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Last Updated: Mar 12, 2014 - 2:12:09 PM |
Arts & Culture
Marion Bethel's "Womanish Ways" screens at Canadian Embassy (Washington) - Mar 12, 2014 - 2:06:41 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In
honour of International Women’s Day 2014, the Permanent Mission of
Canada to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Permanent
Mission of The Bahamas to the OAS, and the Inter-American Commission on
Women co-sponsored a screening of Marion Bethel’s “Womanish Ways” on
Tuesday night, March 11, 2014, in the theatre of the Embassy of Canada,
501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Ms. Bethel was a “special guest of
honour” for the screening of her acclaimed documentary on the history of
the Women’s Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas...
News :
Local
C.O.B. Speakers’ Corner Deepens Debate on VAT - Mar 12, 2014 - 1:57:12 PM
Against
a growing movement that urges restraint in the implementation of Value
Added Tax (VAT) came a declaration from an intrepid businessman that the
wealthy – including him – should be paying even more taxes and the tax
burden should be shifted from the citizens who can least afford it to
those who can.
Former Parliamentarian and President of the Source
River Company Ltd. Tennyson Wells has called for a moderation to fears
over the proposed implementation of VAT and for the country to embrace
the change that must come instead...
News :
Local
“Ideal timing for VAT”, says expert tax consultant - Mar 12, 2014 - 1:54:29 PM
A renowned tax
specialist encouraged support of value added tax in The Bahamas, saying
that this is “an opportune time to introduce a more efficient means of
collecting revenue” before more extreme measures are taken.
Pauline
Peters, head of Grenada’s VAT implementation unit, told educators,
including Bahamas Union of Teachers representatives gathered at AF
Adderley School Library recently, that VAT allows consumers to make
choices about what to buy, choosing between exempt items like bread
basket goods and non-exempt, an option that income tax does not offer.
Arts & Culture
Marion Bethel to read in Grand Bahama for GBPAS - Mar 12, 2014 - 1:32:48 PM
The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society (GBPAS) next event,
C-Force, An Evening of
Musical Fusion at the Regency Theatre on Saturday March 15th will include beloved Bahamian writer, poet and filmmaker,
Marion Bethel, who will be reading some of her poetry and will also
incorporate GBPAS scholarship recipient, Chavez Parker, on percussion.
Headlining the event is
C-Force, a chamber ensemble that offers a unique and intriguing
approach to the traditional concept of chamber music. The group is made
up of Christy Lee - pianist, Christine Gangelhoff – flute and Christian
Justilien – euphonium, all of whom are faculty members at The College of
the Bahamas, Nassau
Focus on Fashion
Kemp returns with Fashion For a Cause, March 30th - Mar 12, 2014 - 11:59:59 AM
The time has come once
again to join hands and hearts as
FASHION FOR A CAUSE joins with THE
BAHAMAS AIDS FOUNDATION to raise funds for their continued work as well
as provide a platform for discussion to the youth of The Bahamas. The
fashion show is scheduled for March 30th, 2014 at The British Colonial
Hilton Hotel
In 2010, Fashion For A Cause was created by
Kendrick Kemp, former Mr. Bahamas and top model from The Bahamas who was
moved by the work of The Bahamas AIDS Foundation and wanted to
contribute by providing yet another platform to reach the youth of the
country as well as to be able to give back monetarily.
News :
Bahamas Information Services Updates
CARICOM: Medical marijuana, Reparation, Haiti-Dominican Rep. relations - TCI democracy - Mar 12, 2014 - 11:46:02 AM
As the 25th
Inter-Sessional meetings of the CARICOM Heads of Government conclude and
political heads return to the daily cut and thrust of governance in
their respective countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred
Mitchell provided an update on some of the discussions held during the
two days of meetings at Buccament Bay, St. Vincent.
On the highly
emotive and controversial law enacted by the government of the
Dominican Republic regarding citizenship to neighbouring Haitians, the
Minister had this to say:
“There was a full discussion on this
issue. The Bahamas took the position that CARICOM must engage as an
observer to the process..."
Community :
Grand Bahama
Coalition of Concerned Citizens meet with Bahamas Government, GBPC & GBPA - Mar 12, 2014 - 11:42:45 AM
On Monday March 10, 2014, A team from the
Coalition of Concerned Citizens comprising of Pastor Eddie Victor,
Pastor Dwight Jennings, Pastor Keith Russell and Roger Johnson attended a
meeting at the Harold Degregory Building organized by the Hon. Dr.
Michael Darville Minister of Grand Bahama. The meeting was between The
Government, The Grand Bahama Power Company, The Grand Bahama Port
Authority and The Coalition of Concerned Citizens.
Going into the
meeting our Coalition’s main goal & objective is for the immediate
reduction of electricity rates in Grand Bahama. Although we have a good
and respectful meeting that lasted 3 hours, there were some major points
that we did not agree on and there was some common ground. We will
continue to meet on Monday March 17, 2014...
Bahamas Weather
Bahamas 3-Day Weather Forecast starting Wednesday, March 12th - Mar 12, 2014 - 11:07:37 AM
Bahamas public weather forecast for today and tonight, Wednesday 12th March, 2014.
General situation: A strong cold front will swing into the northern
Bahamas on thursday morning while a ridge of high pressure continues to
shift eastwards.
For the Northwest Bahamas
Weather: Partly sunny, warm and breezy at first but later with a gradual increase in cloudiness and few scattered showers.
Advisory: Small craft should exercise caution.
News :
Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas Legislation to Regulate Vehicle Emissions - Mar 12, 2014 - 10:56:41 AM
New Providence, Bahamas - The following is a statement by Hon. Kenred Dorsett, Bahamas Minister of the Environment and Housing:
In
an effort to lower our collective carbon footprint, it is the intention
of the government of The Bahamas to advance legislation regulating
vehicle emissions.
This
proposed legislation calls for all passenger vehicles excluding antique
vehicles, motorcycles,bicycles with electric motor attached or motor
scooters to undergo emissions testing. The owners of motor vehicles
would be required to present their vehicles for testing on an annual
basis.
News :
International
Statement of G-7 Leaders on Ukraine - Mar 12, 2014 - 10:50:50 AM
Image: aa.com
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We, the leaders of Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the President
of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, call on
the Russian Federation to cease all efforts to change the status of
Crimea contrary to Ukrainian law and in violation of international law. We
call on the Russian Federation to immediately halt actions supporting a
referendum on the territory of Crimea regarding its status, in direct
violation of the Constitution of Ukraine.
Any such referendum would have no legal effect. Given the lack of
adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops, it
would also be a deeply flawed process which would have no moral
force. For all these reasons, we would not recognize the outcome.
News :
International :
Caribbean News :
Turks & Caicos Islands
TCIG Preparing for Large Scale Test of Disaster Response Systems - Mar 12, 2014 - 10:26:32 AM
Turks and Caicos Islands - DDME and
its regional partners will be running simulation exercises and Public
Awareness activities for Tsunamis and other fast-onset disasters during
the month of March.
As part of our responsibility for the
dissemination of such information, the Press Office is seeking your help
to educate the public about the various hazards and how to respond
ahead of a Major Regional Drill scheduled for later in the month...
News :
Bahamas Information Services Updates
NEMA Conducts water rescue training in Cat Island - Mar 12, 2014 - 10:07:08 AM
Nassau, The Bahamas – The National Emergency
Management Agency, NEMA and the United States Northern Command
conducted an intense water rescue training exercise in New Bight, Cat
Island to better prepare residents to respond to any disaster at sea.
The
island was the first to receive training in Phase II of the Water
Rescue Training exercise which was held March 3 to 6, 2014. Phase I of
the training was held on the islands of Abaco, Grand Bahama and New
Providence between the months of March – May, 2012...
News :
Bahamas Information Services Updates
Singers from Lee University of Tennessee call on Bahamas Governor General - Mar 12, 2014 - 9:43:09 AM
Nassau, Bahamas - Governor-General Sir
Arthur Foulkes is pictured with the Ladies of Lee Singing Group from
Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee during a courtesy call at
Government House, March 10, 2014.
"The School of Music
has developed into one of the finest music schools in the southeast. It
has an environment that nurtures creative expression, academic
excellence, and spiritual growth. Each student in the School of Music
receives expert instruction in music theory, history, literature, and
performance, with extensive performance opportunities."
Columns :
Bird Talk - Erika Gates
Grand Bahama Birding Group conducts Caribbean Waterbird Census - Mar 11, 2014 - 11:22:36 PM
Freeport, Bahamas -
The Grand Bahama Birding Group gathered on three different days for the
fourth annual Caribbean Waterbird Census. This project is organized by
Birds Caribbean (formerly the Society for the Conservation and Study of
Caribbean Birds - SCSCB) and is conducted throughout the Caribbean and
the Bahamas. The goal of the program is to learn more about the
distribution, status and abundance of waterbirds in the region so that
conservation planning and habitat management for these beautiful birds
can be improved.
The program is co-sponsored by Cornell
University's Lab of Ornithology, an institution that interprets and
conserves the earth's biological diversity through research, education
and citizen science focused on birds...
Community :
Service Organizations
Introducing the First Sustainable Tourism Model for The Bahamas and the Caribbean - Mar 11, 2014 - 11:16:39 PM
The Bahamas National
Trust recently concluded a three year pilot demonstration project in the
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park through funding by the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) Full Size Project (FSP) on “Tourism and Coral Reef
Health”. One of the key objectives of the project was the development of
a sustainable tourism model (STM) for the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
and its surrounding communities. The sustainable tourism model was
completed in 2013 through a consultative process with a diverse group of
stakeholders and experts who have expressed a strong desire to see it
implemented in the Exuma Cays.
News :
Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture kicks off BAMSI program - Mar 11, 2014 - 11:06:02 PM
Nassau, Bahamas - The Ministry of Agriculture kicked off its
BAMSI outreach program with a workshop at the Ministry on East Bay Street on
Monday, 10th March 2014.
This workshop is the first of several
meetings that will form part of BAMSI’s outreach program geared at forging a
sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership between the government and key
stakeholders within the industries of Agriculture and Marine Resources. The
center piece around which this outreach program is being built is the
autonomous corporate body, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute
(BAMSI) and tutorial commercial farm located on North Andros.
Arts & Culture
U.S. Embassy Officials Tour Swan Song of the Flamingo Exhibit Depicting the HMBS FLAMINGO Tragedy - Mar 11, 2014 - 11:03:53 PM
On Monday, March 10,
2014, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. John Armstrong accompanied by Defense
Attaché Cdr. Samuel Wartell, Director of Operation Bahamas Turks and
Caicos (OPBAT) Cdr. Mark Driver and Sr. Chief Gregory Zerfass of the
visiting U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SAWFISH were given a tour of the “Swan
Song of the Flamingo” exhibit at the National Art Gallery of The
Bahamas. Mr. Kishan Munroe, local Bahamian artist gave the officials an
extensive hour-long tour of the exhibit that recounted the tragic
incident that occurred on May 10, 1980.
Through
vivid paintings, photos and video the exhibit highlights Mr. Munroe’s
recreation of the tragedy as well as response to the incident by
renowned Bahamian poets and historians. The United States Coast Guard...
Community :
Grand Bahama
“Join Me on the Bridge” Essay and Art Competition Winners Announced - Mar 11, 2014 - 10:24:40 PM
Grand Bahama High School Students
Included in International Women’s Day Celebration
Freeport, The Bahamas - In the hopes of inspiring young women to celebrate women’s
achievements and explore and reflect on women’s rights and equality, “Join Me
on the Bridge” recently announced its 2nd Annual Essay Competition and
Inaugural Art Competition for Grand Bahama Female High School Students (Grades
9-13).
Students were asked to either write an original essay of 500
words or less around the question, “What is a man’s role in supporting women’s
rights and equality?” or to create an original work of art around the theme
“Celebrating Women...”
News :
Grand Bahama
Study Underway on Ocean Incursions on Pine Forests in Grand Bahama - Mar 11, 2014 - 10:14:30 PM
There are lingering
effects of the last few hurricanes to strike Grand Bahama and now
research is underway to produce a baseline study of the impact of
seawater on the pine forests of Dover Sound, Queen’s Cove and West End.
Dr.
Andrew Moxey, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at The College of The
Bahamas’ Northern Bahamas Campus, recently gave a progress report on his
investigations named, “Ocean Incursions into the Caribbean Pine (Pinus
caribeae) Forest on East Grand Bahama: Impact on Soil Chemistry.”
He was one of the presenters at last week’s Bahamas Natural History...
News :
Bahamas Information Services Updates
Gray foreshadows amendments of Bahamas Local Government Act - Mar 11, 2014 - 10:10:32 PM
Speaking with the
media at his ministry on Monday, Minister of Agriculture, Marine
Resources and Local Government V. Alfred Gray revealed two significant
proposed changes to the Local Government Act ahead of the next local
government elections scheduled for later this year.
“I’m placing
before cabinet on Tuesday a compendium of amendments to the Local
Government Act not the least among which is the amendment to provide for
a Director of Local Government and a Deputy Director of Local
Government.” This move was necessary said the Minister because there was
no leadership in the Department of Local Government.
News :
Grand Bahama
American para-triathlete, Hector Picard to host Triathlon for The Beacon School - Mar 11, 2014 - 7:01:53 PM
American para-triathlete and motivational speaker
Hector Picard, the first and only
"Double Arm Amputee" 3x IRONMAN
will be visiting Grand Bahama Island March 24th - March 31st. This will
be a return visit for Mr. Picard who visited Grand Bahama Island in
2010 to compete at the Conchman Triathlon. While here, Mr. Picard spoke
at and was inspired by the children and staff at The Beacon School.
Triathlon
for The Beacon School will be a one day event starting on Saturday,
March 29th at Taino Beach at 7AM.
Bahamian Residents and tourists are
invited to join Mr. Picard as he swims 2.4 miles, cycles 112 miles, and
runs 26.2 miles throughout beautiful Grand Bahama Island. This event
will raise funds and awareness for the children of The Beacon School.
Bahamian Politics
DNA: Gambling with the Country's Future - Mar 11, 2014 - 5:50:01 PM
After years of leading
the region in the area of gaming, the current administration threatens to
destroy the Bahamas’ long standing reputation as the country to beat. They’re
attempts to bring regulation and improvements to the overall industry have
instead, been a series of missteps that have caused confusion and uncertainty;
two traits which have seemingly become the trademarks of this administration.
The Democratic National Alliance listened
intently to the contribution made by the Minister responsible for Gaming in Parliament during which, he announced the government’s
intention to move forward with the legalization, regulation and taxation of web
shop gaming. While web shops have been at the center of much of the
government’s focus since taking office, two key issues were unfortunately
missing from his communication.
Sports
Eleuthera Jr Baseball League of Rock Sound: Week 5 Results - Mar 11, 2014 - 3:01:50 PM
Rock Sound – the Eleuthera Junior Baseball
League of Rock Sound played week #5 games in Rock Sound.
In game #1 -
Tee Ball Division- the Tarpum Bay Nippers just nipped the Rook Sound Sea
Grapes 18 to 17 in an excited match for the youngsters although the
parents seemed to enjoy it more.
Then in game #2 Coach Pitch Division,
the Spanish Wells Hook n’ Jook out lasted the new comers Tarpum Bay
Mosquitoes in their first game by the score of 13 to 11 The Tarpons
promises to be the team that gives the Hook n’ Jook a run for the
pennant.
In game #3 - Junior Division - the Rock Sound Stingrays doubled
up the Spanish Wells Sting-Rays 8 to 4 to tie their series at 1-1...
Community :
Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama Port Authority Sponsors Business Training - Mar 11, 2014 - 2:43:18 PM
Freeport, Grand Bahama
– The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is once again
partnering with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) to
provide business management training for SMEs on Grand Bahama. Also
lending their support is the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce and the
Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC).
Making
the announcement regarding the ProNet Business Management Training
Series which is set to begin at the end of the month was GBPA President,
Ian Rolle. “The ProNet Series as offered by CEDA, is part of an
ongoing mandate to develop the SME business sector in CARIFORUM
countries, thereby preparing them to meet the demands of a highly
competitive global business environment.
News :
International :
Caribbean News
Saint Lucia and Martinique Strengthen Traditional Cultural Ties - Mar 11, 2014 - 2:40:01 PM
SAINT
LUCIA – For the past 20 years cultural and historic ties between Saint
Luciaand its closest Caribbean neighbor, Martinique, have been kept
strong through the traditional sailing of the Gommier Canoe Crossing.
Held
annually, the Gommier crossing has helped foster friendly relationships
between the people of Martinique and Saint Lucia and more specifically,
the twinning of two towns Gros Islet in Saint Lucia and Trois Islet in
Martinique. The highly colorful rally also played a significant role in
sustaining and maintaining the art of traditional boat building,
especially in Martinique where indigenous techniques were quickly
disappearing.
News :
International
Bahamian Student with Asperger’s Inducted into U.S. National Honor Society in Florida - Mar 11, 2014 - 2:32:02 PM
LAKE WALES, FLORIDA –
It is the kind of honour that only a decade ago might have seemed
unattainable – a student from The Bahamas with learning disabilities and
special needs being admitted into the highest academic organization in
high schools in the United States. But this month, a Bahamian with
Asperger’s – the high-performing form of autism -- was inducted into the
National Honor Society, receiving his coveted pin like hundreds of
others across America who know that Honor Society status will serve them
well for the rest of their lives, from opening doors at colleges to
jumpstarting them in jobs.
Cole Carey, son of Mario and Venita
Carey of Nassau and a student at the Vanguard School in Lake Wales,
Florida, received his golden NHS pin from the Vanguard School president,
Dr. Cathy Wooley-Brown...
News :
Bahamas Information Services Updates
CARICOM agrees on reparation plan - Mar 11, 2014 - 2:28:08 PM
Wasting little time,
on their first day of meetings all fifteen CARICOM leaders unanimously
adopted a ten-point plan essentially calling for reparations for the
infliction of slavery on Caribbean colonies by certain former European
colonizers.
According
to News America, the ten-point plan includes calling for a formal
apology for slavery, some debt cancellation from former colonizers such
as Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands and reparation payments to
repair the persisting “psychological trauma.”
When
contacted for comment, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed
the adoption of the ten-point plan and outlined the local executing
mechanism to achieve this...
The victim shot in
the shooting incident at a club on Queens Highway on Sunday 9th March
2014 was identified as Rimardo Rolle DOB 25/06/86 of # 126 Custard Apple
Street Pioneers Loop. Police are continuing their investigations into
this matter and are still appealing to the general public for anyone
with information that can assist to contact the Police at telephone
number 350-3107/8, 911/919 or call your nearest police station
