Category Archives: Bahamas

Dear Editor,

I read with concern a report in the paper this week about a foreign investor seeking a default judgement against former Sky Bahamas CEO Randy Butler. Dont get me wrong, if the investor has been wronged in the collapse of the airline, he should recover what he is owed.

Many of us are suffering. We have children to feed, school bills to pay, mortgages hanging over our heads. Some who lived on Abaco or Grand Bahama were severely impacted by Hurricane Dorian and were just trying to get back on their feet when calamity struck.

The management and staff of Sky Bahamas have been left out in the cold and cant even get Captain Butler to show up to the Industrial Tribunal to discuss the matter. We have been taken advantage of and totally ignored.

We wish Mr Kaiser all the best in recovering his money, but we dont want our claim to fall between the cracks. Captain Butler knows what he owes us. He should have the decency to come to the table and speak with those who gave him so much over the years.

Sincerely,

A former Sky employee

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Letters to the Editor: What about the suffering Sky Bahamas employees? - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bridal consulting and wedding coordinating firm Weddings of a Lifetime has launched a promotion to present one lucky winner with a Galentines Treatzza Day on February 13, 2021.

Galentines Day is celebrated on February 13 in various parts of the world as a way of celebrating womens friendship and this year, Weddings of a Lifetime thought: why not bring that concept here to The Bahamas but with a twist?

Weddings of a Lifetime Proprietor Latiska Barr-Carey said: As everyone is aware, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of pain and depression for many persons, with the wedding industry being hit tremendously.

This created a feeling of uncertainty amongst Bahamian brides and grooms with lockdowns, restrictions, etc. Many people didnt know what to do.

So, the thought was to give them a day of pampering with a catered meal, photoshoot, treat box, makeover, mini spa treatment and much more at a serene location.

Anyone can enter the competition by submitting an essay of no more than 100 words stating why their bestie or, like we say in Bahamian colloquialism, boy should be the recipient of the gift.

The winner will be treated to a catered lunch for two, a makeover for the honoree, a photoshoot to commemorate the day, a treat box to share and more.

Essays should be submitted to weddingsofalifetime@gmail.com no later than this Sunday, February 7, with the winner being announced on February 11.

Barr-Carey continued: So, we are encouraging all BFFs who missed out on the opportunity to participate in their friends special day, or a bride and groom of 2020 who were not able to have the wedding they dreamed of, to tell us about it.

And who knows you may be that lucky winner enjoying these prizes.

The Galentines Treatzza Day is sponsored by Weddings of a Lifetime, Just Complete Coverage, Make up Artistry by Tanya Walkes, Thompsons Catering, the Brownie Boutique, Make It Happen Media and Tranquil Moments Waxing and Spa Services.

For more information, visit the Weddings of a Lifetime Facebook page @weddingsofalifetime.

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Weddings of a Lifetime offering Galentine's Treatzza Day to one lucky winner - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Several nurses demonstrated outside of the House of Assembly yesterday in an effort to urge the government to pay money owed to them and protest against what they claimed is a continued lack of respect and unfair treatment.

The nurses chanted we deserve better; we deserve respect as they marched around the Lower Chamber in Parliament Square holding up placards that read: Nurses dont work for free, Give us our money, Nurses lives matters, Wheres your compassion?, and Protect us! We have families to go home to.

Several parliamentarians opted to cross the nurses picket line to greet the healthcare workers and listen to their concerns.

These included Mount Moriah MP Marvin Dames, Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis, Exumas and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine and Fort Charlotte MP Mark Humes.

Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) President Amancha Williams said several nurses in the Department of Public Health have still not been paid for overtime worked during Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and throughout the coronavirus pandemic last year.

Williams said despite meetings with Minister of Health Renward Wells, nurses are not happy with what they are being told.

The expectation is you still want us to come there and work more overtime, but from March you aint pay, she said.

Weve worked. An honest days work is an honest days pay.

She explained that nurses are being offered partial payment of the money owed and will get the arrears in the next six months.

However, she insisted that by the time the first pay period passes, nurses will once again be owed back pay for more overtime worked.

We want everything now because then you would still have seven months in arrears again. Pay it all and lets start again, Williams continued.

The BNU president said if their requests are not met, nurses are prepared to pull their services.

Whatever the nurses said, they are ready to do. We will follow the law of this commonwealth and we will go file our dispute, we will get our strike certificate and we will sit out until this government [gets it right],she said.

One nurse reminded the government that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and their services will be required, especially for administering vaccinations.

If you are treating us like this now, what you think we are supposed to expect when the next strain comes? You expect for us to sacrifice ourselves, she said.

We have nurses who died as well. We have nurses who got sick and their families got sick as well taking care of our Bahamian people. So, why we have to be out here struggling and fighting for what is ours?

This is what we get as being frontline workers; its unfair to us. Why we cant get whats due to us? Yall buying cars, yall buying everything else, yall paving the sidewalks. Persons dont need the pavement to walk on, but we need our money to survive just like everybody else.

While he did not engage nurses who stood in Rawson Square, Wells briefly spoke with members of the media as he entered the House of Assembly, indicating that hed already spoken to the unions leadership on two occasions.

Ive met with their leadership on Monday [and] yesterday, Wells said.

The government has a commitment and the government is going to meet its commitment.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis could be seen entering the House of Assembly from Parliament Street, as opposed to his usual Bay Street entrance, and waved to the nurses that stood in wait.

Disgruntled nurses screamed: We will remember, We hope you come through the back door when you come for our votes and We will tell our families too.

Williams cried shame on Minnis and Wells for failing to speak with them, calling it a disgrace.

At the end of the day, we must say we voted them in and surely we could vote them out, she said.

That was disrespectful. He is our minister. [Minnis] is a doctor first, who worked with us for many years. We are not here to do any harm; all we say is be just and fair.

Williams added: We are saying to pay the people. Thats all were asking. One stroke of a pen, prime minister, and thats it its all over.

However, later in the day, during a back-and-forth with Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin in the House, Wells insisted that the nurses have already been paid.

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Cut the nonsense and pay us: Nurses protest in Rawson Square - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation (BREEF) Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert was recently recognized as one of The Explorers Clubs 50 people changing the world.

The Explorers Club, on its website, describes itself as an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore.

It only just recently introduced its Explorers Club 50 list, with the 2021 list being the inaugural edition.

The organizations president, Richard Wiese, said: Every honoree featured, as well as the hundreds of other nominees, are exploring, inspiring and creating the future the future of the planet, the future of food security, of paleontology, of biology, what our communities should look like and so much more.

The EC50 (Explorer Clubs 50) was established to not only reflect the great diversity of exploration, but to give a voice to these trailblazing explorers, scientists and activists doing incredible work.

I could not be more pleased with the group selected to represent this first class. Over 400 nominations were received from 48 countries. Over 46 countries of work are represented by the winners from 17 countries of residence.

In a statement, BREEF said it was proud of the achievement.

McKinney-Lambert added: The ocean around us is essential for the social, economic and environmental well-being of The Bahamas. It is one of our greatest treasures and it is up to all of us to protect it.

At BREEF, we encourage everyone to explore this incredible world and to speak out bravely on its behalf as if our future depends on it, because it does.

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BREEF official makes list of 50 people who are changing the world - EyeWitness News

24 January 2021, 20:51

A former Brexit Party MEP and father-of-four has died in a diving accident near his home in the Bahamas.

Robert Rowland, 54, represented the South East of England at the European Parliament from July 2019 until December 2020.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said it was "conducting inquires" after "received reports of a drowning incident" on Saturday.

Nigel Farage announced the death of the father-of-four, who was born in Bowdon, Greater Manchester, on the website of the Reform Party, the new name for the Brexit Party.

He said: "It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Robert Rowland, after a diving accident near his home in the Bahamas.

"Following a successful career in the City, Robert was an enthusiastic Brexit Party MEP and larger than life character. He leaves a wife, Lisa Marie, and four children.

"On behalf of myself, and all those who were involved with the Brexit Party, I extend our sincerest condolences to his family."

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Former Brexit Party MEP dies in diving accident near Bahamas home - LBC

Sara Thompson January 24th, 2021 - 10:16 PM

A new online series entitled Live To Tape has been announced by indie-folk artist Bahamas. The online episodes can be found on the Bahamas YouTube channel, and they feature Bahamas performing remotely with a stellar assembly of musicians and artists. The lineup includes the likes of Lucius, The Secret Sisters, Gus Seyfort (Beck, Adele), and Bob Glaub (Jackson Browne, Rod Stewart).

The first episode has Bahamas playing with esteemed group The 400 Unit and was released on January 16, though the artists work together appeared as a three-song set which aired on CBS Saturday Morning last December. Others to appear on the series are Wylie Gelber, Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes, The Teskey Brothers, Joey Waronker, Russ Kunkle, Russ Pahl, Dave Roe and Gene Chrisman.

Lucius is also set to perform as part of the series, and Bahamas new project is not the only series in which the artist will appear. Forevergreen: A Vermont Adventure In Music included Lucius in the last episode of 2020.

The 400 Unit is the band of Jason Isbell, touring as Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, and has had a productive few months with their October performance in Tennessee before their set at a drive-in concert in Alpharetta, Georgia. The group is also set to perform at the in person festival Moon Crush in the spring of this year.

Bahamas has just finished an excellent year with the release of their widely embraced album Sad Hunk, their first album since the release of Earth Tones in 2018.

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Bahamas Announce New Series Live To Tape, Set To Feature Appearances From The 400 Unit, Lucious, Secret Sisters And More - mxdwn.com

Hall of Fame swim coachAlbert Bert Bell has died. He was 75 years old.

Bell, the head coach of the Freeport Aquatics Club Sharks, was a central figure in swimming in the Bahamas. Among the Olympians that he coached includeAllan Murray,Alana Dillette,Joanna Evans, Elvis Burrows, andGarvin Ferguson.

Ferguson briefly held the Olympic Record in the mens 50 meter freestyle. His 24.25 from heat 1, lane 1 at the 1988 Olympic Games, which was the first Olympics where the 50 was held, stood for 3 heats, when Canadas Mark Andrews broke it with a 23.64.

Bell represented the country at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympic Games. In 1996, he became the first-ever Bahamian swimmer to reach an Olympic final. He placed 12th overall, tied with Gustavo Borges, in teh B final at that meet.

The more contemporary names on that list, Dillette, Evans, and Burrows, combine to hold 15 Bahamian National Records in long course alone, including relay records.

Evans was the highest finisher among that group, placing 13th in the womens 400 free at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Burrows, who swam collegiate at the University of Kentucky, trained under Bell from the age of 5 through high school, and when he was home during the summer thereafter.

Pretty much 100% of Grand Bahamas Olympians all swam for Mr. Bell at one point, Burrows said of Bells impact. He has a very high percentage of world-class swimmers that have come through the program, and that kind of discipline he instilled in us allowed us to reach these heights.

Shortly before his death, Bell announced his retirement from swimming coaching, and the local swimming community began a campaign to start a fund for Bell into his retirement and to name something bigger than sports after him. The director of the YMCA where Bell coached proposed naming a highway after him.

Dillette, as part of that presentation, talked about what Bell did for her not just as an athlete, but as a person.

He caught me commitment, discipline, he taught me grit. He taught me all of the things as an athlete, obviously, they do make you a well-rounded athletes, but a well-rounded person. Ive managed to use those qualities now, even today in my life in my life in the role that I have as a professor.

I know that Mr. Bell had that impact on so many people, beyond me. Its not just about me or the other Olympians or other swimmers that he coached. He was an educator, he was a leader, he was a friend, a coach within our community.

Bell is a member of the Grand Bahama Sports Hall of Fame, recognized not just for his work in swimming, but also as a coach and administrator in cycling, triathlon, rugby, and even rugby. Besides the FAC, he worked as a teacher and coach at Eight Mile Rock High School for over 25 years, beginning in the 1970s when he relocated there from London.

Bell died in his home on January 16 after complications with his prostate and kidney caused by an illness. A motorcade and homegoing service will be held next weekend in Grand Bahama in celebration of the life and legacy of Bell. Local businesses have been asked to put royal blue or aqua colored ribbons on their doors to pay tribute to Bell.

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Bert Bell, a Legend and Pillar of Bahamas Swimming, Has Died - SwimSwam

Hailey Baldwinis keeping it casual with her latest bikini look.

The 24-year-old model took to Instagram on Friday to share several black-and-whitepictures of herself posing in a tiny two-piece.

She paired her look with Chanel loafers and sunglasses, while her hair was wrapped in a towel.

"Everythings better in the Bahamas @490tx," she captioned the snapshots, which appear to be from a past shoot.

HAILEY BALDWIN POSES IN TINY BIKINI AS SHE ENJOYS A 'COZY WEEKEND'

Hailey Baldwin took to Instagram on Friday to share several black-and-whitepictures of herself posing in a tiny two-piece.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

In a separate post, Bieber is seen rocking a white top along with a matching oversized button-down, a black bucket hatand the same designer loafers. However thistime she added a pair of white socks featuring a heart-printed design.

Baldwin captioned the smiling photo with a simple red heart emoji.

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Earlier this month, Baldwin and her husband Justin Bieber took a trip to Hawaii, sharing pictures of their getaway to social media.

"Heart = full," Baldwin captioned the photos at the time, which featured a picture of the couple in nature, a selfie of Baldwin as well a snapshot of her in the ocean.

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Bieber, 26, and Baldwin briefly began dating in 2015 before splitting shortly after. They reconciledin 2018 andhave since married.

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Hailey Baldwin says everythings better in the Bahamas as she poses in tiny bikini - Fox News

THERE is no shortage of benefits when it comes to participating in races.

It is a great way to stay active throughout the year while working on your personal best.

2020 was an unusual year for road racing. Marathon Bahamas wanted to keep its constituents engaged with a 12th edition of Marathon Bahamas events - marathon, half marathon and four-person relay - Marathon Bahamas Virtual.

Although participants were unable to compete next to hundreds of competitors, they were able to achieve the Marathon Bahamas race distances, possible personal records and their running/walking goals.

Additionally, as the race was virtual, it did still foster a sense of community for fellow runners who participated in teams - generating tons of camaraderie and fellowship.

Participants ran at their preferred location, at their own pace, outdoors or on a treadmill, alone or with group of friends (during a nine-day period) - continuing the annual participation tradition with this wonderful new racing option.

Marathon Bahamas Virtual 2021 had participants from 25 countries, 15 United States, 4 Canadian Provinces and far-reaching tentacles throughout The Bahamas.

Four charities benefit from the proceeds: Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Cancer Association of Grand Bahama, Sister Sister Cancer Support Group and the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. Sunshine Insurance is lead organiser for Marathon Bahamas.

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Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas celebrates its 12th anniversary virtually - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) is seeking feedback from 500 entrepreneurs on Grand Bahama and Abaco on the challenges being faced by the dual crisis of Hurricane Dorians impact and the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Last November, ORG launched a survey on the two islands, specifically, as part of a wider collaborative effort with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

It has since received up to 350 survey submissions, but program organizers said they are still looking for more.

ORG Education and Program Consultant Tiffany Bain- Saunders said: We have called local businesses, emailed and texted some as well. Grand Bahama response has been very strong, but we are still in need of more Abaco feedback.

We encourage all business owners to speak to our representatives or to visit our website your voice is so important in this.

She added: It goes without saying that micro, small and midsize enterprises (MSMEs) are responsible for driving economic activity throughout the country. Being aware of their challenges is critical data that can be used to set policy and discover growth trends as well.

In The Bahamas, 90 percent of all business owners fall into the category of small or medium-sized enterprises, with a significant number of them impacted negatively by the current economic conditions, according to ORG.

Saunders continued: The dual crisis has forced many businesses to lay off staff, reduce their hours of operation, or worse. While we are all anecdotally aware of the challenges our economy has faced, we need MSME data recorded to make sure future decisions any Government makes on how to help them is directed properly.

The survey, which can be accessed by clicking this link, engages business owners on a wide range of issues like the impact of COVID-related restrictions, challenges with access to supplies after the hurricane and how the government has supported or hindered their capacity to remain open.

The survey is estimated to take 15 minutes, with anonymity for all companies.

Once compiled, the report of results will be presented to the Ministry of State for Finance and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to aid in future policies and legislation. The compiled information will also be shared utilizing ORGs relationships with the SBDC, local Chambers of Commerce and NGOs.

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ORG looking to reach 500 MSMEs in northern Bahamas - EyeWitness News