Belize Times August 9, 2015

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The Belize Times

9 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

Established 1957

9 AUGUST 2015 | ISSUE NO: 4957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

KHMH runs of out beds! …Petrocaribe NOT Rolling Here

Pg. 3 UB faculty & staff request salary increase

Minister of Education Patrick Faber tells them to join waiting list

Pg. 22

First Caribbean Bank Closes!

Over 60 Employees Face Termination

Pg. 6

Pg. 12 & 13

PUP Launches Power to the People Tour in Cayo

2 youths shot in Jane Usher “Gaza” area Pg. 22

Lying and Deceitful Mayor

By Roy Davis, Freelance Journalist

SENATOR SHOMAN Chastises BTL for degrading ads

Minor detained

for fatal

stabbing Corozal

Pg. 2

Victim, Samir Vivas

Pg. 15

Pg. 23

9 AUG

2015

KHMH runs of out beds! …Petrocaribe not rolling here

Belize City, August 6, 2015 The Barrow Administration has had access to hundreds of millions of dollars through the Petrocaribe initiative. Some $400m will likely have been borrowed through the initiative by the end of this year. Of those millions, one would think the Government would have been investing heavily on the priorities for our people: education, health care and the creation of jobs. But such is not the case.

The Petrocaribe funds, obtained and spent in flagrant contravention of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, have been used solely to advance the political agenda of the United Democratic Party in Government. Millions promised to keep the people of the Cayo North East area from rising up against the politician turned passport salesman, Elvin Penner; millions spent in Belize City to prop up the image of a man who uses his office as Mayor to lobby for a political constituency so he could call himself one of the ‘big boys’ in the UDP; millions more to keep UDP cronies happy through the awarding of million-dollar contracts for projects that could have waited as priorities are being neglected. And of course, millions more

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THE BELIZE TIMES

for buy-elections to gain political seats and power for an absolutely corrupt Government.

Petrocaribe has not built a single classroom, much less a school, or a clinic or hospital in the country. Despite the growing needs for more educational opportunities and access to healthcare among our people, the Prime Minister Dean Barrow has refused to use Petrocaribe in meaningful ways.

The management and employees at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital have been crying out for attention and support. On a daily basis, the hospital has been tasked with “mission impossible”: saving lives with very few resources.

The hospital is constantly short on basic medication and vital equipment. This week they announced that there was a shortage in beds to cater to the number of trauma patients arriving at the hospital.

As a result, for the next few days, the hospital has taken the drastic decision to “suspend elective admissions to the General Surgical Ward and Day Cases”.

The KHMH says the burden is too much as a result of an “overwhelming numbers of emergency cases, particularly trauma

victims, requiring admission and surgical intervention”.

While the KHMH needs beds and equipment, the Prime Minister is instead offering to spend $150,000 from the Petrocaribe funds on the construction of a chap-

el at the facility. This has more to do with buying out an alliance with religious leaders than caring for the poor and sick at the hospital.

The Minister of Health Pablo Marin has kept silent about the situation at the hospital. He always distances himself from any problems that exist and lays the blame on the Board of Directors.

It’s a sad situation in our country, when the rich Ministers get to fly out for first-class medical treatment while the poor must wait in line at broken down hospitals.

The nation’s only referral hospital is overwhelmed.

It has begun to turn back patients because they have run out of beds.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

9 AUG

2015

Five Major Agenda Points ADDRESS TO THE NATION

by Hon. Francis Fonseca Leader of the People’s United Party 27 July 2015 My fellow Belizeans, Nobody knows better than you the very serious problems and challenges facing our Belizean families, communities and nation. Too many of you know and live each day the pain and anguish of NOT being able to put food on the table, to make ends meet, to educate your children, to get proper healthcare, to keep a roof over your head.

Your People’s United Party, with your support, will bring us into that dawn of a day that will see social justice for all, economic and governance reform, education and health reform.

We provide for your review and approval, the following five major agenda points •

The PUP knows best how to create jobs and put money in your pockets. We will do so for you and your families;

•

NO to the ICJ. Guatemala must first respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity as an equal partner and neighbor;

•

Roll out NHI across Belize and ensure that all Belizeans have access to basic medicines and quality healthcare. No longer must our people die because they can’t afford the healthcare they need;

Our current UDP Government acts like they are our rulers, informing us that we will go to the ICJ, whether we like it or not; while allowing the death of Danny Conorquie to go unanswered; our reef to be wrecked; Guatemalan companies to build our FOBs and ultimately, seeking permission to build a base on our sovereign territory.

•

Appoint the 13th Senator and Repeal the abusive PetroCaribe Act which contravenes the Finance and Audit Act and replace it with a law that conforms to our existing fiscal and audit laws and regulations, so that the PetroCaribe program may be utilized to benefit all Belizeans;

A Governments first and most sacred duty and obligation is the protection of our territorial integrity and national sovereignty. This UDP Government has failed in this solemn duty and for this alone THEY MUST GO AND GO NOW!

•

The time has come for us as a Nation to boldly and proudly declare that we will make education from pre-school to 6th form FREE. There is no better investment that we can make than that we make in Education.

Jobs are scarce and unemployment is high. Wages are stagnant, and so is our economy. The only significant growth that has been recorded is the amount of external debt, which is now an astronomical 2.3 billion dollars and growing every day.

The cost of living has gone up and the purchasing power of your dollar has gone down. Crime, and the angel of death stalk our youth, and the rate of murder, rape and sexual assault is fast approaching crisis proportion. Belize – our Belize – is the nation with the fourth highest homicide rate per capita, in the world.

In the hour when it seems darkest, if you are a person of faith, you DO NOT give in to despair. You KNOW that light approaches, and that the dawn of deliverance is near.

Your faith sustains you, and gives you new resolve and hope.

That hour of darkness may be here, but I appeal to your faith. I appeal to your resolve. I appeal to your hope.

Together, we WILL RISE. Our BELIZE WILL SHINE AGAIN.

We CAN achieve these things. WE can create meaningful change; WE CAN make Belize the best place on earth to live, love, work, and play.

I ask you today, with humility, with hope, with the knowledge that YOU hold the power to create this new Belize, to join me, join me and my team, join hands with us, hearts with us, HOPE WITH US. WE CAN CREATE A BETTER BELIZE… Power to the People

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THE BELIZE TIMES

First Caribbean Bank Closes!

Over 60 Employees Face Termination Belize City, August 3, 2015 The worst kind of news hit over sixty employees of the First Caribbean International Bank with the announcement that the bank will be shutting down its doors for good once it completes the sale of its assets to another local bank.

The deal between FCIB, which is owned by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and Heritage Bank of Belize has been in negotiations behind closed doors for several weeks, and it was not until the senior officials of international bank met with leaders of the Christian Workers Union on Monday, August 3rd, that the cat was let out of the bag.

The Christian Worker’s Union was the first to sound the alarm, confirming reports that had been swirling for at least a month. The CWU had attempted to get answers when they wrote the bank on July 3rd, 2015, but they got none.

This week, amidst great controversy triggered by the Union, the FCIB was forced to respond. They offered very little details on the reasons for their decision, and the Chief Executive Officer of CIBC First Caribbean’s Regional Operations, Rik Parkhill, only indicated in a press release that the bank had “conducted a strategic review of our business across the region and given the growth path we have identified we have made the difficult decision to sell our Belize operations”.

Reports are that FCIB has been facing financial losses over the past years in Belize. The bank’s strategic review showed a worsening outlook and the decision was made by CIBC to abandon Belize.

According to the bank’s official data, as of March 2015 it had 300.3 million dollars in assets and 282.9 million dollars in liabilities. In its last financial report, for March 2015, it had recorded a loss of $680,000.

The agreement with Heritage Bank Limited is strictly and exclusively for a sale of the bank’s assets. This means that once the bank officially hands over its valuable properties and possessions in exchange for cash, FCIB will discontinue its operations, releasing all its employees.

The CWU is concerned about its members since the bank’s decision will negatively affect them.

“The bottom-line is that CIBC is leaving Belize and once all the statutory and regulatory obligations to effect the sale are finalized, all employees will become redundant”, said CWU President, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, in a release.

Shepherd also expressed disappointment with the bank’s handling of the situation, since the Union had sought answers from them weeks ago. She also indicated that the last Collective Bargaining Agreement between the bank and its employees expired in 2013.

Shepherd said that the CWU is focused on ensuring that the employees could at least benefit from a proper exit package. They urged the bank to get on with negotiations for an updated Collective Bargaining Agreement that will cover the period January 1, 2014 to whenever the bank closes its doors.

9 AUG

2015 CIBC First Caribbean executives say closing down the bank in Belize was a strategic decision

9 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

AMAZING GLORIA I was in a bit of shock several evenings ago when I received a text message from Emy Gilharry Ramirez, informing family and friends that Gloria Gilharry had passed away in Arizona, USA a few days before, and that the memorial service for her would be held on Friday, July 31 in Corozal Town.

For many years I have been close friends with the Gilharry sisters, expecially Grace (Graciela), Gloria and Emy. There are certain persons in life who always hold a very special place in our consciousness and memory.

Grace is one such person. For almost two years when I was a law student in Jamaica, I stayed with Grace and Maurice Saunders and their family. Their kindness and generosity towards

me when I was a struggling university student is something I will never forget.

Through Grace, I became good friends with Gloria and Emy, and I knew their parents, Allan and Andrea Gilharry, quite well and held them in the greatest of respect while they were alive.

Gloria was Grace and Emy’s older sister. She lived all her life in Corozal Town. I remember her friendly disposition, gentle personality, and her hospitality whenever I visited along with my husband Pepe. I also came to be friendly with Gloria’s children Ruel, Glenda and Samuel Hall Jr., and we spent various evenings visiting and socializing while we were in Corozal.

Gloria was exceptional at cooking. She not only delighted

family and friends with her many culinary creations, but also she did catering for many events, and she managed the kitchen at the Corozal Community College for sixteen years. On numerous occasions when students there could not afford to buy their lunch, Gloria would provide a meal for them free of cost. I am told that she was also good at sewing and embroidery, and these she also used to make her modest living.

What always struck me was her ability to share and to help in her community. She was not well-off in any way, but she was ever the first to provide volunteer service, and never counting the cost or the time spent. It amazes me that Gloria was a member and leader in the Red Cross Society in Corozal for all of Fifty Two years, from the tender age of fifteen, and right up until the time of her passing. She put in many long hours volunteering throughout her community, especially at the Corozal Town Hospital. And she was entirely steadfast in serving the poor and needy, the infirm and suffering of her municipality.

Family and friends tell the anecdote that when Hurricane Dean struck Corozal, the roof of Gloria’s home blew off. However, Gloria’s first thoughts and actions paid no attention to her own needs. Instead

PB 07 she was out and about town assisting mothers and families with food, clothing and shelter. The time for claiming benefits to repair her roof ran out, but authorities later realized that her neglect of self was in order to assist others, and they allowed her to enter a late application so that her roof could be replaced.

I am very glad that Hector Lopez, President and Lily Bowman, Director General of the Red Cross, along with a sizeable contingent of Red Cross volunteers from across the country, turned out in full force, along with family, relatives and friends, for her memorial Mass and interment last Friday evening. The ceremonies were a poignant and fitting tribute.

In 2007, I believe, she was granted the Meritorious Service Award during the Annual Tribute to Belizean Patriots, a recognition richly deserved. In her eulogy Glenda described her Mom as a gentle woman who was a giant, and a giant of a person who was gentle. I found her humility, her soft-spoken demeanor, her selflessness, and her unswerving commitment to volunteer service completely amazing. May she rest in Perfect Peace. To all of us who knew her, she certainly was Amazing Gloria!!

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Of this and that…

No News News in Belize is Bad News. America has investigative journalism. They buss ting and expose. They inform. Big Up Channel 5 at least they have healthy living.

Jules, he…

Channel 7 does not try to teach. They do not inform. Channel 7 is about propaganda. It

Weed The weather hot. This is caye time. But seaweed is spoiling it. Cruffy tho. I have a question. How come nobody create a machine. A business. An invention. Something that can sweep it up. Quick.

Money deh fi mek.

No Bed

is not about information. It is not about education. It teaches you nothing.

All bad news.

Evening news is a big tool. Missed opportunity. It teaches a nation. Belize is educated at 6:30. It is a lost opportunity.

Evan X is right. Politicians should stay out of the news business.

Listen to him Jules.

Missionary Position A child dies. This is very sad. He drowns on a trip. A trip to Blue Creek Cave. That is in Toledo. He was with missionaries. This is sad. But geez. That place is so pretty.

I guess every cloud has a silver lining.

Wrong, Wrong Belize got slaves from Jamaica. We are similar. Not only in murders. Not only with the Queen thing.

Belize has a Magistrate’s Court. Jamaica has a Magistrate’s Court. Jamaicans say their court is bad. We have a Jamaican Chief Magistrate.

Our magistrate court is bad. There are no magistrates. Ok, maybe two.

It is worse than Jamaica. It is the worse it has ever been. We need to change this similarity.

Mose Hyde Mose was on fire.

He cuss off the UDP. He was at a forum. It was about the Petrocaribe Law. It was at St. Mary’s. He “sock it” to the UDP. He told them to stick it in their paper. Where the sun don’t shine.

The UDP put him in a cartoon. They attack him. He got a whole page. Picture too.

Mose disappeared. Gone. Hiding? Vacation?

Nuri filled in. It felt long. The UDP forgot about Mose. He is back. He will jabs them up more.

Maybe? Maybe not…?

9 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

KHMH. It means what you want it to mean.

Right now. It mean no bed. People have to ker their own sponge. The doctors are trying. Sickness is no joke. Medication is one thing. Rats is another thing. Death is something else.

Incredible. UDP spent $256,000.00.

Wasted that. Wasted it to cement the parking lot. The parking lot!!!

Only in Belize.

closed. Out of business. Banks never lose.

Things are bad. Belize tighten up.

What more signs do you need? Jesus to come down from the cross and tell we?

Lawd.

Sedi is an ass Sedi is an ass. A Guatemalan ass.

He is the most disliked public official in Belize. Everybody hates Sedi. All Belizeans.

If Sedi was a species of prehistoric human, he would be extinct. A dodo bird would last longer.

The problem is bad. The problem is big.

The problem is Barrow allows him to talk.

Even make decisions. What an este!

What is the worst that could happen?

Business in Belize is bad. Very bad. I can prove it. Business is so bad, even a bank

Who di hell is Kim? Kim. Who is Kim Simplis? Kim? What foolishniss you talking? She pops up for the camera. No one asks. Nobody. All the media is there. They drink her kool-aid.

Why no one asks her? Ask her about the $100,000 per week that Boots gets. $100,000 every week. He gets it for differently abled people. Where is that money!?

God will strike unno down. He no sleep. What a wickedness! The media will get a lashing too.

Big Up Sabal

Faber should apologize Patrick Faber is a lot of things. Likeable

Hummn Kim Kardashian is a big deal. It is hard to keep up with the Kardashians.

Her step father was Bruce Jenner. He is now a woman. Caitlyn Jenner. I wonder what Belizeans think? Think about this?

I guess the lesson is “be you”. Do you.

America… smh Hummmn. Anyway, better lef dem things lone. You can’t have an opinion. For some things. Just some things.

2015

is not one of them.

What a douche. He beats women.

Abusive. He hates teachers. Insulting. He is the Minister of child molesters. According to him. He is a hit and run offender. Police should arrest him. He damages property. Violent criminal.

He was on the news. He said he hired a “dumb” man. He was with differently abled children. He is an ass. He is the “dumb” one.

The word is hearing impaired. Patrick is ignorant. He should apologize. Kim is Simpliness.

She should demand that Faber apologize.

Fat chance.

Sabal is a winner. He is the latest PUP. He is charismatic. He di win. He is loved. A leader. A listener. Humble. Centered. Man of Integrity.

He did not sign any letter.

He is focused. He is immune from mischief. He will be a Minister one day.

Soon.

Nuh di Lamp up Election time is here. Wake up and work.

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.” - William Shakespeare

99 AUG AUG

2015 2015

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

Belizean Beauty

Schelleen

• • • • • •

09 TOPMODEL PB

Career Plan: Pediatrician Sign: Cancer Favourite Food: Shrimp Alfredo Likes: Taking pictures, eating, traveling Lives in: New York (born in Belize) Fav. Quote: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”

visit us at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times

TOP MODEL Clothing and Accessories provided by CATWALK FASHIONS

Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City

10 SPORTS

Deon McCauley is Superb!

Top Striker scores hat trick in friendly match in O.W.

O. Walk’s Filadelfo Perez takes on Deon McCauley

9 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

Orange Walk Town, August 2, 2015 Football fans in the north got to see Belize’s top goleador Deon McCauley work his magic with brilliance as he scored a hat-trick against a formidable Orange Walk selection.

The local team hosted the national team for a practice friendly at the Louisiana Government School field in Orange Walk Town on Sunday.

The Jaguars have less than a month to complete their preparation, but they have a very good chance of winning against Canada, who they take on in the 3rd round of the World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers in Canada on September 4.

Belize will host Canada at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on September 8.

Macaulay’s 1st goal came in the 13th minute when the Sugar City goalie misplayed the ball on a shot at goal by Gabriel Perez. Sugar City’s sweeper Andrew Allen brought down McCauley

Andres Makin Jr pressures Juan Rodney

2015 on the goal line, but too late, Deon had already tapped the loose ball into the net: 1-0.

Down at the other end, Jaguars’ goalie Glenford Chimilio handled challenges from Jason Williams, Alex Diaz and Eliazar “Toto” Itza, the MVP at this year’s ATLB nationals, who had also embarrassed Premier League Champs Verdes FC with 2 goals in another practice friendly with the CONACAF hopefuls.

The goal net could not stop Macaulay’s 2nd goal in the 42nd minute, when Deon pivoted on his right foot for a hard left foot shot to finish a pass from Everald Trapp.

In the 2nd half, Deon did it again, this time with the assist coming from Denmark Casey Jr. in the 48th minute: 3-0!

The Jaguars’ defense got a little sloppy after that, leaving Eliazar “Toto” Itza unattended and he made Chimilio pay as he headed in a consolation goal for Sugar City in the 52nd minute, and the fans in the stands roared their approval.

Sugar City had little time to celebrate; as Jordi Polanco, Osmar Duran and Edmund Pandy Jr. came off the Jaguars’ bench in the 2nd half, and Polanco restored the 3-goal lead with a 4th goal in the in the 57th minute.

Rising Starz - No. 1 in women’s football playoffs San Ignacio, August 2, 2015 Undefeated Rising Starz is looking to secure the Cayo women’s football championship as they bombed the Real West Strikers: 4-0 in the Adventures Club football playoffs at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday.

Leonella Chuc scored the first 2 winning goals in the 18th and 20th minutes and Shayama Caliz added a 3rd goal in the 41st minute for a 3-0 lead at the half. Shayama scored a 4th goal in the 80th minute to seal the 4-0 win.

The No. 4 seed Belmopan Lucky Strikers will take on the UB Jaguars in a consolation match for 3rd place on Sunday, August 9, before the Rising Starz and the Real West Strikers take the field for the rematch to decide the championship.

Cayo Men’s First Division Quintas vs. Olympians (Friday, Aug 7) Bullets vs. Astros (Saturday, Aug 8) Westrac vs. Penarol Hearts vs. Flames (Friday, Aug 14)

Rising Starz team

Real West Strikers team

BZE Jaguars team

Belize Bank Bulldogs U-14 win “Puppy” Leslie basketball marathon Belize City, August 2, 2015 The Belize Bank U-14 Bulldogs won the “Puppy” Leslie invitational basketball marathon hosted by the Belize Bank Bulldogs Basketball Club at Bird Isle last Thursday to Sunday.

The Bulldogs edged out Light of Peace 62-59, led by MVP Philip “P.J.” Parks with 22 points and 23 rebounds. Corey Popper added 12 points, and Kenyon Requena and Artest Ifield had 8 points apiece. Light of Peace’s Kerdell Tench had 20 points and 8 rebounds, while Jahmar Harris added 14 points and Dennis Sanchez and Tariq Pascacio had 7 points apiece.

Coach Rupert Brown of the Belize Bank Bulldogs Club presented individual trophies to the champions and medals to the 2nd place winners, and a team trophy to the Bulldogs’ captain and coach. Philip “PJ” Parks won the Most Valuable Player award.

Bze Bank U-14 champs

Bulldogs’ Everald Tablada scored 35pts

Benque’s Jaylen Lennan scored 40pts

99 AUG AUG

2015 2015

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

11 SPORTS PB

Belize U-23 bomb L.A. Boyz 3-0 in practice match Orange Walk Town, August 2, 2015 Belize’s Under-23 Jaguars won a practice friendly match against Orange Walk’s L.A. Boyz 3-0 at the Louisiana field in Orange Walk Town on Sunday, as the team prepared for the UNCAF Pre-Olympic Football Championships scheduled for August 11-15 in Guatemala.

Hasaan Lucas struck the Jaguars’ 1st goal in the 15th minute, beating the goalie with his splice to the far goal post where it ricocheted into the net: 1-0.

The Jaguars’ defenders Israel Sutherland, Felix Miranda (recently of San Ignacio United) John King (Belmopan Bandits), and McCannon Claire held the Sugar City squad scoreless the whole game.

Striker Osmar Duran (BDF) chested the ball at centerfield in the 26th minute and unleashed a volley that rocketed into the net: 2-0!

In the 2nd half, the Jaguars’ coach Jorge Nunez demonstrated his quiet, but effective style by sending a fresh nine to help Israel Sutherland and John King, who now moved forward to strike a 3rd goal for the 3-0 win.

The Jaguars U-23 hit the road for Guatemala early next week.

U-23 Jaguars

Edmund Pandy Jr. controls the ball

Heritage Bank & Bulldogs tops in Firms basketball Belize City, August 1, 2015 Heritage Bank and the Belize Bank Bulldogs have both secured berths in the Belize City Firms basketball playoffs, each with 7 wins, 2 losses and only one more week of regular season.

Meanwhile, Central Bank remains in the hunt for the playoffs after defeating Central Health on Friday night, led by Farron Louriano with 28pts, 13 rebounds. Dave Apolonio had 15pts, and Jacob Leslie 12pts. Central Health’s Neil Nicholson drained in 4 treys for 17pts, Steven Wade added 12pts and Travis Bernardez 10pts. Central Bank needs to get over Infotel this Friday to clinch that playoff berth.

Atlantic Bank celebrated an 8456 win over a winless Ready Call (09) but they will need to write-off the Bulldogs in their last fixture this Saturday to make the playoffs.

On Saturday, DigiCell kept their playoff dreams alive by a 53-41 win over BWS Pressure. Raheem Staine

led with 20pts, while Lupito Acosta added 12pts. A win over Ready Call this Friday should see DigiCell into the playoffs.

In Game 2, Heritage ran over Infotel 70-57, led by Felix Martinez with 16pts, Steve Bonnell added 15pts and Karyn Coleman 12pts. Infotel responded with Delroy Faber’s 20pts, and Jorret Jones added 15pts.

There was no surprise in Game 3 Saturday’s nightcap, as Belikin kept their playoff bid with a 57-35 win against the Complex Generals (1-9). Kadeem Olivera led with 17pts, Alejandro Baptist added 16pts and Darren Neal 11pts.

Complex’s Wilfred Richards had 11pts.

Belikin needs to get over Central Health (5-4) this Saturday to advance.

Upcoming Games Infotel vs. Central Bank (Friday) DigiCell vs. Ready Call BWS Pressure vs. Belikin BWS vs. Heritage Bank (Saturday) Atlantic Bank vs. Belize Bank Bulldogs Belikin vs. Central Health Region

Infotel’s Delroy Faber scored 20pts, made 16 rebounds

O. Walk LA Boyz

Light of Peace wins Puppy Leslie U-18 basketball marathon

Light of Peace U-18 champs

Belize Bank Bulldogs placed 3rd Belize City, August 2, 2015 The Light of Peace boys toppled the Hoops Dreams 57-47 to win the “Puppy” Leslie invitational basketball marathon for Under-18 players.

The winners were led by MVP Godfrey Arnold with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Holdane Swazo scored 13 points. Hoop Dreams’ top-scorer was Keyvon Evans with 11 points.

Coach Rupert Brown of the Belize Bank Bulldogs Club presented individual trophies to the champions and medals to the 2nd place winners, and a team trophy to the Bulldogs’ captain and coach. Godfrey Arnold won the Most Valuable Player award.

Hoop Dreams’ Andrew Vasquez scored 50pts

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THE BELIZE TIMES

9 AUG

2015

Cinco Puntos Principales MENSAJE A LA NACIÓN

por el Hon. Francis Fonseca Líder del Partido Unido del Pueblo 27 de julio 2015 Mis compañeros beliceños, Nadie sabe mejor que ustedes los muy graves problemas y desafíos que enfrentan nuestras familias beliceñas, nuestras comunidades y la nación. Muchos de ustedes conocen y viven cada día el dolor y la angustia de no poder poner comida en la mesa, de no poder cubrir sus necesidades, de no poder educar a sus hijos, de no poder obtener atención médica adecuada, de no poder mantener un techo sobre sus cabezas.

Los trabajos son escasos y el desempleo es alto. Los salarios están estancados, y también lo es nuestra economía. El único crecimiento significativo que se ha registrado es el monto de la deuda externa, que ahora es la astronómica cantidad de 2.3 Billones de dólares y continua creciendo cada día.

El costo de vida ha subido y el poder adquisitivo de el dólar ha bajado. El crimen, y el ángel de la muerte acecha a nuestros jóvenes, y la tasa de homicidio, violación y asalto sexual se acerca rápidamente a un punto critico. Belize - nuestro Belize - es el cuarto país con la tasa de homicidios más alta per cápita en el mundo.

Nuestro Gobierno actual del UDP actúa como si ellos son nuestros amos, informándonos de que vamos a ir a la Corte Internacional de Justicia, nos guste o no; Mientras que al mismo tiempo permiten que la muerte de Danny Conorquie quede sin respuesta; que nuestro arrecife sea destruido; Que empresas Guatemaltecas construyan nuestras BOAs y en última instancia, solicitan permiso para construir una base en nuestro territorio soberano.

El primer y más sagrado deber de un gobierno y obligación es la protección de nuestra integridad territorial y la soberanía nacional. Este Gobierno UDP ha fallado en su deber solemne y por esta sola razón tienen que IRSE Y QUE SE VAYAN AHORA! En la hora en que parece estar más oscuro, si usted es una persona de fe, usted no se desespera. Usted sabe que la luz esta próxima, y que el amanecer está cerca. Su fe lo sostiene y le da nueva determinación y esperanza.

La hora de las tinieblas esta aquí, pero apelo a su fe. Apelo a su determinación. Apelo a vuestra esperanza.

Juntos, nos levantaremos. Nuestro BELIZE brillará de nuevo.

El Partido Unido del pueblo, con su apoyo, nos llevará al amanecer de un nuevo día que verá la justicia social para todos, la reforma económica y gobernativa, la reforma de educación y de salud.

Les ofrecemos para su revisión y aprobación, los siguientes cinco puntos principales de nuestra agenda • El PUP sabe mejor cómo crear empleos y poner dinero en vuestros bolsillos. Lo haremos para usted y sus familias; • NO a la Corte Internacional de Justicia. Guatemala debe primero respetar nuestra soberanía y la integridad territorial como un socio igual y vecino; • Implementar el NHI a través de Belice y asegurar que todos los beliceños tengan acceso a los medicamentos básicos y atención médica de calidad. Ya no tiene nuestro pueblo que morir porque no pueden pagar el cuidado de salud que necesitan; • Nombrar al treceavo Senador y derogar la abusiva Ley de PetroCaribe que contraviene la Ley de Finanzas y Auditoría y sustituirla por una ley que se ajuste a nuestras leyes y reglamentos fiscales y de auditoría existentes, por lo que el programa Petrocaribe se pueda utilizar para beneficiar a todos los beliceños; • Ha llegado el momento para nosotros como Nación para declarar con valentía y con orgullo que vamos a hacer la educación desde nivel preescolar hasta la sexta forma gratis. No hay mejor inversión , que la que podemos hacer en Educación.

Podemos lograr estas cosas. Podemos crear un cambio significativo; Podemos hacer Belice el mejor lugar del mundo para vivir, amar, trabajar y jugar.

Les pido el día de hoy, con humildad, con esperanza, con el conocimiento que usted tiene el poder de crear este nuevo Belice, a unirse a mí, que se unan a mí y a mi equipo, a colaborar con nosotros, a unir sus corazones con los nuestros, A TENER ESPERANZA CON NOSOTROS. Podemos crear un MEJOR BELIZE ...

Poder para el Pueblo

9 AUG

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

Lying and Deceitful Mayor I went to City Hall to check on the cheque, the mayor’s secretary, Sherlene, told me she knows nothing about it but she will inform the mayor.

I met the mayor shortly after that at City Hall and he told me again that my cheque was being processed. But when I made another check about the cheque, Sherlene told me that she believes that payment will not come from Belize City Council and that it should come from the mayor’s campaign funds.

By Roy Davis, Freelance Journalist I have concluded that the Mayor of Belize City, Darrell Bradley, is a liar and a deceiver.

On June 7, I went to his convention at Lopez Mateo Park and when he arrived I asked him if I can take photographs of the event and he agreed. I began to take shots of him as he greeted some of the constituents of Caribbean Shores. I was using a digital camera and because of my experience in taking photographs that would be used for political purposes I did not put a limit to the amount of photographs I would take.

A woman by the name of Michelle Smith, whom I believe is a campaigner for the Mayor, asked me if I was taking photographs for the mayor and I said, yes. She then told me that she wanted me to take photographs of every move the mayor makes. At the end of the convention I checked the number of photographs I took and it amounted to 148.

I told Ms. Smith that I will burn the photographs on a DVD and she told me that I can give the DVD to her. So the following day, June 8, after I burned the photographs I gave the DVD along with an invoice for $300.00 to Ms. Smith at her office at City Hall. She told me that she will pass them on to Armead, the Mayor’s Campaign Manager.

After about one week had passed and I had not received any phone call from Ms. Smith with regards to payment, so I went to check on her and I was told that she was on vacation. I was referred to another woman at City Hall, I cannot recall her name, and she told me that she contacted Armead and I will be paid cash the following day.

The next day when I contacted the woman at City Hall she referred me to Armead and when I tried to contact Armead, it was all to no avail. I figured then that I should best reach the mayor since he was the person who would have to authorize the payment.

I met him one afternoon as he was leaving City Hall and he told me that my cheque was being processed. About 2 days later when

I then went to the mayor’s campaign office near to Lopez Mateos Park hoping to see Armead but she was not there. I decided again to try and seek the mayor and I met him at the Supreme Court.

He told me that he has spoken to Armead and that I should go to the campaign office to collect my money. So in the afternoon I rode strenuously on my bicycle in the boiling sun to the campaign office.

Armead was there. She told me that the mayor had not spoken to her regarding any payment to me. I felt discouraged.

I felt that the mayor was taking me for a fool.

Anyway, I decided that I will track him down and one day I was told that he was at his law firm at Lavender Chambers on Regent Street. So I went there and asked to see the mayor.

I did not get to see him until he was leaving and he told me that if I go to Armead I will be paid because he will call Armead and instruct her to pay me.

Like a fool I went to the campaign office and I was told by Armead that she has not received any phone call from the mayor.

Anyway, she told me she will call him. After she dialled a number on

Malapago Mayor, Darrell Bradley her cell phone she told me that the mayor was not answering. She said to me that she will send a text mes-

PB sage to him and after she said she did so, she told me that the mayor was not responding to her message. I left feeling completely let down by the mayor.

About one week later I saw the mayor at the Supreme Court and I decided I will wait until he comes out of court and confront him about payment. When I did he told me that Armead was in Dangriga but she has returned to Belize City and that if I go to the campaign office after 2p.m I will meet him and Armead there.

Again the mayor’s word proved untrue because when I went there Armead told me the mayor has gone to a meeting. Armead also told me that the mayor has not yet spoken to her about paying me. I told myself that this was the last straw; that I will no longer seek out the mayor. I told myself that I will no longer be subjected to his deceit and lies.

16

9 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015 For Sale

By Order of the

POSITIVE VIBES RADIO 90.5FM | 102.9FM Sundays:

6 am Opening Transmission 6am to 7am Inspirational Music 7am to 9am Country Music 9am to 10am De Domingo a Domingo 10 am to 1 pm Repeat of Morning Whip 1pm to 3 pm Rural Talk 3pm DOCUMENTORY (ONLY ON VIBES TV ) ....

CBC CHANNEL 50 OR 60 & CCV CHANNEL 09 3pm to 4pm Music 4pm to 5pm Princess Shirley Talk show Tell Me 5pm to 7pm Reggae Sunday 7pm to10pm Love Bug Show DJ Alex

Mondays :

1 pm to 5pm Music with Gerard Coleman 5pm to 7pm Recovery Monday DjPebblz 7pm to 9pm DJ/ALEX

9pm to 6am Repeat of Morning Whip and Overnight Music Playlist

Tuesdays:

Wednesdays:

1pm to 4pm Throwback Tuesday Keegan Lord 4pm to 6pm Dj Alex 6pm to 8pm Nice and Easy Tuesday Dj Jesse J 8pm to 9pm Music 9pm to 6am Repeat of the Morning Whip and Overnight Music Playlist 6am Opening of Transmission 6:20am Children’s Programme Rise and Shine 7am to 10 am The Morning Whip 10am to 12pm Eclectic Storm GMike Reid 12pm DOCUMENTORY (ONLY ON VIBES TV ) ....

CBC CHANNEL 50 OR 60 & CCV CHANNEL 09 1pm to 4pm Music Gerard Coleman 4pm to 8pm Explosive Musical Showcase DjPebblz 8pm to 9pm Outspoken with Katie Numi Usher and Micah Goodin 9pm to 6am Repeat of the Morning Whip and Overnight Music Playlist

Thursdays:

6am Opening of Transmission 6:20 Children’s Programme Rise and Shine 7am to 10am The Morning Whip 10 am to 3pm Music Gerard Coleman 12pm DOCUMENTORY (ONLY ON VIBES TV ) ....

CBC CHANNEL 50 OR 60 & CCV CHANNEL 09 3pm to 7pm Belizean Full a Talent Show Keegan Lord 7pm to 9pm Love Bug Show Dj Alex 9pm to 6am Repeat of Morning Whip and Overnight Music Playlist

Fridays :

6am Opening of Transmission 6:20 am Children’s Programme 7am to 10am The Morning Whip 10am to 12pm Eclectic Storm GMike Reid 12pm DOCUMENTORY (ONLY ON VIBES TV ) ....

CBC CHANNEL 50 OR 60 & CCV CHANNEL 09

Saturdays :

Jesse J

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Block No. 41 (5.037 Ha or 12.447 Acres) situate along the Punta Gorda/San Antonio Road, Elridgeville Area, Toledo District and bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 11 of 2011 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 29th day of July, 2015.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

6am opening of Transmission 6:20 am Children’s Programme Rise and Shine Boys and Girls 7am to 10 am The Morning Whip 10am to 1pm Music Gerard Coleman 12pm DOCUMENTORY (ONLY ON VIBES TV ) ....

CBC CHANNEL 50 OR 60 & CCV CHANNEL 09

THE SCHEDULE

6:00 am Open transmission 6:10 am Devotion at dawn 6:20 am Children Program rise and shine 7:00 am – 10:00 am Morning Whip 10:00 am – 12 pm Eclectic Storm GMike Reid 12pm to 1 pm Easy listening music 12pm DOCUMENTORY (ONLY ON VIBES TV ) ....

CBC CHANNEL 50 OR 60 & CCV CHANNEL 09

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 29th day of June, 2011, between ROBERT JACOB of Elridgeville Village, Toledo District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 15 of 2011 at Folios 1327- 1392, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

12pm to 1pm Easy Listening Music 1pm to 3:30 Music Gerard Coleman 3:30pm to 5pmDj Alex 5pm to 10pm Hyperactive Fridays Dj Pebblz and Jesse J 10pm to 6am Repeat of The Morning Whip and Overnight Music Playlist 6am Opening of Transmission 6am to 10am Music Gerard Coleman 10am to 1pm Combination Session Vibes Explosions, Dj Fire, Dj Pebblz and 1pm to 4pm Barbecue Saturdays Keegan Lord 4pm to 6pm Dj Mike and crew

6pm to 10pm Dj Reesh 10pm to 6am Overnight Music Play List

Text 600-1074

Call 650-8429

Employment Opportunity San Carlos Clinic is looking for a competent licensed Dental Surgeon Role and Responsibility: The successful candidate will be part of a dental team to provide general dental care to patients.

Qualifications and Experience: The Dental Surgeon must have at least 10 years experience as a dental surgeon. They must speak fluent English and be able to communicate effectively and efficiently patient’s needs, wants and desires. They must provide honest, quality, ethical and morally competent dental care to patients. They must understand “Smile Design” and provide a dental laboratory precise and detailed plan for precision cosmetic results.

Skills and Competencies: -Composite and Amalgam fillings -Crown and Bridge -Cosmetic Veneers -Root Canal Therapy -Periodontal Maintenance -Oral Hygiene -Extractions Salary: Negotiable Kindly Send Curriculum Vitae to: Dr. Eduardo Solorzano giovanni.solorzano@gmail.com 28 Pescador Dr, San Pedro

9 AUG

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

improve the opportunity for sports for our youth. He is not doing it for the kudos but I believe that he deserves some anyway. Belizean born Michael Lindo, who migrated to the states some forty years ago, has been busy soliciting sporting gear for grass roots children in Belize. Through his organization BelCare Football Youth Academy, a non-profit organization which was ment of young people and regarded incorporated early last year, Lindo it as a core part of the general educawho is the younger brother of Betional strategy for his home country lizean businessman Bill Lindo has France. Coubertin subscribed to the been working hard to establish theory that “it is not whether you contacts and secure equipment for win or lose but how well you play the the youth of Belize. On his last trip game”. His expressed ideal was that, to Belize earlier this year, Mr. Lin“The important thing in life is not the do distributed over two thousand triumph but the struggle; the essenfootballs to different youth clubs tial thing is not to have conquered and school teams in Belize. In a but to have fought well”. Notwithrecent interview, Lindo stated that standing, this ideal seems to have “Through global partnerships been contradicted by the Apostle and in conjunction with our Paul when he wrote to the Corinthisister organization in the USA, ans, “Do you not know that in a race Belize Soccer Development all the runners run, but only one gets Foundation, it is our objective the prize? Run in such a way as to get to transform the lives of Belizthe prize”. Both however, apparently ean children through the power understood the importance of sports. of football. Clubs affiliated with Apart from character, sports deBelCare through our lead orgavelop camaraderie, confidence and nization (in each district) will physical coordination. It is said that benefit from a wide range of asa healthy body abets a healthy mind sistance which will include footand with this in mind we should find balls, football equipment, football gears and apparel, and more importantly the development of human Schools like Holy Redeemer, St. Ignatius and skills and resources to Grace Primary have no room for sporting activeffectively manage and administrate football to ity and schools like Ebenezer, Baptist and the children within our Wesley hardly has room for classes. Their communities.”

Former football stars priority seems mostly to ensure that their Dean Flowers and Stanley kids do well in the PSE examinations.

Reneau have been working with Mr. Lindo from this end and together they more time for sports in the curricuminister John Saldivar does not only seem determined to fill this void. lum of our schools. I left Belize in hold a high executive position in We need more people to jump on 1968 after attending but a year at St. Football Federation of Belize (FFB) board and assist in creating opporJohn’s College. I enrolled in a small but also controls three of the eight tunities for our young. As is dejunior high school on the outskirts of teams in the Belize Premier Football fined by the motto of this group, Washington DC and was surprised League, the country’s only semi-pro “BelCare Football Youth Acadeat the emphasis placed on sports. league and highest level of compemy is a non-profit/social enterFor a small school they had a modtition in the land. (See why we can’t prise organization that uses the ern gymnasium with a wooden floor get away from politics?) power of football to educate, infor basketball and volleyball, a well Anyway, this article is about one spire, and empower young peogroomed field for baseball and footparticular Belizean American who ple to lead meaningful lives”. Big ball, a swimming pool and a comhas taken it upon himself to try and up to those involved! pletely different area for track and field and other athletic activities.

Again, this was a junior high school (equivalent of Standards 4 & 5 and first form in Belize). The facilities at the higher schools were even more impressive. In comparison, SJC had a covered cement floor that is still there and still serves as the main gymnasium for this, the biggest high school in the country. Belize Elementary School is the only school that seems to place any emphasis on sports and which even has the room for sporting facilities. Which takes us back to Coubertin’s quote for this is certainly not a school for “working class youth”. Schools like Holy Redeemer, St. Ignatius and Grace Primary have no room for sporting activity and schools like Ebenezer, Baptist and Wesley hardly has room for classes. Their priority seems mostly to ensure that

Reid Big Up BelCare!

By G. Michael Reid “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.

Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” ~ Nelson Mandela “Sport must be accessible to working class youth” “For each individual, sport is a possible source for inner improvement”. ~ Pierre de Coubertin I beg my readers’ indulgence this week as I take a break from the rhetoric of politics to touch on a topic dear to my heart: sports. I agree with both Mandela and Baron de Coubertin that sports is integral to the development of character and it can serve to break down barriers. I have always felt that way too little attention is paid to sports in our education system and as a result, we are plagued by severe character flaws in our people.

There is a direct correlation between the decline of sports in our nation and the increase of crimes in our streets.

The second quotes above are by Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin who was a French pedagogue and historian and is known as the “Father of the modern day Olympics.”

He was the primary force in the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896 which was nearly 1,500 years after the closing of the original games in Athens. As “le Renovateur” (the reviver) of the Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin influenced the entire world, bringing people of all nations, races, and cultures closer together in a common pursuit of excellence in sports. Born in 1863, Coubertin was himself active in many sports and regarded sports as playing an essential for the development of human character, and that through sportsmanship one develops one’s moral energy. He thus saw sport as an important part of the personal develop-

their kids do well in the PSE examinations. There is a need for more focus on sports.

When I was growing up, Edward’s Park (later renamed Rogers Stadium) was the venue of boxing matches, baseball games, football tournaments and a number of other sporting events. Not to mention the dominoes, card playing and dice throwing that occurred on the sidelines. Somewhere down the line, it became exclusively for softball, the domain of a few political cronies. (I did say I wouldn’t do politics, didn’t I?) Softball itself has long lost its appeal and audience and is a far cry from its glory days of the sixties when our national team competed against the likes of even the mighty USA. Today, it serves only as a vehicle for these political cronies to travel the world and come back with scores too dismal for them to even reveal. Sports like everything else in Belize, is dominated by politics. A damn shame!

Recently, there has been a glimmer of hope as our Jaguars football team has for the first time ever, advanced to the third round of qualifying matches for the World Cup. This sport itself unfortunately, has recently also been snared in the ugly trappings of politics. Government

PB

18 2015 Guyana seeks alternatives to Petrocaribe as tensions flare with Venezuela THE BELIZE TIMES

9 AUG

The Spanish-speaking socialist country has long contended that borders drawn in 1899 are invalid, and claims nearly two-thirds of Guyana as its own.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Tuesday July 28, 2015 – As tensions flare between Guyana and Venezuela, and the latter country fails to meet its oil export quotas, Guyana is considering energy alternatives to the Petrocaribe programme.

Bloomberg reports that Guyanese Finance Minister Winston Jordan revealed that his country is “actively considering other options.”

Petrocaribe, a signature initiative of late President Hugo Chavez, has sold about US$28 billion to participating nations across the Caribbean and Central America since its creation in 2005. Member countries finance as much as half the price of the shipments at one per cent to 2 per cent interest over 25 years.

Guyana receives about half its fuel supply via Petrocaribe, but fears the agreement could be affected by the diplomatic row with Venezuela over a longstanding border dispute, according to Jordan.

Guyana currently receives about 5200 barrels of fuel a day under the Petrocaribe programme, although Venezuela has been unable to meet some delivery quotas, he said.

Relations between the South American neighbours have soured in recent years following Exxon Mobil Corporation’s announcement of a “significant” oil discovery off Guyana’s coast in waters that Venezuela claims as its own.

The Spanish-speaking socialist coun-

try has long contended that borders drawn in 1899 are invalid, and claims nearly two-thirds of Guyana as its own.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recalled his ambassador in Georgetown for consultations earlier this month and said he would review relations.

Venezuela will stop purchasing Guyanese rice in November when a bartering agreement for oil payments expires, according to Georgetown.

Jordan said Guyana “sharply decreased” its Petrocaribe debt over the years to its current level of some $160 million through the rice for oil deal. “The oil dispute may have accelerated recent actions, and may have hardened stances,” he said.

Jordan noted that his country had no plans of exiting Petrocaribe due to its generous terms, but remained cautious as no agreement had been signed for this year.

“This is a scenario where Venezuela has the oil and we are buying the oil on an arrangement from them – they could cut it off at any time. You have to be prepared,” he said.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s President David Granger has warned that his country’s territorial dispute with Venezuela represents a threat to its very survival.

“Guyana at the moment is facing a challenge to its survival by a larger state,” Granger told guests at the William Perry Center of Hemispheric Defense Studies in Washington on Friday.

“The present threat, if not resolved promptly, if not resolved permanently, if not resolved peacefully could lead to deterioration of the security situation in the entire Caribbean and on the northern tier of the South American continent,” he said.

“This is too much to bear for a country with fewer than a million people.”

For his part, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blamed the United States, including oil company Exxon Mobil, for provoking the dispute.

Speaking about Granger’s visit to Washington, Maduro pointed his finger at the oil giant.

“Who took him to Washington? Exxon Mobil,” he said at a ceremony under the slogan, “The sun in Venezuela rises in Essequibo.”

Guyana has asked the United Nations to help resolve the border dispute.

has cut ties with Atlantic Bank does not come as a surprise, however. In April of this year, the same fate hit the Belize Bank when the Bank of America cut its ties with them.

The measure is a regulatory one for Bank of America, and other U.S. banks, taken in response to pressures from the Obama Administration. The U.S. Government has begun to sanction banks in America for lapses in their controls relating to money-laundering, sanctions and the financing of terrorism. Those banks have had to impose stricter controls on their clients, and those who resist have been delisted.

The United States Government has said that this measure will prevent money-laundering and starve terrorists of funds. It believes correspondent banking has become a “gateway” for such illicit activities.

Belize was designated by the U.S. Government, as a “Major Illicit Drug Producing, Major Drug-Transit, Major Money Laundering” in its 2015 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR).

The Dean Barrow Administration has not treated the issue seriously. This,

despite reports that even the Central Bank faces the threat of being delisted.

The Governor of the Central Bank, Glenford Ysaguirre, appeared to be more interested with damage-control than speaking the truth when he responded to the media’s questions following the April de-listing of the Belize Bank.

When asked if the wider banking system would be impacted in any way, Ysaguirre responsed that “there should be no alarm at the local level… and should it should have no damaging effect on the wider economy, and other domestic banks are not at risk”.

How wrong he was! Less than four months after yet another bank has lost its correspondent banking arrangement.

According to Ysaguirre, the de-risking by the Bank of America is “not an issue with the jurisdiction of Belize” and “the Bank of America makes its decisions and analysis based on individual institutions and their business model”.

The Central Bank Governor was clearly singing for his supper and attempting to hide the truth from the public. The United States has made it clear that there is something wrong with the jurisdiction of Belize. In fact, the local banks have now had to implement stricter controls over its financial busiContinued on page 23

Atlantic Bank loses link to international banks GOB/Central Bank’s economic “gurus” silent as banks suffer

Glenford Ysaguirre

Belize City, July 31, 2015 Yet another bank in Belize has suffered a heavy price as a result of the Barrow Administration’s failure to comply with international accountability and transparency standards.

Atlantic Bank announced late last week that its “correspondent bank account with Bank of America will be closed as of Friday July 31, 2015”.

As a result, its banking services

such as Wire Transfers, U.S. Bank Drafts and Foreign Currency have been adversely affected. In fact, the bank announced to its customers that Thursday July 30th was the last day for wire transfers through its Bank of America account. “…we will not be able to facilitate any foreign currency wire transfers or USD Bank Drafts until further notice,” declared the bank in a notice issued to customers.

Atlantic Bank has had an arrangement with Bank of America for correspondent banking. This has allowed customers to make financial transactions to the United States and other parts of the world through a main U.S. bank.

U.S. banks, like the Bank of America, are at the center of the global financial system and through the correspondent banking arrangement Belize’s banks are strategically linked to them.

The news that the Bank of America

9 AUG

PB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

Guatemala YET to pay for gunboat’s damage to Belize’s reef “What do you think we should do if they don’t pay?” clueless Sedi Elrington asks Channel 5 reporter

haps even more disturbing is that Sedi has no idea how the Government will get the Guatemalans to compensate for the damages. In fact, when he was interviewed about the situation by Channel 5 news on June 16th, Sedi apparently lost his cool harping out,

“If they pay, that would be good. If they say they won’t pay, I would invite you to tell me what is the next step? What do you think we should do if they don’t pay?”

We invite the news reporter to respond next that that Sedi should RESIGN, and allow someone with more sense and boldness could speak for Belize and defend out territorial sovereignty and integrity. Of course, no such person exists in the Barrow Administration. Even Prime Minister Dean Barrow does not seem to have any concerns about his Foreign Minister’s missteps.

In fact, we recall that the last time a ship crashed into Belize’s reef the Government hired the Prime Minister’s ex-wife and daughter, Lois Young Barrow and Deanne Barrow, to take the case to court. Of course the damage assessment was great – in the millions - which meant the take home commission was a lucrative pay check.

Guatemala’s gunboat lodged on Glover’s Reef

Belize City, July 21st, 2015 All indications are that Foreign Minister Sedi Elrington has no clue how he will get the Government of Guatemala to pay for the damages its gunboat made to Belize’s reef on Glover’s Reef in June of this year.

The damage to the reef has been estimated by Government officials at a measly $46,000.

According to Elrington and his second in command on Guatemalan

aggression matters, Colonel (Retired) George Lovell, they sent a diplomatic note to Guatemala informing them of the damage assessment and “inviting” them to pay for it.

But it seems this note got lost in the mail, along every other official protest against the continuous and intensifying acts of hostility by Guatemala. Neither Elrington nor Lovell has received a response from Guatemala.

And that’s not the worst news. Per-

FOR SALE House and Lot situated on Queen Victoria Avenue, Orange Walk Town, being Parcel No. 4362 containing 1438 square yards directly in front of the Orange Walk Town Police Station compound.

The Property includes a two storey wooden dwelling house, a 24’ x 40’ bungalow building, a fast food shop and kitchen and yard space at the back. Ideal for commercial and residential use. Interested persons can submit written offers to purchase to Musa & Balderamos LLP at 91 North Front Street, Belize City.

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9 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

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Are Humans Really Part Of A Game For Robots?

Scientists Claim The Universe Could Be FAKE August 5, 2015 Everything you know may just be part of a Matrix-style simulation, according to physicists who claim that we could all be part of a giant GAME. A new theory has suggested that our entire lives and memories may not be real, instead being part of a computer programme played by advanced robots.

The so-called ‘simulation argument’ has been theorised for several years, with noted academics including Oxford University philosopher Nick Bostrom, suggesting that the plot of The Matrix could be closer to real life than we think In the sci-fi classic, humans are bred in vats that are fed with simulations that make them believe they are living an ordinary life.

Scientists say that we could all be living in the future, and our life in 2015 is nothing more than a series of numbers in a computer programme.

It may sound like science fiction but scientists believe they may actually be able to PROVE that what you know isn’t what you know.

Marvin Minsky, one of the founders of artificial intelligence (AI) thinks that there may be telltale signs if the programmer of our mass simulation “has made some slips”.

He said that some laws of physics that “aren’t quite right” could be the start of being able to prove that

UK to build world’s first power plant with negative emissions

the universe is a simulation.

Silas Beane, from the University of Bonn, suggested several years ago that if humans were to build a small-sale simulation of the universe we would be able to identify any constraints.

These constraints would include a cut-off in the spectrum of high energy particles - exactly the kind of cut off in the energy of cosmic rays.

This would be the start of proving that our universe is not what it seems - and that it is part of a giant construct.

These theories are not the first time that humans

have debated whether we are actually real - French philosopher Rene Descartes theorised that nothing we perceive is true except our consciousness being aware of itself and its doubts - which is how the phrase ‘I think, therefore I am’ came about.

However, some believe that thoughts can also be part of a simulation or programme that is being controlled by robots or aliens.

So if you’re having a bad day today, it could just be some advanced robot in the year 2300 having a bit of a fun with the character on his PlayStation 29.

Facebook unveils drone for beaming internet access from the sky 5 August 2015 Facebook is taking to the skies. Last week, the tech giant unveiled Aquila, the drone it hopes will deliver internet to the masses.

The drone has been in development for over a year as part of Internet.org, Facebook’s initiative to help underdeveloped countries get online.

A video published on Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook page describes Aquila as having a wingspan of 40 metres, about the same as a Boeing 737. It is made out of lightweight composite materials, including carbon fibre, and is solar-powered.

In the company’s long-term vision for the project, hundreds of drones will circle a large area at an altitude of 60,000 feet, remaining aloft for three months at a time. Lasers will beam information at tens of gigabytes per second between the drones and systems on the

ground.

According to US consulting firm McKinsey and Company, more than 4 billion people around the world still don’t have access to the internet.

Viable alternative Facebook thinks that drones are a viable alternative to traditional means of delivering internet – such as cell towers and fibre-optic cables – since many areas currently without internet are remote and lack the necessary infrastructure.

Before then, however, Aquila has to pass flight tests in the upper atmosphere. Facebook is also planning to test its laser communication technology in real-world conditions.

There are additional, non-technical challenges too, such as the question of what content will be available to people once they log on, says Stéphane Boyera, an information technology consultant.

5 August 2015 IT IS the dream scenario for fighting climate change: a power station that delivers negative emissions. And it could be coming to the UK, helped along by the growth of forests in the American South and some handy holes beneath the North Sea. The giant coal power station at Drax in Yorkshire, with its 12 cooling towers, is one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. It sends some 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide up its stacks each year, while supplying up to a tenth of the UK’s power.

Its owners are now planning to replace coal with wood pellets and bury the emissions. Combined with growing trees to replace all those burned, the mega-polluter could one day be transformed into the world’s largest industrial absorber of CO2.

“This is a very exciting new technology,” says Jeremy Tomkinson of the National Non-Food Crops Centre, a consultancy that promotes bioenergy. “It means we can actually reduce the volume of CO2 in the atmosphere.”

The biomass side of the transformation is already under way. “Since the beginning of July, half of Drax’s electricity has been generated by burning biomass, mostly from pine forests in the American Deep South,” Drax’s vice-president for sustainability, Richard Peberdy, told me during a tour of those forests in Mississippi. The fourth of its six generators converts to biomass next year.

To feed the furnaces, the Drax company recently opened mills in Louisiana and Mississippi that turn logs cut from local pine forests into dried and compressed pellets, and a port at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to ship them. It also buys hardwood pellets from elsewhere in the South, as well as Canadian sawdust, and will soon start burning wood from Brazil.

All told, 7 million tonnes of pellets will cross the Atlantic next year. Only about 5 per cent of Drax’s biomass comes from the UK, mostly straw and miscanthus.

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2015

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

Arrest made over Mexican photojournalist’s murder

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

21 PB

There are currently at least a dozen journalists from around the country sheltering in Mexico City because they fear for their safety [Reuters]

In the US, a billionaire and a Bush to do battle on TV US presidential race in spotlight as 17 Republican Party candidates prepare for a Fox News-sponsored debate.

Man detained over murder of Ruben Espinosa and four other people who were tortured and killed in Mexico City last week A man with a violent criminal past has been arrested as a suspect in the death of news photographer Ruben Espinosa, who was killed in a gory five-victim murder, Mexican prosecutors said.

The male suspect, whose name was not immediately made public, was identified by investigators with a fingerprint search that turned up a criminal record for rape and assault, prosecutor Rodolfo Rios told reporters on Wednesday.

“Investigating officers have located him [the suspect] and he is making a statement to their office about his possible involvement in this crime,” Rios said.

Espinosa, who fled Veracruz in June after receiving threats, was tied up, tortured and shot in the head at an apartment in Mexico City on Friday.

Malaysia PM confirms wreckage belongs to MH370

The attackers also killed his friend, Nadia Vera, two of her roommates - a 19-year-old aspiring makeup artist and a woman believed to be from Colombia - as well as their 40-year-old housekeeper.

Vera had been active in organising protests for various causes in Veracruz.

Late last year, she had posted a video warning that if anything happened to her, it would be the fault of Governor Javier Duarte.

On Tuesday, authorities released security camera footage that appeared to show three men near the building where the killings took place.

They are seen leaving the scene calmly, and are believed to be suspects.

A wing component called a flaperon was found last week on a beach on the French island La Reunion, near Madagascar [Reuters]

Debris found on Indian Ocean island came from Malaysia Airlines jet which disappeared 17 months ago, Najib Razak says.

Debris found on an Indian Ocean island last week is from MH370, Malaysia’s prime minister has said, confirming for the first time that the plane which mysteriously disappeared 17 months ago had crashed.

Najib Razak’s announcement in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday ended an agonising wait for families of the 239 passengers and crew of the Malaysia Airlines flight who had demanded concrete proof of what happened to their missing loves ones.

The piece of debris, a wing component called a flaperon, was found last week on a beach on the French island La Reunion, near Madagascar.

It was flown to the French city of Toulouse where it was examined on Wednesday by French and Malaysian technical experts, and representatives from Boeing to determine any link to MH370.

Many relatives accuse Najib’s government and Malaysia Airlines of a bungled response to the disaster, possible cover-up and insensitive treatment of families, charges that are vehemently denied.

“Today, 515 days since the plane disappeared, it is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you that an international team of experts has conclusively confirmed that the aircraft debris found on Reunion Island is indeed from MH370,” Najib said.

“We now have physical evidence that, as I announced on 24th March last year, flight MH370 tragically ended in the southern Indian Ocean.”

Shortly afterwards, a French prosecutor made a more cautious statement over the issue.

“There exists a very high probability that the flaperon indeed belongs to flight MH370,” Serge Mackowiak, deputy Paris prosecutor, said in the French capital.

He was unable to say when more detailed results could be available.

Washington DC, United States - There’s the celebrity billionaire with a knack for outlandish, blunt comments; the governor of Wisconsin who has tried to restrict abortion laws; and the contender whose brother and father were both US presidents.

These are some of the Republicans vying for the spot currently held by Barack Obama.

But first they must secure their party’s nomination and square off in the first primary debate, a nationally televised event to be held on August 6, in Cleveland, Ohio.

This is the most highly anticipated presidential election-related event to date, not only because of the record number of contenders involved, but also because of the drama surrounding celebrity tycoon, Donald Trump, who is known for his bombastic rhetoric.

“This is the first time that Republican voters are going to be able to see the candidates in one place, to size them up and hear from them directly,” said Bradley Blakeman, who served as a senior staff member of former President George W Bush between 2001 and 2004.

“This is the ‘coming out’ party for the party,” Blakeman said.

An average of recent national polls - made public on Tuesday - determined the top 10 candidates who will go up on stage at the GOP debate.

With 17 candidates, the primary debate had to be divided into two forums. During the main event, 10 of the highest leading candidates in the polls will butt heads on local and foreign policy issues. The other debate will take place before the main event for the bottom seven presidential hopefuls.

Puerto Rico defaults on debt payment US island territory fails to make a $58m debt payment after years of economic crisis.

Puerto Rico has defaulted on debt by paying only a fraction of what was due August 1, showing the depth of the island’s economic and cashflow problems and potentially opening the door to broader defaults and litigation from bondholders.

The US island territory paid only $628,000 of a $58m payment due on its Public Finance Corp (PFC) bonds, a subsidiary of the Puerto Rico’s Government Development Bank (GDB).

“Due to the lack of appropriated funds for this fiscal year, the entirety of the PFC payment was not made today,” GDB head Melba Acosta said.

“This was a decision that reflects the serious concerns about the commonwealth’s liquidity in combination with the balance of obligations to our creditors and the equally important obligations to the people of Puerto Rico to ensure the essential services they deserve are maintained.”

A decade-long economic stagnation has crippled the finances of the Caribbean island.

Its economic troubles has forced many thousands to emigrate to the US mainland.

Unemployment in Puerto Rico is running at 12.6 percent, more than twice that of the US.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2 youths shot in Jane Usher “Gaza” area Belize City, August 5th, 2015 Two young men are hospitalised after sustaining gunshot injuries during separate shootings in the Jane Usher Boulevard area just before 10am on Wednesday morning.

21 year old Raheem Arnold was shot in the pelvic area by an armed man who confronted him on the street side. Witnesses say they heard the two exchanging words followed by a chase through the bushes and the sound of gunshots. Arnold was found injured in the bushes and rushed to the hospital where he is being treated.

Shortly after, gunshots rang out again as 18-year-old Shemar Moore was shot as he reportedly walked to his grandmother’s house. He was shot to right arm, left arm pit, left foot, and to the left upper leg.

Police say they are looking for two suspects in relation to these shootings.

The Jane Usher Boulevard area, situated in the Port Loyola division which is crowded with poor homes and jobless youth, has become a problematic area for the prevalence of violent shootings and murders.

The young people in the area, who have limited opportunities in our country, have been drawn into turf wars, and have easier access to guns than they have to jobs.

Earlier this year, following the killing of George Street-affiliated Kareem “Robbery” Lopez in Jane Usher Boulevard turf, the police set up a Police booth in the area, but prior to Wednesday’s shootings that security post had been abandoned by Police officers, leaving the area unsecure and turned into a playground for gunmen.

UB makes small retreat in mandatory insurance fee scheme Belize City, August 5, 2015 The students of the University of Belize have won a small victory as the University of Belize appears to have made a small but significant retreat with its plan to impose a mandatory insurance policy on its students.

Last week the incoming students were slapped with a last minute notice that they must buy insurance to complete their registration at the University. There was no consultation with students about this new scheme. The students riled up and expressed outrage on the social media.

“This is rip off. Using coercion on poor students to in the name of insurance,” posted one student.

“Ub to chancey.. they know we need our education so they the try find ways fi tek our money,” said another.

“We need to protest against UB imposing insurance on all students. It should be optional,” said another post.

In support of the students was the Belize Youth Movement, the outspoken and militant youth arm of the People’s United Party.

BYM led by its President Alberto Vellos issued out a stern statement calling on the University to withdraw the mandatory policy.

BYM indicated that it supports the idea of offering affordable insurance to students, but it should not be imposed on the students.

“This new fee will act as yet another prohibitive factor for young people who are already struggling to access tertiary-level education. Statistics show that a staggering 93% of our youth-adult-aged population does not access tertiary-level learning. We recall that the cost of UB fees increased for students following the cancellation of the Government’s student-subsidy in 2012 and other increases in fees every other year. We view this decision as a nothing more than a front for rich private interests at the expense of students’ education,” said BYM statement.

It appears that the students’ expressed outrage and BYM’s flexing forced the University to re-think things somewhat. The notice flyer which had been posted in the University official billboard on Facebook was removed shortly after, followed by an announcement that the President Alan Slusher would be convening meetings with the students to discuss the insurance issue, among others.

The first meeting has been scheduled for August 17th in Belize City. Students are asked to attend and let their views known.

In their statement, the BYM challenged the University to “find ways of easing the cost of education at the institution”.

10 Yr. Old Robbed by MacheteWielding Men Corozal District, August 4th, 2015 A 10 year old male student of Concepcion Village in the Corozal District is traumatized after he was violently assaulted and robbed by two machete-armed men.

The child reported to the Police that he was in the area known as Baeza Layout with his sister around midday on Tuesday, August 4th, when they were approached by two male persons who he did not know. The men wore masks, said the child, and they demanded money from them.

The child said that one of the men that was armed with a machete, lashed him on his left arm and back of his head, forcing him and his sister to hand over $80 and his LG Touch cellular phone valued at $280.

Police have since detained Christian Martinez, a resident of Salvapan area of Belmopan, and it is expected that he will be charged for robbery and harm.

9 AUG

2015

UB faculty & staff request salary increase

Minister of Education Patrick Faber tells them to join waiting list

City of Belmopan, July 30, 2015 Minister of Education Patrick Faber attempted to school the faculty and staff of the University of Belize in response to their request for a salary increase.

Faber answered that the University faculty and staff will have to join the waiting line that includes others such as the employees of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and Belize Electricity Limited who have also requested a pay raise, but are facing resistance by the Government. This resistance has forced the BEL Union members to protest for three days in Belize City last week, while KHMH workers took serious action by cancelling all services except emergencies.

It appears UB faculty and staff will have to borrow a page from the books of BEL and KHMH employees if they want any form of results.

Faber also had a warning for the UB staff, saying to them that the raise is not automatic, “…it is not just demand and you’ll be given”, he said.

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2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

Minor detained for fatal stabbing Corozal 23 yr. old victim would have celebrated his birthday on Monday

Corozal Town, August 6, 2015 A 15 year old minor has turned himself into Police custody following an altercation between him and a 23 year old which ended with the elder youth being fatally

Atlantic Bank loses link to international banks

Continued from page 18 ness as a result of the United States’ designations for Belize.

The Belize Bank, for example decided to close its office in the Commercial Free Zone in the Corozal District, following a risk audit. This serious “risk” was highlighted in the same 2015 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report which stated that “Belizean officials suspect there is money laundering activity in their two free trade zones, known as commercial free zones (CFZs)…the Corozal CFZ was designed to attract Mexican citizens for duty free shopping; Belizean authorities believe it is heavily involved in tradebased money laundering and the illicit importation of duty free products”.

With two banks having lost their correspondent banking arrangement, and the same fate looming over several others, it has confounded Belizeans that the Barrow Administration has yet to formulate a response plan to the banking crisis.

VACANCY: A vacancy exists for a Salon Assistant at Nefertiti Salon located at corner of Nurse Seay and St. Joseph Streets, Belize City. Female (aged 21-30) needed.

Walk-in interviews only.

VACANCY: There is a vacancy for a Supervisor at Reza Store located at Poundyard Shopping area in Belize City. Interested persons should call 605-2367.

VACANCY: A vacancy exists for a cashier at Yasin Store & Ice Bar inside Novelo’s Bus Terminal in Belize City. Interested persons should call 651-3435.

VACANCY: Western Paradise Village is seeking the services of a General Maintenance person. Contact 668-4276.

stabbed.

The minor could be facing murder charges as soon as the Police complete their investigations this week.

Meanwhile, the family of Samir Vivas is in mourning as they prepare to put him to rest.

The altercation occurred around 8:30pm on Tuesday, in front of the victim’s home in the Venezuelan site of town. According to the Vivas’ family, the minor’s sister was dating their loved one. He had gone to the minor’s home to visit her, but a quarrel ensued over a stolen bicycle. The quarrel turned into a fight and during the brawl, the minor reportedly took a sharp object and stabbed Vivas to the abdomen.

Vivas stumbled onto the street and to his home where he his grandmother was. His mother, Anabelle Vivas was visiting family in Calcutta Village that night. She was alerted about the incident and rushed home. When she arrived, she did everything possible to get her son to the hospital in time, but it was too late.

“By the time I reach here, I saw my son lying down there and when I saw him laying down there, my mom told me he was drinking earlier at the neighbour. So I asked her, ‘ma what happened?’ She said that the boy just stabbed Samir and Samir ran over and told her and he collapsed right there. They opened the ambulance and the other doctor from the hospital ran in and when they ran in and checked him, they call me inside and I told them

CARTOON

bring in my son, shock my son. Ih say no ma. Ih say listen; sit down Miss Vivas, sit down. Ih say your son is dead. I said no, no, no; he is not dead,” the mother said.

According to the Police, the minor does not have a record with the Department. Vivas, however, has had several brushes with the law.

Vivas had made preparations to travel to San Pedro for employment, and to celebrate his 24th birthday on August 10th 2015.

PB LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that ELVIS SOLIS is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Taka San”, situated at Mile 1 Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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9 AUG

2015