Belize At World Series Of Poker Finals

Belize poker champion Badih "Bob" Bou Nahra

Belizean Badih Bou Nahra is competing at the WSOP finals in Las Vegas setting Belize in the world stage of this sport. Badih is accompanied by some 200 supporters and fans from Belize, many of them professional and aspiring poker players. The event has sparked so much nationalism and interest in Belize that a local television station is covering the event live. Marleni Cuellar who is  anchoring the coverage for TV 5 told the media in an interview that:

“This weekend we’re going to be following Bob BouNahra the poker player who has made it to a very prestigious level in poker. He is a part of what is called the November 9 which is essentially the 9 finalists for the World Series of Poker. And although there aren’t a lot of people who are aware of the major level tournaments, it is a very big worldwide event. The fact the Bob has made it to this level is very good for him, but even very good for Belize.

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Official List Belize Public And Bank Holidays 2012

The Belize Government has today released the official list of Belize public and bank holidays for 2012. This is useful for those preparing travel and vacation in Belize as tourists or for resorts or Belize tour operators looking to draw up holiday specials, not to mention businesses that print and publish Belize Calendars. The list of 13 official Belize holidays includes the famous long four day Belize Easter Holiday which in 2012 starts on 6 April.

Travelers and Belizeans should note that while it is not reflected in this list, some holidays in Belize are “dry”, that is alcoholic beverages may not be sold on for example Good Friday or Christmas Day, but enforcement varies according to locality. In any event, most business establishments are closed on these days. Some Belize shops, especially Chinese operated, open for a brief period after six in the evening during holidays.

15 January 2012 Update: The Government of Belize has today announced that an order has been made that Election Day 7 March 2012 shall be a Public and Bank holiday. Note that alcohol shall not be sold on Election Day.

The full text of the release as issued by Minister of Police and Public Safety Douglas Singh through the Belize Press Office:

It is notified for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and the Second Schedules to the Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, will be observed on the following days during the year 2012 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act.

Monday January 2nd New Year’s Day (in lieu of Sunday, 1st January)
Monday March 12th National Heroes and Benefactors Day (in lieu of Friday, 9th March)
Friday April 6th Good Friday
Saturday April 7th Holy Saturday
Monday April 9th Easter Monday
Tuesday May 1st Labour Day
Monday May 21st Sovereign’s Day/Commonwealth Day (in lieu of Thursday, 24th May)
Monday September 10th St. George’s Caye Day
Friday September 21st Independence Day
Monday October 15th Pan American Day (in lieu of Friday, 12th October)
Monday November 19th Garifuna Settlement Day
Tuesday December 25th Christmas Day
Wednesday December 26th Boxing Day

 

Professor Duke Pollard Sworn In As New Justice Of Appeal

Justice Duke Pollar

Judge Pollard being sworn in by Governor General Sir Colville Young. Picture courtesy Belize Press Office.

Professor Duke Pollard from Guyana was today sworn in as a temporary Justice of the Belize Court of Appeal by the Governor General, Sir Colville Young, at Belize House, Belmopan.

Witnessing the swearing-in ceremony was the Registrar General, Ms. Velda Flowers.

Professor Pollard is a well-known legal luminary of the Caribbean. He was a judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice from 2005 to 2010. After his retirement from the CCJ, he took up appointment as Professor of Law at the University of Guyana, which position he still holds.

He has written widely on legal topics and has undertaken various lecturing assignments throughout the Caribbean region. His areas of expertise include General International Law, Law of Treaties and International Economic Law. Professor Pollard is a member of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, a member of the American Society of International Law and a member of the
Caribbean Association of Law and Court Administration.

Honoring First Belize Prime Minister George Cadle Price

Father of the Nation Right Honourable George Cadle Price passed away on 19 September 2011 and was interred on 26 September following a State Funeral in the City of Belmopan. Thousands of Belizeans came out to honor the Father of the Nation. Prime Minister Dean Barrow penned the following reflection on the life of the first Prime Minister of Belize:

I look out at this great crowd of mourners today. I think of all those that have filed past the casket, signed the tribute books, lined the streets, and thronged the Cathedral on Saturday. And I know this is exactly the way it should be. Thousands of grateful Belizeans saying goodbye to the avatar of the nation. It is destiny fulfilled. What Mr Price strove for all his life, he has been able to produce in his death. We are now a country totally united. United in homage to our National Hero, and his creed of one Belize.

I see the members of Mr. Price’s family. I see the sisters, and the nieces and the nephews, and the grand-nieces and the grand-nephews, and it is to them I speak first. I am reminded that this clan of which Mr Price was the foremost exemplar, is a very distinguished one. As political and national leader, no one could surpass Mr Price. But other members of this family, in their own right, are and have been fine contributors to our country, successes in their various professions and callings, similar to Mr Price in his. The point I am trying to make is that he must have been just as proud of you as you were of him. My heartfelt condolences to all of you.

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George Price Brief Biography and Pictorial

Rt. Hon. George Price Prime Minister of Belize addressing the United Nations General Assembly.

The Father of the Nation Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price passed away on Monday 19 September 2011. Mr. Price more than any other person has left an indelible stamp on our young nation state of Belize. He was co-founder of the People’s United Party, the first Premier of Belize, and the first Prime Minister of Belize. He was a man of “uncommon discipline” who against all odds fought for the independence of Belize with all its territory intact. We have put together a concise biography on his life and accomplishments along with a pictorial for our readers.  Biography and Pictorial of George Price.

ADO Bus Service Now Links Mexico with Belize

Auto Transportes De Oriente ADO MexicoThe well known Mexican bus company ADO has launched a much needed daily bus service linking Belize with the southern cities of Cancun, Tulum and Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula. This long awaited service will have a positive impact on trade and passenger service between Mexico and Belize, but more importantly, will facilitate tourism arrivals in Belize via Cancun. ADO (Autotransportes De Oriente) is the leading bus company operating in southern Mexico.

Belize is a popular tourism destination but air fares are high compared to other countries. Cost conscious travelers from North America and Europe use Cancun as hub from which to travel to and from Belize, as air fares to that city are reasonable. But the transfer between Cancun and Belize has until now being somewhat tedious involving bus and taxi transfers. The new service is an express run with air conditioned Pullman type equipment with no need to change buses or hop between bus terminals in taxis. The press release from the Mexican Embassy:

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