Nomination Day in San Pedro

The People's United Party marched to the San Pedro Town Hall where they were officially nominated just after 11:00 AM today.

The United Democratic Party team was nominated just after 3pm, and afterward they marched through the principal streets of San Pedro Town. Look out for full details in this week's issue of The San Pedro Sun Newspaper.

San Pedro celebrates Valentine weekend

Love is in the air and there were many business across the island that offered great productions over the Valentine weekend. Jaguars Temple Night Club celebrated their 8th Anniversary in fabulous style with imitators from Chetumal who impersonated Shania Twain and had great performances as Aztec Warriors.

Hideaway Bar also had some fun with Cuban singers who delighted everyone with their great voices. Next week, the rest of their group is set to come so join Hideaway for a fabulous time.
Las Chicas Roland from Honduras set the stage on fire on Saturday night at the San Pedro Lions Den.


The Punta Boys rocked Bayside with their infectious beats.
Sports also formed a part of the weekend activities with 5-A-Side and Softball.

Local News

Three wanted in connection to double homicideTen days after police uncovered the bodies of James Swan and Edward Gutierrez buried in a grave north of San Pedro Town in an area known as Rocky Point, today police released the pictures of three men they strongly believe committed the double homicide. The suspects wanted for the murders have been identified as Gabriel Salazar and Alexander and Frank Edwards. Police say they believe the motive to be drug related.
If you have any in formation that can lead police to their wanted men please call the nearest police station.

Sail away with Blue Tang Inn

Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the turqoise Caribbean waters of Ambergris Caye. With great friends, family and a wonderful staff your day will end splendidly as you glide through the waves. Check out next week's Visitor Guide for further information.

National News

Butane Prices increase

The price of a tank butane gas increased by $7 today. A 100 pound cylinder of butane is now $93 in Belize City and Corozal, $94 in Orange Walk, $95 in Belmopan and San Ignacio, $96 in Benque, $97 in Dangriga and $98 in Punta Gorda. You will need to add two dollars to those prices for delivery.

Government says the increase is owing to the rise in the acquisition cost. The upside is that this is the first increase in the price of butane since August of last year when it began tumbling from a record high of $132 per hundred pound cylinder. Late last month, the prices fell to a record low of $86.

Source: Channel 7 News

Regional News

Sarkozy orders review

Sarkozy has called for better distribution of riches

French President Nicholas Sarkozy has ordered his government to review its policy towards overseas territories. The statement came amid escalating unrest in the departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique. It was Sarkozy's first public reaction to strikes and protests that have been simmering since last month in Guadeloupe. Neighbouring Martinique joined the industrial action last week.

Sarkozy called for better distribution of riches to fix what he called the social sickness that has stricken the two islands. The protesters say they can no longer afford the rising cost of living, and they are demanding an increase in the minimum wage and a cut in fuel prices.

Venezuelans vote this weekend

President Hugo Chavez

Venezuelans will vote this weekend, in a referendum on whether to remove term limits on the number of times the country's president and local politicians can be re-elected. This is President Hugo Chavez's second attempt at that kind of constitutional reform.

He lost a similar vote in 2007. Chavez has been campaigning throughout the country in the lead up to the vote, to drum up support. On Thursday he told supporters that he was "committed to recognizing the result on Sunday, whatever it may be". If he loses, he would have to leave office in early 2013.

Local, National and Regional News for Wednesday, February 11th

Boogie in Belize 5 this weekend! Book your jump today!

They are no strangers to the islanders, however; it is always exciting to know that the Boogie in Belize group in back for yet another thrilling skydiving experience. This year marks the fifth consecutive trip to San Pedro for Tsunami Skydivers Incorporated and every year the extreme sport seems to attract even more visitors to La Isla Bonita. Skydivers from across the globe including Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Argentina, Peru and even Belize look forward to the event.
For those who enjoy the experience of throwing themselves from out of a perfectly good airplane, or simply like to experience the once in a lifetime thrill from a height of over 13,000 feet, there will be ten days of fun starting on Saturday, February 14th and will run until Monday, February 23rd. While it is described as a delicate sport, the enthusiasts look forward to keep on practicing the event. Once out of the plane, skydivers plunge to earth at a speed of about 120 miles per hour. The twin engine plane that resembles a shark takes as many as 23 skydivers per jump. Once out of the plane at the altitude of about at 5,000 feet the parachute is let open where the descend is a little slower so you get to enjoy the bird’s eye view of San Pedro Town and all its beauty until you make it to the landing field in front of Coco Locos.
This year, the event is no different, 60 skydivers will be making jumps starting this Saturday. Requirements to participate in a tandem jump are simple; you must be below 225 pounds and be in good health. Anyone wanting to make to have a once in a life time experience, can sign up at the Sun Breeze Hotel for a price of US$225. But if you would like your jump documented, an additional fee of US$110 is charged for video and still pictures.

National and Regional news

Said Musa will stand trial in Supreme CourtDid former Prime Minister Said Musa steal twenty million Belize dollars in public funds? That’s the question that will have to be decided by a jury after he was committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court on a charge of theft. Magistrate Earl Jones announced his decision this morning in Belmopan Magistrate’s Court ending a preliminary inquiry in which arguments were heard on January 29th. At that time Musa’s lead attorney Edwin Flower made a no case submission. Magistrate Jones did not give his decision immediately, saying he needed time to consider the arguments from both sides.

He found that there is enough evidence to establish a prima facie case against the former two term Prime Minister. On the issue of jurisdiction, he found that, “while the offence was committed abroad....the intended result is the commission of a criminal offence...in Belize.” As regards the question of ownership of the money as property, and the contention that no ownership was established so Musa couldn’t have stolen it. Jones found that by the evidence of the deposition of Amalia Mai and the letter sent by former PM Musa, he assumed the rights of ownership.
With that written decision which took less than ten minutes to deliver, Jones found that there is enough to commit Musa to stand trial in the next session of the Supreme Court on April 7th., 2009. Backed by a group of supporters, Musa told us he is disappointed, but confident.
Said Musa, Accused of Theft, “I am still very confident; it is not over until it is over.”
Jules Vasquez, "You must be disappointed though.
Said Musa,“Yes I am disappointed because I believe that from day one this is a bogus charge. It is political persecution, it is a witch hunt, and I felt that the statements that were submitted to the court clearly show that no money was stolen. But you know in this business, some people just insist on passing the buck and I can understand that, the pressures are tremendous. This is what we are dealing with. I believe in the justice system and I believe in the end justice will prevail. The fact of the matter is who is leading the whole prosecution in this matter. The Prime Minister himself. It is his statement, for almost a year now, he has been insisting that he wants to have me charged and he is getting his way now, I am being charged and I am now being sent for trail. In fact he himself has volunteered a statement. So it is very clear that this thing has executive pressure behind it.”

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Source: 7 News Belize

EU seek deal with Banana producing countries

Bananas have proved to be a difficult area for Europe

The European Commission has confirmed that it is negotiating with Latin America's leading banana suppliers towards a deal that would gradually reduce Europe's import tariffs. A commission official said it was hoped that an agreement would finally end a long-running dispute that also involves countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific or ACP group.
Latin American banana nations, led by Ecuador, have complained that the EU's banana regime discriminates against them and favors ACP fruit, which attract no tariffs. ACP nations say the duties are needed to protect exports from their own disadvantaged regions.

Gaddafi wants Caribbean in AU

Libya's leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi

The chairman of the African Union (AU), Libya's leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, has said he would like a United States of Africa to include what he called "Caribbean islands with African populations". Gaddafi pointed to Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
Colonel Gaddafi was speaking in the Libyan capital Tripoli at an event to celebrate his new role as the rotating head of the AU. Gaddafi suggested Caribbean islands should join the AU and become a bridge between Africa and Latin America.
The Libyan leader also said he would use his 12 months at the helm of the AU to try to resolve Africa's conflicts, including Darfur and Somalia.