building. Town council meetings take place here as well. If you get a vehicle violation ticket, you will pay the fine here.

Hospital in Punta Gorda, Belize C.A., 1/2min. Have a medical emergency, need blood tests or xrays in Punta Gorda, Belize? This is where you'll go..

Meet Lillian - Development Instructor in Belize, 4min. Another Kind of School Richmond Vale Academy

Drive Along Seaside in Punta Gorda, Belize C.A., 2min.

Along the Seaside in Punta Gorda, Belize, Central America, 2min. These are some of the homes along the seaside in Punta Gorda, Belize.

TARPON TIMES TWO ~ El Pescador, Belize, 2min.

A great look at Belize through David Hunter Jr's eyes!, 5min.

POLICE UNITED FC 1-5 CD OLIMPIA Highlights CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2016-2017, 3.5min.

Chicago Belize Day Festival 2016, 12min.

Green Moray Eel Belize 2016, 1min. Around Turneff Island, we saw free-swimming eels on almost every dive!

Proof of Everything, 44min. Discovery channel in Belize

September 29, 2016

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Belize Among Nominations for World Travel Awards
The Belize Tourism Board is excited to announce that Belize has received four (4) nominations in the World Travel Awards’ World Category. « Older: Director of Tourism Karen Bevans Elected as a Vice Chairman Belize Among Nominations for World Travel Awards Wednesday, September 28th, 2016 Belize City, Belize – September 28, 2016 – The Belize Tourism Board is excited to announce that Belize has received four (4) nominations in the World Travel Awards’ World Category. Placencia Placencia – World’s Leading Beach Destination: Placencia, Belize http://bit.ly/2cJ2cHg. – World’s Leading Destination: Ambergris Caye, Belize http://bit.ly/2d6fYHC. – World’s Leading Dive Destination: Belize http://bit.ly/2cSf4QZ. – World’s Leading Green Destination: Belize http://bit.ly/2d3S5fZ. Voting has officially opened and will conclude on October 24, 2016. We are encouraging everyone to go to www.worldtravelawards.com, register your email address and cast your votes for Belize. Travel Industry voters may apply to upgrade their account, after which their vote is equivalent to two votes.

Sagebrush fixes islanders bicycles
Sagebrush Ministry provided free bicycle services for the island community on Saturday, September 24th. A team of 15 local volunteers spent their morning at the Sagebrush Belize Campus across from Paradise Theater, and fixed a total of 67 bicycles. Under a Bowen and Bowen tent, most repairs included replacing chains, tubes and tires, and tuning other parts. According to Todd Crampton, Coordinator of Pit Stop Ministry, it was their pleasure to fix the bikes. “Bikes here corrode easily, and we decided that bike owners would benefit more from the cause. It’s beautiful to see that almost everybody here works, and sometimes you see people riding long distances. You even see mothers with their children on their bikes, and we need to keep those bikes going in good condition,” said Crampton. Crampton stated that other means of transportation are not excluded. Sagebrush is looking to offer services to fix golf-carts and motorbikes as well. Through donations and sponsorships the group obtained between $6-7,000 in necessary parts and equipment, and they are optimistic that Sagebrush will be able to expand the Pit Stop program in the future.

Four teams headed to Interoffice Football Tournament semifinals
The championship games of the 6-a-side Interoffice Football Tournament are quickly approaching. On Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th, football fanatics gathered at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex to watch the quarterfinals. A total of eight teams battled to score as many goals as possible to earn points and advance in the competition. Saturday’s second set of matches started with Martha’s Ice versus Rain. Martha’s Ice took the 1-0 win, advancing to the semifinals. S.P.T.C Boys and Victoria House followed, with Victoria House winning 1-0. Caribeña and Mambo Boys battled intensely in the third match, ending in a 2-2 tie. The last game of the night saw Costa Boys go up against a dominant Taxi Strikers, who won 2-1.

Ambergris Today

Miss Belize Universe 2016 Hits the Ground Running and Gets Her Own Song
Rebecca “Bex” Rath, Miss Belize Universe 2016, is already busy connecting with Belizeans and preparing for the Miss Universe Pageant early next year. On Friday, September 23, Muffles College welcomed her to Orange Walk with a full day of events, which including a motivational speech to students and a visit to the Banquitas House of Culture. The following day she presented the winner of Mr. Belize 2016, Rigo Vellos, with his trophy. Ms. Rath has also visited the Belize Zoo, met Gulisi School students in her native Dangriga, and received a very warm welcome when she appeared at her alma mater, Ecumenical High School, also in Dangriga.

Belize Confirms 46 Cases of Zika, Over 500 Suspected
The Ministry of Health of Belize held a press conference on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, where it was confirmed that Belize has 46 cases of Zika infection, 581 suspected cases of which 305 have been screened for the virus. These cases puts Belize on alert, even more so as six pregnant women have been confirmed to be infected with the virus (5 in Cayo & 1 in Belize). Pregnant women infected with Zika is linked to babies born with the birth defect Microcephaly. a serious condition where babies are born with abnormally small heads, which can cause lifelong developmental problems.

Misc Belizean Sources

Educational lecture and tour in honor of Belizean National Hero, Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldso
The Goldson House: Presenting the Life and Works of Philip Goldson extends a warm invitation to join in an educational lecture and tour in honor of Belizean National Hero, Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson; His biography and lifelong contributions to the Belizean Society are to be featured. The event will take place on Monday, October 3 and Tuesday, October 4, 2016 honoring the anniversary of the day Philip Goldson was laid to rest. The venue is the Goldson House, located on #82 Orange street, Belmopan City. The opening hours of the Goldson House are from 8:00am – 4:00pm.

PUBLIC & BANK HOLIDAYS 2017
IT IS NOTIFIED for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and Second Schedules to Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000 – 2003, will be observed on the following days during the year 2017 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act:

Installation of the new Governor of the State of Quintana Roo
Mayor Daniel Guerrero was a part of the delegation that represented Belize at the installation of the new Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez. Governor Gonzalez was installed on Sunday September 25th at state’s congress in the city of Chetumal after which he addressed over 15 thousands citizens. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hon Patrick Faber headed a delegation that included Mayor Kevin Bernard of Orange Walk, Mayor Hilberto Campos of Corozal, Mayor Daneil Guerrero of San Pedro, Mayor Darrell Bradley of Belize City, Hon Elodio Aragon – Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon Dr. Angel Campos – Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Belize Honorary Consul in Chetumal Jorge Valencia, amongst other invited guests from the Government of Belize and various municipalities.

4th Caribbean Youth Leader's Summit
Over 100 dynamic youth leaders are currently in Belize to participate in the 4th Caribbean Youth Leader's Summit. The objective & theme of the three day event is to establish the "Agenda 2030: From Rhetoric to Action." Over 10 countries are represented at the summit. The Government of Belize - through the Department of Youth Services - is the host of the event.

Guatemala buses must obey traffic laws in Belize
This bus was caught stopping to pick up and drop off customers in San Iggy which is against regulations. Mayor Earl Trapp is fully supportive of our Tour Guides, Tour Operators and the Cayo Cave Guide Association. We cannot sit back and watch this intrusion from Guatemala and other foreign operators continue. Mayor Trapp as promised embraces our guides in their continued efforts to secure their lively-hood and our tourism industry. Mayor Earl Trapp will take all necessary steps to give full support to our Belizeans to ensure that our tourism industry remains vibrant, locally sustainable and viable. Not until our guides and tour operators are granted the same courtesies in Guatemala can we allow this continued infringement. Today this Fuente Del Norte cruise bus violated our traffic laws and was dealt with immediately!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216102482100034631/
The 2016 Cayo Got Talent youth talent show will be at the Cayo Welcome Center on Saturday, October 15th. Do you have a unique talent? Start practicing, and show Cayo what you've got. "sign up ..for the Cayo got Talent show case event taking place on the welcome center on Oct.15 , 2016 .... this is the start of something BIG.TOGETHER with your help and a number of the twin town positive youth , we aim @t helping our youths, build and grow their talents in to something great , we hope to make this a successful annual talent competition our first couple show case /display event is to find out if it is successful. only as we gain followers ,sponsors and participants we will grow into a national competition with a finals at the end of the year"

August 2016 Trade & Consumer Price Index
During the month of August 2016, the Statistical Institute of Belize recorded that on average, the prices of goods and services purchased by Belizean households were 0.4 percent higher than they were in August of 2015. The All-Items consumer price index stood at 103.7, a slight increase from 103.3 in the same period last year. For the first eight months of this year, an inflation rate of 0.5 percent was recorded. During the month of August 2016, Belize imported goods valued at almost $163 million, rising by 5.3 percent or $8.2 million from the $154.8 million imported in August of 2015.

Sales Representative needed at Traveller's Liquors Showroom in San Pedro
A VACANCY exists for the position of full-time Sales Representative / Deliveries at our Traveller's Liquors Showroom on Pescador Drive, San Pedro Town (across the street from The Greenhouse). Interested persons are asked to fill out an application form which they can get from our showroom. Applications are to be accompanied by: 1. Resume 2. Copy of Driver's License 3. Police Report 4. Letter of recommendation from previous employer. 5. Valid Social Security Card

Harvest Caye, Belize Cruise Ship Port Calendar 2016 - 2017
Harvest Caye in southern Belize is gearing up for NCL cruise ships. Harvest Caye, Belize Cruise Ship Port Calendar 2016 calendar enables you to find out schedules of cruise ships arriving in any given date in 2016 - 2017 at this Harvest Caye, including arrival and departure time. The cruise timetable list and schedules shows Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships in the port based on the cruise lines itineraries.

NOTICE from Caye CaulkerVillage Council
It has been brought to the knowledge of CCVC, that members of our community are paying our staff for jobs being done with our equipments. We want you to be aware that these monies are to be paid at the office to ensure it is is used specifically for maintenance and repairs of such equipment. Thank you for your kind co operation!

Splashers
Join us today at Crazy Canucks Beach Bar to paint this cute little blue bird. Please bring a rag to wipe your brushes. Party starts at 2p.m.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND MANAGING AUTHORITIES COVER BASES TO KEEP SCHOOLS OPEN
Ministry of Education outlines contingency plans following today's meeting with school managers and representatives.

MARINE MULTIBEAM AND SEA SEEP SURVEY DEEP OFFSHORE BELIZE
The Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum hereby informs the public that pursuant to the Petroleum Act the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum and the Geology and Petroleum Department, will be conducting a multibeam and sea seep survey in the marine territory of Belize east of the barrier reef and in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), excluding all marine protected areas as well as all areas banned from petroleum exploration which includes the barrier reef, the atolls and all World Heritage Sites with a 1 kilometer buffer around all these areas. The survey will be done in deep water only and away from any major tourist activity, fishing areas or spawning sites. This survey is part of a larger regional geophysical survey currently being done by the United States Government and the Mexican Government in the US Gulf of Mexico, the Mexican Gulf of Mexico and east of the Yucatan Peninsula to gather new regional data to advance the knowledge of the geology and hydrocarbon systems of these geological provinces.

Letter: Before a Belmopan municipal bond is considered - Part 1
by Charles Leslie Jr. We will never borrow ourselves into prosperity. Belmopan needs to attract and incentivise local and international diversified investors to build prosperity for all in Belmopan. The first thing a true leader needs to do is a full audit of our financial situation as a city, and make sure the public is fully encouraged to peruse and review the situation. The second thing a true leader needs to do is to reduce operational expenses, and this can be done in two ways: 1. Remove unnecessary spending; 2. Identify ways to bring in additional income without increasing taxation on residents and the business community. I will elaborate more on this in part two of this article.

Belize City Branding Initiative
The Belize City Council, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank and CARILED, officially launched the Belize City Branding Initiative with a parade through downtown Belize City.

The Forest Department donated 100 seedlings to FCD
These trees are already being planted in villages such as Calla Creek and Bullet Tree. Thank you Forest Department for supporting the watershed protection program.

Belize Bird Rescue received 10 more white-front Amazons for rehabilitation
Half were illegally captive baby parrots confiscated by Forest Department, and the others surrendered older birds. All are clipped apart from the 4 in the large cage: their owner sadly passed away a while ago and the surviving spouse surrendered them for rehabilitation. It’s a long road ahead for all of them – 18 months to two years for the clipped babies, and probably longer for the-out-of-condition and habituated adults.

Channel 7

Ministry of Education Ready to Hire Temps if Teachers Go On Strike
Last night, we told you about the meeting of the San Ignacio Branch of the Belize National Teachers Union. Those teachers were suggesting that the Monday strike should be extended, with no clear announcement as to when exactly it would end. That's a suggestion that National President Luke Palacio committed to take back to the Council of Management for final approval. But, the Ministry of Education isn't waiting around; they've sprung into action to keep schools open, at all costs. The ministry and the Managing Authorities of schools countrywide are activating contingency plans, prepared for the strike to continue past Monday. Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber and officials of his Ministry met representatives of those school managers today at the ITVET compound, and the news coming out of that meeting is that teachers will be hired on a temporary basis. They will be there to fill in and make sure that children are taken care of for however long the teachers decide to strike.

UDP Goes Into Overdrive To Keep School Open, But Are They Union-Busting?
And while the Education Ministry and the political directorate are going to extraordinary lengths to keep schools open, on the ground, UDP politicians were working their tails off today. Cabinet tasked area representatives to visit schools in the constituencies and make direct appeals to the teachers and principals not to participate in a strike. We found out about it when two city reps showed up at Wesley Lower school , which is one block from our studio. We waited for them to finish and asked what the meeting was about:… Tracey Taegar-Panton - UDP Area Rep, Albert: "We have been meeting with the teachers and with the principals and the management of the schools to share with them government's responses to the eight point demands that were made by the BNTU management - because we think it is important in terms of decision making that both sides of the conversation be well represented so that teachers can make up their own minds. We are certainly concerned that schools needs to remain open, our children need to be in school and we're hoping that we can appeal to our teachers to look at things objectively and be able to keep schools open on Monday and keep children in school."

Is The Barrow Admin. Rattling The Union's Chain?
So, is the Government concerned about provoking the teachers into more drastic action? These temporary replacements, in theory allows for the Ministry to keep the schools open, and it very deliberately undermines the leverage that the BNTU had with the strike – what the Prime Minister called "holding parents to ransom." So, we wondered if the Minister has considered that the teachers may feel compelled to match and exceed government's strategy with their own equally drastic plan of action. Here's how he answered that one: Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "I am not trying to pick a fight; I'm merely trying to do what is required of me, as I'm obliged to do under the responsibilities that have been task to me as Minister of Education. I really hope we don't have to have to get to any point of employing replacement teachers; I really would love to see that people turn to work on Monday and that they give the government its due opportunity to fix issues."

In A Tense Time, Chafing Between Cops And Media
And while the media was waiting on the outcome of today's meeting between the ministry and the school managers at the ITVET, one of our media colleagues got into a little back and forth with the police. Amandala's Micah Goodin was outside on the verandah near a window and police said that he was in the wrong area, or perhaps thought that he appeared to be eavesdropping on the meeting. Police asked him to move – but he refused and so they sent for backup in the form of the Northside Strike Team. The northside officers came and urged him strongly to move, and after some back and forth, complemented by forceful reasoning, Goodin agreed and went quietly, with some protestation. He joined the other media who were waiting not far away. It's a small encounter that was defused without any physical confrontation, but perhaps it is indicative of some chafing between police and the media in these tense times. Now even though this happened on the northside, and today we asked the southside commander about the importance of friendly police and media relations…

Jail For Repeat Offending Fishermen
Today in the Magistrate’s Court, two men went to jail for fisheries offences. Now usually these offences only carry a fine, but brothers, Ergil and Marvin Patt, who both have a history of fisheries crimes, got a custodial sentence when they pled guilty to illegal entry into a protected fishing area near the Half Moon Caye monument, and illegally fishing in the area. The brothers were caught with a lobster bearing eggs as well as 4 juveniles – out of season. Marvin was sentenced to seven months in prison for each charge, while Ergil was sentenced to six months for each charge. A third fisherman, Medardo Rivera, pled guilty to the same crimes and was charged $1000 for each offense. If he fails to pay the first fine by October 31, and the second by December 30, Rivera will serve six months for each offense.

ACP Williams Says Cops Should Follow Up On Leads In McAfee Doc
"Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee" premiered on Saturday – and since then we haven't heard anything about police following up on the many actionable pieces of information fleshed out by the film-makers. There were two murder conspiracies unveiled, one for American Greg Faull and the other for Orange Walk resident David Middleton. Now, we're not saying that documentaries are equivalent to police investigations, but there sure is some stuff in there that crime investigators might want to look at – because at least two persons told the cameras that they abetted murder. The Commissioner of Police hasn't responded to our request for a comment, and the cops have boxed the DPP out of the case, so we asked the only police officer we can speak to regularly, Assistant Commissioner Chester Williams. He's a trained attorney and agreed that there are some leads in there that the police should be following up on:… ACP Chester Williams - Regional Commander, Eastern Division South: "I think that it is something that the police can use to be able to probe more into the death Mr. Middleton from Orange Walk and to see how we can use some of the things that have been said as a basis to be able to look at some of these persons and interview them further."

Is Police HQ Playing Favourites With Northside?
And while ACP Williams can't really speak for the investigators – it's because they have their own bosses to answer to in their formation. Back in Chester's formation, which is the Southside, they're more or less on their own. The prosecution and tourism police unit answer to the northside commander, which also has the majority of vehicular resources. That's why we listened with interest in July when the former police minister John Saldivar said that more resources would be placed in the southside – which is the country's largest crime hotspot. And the Prime Minister also saw the need when he earmarked two vehicles for the southside. Today we asked if those have come through yet – and we were surprised at the response:… Jules Vasquez: "You have recently been boasting that the prime minister would give the south a pair of wingles. Have you all received those vehicles yet, we are talking about patrols; do you all have that additional mobility that you've crying out for?" ACP Chester Williams - Regional Commander, Eastern Division South: "Well yes the prime minister had promised us 2 vehicles and I must say that yesterday we received the 2 vehicles and I must give special thanks to the prime minister despite the economic challenge we are going through he saw it fit to provide us with 2 vehicles but of the 2 vehicles only 1 has been assigned to Southside and the other was assigned to north side."

Making Manatees Matter
Belize is home to around 1000 Antillean Manatees, the largest population in the world. And though the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute has done its best to ensure that these gentle mammals of the sea are protected, dozens of manatees die every year because of preventable human interaction, such as collisions with boats or getting caught in gill nets. Today, CZMAI launched a promotional video created to highlite the importance of manatee conservation: Jamal Galves- Program Coordinator/Research Biologist at Sea to Shore Alliance: "Belize like I always mention, is the last stronghold for Antillean Manatees in the world, so our efforts here are crucial not only for Belize, but for the rest of the world. Manatees are important to Belize in that they are the only nutrient recyclers in our waterways, they eat nine to ten percent of their body weight daily, and they excrete a lot which provides food for small fishes and crustaceans and we know how Belizeans enjoy seafood. If you want to enjoy those fishes stocks, you have to keep manatees around and it has an economic value as well. Many people in the tourism sector benefits from manatees."

Re-Branding Belize City From "Bad-Man Town" to Business Center
Belize City: if you're not from here, you probably know it as the murder capital of the country. Couple the crime problem, with its tendency to flood, its squalid slums, the old buildings, and its disorderly growth, and you get the picture…Belize City is...how can we put it?: A beautiful struggle. Charming, but – not the kind of thing that exactly inspires confidence. But, the City Council wants to turn that prejudice on its head. For the last few months, they have been working with branding experts from the Inter-American Development Bank. Today, after much planning and design, they unveiled a new logo, which will be the flagship icon to re-cast perceptions of this battered City by the sea. We met the Mayor out on a parade to make a soft launch of this rebranding effort: Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City: "This is an activity that was really birthed by the IDB. We've been working with them over the last year on a branding campaign for Belize City and this week is actually the soft launch. They actually - IDB funded a consultant to come into Belize City and they actually designed a brand in collaboration with local stakeholders and having done a short consultation session with members of the private sector, members of civil society and young people."

Making Business More Affordable
We also asked the Mayor to discuss regime change in the trade licenses fees and property taxes. It was unveiled last week Thursday, after months of consultation with the business sector which calls Belize City its home. The mayor told us that if everything goes well, business persons and property owners in this City will get a significant discount: Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City: "With the trade license reform that was a process that we engaged the private sector on, we spoke to them for a period of two years. Many of the ideas came from the partnership that we develop with the chamber of commerce and we're very pleased and happy about that process. I can't tell you that it would yield something that is successful but I can tell you that the methodology, the idea of active engagement over the course of two years. The idea of having consultants come in and having it be based on analysis and response and even now the public consultations that we're launching they're not very very well attended. The last one we had, had about 50 odd people but the questions were very good."

Mayor Agrees (Verbally) With Integrity Filings
While we had the opportunity, we asked the Mayor if he is willing to disclose his assets to the Integrity Commission, like the PUP did last week. Now, the Commission is presently not functioning. But, in all this talk about good governance that the Teachers have pushed, we wondered if the Mayor is willing to do what they are legally required to as elected public officers. He told us that he has no problem with it: Daniel Ortiz: "Is that something you would entertain?" Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City: "Well I have absolutely no problem with that. I think that as a leader we must lead by example and in relation to the disclosure of assets that's something I would encourage other elected officials to do and I would be fully prepared to do that."

Youths From All Over The World In Belize
This week Belize is hosting the 4th Caribbean Youth Leaders' Summit. Over 100 delegates from 20 different countries throughout the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Namibia have gathered in Belize to attend workshops that will better prepare them to guide the region. We spoke to Tijani Christian, the chairman of the summit, about this year's theme. Tijani Christian - Chair, 4th Carib, Youth Leader's Summit: "So the theme for this year is agenda 2030 from rhetoric to action. It's looking at moving beyond just talk shops as we like to call them and look at how we would really do action to implement the SDG. We had a lot of dialogue, we had a lot of consultation, we are saying as young people now we've done a lot of talk, we've done a lot of consultations how can we now move to the next step which to implement. And so through this summit it's really around capacity building of our youth leaders because at the same time if you want someone to really do something you have to train them, you have to equip them with the skills to do so. So this youth summit is training our youth leader to the skills necessary for the implementation of the SDG. At the end of the day what we'll be doing is a collaborative effort across all the regional networks and groups to ensure that we implement strategically because the best way is to work wise."

Cops, The Community and Crime
Today we met the Southside police commander in the St., Martin;s Area – on Complex Boulevard. That’s the very same street that has seen so much gun violence and murders recently. He acknowledged that the area is a challenge but says police have a seriously stepped up presence:… A semi permanent vehicle checkpoint has been set up in the area on Lacroix Boulevard.

Marijuana Da Maya Mopan
Cops from the Independence Village came upon a weed plantation this morning. A team of Special Branch and CIB Officers set out at around 4 this morning where they went searching in an area 5 miles southwest of the Maya Mopan Village in the Stann Creek District. That’s where they found the plantation with 36 mature marijuana plants with heights of about 9 to 10 feet. The officers immediately uprooted all the weed trees and burnt them completely. No one was seen in the area, so no arrests, connected to this plantation, could be made.

Belize Men's Volleyball Looking Promising
The FIVB International Men's Volleyball tournament continues tonight at the SCA multipurpose center in Belize City – and team Belize continues to surprise. After their loss to Guatemala on Sunday, Team Belize managed to take two back to back victories against Panama on Monday night, and Nicaragua on Tuesday. Our cameras caught the action last night and Alex Courtenay reports: And while the Belize Men’s Volleyball team looks to extend their winning record in a game against the Dominican Republic that should be starting right about now, another Belizean team is making its mark in Honduras. The girls from SCA are representing Belize in 19th CODICADER Games in Honduras.

Medals Coming Along At Codicader
Volleyball isn’t the only thing Belize is excelling at in this year’s CODICADER games. Ashanti Carr won the gold medal in the triple jump event, as well as earning a silver in the long jump. Ashanti, along with her twin sister Ashonti, Hillary Gladden and Faith Morrisin, won a second silver medal in the 4 X 100-meter relay. Faith Morrison won herself a bronze in the 200-meter race, and Alec Betancourt earned a bronze in the Judo: 90 kilogram weight class.

BEL and Belize Bank Beneficent With Ms. Bregal
Today Dangriga resident, Alexandrina Bregal, received the keys to her new house. The house is the 300th constructed by Hand in Hand Ministries’ through their “Build for Change Program". Partnering with Belize Bank and BEL, Hand in Hand Ministries was able to provide Bregal and her daughter with a new, fully furnished wooden house. Volunteers from both companies joined forces to build Bregal her new home.

Channel 5

Minister of Education Proposes S.I. to Address Replacing Teachers in Emergencies
The Ministry of Education today said it is putting in place contingency plans in the event of a prolong strike by the Belize National Teachers Union. A statutory instrument will [...]

B.N.T.U. President Says Union Will Challenge New Law in Court
This evening we reached president of the Belize National Teachers’ Union, Luke Palacio, in Benque Viejo where the Union’s branch there was having its annual general meeting. Firstly, while he [...]

Patrick Faber Denies Union-Busting
Earlier today, Education Minister Patrick Faber had a strong response with regard to questions of union-busting in light of the statutory instrument that will be signed. He insisted that the [...]

Faber Says Some Are Ready to Become Replacement Teachers
While the contingency plans that we previously reported on are not yet ready, Minister Faber says he hopes that it will not get that drastic. But there is already interest [...]

Older, Wiser Faber Defends Actions in 2005
One of the indelible memories of protests that gripped Belize between January and May of 2005 came on April twenty-eighth, when then first-time area representative and vice-principal of Anglican Cathedral [...]

Prime Minister Asks Joint Union Negotiating Team to Meet on Salary Deferral
Following a meeting last Thursday PM Barrow said he had asked the B.N.T.U. for another meeting. On Sunday in a statement to the nation, he said the union needs to [...]

Luke Palacio Says Meeting Cannot Happen Right Now
B.N.T.U. President Luke Palacio also gave a response to the proposed meeting with the P.M. He explained that the three unions must meet to set a date, but there are [...]

Amandala Journalist Micah Goodin Gets in Trouble with Police at Minister’s Meeting
As we said, this morning, school managers gathered at the ITVET in Belize City for a critical meeting with the Ministry of Education. So did the press, to report on [...]

Murder Cases Still Open; Will McAfee Documentary Help?
The Showtime Documentary, “Gringo: the Dangerous Life of John McAfee,” remains in the news tonight. In capturing McAfee’s life, producer Nanette Burstein told the story of two murders committed in [...]

Are Police Compromised in Gregory Faull Murder Investigation?
But is there any intention on the part of the police to investigate the murders? The documentary, for many, revealed deficiencies in the investigating process into the murders. The feature [...]

Police Visit Gang Hotspots on Southside for Latest Meet and Greet
Today, the Police Department was meeting residents as part of its community policing initiatives. Eastern Division South police patrolled through the Saint Martin’s area, particularly on Administration Drive and Holy [...]

Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley Cautiously Supports B.N.T.U.
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley’s statement a few weeks ago on an investigation into the Immigration Audit earned him praises from some quarters, but party leader, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, [...]

CitCo Opens Books for Annual Municipal Audit
Since Bradley took office in 2012, the council has made it a practice to open up its books for audit. It regularly makes that audit available to the public as [...]

Belize City Gets a New Brand
“Savour the Flavor, Feel the Energy”—it is actually the tagline for the new Belize City brand. The Old Capital has experienced an infrastructural and cultural renaissance, though it has not [...]

Maintenance Worker Remanded for Inappropriate Contact with Minor
Tonight, forty-year old maintenance worker, Jose Luis Gonzalez of the West Lake Community on the Western Highway is on remand at the Belize Central Prison accused of touching a minor [...]

Brothers Jailed for Repeat Fisheries Offences
Two brothers are jailed after repeat fishing offences. Corozal fishermen from Chunox Village, twenty-five year old Ergil Patt and twenty-four year old Marvin Patt were sentenced to six and seven [...]

Lots of Long Holidays Coming in 2017
Here’s a little help to get you over holiday blues. Mark your calendars for some long weekends in 2017. Today, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced next year’s holidays which [...]

Senior Citizen Gets New Home in Dangriga
Today, the Hand in Hand in Ministries and two of their corporate partners handed over a new house to a deserving recipient in Dangriga Town. We’ve shown you many of [...]

Caribbean Youth Leaders Meet in Belize
Approximately one hundred delegates, all youths from twenty countries across the region, including Costa Rica and Namibia, have converged in Belize for the fourth annual Caribbean Youth Leaders Summit. The [...]

Summit Chairman Calls on Governments to Address Youth Employment
Belize since 2011 has had a national youth policy in place, but many countries are yet to ratify a strategy to empower the youth. However, Christian says that one of [...]

Olimpia F.C. Hits Belize for Clash with Police United
On Thursday, Police United FC takes on Team Olimpia in its home game for the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. In its last outing with Pachuca, team Belize took eleven goals [...]

Cayo Branch of the B.N.T.U. is Defiant and Fired Up for Strike
The Belize National Teachers’ Union continues its Stand Up For Belize Campaign in light of the planned strike this coming Monday. Today the union leadership met with the San Ignacio [...]

B.N.T.U. Executive Meets with Social Partners
On Monday, Palacio confirmed that the Union was meeting with other trade unions and social partners. One such meeting has already taken place. It was intended to be a rebuttal [...]

B.N.T.U. President Says Social Partners Must Remain United
The Belize National Teachers’ Union has argued in its response that Prime Minister Dean Barrow has tried a strategy of “divide and conquer” with the many groups flanking him on [...]

B.N.T.U. Concedes – Salary Adjustments Deferred to Next April
In the opening section of his statement to the nation, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was at pains to point out that none of the eight items discussed on the agenda [...]

CTV3

Prices Continue To Rise
The Statistical Institute of Belize today published its latest statistics on consumer prices and external trade for the country of Belize. First we take a look at the consumer price index for which the report shows that prices increased, on average by 0.4 percent for the month of August 2016 as it stood 103.7, compared to 103.3in August 2015. For the first eight months of the year 2016, has seen the highest inflation rate for the year of 0.5 percent. Food and Beverages category saw a decrease for the first time this year with 0.8 percent decrease from 2015. The average price of eggs saw a decline of 14 percent, while that of cooking oil dropped by 11 percent. These overshadowed an increase of almost one third in the price per pound of sugar, which took effect at the start of the year.

Exports And Imports Increase For The Month Of August
Turing over to Domestic exports for August 2016, this totaled $59.3 million, a 66.9 percent or $23.8 million increase from the $35.6 million recorded in August 2015. A major contributor to this increase is the rise in sugar exports, with sugar sales for the month jumping from $1 million in August 2015 to $34 million in August 2016. For the second consecutive month, sugar production from western Belize contributed a sizeable amount to exports for the month, with sales from this region totaling $5.6 million. Due to diminished shrimp sales, marine exports fell from $7 million to $3 million, while citrus concentrate exports were reduced from $7.6 million to almost $5 million, due mostly to lessened orange concentrate sales for the month. Banana and crude petroleum exports remained relatively stable, each recording little to no change when compared to August 2015.

System Develops To Tropical Storm Mathew
A 13th Storm has been named for the Atlantic Hurricane Season: Tropical Storm Mathew Although Current Projections do not include Belize, it is projected to threaten parts of the Caribbean Sea as a hurricane this weekend or early next week. Matthew is producing locally heavy rain and strong winds in parts of the Lesser Antilles and was located about 25 miles southwest of St. Lucia of the Windward Islands, as of Wednesday afternoon. A Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance mission found a sufficient low-level circulation to upgrade the former Invest 97L into a tropical storm, based on flight-level winds measured over 60 mph.

Minister Of Education Compares 2005 Events To 2016 Leading To Industrial Action
And while the media entertained Minister Faber with interviews, he also chose to comment on a particular point brought up by the BNTU. He has come under heavy criticism for being against the teacher’s protest actions today, when in 2005, when he was in Opposition he supported them and even did a thing or two on his own. Faber took on the matter directly, saying 2016 and 2005 have nothing in common. Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education: “People compare what is happening now in 2016 with what is happened in 2005, they were going to bring out the tape where they dragged me and all of that well let me be clear that I wasn’t in any strike back then, I was not a part of any demonstration with the teachers when that happened I was a responsible administrator and had gone to school that morning made sure everything is ok and made my way to Belmopan independent of any of that in the afternoon but secondly that was in a time when no increase was given ad increments were frozen now how do you compare that to when a time when the government has given two transits of a promise salary increase, approved the third one and is merely saying we want to ask you to be a bit lenient because of the hurricane and despite the fact that the experts internationally are saying to us your wage bill is way too high we will not cut that increase.

Dispute Over Salary Deferral Continues
Minister Faber also commented on the discussions between Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the BNTU which ended in a stalemate. Faber repeated what has become a mantra of the Government, that he doesn’t see any reason why the Union is taking industrial action, since there is no labour dispute. Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education: “According to the Education Act and the accompanying rules and the amended rules industrial action is warranted when there is a properly constituted labour dispute, all is now aware that in fact the 3% increment that the Prime Minister proposed for deferral is not on the table and I need to make that clear, in those Thursday’s meetings with the Prime Minister the meeting that lasted for four hours when it was that the Prime Minister tried to raise the issue of the 3% deferral the Unions representatives said NO we don’t want to talk about that, that is an issue for another meeting, that is an issue with the other two Unions and they made it clear, you’ve seen their flyer it is not about the three it is about the country that the eight demands is what they are striking for so the closest you could have gotten to a labour dispute was for that 3% that was brought in so as far as we are concern this strike does not properly constitutes a reason under our rules for the teachers Union to be striking.”

Belize Nominated For World Travel Award
The Belize Tourism Board today announced that Belize has received four nominations in the World Travel Awards’ World Category. The World Travel Awards has been taking place since 1993 and every year destinations around the world are nominated in different categories as leading travel destinations. This year, much like many years before the jewel has been nominated not once but four times in the following categories: Firstly Placencia has been nominated among thirteen other destinations as the World’s Leading Beach Destination. Beautiful Ambergris Caye has been nominated alongside destinations such as Jamaica and New York as the World’s Leading Destination.

LOVE FM

Belize Hosts 4th Caribbean Youth Summit
Last night saw the launch of the 4th Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City. With Belize being the host country for this year’s summit, the substantive Minister for Youth, Patrick Faber spoke of the importance of the event and the benefits of Belize being the host country as […]

A New Brand for Belize City
In conjunction with the Inter-American Development Bank and CARILED, the Belize City Council officially launched the Belize City Branding initiative with a parade through downtown Belize City. According to Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley, the brand reflects the diversity and importance of Belize City. DARRELL BRADLEY “One of the things that we really like with […]

Mexico & Belize Celebrate 35 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Coupled with the recent celebration of Belize’s 35th anniversary of independence, there is also the celebration of the 35th year of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Belize which the Mexican Embassy continues to celebrate in style. A special program of events has been put together by the Embassy of Mexico for Friday, September 30 in […]

13 Public and Bank Holidays for 2017
For the year 2017, Belize will have thirteen public and bank holidays with the first half of the year having seven days off inclusive of the Easter holidays. Monday, January 2 will be given as a holiday in celebration of New Year’s Day; Monday, March 6 will be a holiday in recognition of National Heroes […]

Breaking Belize News

BNTU Orange Walk branch supports strike on Monday
Yesterday, BNTU Orange Walk branch met with their membership. Teachers were asked to participate in industrial action planned by Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) countrywide. According to CTV3 news, the president Otilio Munoz said that this plan was welcomed with open arms by teachers of […]

Minister of State for Transport Meets with Shuttle Bus Operators in Belmopan
“Minister of State with responsibility for Transport, Hon. Edmond Castro held a meeting yesterday, September 27, 2016 with Shuttle Bus Operators in Belmopan and surrounding areas”, according to a Government of Belize press release. Issues discussed included the streamlining of shuttle bus services to […]

Goldson house celebrates milestone today
The Goldson House for Democracy and Patriotism is marking its one year anniversary on September 28. It was established last year and this center is dedicated to the life, times and contributions of Belizean leader, hero and patriot, Philip Goldson (1923-2001). The research and […]

Ministry of Education and Managing Authorities cover bases to keep schools open
The Ministry of Education just issued a press release informing the public that in accordance with the Education and Training Act 2010, the Education Rules of 2000 and the Education (Amendment) Rules of 2012, it is the Ministry’s and Managing Authorities’ legal mandates to […]

Tourists robbed in Belize
Cruise News, a popular online outlet for developments in the cruise line industry, is reporting that passengers of a Carnival cruise ship were robbed at gun-point in Belize. According to the report, on Tuesday, September 13 a passenger of the Carnival Magic was held-up […]

Minister of Education to hire teachers temporarily while BNTU proceeds with industrial action
This morning at the ITVET compound in Belize City, the Minister of Education Patrick Faber, CEO’s in the ministry and general managers of schools met to determine their arrangements for next week’s planned industrial action by the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). Information we […]

Caribbean watching Matthew
Tropical storm Matthew is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. It is projected to strengthen to a hurricane, posing threats to part of the Caribbean. At noon today, Matthew was centered near 13.6N latitude 61.3W longitude or about 25 miles southwest […]

Rock slide reported in Toledo
A rock slide occurred this morning in the area between Santa Elena and Pueblo Viejo villages in Toledo. Reports are that a crew from the Ministry of Works is in the area clearing the rubble. This may be as a result of continuous rain […]

Long weekend holidays for 2017
.The Government Press Office has issued the list of public and bank holidays for the year 2017. There are 13 public and bank holidays. Belizeans will start preparing for some long weekends next year as nine out of the 13 holidays will be observed on […]

Mayor of Twin Towns supports tour operators
This morning the San Ignacio/ Santa Elena town council and Mayor Earl Trapp issued a statement expressing his support for the Tour Guides, Tour Operators and the Cayo Cave Guide Association. In the statement, he says: “We cannot sit back and watch this intrusion […]

4th Annual Caribbean Youth Leader’s Summit being held in Belize
The Caribbean Youth leader’s summit is being hosted, this year, in Belize from September 26-30 2016. The opening ceremony was held last night at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. National youth council members, CARICOM youth ambassadors, UWI students and other regional youth organizations are […]

Rotary San Ignacio to host International Magic show
The Rotary Club of San Ignacio has announced the Intermagia Adult Magic & Dinner Show. It is a formal Gala Evening of Elegance with an amazing Steak or Seafood Dinner, professional musical entertainment and finally an hour and a half of Mystical Magic in a […]

Is the Belize dollar at risk of being devalued?
“Since May 1976, Belize has maintained a fixed exchange rate of BZ$2.00 to US$1.00. The fixed exchange rate is a cornerstone of macroeconomic stability, anchors inflation expectations and affords a stable environment for investment decisions. To preserve the peg to the US dollar, the […]

Blogs

A Look Around San Pedro Yesterday: Beautiful Weather & Changes
There are always lots of changes on Ambergris Caye but during the slow season, especially after Hurricane Earl, there is quite a bit of renovation going on. Here are some pictures from yesterday to show how things are moving…and then also, how many things, like the view, don’t change much at all. I’m going to move from south to north. I stopped into Ramon’s Village. They lost their dock during Hurricane Earl and are starting to rebuild the sea wall. The dock is probably next. It’s still one of the prettiest beaches on the island. First, the SANCAS building is almost finished…it’s just MASSIVE for San Pedro and you see it as soon as you step outside the Tropic Air terminal. I hear there will be a real estate company (SanCas/Christie’s), a LARGE gym and a shared office space – a “rent-a-business-space” which, I think, is a great idea. I then stopped on Front Street to get a look at the view…the breeze had picked up considerably since the morning.

Miss America Latina
Belize is a country that has no shortage of Fashion Shows and “Beauty” Pageants. The Little Miss Chiquita, Elementary and High School pageants, as well as Miss San Pedro are all competitions held on Ambergris Caye alone. The name is used loosely because there is much more to pageantry now than just beauty. Pageants of the 21st century also showcase intellect, and talent more than ever before. A young woman must have a great deal of confidence in herself to be among the candidates. Michelle Nuñez – Miss Belize 2016-17, is representing our country at the Miss America Latina Pageant. Michelle recently showcased her National Costume/Traje de Fantasia to a captivated audience (photos taken by Enie and supplied by Josie Nunez) She also represented the Richness of the Caribbean Sea, her costume in the featured image above was designed by Gabriel Garcia Gmx Ow. It was handcrafted with Rhinestones, Sea Shells and Pearls – luxurious tropical pageant-wear.

Placencia Belize
Placencia Belize is one of the most relaxing and ambient villages in southern Belize. Quaint is hardly the word we’d like to use to describe it, however. it must suffice for now. As with almost every other community in Belize, Placencia is ripe with culture and personality. There are so many activities that a simple google search will overwhelm you with options and you may shy away for the promise of an easier task. To make things easier for you, we’ve rounded up the best and most interesting things to do, see, eat, and experience while in Placencia Belize. Where to go in Placencia Belize: The Beach! Seems like a no brainer right? We’re going to a sea-side community, but we aren’t going to the beach – words said by absolutely no one; ever. However, being nominated for the World Travel Awards in the “Best beaches destination” category, we really want to reinforce: Where to go in Placencia? The Beach. Miles of tranquil, reef-protected white sand beaches crown the perimeter of the village and much of the eastern side of the peninsula. Admire sunrise and sets from here.

International Sources

NOAA Outlook for Central America September 29 – October 5, 2016
During the last week, locally heavy rains trigger flooding, landslides and thousands of displaced people throughout several departments of Guatemala. In addition, increased rains have also led to flooding along the Ulua River in western Honduras affecting the Yoro, Cortes and Atlantida departments of the country. According to satellite rainfall estimates, large rainfall accumulations (>100mm) were also registered over northern and southern Guatemala, the Gulf of Fonseca region, and northern Costa Rica. Since late August, the performance of seasonal rainfall has generally favorable and much improved following a period of suppressed rainfall early in the Postrera season for several areas. The frequency of seasonal rainfall has also been average to above-average since late August, as very few areas have experienced prolonged dry spells to impede the development of crops.

This Tourism Campaign's 'No Beachside Honeymooners' Rule Boosted Belize's GDP
Tourism campaigns for Caribbean destinations often have a similar aesthetic—sandy beaches, honeymooning couples, frosty drinks by the pool. But the Belize Tourism Board and its agency, Olson, had enough of that. For its latest ad campaigns, the BTB focused on local experiences unique to Belize and making flying to the country easier. Three years ago, Olson started working with the BTB, launching "Discover How to Be," a campaign that showcased the country's culture and experiences you can have there. Olson and the BTB also worked with Southwest Airlines and WestJet Airlines to open up more routes and direct flights to Belize from the U.S. and Canada. The strategy worked—the campaign was responsible for increasing travel to Belize and boosting the country's GDP by 2.24 percent, according to the Central Bank of Belize. "We set rules from the beginning—no honeymooners, no frozen drinks, nobody getting a massage by the pool," said Kevin McKeon, chief creative officer at Olson. "We want to go for someone who's a little more ambitious about what they're looking for in a vacation. The takeaway is you're going to meet some fascinating people and come back with a story you didn't expect to have." Its latest campaign, "A Curious Place," which launched this week, continues that theme. Videos feature a cacao farmer, a meat pie seller and "Coconut Leo," a Belizean who climbs trees upside down and cuts down coconuts.

Belize ‘giving us a fighting chance’
The plaintiff in the lawsuit against Belize’s sodomy law remains hopeful his case will resonate throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. “People are beginning to realize that it is possible to advance LGBT issues in the region,” Caleb Orozco told the Washington Blade during an interview at OutRight Action International’s offices in lower Manhattan on Sept. 21. Orozco, who is a prominent LGBT rights activist in the Central American country that borders Mexico and Guatemala, and his group, the United Belize Advocacy Movement, filed a lawsuit against the colonial-era sodomy law in 2010. He spoke with the Blade less than six weeks after Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin of the Belize Supreme Court ruled the statute is unconstitutional. Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized in Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

Little boy from Belize undergoes lifesaving surgery in Houston
A 4-year-old boy from Belize underwent lifesaving heart surgery at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital through the HeartGift program. The HeartGift program provides surgeries that will save the lives of children from areas wheres specialized medical treatment does not exist. The child from Belize, identified only as Jose, was the recipient of this year’s lifesaving gift On Sept. 15. He traveled from the village of Franks Eddy in Belize to Houston through the HeartGift program. Jose’s surgery was a success, but will be staying in Houston until Oct. 7 to get checkups before heading back home. The HeartGift program said Jose and his mother, identified only as Brenda are staying with a generous couple in Tomball, Texas, while Jose recuperates.

A wee Irish girl discovered oil in Belize and changed the country
“When we discover how our mind works to bring out the full potential, we not only are more useful to ourselves, but more importantly to humanity,” says Susan Morrice, who will be honored next week at Project Aspire’s Scholarship Dinner. The fundraiser’s theme is “The Power of the Entrepreneurial Spirit.” Wallace Pratt’s wise words, “Oil is found in the minds of man,” resonated with the honoree and keynote speaker, motivating and inspiring her to research how the mind actually works and allowed her to pass on the discovery of all discoveries. At Belize Natural Energy, it’s called “The oil within!” The wee girl from Belfast, Ireland—a geologist/explorer—felt a pioneering spirit in the United States when she was hired by an American company. “I had heard about you Americans,” she said, “and that the entrepreneur spirit was the backbone of your country.”

Savage thrills in Belize
Dancehall star Savage delivered a brilliant performance during a show called Soca or Surrender (SOS) at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City, Belize, recently. He was the only dancehall artiste billed to perform and he brought the essence of dancehall to the stage with a hyped-up performance in front of 3,000 fans. He got the place in a frenzy with his hit song, Culu Culu, then he paused and told the audience that "mi bring a bed from Jamaica", and two security personnel brought out a large divan and plopped it onstage. The crowd almost lost its mind.

College of the Ozarks students travel to Belize
College of the Ozarks students traveled to Belize for their fifth medical mission trip to the country. The College began traveling to Belize in 2012. Sponsors for the trip included the following: Steve Shepherd, athletic director; Karen Shepherd, associate professor of nursing/simulation technology coordinator; Dr. Sheryl Haile, professor of psychology; and Dr. Eric Bolger, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. Six students represented the nursing program, three represented the men’s basketball team, and two students represented the psychology department. C of O also partnered with RowKids of South Carolina during this medical mission trip. The students stayed in San Ignacio and visited in the community. All the students spent time in Billy White Village, playing with the kids and doing construction work to accommodate the growing attendance of Billy White School.

Tech Pioneer John McAfee Says New Showtime Documentary Linking Him to a Rape and Two Murders Is 'Nonsense'
A new documentary sets its sights on the controversial computer antivirus pioneer John McAfee, who made headlines four years ago while on the run from authorities in Belize after they sought to question him in the execution-style murder of his neighbor. In Showtime's Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee, which premiered on Sept. 24, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Nanette Burstein travels to the impoverished South American nation where the multi-millionaire software developer moved in 2009 and digs into his alleged involvement in two homicides and the alleged rape of his business partner. Not surprisingly, McAfee, whose popular antivirus software was acquired by Intel in 2010 for $7.68 billion, doesn't plan on watching the documentary. "Let me make this perfectly clear," he tells PEOPLE. "I had absolutely nothing to do with the murder of [his neighbor] Gregory Faull or anyone else. And I have certainly never raped anyone."

MSU bioarchaeology lab researches, uses Mayan skeletons
Whether it’s bones from central Belize or cadaver remains, MSU’s bioarchaeology lab offers something off the beaten path for students who want a chance to explore anthropology. Researchers from MSU travel to Belize every two years to excavate Mayan sites with the permission of the government of Belize, professor in the Department of Anthropology Amy Michael said. The remains are then transported to the bioarchaeology lab in Giltner Hall to be studied. Undergraduate students can participate in the project through Fieldschool, an archaeological experience for undergraduate students. The programs, which last five to six weeks, takes place all over the world, including on MSU’s campus. Anthropology and human biology senior Christiana Hench chose to go to the Belize field school to fulfill her methods requirement.

10 questions with Arlie Petters
Arlie Petters, a mathematical physicist, became dean of academic affairs and vice provost for undergraduate education earlier this year. During a break from his work, Petters talked with The Chronicle about his knowledge of Russian, favorite vacation spot and love of HGTV. When you have a day off, what do you do? There's a book I've been reading, and my favorite author is Jorge Amado. I just finished "Home is the Sailor." So when I have a day off, I get to do a little bit of reading, just to get away from the intensity of the job and research. That is a delightful read. He is hilarious, and at the same time, touches on certain key aspects of the human condition. What languages do you speak? So I am from Belize, and our local language is called Creole. We were a British colony and so we have an English creole. Now that's also different from the language I studied when I was in college.

Archaeology Under The Canopy
Indiana Jones has nothing on Anabel Ford. The daughter of a Hollywood actress and a world-renowned sociologist, Ford is the archaeological powerhouse who in 1983 rediscovered the ancient Maya city of El Pilar. Once home to a thriving population of more than 20,000 people, El Pilar straddles the present-day border of Belize and Guatemala. Lying beneath the lush canopy of the Maya forest, the city reached its zenith around 700 A.D. It is now protected as El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna, encompassing 5,000 acres and an ancient Maya center that includes 150 acres of temples, plazas and palaces. Ford, who has been working in the Maya forest since 1972, came across the city site of El Pilar while doing survey work in the region. She spent the next three decades mapping, excavating and studying the site and its surroundings, and has made El Pilar a unique model of binational cooperation, community empowerment, conservation and preservation.

The Caribbean Court of Justice — And What It Means For the Region
In the decades-long debate over the establishment and adoption of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the final court of appeal for the English speaking countries of the region, one of the primary arguments in favour of the court has been the potential positive role it could play in the development of our jurisprudence. By this it is meant that having a court comprised of individuals who have a greater connection to life in the region than their London based counterparts case law will emerge that is more sensitive to our social and economic realities. Those who have studied the CCJ’s case law have concluded that these expectations have been met. One of the most recent reviews of the court’s judicial work to date was done by Professor Rose-Marie Bell Antoine who, among other things, has described the court’s decisions as a continuation of a “fine tradition of sound judicial reasoning from Commonwealth Caribbean courts”. An example of this fine tradition in the area of constitutional law is the October 2015 judgment of the CCJ in a case brought by several Maya peoples of Belize for damages arising out of their government’s failure to prevent private individuals from destroying their customary land tenure.

Videos

The Goldson House for Democracy and Patriotism, 1min. The Goldson House is celebrating its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Can you believe that it’s been a year? On September 28, 2015 The Goldson House for Democracy and Patriotism was inaugurated. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the Goldson House as yet, what better time than now to do so. On Monday, October 3 and Tuesday, October 4, 2016 we are honoring the anniversary of the day Philip Goldson was laid to rest with an open house entitled The Life and Works of Philip Goldson. On both days The Goldson house will be open from 8:00am- 4:00pm making it accessible to have a tour at an hour of your convenience.

Swimming with sharks in Belize, 1min.

Mangroves in Belize: A Partnership in Conservation, 2min. In 2016, the Pan American Development Foundation and Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort collaborated to plant mangrove seedlings in Southern Belize in an effort to reduce coastal erosion. In partnership with Christ the King Anglican School in Dangriga and Holy Family R.C. School in Hopkins, they completed two replanting activities. The program hosted a two-day workshop on types of mangroves, principles of ecological restoration, reforestation case studies, reforestation methods and climate change adaptation engaging volunteers from both communities. The group of volunteers planted mangrove seedlings in two locations near each school.

Foresters Lodge Belize, 9min.

GoPro HERO4: Belize and Guatemala (Tikal) Adventure, 20min. The majority was filmed with multiple GoPro Hero4s & a few scenes with a Canon DSLR Rebel T3i. Locations in Belize: - The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center founded by one of the most genuine people I have ever met, Sharon Matola. - Actun Tunichil Muknal (aka ATM Cave) in Cayo District. - Xunantunich Ancient Maya archaeological site in western Belize. Location in Guatemala: - Tikal National Park The most spontaneous trip I have ever done in my life. I hope you enjoy this travel log of Belize and Tikal!

This Baby Nurse Shark Is Very Curious About A Diver. Its Next Move Will Make You Smile., 1min. This baby nurse shark in Belize is very curious about a diver and closely checks him out. He then swims under and around the diver before following him over the sea grass through the shallows. He acts more like a lost puppy than a shark. Nurse sharks occasionally follow divers but this one is exceptionally friendly and comfortable being right up close to people.

Heavy rain in Arenal Village, 1min.

Amandala Journalist removed from Public Facility because participants at ITVET meeting complained of noise,3 min.

Waterfall in BeLize, 2min. Under the waterfall in BeLize, PLacencia . In the mountains and jungle. PoV filmed.

September 28, 2016

FCCA Cruise Conference & Tradeshow 2016

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Department of Immigration and Nationality Services Responds to False Claims of Passport Sales
In a Facebook post titled “Second Passport, Citizenship & Residency in Belize” dated 24th September, 2016 by a website “ICP Belize”, the company claims to be able to provide a Belize passport for sale at US $8,900.00 each. The Government of Belize through the Department of Immigration and Nationality Services categorically state that there is no such programme nor is there any intent to offer Belize passports for sale through any Economic Citizenship Programme or any other programme or agent. The Constitution of Belize was amended via Act 39 of 2001, Gazetted 2nd January 2002, to remove the Economic Citizenship Program from the Constitution and by extension the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161 of the Laws of Belize. The only method of obtaining Belizean Nationality by Registration or Descent is in accordance with Chapter 161 of the Belize Nationality Act. It should be further noted that diligent search at the Companies Registry of Belize does not show any company registered to conduct business in Belize under the name “ICP Belize”. Therefore any person seeking to acquire Belizean citizenship through that company does so at his own risk.

Guatemala’s Costa Maya representative chosen during pageant
Since 1992, from its humble beginnings as the Sea & Air Festival to its evolution into the International Costa Maya Festival, entertainment, culture and pageantry has been a highlight of each August on La Isla Bonita. The Reina de la Costa Maya pageant is one major highlight for the festival fans, and has become an international sensation across the region. On Sunday, September 25th, the festival committee learned that during the Miss Guatemala pageant, a special title was awarded to one of the finalists: “Miss Costa Maya Internacional”. Fernanda Flores will be Guatemala’s representative at the festival in 2017. This is the first time that this title has been given to a participant. “It is nice to know that the Miss Costa Maya Internacional pageant is gaining recognition,” said Gach Guerrero, Committee Leader. guatemala-costa-maya-representative-fernanda-flores-2Also chosen in Sunday’s pageant were: Miss Tourism World, Ghalia Ortiz; Miss Queen & Beauty Universe, Sheila Robledo; Miss Guatemala Intercontinental, Nancy Ortiz; Miss Guatemala Internacional, Ana Lucia Villagran; and Miss Guatemala Mundo, Melanie Espina.

Ambergris Today

Belize Makes Top Adventure Tour Destination for 2017
Stride Travel Announces Top 7 Adventure Tour Destinations for 2017 - The team at Stride Travel, the largest search and reviews site for tours & adventure experiences, has provided some insights into the top trending adventure tour destinations for 2017. YES! Belize made the list at #3!!! In its press release, Stride Travel stated, “Belize has been a ‘go to’ destination for years among American retirees looking to settle down in a friendly and warm country close to home and you don’t need to wait for retirement to take advantage of Belize’s world-class snorkeling and scuba diving.” “A guided tour will ensure you gain access to the top snorkeling and diving spots like the Lighthouse Reef atoll, home to the famous Blue Hole. A tour guide will also provide local insights and historical context when visiting places like the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Caracol,” the Stride Travel release adds.

Misc Belizean Sources

2016 Coastal Cleanup on Ambergris Caye
Thanks to students of San Pedro Highschool and San Pedro Junior College who participated in this year's Beach Cleanup.

MISS BELIZE “CROWN CHRONICLES”
Miss Belize Universe 2016 hits the ground running and gets her own songBELIZE CITY, Belize—Rebecca “Bex” Rath, Miss Belize Universe 2016, is already busy connecting with Belizeans and preparing for the Miss Universe Pageant early next year.On Friday, September 23, Muffles College welcomed her to Orange Walk with a full day of events, which including a motivational speech to students and a visit to the Banquitas House of Culture. The following day she presented the winner of Mr. Belize 2016, Rigo Vellos, with his trophy.Ms. Rath has also visited the Belize Zoo, met Gulisi School students in her native Dangriga, and received a very warm welcome when she appeared at her alma mater, Ecumenical High School, also in Dangriga.Miss Belize Universe attended the official Independence Day flag-raising in Dangriga and Independence Day ceremonies in Belmopan. Earlier in the month, she attended the Tribute to Belizean Patriots.And, then there’s the song. Recording artist Papa John composed and recorded “Bex Fi Belize,” soon after her pageant win on September 10. When asked why he decided to produce the track, Papa John said he regards Bex as a friend, even as a sister, and wanted to show his support.

Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Customer Appreciation Day
Customers and friends, visit our booth behind Roni's Tortilla Factory in Corozal Town.

Birds of Belize Exhibit
The SISE House of Culture is gearing up for the new Birds of Belize exhibit. The exhibit launch is Friday, October 7th, at 5:00pm. If you like birds, or taxidermy, be sure and check this unique exhibit out. In related bird news, the Belize Audubon Society is doing their Urban Birdwatch in Cayo this Saturday, and Benque on Sunday.

Happy Independence Day 2016!
Here are photos from Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 by Will Moreno Photography

Benque: October 1st Full Moon Concert
The Benque HoC is having a Full Moon concert to celebrate the new moon this Saturday, and the New Soundz Band will be playing. Featuring "New Soundz Band" from Northern Belize - Suga City Orange Walk, come one and all and bring your dancing shoes to the Centennial Memorial Park, starting at 7:00 p.m. until

Maya Expo
October 15, 10am-3pm, Belmopan. A nation's Culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. Therefore, exposing yourself to various cultures is so vital towards personal growth. Here is an opportunity to understand and appreciate the Maya Culture. PS. If you are from Orange Walk and /or nearby villages a bus will be leaving from Banquitas HOC 5:30am. Call 322-0517 to secure your space.

Images of the War Monument at Soldiers Park in Corozal Town
After repairs and repainting were carried out by the Corozal House of Culture as part of National Service Day activities.

Perspectives of our Past historical Series
One week from today we will begin our 4th annual Perspectives of our Past historical talks. You are kindly invited to our first presentation by Mr. Alan Baker who will enlighten us on the past railway system of Corozal.

International Archaeology Day at Cahal Pech
International Archaeology Day celebrates Belizean archaeology in an educational, fun, and interactive way, with the aim that when our guests leave they have a deeper appreciation and understanding of our cultural partimony. Friday, October 14 at 10 AM - Cahal Pech, San Ignacio, Belize. More information

Belize Carnival 2016 Juniors
Here are some photos of Belize Carnival 2016 Juniors captured by Will Moreno Photography for Belize Carnival

BHA President - Guest Speaker at CHIEF Puerto Rico!
The Belize Hotel Association is delighted, that our President, Mrs. Leisa Carr-Caceres, is an invited guest speaker at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum ( CHIEF) in Puerto Rico. The two-day event will take place this weekend on October 1 and 2, 2016, at the El Conquistador Resort, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), each year CHIEF, attracts more than 250 innovative hoteliers and tourism sector affiliates, from across the region, as well as top speakers from a variety of industry segments for a series of intense networking, and educational sessions. This year, the BHA is thrilled that our president Mrs. Carr-Caceres joins the ranks as a speaker for the session : Keepin' it Real". - Integrating Culture and Experience

FIVB Men's World Championship Qualification Tournament
Belize cruises to a 3-1 victory over Nicaragua and into serious contention for the medal round. Congratulations Team Belize!!!!!!

Miss Teen Earth International pageant
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to wish Vivian Magdalen the very best as she participates in the Miss Teen Earth International pageant in Panama. We are certain Vivian will represent Belize to the best of her knowledge. We are already proud of her. Enjoy the experience Vivian Magdalen. Follow her journey by visiting the official facebook page of the pageant: Miss Teen Earth International. Vivian was a delegate for the Miss San Pedro pageant in 2015 where she was proudly sponsored by La Sirene Resort, Spa and Marina.

Saturday Night Alive
"Back in Time" party at the Chetumal Convention Center in Mexico on Saturday October 15th. Come dress up back in time. Best Live Music of the time...DJs. A night to remember. For information and reservations call (country code) 9831399153 - (MX)

BSOLT River Cleanup
The Belize School of Outdoor Leadership Training participated in Oceana's River Cleanup on Saturday. Looks like they had an awesome time doing it. Thanks, BSOLT! "Cleaning up of Belize River (Teakettle to Banana Bank). Great thanks to all our remembers who collected over 100 lbs of garbage along the Belize River Banks. Thanks to Maya Guide Adventure for the equipment provided and making this event as smooth as possible. BSOLT and BDARRT helping Oceana in keeping Belize Clean. Raising awareness on how beautiful our country is. "

5 things to know about Rebecca Rath, Miss Belize Universe!
1. She is known by the nickname “Bex.” 2. Growing up on the beaches of Dangriga, she considered herself a tomboy before entering the pageant. 3. She is an accomplished volleyball player and coach. 4. She holds a degree from the University of Houston. 5. Her favorite foods are hudut (which she enjoys cooking herself) and sahou.

Meet one of Belize's YLAI Fellows!
Karryn Dawson is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. She is Founder of ShapDaBelize which aims to simplify trade in Belize by expanding affordable market access for Belizean entrepreneurs while enabling buyers at home and abroad to shop at their convenience. Ms. Dawson has been selected to participate at the #YLAI2016 Professional Fellows Program that aims to empower young Latin American and Caribbean business and social entrepreneurs to build relations across the Western Hemisphere and develop skills that are needed to succeed in the global economy.

Open House day at the House of Culture
Come spend the afternoon with us at the House of Culture. Share with us your vision for the new National Historic Museum. We are interested in your ideas. Free entertainment and snacks. All are welcome. Saturday, October 8 at 1 PM - 4 PM, Government House ~ House of Culture (NICH) Regent Street, Belize City.

Belize City History and Social Studies Competition
A Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project Initiative to create awareness and willingness to preserve and protect our history and culture among our youths. Nov 3 at 9 AM to Nov 10 at 11:30 AM, Belize Elementary School Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City.

Channel 7

581 Suspected Cases of ZIKA, 6 Pregnant Women
On Friday we told you about Amandala's Zika report - which stated that 341 cases of Zika have been reported in Belize and 42 cases have been confirmed by testing. Well, today the Ministry of Health held a press conference to clarify the figures in that report, and also to discuss what those numbers mean for Belize. Up until September 24th 2016, there are 46 confirmed cases of Zika in Belize. Surveillance Officer Lorna Perez gave us a break down of those cases based on districts. Perez also detailed the number of pregnant women who are infected with the virus. Lorena Perez, Surveillance Officer, Epidemiology Unit: "When we look at the numbers here we have 581 suspected cases of these, 305 have actually been screened which means a blood sample or a urine sample has been collected from these persons which represents 52.5% of all suspected cases being screened."

Keeping Zika Contained
And the Vector Control Unit is also prioritizing services to pregnant women. Chief of Operations in the Vector Control Unit Kim Bautista discussed the work they have been doing to reduce mosquito breeding sites in communities. Bautista also outlined what the unit is doing to keep pregnant women safe from mosquito bites. But there is only so much the ministry can do with the resources they have. After Bautista, Technical Advisor for the Child & Maternity Health Unit, Dr. Natalia Largaespada-Beer talks about what you must do to stay protected. Kim Bautista, Chief of Operations, Vector Control: "Every major municipality in the country has a Zika plan which is supposed to be in effect at this time. We did several workshops with these municipalities, distributed various sources of educational materials. Since then we've confirmed Zika's presence in Belize around June or July."

BNTU President Says Teacher's One-Day Strike Could Turn Into a Longer Shutdown
In last night's news, we spoke to the president of the Teachers Union who said that teachers countrywide will strike next week. We also framed the war of words between the BNTU President and the Prime Minister, who made a plea to the teachers not to listen to the call of their union, because it will force a shutdown of classes. Well, preliminary indications are that next week's strike could go for more than one day. That's what President Luke Palacio told the media in San Ignacio this afternoon after he had met with the Union branch from that town. Palacio said that the teachers from San Ignacio are suggesting that it be extended, and that recommendation will be taken onboard with the Council of Management: Luke Palacio - National President, BNTU: "Our members here in San Ignacio, today they were very vocal about their position and they are saying that they don't believe that they want the strike action to be only for one day."

Murdered Man Wife's Held For Questioning
Last night we told you about the murder of Rudolph Selgado - the 33 year old who was found decomposing in a corn field in the Valley of Peace area. He had large cut wounds to the neck, chest and to the back of the head. The father of 3 had gone missing on September 21st., and search teams organized by his common law wife didn't turn up anything. Tonight, that same wife Kayla Spencer isn't at home grieving or consoling her children on the loss of their father: she's in a holding cell at the Belmopan police station being questioned about his murder. How did she go from grieving wife to possible murder suspect? That's what we asked her attorney Rachel Montejo via phone from Belmopan today:... Rachel Montejo, Spencer's Attorney: "My client was traumatized. She has not been with her children since yesterday and she has never been released and have to come back to facilitate the process. She cried and she complained and she said 'look they are putting it to me Ms. Montejo that I know something and had I know any information I would assist the officers, but they are treating me like I am a guilty person.."

Sulph Acquitted of Rape Charge
Three and a half years after he was accused of rape, community activist Moses Sulph, was acquitted this afternoon in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court. Well today, he faced his accuser for the very last time, a woman from Belmopan who told police that he forced himself on her. After the many adjournments, he went back before Justice Antoinette Moore, who presided over the full criminal trial. After deliberating, the jurors returned a not-guilty verdict, allowing him to finally get free of the very serious charge. Our news team was in Belmopan, and here's what he had to say about the weight of this accusation lifted off his shoulders: Moses Sulph, Acquitted of rape: "First of all I would like to say thanks to God above all for delivering me from this case and my lawyer Mr. Leeroy Banner. I'd also like to say that I am happy that this ordeal is over, because I was innocent from the beginning and I am still innocent today."

IMF: Serious Economic Times Call For Serious Measures
The IMF is calling for an increase in GST and a cut in government's wage bill . Those are the main recommendations coming out of the Article IV Consultation which finished on September 21st. and found, quote, "high public debt, large fiscal and external deficits, and declining international reserves." The IMF notes quote, "The economic outlook has worsened further since the 2015 (consultation). GDP is projected to decline by 1.5 percent in 2016, in part due to the damage inflicted by hurricane Earl, and average less than 2 percent in the medium-term, reflecting declining productivity, competitiveness and public investment." The IMF concludes, quote "In the absence of a radical change in policies, rigid current fiscal spending, particularly the public sector wage bill, would fuel high fiscal deficits and add to the already high debt burden. This deficit, combined with remaining payments for nationalized companies and increased debt service, would reduce international reserves to uncomfortable levels."

Central Bank Governor Heads For The Exit
And one major piece of government's macroeconomic and policy apparatus won't be around when those revenue measures are put in place. 7News has received reliable reports that Central Bank Governor Glenford Ysaguirre is demitting office. Ysaguirre's contract expires at the end of this month and will not be renewed. And while he leaves at the end of his contract, his departure is still considered sudden because there had been reports that he would be kept on as part of the team to steer government through an especially difficult period. But he leaves officially on Friday making the way for former Minister, National Bank Chairman, and current Director of the FIU, Joy Grant. Grant - who has limited experience in the commercial banking sector - is expected to have a steep learning curve as there are multiple challenges confronting the Central Bank as regulator in an economy that is strapped for hard currency.

SSB CEO On the Outs
Another senior government manager who is leaving office at the end of this month is Richard Flowers, the CEO of the Social Security Board. Again, his contract has come to an end and is not being renewed. Flowers has been CEO since August of 2012 - and in the four years since has enjoyed only middling success as leader of the institution. No replacement has been selected, and Social Security is advertising for the post. In the interim, a management team is expected to be put together from the core of senior managers.

BelizeInfo, A Development Database
Today the Ministry of Human Development launched BelizeInfo, an online tool for information and statistical monitoring. BelizeInfo is a compilation of over 65,000 data values from over six different sectors. The Ministry's intent is for the website to be used by the general public, academia, NGO's and all others. Mark Antrobus, Social Planner: "There are a number of websites, we have the central bank that has a huge number of data values on the financial sector. We have SIB which has information on the economic sector, on the general population. We're hoping to have a crime observatory launch next month. So what we're doing is bringing all of that data together in one central location so you don't have to worry about where to get this data from, what formats am I going to get it in, this is one stop shop for data for the country."

Pro-Poor BOOST Won't Get Slashed in Spending Cutbacks
As you heard earlier in the news, the IMF warns that the Government needs to rein in expenditure, and try to decrease the wage bill. The beneficiaries of the Boost Program need not worry, however,. That's not going anywhere anytime soon. It's the Barrow Government's flagship pro-poor initiative, but whenever there is a need to cut costs, those unfortunately tend to be the first to go. Well, the CEO in the Ministry of Human Development says that Boost has a special place in the recurrent expenditure, which means that it's there to stay: Judith Alpuche, CEO - Ministry of Human Development: "This is the Barrow administration's flagship; poverty alleviation program, the boost. We have not been cut, as a matter of fact I think the budget that we have for the then social assistance in 2008 and where we are now, it's the largest program moneywise, that the ministry of human development has."

Some Earl Victims Still Displaced
Another issue that the Government continues to tackle is the aftermath of Hurricane Earl. While most of us have already moved on, there were more than 20 families in the Belize District who were directly displaced by the storm. They either suffered extensive damage to their homes, or the wind and floods completely destroyed the structures. Just 2 weeks ago, we showed you how the storm had compromised the structural integrity of the house belonging to Marsha Smith. It was the headquarters of the Soca Moca Carnival Band, and it fell on top over 15 revelers. The CEO told us today that they have been working with 22 other such families to try to get them housing: Judith Alpuche, CEO - Ministry of Human Development: "We have been working with displaced persons as a part of the NEMO structure that we are, particularly focusing on people who have nowhere to go and we've had to help them to move from the shelters."

Hostel Fire Still Awaiting Criminal Sanctions
The press also asked the Human Development CEO about the latest in the case of that tragic fire at the Youth Hostel at the end of November 2015. You'll remember it as the one where 3 teenaged girls perished after they were padlocked inside and couldn't escape. The Ministry conducted its own internal investigation about what went wrong to cause these girls to be locked in without adult supervision, and the outcome was that several of the employees were fired. Alpuche told us that there is also a Coroner's Inquest which has been conducted to determine if there should be any criminal sanctions:

Harnessing Natural Resource Inputs The Right Way
Fishing, logging, hunting, and agriculture: these are some of the ways through which the world's populations either sustain their families or harness natural resources to make them into industries. And to ensure proper management of the resources, and adequate private sector investment in it, the United Nations Development Programme has been running a pilot program. It's called the Biodiversity Finance Initiative, or (BIOFIN) for short, and it's a 30-country, 30 million-dollar project from which Belize is now going to benefit. The project was officially launched in Belize this morning by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, and Sustainable Development. Here's their public pitch as to why you should embrace the program:

CARSI Gives Grants
This afternoon, the US Ambassador signed over $1.6 million US dollars in grants to Belizean NGOs. These grants are part of the CARSI program, the goal of which is to facilitate security - bot through police guns and batons, but through educational and employment opportunities, which deter participants from a criminal activities. We spoke to the US Ambassador Carlos Moreno about the grants and their goal. H.E. Carlos Moreno - Us Ambassador to Belize: "The purpose of today's grant is to recognize outstanding programs that the United States Government is very eager to support. These are programs direct towards steering young people away from gang participation, violence and crime. Through education, increased job opportunities, leadership opportunities, and entrepreneurship in fact."

Hoaxes Affect Major Businesses
The Belize Bank in Dangriga had to be evacuated this afternoon all because of a bogus bomb threat. A man called around 1:30 saying that a bomb was inside the ATM. The manager quickly called the police. The K-9 unit rushed from Belmopan to Dangriga and searched the ATM and the entire bank but found nothing. The police gave the all clear around 3:30. The police say they are trying to trace the number. They told us these bomb threats are usually done out if mischief or as a distraction to committ crime somewhere else. BSI in Orange Walk was also victim of a hoax today when a website posted, quote, "128 People Dead, 100s More Injured As BSI Factory Catches Fire". The post went viral and created quite a scare across Belize. But it was completely false: There was no accident at the BSI Factory. BSI has sought unsuccessfully to identify the source of the story.

Channel 5

Managers Are Responsible for Each School During Strike
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that it will be meeting on Wednesday afternoon with the managers of various groups of schools to discuss plans and contingencies for Monday’s strike [...]

MOH Hold Press Conference to Give Update on Zika in Belize
The number of cases of ZIKA is on an upward trend and among the affected persons are six pregnant women. The Ministry of Health held the fourth press conference on [...]

Persons with Zika Symptoms Not Seeking Medical Attention
While the ministry has focused primarily on pregnant women and other vulnerable groups, Doctor Marvin Manzanero says there is concern that persons exhibiting the zika symptoms are not seeking medical [...]

What are Reproductive Rights of Affected Women Who Get Pregnant?
So far, the Ministry has not detected any case of microcephaly in unborn children among mothers who have tested positive for zika during pregnancy. Nor has there been any finding [...]

Do You Support the Industrial Action by Teachers?
And tonight’s question is: Do you support the industrial action by teachers? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote on our e-poll [...]

Edward “Mac 10” McKoy Speaks Out in an Exclusive Interview Post Gringo
The dust has not settled in respect of the Showtime Documentary, Gringo: the Dangerous Life of John McAfee. At least four Belizeans were prominent in the documentary casting a net [...]

Documentary Identifies McAfee’s Former Employees as Conspirators to Murder
Based on the documentary, McAfee’s former employees have been identified as conspirators in the murder of Faull. Ex-caretaker at the San Pedro property, Cassian Chavarria, whose nickname ironically is “Cash,” [...]

Can McKoy and Chavarria Face Criminal Charges?
Attorney Bryan Neal represents five of the persons featured in the documentary. Today we asked him if based on their own admissions on the Faull murder, they stand to face [...]

Moses Sulph Vindicated; He Did Not Rape UB Student
Moses Sulph has been cleared of rape. Back in February 2013, Sulph was accused of raping a UB student at a house in Belmopan. He had denied the charge and [...]

CTV3

BSCFA Backs Up Teachers
With four working days before they go on national strike, the Belize National Teacher’s Union has launched a feverish solidarity campaign, reaching out to as many social partner groups for their support. As we reported last night, the BNTU held a meeting with the three utility unions: the Belize Communications Workers Union, Belize Energy Workers Union and the Belize Water Services Workers Union, and today we confirmed that the meeting also included other groups from around the country including: a Church representative, the hashtag I-want-my-country-back movement, Citizens Organized for Liberty thru Action (COLA), the Belize Christian Workers Union and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association from here in the north. The objective of all these meetings is to get the groups on board with the BNTU, and to even convince them to participate in the national strike as they deem it fit.

Majority Of Orange Walk Teachers Will Support Strike Action
The Belize National Teachers Union is preparing for strike action against the Government if its eight demands are not met which includes the removal of Minister Godwin Hulse as Minister of Police and Immigration. This announcement was made after a meeting between PM and BNTU. Yesterday the president of BNTU Orange Walk, Otilio Munoz, met with its membership, where teachers were informed of the current situation and asked to participate in a one-day closure of school on October third which is next week Monday, a request which was met with open arms, says Munoz. Otilio Munoz – President BNTU Orange Walk Branch: “There is a plan of action by the BNTU, a strike action and I think it was very vital for the general membership what is happening and we had to report on the response to the Prime Minister as it pertains to the eight proposals that we placed on the table for negotiations so I think it was important for us to go back to the members and indicate to them the responses and from there to actually get a feedback from them and as it pertains to the plan of industrial action and what is their intake.”

IMF Reports Belize's Economy Getting Worst
The International Monetary Fund has continued to express serious concerns about Belize’s economic state in its 2016 Article IV Consultation Report which was released yesterday. The IMF report first provides a review of economic activity in 2015 and the first half of 2016. The following is highlighted: Gross Domestic Product growth slowed to 1 per cent in 2015, A decline in oil and commodity prices led to deflation in 2015, Overall fiscal deficit expanded to 8 percent of GDP in 2015, GDP growth was -1.5 percent in first quarter of 2015 and 2016, Decline in exports in the first half of 2016 and a reduction in the international reserves to 4.4 months of imports in late August 2016. On the positive side, the report indicates that: The tourism sector grew in the first half of 2016 and unemployment rate declined from 10.1 percent in April 2015 to 8 percent in April 2016.

Former Ambassador To Belize Chastises Elrington For Speech At UN
Just a few hours after Minister Wilfred Elrington delivered his address at the UN General assembly yesterday, the Permanent representative of Guatemala to the United Nations, Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, gave a report defending Guatemala following Elrington’s speech. Skinner-Klée Arenales, a former Ambassador to Belize chastised the Foreign Minister saying he listened in disbelief as Elrington delivered untrue statements about Guatemala. The report continues by stating that Guatemala has always sought peaceful means to reclaim what was taken from them by force and deceit and even as they recognize the independence of Belize, they have never renounced their rights just as they have never resorted to violent acts against citizens of a brotherly country.

LOVE FM

BNTU Calls on Support from Other Unions
The Belize National Teacher’s Union is going back to its membership to provide updates on the ongoing discussions with Government. The BNTU has taken a strong stance in favor of good governance. The union made eight demands which the Government so far has been unable to fully satisfy and now, after a meeting held with […]

Ministry of Health: ‘We have 6 Positive Cases (ZIKA) among Pregnahttp://lovefm.com/2016/09/27/ministry-of-health-we-have-6-positive-cases-zika-among-pregnant-women/nt Women.’
Six cases of Zika have been confirmed in pregnant women. The Ministry of Health is currently monitoring these cases and will be monitoring the babies once they are born, for the next three years. Three of the children have already been born and are not showing signs of having contracted the disease. Dr. Natalia Largaespada […]

Aedes Aegypti Unleashes Mayaro Fever
The Ministry of Health also provided updates on other vector infections rates. A new virus, Mayaro Fever, was recently detected in the Caribbean and the Ministry is observing cases that may be related to Mayaro fever. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services, spoke about the new virus. DR MARVIN MANZANERO “We can’t take off […]

Data Compilation Program will Aid in the Creation of Policies and Programs
The National Policy Monitoring tool, BelizeInfo, was launched today in Belize City. BelizeInfo is an online database system created by the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation. The tedious process of collecting years of necessary data began almost two years ago and now the system has over 65,000 data values across a […]

Protecting Belize’s Biodiversity at $1.6M with UNDP
This morning, BIOFIN initiative was launched. BIOFIN, Biodiversity Finance Initiative a partnership between the UNDP and the Government of Belize. Collin Young, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and sustainable Development spoke about BIOFIN and the challenges Belize faces to protect biodiversity resources. COLIN YOUNG “Today we are here to launch […]

Investigation Concludes in the Hostel Fire and Death of Four Young Girls
Forty one weeks ago, a crowd had gathered on the roadside at mile 21 ½ miles on the George Price Highway watching fire officials work at putting out a fire that had claimed the lives of 16-year-old, Shadisha Arnold, 16-year-old, Anna Carlos and 14-year-old, Elizabeth McKoy. The girls were being housed at the Community Rehabilitation […]

Fixing the Youth Hostel
In December 2015 when the fire occurred at the Youth Hostel on the George Price Highway, there was a transition phase ongoing where the young girls would have been moved into a new concrete structure. There was also a revamping of the educational programs for the young persons living there but the three young ladies […]

US Embassy Funds $1.6M in Local Projects
Seven organizations were awarded grant funding by the US Embassy in Belize totaling one point six millions US dollars. The funding was made available through the Central America Regional Security Initiative, CARSI, Economic Support Funds program. A short ceremony was held today at the residence of US Ambassador Carlos Moreno. Love News was present and […]

$100K to Combat Gender Based Violence
The Belize Family Life Association, BFLA, was the first organization to receive funding from the US Embassy to combat gender based violence. According to BFLA’s Executive Director, Joan Burke, the project will positively impact ten thousand young persons in the Belize, Stann Creek and Orange Walk Districts. Participants will go through a serious of training […]

Will the Boost Program be Booted?
Yesterday we told you of the IMF Report that has indicated that Belize’s economic situation has worsened and they have recommended several actions for the Government to take in order to stabilize its economic situation. One of those proposed actions is to tighten up on spending; while Government has not responded to the report, there […]

Amandala

BNTU threatens industrial action on October 3
The administration of Prime Minister Dean Barrow is gearing up to face its 6th protest in 6 weeks. On August 23, the churches, led by Pastor Louis Wade, protested at the footsteps of Independence Hill in Belmopan, while Patrick Menzies and the Spanish arm of the Evangelical Church would protest at that same location seven days later. One day after, the People’s United Party (PUP) would protest at that same location. On September 7, the People’s United Party (PUP) led another protest in Belize City. Last Monday the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) led another protest in Belmopan. Eighteen hours after their meeting on Thursday with PM Barrow, the BNTU wrote the Prime Minister informing him that, “in accordance with our Stand Up for Belize Campaign, centered on the mantra, ‘It’s for far more than three [per cent]; it’s for country,’ we find that most of what you brought to the table is inconsistent with our demands to ensure good governance and respect for workers.”

Missing man found decomposing in corn field
Belmopan police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Rudolph Selgado, 32, of Roaring Creek, a father of three children. He was found in a decomposed state, with his throat slashed with chop wounds on the head and body in a corn field, in the Globe area near Valley of Peace, on Saturday morning, September 24. An onsite post-mortem exam was conducted to certify the cause of his death, and he was buried at the conclusion of the autopsy. A police investigation led to a man, also of Roaring Creek, who has been detained. Selgado’s common-law wife, Kayla Spence, had reported him missing on Thursday, September 22, after he failed to return home after leaving the previous morning, September 21, to go to Belmopan to enjoy the Independence Day activities.

IMF tells GOB to hike GST and cut wage bill amid recession
On September 21, the day on which Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow declared that Belize is experiencing a recession, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded its annual review of Belize, after which it is now calling for austerity measures, including a hike in the General Sales Tax—although some pundits argue that tax hikes are likely to worsen a recession. Late last year, the Government increased the tax levy at the pumps, saying that the move had become necessary as a fiscal consolidation measure to strengthen public finances at the start of the new 2016 calendar year, and also to compensate for the decline in revenues linked to the decline in domestic crude oil production. The Government hoped to receive an extra $50 million this budget year (2016-2017) from that tax hike. Last month, we asked Barrow about reports that the Government is contemplating an additional tax increase, through raising the rate of the General Sales Tax (GST).

Football players injured in accident on the Hummingbird Highway
Football players from Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town were injured after a vehicle in which they were travelling yesterday ran off the road and overturned. Six of the players of the sixteen were seriously hurt, while the others suffered varying degrees of injury. The players were all taken to the Western Regional Hospital, where they were treated and released, but one player was admitted in a serious but stable condition. The team was travelling from Benque Viejo to St. Margaret to play a football match, but upon their arrival at a curve, a vehicle that was overtaking another vehicle while coming down the hill caused the driver to swerve to avoid a collision, causing the vehicle in which the players were traveling to run off the road and overturn.

PUP rebut Immigration Minister Senator Godwin Hulse
Passport and Nationality documents held by Peter William Dahlstrom, brother-in-law of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, may have been among the 55,000 plus which were issued with irregularities, according to a special audit into the Passport, Visas and Nationality Department for the period 2011-2013 completed by the Office of the Auditor General. According to the audit, Dahlstrom, who has been married to the sister of PM Barrow’s wife, Kim Simplis, for more than 20 years, did not qualify for citizenship in 2012 because he had not spent a complete year in Belize, as is required. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister recommended him for his nationality documents.

Lionman Triathlon 2016 postponed
The Belize National Triathlon Association (BNTA) would like to notify the general public, sports fans, athletes and sponsors that the 16th Annual Lionman Triathlon, scheduled for September 25th, will be rescheduled to a later date. The BNTA has been monitoring the quality of the water at the Sandlighter Promenade since Hurricane Earl affected Belize. We have also had more rain than in previous years, which has in turn brought down-stream more silt and debris. After much debate, we have agreed that the safety of our athletes has always been, and will continue to be our main priority. We have been in contact with a number of our supporters in Placencia and San Pedro as a possible venue for the race before the ending of the year.

All not lost; Police United can surprise Olimpia
With only a few days to go before our Police United FC team must take the field at the FFB Stadium against Honduran champions Olimpia in the Scotiabank/CONCACAF Champions League 2016-2017, the picture does appear depressing for our Belize representative. It will be the last match for a Police United team that took an embarrassing 11-nil shellacking at the same venue from Mexican champions Pachuca on Tuesday, September 13. It is hard to get worse than that – a new Champions League record. But, to our great discomfort, Olimpia will be trying their best to do just that – eclipse that outlandish score. And we better take them seriously. Olimpia’s only hope of wrenching the top spot in Group E from Pachuca is to out-do them against Police United, and then settle matters between them in Honduras on October 19 for their final match. Only the group winner advances to the Champions League Hexagonal. It appears there will be no coaching change right now for Police United. One bright spot, though, is a welcome adjustment in the striking arrangement in Police United’s last outing, where the explosive Fubu was placed up front in the attack, nearest to the opponent’s goal, while Cafu (Harrison Roches) played a more supportive role between forward and midfield, to which he is ideally suited.

Albert/Regent Streets Criterium 2016 results
Here are the results, by category, from the annual Belize City Council/Leslie’s Imports Albert/Regent Streets Criterium, which took place yesterday, Sunday, September 18. 3-5yrs old (1/2 lap) – 1st Arien Pope (2:12). 6-8yrs old (1/2 lap) – 1st Charles Garay, Jr. (3:13); 2nd Orion Butler; 3rd Jayden Tillett. 9-12yrs old (2 laps) – 1st Derrick Brown (6:17); 2nd Jahmai Scott (6:52); 3rd Jayden Sutherland (7:48); 4th Jahroy Gladden (8:46). 13-15yrs old high school girls (5 laps) – 1st Taralee Ordonez (15:13); 2nd Kaylee Gillett (15:20); 3rd Alicee King (st). 13-15yrs old high school boys (5 laps) – 1st Patrick Williams (12:20); 2nd Jerson Lovell (st); 3rd Edgar McKoo; 4th Nelson Zyden, Jr.; 5th Kevaughn Cacho; 6th Sheldon Lynch.

Football’s past and future converge for the Mugger and Gene Guild Day at Yabra
Another football star of the 1960s, John “Gas” Dougal, was laid to rest yesterday, even as two other football greats of the past, Louis “the Mugger” Garbutt and Maurice “Gene” Guild were being honored with a day of fun and football at the Yabra field in Belize City. The day was well organized, although there were no official speeches and ceremony to kick off the festivities. It was all informal, relaxing and full of a togetherness spirit that saw many old acquaintances and former teammates and adversaries greeting each other, sitting to chat about the old times, and sharing their recollections of historic events, which sometimes led to clarification of facts and dates that had become hazy with time.

Editorial: Inflexible and unreasonable?
In statements made to the media following a meeting between himself and the leaders of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) on Thursday afternoon, September 22, and a full-length broadcast speech on Sunday, September 25, the Prime Minister of Belize, Right Hon. Dean O. Barrow, has sought to portray the negotiating stance of the BNTU as inflexible and unreasonable. Mr. Barrow went so far as to accuse the teachers of Belize of holding the children and parents of Belize to ransom. The Prime Minister was able to point out that the other trade unions of Belize had essentially fallen into line with his administration, most notably on the way forward financially, while civil society partners, such as the business community and the churches, were not behaving as militantly as the teachers. It may be said, then, that the Prime Minister was isolating the BNTU in the eyes of the public, and this was a raising of the stakes in the confrontation. In the days leading up to the national demonstration of the teachers last Monday, September 19, in Belmopan, the United Democratic Party (UDP) Cabinet had used Minister of Education/Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber in a similar attempt to isolate the teachers and turn parents against the BNTU’s decision to close schools on Monday and march in Belmopan. But now, after Thursday, it was the Prime Minister himself who was leading the charge. Urgency was becoming the order of the day.

From the Publisher
It has been difficult to write this column lately, and one reason for this has been my feeling of futility in regards to the Kaina Martinez matter. It is bad enough that the young lady was denied her proper Belizean place at last month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro: what is worse is that the substantive power brokers in Belizean sports have not felt any need to account to the people of Belize. It is clearly intended that the injustice to Kaina should blow over like Said’s “lee breeze.” In response to some agitation, the Government of Belize decided to grant posthumous national honor earlier this month to the one Danny Conorquie, who was murdered by Guatemalans in cold blood at Caracol on September 25, 2014. It is necessary that we acknowledge the gesture on the part of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP), as little and as late as it is. This is what, I suppose and I submit, was referred to in feudal times in Europe as noblesse oblige. The ruling classes threw a bone, a sop to Cerberus perhaps, to the masses. Whatever, it is appreciated.

Sedi exposes Guatemala’s hostility at UNGA
Belize Foreign Affairs Minister, H.E. Mr. Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, chastised Guatemala in his address at the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) this morning, for violating the United Nations Charter in what he described as a “recklessly dangerous” move by Guatemala to deploy thousands of soldiers to its border in Belize following a shooting incident in which a Guatemalan minor was killed in April 2016. “Regrettably, though not unpredictably, in the last eighteen months, there have been hostile incidents between civilian and military personnel of both Belize and Guatemala in the Sarstoon River, our southern border. Guatemala naval personnel repeatedly impeded the peaceful ingress and egress of Belizeans, both civilian and military on the river, wrongfully claiming the river as theirs. “However, as the northern side of the river is Belizean territory, the unimpeded use and enjoyment of that side of the river is the right of every Belizean,” Elrington said, adding that Belize has promptly and properly protested each such attempt of the Guatemalans and engaged the OAS “with a view of putting a speedy end to that potentially perilous practice.”

Breaking Belize News

Cayo teachers press for expanded strike; BNTU management to make decision; getting support from social partners
.The Belize National Teachers’ Union continued its quarterly regional branch meeting in San Ignacio Branch to gather at the Octavia Waight Centre Convention Hall this afternoon. Interestingly, on the issue of the planned strike action coming at the start of next week, the hundreds of educators […]

IMF says the best is not coming yet
Just 10 months ago, Prime Minister Dean Barrow declared: “The best is yet to come!” Not even a year removed from the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) glorious third consecutive victory at the polls, Barrow has admitted the country is facing a recession and […]

Miss Belize Universe gets her own song
Rebecca “Bex” Rath, the newly crowned Miss Belize Universe 2016, has hit the ground running and has already gotten her own song. The song is entitled Miss Belize “ Crown Chronicles” (Vol. VII). Rath has been busy connecting with Belizeans countrywide and preparing for […]

Colombian company hired Guatemalan work crews to fix Belizean service?
Yesterday, Belize’s state-run telephone company, Belize Telemedia Limited, responded to queries about its employment of a Colombian telecommunication company, Ingetelca, to assist with their recovery process following the damages to its infrastructure from Hurricane Earl. However, the crews that have been seen in the […]

Guatemala fires back at Belize Foreign Minister Speech
The Permanent representative of Guatemala to the United Nations furnished a report just hours after Belize Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington delivered his address to the UN General Assembly. The report begins by stating that they listened carefully in ‘disbelief’ to the speech given by […]

Who owns the financial sector in Belize?
The domestic commercial banks are owned 28% by Belizeans, 0% by CARICOM citizens, 25% by USA citizens, 12% by UK citizens, 20% by Canadian citizens and 15% by Other Extra-Regional (Honduran). The international banks are owned 18% by Belizeans, 9% by CARICOM citizens, […]

Blogs

What You Should Know Before Retiring in Belize
Belize is a small country that offers diverse lifestyle choices. Before thinking about buying a home of your own in this English-speaking Shangri-la, ask yourself this critical question: What are your objectives? In Belize, you could invest in a condo on the beach, a home in a planned community, a house in a local town or a piece of land in the country. Each purchase has its advantages and its downsides. Choosing one over another is all about what you're looking to accomplish. Are you shopping for a place to live or for long-term appreciation? Do you intend to use the property full time yourself or only part time with the hope of renting it out otherwise? Deciding that you'd like to own a beach condo in Belize leads to more decisions. This little country has a long mainland coast and many cayes offshore. This means lots of beach choices, and all beaches are not created equal. Some Belize beaches are Robinson Crusoe-style. Others are rowdy and noisy with lots of nightlife and tourists. Picking one over another for your retirement comes down to what you're looking for. Do you want privacy or company, solitude or parties?

Top 10 differences between high and low season, in Placencia, Belize!
We are almost getting to the end of September, which is the low of low season around here. There have been some really nice posts I have found about guests coming here and having a great time recently, and I try to encourage guests not to rule out a trip here this time of year, despite the negative stuff you might read. I thought since this is such a timely topic, here is an honest take on some of the negatives that make it "low" season. Everyone has their own level of sensitivity to these issues, so hopefully this will help you decide if these factors will make a difference for you! 1.) Temperature - Summer and early Fall here are HOT and muggy. It is hard to quantify if it is that different from the rest of the year. I can say that in the winter months, I spend plenty of time in the evenings wearing a long sleeve tee shirt, and I never go near one this time of year. In the middle of the day, hot is just hot.....there isn't a SUBSTANTIAL difference between high and low season in the middle of the day - you are not going to want to hang out in the sun all day unless you are under an umbrella or in a pool. In low season, you are going to feel muggier and warmer at night, and you will NOT need any warm clothes. While you can get away with no a/c in the winter, it is pretty miserable to try that in the summer. The humidity is the difference, which brings me to the next hot topic....

International Sources

Teachers in Belize gearing for industrial action
Teachers were gearing for another round of industrial action on October 3 after their union demanded that the Belize Government meets its eight demands . The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), which staged a successful one-day demonstration one week ago, said that the action may extend beyond Monday even as Prime Minister Dean Barrow urged teachers to “call off this destructive crusade”. The teachers have been protesting the delay in salary adjustments as well as a series of other national issues. Barrow said he had sought to address the demands of the teachers in his correspondence to the union earlier this month and that “I made further efforts to do so in last Thursday’s meeting.

Shyne Makes Appearance At Bad Boy Reunion Tour
The Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour continues to impress and leave audiences in awe with its guest features and surprise appearances, but no one saw this one coming. During the Newark, NJ stop of the tour the crowd was shocked when former Bad Boy and P. Diddy’s 90’s co-d, Shyne made an impromptu appearance during the show… kind of. The taped – or DVR’d – appearance was played on the silver screen for all to see and featured the Brooklyn rapper – minus the payot curls – dipped out in black and rocking the mic to “Bad Boyz” from his hometown of Belize. You’d think with all the bad blood between Diddy and Shyne because of the infamous nightclub shooting of ’99 might’ve still been lingering. But with the 16th anniversary of his debut album, Shyne, having crept up the man who was once criticized for being a Biggie soundalike let it be known that it’s been “an honor and a privilege to be a part of one of the greatest record companies ever.”

Videos

A Look at the “Dangerous Life of John Mcafee”, 5min.

Lorna Perez, Surveillance Officer a the Epidiomology Unit, explains how the suspected cases are tested, 1.5min.

Papa John - Bex Fi Belize Produce By Delus X Parham An Fob, 2min. Bex Fi Belize ...The New Anthem By Papa John Showing His Support For Bex. Not everyone gets their own song! Miss Belize Universe.

Bayside in Belize, 1.5min. Relaxing on the bay at the Almond Tree in Corozal Belize.

Mayor's New Home, San Narciso, Belize, 1min. Putting in the floor on the mayor's new home in San Narciso, Belize.

Southwest Airlines Belize to Houston, 16min. Takeoff from Belize and landing in Houston.

4th Annual Caribbean Youth Leader's Summit, 1.5min. Belize hosts the 4th Annual Caribbean Youth Leader's Summit! Things kick-off tonight at 6:00pm at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. Check out the video to hear what Tijani has to say about the Summit.

Caribbean Youth Leaders Summit at the Radisson in Belize, 59min.

Popcaan live in Belize City, 50min.

Belize Carnival 2016, 30min.

Bike ride in Belize , Placencia, 6min.

Fly fishing for tarpon in Belize, 14min.

September 27, 2016

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Team Papaya Power presented with their Sagicor Visionary Challenge prizes
Since they began participating, San Pedro High School students have excelled in the annual Sagicor Visionary Challenge. In March of 2016, team Papaya Power took the runner up prize with their Papaya Leaf Tea. On Thursday, September 22nd, representatives of Sagicor presented SPHS with their second place prize. During a short ceremony at the school’s auditorium, Sagicor marketing manager Marlene Chin of Trinidad and Tobago handed over the prize to the winners. Among the gifts was a $2,000USD check for the school, and $8000BZ worth of lab equipment, including a set of vernier caulipers with 18 apps, one physics kit and chemistry and biology kits. Chin commended the school and students, as they have been showing remarkable success in the past three years. Vice Principal Conchita Flota thanked Sagicor for the opportunity to participate in the challenge, and congratulated the participating teams that have exalted the name of the school in the educational competition. SPHS is ready to represent in the upcoming challenge, with three teams taking part to try and bring the first prize to La Isla Bonita!

Statement by Foreign Minister at the 71st UNGA
Mr. President, Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as President of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly and to assure you of Belize’s fullest support. Thirty-five years ago this week Belize became a UN member state. Membership confirmed our independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and place amongst equals in this community of nations. Regretfully, however, membership did not resolve the territorial claim laid to our country some eighty years ago by Guatemala. Our track record since our independence confirms that Belize holds sacrosanct the dignity of the human person, the principles of justice, equality, inclusivity, and the rule of law. Belizeans are inherently altruistic and compassionate. In the nascent years of our independence when civil war ravaged our Central American region, Belize was the beacon of hope and sanctuary of choice for thousands of refugees including Guatemalans desperately seeking to escape the scourge of war, poverty and oppression. In the process Belize welcomed thousands of refugees amounting to well in excess of thirty percent of our then population. Indeed even to this day the flow of migrants into our country continues unabated. Belize is a nation of migrants all living in unity, peace and harmony.

Ambergris Today

First Woman in Belize Rural South to Receive George Price People Award
On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the PUP National Party Council met to celebrate the 66th birthday of the People's United Party at the Belize Elementary School auditorium in Belize City. Party Leader John Briceno delivered an inspiring message reaffirming the Party's commitment to the country of Belize. All PUP Village Council Chairpersons across the country were given a special congratulatory award on their victory in the recent Village Council Elections and 31 deserving and long-serving PUP's received the George Price Service to the People Award. One of those receiving the awards was Patricia Marin of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. She is the first woman to receive the George Price Service to the People Award in the Belize Rural South constituency.

Misc Belizean Sources

Light The Night for Kids
Awareness walk for children living with Special Needs and Fair. Friday, September 30 at 6 PM - 11 PM. Memorial Park, Belize City

Foreign Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington's Address at the United Nations General Assembly
Mr. President, Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as President of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly and to assure you of Belize’s fullest support. Thirty-five years ago this week Belize became a UN member state. Membership confirmed our independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and place amongst equals in this community of nations. Regretfully, however, membership did not resolve the territorial claim laid to our country some eighty years ago by Guatemala. Our track record since our independence confirms that Belize holds sacrosanct the dignity of the human person, the principles of justice, equality, inclusivity, and the rule of law.

Launch of BelizeInfo - a National Policy Monitoring Tool
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation (MHDSTPA) will be hosting a media breakfast on Tuesday, 27th of September, 2016 at 7:15am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercy Centre in Belize City to launch BelizeInfo - a national policy monitoring tool. MHDSTPA has invested heavily in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) for Social Protection over recent years, especially through the Community Action for Public Safety Project (CAPS). This includes designing and implementing an online case management tool, FAMCare, which is being used for the Ministry’s core responsibilities such as child protection and juvenile justice, as well as broader GOB aims such as a Belize Active Labour Market Information System (BALMIS)1. In addition, through CAPS and with ongoing support from the InfoSegura project2, has developed BelizeInfo – a national policy monitoring tool to strengthen monitoring and evaluation in the country at all levels – project, sector, thematic, national strategic plans (e.g. Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy), and against international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

35th INDEPENDENCE PARADE 2016
150+ photos

35 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND FRIENDSHIP MEXICO-BELIZE
The Embassy of Mexico cordially invites you to join us this Friday September 30th at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts at 1pm for a special presentation of the: CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR OF THE MEXICAN NAVY FREE.... call for or pick up your tickets from the Bliss - 227-2110

Multiple Parties
Fascist dictatorship is the same as monarchy Throughout history Replacing that with a democracy Choice flexibility In the type of government you provide Communism, capitalism or socialism It requires adherence to the principles Congruent with those forms of democracies Otherwise you create a morph system like in China Deh constitution seh one party- Soh they should be communist Have introduced a market signifies they’re more socialist

BELTRAIDE STAFF DONATES COMPUTERS TO NEEDY CHILDREN IN REMOTE VILLAGES OF BELIZE
Some members of Beltraide staff took a break from their arduous work on Friday, 23 September and headed down south to the remote areas of Belize. Their mission: to donate four brand new computers to schools in that part of the country. The computers along with printers and battery backups are valued at over $8,000 Bz dollars and were acquired through the Beltraide staff fund, which is designed to assist needy children and schools with limited resources as well as to carry out charity work throughout Belize. The schools benefiting from such generous donation included: Santa Cruz RC School, Pueblo Viejo RC School, Jalacte RC School and Blue Creek RC School. All of these villages are located in the deep forests of Belize, just a stone throw from the Guatemalan border. The team was comprised of personnel from our Finance, IT, Project and Marketing and Information Units. The group began their journey very early in the morning as the first hues of red and deep orange of the rising sun hit the capital city of Belmopan. But as the team traveled through the winding and picturesque Hummingbird Highway it became clear from the looming dark clouds and rain that the day would be a very challenging one. But that did not dampen their spirit, and they moved on. The intention was to present the computers quickly and return home as soon as possible. But that was not to be.

Caribbean Youth Leaders' Summit
Have you heard about the Caribbean Youth Leaders' Summit? Well, you ought to because Belize will be hosting the 4th Caribbean Youth Leader's Summit and reps from Department of Youth Services will be on Open Your Eyes Tuesday morning at 7:30 am to tell you all about it!

Press Conference on the Zika situation in Belize
Please note that the Ministry of Health will be hosting a Press Conference on the Zika situation in Belize Tuesday at 10am that will be carried live on radio, please tune in.

"Pic" "Pepitos" passes away
The body of the late Santos Lopez, also known as "Pic" "Pepitos" "Peanuts" will leave the Corozal Hospital at 11:00 A.M. tomorrow September 26th, followed by a procession to the Finca Solana Cemetery where a religious ceremony will celebrate his life. Anyone wishing to attend can greet the family at the Corozal Hospital and join. R.I.P "PIC"

"Choo Choo Kiddies Express"
You saw this trolley at the Corozal September Town Parade. "Choo Choo Kiddies Express" will make its official launch this weekend Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st at the Rotary Park near the Thunderbolt Dock. Time will be 5;00 p.m. sharp until 9:00 pm. If its your birthday you get a FREE ride!!! Kids only pay $3.00 adults $5.00. We are also working on promoting positive entertainment for our community so we're going to start having free movie nights on Saturdays as soon as we get the electricity installed at the park!!!

Happy Independence Day 2016!
Here are photos from Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 by Will Moreno Photography

Minister Omar Figueroa in the Chiquibul
Minister Omar Figueroa visited the Chiquibul National Park and Las Cuevas Research Station to observe the many activities undertaken by FCD. Thank you Minister for your support to the protection of biodiversity in the Chiquibul Forest.

1st Traditional Global Cuisine
My feature culture at the 1st Traditional Global Cuisine was the Garifuna with a special focus on the versatility of the cassava. On display were cassava flour, cassava starch for 'Sahau', farina, green banana flour, dehydrated green plantain 'Gungudeh', cassava bread and the cassava fiber used for the fermented drink called 'Hiu'. The dishes were coconut milk Sere lasus with mashed plantain hudut and salt fish in coconut oil on cassava chip. Additional props included the Hibessa, ruguma, calabash maracas and mini Garifuna drums, Marie Sharp's pepper and a variety of our rums. This display is just one of the many cultures and food that make up our Belizean Cuisine.

Channel 7

Teachers Reject PM's Proposals; Prepare For a Monday Strike, PM Strikes First
Next week Monday, the teachers will strike again, which more-than-likely means that classes will be canceled. That's the outcome of last Thursday's four and a half hour meeting between the Prime Minister and the leadership of the Belize National Teachers Union. 18 hours after it was done, the teachers wrote back to the PM saying, "no deal!" In a letter dated, Friday, September 23, BNTU President Luke Palacio wrote, quote "...We find that most of what you brought to the table is inconsistent with our demands to ensure good governance and respect for workers." End quote. Palacio's letter directly addresses the Prime Minister's offerings on all 8 of their demands. They say that the Prime Minister's counter-offer to put one less Government's representative on the Senate Select Committee is "not favorable". And on their request to remove Godwin Hulse as Police Minister, the BNTU says the Prime Minister's response is "too vague". They also say that the Prime Minister's response to the union's request for an international investigation into the William "Danny" Mason case is an "unreasonable suggestion".

Bigger Than School? The Teachers' Union Frames Its Larger Social Obligation
So, on social media, and on their own UDP media house, the Government's agents are on a full-court offensive against Luke Palacio, and the BNTU's Council of Management. They're insisting that Palacio and those branch leaders are pursuing a PUP agenda. Perhaps preparing for the backlash, Palacio launched his own offensive when he appeared on the labour-friendly KREM TV's "Wake Up Belize" Morning talk show. He was there to make BNTU's case to the listeners and viewers, explaining why theirs a morally righteous fight on behalf of the Belizean public. When he came off the air, he also told us why losing classroom hours is not a case of the union trying to be unfair to you or your children.

PM and Pres. Palacio Spar
As you would remember, we tried last week Thursday night to find out from both sides why the meeting lasted for over 4 hours. Neither side was willing to do that, but when the Prime Minister received their letter announcing that they intend "to pursue all necessary action", it was like the gloves came off. In his almost 10-minute address, the Prime Minister was not restrained when he disclosed how at times in the extended meeting, he became frustrated by the teachers, who refused to give any ground. We also got an opportunity to ask Palacio about a few of those criticisms. Here again are both sides of this subject: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize: "Their first demand was for a Senate Inquiry, but they were not satisfied when Government agreed to this. Rather, they started quarrelling with the composition of the Senate Select Committee that Government was support. In order to accommodate them even further, I accepted that Government would have 2 rather than 3 Senators, on that committee."

From Tranquil Talk On Thursday to Sharp Exchanges On Monday
So, how did we get to this place of hard words and strike actions? Well, it is unclear, but with the up until last week, it appeared outwardly, that the teachers and the Prime Minister were trying their very best to play nice with each other. Here's a small recap of all that cordial speech from both leaders, from last Thursday night. That's when we were trying to probe for more than they were willing to give at the time: File: September 22, 2016 Luke Palacio - BNTU, President: "We are now prepared to go back and discussed those responses and then determine what happens next." Daniel Ortiz, 7News: "Is the council of management satisfied with those responses?" Luke Palacio - BNTU, President: "You didn't understand what I said just now? I said we are going back to discuss the responses, so we cannot tell you that we are satisfied and neither are we saying that we are not satisfied, but we have a process and we keep on saying to the media, the BNTU has a process that it follows and you'll have to allow us to make that process work."

Hon. Elrington Talks Hard At UN
Last Friday, we showed you how Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales made mischief at the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations. He used his debut speech to his fellow world leaders to attack Belize's credibility as a peaceful, responsible neighbor. Well, today when he addressed the Assembly, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington did not let it slide. As we showed you, Morales told the UN General Assembly that Belize was at fault for the death of 14 year-old Guatemalan Julio Ruano. He persisted in complete disregard for the results of the OAS Independent Investigation Team, whose inquiry has completely vindicated Belizean lawmen in that shooting. Well, it's as though that was the final affront which pushed the usually reserved Elrington over the edge. He's become well known in Belize for his passive stance on Belize/Guatemala relations, often choosing to stay out of open confrontation with the Guatemalan officials. But, today when Elrington took the world stage he laid a diplomatic smackdown on Guatemala's Morales.

Father of Three Killed In Capital
The decomposed body of 33-year-old BWS worker Rudolph Selgado was found yesterday morning after 12:00. Selgado went missing on Independence Day and his family along with his co-workers went searching for him. They went as far as they could go but couldn't find him until Sunday morning when they got a call that his mutilated body had been found on valley of Peace Road. Courtney Weatherburne has the story. Rudolph Williams Sr., Father: "It's very hard, it's hard, very hard to explain, it's a shock." Courtney Weatherburne reporting: Rudolph Williams Sr. and his daughter stare at their loved one's grave site in disbelief. A heap of loose dirt and a cinder block vase is all the family has left at the cemetery.

Arraignment For Man Who Stole Police Minister's Wife's SUV
On Friday we told you how the police minister's son was carjacked when thieves stole his mother's SUV. Well, today police arraigned the man accused of doing it. Twenty-four year old Lyndon Hinds, a construction worker of 57 Iguana Street Extension was charged with robbery when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Hinds pleaded not guilty. He was remanded until November 11. Hinds was identified in an ID parade as one of the culprits.

PUP Names Shadow Cabinet
"A shadow cabinet" - the term might sound like some kind of political intrigue akin to the G7 - but it's not. A shadow cabinet is a standard feature of the British Parliament - and other Commonwealth countries - where opposition representatives, are assigned to mark, or shadow Minister of government in the ruling party. They usually act as spokespersons on subjects of public interest within specific ministries - offering an alternative or critical view to what the government is doing in those ministries. Dean Barrow was the first to name a shadow cabinet in 2003, and now the John Briceno led opposition has done the same. The PUP's National Party Council met on Saturday to approve Briceno's proposals for 14 members of the National assembly to act as Shadow Ministers. So here's the list: John Briceño is the shadow minister Finance and Governance, Cordel Hyde is the shadow minister for Natural Resources, Petroleum and Poverty Alleviation, Jose Mai takes Agriculture and Fisheries, while Julius Espat is in shadowing National Development; Economic Development and Investments.

Man Got Burnt Out While In Hospital
On Saturday night Marlon Usher's house burned down while he was in the hospital. He came out to find his life in a shambles. And today he asked for help in putting his life back together:... Marlon Usher, House Burn Down: "Well I'm only asking for a little assistance to start over, because you can see everything is destroyed. Only what I got on I got, you dig? That's all I'm asking for." Alex Courtenay, 7News: "So you think this was not an accident? You think that somebody set your house...?" Marlon Usher, House Burn Down: "It's not an accident, somebody set this on fire, big man. Some people who don't like to see me rising up in life, you know."

Woman Makes Claims Against Seine Bight Cops
We first met Laverne Arzu of Seine Bight village in 2013 when she alleged that that police confiscated her pick up for 4 months without authority. Since then, Arzu claims that her troubles with the police have not gone away. This time, Arzu claims that one of the wheels from her truck were unjustly taken by the police. But there are two sides to every story. First, here's what Laverne Arzu had to say. "I am here because on the 8th of September the police from Placencia came to my house and take off my wheel from my truck. When I asked the policeman what happened, Inspector Miles, he said "Oh, it's Denmark, it's Augustin. He got a report from the chairman stating that he lend somebody a wheel and I have the wheel. I told him I don't have any dealing with you because nobody gave me any wheel. And then they go on and take off the wheel off my truck."

Man Arraigned for Stabbing
On July 26th Michael Herrera was stabbed in the chest by Cecil Gill in front of Wong Gok Restaurant on 6th Street in the King's Park area of Belize City. According to Herrera, he and his friends were buying food outside the restaurant when Gill pulled up in a car. They got into an argument and it ended when Gill pulled out a knife and stabbed Herrera in the chest. Gill was charged with attempted murder in the Magistrate's Court today along with dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. Herrera was able to ride off to the hospital.

Belize Loses To Guat on Home court in Volleyball Tourney
The FIVB Men's World Championship Qualification Tournament officially began on Saturday in Belize City at the SCA Multipurpose Center. Team Belize, along with six others from Central America and the Caribbean started the long journey to earning a spot in the 2018 Volleyball World Championships. 7News was there for Belize's matches; and Alex Courtenay has the report: In its opening match, Belize faced off against El Salvador. After a sound defeat in the first set, El Salvador was able to regain its composure, take the second set, and kept the match competitive by forcing Belize into a fifth set. Belize scored early and often commanding spikes and excellent receptions of the opposing team's attacks.

"Rigo" Is The Buffest Body, Again
The Mr. Belize 2016 bodybuilding competition was held on Saturday night at the Bliss Center. After a few hours of flexing, perennial champion Rigo Vellos won his fifth title, while second place went to Clayton Greenidge, and third place went to David Requena. In the undercard which is the Women's bikini competition, former beauty Queen Annlyn Apolonio showed that she had the muscle for both beauty and brawn. Past winner Gina Lovell was second and Wendy Lizarraga was third.

Cops Fuel Peace Through Hoops
In other sporting news, the police wrapped up its Eastern Division South Cup which started way back in May. The final was played on Saturday night on the Samuel Haynes Basketball Court where Lakeland boys emerged victorious against Unruly Boyz. The top team won one thousand dollars, which second got 750 dollars and third got 500 dollars along with trophies and medals. The Unruly Boyz still had a victory in the tournament's MVP and leading scorer Francis Arana. Awards were also given for best sportsmanship.

IPC Is A Passport Scam
On Saturday a post titled "Second Passport Citizenship and Residency in Belize" made its rounds on FaceBook. According to the post, a company called "IPC Belize" was able to provide Belizean passports for $8,900 US dollars. Over the weekend, the Department of Immigration responded to the post in a press release denying the authenticity of such a service. The release says that any possibility of the sale of Belizean passports through an Economic Citizenship Programme was removed after a constitutional amendment in 2001. Currently, the only way of obtaining Belizean Nationality is through registration or descent. The release also mentions that searches were conducted in the Companies Registry of Belize, and there is no company registered in Belize under the name "IPC Belize". Bottom line, it's bogus, and a scam - but that doesn't mean that people aren't being taken in by it.

Channel 5

War of Words between B.N.T.U. and Government; Strike Action Declared
Eleven years ago, in 2005, the Belize National Teachers Union went on a week-long strike joining other organizations in a sustained campaign against government on the economic issues including proposed [...]

B.N.T.U. Plans Meetings with Other Trade Unions
Today, President Luke Palacio said they intended to meet with the other unions to tell their side. He also addressed the warning he gave last week about intending to sue [...]

Can the “Dead” Occupational Safety and Health Bill Be Revived?
In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave specific examples of Government’s attempts to compromise with the Belize National Teachers’ Union. One is the Occupational Safety and [...]

Teachers’ Union Bears Down for Strike Action
Palacio confirmed that the strike action is not indefinite. Despite the Union’s own financial issues, he says the teachers are quite willing to make the sacrifices necessary to cut the [...]

P.U.P. Reiterates Support for Teachers and Condemnation of Government
The Prime Minister conceded that he was prepared to increase to two the Opposition representatives on the Senate Select Committee to investigate the Special Audit on the Immigration Department. Today, [...]

Finally! Foreign Affairs Minister Takes On Guatemala At United Nations
Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the United Nations in a spirited speech touching principally on the Belize-Guatemala dispute. In his address to the seventy-first General Assembly, it was the [...]

Minister Elrington Stands Behind Independent Report On Julio Alvarado Death
Elrington dedicated much time to respond to the Guatemalan President’s statement last week on the shooting incident involving the minor in the Chiquibul. And he didn’t hold back about what [...]

Murder In Cayo: What Happened to Rudolph Selgado on Valley of Peace Road?
The gruesome discovery of a decomposing body in the Valley Peace, Cayo, has shocked the community in the area. Roaring Creek resident, Rudolph Selgado, an employee of BWSL, had been [...]

A Look at the “Dangerous Life of John Mcafee”
Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee aired on Saturday night. The Showtime documentary chronicles the activities of software tech John McAfee while he lived in Belize. The sensational documentary [...]

People’s United Party Unveils Shadow Cabinet at Party Council Meeting
Saturday’s National Party Council meeting of the People’s United Party in Belize City was more of a celebration of the party’s sixty-sixth anniversary of formation in 1950. But there was [...]

John Briceño Calls B.T.L. Deal “Worst Ever” by a Government
The People’s United Party has been hammering Government on the B.T.L. deal, stating that Belizeans must find five hundred and fifty seven million dollars for a company worth about one [...]

Colombian Company Employs Guatemalans to Fix B.T.L. Network Issues
While on the issue of B.T.L. the state-run company has confirmed that it has contracted the services of Ingetelca to assist with their recovery process following the damages to its [...]

Guatemalans Everywhere – C.O.L.A. Says Beware And Begone!
There is also an online report alleging that one George Orellana, a member of the Board of the National Institute of Culture and History, has Guatemalan origin and close ties [...]

COLA Throws Support Behind Teachers’ Union
The Belize National Teachers’ Union continues to have support from its grassroots partners, including COLA. President Geovannie Brackett says the Union’s demands are just the same as their own, and [...]

P.U.P. to Unveil Good Governance Policy on Party’s 66th Birthday
As we reported earlier, the sixty-sixth anniversary of the formation of the People’s United Party comes up later this week, on Thursday. The Opposition Party will dedicate this day to [...]

Man Appeals For Help After Fire Destroys House
A fire in Belize City destroyed a man’s home and personal belongings. Marlon Usher of Arlington Drive said he was hospitalized so he wasn’t at home when his house was [...]

Man Charged for Robbery of Son of Home Affairs Minister
In court today, a suspect in the robbery of Kyrston Hulse, the son of the Minister of Home Affairs, was robbed at gunpoint on September twenty-second on Marine Parade Boulevard, [...]

Bodybuilding Headlines Sports Monday
Good evening, Iâ€™m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.

CTV3

BNTU Puts The Prime Minister On Notice, Teachers Will Go on Strike
There is major political trouble tonight for Prime Minister Dean Barrow and his administration, as the Belize National Teacher’s Union National President Luke Palacio announced today that his over 5,400 members – all teachers – will be going on strike on Monday, October 03rd. While appearing on the Krem Wake Up Belize morning show today, Palacio made the grand announcement. After the show, he spoke to the media and explained why the Union sees it necessary to take action. President Luke Palacio – Belize National Teacher’s Union: “We are seeking for good governance for all of us, all Belizeans, for our children, we are seeking good governance for the future of this country and we are not going to back down because the Prime Minister has insisted that we back down we have indicated that we are asking our teachers to stay out of class on Monday 3rd of October and that is the action that we are pursuing...”

Sixteen Years Old Goes Missing
The family of sixteen year old Cinay Vallecillo from the village of San Estevan here in the Orange Walk District is tonight very concerned as the teenager went missing from her home on the morning of Thursday September 22nd at around 7:30 and has not been seen or heard from since. The girl’s mother, thirty two year old Cristina Vallecillo reported to authorities that her daughter was last seen wearing a white tank top blouse along with a short pants and a pair of slippers, purple and pink in color. Cinay is of Hispanic descent, has dark brown eyes and has long dark straight hair. She measures about 5 feet eight inches in height and weighs about one hundred forty pounds. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the sixteen year old is asked to kindly contact the family or the nearest police station.

Corozal Police Discovers Lifeless Body
Corozal Police are investigating the discovery of the lifeless body of a man on Friday evening. Police were called out to the Finca Solana area, in the outskirts of Corozal Town, where the body of a male Caucasian was seen along the sea shore. Police say the body was in an advanced state of decomposition and a post mortem was attempted on the spot, but the forensic pathologist could not continue because of the body’s advanced decomposition. No signs of violence were seen on the body and Police are not suspecting foul play. But the case is not so clear cut. No ID was found on the body therefore the identity of the individual has not been ascertained.

San Victor Residents Will Now Enjoy Potable Water
Approximately one thousand residents from the village of San Victor located in the Corozal District will now benefit from improved access to safe potable water in order to meet their daily demands as the solar water system is currently being upgraded within the village. The Solar Water Project is being carried out by the Social Investment Fund in collaboration with the Government of Belize through a grant issued by the Caribbean Development Bank under the ‘Water and Sanitation System Enhancement Sector of the Basic Needs Trust Fund Programme. The long list of tasks entails the construction of a new steel-frame elevated thirty thousand gallons water tank with all required piping and accessories; installation of a submersible solar water pump and chlorinator, installation of solar panel array to provide electricity to the pump house and controls, provision of pipes and fittings for the transmission and distribution lines, including two hundred meters for house connections and is being constructed at the highest point in the village which measures fifty seven feet above sea level.

LOVE FM

Foreign Minister Calls Out Guatemala on Their Games
The seventy first session of the United Nations General Assembly ended earlier today in New York City. One of the speakers was Belize’s Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington who took the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by Belize in its relations with Guatemala. WILFRED ELRINGTON “Continuous illegal entry by armed trespassers from Guatemala persisted despite […]

Guatemalans Says They Listened In Disbelief at Foreign Minister’s Address at the UN
Just a few hours after Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington delivered his address at the UN’s General Debate, the Permanent representative of Guatemala to the United Nations furnished a report of which Love News was given an excerpt of. It noted, quote, “With regard to this 150 year old conflict, we listened carefully but also with […]

IMF Says Economic Outlook Has Worsened
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded its Article IV Consultations with Belize on September 21, 2016. It is a report whose executive summary speaks of a weakened fiscal position and the country’s public debt going higher. It also speaks of multiple challenges being faced in the country and a worsened economic outlook since their last […]

PM Expresses Concern at Rapid Response from Union
The Council of Management of the Belize National Teacher’s Union has been accused of not consulting with its membership on its latest Stand Up for Belize move. In his address on the matter, Prime Minister Dean Barrow seemed surprised that in just eighteen hours after his meeting BNTU’s Council of Management, he received a letter […]

Palacio Says Senate Inquiry is at the Centre of Their Concerns
According to the President of the Belize National Teacher’s Union, Luke Palacio, their Stand Up for Belize Campaign is for more than the three percent salary adjustment, it is for country. It is also about a Senate Inquiry into the findings of the Auditor General’s Special report on passport and immigration. In that report, several […]

PM Says Senator Hulse Will Not Go
One of the eight demands that the Belize National Teacher’s Union had submitted to the Government of Belize is for the removal of Senator Godwin Hulse as Minister of Police. Hulse was named in the Auditor General Special Report. The BNTU is asking that Hulse has absolutely nothing to do with the Senate Inquiry into […]

OSH Bill Needs Urgent Attention Says BNTU
The Belize National Teacher’s Union is also demanding that Government pass and implement the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. When this particular demand was first made in writing by the BNTU Prime Minister, Dean Barrow advised the union that the bill had received great opposition from the business sector. This was again discussed during last […]

PUP Shadows Cabinet
The People’s United Party held its National Party Council meeting on Saturday at the auditorium of the Belize Elementary School in Belize City. Among the issues tabled at the event was the formulation of a shadow Cabinet that would be geared at monitoring national issues with an aim to ensure that the Government of Belize […]

PUP Accuses Senator Hulse of Deliberately Attempting to Mislead Belizeans
Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration was a guest on The Morning Show on September 15, 2016. He spoke primarily of the Audit Reports released from the Office of the Auditor General and the appearance of his signature particularly as it relates to the documents for the Prime Minister’s brother-in-law, Peter William […]

COLA Calls Government’s Action, Union Busting
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) has issued a release accusing the Government of undermining the trade unions of Belize. Their 5-paragraph release was issued today and has condemned the actions of the Government and expressed great concern at what they have perceived as the Prime Minister attempting to create division within the Belize […]

Breaking Belize News

PUP says Hulse must recuse himself from Senate Inquiry proceedings
Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration on Love FM’s morning show on September 15, spoke of the Auditor General’s report. He explained the appearance of his signature regarding the documents of the Prime Minister’s brother in law, Peter William Dahlstrom. The […]

El Pilar: Preserving the Maya Legacy to air this Saturday
A film on El Pilar is scheduled to screen this Saturday, October 1st from 9-11 a.m. at the ACC Theatre in California, USA. It is entitled El Pilar: Preserving the Maya Legacy. Archaeologist Anabel Ford rediscovered the ancient Maya city of El Pilar 30 […]

Before a Belmopan Municipal Bond is considered
We will never borrow ourselves into prosperity. Belmopan needs to attract and incentivise local and international diversified investors to build prosperity for all in Belmopan. The first thing a true leader needs to do is a full audit of our financial situation […]

DFC Expo to be held on October 1st
The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) of Belize is hosting an expo this Saturday at the ITVET compound in Belize city. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the keynote address from Daniel Guitterez from the Prime Minister’s office. DFC’s General Manager, Natalie Goff […]

Belize must have the teachers’ back
With all the unrest in Belize and slow shift in political momentum, the teachers have stepped in at a critical time in the nation’s development. The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), no doubt the country’s most powerful union, has given Prime Minister Dean Barrow […]

BNTU’s message to GOB is relevant and purposeful
I find the message from the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) extremely relevant and purposeful…. The politicians of this country have run roughshod over the people for too long. They live large, travel the world at our expense and grow rich while oppressing […]

Police issues statement on the murder of Rudolph Selgado
Police have issued an official statement on the murder of Rudolph Selgado, whose body was found in an advanced state of decomposition in the vicinity of the Global Outreach Votech on the Valley of Peace Road, Belmopan. According to police reports, on Sunday, September […]

Belize finally calls out Guatemala at United Nation General Assembly
As anticipated, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington made mention of Guatemala’s hostile behavior towards Belize in his speech after Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales told the UN that Belize wasn’t cooperating as a good neighbor. “Our diversity, national identity and pride has long been a source […]

Fair weather expected to continue
The 24-hour forecast is for sunny skies with cloudy spells today and partly cloudy tonight. Showers or thunderstorms will be generally isolated across the country, except in the south where a few more showers or thunderstorms are likely to occur tonight and tomorrow morning. […]

COLA condemns GOB for Union busting
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), in a release issued this morning, condemned the actions of the Government, calling it overt and saying that behind closed doors GOb has tried to undermine the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). In their release, COLA says […]

COLA condemns GOB’s Duplicity
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) issued a release today with regards to a press release issued by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) in which it informs the public that Guatemalan George Anibal Orellana remains a member of the NICH […]

Ministry of Human Development to launch BelizeInfo
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation (MHDSTPA) will be hosting a media breakfast on Tuesday, 27th of September, at 7:15 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercy Centre in Belize City to launch Belize Info, a national policy monitoring tool. […]

BNTU to strike on October 3
The Belize National Teachers Union has confirmed to BBN that strike action will begin on Monday, October 3. BNTU is continuing with its countrywide annual meetings to discuss negotiations with the Prime Minister. The San Ignacio branch will meet on Tuesday and the Benque […]

Blogs

An undiscovered Belize: Ancient Maya secrets yet to be revealed
Throughout the years, more and more discoveries are being made by archaeologists studying the ancient Maya civilization in Belize. Even though Belize has hundreds of archaeological sites throughout the country, only a few have been explored, with excavation still ongoing at many. One such site is Nim Li Punit, located in the Toledo District. Also known as “The Big Hat”, this archaeological reserve sits on 121.32 acres of land and is considered one of the smallest sites in the country. I have been to Nim Li Punit three times, and on my most recent visit I learned that less than 50% of the entire reserve has been excavated! The site has already produced significant discoveries and some findings haven’t been fully analyzed – I can only imagine what lies hidden beneath the remaining layers of soil!

Reasons That YOU Should be in Belize in October
September celebrations are over. Sigh. And it is officially FALL – or so says the calendar. September, October and November are typically the “low season” in Belize. It’s hurricane season. I understand. Everyone is getting back to school, summer is over and it’s time to buckle down… It may seem like an odd time to travel but there are TONS of reasons to visit Ambergris Caye in the month of October.

Milo Cake
I use Milo, a product that's like Ovaltine to make a unique cake.

Victoria House in Ambergris Caye: The Belize Resort Fit for a Queen
When Queen Elizabeth II made an official visit to Belize in 1994, had she not been offered a government residence during her stay, we’re pretty sure she would have been delighted to stay at Victoria House for reasons that have nothing to do with her grandmother’s name. This accommodation was one of Belize’s first-ever upscale resorts, established long before Ambergris Caye became the world class Belize destination that draws vacationers from around the world. When noted travel authority “Fodor’s” reviews a resort property, editors take more than a cursory look-see at landscaping. They know that first impressions are critical to a guest’s sensibilities when they vacation. Reviewers discovered no shortage of tropical magnificence at Victoria House, where lush expanses of botanicals and trees-—including more rainbow-colored bougainvillea and hibiscus than the eye can take in—-stop first-time visitors in their tracks. Steps away, pristine beaches await guests. Though located near the bustling town of San Pedro, civilization may as well be 100 miles away because the resort is an epicenter of peace and tranquility. Given the architectural grandeur of this colonial-styled building, you might expect a huge, complex warren of accommodations designed to host crowds, but in fact, there are only 42 lodgings under roof, so even the smallest rooms impress savvy travelers with their size, amenities and one-of-a-kind touches like furnishings carved from locally-grown trees. Beachside accommodations are particularly grand and include two-bedroom villas that host larger parties while suites are known for private roaming space for couples eager for an intimate respite from the world. From standard rooms to a five-bedroom manse, you can bring all of your ladies-in-waiting and footmen along if you’re planning the ultimate family vacation.

International Sources

Belize sailors feature in Bart's Bash
Provisional results of the Bart's Bash world wide sailing race are up. Venues could choose to race on Saturday or on Sunday, September 17 or 18. The event organizers in San Pedro chose Sunday to hold the race for Belize's field of 22 boats. All the well-established and known-to-be-organized clubs have now reported in. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, here, still unofficially, but quite encouragingly, is how the Belize sailors fared.

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2016 Article IV Consultation with Belize
The economy of Belize is facing multiple challenges. GDP growth slowed to 1 percent in 2015 due to falling oil production and reduced output in the primary commodity sectors, and turned to negative 1.5 percent in the first half of 2016 relative to the same period in 2015. The decline in oil and other commodity prices led to deflation in 2015, but the inflation rate turned positive in early 2016 owing to higher food prices and the hike in the fuel tax. The effective exchange rate appreciated sharply both in nominal and real terms, driven mostly by the strengthening of the US dollar to which the currency is pegged, reducing competitiveness. The shocks in the export sector have widened the current account deficit to 9.8 percent of GDP in 2015. Further decline in exports in the first half of 2016, combined with settling liabilities related to the two nationalized companies, reduced international reserves to 4.4 months of imports in late August 2016. Hurricane Earl, which hit Belize in early August, compounded the challenging economic environment. On the positive side, the performance of the tourism sector in the first half of 2016 has been strong, and the unemployment rate declined from 10.1 percent in April 2015 to 8 percent in April 2016.

New Showtime Documentary on John McAfee Makes Explosive Charges, Creates Huge Fallout
Software magnate and former Libertarian presidential candidate John McAfee is facing fallout after Showtime aired a documentary about his life Saturday night. The film, Gringo: the Dangerous Life of John McAfee, charts the billionaire’s course through Belize as he fights charges that he murdered an American expat. The director, Nanette Burstein, premiered the documentary at the Toronto Film Festival, after years of work interviewing not only McAfee, but officials, gangsters and others in Belize who claim McAfee is guilty of two murders and a rape. The “witnesses” have strange stories to tell about the man’s bizarre and often volatile behavior. The documentary makes some severe allegations. McAfee, it claims, who moved to Belize in 2008 and fled the country in 2012, did as he pleased, paying off government officials, employing an army of young women to satisfy his bizarre feces-related sexual proclivities, and plotting to overthrow Belize’s official government from his heavily armored personal compound. Burstein ends by theorizing exactly how McAfee used his hit men and bodyguards to commit the brutal murder McAfee made headlines for. And that’s where the story gets even more bizarre.

Infamous rapper surprises audience at Diddy concert
One surprise guest at Sean “P.Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Family Reunion concert in Newark, NJ, on Sunday was infamous rapper Shyne. But the appearance was taped. He was deported to Belize after his release from prison in 2009 stemming from the infamous 1999 Club New York shooting where Combs was arrested for fleeing the scene with then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, but was acquitted. A fan said, “The stadium was in shock to see the taped performance.” Combs’ son Christian, 18, also performed along with Mase, Lil’ Kim and DMX.

Caribbean leaders, at UN Assembly, decry new financial rules; stress UN role in development
Declaring that Caribbean countries are being treated “as if they are hell on earth” due to new financial rules against tax havens, Bahamian Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell mounted the podium of the United Nations General Assembly today to denounce the “immoral” withdrawal of normal banking services that inflict hardship on ordinary citizens. “This problem must be solved by those who imposed the regulations. It is a moral imperative,” he told the Assembly’s annual general debate, reprising a theme already highlighted by fellow leaders from the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) last week. He noted that banks in the developed world, principally the United States, are refusing to cash the cheques of some Caribbean banks because they say the risk of policing the CARICOM banks on compliance to the new rules is too high and the business they get is too low, stripping the services from across the Caribbean.

More Caribbean countries decry new financial rules
The developed states argue that the fact that Caribbean countries are bankers for those seeking to take advantage of tax competition is somehow immoral because it robs the developed world of legitimate revenue, but this is not true since evidence shows that wealth accumulated offshore goes back to the developed nations, he said. “We would argue that another moral argument is that if the societies of the Caribbean collapse because of the over regulation, then the result of the destruction of millions of families would be the greater moral wrong,” he added. Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington of Belize endorsed other CARICOM delegations in their pleas for “urgent relief from the deleterious consequences of the decisions of global banks to withdraw banking services.

Belizean students excel at Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica
Payal Ghanwani of Corozal, received the distinction as the Most Outstanding Student Over Two Years (2014-2016) and Adler Waight of Belize City, was awarded as Most Outstanding Year 1 Student (2015-2016) The students were awarded at the school's graduation this past Saturday.

Miss Costa Maya Guatemala 2017
Last night (Sep 25th) during the Miss Guatemala Pageant, Fernanda Flores, was crowned Miss Costa Maya Guatemala 2017. Congratulations! Pics from Miss Guatemala FB page.

2016 Central America Regional Security Initiative
Seven organizations will receive grants totaling US $1.6 million dollars under the 2016 Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), Economic Support Funds (ESF) program! This year the grants will focus on job creation and providing alternative activities and better education for youth at higher risk of gang affiliation and/or engaging in criminal activity. On Tuesday September 27th, the organizations will officially sign for the grant at a signing ceremony in Belmopan.

Videos

The Sights and Sounds of the 2016 J’ouvert, 4min.

BBC | Stephen Fry: Out There | Episode 1, 60min. Eye opening, a must see if you are at all interested in the rights and plights of gay people around the world. Very informative. Quite an eye-opener as it relates to the views of other countries,also that 50 percent of the 84 countries with these archaic anti-gays rules and views still in place were once British colonial ruled!.

My BOdy is Precious book, 4min. In 2013, the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow and Director of Community Rehabilitation Department, under the Ministry of Human Development, Ms. Starla Bradley co-authored the my body is precious book which provids parents and teachers alike with an avenue to discuss the sensitive topic of sexual abuse. After promoting the my body is precious book for more than a year, the Office of the Special Envoy, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), produced a series of animated films in Maya, English and Garifuna.

Belize - Minister for Foreign Affairs Addresses General Debate, 71st Session, 4.5min. 26 Sep 2016 - Wilfred Elrington, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belize, addresses the general debate of the 71st Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 20-26 September 2016).

BNTU response to GOB teachers proposal, 1min. The BNTU has been accused of being too hasty in their response to GOB's proposals following the more than four hour long meeting on Thursday, September 22. Here's BNTU's president, Luke Palacio's, response to that allegation.

Bonefishing Turneffe Island Flats, 11min. This was a trip in January 2016 to Turneffe Island Flats. 1 permit and a ton of bones made for a great time.

Nurse shark feeding Belize 2014, 12min.

Belize Day 5: The Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye, 4min. Chris and Leah adventure to the Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye. They then return to San Pedro to hang out at the Dive Bar, where they’re officially initiated into the Dirty Banana Squad!

Belize Independence Day Parade in San Pedro 2016, 4min. Belizean's spirit of celebration, energy, natural charm and friendliness make for an awesome 'Jump Up Parade'. And it seems that everybody LOVES to dance! Highlights of Belize Independence Day Parade in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

BELIZE - 2015, 8.5min. Joe and I went on a fantastic adventure to Belize. Join us as we explore ancient ruins, snorkel with sharks, and enjoy living life!

Belize-2016, 9min.

Carnival Road March 2016 - Belize City, 7.5min. 2016 Carnival Road March Location: Central Boulevard - Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize Date: 17 September,2016 1:00 p.m..

Rigo Vellos 2016 Belize Body Building, 5.5min.

Fishermen's cleaning station, Silk Cayes, Belize, 1/2min.

Interesting Facts about Belize's National Bird The Keel-billed Toucan, 7min. The Keel-billed Toucan is Belize's National Bird. Here are a few interesting facts. Presentation takes a fun approach to bird watching, in this case, the Keel-billed Toucan. Primary / Elementary school teachers are welcome to use freely.

Mordu de la peche Belize city, 45min.

September 26, 2016

PM Statement on BNTU Negotiations

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: The Operation
“Mr. Dennis, I need one big favor of you.” “Sure, Lupe. Anything you want.” Lupe is the wife of Nacho, who has helped me with some construction projects and a lot of other work over the years. “The problem is with my marido, Ignacio.” “Uh-oh,” I said. “What has Nacho been up to now?” “Is a problem I don’t like to talk about because it is almost improper,” she said. “It concerns our marital relations.” “What about the relations?” I asked. “You can tell me.” “With me and Nacho they always been plenty good.” “I believe you,” I said. “After all you do have seven children.” “Eight months ago he comes to me and tells me he has to go to the big medical clinic in Belize City for an operation.” “What kind of operation?”

Wassup Expo to provide students with unlimited options
“Wassup” Expo is coming to San Pedro Town on Thursday, October 13th at San Pedro High School’s Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The expo is spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye and Keller Williams Realtor, Kate Corrigan, and is geared for both youth (13 to 25 year-olds), and other community members. Between 3PM to 5PM, the expo will serve as the arena for all clubs, fitness centers, community organizations and charities to present opportunities available to young people. According to Corrigan, students often do not participate in extra circular activities because they are unaware they exist. “Once students’ schedules are established and they are settled in the routine of homework and school life, they could become acquainted on what San Pedro has to offer and become more involved. It’s literally telling San Pedro “Wassup”. It’s very important to keep our youth busy with good things to do, and groups to be involved with,” said Corrigan.

Doctor Love: New Mom and Part Time Lover
Dear Doctor Love, Before my baby was born my mother seemed to be as excited as me. It is my first baby and there was so much to do that I couldn’t handle it alone. She helped me pick out baby clothes. She arranged a baby shower. She helped me set up the nursery and many other things. Since the baby was born six months ago she has changed completely. When she comes over she is rude and makes critical remarks about everything. Nothing I do concerning the baby pleases her. If I don’t follow any of her advice it is like I have committed a cardinal sin. Last week I went to breast feed the baby. When I came back to the living room she was gone. I called her to ask what happened and she said she got tired of waiting. This is driving me nuts. What am I supposed to do? /s/ New Mom

Misc Belizean Sources

Miss América Latina del Mundo
Michelle Nuñez, representative of Belize so its beautiful in traditional costume

Miss Belize - Michelle Nuñez is representing our jewel at Miss America Latina in Cancun Mexico
During the course of Ten Days! Last Night, Miss Belize had the opportunity to showcase her National Costume/Traje de Fantasia to the Anticipating Audience. Her Costume was designed by Gabriel Garcia Gmx Ow handcrafted with Rhinestones, Sea Shells and Pearls! Not any ordinary costume; she is representing The Richness of our Caribbean Sea! As an island native, is only natural to want to express her passion and love for the sea! Belize's Caribbean Sea offers shimmering glitters to an underwater Hidden Gem! Sparkling Rays come alive as the Rays of the Sun give life to Corals , Sea Star and underwater life! Our Crystal Blue Caribbean Sea gives every tourists an magical and shimmering experience lasting a lifetime!

Isla Norte Ferry
Starting soon! Daily runs to Corozal from San Pedro

The Guatemala president does not know history when it comes to Belize
By Wellington C. Ramos. The president of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales, had the nerve to come before the United Nations and tell the UN representatives of the world that we Belizeans do not want to make peace with them. However, the nations of the world will not believe him because of Spain and Guatemala’s aggression against Belize since it became a colony in 1638 and Guatemala’s human rights policy in killing their native Maya Indians since it also became a colony of Spain in the 17th century. Guatemala and Belize were originally colonies of Spain after Christopher Columbus landed in this part of the world in 1492. This led to a treaty signed between Spain and Portugal titled the Treaty of Tordesillas on June 7, 1494. In that treaty, negotiated by the then Catholic Pope Alexander V1, Spain was given all the territories in the Americas except for the country we know as Brazil. This region includes North America, Central America, the Caribbean and most of South America.

From BNTU Benque Branch
A pleasant good night members, I know that you have been wondering what is the outcome of our hours of meeting with the PM on Thursday. First let me inform you that as the PM started speaking he pointed out that our meeting has nothing to do with the salary deferral because our union had lost as out of the three unions 2 voted yes and 1 voted no so the majority wins. Our meeting was to discuss the 8 points I presented to you in our last general meeting. He went point by point. We are going over it in detail at our AGM on Wednesday the 28. But what we got was palabras so after the meeting we went back to the office to prepare a plan of action.

Rigo Vellos is Mr. Belize
I continue to proudly stand as Belize’s bodybuilding champion. Last night I successfully defended the title for the 5th consecutive year! No year has it been easy…that’s how things are in this sport. It takes hard work, dedication and discipline and every year it takes much more of these things. It takes keeping healthy, following good advice and, most importantly, the love and support of family and fans. This year’s win is once again for those who believe in me. I would like to thank those who assisted me throughout this training year: Scotty’s Crocodile Cove, Corozal Town Mayor Hilberto Campos and Mr. Elias Cardenez from Columbus, Ohio. I also give ENORMOUS thanks my official sponsor: Smart Belize who have provided the support to keep me at the top.

24/7 Gas Station in Ranchito Village
Located at the junction of Ferry Road and the main highway opened today Sunday to provide full service to its new customers. 24/7 offers a very spacious service station with three pumps and a friendly staff. Friday September 30th will be their official inauguration and they have extended a special invitation to everyone for FREE BBQ, drinks, special discounts and a raffle. Don't miss out. They are open from 6:00 a.m.

Rest in Peace "PIC". Gone but not forgotten.
I met him 10 years ago when I moved to Corozal. He has left us behind with so many good memories. Not only pictures etched in our memories but tremendous laughter and joy. A resilient and strong man. God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he has put his arms around you and has whispered "Come to Me"...You will be missed by our Corozal Community and this corner.

Hand in Hand Ministries' 300th house in Belize!
BEL congratulates Hand in Hand Ministries on the construction of its 300th house in Belize! BEL and Belize Bank Limited are partnering this weekend to support this milestone, which is for the benefit of a senior citizen in Dangriga. An initiative towards improving the quality of life in Belize.

Belize Youth Awards 2016
If you know any outstanding youths, now is the time to nominate them for the 2016 Belize Youth Awards. "The Department of Youth Services is now accepting nomination for the Belize Youth Awards 2016."

The Reporter

NICH responds to NBZLive Facebook post
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) issued a statement today, responding to allegations made by a social media community NBZLive.com, in reference to its board member George Anibal Orellana. NICH said that contrary to the post NBZLive.com dated September 23, Orellana has not been asked to tender his resignation, nor is he relinquishing his status as a board member. NICH also said that Orellana did not receive a contract valued at $500,000 for the refurbishment of the Bliss Center for Performing Arts, because he is precluded from such considerations due to conflicts of interest. “Furthermore, NICH has not yet received the monies for the Bliss refurbishment and the bidding process for the contract has not begun, let alone been awarded to anyone.” The institute added.

PM asks BNTU to call off strike
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, in response to a correspondence with the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) on pending strike action, made a public appeal for the Union to not shut schools down again. Barrow explained today that the government met with the BNTU on numerous occasions in an attempt to address their concerns and added that he has granted them up to 75 percent of their demands. The Prime Minister also told the nation that the BNTU is not operating in good faith, ignoring the views of all other social partners, which have agreed with GOB on many of the issues of good governance that the BNTU raised in its demands. “The BNTU leadership is being unreasonable. They are utterly unjustified in holding parents and children to ransom,” Barrow said.

BNTU says GOB proposal “not good enough”
Following a meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow on Thursday, the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) has decided to continue taking industrial actions against the Government of Belize, citing dissatisfaction with GOB’s response to their demands. The BNTU, in a letter following the meeting, told Prime Minister Dean Barrow that the offers he made were “inconsistent” with their list of demands. The BNTU then outlined its demands and a range of responses to the offers that the Prime Minister had made. With respect to their demand for a specific configuration of the Senate Select Committee to investigate incidents of wrongdoing cited in the Auditor General’s Special Audit Report of the Immigration and Nationality Department, the BNTU said that the offer was “not favorable;” and added that his response to their request for the removal of Godwin Hulse as the Minister of Police was “too vague.”

Breaking Belize News

Body found near Valley of Peace has been identified
The body of the man found near Valley of Peace have been identified as Rudolph Delgado. Delgado was reported missing by his family four days ago. Police are investigating. Save © 2016, www.breakingbelizenews.com. This article is the copyrighted property of Breaking Belize News. Written […]

Immigration Department issues statement on online passport sales
The Department of Immigration and Nationality Services of Belize issued a statement via social media concerning a report made ICP Belize, was offering Belize passports for sale. The release states that there is […]

BNTU gives GOB notice on Strike action
The Belize National Teachers Union and Prime Minister Dean Barrow met on Thursday, September 22, 2016 to discuss the demands put forward by the BNTU. BBN has been able to get a letter dated Friday September 23, 2016 written to the Prime Minister by […]

PM Barrow asks BNTU to refrain from strike
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is asking the BNTU to call off strike action. In an audio sent to the media this afternoon, he says that the 8 demands were addressed by a letter he sent to the BNTU prior to their meeting on Thursday. […]

Serious road traffic accident on the Hummingbird Highway
BBN has received reports about a major and serious road traffic accident involving a football team from Benque Viejo Del Carmen. A men’s football team was travelling to Santa Martha on Hummingbird highway. They were coming around a blind corner and another vehicle was […]

Remembering Danny, fallen soldier
The family of Danny Conorquie, the Special Constable that was murdered two years ago at the Caracol archealogical site, is hosting an event as a tribute to Conorquie. It is a two day event and it is being held in Georgeville on Saturday September […]

Belizeans looking forward to UN Speech of Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington
Belizeans at home and abroad are looking forward to the UN speech of Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington today, September 25, at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. This comes after Guatemalan President, Jimmy Morales, defamed and blatantly spread untruths about Belize during his speech […]

Tropical wave being closely monitored
The tropical weather outlook is for disorganized showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located about 1000 miles west-southwest of Cabo Verde Islands moving westward at around 20 mph. The tropical wave, Invest 97 L could develop into a tropical depression or tropical […]

Trio villagers face eviction
Many villagers from Trio in the Toledo district have huge farms. However, some of them have no legal documentation that they own these lands. BBN understands that a letter is being sent to villagers giving them a deadline to vacate their land. The letter […]

Body washes up in Corozal
A body was washed ashore near the Finca Solana area Friday night in Corozal. It is believed to be that of a US national. Reports claim that a white Ford Explorer pickup was also in the area at the time. Corozal police have not […]

Blogs

Parade by the Sea on Ambergris Caye, Independence Day
I can’t grasp the idea that there are over 100 events taking place during the month of September around the entire country of Belize. I mean, like where do you start? It’s impossible to attend all the events in one year! I’m super impressed at how our tiny nation can put together so much celebratory events under one month. The Independence Day Parade a signature highlight of the September Celebrations in Belize. I guess September is the perfect month to visit Belize as there is a party in every corner, a cultural experience lurking in every village and town and a show of patriotism like no other. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, is a perfect example when it comes to celebrations. Bad weather does not cancel any celebrations, they are just postponed to another date. The Independence Day Parade on Ambergris Caye, is the only parade by the sea in Belize and one of the biggest, next to the Belize City Carnival and Orange Walk Parade. San Pedro Town’s spirit of celebration, energy, natural charm and friendliness make for an awesome ‘Jump Up Parade’, and it seems that everybody LOVES to dance! Here are highlights of the Independence Day Parade in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

International Sources

This Young Man From Belize is Blind But What He Has Achieved So Far-Amazing
17-year old Rowan Garel from Belize has been blind since birth but what he has achieve so far is simply amazing. I can’t imagine being blind-the inability to do things that I now take for granted but blindness hasn’t stop Garel from living more than just a normal life. Garel has so far; -Raised money for kids to attend Summer Camp -Climb the highest mountain in Belize -Walked across Belize -Became the first blind Belizean to dive the Great Blue Hole -Featured in the children book “Climb, Walk, Dive” Adventures of Rowan Garel -This year headed off to attend Drew University in New Jersey Garel proves that being blind should not be seen as a limitation. After climbing to the heights of Victoria Peak Garel said;

FLORIDA STUDY DISCOVERS ANTICANCER PROPERTIES IN PAPAYA LEAF
Papaya trees are best known for their vibrant orange fruit, but the world of alternative medicine is embracing them for a different, more game-changing reason. It’s no cure, but papaya leaf has scientifically verified cancer slowing properties. A study by the University of Florida documented the impact of papaya leaf extract on lab-grown tumors and discovered the extract’s ability to slow cancerous tumor growth without the negative side effects of chemotherapy. 10 different types of cancer including cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreatic cancers were exposed to papaya leaf extract. In every single case, the extract slowed the growth of the tumors, and the larger the dose of papaya leaf extract, the stronger the anticancer effects.

Videos

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow Responds to the Proposed Strike Action by the Belize National Teachers' Union (BNTU), 10min.

Sedi meets Belizeans at the St. James Church in the Bronx, 40min.

Yochi Trailer, 1min. The trailer for Yochi is out. Yochi is a short film shot totally in Cayo. It's about 2 Maya brothers, and poaching. Great story.

Belize, 8.5min.

Jesse & Carolyn explore Belize, 8min. Please enjoy the footage we put together while hiking through the jungle, snorkeling the reef, tubing through caves and exploring Belize.

Belize Trip 2016, 5min. St. Stephen's Youth Group summer trip to Belize June 2016

Belize Carnival 2016 #4 - Soca Moca Carnival Best Band, 5min. The Soca Moca Carnival Band successfully defended their title winning the Senior Category Carnival Road March Champions 2016. The carnival band has some 160 members.

A short visit to Belize-after hurricane earl, 5min. Having experiencing hurricane earl in Guatemala we decided to check across the border in Belize. This is a short visit lasting just a day and the signs from the hurricane were very evident.

Belize Caribbean Tours Taste Of Belize Tour OfficialHQ, 5min.

New River, Belize, 3min.

Belize Cozumel Scuba 2016, 7.5min. Scuba diving trips to Ambergis Caye Belize and Cozumel 2016.

September 25, 2016

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

MOH explains notice to importers of Pharmaceutical and Herbal Products
In an effort to strengthen the control in the importation of Pharmaceutical and Herbal Products, the Government of Belize via the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced the development of a Drug Registry, being immediately implemented on all pharmaceuticals and herbal items entering the country. The implementation of the new regulation has become necessary and according to MOH it will be in effect until further notice. The general public is advised that in order to import pharmaceuticals or herbal preparations, vendors must be licensed as an importer with the Ministry of Health’s Licencing and Accreditation Unit. The regulation will also review the application for importation of medications by ‘Peddlers.’ They are to be informed that the list of items they are currently trading needs to be upgraded to include name of brand, name of active ingredients, quantities to be imported and expiration date of the product.

SPHS female athletes participate in CODICADER games
The San Pedro High School (SPHS) female basketball team left on Tuesday, September 20th to compete in the Under-17, Council for Sports and Recreation of Central America (CODICADER) games in Honduras. Youth athletes from across Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Belize will be competing in 16 different sporting disciplines. The SPHS female basketball team comprises of Coach Paul Kelly, Captain Rebecca Barkhouse, Princess Bailey, Jucely Badillo, Ada Cordova, Ariene Kaitlin, Zaria Jenkins, Lisandra Novelo, Sophie Guan, Aliyah Elliot, Zelina Catzim, Leah Pilgrim, and Norman Gomez. The team is the first female team from SPHS to compete in the games, and they have been preparing to bring home a medal. The SPHS basketball team played their first game on Thursday, September 22nd against Honduras. Followed by a match against Panama on Friday, September 23rd. On Saturday, September 24th, the girls will take on Guatemala and then Costa Rica on Sunday, September 25th. They will complete against El Salvador on Monday, September 26th and against Nicaragua on their final match on Tuesday, September 8th. Points earned in the six games will be tallied to determine the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalists.

New film documents John McAfee’s troubled time in Belize
A new film by award-winning director Nanette Burstein, featuring notorious anti-virus developer John McAfee, is set to premiere on Saturday, September 24th on the Showtime US network. The documentary highlights McAfee’s time in Belize leading up to the murder of his neighbour Gregory Faull, and his cunning escape from Belize into Guatemala. The documentary titled ‘Gringo: The Dangerous life of John McAfee,’ details his unpredictable lifestyle during his time while living in Belize. Burstein, who emails with McAfee, travelled to Belize in order to put the facts together and spoke to the anti-virus pioneer’s chatty and indiscreet colleagues, workers, friends and lovers. The documentary will also feature new information regarding the murder of American Expat Greg Faull, who was assassinated in November of 2012.

Misc Belizean Sources

CODICADER GAMES
Yesterday, Friday the 23rd the San Pedro High School female basketball team competed in their second match at the Under-17, Council for Sports and Recreation of Central America (CODICADER) games in Honduras. The team went up against the team from Panama, and although the girls lost 30-60 they are having the experience of a lifetime! Team Captain Rebecca Barkhouse messaged,"We tried something different today, and I don't care..to be honest it's just awesome to be here! " They are meeting student athletes from all over Central America and staying positive! Saturday night the girls will take on Guatemala and then Costa Rica on Sunday, September 25th.

Corozal Coastal and Riverways Cleanup
The Corozal Junior College (CJC) EAGLEs Environmental Club today joined the Scouts Association of Belize in its 25th National Coastal and Riverways Cleanup as we cleaned the Mangrove Park. It's unbelievable that those who frequent the park leave such things like underwear, used sanitary pads, condoms, bottles, disposables, etc instead of properly disposing of their waste. Thank you to all those who helped today. Together we can keep Corozal clean!!!

Jason N. Hall passes away
He has been called an "exemplary" Police Constable by many of his colleagues at the Belize Police Department. PC No. 1476 Jason N. Hall dies after suffering for fifteen long months with massive injuries to his head and body after he was beaten with a piece of wood by a robber who pretended to be a good Samaritan, who attacked and robbed him on June 30th of last year, at around mile 37 on the Philip Goldson Highway, when his vehicle had broken down. PC Hall (aka "Bay") passed away quietly at his Corozal home on the eve of our Independence Day. He leaves behind a host of family, friends and co-workers of the Belize Police Department. He is survived by his father Norvin Hall and mother Lydia Hendricks; his common-law-wife: Nelsie Cano; his estranged wife: Yahaira Hall; sons; Norvin, Josner, Julian & Jilian Hall; daughters: Joswanie and Yoheidi Hall; and a host of brithers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces; A wake for the late PC Jason N. Hall will be held on Sunday September 25th at his residence on #12 October Street, Corozal Town.

Corozal September 20th Independence Eve Parade
Here is a snippet of the Corozal September 20th Independence Eve Parade. Onlookers waited for hours until around 3:00 P.M. to witness the start but the costumes and floats were worth the wait. It was very festive and there was plenty of swag. Conditions were hot and humid but young and old all joined together in the spirit of celebrating our 35 years of Independence. Sovereign and Strong - Together as One. Long Live Belize

Monarchical Democracy
Westminster system is built for a kingdom Belizeans are still in serfdom Elizabeth was named Regent of the Common Wealth Upon giving them independence under the common wealth Under a supposed democratic system She devised what is called a “Monarchical Democracy” Regent is a head of state without executive powers Executive power is vested in the legislature Clear separation was not created The legislature in effect controls who they want as king or queen And who they want to execute the laws for their means It literally has the legislature in control of the executive Under a ‘Monarchal Democracy’,Belize’s paradox is not exclusive Our Regent is not a Belizean Our Regent is from the United Kingdom The UK legislature control our region We are still under the British Regent; So are we really independent? Our Political system is a grandchild of the UK political system

Albert Hoy field former Hostel field
Dubu Thomas needs your help to get a bathroom for his youths and a lawnmower and 2x200 breakers switches to keep the lights on so the kids can play sports. please contact him directly at the Albert Hoy field former Hostel field. Let help DUBU with the southside youth to get a bathroom built for this field 1 urinal, one shower and three cubicles for the boys and a shower basin and three cubicle for the girls. its been thirty years of neglect! Yet the lion trods on

Mr. Amelio Kumul passes away
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Kumul family & friends on the passing of Mr. Amelio Kumul. Mr. Amelio was an employee of the San Pedro Town Council and formerly a well known fisherman in San Pedro Town. May his soul rest in peace. Wake & Funeral arrangements will be announced later as Mr. Amelio passed away in Mérida, México where he was on treatment.

The People's United Party Central Party Council has approved the appointment of a shadow cabinet
The appointed members are posted below. The purpose of the shadow ministers include: Being the Party’s spokesperson on the specific areas covered by the Ministry/Ministries assigned Keep current with issues/problems affecting the assigned Ministry, Build and maintain a strong relationships with stakeholders so as to always be informed of their perspective and to present the Party’s views As well as other responsibilities tied to their specific assigned Ministry/Ministries.

Emergency BNTU Meeting
The Belize National Teachers’ Union Orange Walk Branch urges all BNTU members and teachers to attend an emergency membership meeting on Monday, September 26, 2016 at the La Inmaculada R.C. School Auditorium. Time: 4:30 p.m. Topic for discussion: Report of Meeting held with the Prime Minister, The Union's Stand Please come and be informed. Get the facts and share the facts. Principals and teachers are asked to kindly share this important information with all staff members and BNTU friends.

Hand in Hand Ministries building homes
BEL congratulates Hand in Hand Ministries on the construction of its 300th house in Belize! BEL and Belize Bank Limited are partnering this weekend to support this milestone, which is for the benefit of a senior citizen in Dangriga. An initiative towards improving the quality of life in Belize.

Kid's Concert and Talent Show
A great time was had at the SISE House of Culture's Full Moon Concert and Children's Talent Show. Thanks, SISE HoC and SISE Town Council. "Pictures of SISEHOC's full Moon Concert/Children's talent show held at the Santa Elena Basketball Court last Friday. A big thank you to all who attended and made this event possible, including the collaboration of the SISE Town Council."

Intermagia Dinner Show
The Rotary Club of San Ignacio is bringing the Intermagia Magic Show to Cayo again, and they are also doing a fundraiser dinner show on Friday, October 14th at the SIRH. The shows are on the 15th and 16th at the Octavia Waight Centre. "The Rotary Club of San Ignacio announces The Intermagia Adult Magic & Dinner Show. A formal gala evening elegance with an amazing steak or seafood dinner, professional musical entertainment and finally an hour and a half of mystical magic in a theater setting. Join us at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel Ballroom on Friday October 14th, 2016 at 7 pm sharp! "

World Travel Awards - Belize Nominees 2016
The World Travel Awards nominees have been named and Belize is in 4 world categories. Chaa Creek is up for Best Spa Resort, the San Ignacio Resort Hotel is up for Best Hotel, Ka'ana is up for Best Resort, and Blancaneaux is up for Best Villa Resort and Best Spa Resort. Go Belize!

Suga-City (Orange Walk) Independence Day Parade
Late post of the Suga-City (Orange Walk) Independence Day Parade. Had a blast with the Dominguez, Escalante and Vargas families. A kaleidoscope of colours and vibrant music. The people of Orange Walk are hospitable and super friendly hosts. Thank you for the food, drinks and the fun!!!

The Reporter

San Victor water system gets upgrade
To improve the quality of life for the residents in San Victor village, the Government of Belize, through the Belize Social Investment Fund (SIF) is rehabilitating the village’s water system. The project, which will benefit over 1,000 villagers, consists of: constructing a new steel-frame elevated 30,000-gallon water tank with piping and accessories; installing a submersible solar water pump, chlorinator, a solar panel to provide electricity to the pump house and controls, and providing pipes and fittings for the transmission and distribution lines. SIF will construct the water tank at the highest point in the village, which is measured at 57 feet above sea level near the location of the well. Water will be gravity fed.

Police minister’s son robbed of vehicle
Kryston Hulse, son of the Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Godwin Hulse, was robbed of a vehicle Friday in Belize City. Hulse told police that at around 10:30 last night, he was with his girlfriend on Marine Parade, when three men approached him with a gun and demanded the keys to the 2006 Toyota 4Runner he was driving. Two of the men then got into the vehicle and drove off towards the Ramada Belize City Princess, while the third man got into a white Mazda car and left.

Fisheries staff gets special training
The Fisheries Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development, sent 15 of their officers to Australia this week for a special training course on “Enhancing Fisheries Management Capacity in the Caribbean Region.” The delegation, which included senior fisheries officers, fisheries officers, analysts and policy officers, will spend four weeks at the Innovation Centre at ANCORS, University of Wollongong, which is one of Australia’s top 10 universities. The training course, prepared through a collaboration between the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) to strengthen the region’s capacity in fisheries law and fisheries management.

Breaking Belize News

Woman shot in Belize city
Reports reaching BBN is that a woman was shot on Pinks alley in Belize city just after 7:00 tonight. Details are still forthcoming. Police are commencing investigations. We will have more updates as the information becomes available. © 2016, www.breakingbelizenews.com. This article is the […]

B.T.L. turning to Guatemalan telecom company for Earl relief
Belize’s state-run telephone company, Belize Telemedia Limited, has confirmed that it has employed the services of a Guatemalan telecommunication company Ingetelca to assist with their recovery process following the damages to its infrastructure from Hurricane Earl. Belizeans who have seen the Guatemalan service trucks […]

Belize hosting regional volleyball tournament
The FIVB World Championship Regional Qualification Volleyball Tournament is underway at Saint Catherine’s Academy Gymnasium. The round-robin tournament is being hosted under the auspices of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) and features teams from Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, […]

Belize in “Zika crisis”?
According to this weekend’s Amandala, 42 cases of Zika have been confirmed countrywide, with 341 more suspected. Of these, five women have been diagnosed with zika and 21 pregnant women are suspected to have the virus which can cause microcephaly, and other fetal brain defects. […]

Caleb tells UN to voice struggles of LGBT
At yesterday’s United Nations (UN) General Assembly, LGBT activist Caleb Orozco made a presentation claiming victory in Belize over the Section 53 ruling. He stated that this victory ‘has reverberated throughout the Caribbean and has become a beacon of hope for many.’ He also […]

Belizean Patrimony for sale online
A website is offering Belize passports for sale. IPC Belize, an online website has on its page an advertisement offering Belize passports through direct local contacts. The page states that they have been able to secure “a fast, reliable and secure way of obtaining […]

McAfee’s former security guard backtracks on Showtime interview
A former security guard who worked fir anti-virus creator, John Mcafee, has now come forward and claims that he was paid to provide information on Mcafee. Edward Mckoy claims he was paid $3,000 dollars to be interviewed. Mckoy has a receipt in which $3,000 […]

PUP announces Shadow cabinet
The People’s United Party (PUP) today held its National Party council meeting at the Belize Elementary School auditorium in Belize city. Leaders, members and supporters of the party gathered to celebrate the 66th birthday of the PUP. The Party Council has approved the appointment […]

Son of police minister robbed at gun point
Two men have been detained after the son of Police Minister Godwin Hulse was robbed at gunpoint Thursday night. Kryston Hulse and his girlfriend were parked on Marine Parade in Belize City in a red 4Runner SUV. Three dark complexion male persons approached them […]

Blogs

Act Fast on a Stolen Cell Phone
As many of you know, Monday night the unthinkable happened and my phone was stolen out of my bag. It went down so fast it made my head spin. I was walking on the north on the west side of back street and right at the parking lot between the Artists Market and San Pedro House of Culture. I did not have my cell phone out at all and I had my music player in my hand so my arm was up and mostly covering my bag. Along came Evil Houdini riding his bike at a good clip. While passing me from the front, he somehow managed to reach on my bag without slowing down or even touching me – that part is still baffling. The only reason I knew something happened was that my strap is adjustable and so his motion knocked one part of the strap off my shoulder and my bag dropped lower, it was also fully open compared to partly before. I spun around and he was already gone.

The Independence Parade in San Pedro Part Two: Jump Up Behind the Truck!
More photos from Belize’s 35th Birthday Party in San Pedro. Did I mention that it was HOT? I’m giving you all my photos because, well, I worked hard for them. The temperature may have been 89 degrees at noon but the real feel? Accuweather tells me it was 110. And I BELIEVE! Blistered feet, a crazy sunburn and…some sort of heat exhaustion that make me…well a bit sick. Was it worth it?

Independence Day, Ranchito Style
As I mentioned in my previous post, Wednesday was Independence Day here in Belize. We, along with our friends, Colleen and Bruce, decided to check out some of the festivities at the Ranchito Community Center. The festivities kicked off with a parade of local school children. Dressed in their school uniforms, all of the them sported flags and horns. Some even had patriotic (albeit temporary) tattoos. The smallest munchkins got to ride in style. And to keep the pace moving, there was even a drum corps. Some of the children carried banners, including one displaying this year's theme. We were also delighted to see the 2015 Queen of Ranchito and her successor, who was crowned later in the day. Aren't these beautiful young ladies?

International Sources

McClean addresses de-risking, SDGs at UN
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxine McClean, has taken Barbados’ concerns over de-risking on correspondent banking activity to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In her address to the 71st session of the UNGA this afternoon, McClean said “the negative impacts of the economic and financial decisions of international financial and other institutions”, as well as “persistent and unwarranted attacks” on the island’s international financial services sector are detrimental to economic development. “These actions threaten our economic stability and our ability to participate in global financial, trade and economic systems. They undermine our capacity to achieve full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” McClean said. The issue of de-risking has been a major concern for member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) after several, including Barbados, Belize, Antigua and Jamaica, have reporting that they have begun feeling the impact of the decision by international banks to terminate or restrict correspondent banking relationships with those countries.

Videos

Hawkesworth Bridge being repaired in San Ignacio, 1min. Lol from 1949 to now

San Pedro, Belize, 5min. Belize birthday trip.

Sharks and Rays in Belize, 3min. Swimming with sharks and rays in Belize

Belize 2016, 6min. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize Aqua Vista Beachfront Suites Catamaran Belize Day Tours Uprising Fishing Tours.

My Family trip to Belize pt. 1, 4min.

September 24, 2016