News : New Providence
Haitian president Michael Martelly calls on Bahamas Opposition Leader - Jul 29, 2014 - 11:15:47 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - Opposition Leader the Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, received Haitian President, His Excellency Michel Martelly in a courtesy visit held at the Minority Room of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.

President Martelly visiting The Bahamas for one-day explained that the objective of the visit was to engage The Bahamas Government in discussions of bilateral interest in the areas of trade, migration, and investment that would strengthen the relationship between Haiti and The Bahamas. Dr. Minnis said he welcomes and supports the idea of investment that will create opportunities in Haiti that will help to stem the flow of migrants.

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas Crawfish Season 2014/15 to open August 1st - Jul 29, 2014 - 10:47:51 PM

The Department of Marine Resources wishes to advise the general public of the opening of the crawfish season on the August 1, 2014 to the March 31, 2015.

The Department of Marine Resources further wishes to remind fishers and all other members of the public that the harvesting and/or of undersized crawfish is against the law and persons are to cease and desist the practice of illegally harvesting these resources. Fishers are also cautioned against capturing egg-bearing crawfish as this practice further aids in the depletion of the crawfish stock in The Bahamas...

News : Local
URCA: Exhaustion of FM Radio Broadcast Spectrum Frequencies - Jul 29, 2014 - 6:16:24 PM

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) issues this notificationin accordance with section 8(1)(e)of the Communications Act, 2009 (“Comms Act”).

URCA hereby notifies the public that frequencies in the spectrum band 88 MHz to 108 MHz allocated under the National Spectrum Plan for FM Radio Broadcasting have been fully assigned for use on New Providence and therefore are currently exhausted and unavailable for any further assignment on the said island...

News : Ministry of Tourism Updates
Goombay Summer Festival in Grand Bahama: July 31st - Jul 29, 2014 - 5:39:51 PM

TAINO BEACH, Grand Bahama Island -  The celebration continues this week Thursday, July 31st from 6:00pm - 12midnight at Taino Beach with 3 more weeks of Bahamian Celebration".

Goombay Summer Festival is back! 

Originally launched in 1974, Goombay Summer was a celebration that became a huge draw for visitors. Over the years, Goombay Summer was sometimes called Junkanoo in June and Junkanoo Summer Festival, but more recently, it has returned to its original name. It is a celebration of authentic Bahamian music, dance, cuisine and craft...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
URCA slaps penalty on BTC - Jul 29, 2014 - 5:03:44 PM

Nassau, The Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority of The Bahamas (URCA) issued an adjudication and order to BTC today (July 29) for engaging in business practices which contravened sections 67 and 69 of the Communications Act resulting in a fine of $243,442.76 among other penalties.

The particulars of the complaint, originally filed by Systems Resource Group (SRG), a subsidiary of the Cable Bahamas group of companies, are that:

*SRG had approached several (wholesale) businesses to display and sell SRG’s “’IndiGO’ calling card”;

*The wholesale businesses advised SRG that they had exclusive supply agreements with BTC that prohibited them from selling the SRG calling cards;

News : New Providence
College of The Bahamas selects Rodney Smith as president - Jul 29, 2014 - 4:24:19 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - After a long, transparent, competitive and rigorous search process conducted by a Council-appointed Advisory Search Committee (ASC), the Council of The College of The Bahamas at a special called meeting on June 11th considered the assessment conducted by the ASC of four shortlisted candidates for the position of President of The College of The Bahamas. At the end of its deliberations, Dr. Rodney Smith was chosen to be the candidate that Council would present to the Minister of Education, in accordance with Section 6 of the College of The Bahamas Act, for the Minister’s approval. On June 12th Council informed the Minister of its determination and was then informed by the Minister that the matter of the approval of Dr. Smith as President of COB would be made the subject of a decision by the Cabinet of the Government of The Bahamas...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
Contract Signed for Remediation and Renovation of the Hawksbill Creek Clinic - Jul 29, 2014 - 2:25:12 PM

Freeport, Grand Bahama - Representatives of the Public Hospitals Authority, the Grand Bahama Health Services and Pinnacle Investment Construction Company Ltd. are pictured following the contract signing July 28 for Remediation and Renovation of the Hawksbill Creek Clinic.

Pictured from left: Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary Ministry for Grand Bahama; Frank Smith, Chairman of the Board PHA; Melissa Williams Edwards,  Pinnacle Investment Construction Company Limited;  Dr. Michael Darville Minister for Grand Bahama; Herbert Brown, Managing Director PHA; and Catherine Weech, Hospital Administrator...

News : New Providence
Free Canine Distemper Vaccinations offered at Bahamas Humane Society, Nassau - Jul 29, 2014 - 2:18:14 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The island of New Providence is currently facing a serious outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus, a dangerous and often fatal disease in pet dogs.

To assist those less fortunate and their pets, the Bahamas Humane Society is providing free distemper vaccines Wednesday, 30 July, at the Thelma Gibson School located in Elizabeth Estates. This clinic will be held from 2pm to 7pm. The clinic is free of charge and is aimed at establishing a “ring of immunity” within New Providence to protect our pets.

These vaccines have been generously provided by Humane Society International.

News : Local
Bahamas Finance Ministry Targets 4,000 Businesses For VAT Registration - Jul 29, 2014 - 12:42:16 PM

Nassau, Bahamas – Financial Secretary John Rolle says the Ministry of Finance is hoping to get 4,000 businesses registered for the value-added tax (VAT) beginning in September.

Mr. Rolle, who recently met with editors and reporters from various media houses for an open discussion on VAT, said the registration process will take place between September and December.

VAT is set to be implemented on January 1, 2015 at a rate of 7.5 per cent...

News : International
Samuel A. Brown named Miami Herald Media Company Vice President of Advertising - Jul 29, 2014 - 12:41:11 PM

MIAMI FL – The Miami Herald Media Company (MHMC) announced that effective August 4th, Samuel A. Brown will assume the role of Vice President of Advertising.  He succeeds Alexandra Villoch, who was promoted to President and Publisher in April.

Brown brings more than 20 years of advertising sales, digital strategy, marketing and business development experience to his new role.  He most recently served as the vice president of digital solutions for the Northeast Ohio Media Group, where he oversaw digital strategy and revenue at The Plain Dealer, Sun News and cleveland.com, as well as leading multimedia recruitment and entertainment sales teams and advertising operations...

News : New Providence
BTC and CANTO bring Information, Communications Technology Industry Conference to Nassau - Jul 29, 2014 - 4:43:20 AM

Nassau, Bahamas - The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO) has selected The Bahamas to mark its 30th anniversary and to stage their annual conference and trade exhibition from August 10th – 15th at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. BTC, in partnership with the government of The Bahamas, is the co-host.

CANTO, founded in 1984, was formed to facilitate the development of the information and communications technology industry (ICT) for the benefit of members and other stakeholders in the Caribbean region; from an initial eight, membership has grown to 123 members in 34 countries...

News : Grand Bahama
Sade Colebrook crowned Miss Grand Bahama 2014 - Jul 29, 2014 - 1:03:52 AM

Freeport, Bahamas - Congratulations goes out to 17 year old Sade Colebrook , sponsored by Exquisite Collection who was crowned Miss Grand Bahama 2014 in front of a large audience at Le Chateau on the Green in Freeport on July 27th. Sade Colebrook is a graduate of Sunland Baptist Academy. 1st runner up was Phylicia Collie and Danielle Pratt came 2nd runner-up. Among other prizes she wins a scholarship from Terreve College and will undergo Bahamahost training, thanks to the Ministry of Tourism.

 "I love traveling and experiencing new cultures, exotic foods, and meeting new people," said Sade who has been a volunteer at the YMCA and ICAN camp, and the Humane Society.  In 2012 Sade came first runner up in the Miss Talented Grand Bahama, not surprising with her passion for singing, dancing, theatre and painting!

Columns : Robbin's Nest - Robbin Whachell
Bahamians meet Bahamians in Vancouver, Canada - Jul 28, 2014 - 8:45:06 PM

It's only been a few months since Nassau born Chris Lowe of Vancouver started the "Bahamians in Vancouver" facebook group page in hopes of finding other Bahamians in the area.  When he did, it saw instant results, as within 24 hours the page had over 40 members.

Those that could attend made it to the first meetup within the first month hosted at the home of Gareth and Nina Hanna,  and a second meetup was scheduled for July 27th at the Caribbean Days Festival in North Vancouver.  The event is organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Society of B.C., and it encourages other nations of the Caribbean to come together. The event is over two days formally but the Society hosts many other events throughout the year...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
BAIC opens New Executive Offices in Nassau - Jul 28, 2014 - 8:20:32 PM

Nassau, The Bahamas - The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has opened a 10,000 square foot facility to house executive offices and a training centre. The building, the only one of its kind in the country, will save the government over 40 percent in energy cost due to its use of solar energy. During the official opening ceremony held at its location in the Soldier Road Industrial Park, on Friday, July 25, Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said that the ‘occasion represented a great step in the accomplishment of the self-sufficiency ideal.

“I am particularly pleased, with its futuristic design and how that will affect the operation cost of running BAIC,” said Mr. Christie. “I am also very impressed with the level and quality of craftsmanship that was put into the building of this beautiful edifice and how the design was worked into our general philosophy of energy conservation.”...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas Agriculture Implements Project to Advance Food Security - Jul 28, 2014 - 5:44:09 PM

The sweet potato is the most important edible root to food security, followed by cassava in The Bahamas. Successive projects have aimed at increasing the amount of root crops produced, in an effort to satisfy increasing local demand for these commodities. In both Abaco and Andros significant acreages of sweet potato have been planted using improved varieties.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government has received approval for a research project: “Selection of marketable varieties of sweet potatoes and cassava.” The purpose of the sweet project is to choose and obtain planting material for promising varieties of sweet potato and cassava, prepare trial crops in chosen islands, follow up its management and results and based on findings as to the best suited sweet potato...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas Junkanoo Summer Festival success for more exposure - Jul 28, 2014 - 4:43:14 PM

Nassau, The Bahamas – Minister of Tourism the Hon Obie Wilchcombe has touted the success of the Junkanoo Summer Festival held during the month of July 2014.

Against the backdrop of the 50th Anniversary of Tourism in the country, the festival was held each weekend in July, which showcased the best in Junkanoo talent, music from uniform groups and the Urban Renewal Marching Band, food, and arts and craft items before crowds of thousands.

“The Bahamas is renowned for its tourism, but they are talking about the hospitality, they are talking about its service and the beauty of this country. So if we work collectively to ensure that we deliver the best product, they can understand how effective and how important it is to our economy,” Mr. Wilchcombe said...

News : Ministry of Tourism Updates
Bahamas tourism working with the BNT to strengthen bird-based tourism - Jul 28, 2014 - 4:36:56 PM

Nassau, New Providence - The Ministry of Tourism is working in conjunction with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) to strengthen bird-based tourism as a Conservation and Sustainable Development Tool by conducting a week-long workshop to train ‘world-class’ Bird/Nature Tour Guides at two pilot sites: Central Andros and Inagua.

Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Joy Jibrilu during the opening of the workshop at the British Colonial Hilton, Monday, July 28, 2014, said The Bahamas has the perfect sites for bird watching to take advantage of the $82 billion industry, which is growing at approximately eight per cent a year with an expenditure of $17 billion...

News : Ministry of Tourism Updates
Miami Goombay Festival Celebrates Bahamas - Jul 28, 2014 - 3:54:30 PM

MIAMI Florida - Miami is hosted the 38th annual Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival on July 26th in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, a community with prominent Bahamian roots.

The festival featured Bahamian entertainers and a Junkanoo rushout parade showcasing intricate costumes and rhythmic music featuring cowbells, goat-skin drums and brass instruments. Performances were given by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band, Qilla Fang, and Goldenchild.  The Celebrity Artist, Jamaal Rolle also exhibited his lifelike artwork...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas government holds VAT legislation presentation for the press - Jul 28, 2014 - 12:58:17 PM

Nassau, The Bahamas - Educating the consumer about the benefits of the new Value Added Tax legislation should ease the public's fear of the Government's needs to control its spending.

Financial Secretary, John Rolle, led the discussion on the new legislation at a July 25, Ministry of Finance "Meet the Press" presentation at the Gladstone Road Freight Terminal.

Mr. Rolle explained that VAT is a broad based consumption tax, applying a 7.5 percent rate in the price of most purchased goods and services...

News : International
Haiti's president to visit The Bahamas - Jul 28, 2014 - 12:32:23 PM

According to HaitiLibre.com, President Michel Martelly will visit The Bahamas Tuesday to meet with Prime Minister Christie "to strengthen, harmonize and energize relations between Haiti and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. At this meeting the two men should sign 4 agreements: A framework agreement for cooperation; an agreement on on scientific and technical cooperation on the capacity building of port institutions; an agreement of commercial and technical cooperation in the field of quality control of agricultural products and export fisheries."